Hondo's Cabin - Print Page

Hondo's Cabin
http://www.hondosackett.com/yabb/YaBB.pl
Cabin Exterior >> The Barnyard >> GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
http://www.hondosackett.com/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1219722737

Message started by Fernando on Aug 25^th, 2008, 11:52pm

Title: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Aug 25^th, 2008, 11:52pm

As far as pomp and circumstance is concerned, nothing is better than being part of an awards ceremony. The larger the better. But nothing can beat one being held at the UN, hosted by several nations, especially if it is in your honor. It took 1 month to figure out, 2 months to plan and 2 weeks to put together the grand show that it was to be.

In one of the many audience assembly chambers, inside the UN General Assembly Building, a crowd has been gathered for an award ceremony hosted by several nations for a tiny few. The UN Council speaker addresses the audience.

UN Speaker: Love is one of those emotions that can defined differently by all who are asked. But along with Love, there is Devotion for both Service and to one's fellow man. Today we are gathered here to honor those who have been went beyond the call of duty and worked diligently to the Devotion of their Service for the Love for their fellow man. Both Military and Civilian awards are being given, though such awards only cover what they have done, it does not describe the scope of their sacrifices. First set of awards will be given by the Italian Prime Minister.

The audience applauds loudly as the Italian Prime Minister approaches the podium. He starts to speak when it does down.

Italian Prime Minister: I am here to honor those who have given of themselves to the Service of our nation. In putting an end to the shipping routes of the drug smuggling terrorists, Italy has been able to win battles in the War Against Drugs and Terrorism. The first award I have here is for military personnel of other nations who have come to Italy's Aide in this war. The Italian Silver Medals goes to the crews of the US Mediterranean Naval Fleet, is being accepted by the commanding officers for their ships and crews they service:

(As each name is called, they come up to accept the award and wait besides the Prime Minister for all to arrive)

Italian Prime Minister (calling out the names): Fleet Admiral Ranger Ready- USS Enterprise, Captain E. Dixon - USS Texas, Captain L. Hale- USS Jacinto, Captain - USS Winston S. Churchill

Italian Prime Minister: There is one more name, whom without this work could not have been completed. Through hard work and sleepless nights of going over maps, data and intell that the underground routes had been discovered. It is with this discovery that made it possible to put an end to the drug shipments from outside our borders. The Silver Medal for Military Valor goes to this one person; Intelligence Naval Officer W.I. Rose.

The audience applauds loudly for one single name mentioned, as she walks up to the Prime Minister and accepts the award, then joins the others afterwards.

Italian Prime Minister: The next set of awards are for civilians who have come to serve on behalf of Italy's aid, by volunteering their Service, time and skills. It is without them this work could not have been started, researched, and completed. For Service up and beyond the call of duty, this Medal of The Grand Official of the Order of the Republic of Italy goes the following individuals:

(As each name is called, they come up to accept the award and wait besides the Prime Minister for all to arrive, opposite to the military personnel)

Italian Prime Minister: Sinclair
Midnight Man
CCC
and for the Rescue Rangers, Gadget Hackwrench-Maplewood.

The audience applauds loudly for one single name mentioned, as she walks up to the Prime Minister and accepts the award, then joins the others afterwards.

Italian Prime Minister: This next Medal of the President of the Italian Republic for continual work done to the Service of Italy by these three individuals. Along with it, they also receive honorary Italian citizenry and a monetary award of undisclosed value but enough for them to live comfortably when in our great nation. (the audience laughs momentarily, for such awards can as low as 2 million Euros).

(Each of the three names are called, they come up to accept the award and wait besides the Prime Minister for all to arrive, opposite to the military personnel)

Italian Prime Minister: Tammy G. and her sister Bink P. Squirrel, Alex II and Hondo I. Sackett.

The audience applauds momentarily as they walk onto the stage to gather their awards.

Italian Prime Minister: Lastly, the Commendatore of the Italian Republic goes posthumously to one who has given the greatest sacrifice for service to Italy. In unifying Italian and American agencies and military operations together, Fernando G. has done more for our great nation than anyone else in recently history. Alas, he would be assassinated at the end of his work, while in celebration of his newly-wed marriage to Tammy G., proving that such work done is not a safe one to undertake. There will always be bad-guys seeking to make a name for themselves, but that did not deter him from doing the tasks needed to be done. Most notably, he sought no reward for the job, no compensation for the time, energy and money spent. As I was told, all he wanted was to have the right thing done. Fernando G. is currently buried at the South Romano Cemetery; construction is underway for a much more appropriate monument in the Cemetery of Heroes in Northern Rome for him where he will never be forgotten. Here to accept this award is his daughter: Dr. Aiesha G.

Aiesha walks slowly across the stage to accept the award as the audience gives a standing ovation. She receives the award, shakes the Prime Minister's hand and then steps over to a lone spot between the two groups; where a single spot light shone. The audience continues with its ovation for another 2 minutes.

Italian Prime Minister: The next set of awards to be given will be from the Prime Minister of Slovenia.

The Italian Prime Minister walks off the stage, then followed by Aiesha, Tammy and Bink, Hondo and then the others. A few seconds later, the Slovenian Prime Minister approaches the podium.

Slovenian Prime Minister: Though it is through the actions of these people that our nation was attacked, it was not us who were targeted, but those evil individuals, their bases and their activities that were bombed out of existence. It is they who delved in illegal activities, immortal actions and terroristic morals who use borders to cross, hide from national authorities and disrupt peace keeping measures. In collaboration with the Italian and American governments did we mange to put a stop to this activity along the Slovenian/Italian borders. Alas, this does not put an end to the problem of international terrorism, but it sends them a message that such activities will not be taken lightly and that they can not use borders to hide. With names like Hydra, Onyx, Triad, The Black Hand, Padania/The 5 Republics, and Al Quida, these groups believe that they can operate above the laws of nations and think they are the creators of the laws of man. It is they who are to be stopped if we are to have world peace and universal understanding, and if it weren't for people like the ones being honored today, such evil would be more successful. I wish those who were up here did not sit down, for it is they who Slovenia is also honoring.

The audience applauds momentarily.

Slovenian Prime Minister: For military Service to Slovenia, The Order of Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia goes to the ships and crews of the American Mediterranean Fleet: Fleet Admiral Ranger Ready- USS Enterprise, Captain E. Dixon - USS Texas, Captain L. Hale- USS Jacinto, Captain - USS Winston S. Churchill.

They all walk up to the Slovenian Prime Minister, receive their awards, and stand to where they stood before.

Slovenian Prime Minister: Like before, The Silver Order of Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia goes to Intelligence Naval Officer W.I. Rose, for her hard work in isolating and protecting innocent lives from which the terrorists and criminals used to hide and protect themselves from a much more larger assault. It is because of her, no innocent life was killed in the bombardment of the criminal targets. Buildings, towns and roads destroyed in this raid can be rebuilt, but lives can not be replaced, thus I can not say more in this on how grateful we are that in her task- no innocent lives were lost.

The Slovenian Prime Minister signals to Rose to receive her award. The audience gives her an ovation as she walks onto the stage and receives her award.

Slovenian Prime Minister: These next two are The Order for Exceptional Service and The Order for Service in the military or security field, which both goes to one who has worked hard in conjunction with our military and local police departments in this task. It goes to Alex II.

The audience applauds momentarily as he walk onto the stage to gather his award.

Slovenian Prime Minister: These next awards: The Golden Order for Service Medals for civilian, diplomatic, and military/security fields goes to those who had worked in the detective work, sorting over evidence, looking over intell, and interrogating captured criminals. It is without them this work against those terrorist elements could not have been started. They are: Tammy G. and her sister Bink P. Squirrel, and Hondo I. Sackett.

The audience applauds momentarily as they walk onto the stage to gather their awards, and take their place beside the Slovenian Prime Minister, opposite of the military personnel.

Slovenian Prime Minister: This last set of awards, The Golden Order of Freedom
of the Republic of Slovenia and The Medal for Honorable Action, goes to the one who has given the ultimate sacrifice of the cause of life, liberty and safety to Slovenia and its people. To many he is a complete unknown, a face in a crowd of faces, but his actions speaks louder than words. It is without him that none of this would have been possible, and we are deeply sadden by his loss. Like in Italy, a monument will be erected in his honor, school children will remember his name and elders will speak of him as one who fought for our service. We are a nation of several years in age, but we are a proud country. It is people like him that make one being a Slovenian proud. His daughter, Dr. Aiesha G., a medical professional in her own rite, will be accepting this award, which was just created for him: Fernando G. It is the highest honor that we can bestow.

Aiesha walks slowly across the stage to accept the award as the audience gives a standing ovation. She receives the award, shakes the Prime Minister's hand and then steps over to A lone spot between the two groups; where a single spot light shone. The audience continues with its ovation for another couple of minutes.

Slovenian Prime Minister: The next set of awards to be given will be from the President of the United States.

The Slovenian Prime Minister walks off the stage, then followed by Aiesha, Tammy and Bink, Hondo and then the others. A few seconds later, the President of the Unites States approaches the podium.

US President: Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great honor and pleasure that I stand here in front of you to honor those who had put themselves in great risk in the Service of others. They did not go to do thinking that this would be an easy job or an earned vacation, but because they saw their fellow world citizens in trouble and sought to help them. Nor did they think about rewards for their actions. They simply saw in what they thought was wrong and made it right. To them awards do not justify the means of their hard work and determination, but rather the concern and safety of the fellow man. In this act of selflessness, they have committed themselves into action when nobody else would. We are gathered here today to pay homage and tribute to them and their heroic deeds. To the Members Mediterranean fleet, the Bronze Star Medal is to be awarded to the ships, their captains and their crews. For her work in separating civilian personnel and property from terrorist targets and thus keeping civilian casualties and collateral damage to a minimum of zero, Naval Officer W.I. Rose will receive the Humanitarian Service Medal. To our CIA Operative, Alex II, he shall receive the Distinguished Intelligence Medal. Tammy G., Bink P. Squirrel and Hondo I. Sackett will all receive the Congressional Silver Medal. Lastly these two awards, Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded posthumously to Fernando G, given his daughter Dr. Aiesha G. This is nothing compared to the work that they had done in saving lives and dispelling evil and corruption, and have proven themselves as truly American. We should be so lucky to live out our lives within their shadows.

Though none of those mentioned went to get their Medals, the audience applauds as the president leaves the podium. The UN Council speaker then approaches the podium, and waits for the applauds to subside.

UN Speaker: Furthermore, though not a sanctioned UN mission, The United Nations have decree recognition of honor for his Service and will bestow the family of Fernando G. the Dag Hammarskjold Medal. Celebratory gathering and dinner will commence in the General Assembly chamber.

The UN Council speaker walks off the stage. Slowly the gathered crowd of dignitaries and press also start to leave. The others except for Hondo, Aiesha and Tammy, along with Bink, start to leave the auditorium. The four of them stay behind for a few moments looking at each other.

Hondo: Welcome home.
Tammy: If you can call it that.
Hondo: You have that feeling too?
Tammy: Yes.

The door in the rear opens up and a lone figure enters through it- a pale white female mouse with glasses and dark brunette hair. Her high heels hits the floor hard with each step she takes, making sure that her movements does not go unnoticed. She stops just a few rows away from them. They all had followed her with their eyes until she stops steps away from them.

Hondo: What is it you want Misao?
Misao: Aren't you all going to the party that is held in your honor?
Hondo: Why should I? The one person who all this is for is not here, and no one else on or off this planet can replace him.
Misao: But this was all a team effort.
Hondo: Think about it. Fernando saved Tammy and Bink from their murder attempt. Fernando organized the SWA and the United States Armed Forces into taking positive action. Fernando made sure that all of us here would be standing today. So what team effort was there? It was all him.
Misao: There is no 'I' in Team.
Tammy: There is an 'M' and an 'E' for 'ME', as he had once told me.
Misao: I see. And you Doctor Aiesha, you agree with them?
Aiesha: I don't have to agree with anyone or anything. All I know is that these people are my friends and I want to be with my friends. You however, are not, so I would advise you to leave us be.
Misao: Is that supposed to be a threat of some kind?
Aiesha: Take it as you like. Since you claim to know when will be your last day on Earth, do you know what condition your condition before that day will be? I wonder what injuries you will take to the grave. Then again, I might be the one that does your autopsy, so I already know.
Misao: Already know?
Aiesha: Come now, you believe that my father would not pass his time-travel secrets to his only daughter?
Misao: He didn't.
Aiesha: You ever wonder how or why your life is to well scripted? The answer has been staring at you through dark glasses, and yet you refuse to acknowledge that part of your past to yourself. So if you think you know, then you know what is the next words to come out of your mouth.
Hondo/Tammy/Aiesha: In your quest to take over the world, you have left too many openings for others to take advantage of.
Misao: I did not want to take over the world.
Hondo/Tammy/Aiesha: A famous rich man that has everything but the one thing he desires. That one thing is power. Power over others. Power to control. Power to manipulate, to take charge of the people, things and events around them.
Aiesha: Fernando would not have wanted power, money or fame.
Misao: Fernando was nothing more than a power hungry...
Aiesha: I would advise you to shut up. That's my father you are talking about.
Tammy: I am telling you to shut up as well, for he was my husband. And like Aiesha stated, he did not wanted power, money or fame. All he wanted was 1 thing- to be happy with his life. And we were to live that life as best as possible.
Misao: How could you be married to him, he was dead before you two married.
Tammy: We were married before the ceremony. The wedding was just for show to the rest of the Rangers as proof that he cared about me as much as I did him. You can go on about your Almighty Glass House, but you do not realize that while you are looking at one aspect of the Glass house, something else is going on in another part of it.
Misao: It is true that I may be blind to his actions, but if I knew, I would have done something to stop it, and ultimately saved him.
Hondo: Misao- you failed.
Aiesha: And we do not want you here around us... Ever.
Tammy: Go out and play with your Atlantean minions. You have no friends here.
Misao: Why, I never.
Hondo: In Fernando's words- maybe you should every once in a while, and just maybe you might like it. Now if you don't mind- respect our privacy, and leave.
Misao: Hmph!

Misao turns around and starts to walk away. They follow her with their eyes until she leaves the large auditorium. Hondo then raises his left arm to chest height, pulling up on his sleeve, exposing a PAW 721-Unit, which was running the Temporal Gateway program in the back ground. Activating it, he inputs the several passwords that it requests, and then a flash of light appears, and Fernando stands among them when the light fades. He takes a deep breathe as they all look at him.

Aiesha: Everything alright, father?
Fernando: Still not used to that.
Tammy: Fernando, do you remember us?
Fernando: Just barely. I mean, no hard feelings against you, I need time to get over the headaches, and commotion of associated emotions to events that 'I' was not there for.
Hondo: You're lucky that she can not sense you.
Fernando: She? Who?
Hondo: Misao
Fernando: You mean the Goddess Shiva- the destroyer of worlds.
Hondo: Is she really a god?
Fernando: She is an individual with so much power, it would make the gods jealous. But she is still mortal, and this there lies her flaw.
Aiesha: Power?
Fernando: Power, as in the ability to believe that she can control the future by altering the past. That takes the Time Traveler's creed and damns it into the worst possible exuberance of selfish actions.
Tammy: If you could, would you?
Fernando: Don't you think that I have tried at least once?
Tammy: I thought you would say something like that.
Hondo: Lets go, they are waiting for us.

Fernando raises his right arm and lifts up the sleeves, exposing a Paw 3000 device on it, with a Temporal Portal program running on it.

Fernando: They are waiting for you. I got a date with a bed and a few aspirin tablets.
Aiesha: Father- don't take too much. It can do more harm than good.
Fernando: I already know that. Look. I'll be in the party, playing ghost, and put myself in every picture being taken there. Let it be something for the conspiracy theorists argue over for the next 50 or years. Let the believers think that the UN is haunted by my ghost. Either way, I am going to rest first before I do anything.
Tammy: Want somebody to watch over you?
Fernando: Not this time...

Fernando leans over to Tammy and kisses her on the forehead. He then takes a step back, putting his left hand on the PAW device and disappears in a flash of light. Hondo looks at his Paw device.

Hondo: According to this, he should be back in another hour and a half.
Aiesha: Good. We got a party to crash.
Tammy: Crash? Isn't this our party?
Hondo: Well ladies, lets go to the Porsche and drop off our prizes before the fun and games begin.
Aiesha: Now that is a good Idea.

The four of them walk to the elevators and take one down 10 levels to the UN Underground garage where the Porsche was stored. Once there, they put their awards into the rear hatch/trunk area, placing them neatly within the car before going back upstairs to the General Assembly area where the party awaits them. In a few moments if walking around trying to find the place, they make it to the General Assembly Area, which had been converted to a large dining and party area. Dignitaries, ambassadors, agency head from governments world wide were there, along with members from the SWA, The Rescue Rangers, and Fernando's little group. Waiting at the door for Tammy was Marco with his cyborg Angelica. He approaches them once he sees her enter through the door with the others.

Marco (giving Tammy a hug): I thought you would never come.
Tammy (as Marco slowly pulled away): I thought about it.
Marco: Why? All this is for you. And to believe that you were one of the agency's worst Fratello teams.
Tammy: Worst because I wont shot my gun and take a life outright? Marco, you should know better- I wont take a life outright like that, nor will I allow Bink to do the same. But if I have to defend myself, then I will. This killing that you and the agency do has to stop.
Marco: You know that the agency deal with Italy's most dangerous people who believe them to be above the law. Arresting them is not enough, they have to be eliminated.
Tammy: Don't you think I know that? But there has to be a better way.
Marco: Like I told you before, once you figure out how, you let me now. Now, about this party... its so hard to believe that all this is for you.
Tammy: It is not just for me, it is for Hondo and Fernando as well. They are the ones who figured out all the pieces, and found the international drug trade routes for us. Without them, we would still be fighting off LSD crazed addicts in the streets of Rome.
Marco: So hard to believe that a simple drug ring infiltration mission turned into all this. Well, congrats. I'll be around if you need me.

Marco starts to walk away with Angelica.

Aiesha: What was that about?
Tammy: Just job related crap.
Aiesha: If I did not know any better...
Tammy: You do, and yes, he's been 'more friendlier' since Fernando's funeral.
Aiesha: I thought he was trying to hit on you.
Tammy: Furthermore, even though the SWA and the Fratello teams all got Italian awards of their own, some are a bit jealous about what I'm receiving, blaming it on beginner's luck.
Aiesha: I would not worry about it. Like you said- they are all jealous.
Hondo: Only problem is, you and Bink are now internationally celebrities, and the world organized crime syndicates would want to get their claws on you.
Tammy: I cant let that scare me. I have to continue on with life as best as I can, and be prepared for the worst.
Hondo: Its good to think that way.
Aiesha: Shall we separate?
Tammy: No. Lets stay together, so if somebody start asking questions, at least we can back each other up.
Aiesha: Well, least go attack the food table.
Tammy: Good idea, lets go.
Hondo: Its about time!

They walk to the food table and look over the various things it had to offer: American dishes, Italian meals, and Slovenian cooked foods. There were other foods from around the world as well, but in smaller portions than the other 3. It seemed a bit too much but the floor had over 575 people on it, half of them world ambassadors from all over. Hondo managed to pick out some roast beef and ribs with BBQ sauce, mashed potato, corn on the cob and some vegetables, with a bit of corn bread on the side. Tammy got a plate of fancy pasta for her and Bink with vegetables and beef on the side. Aiesha took a plate of a little of everything, with all taking to a can of soda each. They take to their table to sit down and eat. Their meal would not be as peaceful as they would have hoped, as Misao came to the table with the Japanese Emperor in tow.

Misao: Here they are (pointing them out): Dr. Aiesha G.- daughter of Fernando G., Hondo I. Sackett- who worked beside him during the case, and Tammy G.- formerly Tammy Squirrel. She married Fernando just after the case mission was over, shortly before his assassination. She was the one who discovered the LSD Terror plot.
Hondo (whispering to Misao): This is uncalled for!
Japanese Emperor (bows down to them): I am glad to meet you all.
Aiesha: So are we.
Japanese Emperor: I was hoping to meet with you, in hopes to have you come to Japan and help out with our problem with the Yakusa unifying resources and forces with the Triads. You will be given unlimited resources and be greatly rewarded for success of your work.
Tammy: We will have to think about that. Do not get us wrong, but we still are in mourning.
Japanese Emperor: I am deeply sorry for the intrusion then.
Tammy: No, don't be. You did not know, and its no insult to us. But, this is not a good time. I'm sure Misao can give you our contact information, and you can get back to us in about 60 days or so?
Japanese Emperor: It would be my pleasure.
Tammy: Arigato Emperor-wan.
Japanese Emperor: Domo Arigato, Tammy-san.

The Japanese Emperor then bows and starts to walk away, leaving Misao behind with the others.

Hondo: What was the meaning of that?!!
Misao: Its exactly what he said. You help solve Italy's drug problem, in fact, that little stunt cleaned up the drug market for much of southern Europe. Why not do the same with Asia. Japan is a powerful ally to have on your side...
Hondo: You're just pimping us out!
Misao: You misunderstand. People with your abilities should use it to help save the world from its problems.
Hondo: Don't you think we would like some time to rest?
Tammy: The both of you, Enough! Misao, don't be getting ideas into that pretty little head of yours. We want to be left alone for the undetermined time being. Nor do I care about Japan or any other nation and its problems they can not solve themselves.
Misao: But you would be making the world a better place.
Aiesha: A better place for whom? Its not secret that the Japanese Emperor descended from the original Atlantean refugee group you put on Earth 10,000 years ago. So what will it be- Atlanteans or Terrians.
Misao: They have been Terrians for over 10,000 years.
Aiesha: And the fossil records show that we have been around for over 35million years. They are the foreigners, transplanted from another planet from another star system, nor do I care for them. Neither did Fernando. They are supposed to be on their home world planet running their society with their technologies as they see fit by now. Not be in competition with us for resources which were ours by evolutionary rights!
Tammy: Just because they are mice does not mean that they are loving and caring of you because you are a mouse. You are just a means to an end for them, its that you have yet to see that.
Misao: So is that it-mice versus squirrels?
Hondo: Don't go there, miss. I'm a mouse.
Bink: Can I shoot her, Tammy?

Misao looks at Bink who has both her hands under the table, with her gun out of its hidden holster and aimed at her leg. Misao tries to laugh it off, thinking that nothing will happen, although there is a 50 percent chance that what ever happens would go against her script.

Tammy: Bink- put that gun away!
Bink: Awww.
Tammy: Just do what I say, I don't want trouble in this place!
Bink: But the mean mouse lady looks like a threat.
Tammy: She is nothing that I cant handle.
Bink: OK.

Tammy turns to Misao once she sees Bink putting away her gun.

Tammy: Consider yourself lucky that Bink is willing to ask questions before pulling the trigger. Now Misao, for the second time, we wish to be left alone. There wont be a third time.
Misao: Don't count on it. Many here want you to work for them in dealing with their problems. To them, you are a god-send.
Tammy: Then send the Rescue Rangers to work for them. I'm sure that Chip would love to get rewards for leading the Rangers into action. You see where it got Fernando...
Misao: This is all above the Rangers' abilities to do good.
Tammy: Above their ability to do good? Why, because people need to be killed off? Is that it?
Aiesha: I would advise you to turn that mouse tail of yours around and start walking away, Miss.
Hondo: We are not here for the rewards nor for the fight, Misao. Now for the last time, stop being disrespectful and leave us in peace.
Bink: Or be carried away in pieces.

They all look at Bink.

Tammy (still looking at Bink): You heard her Misao- leave or I'll sic Bink on you.
Misao: We will meet again. There is something going on here and I am going to find out what it is.

They all look at her for the moment she stands there. Misao then turn around and walks away.

Hondo: What an arrogant bitch, I swear!
Aiesha: I bet you would do her though.
Hondo: I would not do her the favor if I was skunk-drunk and my life depended in it, I would rather die with the bottle in front of me.
Tammy: Who would do her the favor?
Aiesha: No body from this planet, that's for sure.
Tammy: Figures. I bet she has an Atlantean lover somewhere.
Aiesha: I would not be surprised if she tried to hit on father.
Tammy: She would not dare.
Aiesha: Why not? She wants control over everything and everyone around her. And Fernando is the one thing that eludes her every time. I bet she creams her panties in just the frustration alone.
Hondo: A tight ass like that will only spit out diamonds if you shove coal into it.
Tammy: You been looking at her ass? Ewww...
Hondo: Its an expression- a tight ass, meaning someone who constantly has to squeeze down upon their control in order to keep it. Frankly, If I want to get on that ass of her, I hope I'm driving a mac truck, and hauling a double trailer load when I run her over.
Tammy: And I thought you had had such feelings reserved for Rose.
Hondo: Lets say that I'm an equal opportunity hater. Besides, I'm already over Rose. Its unhealthy to hate so much against somebody who was a friend.
Aiesha: But for Misao?
Hondo: If I knew how to run this time doo-hickey of Fernando's, I would leave her stuck in the far out distant past with nothing more than the silk underwear on her ass and a pack of hungry lions around her.
Aiesha: Ha! That's father's test for intelligence!
Hondo: And she would fail it.
Tammy: Who could pass it?
Hondo (leaning over to Tammy): Tammy- I'll let you in on a little secret... (he whispers into her ear as to what the answer is).
Tammy: Oh... OH! That's it?!!

Both Aiesha and Hondo nods at her, and then smile. Tammy begins to laugh. They then continue on with their meal in a more joyful mood.

At the far end of the room was Chip and Dale with the male contingents of the Rangers, surrounded by several dignitaries. As always, Chip was bragging about events that he was not even part of. Dale and the others stood around proud, nodding to every word Chip had said.

Chip: And there we were, hiding in the trees along the Slovenian border, tracking the drug shipping trucks as they crossed into Italy. With little more than just our bare eyes in the darkness of early morning- 3AM, we had to get descriptions of the trucks, of their drivers and passengers, and license plate numbers. I wanted to set a trap to slow them down, but was ordered not too because it might cause them to take another route if they find their current one was boobey trapped.

A bright flash of light appeared behind the group of dignitaries, but with so many camera flashes going on, no one seemed to notice. Somebody makes their way towards Chip, that someone being Fernando. Once Fernando makes his way to Chip, he puts his arm around Chip's shoulder.

Fernando: Tell me Chip, (handing out dated photographs to the dignitaries of Chip laying in a hospital bed in a coma) How could you have done all this while laying down on a hospital bed in an LSD induced Coma. In fact, if it were not for the actions of Dr. Aiesha G. and the cure that Fernando G. had found, you would still be there in that bed right now...
Chip: You're Not Fernando- Who Are You?!!
Fernando: Ah, Chip, still a non-believer... Well, you know there is a place in the afterlife for liars, braggarts and non-believers... Ladies and Gentlemen, this 'munk got you had. He was never in Italy, was not part of the mission that we are here celebrating their heroes, but If you want to know who was- (pointing to Gadget who was in a black dress at the far end of the room), You can talk to the little lady over there, she was part of the mission and overseen all Rescue Ranger activities thereof. (slapping Chip on the back of the head) And not this idiot who is feeding you lies.

With a bright flash of light, Fernando disappears from view. The dignitaries all looked at Chip angrily, though confused as to what happened, but taking what was said as fact. They walked away from him, heading towards Gadget.

Naval Officer Rose, Admiral RangerReady23, and the captains of the Mediterranean Fleet were together with military dignitaries from other countries at another part of the room. The Admiral was doing much of the talking. As he told his story, a bright flash of light appeared behind the group, and Fernando made his way through them to the Admiral.

Admiral Ranger Ready: Once we gathered the spy satellite intell, we devised a bombing raid to eliminate the targets. I was sitting on the command chair giving out the orders to fire...
Fernando: Oh, did you now?
Admiral Ranger Ready: FERNANDO!
Fernando: That me...
Admiral Ranger Ready: You're supposed to be dead!
Fernando: I am. But I'm here to make sure that a few things are corrected. First of all... (Reaching the newly received medals on his chest and then ripping them off). These are not for you. (He hands them over to Captain Dixon and to Naval Officer Rose.) Second of all- While The USS Texas, USS Jacinto and the USS Winston S. Churchill were conducting the bombing raid, you had the USS Enterprise hiding at the Strait of Gibraltar. Why is that? Did not want the Enterprise to be connected with this mission in case it went wrong? And lastly, You did not gather the intell, that was hard work done by CIA Agent Alex II and his colleagues, Naval Officer Rose and the Squirrel Android CCC; while Captain Dixon here took charge of the fleet operations for the mission, handled the gathered intell, and planned and conducted the bombing run while you played hide the Enterprise. So Admiral... don't be taking credit from those who properly earned it. It is quite obvious that it was not you, your ship or your crew.

With a bright flash of light, Fernando disappears from view. The dignitaries all looked at Admiral Ranger Ready with disgust and then turned their attention to Captain Dixon, Naval Officer Rose and the other captains who were there. Admiral Ranger Ready walked away as he was ignored.

Another bright flash of light appeared by the food table. The food server behind the table had to do a double take as Fernando stood there in front of the table, picking up a plate and some utensils to eat with. Fernando looks around.

Fernando (pointing at an item): Oooo, is that Mako Shark Sushi?

The food server nods nervously.

Fernando: Pile it on! And that-tuna Sushi, and the salmon sushi too! (then he moves further down the table.) Yeah, dump some of the ravioli this way... and Oh yeah... Roast Beef... hand that over too. Yeah, when I get back to heaven, I must compliment the bull on how tasty his flesh was. And those short ribs- Pile it on!!!

The food server had a wide-eyed expression of uncertainty and disbelief on him upon hearing that. Fernando grabs a bottle of wine and a glass, despite the protests of the drink server who tried to reach to retrieve it back. Instead, Fernando disappears in a flash of light. The two servers then looked at each other and then fainted.

Fernando reappears at Tammy, Hondo, and Aiesha's table. He places his food down before taking his seat.

Aiesha (reaching over to hug him): Father!
Fernando: Its always 'father' when its something serious and 'daddy' when you want something.
Aiesha: I know, I'm sorry...
Hondo: What are you doing here?
Fernando: Eating.
Hondo: But, the others will see you!
Fernando (pouring the wine into his glass): Since I've been playing ghost with the crowd, most already have.
Tammy: Alright, what have you been doing?
Fernando (as he starts to eat): Did you know that both Chip and Admiral Ranger Ready were trying to take credit away from the others here to make themselves look good?
Tammy: No you didn't!
Fernando: Had too. They were making the others, including you 3, look bad. So I had to straighten out the truths they had dished out. (throws a Mako Shark Sushi into his mouth) Mmm... that is good!
Hondo: What did you say?

It takes a while for Fernando to enjoy the sushi.

Fernando: A little tough, but not bad.
Hondo: Well?
Fernando: In Chip's case- end the fact that he said he was in charge and in the field when his stinking tail was bed-ridden in the hospital from the LSD Poisoning induced coma he was in.
Tammy: And Admiral Ranger Ready?
Fernando: He was telling the international military officers of how he gathered the intell and conducted the bombing raid.
Tammy: But you did all that!
Fernando: And I set them straight on that fact, along with while he was hiding the Enterprise at Gibraltar, Captain Eddie and the others were the ones who stayed behind and did the bombing raid. To add injury to insult, I ripped the medals he received today off his fat chest and handed them over to Rose and Eddie.
Tammy: You didn't!
Hondo: She don't deserve any of it.
Fernando: Relax Hondo. She deserves something for her hard work. Just because you two did not work out does not mean that she should be denied the fruits of her labor. About that, You two should learn how to be friends again, or you will end up having an ex-from-hell. Believe me, you don't want that.
Aiesha: Listen to him, Hondo. You don't want that.
Hondo: Hmph...
Fernando: Don't get indignant on my behalf. You two have the rest of your lives to work out your differences, although how long that time is remains to be seen.
Aiesha: What do you mean by that?
Fernando: Nothing. But if one day I tell you to evacuate to the Italian safe houses- do so without delay.
Tammy: You know something but cant tell us?

Fernando nods. He continues eat

Fernando: So, now your lives are set into stone. Anything and everything you do now will be financially taken cared of by others, unfortunately, they are going to want something in return.
Tammy: Misao already tried.
Aiesha: Yeah- twice.
Fernando: Figures.
Hondo: She wanted us to work for the Japanese Emperor in dealing with his Yucky-saw and Triangle problem...
Fernando: Uhm... that's Yacusa and Triads- one is the Japanese Mafia, the other is Chinese. Alone, they are a bigger problem than what we dealt with. Together, they are a major world wide threat.
Hondo: Bigger than the LSD traffickers we dealt with?
Fernando: Bigger. Consider that the Chinese population right now is 2.13 billion people, and if 1/1000000th of that is in organized crime, its a million times more than the few number of goons we had to deal with.
Hondo: No way we can handle that!
Fernando: Especially when they have wormed their way into governments and major corporations, it's a major undertaking. Hmmm...
Tammy: You're not thinking of doing that, are you?
Fernando: I'm not a fool, but I'll talk to a few 'friends' about this and lets see what happens.
Hondo: Friends?
Fernando: Lets say that I have saved a few people's lives that were better off left alone to rot in the gutters from which they were found. But this would strictly be an intell gathering mission. Nothing more.
Hondo: Why?
Fernando: You want an Atlantean Space Battle Cruiser orbiting over your house with targeting scanners on it? That is what we would have to deal with if either group is going beyond their means for power. But enough of that. I will deal with it. You guys will have smaller international stuff to sort through and look over. Tammy- how is Bink doing?
Tammy: Bink? She's fine. Why?
Fernando: Got enough medication for her?
Tammy: 1/2 a year's supply worth.
Fernando: Good. Bink- if you don't feel good- tell Tammy immediately.
Bink: Yes, sir.

Fernando and the others finish off their meals without disturbance. Fernando then disappears afterwards, reappearing back at his home in his tree. Admiral Ranger Ready leaves early, being unable to undo the correction that Fernando had done, just short of turning him into a laughing stock. The rip on his naval jacket only adds to his insult. Chip keeps a very low profile as the dinner and party continues into the night. Though the Italian and Slovenian Prime Ministers were in attendance, the US President was not, leaving the task to the US Ambassador.

The party ended at about 1AM, but Hondo and the girls left early at 11:30, using Bink's bed time as an excuse to leave. They arrive at Fernando's tree just before Midnight. Hondo waits for the girls to enter Fernando's tree first before going off to his room at the cafŽ. He puts away his awards before laying on his bed, for sleep did not come for him during the night.

Aiesha, Tammy and Bink walk into the living room, putting the awards on the coffee table as to be sorted out later. They sit down on the furniture, taking off their shoes.

Tammy: Bink, You can sleep in the guest room upstairs.
Bink: Where will you be?
Tammy: I need to talk with Fernando.
Bink: Uhm...
Tammy: What?
Bink: How can he be Fernando if Fernando was killed in Italy?
Tammy: Its along story, Bink. I'm not sure how to explain it other that it is.
Bink: Are you married to this Fernando?
Tammy: That is what I need to talk to him about.
Bink: Maybe I should be there, in case there is a fight.
Tammy: No, don't worry yourself about that. Fernando cares a lot for me, and he would not hurt me.
Bink: But that is not the same Fernando...
Tammy: Bink-go upstairs.

Bink does as she was told, taking one of the upstairs bedrooms that were there for friends and guests.

Aiesha: That was not nice.
Tammy: But it was necessary.
Aiesha: Has to be a better way in dealing with this.
Tammy: Don't you think I wished it were?
Aiesha: Tammy?

Tammy just sighs.

Aiesha: Even though this Fernando seems to care for you, he may not love you.
Tammy: Don't you think I know that? It hurts, you know.
Aiesha: I know why you want to see him. I just have to say that its too early to do this.
Tammy: How do you know what I want to do.
Aiesha: Because I want to too, but as his daughter, not his wife or lover like you.

Tammy sighs again.

Aiesha: He needs his space and time for now. He has to deal with the temporal psychosis headaches, get things in order inside his head, line up memories and the emotions tied to them so that he can continue as the Fernando we all know and love. And maybe, just maybe, we will have him back. But right now, if you try to sleep with him, you might set him into a negative spin on his recovery.
Tammy: I want to just know that he still loves me, that's all!
Aiesha: He does Tammy. Believe me he does.
Tammy: Then why wont he say or show it?
Aiesha: Because his memories and emotions are not aligned. That kiss he gave you earlier, shows that he cares. Accept that for what its worth.
Tammy: I need more than just a kiss on the forehead, Aiesha.
Aiesha: I know, Tammy. Now just let him heal. OK?

Aiesha gets up and starts walking to her room. Tammy sits alone in the living room. After a while, Tammy reaches over under the sofa and pulls on a handle, converting the sofa into a bed. Taking a blanket and pillow from a nearby closet, Tammy takes off her clothes and places them on a nearby chair before retiring under the blankets in just her underwear. Sleep for her came slowly, but it was not a restful one for her.

In the distance, somebody pulls a camera with a long tele-photo lens away from their face as the lights in Fernando's tree house goes out. She looks at the tree with her unaided eyes.

Misao: Something funny is going on there.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Aug 26^th, 2008, 12:06am

-- The Following Morning --

"Tammy, wake up... come on Tammy... wake up...", a distant voice saids in somewhere just beyond the dreamscape. If it were not for the shaking, Tammy would have continued to sleep for another hour or two. "Its 8:30 in the morning...time to wake up..."

"Alright... I'm awake...", Tammy says in a 1/2 sleepy tone, then yawns and stretches while she tries to sit up, having the blanket fall off her to her waist, revealing that she wore nothing underneath, at least as the top 1/2 is concerned. Tammy stared at the face in front of her, trying to get it into focus, trying to figure it out who is was. It was Aiesha, Fernando's daughter.

"Uhm, Tammy... are you naked under the blanket?", Aiesha asks.
"No, why?", Tammy stated while still in a 1/2 sleepy tone.
"Then you're topless, maybe?", Aiesha asks.

Tammy goes back to the bed and cover herself with the blanket, unaware of what had transpired. "I'm not topless either. Just let me go back to sleep, will ya? Wake me up in another hour."

Then Tammy holds a pillow close to herself as she has done before in those lonely nights since she was able to get sleep days after the funeral. Before then, she was afraid to sleep, staying awake until her body gives out and she passes out for 10 hours straight, without dreaming, without wanting to dream. For dreams would relive the nightmare she had went through before on her wedding day. But then she realizes that she was topless.

Tammy (from under the blanket): Who is in here with us?
Aiesha: Just me...
Tammy: You swear?
Aiesha: I swear.

Tammy sighs.

Aiesha: Besides, we're covered in fur anyway. And its not like I never seen... those... before...
Tammy: You've seen them on other people. Not on me.
Aiesha: Look... I'm leaving a robe for you to put on right here. I'll be in the kitchen making breakfast. What would you like?
Tammy: The usual- nothing.
Aiesha: You got to eat something. Its not good for you if you don't eat breakfast.
Tammy: I'm not hungry.
Aiesha: You have to eat something for one. You also have to get up- your bedroom is everyone else's living room. Besides, Bink will be up and around soon and you have to tend to her as well.
Tammy (burying herself further into the blanket): Alright, alright, I'll get up...
Aiesha (slowly getting up off the sofa-bed): Good.
Tammy: In about 1/2 an hour.
Aiesha: Tammy! You're hopeless!

Tammy just grumbles to herself.

Aiesha goes to the kitchen and starts making breakfast. After a while, the smells of items cooking in the kitchen get to Tammy's nose. Items that only would satisfy Fernando's pallet. She slowly gets up, taking the robe and puts it on. She then gets out of bed and walks to the kitchen as she ties the ends of the robe's belt together.

Tammy (pointing to the items on the stove): Who is that for?
Aiesha: Who else-dad.

Tammy just sighs.

Tammy: Let me finish it and serve it to him.
Aiesha: Like hell I wont. You know if you force you two getting back together, that the ramifications of the Temporal Psychosis will get worse on him. He has to approach you.
Tammy: I was just going to...
Aiesha: Serve him his food, and then serve yourself to him. I know how you feel Tammy. I would do the same thing if I were in your place.
Tammy: But you're his daughter.
Aiesha: You know what I mean.
Tammy: Then explain why you can and I cant.
Aiesha: First off, you want Fernando back and there he is in a very bad state of fractured memories and misaligned emotions. You and him being together would not be good, and can end up into something worse.
Tammy: Like what?
Aiesha: You two having sex, and though for you it would be something inspired by love, for him it would be just to get his rocks off. It would be hard, cold, impersonal and perhaps vicious... against you... All because his memories of you being his wife have not yet aligned themselves with those emotions of love and caring he had for you as his wife.
Tammy: And what of you?
Aiesha: I'm his daughter. His memories of me are older than of those he has of you. Older memories heal first.
Tammy: But it been almost 3 months already...

Tammy starts to breakdown and cry. Aiesha reaches out to hold her, turning off the stove burners as she does.

Aiesha: There, there... Look Tammy, you have to take it like an investment, only time will see if you will gain or lose in your investment. But instead of money, it is of time and emotions. I'm telling you that if you want him back, you have to give him time.
Tammy (crying): I know... I'm just at my wits end on this!
Aiesha: Its not easy, I know that. But you have to be strong, you have to be- for both you and him...

Tammy just continues to cry, though softer at this point.

Aiesha: Look, I can let you come with me to serve him his food. But no funny stuff. OK?

Tammy stops crying at this point and looks at Aiesha.

Tammy: Really?
Aiesha: Yes, really. Look don't be surprised as to how he may look to you. Don't pay attention to how he is. OK?
Tammy: You make it sound like he's tied up or something...

Aiesha remains silent for the moment.

Tammy: He's not tied up, right?

Aiesha answers after a long pause and with a stern look.

Aiesha: Understand that sometimes the psychotic episodes can be violent. Yes, Dad is a very kind and loving person that would not hurt either one of us, but under this condition, he is not himself at times and I needed him to be restrained the last time he wigged out on me.
Tammy: How did you...
Aiesha: I had help from a green mini-dress wearing friend of his.
Tammy: But, he can break through...
Aiesha: They are magical restraints, he is not getting out of them. In fact she should be dropping by to help out...

And as if on cue, a shimmering spot of light comes in through the window, flying about to find a place to land. Tinkerbell appears in a flash of light behind the separating 1/2 wall of the kitchen and living room. Aiesha starts to assemble the food.

Tammy: When did this happen? I mean... Last night was the award dinner, right? I saw him in bed as I checked on him- you caught me checking on him, and he seemed alright, right?
Aiesha: At about 4 in the morning he woke up and started trashing his room, then he started to make his way out the door and headed to the cafŽ. If I were not able to contact Tink to help me restrain him before he could cross the street, he would have trashed the cafŽ.

Tinkerbell just nods her head.

Tammy: 4 in the morning?
Aiesha: Yes. I don't know what triggered this episode of violence, but it's the worst I have ever seen.
Tammy: At you going to let him go?
Aiesha: Eventually.
Tammy: Eventually?!! How About Now!
Aiesha: We have to see how he is, and find out what was the trigger!
Tammy: That's My Husband You're Talking About!
Aiesha: Your Husband Was Killed Back In The Safe House In Italy! It Remains To Be Seen Whether This Incarnation Of Fernando Accepts You As His Wife, And Loves You The Same As Did The First! Until Then- Accept The Fact That You're No Longer Married To Him...*OW!

Tammy slaps Aiesha for that comment. Tammy stares at Aiesha for the longest of silent moments. Aiesha puts down the utensils and quickly assembles Fernando's breakfast on the serving tray and hands it over to Tinkerbell.

Aiesha: You know what to do, Tink. I'll be there to check up on him after I deal with this one.

Tinkerbell nods and then starts to walk to Fernando's Room with the serving tray.

Tammy (stepping out to follow Tinkerbell): Oh no she is not... HEY- OW!

Aiesha had thrown Tammy and pinned her against the refrigerator several inches off the floor.

Aiesha: Don't test me, Tammy. I may not have all of my father's super strength, but I do have some of it. And believe me, I don't like using it. Now as a warning, never get in between a father and his daughter, for we share more than just a bond written on paper. We share blood and flesh and mind. Now when I tell you to leave him alone, you will leave him alone. He needs time to heal, and I don't care if it takes a year or two, but he will have that time. Until then, you are to leave him alone. Do I make myself clear to you?

Tammy just nods.

Aiesha: Good. Now go clean up your area and close up the sofa bed.

Again, Tammy just nods. Aiesha slowly lets her go, then fixes herself up before heading out to the hall that goes into the private bedrooms. She then turns back to see what Tammy was doing, which was doing as she was told- cleaning up and closing up the sofa bed. Seeing what Tammy doing, Aiesha continues with heading into Fernando's room.

They spend a good two hours in there.

Bink had came down already washed up and dressed, and making a small breakfast for herself. Then she asks Tammy for the day's schedule; more of the same- nothing to do until further notice, alternative activities includes watching TV, reading books or spending time online with her friends at the SWA. Bink goes back upstairs to her room for the moment, perhaps to read a book.

Tinkerbell and Aiesha leave his room and take the serving tray back to the kitchen where they put the plates and things into the dishwasher. Aiesha looks at the living room, where Tammy sat on the sofa.

Aiesha: Aren't you going to get washed up and dressed?
Tammy: Why should I?
Aiesha: Because its not good for you to allow yourself to fall into a depression like this. You have to remain active in mind and body if you are to survive this ordeal. Besides, If Fernando returns to what we know as his normal self, it would be easier if the Tammy he fell in love with was still there in mind, form and body. Right now you're just a shell of a woman, and no way he is going to fall in love with that!
Tammy: Just Shut Up!
Aiesha: Have it your way then. Tink, can you... you know... magically seal his room door so that when we leave, she can not go inside to visit him?

Tinkerbell nods and then twirls her wand around. For a moment the door glows and then reverts to normal.

Aiesha: I'm going to wash up, get dressed and then go to work. Tink, you can stay if you like but let no one come into the house- especially that interloping Misao.

Tinkerbell happily nods at the request. Aiesha walks over to her room and gathers a few bath items before heading to the bathroom to wash up. Tinkerbell walks over to the living room and sits across from Tammy.

Tammy: What are you staring at?

Tinkerbell can only just shrugs her shoulders.

Tammy: That's right, you cant speak.

Tinkerbell clears her throat, and then says something.

Tinkerbell: I can speak, but am forbidden to do so in public. Am I am trusting you that you wont say anything about it.
Tammy: Why are you forbidden to speak in public.
Tinkerbell: All fairies are forbidden to speak in public, except for the queen. Its to end any possibilities of hostile actions due to misunderstandings. One would figure that after 10,000 one has a lot to say...
Tammy (interrupting her): Uhm... You... and Fernando, how far did your relationship went?
Tinkerbell: Why do you ask?
Tammy: Are those rumors of you and him having a sexual relationship true?
Tinkerbell: Why do you want to know that?
Tammy: Because I'm his wife, and I want to know if that which you two shared has a possibility of returning....
Tinkerbell (interrupting her): What I have with him goes beyond the physical, Tammy. He has healed me physically and emotionally when I had my time in hell. And right now I would do anything for him. But as for sex, we are incompatible in that regard.
Tammy: Aren't you female?
Tinkerbell: Yes.
Tammy: Don't you have... Uhm... You got breasts from what I can see... what about the other parts?
Tinkerbell: Other parts?
Tammy: A vagina, a uterus, ovaries... things that makes a female female.
Tinkerbell: Oh, those things... Yes I have those things in me.
Tammy: So, how can you be sexually incompatible to Fernando or any other male?
Tinkerbell: Uhm.... How can I say it, its hard to explain.
Tammy: How so? Penis goes inside vagina- hump, hump, hump... you cant get any more basic about sex than that!
Tinkerbell (sighs): Those parts are not used for that, not for us. It does give us a sexual identity, and yes, we could have a physical relationship, but that for us is rather empty. Look, we are beings of conscious energy, capable of manipulating the world around us, the physical means very little except when we need to be in solid form like I am now. But sex for us happens in the conscious energy level, not on the physical. And even though I have those parts from which I can have physical sex, I cant for these reason. Can you understand that?
Tammy: Then if you could, you would?
Tinkerbell: What Fernando shared with me is more than physical Tammy. If you think that he and I are going to physically have sex, I can reassure that we don't, we cant.
Tammy: You want him back too, don't you?
Tinkerbell: Fernando was, how can I say it? A friend. And if he needs me, I'll be there for him.
Tammy: Then why cant I be allowed with him?
Tinkerbell: Because you are the last thought he had.
Tammy: What do you mean by that?
Tinkerbell: You are his last set of emotions and memories. Therefore those things have to wait in line for their turn to be put into place.
Tammy: Cant you do something with your magic?
Tinkerbell: I cant not ever use my magic to manipulate another's emotions or memories. It would be dangerous if I did.
Tammy: And what if I order you to do it.
Tinkerbell: You cant order me around.
Tammy: You don't and I will say those 4 words that will kill you.
Tinkerbell: You cant do that.
Tammy: I...
Tinkerbell: Fernando believes, and because he believes so strongly in me, it does not matter what anyone else says. His belief is strong enough to support me here in this world.
Tammy: If this was the same Fernando that died in Italy, I would agree with you. But this Fernando, you cant be sure about his belief in you. It may not be strong, it may not exist! So Do As I Say or Else!
Tinkerbell: I would rather die than manipulate his mind to suit yours or anyone else's needs.
Tammy: Then die... You do not exist for me, you are not real to me, I do not believe in fairies or in any other magical things.

Tinkerbell looks at her in awe, not believing in what she is hearing, waiting for the destruction to come. It does not.

Aiesha (from behind in the hall next to the living room wrapped in a towel): Nice try... bitch. Now get dressed and get out of my house.
Tammy: Aiesha!
Aiesha: You just tried to kill a friend, one who is helping out in Fernando's recovery. And yet you tried to kill her. Why? No, don't answer that. I want you out.
Tammy: But...
Aiesha: Not only does Fernando believes, but so do I, so Tinkerbell's existence is owed to us. She cant be destroyed unless we are destroyed first. Now leave on your own accord or I will have my fairy friend here magically send you off to who knows where.
Tammy: I belong here! I'm his wife, damn it!
Aiesha: Like you told Tink, 'If this was the same Fernando that died in Italy, I would agree with you.' But this Fernando, is not, and it remains to be seen whether or not he still accepts you as such. Until then, just leave.
Tammy: Make me.
Aiesha: Tink, will you do the honors?
Tinkerbell (as she raises her wand): Where to?
Aiesha: To her own home, by the cafŽ.
Tinkerbell: Gladly...
Tammy: Wait!
Aiesha (crossing her arms): What is it?
Tammy: I'll leave, after I gather my things and Bink too.
Aiesha: Tinkerbell, you hear her request.

Tinkerbell just smiles, finishes waving her wand and Tammy disappears, along with her belongings and Bink as well. They all reappear in the middle of the living room of Tammy's house by the cafŽ. Aiesha and Tinkerbell turn to go check on Fernando.

Aiesha: So, you're sexually incompatible to us even though you have the same parts as we do?
Tinkerbell: I had to tell that squirrellette something ease her little mind.
Aiesha: So... you and my father... has had.... (a piece of duct tape materializes on top of Aiesha's mouth.)
Tinkerbell: On issues of the relationship of your father and I, I'm not saying a word. But I will say this, he is the best... uhm... friend I have ever had, and I have been around for over 18,000 years and have had many friends. For him there is nothing I would not give him, anything he wants, even me, I will gladly give.

Aiesha slowly peels the duct tape off her maw.

Aiesha: You know, I liked you better when you don't speak.
Tinkerbell: I'll become silent later. Right now I need to sit down with your father and have a talk with him.
Aiesha: Lets see how he is first.

Together they walk into the room, and around the Fernando was in, restrained at all 4 corners and a couple of belts to keep him down. He just lays there, flat on his back, sleeping, if one could call it that. Aiesha looks at the life monitors she has connected to him.

Aiesha: Undo the restraints.

Tinkerbell waves her wand and makes the restraints disappear. Aiesha then steps closer to the bed and brings his arms down his sides.

Tinkerbell: Is he alright?
Aiesha: For the time being, it looks like it.
Tinkerbell: Can I be with him?
Aiesha: You're here now.
Tinkerbell: Alone?
Aiesha: Not now, since we don't know how he will react.
Tinkerbell: We have been friends since... before you. So his memories and feelings of me should have aligned by now.
Aiesha: I don't want to chance it right now. Maybe if he improves in a week or two, I will allow it.
Tinkerbell: A week or two? OK, I'll hold you up to that.

Tinkerbell slowly sits on the bed next to him, brushing his curly hair away from his face.

Tinkerbell (silently to him): If I knew how this time travel stuff is affecting you, I would so easily fix it.
Aiesha: He has 2 sets of memories conflicting. Furthermore, the memories that are conflicting are the ones that do not match this world. So he has to fight to get things in order. Much of the memories in his head all match up to the wedding, that is where he conflicts.
Tinkerbell: And what happened yesterday?
Aiesha: His mind conflicted. He knows who murdered him. He knows why they did it. He knows that he is still alive and the memories do not match. So he wanted to enact revenge. We can not allow him to do that.
Tinkerbell: Why not? The people who killed him are the bad guys, right?
Aiesha: That they are. But something he told be before this happened- "Don't allow me to become judge, jury and executioner, even to those guilty of the crimes they commit." I asked him why. He said something about disrupting the order of good and evil.
Tinkerbell: But without good, there can only be evil.
Aiesha: That is only 1/2 of the equation. The other 1/2 is without Evil there cant only be Good. Only shades of Good, and some will start to determine the lesser as evil, and in that there can only be conflicts, and Good will never be the same again. In him going forth to avenge himself will disrupt that balance.
Tinkerbell: I... uhm... see.
Aiesha: And they say your dumb.
Tinkerbell: I am not dumb... I...
Aiesha: I know the situation with you fairies. You can only think one think at a time, have 1 emotion at a time. But you process so much information so quickly, you seem to do several things at once. I can tell you that you are far from dumb.
Tinkerbell: Why, thank you.
Aiesha: No problem.

Aiesha take the food and puts it in the room's microwave oven, setting it on 'Keep Warm', then gets a couple of chairs for them to sit on. She taps on Tinkerbell's shoulder to get her attention and points to the chair.

Tinkerbell: I want to stay here with him.
Aiesha: You know you cant, now sit on the chair and wait for him to wake up.
Tinkerbell: I can wake him up for you...
Aiesha: Don't. I don't want to disrupt the healing his brain is going through.
Tinkerbell: But if he don't eat, he wont heal.
Aiesha: We have to wait. Its not his body that needs healing but his mind.
Tinkerbell: Then I will wait here next to him.
Aiesha: How many times have you and he shared this bed?
Tinkerbell: Why are you asking that?
Aiesha: Better yet, when was the last time you shared this bed with him?
Tinkerbell: When? Almost a 1/2 year ago. Before he went to Italy to save Tammy. In fact it was the night when he got the phone call about something happening to her, and he immediately left.
Aiesha: You need to get out of that bed now.
Tinkerbell: Why?
Aiesha: That might be part of the conflict- you were his last lover he had but yet he marries Tammy. According to Tammy, they were intimate but not as lovers.
Tinkerbell: They weren't?
Aiesha: It was her wish to be a virgin until her, their wedding day. But if he married her, and still have feelings for you... you need to get out of the bed now Tink, before he wakes up.
Tinkerbell: What would happen if I remain?
Aiesha: I don't know... anything. He could reject Tammy because of you. He could reject you. I cant chance you being intimate in the slightest with him, at least not now.
Tinkerbell: When can you?
Aiesha: I don't know... it depends on what he decides, and that depends on when he does.

Tinkerbell slowly gets off the bed and to the seat Aiesha had put for her.

Tinkerbell (to herself): I don't know how that is possible, it is not like he would reject me after he married Tammy, he promised me that he wouldn't.
Aiesha: What was that?
Tinkerbell: I said that he would not reject me even after he married Tammy.
Aiesha: Wait a minute- you expect to keep sharing his bed with him even after he got married to Tammy?
Tinkerbell: And what is wrong with that?
Aiesha: Everything!
Tinkerbell: How so?
Aiesha: When you marry somebody, you make a promise that you would remain faithful to the one you marry for the rest of your days.
Tinkerbell: But... Fernando is immortal, Tammy would one day die.
Aiesha: If Fernando was immortal, we would not be there.
Tinkerbell: As far as I can understand, he is immortal though his body can be destroyed. But it gets replaced, and this shell is just a replacement. Like me, he is of energy, but a different kind of energy. Like me, his mind resides in that energy. I can understand why he would have conflicts in his mind but I don't understand why.
Aiesha: It has something to do with the shell having different memories from what his mind has.
Tinkerbell: But in mind over matter, the mind wins.
Aiesha: Not always, and that is why there is a conflict.
Fernando (in a tired growly voice): There is no conflict.
Aiesha: But there is, Tink.
Tinkerbell: I did not say that.
Aiesha: If you didn't, then who did?
Fernando (still in a tired growly voice): You forget that I am still here.
Aiesha: FATHER!
Fernando: There you go with that 'father' thing again...
Aiesha: I know, I'm sorry...
Tinkerbell: Father thing?
Aiesha: It's a long story.
Tinkerbell: I can wait.
Aiesha: Well...
Fernando: With her its 'Father' for those things that are serious or against her and 'Dad' of 'Daddy' when she wants something that she cant get on her own and needs me to go get it. (finding the connections of wires from his body to the life monitoring machines, and tugs on them) Now, why are you two here, and what happened?
Aiesha: Its time for you to wake up, and have breakfast. No, don't do that!
Fernando (removing the life monitoring connections from him.): Now, what happened?
Tinkerbell: You got all violent last night. We had to restrain you.
Fernando (showing off disconnected wires to Aiesha): And these things?
Aiesha: I... uhm... might have... out done it with the... Curare tranquilizer?
Fernando: You used Curare on me?
Aiesha: Had too. It's the only thing that works on you.
Fernando: Never mind that... we'll talk about that later. What else is going on?
Tinkerbell: You said that there was no conflict.
Fernando: No, there isn't.
Tinkerbell: Then do you accept Tammy as your wife?
Fernando: I don't know yet.
Aiesha: Why not?
Fernando: Why not? Let see... though the memories are there and the emotions for most of it, it was not I who she had a relationship with. It was not I that underwent through the building of emotions that... uhm...
Aiesha: Father... in your memories from your time line, who died?
Fernando: I cant say.
Aiesha (looking at Tinkerbell sternly): This does not leave this room.
Fernando: I cant say.
Aiesha: It was Tammy wasn't it?
Fernando: That I wont say.
Aiesha: So, you wont accept her because you don't want her to die.

Fernando remains silent.

Tinkerbell: This is not good.
Aiesha: Look... what ever it is that happens, you are here to prevent it and we can help if you need it.
Fernando: I don't want the help.
Aiesha: But can I ask something, If you 'died', does that change everything?
Fernando: No it does not. Me dying was the first step of events that leads to her demise.
Aiesha: Then how does she dies? Maybe we can stop it.
Fernando: No! If you interfere- you will die too.
Aiesha: Die, or be killed?
Fernando: It's the same thing. Shit, I swear... I've been getting those headaches for so long and did not recognize the symptoms. Damn me, I swear.
Aiesha: Then can I ask, when is this supposed to happen?
Fernando: No. And don't you dare go to the chrono server and try to figure it out. Shit... Where is she?
Aiesha: At home, her home. Look, anyone else involved? Like Gadget or the others?
Fernando: I'm not telling, so stop asking. (turning to Tinkerbell) And don't you dare try to get it out of me either.
Tinkerbell: I would never do that to you!
Aiesha (to herself): Sure... you just want to share his bed with him for a while.
Fernando: That was not nice to say.
Aiesha: But it's the truth... First Tammy, now Tinkerbell... Who knows who else is on that list! I swear father, if you were a woman, you would be a slut!
Fernando: I don't question your sexual preferences, choices companions or sex-buddies, or activities you may engage yourself in; do not question mine. Do I make myself clear?!!
Aiesha: Yes, father.
Fernando: Now, where's breakfast for one, and my clothes? What time is it anyway?
Aiesha (looking at her watch): A quarter to 10.

Tinkerbell goes over to the microwave and put the meal that was being kept warm on the service tray. She then carries it over to Fernando's bed and sets it in front of him. She starts to cut up his food and feed it to him, but he takes the fork from her and begins to feed himself.

Fernando: And where's Tammy. Wasn't she here last night?
Aiesha: She was sent home.
Fernando: Sent home? Why?
Aiesha: She wanted some alone time with you.
Fernando: Don't ever do that again.
Aiesha: But...
Fernando: She wants alone time with me. She's entitled to it. As is Tinkerbell, and as is you. But lately you have been hogging up that alone time with me. And you have been making decisions for me that only I am supposed to make. Now, stop acting like some assigned guardian and start acting like my daughter that you are. I swear, you want acceptance, you have to accept me as I am.
Aiesha: But...
Fernando: No Butts- Aiesha. You're not too old for me to tan that tail of yours.
Aiesha: Yes father...
Fernando: Now, how ever you sent Tammy home, go get her back. I need to talk to her, alone.

Aiesha turns to Tinkerbell and nods at her. Tinkerbell hesitates for a moment, and then waves her wand, making Tammy and Bink appear by the bed. Tammy was finishing up her makeup, already dressed in her knee-hi blue skirt and pink shirt, in typical business attire.

Tammy: What the...
Fernando: Now, you two leave.
Aiesha: But, dad...
Fernando: What did I tell you about that, Aiesha...
Aiesha: I'm sorry.
Fernando: Now leave. Bink, I need to talk with your sister in private.
Bink: No problem sir.

Bink walks out of the room. Fernando turns Aiesha.

Fernando: I'm waiting...

Aiesha gets up out of her seat and walks out. Tinkerbell nods at Fernando before following her out of the room. The door closes behind them.

Tammy: Fernando?
Fernando: Sit... (patting on the bed) Right here with me.
Tammy: Uhm...

Tammy takes the service tray of 1/2 eaten food off the bed and puts it on nearby table. She then walks back to the bed and sits next to him, she kicks off her shoes by the side of the bed. He puts an arm around her and pulls her close to him.

Tammy: Uhm... Are you, uhm... are we still married?
Fernando: I need to talk to you about that.

Tammy shifts positions to be comfortable. Fernando puts his hands on her and positions her so that they both would be comfortable. After righting themselves, Tammy puts her hand on his cheek and looks into his eyes.

Tammy: Have you decided?
Fernando: What is there to decide?

Tammy sighs in relief.

Fernando: You married him, not me.
Tammy: No! I Married You!
Fernando: 'I' died back in Italy. (Tammy: NO!) I am now somebody different. (Tammy: No, Don't Say That!) But Tammy... it does not mean that we cant have a relationship...

Tammy looks at him confused and remains silent for a moment.

Fernando: But for me Tammy... it would be like starting over again, from the beginning. To fall in love with you one more time, and let that love grow... Do you understand?

Tammy nods, then leans over to hold him.

Fernando (holding her back): Understand that I do love you, Tammy. I just don't want you to get hurt if it is not enough.

Tammy pushes against him and looks at him.

Tammy: You can not hurt me if you give back, no matter how little.
Fernando: But Tammy, I don't want this to be a 1-sided relationship.

Tammy starts to unbutton her shirt. Fernando tries to stop her, but she tells him non-verbally not too. She takes off her shirt, followed by her bra and then her skirt, which were neatly folded and piled on the end of the bed. She then lifts the blanket he was under and climbs into it with him. She then straddles on top of him and puts a finger to his lips.

Tammy: Shhh... nothing is going to happen that we don't want to happen, but at least give me this much, please.
Fernando: But...
Tammy: Just hold me, that is all I ever wanted since your funeral... I have been waiting for you to return, and I know that you may not accept me, but at least I still want something from you. Maybe I'm selfish or something, but just hold me and give me that much... please.
Fernando: I don't want us to have sex, for it would be sex with very little love from me. As for you... you would be giving so much and getting so little in return.
Tammy: So? Getting little would be a lot more than the nothing I have received these past months.
Fernando: But...
Tammy: Just stay quiet and keep holding me.

Fernando quietly complies. She puts her head against his chest as they hold each other.
After a while, Tammy begins to cry softly, her tears falling on his chest, holding back as much as she can. For the first time in a long time, Tammy goes to sleep on her own amidst her crying.

Some two hours had past she had stopped crying, a bit over two hours since the others had to leave the room. Fernando had been very still and quiet since Tammy put her head against his chest, keeping his arms around her and his hand on non-vital areas of her body whilst she slept. Slowly, she woke up from perhaps the most restful sleep she has in as many days since the funeral. She slowly stretches, not wanting to open her eyes for the moment, not wanting for the dream to end. But it does end, and she opens her eyes, turns her head and faces him.

Fernando: Your masquaera is a mess.
Tammy (wiping her eyes): So?
Fernando: I'm just saying... at least you should fix yourself up before stepping outside.
Tammy: That's the least of my worries.
Fernando: You know there is a whole day out there...
Tammy (interrupting him): I know, and I want to spend it all with you.
Fernando: That can not happen.
Tammy: Why not?
Fernando: You got things to do. I got things to do. They cant be simply ignored for the sake of-*---

Tammy covers his mouth her hand.

Tammy: I understand that, but I don't want to hear it. I just want my time with you for as long as it can last.

Fernando takes her hand and finds himself wrestling with her until he got the upper hand for the moment.

Fernando: Look Tammy, we can have more times like this, but I'm not ready for having them all at once.
Tammy: But...
Fernando: If you think that we are married, then...no, I don't want to say that we aren't to hurt you. But I also do not want to be rushed into something that I am not ready for. Yes, the other Fernando that you did married was ready for all these things, I however am not. And that you need to deal with somehow.
Tammy: But you said...
Fernando: I know what I said, and now I'm telling you that nothing has changed, and you should not be rushing into things that may not occur. In fact, if you try to rush me, chances are that what ever emotions that I do have will turn bad for the relationship.

Tammy sighs, holding back the urge to cry once more.

Fernando: I swear Tammy. There is a lot to do today, perhaps too much, but it has to get done... somehow.

Fernando eases Tammy off him and slides to the bed and slowly sits up. For a moment he stretches in place before getting up. Tammy just sits there, observing his every move and action as he goes into his closet and dresser to pull out a set of clothes. He then puts on a bath robe before walking out of the room to go to the bathroom. Tammy just sits on the bed, semi-curling up into a ball as she wraps her arms around her knees.

As the clock approaches the 11 0'clock hour, Jeanette walks into Fernando's tree house with the key that he had given her a long time ago. She walks down the long hallway to the living room and kitchen areas, where she meets up with Aiesha and Tinkerbell who were having a light meal at the dining area. She heads over to them.

Jeanette: Where is he?
Aiesha: Where is who?
Jeanette: Fernando. I know he's here somewhere.
Aiesha: I don't know what you're talking about.
Jeanette: I know that he has returned from All Time. I want to know where he is.

Tinkerbell lightly waves her wand to invisibly seal off the hallway to the bedrooms.

Aiesha: Fernando is dead and buried in Italy. Now what is it any concern to you?
Jeanette: He's a time traveler like me....
Aiesha: You would still be a nobody if he did not take you under his wing and help make you what you are today. And then you turn his back on him for the likes of Misao? And you wonder why there is a rift in your friendship with him. Now, if he was here, though he is not since he is dead and as yet to return, what would you want him for? Send him to Misao as a trophy as he undergoes Temporal Psychosis? Keep tabs on him and alert Misao of his whereabouts? Like I told Misao and her underlings- we are in mourning and we would like to be left alone. Furthermore- hand over that key. This house is now mine and I do not want random people walking into my house as they please.
Jeanette: Fernando gave me these keys so I can access the Chrono Server.
Aiesha: Not no more. Fernando is dead and the Chrono Server shut itself down after the funeral. Now hand over those keys so I don't have to change the locks.
Jeanette: I don't believe you.
Aiesha: Have it your way then, I'll just change the locks to a biometric key. This way nobody does not get in unless allowed. Now if you don't mind, I don't remember inviting you to this little gathering.
Jeanette: Who else is here besides you two?
Aiesha: Actually that is none of your business. Now drop off your keys and quietly leave.
Jeanette: I'll leave, but I wont drop off my keys.
Aiesha: Have it your way then. Bink...
Bink: Yes Ms. Aiesha?
Aiesha: I need you to stay in the house while I am at work. Anyone who walks in from the door or windows; who is not Fernando, Tammy, Tinkerbell, Hondo or I; shoot them but don't kill them unless they put up a fight.
Bink: Got it!

Jeanette stands there in disbelief as she becomes an observer of this conversation. Then she turns to head to the door but makes her statement known before leaving.

Jeanette: Fernando is here somewhere, and I am going to find him, and when I do...
Aiesha (interrupting her): Do... do what? I'll destroy this place before I let anyone have it.
Jeanette: We'll see about that.
Aiesha: You just remember one thing- you might be a former friend of his, but I am still his daughter. Now don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Jeanette leave frustrated.

Tinkerbell turns to Aiesha.

Tinkerbell: Want me to Zap her to Never Never Land?
Aiesha: That wont be necessary.
Tinkerbell: Awww, too bad.

Fernando walks into the living room in his bathrobe.

Fernando: I thought I heard somebody else's voice in here.
Aiesha: It was just Jeanette, making demands as usual.
Fernando: And?
Aiesha: Well, I told her to handover her key to me because this house is now mine.
Fernando: And she refuses... Well you make sure that you get those keys back or change the locks. In fact, change the locks anyway- call Luigi at the Bronx Lock & Safe Company on Southern Boulavard. He's the only one I can trust with this job. And don't worry about paying him, I'll take care of that.
Aiesha: OK, will do... on my day off.
Fernando: When will that be?
Aiesha: Don't know. I will have to take a personal day.
Fernando: Then do it tomarrow.
Aiesha: But...
Fernando: Alright, I'll do it myself then!

Aiesha withdraws back, almost as if she was expecting to be hit.

Fernando: Jesus I freaking swear! If you want something done you have to do it yourself!
Aiesha: But... I'm busy at the hospital tomarrow!
Fernando: No excuses. First lesson you need to learn as a time traveller is if there is no Time, then make Time. Second lesson is you cant save everyone. Third lesson is Event changes can happen only if Time Allows It. You want to learn how to Time Travel, your skills as a doctor will not always be to your benefit. You need to learn more... understand that 99% of all drivers out there do not know how to change a tire, and get into a lot of trouble when they get a blow out. You need to know things about technology, and other sciences because there will be idiots out there who will think themselves better than you. If you can understand how to manipulate Time to your advantage, even without manipulating events, you will be just short of being a god.
Aiesha: I think I understand.
Fernando: You just barely understand.

Fernando starts to walk back into the hallway, making a comment as he walks along the path.

Fernando: Call Hondo and tell him that I will be at his place within the hour.
Aiesha: Wont you be caught being seen outside?
Fernando: I have my ways of transportation. Besides... oh nevermind. If I have to explain it to you, its not worth the trouble.
Aiesha: Oh...

Fernando walks into the hall and back to his room.

Aiesha: Hey! Wait a minute!

It was too late, the door to Fernando's room had already closed with a loud thud. A few seconds later it was reopenned with a squealing Tammy and closed again. Tammy storms out into the living room from the hallway, complaining to herself.

Tammy (as she sat on the sofa): He could have said 'please' if he wanted me out of the room.
Aiesha: What happened? Or maybe I don't want to know?
Tammy: Most of this is your fault.
Aiesha: My Fault?
Tammy: Yes... you have not gone all righteous on his things and properties, he would not be so pissed off right now.
Aiesha: Wait a minute, don't you think he's pissed off because of you or something that you did?
Tammy: I'm his wife...
Aiesha: That remains to be seen.
Tammy: He saids that he accepts me.
Aiesha: To what extent?
Tammy: There is no extent.
Aiesha: Somehow I don't believe you.

Tammy crosses her arms and sits there in a sour mood. In a couple of minutes, Fernando was stepping out of his room in an expensive Armani suit, and a white silk shirt with a black silk tie. His gun with a black silk tie. His gun neatly holstered away under the suit in a shoudler holster. He walks to the separating lower wall and shelf between the kitchen and living room which at times acts as a dining area, service area and hang out spot. It is the last function which it is being used for by Tinkerbell and Aiesha.

Aiesha: And where are you going all dressed up like for a date?
Fernando: Business. Now did you call Hondo like I told you to do?
Aiesha: No, not yet.
Fernando: Then do so now. Tell him I'm on my way.
Aiesha: But...
Fernando: But what?
Aiesha: Wont the others start to ask questions about you being dead and buried?
Fernando: I will deal with it as I please and as I need.
Aiesha: That's going to cause problems!
Fernando: They are my problems to have. Now, make that phone call. (Turning to Tammy):Come with me to the door.
Tammy (being caught off guard): Huh?
Fernando: If you can 'huh', you can hear. Now come to the door with me.

Tammy hops off the couch and starts walking towards him. Fernando gives Aiesha a kiss on the cheek before walking to the exit hall way.Tammy needed to make a course correction to keep up with him. He stands at the door holding the doorknob in his grasp as he waits for her to arrive. Not only does she step right up to him, but the other two stick there heads from around the corner to watch. He looks back at them.

Fernando: Do you mind? This aint no porn peep show, and if it were, I am not performing in front of an audience.

Aiesha and Tinkerbell look at each other for the moment before returning to watching at two by the door.

Fernando: Look, Tammy... I'll be with Hondo to deal with the Japanese Emporer while he is at the UN. You stay here and wait for my return.
Tammy: OK...Uhm, why are you telling me this?
Fernando: Why not? There should be no secret between us. Right?
Tammy: Uhm, I guess so.
Fernando: Good.

Fernando leans over to Tammy and kisses her on the cheek. Tammy reaches over to him and holds him, whispering in his ear, "I love you." He responds back, "Yeah, I know. Sorry I cant fully return it." Tammy lets him go, steps back and tells him, "Its OK."

Fernando puts on his glasses before openning the door, and then steps outsides. Tammy stands by the doorway and watches him walk away. Aiesha and Tinkerbell joins her.

Tammy: What would you like for dinner?
Fernando: Anything is alright!

Fernando contines on his way to the caf", crossing the street the separate the two trees as he thinks to himself, 'Damn it if Aiesha has not called Hondo... I swear.' He pulls out a cell phone from his pocket and makes the call himself, but there is no answer. Fernando continues to the caf", getting a few odd looks from a couple of passers by. He pays them no mind as he continues on his trek.

The main floor of the caf", where the cafŽ and bar resides, had its typical mid-morning patrons at their usual seats going through their typical activities of their lives. At first no one notices or pays attention too the dark glasses wearing flying squirrel as he takes his seat at the bar.They do as he grabs the bartender's tie and has him leaning over bars face to face with the flying squiirel.

Fernando: I said 'The Usual.' If this is not a hint as to who or what I am then another reminder for you is for you to start wearing clip-on ties.

The Bartender just nods, and then points to where the bottle of absinthe stood. Fernando slowly lets go of the bartender. The bartender serves him a tall glass of the translucent emerald green drink, placing it on the bar in front of Fernando. Fernando takes the drink to his lips and fills his cheeks with it as he counts the shadows on the bar that surround his. Without warning, he kicks the bar to send his barstool spinning as he sprays out the Absinthe into their eyes. He then stops at the last one, where he draws his gun and shoves the metal barrel into his mouth.

On the ground writhing in pain from having alcohol sprayed into their eyes were the male counterparts of the Resue Rangers and a couple of Naval Personnel. The one who remains standing was Admiral RangerReady23, who was shaking in his shoes as Fernando pulls the hammer of his gun.

Fernando: "This gun never saw it take a mortal wound to anyone...", I remember you saying that to somebody. Oh yes... It was Rose. Well, listen here bub, neither has this gun, for it's a brand new replacement, as I am to the person you think I seem to be. Yes, I have returned from the grave, came back from the dead, what ever it is you want to call it-I am back. And I am pissed off more than ever and as Greta Garbo says- "I want to be left alone..." Bother me, interfere with me, and we will see who returns back from the grave. Now start taking a few steps back to your seats. I got business to take care of, and perhaps you can play hide and seek with the Enterprise.

RangerReady23 slowly takes a couple of steps back as Fernando pulls the gun out of his maw. Reaching behind him, Fernando grabs on the towels that were placed there by the bartender, and tosses each one to somebody who he sprayed alcohol into their eyes. RangerReady23 takes his seat once more.

Fernando: Listen up and listen good... never mess with somebody who's mother was a bartender. Now wipe your eyes and leave of me before I spit more poison into them...

The group clumsly stumbled among each other as they went back to their seats though most went to thebathroom to wash the irritant of their faces, still blinded by the spray of Absinthe. A lone figure slowly approached Fernando from the right.

Hondo: Not bad... that is probably was one of your best moves I ever witnessed.
Fernando: It takes practice.
Hondo: OK. Now that you have made it known that you have returned, whats next?
Fernando: Care to meet up with the Japanese Emporer?
Hondo: Huh?
Fernando: Like I said, lets go meet up with the Japanese Emporer...
Hondo: Don't we need to make an appointment or something?
Fernando: No. Infact, I know where he is at this very moment.
Hondo: You do?
Fernando: Yeah. Bring a couple of thousand in 20's and 50's. I'll have the Porsche waiting in front.
Hondo: Huh?
Fernando: Just do it... and put on a suit and tie.
Hondo (confused): Alright then...

Fernando starts to walk away from the bar after wolfing down the rest of the glass of Absinthe.

Hondo goes to his room to change to match Fernando's attire while still keeping to his cowboy self. He also arms himself to the teeth. Done redessed, Hondo goes downstairs to the ATM machine and withdraws 2-grand as Fernando stated. In a couple of minutes he meets up with Fernando, who had his Porsche parked in front of the cafŽ. He was standing at the rear hatch, which was openned. Hondo approaches Fernando and looks inside.

Hondo: Whats up?

Fernando reaches behind Hondo and pulls out his gun from his hidden holster. He then drop's Hondo's gun into a box in the trunk.

Fernando: Be real, Hondo. Where we are going we are going to be frisked, and having a gun in every pocket will really anger somebody. So start dumping.

Not happy with the prospect, Hondo hesitates before pulling out guns and knives from various locations on his body, putting them into the box Fernando had in the trunk. Fernando covers the box with a heavy canvas blanket and closes the trunk. They both walk over to the doors and seat themselves inside the Porsche. Fernando opens the center console and pulls out a small gun inside a small clip on holster and a digital watch, tossing them onto Hondo's Lap.

Hondo: You said...
Fernando: I know what I said... Look, that is a North American Arms .32/.38. It's a .32 round inside a .38 casing. That makes the bullet hypersonic and light body amour penetrable. The size of the gun makes it easy to conceal, and the magazines are 10 round capacity. Any questions?

Hondo looks over the gun, turning it over and seeing the serial on the trigger guard and handle: HONDO-001

Hondo: Its for me?
Fernando: Consider it as a temporary loaner on a permanent basis. Yes it s for you. And you are to carry it on all outings and missions that we go to. You know Hondo, its nice to be the cowboy, have the appearance and attitude. But old fashion six-shooters are not going to save your butt when you are out manned and out gunned. In short Hondo, you need an upgrade. This gun is to level the playing field a bit. You hit them with this, they are going down, even if they are wearing light body amour as most body guards do. Do I make myself clear?

Hondo just nods.

Fernando: Good.

Fernando continues to drive as Hondo puts on the clip-on holster inside his belt.

Hondo: What is the watch for?
Fernando: The gun uses an electronic radio key to lock and unlock its safety. In short Hondo, if somebody steals your gun, they cant use it to shoot you or anyone else.
Hondo: What if the battery dies or something?
Fernando: The battery is good for 5 years. Other than that, there is a small pin hole on the right of the trigger. Shove a paperclip into that and the gun will be put into fire-ready mode until the computer is reset. You can only reset the computer by taking apart the gun.
Hondo: I see.

Fernando pulls into a parking space.

Fernando: Good. We are here, by the way.

Hondo looks about the area, and finds it nowhere near the UN. Fernando steps out of the car, and stands outside, looking at a 'Gentleman's Club' called 'The Pink Poodle'. Hondo steps out of the car, making adjustments to himself. Fernando reaches into his pocket and hands Hondo some ID and a badge.

Hondo: CIA Agent Hondo Sackette? My name is spelt wrong...
Fernando: Its done so deliberately. You don't want them to really know your name. At least you will be getting a check from them soon. Hold on to that, follow me and do as I do and not as I say.
Hondo: OK Boss...
Fernando (as he starts to cross the street to go to 'The Pink Poodle'): Hondo...
Hondo: Yes?
Fernando: Cut it out with the Boss crap.
Hondo: Then...
Fernando (interrupting him): Its Agent Fernando... Agent Hondo.
Hondo: Oh...

They both pause at the door of the establishment.

Hondo: Why are we here?
Fernando: I happen to know that this is the place that the UN Japanese Ambassador frequents. His name is Saka Moko. Chances are, the Emperor is here with him, along with several body guards. Besides, you need to learn about other cultures and how they behave. The Japanese are Alpha Male Oriented- They make demands from which the females must comply. This is why they frequent Gentleman's clubs when away from home. Females are but second class citizens to them.
Hondo: I see... and you know this from?
Fernando: Personal Intel and cultural study. Besides, remember that I told you about making working gals as your friends and treat them with respect despite what they do? Yeah, this is why.
Hondo: Whoa... you're good.
Fernando: Nope, I'm not. This is just years of practice and making mistakes. So start taking notes so you don't make the same mistakes I did in the past.

Fernando opens the door and steps through, where 4 bouncers step in his way to stop them. Fernando does a quick maneuver of raising his fists and a knee to 3 sets of groins, before turning to the 4th remaining one as the other 3 crumple to the ground clutching to their injured manhood. He then pulls out his wallet and shows off his CIA ID and badge at him.

Fernando: I'm here to show my boy a good time. Understand what I mean?

The 4th guard just nods and steps out of the way as Fernando and Hondo walk past him.

With a few steps into the stripper's club, several girls waves and yells hello to Fernando by name. A couple walk up to him and hug him or kiss him on his cheek, all the girls in place was wearing very little, if anything at all. Fernando makes a stop at the bar and places a couple of $100 bills on the counter and walks away. Hondo just follows, noting down everything that he does. He then walks over to the couple of dancers on the floor and places a couple of $20 into their garter belts. They in turn give him a grope and feel of him, commenting how strong and virile he must be. Instead of agreeing with them, he asks them a question.

Fernando (showing off a couple of $50 bills in his hand): Where is Saka Moko?

The room seems to have stopped as everyone turns to face him, and for the moment no one wants to answer.

One of the older ladies walks from the bar, fully dressed in normal attire, approaches Fernando and takes the $50's from his hand.

Bar-manager: That will cost you more than a couple of fifties- hon.
Fernando: Hondo...
Hondo: Yes?

Fernando reaches out to him with open palm.

Hondo: Oh....

Hondo starts to put some money into Fernando's hand. Fernando keeps his hand there until the weight was just right. He then takes the money and folds it in his hand and shows it to the barmaid.

Fernando: Will that do?

The Barmaid takes the money and stuff it in her bra.

Bar-mamager: That will do for now. He is in Private screen room number 3. And Fernando... We don't want a mess here. We're trying to run a respectable establishment.
Fernando: Don't worry about that.

Fernando latches on to one of the strippers, a fairer skin long haired brunette mouse, and shoves a couple of bills into her g-string before putting a hand to her rear end.

Fernando: You coming with me, love.... Hondo grab a girl, be ready.

Hondo does as he is told but cautiously, finding it uncomfortable at first. The girl, another fairer skin long hairred brunette mouse, looks at him and makes the comment of, "First Time At This?"

Hondo: No. I just try have more respect for women-folk an' I don't loosen up until I start drinkin'.
Stripper-mouse: Don't, because we don't for you men and maybe you should have a drink.

Hondo thinks about that comment for a moment .

Hondo (mumbles): Been noticin' that lately. an' damn could I use a drink!

He follows Fernando with girl in tow at a quick pace half dragging the stripper along with a rather annoyed look on his face..

Fernando walks right up to Private Screen Room #3, where 2 huge sumo wrestler sized guards were by the door. They were too far apart for him to take them one on one, and both the girls and Hondo were in the wrong places to be of any service for the moment. He reaches into his pocket and pull stout a couple of business cards- one of the Ambassador, the other of the Emperor himself.

Fernando: They are expecting us.

One of the guards takes the cards and looks it over. It was either the original cards or a very good counterfeit. He then turns them over on the back and find them signed, each with the owners' signature on it. He nods at the other guard as he tries to pocket the cards. Fernando reaches over and takes them from his hand and puts them into his pocket..

Fernando (taking a step to the side to be in between them): Don't even try it with me... Saka Moko and I go back a long ways, long before you two were suckling on your mother's nipple for milk. Now are we allowed to go in or not?

The two guards laugh. Their head then soon collide as Fernando reaches to them and force them together. They both fall to the floor.

Fernando (as he drags one of them away from the door): Come on Hondo... take the other one and clear the path.

Hondo does as he is told. Fernando reaches to the door but finds it locked. Fernando takes a Karate stance to kick the door in, but the girl stands in his way, signalling not do. Then she whistles loudly and holds up 3 fingers. The door buzzes and them pops open. They walk in, only to have several guards surround them with guns drawn. The strippers who were there giving a private performance step away and hide behind some furniture. The girls who were with them also hide.

Fernando: Ohio, Saka Moko.
Saka Moko: And who are you?
Fernando: Who do you think I am?
Saka Moko: You look like an old friend who is dead and buried. Now who are you.
Fernando: I don't die that easily, you know that Saka-wan.
Emperor: Who is this guy? Why is he here?
Fernando: Hondo, show yourself, at least to calm the royal Emperor's nerves.

Hondo steps out from behind Fernando.

Emperor: I know who he is. Now why are you here?
Fernando: Something about your Yacusa and Triad problem...
Emperor (to the guards): Close the door.
Saka Moko: Before you take a seat, prove to me that you are who you say you are.

Fernando rolls up his left sleeve, and pulls back on the fur of his arm showing a tattoo of a haloed stick figure on it.

Fernando: Care to run an RFID scan of the chip you have placed under it?

Saka Moko sits back in his chair and signals to the guards to bring chairs for their 'guests'.

Saka Moko: So it is you. But how?
Fernando (taking the seat and sitting on it. Hondo does the same): You know better than to ask.

Saka Moko snaps his fingers. The strippers come out of hiding, as does Fernando's and Hondo's companions. Fernando takes his by her arm and has her sit on his lap. She tries to start to give him a lap dance, but he smacks her on the rear end and signals to her to stop it. Hondo just gives his companion a stern look as she tries to sit on his lap.

Fernando: Hondo...
Hondo: Yes?
Fernando: Remember what I said.
Hondo: Oh... right.

Hondo allows the stripper to sit on his lap, but he continues to give her a stern look to let her know he wasn't in the mood to play around. Not that she didn't seem sexually attractive to her but he didn't feel comfortable here and the deal with Rosie leaving him left his fuse short with anything concerning women. Fernando continues with the conversation.

Fernando: Now, how do you propose a group of 5 to take on the Yucusa and the Triads? Don't try to tell me that it is possible when it is not. Further more both groups have infiltrated your goverements' highest ranking offices, and even the Emporer's palace itself. You can not tell me it can be done when it cant, and I can tell you now that of your 8 guards you have here, 6 of them are members of the Yacusa.
Emporer: That is not possible, you dishonor my men and their service.
Fernando: For that I have to die, yadda yadda yadda... I've heard it all sir. From your father before you to his father before him. The Yacusa is part of Japanese culture, has been, always will be. The Imperial Palace has used the Yacusa as its hunting and guard dog to protect its interests.
Emporer (turning to Saka Moko): I don't trust this squirrel.
Hondo: You better do so, for if there is an answer to this problem of yours, he can find it.
Fernando: And you listen to me Emporer-wan... I do not care for Atlantean Scum being on my planet. But I will respect you, your soveriegn nation and your right to be here as long as you respect mine. Now, just one question... Why isn't that power hungry female here giving you all lap dances?
Emporer: Who are you referring too?
Fernando: Misao.
Emporer: And what do you want of her?
Fernando: She is part of my problem as the Yacusa is part of yours. You pay Hondo and the others I gather the negoticated price plus operating expenses, and I only get Misao and we will see what can be done about your Yacusa problem.
Emporer: I can not do that.
Fernando (slowly getting up onto his feet): Then stay stuck with the problems you refuse to deal with yourself... Come on Hondo, lets leave of this place.

Hondo slowly gets up and follows as Fernando heads to the door with his companion.

Emporer: Wait!

They all stop by the door but none turn.

Emporer: Maybe we can make a deal... When would you like an appointment for further negotications?
Fernando: We'll drop by unannounces. Just have your guards alerted to be ready when ever we arrive. And have Misao with you when we get there...

Fernando opens the door and steps out. Hondo and the girls follow him to the main dance area and continues to the bar. He asks for and recieves a Pepsi and a Root Beer in cans, giving the RootBeer to Hondo. He then gives a more than intimate kiss to his companion along with a grope and feel to a couple of her most intimate of places before pulling away from her. He then stuffs a $50 into her g-string before walking away from her and to the nearest exit. Hondo tosses his companion a $50 then follows, remaining quiet until he gets outside.

Hondo: You're seem too comfortable with all that you dirty dog of a squirrel...

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Aug 26^th, 2008, 12:07am

-- Continuation of second post that would not fit... --

Fernando continues to the car and stop by its door. He then turns to face Hondo.

Fernando: You listen here. I don't know what the other Fernando has told you, but in this game you have to play the part of horn dog wealthy playboy, where money and women are just objects of the game. Tammy knows of this with her work at the SWA and who knows what the other Fernando has told her, but you have to play the part and play the well enough to know how to win. People of power only deal with people of power. If you can show that you can manipulate money and women as to your whim, then anything is possible in order for you to win. If they see a whiny ass cry baby momma's boy in their presence, then you will find yourself locked up in some dungeon, chained to a wall. So you better wise up to this squeamish attitude of respecting women because no self respecting female will allow herself to be with some cry baby mommas boy. They want men with power, and money. They want men who can hold themselves to a level of confidence that no others around them seem to have, one who can capture a room attention and hold on to that attention for the entire night until they leave. And when they leave, the subject of conversation for the rest of the night will be about them being there. You understand where I'm going with this?

Hondo remains silent for the moment.

Fernando: If you want to be a cowboy, you better be like Doc Holiday, Wyatt Earp, or Wild Bill Hickok because they are the one who did those things- captured a room's attention and held it for the night, and when they left the conversation for the rest of the night was about them.
Hondo: I'm talkin' 'bout what you did in there, with the girls- how is uncalled for in this situation?
Fernando: It is part of the game. It is expected of you. It shows that you are in charge, but at the same time you respect them for what they are and what they do. Like in Arabia- if you don't burp loudly after a meal, the cook will take it as an insult, and demand a contest by agreement. Women in certain circles demand that men be in charge, be in control, to things to them that they would otherwise not allow themselves to be in. And yes, if you have to sex one of them up, you better do so and carry some protection with you at all times. It is expected in this game. Other than that- anything goes. Now you can either stay with me on this possible mission or walk away from it.
Hondo: But you're married to Tammy. How would she take it if she caught you doing that?
Fernando: I did not marry her, the other Fernando did. Besides, she already knows what I might have to do to get the job done. If I have to be physically unfaithful to her, I will tell her, because she knows that it is for the job I have to do, and not because she is unwilling or incapable of fulfilling my needs in those respect. There is a difference between Sex with Love and Sex to get a job done. No one will ever fill the first slot but Tammy. But if I have to screw my way out of a situation to get the job done, then I will... Understand that difference.
Hondo: How would you feel about it if she were to screw on the job?
Fernando: I'm honest with her to tell her what I have done. I hope she has enough balls to tell me the same thing if she had to for the job. Now lets get home. We have some figuring out to do.
Hondo: You are quite the mad dog at times...
Fernando: Arf! Arf! Arf... Lets not confuse the issues here, but least you got a choice-you want in on this mission or not?

Fernando opens the door and sits inside the Porsche. Hondo slowly walks to the other side and slides himself into the car and sits down. As soon as Hondo puts on his seat belt, Fernando puts the Porsche in gear and drives away.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Charles_Roberts on Aug 26^th, 2008, 12:45am

(edit out of finished edition)

Then a phone rings as Aiesha answer it before she head off to work

Aiesha: Hello

Charles; Hay Aiesha it me Charles Head of NSA Now got a new position also I on a Silent Phone so no one but us can here so were Fernando?

Aiesha: UN he not here

Charles: Rats well if you see him tell him I am coming over later also Tell Bink that Me, Widget, Alex II and Carelince and there kids are coming so let Bink know

Aiesha: Ok I will but how did you became Head of the NSA

Charles: Well I became the new Scarface because the old one my Former boss Gabe Retired form NSA so I am the new Scarface now

Aiesha: So how did you get a Scar on your Face?

Charles; Long Story short I was in South Africa Chasing a Killer though the Cape Town Wild life Park until a Tiger came out of no ware and scratch my Face I got a Big Scar on right side of my face so I had to be in the African Hospital for 4 Days Oy you will see it when I get there so see you later

*
Then in Paris, France Agent 47 was getting on a plan to New York City while he was smiling. 'See you there old friend' Then his Plane took off to NYC since he left the Church a year ago

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Integra_Hellsing on Aug 26^th, 2008, 12:54am

(single poster delete from story)

The fox was sitting at a cafe, shades over her eyes, scenting the air on occassion. 'She listens to the world around her, remember the orders to fit in. How in the nine hells would a rebel with a cause fit in. Her tail switches in annoyance, and drains her coffee cup. She checks her watch again. 'Her target was running a bit late and that was not allowed. Her ears flick back and adjusts to the sounds again. She removes the shades and dusts them off on her shirt. 'She looks rather tough, and she keeps it that way. She snatches her next cup of coffee and drains it.

Jacinth: Where in the hell are they. '

Tail twitching in annoyance again, she growls at the coffee and drains the next cup. She just motions for the rabbit to leave the pot, claws drumming on the table. She draws a few looks and she only smiles and waves at the kiddies. She stands and stretches, then settles back down in her chair. Checking her watch.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Aug 26^th, 2008, 11:14am

Hondo sits in quiet for a bit once they get in the car. He thought a few things over but he knew the answer to Fernando's question. Finally he decided to speak.

"Listen, Fernando. I don't know how much you remember of me but the Fernando I fought with understood me. Hopefully you soon will too. I do what needs done at almost any cost to myself. I am very uncomfortable 'round women 'specially with others 'round an' always have been. Rosie made that worse for me but at the same time made it better as now I'm pissed off and intolerant of their shit! Got a lot I have to settle in my own mind. I know sex is sex but I have a hard time seperatin' it from relationships. Like ya have said before I'm old fashioned. I just have my limits. I'll go into a strip club, I'll shove 20's in a strippers bra or panties, I'll slap a rear, put my arm 'round one of them, let 'um sit on my lap, maybe if the situation calls for it I'll let them kiss me, but stickin' my hand in their panties in front of everyone or goin' to bed with them to make an image or prove a point is over the line for me. Maybe someday I'll run across a situation that I'll have to do that but it will be for a good cause an' it will be my choice. I'm not some whiny mama's boy, as you put it, but I try to have a code of ethics, It's part of what separates us from the bad guys. You say I need to hold attention, I can hold attention if I need to, but you seem so dang good at that I'm not sure you even need me. If you want me 'round you do what you do best and I'll do what I do best and thats stayin' in the background listenin' an' coverin' your back. If you have any of the other Fernando's memories in there you'd know I can get attention very fast! An' my weapons are not out of date! I know them an' can use them with great speed an' accuracy. Even so I do like this little thing you gave me it does conceal nice. make a good back-up gun. Like I said I do whats needed but i'm not changin' who I am to do it unless I deem it necessary. I know my style, or lack of dependin' on who ya ask, better than anyone else's so why try to be somethin' I ain't when I can get a job done with who I am?!" Hondo said.

Fernando had sat and listened to him rant rather calmly for how he had been. This Fernando had been much more irritable and snappy. Hondo hoped he could get all his emotions and memories aligned fast as his temper was wearing a bit thin after the strip club incident.

"So you in out or?" Fernando asked plainly.

"In!" Hondo stated matter of factly.

"'k, then let us get down to business." Fernando said.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Sep 1^st, 2008, 7:32pm

Fernando: Look. I don't care what people think or do as long as it does not interfere with my life or the lives of friends and family. And at the same time, having Christian ideals of how to treat women, Hondo, is a joke. No- Just hear me out. Women think that they are the world's greatest thing next to sliced bread. They are not. The sad truth is the majority of women out there believe themselves to be owed by the world because they have a period, that we men don't understand, that they dictate to us what has to be said and done when it comes to a shared life. It is not that way- it never was that way. God- on which ever one you believe in from any religion put man on Earth first. We were given mastery of the plants, animals and of the planet itself. We lost it because of women.
Hondo: I am starting to agree with you there, but did not God create woman out of Adam's rib, so that he can be reminded that she belongs close to his heart?
Fernando: Again, that depends on which version of creation you believe in. In the Catholic/Christian one-yes. In the Jewish/Muslim one- no. In their version, Lilth was created out of the dirt and mud like Adam was, but Lilth rebelled against Adam and sided with Satan and thus God banned her from Eden. Days later, God made Eve. Now, why did Lilth rebelled? She wanted to be on top.
Hondo: On top? As in rulng?
Fernando: On Top, Sexually speaking.

Hondo's raised a questioning eyebrow.

Fernando: But being on top, sexually speaking also means that you're the one in control, you are the one that rules, you are the one with power- all the things that Lilth wanted. Its all about the stupidity of psychology- if you can understand that. Now, like Lilth, Adam had problems with Eve. Eve wanted to be with the one with the most power. Adam was a mere human with who knows what powers God gave him. Satan on the other hand was god like in powers, so guess who Eve started to believe and follow?
Hondo: Satan. Now, your point is?
Fernando: Simple, women do not care for men who are given power. They care about men who can use it, control it, wield it like a weapon and make others coward in fear. With Power comes wealth, a second thing that women want. And they want to control the man who has those things. That is why in this spy game, you have to be in control, show that you are in charge and is the one with the power to manipulate others around you.
Hondo: But you can't let their actions justify yours!
Fernando: Remember this: The Japanese culture, in fact most of all the Asian Oriental cultures, women are less than second class citizens. A man can literally go up to a woman on the streets where they live and demand for sex right then and there and she will comply-provided that other certain rules of society are met. You are a man. You met up with the Japanese emperor and his Ambassador, who were 'exercising their god-given rights of being a man' against women, and There you are trying to make demands but yet will not 'exercise your god-given rights' against women. To them you are either weak or gay, and therefore lost all respect they would otherwise have for you. Me on the other hand- there is no question as to where I stand with them. You got a lot of ground to make up for, and you need to get off that female phobia that Rose put upon you. But enough of that. Lets go to the Cafe. I got some research to do.

Back at Fernando's home there was a knock on the door. Aiesha looks at one of many video monitors around the house to see who it is.

Aiesha: I don't believe it.
Tinkerbell: Who is it.
Aiesha: Tammy... you better come with me as I answer the door.
Tammy: Why?
Aiesha: JUST FOLLOW ME, WOMAN! I SWEAR- THESE PEOPLE ARE HERE FOR YOU! BUT WHY THEY CAME HERE IS BEYOND ME!
Tammy: Who are they?
Aiesha: You will see.

Aiesha opens the door. A female chipmunk in a black business suit stands by the door.

Female Chipmunk: I am from the Italia Press, I heard that Tammy G. would be here and I would like to get an exclusive.
Aiesha: Oh cut the crap, Ferro and get in here before the insurance salespeople join you.

Aiesha grabs Ferro by the arm and hauls her into the house, closing the door behind her. Then she gives Tammy a long hard stare before walking away.

Aiesha: She's your guest, you deal with her.
Tammy: Uhm...

Aiesha start to walk away from them and back to the dining area and kitchen.

Tammy: Uhm, Ferro... what brings you here?
Ferro: Its past due for Bink's medical exam. I have Dr. Bianchi and the others waiting at some hotel and cafe place across the street.
Tammy: Others?
Ferro: Marco, Hillshire, Jean and the cyborgs.
Tammy: Aren't there any missions to do in Italy?
Ferro: Not at the moment. So we took the time to come over and check Bink out. So this is... your house?
Tammy: Not exactly.
Ferro: What do you mean, not exactly?

Tammy starts to walk to the hall to the living room area.

Tammy: This is Fernando's home... which is now owned by his daughter Aiesha. I live in the tree on the side of the cafe, though I spend my time here.
Ferro: Why would you do that?
Tammy: I like it here.
Ferro (looking about the place): You like it here because it reminds you of him.
Aiesha: I did well redecorating this place!
Ferro (looking at Aiesha): Well then, the apple does not fall far from its tree after all.

A Porsche 928 stops at the parking lot behind the cafe. Both a mouse and a flying squirrel step out of it. The squirrel takes out a laptop from the trunk of the Porsche before the both of them head into the cafe from a rear entrance. Going through a maze of corridors, they make it to the bar and cafe portion of the cafe. Hondo goes to the bar to get a stiff drink.

Fernando continues to his lone seat, left from off center, where he puts his laptop down to open it and begin his research. An hour has gone by as Fernando sits and types away, accessing various internet and information portals that CCC is not even aware off. Any attempts by him or any other form of intelligence that tries to interfere or sniff into Fernando's connection quickly gets routed to a pure source of energy at the nearby generating station via an Ether-killer Junction (http://www.fiftythree.org/etherkiller). But up to now, Fernando has found nothing that would give him any clues.

She walks into the cafe's main entrance as if she owned she place, giving it and everyone inside an inspectioner's eye and failing the lot of them for looking back. And who wouldn't; at 5'6" with a slim but voluptuous build weighing in at under 110pounds, she is neatly fitted into a small tight black dress that says she is in control. The 2 large rats in Armani Suits adds to her picture, and does unseen white 1950's Rolls Royce Silver Wraith stretch limousine with awaiting driver parked outside the door of the cafe. As she walks to the bar, jaws just drop at the mere look of this Asian brunette mousette beauty. Anyone who approached her were met with large caliber weapon pointed at them from the two rats. She stops just a couple of feet from the bar behind the squirrel who was at his laptop, and taking an occasion sip from his mug of who knows what.

Mousette: Are you 'Fernando'?
Fernando (as he turns to face her, closing his laptop screen): Didn't I tell everybody to leave me... Jeanie Chin?
Jeanie: It is you!

Jeanie pounces on him, pinning him against the bar and smothering him with hugs and kisses. Those who tried to make a comment of the activity were given a stern stare by Jeanie's bodyguards. Even Hondo was given a good stare from them. After a couple of minutes of PDA (Public Display of Affection), Jeanie slowly steps away from Fernando, while still holding onto his hands.

Jeanie: So it was an ugly rumor after all!
Fernando: What rumor?
Jeanie: About you being dead! You still got that coffee breathe though.
Fernando: Uhm... How did you... Oh I forgot, you're married to that Asian Newspaper Owner. Information for you is like Microchips to Microsoft.
Jeanie: Was married.
Fernando: Was married?
Jeanie: It became an ugly scene when I would not bear pups for him when he wanted, so he wanted a divorce. But, long story short, I got pregnant by him while he tried to continue his divorce proceedings thinking that I was not pregnant. So to save himself from losing face in the public view of divorcing and abandoning his pregnant wife, he killed himself in the honorable way. I inherited everything. 2.25 billion readers, 12 newspapers and 23 magazines under one tiny roof!
Fernando: That would make you...
Jeanie (with a smile): The richest woman alive- richer than Bill Gates and the Queen of England combined.
Fernando: Jesus, Jeanie... You would be worth....
Jeanie: 425 Billion in American Dollars of liquid assets and immediate spendable cash with another 800-odd billion in investments, equipment and employees. Now how has my savior been doing?
Hondo (to himself as not to be heard while by his fox-friend): Savior?
Fernando: Just making ends meet. You remember how it was so long ago?

Jeanie pulls out a red-brick sized tied lump of 100 dollar bills and places it by his laptop.

Jeanie: Would 50-Grand cover it?
Fernando: Uhm... Jeanie, I have to refuse.
Jeanie: Why?
Fernando: Why? Remember those long talks over 20 years ago? I don't own you and you don't own or owe me. And even if you managed to get all the money in the world, you do not own everything, and I would not want you too. Remember, we came from very humble beginnings and if we would have stayed together we would still be humble today.
Jeanie: Why must you be so...
Fernando: Honest?
Jeanie: I was thinking perfect.
Fernando: Perfect?
Jeanie: You're too good to be in this place. You're too good to be in any place. I have you followed about during the years and made sure that things were alright with you while you went about saving people and their lives like you did mine. How do you manage from going broke? I know your job at the agency does not pay enough for you to have what you want.
Fernando: It's a long line of rotating extended credit.
Jeanie: I'll take care of it for you then right away.
Fernando: No!... I mean-don't. Please, thanks for the offer, but I can manage.

Jeanie pulls out another brick of 100 dollar bills and places if on top of the first.

Jeanie: Consider it as a gift, then.
Fernando: Wait a minute- how many of those things do you have?
Jeanie: Get me private room in this (she hesitates for a moment and looks about the place) Hotel and I'll show you.
Fernando: Oh no. we're not going through that again.
Jeanie: Aww, come on. Just like old times. Besides, I have not thanked for saving my life so long ago.
Fernando: You thanked me enough back then. So what brings you here anyway?
Jeanie: Its been a while since I last saw you. Besides, I was at that UN Awards ceremony, and I thought I saw you in there A few times.
Fernando: Why did you not say something then?
Jeanie: Because only you would figure out a way to earn the Dag Hammarskjold Medal of International Honor and Recognition. You know those things are only given to the family of dead people who worked hard in earning them.
Fernando: Well it wont be the first nor the last time I had won something meant for somebody else.
Jeanie: Seriously, Fernando. You keep doing good for others and not getting any good for yourself. One day all this is going to catch up with you and you are going to be hurt worst than death itself. I don't want to lose a friend that I have in you. It was bad enough that I attended your funeral back in Rome. And yet some how, you are here, alive.
Fernando: Again; what brings you here? You have not set foot on American soil in over 20 years even though you are an American born citizen, and during those times you had a chance to see me, you didn't.
Jeanie: I could have, but my husband was a tyrant when it came to our marriage so my options were limited. Besides, I need you for something else.
Fernando: Jeanie, don't use our past friendship to leverage something out of me.
Jeanie: Its not like what you think.
Fernando: Then consider yourself in line with the billion of others who needs the services of the Rescue Rangers. Go sign up for an appointment and I'll see what can be done for you.
Jeanie: Its not for me.
Fernando: Then who is it for?
Jeanie: Its for you.
Fernando: Me? Explain.
Jeanie: I noticed that Atlantean Fraud Misao hanging about in the UN Ceremony held in your honor, speaking to your friends and your daughter. And I speak to you in the voice of billions- do not entangle yourself with her. She is nothing but trouble. Though the Japanese claim to some universal right of being from Atlantis, the rest of us Orientals are not. And I have it from good sources that they are looking for you and your friends to take care of their underground crime syndicate, but it is really a trap. What you and your friends did in Italy was chop off the tentacle of an octopus and now that octopus wants revenge for losing part of itself to you. I'm asking, pleading with you not to answer their call because it is a false call to trap you.
Fernando: Look.. Jeanie. I promise that I'll take what you say into consideration.
Jeanie: Look, can we talk someplace private? Can we rent out a room in this hotel or something?
Fernando: Jeanie, come back later this evening at my place. We'll talk there.
Jeanie: Your place? Where would that be?
Fernando: Across the street from here.
Jeanie: Can we go there now?
Fernando: No. I mean, I have things to do during the day and wont be back until late in the afternoon. If you like, I'll have some dinner prepared for you and... err... your friends here.
Jeanie: Don't worry about them. I'll be there at your place, alone. 6o'clock fine with you?
Fernando: Make it 6:30.
Jeanie (pulling out a Paw-Pilot PDA and scribbles on it): OK. 6:30 it is. I might as well do some shopping then.
Fernando: Macy's?
Jeanie (putting away the PDA): Macy's sounds good. How much would you think they would want for the whole store?
Fernando: The whole store?
Jeanie: The company itself?
Fernando: I would not know.
Jeanie: I'll figure that out. (she leans over to Fernando and gives him a more than a reasonably passionate kiss.) I'll see you at 6... Come on boys, we got some shopping to do!

Jeanie turns to the door and walks the distance from the bar to the exit with her body guards close by. Fernando says to himself, "Oh Boy..." before returning to his computer, and then remembering that there were 2 bricks of $50,000 in hundred dollar bills. He quickly gathers them and only takes a couple of slips of the paper bills from each before handing the rest to Hondo.

Fernando: Merry Christmas, bud. Now go get something with that and give away the rest. I got a lot of work to do here before I can give an answer...

Hondo just looks at him in disbelief and awe as he looks over the bricks of money he now has in his hands.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Sep 2^nd, 2008, 10:55am

Hondo continues staring at the huge wad of cash.
" yeah . . . sure . . . Thanks, Jefe. I'll buy somethin'." Hondo said.

"You will think of something. Now get going so I can work." Fernando said.

"yeah, sure. I'll see you later." Hondo said as he turned to leave.

"yes you will." Fernando said.

Hondo headed up to his room at the cafe. There was a lot 'bout the cafe he didn't care for as of recent and stayin' there was gettin' on his nerves. He sat on his bed for a moment then looked down at the money he had in his hand. it struck him what to do, now. He got up, pack all his belongings and took them out to his truck. He'd come back and get his Bronco later and get the old WWII fighter from RR HQ as soon as possible as well, as he had parked it there with Gadgets permission. Chip didn't want it there, but Hondo had been in a bad mood at the time and Gadget preferred that her husband have all his teeth.

Hondo climbed into his truck, lit up a cigar, and headed out. As he left he kept looking over his shoulder as he felt like he was bein' watched. there were folk outside, but none he thought that looked like they were actin' odd. he shrugged it off as over jumpy from the last mission and headed off.

He had seen a piece of land with an old cabin and large barn that would make an excellent workshop on it. It was hidden from view and in an area that hardly anyone ever went to so it was secluded and undisturbed. he found out who owned it and went to meet with them. He dickered them down in price and got it for a song. He had been by the place so he knew what he needed. after a trip to a few shops, stores and home improvement centers, Hondo had enough stuff to fix it up proper.

It took his truck and 3 delivery trucks to haul everythin'. The delivery drivers helped him unload and then left him to do his work. He cleaned the cabin and moved in a few pieces of furniture he had picked up and stowed the truck and buildin' stuff in the large 4 story barn, that had a 2 level basement as well. He had everythin' moved in and the repairs that needed immediate attention mostly done by night fall. He used all of one brick of money but barely touched the other, so he locked it up in his truck. The furniture was good, sturdy country styled but nothing overly fancy. the only things he splurged on was a decent humidor filled with cigars he liked, (mostly cheaper though he hoped to pick up some cubans the next time he went over seas) and a wet bar with his favorite liquors and some of Fernandos as well as some other staples for a bar. After a light meal of ice tea and jerky he sat on the porch in a rocker he had bought and watched the last rays of sun fade and the stars come out.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Sep 5^th, 2008, 10:29pm

Fernando kept on working diligently on finding possible clues and other bits if intell. Thus far Jeanie has approached him in not taking the mission for good reason, and he himself would not take it unless he has a need doing so. The problem is driving him to take it, forcing his hand into pursuing something that he would not do in his right mind. Nonetheless, he continues looking for something that can not be found unless it wants to be found.

The bartender slides a plate to him with a sandwich in it- Roast Beef and Swiss with a bit of mayo, sans the rabbit food. Normally he would question it, but this time he does not. In fact, for the time being, he lets it sit there. Meanwhile Tammy and Ferro sit in the living room, across from each other.

Ferro: Bink is doing fine, I gather?
Tammy: So far, yes.
Ferro: No complaints of pain? Headaches? Difficulty seeing? Issues with hearing?
Tammy: Nope, nothing like that.
Ferro: Does she forgets things?
Tammy: Not that I can tell. Why are you asking me these questions?
Ferro: Its to see if you are keeping up with Bink's cyborg development.
Tammy: I give her the medication every morning and ask her the usual questions. She seems to be doing fine.
Ferro: OK then, just 2 more questions and I'll send for Dr. Bianchi to make an appointment with you for today or tomorrow to checkup on Bink.
Aiesha: And where is he going to do this examination?
Ferro: Well, we have not decided on that yet. Perhaps at the hotel room at the cafe.
Aiesha: Oh how sterile... Let me know when you need it and I'll allow him to use the cafe clinic.
Ferro: You would do that for us?
Aiesha: I would do that for Bink, not you or Dr. Bianchi. And of course, I'll be there to supervise this exam.
Ferro: I'll Dr. Bianchi of that.
Aiesha: Now, what were you going to ask Tammy?
Ferro: You listening in to our conversation?
Aiesha: This is my house. You don't like it, you can walk out on your own.
Ferro: Hmph... (turning to Tammy): And how are you doing?
Tammy: Who me? I'm fine.
Ferro: Fine? What about how you feel losing Fernando. Don't tell me you're dating again...
Tammy: I see Fernando all the time.
Ferro: Tammy, Fernando's dead.
Tammy: I know that, and like I said, I see him all the time.
Aiesha: Tammy- I think you said enough.
Tammy: Huh?
Aiesha: I said- I think you said enough. (pointing to the direction of Fernando's room) Now I need you to go to your room and take your pill.
Tammy: Uhm...
Aiesha: DO AS I TELL YOU, WOMAN!

Tammy almost jumps out of her chair and scurries into Fernando's room. After things has quieted down a bit, Ferro asks a question.

Ferro: Anything I should know about?
Aiesha: Tammy has lost it. She is in a psychosis of where she is living in her own world and not totally accepting reality. To her, Fernando is still alive and they are still married. Now her medication is making her accept reality a bit more every day, she is still hung up on my father. Now if you think you want Tammy back as a field agent or intelligence officer, I will have to refuse that request because right now Tammy is as looney as one can be.
Ferro: So these other answers she gave me, are false?
Aiesha: No, they are true, Tammy does what she has to do for Bink, but she thinks that she's married and raising this little family that does not exist. Good thing I follow up on her and double check on Bink's care.
Ferro (as she gets up and starts walking to the hall): I see. Alright then, I'll be going and we'll see about using the clinic's facility later today or tomorrow.
Aiesha (follows Ferro to the door): By my pleasure.
Ferro: I'll keep in touch, and I'll inform Dr. Bianchi of Tammy's condition.
Aiesha: Please do.

Ferro walks out the door, and Aiesha closes and locks it afterwards. Then she leans against it and lets out a sigh. She then pulls out a cell phone and makes a call.

Aiesha: Hello father? Ferro was here, she saids they got rooms at the cafe. What do mean you'll take care of it? Alright, alright... just don't say that I did not warned you! Bye!

Misao walk into the Japanese embassy, to answer a call she recently answered. She easily bypasses security and heads to the top floor of the 12 story building, into an undisclosed room. She was told take a seat for this meeting with the Ambassador and the Emperor.

Misao: How can I help you gentlemen?
Saka Moko: We need you to be here for a meeting with an American Law Enforcement officer of sorts.
Misao: Explain, American Law Enforcement officer of sorts. Are they the police? Federal Agents?
Emperor: Rescue Rangers.
Misao: But they are not Law Enforcers. At best they are private investigators.
Saka Moko: Regardless of the case, We want you to meet with them. You will have to stay here until they decide to return.
Misao: But I'm in contact with them all the time. Why should I meet with them at all? If they want to see me, I'm at the cafe of at a number of related places.
Emperor: Because we are telling you to stay here until they come. You will be in one of the downstairs apartments. Your things will be brought over.
Misao: Everything I need is in the trunk of my car.
Emperor: Then so be it. Guards, escort Ms Misao to her new accommodations.
Misao: I can find the place myself.
Emperor: You still are going to be escorted.

Misao walks out of the room with the guards right behind her.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Sep 11^th, 2008, 10:24am

"You know what, Fernando, this is useless. The organizations involved are too big, too well entrenched into the governments and too well woven into their societies to make any sized dent into their infrastructure. What can one do in the face of this? Nothing. What can one have against all this? Hope- if very little of it.", Fernando thinks to himself as he shuts down the laptop, "Even with the skills and experiences of all the other selves combined, this would still not be enough. And altering history itself means eliminating or undoing Misao and the Atlantean refugees when they had arrived to this planet 10,000 years ago. It's a no-win, no-options situation being played out here. Damned for doing and damned for not doing."

Fernando looks over at the roast beef sandwich that was on the plate sitting next to his laptop. He does not remember ever ordering it, in fact he remembers never ordering it. Though never looking the other way at free food, when doing missions, a paranoia sets in on watch what you eat. Though harmless looking, this sandwich is setting off all the alarms inside of Fernando's head. Thus he acts naturally, puts away his laptop, and walks away from the scene.

Though his home is a straight diagonal line from the cafe, Fernando takes the long way home by going to the lake first, not far from the RR/HQ. Dale was his usual self on the hammock he put between two trees so long ago, sleeping in it. Chip was in the office buried in busy work. Monterey Jack and Zipper were out of the country on another adventure. Smoke coming out of Gadget's lab completes the picture, though it is not as it appears. Fernando stares out at the lake like his previous selves had done so in the past maybe a hundred times before.

"Penny for your thoughts, mister?", a female voice asks.

Fernando: I would like to be left alone, Gadget.
Gadget: Fernando? Is that you? I heard rumors that you were back, but I was not expecting you to be here.
Fernando: There are a lot of unfinished business to take care off before I go on. A lot of unfinished business...
Gadget: Anything I can do to help?
Fernando: You're the reason why I am here and not the other me.
Gadget: What do you mean by that?
Fernando: Oh nothing, if you cant figure that out for yourself. Can you explain to me why your lab is smoking and who is in there that caused it?
Gadget: Oh, that's Sparky. He thinks that he can make another endless power supply from dead ZPMs.
Fernando: You know you are all lucky that he does not leave a smoldering crater with all that dangerous experiment.
Gadget: Yeah, I know. Uhm, Fernando, can I ask you a question?
Fernando: Ask.
Gadget: Its something that your other you said to me, while we were in Italy.
Fernando: Go on...
Gadget: Have we, you know, me and him, done anything we should not have in order to keep the timeline together?
Fernando: If you mean that in trying to rescue Tammy's parents, that was failure on your parts. If you would have left things alone, well, Tammy's parents would both still be dead, but we would not have to be wondering about 'what ifs'.
Gadget: No, I was asking if I did anything to persuade the other you into Time Traveling, and if so, what?
Fernando: Anything?
Gadget: Did I ever had sex with Fernando as a price to go back in Time to help Tammy's family?
Fernando: Why would you want to know that?
Gadget: Because its been bothering me, that's why.
Fernando (lightly touching Gadget's nose with his finger): In this time line, all those things that you can ever remember is what has happened. If you and he has sex and then he went back in time to before it happened and you two never had done it after the time travel, then it never happened. Only he has the memories of an event that has never happened though in his point of view it did. Gadget, time is not 2 dimensional, it is 3. Not only can you back and forth but side to side too. So in this version of time- if you remember that nothing happened between him and you, then it never did.
Gadget: Then you and I, I mean him and I never had sex?
Fernando: If that is what you remember, then no.
Gadget: Would you do the same to me?
Fernando: Do what?
Gadget: If I ask you to time travel to the past to undo an event that cost us dearly as a group, would I have to pay a price for that?
Fernando: What kind of price?
Gadget: Have sex with you?
Fernando: Why is that a concern?
Gadget: For one, I'm married to somebody else. We're not married for another.
Fernando: For the entire history of sentience and civilization, being married has never stop members of a couple from connecting with others.
Gadget: You're married to Tammy, third.
Fernando: Who says that I am?
Gadget: But you are.
Fernando: The vows says that we are to be wed until death do us apart. The Fernando you know was killed, dead and buried. They as a couple have become apart due to death's involvement and actions. I came in after the fact, and I am not one who is going to acknowledge all of the past Fernando's actions or decisions.
Gadget: But...
Fernando: If I were to zap us forward or backwards in time, where Chip does not exists, what ever wedding vows you have with him would be null and void at that time frame. For the future travel, Chip would be long since dead, and therefore "Death Do Us Apart" applies. For a past trip, how can you be married to someone who does not yet exist at the time? You are only married for the time frame in which you two share together. Now with that said- Tammy is married to someone in the past who no longer exists now.
Gadget: But he does exist- because he is you.
Fernando: Again with the semantics. It does not matter because what was said and done is over. The Fernando Tammy married is dead. I am Fernando reincarnated, and therefore am not married to Tammy. If we are to be married, then we would have to do over the marriage ceremony again.
Gadget: Then why don't you?
Fernando: Don't I what, marry Tammy? No.
Gadget: And why not? You got another girl friend to marry and then leave like you did her?
Fernando (to himself): Don't I wish.
Gadget: What was that?
Fernando: Nothing you should concern yourself with about.
Gadget: But...
Fernando: But what?
Gadget: You are but you aren't and all this time you are still here and Tammy thinks that you two are still married.
Fernando: I have already explained it to Tammy that we are not married, and if she continues on with this fantasy, we are not going to be.
Gadget: Now that is just being mean!
Fernando: How so? All I ever wanted is to be left a lone, and yet there she is causing me problems for no good reason other than to get my attention for some no good cause. I swear- how or why did the last Fernando feel in love with her, I don't know. Maybe she was a good lay...*

Gadget shakes her hand as if she hit it hard against something, like a steel reinforced concrete wall. Close enough though as she tried to slap Fernando.

Gadget: Ow ow ow ow ow....
Fernando: Serves you right.
Gadget: What are you, some kind of robotic cyborg?

Fernando reaches into Gadget's pocket and pulls out one of many needles that she carries. Then he pokes the needle into the palm of his left hand and shows it to her s he pushes the needle deeper and deeper until it comes out the other end. Blood starts to drip from both ends.

Fernando: Cyborgs don't bleed, at least not like this.
Gadget: Then what are you?
Fernando: Flesh and blood, like you.

Fernando pulls out the pin, now covered in blood and hands it back to Gadget.

Fernando (as he wraps his bloody left hand into a handkerchief): But we all have a very high threshold for pain. Just don't let this fool you, it does hurt greatly. I just refuse to acknowledge the pain.

Gadget continues on staring at him.

Fernando: There are many things that you do not know about me, about him- about us you think you know as Fernando. Chances are that he did not feel the bullet as it went through him. That he probably stood there for the last moment of his life and cursed out his murderer. I would even bet that despite the damage he suffered, he did not fall unless he was pushed or after his murderer left and his body gave up. In fact I can tell you that he fought hard not to let death take him away until the very last second, his heart pumping until there was no more blood to pump, his lungs taking in air until they could no longer take in air, his mind cranking away on how to undo what has happened until his brain simply shutdown from lack of blood and oxygen. Death had to have dragged him away kicking, clawing, biting and screaming every step of the way.
Gadget: How do you know this?
Fernando: I have the memories of the event, I know who killed him, I know why he was killed. Now, I want you to keep it quiet, because I will be very angry if you run off and tell the world of my little secret.
Gadget: But if you know...
Fernando: That is for me to figure out what to do with that person, Gadget. Not you, not the Rescue Rangers, Not The Police. Now, you need to go home and take care of your husband.
Gadget: Oh, Chip can take care of himself.
Fernando: I said, you need to get home and take care of your husband. It was not a topic of discussion, it was a command so that I can be left alone in solitude.
Gadget: Uhm... OK... I will go now.

The blonde mouse slowly and cautiously stepping backwards away from him. Even when she started to turn around and walk away, she kept looking back to him until one time he would be there and the next he was gone.

A cellphone is opened and its status checked. Zero Bars was displayed. "Damn it." Misao says to herself.

Misao opens the window to her room and looks outside. She then looks about and around the structure of the building, finding a ledge under the window sill and how it wraps about the building. It was not much, less then a foot wide but more than enough to attempt an escape. Taking her shoes off and putting them into her purse and the purse strap over her opposite shoulder, Misao slowly steps out into the ledge and shifts her feet across, making her way to the next window slowly. Finding it locked, she continues to the next and the one after that until she finds an open window almost 1/2 the distance of the building away. Once inside the room again, she looks outside and sees the roof of the adjoining building several floors below her.

She cautiously looks out into the hall, seeing the guards by her door 1/2 a building away, and the stairway just feet away across the hall. She steps back into the room, puts on her shoes and dusts herself off. Then she steps out of the room, pretends to lock the door and steps into the stairway. The guards could have cared less about what they saw 1/2 a building away. Misao goes down the stairs, counting the floors as she walks down the stairs. She steps out into an office filled floor, busy with workers doing various jobs. She walks to the windowed wall at the far end of the floor. The roof was lined up just a couple of feet below the window. A few of the office workers look at her, as they did not recognized her. She then continues to walk down the widow side of walled cubicles until she finds a set of offices with their own set of windows. She steps into an empty office, closing the door behind her, heads to the window, hops down to the roof and scurries to the roof exit and down another set of stairs. In another couple of minutes, she steps out of an elevator on the ground floor and onto the streets of New York. In a couple of more minutes, she steps into her Toyota Supra MX and drives away.

"So the Rescue Rangers want to have a talk with me?", she says to herself as she drives away.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Sep 15^th, 2008, 7:16pm

Fernando manages to make it back to his tree house with no one else bothering him. As he walks by the living room to get to his bedroom, he finds nobody home. He then goes to his laptop and starts typing in a few codes into his chronoserver. A bright flash of light around and about the place signifies that the house in interphased out of time by a microsecond, making sure that no on can come in or out of the house but still be able to send in electronic and/or photonic messages back and forth to those within.

He closes his laptop and heads to the bedroom. Taking off his glasses, he goes about what is known to a few as his "Isolation Chamber', for with the shutters in place and the lights are off, the room is a very dark and quiet place as per his liking. He walks about the room in darkness, taking off his clothing and puts them on the table that can not be seen in the dark place. He then walks over to his bed and sits on it for a minute before climbing under the covers and blankets where it will warm. Of all the basic needs a man has to have, food and rest is 2 that Fernando treasures most. Fernando takes one last stretch before retiring, then he notices that he is not alone.

Fernando: Tammy, I hope that is not you I'm feeling behind me.
Tammy: Why not, you don't love me anymore?
Fernando (turning around under the covers to face her): Tammy, I'm not the Fernando that you married.
Tammy: But you are the one and the same.
Fernando: How so?
Tammy: I figure that if you hopstotched your way around Time, that you must be the same Fernando that I married.
Fernando: But I'm not the same Fernando.
Tammy: Prove it.
Fernando: Its virtually impossible to do that, and you know it.
Tammy: If its impossible to prove it, it must be because you are the same Fernando I married before he died, but because you hopstotched your way to the future for some reason, you saved yourself from getting killed or you will be killed in the future when you travel to the past to marry me.
Fernando: Tammy, you're making no sense here.
Tammy: Then prove that you are not Fernando.
Fernando: The Fernando you know was #2. The first Fernando was killed shortly after "our accident' that made us one with All Time. That Fernando was killed by the Orions who are a race of self proclaimed Time Police. They basically go after any other race that discovers Time Travel and tries to destroy them. Fernando discovered this and allowed the Orions to come close to Earth, only to unleash a runaway ORG on their armada. He died of radiation poisoning 4 days later. With the Orions gone, the time machine turned on and out came out the Fernando you knew shortly after the first one died. This is Fernando #2- the one you married. Aiesha's father was the original Fernando, or Fernando #1.Fernando #2 did do a lot of hopstoching about through time, even trips to the future. He developed the Time Traveling laptops, befriended a red-haired chipmunk name Jeanette, did a lot of things, some good, and some bad. But it took him a while to get beyond what happened that day that killed the first Fernando. Headaches would set in, memories clash, things that should be were not. Welcome to the world of Temporal Psychosis. And only he had it in the worst of ways. Then there was convincing his old friends that he was actually still alive. Well, as you can see, his old friends are not around. In fact it was his daughter that accepted him as her father from those days. Now, give or take 15 years since then, we are here now. Your Fernando- Fernando #2 is dead. I, Fernando #3 is here, alive. It is not going to be easy for me to live his life. I don't share the same feelings or emotions that he may have had with others, and I do not agree to many of the memories of events that occurred. I have not accepted this universe for what it is, and I have not accepted your love of me Tammy. I could be down right evil and use you for my whims and desires, but fortunately for you, we Fernando's do not operate in that fashion. I don't know what it is that holds us back from hurting others like you, but don't push your luck with me- what you make take as a start to a romantic and intimate interlude can easily end up as a rape. And you being in this bed can be deemed as something that you started. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?
Tammy: I do, but you would never do anything to hurt me. I know that.
Fernando: And I said that I am not to be trusted. Now get out of my bed!

Tammy slowly kneels up, sniffling.

Fernando (sitting up): Tammy, don't cry.

Tammy's sniffles begin to become shorter and more frequent.

Fernando: Tammy, just don't. You're a grown woman for god's sake.
Tammy: Women *sniff* cry *sniff* too...*sniff* We're *sniff* supposed *sniff* too *sniff*...
Fernando: Tammy did not go through all this crap of rescuing her sister so she can cry on some guy's bed!
Tammy: But *sniff* You're *sniff* Not *sniff* Just *sniff* Some *sniff* Guy *sniff*, You're *sniff* My *sniff* Husband...! *WHAAAAA!*

At this point Tammy releases all the barriers holding back the waters of Hoover Dam. At the same time she goes for his shoulder and holds on crying. Fernando catches her as to make sure that she does not fall to either side or off the bed.

Fernando: Tammy (*WHAAA!*) Don't! (*WHAAA!*) STOP (*WHAAA!*) CRYING! (*WHAAA!*) TAMMY!!! (*WHAAA!*) I (*WHAAA!*) Don't (*WHAAA!*) Want (*WHAAA!*) To (*WHAAA!*) Do (*WHAAA!*)This! (*WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!*)

Fernando takes Tammy by the shoulders and gives her a hard shake but she is still out of emotional control. In fact, she starts hitting a his chest with the sides of her fist, still crying that she wants her husband. Fernando lets go of his right hand off her and smacks her across the face with it.

Tammy freezes in silence after giving a loud yelp.

They both stare at each other through the darkness that their eyes had gotten used too.

Fernando: I'm sorry.
Tammy: No... I'm the one that should be sorry. And I am.

After a second of silence.

Tammy: Thank you, I needed... that.
Fernando: Look Tammy... I don't... generally hit... women.
Tammy: I understand, I was of control... Wasn't I?
Fernando: Yes, but... Women are supposed to be emotional
Tammy: Emotional, yes. Not out of control. Again, thank you.

Tammy leans over to him and holds him. Unsure of what to do, he puts his arms around her.

Tammy: Forgive me. I have been such a fool.
Fernando: Two wrongs don't make a right, Tammy.
Tammy: Husband or not, I'm in love with you, Fernando. Nothing is going to change that.
Fernando: But I'm not the Fernando you fell in love with.
Tammy: You share his memories, his feelings, his experiences. You are everything he ever was.
Fernando: But I don't agree with it though, that is where the differences lie.
Tammy: You do not agree that deep down in your heart that you love me too, as much as I do you?
Fernando: The emotion is there, but I do not acknowledge it.
Tammy: And why not?
Fernando: Because- out there somewhere is Fernando's killer. And that killer will do anything to finish the job that was started- that means killing you. So before I can go back to relationships and fulfilling desires of emotion and flesh, I have to take care of that first! If not for my revenge, then for your safety! Do you understand that?

Tammy gulps.

Fernando (continues): Fernando was not the intended target but rather an opportune one. With you here, you are now safe, as long as you listen to my instructions! And as long as you listen to my instructions, I will not have to through the memories of burying another loved one! And until I can get this resolved, you and I are not a couple, we are not dating we are nothing more than cafŽ buddies and friends. Do I make myself clear?

Tammy nervously nods.

Fernando: Good. Now unless you want a quickie fling or an update on your sexual education, I would advise you to get out of this bed and LEAVE ME ALONE!

Tammy starts sniffling again.

Fernando: Come on woman- don't cry, I swear!

Tammy tries her best again not to cry.

Fernando: Look, Tammy. For now, while you are here in the area of the cafe, you are safe. Don't leave it, don't go downtown shopping, don't go to Italy- all for the time being until I can get this solved. Nor am I going to say that I love you, because I do not want to be distracted by you. And I do not want you to talk about me as if I am still alive- because that will signal to the outside world that I am not dead and buried in Italy when I actually am. With me dead, this makes my job easy to do. Upset that, and I will be upset at you.

Tammy leans over to him and holds on to him.

Fernando: TAMMY!
Tammy: I do not want to let you go!
Fernando (struggles to push her away): Let Me Go, I Need My Rest, Damn It!
Tammy: Rest?
Fernando: YES!
Tammy: But, you woke up a few hours ago...
Fernando: Do Deal with What Is Going On In My Head, I Need My Rest, Girl... Now If You Want Me To Eventually Love You, You Will Have To Leave Me Alone So My Mind CAN HEAL! So If You Don't Mind.... LEAVE ME ALONE!

Tammy slowly withdraws, biting on her lower lip. Then she gets out of the bed, puts on a bathrobe, gathers her things she had neatly stacked on the table, and walks over to the bed. Fernando had already buried himself under the blankets and pillows, nonetheless, Tammy leans over and kisses where she thinks his head was- although it was a pillow she kissed and not his head that was under it. Fernando does not stir as she thought he would. She then quietly walks out of the room and to the living room, closing the door behind her.

Tammy walks about the house and then starts cleaning it up.

- - - - -

Fernando: How can I help you?
Red-Haired Mouse: Don't you remember me?
Fernando: Anne? It cant be...
Anne: Why? Because you killed me?
Fernando: I did what had to be done- you took Tammy's gun and was going to use it.
Anne: Does that make it justifiable?
Fernando: I did what I had to do, Anne. I don't expect you to forgive me in that.
Anne: But I do forgive you.
Fernando: You do?
Anne: Can I come in? I need some rest. The injuries you gave me tire me out so easily.
Fernando: Well, uhm...
Anne: Oh, you busy? Got company or something?
Fernando: I'm about to leave in a few minutes... for a wedding.
Anne: Yours?
Fernando: Afraid so.
Anne: Who is she? Is she that red-headed squirrel... what her name... Tammy?
Fernando: It is.
Anne: I can wait with you. I would like to go and see it happen... you and her getting married.

Fernando glances over to the alarm panel which said that Annie was not carrying anything that could be considered as a weapon. He then walks away from the door, leaving it open. Anne enters the place behind him, not closing the door. She follows him to the dining area.

Anne: Can I have something to drink, water would be best.
Fernando: Uhm, hold on.

Fernando walks around the service island into the kitchen and gets out a clean glass for her. He fills it with ice and then water. Anne had found his gun neatly holster away on the table. She quietly removes it from the holster and takes aim to him. He turns to put the glass on the service island, seeing Anne having his weapon already aimed at him.

Fernando: You don't want to do that.
Anne: I don't? Understand where I am. You killed my lover and then you tried to kill me.
Fernando: If he did not pull out his gun, then I would not had killed him.
Anne: You had your gun between my breasts, he was trying to defend me!
Fernando: All I wanted was answers, I did not wanted to shoot you. But since your kind of people only listen to ideas at the end of a gun, I had little choice.
Anne: You want those answers? Yes, it was one of our bombs. We wanted to blow up that plane with the SWA personnel in it. We wanted to end the Frankensteinian work that they do. It is not fair what they do to those girls. They had to be stopped, their work had to end.
Fernando: At the price of innocent lives?
Anne: Innocent people always get hurt when opposing sides clash.
Fernando: You knew that I was to pilot that plane back, didn't you?
Anne: The cockpit would have remained intact in the explosion, you are a flying squirrel, you would have survived.
Fernando: But not my daughter.
Anne: Daughter?
Fernando: Dr. Aiesha G. She was part of the group trying to undo the conditioning and cyborgnetic implants of the girls.
Anne: She would have survived.
Fernando: How so?
Anne: She's a flying squirrel like you, she would have flown like you would have.
Fernando: She is only 1/2 flying squirrel. She would have landed too hard in the water and be killed from the impact. That is if she would not have been killed or hurt by the initial explosions that would have taken out the fuel tanks, spilling flaming fuel into the passenger section.
Anne: You lie.
Fernando: And you're letting yourself be blinded by your own actions.
Anne: Like you know what it is like to be blind. You just wear those glasses just for show.
Fernando: Think what you like.
Anne: Think what I know.
Fernando: What about Tammy?
Anne: What about her?
Fernando: She would have been on that flight too. All she ever wanted was to recover her sister Bink.
Anne: Innocent lives have to pay the price when they agree with the guilty.
Fernando: At the time, she did not side with them. She only wanted to recover her sister Bink from them. Now you are going to deny her a marriage, a family, and happiness? If you are going to kill me then go a head and just do it. You are no better than the terrorists you build your bombs for. Or you can be better than them and put the gun down.
Anne: You denied me those things when you killed Franco. Now tell me, Fernando. Are you afraid to die?
Fernando: No I am not.

Fernando takes a step towards Anne.

Fernando: Give me the gun. You don't want to do this.
Anne: What do you know what I want?
Fernando: Because I know.
Anne: All I wanted was to eliminate the SWA. Stop the government from what they were doing to the girls. I wanted to save those girls from what was being done to them!
Fernando: If you were, you and Franco would not have been targeting and bombing all of Italy. Trying to stop the major government construction projects like the Sicilian Bridge, or churches and museums.
Anne: That's Not True, And YOU KILLED FRANCO!

A shot rings out, Fernando get hit near center of his chest. Breathing for him just become difficult, the pain unbearable, nerve signals to his legs and lower body: gone. His white wedding shirt, turning bright red at the site of impact and spreading fast. But yet he manages to holds on to the island to keep him standing. He looks at his shirt as it turns from white to red before looking back at her.

Fernando: You... don't... know... what... you... have... done.
Anne: I got rid of one rat... There is still one more to kill when I find her.
Fernando: Who... would... that... be?
Anne: Your wife to be.
Fernando:...Why?
Anne: Because she has Bink. I wanted Bink as I wanted all the others.
Fernando: You... have... a... de...mented... mat...ternal... instinct...
Anne: You going to die or do I have to shoot you again.

Fernando stumbles a bit as he gets weak.

Fernando: As... long... as... I... still... stand... there... is... hope...

Unfortunately, Fernando falls to the floor at this point. He pants heavily for air though it does not help. What little blood remains in his brain does not make it to his lungs or back to his brain but rather to his wound where it escapes to the outside world. Anne walks around the dining area to where Fernando was in the kitchen.

Fernando: You... don't... know... what... you... have... done.
Anne: See you in hell, you #$@!ing bastard...

Fernando stops breathing, his brain starts to shutdown, his life starts to end.

The blankets and pillow gets thrown to the side, and a sweat covered squirrel sits up breathing heavy. Confused, he looks around, hearing the roar of a vacuum cleaner in the back ground. His breathing becomes easier. He puts his hand to his chest, finding it warm and wet but from sweat and not blood as he had first thought. He moves his leg and then wiggle his toes. He shakes his head to try to set reality into place. Systems diagnostics seem to pass, at least for this body. The dream sequence is replayed outside of dreamscape, the red haired mouse, the talk, the gun, the talk continues then the shot to the chest. The dream continues on the last 1 minute of its events, zooming in on the red haired mouse.

Fernando: Annie... but how?!!

- - - - -

A cellphone rings and a hand reaches to answer it.

"Hello?" gruff and husky voice answers. "Huh? Chloroform? Where am I going to get that? Italy? So soon? Hold on Boss Squirrel Man... 2 hours? Well... Yes, See you in the cafŽ then."

The call is disconnected, and the cellphone is hung up, put into sleep mode. He looks about his place, locks the door, and walks to his truck, throwing a duffle bag of personal items inside before stepping in himself and drives away.

- - - - -

After taking a quick shower, Fernando changes his attire to a more casual one. He then goes about his room, looking for a gun that does not exists because it was stolen. He did find his NAA .32 within the suit he wears. He searches further and finds a few 10-round magazines filled with ammunition. He pockets them and puts the gun into a clip on holster which he places into his back onto belt and inside his pants, hidden by his bushy tail. For a moment he goes to his laptop and types a few commands, tying in his pda to it for a network connection and data transfer. The last item he puts on is his camera watch even though he takes his glasses.

He walks out his room as he stuffs his wallet and pda into his pants in different pockets. Tammy was struggling with putting the vacuum cleaner in the hall closet, still dressed in her bathrobe and little else underneath. Fernando steps up behind her, reaches into the closet, turns the vacuum clean around and fits it into the space inside.

Fernando: It only goes in 1 way.
Tammy: Oh... I did not know that.
Fernando: You better put something on, at least look descent when in my house.
Tammy (looking at herself inside her robe): Uhm...
Fernando: Wife, girlfriend or not, too many people walk in and out of this house because it is also my personal office. I can not have a naked secretary and house cleaner if you are going to spend time with me.
Tammy: But... I got underwear on, and I can tie up the robe if people come in.
Fernando: You missed the point. Get dressed as if you are ready for business because this is a place of business. Not a place where women walk around naked like some gentlemen's club.
Tammy: Gentlemen's club?
Fernando: A Stripper's Joint.
Tammy: Oh... Uhm...
Fernando: Just get dressed.
Tammy: Uhm... yeah.

Tammy steps away from between Fernando and the closet, closing the door.

Fernando: Tammy?
Tammy (stopping in midstep and turns to Fernando): Yes?

Fernando grabs her and holds her against him, giving her a more then intimate kiss lasting longer than it should have. At first she struggles for a second or two but then gives in to it. And as suddenly as he started it, he ends it. Tammy leans against the wall panting for air.

Tammy: What... was... that... for?
Fernando: In case I don't come back, to give you something that you want.
Tammy: But...
Fernando: Would you prefer if I take you to the bedroom and do you lovely?
Tammy: Uhm... No...
Fernando: No?
Tammy: If you don't love me, then when mock my feelings?
Fernando: I told you- first I deal with what I told you before. Then if you want, we can work on a relationship. But until then, when I leave, I will give you a little something in case something happens that makes it so I do not return.
Tammy: Don't do it then.
Fernando: Why not?
Tammy: Why? Because I am not worth it. I just a squirrel who gathers acorns and nuts and hibernate during winters. I'm not famous or powerful, nor am I going to save the world. There are others more important to save than just me.
Fernando: In my point of view, you are worth saving, as you are worth loving and having as a girlfriend and as a wife. And who knows, maybe you will save the world, but you wont know unless you try.
Tammy: But...
Fernando: Cut it out with your self doubts. I swear Tammy- you were strong back in Italy. What has made you into a whimpering little squirrel puppy?
Tammy: You did... Holding your dead body against my, not accepting what has happened, hoping that it has never happened. Hoping that you would return to me and that things would be alright. But its not! Why...?

Tammy starts to hit on Fernando's chest before stopping and leaning against him crying. Fernando holds her though he can not answer her. She cries for a long time as he continues to hold her. After a while, she stops, and steps back, looking at his shirt.

Tammy: I'm sorry.
Fernando: What for?
Tammy: I messed up your shirt.

Fernando opens the closet and pulls out a cleaning pen from a box within.

Fernando (as he scribbles the shirt with the pen): Its OK, really.
Tammy: Would you want me to make dinner?
Fernando: No. We'll go out if I return.
Tammy: Can I ask where you are going?
Fernando: Somewhere far away. But, I'll call when I am returning home. Is that alright with you?

Tammy just nods.

Fernando: Look, get dressed and lets see what this day has to bring.
Tammy (nodding her head): OK.

Fernando reaches over to her and brings her close to him. He then kisses her on the forehead before letting her go and walks out the door. Fernando steps out several steps from the tree, pulls out his pda, tapping some code on the screen. A light flashes about the tree as if somebody had taken a picture of it with a camera flash. He then continues onward to the cafŽ. Tammy goes into his room, turning on the lights and pulling out her suitcase from his closet, pulling out a fresh set of clothes and other items before going to the bathroom to freshen up.

Fernando takes his seat at his table at the cafŽ to order a small lunch. Along the way he picks up a newspaper from the squirrel pup who sells them by the door. He starts to read it as the waiter goes to his table.

Waiter: What will be your order, sir?
Fernando: Lets see... Make it a t-bone- medium rare- with a baked potato and grilled vegetables. I'll take a carafe of red wine with that but I'll start with a bit of the green fairy first.
Waiter: Green Fairy?
Fernando: Absinthe. You know how to prepare it, right?
Waiter: Uhm...
Fernando: Just put it in a jigger glass and serve it straight.
Waiter (as he writes it down): Yes sir.
Fernando: And step on it. I'm starving.
Waiter: Is that all sir?
Fernando: I'm expecting company. What ever they order, put it on my tab.
Waiter: Will do sir.
Fernando: Good, now git...

The waiter scurries off to the kitchen area to get his food ready. He then goes to bar and makes Fernando's drink for him. It is quickly served. Fernando nods approvingly and stares at the drink, which is the same colour as anti-freeze/coolant and a very strong and sweet smell of Anise and other herbs. He just takes a deep sniff of the glass but does not sip it. He goes back to reading this newspaper first.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Sep 16^th, 2008, 12:33pm

OOC: quick post as I'm at work, but on break. :BIC

Hondo drove away from his place headed to the cafe in a round about way. His place was lookin' good, but needed a bit more fixin' up. next project would be the barn which would be a workshop. He picked up a couple items in town, but it took him a few stops to find what he needed. after he found what he needed he headed to the cafe. Fernando was already there and eatin' lunch. Hondo sat down and a waiter came up to get an order. he ordered a Texas style burger, onion rings, beans and a sarsaparilla.

"So whats this al 'bout?" Hondo asked after the waiter had gone

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Oct 23^rd, 2008, 9:41pm

"For now, I am calling the Japanese mission off.", Fernando stated.
"Can I ask why?", Hondo asks.
"Consider that it is only 5 of us at best, even if we were collect all the rangers into this mission- we are only 30 or so- at best if you throw in the crews from the sea and space ships- less than 10,000. 10,000, against several million. Its not going to work.", Fernando explained.

Hondo sits there and ponders, rubbing his chin.

Hondo:I see you point.
Fernando: Even if we were to change our appearance to fit in. How many of us know fluent Mandarin, Cantonese, or even Japanese?
Hondo: I recon none of us do.
Fernando: And you be right. None of us do. So... Just because this mission maybe be terminated, does not mean that there are others.
Hondo: What do you have in mind?
Fernando: Right now? Serveral, which I am still thinking about choosing.
Hondo: Several?
Fernando: Minor ones mainly. Something more up our alley.
Hondo: You care to disclose some information?
Fernando: For now I can not say other than prepare yourself for another trip to Italy soon.
Hondo: Italy? Again? What for?
Fernando: Simply put, to finish Tammy's mission once and for all.
Hondo: But, Tammy's mission has beenover for months. We all got award and praises for it.
Fernando: Awards and praises are for dogs when you are training them new tricks. Now, there still remains 1 facette of Tammy's mission that is still unresolved.
Hondo: And what would that be?
Fernando: My murder.

Hondo stares at him blankly, knowing that he was right about what was said. He sighs, knowing that there was not much that can be said a this point about what is to be stated next.

Hondo: When would we start?
Fernando: As soon as you like.
Hondo: I see. Question?
Fernando: Ask.
Hondo: Do you know who did it?
Fernando: Yes.
Hondo: And?
Fernando: it is for you to know when the time is right. Now is not the time.
Hondo: Can I ask, do I know who it is?
Fernando: You might. The thing is, what are you going to do when you find out who did it?
Hondo: What do you want done?
Fernando: As the Italians would say, revenge is a dish best serve cold.

Hondo nods in understanding what Fernando means.

Fernando: This meeting is over, for now. Make preparations to go to Italy. We'll meet again when you're done.
Hondo: Can I ask one more thing?
Fernando: Shoot.
Hondo: What about Tammy?
Fernando: What about her?
Hondo: Are you going to string her along or are you going to get serious with her?
Fernnado: I will have to wait and see on that.
Hondo: What do you mean on that?
Fernando: Exactly what I said on that.
Hondo: No puzzles, riddles or suprises. Are you going to get serious with her?
Fernando: I can not say, and I'm telling you the truth when I say that. It depends on the outcome of this mission.
Hondo: Well, she wants too and thinks that you two are a couple.
Fernando: I have spoken to her about that. Currently we are not and I'm not pushing her into decisions as to what we should be. So she should bot be with me.
Hondo: If it counts towards anything- the last Fernando was really nice to her, and treated her well even though he had to teach her a very sour lesson about being an agent for the governement's work. I think in the least you should do the same to her- I mean in treating her well and being nice to her.
Fernando: Again, we'll see.

Fernando slowly starts to get up and walk to the door.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Nov 17^th, 2008, 9:01pm

Hondo got up an' followed him to the door.
"i'm ready when you are. The stuff you asked for an' the stuff I need in in my truck. When yur ready fer me call me or come visit. ya've not seen my place yet. might come in useful." Hondo said as they went threw the door. Fernando nodded an' continued on.

hondo climbed into his truck an' started the engine. it roared to life instantly. after securin' his seatbelt he slammed it into first gear an' took off with a roar an' a squeal. He was still sore frm losin' Rose an' that comined with the stress of the last mission changed him some. *how different it all is when you have someone to love.* he thought. he made it back to hisplace quickly, but instead of goin' to the house he drove right to the huge barn. he had an' idea of what he wanted to build next. He'd build somethin' thet even would make gadget Hackwrench drool. He climbed out of the truck at the barn door an' when inside. *first a few mods to the barn.* he thought to himself.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Mar 17^th, 2009, 12:22am

Fernando walks in his house momentarily, passing the living room and the kitchen/dining area in the back of it. He found it strange that it would be empty. He continues onward down the hall to his room, opening the door. Tammy was on his bed, sleeping in the robe and underwear she has been wearing all day. The dried tears on her face says that she had been crying for quite a while before she tired out and went to sleep. After closing the door, he walks over to the bed and sits down next to her. He lightly strokes the side of her face, which wakes her up.

Tammy (waking up): Huh?
Fernando: Relax girl, its only me.

Tammy slowly sits up and holds on to him, burying her face into his chest.

Fernando: Easy girl. Everything OK?

She shakes her head.

Fernando: What's wrong?
Tammy (muffled against his chest): Everything.
Fernando (pulling her away from him and holding her at arm's length): What's wrong?
Tammy (softly): Everything...
Fernando: My daughter got on your case about something?
Tammy: No, but that is the point.
Fernando: What point?
Tammy: You accept her as you daughter but not me as your wife!

She begins to cry again. He holds her a little tighter against him. After a while, she pushes him away from her

Tammy (trying to stop her crying): I know who you are, you are Fernando- my husband, my lover, father of my future children.
Fernando: What are you talking about?
Tammy: You are a time traveler. You travel back and fourth through time, changing events, altering memories. But why have you not changed mine?
Fernando: Tammy- listen to me. I have not changed a thing. Zilch, nada, nothing. Look, even Gadget knows, so if you want to ask somebody, ask her.
Tammy: But...
Fernando: But what?
Tammy: You accept your daughter but not me!...
Fernando: Tammy. I'm only going to say this once. I do accept you as who and what you are (pushing her away as she tries to hug him) But... I can not have you happy and smiley because I need you to play the widow routine to the best of your ability. I need you to convince the world that I am dead, and I need the world to believe your act. I need you to do this, because that mission we left in Italy is not finished.
Tammy: What do you mean?
Fernando: Think, Tammy. Yes, we got Bink back for you, and we got you home at least for the tie being, but something still remains unresolved back in Italy.
Tammy: What is it?
Fernando: My murder. OK?

Tammy just nods.

Fernando: Look, I can not have you or Bink follow me into this mission. You two are in danger if you two go back with this unresolved. That is why I need to do this alone and I need you to be... hurting... as much s possible. OK? I'm sorry for dragging you along and hurting you along the way, but it must be like this until this mission is resolved without any loose ends. I do not want you hurt, I do not want you killed. That is why I'm doing this. And I need you to continue hurting until it is over... I promise you, Tammy, when this mission is over, I will make you the happiest little squirrel in the world. But until then, its going to be a very rough for you. So do not let up and do not let the others know.

Tammy nods.

Fernando leans towards her and kisses her on the forehead.

Fernando: Look... I have to go. When I'll be back, I do not know. But I promise you that I will return. Until then I need you to continue being sad and hurt.
Tammy: When will you be back?
Fernando: I do not know. But I promise that I will be back.

Tammy half heartedly smiles.

Fernando slowly gets off the bed and walks out the room. He stops by the door for a moment and looks at her over his shoulder.

Fernando: Look, Tammy. I need you to be a good girl, and want you to behave like I told you. Don't tell anyone about what is going to happen. Alright?
Tammy (getting up off the bed and walking towards him): I will...

She steps right up to him, and though he does not want it to happen, she puts her arms around his waist and leans her head against his chest. He puts his hands on her shoulders and pushes her lightly. Its enough to get her attention.

Tammy: Something wrong?
Fernando: Yeah, Uhm... we cant be doing this right now.
Tammy: Why not?
Fernando: I said after this mission is over, I'd make you the happiest squirrel in the world. But things can not be this way right now. I dont want want you to suffer, but you need to show the world out there that you are as a widow would be.

Tammy does not want to give a response, because she knew he was right.

Fernndo: Look, Tammy... when I return, I promise you the world, but you have to be patient for me to get it and then give it to you... until then, nothing. Do I make myself clear?

Tammy nods. Fernando leans over and gives her a kiss on the forehead. He then steps into the hall and walks down its length with Tammy a few steps behind. He steps out of the house, where an awaiting limousine was with its door being held by its driver. One can just make a crossed pair of sexy legs just past the door frame. As Fernando approached the limousine, a female voice can be heard saying, 'You don't want me to go inside?' The door immediately closes and the limousine drives away. Tammy stood in the doorway, witnessing what had happened, unsure how to take it other than her jaw dropping, not caring if her rode was wide open for all to see what little she was wearing. After a while, Tammy slams the door to the house and runs to the room where she spends the rest of the day crying.

Fernando: Just take me to the back of the caf...
Jeanie (interrupting him): Oooh... Fernando, I'm no longer that kind of a girl.
Fernando: We are not going to be doing anything, Jeanie... I just need to get my car from back there and go on a very important mission.
Jeanie: What kind of mission. I hope its not that rat, Misao...
Fernando: No... its something entirely different. In fact, its going to involve me going back to Italy.
Jeanie: Italy? What for?
Fernando: Jeanie... I don't know how to say this...
Jeanie: Then just say it.
Fernando: OK... Look. Uhm... You see me here, right. (she nods) Well, remember that rumour you heard about my being dead?
Jeanie: Yeah, and I knew that was a lie.
Fernando: Well, Jeanie... its kinda true.
Jeanie: What do you mean?
Fernando: Well... I work for the government, as a spy of sorts, and I had a double who would take on some of the dirtier work for me. It was the double that got killed in Italy.
Jeanie: Oh... I see... And you have to go back and solve the murder, is that it?
Fernando: Yes...
Jeanie: You did not had to hide that from me.
Fernando: Its not that I dont trust you. Its everybody else I don't trust... You know what I mean?

The limousine pulls behind the cafŽ and parks next to a Porsche. Hondo was not ther yet.

Jeanie: Yeah... Uhm... Fernando. Can I ask you one little question?
Fernando: What?
Jeanie: Who was that redheaded squirrel by the door, wearing an open robe and white panties?
Fernando: She was at the door?
Jeanie: Is she your girlfriend?
Fernando: No... not quite.
Jeanie: Too bad. I was going to steal you from her and keep her as a pet just for you to have...
Fernando: Jeanie, this aint Oriental asia where people are kept as pets...
Jeanie: So? Maybe the United States Society can learn a thing or two from us.
Fernando: Really Jeanie, how would you take being subserveant to me, answering my beckon call, doing for me all those things that I tell you to do?
Jeanie: For you, I would do them willingly.
Fernando: And of my 'pet'?
Jeanie: She better satisfy you good or else I lock her up in a box after a good whipping!
Fernando: Oooo...Kay... I see certain things have not changed...
Jeanie: You and her practicing making puppies yet?
Fernando: NO!
Jeanie: Hmmm... That was too fast. Sounds to me that you two are.
Fernando: OK, she's my wife! Just... don't harm her... OK?
Jeanie: Oh, Wifey #2... I understand now. Kinda young for you, aint she?
Fernando: She's about 22...
Jeanie: And your daughter's about 25, as far as I remember. How is she, by the way?
Fernando: Aiesha is fine.
Jeanie: And how she takes you fluffing up a younger girl-squirrel's tail than she is?
Fernando: I don't think she cares.
Jeanie (poking at his groin with her finger): You better make sure. Last thing I need is your daughter come cryin to me about catching you and that young squirrel puppy making puppies of your own.
Fernando: We're married, Jeanie... not that it means anything...
Jeanie (interrupting him): And why not?
Fernando: Because... My allegiate murder made her into a widow. And now I'm trying to set things straight and in order to do that, I have to find my murderer.
Jeanie: Oh... so you're dead, which makes her a widow. So that means you're single again! Do away with her, unless you want her as a pet.
Fernando: Jeanie... I'm serious.
Jeanie: So am I. You marry me, and you can have red haired girl as your pet.
Fernando: And what if she gets pregnant with my puppies?
Jeanie: So? A man like you need more than one woman. Didn't your father have 15 mistresses?
Fernando: That's enough Jeanie...
Jeanie: Why?
Fernando: You been in power, money and Asia too long. You forgotten how things are with me.
Jeanie: Don't be denying yourself the good things in life, my friend. Oppertunities only come once in a while.
Fernando: Tell me about it...
Jeanie (openning her legs and lifting her skirt, revealing her black silk underwear underneath): Any time, any place, here and now if you like.
Fernando: Jeanie, no.
Jeanie: I'll be an obidenant woman to you, one who will love you and care to your every need. My wealth and power will be yours. All I need is you... And if you want that little red headed squirrel puppy as a pet, I will teach her how to be right by you... nice and properly trained like a woman should be...
Fernando: Look... Jeanie... I have to go. I'll be back in a few days.

Jeanie corners Fernando as he tries to back out the other side, but quickly finds that there was no door. She slowly climbs on top of him, pinning him down against the corner of the chair as it wraps around the rear passenger compartment. Fernando pushes back against her trying to get her off, but finds it a losing battle.

Jeanie: How about a kiss before you go, love?
Fernando: How no and say that we did?
Jeanie: How about yes, and say nothing at all?
Fernando: Jeanie, I don't want to be late for my flight...
Jeanie: You want to go to Italy? I can take you there on my private jet.
Fernando: Private Jet?
Jeanie: How you think I got here? Federal Express?
Fernando: No, but... Uhm... Look Jeanie... My friend will be here soon and we'll be going together.
Jeanie: Your friend, not the red headed squirrel puppy you call a wife?
Fernando: No. Someone else. A fellow male agent. You may have seen him, the cowboy dressed in black. He was with me at the bar when you came in.
Jeanie: Hmmm... I vaguely remember somebody like that, but then again'
Fernando: Jeanie...
Jeanie: What?

Fernando scribbles out some notes on a pocket notepad he carries, giving her the torn out page.

Fernando: Look, I'll be at that address in Italy in 48 hours. It is just north of Rome on a private street. Plenty of room for parking there. OK?
Jeanie: Cant I go with you?
Fernando: No. It is too dangerous. If you show up, I need to warn you that this person has already killed before and will kill again. I do not want you to come, but I know you are going to try follow me anyways, so I might as well give you a heads up on this. I will see you in 48 hours. I need to prepare myself for this trip. Everything you need is on that piece of paper yourself.

With a good shove, Fernando manages to put Jeanie against the seat next to him, pinning her against the cushions and makes his way to the door. Soon he was out the door of the limousine and walk to his Porsche 928 GTL. He opens the rear hatch and goes through the things inside. Jeanie's limousine pulls alongside the rear of the Porsche where Fernando was working at, its rear window rolls down and Jeanie sticks her head out of it.

Jeanie: This better be the right address!
Fernando: Would I lie to you?
Jeanie: Yes you would!
Fernando: Well, take it for what its worth, then!

Soon the window of the limousine rolls up and it slowly drives away. In a couple of minutes, Hondo steps out of the rear of the cafŽ with his bags, throwing them into the back of his pickup truck. Fenando looks at him for the moment.

Fernando: Why not in the Porsche?
Hondo: I like to be in my own ride.
Fernando: Alright, have it your way. It just makes it harder to open a dimensional portal for two vehicles to go through, but...

Fernando types some information on his time travelling laptop.

Fernando: In one minute, a portal will open up over there, which will take us to the old safe house we were in before.
Hondo: Got it boss.
Fernando: Hondo- cut it out with the Boss crap. Now lets get moving.

They both get into their prospective vehicles, starting their engines. As soon as the dimensional portal opened, Fernando signaled Hondo to go first, and then he followed. Within seconds, they were in the parking lot of the the old Rome safe house from the last mission. The portal closes when Fernando crosses through.

The place looks abandoned and run down. Graffitti on the walls and garbage in the immedate area shows that people have taken to the place. Broken windows only add to the dŽcor.

Fernando: Aisapi, connect to Safe-Home Security System and state status report.

The Porsche's artifical intelligence goes through several retries to connect to the Safe-Home Security system, but fails. Hondo walks out of his pickup truck and goes over to the driver's side of the Porsche. He sees that Fernando is concerned about something.

Hondo: What's up?
Fernando: The safe house is not safe. I cant connect to the security system, and there might be intruders inside. Arm up while you still can.
Hondo (putting his hand on one of his pistols): Way ahead of you...

Fernando accesses the SWA Computers, requesting for back up at the safe-home. With most of the fratellos at the Caf", only Logistics and Support personnel would be coming, which suits Fernando very fine. But until they arrive, it would be another hour of time that has to past.

Fernando: There's an inverter box at the side of the garage. They look like two lug nuts sticking out of the wall. Connect the truck to it with jumper cables.
Hondo: Will do.

Hondo does as he is told. Once connected, Fernando tries again to connect to the Safe-Home Security system. He gets a very limited access of the garage only. At least he is able to tell that no one managed to get the garage complex, even through the inside access doorways via the Safe-House's basement. It's the rest of the complex he was worried about.

Fernando gets out of the Porsche, pulling out his AA M1984, walking towards the drive-way slowly. He stands against the corner of the house with his gun drawn. Peering around the corner, there was nothing there to see, except for more evidence of occupation. The front gate was taken off its hinges with part of the front fence bent about. Muddy tire tracks mark the driveway, appears to be that of a large van or truck.

Looking through the windows, the house was turned upside down. Things were ransacked, thrown about or broken. Still there was nobody there, at least not on the first floor. Fernando heads back to the Porsche, accessing the garage's security system, opens the door to the garage and drives the Porsche in it. He finds the emergency generator, turning it on. He tells Hondo to disconnect from the inverter and put the truck in the garage. Together they close the garage, with their vehicles locked safe inside.

Hondo: What are you thinking?
Fernando: The place seems empty but there is a major mess inside.
Hondo: Bugulars?
Fernando: Teens using the place as a get-high hang out.
Hondo: That's even worst.
Fernando: They need to be captured, arrested and interogated. Then they are to be made to fix the mess they created and replace the things they had broken.
Hondo: I agree, but how are going to do that?
Fernando: I have the SWA Support Personnel coming within the hour. We'll set up a trap since teens tend to come to these places late at night. Meanwhile, we need to access the place. No doubt they made that easy for us to do.

Hondo nods.

Fernando signals to him as he walks over to the rear door. He grabs the door knob, the door opens with much ease. They both go in, following Fernando as they take to the basement first. Only the first level seems to have been penetrated, though attempts to open the doors to the lower floors have been unsuccessfully made. Fernando nods.

He signals to Hondo to follow him back upstairs. They check the bedrooms and other spaces on the two upper floors. The place looks like it was turned into some drug, alcohol and sex shack as litter of evidence is scattered everywhere. The bathrooms, were unclean and filthy. They continue to the balcony. They looked down the driveway once outside.

Fernando: Somebody is going to pay for this shit.
Hondo: It's a matter of finding out who is was that did this.
Fernando: A bunch of snot nose brats who care about what drugs to take and who to have sex with. Get them, make their parents pay for the damage.
Hondo: Why not make the kids pay for it?
Fernando: The kids wont pay. Furthermore, putting them in jail- they will see it as a badge of honor of sorts. It is not worth it if the kids are punished. Parents are responsible for their children's actions, so they have to be punished and the punishment trickled down to them.

Within the hour, a pizza van drives onto the driveway.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Mar 17^th, 2009, 2:18pm

Hondo replied to Fernando, "I didn't say put them in jail, but they should still pay for it. your right 'bout their parent. They are responsible., but heck, ifin we had more time I'd say force those wet-behind-the-ears, would be punks to work this off, but we don't have the time, I reckon." Hondo said.

They looked out over the yard. Hondo wondered ifin the helicopter was untouched still as the pool did look a mess, but ifin ya don't know how ta work the controls or don't know the underground passages to it, it can be hard to find. As they stood there the Pizza van pulled into the driveway.
"Took them long enough." Fernando said.
"I'm surprised they even came. Ifin it didn't help them they never seemed to be willin'. Even after all we did fer them." Hondo said.
"they will be more involved in this than you think." Fernando said.
"I thought this was a simple, wipe someone out mission." Hondo said with a raised eye brow.
"when have I ever took you on a simple mission?" Fernando asked.
"Ya got me there." Hondo said in a half mutter.

Fernando went back inside an' headed back downstairs. Hondo Followed.
"So whats it gonna take to git this place back up an' runnin' an' how much do we need to have done before those punks git here?" Hondo asked.
"We will know more after I talk to the SWA and they get their crew to looking things over." Fernando said.

They met the van in the driveway an' Fernando conversed with a fellow inside. shortly after the crew got to work. Hondo stood back watchin' all thet was goin' on as well as kepin' an eye out fer anyone who was not suppose to be there.

After a bit Hondo decided to find Fernando again an' check on the status.
"So, Whats the damage, Jefe?" Hondo asked.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Mar 27^th, 2009, 8:32pm

'since the garage was not broken into, they never got access to the equipment inside, including the helicopter.", Fernando explained. 'Now as for the rest of you, I don't care what you are thinking, I am who you think I am. But being besides the point you are to get this place in order, while I put together the next set of mission objectives you are to do in lue of your fratello's absences. We are also going to set a trap, for whom ever has been coming to this place and wrecking it....

Priscilla: You are going to need to prove who you are to me before I oblige myself and my crew to any orders.
Fernando (pulling his PDA device and scribbles on it): There is always a Doubting Thomas in the group.

With a double bright flash of lights, both Fernando and Priscilla disappear, with them arriving again in a couple of seconds in a similar double flash of lights. Priscilla stands there like a little girl at a candy and toy store and she was the only one there.

Fernando: You believe me now?
Priscilla: Yeah... sure... anything for you...
Fernando: Now, I need the place fixed up and immediately.

The group from the SWA start on their work on cleaning up the place. Fernando takes Hondo to the roof and sit down on the front part of the house. Fernando lets out a sigh.

Hondo: Something bothering you?
Fernando: Nothing and everything.
Hondo: What do you mean?
Fernando: In science fiction, there are certain characters where they are allowed to return from the dead, but can not interact with the events of their past. But they all do, and their actions makes things worse for some of their close friends and family. Like the Dax Trill in Star Trek and The Doctor in Doctor Who.
Hondo: So, who are you messing it up for?
Fernando: Look Hondo. In the spy game, sex is a tool. Understand that. In fact, in any place where there is power to be obtained or challenged, sex is there as a tool and a means to an end.
Hondo: Are you talking about Tammy?
Fernando: I'm talking about Gadget.
Hondo: Gadget?
Fernando: Gadget. Let me explain.
Hondo: Please do.
Fernando: Her interference with the Time Line caused this to ultimately happen. In fact her constant interference caused all this to happen. Now Time does not allow itself to be altered so easily, but she managed to access a 1-way portal with some help of others, and I, Uhm, Fernando, shut it down. But in its wake, there was a series of Time Ripple Events, one of which causes the slaughter of Rebecca Squirrel-Polanco and her family here in Italy. Another causes the death of Tammy and the eventual suicide of Bink.
Hondo: Tammy's death?
Fernando: That one was stopped, by me... Him.
Hondo: But not of their mother...
Fernando: Gadget interfered too damn much with that one that it became an eventuality.
Hondo: How often did she messed with it?
Fernando: Enough times that I... he had to sex her up several times in order to stop her, and even then she tried afterwards. But I... he finally mind-wiped her memories of those events in order to stop her and even that was done during an act of intercourse.
Hondo: Uhm...

Fernando reaches into his pocket and tosses him a small white box with gold metal prongs that stick out on one side about a 1/16th and a hand sized handle on the opposite end.

Fernando: Press it against the forehead until the prongs sink in and wait until they get a dumb look on their faces.

Hondo drops the device, as if not wanting to be in contact with it any longer. Fernando reaches to get it.

Hondo: I don't approve of this conversation. And I'm beginning not to approve of you either.
Fernando: Look, like I said- sex is a tool in this game. People use it to obtain power, wealth and access to inaccessible things. Gadget used sex on me to get access to my time Traveling Technology. She failed. And in her failure, I used it to get power over her and get her to behave and act accordingly.
Hondo: It does not make it right.
Fernando: In this Time Line, it never happened.
Hondo: Huh?
Fernando: Ever notices that Fernando seemed to be having headaches almost on a daily basis?
Hondo: Yeah, stress does that to a man.
Fernando: He was undergoing minor bouts of Temporal Psychosis, when he altered the events so that they would not happened. In fact, Hondo, in this Time Line, they never did, except for the last time when they did have sex in Gadget's Final attempt to access the Time Traveling Devices and Fernando mind wiped her. There things ended for them. Understand that Gadget was not here to be an observer for the Rescue Rangers, but to get access to Fernando's Time Travel Devices.
Hondo: If she wanted a time machine so much, why not use Jeanette's or my Delorean?
Fernando: Your Delorean is out of commission, sorry about that... and Jeanette's Time machine is safe hands with her. We may love/hate each other, but we trust each other enough with certain things. Mine was the only one left she has access too.
Hondo: Why not the Chronoserver at your place?
Fernando: The Chronoserver only shows if events are being manipulated, and by whom. It does nothing more than a living reference sheet. Without an actual device to do the traveling with, it is little more than a TV set, displaying history as it happens.
Hondo: What I don't get is that she is a married mouse.
Fernando: Some things are more powerful than marriage vows. Power, and accessing it seems to be something some people would bend over their marriage vows past the breaking point.
Hondo: Still.
Fernando: Look- morality and ethics aside, what is done is done. It does not matter anymore.
Hondo: And why not?
Fernando: Because Hondo, this is not a 'I'm mightier than thou' bull crap. Its about being people and doing what is right for others in the long run even though we may have to break a few personal rules along the way to get it done. And I'm not asking for forgiveness, just understanding.
Hondo: Alright, you have it, even though I don't like the taste of it.
Fernando: Understand for what it is, or was: use of sex to obtain power over another, where the initicator lost in her quest. And understand that you maybe put in those same shoes yourself one day, and you will have to be more powerful in denying the request of exchange for the sexual favor but not in the act of sex itself.
Hondo: I have my limits.
Fernando: Keep saying that to yourself. You're a man like any other, and if a pretty woman drops her panties in front of you and pushes herself on to you, you have a 95-5 percent chance in failing. You may drop her like a hot stone in the first couple of attempts, but after a while, you're just going to let it happen.
Hondo: Its not going to happen.
Fernando: Keep believing that. And remember, even Jesus has a girl friend. With that, let me say that it took Gadget 7 tries with me before I finally gave in, and she continued for another 50 more before it ended with the mind wipe. I have my limits, and she crossed them. You see Hondo, sometimes women don't care about friendships when it means that they can get something more from you. That's the way they are. But every once in a while, there is this one girl who only wants the basics, that is to be loved back and nothing more. There I'm failing with Tammy but when we return, I wont fail her any more.
Hondo: You accepting her?
Fernando: Accepting her? No.
Hondo: No? Will you cut it out with the word puzzles!
Fernando: I have already accepted her, we already had our talk, and she know what she has to do until I return. Until then, the rest of the world can go to hell.
Hondo: When was this?
Fernando: I rather not say. There is too much to do and not enough time to get it done.
Hondo: What needs to be done?
Fernando: Get the living quarters swept up and the bed linen washed. I'll take care of supplies and things.
Hondo: I'll see what I can get done.
Fernando: Good.

Hondo sighs.

Fernando: Hondo...
Hondo: Yes?
Fernando: I want to be left alone for the moment, then I'm going to town to get the supplies. Do me the favor of dumping the mattresses of all the beds and wash the sheets in very hot water. I'll get new ones delivered before we go to bed.
Hondo: Alright...

Hondo starts to walk away and off the roof. He heads into the building as a bright flash of light appears. Both Fernando and the Porsche were gone.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Apr 9^th, 2009, 5:13pm

Hondo paused only a moment as the light flashed then he continued on. he knew well enough what the flash was an' he knew there was no need questionin' what Fernando was up to right now as he'd find out later if Fernando wanted him to. Fernando's revelation about Gadget disturbed him. He had known her before she was married an' it just wasn't her character. In a different time line Hondo an' gadget were married, he knew that. When he first got found the Delorean in an abandoned mine he restored it soon after. this was before Gadget was married.He tried it out one day, but through a piece he had installed wrong he had fried a circuit an' was sent across time and back in time. He sent himself an' a few other folks a letter, not knowin' if they would even exist. It was a mess. he got back to the right time, but at one point there were 6 Gadgets, 5 Hondo's, 3 delorean's a time bronco an' a time pickup, but none of them were him or his. he only knew this from a Gadget of a different time line which was able to help him get his Delorean fix to get him back to his timeline. she had warned him that another Hondo had came from a similar time line and the calculations could be off a bit. He got back an' things seemed right, but every once in a while things seemed odd. He still hadn't got the hang of time travel nor understood it all so he still questioned it. He knew enough not to mess with it for the most part. He used it mostly to obtain information or items, like his guns, but he knew tamperin' with time lines was dangerous. Once he had gotten back he made his own time bronco, but upgraded it over the Delorean an' he build a time line beacon that a gadget had given him plans for. He fixed both time vehicles to come back to this time line as soon as he entered if there was a problem so he'd not be stuck easily in any other time line again.

All this went through his mind again as he though on what Fernando had said. He He wondered if he was in somethin' he was not meant to be in. He had looked at other time lines a few times since then too. In one time line he had married that witch, Rosie, that he had been engaged to as well. He knew he had married ehr in a different time line, but he only had seen that far. since he and the witch had gone their separate ways he wondered how things went for the Hondo of that time line. He was almost was afraid for himself.

He shook hie head as if to clear it, as if it were an etch a sketch or the like, an' went about cleanin' up. What he found was filth an' grim to the Nth degree. he'd seen hog pens cleaner than this. HE took care of the beddin' first an' dumped the mattresses out back. He got a little help from some of the SWA clean up folks on cleanin' walls an' floors. It took a scoop shovel to clean the first lay off the floor. There was everythin' on the floor from needles to porno magazines. He could only guess what had happened here but he didn't like to think 'bout it. It only made him mad. Hondo an' those who were helpin' him clean went through room by room untill they came to the last one an' it was this one thet disturbed him the most. there was one window in the room but it was boarded over carefully. the bed was a double iron framed bed. the light was out in the room but they soon found a new light bulb for the room. as someone screwed it in an' the light came on one of the gals with them gasped as she looked at the bed. someone else questioned, "What the . .?"
Hondo walked over an' took a look at the bed. the mattress was bare of any beddin' at all an' there was blood spattered on it, 'specially at the head an' foot board. also on the bed posts themselves there was a tangle of roapes an' old handcuffs, all had blood on them too. on the floor there was a mess of tattered cloths, some with a little blood on them, ropes, loops of cloth tied together as if they were gags or blind folds.
One of the other folks said after a moment, "Looks like someone was raped in here."
The gal that gasped said, "More than one I'd say."
Hondo just stood there silent. his jaw muscles were tight but flexin', his eyebrows were knit together an' his eye twitched momentarily in anger.
"you'd probably better not tell Fernando about this." Someone said. Hondo's head snapped 'round from where the voice had came. HE stared at the person long an' hard then slowly turned his whole body toward them. His eyes were cold an' hard an' shown with an inner fire that was not too often kindled, but when it was it was hard to put out. He stared at the fella an uncomfortable minute longer before he spoke in a low, unfeelin', steady voice.
"Fernando will be told. Y'all finish this room an' Ifin I find out any of ya have hid anythin' from either of us, God take pitty on yur lives, 'cause I won't." Hondo said.
He walked out of the room an' snatched up his shotgun that lay beside the door of that room. he went through the kitchen quick like to make sure the person he had told to work on that was still at it then he went to the basement. He was good an' mad, but knew he needed to save it for now. There would be a time an' place to take it out an' it was not here or now. He sat in the basement sharpenin' a knife fer a bit until he had calmed down some then he went to go look over the copter an' the door mechanisms to make sure they were ready to go ifin they were needed.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Apr 11^th, 2009, 12:53pm

Well Done.
So Well Done, I have to rewrite my entry to make this fit...

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Apr 11^th, 2009, 11:07pm

Thanks! I try. B-D

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 1^st, 2010, 3:05pm

The Porsche appears on the side of the highway, just a mile or two away from the Roman exit. Fernando puts his car into gear and drives off into the city. There he goes about his rounds, going through various stores and putting bag loads of food and supplies for the group. He also goes into a furniture store and buys enough mattresses for all the beds in the house along with new furniture, paying extra to have them delivered before the end of the day. This is followed by a quick visit to the camping store, where he buys a few cots and a couple of dozen sleeping bags. Sheets and blankets are bought at the department store. In total, he spent 3 hours and over 10,000 Euros in getting what was needed, though food and drink was only a couple 100 Euros. Most of the stuff he was able to cram into his Porsche, but items like mattresses, furniture and cots were shipped to be delivered immediately.

Fernando does not care if anyone sees him or not, as he activates his time traveling laptop to teleport him, the Porsche and everything in it to the back of the house in the parking lot area of the tiny complex. In a bright flash of light it is done. He gets Hondo and the others to unpack the Porsche, which was stuffed to every available space within with much needed items and supplies. The mattresses and other furniture items came in some 3 hours later, and soon afterwards the house was more or less restored to respectable functioning order.

Fernando prepares a dinner of filet minion and pasta with a small salad and wine for all to take as the others finish up their errands. Dessert would be a small pastry tart. Soon they start to gather for their meal. But with every meal, there is a discussion, and at times, unwanted visitors.

Amedeo: I do not care who you say you are, I found Fernando dead, right where you are standing, sir.
Fernando: That was a doppleganger. You know- a body double.
Amedeo: That still does not explain everything...
Fernando: Look- Tammy's mission is not completed. Sure, we all took care of Onyx and the LSD Drug Shipments and all, but there is still Padania to deal with and in your words, my murderer to capture.
Amedeo: That is what the SWA Section 2 is here for.
Fernando: Do you even know who my murderer is?
Amedeo: Uhm....
Fernando: Don't even answer if you don't know. But I do, and I'm going after her... alone.
Amedeo: Why you alone?
Fernando: She thinks I'm dead. Since she plays by the rules of psychology and bending minds to get things done her way, I will do the same to her. She will never mentally survive the psychological onslaught I'm about to release on her.
Amedeo: So if you know who she is, why haven't you done anything about it?
Fernando (leaning over to Amedeo and pointing to him with his fork): You're here because you failed on your promise on upkeeping this place for one. Secondly you are here to be made aware of what I am about to do and not interfere with it. Thirdly, you are here because you are to maintain some semblance of order, guard this place and keep it clean. The handlers can rot in America as far as I care, but as for you, you are here for a typical intel gathering, and frankly, your compound back in Rome is incondusive for such work. You are here to work on finding Padania terrorists, you will get that done here with greater efficiency and capture them without the handlers or their girls. And while you do that, I'll be snaring the biggest catch of them all. Do I make myself clear?

They all nods their heads in agreement.

Dinner finishes quickly, but not without an interruption. A loud knocking on the door got the group inside to grab for their arms. Fernando and Hondo sneak out the rear to block the exit while others take their position around the main entrance. The door is remotely opened, where several rowdy older teenagers barge in, reeking of pot and alcohol. They stand at the doorway as they notice the guns pointed at them. They get quickly rounded up and restrained. Some of the teens protest, claiming that this was their house. Fernando shoves the barrel of his NAA .32 automatic into his mouth.

Fernando: This is my house. You and your friends broke into it at your discression while I was conducting business in America. So how dare you say that this is your house. You own nothing... and if this were America, I have the right to shoot you dead for intruding onto my property. (cocking the hammer of his gun back) Furthermore, you and your friends did over $250,000 Euros cost of damage to my place. Now who is going to pay for that?
Young girl (who was tied up with them): We did not know this was your place, honestly! He said this was his family vacation home!
Fernando: So you followed him, even though he broke down the door to get in? Even though no one cleaned up the place? If this place was his- he would of cleaned it up, but he didn't. He squattered the place, and made it his place to take you and your friends to get drunk and high until you were unable to control your actions and he took advantage of you and your sex. Who knows, he probably gave you a social disease, if not a life sentence with an HIV infection'

The girl begins to cry.

Another Girl: Don't Tell Our Parents!
Fernando: Telling your parents will be the least of your problem. You see, they wil be the ones paying for the damage here while you be doing time in some correctional facility. Again, that will be the least of your problems, when your pictures get plastered on every newspaper across the country for murder.
Another Boy: Murder?!! We're just here to get high and #$@! these girls!
Fernando: Shortly after I left for my business in America- the Italian Police called me about finding a dead body here. One who was killed here while I was away. Now it seems to me that the criminals have came back to the scene of the crime.
Same Other Boy: We Know Nothing About That!
Fernando: Sure... I really don't care. This is between you and the Italian police. Priscilla...
Priscilla: What?
Fernando: Arrest them.
Priscilla: On what charges?
Fernando: Breaking and Entering, Vandalism, Theft of Private Property, Trespassing, Possession of controlled substances, Possession of weapons, Unlawful intoxication of minors, Statuary Rape, Unlawful Sexual Misconduct with a minor and intoxicated individual, conspiracy, and murder.
Priscilla: Will that be all?
Fernando: You can add Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol plus whatever charges you can get out of their vehicle.
Priscilla: I am not going to arrest a bunch of horny teenagers because they were looking for a place to screw.
Fernando: Then you're fired.
Priscilla: You cant do that.
Fernando: And why not? I'll drop the video stream right onto Lorenzo's desk computer of this little squirmish, and we'll see what happens next.
Hondo: I already called the police. They are on their way.
Giorgio: Wait a minute! We take care of our own here!
Fernando: We would not be having an argument about if you actually did, now would we?
Amedeo: Priscilla lets arrest the kids and get it over with.
Priscilla: I am not going to arrest them for crimes that they did not commit.
Fernando (lifting up a suit case): There is enough gathered evidence here to implicate them all with the crimes.
Priscilla: They did not murdered you!
Fernando: Don't push it with me, Miss. Only I know who committed the murder, and I arrest them for it.
Priscilla: Where's your proof?
Fernando: They returning to the scene of the crime, claiming ownership of the place.
Priscilla: That is not good enough.
Fernando: Then have it your way.
Priscilla: Huh?
Fernando: Get out.

Priscilla is unsure how to answer, thus remains silent.

Fernando: Leave of this place. And don't worry about your job either. After Lorenzo get this video stream, you wont have to worry about it ever again.
Hondo: Fernando, you're being a bit harsh.
Fernando: Am I? They come to my house during my absence and rape and pillage place, stealing what they could take and destroying what they cant?
Hondo: You know that they did not commit the murder! So why pin in on them?
Fernando (Pulling out his CIA Badge): This is why. You may see it as an abuse of power, but see it my way. It does not matter who gets blamed for the murder, it is who gets punished for it. Now these teens had no business breaking into this home. They have no right making demands to this place. They are to be punished severely and made into an example that will straighten out their friends for the rest of their lives.
First Girl (crying uncontrollably): We're sorry mister! Very sorry... please forgive us!
Hondo: You can at least let the girls go.
Fernando: For what? So they can learn that if they cry hard enough that it would get them out of trouble? Hell No. As for you Miss... Where do you live?
First Girl (crying): I SWEAR, MISTER! WE DID NOT KNOW!!!
Fernando: Shet The F- Up! Did You Know That If This Were America, That I Have The Right To Shoot You All Dead Just For Trespassing? Consider Yourselves Damn Lucky!!!

Fernando walks out of the room before he would blow his temper and actually hit somebody.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 1^st, 2010, 4:00pm

Hondo walks out of the house, seeing Fernando by his Porsche, putting away his cellphone into his pocket. In the time it takes for him to approach Fernando, the front gate gets filled with Section 1 and Section 2 vehicles along with the Italian police. A couple of helicopters circle over head. He stands there frozen for a moment as flashlights are momentarily shown in their direction, and Fernando yells out in Italian something he did not understood but it made the officers enter the house through the rear entrance. Hondo walks around the Porsche as Fernando leans against its front driver fender.

Hondo (not noticing 4 older gentlemen approaching them): Who did you call to get all this attention?

An thin older gentleman with gray hair and glasses speaks as they gather behind Hondo. 'He called the law enforcement supervisors of this group.' Hondo startled, spins about to face them. 'I'm Chief Lorenzo. I remember seeing you at the wedding with the shot gun'", as he extends a hand to shake it.

Hondo takes his hand and shakes it. 'The name's Hondo.' He looks at the other, much taller muscular gentleman. 'And who are you?...

"Public Safety Director Drago.", he tells him. He looks over Hondo's shoulder towards Fernando. 'Aren't you supposed to be dead?' They all gather about Fernando.

"Well, lets just say that for a dead guy, I aint behaving.", Fernando tells him.

"Aint behaving?", Director Drago asks.

"You know. Dead, Buried, Laying Still in a Grave...", Fernando explains.

"Then explain who you are, why you are here and what is all this about?", Director Drago ask, almost demands.

"Let me explain for him.", Chief Lorenzo started. 'The one killed in this CIA Safe House was an agency double. A twin you could say. But with the twin dead, that leaves Fernando to be free to continue unmolested. But the question remains, why all this attention?...

"The safe house was broken into, ransacked and polluted the place by a bunch of teens looking for a screw-palace and drug-house. Right after we had a meeting with your Logistics and Support Staff, the teens returned for another #$@!-round. It seems that your staff are not willing to arrest those teens, so I called you for back up.", Fernando explains.

"I see. Tell me who gave you trouble and I will deal with it, and the cost of clean up and replacement will be taken care of.", Chief Lorenzo stated.

"Wait...", Director Drago stated. 'Clean up and replacement? This is not one of our agency safe houses'...

"No it is not. It belongs to the American CIA, where Fernando and his partner here are part of. They did share the facilities with us on a couple of missions, leaving the care and maintenance for us to do. Apparently, somebody failed in their task, and somebody will be made an example of.", Chief Lorenzo stated.

"I replaced some of the furniture replaced, but items like some of the lighting fixtures, the 48 inch flat screen tv, and other things still need to be replaced. Then there is the server security system they managed to strip for parts.", Fernando explains.

"I'll get everything replaced.", Chief Lorenzo tells him.

"Thank you.", Fernando tells him.

"No problem.", Chief Lorenzo tells him. 'Come Drago. We got a staff to chastise.", as he starts to walk to the rear entrance of the house.

With the crowd gone, Hondo can speak more freely.

Hondo: You called up the chiefs on them?
Fernando: Had to.
Hondo: What the #$@! for?
Fernando: I'm rather sick of all this 'Its not my job' crap being flung around. If people just did their job, plain and simple, then we would not have such problems we have now!
Hondo: Take it easy... You're about to blow a head gasket there!
Fernando: Look, just go inside and tell the furniture men where to put the stuff and fix up a few beds so we can sleep in. There are blankets and pillows in the pile of stuff I bought new. Make sure you got a bed to sleep in. It's going to be a long night ahead of us.

Hondo looks at him as if he lost it. First Fernando is biting heads off, then he's ordering people around, and finally giving away things. These mood swings are just to much to take. It makes him wonder what ever happened to the calm cool and collective Fernando that he knew before. He thinks for a while before answering. Fernando reaches into his pocket and pulls out a wad of bills.

Fernando: Give them a big tip for a job well done.
Hondo: Yeah... I'll do that.

Hondo walks back to the house's rear entrance. At the same time, the police haul away the trash in handcuffs. After some serious yelling from the chief, the SWA Logistics and Support Staff leaves with their tails in between their legs. Only Chief Lorenzo and Director Drago, along with their respective protective escorts, stay to take note of the place and of what was missing or broken. Having been there when Fernando was found dead and the preceding investigation thereof, Chief Lorenzo knew with was supposed be and where its was.

Not wanting to be found, Fernando goes up a drain pipe and onto the balcony of the house, before jumping up and grabbing the side of the roof to climb up onto. There he quietly walks to his spot at the front of the house, sitting down and watches the cars and trucks drive away. '

Soon, the place was empty, a lone police car blocks the main entrance for protection. Fernando walks off the room and onto the balcony. He gets back into the attic, and to the staircase tot he second floor, then to the first floor. He goes to the kitchen and takes some meat, bread and a bottle of wine from the refrigerator. Hondo was sitting at the table as Fernando puts the items on it.

Fernando (to himself but loud enough to be heard): I wonder how the other safe houses are?
Hondo: Eh?
Fernando (making a sandwich): Nothing. Nothing that I cant take care of after we are done here.
Hondo: You sure about that?
Fernando: Yeah.

After a couple of sandwiches, and drinking more than 1/2 the bottle himself, Fernando gets up and goes to the stairs.

Fernando: Good night Hondo...
Hondo (looking at the mess he left behind): Yeah. Good night.

Fernando goes into his room and falls onto the bed to sleep. Hondo cleans up the mess, taking a sniff from the bottle before deciding to pour the rest of it down the drain. After a quick washing up of a few things, Hondo goes upstairs to his room and his bed. Morning would arrive in a few hours whether they liked it or not.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 1^st, 2010, 6:21pm

A white 1950's Rolls Royce Silver Wraith stretch limousine drives up to Fernando's tree. A slim but voluptuous build mousette in a tight black dress walks up to the door with 2 large rats in Armani Suits and dark glasses standing next to her. Her finger pushes the button on the tree's door frame. After a moment of nothing, the button is pressed again. A faint 'I'm Coming!' can be heard in the distance. The door opens, Tammy still in her robe with little underneath tightly tied around her, looking across the open door way to the brunette mousette dressed in black with the 2 large rats to either side of her with their arms crossed.

Tammy: Uhm...
Jeanie: My... were you expecting somebody else?
Tammy: Uhm... Who are you?

Tammy looks between the group, seeing the white 1950's Rolls Royce Silver Wraith stretch limousine which Fernando had earlier left in. Then she looks at Jeanie.

Tammy: Where's Fernando?
Jeanie: We were about to ask the same question'

For a moment they stare at each other. Then Tammy slams the door on them, but Jeanie shoves her purse into the door frame before the door closes. Jeanie then karate kicks the door open to unwedge it from her purse.

Jeanie (yelling): Get Her! I WANT HER ALIVE!

The two large rats run in after her. Furniture gets tossed about as Tammy tries to throw things in their way to slow them down. They toss the items out of the way, and chase Tammy down the hall into Fernando's room. The door slams after the three of them enter the room. Jeanie enters the house, taking note of what is broken or needs to be replaced. A very loud single gun shot could be heard from Fernando's room. Jeanie runs the room and finds the two rats standing besides Tammy who was sitting on the floor against a wall with her legs open. Her gun laying between the space of her knees, her holding tightly to her right wrist, her hand bleeding but not heavily. Her eyes tearing from the pain and possibly from fear as well. One of the rats' guns was smoking at the barrel.

Jeanie looks under the bed and pulls out an EMT Equipment bag that was there. She plops it in front of Tammy, covering her gun with it, opening it and taking some bandages, starting to wrap up Tammy's hand.

Jeanie: Look at what you made my men do... Tsk, tsk, tsk... All I wanted to do was to ask you a few questions.

Tammy does not answer as Jeanie wraps up her hand.

Jeanie: Alright boys, get her belongings, she's coming with us.

Tammy looks up at her, though keeping silent to herself.

The rats find a suitcase and start putting various items that they find that belonged to her in it. They only take the finest of clothing, mostly dresses, shoes, fancy underwear before locking up the suit case. When done with wrapping her hand, Jeanie helps her up and sits her on the bed. She takes a flashlight and checks out Tammy in more detail, starting with the face. She takes a cold compress from the bag and puts it on the side of Tammy's head. She then signals to the rats to take the gun from under the bag.

Jeanie: If I wanted you dead, you would be dead. But since my savior has a liking to you, it would be to my best interest that I keep you alive. But don't push your luck, I don't want any accidents.

Jeanie inspects her over with Tammy giving her the utmost cooperation through fear and intimidation. Jeanie opens up her robe, revealing all Tammy has to offer to anyone willing to take it. She pulls the robe off her arms and then examines one of them, then the other, her tail and other areas of her body, without needing to remove her white panties.

Jeanie: No scars, needle tracks, bald patches... you're as clean as one can be. Must congratulate you on that. It seems that my savior has found another virgin pet to take care of for the moment...

Tammy could only look at her in disbelief to the words she was saying.

Jeanie gets up and closes the EMT bag, sliding it under the bed. She then starts to look around the room, looking for various items, starting with the closet. She finds a simple light blue blouse and dark brown skirt for Tammy to put on. She puts them on the bed next to Tammy. She then continues looking about the room- starting with a simple purse that was on the table. Inside she finds a wallet and passport. She opens them and read the name inside.

Jeanie: Tammy P. Squirrel-G. You married to Fernando?

Tammy does not answer.

Jeanie: At least you have a valid passport to Italy. Put on those clothes, and we can be on our way to meet him...

Tammy looks up at her. Not wanting to say anything, she does so anyway.

Tammy (very soft and meekly): Meet Fernando?
Jeanie: Of course meet Fernando. He gave me some address in Italy south of Rome and told me to be there in 48 hours. Come on, get dressed! I cant have my private jet hogging up a runway waiting for us!

Tammy quickly gets up and gets a couple of inner clothing items to get dressed with. Jeanie hands Tammy her purse, and then leads her out the room and into the waiting limo outside. The limo drives away to the international airport. There the Private 747 gets prepped for its non-stop trans-Atlantic flight to Rome. The limo drives into the jet through a rear cargo entry. The passengers and limo driver get out of the car and head to the passenger compartment a the jet-crew secures the limo in its space. They take an elevator up to the top deck of the plane, 'the limo driver and body guard rats walk into the pilot's cock pit. The 'Fasten Your Safety Belt' sign turn on as one could feel the plane rolling down the tarmac to the runway. After clearance, the jet rolls down the runway at take-off speed and lifts off the ground. It climbs higher and higher as it continues into the clouds.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 3^rd, 2010, 2:36pm

They land in Rome International airport as the morning begins to break the dawn over Italy. It has been a very long and quiet flight for Tammy, 6 hours at best. She refused to take any of the food or water that was offered to her, she just curled up into a ball within the chair and kept to herself as the plane's crew watched on. The jet's crew remains to take care of the plane, while the limo driver and to body guards take to Jeanie's side. 'They head to the cargo bay of the plane, and into the limo. The large automobile drives out of the plane in reverse until it was clear out of its area, and then took off through a maintenance road. Using a GPS, they follow the computerized instructions to the hide out.

In over an hour and a half, they find the place. Parking across the street, they look at the shabby court yard and the dilapidated house inside, and the lone police car that blocked the gate. For Tammy, her memories of the places made it seem like it was pristine and restored, though reality slowly set in showing off how bad the place fell into disrepair in such a short time.

Jeanie (looking out the tinted window): I think we have a problem.
Tammy (still keeping to herself): What problem?
Jeanie (pointing at the window): There is a police car blocking the gate.

Tammy look over Jeanie to see the police car blocking the gate to the safe house property.

Jeanie: You think something happened in there?

Tammy, unsure of herself, shakes her head.

Jeanie gets an idea, getting her purse and pulls out a Blackberry Storm cellphone, and makes a call. After several rings on the other end, somebody answers.

Jeanie: Hello, Fernando. You in that shabby house across the street? Yes, I'm across the street from it. There is a police car blocking the gate. You will? Thanks!!!

Jeanie hangs up the phone and puts back in the purse. From the front entrance, a tall thin mouse in cowboy attire comes out and talks with the officers in the police car, pointing out the stretch limo across the street. The engine of the police car is turned on and backs out of the gate area. Seeing this, Jeanie tells her driver to drive through the gate and follow the mouse's instructions once on the drive way. The mouse signals the limo to go to the rear of the house and parks in the area near the Porsche and pick-up truck. Nearby was a garbage dumpster, nearly full with trash.

The mouse follow the limo on foot but keeps his distance. Soon the driver gets out and opens the rear door. The two large body guard rats come out, followed by Tammy and then Jeanie. Seeing Hondo as the tall thin mouse who lead them in, Tammy runs towards him and gives him a hug. The others gather around him as soon as the men gathered several suitcases and luggage from the car.

Hondo (pushing Tammy off): How did you get here?
Tammy: She brought me over in her private jet!

Hondo eyes Jeanie and her goon squad. Only seeing her before at the caf", and remembering of the bricks of cash she pulled out from her purse, makes him wonder as to what her motives for her being here were. But before he could say a word on edgewise, Tammy asks a question.

Tammy: What happened here?
Hondo (still eyeing the goons): The place got broken into...

Hondo did not want to finish the sentence, letting the appearance of the place say what happened for itself.

Tammy: Was anything taken?
Hondo (not wanting to answer but does): This is how it is after we cleaned it up. You should have seen it before... thank god you didn't.
Tammy: But how did they break into this place? Aint it protected with hi-tech gadgetry?
Hondo: Somebody must have forgotten to turn the alarm on when they left this place after the murder investigation. Anyways... Fernando told me to take you to the dining area.

Hondo turns around and heads to the rear entrance of the house. Tammy, Jeanie and the others follow him inside. Tammy notices how the place was different, much of it missing, with what could not be taken washed down with something strong smelling disinfectant. Entering the living room and dining area, she sees the chairs and tables have been replaced with similar looking items, but the book shelf and large flat screen tv was missing along with the entertainment center. The tables and chairs of the dining area were also replaced with similar looking items, but it was not the same. Fernando was in the kitchen making breakfast. Tammy trots over to the service island that separates the kitchen to the dining area, leaning against it. Looking at the surface, she sees deep scratch marks and a couple of burnt areas on it. She turns to face Fernando.

Tammy: What happened here?

Fernando flinches for a second before answering. He answers while still tending to the stove.

Fernando: Didn't Hondo explain things?
Tammy: Yes he did, but...
Fernando (interrupting her): Then that's the answer you are to accept.
Tammy: But...

Fernando turns around with 'frying pan in his hand, pouring the cooked contents onto a plate on the service island. He then places the frying pan back on the stove and takes the coffee pot from the coffee maker and puts it next to the plate.

Fernando: Hondo, your food is ready. Ladies, want something?

Tammy could not say a word, but tries to walk around the island into the kitchen. Fernando stops her from entering. Extending a hand out to her shoulder, he keeps her from passing the threshold.

Fernando: You are not to cross into this area.
Tammy: But... why?
Fernando: If you remember what happened at this very spot, you know why.
Tammy: But...
Fernando: Go upstairs and wait for me there.

Tammy bites on her lower lip for a moment, then the tears started running down her cheeks before she broke away and ran up the stairs to the only room she intimately knew. The door could be heard being slammed closed. Fernando goes back to cooking at the stove.

Jeanie steps to the service island, looking over the place, taking mental notes of the place and of what it might have been like in its prime.

Jeanie: That was rather mean of you, especially to your wife.

Fernando freezes in place as he hears those words. He gathers his wits before saying a word and continues cooking.

Fernando: Remember you said that you heard a rumor of my death?..
Jeanie: Yeah...
Fernando: Well, it happened here. (pointing with the spatula) In fact right there is where I supposively have died.
Jeanie: But you're here, in the flesh.
Fernando: So I am. Anyways. To keep memories from coming back, where she held my dead body in her arms, I don't want her to be in this immediate area of the crime scene.
Jeanie: That makes no sense at all!
Fernando: When have I ever made sense? You remember me since high school- I just do what I think is right for others, and nothing more. I'm not here for fame and fortune, or even the money. I'm here to correct a damn wrong. And as such, I am here to collect on a debt of my allegate murder.
Jeanie: You know I don't like it when you get all high and righteous on me.

Fernando goes to the service island, putting another plate on it and pouring the cooked contents from the frying pan into the plate.

Fernando: You are here as my guests, only because you want to see me about something that I do not know about. Maybe its high time you went back to the Republic of China and print out the story you are trying to dig up here.
Jeanie: I'm not here for a story.
Fernando: Then why are you here?
Jeanie: I'm here because of you.

Taking his coffee and plate of food, Fernando takes his meal to the dining table.

Fernando: It does not matter how many times I have saved your life in the past, Jeanie. You do not owe me anything.
Jeanie: But I'm bound by honor and tradition. I do owe you, owe you everything I will ever own, owe you everything I will ever control, including my mind, soul and body.
Fernando: And like in the past, I refuse, and I will continue to refuse payment. Now... enough! I need to think and plan. If you want to eat, the kitchen is yours.

Jeanie gives him a stare of disbelief for a moment, before going into the kitchen with her driver. They look over the various items that were to have. She points out various items before leaving the kitchen, taking a seat at the dining table. She continues to look at him as he ate.

Jeanie: So who died here?

Both Fernando and Hondo drop their forks and give her a stern look. Fernando gives her an answer she does not want to hear.

Fernando: I died here. And that is all anyone needs to know.

Jeanie does not believe what she is hearing.

Fernando: Understand that there are people out there who have killed me, and I need them and the rest of the world think that they have succeeded. If not, my cover will be blown and they will be more successful on the second attempt. Now you don't want that to happen, do you?

Jeanie gulps as her two body guards reach inside their jackets for their guns.

Fernando: I'm not asking for the impossible, I just need you to be quiet and say nothing about me being alive. If anyone asks about me, my grave is in a tiny cemetery not far from here. Understand that?

Jeanie nods her head.

Fernando: Good.

With his meal 1/2 finished, he gulps down the rest of the coffee before going to the kitchen and trashes the rest of the food. He puts the plate, cup and utensils in the sink and quickly washes them. After putting them away, he walks out of the kitchen area.

Fernando: Hondo, I do not wish to be disturbed. Give Jeanie and her goons a room upstairs and a few comfort things to go with them. After that, you can do what you like, I'll be going to town for some supplies.
Hondo: Alright boss..
Fernando: Hondo...
Hondo: Yeah, I know.

Fernando walks up stairs and was soon in his room.

Hondo: Everyone here must put in to this place. You make a mess, you clean it up. You eat the food, you must replace it. You dirty the dishes, you must clean it. The rule is simple, got it miss?
Jeanie: Don't worry about that. I'll take care of everything.

Hondo takes his empty plate and cup to the kitchen sink, and washes them before putting them away. He then goes into a large plastic bag in the living room and hands them some pillows and blankets.

Hondo: You can have the rooms at the right rear of the house near the bathrooms. This might not be up to par with what you are used too, but its all we got. Make do with what you can Miss. I'll be outside working on my truck.

Hondo walks out of the area and steps outside from the rear entrance, walking to his truck.

Jeanie looks at her crew, as the driver serves everyone the food he was cooking. They begin to eat as soon as the food was served. Jeanie pauses in her meal, needing to say something to her crew.

Jeanie: Our work is cut out for us. I see that you all may not like him but he did save my life on several occasions when we were in high school. I owe this man that much, as we are going to make things easy for him.

The limo driver puts down his fork to say something.

Limo Driver: Pardon my intrusion, master. What do you propose that we do?
Jeanie: I got money and power. I mean, look at this place. I know Fernando. Know him too well. He would never have a place like this. Somebody wrecked it during his absence from here, so we are going to fix it for him.
Limo Driver: We?
Jeanie: We as in we are going to hire a restoration crew, buy new furniture, and have this place rebuilt for him as quickly as possible. What you think its going to cost? 2 ' 3 million Euros?
Limo Driver: 3 million euro is nothing...
Jeanie: Good you see things my way. Now lets eat and we'll go to town and see what we can get from there.

Her crew nods as they continue eating.

Up stairs in Fernando's room, Fernando sits on the bed, holding Tammy as she cried.

Fernando: Why are you here?

Tammy answers through her tears.

Tammy: That mousette downstairs forced me to come...
Fernando: And what happened to your hand?
Tammy: I tried to defend myself, like you taught me, but one of those rats shot the gun out my hand.

Fernando could only give a mean look, though not intended for Tammy.

Tammy: I'm Sorry!

Fernando holds her tighter against him.

Fernando: Don't be. Its not your fault. Look, they did anything else to you?
Tammy: That mousette took my robe off and examined me like a doctor would.
Fernando: She molested you?
Tammy: Not in that sense, she just looked me over and commented on how clean I was. 'No scars, needle tracks, bald patches... you're as clean as one can be", she stated.
Fernando: I'll have a talk to her about respecting your body and personal space.
Tammy: Its OK. Really. No harm was done.
Fernando: No, its not OK.

The two remained silent for a while. Tammy asks a question once she somewhat recomposes herself.

Tammy: Why do you not want me in the kitchen?

Fernando sighs before answering.

Fernando: The kitchen's threshold was where you found me, and you held me. It was here you cried in denial as to what happened to me. I don't want you to suffer from the memory if you were to stand there and rethink what happened, it is difficult for me as it is.
Tammy: I'm a grown woman, and your wife. I should be grown up enough to deal with my own memories.
Fernando: Many people face having psychological problems because of their memories, because of has happened to them. I have to deal with mine on a scale I would not want to wish on you or anyone else. I remember you holding me and crying. Yes my body was dead, but my brain was still processing the last thoughts and sensations of that event. So, Tammy... if you think you can face those memories, then you can, but I don't think you can.
Tammy: You may not think that I can handle it, but I spent a long six or so weeks waiting for your return, knowing that one day you would come back, and if we had to rebuild what we had, I would be brave enough to face that. All I want is for you to love me back as I love you. Thus far you say you have, but you have not shown it.
Fernando: I need you to be the woeful widow, play the part that I am dead, because I want them to believe that I am dead so I can get them. Because Tammy, in telling you the truth, I was only one of their target. You are their second and main target. They would have killed us together if we allowed ourselves to be to lax, but they got me first. You're next. So before that can happen, I must catch them and you must be at the cafŽ. But you're here, and that sets a kink the plan.
Tammy: Just answer me this one question.
Fernando: If its about loving you, I wont.
Tammy: Please. Just tell me so I would know.
Fernando: My emotional connection to those memories are not yet tied, Tammy. Understand that. But also understand why my other self did love you, and maybe when I heal, I will love you as he once did.
Tammy: Stop taking like he was a different person- he is not for he is you!
Fernando: We are not. Tammy... What if I came back as a female?
Tammy: What do you mean?
Fernando: There are male versions of me as well as females. What if a female version of me would have arrived instead me as a male? Even with the same emotions and memories, some things are not possible. Understand, I need time to get what is loose in my head back together.

Tammy bows her head. In their silence the sound of a car leaving the safe house area can be heard. Fernando thinks its Hondo, Tammy does not care.

Fernando: Look, Tammy. I do care about you, I don't want you to get hurt. Now that you are back in Italy, things are going to get difficult at best. Remember what I told you- You are next in line to be killed now that they think I'm dead. At the caf", you were safe because they could not, dare not across the Atlantic to get you, but with you now here, you have made it easy for them to get you if and when they see you.

Tammy looks up at him, but not willing to say a word.

Fernando: If you are going to leave this house to go to the store or Rome for whatever, you leave with me. We are to stay together when you go out this house, and you do not dare leave my side.
Tammy: Why?
Fernando: Because... I don't want you hurt. I don't want you killed. I don't want to bury another wife.

She looks at him with a blank stare, needing to blink thrice as to reset her brain as to the given input did not made any sense to her. At least, everything said and done up to now negated this very statement he just had made. She leans over to him, putting the side of her face to his chest, closing her eyes as her arms slowly went around him to hold.

Tammy: You wont.... bury another wife.
Fernando: Tammy..?
Tammy: Yes,... dear?
Fernando: I'm sorry for putting you through all this.
Tammy: I understand.

They stay together in silence for a moment.

Fernando: Tammy...
Tammy: Yes?
Fernando: I have to go.
Tammy: Go where?
Fernando: Food market in Rome. Got to restock food supplies, since all we bought yesterday was for Hondo and I for the week, and having the SWA crew in here, everything got eaten.
Tammy: Can I go with you?
Fernando: Do you want to come with me?
Tammy: Yes!
Fernando: Alright.

Fernando thinks for a moment.

Fernando: Go get your purse, gun and other personal items.

Tammy looks at him with uncertainty.

Fernando: Something wrong?
Tammy: Jeanie has my gun, and I don't know how badly damaged it might be from that rat shooting it out my hand.
Fernando: I see.

Fernando gets out of the bed, going around his room a couple of times, then finding his NAA .32 pistol. Slightly smaller than Tammy's SiG, he takes his gun and puts it into her bag. She just looks at him, unsure how to answer.

Tammy: But...
Fernando: But what?

Tammy raises her hand, showing off the wrapped bandage around it. Fernando looks at it, before taking her hand and starts to unravel the bandage. After a couple of feet of cloth was removed, he finally gets to the final several inches, with parts of it soaked in dried blood. He takes her bare and looks at it. There was a small but possibly deep cut on the palm of the hand just under the index and middle fingers. It was closed and a scab formed over it.

Fernando: Move your fingers.

Tammy does, slowly and deliberately. She complained of her hand being sore. After a while, he tells her to stop and looks over the hand again. The cut seems to be dried and closed.

Fernando: You'll be fine. But don't make it an excuse that your hand hurts not to shoot a gun when you have too. If somebody wants to kill you, they wont make no excuse in their actions or inactions. You have to be the same.
Tammy (bowing her head): I understand.
Fernando: I hope you do.

He helps her out of the bed.

Fernando: Lets go.

Together, they walk down the stairs and out to the rear parking area. They found Hondo's truck with the door open and wires coming out of it, connected to a laptop by the truck. Hondo himself was seated upside down in the truck, pulling on the various cables from inside the dashboard as if he was looking for the right one. Fernando shakes his head and continues to the Porsche with Tammy in tow. They get into his car and drive away to the city.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 5^th, 2010, 12:52pm

Fernando took his time as he drove to Rome. Tammy was still feeling a bit apprehensive of the whole situation but at least she felt better being around him.

Fernando: You need anything besides food?
Tammy: Huh?
Fernando: Do you need anything, you know, like underwear, socks, shoes, clothes. I don't remember seeing a suitcase for you.
Tammy: Oh. They 'took a suitcase from your closet and stuffed it with some clothing. I don't know what they put in though.

Fernando sighs.

Fernando: Alright- a typical run away kit is in order for you.
Tammy: I'm a bit old to be running away.
Fernando: You know what I mean- underwear, clothing, socks, sneakers, and a back pack to put it all in.
Tammy: Alright. I guess I will be needing those things.
Fernando: You moved up to fancy frills and lace on silk?
Tammy: Fernando, I don't exactly like the way they feel on me!
Fernando: Just asking.
Tammy: I like basic cotton whites. They're easy to take care of and I like how they fit and feel on me.
Fernando: Alright, alright... you can go buy them while I look at the food stands and buy food for us.
Tammy: Wait- I thought you said not to leave your side.
Fernando: I did? Oh, I did.
Tammy: You just want to see me strut around in those fancy things.
Fernando: Actually, I have no interest in what you strut around in. I just want you to be comfortable in whatever you are in. Whether its cotton underwear in blue jeans and a cotton shirt or silk or satin underwear in a LBD, you must look good and feel good in it. Most girls cant get either and have negative body issues because of it.
Tammy: I'm rather plain looking but proud of what little I got.
Fernando: You're not plain looking. Most girls guys drop their jaws for are the least pleasing in appearance. But because they know how to put on makeup by the layers, and how to squeeze themselves into a dress 2 sizes too small for them, and how to move in that dress without ripping it apart, the guys just fall for them. But take that all off, what you got- a naked ugly fat girl with negative body issues. You don't have those things, and that's a plus for you.
Tammy: And why are we talking about this?
Fernando: One day, I'm going to need you to put on the fancy lace silk underwear and the satin black dress for either personal or professional reason, and I want you to be comfortable in it when you do.
Tammy: The only time I was comfortable with all that was when I wore my...

Tammy pauses for a moment.

Fernando: Wore your... what?
Tammy (bowing her head down and saying it to herself): My wedding dress for you.
Fernando: You still have it?
Tammy: Its ruined.
Fernando: Ruined?
Tammy: Its covered with your blood.
Fernando: I see. Can I ask you a very personal question?
Tammy: A personal question? I thought we were beyond personal questions.
Fernando: True. But... just in asking. You have regrets for marrying... Fernando?
Tammy: Marrying you? No. Other than having you dead in my arms, I have no regrets, because I love you and you love me.
Fernando: Loved.
Tammy: What do you mean- Loved? Don't you love me?
Fernando: I'm taking about him- he who lived in the past and not me in the present. Damn I swear, the life of a time traveler is not easy.
Tammy: What do you mean by that?
Fernando: I can get all stupid and live 'forever' with my first wife in an endless loop. There was true love if it ever existed.

Tammy slugs him hard against his shoulder with her fist, making him swerve the car for a second, righting it when he gets in control.

Fernando: Don't ever do that again. Now, as I was saying... Then there was my third wife. Also with wife number 8. Lovely women in their own right, but each one different.
Tammy: 8 wives?
Fernando: I'm a time traveler, and therefore immortal. Don't forget that. So, I'm talking about future ladies who, like you, fell in love with me and I with them and we got married.
Tammy: How many wives did you have?
Fernando: Don't know. I stopped counting at 2046. But Tammy- I was never married to any two at the same time. Each one was my darling and loving wife for the time we had together.
Tammy: What about us?
Fernando: I cant say.
Tammy: WHAT!!! WHY?!!!
Fernando: Let me finish! Now, as I was saying. For the time we had together, we were happy. Now that is not to say if it was the short time you and him were married or you, him and later I, because I can not tell you the future in fear in destroying it. But consider the time we have had and may have together as something special. It is very rare for Time to give a second chance, and I do consider you as something very special.
Tammy: I consider you special too.
Fernando: Tammy- I will tell you this much.
Tammy: What?
Fernando: In the very near future, in fact, within the next 48 hours, you will be told of something about me that you may not like. In fact, it might destroy our relationship.
Tammy: What is it?
Fernando: I can not tell you, but somebody else will. Somebody close. And I want you to keep in mind everything I have told you. I want you to consider all that has been said between us. Then if you want to break away from me, then so be it. I hope that the loss wont interfere with the mission, because frankly Tammy, I don't want somebody out there to finish what they started with me by killing you.
Tammy: What can they possibly say that can make me hate so much that I don't want to be with you anymore?
Fernando: Like I said. In 48 or so hours you will know.
Tammy: Then can I ask, why are you telling me, and not in some Time bubble trying to stop it?
Fernando: Why? Hmmm... I thought about it many times. But the only answer I can come up with is that I'm pain-free. No more headaches. No more conflicting memories. Just, what is the word for it?
Tammy: Peace?
Fernando: I was thinking acceptance, but peace can be there too.

Fernando pulls into a parking spot not far from the department store district. Together they head out to the largest of stores to get Tammy a few things before going out for food shopping.

During their absence, several large trucks and the limo park themselves across the street, and several men go to the gate and start measuring it. They write down measurements and make notes of design, style and points of fixtures. The police officer walks to them, but is intercepted by the mousette in the limo.

Jeanie: They're here to fix the gate and house, so you guys wont have to stay here for too long. We'll need you to move the car so they can remove the old gate to repair or replace it.

Hearing the commotion, Hondo gets out of his truck and to the front near the gate. He shakes his head as e sees the construction crew setting up across the street, and a few engineers measuring the fence and gate. He walks to Jeanie and the police officer, keeping inside the complex's yard. He talks to them from between the bars.

Hondo: Miss, what's the meaning of this?!!
Jeanie: On nothing. I just hired a few men to repairs to the place., starting with this gate.
Hondo: Fernando gave no such orders for this!
Jeanie: I know. Consider it a gift from me.

Hondo steps away from the fence, pulling out this cellphone. He makes a call to Fernando. Though as short as it was, they decided to at least get a few things fixed that were to big to take on themselves and then send the bill to the SWA. Hondo closes up his cell phone before going back to the fence.

Hondo: Fernando said it was OK for now. But he only wants those things that are too big to fix and give him the bill to give to the SWA.
Jeanie: Goodie. We'll get started on everything right away.

Jeanie puts a couple of fingers into her mouth, letting out a very loud and ear piercing shrill of a whistle that gets everyone attention.

Jeanie (yelling): Alright! Work starts now and to be finish as quickly as possible!!!

More men walk out of the trucks, some carrying large boxes into the hide out complex's yard. Hondo shakes his head at the scene.

Hondo (yelling as the noise increases with the work being started): Lady! I'll be in the back working on my truck! The basement if off limits! Remember that!!
Jeanie: I got that...

Hondo walks away to the rear of the complex, not knowing that there were several men following him carrying some large tools, including an industrial chemical spray unit. He stops at the truck when he notices them pass him by as they continue to the garage. They look over the graffiti, scraping it with their fingernails and small scraping tools, and then rubbing it between their fingers. One of them puts on a chemical protection suit as the others walk away. He then takes a hose as others turn on the chemical spray unit and begin to spray a foam to the side of the building. The foam is allowed to sit for a while before being hit with a spray of water. Soon there was a bare wall in front of them, devoid of graffiti, as well as paint. Soon several men came in with industrial paint sprayers and started repainting the side of the garage.

A truck is driven to the back where Hondo was at, putting an empty dumpster next to the full dumpster. Then it takes the full dumpster and hauls it away. Other men begin working in the house, fixing and cleaning the place, replacing lost items with new, though it was not matching to the old attire. Book shelves were put in and a large 72 inch flat screen tv where the old 42 inch unit used to be. The kitchen was replaced with new appliances, and shelving. The service island was taken away and a new one put in its place. In what would have taken days, took hours as nearly 1000 men worked all at once to fix the place, making it new. Even the bedrooms were worked on, being careful that personal items of those who were in there were not thrown out, but everything else was. Several men walked up to Hondo's truck and left laptops behind that they had found inside. Several men were on the roof, checking on its integrity, and another group were installing mirrors around the perimeter of the complex. Occasionally, a laser mesh was turned on and area holes fixed. The dumpster had to be replaced two more times as the several hours of work wound down to an end. A gardener and her crew was there replanting small brush and flowers around the house.

As the workers left the place as they finished their work, Hondo could not help think how a fresh coat of paint improves the value of the place. But this was just more than just a coat of paint. With the gate once again repaired and closed, the police leave the area with the last of the work crew. A foreman gives Jeanie a remote control box to open and close the gate with. With the last of the work crews having left, Jeanie activates the gate to close.

Jeanie and her crew walks in the house, carrying large filled bags of unknown stuff. Soon they were in the kitchen packing away a large amount of food. The limo driver takes a few of the items and starts making dinner. Hondo walks in after he secures his truck, carrying the laptops the workers left by his truck. He places them on the dining table, looking about the place.

Hondo: What have you done?!!
Jeanie (walking out of the kitchen and walks about the place): You like? I have everything fixed or replaced.
Hondo: You replaced everything from the looks of it!
Jeanie: Not everything. The light fixtures were fixed.
Hondo: Fernando is not going to be happy about this!
Jeanie: We will see what he likes and don't likes. Until then, I spend enough money at Italy's versions of Ikea and Home Depot to pay for your salary for a couple of years getting this place fixed.
Hondo: Thank you, but the help was not needed, as the SWA was going to replace everything that was stolen or destroyed. Plus there are certain things in this place that are not privy to the likes of you.
Jeanie: Really? We'll see about that.
Hondo: You are a newspaper reporter and editor and not allowed to certain information of this place or this mission. Until then, know your place.

Jeanie gives him a mean scowl for the moment. The limo driver taps a wooden spoon against the newly placed service island, getting their attention.

Limo Driver: Dinner is ready, master.
Jeanie. Good. Feed yourselves, I'll eat when Fernando returns.
Limo Driver: Thank you, master.

Hondo leaves to check on his room, carrying the laptops he had brought in. He was not all too impressed with the changes she had made. A quick search of his room showed that his personal belongings were still there, in an approximate location to where they were before. Not to his liking, Hondo takes a sleeping bag from the closet and takes it to the roof with a few other items.

Fernando drives back home with Tammy and the rear of the Porsche filled with food and assorted goodies.

Fernando: We have enough food for a week, but should not be here that long. Maybe 3, 4 days at the most.
Tammy: That's all?
Fernando: That's more than enough.
Tammy: How?
Fernando: 2 days to find my murderer, and 1 day to enact justice.
Tammy: You going to arrest your murderer?
Fernando: When life loses its value and is taken for naught, then the pact is for revenge.
Tammy: Revenge? Are you are going to kill your killer?
Fernando: If I fail they are going to kill you. Only way to stop that is to be successful in the hunt.
Tammy: But...
Fernando: But nothing, Tammy. This person who killed me is part of the same group that killed your mother and her husband and almost killed Bink.
Tammy: You know who this person is?
Fernando: You would not believe me if I told you.
Tammy: Who?
Fernando: The red headed mousette named Annie.
Tammy: Annie?!! I thought you killed her back at the cemetery!
Fernando: Somehow she survived, and returned me the favor.
Tammy: Then, why would she kill me?
Fernando: For two reasons. 1) Because of me you are a target. 2) She wants Bink for herself and her Padania terrorist organization and 3) You now work for the SWA, and they, along with you, were involved with her uncle's disappearance.
Tammy: You said two reasons, those are three.
Fernando: There are more reasons, she stated them all to me before she let me have it with my own gun.
Tammy: Your own gun?
Fernando: I got careless around her and she picked it up. The rest is history.

Tammy sighs.

Tammy: I see.
Fernando: It was not deliberate. It was a moment of stupidity on my part. I can assure you that it wont happen again. But the point is she is now after you. Since she thinks I'm dead, she wont expect me to return the favor that she has given me.
Tammy: I can see how you can return from the dead, but how are you going to guarantee she wont return from the grave?
Fernando: That little gun I put in your purse may not be as powerful as the AA .45 she stole from me but a round or two to her head from it will guarantee her not to return from the box she will be placed in. Its that simple.

Tammy takes out the gun from her purse, looking at it.

Fernando: It's the same gun from the first mission when I, he, reunited you with Bink. I, he, never told anyone of the specifications, but it shoots a supersonic explosive bullet. Unlike the .45 that shoots a slug of metal that punches a hole in you, this thing hit you and explodes on impact. They both kill but on different principles on how to do it. I suspect that Annie was given cybernetic parts, that's how she survived, but she wont survive with a few rounds exploding inside her head.

Tammy puts away the gun in her purse.

Tammy: Sometimes I wish there was no need to kill.
Fernando: Tammy- believe it not, neither do I. But she is now targeting you, I am not going to allow myself to bury another wife. I will bury her though. An eye for an eye. A life for the one she took from me and for the life she said she would take from you. There is no other way.

Tammy thinks for a moment.

Tammy: If there were, another way, would you take it?
Fernando: Would you want me too?
Tammy: Yes...
Fernando: Unfortunately, there is none.
Tammy: Why do you say that?
Fernando: Remember what I told you. This is Italy, the courts are corrupt here. She's from a rich and powerful family, a family that killed yours. In this, you are in a war, a war where innocents have died and many by her hand- including me.
Tammy: Fernando... tell me that you are not going to kill you because she killed you? 'Because you are on some act for fulfilling some strange form of self revenge?
Fernando: I would lie if I say its not. It is part of the reason. But more so, it is to protect you from her. She is not going to stop until we are all dead, and if she could get Bink, that's another prize for her to have. She does not care about anyone, Tammy. Thus she is a very dangerous person to all involved. If you put her in jail, she can still reach you from her connections within the system. Killing her will put an end to all that.

Tammy sighs.

Though they take their time through the highway, Fernando takes the turn to the hideout's drive way as fast as he was going. The lights reflecting on the gate and lack of the police car told him to slam on the brakes. From 65mph to 0, the Porsche stops within inches of the closed gate. Putting the car in neutral and the parking brake on, he steps out of the vehicle and looks at the gate. He reaches out to the gate, grabbing it, and pulling on it to slide it over from all the strength he has that lies about his fitness and condition. As difficult as it was, he manages to slice it over. Despite the alarms going off inside the house, Fernando drives into the driveway and into the rear parking area.

Jeanie's body guards run out of the house with their guns in their hands, then walk to the rear parking area where Fernando put the Porsche. He walks to the passenger side to open the door for Tammy. They walk 1/2 way up to him, about to shoot first and ask questions later. The limo driver and Jeanie stood by the doorway of the rear entrance. A voice from above got everyone's attention.

Hondo (from the roof): You rats put your guns down or else!

They slowly turn to face him, seeing Hondo with both revolvers pointed to each one of them. Fernando gets his gun from Tammy who still sat inside the car, then walks to the rats. He pokes his gun to their sides before taking their weapons. A shove tells them to go back into the building. Fernando walks to Jeanie and hands her their weapons. Hondo disappears into the attic of the house, making his way down to the main level outside.

Fernando: Tell your boys to stop being so trigger happy before somebody gets hurt around here.
Jeanie: I'll have a talk with them, but they were following orders.
Fernando: Orders, for what? And who put up that gate?!!
Jeanie: I had it repaired.

Hondo makes it to the rear entrance of the house where they were at, adding to the conversation from what he heard.

Hondo: She did a lot more than fixed the fence and gate. She had everything in the house replaced, including the beds in the bedrooms that you just bought.

Fernando gives her a stern look.

Fernando: I see. Hondo, come help with the groceries I bought for us. Jeanie- I don't want to see you until tomarrow morning. Go that?!!
Jeanie (miffed at the whole situation): I'll see you in the morning.

Hondo walks out to the Porsche and opens the door to let Tammy out. He then goes to the rear of the car, opening it's rear hatch and start taking bags inside to the house. Jeanie and her limo driver had already left when he got there. Tammy and Fernando gathered the other bags and brought them to the kitchen to be put away by Hondo who had volunteered for the job. 2 more trips later they were done, Tammy carries the last smaller bag to the room upstairs. Fernando finally notices what was done to the place.

Fernando: I don't believe this.
Hondo: You telling me? She replaced everything!
Fernando I can see that.
Hondo: What are we going to do about it?
Fernando: For now nothing. Anything else?
Hondo: The workers who 'cleaned' up the place gave me some laptops that they found. What to do with them?
Fernando: We'll deal with it tomarrow. Right now I'm going to make a small dinner for Tammy and myself, you're welcomed to the food supplies we brought in.
Hondo: Your Asian 'girl friend brought in some food as well. There is some chicken terri-yucky on the stove if you want it. I saw how it was prepared and didn't like it at all.
Fernando: Its Chicken Teriyaki. And I can agree with you on that. Asian food is best when its fresh, not when its been sitting around getting cold.
Hondo (getting into the kitchen and opening the frig): I'll take to some of the roast beef that's left over from yesterday. I'll be fine.

Hondo takes a few items with him upstairs, and goes back to the roof. Fernando prepares a light meal and takes it upstairs to his room. Tammy was in a robe and underwear, having left the shower moments before. She is on the bed, fluffing out her tail with a brush. Fernando puts the meal on the table in the room, looking over the changes that were done to it. Functionally it was the same: bed though larger than the original that was there, nightstands to either side of the bed, small round table with 4 chairs, a large dresser by the door, and desk with a leather chair at the corner of the room beside a bookshelf. Even the closet door was changed. But appearance wise it was a totally different story. Fernando takes to one of the chairs at the table as he starts to put out the food.

Fernando: Tammy?
Tammy: Yes?
Fernando: Was everything where you found it to be?
Tammy: Everything?
Fernando: You know- clothes, books, stuff in the closet and dresser?

Fernando looks at the corner desk and the computer on it. It was not the Macintosh unit he had placed there in the last mission but a cheap Dell.

Tammy: Everything seems to be in place. I mean, despite the furniture being changed and all that, all my stuff was neatly in its place. Most of my stuff is still in the luggage.
Fernando: I see. Want to eat?

Tammy finishes fluffing out her tail, giving it a few flicks to see how it responds. Happy with the results, she walks over to the table and takes the chair next to him. Together they had their meal, a change of clothes, and went to bed. Fernando has a hard time trying to decide which pillow to take as none of them had his scent on it. Eventually he take the firmest one and folds it in half under his head. Tammy was not too picky, taking what was there, and putting an arm around him before she went to sleep. For him, it was a restless night, though by the time several hours had past by, he started to go into his sleep cycle.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 6^th, 2010, 7:57pm

OOC: on vacation. I'll try to write a few short posts as I'm able to. I'll write more after I return home. If you write more before I do I'll write around it. Not really sure what I'm goin' to do at the moment. I'll write as it comes to me. :BIC

Hondo went back to the roof, finishing a beef sandwich as he went. That dang pushy Asia gal had him a bit mad. She changed more than she was suppose to an' he was sure she saw too much as well. He only hoped Fernando could keep her quite. He blamed himself for not keepin' an eye on her an' her goons more closely. He thought back to when the goons charged Fernando an' Tammy. He only imagined what could have happened. He wanted to toss them both off the property right now, but it was not his call to make. He understood that there were times for shoot first, shoot later, shoot some more then after everyone is dead try to get some questions answered, but that was all these fellows knew. They were the type that would shoot at anything that moved. Most saw them as unmovable rocks with no fear, Hondo saw them as very fearful, muscle bound idiots that were a liability at best.

It all took Hondo back to a loss he had much before he met Fernando, in which he almost lost himself. She was a red head with green eyes that just tore your heart out. She wasn't cut out for a tough life but she learned hoe to fight so she could be by his side. He did not want her to be there as he loved her too much to think of her gettin' hurt. He tried to settle down for her, but a restless urge left him surly a best. He jumped at an opportunity to help a friend in trouble along the Mexican boarder. His friends name was Rip Coker. Rip's wife and sister-in-law were hostages of a drug lord called El Jefe Grande, a large Mexican lookin' mouse with a scar on his cheek, small mustache, an' a goatee. His friend had a couple of hired hands who were a lot like these rats the Asian had as body guards. Hondo had told his gal, of whom he was now he had been married to for 6 months not to come, but she was stubborn. Hondo and his group got pin down bad in a fire fight caused by one of those big dumb oafs with him as he started stootin' as soon as they saw one of the drug lords guards. Hondo had planned to sneak in, get the women out then plant explosives, blow the place and shoot everyone that tried to escape the flames. It would have worked too, but he found himself about to die when his wife and a couple friends she rounded up came to their aid an' drove the drug lords goons back. They managed to rescue the two women and blow the place even thought the drug lord and his trusted men had long since fled. Just as they were leavin' Hondo an' his wife, whom together planted the explosives came running out, as they did two of the big goons with them turned the corner opposite them. They didn't recognize Hondo immediately, even though they radioed they were on their way out that gate and' to meet them there. Instead of waitin' to see if it was him as he was suppose to come out there they opened fire. They only winged him but his wife jumped in front of him an' their bullets took her life. Her last Words to him were, "Go on without me. There are too many that still need your help. I'll be with you always." They kissed one last time then she died in his arms. It took all of the others to keep him from killin' the two big idiots. They ran for their lives at Hondo's friends command an' Hondo never saw them again. Unfortunately it happened in this time line, even if this wasn't the proper time line.

'He thought he had finally gotten it all behind him, but then Rose's leavin' him an' these idiot goons almost shootin' at Fernando an' Tammy brought a lot back to him.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 6^th, 2010, 10:07pm

Hondo sat there on the roof, starin' at the darkness, but his eyes did not see the darkness. All he could see was the bullet riddled body of his wife layin' in the dust as he was bein' drug away, the drug complex blowin' up behind it all. He heard nothin', felt nothin' but cold, all other items in this replay of days past were a blur, except her body dead body. He whispered to himself, "I'm so sorry Laurie Anne."

'A car passed the safe house an' it awoke Hondo from the nightmare that replayed in his mind. He remembered the days after. He an' his group returned to see if they could find her body to bury,but they could not find her. All they found was a mix of goons an' thieves getting all they could from the ruins an' out buildings only partially damaged. He remembered nothing from then until 3 weeks later. it was told to him by a friend that was taking care of him that he killed every livin' bein' left at the complex, some with bullets, some with his knife an' others with his bare hands. Then without a word he climbed into his truck, drove home, cleaned his guns an' knife, reloaded them then sat in his leather chair for nearly 3 weeks without movin' or talkin'. Once he was told this all he quit his job, took his guns a' a few other items out of the house that he needed, loaded up the truck an' never returned. he told a friend he could use the place if needed. last he heard they were keepin' up the place an' usin' the barns an' fields but left the house as is, except a few repairs here an' there.

Hondo shook his head to clear it, as if shakin' his mind could hide the memories again that he long tried to forget. He looked around quickly to see if all was well. He saw nothin', heard nothin' nor smelled nothin' out of place. 'He stood in the shadow of a roof dormer. He thought about takin' a drive to clear his mind so he could sleep. Just as he started to head down a sort convertible came slowly down the road. He adjusted his shotgun in case. The car stop long enough for him to identify it as a newer mustang convertible. *that's odd.* he thought, as his was one of the very few American vehicles he'd seen in Rome. then Hondo heard a Female Voice.

Female voice: Tell Tammy no where is safe and no Cowboy can protect her from me. You either leave or your fate will be the same as hers soon than planned!

"Forget it!" Hondo yelled from the darkness. That followed quickly with a pistol shot way off from where Hondo stood. Hondo Let loose with two quick shots from his shotgun loaded with buck shot then bounded in the shadowsto the other side of the dormer. This delayed his next shot which they took advantage of, just as he turned he saw somethin' lobbed over the gate an land by the house, as if shot from a mortar.

"Explosive!" Hondo Yelled, an' before he dived for cover somethin' odd went off that made most of the security lights go out. The wave of pressure from the explosive knocked Hondo over which made him drop his shotgun over the edge of the house. Hondo fell himself an' slid down the roof only to catch the gutters to keep himself from fallin' to the ground. He hung there for a moment then dropped himself to the ground. he didn't pause to grab his shotgun but ran to his truck to pursue them. The explosive didn't seem to do much damage. Hondo cranked over the engine of his truck but it did not start. He tried a few times then checked a few things. Nothing worked,but the engine turned over. it then hit him.
"an EMP bomb." Bomb he said to himself. He swore silently before exitin' the truck he slammed the door of the truck then walked over to get the shotgun he dropped. They had too much of a head start anyway.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 6^th, 2010, 11:08pm

Several Years Before::

A redheaded gal with green eyes opens her eyes to find herself in a clean white room. There is a beeping sound off to her right. She shook her head a bit to clean it, but it only brought on a wave of pain. She tried to sit up but found herself very weak. after several minutes an' several tries she gets herself propped up on on elbow. She can see herself in a mirror. She was hooked up to wires that lead to the beeping machine. he finds an IV hooked to her arm as well. She felt herself wrapped in several bandages, includin' one on her head. She had on only bandages, no clothes, but covered warmly with sheets and blankets. She tried to move more of herself but found only pain. She looked at herself in the mirror on the wall beside her again aan' she didn't recognize the face in it. she laid back, her mind cloudy because of pain an' drugs in her system. after a minute or two a nurse came in.

Nurse: our awake! Let me get a doctor.

The nurse left quickly but was gone only a minute. The nurse looked Mexican and had a Mexican accent, but spoke English well. She then returned with a doctor. The Doctor was also Mexican in appearance.

Doctor: How are we feeling?
Woman: Not sure. Hurt a lot. can't think clearly.

the doctor's accent was even less Mexican soundin' so he evidently studied much in the US, btu she was not sure where they were.

Woman: Where am I? What happened?
Doctor: Your lucky to be alive. There was an explosion just over the Mexican Boarder. A Mexican medic group found you. They found you shot up an' barely alive right after a complex blew up. They saved your life, but on their way to take you to a hospital their medic truck overturned. You suffered a concussion. The Mexican boarder Guards sent you here since you were apparently not Mexican. You've been unconscious here for 3 weeks.
Woman: Where is here?
Doctor: San Antonio, Texas. You were found west of Ciudad Acuna. The Medics almost made it to Ciudad Acuna. So, Miss, What is your name?
Woman: I don't know. I can't remember. . . I can't Remember!
Doctor: Easy, Easy. You probably have amnesia and it is no wonder. Your head was cracked pretty good. Rest now. I'll check on you later.

She lay there in pain goin' on an' out of consciousness. 'Later that night she awoke to a large man standin' in her room.

Woman: Who are you? What do you want?

Man (with heavy southern accent): I want to help you. I want to help you find yourself and to get him who did this to you.

Woman: What is your Name?

Man: My name is Hector Hatfield, but I'm called El Jefe Grande by the Mexicans.

Woman: Who am I? and who did this to me?

The man stepped forward. He sported a small mustache and a goatee. He appeared to be a man of means. He seemed to have a kind face, although he had a scar on his cheek, ye his eyes were dark an' cold.

Hatfield: I do not know who you are. I can only help you find out who you are. as far as who did this to you. I'll tell you only if you promise to let me get you rebuilt, promise not to kill him until all is set, promise to train to so you can take him out yourself, and promise to work for me until the time is right.

Woman: I promise! who did this to me!

The man grinned.

Hatfield: His name is Hondo Sackett.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 8^th, 2010, 10:44pm

That night, the SWA Logistics and Support staff was at the cemetery where Fernando was buried at. They find his grave, according to the information that they had. Flashlights shine on the tombstone, showing off his name, date of birth and oddly, 2 different dates for death. The etching of the 737 jet plane was on the as part of its decoration.

Amedeo: Why are there 2 dates for his death?

The others look on, unsure how to answer.

Priscilla: Alright, lets dig up the box and see who is inside.

Georgio come in with a back hoe to make quick work of the digging, but it was still done by hand for the final 2 feet of dirt that covered the coffin. They all started to discuss to themselves how odd it was for a coffin to be buried so deep in a grave, as most are buried 2 meters (6 feet) deep, and this was at least double that. They finally reach the coffin and wrap ropes around it, bringing it up to be opened. They gather around the box, as the men grab the lid, pulling on it. The coffin opens. In it all they find is a bloody shirt but no body inside.

Amedeo: Grave robbers got here first?
Priscilla: I don't think so.

Priscilla goes into the coffin, taking the shirt, and finds a ring that was under it. She picks it up and reads the inscription, 'F&T:UDDUA...

Georgio: F&T means Fernando and Tammy. But UDDUA?
Priscilla: I have heard those letters somewhere before... hmm...

Priscilla thinks about the words that could possibly fit in there until she gets a combination that fits.

Priscilla: Until Death Does Us Apart... that is what it means!
Amedeo: But, Fernando was dead when I found him, stone cold, no pulse, dead!
Priscilla: What if that was not Fernando?
Amedeo: The autopsy identified him, from the tiny scar on his forehead next to the left eyebrow to fangs in his mouth, and all these other things that don't make sense listed on his autopsy report. He might have been a flying squirrel, but much of his make up suggests he was something else.
Georgio: What you think he might be?
Amedeo: What you think? He sleeps in the day, got fangs, and from the looks of it- cheated death! What the #$@! you think it is!
Georgio: You are making him like he's a vampire or something.
Amedeo: That is exactly what he is!
Georgio: Vampires are not real!
Amedeo: Say that when he's drinking your blood from the side of your neck.

Priscilla interrupts their quarrel before it gets too heavy.

Priscilla: He's not a vampire. Otherwise, how else could he gone to St. Francis of Assisi church to set up the wedding, go outside in the day time, and stuff like that?
Amedeo: Then explain why his body is not here, especially when we were here to see it one last time before it was put into this hole?
Priscilla: There must be an explanation. Besides, if he was a vampire, how did he get out of such a deep grave?
Amedeo: He had help from his cowboy friend. And now he has a virgin bride, it all completes the circle that he will try to open a portal to hell an unleash hell on earth.

The others laugh.

Priscilla: We do have a mystery, but lets not fall into the dogma of stories we tell children to scare them to sleep with. Apparently, Fernando is not here, so, where is he? And who is with Tammy?
Georgio: Didn't he teleported you a couple of days ago to prove who he was to you?
Priscilla: All he did was teleport me to some lab and only said that he was Fernando. But such technology is not too far fetched as most science labs have been toying with the idea of teleportation for decades now. If he has such a working device, we are going to make him give it to us for our agency.
Georgio: Such a device on that scale would require a lot of energy.
Priscilla: Either way, we must get it.
Amedeo: What about the missing body?

They all look at him for the moment.

Priscilla (pocketing the ring): We will deal with it when the time is right. Right now we got somebody who is too powerful for his own good and he needs to be dealt with.

The shirt is put into a sterile bag and sealed up tightly as the coffin is closed one more time and placed into the ground and covered. Once the dirty work is done, they all head to the pizza van to return to their base.

A lone mousette in a black dress walks into the caf", angered being a word that least describes her emotional constitution.

She stops and look around, not finding those who she wants to have a talk to. Frustrated, she walks out of the cafŽ. Once outside, she looks about the area, and starts heading to the CDRR HQ, not far away. Once at the door, she reaches over and knocks on it, very hard and loud. It opens on the third time she knocks on the door.

Misao (barging through and letting herself in): Its about time!
Dale: Wh-wh-what seems to be troubling you, Miss?
Misao: You! And Your Rescue Ranger Friends! Now where is everybody! I am to have a talk with all of you!
Dale: They are all on a case right now!
Misao: Oh How Convenient! Don't Tell Me... Fat Cat Is At It Again, Right?!!!
Dale: Uhm... I would not know. But Everyone's at Fernando's tree house. It seems the place got broken into and Tammy's missing.
Misao: A Likely Story... Wait- Fernando's home got broken into?
Dale: And Tammy is nowhere to be found.
Misao: Oh dear. He's dead and now she's missing... Think there's a connection?
Dale: I hope not. The people they were dealing with are a dangerous lot- they killed Fernando, didn't they?
Misao: Well, I'll go over there and see for myself and maybe make myself useful.
Dale: I would not recommend that.
Misao: And why not?
Dale: Fernando has certain technologies that is deemed dangerous for just anyone to walk in to his place. In fact (picking up a clip board from nearby), You are listed here as one of several people not allowed into his home.
Misao: What?!! How Can That Be?!! (lying through her teeth) We used to be close, really close!
Dale: Well, I don't know. I'm supposed to detain you if you are to go over there.
Misao: (continueing with the lies) We used to sleep together! If it were not for Tammy, we would have gotten married! (sudden realization) Oh wait... I'm not going over there, I just remember I have to see Jeanette Isabelle about something.
Dale: Oh, you do? Good. Tell her I said hello, and that we are still looking for a replacement for Fernando.
Misao: Will do...

Misao starts to walk away from the CDRR HQ, and seemingly to the cafŽ. She looks back when she was close to the caf", seeing that Dale was no where in sight, and makes a sudden turn to Fernando's tree house.

During the night, the handlers and their cyborgs were recalled back to Italy, and were arriving in Rome by the following morning. A morning Fernando does not want to wake up into. He continues to sleep, even though Tammy had awaken a long time ago to prepare for the day. Looking into her suit case, she finds only fancy dresses and party outfits were stuffed in it, resorting her to take supplies from the run-away kit for a fresh set of underwear and to wear the same skirt and blouse as she did before. Miffed at the whole thing, she decided to deal with it later when Fernando wakes up so they can go shopping for some clothes.

Once showered, tail fluffed and dressed, Tammy goes to the kitchen and makes breakfast for herself and a little something for Fernando when he wakes up. Being the first one to be awake, she finds the place dark and spooky. But she works herself to finish the task of making breakfast and runs up the stairs back to her shared room to eat it.

Once done with breakfast, she gathers her plate and utensils along with those from last night's dinner and puts them in a neat pile to deal with later. First she had to check up on Fernando. She quietly walks over to the bed, sitting on the edge and leans towards him.

Tammy (quietly and gently as possible): Fernando?

Fernando does not answer. She tries again, only to have him take the pillow and put it over his head.

Tammy (to herself): Alright. I'll try to wake you up later when you are more up to it.

Tammy takes the plates and other items to the kitchen. Jeanie's Limo Driver was there starting on breakfast. Jeanie was at the dining table reading the Asian Times newspaper online on her laptop. Tammy takes the dirty dishes and things to the sink, and starts washing them. The Limo driver stops for a moment and shuts off of water and points to the new dishwasher between the sink and stove. Frustrated, Tammy puts the items into the dishwasher, but was stopped from turning it on. She leaves the kitchen and starts to head up stairs, but first she has to pass the dining area where Jeanie was at.

Jeanie (trying to get Tammy's attention): Fung does not does not like other in the kitchen when he's in there cooking.
Tammy (stopping for a moment): I'll remember that next time.

Jeanie closes the laptop and leans towards Tammy.

Jeanie: So, Fernando is allowing you back in the kitchen?
Tammy: We had a talk about it.
Jeanie: Do tell...
Tammy: There's nothing to talk about.
Jeanie: Maybe, maybe not. But if you are going to be a good wife to my savior upstairs, you are going to be a damn good wife.

Tammy gives her an uncertain blank stare.

Jeanie: Get what I mean, missy squirrel?

Tammy shakes her head for a moment and starts to continue to go up the stairs. Jeanie, wearing a tight Qipao (a tight Chinese 'banner dress'), runs past her and blocks the stair case. Tammy looks at her, wondering how she could have moved so fast in such a tight dress.

Tammy: Out my way.
Jeanie: What for, so you can go cry to your man? Listen here missy, he has been the man to many women. You are not the only one he has saved and has fallen in love with him. I would say that there is a long line of women out there he has saved. A long line that wants him how you have him, as a husband! So, if you are not up to par with your wifely duties, there are others out there that can replace you.
Tammy: That's not true!

Jeanie grabs Tammy by the wrist and takes her to the basement, though the door was locked, very few door locks could survive Jeanie's karate kicks. Once in the basement, Jeanie shoves Tammy into the middle of the room.

Jeanie (approaching Tammy): You are just one against many. I don't see how or why he fell for you, but maybe you know something that can woo him in bed. Believe me, I have read up on all the love making secrets there are out on print, so I know them all. So tell me, what is it that he likes?
Tammy: What for? So you could steal him away from me?
Jeanie: How can anyone steal something somebody else does not own?

Jeanie walks up to her and gives her a shove. Tammy lands on the floor on her butt.

Jeanie: You're weak and pathetic. Your Kung Fu is not strong. How could he have fallen for you? No way, I can see...
Tammy (interrupting her): Stop It!
Jeanie: At least you have a voice. How many times have you yelled for him to rescue you? No, that's not it. Fernando likes his women to be strong and independent so they can think and do as they need without his help...
Tammy: I Said Stop it!
Jeanie: Stop what? All I'm doing is stating the truth. All I see is a weak little squirrelly girl who has nothing to offer her man, not even herself. Tell me, you two have been married for months, how often do you two do it?
Tammy: Do what?
Jeanie: Have sex, of course. (Tammy gulps) I remember Fernando having a ravenous appetite when it came to that. The man needs it all the time. Well deary- how often do you two do it?
Tammy (tears start to roll down her eyes): That is none of your business!
Jeanie: I don't think you two ever have... You barely have his scent on you.
Tammy: Enough!

Tammy starts to break down and cry, curling up into a seated tight little ball.

Jeanie walks up to her and lowers herself to Tammy's level.

Jeanie: Isn't that sad, a wifey who's husband does not love.
Tammy (through her tight ball): He too does love me!
Jeanie: Actions speaks louder than words, and your actions say that he does not love you. Maybe he has some secret lover out there? Tell me, does he sneak out at night? Make excuses for coming home late? Maybe he has another girl out there who is raising his love puppies?
Tammy: No! NO! NO!!!
Jeanie: Looks like I struck a nerve there... Maybe he is, but you're in such deep denial that he can do no wrong that you wont see it.
Tammy (between the sobs): FERNANDO LOVES ME! THERE IS NOBODY ELSE!
Jeanie: I'm sure he does, keep thinking that way. Maybe, one day he'll kiss you behind the ear and put a hand up your skirt and tell you how much he loves you. And if you fall for that, you're a bigger fool than I thought for that is how men cover up for their lies.

A loud thud was heard behind them. Jeanie turns around as Tammy looks up to see who or what it was. Hondo stands in front of a filled laundry basket on the floor.

Hondo: I thought I told you that you were not allowed down here.

Jeanie looks at the laundry basket, and then at the wall with the machines, all which have been beaten and broken but one was at least operational.

Jeanie: Oh dear, this wont do... You should have told me you needed new laundry machines.
Hondo: We don't want them.

Tammy gets up and scurries behind Hondo. He places an arm to keep her behind him.

Jeanie (watching Tammy run): Why not? Brand new, state of the art washer driers? These things look like they been an active part of the cold war.
Hondo: They work well enough for me. (as he points out the door) Now, Out!

Jeanie recomposes herself. Normally she would not allow a man talk to her in that manner, but for now she will let it happen. Hondo follows her up the stairs until the door closes. He gives the laundry basket a kick to slide it into the room, and takes Tammy in with him.

Hondo: Look Miss, I'm not into getting into women's business but that little scene was more than some little girl discussion.
Tammy: It was nothing, really.
Hondo: Don't lie to me. I heard most of it in the hall. I had to make it look like I needed to be in here to come in.
Tammy: So you didn't need to do your laundry?
Hondo: Those are just some mechanics overalls and dirty truck rags. They don't need to be washed.
Tammy (looking at the dirty pile) Oh...
Hondo: Seriously, Ms. Squirrel. I don't know how Fernando is taking to your past relationship, but if you think he's worth fighting for, you better do better than that. If any girl wants to steal a man from another woman, she'll do everything in her power to get it done... including dropping those tightie white drawers they got on for him.
Tammy: I know that.
Hondo: I'm not telling you to drop your drawers for Fernando, but I am that they will to steal him from you. You and him got something special going on. As husband and wife, boy and girlfriend, what ever. I know you two have not done it, or at least so he has told me, but that says to me that your relationship with him is beyond what anyone can have with sex. You two are special to each other, and you should not let no one steal that away from you. Git my meaning?

Tammy nods before answering.

Tammy: Yeah, I do.
Hondo (stuffing the dirty laundry into the machine): Good. Now I hope this thing wont explode when I turn it on. Look, I'll be fine down here. You go check up on your man upstairs. Its getting late you know.
Tammy: Yeah, I will.
Hondo: Go... I know that crazy China Mousette will try and get these machines replaced, so I got to secure everything else down here. No use in knowing what she would do if she found the secret hardware we got here.
Tammy: Well, if she is going to replace them, let her get the most expensive ones.
Hondo: She has a bottomless bag of wealth and money. Things to her are nothing if it don't give her some sort of power. Sure, she fixed up the place all nice, despite it being out of match with the other safe houses, but now she will want unlimited access to this place.
Tammy: Now wait a minute- this is my house! Both the Italian Government and the United Stated gave me this house because...

Then she realizes what she was about to say, and shuts up.

Hondo: Its still your house. I just use it because Fernando lets me use it on missions. But as I was saying, that crazy China Mousette is gonna think she has rights to this place if she continues to fix it up. Let her fix the washer and dryers, she's gonna want access to the basement.
Tammy: I think I better have a talk with Fernando.
Hondo: Please do.

Tammy leaves the basement, being careful to look to see where Jeanie was. She makes it back to the room without incident, closing the door and sits on the bed next to Fernando. She tries to wake him up with a little more effort.

Tammy (shaking him by the shoulder): Wake up, Fernando...

Fernando takes as much of the blanket and pillow with him and jumps to the other side of the bed.

Tammy (to herself): Why must you make is so hard at times?

She gets on the bed and crawls over to him, giving him a hard shove to wake up him. She gets pounded by a flying pillow. Taking the pillow with both hands, she lets him have it several times. Half way through the pummeling, Fernando wakes up grabbing the pillow. Tammy stops when she can no longer lift the pillow for some reason. Fernando snatches the pillow from Tammy's grasp and throws it to the other end of the bed. He then slowly turns to her, seeming like he wanted to bite her head off. She gets nervous at his reaction.

Fernando: There better be a damn good reason for you to be doing this.
Tammy: Uhm... there is.
Fernando: What is it?
Tammy: Its getting late for one...

Fernando growls under his breathe.

Tammy: And... I don't have any clothes to put on.
Fernando: What about the stuff on the suit case.
Tammy: Jeanie's goons stuff party dresses in there. And they didn't fold them s they are all wrinkled up. I need to buy something for our stay here...
Fernando: Anything else?
Tammy: I need you to give a ride to town so I could buy the stuff.

Fernando dives into the pillow and takes a blanket over his head.

Tammy: Hondo also said that you need to talk to your Mousie Friend!

Fernando sits up and faces Tammy.

Fernando: What about Jeanie?
Tammy: Hondo says she's causing too much trouble for what she is worth. Now she wants to replace the washer dryers after having seeing them. According to him, the more she fixes this house, the more access she will want from it. Furthermore the discussion she said about you is not too promising on your behavior.
Fernando: What she said and what was she doing in the basement?
Tammy: She took me down there, kicking the upstairs door in. She said that there are many women who want you and that they would do anything to have what I got, my marriage to you. Furthermore she stated that I was weak and pathetic, that there would have been no way for you to fall in love with me.

Tammy releases all emotional control at this point, and begins to cry. Fernando sits on the bed with his arms crossed.

Fernando: You know you are just proving her right.
Tammy (through her tears) What?!!
Fernando: By you crying and being emotional like you right now and at times, you are proving that you are weak and pathetic. Last I remember, Fernando likes his girls to be independent, intelligent, and strong. He never liked dating jellyfish.
Tammy: What are you saying?!!
Fernando: The truth. Fernando don't like weak girls. And at the time you two got married, you had improved on your emotional control and became somebody strong enough to fight her own battles. But now look at you, crying over something somebody said, and that not even the worse I'm expecting to be said about you and me.

Tammy tries to hold back her tears, but sometimes it is not so easy to do.

Fernando: Now if you stop crying so damn much and be more acute and attune to what needs to be said or done, then you would be strong again. This training Fernando gave you was to make you a stronger person, one who can defend herself in any situation, even a verbal one.

Fernando slowly gets out of the bed and gathers a few things to take to the bathroom.

Fernando: If you want me to care for you or even love you, you need to get past that cry-baby stage and become a woman again, the same woman he was about to marry.

Fernando walks out the room, closing the door behind him.

Tammy (to herself): Since holding your dead body in my arms, things have been very hard to deal with...

Tammy thinks for a while. She take in and lets out a deep seated sigh, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt.

Tammy (to herself): You're right... I have to be strong again.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 10^th, 2010, 3:37pm

Hondo watched Tammy go. He figured it'd not be a good idea to tell her about what happened last night nor about the threat on her an' himself. He figured since Fernando was not named it was not widely known that Fernando was alive. Hondo also knew Tammy had enough other things to worry about. Everyone handles things differently an' Fernando's death then reappearance with what seemed like possible rejection due to memories an' emotions not alignin' made her a bit confused an' hurt. Hondo felt bad ofr her, but knew better than to let on that he did feel sympathy for her even if he knew how to, which he didn't. Hodo didn't ponder on it all too long. That was Fernando's worry. Hondo knew his worry was tryin' to keep those two alive an' keep that sickeningly rich woman upstairs from findin' any sensitive equipment an' other such stuff downstairs. Hondo spent the rest of the mornin' movin' stuff to a sub-level or further back through a hidden door into another part of the basement an. riggin' the hidden door so it was even harder to find or open. He moved carefully an' made sure he was not watched. He completed his task without any interference. On a sub-level he happened on a large diesel truck engine of which he made note of for later.

After he completed his task he set to strippin' the worse of the machines down to get to their individual components to weed out the bad from the good.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 12^th, 2010, 2:19pm

After about a 1/2 hour, Fernando comes out of the bathroom, fresh and clean though he would prefer to be sleeping. Semi dressed in his underwear and wrapped in a towel, he steps into the room, seeing Tammy still in the bed but this time sitting on it and more recomposed of herself instead of laying down and still crying.

Fernando (as he closes the door behind him): Doing better?
Tammy: I guess so.
Fernando: Good. Now, do you mind giving me a bit of privacy so I can put on my clothes?
Tammy: I don't mind. Its not like have not seen each other naked, and besides, we're covered in fur.
Fernando: I think you would be asking for a bit of privacy if you were changing.
Tammy: We dressed in front of each other many times, and sleeping together too. We do not have that many secrets left for we share them all.
Fernando: Anything I need to worry about inside that little red head of yours?
Tammy: Just something I don't understand.
Fernando: What?
Tammy: You once told me that you were immortal because of some time traveling accident.

Fernando momentarily ignores her as he puts on a shirt.

Tammy: Come on, tell me... please...
Fernando: Look... uhm.. actually I forgot what I was going to say.
Tammy (getting off the bed and walking up to him, putting her arms around his neck): Then let me restate it. How could you have died if you are immortal?
Fernando: I may seem to be immortal, but I can die. But since there are an infinite number of me to replace the one that died, I seem to live forever.
Tammy: Then explain why you seem to never age.
Fernando: Well... that takes more of explaining than the time traveling accident that made me one with all Time.
Tammy: I got plenty of time to hear your answer.
Fernando: At least let me put on my pants.

Fernando steps away from her and bends down to put on his pants.

Fernando (trying to avoid the question): Now I can answer with my pants on. What you think?
Tammy: Probably that comment was about getting an upgrade to my sex education.
Fernando: Huh?
Tammy: You used to tell me before we got married 'that we should respect each other's privacy or else I might end up with an upgrade in my sex-education. Really, we're married!
Fernando (taking his pants and puts them on): Have you and... Err... him ever done it? Not according to my memories, and current you and I have not yet. So... You are still a virgin, which is a good thing in some respects.
Tammy: How many virgin wives are there?
Fernando: Mary, mother of Jesus was a virgin.
Tammy: I don't think she counts.
Fernando: Why not? She was married to Joseph.
Tammy: Devine intervention 'does not count!
Fernando: I'm not going to question the validity of man and god, but for some reason, it is recorded that Mary of Nazareth gave a virgin birth to Jesus in the city of Bethlehem . 'But the issue is- you are not the only one. Many people marry for convenience and never enter the realm of sexual relations.
Tammy (getting suddenly loud): WE ARE 'MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE?!!
Fernando: No reason to get excited...
Tammy: NO REASON TO GET EXCITED?!!
Fernando: Seriously Tammy, besides falling in love, the main reason why you and him got married was to protect your little fluffy tail. The love you two had for each other only made the deal that more sweeter. Now seriously, would you would have married me if it were just for the convenience of not getting yourself killed by those who target you, and not something out of your inner feelings for him?
Tammy: NO!
Fernando: Would you have married the likes of me if there was no emotional attachment?
Tammy: WHAT FOR?!!
Fernando: Then why are you chasing me?
Tammy: Because you are my husband! You Love Me As I Do you!
Fernando: I keep telling you that I am not the same one that you knew before. But more importantly, I keep telling you that you are to be a woeful widow while in I am here. Why? Because the job of eliminating us if not finished in their eyes. They want us dead and only got 1/2 the job done by killing me. You're next in line, and not you're back in Italy, you just made it easy for them to get you once they find out you are back here.
Tammy: Then prove to me that you are not him!

Fernando bows his head and shakes it for a second or two. He looks back at her, and takes off his shirt, then his t-shirt, placing both on the bed. He walks to her, taking her hand, taking two fingers from it to out into his chest, and rubs it against his breast bone. She feels a slight indentation there as well as a tiny area of missing fur.

Fernando: You see- that is where the bullet went.

She could only look up at him.

Tammy: But...
Fernando: I am he as he is I and we are part of each other. You can yell at me all you want, you can walk away and never want to see me again, but what I am doing now, as much as it may hurt you, is protecting you from the shadows, because people want you dead.

A tear starts rolling down Tammy's face.

Fernando: People with money and power, people with abilities that sets them apart from you or I. My friend Jeanie is a multi-billionaire. She has more money than the owners of Microsoft and the Queen of England combined. She also has power in being able to sway her 1.6 billion reading public into any decision she wants, because she can do it with a little tiny article in her newspaper. 'And the people we are dealing with want more than what she has, and sees you as an obstacle in their path. You understand what I'm telling you?

Tammy nods.

Tammy: By why didn't you say so sooner?
Fernando: Why? Because. Because my love for you has to be put on hold for me to get what has to be done- done. Because I can not let emotions get in the way, because the last time I did, I got sloppy and it got me killed. That is why I have to be cold, Tammy. And in the end of all this, you hurt so bad that you want to walk away from me, then so be it. At least you will be able to live the rest of your life without worry if some asshole trying to kill you. That is all I want.
Tammy: How... tell me, how or uhm, why are you alive now? I mean- you were dead when I held you.
Fernando: My daughter had a minor role in it. I'm not a robot or a cyborg like Bink is, I'm not a machine. I am a Squirrel, a flying one, which means nothing but that I am still flesh and blood. Within reason, I can heal from most wounds... like this one. But I needed time to heal. Not like the first one, who died from radiation poisoning and cellular discorporation- he truly died from his injuries. But me - #2... I am still flesh and blood, but time seems to have frozen my cells in place- thus I can never grew old, and never die unless I do something crazy that would destroy the entire body like #1 did. With all this- why do you think it took so long for me to return?
Tammy: Because you had to heal? But... where were you all this time?

Fernando: I was literally Nowhere. A place in Space Time where nothing exists but can be accessed for there days can go by like seconds, years like days and minutes like centuries. Tammy- an injury like this takes one years to recover, yet I arrived 6 weeks according to your understanding of time. I spent 3 years getting myself back into shape. 3 years of being alone, not knowing what was going on. And when I was back to what one would consider normal, I sent myself to as close of a time I could get back to you all. That would be 6 weeks for you. So excuse me... for Time changes a man, and I have a job to do.

Fernando turns around to go back to the bed to get his t-shirt and shirt and put them on. Tammy waits there for a moment as if frozen by what had said.

Fernando: Would you have waited 3 years for me?
Tammy: I... Don't know. Maybe I would have, if I knew you were coming back.
Fernando: Would you have changed?
Tammy: 3 years is a long time. I would not know.

Fernando (sits on the bed and puts on his sox and shoes): So imagine being me. 3 years waiting for this body to repair itself. Basically alone in isolation. I was not alone, but being with my other selves, I might as well have been. Then there was the constant testing of how I felt for you and the others. How I feel for revenge. When satisfied with the results I was allowed to go back. #3 and I had a big fight about coming back, and if I could come back or let him go in my place. Yes, #3 does not like you. In his universe you two were hated enemies because of some failed rescue that took Jeanette Isabelle- his wife. Funny, in his universe, you were nice and likeable as you are here, but all it took was one act of fate, one chance in a million, two got caught in a trap, 1 returned alive, the other dead. Though you were grateful for being rescued, and wanted to undo what had happened or at least wanted to make him happy- he wanted nothing to do with you. So if #3 would have came here, instead of me- you would be in dire straits as far as being in a loving relationship with him. So Tammy, understand that I am not the same me that I was when we got married. Even though I care and have feelings for you, I can not have you get hurt by the actions of others. And I can not have others know that I am alive. So... I'm asking that we be friends first, and lovers later.

Tammy: I dont want you to be my lover, I want you to be my husband... one that you promised to be- loving and cherishing me through the best of times and the worst of times... I don't think this cant be any more worse than this.

Fernando (putting his last foot down on the floor): I'll always be your husband. Heh...
Tammy: What?
Fernando (slowly getting up and stepping towards her): I was going to say until the day I bury you, 'but you had already buried me. But that is not going to happen, not if I can help it... Tammy?
Tammy: Yes?
Fernando: You needed a few things?
Tammy: Why you changing the subject?
Fernando: Because we can deal with it another time. But right now you have needs of your own to be fulfilled. So... you need a few everyday things?
Tammy: Yeah.

Fernando: Then lets go.

Tammy takes a little coaching out of the bedroom, but eventually makes it out of their room. Together they go past the basement stairway entrance where they could hear Hondo moving some of the heavier equipment downstairs. Tammy stops for a moment by the doorway.

Tammy: Maybe we should help him?
Fernando: He'll be fine by himself. No need to worry about him.

Fernando continued to the rear exit of the house and stopped for a moment, as Tammy was still by the basement door.

Fernando: Want to make it 3 days in a row?
Tammy: Huh?
Fernando: You, wearing the same outfit.
Tammy: No!...
Fernando: Then, lets go before the stores closes.

Tammy sighs.

Tammy: As long as you think he'll be alright...
Fernando (interrupting her): He'll be alright. Now lets go.

Tammy starts to take a few walking steps before trotting over to Fernando as he left the house. She slowed down to a steady walking pace as se caught up to him. He walked around the Porsche, opening the passenger door for Tammy. She went in and sat down on the leather seats. She buckled herself in as he closed the door. He gave the parking lot a visual inspection, noting that Jeanie's limo was not in the lot. He slowly walked around the front of the Porsche and let himself inside. With the key in the ignition, he turns on the motor, and buckles himself inside as the engine warms up.

He lets out a sigh as he placed his hands on the steering wheel. Behind his dark glasses, he closes his eyes for a moment.

Fernando: Tammy.
Tammy: Yes?
Fernando: I'm sorry.
Tammy: I forgive you, but why?
Fernando: Don't know, but there will be more grief to come. And I might as well say it now and not later on.
Tammy: That was not necessary. You don't apologize for things you yet to do.
Fernando: Then I'm sorry for the mind games and brain screwing I have put you through and its not going to end, not until we finish our work here.
Tammy: Again, don't apologize until what is said is done and over.
Fernando (punching the accelerator and putting the Porsche into gear): Just remember what I told you, things will be crazier then before within 36 hours.
Tammy (as they start to leave the drive and onto the highway): After that talk upstairs, I'm more up to the task when it comes.
Fernando: I hope you are.

They continue their drive to Rome at slightly higher than the speed limit but even at 75mph, faster cars were passing them on the road. They get to Rome's shopping district in little under an hour, which includes finding a parking space and walking to the store.

After putting away her new clothes in the trunk of the Porsche, Fernando and Tammy take a to the Piazza di Spanga and to the outdoor cafes that were there, the cafes where they often met shortly after their marriage and Tammy had to stay with the SWA for a while. With the large white staircase in the background, they had pastry and coffee.

Tammy: Can I ask a very personal question?
Fernando: You can ask anything. Its how I answer that will be determined.
Tammy: Fernando! I'm Your Wife!
Fernando: I will answer your questions honestly and truthfully. But if its something involving time travel and altering events, I will have to say something you may not like or worse- lie to you.
Tammy: You're not supposed to lie to me!
Fernando: Lets not get excited, for one. Now, what is your question.
Tammy: I don't think I should ask it with that attitude.
Fernando: If you can trust me to sleep in the same bed with me, with as little as what we have on, Answering a question or two should not be a major issue between us. Now- what's the question!

Tammy hesitate in ask, almost as if she was rethinking the question to ask.

Tammy: I read your autopsy report...
Fernando: And?
Tammy: I know the damage you took when that bullet went through you.
Fernando: So?
Tammy: You had a ruptured the top of the left Atrium and the bottom of the Aorta, which killed you instantly. But you also had 'a shattered broncule tube, a shattered 7th Thoracic vertebrae with the spinal cord inside severely damage if not broken.
Fernando: What about it?
Tammy: The SWA Doctors tried to save you but couldn't. And your doctor daughter did your final autopsy. I just want to know, did the SWA or your daughter used cybernetic technology on you to bring you back?
Fernando: No. I would not allow it if they did.
Tammy: But you were dead. Who knows what they did to you?
Fernando: The SWA would not dare waste their resources on an idiot like me for one. Aiseha would have taken anything out that they would have put in. Like I said- three years. Not only did my heart has to heal, but so of those other injuries. It took most of that time to learn how to walk again.
Tammy: So...
Fernando (interrupting her): I'm 85% to what I was before. Given time to rest, maybe another year, I'll be back to 100% But right now there is no time to rest.
Tammy (bowing her head): I see.
Fernando: Maybe you don't, but I'll tell you this much, a good hard enough blow to the chest and my windpipe may shatter again.
Tammy (looking p at him): But...! WHY!
Fernando: Its not fully healed for one. And two the windpipe inside the chest is one of the weakest parts of the body. Fortunately for most there is a strong heart and breast bone in the way to absorb any blows one may have to the chest, but those are weak on me as well. I'm not saying that I'm weak or frail, but I should be getting rests and not trying to save your fluffy tail.
Tammy: Then maybe you should not be trying to save my fluffy tail! I'm a grown squirrel and can take care of myself!
Fernando: You sure about that?
Tammy: Yes!

Fernando takes her left hand slowly, thumbing the rings on her ring finger.

Fernando: You never took them off.

Tammy pulls her hand away from his.

As Fernando and Tammy continued their talk, Jeanie returns to the house with a delivery truck right behind her. Though Hondo protested, he was glad that he had prepared the basement for their expected arrival. The washers and dryers were replaced within the hour's time. Hondo inspected their work as the machines were being installed. Soon Jeanie was taking a few personal items to test one of the washers dryers with.

With nothing possibly could be found in the basement, Hondo leaves Jeanie to her laundry.

At the caf", Fernando and Tammy were finishing up on their light meal and was getting ready to go. They decide to take the tourist route, spending time away from everyone and everything. While they hold hands and intertwine their arms to be closer together, the both of them seem nervous about the whole thing, though for different reasons. Fernando stops by a tourist map, puling Tammy along side him.

Fernando: Want to go to the Coliseum?
Tammy: I think we should be going home soon.

Fernando sighs.

Fernando: OK. Uhm, just a few more minutes of walking to clear my head and then we go home, alright?
Tammy: Alright.

They take a route that makes them circle the famous staircase, going past several cafes and food carts. Though slightly more crowded than usual because of the tourist season, they managed to walk about without bumping into one. At least that is how it was for the moment.

Coming at them was a large no-neck buffoon, with a red headed mice at his side. It was the mouse that bumps hard into Tammy, almost knocking her down if Fernando was not holding on to her arm. Once Tammy was righted onto her feet again, Fernando turned around to the couple who were a couple of steps away and gave them a few choice Italian words that denounced their heritage and exemplified their mother's sexual practices. They both turn around to see him. Tammy started to pull on his arm to get him away from them before it became a much larger scene. For a moment, The red headed mouse and Fernando just stared at each other.

The red headed mouse goes into her purse and pulls out a large Berretta 9mm pistol. Fernando pushes Tammy behind him while taking the gun from her purse. The first of 2 sets of rounds are exchanged, missing them both, along with anyone else nearby. The crowd upon hearing the gun fire, run away or dive to the floor to take cover. With just the four of them standing and facing each other, the red head mouse's companion pulls out a gun to come to her aide. Fernando manages a lucky shot that hits him in the hand and forces him to drop his gun. A second round hits the companion below his cheek bone, knocking out several teeth that were in the way, and out the back of his neck without hitting anything major, forcing him to the floor but still alive. The next three rounds came from the red head's gun, hitting Fernando across the chest. Though his bullet proof layers save him from the bullets entering him and killing him, the force of impact was enough to throw him back against Tammy clutching at his chest. Ribs under his suit jacket and layers of bullet proof linings could be heard cracking. He manages to shoot one last round, striking the red headed mouse in the thigh as she turned around to run away.

Fernando sat there on the floor as Tammy held him up. He coughs a couple of times, coughing up blood.

Tammy: No! Fernando, Don't Die!

Fernando pants for air, breathing heavy and hard. Tammy holds him tighter as she took the gun from his hand.

In the background, the sound of ambulances and police cars can be heard arriving at the scene. Tammy did her best to keep the police at bay with her SWA Identification. Soon they were at St. Lorenzo's General Hospital. There at the hospital, Tammy makes a call to the house for Hondo.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 12^th, 2010, 5:19pm

Hondo had about finished moving around the old equipment when he heard someone walk past the upstairs door. He braced himself as he expected that pushy Asian to come on down an' bother him about somethin' else. The thought of her made him mumble a few unpleasant remarks about her flyin' in on a broom. She really did annoy him. He turned back to finish movin' the old dryer he currently was rippin' apart when he heard the voices at the top of the stairs. He instantly recognized Tammy's voice though he didn't hear what she said. He had to strain a bit to hear the second voice but he was pretty sure it was Fernando's voice.

' 'He had wanted to tell him about the EMP bomb that was thrown over the fence an' the gal in the Mustang convertible that had thrown it. It didn't matter, though as Fernando had enough other things to worry about. Fernando knew to be on his guard an' it didn't do much damage anyway. Hondo's truck's engine computer was shot an' a few other electronic devices were messed up in his truck as well as in the house, but fortunately it was had a short distance effect, though very strong within the area it was used. Hondo was surprised no one woke up when it went off. Fortunately Fernando preplanned for EMP encounters as his car was set up as a Faraday cage on wheels. 'Hondo had found fragments of the EMP the next day, enough to hopefully rebuild it.

'Hondo finally heard them move off then heard Fernando's car start up an' takes off down the road. He worked quickly to make sure all was ready. It took him a while to get everything out an' the door to the rest of the underground complex camouflaged an' hard to access even if found. He finished up an' went to a lower section to grab that diesel engine he had found along with any other parts he may need. He mumbled something to himself about all the work he had just done on the truck an' losin' it all even before the truck had a chance to get off the property. Also in his mumblin's likened the thrower of that bomb to a female dog.

'Hondo reached the shop part of the garage where he usually worked on the truck with the engine on a pallet jack an' just as he did that filthy rich, nosy Asian mousette, Jeanie, arrived in her Limo followed close by a truck that had the word elettrodomestici on the side. He could only guess that meant appliances, as his Italian was not good at all. Knowin' a bit of Spanish was the only thing that saved him when tryin' to make out Italian words, even though this one with a bit of thought could be figured out by any English speakin' soul if they thought about it.

Jeanie's driver opened the rear door of the car an' Jeanie exited the car. As soon as had her feet hit the ground she started givin' the delivery drivers orders. Hondo quickly made his way back in from the garage into the house then back to the basement. He was lookin' very busy checkin' out a dryer motor when Jeanie came down into the basement with the delivery drivers in tow, talkin' an' pointin' as she walked down the stairs

Jeanie: 'You can move the old ones out and put the new units in their place.
Hondo: What's goin' on, here?
Jeanie: 'I bought new washers and dryers. These men are delivering and installing them so stay out of the way.
Hondo: I told you the old one would do fine, an' who the heck are you to tell me to stay out of the way?! Besides, I told you to stay out of the basement. Fernando doesn't want you pokin' your nose around any further than ya already have.
Jeanie: I am a friend of Fernando's as well, and I owe him more than I can repay. Fernando will not mind.
Hondo: He already minds! He was a bit more than ticked off last night, or do ya not remember bein' sent away with an order to not be seen again until mornin' by him?
Jeanie (to the delivery men): Don't mind him. He's just a stupid cowboy.

Hondo hadn't lost his temper yet, though his voice was hard an' firm, but he had all he could do to not shoot her at the moment.

Jeanie (to Hondo as she looks at the empty space where the old units used to be): At least your good for something, now the men don't have to move out the old units since you did it for them.
Hondo growled: You really think Fernando would give me full access to his safe house or have me around durin' life or death missions if I was really stupid or useless?
Jeanie: He only lets you stay as you are an amusement to him, and as for full access, he knows even if you found anything secret you would never figure out what it was.
Hondo (in a low growly voice as he looked at her with a cold hard stare): Now that's bull an' you know it! I've had enough of you an' yur meddlin'. I'm gonna to the garage. You do what you want with the washers. I'll let Fernando deal with you, but hear this, I find you any place in this house you should not be I'll shoot first an' ask questions later.

Jeanie just rolled her eyes at him. 'Don't worry, I'll be a good girl,' she said in a mockin' tone. 'I'm not worried, but I'll stay here until this job is done anyway.' Hondo growled in a low voice.

Jeanie stormed back upstairs with the deliverymen on her heals. They all returned shortly an' the units were installed quickly. Jeanie went back up with the men to pay them a handsome tip, much more than their sloppy work was worth. Hondo had to correct them a few times an' as soon as they left he re-did a couple small items that he felt were done sub-standardly. As soon as he finished Jeanie returned with an arm full of laundry. Hondo, who was currently leanin' against a small work counter down in the basement, looked at her with a cold, uninterested stare. 'I bought them, so I shall try them out first.' She said. Hondo raised an' eyebrow, shook his head, them muttered somethin' about meddlin' floozy under his breath, just loud enough for her to hear it. '

"Well, I never!" She huffed. 'Maybe it's about time then.' Hondo muttered as he climbed the stairs.

He snarled to himself as he thought of that meddlin' gal. Why he let her make him mad he wasn't sure, as he knew she was goin' to do this anyway. He walked through the garage out side to where Jeanie's goons were loungin'. Hondo Told them he needed help pushin' his truck back into the garage to work on it. At first they didn't seem interested in helpin', but when Hondo hinted that that Jeanie an' Fernando might get upset if they were told that they didn't give a helpin' hand they seemed to become very eager helpers, even stayin' long enough to get the old engine out an' help Hondo set the diesel engine into place.

It was well after lunchtime by the time they got the engine set into the truck, so Hondo told the goons they could go get somethin' to eat an' he'd be in shortly. After they left Hondo looked over the engine. It was placed well enough that he could finish it himself in a couple hours. He washed the grease off himself an' changed his shirt with a spare shirt he had in the truck. He walked out of the garage an' down the driveway to where Jeanie's limo was parked. Her driver was back out, as she had eaten lunch right after the delivery men had finished, an' he was washin' the limo down. Hondo looked it over good. He was surprised it wasn't a Rolls. Hondo walked up to talk to the driver.

Hondo: Nice ride.Bullet proof windows from the look of it. Probably has bullet proof panels in the doors too, eh?...
Driver: Yes, sir. It does, but not only the doors. Almost every exposed inch of metal covers bullet proofing material of some sort. Most of it is very advance bullet proof material with thin layers of advance, lightweight bulletproof titanium alloy.
Hondo: 'Must have plenty of ponies under the hood to move this beast down the road, eh?
Driver: Ponies? 'I don't understand . . .
Hondo: Horse power. I figure it must have a fairly large engine.
Driver (in an almost excited tone): Oh yes sir! The engine stock runs around 700 hp, but it's tuned to run almost 200 more, with all the special additions that it has!

Hondo just shook his head as he looked at it. *More power than they would need on a bad day.* Hondo thought to himself. Hondo started to turn say somethin' else when one of the goons at the house called out to him that he had a phone call.

Goon: Phone call for you, Mr. Sackett.
Hondo: For me?

Hondo walked up to the door muttering: Fernando always calls my cell.
Goon: It's not Mr. Fernando. It's Mizz Squirrel.
Hondo (in an inquisitive but worried voice): Tammy?
Hondo grabbed the phone from the goon
Hondo: Ya'llow, Tammy?
Tammy (strained voice): Hondo . . . sniffle, sniffle, It's Fernando.
Hondo (in a firm voice): What's Wrong!
Tammy: We were at the cafŽ.. Sniff . . Someone tripped me. . 'sniff, sniffle . . . Fernando yelled at them. They shot him!
Hondo: How bad is it?! Didn't he have his vest on?
Tammy: He did, but he didn't heal up long . . sniff. . . enough. He should have stayed . . sniffle . . . out of time longer to heal. His trachea was weak. Shattered again. Please come quickly!
Hondo: Pull yourself together! He needs you strong, not fallin' apart again. Your not makin' much sense, but I'll be there as soon as I can.

Hondo hung up the wireless pone into it's cradle an' took off in a trot out the side door.
He grabbed his two revolver shoulder holster 'an' shoved his hip gun an' his backup back gun into the holsters, threw two derringers loaded with .410 buck an' fixed a mares leg with collapsible stock onto his back before throwin' on a heavy leather vest to cover it all. His truck was dead he knew. An idea came to him just as he heard Jeanie question the goon about my conversation on the phone. Hondo jogged down the drive to where the limo driver had just turned the car around to wash the other side. 'Hey driver!, Jeanie wants ya inside now. Somethin' urgent she said.' Hondo yelled to him as he trotted up. 'Thank you, sir.' The driver said as he rushed into the house through the front door. No sooner had the driver hit the door Hondo hit the driver seat of the limo an' fired the beast up. Hondo was glad he left the driver left the keys in the car, as hotwirin' would have slowed him down too much.

'Hondo squealed the tires as he shot backwards out of the drive. The gates didn't have time to open so Hondo shot through them, tearin' them from the hinges as he went. As he threw the gear shift into drive Hondo saw Jeanie an' her goons boil out of the house followed by a confused driver, but Hondo was long gone before they could do anythin'.

For Hondo the almost 900hp engine was not nearly enough at that moment. He pushed the limo to 180 but dared not do much more as she didn't turn well, bein' so long. He was worried about Fernando an' blamed himself. He had a naggin' feelin' all along that he should stay with him when he goes out, but he was Fernando. Or was he? Hondo was not sure all about the infinite Fernando deal. Maybe his memories not bein' lined up right had impaired his judgment? Hondo wasn't sure, but 100 questions ran through his mind as well as self blame. His thoughts went back to his dearly departed wife, or of whom he thought was dead. 'Maybe I'm just cursed or maybe it's more. Maybe Jeanie was right. Maybe I am just a stupid cowboy an' folks get hurt 'cause I'm not man enough to admit it.' He muttered to himself. He shook his head to clear his thoughts as if shakin' it would through out botherin' thoughts the way a cream separator throws the cream off of milk. He knew now was not the time for thoughts like that, nor a time to blame. Now was a time to be there for Fernando an' Tammy.

'Hondo arrived at the hospital in no time. He squealed to a stop in front an' jumped out of the car, throwin' the keys to a security guard to park it as he ran in an' up to the main desk. After a quick argument with the head nurse Hondo was taken to an upper floor. As soon as he got off the elevator he saw Tammy, pacin' the hall up ahead. Hondo walked up to her

Hondo: Tammy! What's goin' on? Where's Fernando? I want to see him.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 13^th, 2010, 7:18pm

Tammy leads the way to Fernando's room, where a couple of police officers guard the door, as they do anytime an SWA operative was involved in a lone situation until higher ups can come to assess the situation. With a nod from Tammy, the police officers allowed them to enter the room. He was in the back of the room, with the privacy curtain closed. A long drawn heavy sounding 'Hisssss' followed by a 'Shunk' sound can be heard slowly but rhythmically. They walk through the privacy curtain, where Fernando was on the bed. Air hoses were put into his mouth and taped into place, his nose sealed shut, and an IV doped with powerful tranquilizers being pumped into his arm. 'He looked to be in as bad shape as one could be.

Hondo takes the patient's medical clipboard from the end of the bed and starts reading. It explains of internal pulmonary bruises and of a fractured broncule branch in the middle left pulmonary lobe. Though not life threatening, it can be if left untreated. Though not up par on his anatomy terms, Hondo understands the condition Fernando was in. He walks about the room for a second, bringing a couple of chairs for him and Tammy. She sits on the one he gives her, he spins the chair around and leans his tail against the back of the seat, with his arms crossed.

Hondo: Miss, what are you going to do?
Tammy: I don't know!
Hondo: Well, first of all- you need to calm yourself down. He of all people would not want you to be all flighty and crazy. And I agree.
Tammy: Its that the things he says, I just don't believe them until they happen as he had said...
Hondo: You mean like this?
Tammy: Yes...
Hondo: Look, he's an expert time traveler, he of all people will know what is going on before it happens. I may time hop in my Delorean, but I just observe and quickly return. Furthermore I have not done so in a very long time, but believe me when I tell you, if Fernando tells 'you to do something, to be a certain way, its for your own fluffy tail's good that you do.
Tammy: I know...
Hondo: This aint the cafŽ. There are dangerous people in this world, and some of them want you dead for some reason.
Tammy: Don't You Think I Know That!...
Hondo: I know that you know, but knowing and understanding are two very different things. You need to understand that this is the price you have to pay in order to have Bink as your sister again because she was entailed in a government assassination squad. And do as you might, your good aint good enough. If Fernando were not there with you today, what would have happened to you?

Hondo gives her several seconds to answer, but she does not. Instead she looks at the ground.

Hondo: You would be dead...
Tammy (interrupting him though he finished his sentence): DOn'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT?!!
Hondo: Then what's your problem?

Another couple of seconds pass, with no answer from her.

Hondo: You don't have to answer that. Look- you contacted his daughter, Dr. Aiesha?
Tammy: She's on her way.
Hondo: Anyone else needs to be notified?
Tammy: The SWA will be coming over soon. The police notified them of what happened.
Hondo: So, who was it that did this? Tell me 'xatly what happened.
Tammy: What is there to say, I told you everything over the phone.
Hondo: Tell me again. I want to see if you left anything out.
Tammy: Me and Fernando were walking down the Piazza after having a meal at the cafŽ. Then this rude woman walking with her man bumps into me like if we were in the NYC Subway during rush hour. No One does that In Italy, Hondo! No One!
Hondo: So she knocks you down, then what happened?
Tammy: Almost knocks me down. Fernando caught me from falling and righted me up again. Then he turn to them and cursed them in Italian. They both turn back... Its Her!
Hondo: Her- who?
Tammy: Its that Red Headed Mouse Terrorist- Annie!
Hondo: You sure about that?
Tammy: YES!
Hondo: Isn't she supposed to be dead?
Tammy: Fernando told me that she somehow survived, and killed him.
Hondo: What about her boyfriend, wasn't he killed too?
Tammy: She was with a different guy, no one could survive having a bullet to their brain!
Hondo: So you ran up with Annie and her boyfriend. What then?
Tammy: She pulls out her gun, and Fernando shoves me behind him then takes out his gun. Her boyfriend joins in and they start shooting. Fernando hit the boyfriend in the face and then get shot up by Annie ad he falls against me. Then she turns to run away but Fernando lets out one more shot and I think he got her in the leg. And that was it.
Hondo: If he shot her in the leg, she wont be going to far without needing medical help.

Hondo thinks to himself.

Hondo: Alright, lets go home. There is nothing we can do here.
Tammy: No!
Hondo: And why not?
Tammy: I'm going to stay here with him.

A female chipmunk in a dress suit walk into the room, opening up the private partition, finding Tammy with Hondo, and Fernando on the bed. Hondo reaches for his guns, but Tammy grabs his wrists.

Tammy (letting go of Hondo): Ferro! I thought you were still in America at the cafŽ.
Ferro (walking over to the bed, looking at Fernando): We also thought you were at the cafŽ too. So tell me, how you got here so quickly and without notice?
Tammy: I got here by private Jet.
Ferro: Private Jet? I bet... And you, sir?
Hondo: By private jet, just like her.
Ferro: I have a right mind to check your passports, but right now, explain him.
Tammy: That's Fernando...
Ferro: I can see that, and I was there for his funeral. What is he doing in this hospital bed- for a lack of a better word- alive?
Hondo: It was an agency body double that was killed.
Ferro: An agency body double... I have not heard those being used since the US/Russian cold war.
Hondo: We still use them...
Ferro: How convenient. You know this is going to set problems for you as a group.
Hondo: We will deal with the problems as they come. Now, If I remember, this was a private meeting.
Ferro: Private for friends, family and (pointing at Tammy) in her case- employers. Now Tammy- I read the report for the officers at the scene. What's your story?
Tammy: I already told the police everything.
Ferro: Not good enough. Now state your story.

Tammy takes a second to look at Hondo, who nods at her. She then begins.

Tammy: We got confronted by Annie and a new male friend of hers. They shot at us first. Fernando shielded me and took his gun to fire back. In all the shooting, Annie gt away but Fernando might have hit her in the leg. That was all that happened.
Ferro: I see. Well, thanks to Fernando, Annie's male companion will be lucky to talk for the next couple of years, as he re-did the expensive dental work he had. 'As for Annie, we followed the blood trail for another bock, She must have gotten into a taxi or some other vehicle as it ends at the curb. No one by her description or wound has shown up at any of the city hospitals. Now explain him.
Tammy: Fernando?
Ferro: Yes. You know since he is registered in our records as dead- he cant receive medical services for one. And you are a widow- two.
Tammy (getting up and pointing at the bed): But He's Here! 'ALIVE!
Ferro: How can you prove that he is Fernando at all?
Tammy: Its HIM!
Ferro: Well, while we settle this, the hospital is going to DNA test him for us. Secondly, it might be best that a couple of Fratelloes guard you and your house.
Hondo: Wait a minute.
Ferro: You are in opposition to this?
Hondo: Tammy- we have Jeanie in the house, remember?
Tammy: Jeanie... OH!
Ferro: Who's Jeanie.
Tammy: Jeanie Chin- the multi-billionaire Asian Newspaper Publisher.

Ferro thinks about it for a moment.

Ferro: You mean, J-Chin?
Tammy: Yes.
Hondo: And she's as nosey as a starving bloodhound in a butcher store.
Ferro: We'll deal with her. But tell me, why is she here in the first place?
Tammy: She is a friend of Fernando, and she flew us all here in her private jet.
Ferro: Her private jet, you mean the Flying Panda?
Tammy: There was a panda face on the tail of the plane, if that is what you mean.
Ferro: He is friends with one of the most powerful women on the planet and he is willing to marry you?
Tammy: HE LOVES ME AS I LOVE HIM!
Ferro: Well, only you thing you have over her is that you're a squirrel and she's a mouse. Unless you must be that good in bed, the cross-mating issue should not have been a problem.
Hondo: Hey, lady. Tammy said they were friends. Lets leave the sexual relations where they don't belong.
Ferro: You tell me, Hondo. If you were friends with the richest woman on Earth, wouldn't you try to get into bed with her?
Hondo: As a friend- no. Friendships go beyond money and sex. Now if I was dating her, that would be another issue, but I'm telling you, that Asian mouse is no good for no one!
Ferro: No good for no one? You need to explain that one to me.
Hondo: She's too rich for her own good. She thinks she can solve problems with a load of cash, and that has corrupted her. She thinks she can buy access and power. And in that she is too ugly for the likes of me.
Ferro: I see. Tammy, I'll see you later at the safe house.

Ferro turns around to walk away. Hondo calls to her.

Hondo: Ferro...

Ferro stops and turns for the moment.

Hondo: There is a set of keys at the security booth. Its for the fancy limo I left in the parking lot. Since you going to the safe house, you can drive it there and return its owner: Jeanie.
Ferro (turns away and starts walking out the room): I'll send it back, but I wont drive it, I'll have it towed.

Hondo nods. After a moment of silence, he asks Tammy a question.

Hondo: Tammy, where's Fernando's ride?
Tammy: Huh?
Hondo: His Porsche?
Tammy: Oh, Its safely parked in the shopping district.
Hondo: Best to get it over here; there is no parking after the store closes.
Tammy: but I don't want to leave him.
Hondo: Then just give me the keys, I'll bring the Porsche over here.

Tammy takes to her purse and takes out her copy of the keys to hand over to him. He takes them and starts to head out to the door. For a second he pauses and turns towards Tammy.

Hondo: Tammy, do me a favor and call that Asian Mouse friend of his and tell her that her car is being returned, and that I would not have taken it if it were not an emergency. But don't tell her what happened to her friend.

Tammy nods at him as she goes back into the purse and takes to her cellphone. Hondo steps out into the hallway and makes his way out of the hospital. He takes a taxi to the shopping district. Giving the taxi driver a healthy tip, 'Mac- Don't smoke cigars...', he steps out of the car and looks around. He starts an overlapping search pattern to find the Porsche. After a 1/2 hour of searching, he finds the car. Tammy's keys fit, and allowed access. He drives the Porsche back to the hospital parking lot. In a couple of minutes he was back in the room with Tammy. Marco was there with her.

Marco gets up and extends his hand.

Marco (waiting for Hondo to take his hand and shake it): Hondo, how are things.

Hondo hesitates to take his hand but reluctantly does so, but it does not mean that he wont give a proper grip.

Hondo: You see what's going on.
Marco (ending the handshake): Tell, how can that be Fernando... I saw him dead at the wedding and later on with the buried at the funeral.
Hondo: I already explained it to Ferro. Go ask her for the details.
Marco: I know, she stated that it was a body double agent. But Body Doubles have not been used since the 1980s.
Hondo: They are still being used today.
Marco: Tell me, were you part of this fire fight?
Hondo: No, wish I were though. Anyone shooting at me would be caught by one of my revolver rounds.
Marco: I see.
Hondo: Don't get me wrong. With one more person in the fight, me, the damage would not have been so extensive on our end.
Marco: To my understanding, Fernando took them both down but one managed to escape.
Hondo: That's the problem with pocket guns. Not enough power to put somebody down when need too.
Marco: When we find the second one, we'll take her down. I can guarantee that.
Hondo: Not before I catch her first.
Marco: Calling this a race then?
Hondo: Yes I am.
Marco: Then you're on.

Both men laugh for a second. Marco's cellphone rings and he answers it. After a few seconds, he puts away the cellphone.

Marco: Apparently there is an Asian mouse at the hideout cursing you out of all of existence.
Hondo: I had to barrow her car without permission.
Marco: She's more angry on you not taking her over here.
Hondo: You going there?
Marco: In a bit.
Hondo: Then tell her to get the place ready for a crowd and a 1 week long social event, and to have dinner ready by 6pm.
Marco: Alright. I'll tell her that. More importantly, when are you coming over?
Hondo: I'll be wherever Fernando is. Right now that is here.
Marco: And you, Tammy?
Tammy: I'm not leaving his side.
Marco: Alright. I'll see you guy next time when I return.
Hondo: See ya's.

Marco leaves the room. Hondo takes a seat and leans back on its rear legs.

Six hours had past when a female squirrel walks into the room wearing a lab coat and glasses. Both Tammy and Hondo fell asleep in their seats, though Hondo slept lightly and was awaken by her entrance. He partially gets up from his chair and puts his hand on his holster.

Hondo (almost shouting): Who are you, and why are you here?!!

The female in the lab coat slowly turns around to reveal herself.

Hondo (in a calmer tone): Aiesha?
Aiesha: Who were you expecting, the cookie monster?
Hondo: No. We were not expecting you to much later.
Aiesha: Anyways, I'm here and I got work to do.

Aiesha goes over to her father and undoes the tape from his mouth. Then, with a fight to get it out, she removes the air hoses that they had put in. The tape from his nose is removed last. She puts her black bag on the bed, opening it up and taking out a set of blister-packed pills from it. The pills seem to glow on their own, with an ever changing pattern of swirls against its silvery color. She takes one out and puts it into Fernando's mouth. He swallows it. For a moment nothing.

To the naked eye, it seemed that nothing was going. But a spectrometer set to various imperceptible frequencies shows a whole host of activity going on. Aiesha takes out a portable medical scanner and checks its readings. Then she takes a seat by the bed and waits.

Hondo: What's going on?
Aiesha: Nothing really. I just accelerated his healing factor by 1200%.
Hondo: What?
Aiesha: That pill I gave him was an infused bio energy pill. It will crank up the cells in his body to repair the damage done, days instead of weeks, minutes instead of days... He should be fine in the next 1/2 hour.
Hondo: Can that pill be given to anyone?
Aiesha: No. Each pill must be made for that person. So this set I have here is for him, and only him. But if you want to know, I have a few in my office with your name on them.

Hondo looks over to the sleeping Tammy, then back at Aiesha.

Hondo: Can I ask you a personal question involving your father?
Aiesha: It depends on the question and where you got your information.
Hondo: Fair enough. Is this, Fernando from the last mission? Tammy told me over the phone about the shoot out that he told her he was not a replacement Fernando but the original. And as the original person, he was not fully healed from the shooting that had killed him, which is why he got injured more then usual on this round.
Aiesha: I see. To be honest, I cant tell you. I only go by what information is given to me. If he has something to say about that, he'll tell you himself.
Hondo: So, you don't know yourself for sure..?
Aiesha: Consider that this body has went through some strange things to never age again, and that there are an infinite numbers of one's self floating through time, he could be the original or he could be the next in line. There is no test to find out what is true or not other than his memories, for as I understand it, each one of him is a copy of himself through time. So how can you test that?
Hondo: I would not personally know.
Aeisha: Alright, so lets wait for the pill to do its job.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 14^th, 2010, 11:35pm

As time passes, Fernando's breathing improves. So does his appearance, as he no longer looks like a stressed out rat lost in a maze. The pill also started to burn out the hard tranquilizers used to keep him calm and still for the procedure done to him to connect him to the respirator. After a while, Dr. Aiesha gets up and undoes the IV connections to her father's arm, where she puts a band aid in its place. She then wakes up Tammy, who protests but a good slap to the back of her head got her up and going. The she steps up to Fernando, taking his hand in the process. She gives it a good slap to wake him up, but he also protests.

Aiesha: Alright, that's normal.

She slowly leans to him an whispers in his ear.

Aiesha: Daddy... time to wake up.
Fernando (protesting in his sleep): I don't want to wake up.
Aiesha (yelling as loud as she could): I SAID ITS TIME TO WAKE UP!!!

Fernando sat up, almost knocking down Aiesha if she did not get out of the way. He turns to her as if he wanted to kill her...

Fernando: What the #$@! was that for?!! I was trying to sleep!
Aiesha: That's all and good daddy, but you're healed now. I gave you one of your bio-energy pills to speed up the process. How do you feel?
Fernando: How long have I been here?
Tammy (trying to get in front of Aiesha): Since this morning, dear...
Aiesha: Tammy! What Have I Told You About That!
Fernando: It OK, Aiesha...

He tries to shake off the feeling of waking up from his head. Then he looks at himself in a hospital gown.

Fernando: No, its OK. I need some coffee. And where are my clothes?
Aiesha: Do you remember how you got here?
Fernando: Get me some coffee and I'll remember everything. Now where are my clothes?

Hondo looks at Tammy, and then Aiesha.

Fernando: Look, Aiesha, you're the doctor. Now go find and get me my personal items! Hondo- Go to the hospital cafeteria and get me some coffee! And be quick about- both of yous!

They both leave to get the requested items. Tammy steps over to get closer to Fernando as the door closes behind those who had left.

Tammy: You remember how you got here?
Fernando: Yes, I remember. Saving your ass is getting to be very expensive. Hope you know that.
Tammy (on the verge to tears): Why do you say that?!!
Fernando: They identified you, so they tested you. You failed to react properly and I had to back you up.
Tammy: Then what would have been the proper way to react?
Fernando: Stiffen up that shoulder and let them have it in their gut like a football player. Seriously Tammy, this is no joke now. After I get my clothes and coffee, we are going to pay Annie's new boyfriend a visit.
Tammy: But, his room is surrounded by police!
Fernando: And you have an SWA ID Card and I have my CIA Card, and we are going to question that rat bastard and he's going to give answers one way or another.
Tammy (nervously): You're not going to torture him, are you?
Fernando: He and his little friend tried to kill us both. I'm just doing to do to him what he was expected to do to us. You understand what I'm telling you?

Tammy bows her head and nods.

Fernando: Good. Now stop being a little chicken shit and give me your cellphone. Call Marco for me.
Tammy: Marco? Why?
Fernando: The two of us is not going to be able to win a gun fight with just one gun shared between us.
Tammy: Is that all?
Fernando: Maybe you should bring Bink along too.
Tammy: Bink? No, she'll stay at the cafŽ where she wont kill anymore.
Fernando: Alright, have it your way.

Tammy does not answer. Fernando looks about his bed. Once finding the controls, he sets the bed to an upright seated position. He then manages to lower the side rails down before going to inside his hospital gown and takes off the life monitoring connections. As he does, he tells Tammy to turn off the machines. For a second the alarms go off, but are quickly silenced by the monitors being turned off. Though still in a gown, he hops off the bed and runs to the bathroom. Inside, he takes off the diaper they had put on him and shoves it into the dirty clothes hamper. Reorienting the hospital gown to that it opens from the front, Fernando ties the gown's belt in front of him as he steps out of the bathroom.

A nurse walks into the room to check on Fernando, sees him standing up, reaching into the top 1/2 of his gown to remove the soft Velcro cast they had put on him. He gives her a stern look and tells her to leave. She does so screaming. Fernando steps out into the hall, and sees a couple of Fratello agents by the door.

Fernando: No one come in here except the two that left. I don't care who they are- cops, security, doctors- nobody but those two who will be returning with a few things.

They nod at him and step to block the doorway as he steps back into the room.

Fernando walks up to Tammy, opening his gown.

Fernando: I'm going to need help with this...

Tammy could only look at him for a moment.

Tammy: How about closing your gown first?
Fernando: What for, we're married. Remember?
Tammy: Yeah, but, what if somebody walks in?
Fernando: I don't care! Just get over here and help me get this thing off my chest!

Tammy complies. Fernando opens up the gown and points at Velcro seams which he had started to pull from. After a few minutes of trying, they get it off hi, literally layer by layer. They both sit on the bed out of breathe with the soft cast on the floor.

Hondo and Aiesha return at the same time to see Fernando and Tammy in the bed out of breathe.

Aiesha: Oh no, they didn't.
Hondo: I'm sure there's an explanation to this...
Fernando (pointing to the unwrapped soft cast on the floor): There is- we had to get that damn thing off me!

They both look at the unraveled soft cast.

Aiesha: You could have waited for s to return.
Fernando: Just give me my clothes.

Aiesha tosses the clothes on the bed, and he starts putting them on. After putting on the underwear and pants, Fernando signals to Hondo to give him the coffee. He drinks the coffee as fast as possible, then goes back to putting on his clothes. Once fully dressed again, Fernando hops off the bed, checking his pockets for various items, finding them empty.

Fernando: Where's my other personal belongings?

Aiesha waves a large plastic envelope.

Aiesha: You should have asked.

Fernando takes the plastic bag and starts to pocket the various items into their place on them.

Fernando: Lets go pay a rat a visit...

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 15^th, 2010, 12:34pm

OOC: sorry, short post. Not sure where your goin' at the moment. also on lunch break an' almost out of time :BIC

Hondo said little all the while. Fernando was obviously a lot better, but how much he wasn't sure. He made a mental note to ask Aiesha later, if she was still around. Hondo was not sure about those voodoo pills she had given Fernando, but it obviously did him some good. He was glad that they had some in store for him if needs be. Hondo had been shot before, more than once an' it was never a good experience.

Hondo leaned against the wall by the door as Fernando got ready.

Fernando: Lets go Pay a rat a visit...
Hondo: You mean the rat that shot at ya, Jefe? Does he have enough face left to talk with?
Fernando: We will make sure he makes it enough.
Hondo(noddin' in the direction of Tammy an' Aiesha): Should they be comin' along or will they get in the way of gettin the info we need?
Fernando: They won't get in the way.
Hondo: we'll see 'bout that.

Hondo reached into his vest an' pulled out a Colt Anaconda Double action revolver an' an ammo wallet that help 24 more rounds

Hondo: better take this until ya can get another gun. Might need it. she's loaded with hydroshock.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 16^th, 2010, 1:55am

Fernando puts away the gun in his suit pocket.

Fernando: Thanks.

He leads them into the room, and looks down the hall. Only one other room had guards by is door. He walks right up to the door. The police block the door. Fernando tells Tammy to show off her SWA ID as well as he show his. After some discussion, they allow them to go through. Fernando leads the way to the bed, taking the clip board from the end of the bed. He reads it, putting it back on the bed where it was. The culprit was handcuffed to the bed, much of his face, head and neck bandaged. The left side of his mouth was stuffed with gauze.

Fernando: Carmine Gattuccio...

Fernando walks to the side of bed to meet Carmine face to face. The others stand nearby. He leans over to Carmine. He talks to him in Italian.

Fernando: Tsk. Tsk. Tsk... (giving Carmine a slap to the face where he was injured) Carmine, my favorite idiot. You caused me a lot of pain. Yes, you and your girlfriend caused a whole lot of pain. Understand where I'm coming from?

Fernando steps over to the heart monitor and presses the power button to turn it off. He pulls the power outlet from behind. He walks up to to Carmine, showing off the power plug with an evil grin. Fernando reaches over and rips his gown, before ripping the wires from the heart monitor machine and shows them off next to the power plug.

Fernando: Carmine, I'm going ask questions, and you are going to answer them.

Carmine shakes his head.

Fernando: No? Listen you #$@!ing scumbag, I can make this a nice day for you or I can make this a living hell for you! Which one you decide depends on how much you like to live or die!

Carmine raises his handcuffed hand and shows off the middle finger. Fernando bites off the ends from the heart monitoring wires, and strips some of the plastic to expose some of the metal wire inside. He starts to shove one of the wires into the power cord end.

Fernando: You're a rat Carmine, you should be singing your snitching ass off giving me what I what to know.

Carmine continues to keep his middle finger raised.

Fernando: Have it your way...

Fernando shoves the second wire into the power plug. It gives off a loud pop, followed by Carmine arching against his bed and screaming. Fernando smiles a smirk at Carmine as he writhes on the bed. Aiesha yells at Fernando to end it, but he ignores it. Fernando pulls out the wire as soon as he could smell fur beginning to burn. Carmine falls onto the bed, breathing heavily.

Fernando: Now are you going to be cooperative?

Carmine, despite panting for air, once again gives the middle finger. Fernando reaches in the gown and rips the heart monitor patches from his chest. Carmine thought it was over but then Fernando reaches under his gown and reapplies the patches to his gonads. Carmine begins to look at him nervously.

Fernando: You are going to be cooperative?

Carmine nods his head. Fernando plugs the wire back in for a second, watching Carmine jump off the bed, howling in pain.

Fernando: Nothing you could say will make me stop.

Fernando plugs the wire back into the plug. Carmine jumps up off the bed and screams inhuman howls of desperation. Fernando walks away from the bed, taking Tammy by the hand and leads her to the door.

Aiesha: This Must End!
Fernando: Undo the wires and you can go look for a new place to live.
Aiesha: THIS IS TORTURE!
Fernando: You better consider that he and his girlfriend tried to kill me.
Aiesha: But I thought you wanted information!
Fernando: Information? Hell no. Anyone who tries to kill me will have had signed their own death certificates with my name as their cause of death. You got that?!!

Aiesha drops her jaw at his statement.

Fernando: Lets go, Aeisha. NOW!

Eventually, Aiesha walks out of the room. Tammy follows, then Fernando and Hondo comes out last. The police can hear Carmine screaming and were about to go in but Fernando stands in their way at the door.

Fernando: Do not go in until after he stops screaming... Capeesh?!!

The police officers nods and the door gets closed. The 4 of them slowly walk out of the hospital and stand at the parking lot.

Hondo: You think what you done was a bit too much?
Fernando: I just did the world a favor by having that bastard not to be able to have no more children for now on. And the next time he sees any one of us, he is going to grab his cinderized testicles and run the other way. Furthermore, if he tells his friends about us, they will be scared too. So you tell me, on top of trying to kill me, was I a bit too much?

Hondo shakes his head.

Fernando: Good. Now lets go hone.
Hondo: To the hideout?
Fernando: No. Lets set up base at the Roma Hilton. There should be a free agents room there we can use.

The 4 of them walk to the Porsche an get in. Fernando drives away to the Roma Hilton.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 16^th, 2010, 5:02pm

OOC: another short post. got to leave work soon. nit much time an' once again not sure where the story is goin' at the moment:BIC

Hondo didn't say much, actually no one said much after they got in the car. Aiesha was fumin' he could see. As for Tammy, Well, Hondo couldn't read her at the moment. She almost seemed indifferent. Hondo, himself was not one for torture, usually, especially that kind, but he could understand it. there were instances he had to use means to get info he didn't like. Also there was a time he'd have skun a certain drug dealer an' a couple of goons over a shootin' of someone he cared about just for the fun of it. He still had bad days that left him in the mood to do the same if he were to see any of them again. Hondo broke the silence after a few miles.

Hondo: Fernando, How long are we gonna be here? If it's a few days we may need some stuff from the safe house, but I'm not all too keen on yur wealthy Asian friends, Jeanie, findin' out where we are at or whats goin' on at the moment.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 16^th, 2010, 8:48pm

With the Porsche in the hotel garage and the 4 of them in the room, Fernando calls a private meeting. He takes the single seats in the room and arranges them in a circle. Everyone takes a seat for the meeting begin.

Fernando: Now that we are here, I have to say, Thank you to all of you.
Hondo: No problemo jefe.

Fernando had to turn his eyes towards Hondo.

Fernando: Anyways... Even though this was a close call, its not going to happen again.
Hondo: What do you propose, Boss?
Fernando: Hondo, cut it with the Boss thing, please. Now, what we need is some intell. Period. Annie's out there, and though I used to know her pattern of living, she probably has changed them. Now Aiesha- you are going home.
Aiesha: Why?
Fernando: Don't force me to use the Trans World Fairy Express on you. Your job is done here and I do not need you clamoring about ethics and morals on idiots who do not care about your bushy tail. In fact, if they knew you were my daughter, like Tammy, you would be their target slated for termination. You got what I'm telling you?
Aiesha: Yes father.
Fernando: Good. Now you are getting on the next flight home.
Aiesha just looks at him.
Fernando: Hondo, Remember those laptops?
Hondo: Got them in my room. Lets hope the EMP device did not damaged them.
Fernando: The house is more or less protected from any EMP device up to a MOAB (Mother Of All Bombs), but anything outside of the house is prime target. Anyways, get those laptops together into a cybernetic Intelligence and scour the banks and credit card companies for Annie's transactions and spending pattern with some software I'll give you later.
Hondo: Alright, I'll set that up.
Fernando: Tammy, like before, you stay at my side and don't leave it.

Tammy nods.

Fernando: Good. For now, lets go. Aiesha, you're being dropped off at the airport. Then the rest of us go to the safe house.

In several minutes, everyone gather their belongings and go back to the Porsche. They drive off to the airport and drop off Aiesha first. Then they had back to the safe house, where Jeanie and the members of the SWA were waiting for them.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 16^th, 2010, 9:51pm

Hondo had sat in the back seat to allow Tammy to be up front with Fernando. Hondo noticed that she was strangely quiet still. Hondo, himself has had times where he said almost nothin' to anyone but himself for days on end, but for Tammy to say nothin' after all that has just happened made him wonder what was goin' on in her mind. He hoped it was a few thoughts that would renew her strength.

As soon as they pulled in Hondo made himself scarce as he was sure that Jeanie would have a few choice words for him if she didn't try to kill him first. Hondo was pretty sure he could get her first if she tried to take him out, but he really didn't want to shoot any of Fernando's friends even if they were annoyin', party 'cause Fernando was a trusted friend of his, one of the few, an' also 'cause Fernando was in a bit of a mood after gettin' shot, which Hondo didn't blame him for but seein' what he did to the rat at the hospital reminded Hondo that Fernando's bad side was not one he ever wanted to be on. Hondo wondered if that rat had stopped screamin' yet. Fernando's methods were of no doubt effective, but Hondo would have preferred beatin' the livin' $h!t out of the rat with his bare hands, shootin', or hangin' him as opposed to the electro-castration treatment. He himself had castrated a guy usin' his pistols, but he had attempted to rape a young teen from a local ranch. Painful but quick.

Hondo looked around carefully before makin' a move to the house from the garage where he currently surveyed his surroundings. The SWA was already there an' Hondo knew Fernando would be busy with them for a while an' would let him know what was goin' on. Hondo wanted to know, but he figured it would only stad to start a fight with Jeanie at the moment.

Hondo managed to get to his room an' secure the laptops an' anythin' else he had in his room. 'he moved his stuff to the truck an' the computer's to the basement. 'He took them to a bench that had many other computer parts by it in the hidden part of the basement. Out of the parts he built a high speed server to connect the laptops together, then with a couple parts laptops he built a remote access computer to control this station even away from the safe house. he powered it from an axillary line that never went down for the security equipment. Hondo was alright with computers, but he wasn't the Best. Fernando was far better than he was but Fernando had other things on his mind. He wished he could help his friend out more, but Fernando wasn't one to let others help easily. Hondo knew he was one of the few Fernando trusted to help out on missions as Hondo stayed out of the way when he wasn't needed, an' he didn't bug Fernando to death over small details of which Fernando didn't wish to give out.

It took Hondo several hours to complete this, most of it was software installations. durin' long installations Hondo worked on his truck in the upper garage. by evenin' he had the truck runnin' great, the remote laptop communicatin' excellently with the server, an' the laptops functionin' as one unit, suprisin'ly. All he had to do was get one piece of software from Fernando.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 18^th, 2010, 12:13pm

Hondo fired up his truck to take it for a quick spin. The diesel engine roared to life quickly an' throbbed with a low growlin' sound. Hondo had rerouted the exhaust into true dual stacks that came up beside the bed right behind the cab. The engine was bored out to have 500 hp with almost 900 ft lbs of torque. The engine ran special dual turbos, which boosted the horse power output to almost 900 hp, an' almost no electronics. The engine was mechanically tuned, fueled, etc. thus it was now EMP proof. The truck looked good. It was a 1978 ford f-350 4x4 dually, long bed 4 door with captains chairs an' center console in the front. She was black with a dark grey/silver stripe down the side panels, roll bar behind the cab with KC trail lights on it, brush guard on the front with a winch set back into the brush guard, windshield visor with runnin' lights, wheel to wheel runnin' boards, spare fuel tank in the bed with a built in tool box, air horns on the roof. No chrome was seen on it. she was blacked out, even to the tinted windows. the only other color was the dark grey/silver. Even the lights, of which it had many runnin' lights besides its standard lights, all were tinted as well an' all individually controlled in the cab to make the tuck nearly invisible in the night if it needed to be. Hondo had run straight pipes on it to make it seen an' heard as well as peak performance, but he had found two y-flow douglas electronic exhaust valves in the basement as well an' used them to route off to two extreme quiet mufflers for quiet runnin'. To finish it off the truck sat up on special narrow 35" tires, mounted on black, 8 lug 16" rims.

Hondo grinned as he wound up the truck a bit. He had rigged exhaust flames as well an' look out as he wound up the engines RPM's an' it the flame button. He really hadn't smiled as of recent. This was probably the first time in weeks that he could remember a smile comin' to his face. He hopped in the truck an' drove down the drive. The truck was an impressive sight, 'specially 'round there as this type of rig just wasn't seen in Rome. Hondo squealed the tires as he left the property an' took off down the road. It was relaxin' for him as he slammed gears on the special 6 speed manual tranny he had put in the truck long ago.

All the tension built up from recent events seemed to drift away as Hondo went down the road. He looked around at the world around him, but he somehow missed the convertible mustang that had started followin' him since he left the safe house.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 21^st, 2010, 12:48pm

Hondo thought as he drove along about the past, present an' future. The wind in his face from the open window of his speedin' truck cleared his mind an' helped group his thoughts together. Hondo turned on the road that headed toward Milan. He'd not been on this road in a while. It reminded him of their first mission of which they rescued Bink. It seemed so long ago. The Rescue Rangers had insisted on comin' along but did little good as they were not used to dealin' with this caliber of criminals, criminals protected by the government. Fernando had shown them the light on it all an' they went back to their HQ hopefully a bit wise for it all, though Hondo was sure they would not prepare themselves to handle such missions in the future. He kinda envied them, in a way, not their pacifistic ways, but their innocent ways that lead them to believe there is a peaceful, non-deadly way for any situation. They were na've to the true nature of people.

Hondo's mind turned to Laurie Ann as he drove. She had came into his life 6 months after Red had betrayed him. Had it not been for her he'd have gone into total seclusion. She was not only lovely an' smart, but very understandin'. She got him through some rough spells an' even when the memories filled his dreams with night mares that he did not wish to speak of she would still be there to curl up with him. She knew he didn't want to talk about those dreams nor some of his past, though she knew most of it from accounts of others, so she never asked.

Hondo sighed as he drove on. He drove to a fuel station to fill up the tanks an' get a bite to eat, as they had a convenience store attached as well. As he pumped fuel into the large truck tanks his mind wandered a bit but the memories that entered he quickly shut out. Laurie's death was hard on him, but some how she had left a light in him, a hope that kept him from losin' it.

Hondo finished pumpin' his fuel an' headed into the store to pay for his fuel an' to buy somethin' to snack on as he drove back.

The memory of Hondo's loved one was too strong in that ranch of his that he finally moved east for a change of pace. That was how he found the acorn cafŽ. He wondered how they were all doin' back at the cafŽ. They had such simpler lives. He was booted from bein' a cafŽ member after the last mission as the cafŽ decided that they could not associate with what Fernando had done nor any who had helped him.

Hondo wondered why this memory popped up now. It was as if his mind was goin' into instant replay, almost a very slow version of his life passin' before his eyes. It had happened before in the past, but it was always durin' or right before some shoot out he was involved in. He bought some jerky, a couple cheese sticks, some ice tea, an' a small bag of chips then headed back to his truck he put his food into the passenger side of the truck then he stopped for a minute. A cold chill went down his back. His eyes became cold an' narrowed a bit as all senses kicked in. He was bein' watched.

Hondo turned slowly an' walked to the back of his truck. Someone was behind him an' off to the side it was them that watched him. Hondo looked up at an old curved mirror that allowed the store owners to see hidden spots, but it also allowed Hondo to see behind him. There were two of them beside a convertible mustang. He couldn't make out their faces, but one was male an' the other female. The male he could see better as he stood in front of the car. Hondo stopped for a minute an' acted like he was checkin' the tire. As he bent down to do so he hear the click of a safety comin' off a gun from the male that was watchin' him.

Hondo dropped an' pulled his gun at the same time. His gun flashed just moments before the gun of the male that stood in front of the car. Hondo's move had thrown off the attacker, as his shot missed Hondo but hit his rear tire. By the time Hondo had actually hit the ground he had fanned off 3 shots from his old .45 revolver. He had been carryin' two Colt Anacondas but Fernando still had one so Hondo had replaced it with his Ruger Vaquero. All three shots hit home, two just at the neck line an' one in the head.

Hondo rolled over an' sprung to his feet with a swiftness only gained by experience. He turned to his gun at the next person who stood half behind the car. She had her gun pointed at him already, but somethin' about her made Hondo hesitate. She looked a lot like Anne but different. It was like he was seein' somethin' out of his past.

Woman: Surprised to see me, I'm sure. You may have tried to kill me but you failed and now I'm here to kill you!

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 21^st, 2010, 5:23pm

Hondo was stunned at first. He half way lowered his gun as part of his mind yelled 'friendly' while the other half chastised him for not shootin'.

Hondo: Laurie? Laurie Ann?? Is that really you?

Laurie: Yes it is. Next time you shoot a woman and leave her for dead in Mexico make sure she's dead. Oh, I'm sorry, there won't be a next time because I'm going to kill you and make sure your dead!

Hondo: Wait . . .What? ' I didn't shoot you. Don't you remember me?

Laurie: No not really. I lost my memory when the ambulance that carried me to the hospital flipped over. Jefe Grande told me all about it though.

Hondo: El Jefe Grande? The drug Lord? Laurie, you an' I went to save Rip Coker's Wife an' Sister-in-law from him. I don't know how you are still alive, but I didn't shoot you. I was getting shot at an' you stepped in front of me to save my life. I loved you.

Laurie: You Lie!

Hondo said this all in a soft voice. She looked like his dead wife down to a birth mark on her neck. Her voice an' even the sent of her from a distance brought back memories. If she was a hoax or a mock up, she was a pretty elaborate one.

'There had been very few people there to begin with, but the few that were there now hid. Hondo was glad this was not a very populated area, but he could see the store owner on the phone with someone, most likely the police, so that meant they didn't have much time.

Hondo: Laurie, put down the gun. Let's talk about this. I can tell you how you are. I know you better than anyone else. You knew me better than anyone else. Please, come with me. Don't you feel it, down inside, you are livin' a lie, believe you me.

Laurie (slowly as if she didn't believe herself): No. . . It's not true. . .Hector warned me you might . . .

Hondo (interuptin'): Hector? Who's Hector?

Laurie: El Jefe grade is. He told me to tell you his real name, though I don't know why. His name is Hector Hatfield.

Hondo (rasin' an eyebrow in wonder/disbelief) : I shot an' killed a Hector Hatfield 'many years ago right before I met you.

Laurie: You did kill him. His men rushed him back to his hideout where he had an Italian Doctor who had been experimenting with bionic on staff in case something happened to him. 'He was brought back.

Hondo: How do you know this?

Laurie: He told me so. He told me to tell you all this too, to ignore your pleading to listen as I never was your wife and when I have finished I was to kill you. You can beg, but it will do you no good.

Hondo: Laurie, if you could reach down into your mind you'd find you know me an' you'd know I never beg.

Laurie: Good Bye, Mr. Sackett. Time for you to die.

Hondo: Don't do somethin' you'll regret later, Laurie.

Laurie: Don't try that on me. I don't have a conscience any more.

Hondo: Ifin your memory comes back, remember I said this: Never blame yourself for this. It wasn't your fault, it was mine for lettin' you come with me to rescue Rip's wife. Also remember how much I loved you, gal.

Police sirens could be heard in the distance.

Laurie: Enough of this garbage. You'll never convince me! You are now out of time. Besides killing you will settle my old score and help Anne and I complete our mission.

Hondo raised his gun then lowered it. He knew it was her an' somethin' in him would not let him shoot her, a love that never died.

Laurie: You're weak and pathetic. It's a wonder you lived this long. I guess the only way you could prove you were a man was to shoot a woman.

She flipped the safety off her gun an' fired. As she fired Hondo leaped to the side goin' into a shoulder roll as he went. He got behind the truck. She put a couple bullets into the truck's bead but didn't hit anythin' fragile. She only got off a couple more shots as the police pulled in right away an' surrounded her, not seein' Hondo. She shot the first officer promptly an' the other dove for cover. Hondo knew he needed to get out of there fast, but his truck had a flat. He figured he'd hafta come back for it. He locked the driver door quickly then moved 'round to the front of the truck still out of sight of the last officer who was shootin' it out with Laurie. Hondo tried to readjust his left gun but his arm didn't act right. He looked down to see red on his sleeve an' soon after it started hurtin' a bit. He was shot in the upper arm. His hand worked a bit but he'd not be shootin' with that arm. He could possible use it in a car still.

Hondo got an idea. One of the police cars had its drivers side door openin' away from the shootin'. Hondo made a mad dash to it. Laurie shot at him a couple times an' Hondo could hear the bullets kick up dust an' asphalt behind him. The keys were in the ignition so he fired it up an' took off. For a moment both the officer an' Laurie shot at him.

Hondo took off up a country road tryin' to get back toward the safe house, but not too it. Behind it aways there was woods. He had seen a road on the far side of the woods on a map. If he could ditch the car on the other side of the woods then walk through the woods to the safe house under cover of night, which was only a few hours off he'd be alright.

Unfortunately for Hondo the distracted police officer gave Laurie enough time to jump into her mustang, leavin' her dead companion on the ground. She squealed her tires as she took off the way Hondo had gone. Unfortunately the mustang's speed was a bit faster than the older police cruisers speed. It was not long before she caught up to Hondo.

Laurie (to herself): Today Hondo Sackett, you will die for what you did to me, and then we shall attend to your squirrel friend.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 22^nd, 2010, 5:22pm

Hondo pushed the old cruiser as fast as it would go but, it wasn't fast enough. The tank was full on it which was good for long distances, but bad because the extra weight didn't help on the rough road.

Hondo saw the mustang come up on him in the rear view mirror an' it came fast. He knew he had to wait to get around the forest but he had to shake the mustang first.

The road was rough an' had many small hills in it. At the speed they were currently going each hill was more of a jump than a hill. The mustang's good suspension kept it right on his bumper an' closin' fast. The older car just didn't have the suspension to handle this type of drivin'. It squeaked, grounds, an' bumped down the road, throwin' Hondo around inside as he drove. His arm that had been shot was killin' him an' his head hurt from the poundin' it was receivin' as his head hit the roof on most of the bigger bumps.

He tried to get his phone out of his pocket to call Fernando, but his injured arm wouldn't bend enough at the moment an' his other hand could not be taken off the steerin' wheel at the moment.

Laurie, the gal in the mustang, tried to knock Hondo off the road by hittin' the rear of his car, but the old cruiser was too heavy for the lighter mustang to effectively get off the road.

Hondo looked for a place to try to loose her, but couldn't find any, an' then all of a sudden he saw a farm up on his left. There was a semi-trailer parked by the barn. The barn was a long cow barn like is used at a dairy, whether it was a dairy or not Hondo didn't have time to figure out. At the last possible moment Hondo spun the wheel of the car. The old car skidded sideways a bit, an' then speed through the barn, barely makin' the entrance to the feedin' lane. He exited easily out the other side, as nothin' was in the feedin' lane of the barn. He then drove through the grass on the other side of the barn an' hit the pavement with both tires squeelin' as he drove. He could barely make out what happened to the mustang, but it was what he had hoped for.

As Hondo swung off the road it surprised Laure as she didn't figure on his tryin' to go off road. Her movements were quick as she swung her mustang after him, but what she didn't calculate was that her car was much lighter than the cruiser. Her car skidded further than the one Hondo was in did, an' because of this she missed the barn an' her car shot under the semi-trailer. The trailer was low enough to take off the roof an' wind shield of her car. As Hondo sped away she sat up as he car had stopped on the other side.

Laurie had fast enough reflexes from trainin' to kill these last few years that she was able to lay down across the front seats before the car shot under the trailer. She was disheveled an' scratch up a bit, but not hurt bad. She was only more angry now because he escaped her again.

Laurie Yelled: YOU WOn'T ESCAPE ME!!

She stomped on the accelerator spinnin' her tires an' throwin' grass, gravel, an' dirt into the air as she shot out of the farmyard an' back onto the road. Just as the farmer an' his helped came runnin' up. They looked at her car as it took off an' when it vanished out of sight then made a call to the police.

Hondo kept up a good speed but slowed down so to not jar his arm so bad as the pain in it had really started to throb. He wanted to stop an' call Fernando, but he thought it better to keep goin', ditch the car beside the woods then call Fernando one he was safely within the natural hidin' place he was used to. Hondo did stop long enough after a bit to tie his bandana around his arm to stop the bleedin'. He cussed himself out for not shootin' her. She had been dead to him an' it appeared she still was. He should have known that after talkin' with her there, even for a few moments that the gal he had loved was dead, as her memories an' the sweet personality that made her who she was is gone. Her body might still be alive but there is someone else livin' in it now.

He took off drivin' again, then it hit him. He knew he had heard that voice recently an' that car was familiar. She was the one that had thrown the EMP bomb an' had threatened him to not protect Tammy. She was workin' with Anne! He knew she had said somethin' about an Anne, but it didn't click at first. His mind was on Laurie.

Hondo saw his turn up ahead. He had been skirtin' the west edge of the forest for a few miles. When he turned up ahead he'd only have to go about 5 miles then ditch the car. It would be a couple a few miles to the safe house on foot, but the maniac in Laurie's body probably couldn't find him.

Hondo was not but ' of a mile from his turn when he heard the roar of an engine comin' up behind him. It was Laurie in the roofless Mustang. She was squintin' against the wind that blew in her face, due to not havin' a windshield, but she was still able to go top speed. Hondo hit the gas on the old cruiser. It coughed, chugged then roared an' sped up quickly. Hondo raced for the curve hopin' to turn quickly an' throw her off again as she was almost on his bumper again, but just as he started to turn she pulled up her gun an' shot at the cruiser wildly. The front an' rear window shattered only moments before both right tires blew. The car turnin' an' at the speed it was goin' when the tires were shot started to roll over an' over. The car rolled 5 or 6 times before it landed on it's roof at the tree line. The rear fuel tank had been punctured by Laurie's wild shots an' not it spilled grass over the car. Within second the gasoline hit the hot manifold on the car's engine an' ignited. Moments later the car erupted into a ball of fire. Satisfied that if the wreck didn't kill him the flames would Laurie drove off laughin' as she drove.

Hondo had taken off his seatbelt only moments before getting shot as he wasn't sure if the car would stay on the road or not, an' if it didn't he wanted to bail fast, but he hadn't planned for this. The bullets shot at the car shot metal into his right leg right before the car started flippin. Hondo was tossed about inside it an' when it finally stopped rollin' Hondo ended upside stickin' half way out the window. His right leg hurt an' wasn't movin' right, his side was cut up bad an' he had a hard time breathin' which made him believe his ribs were broken. His left arm was further injured, an' his right was cut up a bit. He was dazed for a moment, but the smell of spillin' gasoline caught his attention. Some how, with the help of a little adrenalin, Hondo managed to get on all fours an' half run, half crawl toward the woods. He wasn't 15 ft away from the car covered in dirt, grease, an' blood but somehow unseen by Laurie, when the car exploded. The explosion knocked him down. Hondo lay there for what seemed like an eternity. His face was in the ground an' the pressure from layin' on his busted ribs made breathin' almost impossible. He struggled to flip himself over onto his back as the pain pierced through him. He lay at the top of a medium sized ravine, an' as he roll over, much to his misfortune he ended up rollin' down the hill an' into the ravine where he passed out from the pain.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 22^nd, 2010, 8:13pm

Memories in the form of a dream that seemed so real of the nurse called Red that Hondo had been engaged to long before comin' to the cafŽ. It was a heart break that would never easily be forgotten. She had betrayed him to his worst enemy, Hector Hatfield, who had his family taken prisoner to make Hondo hand himself over, and when he did he found out that the one he though was his girl had done the Judas thing as well as becomin' that creeps girl friend. Hondo remembered bein' tortured by that man, his escape, then the final show down that ended up with him wounded an' Hatfield dead, his blood bein' soaked into the earth. She had come up to him as he knelt on the ground almost too weak from blood loss an' from his wounds of captivity that were only days old. She came up to him an' knelt beside him. 'I'm Sorry. You have no idea what I had to go through. He was going to kill my brother. I had no other choice.' She had said. Hondo had looked at her an' replied, 'There is always another choice. Had it been just me you endangered I could have forgiven you in time, but you endangered my family that I've worked hard to protect. That I can not forgive. I'll let you go now, but don't ever let me see you again.' Hondo struggled to get up. She tried to help him but he just knocked her off him. 'You've already done too much! I'll do it myself!' he had said with a growl. He staggered to his feet swayed a bit, walked to his truck in an almost drunken walk an' got in. He didn't remember any more, but he had somehow driven himself to the hospital.

Hondo returned to consciousness far a little bit. He was sweatin' cold sweat as if he had relived it all over again. it was almost dark out . He thought he heard someone at the top of the ravine once but his mouth was too dry an' his voice was too weak to call out loud enough to be heard. He could feel that his side was still bleedin'. He found some tree moss by his head an' with great pain managed to pull some free an' pack it into the wound. He all of a sudden remembered his cell phone an' felt his pocket for it. It was not there.

Hondo (to himself): Damn! must have fallen out up top.

Hondo lay back 'an' looked up at the sky in a hole through the trees. From the light left in the sky it looked like he had been there only an hour, though it felt like a lot longer. Hondo knew he needed to get to the phone to get help. He tried to sit up but a shock-wave of pain in his chest made him black out again.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 23^rd, 2010, 5:06pm

Hondo found himself in another Vivid dream/replay of days gone by. It was of havin' to shoot his friends wife who was about to assassinate a political leader under hypnosis then havin' to shoot his friend in a duel as his friend had snapped an' blamed Hondo for it all. Hondo remembered the tears an' sorrow in his friend's eyes as he held his dead wife. He had looked up at Hondo with a pleadin' look that asked 'Why?'. He also remembered when his friend snapped. Hondo had almost nabbed the villain responsible for the hypnotisin' of his friend's wife. He had wounded him in a shoot out with him an' his goons but had not totally incapacitated him. Hondo was movin' in for the final show down when his friend called him into the street. It gave the villain time to escape. Hondo could see the look in his friends eyes as that look still burned within his mind to this very day even though it was several years back. It was a look of pain, rage, an' hate. He knew not who to hate as he knew Hondo had done what he had to do, but with no one else to pin the blame to he aimed the blame an' his gun at Hondo. Hondo tried to talk him out of it. It didn't work. He left his friend shoot first, which Hondo took it in the right shoulder. He shot next with a left shot that shot his friend in the right arm. That didn't stop him. Hondo tried shootin' limbs to keep him down, but bein' driven by hate an' adrenalin he kept tryin' to use that gun. Hondo finally had to shoot him in the heart, which broke his own. The only thing that kept Hondo from goin' into a rage an' becomin' a total animal was Red, who was his fiance at the time. One year later she betrayed him an' not but a few days later Hondo shot Hector Hatfield, the villain that had used his friends wife, the very same enemy that stole his girl an' threatened his family had ruined his friend as well.

Hondo's eyes shot open. He shook his head slightly, an' ended up wincin' from the pain. The sun was just startin' to set. At the top of the hill voices could be heard an' lights could be seen flashin'. Hondo forced himself onto his side. He propped himself up an' did the best to check himself over. There was a gash on his head that had bleed down his face, probably from the tumble down the hill as he didn't remember it earlier, though he thought the car wreck may have given him a slight concussion. His side was cut pretty bad, but the moss was helpin'. He put fresh moss on the wound an' in great pain tightened the adjustment strap on his vest an' buttoned it to keep the moss on the wound. He had to take his shoulder holster off to do this which proved to be very painful.

His leg was not broken, but it was cut an' bruised some. He used a bowie knife to cut strips out of the leg of his jeans to tie around his leg to stop the bleedin'. He tried to stand up, but found that his knee was swollen an' not holdin' his weight. Hondo removed two leather straps from his shoulder holster, an' with the help of some strong dead wood he made a knee brace. His ribs bothered him the most. he had a hard time breathin', but was pretty sure neither of his lungs was punctured, but they were probably bruised. The bullet hole in his shoulder was still bleedin' a bit even with the bandanna over it. Hondo tightened it down. He was weak an' tired from blood loss an' bein' roughed up.

Hondo found a stick to use as a cane an' fixed his gun holster so one could hang over his shoulder still while the other he shoved into his waist band. He was glad he had left his third gun in the truck. He still had his derringers in his pockets an' he mused over how he still had those when he didn't have his cell phone.

After a few tries an' a lot of pain Hondo managed to struggle to his feet. The climb out of the ravine was more than he wanted but it was not far. He ended up half crawlin' out of the ravine to make it up as his balance was not good in his weakened state. Hondo made it to the top of the hill. He was not too far from the road, but a good distance from the wreck. The police were all over the car, but they couldn't see him as they didn't believe anyone could have lived through that wreck.

The police had closed the small road down to one lane. Hondo didn't trust anyone at the moment. He knew his only hope was for Fernando to come lookin' for him or for him to hitch a ride unnoticed, which would be a challenge in his current state. Hondo collapsed in a grassy area back in the trees a bit. He knew the police probably wouldn't find him as they were not lookin' for anyone so he just lay there to rest as he was very weak from loss of blood.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 25^th, 2010, 3:36pm

(Hours before)
Fernando had made it clear that for the time being he wanted to be left alone to sort out a few things involving the case. At least this gave him a few moments with Tammy in their room. He was walking around undoing his clothes and changing into another set. Tammy was seated on the bed.

Fernando: You hesitated.
Tammy: I know. I'm sorry.
Fernando: Sorry don't close coffin lids.
Tammy: Why are you being so harsh to me?!!
Fernando: How long was I in that hospital? In emergency surgery? Connected to a respirator? 1 minute past too long.
Tammy: I'm sorry!

She begins to cry.

Fernando: I don't intend to close your coffin lid, you have to be better than today not to close mine!

Tammy still cries though does not give a response to his statement.

Fernando (trying not to yell but does): You can not relax for a moment when there are people out there willing to kill you on site being seen!

There was a knock on the door. At first Fernando does not answer it, but since he was heard yelling, they knock on the door again. After the third time, Fernando answers the door.

Fernando: I told everyone that I was...

He notices that both Jeanie and Marco was at the door.

Fernando: What do the both of you want?

Jeanie just pushes the door to open further and side steps around Fernando to get into the room. Marco was more polite and asks before entering. Fernando allows him in.

Marco: We can hear you yelling through out the house.
Fernando: I don't care if you do.
Marco: Husband or not, there are spouse abuse laws that can be used if this goes to far.
Fernando: You her protector now?
Marco: No, but I am her field supervisor. And if you have concerns about her abilities, you should consult me.
Fernando: What is there to consult? She froze out there on the field! She would have been dead if I didn't do anything!
Marco: She has a history of freezing, and we been trying to break her out of it. Now, if you think you can retrain her not to do so, then so be it. But until then, she is mine to train and supervise and I wont have anyone yell at her about her job performance for that is my job.

Marco leaves the room. He walks 1/2 way down the hall and then returns to the room. He stands at the doorway, and reaches into his pocket, pulling out SiG P239, holding it by its barrel.

Marco: Give this to Tammy.

Fernando looks at the gun, and slowly takes it. He does not say a word about it as he gives it to Tammy. Tammy takes the gun and places it on the bed next to her. Marco walks away from the doorway and back downstairs.

After a while, Fernando closes the door to the room. He turns to face Jeanie.

Fernando: Why are you here?
Jeanie: I need to make a complaint about your cowboy friend. He stole my limo.
Fernando: He was operating by my orders. If you want to make a complaint, about him, do so about me. I will apologize when I figure everything else out first.
Jeanie: I see. You OK?
Fernando: Could be better.
Jeanie: Like Marco said, we can hear you yelling at her. Maybe she was not made for this sort of thing. Maybe she should be your pet, and keep her leashed to the bed.
Fernando: She's my wife for one. And she is a free thinking person for another. I will not force anyone into doing something they wont want to do unless their lives depend on it.
Jeanie: Then let me have her.
Fernando: Have her? How?
Jeanie: I'll train her in the basics of Ladies Martial Arts.
Fernando: I already trained her in Martial Arts.
Jeanie: You probably trained her in Man Style. Lady Style is more of what she needs.
Fernando: I'll think about it. Anything else?

Jeanie reaches into her purse and pulls out Tammy's gun, handing it to him. He looks at it, surveying the damage: Sliding Mechanism partially ripped off the sliding rail with tear damage to the metal of the sliding rail, Barrel Breach bent inward, Casing Ejection Mechanism 'mangled, Barrel bent within the Slide Mechanism. The gun was rendered damaged, unrepairable and useless. Fernando can do nothing but walk over to his desk and put it there.

Fernando: What kind of gun and caliber your body guards use?
Jeanie: American Eagle .50 caliber.
Fernando: Anything more before I tell you to leave?
Jeanie: You really married to her?
Fernando: I would not lie about something like that.
Jeanie: Much better to have her as a pet. Then you can have me as your wife.
Fernando: Lets not go there. OK?
Jeanine: Just stating.
Fernando: Then just leave it alone.
Jeanie: As you wish. You sure you don't want anything? Maybe a quickie fling as your wife watches? Maybe she'll learn something.
Fernando: No!
Jeanie: Alright. I'll be on my way then.
Fernando: Where are you going?
Jeanie: Food shopping. Not enough material here for authentic Asian Cuisine.
Fernando: Not enough for authentic American Cuisine either.
Jeanie: What would you like?
Fernando: If you can remember, my usual.
Jeanie: OK. I'll see what I can do.
Fernando: Make it triple, for Tammy and Hondo as well.
Jeanie: OK. No guarantees. Shopping here takes getting used to.
Fernando: Just do your best for me then.

Jeanie smiles as she leaves the room, closing the door behind her. There was silence as Fernando sat down by the desk.

Tammy: Would she have done that?
Fernando: Done what?
Tammy: Among other things- have sex with you on this bed and had me watch?
Fernando: If anything, despite her power and money, Jeanie is an Asian Mouse. Their traditions on such matter is simple, the female does what the male she is connected to tells her. If I would have told her to take off her clothes and entertain me, she would have done so without second thought or complaint.
Tammy: Why is she like that- to you?
Fernando: I saved her life a couple of times a long time ago back in high school. As per ancient Asian tradition, she owes everything she could ever acquire in life including her mind, soul and body.
Tammy: You saved my life. More than once.
Fernando: More than I would dare count.

Tammy bows her head down, trying to hold back her tears. After a while, she looks back at him.

Tammy: I'll do anything you ask me to.
Fernando: You want to be like Jeanie?
Tammy: Like Jeanie, how?
Fernando: Powerful, Manipulative, Opportunistic, Brave, Strong, and everything else?
Tammy: Just powerful, brave, strong and do what is right by you by doing what you tell me to do.
Fernando: Then I would not want to have married you.
Tammy: Why not?
Fernando: I want Tammy Squirrel to be the sweet innocent girl she always had been. But I need her to be brave, strong and decisive in action when she needs to be. If I wanted Tammy to be a doll, a play thing where she was to do all that I tell her to do, I would have taken Jeanie instead.

Fernando walks over to Tammy and sits on the bed next to her.

Fernando: As a person, Tammy Squirrel is somebody who I care for. Somebody who I married. Somebody I dare say who I love. But Tammy the professional infiltrating and Extermination Spy is somebody who I am having trouble with. She is very slow to react and almost incompetent in the job requirements. Not everyone can be a government agent, but not everybody can do what the government wants and that's self sacrifice. You understand the difference between the two?

Tammy nods.

Fernando: You are caught in the middle, between Innocence and Espionage. How you managed to survived this long, is beyond me.
Tammy: I survived because of you.
Fernando: Seriously. You need to change for the job but still keep what you have in innocence deep inside. You are not safe in this job, nor are you safe in this country. I wanted to do this mission alone. But with you here. I cant figure it out.
Tammy: I'm scared.
Fernando: And rightfully so.
Tammy: I'm getting scared of you.
Fernando: Why?
Tammy: Because... when you do this job, I see a side of you very few survive to see. I see the evil side of you, and it scares me. Like at the hospital- you fried that man's balls off. Then you yelled at your daughter when she told you to stop it.
Fernando: That side of me will never target you. I will yell at you , I will say things that might hurt your feelings- but they are about your work ability and not you as a person.

Tammy leans against him and cries.

Tammy (between the tears): I want out of this mess.
Fernando: That wont be possible unless your dead.

Tammy looks at him for an answer.

Fernando: Don't look at me for an answer. Once you work for the government, you work for them for life. There is no retiring. There is no way out of it. Even in Death, you will be buried in a box brought by your friendly neighborhood government agency. Don't you dare think, if you leave that you win, you will have lost. Even I, as a Time Traveler, can not win against a government when trapped within its time.
Tammy: I want an out.
Fernando: Then have it your way. But you better understand when something is worth it and when it is not. To me, you're worth it- the hurt, the pain, the bullets and hospital stays. I just get on your case so you can grow up, take action for yourself and stop acting like a little baby because you're not!

Fernando gets up off the bed, taking the gun Marco had given Tammy. He then goes to his desk and takes Tammy's damaged gun, and pulls out the magazine from inside. It he puts the loaded magazine into the replacement gun, pulls back on the magazine to advance a bullet into the firing chamber. He checks the safety on the gun and walks over to Tammy. He places the gun on her lap.

Fernando: Put it under your chin, aim up, and pull the trigger. It will be quick and painless.

He then turns around and walk to the door. As he grabs the door knob, he hears the thud of a fallen gun.

Tammy (holding back her tears): You wanted me to kill myself?

Fernando turns around and leans by the door.

Fernando: You wanted a way out. Killing yourself would have gave you that.
Tammy: But what you said afterwords, is it true?
Fernando: Refresh my memory.
Tammy: You said that I am worth it, the hurt, the pain, the bullets and hospital stays. That you get on my case so I can grow up and take action for myself and stop acting like a little baby because I'm not.
Fernando: I think I remember saying that. But more importantly, what are you going to do about what was said?
Tammy: What can I do?
Fernando: What can you do for me to stop getting on your case?
Tammy: I know. Become more proactive in my self defense.
Fernando: Because?
Tammy: Because... Nobody will be there if and when I will need help the most.
Fernando: Now you got it.
Tammy: Then why are you being mean about it?
Fernando: Better for me to be mean to you than you to be dead. Get the point.

Tammy does not say a word in fear that Fernando might have something to say. Fernando walks over to her and picks up her gun, before taking it to his desk and placing it there. Then he walks to the bed, taking off his clothes, putting them on the table in the room.

Fernando: Go wash up and change. I'm going to take a nap.
Tammy: A nap?
Fernando (as he gets into bed in his underwear): Yes, a nap. Being hooked up to a respirator is tiring.

He takes his pillow and crawls under the blanket. As much as he wants too, he closes his eye but can't sleep. Tammy leans down next to him.

Tammy: You go get some rest then, I'll see about maybe getting some food.
Fernando: Yeah, please do so.

Tammy gives Fernando a kiss on his cheek before getting up and going into her bag of newly bought clothes. She starts to takes the items out, sorting them by what they were: blouses/shirts on one pile, skirts on another pile, 2 pairs of pants on their own pile, bras and panties together on their pile. Lastly she pulls out a fine camisole with matching panties and bra. Holding it, she thinks to herself, 'One day you will make love to me like the wife I am to you.' She closes her eyes in wondering, before she starts to put her things away.

Though she should do those things Fernando has requested, she puts them off for a while. She sits on the bed and takes off her shoes, before getting on the bed behind him. She reaches out and holds him, hoping for a response but hears him lightly snoring. She takes a light nap though she didn't mean too. In her nap, she gets lost in her dream.

"If you love me, you wouldn't be mean to me....
"Better for me to be mean to you than you to be dead....
"I love you....
"Yeah, I know. Sorry I can't fully return it....
"Its OK....

The sound of gun wakes Tammy up, but is unsure if it came from her dream or outside.
She sits there nervously shaking. She cautiously look around and listen, but its all quiet. Then she notices how sweaty she was.

She slowly gets off the bed and prepares to take a second shower for the day.

Some 20 minutes later, she returns. Putting on her bra and panties, she glances at the clock on the nightstand. '4 hours?!!' Tammy thinks out loud to herself. The cellphone in Fernando's suit pocket begins to ring, startling her.

She looks around to find it until she gets to his suit jacket on the back of the chair. Reaching into the pocket she finds the phone and answers it.

Tammy: Hello?
Unknown voice (Speaking in Italian): Who is this?
Tammy: Who are you? You called me!
Unknown voice: Hey, I found this phone, and its now mine!

The call gets cut off at the other end.

Tammy looks at the phone, unsure what to do. Then she decides to wake up Fernando.

Tammy (getting on the bed, nudging him): Fernando, wake up! Come on wake up!

After a while it gets his attention.

Fernando: What do you want?
Tammy: Someone called your phone...

Fernando turns around and slowly sits up. She gives the phone to him. He looks at it before getting up out of bed and taking it to his desk. He connects the USB cable to it from his laptop and starts surveying the info.

Fernando: It was Hondo's cell phone. He said anything?
Tammy: It was not Hondo. It sounded like some Italian kid.

Fernando gets access to the satellite images and local police frequencies transcripts from the dispatcher system.

Fernando: Hmmm...
Tammy: What?
Fernando: Go get Marco for me.
Tammy: Eh?!!

Fernando looks at her for a moment.

Fernando: Put on some clothes first, then get Marco. And Hurry!

Tammy goes into the dresser and pulls out a pair of jeans and shirt, putting them on quickly before leaving the room. While she was gone, he puts on his pants and shirt before sitting back down. To survey the scene. In about 5 minutes, she returns with Marco behind her.

Marco: What seems to be the problem?
Fernando (handing him a print out): Looks like my field agent got into a mess of trouble.
Marco: Hmm... shoot out at the gas station, stolen car, wrecked car, search for his body... You know if he lives, he needs to be sent through the court system.
Fernando: He's my field agent, I'll take care of the damages done.
Marco: The courts may not agree with that.
Fernando: I don't care what the courts have to say in this misbegotten backwards corrupted nation of yours!
Marco: Oh, so the Ugly American speaks.
Fernando: So I'm ugly. So are you too, and your mother dresses you funny.
Marco: Good one. Now, what you propose to do?
Fernando: The sight is not far from here- 12kilometers at best. You and your fiends downstairs take over the search site and if you find him, bring him here.
Marco: If he crawled out from this wreck, he should be sent to the hospital.
Fernando: Nearest hospital is 50km away. At least here he can be stabilized before being sent to one.
Marco: And if he dies?
Fernando: That's my responsibility.
Marco: Have it your way then.

Marco leaves the room.

Fernando (as he writes on a piece of paper): Tammy. In the back of the garage, there is a hidden door next to what looks like an alarm panel. (as he hands over the paper to her) Put in this code into the alarm panel, and the door will open. There will be a light switch on the opposite side of the wall, turn it on and prepare the room for Emergency Medical Services.
Tammy: What about you?
Fernando: I'm going to get Hondo.

The sound of the SWA vehicles can be heard leaving the parking area. Picking up a PDA from the desk, he downloads the information on it. He goes through the desk and takes a few other items as well, including a small jar of pills. He then goes up stairs to the attic with Tammy following. Looking around, he finds a stretcher cot he could use. He turns around and sees Tammy behind him.

Fernando: Woman- I told you to go get to the garage and get certain things done!

Tammy looks at him confused for a moment but then runs. Fernando looks at her through the window once she makes it outside. He then takes out his PDA, typing some code on the screen. The time traveling laptop lights up from the bedroom, and Fernando disappears in a flash with the stretcher.

Fernando reappears on the hill in a flash. Looking down onto the road, he sees the wreck and the police combing the area. Arriving late, the SWA Vehicles pull over to the side and start talking with the police. Fernando can see that there was an argument brewing but ID and badges are shown. He then looks around, finding Hondo laying in the grass. He walks up to him, putting the stretcher cot next to him.

Fernando: Fine mess you got yourself into.
Hondo: Heh.. You telling me...
Fernando: I don't care for details right now, I have the crew taking care of the police down by the road.

Fernando goes into his pocket and pulls out the small jar of pills.

Fernando: Open your mouth and keep this pill under your tongue.
Hondo: What is it?
Fernando: Its an emergency bio pill. Looks like you lost a lot of blood here, you are going to need it.
Hondo: Heh.. Yeah.
Fernando Just open up that maw of yours and lift that tongue up.

Hondo does as he was told. Fernando places a pull under his tongue and then taps the bottom of his jaw to close his mouth.

Fernando: Now you just relax. I'm going to put you on the stretcher, so it might hurt.

Hondo does not say a word. Fernando prepares his body and then rolls him over onto his side. He takes the stretcher cot and puts it behind him before rolling him back onto it. Once secure onto the stretcher, Fernando takes out the PDA and taps on its screen. They disappear with a bright flash.

They reappear in the middle of the garage. He sees the room open as requested, and calls Tammy by name. She comes out of the room.

Fernando: Help me carry him inside.

Tammy, unsure what to do, goes over to him, finding Hondo on a stretcher cot. He takes the handles on the head end of the stretcher. Tammy eventually picks up the foot end. They carry him to the room. Once inside, Fernando tells Tammy to help put him in the examining table.

Once on the examining table, Fernando starts taking Hondo's clothes off, trying not to ruin anything valuable. He signals to Tammy to put the mask on Hondo, giving him a higher concentration of oxygen to his air. He surveys Hondo's body for the most damaged injury and starts to work on it.

Fernando (to Tammy): May you never ever have to do this.

Before he starts, he taps on his PDA screen. The room lights up brighter but its not because of the lights in the room were brighter.

Turning Hondo on to his side, Fernando starts with the shoulder wound, asking for Tammy to give him various objects from the smaller table try. Not worrying about time or vital signs, he works on his friend, going from wound to wound, removing bullet fragments and stitching up the holes. In the end, Hondo was patched up 1/2 way to a mummy, and with a soft cast on his right knee.

Fernando taps on his PDA screen again, the lights in the room dimmed to where they were before.

Tammy: What's with the lights?

Fernando points to a clock on the wall and then to his watch.

Tammy: Your watch is three hours off.
Fernando: No. That how much time we were in the time bubble patching Hondo up.
Tammy: But you're not a doctor, how could you have...
Fernando: I was in an accelerated premed program in college. Furthermore, you think I would learn a few things as a time traveler. So I'm not a doctor on paper, but some of the best techniques learned are often in the battle field.

Tammy does not want to answer.

Fernando: If given the opportunity, you would learn and do the same thing.

Tammy still does not answer him, though she did turned to face him.

Fernando: Go to his room and get a pair of jeans for him and a shirt.

As Tammy leaves, Fernando takes a seat and sits by Hondo.

Fernando: Feeling better, I suppose.
Hondo (trying to sit up, taking off his mask): Like I'm one to complain.
Fernando: Best for you to stay laying down.

Hondo goes back down.

Fernando: Now, what ever happened out there, I don't want to hear it until after you're able to walk on your feet again. Got me?
Hondo: That might take a while.
Fernando: Then so be it. 4 days at most.
Hondo: 4 days, that's it?
Fernando: It was not a personalized bio energy pill, I gave you a generic one. They work slower since it has to figure out your body first but you should be fine in less than a week.
Hondo: Alright. Uhm. I got info...
Fernando (interrupting him): I said I don't want to hear it. Not now.
Hondo: Alright. What about my truck?
Fernando: Where is it?
Hondo: Don't know, but it's in a gas station along the highway.
Fernando: Alright. Tammy and I will get it tonight. You rest.

Tammy arrives with Hondo's clothing. She gives it to Fernando. Hondo sits up and with some help, gets his clothes on. Fernando tells Tammy to get a cane or a set of crutches from the supply closet. All she found was a cane. Soon they were on their way to the house, helping Hondo into his room and into his bed.

As they walk out the room and close the door, Jeanie walks out of her room and stands in front of them.

Jeanie: Don't know what is going on here, but I sense you just saved another one.
Fernando: Jeanie, let's leave it alone.
Jeanie: I want to know.
Fernando: Its not for you to know. I told you this spy game is dangerous, and I need you to keep things quiet.
Jeanie: And what about wifey here.
Fernando: What about her?
Jeanie: She needs training.
Fernando: Then I'll hand her over to you when she is ready. Right now she's not.
Jeanie: What about some alone time? I do need to talk to you. She can watch if you want her too.
Fernando: that too will have to wait. By the way, you got what I asked for?
Jeanie: I found what I could.
Fernando (looking at his watch): It's getting late. Care to make some of it for me and my 2 friends.
Jeanie: Anything for you.

Jeanie takes a step forward and leans up against him, kissing him on the lips before anyone can realize what had happened. Then she runs off to her room. Tammy stands there with her arms crossed.

Fernando: What?

Tammy starts to storm away, but Fernando manages to grab her by the tail and pull her towards him. He holds her tightly as she tries to fight back. He manages to plant his lips against hers, though she continues to struggle and fight back, she eventually calms down. He lets her go when she does.

Fernando: Lets go back to the room. The others should be back by night fall.

Not wanting to answer, Tammy follows him to their room.

Fernando takes off his pants, shoes and shirt, crawling back to the bed and under the covers. Tammy sits on the bed next to him. Jeanie went down to the kitchen to start dinner for them.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 25^th, 2010, 9:37pm

Hondo laid back into the bed, hurtin' an' exhausted. He was glad Fernando had found him as he wasn't sure how he could make it out of there in one piece without the police findin' him. He tried to think some, but gave up shortly as his mind just wouldn't work. He managed to reach one of his Walsh Navy 12 shot revolvers that lay on a stand beside the bed. He was still in his jeans without a belt on an' his shirt was unbuttoned an' he lay on the sheets with the blankets pulled over to the side. He lay the pistol across his chest, holdin' onto it with his less injured arm. He pulled a blanket up so it shielded the light from his eyes then drifted off into sleep due to sheer exhaustion an' blood loss.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 29^th, 2010, 10:04pm

Tammy wakes up within the following 1/2 hour, Fernando 15 minutes later. Before he wakes up, Tammy goes down to the kitchen area where Jeanie was cooking the meal that Fernando requested. Her driver/servant was making a meal for her and her crew.

Tammy: What are you cooking?
Jeanie: Only one of his many favorite.
Tammy: What would that be?
Jeanie: You're his wife, you should know what that is.

Tammy (bowing her head): No I don't.

Jeanie puts down her cooking chop sticks and lowers the flames on the stove.

Jeanie: What you mean you don't know?
Tammy: We only been married over 3 months, but he's been away for most of the time, he only recently came back before going back to Italy.
Jeanie: So you wait at home on his bed in a sexy negligee, hoping that he would walk through the bedroom door.

Tammy nods.

Jeanie: You two only been married 3 months?

Tammy nods again.

Jeanie: You two had your honeymoon yet?

Tammy looks up at her with a blank stare.

Tammy: Certain elements of my marriage will remain in my marriage.
Jeanie: So you two have not done it. No wonder you are like a long tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs. He's been probably telling that he loves you but not showing it to you.
Tammy (unintentionally yelling): He does to love me!
Jeanie: I see your words speak in volumes. (Then she points to the items at the stove for her driver/servant to take care of before walking out of the kitchen area, taking off her apron.) Let me tell you something about Fernando. In fact a few things.
Tammy: I already know about his sordid past.
Jeanie: Oh, do you now? Lets see. Did you know that he was once married before, many years ago?
Tammy: He told me about that.
Jeanie: Well, me and his wife were friends before and during the marriage. Before the marriage, in high school, he used to have many girlfriends, and yet, somehow it was accepted. He gave everyone of us equal time. But graduation time, and he thought he could be with just one. She married somebody else instead, leaving him heartbroken. But they found each other again, and she had divorce her first husband. They got married. At first they seemed happy, but then there was the arguing and fighting, mainly about who she can see and go out with.
Tammy: Why would she be going out with anyone else but her husband?
Jeanie: To some, married couple still date some of their friends. The men hang out with men, and sometimes with a girl or two. Same with us ladies. But his wife was about to go out with her first husband, and that Fernando did not want to be allowed. She should have listened to him.
Tammy: Why?
Jeanie: Her first husband killed her dead and left her body in a snow covered ditch. She was not found until 20 days later. During this time, Fernando was becoming a mad man. You can understand why- not finding his wife all this time. Long story short, Fernando kills her first husband for killing her. It took a very long time for him to find her first husband but he waited and hunted and took action to set things right.
Tammy (to herself): Like he is now.
Jeanie: What was that you said?
Tammy: Nothing! Just nothing, really...
Jeanie: I thought you had said something.
Tammy: It was nothing. Continue on with what you have to say.
Jeanie: As a lover, Fernando has no one to compare. He's got one biggest wangs I ever seen, and he knows how to use it. With me and I can almost say for the other ladies as well, he is great in bed, and for me he did things that curled my tail around. Now why you two have not been in the bed yet, doing these things, lady, you are his wife. There are no excuses for this!
Tammy: Why must you bring up sex all the time!
Jeanie: Oh... I hope you not some American Southern Bible Thumping Prude. I have been all over this world and I can tell you that a lady's place is by her man. You Americans Females with thoughts of being free and independent women are fooling yourself into a sorry lonely ass existence. But if you are to be with you man, you have to show him that you love him, and that means giving up of yourself and your body to him. You must give him a wild time in the bed and allow him to chase you and capture you so he can have way with you, because darling, you are but a dish of love to him, and to be that dish, you have to have offer him sex. Especially if you are his wife! That's Why I Bring Sex Up So Much!

Tammy remains silent.

Jeanie: Besides sex, there is food. You must be able to please his stomach in order to make him happy to make you happy. If you don't, you better be that much more good in bed because he wont be eating at home with you. I have seen many men leave their wives and families because wifey did not know who to cook a delicious meal for him. Food, good tasting food is a to hold a man's heart. Plain tasting food, bad tasting food is a way to have him walk away from you. You better understand that, because I know my Fernando, he can cook up a storm in the kitchen as well as in the bed. You are going need to be better than him.

Tammy continues to remain silent. Jeanie's driver/servant sets up 3 plates on the service island, and one by one starts putting on each plate a round piece of steak, smothering them with mushrooms and gravy, adorning the sides with 3 pieces of cut corn on the cob- about 3 inches each, a bit of broccoli and a small baked potato. Jeanie goes into the kitchen and puts a few things on the service island, including a serving bed table. In it, she prepares one meal with eating utensils, an empty glass and a bottle of water. For the moment she sets it aside as she tends to set the other meals to put on the table. She leaves two thin glasses and a bottle of wine on the table.

Jeanie: Go call your husband and tell him dinner is ready.

Jeanie gathers the serving table and takes it upstairs. Jeanie remains downstairs trying to straighten her mind out on such things. In her mind she knew what being married would entail, what it means to to a good wife and hope that her husband would be both loving and loyal to her. But Jeanie threw a wrench into the works, telling her that even cooking badly could set off a husband to leave his wife. Tammy, in her mind was not a bad cook, but as she looks at the plates set in front of her, she could not make this (Filet Mignon with Caramel-Brandy Mushroom Sauce, with cut corn on the cob- about 3 inches each, a bit of broccoli and a small baked potato). Even the Parsley garnish looked too good to be eaten. This was not food, it was a piece of art.

Driver/Servant: I think the Mistress wanted you to retrieve your husband for his meal.

Tammy: I thought you and the others do not talk?

Driver/Servant: We talk when only necessary. Now, please get your husband before the food gets cold and the wine too hot to drink.

Tammy slowly gets up and head to the stairs.

In Hondo's room, Jeanie walks in with the service try in hands. Hondo was not too pleased in seeing her as she walks up to the bed and puts the mini table in front of him.

Hondo: What is this?
Jeanie: Food. You need to eat to get your strength back.
Hondo: I know that its food, but what is it?
Jeanie (she opens the water bottle and stars pouring it): For you who are less refined, its beef and vegetables in mushroom sauce.
Hondo: I can serve myself, Miss.
Jeanie: Then go ahead.

Hondo tries to move his right arm, though he could, he found it too painful to continue. He stops for a second to recompose himself. Jeanie takes the fork and knife and starts cutting the steak.

Hondo (complaining): I said I can serv*...

Jeanie shoves the steak into his open mouth. She pulls the fork out when Hondo closes his mouth.

Jeanie (cutting another piece of meat): Chew it up good, boy, before you swallow. Now I serve, you eat, I talk, you listen.
Hondo (complaining after he swallows): Why I...*

Jeanie shoves some more of the steak into his open mouth.

Jeanie: I said- I serve, you eat, I talk, you listen. Now stop making it hard on yourself.

Jeanie hands him the glass of water. Hondo could only give her a mean look as he continues to chew, taking the glass from her.

Jeanie: Be angry all you want with me. I should be angry at you for stealing my limousine, but after talking to Fernando, he says that you were following his orders. Now I can not slight you for that, following Fernando's orders but at least you could have asked to barrow it if Fernando needed it, I would have given it freely as I do everything else to him.
Hondo (after drinking): Why are you.--*

Jeanie shoves another piece of the steak into his open mouth.

Jeanie: I said- I serve, you eat, I talk, you listen. Now shut up and eat. I got a lot to tell you.

Hondo can only look at her as he continues to chew on the steak.

Jeanie: Understand I owe Fernando my life. Its no secret that he saved me from death on more than one occasion, but to my culture's beliefs and tradition, I owe him everything I could every own, including my heart, mind, soul and body. So, when he asked me to cook and feed you, I do so for him. You don't fight me in this so I can be a successful servant to him. You understand that? Just nod if you do.

Hondo nods.

Jeanie: Good. Now. It seems like he may have saved your life too, I know his handiwork anywhere. It also seems to me that he had saved the life of that squirrel wife of his. But that's not important. What is important, I know he plays the spy game too well. I know that he gets into some very close calls. Looking at you, I can see that. Now you may see me as a nosey reporter...
Hondo (long after swallowing the steak): You got that right...

Jeanie shoves a larger then necessary piece of the steak into his open mouth.

Jeanie: I said- I serve, you eat, I talk, you listen! (after a moment of silence) Like I said, you may see me as a nosey reporter, but I want in on this mission. My two body guards are from China's elite military. They can protect you all. Just let me know what it is that he needs and he shall have it.

Hondo continues to chew on his steak, having trouble with it as it was too big to fit it all in his mouth. He was lucky not to have choked on it. Eventually, he manages to chew it into pieces and swallow it bit by bit until it was gone.

Hondo: I can not tell you anything. If you want that kind of information, you need to talk to him about it.
Jeanie: I figure you would say that. Now eat.

She stabs a piece of corn on the cob for him, placing it to his lips. Hondo takes the fork from her and starts biting around the cob to get the kernels into his mouth. She takes the fork when he is done, taking the cob off it and putting a piece of steak to it, shoving it into his mouth.

Jeanie: Look, I maybe seem like some rich female snob to you, but if I were, I would not be here doing this or even feeding you. I know my place around men and in the rest of society. So understand that I do have to carry myself in a certain way. But cross me, I have the power and the means to put people away for a long time. That kind of power I do not ever want to express, especially to Fernando's friends. So accept me as who I am and not what I am because who I am is a very nice person to those nice around me but what I am is a nightmare to those who get in my way of doing good. Now drink up.

Hondo drinks some more as she prepares a bit of baked potato and broccoli for his next bite. She puts the fork into his mouth as she continues to talk.

Jeanie: Most importantly of all, I know my place around Fernando. Everybody else don't. You're his friend and c-worker, that's fine by me. But don't be taking actions against me for him without at least telling me that he needs something that I have. The limo, I would have lent it to you if you asked me after you receiving that phone call. Understand, I may seem to be not a easy person to get along with, but when it comes to Fernando, I'd give him my world.

She fills the fork again with some more baked potato and broccoli. Hondo has all but given up to the situation of being spoon fed by this little white mouse. A few more forkfuls of food, and they were done. He drinks the last of the water before she cleans up, and takes the serving tray away with the dirty plate, and empty glass and bottle. For a while, she stands by the door.

Jeanie: I hope we have an understanding, Mr. Hondo. I would sure hate to start all over again.

Thought not wanting to answer, Hondo nods.

It took a while for Tammy to wake up Fernando, but she managed to do so without getting him too highly upset. After a brief explanation about dinner being ready, Fernando gets dressed and goes downstairs. The driver/servant puts their meals in front of them at the table. Fernando nods approvingly as dinner is served.

They do not talk though Tammy tries to make conversation. He tells not that this was not the time or place for such discussions. They were finishing off their meal as Jeanie was walking into the kitchen with Hondo's dirty dishes. Her driver/servant takes them from Jeanie and takes care of them.

Fernando: Thank you. Hope there was no trouble.
Jeanie: No trouble at all. We arrived at an understanding of sorts.
Fernando: Good. Tammy and I will be going out to get his truck. We maybe coming late so don't wait up.

Jeanie just nods.

Fernando finishes his meal first and hands the plate to Jeanie's driver/servant before going upstairs to see Hondo about the truck. Tammy has a difficult time trying to finish her meal, Jeanie notices.

Jeanie: One thing I do know is that Fernando don't like skinny girls. He like them to have some muscle on their bones and be strong enough to carry him when that time comes.
Tammy: Are you talking to me?
Jeanie: Who else would I be talking too. You're sitting there not eating. Not eating make you lose strength. Being a weak girl is something Fernando does not like. Now choose what you want.
Tammy: What are you trying to imply? That I'm weak or something?
Jeanie: What I'm trying to say, if you are going to starve yourself either to look good or loss weight or anything else, you are wasting your time and making yourself weak. Finish up eating so you can be strong enough for my man.

Tammy drops her fork down.

Tammy (as she gets up and rolls up her sleeve): That's it. No Rat Tail Minnie Mouse hussy is going to make claims on my man'

Jeanie gets out of the kitchen and stands in the hallway that connects it to the rest of the house. Tammy walks around the table to the hallway. She takes a swing at Jeanie, who catches her fist with her hand, switches to her wrist, twist her arm and shoves her into the living room. Tammy takes several unsteady steps before falling to the floor. Jeanie walks up behind her.

Jeanie: Care to try again? Your Kung Fu is weak. How Fernando married you is beyond me.
Fernando (from behind, having watched the whole thing): How about asking him.

Jeanie and Tammy (from the floor) looks at him.

Jeanie: Why did you marry this girl? She's weak and pathetic.
Fernando: I married her because I fell in love with somebody who was showing great promise and potential in what she could do for the job. You were at the awards ceremony, you see the awards she had won for breaking an international case. Even though I taught her, she solved that case with very little help.
Jeanie: But look at her. Weak, slow, unable to carry out her action.
Fernando: That is my fault, in my absence having her alone an worry about me and if I would return. You now how some of these cases can get with their covert actions. But that will change- you will train her, like you requested. You got 1 week too make her into fighting action.
Jeanie: One week?
Fernando: I had 3 days and turned her into a fighter. But something broke and you are going to fix that for me as a favor.
Jeanie: I'll do that for you.
Fernando: Good. Tammy, get off the floor and lets go. I got Hondo's truck keys.

Tammy hesitates before getting up. Fernando walks up to her and offers his hand. She takes it and gets up off the floor.

Fernando: Wait for me by the Porsche.

Tammy walks past the table as Fernando stands there with his arms crossed. Once the rear door can be heard closing, Fernando speaks.

Fernando: If the SWA Personal returns before I do, don't tell them that Hondo is here. In fact, go lock his room and tell him why its being locked. He'll understand. I will deal with the SWA when I return.
Jeanie: I'll do my best.
Fernando: Good. And thank you.
Jeanie: The pleasure is mine.
Fernando (as he starts to walk away): I'll be back.
Jeanie (to herself): And I'll be waiting.

Fernando through the rear area behind the house, to his Porsche, seeing Tammy leaning against its driver's front fender. He walks up to the driver's door and looks at her.

Fernando: I don't want to hear the arguments or the excuses. We'll deal with them when we return, and you better remember the promise we made.
Tammy (turning to face him): What promise was that?
Fernando: The promise of us not ever going into the same bed angry at each other or anyone else because it steals away from what quality time we could have. So you have until we return with Hondo's truck to get things sorted out in your pretty little head.
Tammy: But What About Her?!!
Fernando: Jeanie's a friend and a problem. But one I have to deal with. Now she is going to train you to not freeze up in battle and you are going to learn her lessons, because, if you would have tried to hit her again just now, she would have plastered you against a wall and she would be right.
Tammy: You taking up her side?
Fernando: I saw you walk up to her and swing at her, followed by you being thrown across the room. Face it, you were outclassed. And if you would have tried again, you would been outclassed big time. Now get into the passenger side. When we get back, you'll be driving the Porsche, and I Hondo's truck.

Tammy walks around the Porsche in not a so happy mood.

It takes them over an hour to find the truck, but they find it. Fernando eyes it over, looking at the damage done to it. Since much the damage done wont affect its driving or safety, Fernando starts on changing its tire. Tammy waits in the Porsche with its headlights on to give the area around the truck light for Fernando to work on. In 20 minutes Fernando had changed the tire and threw the flat into the rear bed. He climbs into the truck's cabin, disables all security systems Hondo told him about turns on the engine. He starts to drive the truck out of the station with Tammy following in the Porsche. In about 40 minutes they were back at the hide out, parking the vehicles in the parking lot. Fernando notices that the SWA vehicles had returned.

They enter the house, seeing the group around the dining room table, eating assorted meals they brought in from outside. Tammy was about to join them, but Fernando grabs her by the wait and holds her next to him. His actions do not go unnoticed.

Marco: About time you returned. We have questions for you.
Fernando: I'll answer them tomarrow. In fact, 10:3am, I'm having an informal meeting for us. You don't have to be there but if you want the intell I have, then be there.
Marco: Why not give it to us now?
Fernando: Its raw and unverified right now. I know you don't want raw intell, so I'll cook it to medium well tomarrow.

Marco walks up to them.

Marco: Now, what about Hondo?
Fernando: Hondo's in his room and he is not to be disturbed for he's healing. Got that?
Marco: I got it. Tomarrow, 10:30AM.
Fernando: 10:30 AM, Brazilian Time.
Marco: What?
Fernando: If you know anything about cross cultures, In Japan if you are 5 minutes late to the meeting, you are not allowed in. But in Brazil, being 2 hours late for a meeting is being 5 minutes early. So depending when I wake up, we'll have that meeting after breakfast.
Marco: Alright then. I'll hold you to the 10:30 time.
Fernando: No promises. I got a raging headache and may need some extra down time. Now other than that, you guys have a good night. Come on Tammy, I need you to get some aspirin and water.

Fernando walks up the stairs with Tammy following him. They go into their room together, closing the door behind them.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 30^th, 2010, 12:15pm

Hondo growled after she left. He was just a bit t-ed off.

Hondo mumbled to himself in a low growl: Damned Female!

Hondo's eyes were blood-shot but shown with the usual cold steel that had been his normal look for quite a while. An' As usual he did not like bein' waited on. Had she brought the food an' left he'd been fine with that, but bein' spoon-fed like that irked him.
Hondo had done certain things for himself for so long that he just didn't like others doin' them for him, even under orders.

He laied back after she was long gone an' closed his eyes, tryin' not to think of the past nor of friends an' loved ones gone, but somehow layin' in bed tired, hurt, an' alone can do that to a person, even when they do not want it.

'Hondo thought about certain women from his past like:
' 'The wife of his friend. He was forced to kill them both. The wife first as she tried to assassinate a president under hypnosis, an' later his friend who went mad with the loss of his wife.
' 'Also of Red, his nurse friend that betrayed him, last he knew of her she was back in the states livin' with relatives. She was too depressed from what she had done in the past that she quit workin' an' moved between her folks an' grandparents places in North Carolina an' Utah.
' 'Also Wild Irish Rose came to mine, Rosie as he had called her. She turned from a sweet lady into a selfish, lazy woman. Last he heard she was back with Ranger Ready an' his crew after losin' a position Fernando had got her for her hard work in the last case. She lost it 'cause she turned lazy. Hondo never figured out how or why she turned so cold on him so fast. It was like she was a totally different person, as if her mind or at least her actions were controlled by another who must have had it out for Hondo.
' Lastly Laurie Ann came to mind. Hondo had thought she was dead, but she ended up alive. He was not sure how she was still alive, but she was, though here memory of her past an' him was gone. With it was gone the woman he had loved.

As of recent all of them had haunted his dreams one more. They had all done so at certain times, though for a while the memories had left him be.

The night was fairly still besides the occasional passin' car an' the voices downstairs.

Shortly Fernando came up to get the keys for Hondo's truck.

Fernando: How you doing?

Hondo: Eh, I'm alive, but I won't be kickin' for another day at least.
'
Hondo sat up partly but moved his right arm too much an' the pain made him cringe.

Hondo: nor any fist fightin' either I reckon.
Fernando: You just take it easy. You should be able to hobble in a day or so and you should be pain free in 3 or 4. Like I said, that Bio-pill wasn't made for you. Just give it a little time.

Hondo: Well, it will be a lot faster than last time I was busted up like this.

Fernando: I'm sure. Oh, I came up to get your truck keys. Tammy and I will go get it here in a little bit.

Hondo: I think they are on the dresser with the other stuff of mine Tammy put there. It's one of the 3 black topped keys with the least amount of cuts into it on the key end.

Fernando looked at the key ring. There was probably 8 or more ford key and only one Dodge key in the whole ring.

Fernando: I'll figure it out.

Hondo: I'm sure you will. Hey, one of the rear tires are flat on it. I think that's all that is wrong with it right now.

Fernando: I'll take care of it. Now no more talking. You need to rest.

Hondo: yeah, I know.

Fernando: I hope everything went well with Jeanie.

Hondo: 'She's pushy an' irritatin', but she tries to mean well for you, I can see that know. Problem is she wants in . . . (grimaces with pain as he shifts positions) . . . in on the mission. She also seemed to hint that she wanted to know why I was to take your car. I didn't explain it to her, but if she tells me to ask next time one more time . . .

Fernando: Don't worry about it. I'll deal with her.

Hondo: Good. 'An' have her just leave the food here next time. She's just a bit to condisendin' an' I don't care to listen to it while I'm tryin' to eat. I know I'm not refined or the like, but even though I ain't first class I'm also not white trash.

Fernando: Alright. You rest now. We will try to be back soon.

There was a commotion downstairs with Tammy yellin' more than likely at Jeanie. Fernando walked out quickly an' as he did a loud 'THUD!' was heard downstairs followed by lower talkin' of which Hondo couldn't make out completely at the moment as his head hurt too bad.

Hondo laid back in bed slowly as it hurt to move still. A few minutes later Hondo heard Fernando's car start up an' take off. Shortly after Jeanie appeared in Hondo's room again.
Jeanie: Mr. Hondo, Fernando told me to tell you the SWA would be here soon and he told me to lock your door. He said you would understand.

Hondo (coldly): Yes. I understand.

Jeanie: Mr. Hondo, Do not hate me for who I am or what I do. Like I said I do it only for Fernando as I owe him all.

Hondo: I don't hate you. Dislike? Probably, as you've not given me any thing or any reason to like you. Now please leave so I can rest.

Jeanie: Of Course, Mr. Hondo.

Jeanie locked the door from then shut it as she left.

Hondo covered his eyes again to block out any light left as even though the room was dark an' it was dark outside there was still enough light for him to see. His mind wouldn't quiet down even though thinkin' was hard to do through the cloud of pian that resided in it at the moment. After not bein' able to sleep for 'a bit Hondo reached over to the nightstand with his left hand, leavin' his revolver to rest on his chest. There was a small radio/alarm/shortwave combo on the nightstand there. He fiddled with the short wave an' soon picked up a classic country station from the USA on the AM band. He hoped some music would help clear his mind, though the first song didn't help much as the sad twangin' country song filled the air. The song said:

'That lonesome Texas sun was setting slow, and in the rearview mirror I watched it go.
I can still see the wind in her golden hair, I close my eyes for a moment, and I'm still there.

The bluest eyes in Texas, are haunting me tonight.
Like the stars that fill the midnight sky, Her memory fills my mind.
Where did I go wrong? Did I wait too long? Or can I make it right?
The bluest eyes in Texas, are haunting me tonight.

Another town, another hotel room. Another dream that ended way too soon.
Left me lonely, prayin' for the dawn. Searching for the strength to carry on.

The bluest eyes in Texas, are haunting me tonight.
Like the stars that fill the midnight sky, Her memory fills my mind.
Where did I go wrong? Did I wait too long? Or can I make it right?
The bluest eyes in Texas, are haunting me tonight.

For every heart you break, You pay a price.
But I can't forget the tears, In her blue eyes.

The bluest eyes in Texas, are haunting me tonight.
Like the stars that fill the midnight sky, Her memory fills my mind.
Where did I go wrong? Did I wait too long? Or can I make it right?
The bluest eyes in Texas, are haunting me tonight.'

As Hondo listened to Restless Hearts play an' sing his eyes softened but only to be filled with a pent up sorrow an' sadness. 'He closed his eyes to hold back any emotions but pictures of blue eyes in his past filled his mind. The song ended shortly. It was soon followed by Whalen Jennings singing 'Mama's don't let you Babies grow up to be cowboys' which was followed by 'My hero's have always been cowboys' Sung by Willie Nelson which was followed by 'Last Cowboy Song' sung by The Highwaymen. Hondo listened to them as he lay there. He could almost see the mountains hit the prairies out in Montana an' smell the sweet breeze that smelled of grass an' the comin' rain from the clouds buildin' an' rumblin' in the pass. He slowly started to drift off to sleep as Willie Nelson Sang 'blue eyes cryin' in the Rain.' Hondo slept an' dreamt of a blue eye woman he'd never seen before. Was she in his future or just in his dreams?

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Aug 10^th, 2010, 11:06am

The day starts at 6:30 AM for Tammy as she wakes up from the bed she shares with Fernando. Her eyes open up, seeing her husband next to her and having a feeling of calm being next to him. But she has to wake up for the start of a new day. She slowly gets out of the bed as to not disturb Fernando and gathers a few things to take to the bathroom.

After a shower and other basic hygiene routines, Tammy puts on a robe to cover her underwear before going back to her room. At least she cleans up the bathroom before she leaves. Putting her things away like the dirty clothes in laundry hamper. She puts on a flannel shirt and a pair of jeans to so down stairs with to start breakfast. Jeanie was already downstairs cooking away.

Tammy: You making breakfast for your people?
Jeanie: I'm making breakfast for all of us.
Tammy: Its OK, I can make do myself.

Jeanie walks out of the kitchen area with a large plate of steak and eggs, pancakes and biscuits. She puts it on the table for Tammy to eat, returning with a large glass of Orange Juice.

Jeanie: Sit down and eat. You are going to need all your energy for your training today.
Tammy (looking at the food): Uhm...
Jeanie: I'm not going to poison you. You are more valuable to me alive than dead. Which is why I need you ready and full of energy for when I train you later today, you are going to need it.

Tammy cautiously sits down at the table and starts eating. It was more than she could eat. She also did not liked mixing certain foods like pancakes and eggs on the same plate. Being in the mood for food was also another matter. But she ate what she could.

Jeanie: Be at the basement at 9:30, so we can start on your training.

Tammy just nods as she finishes her meal.

Tammy picks up her plate and takes it to the kitchen but it intercepted half way there by Jeanie, who takes the plate and silverware from her and takes it to the kitchen. Jeanie interrupts Tammy from saying a word.

Jeanie: Its too early for Fernando to wake up, so be a good wifey and go take care of him.

Tammy just walks away insulted by the comment. She goes upstairs and stammers into the room, letting the door close loudly. It almost wakes up Fernando, as she just realizes what she's doing, cringing. After seeing that Fernando was still asleep, she takes off her shoes and sits down on the bed next to him. Giving him a long look, She finally lays down next to him, holding him.

Tammy (to herself): How can I take care of you if I cant take care of myself? Everything in that last mission was a fluke...

She does not want too, but she softly cries, eventually crying herself back to sleep.

Two hours pass by quickly. Tammy wakes up first again. Looking around she sees the gow in the dark face of the room's clock on the nightstand, saying 9o'clock. She gets up, shaking the sleep from her head. Doing so wakes Fernando up.

Fernando (sleepy): What's going on?
Tammy: OH! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to wake you!

Fernando stretches and yawns.

Fernando: What time is it?
Tammy (looking at the clock again): Its 9o'clock.
Fernando: Oh. Time for me to be waking up anyways.

He notices that Tammy was already dressed for the day.

Fernando: How long have you been awake?
Tammy: I woke up around 6:30 then went back to sleep after breakfast.
Fernando: You made breakfast?
Tammy: No, Jeanie did.
Fernando (as he slowly got up): OK. Let me get ready for the day then.

Tammy sits up on the bed and puts on her shoes.

Tammy: I'll tell Jeanie that you're awake so she can make you some breakfast.
Fernando (not really liking the prospect): Yeah, go ahead.

Tammy leaves the room as Fernando got out from under the covers, sitting on the edge of the bed. He gathers his things to take to the bathroom. After a quick shower and other personal hygiene routine, he gets dressed and goes downstairs for breakfast. He finds Jeanie and Tammy were not there, and Jeanie's servant/driver serving him breakfast. He sits down and eats it.

Down at the basement, Jeanie starts Tammy's training, abet early. Jeanie stands in the center of the room, holding her forearms as she wore a tight long black qipao dress with 'red and silver dragon design that wraps around. She bows down at Tammy, keeping eye contact with, while not moving her head to face, Tammy.

Jeanie: Now you do the same.
Tammy: Eh?
Jeanie: It's a sign of respect.
Tammy: Oh all right.

Tammy stood in front of her and bow, only to have Jeanie hit her on the back of her head, knocking her down on the floor. Tammy shakes off the affects of being hit and looks up at her.

Tammy: Why you hit me?!!
Jeanie: You made no eye-contact. That is a disrespect! Without eye-contact, how are you going to know if your enemy will strike?
Tammy (slowly getting up): Then how is that done?

Jeanie waits for her to get up.

Jeanie (as she uses a pointed finger to show her eye position): Watch.

Jeanie slowly bows down, showing how she looks up to keep eye contact. Then she gets back up.

Jeanie: Your turn.
Tammy: How do I know that you wont hit me again?!!
Jeanie: You keep eye contact with me when you bow, then I wont hit you. You dare even blink or shift your eyes away again, I'm knocking you down to the floor. Eye Contact is necessary to show your adversaries that you are not afraid of them.

Tammy tries again, trying to maintain eye contact with Jeanie as she does. She then gets back up.

Jeanie: Better. See, I didn't hit you. Why? You maintained eye contact with me. Now. For the rest of this lesson, you are going to maintain eye contact on me all the time without taking a step out of turn.

Jeanie walks about the room, seeing if Tammy does as told. She does to the best of her ability. Jeanie walks up behind her, forcing Tammy to turn her head, to which Jeanie puts her hands to the side of her head and turns to head forward.

Jeanie: You relax for now. Now, pretend I'm in front of you, and hit me.
Tammy: Hit you?
Jeanie: Pretend I'm in front of you and hit me if I was there. Show me what you got.

Tammy sighs, before positioning herself into a fighting stance.

Jeanie: NO! In Real Life you have NO Chance to Position Yourself into a fighting position!
Tammy: But, you said...
Jeanie: In real life you have no chance to ready yourself!

Jeanie walks to her side.

Jeanie (demonstrating the action as she explains it): Now look, when somebody comes at you, you arm goes up to deflect their attack first, then you step into attack position at the same time, and then you attack! You got that?
Tammy: I think so.
Jeanie: Then do it!

Tammy does as she was shown, Jeanie does not like what she sees. She goes up to her, grabbing her and positioning her to stand up straight.

Jeanie: Look you... you're a woman. (starts grabbing at her breasts, ass and then tail) All this is much more than to lure a man to your bedroom or feed your pups some mother's milk. They are part of you and should be used as such. They balance you when needed, they can protect you when it's a must. Better to get a hit, stab or bullet into your tittie than into your heart. Better for them to cushion your fall then to break a bone. Better to let their weight to pull you than for you to just stand there. Second of all, you're a lady. You're small and dainty, not big and rough. Your movements are to be flowing and graceful, not forced and clumsy. So...

Jeanie turns and steps away a step, then crotches down and spins about with an extended leg, knocking Tammy flat on her ass.

Tammy: OW!

Jeanie pulls out a gun from her dress and aims at it her.

Jeanie: Now, Lesson Over.

Jeanie squeezes the trigger, hitting Tammy square in her chest between her breasts. Tammy falls back from the impact, breathing heavy. She looks at her finger tips after putting her hand where she was hit, seeing them dip bright red liquid.

Jeanie: Oh get up. Raspberry Jam filled paint balls don't hurt like the real thing.

Instead of getting up, Tammy cries.

Jeanie: So, you don't like being vulnerable? You don't like being weak, a pathetic target with a bull eye painted on your tail? You better learn, and learn now. How can you be married to the greatest man that ever walked this earth, and be like you are? You are not a wife, but are his coupled half, you are a major part of him as he is of you. You better understand that if you don't want to be replaced- for any reason- you better be able to defend yourself and him at all costs.

Jeanie goes into one of the washing machines and pulls out a a tight white and blue qipao short dress made from silk with silver buttons, inside a drycleaner's plastic bag and coat hanger. She hangs it on one the fence openings.

Jeanie: Now, lesson over. Come back at 1o'clock. And wear that dress and high heel shoes.

Jeanie walks away and goes up the stairs, leaving Tammy crying on the floor.

A Qipao: The cheongsam is the traditional Chinese dress for women. Designed to be a form-fitting long or short dress, it was originally called a qipao and is now known as the cheongsam in English. The dress wraps around the body, with buttons down from the front of the collar, to the right front of the shoulder, goes down to the side and rear. The more expensive ones are often made from silk, but cotton and linen is also used for less elaborate versions. Nearly all have either short sleeves or no sleeves to them, some do have long sleeves.

Example of the dress similar to what Jeanie left for Tammy, a short White and Blue Qipao:
http://www.hondosackett.com/Fernando/white%26blueQuipao.jpg

Example of dress similar to what Jeanie wore, a long black Qipao with dragon:
http://www.hondosackett.com/Fernando/ying_black_qipao.jpg

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Aug 10^th, 2010, 5:02pm

Pain an' blood loss do not leaned itself to aidin' in a good nights sleep. This Hondo knew from previous experiences, but one forgets how restless those nights can be until they are relived.

Hondo woke out of a light sleep. He didn't sleep well. Every movement would hurt an' wake him from sleep. The only reason he slept at all was sheer exhaustion, an' even then the sleep was not that restful as the past haunted his dreams once again as the past has a habit of doin' when one feels their most vulnerable. Hondo lay still for a long time, even though awake. He could see light from the edge of the blanket that was over his head. He wished it would go away an' let him sleep, but it didn't. He growled as he lift the blanket from his head to look at the clock. It read 8:30. this only irritated him more so, not that it was late, but that he couldn't be asleep until 10:00 or so to heal faster like Fernando always seemed able to do.

'The light from the window he found too bright, though the curtains were drawn. He squinted to keep the light at a minimum. His eyes never liked bright light, though they could take it, unlike Fernando's could. Usually he was fine an' could adjust but his head throbbed to much to try to allow his eyes to adjust. He squinted to keep the light out as he tried to sit up. Eventually he did make it though it was a painful experience. His arm was still not workin' without a lot of pain, though he found it was a bit better than yesterday. With his other arm, that was only bruised an' scrapped up he rummaged through one of his bags that someone, probably Tammy or Fernando, had left beside his bed. He found a small case inside an' pulled out an old pair of double bridged aviators sun glasses from it an' put them on to help cut the pain to his head from any light.

After a few moments he gathered enough resolve to stand up. He couldn't find the cane anywhere so he decided to 'free hand it'. The first attempt didn't go so hot as he ended up twistin' his hurt knee an' ended up topplin' over. He managed to land beside the bed, sittin' up on the floor with his back against the bed. From 'where he sat in the floor he found the cane. It had fallen over in the night an' rolled over under the bed, so he figured. He entertained the thought that Jeanie had hidden it there to keep him down, but he figured to give her the benefit of the doubt this time. With use of the cane, a chair, an' over exhertin' his hurt arm Hondo got to his feet growlin'. He limped to the dresser where he had some of his stuff an' leaned against the wall to let the pain die down for a moment.

Pushin' pain from his mind as much as he could Hondo gathered a few items an' headed towards to the door. He glanced over at the clock, that now read 9:00. Carefully, to not make any noise, less that Asian mousette try to bath him, Hondo limped to the bathroom an' closed the door quietly. He set down the clothes an' such he had brought with him on the lid of a laundry hamper beside the shower then removed his shirt.

Limpin' to the sink He looked through the medicine cabinet for some bandage material. Findin' some he removed it an' shut the door to the cabinet so he could see himself in the mirror. He looked at himself as he stood there in just his jeans. He was cut, scraped, black, blue, an' messed-up all over. He grimaced at the sight, but even that seemed to hurt. He sighed a bit then set to checkin' wounds before washin' up.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Aug 12^th, 2010, 12:25pm

- - - - - - - - - - -
Note: Your wounds should be closed healed by now but still weak and in pain.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Tammy manages to run quietly upstairs without being seen as others start to gather for the meeting with Fernando to be held at 10:30, but decided to come down early to help set up. She locks the door to the room and throws herself to the bed, where she cries into a pillow as not to be heard outside.

Jeanie has her driver/servant prepare a breakfast meal for Hondo, of steak, eggs, pancakes and coffee with jam and biscuits. She takes it upstairs to him on the bed serving table.

With everybody in attendance, the meeting gets to an early start.

Marco: Alright Fernando, if that is who you are, explain yourself, your presence and what you are doing here.
Fernando: Simple- you people #$@!ed up. This is a mission house and you allowed it to be pouched, pilfered and disrespected by the likes of a bunch of drug using teens? I swear, if this was America- I would have the right to shoot them first and call the police later!
Marco: But this is not America. And as such you are to answer by our rules an laws. Now explain yourself.
Fernando: Tammy's case is not over. There is still one person that is out there who is capable of more damage than those who we put away. Her name: Anne Rossellini, aka, Anne, aka, the terrorist bomb builder and organizer- Franca.
Marco: How, or why did you choose her? You just cant be pulling names out of a hat like that...

Fernando pulls out a TV remote and points it to at the new 105 inch LCD TV on the far wall in the living room. He presses a few buttons, and it turns on, showing Fernando in the Kitchen area getting ready for his wedding.
- - -
Fernando was at the safe house preparing for his big day. He was already dressed except for his tuxedo jacket, which rested on the back of one of the dining room chairs. His gun was in its shoulder holster, waiting to be put on, on the table by the jacket. He had made for himself a small snack of roast beef and swiss with wine, taking his time in eating it. The Porsche was parked outside waiting for him at the driveway.

A knock was at the door, which perturbed Fernando as there should be no body knocking on the door, especially on this day of all days. He slowly walks over to the door, checking the security monitors, finding a red-headed mouse at the door. Without his glasses being on, he could hardly made out the details of the woman outside. But as such, he thought of her to be no threat, so he walks over to the door and opens it.

Fernando: How can I help you?
Red-Haired Mouse: Don't you remember me?
Fernando: Anne? It cant be...
Anne: Why? Because you killed me?
Fernando: I did what had to be done- you took Tammy's gun and was going to use it.
Anne: Does that make it justifiable?
Fernando: I did what I had to do, Anne. I don't expect you to forgive me in that.
Anne: But I do forgive you.
Fernando: You do?
Anne: Can I come in? I need 'some rest. The injuries you gave me tire me out so easily.
Fernando: Well, uhm...
Anne: Oh, you busy? Got company or something?
Fernando: I'm about to leave in a few minutes... for a wedding.
Anne: Yours?
Fernando: Afraid so.
Anne: Who is she? Is she that red-headed squirrel... what her name... Tammy?
Fernando: It is.
Anne: I can wait with you. I would like to go and see it happen... you and her getting married.

Fernando glances over to the alarm panel which said that Annie was not carrying anything that could be considered as a weapon. He then walks away from the door, leaving it open. Anne enters the place behind him, not closing the door. She follows him to the dining area.

Anne: Can I have something to drink, water would be best.
Fernando: Uhm, hold on.

Fernando walks around the service island into the kitchen and gets out a clean glass for her. He fills it with ice and then water. Anne had found his gun neatly holster away on the table. She quietly removes it from the holster and takes aim to him. He turns to put the glass on the service island, seeing Anne having his weapon already aimed at him.

Fernando: You don't want to do that.
Anne: I don't? Understand where I am. You killed my lover and then you tried to kill me.
Fernando: If he did not pull out his gun, then I would not had killed him.
Anne: You had your gun between my breasts, he was trying to defend me!
Fernando: All I wanted was answers, I did not wanted to shoot you. But since your kind of people only listen to ideas at the end of a gun, I had little choice.
Anne: You want those answers? Yes, it was one of our bombs. We wanted to blow up that plane with the SWA personnel in it. We wanted to end the Frankensteinian work that they do. It is not fair what they do to those girls. They had to be stopped, their work had to end.
Fernando: At the price of innocent lives?
Anne: Innocent people always get hurt when opposing sides clash.
Fernando: You knew that I was to pilot that plane back, didn't you?
Anne: The cockpit would have remained intact in the explosion, you are a flying squirrel, you would have survived.
Fernando: But not my daughter.
Anne: Daughter?
Fernando: Dr. Aiesha G. She was part of the group trying to undo the conditioning and cyborgnetic implants of the girls.
Anne: She would have survived.
Fernando: How so?
Anne: She's a flying squirrel like you, she would have flown like you would have.
Fernando: She is only 1/2 flying squirrel. She would have landed too hard in the water and be killed from the impact. That is if she would not have been killed or hurt by the initial explosions that would have taken out the fuel tanks, spilling flaming fuel into the passenger section.
Anne: You lie.
Fernando: And you're letting yourself be blinded by your own actions.
Anne: Like you know what it is like to be blind. You just wear those glasses just for show.
Fernando: Think what you like.
Anne: Think what I know.
Fernando: What about Tammy?
Anne: What about her?
Fernando: She would have been on that flight too. All she ever wanted was to recover her sister Bink.
Anne: Innocent lives have to pay the price when they agree with the guilty.
Fernando: At the time, she did not side with them. She only wanted to recover her sister Bink from them. Now you are going to deny her a marriage, a family, and happiness? If you are going to kill me then go a head and just do it. You are no better than the terrorists you build your bombs for. Or you can be better than them and put the gun down.
Anne: You denied me those things when you killed Franco. Now tell me, Fernando. Are you afraid to die?
Fernando: No I am not.

Anne pulls the trigger on Fernando's American Arms Model 1984 .45 automatic, hitting him square in his chest. He falls flat on the floor where he is later found dead in a pool of his own blood.

She goes over to him and checks him out for any signs of life, finding none.

Anne: With you gone, there is no one left to be in the way for me to kill that red-headed squirrel for her cyborg.

Anne goes about the house and takes various items, including his AAM1984 automatic pistol, his laptop and several other things before she leaves.
- - -
Fernando presses stop on the video stream.

Marco: Where did you get that video? All the tapes and server hard drives were missing!
Fernando: Data, no matter how lost they may seem, is recoverable. Even if the hard drive is missing, a true server owner would have a back up some where. (He pulls out a USB drive from his pocket) Next time check the back or inside of the server, and you might find one of these back there.

They find the idea hard to swallow, but swallow they do.

Fernando: So since you failed in your investigation, I will continue with mine.
Marco: Anne was declared dead...
Fernando: Apparently she was saved. And from the looks of it, the damage I gave her would not have been repairable naturally so soon. Thus she must have had some advanced technological medical help. I would not be surprised if somebody from your medical team was involved.

The room becomes noisy from denial the accusation of anyone from the SWA medical team aiding a known terrorist. After a while they stop when Marco bangs on the table to get their attention.

Marco: Now explain yourself.
Fernando: You tell me.

Fernando takes a brief case and takes an American Arms Model 1984 .45 automatic from inside, ejecting a round from it before putting it on the table. He hands the round to Marco.

Fernando: That is a sister gun to the one Anne took. It fires the same rounds- the .45ACP. Now if I remember correctly, Olga has a Dessert Eagle that fires the same round. You can ask her- these are man-stopppers, not a defensive round that the 9mm is. You hit somebody with this- it causes major damage to the body, not punch a hole through it. Survivors who have been shot by this round usually ends up with a lengthy hospital stay, and a long recovery period. But here Anne was, seemingly whole again. If cybernetic technology was not used in order to aide in her recover, then I don't know what is.

Marco and the others stay perplexed.

Fernando: This is my case, not yours. Though she maybe a wanted criminal, you failed in her capture several times already. Now it time for you to step aside and let a professional take over.
Hillshire: You, a professional?
Fernando: Who do you think was helping you in the last case mission? Who do you think took your organization down and had it rebuilt? Some dame lackey? I know what I'm doing, and in acting alone, I answer to no one.
Marco: And that makes you a dangerous man.
Fernando: Then give me 10 days to capture or kill Anne. After that, you can take over.
Marco: Why 10 days? How about 3, if you say you're so damn good.
Fernando: I need to have Tammy retrained. 7 of those 10 days are going to be used in that retraining.

They all stare at him.

Marco: Deal.
Hillshire: Now wait a minute!
Marco: I'm the one with the most seniority here, so what I say goes. We can argue about it after the fact. But now, Fernando. Can I request use of the safe house for a current mission?
Fernando: I would say yes, but this is now Tammy's personal home and property. You need to ask her for such permission.
Marco: I see. I'll go ask her now.
Fernando: No. Since she is under training, I would say ask her at dinner time.
Marco: Alright, I will.
Fernando: The rules remain the same. You are responsible for the maintenance, upkeep and supplies of this place while you are using it. Furthermore, We have guests here, and they are to be respected at any and all cost.

Marco nods.

Fernando: If you don't have any questions, I call this meeting to a close. Now if you don't mind, I have to check up on Tammy and her training.

Fernando walks away from the group, taking his gun and carrying case with him. A couple of voices from the group call to him but he ignores them as he goes to the stairs and to his room.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Aug 12^th, 2010, 1:09pm

OOC: I wondered about that. That is why I left off in my post where I did. I forgot to ask you about it the other night. Also, isn't Jose dead? You have him at the meetin', but he was killed in GsB1. :BIC

Hondo removed his bandages to find most of the wounds were healed shut. The wounds were still visiable but they were healed enough that they would not start bleedin' again from his movin' 'round. He was glad of that as he thought he might have opened somethin' up from the tumble he took earlier.

Since the wounds were sealed Hondo took a shower. He was in pain an' felt very weak still, but the hot water soothed him. He almost hated to get out it felt so good. After 30 minutes he finally turned off the water an' got out of the shower. He toweled off slowly as it ached to move to fast yet. He slid into a fresh pair of black jeans an' threw on a dark grey button up shirt, of which he didn't button at the moment. He grabbed his cane an' limped to the door, once again openin' the door softly to not make any noise as to alert the others he was up, an' limped down the hall to his room.

He looked at the clock as he shut the door to his room. It was now 9:45. Hondo looked 'round the room for a few objects. He found some socks an' his boots, boot polish, a rag, one of his double action revolvers from the matched pair, his spare double action as Fernando still had the second one of his matched pair an' the single was too hard to use as weak an' sore as he was, an' he pieces to his shoulder holsters. He laid this all out on the end of his bed then set down to clean the blood, grease, an' dirt off of his stuff. It took him 25 minutes to clean the leather on his boots an' the gun rig, an' 5 more minutes to put it back together. Hondo managed to get the shoulder rig on threw grit teeth as his arms didn't want to move that far on their own. Once on he holstered the guns an' put his boots on.

Once he put his boots on he sighed as he looked up at the clock. It was 10:23. He heard someone come upstairs in a hurry. He braces himself for Jeanie to come in, but the door down the hall opened an' shut quickly instead. It sounded like it was who ever it was went to Fernando's room. Hondo guessed it was Tammy as the foot steps were too light to be Fernando an' Jeanie didn't usually slam doors unless she was kickin' them in, which reminded Hondo that he needed to replace the basement door with a steel door.

Hondo heard voices down stairs though he did not know who's they were all were at first. He recognized Marco's voice first an' figured the others were SWA folks as well. He though for a moment about standin' back up to get somethin' to eat but he didn't want to be questioned right now as his head still hurt. He adjusted his sunglasses to keep as much light out as possible. They were no where near as dark as Fernando's but they helped cut the light some. Hondo found his hat an' brushed it off. He knew he'd need to get his spare hat out of the truck as this one looked like it'd been through hell. He put it on an' pulled the brim low. He still hadn't buttoned his shirt nor tucked it in. He had his 2 shoulder guns on, but not his vest to hide them as he couldn't find it at the moment. He figured it was probably downstairs somewhere in need of repair an' cleanin'. He managed to get find his belt, clean it, an' get it on before he heard footsteps outside again. He sat back down on the bed an' waited. There was no knock on the door the person outside just came on in. It was Jeanie with Breakfast. This time Hondo would feed himself!

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Aug 12^th, 2010, 4:24pm

OOC: Yeah, you're right... I'll change it to Hillshire. Jean is the head of the handlers but he's usually in the office flying a desk. Marco being the first handler has the highest seniority, and even jean goes to him for advice at times.

Edit: Repair done; its marked in red to show where it was.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Aug 13^th, 2010, 7:23pm

Also just added a couple of sentences to the Anne/Fernando confrontation that was not there before. Its in Blue Text; to add verification to what was said earlier before in this story.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Aug 14^th, 2010, 12:30am

The door closes as Fernando enters his room, finding Tammy crying softly into a pillow. He walks over to the bed and sit on it. He puts his gun, case and laptop on the table, then takes off his suit jacket and puts it behind a chair. Kicking off his shoes and turning to her at the same time. He places his hand on her back as he raises his leg on the bed to get further on it. He realizes by touch that Tammy was not wearing anything on top. Tammy tries to stop herself from crying and turns to face him.

Fernando: Is everything OK?
Tammy: NO!
Fernando: What's wrong?
Tammy: EVERYTHING!!
Fernando: Tammy... I need you to stop being emotional for a moment and calm down to a more suitable state of mind to explain things to me. Now, sit up if you can.

Tammy buries her head into the pillow and continues crying. Fernando tries to get her attention again like before and gets no response. He then climbs up on the bed and lays down next to her, trying to pull the pillow away from her face. Tammy fights back, but Fernando calls upon his super strength and yanks the pillow from her grasp. Surprised, Tammy lays there without the pillow wondering what happened. Fernando then gently puts his hand to her face and makes her face him.

Fernando: What happened to your blouse? In fact, why are you topless?
Tammy: Jeanie shot me with a paintball gun, and stained my blouse, t-shirt and bra...

Though she tries not to cry, tears started to roll down her face. Fernando wipes a couple of them.

Fernando: Look. I married somebody who was strong and capable of doing things that very few would do, somebody who loves me for what and who I am and not make excuses that she cant do this or that because succeed or fail, at least she tries.

Tammy tries to say something, but is stopped by Fernando leaning over to her and giving her an open mouth French kiss. At first she reciprocates unwittingly, then fully cooperates, but suddenly pushes him away from her.

Tammy: Who do you think I am?!!
Fernando: My wife, somebody who I love as she does me, one who I made as my mate for life.
Tammy: Then why haven't you made love to me? Why do you force me to do these things of hurting others?!!

Fernando puts the pillow behind his head, flipping it over to the dry side for his comfort as he laid on his back. Then he reaches over and picks her up with amazing speed and strength, setting her gently on him. He looks onto her eyes as he slowly takes off his glasses in the dark room, putting them on the nightstand by the bed..

Fernando: Why, haven't we made love? That we agreed upon until 1)We are married and 2)Your mission is over.
Tammy: My Mission Is Over!
Fernando: No, it is not. There is still one person out there still alive that can cause you harm. And that one person has friends and colleagues aiding her for your demise. Frankly Tammy, I do not want to bury another wife if I can help it.
Tammy: And you think that you can do that by retraining me to kill again? I wont do that ever again!
Fernando (slowly growing in an angered tone): There is a difference between killing for sport, amusement and criminal action and killing for self-defense. These people don't care, as you can see, they killed me and you are next on their list. I refuse to put you in a pine box and bury your body next to mine in that cemetery not far from here.

Fernando pushes her off him and gets off the bed. He rummages through his desk and then his dresser, until he finds a small fuzzy jewelry box. He takes it to the bed and gives it to her as he sits down.

Tammy: What's this?
Fernando: Open it, there is a note inside.

Tammy opens the box, finding a folded note over a round sphere that seems to glow under its own power. It gave enough light for Tammy to read the note.

"Dearest Tammy,
If there is a chance that you received this, I might be laying dead in a box or some autopsy table. Do not give up on me just yet, for most to be dead is to be forever. But for a time traveler like myself, forever is as measurable as anything else. But to be immortal means to never die, and yet never be born. To be created, well, its just a point in Time in the middle of now where.

Now, as you may notice, there is a small glowing sphere with this letter. That is for you. It s not an expensive gem or technology. It is a super bio-energy pill made to the specification of your body and DNA. Taking it will make you like me; nigh immortal, in the sense that your cells will never die, and given time you can heal from any injury. Note; given time- the worse the damage done to your body, the longer it takes. In cases where you were killed, it can take months if not years to recover wholly. You will never die, just enter into a state of suspended animation until you recover. Hence, if you die, your body can not undergo an autopsy, else the further damage done will take more time to recover from.

So, take the pill, and you become immortal like me. Don't take the pill, and you life and die like everyone else. The choice is yours.

Love until Time immortal, your husband,
Fernando...

Tammy looks at him after looking at the pill and pokes it with her finger.

Tammy: Why?
Fernando: Because I do love you, and because I do care for you.
Tammy: But to make me immortal, I would outlive my friends and my family.
Fernando: Don't you think I know that? I have lived in centuries past, and the futures yet to be seen. No one can do what I do alone, forever. That was why I took Jeanette Isabelle under my wing and taught her, only to have her bite me on the ass and join forces with Miaso who is trying to undo the ancient past with the Atlanteans. I have thwarted every attempt she has ever thrown, and yet she continues. Yet you are here, despite what is going on, in this bed with me as my wife. If I share immortality with you, that pill would do it.
Tammy: What about those hundreds of wives you said you have had or will have?
Fernando: If you take that pill, all those wives become you. If you don't, they will become others taking your place. So, Tammy, in the coldest of words I could dare 'say to anyone, Do You Ever Want To Be Replaced?

While thinking for an answer, a tear forms and rolls down her face.

Tammy: How long do I have to take this before its too late?
Fernando: When you lay in my arms with a bullet hole in your chest, taking your last breathe to say that you love me, is when it will be too late.
Tammy: What are you trying to say?
Fernando: Tammy, I died for you in the last mission. To protect yourself, and to protect me, you might die in this mission. That is a risk I can not take.
Tammy: But it is a risk I have to take, isn't it?
Fernando: This is not Wall Street. Take the pill and you may not need to go through the training Jeanie is going to put you through. Don't take the pill, you are going to learn the hard way through her which will include, cuts, bruises, lacerations, contusions, and at best, broken bones and concussions. At least when she's done with you, it does not matter if you kill for sport, fun or pleasure, but you will when you have too in self defense.
Tammy: I need to think about this.
Fernando: Don't take too long.

Tammy does not answer for at least the moment.

Tammy: Jeanie wants me to come back at 1PM for another lesson.
Fernando: Then don't be late and do your best.
Tammy: She wants me to wear a short dress version of the one she's wearing for training.
Fernando: A Cheongsam?
Tammy: that's what they are called?
Fernando A Qipao or a Cheongsam. Depends if its modern or traditional Chinese language. Qipao would be more appropriate in this case. So, what of it?
Tammy: But she wants me to wear one during training!
Fernando: What colour?
Tammy: What does that have to do with anything?!!
Fernando: Just make sure you're wearing matching panties to go with it. You may or may not need a bra, depending on how tight it is.
Tammy: FERNANDO!
Fernando: Just saying... if you're going to get beaten up in training, might as well look good doing it.
Tammy: I'm Serious!
Fernando: Look, Tammy. I'm not questioning Jeanie's methods here. She taught my first wife to fight, and even though she was killed, there was enough evidence embedded in her fingernails to convict that bastard for life. Consider that her killer was twice her size and his happy is my super strength induced anger laden with steroids and painkilling drugs. I barely managed to fight him and live to tell about it, but she was no match for him. And if she was able to get that far with him was because she fought back and tried to fight to survive. I expect you to be no better than her.

Tammy does not say anything at this point.

Fernando: Now, you going to stay there and sulk all day or are you going to be my wife?
Tammy: Huh?
Fernando: You can stay there feeling sorry for yourself or we can hold each other and learn what it is that we have for each other.

Fernando lays down on the bed. He reaches out to her, picks her up by the shoulders and gently lays her down on her chest. For a moment he holds onto her. Again she starts to cry softly before he gives her a kiss on the forehead.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Aug 14^th, 2010, 5:51pm

Jeanie an' Hondo went 'round a bit as to if he could eat by himself. She argued that he was still not aboe an' she sill needed to take care of him as Fernando had asked. Hondo argued that he was well enough to feed himself an' that by bringin' the food an' collectin' the dishes after he finished would fulfill her duties an' thus allow her to do Fernando's biddin'. She conceded to this an' left him his breakfast at the small desk in the room where he asked her to sit it. Hondo was still movin' a bit slow at the moment so Jeanie helped him up. He mumbled a thanks an' told her he'd be fine now, though she didn't leave until he was seated at the desk an' eatin' lie normal.

After she left Hondo stopped usin' his right arm as it still hurt like hell an' used only his left. He ate slowly as he wasn't used to usin' only his left arm. by the time he finished it was 10:50. He heard the meetin' downstairs break up an' heard what sounded like Fernando comin' up the stairs. Hondo listened an' heard Fernando go to his room. Shortly after the front door closed an' signaled to Hondo that the SWA were gone for the moment, though he didn't know they left only to get a few items then to later return.

Hondo finished eatin' an' stood up slowly. He thought about tryin' to carry his dishes down stairs but his right arm wasn't liftin' the load at the moment an' he still needed the cane to balance an' help keep some pressure off of his knee. He left the dishes for Jeanie to retrieve an' limped to the door. He closed the door quietly to keep the noise down then made his way to the stairs. Goin' down the stairs was not as easy as he'd have liked, but he was surprised at how fast he was healin', though he knew it would still be another 3 days before all the pain was gone an' he wasn't limpin' any.

Downstairs no one was in sight, as Hondo had hoped. He was tired, but hated to lay in bed. Once e made it down the stairs he limped to the livin' room, where he spun the recliner 'round so he could see the door, but wouldn't be seen right away. He sat back into the chair an' put the foot rest up. He looked down at himself an' realized that he still hadn't buttoned his shirt. He buttoned it up usin' his left arm mostly. Then he laid his head back an' tipped his hat over his eyes. He closed his eyes after a while to rest. He soon heard Jeanie go by, an' retrieve the dishes from his room then come back. He realized she had a softer foot step than Tammy had, though he hadn't realized it earlier. Soon she left an' all was quiet again. He looked a a clock on the wall before closin' his eyes again for a short nap. It as 11:30.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Aug 17^th, 2010, 6:43pm

12:30 arrives and after a long discussion about their future and themselves, Tammy gets up out of bed and puts on a fresh bra, t-shirt and blouse; before throwing the raspberry paint ball jelly stained ones into the hamper for later washing.

Buttoning her blouse, she sits on the bed facing the door. Fernando slowly gets up and gets his glasses off the nightstand, needing to reach around Tammy to get them.

Tammy: You could have asked for me to get them.
Fernando: Its ok.
Tammy: Can I ask you to come with me and observe?
Fernando: Why?
Tammy: By you being there, maybe she wont be so rough?
Fernando: I wont interfere in your training.
Tammy: But why?
Fernando: Sometimes the best way to learn is to get your tail kicked so it wont be kicked again. You remember the walk in the park, and remember that no one in this country or in any other country on this planet will not care about you. They would rather see you dead or worse as their prisoner and sex slave. I trained to you get past your fears and fight back so you wont and up like that. And now that you lost some of your ability in your self defense, you are going to learn from her to get it back.

Fernando slowly gets up out of the bed and sits next to Tammy.

Fernando: Now, you go downstairs first and get dressed in that Qipao. I'll be down later...

Fernando gets up and walks to the dresser, going through Tammy's side or her underwear drawer. He takes a light blue pair of panties and tosses it lightly onto her lap. Before she could say anything, he tells her why.

Fernando (closing the dresser): A blue and white Qipao needs matching underwear. Those light blue panties should do the job.
Tammy: But why?
Fernando: Consider it a lesson in their culture. Now go down stairs and get ready for your instructor. I'll be down in about 5 minutes- more than enough time to change into the those and into the Qipao. Lock the door for some privacy. Only I have the keys.

Tammy gets up and starts to walk to the door. Fernando stops her before she could open it, handing her a small gym bag to put her stuff into when she changes downstairs. He then takes her by the waist and kisses her on the lips for a moment before letting her go.

Fernando (as he opened the door): Now go.

Tammy leaves the room to go down stairs. Fernando goes about the room and gets his gun. He switches the ammo in the magazines for paint ammunition, use in live practice. Safe to use but they muck up a gun, requiring it extensive cleaning. He puts on his holster and suit jacket again, buttoning it up before he walks out the room.

In the basement, Tammy had already took all her clothes off and put them into the gym bag, and had already put in the panties. Putting on the Qipao was a problem as it was a little tighter in some areas and loose in others. Fernando unlocks the door and walks in as Tammy was trying to put I on. He locks the door behind him.

Tammy: It does not fit...

Fernando walks to her and around, eyeing her in the dress. He grabs her and the dress, tugging it at to make it slip into place. At least he got it into a more comfortable position then where she had it on. He helps her button it up. Before Tammy could say a word, Fernando answers her question.

Fernando: You're not Asian, so you're not built like one. Then again, I helped Jeanie in and out of hers more times than I dare count... many years before I met you or the others.

Tammy does not say a word, just leans against him. He puts an arm around her.

Fernando: Don't you dare cry. Not here, not now. You better turn those negative emotions and turn into something positive. Make them into your resolve into learning something and using that knowledge to win.

Tammy remains silent. Fernando needs to push her away but she holds on to his hand, he steps to the door and unlocks it. He then returns to where he was standing before.

Jeanie arrives some 10 minutes early, finding Tammy with Fernando.

Jeanie: So, you here to watch?
Fernando: Yeah. I got nothing else to do.
Jeanie: Have your way then. You, wifey, up front and center.

Tammy looks at Fernando and he nods to her. They let each other go for her to step to Jeanie.

Jeanie: When somebody walk up to you and deliberately bumps you, what do you do?
Tammy: Do I see it coming?
Jeanie: Chances are no, but even if you did, what would you do?
Tammy: Brace myself for the impact.
Jeanie: Hmmm...

Jeanie walks away from Tammy, then turns around and walks right at her, trying to bump her hard. Tammy sees her approach and prepares impact, sending her shoulder at her at the last possible second. Jeanie bounces off the attack, taking a step back.

Jeanie: Think fast.

Jeanie reaches behind her and pulls out her gun, aiming it at Tammy. Unarmed and nowhere to run, Tammy steps up to Jeanie, pushing the arm with the gun out of the way. She stops there.

Jeanie: I'm impressed, except... (drawing the gun and placing it between Tammy's breasts) You don't stop what you started doing. OK, this is a class, but your mistake just cost you your life.

Jeanie steps back and puts away the gun.

Fernando: I think that's unfair. She stopped the attack but since this is a class, this is as far as it goes. In the real world, it would be different.
Jeanie: Really?
Fernando: Now if it were me...
Jeanie: Lets see what you can do.
Fernando: What, you forgot what I can do?
Jeanie: Humor me.

Fernando walks to where Tammy was as she stepped out of the way. The scene plays out as before, but with Fernando in Tammy's place. The bump is followed with the step back, the gun drawn, Fernando grabs the wrist of the gun arm, twists it, grabs Jeanie with his free hand and lifts her, flipping her onto the floor, then takes out his gun from the shoulder holster and puts the barrel to her temple. Jeanie just sits there for the moment before letting go of the gun, dropping it to the floor.

Jeanie: Only you can move so fast.
Fernando: Calling it an unfair advantage? You knew what I'm capable of doing. And there are others out there like me or worse...
Jeanie (pushing the gun away from her temple): Where did you get that gun from?
Fernando (showing off his inside jacket holster as he puts the gun away): I'm always arms when I go out. But don't worry, its loaded with paint rounds. Unfortunately, Tammy does not always carry her gun with her as she should.

Jeanie looks up at Tammy. Fernando offers his hand to Jeanie to help her get up. She takes it and gets up after recovering her gun off the floor. She twirls around his arm to wrap it around her, holding her tightly against him. she looks up at him.

Jeanie: What women would do for a man like you...
Fernando (pushing her off him): Not in front of the wife. Now, you honest assessment of her abilities. Be honest.
Jeanie: She's more than capable of defending herself when her mindset is on that task, but otherwise she is a fraidy-squirrel.
Tammy: Hey!
Fernando: She's right. (walks up to Tammy) You are capable to taking on a good fight, but only when you are expecting it. Otherwise, you pretend to be in that daydream world where everything is honky-dory until somebody shatters that image and you are not capable of defending yourself when it happens.
Tammy: I don't live in a daydream world.
Fernando: Yes you do. And this is the reality of it. People want you dead, its that simple. Nowhere is safe. That is also true. So you can not run and hide, they will go after you, your friends and your family until they get you in the end. And Tammy- remember what I told you up stairs about immortality.

Tammy bows her head and nods. A couple of drops of water fall to the floor in front of her.

Jeanie: So lesson over or you want me to teach her something else.
Fernando: You two decide on that. I have to take care of something up stairs.

Tammy walks up behind him as he starts to walk away. She takes his hand, making him stop.

Tammy: Don't leave, please.
Fernando: I have to return Hondo his gun.
Tammy: I need you to stay, please.

Fernando was not to pleased about her sudden action.

Jeanie: I can give Hondo his gun. Tell me where it is.
Fernando: What about her lesson.
Jeanie: We can continue tomorrow.

Fernando sighs at the situation.

Fernando: Its in my desk, top drawer on the right. It's a Colt Anaconda Revolver. Tell him thank you from me and that I had to take care of business.
Jeanie (as she leaves the room): Will do.

Fernando goes to the door and locks it. He then steps to Tammy, slow and deliberately. She takes his hands as he stood in front of her.

Fernando: What's going on with you?
Tammy: I don't know.
Fernando: Scared or something?
Tammy: Maybe. I just don't know.
Fernando: You better take those fears and turn them into positive action. Its OK to be scared. Its not OK to let the fear freeze you into not being able to do nothing.
Tammy: I know, but that's not it.
Fernando: Then what is it?
Tammy: I want my loving husband back.
Fernando: You will have him back when I get the Tammy that I married back.
Tammy: Is that what you want?
Fernando: Yes. The Tammy that you used t be, happy, cheerful, but at the same time strong and brave, willing to take care of any resolve that might occur. What happened to her.
Tammy: She ran away and hid in a closet when I held your dead body next to mine.
Fernando: Then get her out of the closet for me then.
Tammy: I tried. She does not want to come out.
Fernando: Then she better understand that her loving husband is not coming back until she comes out of that closet.

Tammy begins to cry.

Fernando: Tammy, stop it with the crying and the mind games- will ya? I swear, you need to have better control of yourself!
Tammy: It just hurts so much!
Fernando: Then what do you want me to do? Because I don't know anymore!
Tammy: That's just it! I don't know!

They remain staring at each other for the moment though Tammy wanted to bury her face into his chest and let it all out. But he pushes her away from him before she could try.

Fernando (handing her his car keys): Look. Wait for me in the Porsche. I'll be there in a few minutes.
Tammy: Where are we going?
Fernando: Never mind where. Just go for now and wait for me.
Tammy: Dressed like this?
Fernando (pointing to the rear door of the basement): Take the gym back with you, and wait for me. OK?

He gives her a kiss on the forehead. Tammy sighs afterwards.

Tammy: OK.

She walks out through the rear with her gym bag after Fernando unlocks it. She goes through the underground passageway that connects the house to the garage. She finally makes her way to the main garage level, and out of it through a side door. She walks to the Porsche and enters it through the passenger door, putting her gym bag on the rear seat.

Fernando unlocks the main doorway to the laundry room and goes back up to his room. He gathers a larger gym bag and a picnic basket, filling the gym bag with a large blanket and Tammy's purse. He then goes to his desk and switches from paint rounds to live ones, stuffing 2 more magazines in his pocket. Checking on Tammy's purse, he finds her fire arm missing, this he takes his spare .32NAA and puts it in there with one spare magazine. Fernando then goes down stairs to fill the picnic basket with food and drink. He takes these items to the car and puts them into the rear hatch area. He then goes to the driver's side and lets himself in.

Tammy: Where are we going?
Fernando: Some place safe and quiet.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Aug 19^th, 2010, 12:29am

Jeanie walked upstairs with the other gun from Hondo's matched pair that he had loaned Fernando. She saw him sittin' in the recliner, tilted back with his hat over his eyes. She quietly walked over to him to set the gun beside him.

Hondo: No needs to sneak up on me. I'm not asleep.

Jeanie: It looked like you were and I know you need your rest.

Hondo: the dead can't sleep with the racket goin' on down in the basement.

Jeanie: that is all necessary.

Hondo: Yeah, I know. Try to be a bit more gentle with her, eh?

Jeanie: The one who is hunting her would not be gentle.

Hondo: I don't mean go easy on her. Just more gentle. I've seen the way you've treated her about Fernando. It don't aid her trainin' for you to dig at wounds like that. I know you an' Fernando new each other long before Tammy knew him an' ya think you owe him, but I think it's an argument left for after this is all done. we don't need the past or present relationship issues to cloud the problem at hand.

Jeanie: It is none of your business.

Hondo: maybe not, but I am involved in this mission. What y'all do or decide on your personal lives is yur own affair. all I'm worried about id my two friends, Fernando an' Tammy. Your butt could me less to me other than Fernando does seem to put a value on it as a friend. As such I'd put my life on the line for you too. Since i am doin' so for all y'all I ask that ya be more gentle on Tammy an' leave off the personal stuff while ya train her. after this is all over it's fair game, but a word of warnin', Fernando makes up his own mind. No one can do it for him, understand?

Jeanie: I'd have Fernando no other way. If he chooses her over me I shall et it be as it will be his wish. Until he decides I'll think on your request about Tammy.

Hondo: Good. Now I see Fernando sent my gun with you.

Jeanie: Yes. He was busy with Tammy and I offered to return it for you. He apologizes he didn't return it himself.

Hondo: Hmm. I see.

Hondo had not seen Fernando since he sewed him up. He kinda wondered why he hadn't check up on him. Was it that he trusted his cure all pill that much or did he have no use for a busted up cowboy? Hondo set it aside to ponder a bit later.

Hondo: Just hand me my gun. I'll take care of it.

Jeanie: How do I know you won't take it and shoot me with it to make sure Fernando and Tammy stay together?

Hondo: All things considered, ya can't know, but here are 3 reasons ya can bet I won't. First is you are Fernando's friend an' as such I would never harm you unless you started it,as Fernando would probably justify my actions in such a case. Secondly, I'm not prone to kill anyone over somethin' so petty. You threaten Tammy's life, my life or Fernando's life an' I'll take actions, but not until you make such a move. Lastly, I could have shot you already ifin i wanted to just now.

Jeanie: How could you have? your still hurt and would move too slow to draw in your condition and in the position you are in.

Hondo smirked a bit though it hurt his head. He lifted a small pillow on his lap with his sore right ar to expose the other matchin' pistol to the one she had in his lap, cocked n' ready to fie with his hand on it an' pointed in her direction, as hers was the only direction he could be approached from in the position he put the recliner. Jeanie looked at his lap. satisfied she handed him his pistol.

Jeanie: You are more careful than I though. this does you credit. I can't say I have liked you, but if you can be even this careful in as much pain as you must be I can respect you a bit more. I'll take your request on Tammy and seriously consider it.

Hondo: Thank you, Ma'am.

Jeanie: Please. My friends call me Jeanie.

Hondo nodded before coverin' his pistol again an' slippin' the other into his holster. He tilted his hat back over his eyes.

Hondo: No disrespect, but when you've earn more of my respect I will do so.

Hondo was not sure if she was mad or not, but she left the area slowly in her own graceful manner. after she had gone Hondo settled into another short nap. before he drifted off into a light sleep he heard Fernando's car pull out of the drive.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Aug 28^th, 2010, 7:51pm

Fernando puts the car into gear, turning it around in the lot and leaves the compound through the drive way. Once on the highway, he floors the gas pedal, making all dial indicators arch to the right, keeping the speed just 3 marked indications above its last: 210mph. This makes the 50+ mile ride slightly more than 15 minutes. All Tammy could do is sit back and let the scenery blur past her.

It was not until Fernando slows down and pulls over to a set of gates does Tammy get to know there they were going.

Tammy: Nemi National Park?
Fernando (pulling past into the gates): So you remembered?
Tammy: Yes, but why here?
Fernando: Same reason why we always go here.

Tammy remains silent as he drives past the parking lot and continues driving down along the bank of Lake Nemi under a grove of trees. Fernando steps out and test the soil against his shoe. He then walks around the car, opening the passenger for Tammy. After helping her get out, he goes to the trunk, opening it and puling the various items he had put in., taking it to the nearby tree. He takes the blanket from the gym bag and lays it on the floor. He then places the other things on the blanket, before taking off his shoes and putting them at each of the far corners from the tree. Tammy slowly takes her shoes off before stepping on the blanket. Fernando sits at the base of the tree, using it as a back support. Tammy sits next to him, leaning against his shoulder.

Tammy: What do you have planned for the day?
Fernando: You said you wanted your husband back.
Tammy: But you said that there was a condition, that you wanted me back first.
Fernando: That's why we are here.

Tammy is not sure how to answer that, so she doesn't. Fernando moves the picnic basket to them but does not opens it. He lays back against the tree and rests.

Tammy: That for us?
Fernando: No, its for the two squirrel by the tree.
Tammy: Huh? Oh... (she reaches to open it) Why you say so?

Fernando reaches to her, taking her by the shoulders, pulling her back towards him and onto his lap. She defends herself minimally, putting her hands up and tries to push him away for she did not know what he was about to do. He grabs her by the wrists, putting her arms down and leaned towards her, putting his lips to hers. She continues to fight it at first, but then relaxes, letting it increase in passion for the moment. He eventually lets her go in mid kiss, needing to hold himself by the tree as to not fall on to her. She puts her arms around him. After a while, the separate.

Tammy: What was that for?
Fernando: That's for treating you so badly for almost a year, but yet you had not leave me.
Tammy: Why would I leave you?
Fernando: Because I did not love you as a husband should.
Tammy: But you did. You held me when I needed to cry, you taught me what I had learn for this job and most importantly you protected me from the dangers that are out there. I don't think no one would do what you had done for me.
Fernando: I was just doing my job of protecting you.
Tammy: You were doing the job a husband would be doing, and that's protecting your wife and family which includes Bink and I.
Fernando: I'm just sorry for giving you hell when you did not deserve it.
Tammy: No, don't be. I put myself through hell. I could have listened and not go after my sister like I did, forcing the others and you mostly to protect me from this evil. I just don't believe how people can allow themselves to be so evil.
Fernando: They do it for power and money. If they can take it, they would steal what love they can from others too. But really, Tammy. Can you see yourself married to me as a loving and caring wife, one who is willing to put up with her husband's negatives in order to have his positives; or is this a marriage of convenience where all that is done is for your safety and happiness while you would only reciprocate minimally in order to keep the marriage going? In short, Tammy, what is in your heart?

For a while she does not answer, as she thinks she does not know how to answer. All this time, she has allowed herself to feel but not check those emotions for their validity. She has allowed herself to give so much to this man because she believed in something that may not exist. She has forced herself to be married to him, slept in the same bed with him, shared her thoughts and feelings with him, done all those things that a woman in love would do for her man, given up her life for his happiness, and has now is forced to do something about it. It is a quandary of a quagmire that she does not want to face, but has too. It hurts just to think in these terms.

She puts her forehead against his chest, closing her eyes tightly to hold back the tears would flood her emotional existence. She grits her teeth hard at the anger of what she is mentally putting herself through. Her throat tightens, fists clench, every fiber of her being fighting against what it holds dear for itself to a given test, and the possible low score it would receive. She pushes off against him, opening her eyes which allows the tears to run down her face, her hands and arms visibly shaking from where they were against him. She tries to talk but finds it difficult to do at first. At a second attempt, her voice cracks against the tightness in her larynx.

Tammy: I do. I do love you! That's why I married you! I wanted you to be my husband, father to my puppies, and life time partner for as long as we both shall live!

She hesitates for a second, wiping the tear with her forearm, and taking a deep breathe.

Tammy: Its been rough for me. People have said that I had a crush on you, that I had some kind of mental breakdown syndrome that would force me to love you without realizing it. God- if that were true and had you been somebody else, I would not be a virgin today. It's the one thing missing from what we have, and I thank you for not taking advantage of me for it.

She leans against him, putting the side of her face against his chest, holding both hands together in front of her, and begins to cry.

Fernando: Want an annulment?
Tammy (as she cries): What for?
Fernando: Just in asking, since we never consummated our marriage, you can end it if it so pleases you.

Tammy tries hard to control herself and eventually does. She gets up

Tammy: Having sexual intercourse is not Love. You taught me that a long time ago. In fact I knew that before but you are the only one that demonstrated that fact to me. As such, with what little we given each other in terms sex and Love, though we have not physically mated, we have emotionally. In that we have consummated this marriage for what it is. But I just want to know why.
Fernando: We never had the time. Yes we slept together, we hold each other, but one was never ready for the other. If I were, I would never force myself on you.
Tammy: But you been having those headaches for a long time now. I know that it has to do with something with time Travel and altering the past to save the future, but why?
Fernando: That answer is simple; a future without you is no future at all.

Tammy does not know how to answer that.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Aug 29^th, 2010, 11:15pm

Hondo napped for a bit but even though exhausted an' hurtin' from bein' injured he couldn't sleep the day away, unfortunately. After a while Hondo turned on the tV to stave off boredom. He found an N.C.I.S. Marathon on and watched that for a good long time. he kinda liked Ziva an' felt a bit of sympathy for the character. He chuckled at some of DiNozzo's antics, grinned at Abby an' Ducky's styles, an' wished he was more like Gibbs at times. Hondo shook his head at his own thoughts after a while. He didn't think the lack of activity in the shape he was in would play such havoc on his mind. It was all so fake. The characters interacted well, stayed out of each others beds, an' they finished their missions with very few wounds on their own team an' in short order, less than a week usually. It was all too good to be true. Not that he didn't like workin' with Fernando. here were very few folks Hondo would consider working with an' Fernando was at the top of the list. IT's just that it seemed like the folks on N.C.I.S. made a difference fast. Fernando an' Hondo had in the past, but recently they seemed to be in a dry spell with them gettin' hurt more than gettin' anythin' done.

Hondo also guessed he missed a female companion. It had been a while since Rose had dumped him so unceremoniously, an' even though these injuries he now had were also done by someone he had loved in the past, she was no longer the one he loved. That woman was clearly dead n' he knew he'd end up killin' the body that used to house her. Now more than ever did he need a gal to hold in his arms, to tell him he was doin' the right thing an' to just be there for him when the smoke cleared. But not just any gal would do. He learned this from his experiences with Red an' Rose. IT would take a very special gal for him. One that would be willin' to wait while he made sure they would work before he committed to anythin'.

Hondo sighed an' lay back further into the chair as he tried to clear his mind. He went back to focusin' on the show again an' tryin' to rest. He chuckled again as DiNozzo said somethin' stupid that earned him a whack on the back of the head, then Hondo closed his eyes an' listened to the show as he rested.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Oct 30^th, 2010, 7:43pm

Fernando reaches into the picnic basket to open it. He pulls out a couple of glasses, a bottle of wine and another bottle of water. This is followed with him reaching into his pocket and pulling out a packet of pills. Two of them had the letters 'RU-22' on its packages. The third was wrapped in paper, which he unravels, revealing a pill that seem to glow on its own, with an ever changing pattern of swirls against its silvery color.

Fernando (as he holds the pill between his thumb and index finger to her face too see it up close): Our marriage vows are for 'until death do us apart.' But Tammy, I don't want you to die.
Tammy: But, we all live and die.
Fernando: Think about it, I should have died a long time ago from just time traveling alone. But I have not aged since 33, since the day I took a pill like one. And now, I offer this to you. Immortality, Eternal Youth and the ability to heal from most injuries, but with a catch- you can still die by the most extreme of situations. Like I did once before.
Tammy: When you got shot on our wedding day?
Fernando: No. It was when I as Aiesha's father, and shortly after a couple of little accidents that gave me these powers of time and space. A long time ago, The Orions, who deemed themselves as the Time Police, saw that Earth reached Time Traveling Capabilities and decided that such a society was not worth having that ability and decided to destroy us. In a plan to stop their attack, A group of time travelers was led by Fernando went forth to stop the attack. The plan was to release an Orion Rift Generator in the middle of the Orion Armada. The group made it but problems arose, forcing Fernando to remain at the entrance of the time portal while the Orion Rift Generator was launched in run-away mode. The resulting explosion destroyed the Orion Armada and lead to the Temporal Peace Accords with all Time Traveling capable societies of the known universe. It was decided than that individuals causing damage by universal temporal incursion will be held guilty and not the societies that they came from.
Tammy: So Fernando was killed in the resulting explosion?
Fernando: No. If Earth would have felt the explosion, it would not have survived. Instead, Fernando was hit with various energies, including a Gamma Ray burst. He would die from radiation poisoning 10 days later. A cure that came for him, came too late. The Sirians who were at war with the Orions because of Time Travel incursions, created this cure. It gives any carbon based life form a boost of energy, giving that life form immortality along with Eternal Youth, or at least stopping the aging process. When it was decided to pull another Fernando from the alternate universes, I was chosen and given the pill. I was also given a stash of them, to give it to anyone who I deem needs it. There are two kinds- one to heal those from near death injuries, the other for immortality. I gave Hondo one for his injuries. This one is for you to live forever.
Tammy: Forever?
Fernando: Until the end of Time.
Tammy: But...
Fernando: But nothing. A future without Tammy is no future at all. Understand that.
Tammy: What...

As she spoke, Fernando pops the pill into her mouth hard, making it hit the back of her throat hard, making her gag before it gets swallowed. He takes the bottle of water for her drink, which she does in a hurry.

Tammy: Why you did that for?!!
Fernando: I said it a couple of times, and I'll say it again. A future without Tammy is no future at all.
Tammy: What do you mean by that?!!
Fernando: I cant tell you, but I will say this- your inability to shoot back will be your death. Now don't say nothing of it or try to change because I told you. You are to be able to defend yourself with what you have and know. You seen me die once, you seen me almost die not too long ago ether. I don't want to see you die... I want you to do your best.

Tammy leans against him and holds him. For a moment she does not say a thing.

Tammy: I promise to do my best... but Let Me Make Those Decisions!! I swear! When will this thing take affect?!!
Fernando: It should have by now.
Tammy: I'm not happy with this!
Fernando: Why?
Tammy: Because! I'm going to spend the rest of forever watching my friends and family grow old and die!
Fernando: Most of your friends will be dead within 5 years because of their own fault. And its not because you or I could not save them, we tried. But I'm say that you will not be dead with them.
Tammy (giving a blank stare): My friends, dead? Gadget?
Fernando: Yes.
Tammy: Chip?
Fernando: Him too.
Tammy: Dale? Monty, Zipper?
Fernando: Yes, yes, and.. hmmm... Zipper too.
Tammy: How?
Fernando: Why you want to know?
Tammy: Because I want to save them!
Fernando: Like I said, we tried. You tried until I had to pull you away and dragged you kicking and screaming into a rescue life pod. I had to yell at you that they were already dead.
Tammy: But what happened?
Fernando: Galactic war breaks out because of Jeanette and her friend Misao. It was the Terrians- us, vs. the Atlanteans- them along with many other factions who wanted to join. Now, as my wife, I want you to learn what I have to teach. I want you to be able as I do. I might be a time traveler, but I am just one. But most importantly, I want you to be my wife.

Tammy could just sit there in awe, trying to soak it all in. Fernando takes one of the RU-22 pill packets and puts it into her hand before taking the bottle of wine and filling the glasses. She looks down at the packet of pills.

Fernando: What happens in the future, remains in the future. All we can do is what is here and now. One mission, to find my murder before she finds you. I gave you a chance to at least survive being shot at like I did.
Tammy: But...
Fernando: But nothing. I need you as you needed me. I gave you what can save you because you will need that sword you fight with to have an edge. You need to be my wife as like you said I need to be your husband. And together we will do things that we can not do alone. Do you understand me?
Tammy: Yes.
Fernando: Do you still want me? As your husband? As your lover? And as your friend?

Tammy was hesitant in answering.

Tammy: Yes...
Fernando: You sure?

She only nods.

Fernando: Until death or Time does us apart, I will do for you as you need of me and you will do for me as I need of you. It wont be easy, Tammy. But I promise you that I will be your loving husband as I promised you before even through the hard times that we face now and forever.
Tammy (as she nods slightly): I will. But can I ask a question?
Fernando: Anything.
Tammy: Why?
Fernando: Why?...
Tammy (interrupting him before be can answer): Yes.
Fernando: Because... no man is complete without his wife at his side. That's why.

She just looks at him, not believing what he had said. Nor noticing that he was drawing closer to her until their lips met. At first she was unresponsive, then her eyes slowly closed and her arms wrapped around her as one of his arms did the same while the remained on the on the ground to hold their balance.

In a brownstone tenement in Rome, an old man washes his hands in a dirty sink.

"You should remain on that bed for the next few days for that leg to heal....

"I need to find him and make sure he is dead!...

"Annie... you have the resources of Padania and access to the mafia to kill anyone you want, Mistress Annie....

Annie: You don't understand- I shot him in the heart and yet he returns from the dead!

'so did you, Mistress Annie. You tell me who he is, and I will place a reward on his head.

Annie: No need for that, Remi. I will take care of it myself.

Remi: Are you sure? You know I have been taking care of your family for a very long time now and will anything to protect them.

Annie: I know Remi. You have been a grateful butler and you will be rewarded for your hard work. But this is something I have to take care of myself.

Remi (handing her a cellphone): Very well Mistress Annie. May I recommend Bruno.

Annie smiles, then dials her cellphone.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Nov 1^st, 2010, 2:18pm

Hondo had fallen asleep early in the afternoon, when exactly he did not know. He woke groggily at first. His hat had fallen into his lap while he slept. He looked around 'slowly at first trying to regain his focus an' remember why he was there. He had slept hard, much harder than he liked to on a mission. The details of the mission at hand slowly crept back to him. he looked over at a clock on the wall; It read 4:00 PM. He didn't hear anythin' or see anyone around. This worried him a bit, an' without thinkin' he jumped up out of the chair, the pistol that was in his lap in hand. He shook his head as he stood there. As he did so a mild headache brought back to him that he had been injured. He looked down at the pistol in his left hand and it all came back to him. He sat back down on the edge of the chair as he felt a bit dizzy from tryin' to wake up an' be alert so fast from a very hard sleep. 'He looked down at his right arm, moved his fingers an' flexed the muscles.

Hondo (thinkin'): Hmm . . . that pill worked faster than Fernando said. It must have knocked me out to finish the job as it found my body's chemistry fairly fast.

Hondo stood back up slowly as his head cleared. He slowly moved an' stretched all his muscles. There was some residual pain, but he attributed that to his muscles being stiff mostly. He looked in a mirror to see himself in it. His shirt was still unbuttoned so he could see his upper torso an' face well. Very little scaring could be seen at all. He looked tired mostly, though he didn't feel too bad.

Holstering his pistol as he walked, Hondo checked out the drive way. Fernando's car wasn't there nor in the garage. Jeanie's car was there, so Hondo figured her an' her staff were in their respective rooms. After not findin' a trace of Tammy or Fernando, Hondo checked the house phone for messages. There was nothin' an' he didn't have Fernando's number memorized. Hondo grumbled about losin' his cell phone an' havin' to get another. He knew he would have to send someone else to get one or do without for now 'cause if Laurie Ann thought he was dead, then she would relay the info to Anne some how, so she would think Tammy would have one less person protectin' her, though by know she most likely knew Fernando was still alive after the market place incident.

Hondo walked upstairs to his room. He limped a little still as the leg that had the brace on it was still very stiff. In his room Hondo changed into some older jeans and a black t-shirt, grabbed an' old 1911 handgun out of his duffel bag, one he rarely used as he much preferred his revolvers, loaded it, shoved it into his waistband, and then walked to the basement area of the house to an area set up for working out.

In this area there was some workout equipment, a pushin' bag, and a speed bag, no pads or anything like that. the equipment was dusty from being unused an' needed oilin'. Hondo oiled an' dusted it all quick like and changed a flickerin' florescent bulb above the equipment then set to usin' it. He started with slow type workouts on the weight machine there to losen up his muscles then moved on to the speed ball and punching bag. n those two he worked on speedin' up his flexes, losenin' his muscles an' revililizin' his muscle memory of what he knew about kick boxin' Irish bare knuckle boxin', an' a limited knowledge of jujitsu and kempo karate.

Hondo worked out for almost an hour an' a half. The clock read 5:45 as he entered the main livin' area of the house. He looked outside again but didn't see a sign of Fernando's car. He frowned at not knowin' what was up and headed back upstairs to shower and change into fresh clothes. '

Once he was done he threw a load of his laundry into the washer and headed back to his room. There he strapped on is normal guns, an' checked his shotgun an' rifle. Both were loaded and ready. Hondo grabbed up the shotgun, some extra ammo on a leather bandoleer an' headed out to roof. There he sat an' kept watch.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jan 22^nd, 2011, 1:22pm

Some time has pasted but no more than an hour and a half. Much of the food has been eaten and at least one of the bottle of wine was empty. Empty glasses lay on their side on the blanket, with what dregs that were on the glasses bottom, now staining the sheet where they glasses lay.

Tammy was sitting across on Fernando's lap, holding on him as they kissed passionately like they had never had before with each other or any anyone else. In fact, they were going at like a pair of teenage squirrels in heat during mating season. But eventually this has to end.

Tammy puts her hands against Fernando's chest and pushes herself away from him to separate and end their lip-lock and feel-up session. She takes a sigh before leaning towards him with a slight and unsure smile.

Fernando: Too fast for you?
Tammy: Uhm... I don't know.
Fernando: We should be able to do anything together.
Tammy: No, its not that. Its... you know. Not so much like my little girl's dream of being picked up by a prince and ride with him on his white horse.
Fernando: I am all that I got.
Tammy: And I accept you to be my prince.

Fernando does not say a word to answer.

Fernando: We have so much to do and so little time to do it in.
Tammy: But now that you forced me to be immortal, doesn't immortality grants more time to wait and take action with?
Fernando: No. We can wait it out in hiding for the next 30 years for our enemies to die but that does not give a solution to their actions they now take. We have to act swiftly in order to insure that they are met with the solution of death because death on their part will guarantee that they will never act in such a way again. Not towards us and not towards anyone else.
Tammy: Can I at least a have a few days together with you before going out and save the world?
Fernando: I can only give you one day.
Tammy: One day?
Fernando: One day, and its today.
Tammy: Just one day?
Fernando: If we delay any more, the consequences of what may happen will increase exponentially.

Tammy just sighs.
Fernando: Seriously. Our little friend is hiding somewhere and might be gathering other friends and resources. The more time we give her, the more time she has in gathering more resources.

Tammy just nods.

Fernando: Good. Lets go.

Fernando gets up after putting away the items of their picnic. He helps her up onto her feet and takes the blanket that laid on the floor. Heading to the rear of the car to put the stuff away, Tammy follows him.

Fernando gives her a look for a moment before closing the rear hatch. He then picks her up and carries her to the passenger side, opening the door and setting her into the seat. He reaches over and does the seatbelt for her.

Tammy: You did not had to do that!
Fernando: If a man wants to carry his woman, then she should not complain.
Tammy: But I could have walked myself!
Fernando: A man has to do what he has to in order to be a man. A woman has to do what she has to do to be a woman. I know my place, not many modern women do in theirs.

Before she could answer, Fernando closes the door and walks around the front to the driver's side. There he enters the car and gets ready to drive home.

Tammy (as he puts the car in gear): I know my place.
Fernando: And where would that be?
Tammy: Uhm... I'm not supposed to tell you.
Fernando: In the contrary, you do.

Fernando stops the Porsche by the gate of the park.

Fernando: As a husband, I'm supposed to love and honor you, give you what you need to make things better for us. I am supposed to make the decisions that effects both our lives.
Tammy: Of all the male chauvinistic attitudes I ever heard!

Fernando turns to face her, reaching over and unbuckles her seat belt, then his before turning off the engine. He gets out of the car, Tammy watches him bewildered and unsure of what he is going to do. The door opens on her side.

Fernando: Step out.
Tammy: What for?
Fernando (getting angry but holding back against his temper, though the change of tone in his voice would say that he would chop her head off): I SAID FOR YOU TO STEP OUT!

Tammy slowly does get out of the car. Once she has taken a couple of steps away from the car, Fernando slams the door hard enough to make the Porsche rock on its shock absorbers.

Tammy (trying to show some bravery): I'm out.
Fernando: Don't You Ever Go Against What I Have To Say! NEVER! I Already Lost One Wife For Not Listening To Me! I'm Not Going To Lose You! You Think That This Woman's Liberation And Equality Makes You Equal To Me?!! Think And Choose Your Words Carefully, Because There No Such Thing As The Crime Of Rape Of A Woman Against A Man. I May Trust You But I Don't Trust Your Actions Totally. Nor Do I trust Ex Boyfriends, Past Lovers, And I Don't Trust The Rescue Rangers! Do You Understand What I'm Telling You?!!
Tammy: Yes I Do.
Fernando: Don't Ever Cross This Line With Me Again.
Tammy: And if I do?
Fernando: If you want a taste of Freedom, you can start walking.
Tammy: You Wouldn't Dare.

Fernando opens the driver's door of the Porsche, and reaches down to the power lock switch, locking the passenger door. Realizing what happened, Tammy grabs on the door handle and tries to open, but finds the door locked. Fernando gets in through his door and closes it. The engine is turned on and his seat belt snapped into place. The car is put into gear and slowly pulls away while Tammy was still holding on, trying to open the door. Before she would be dragged, she lets go of the door. Seeing that she was clear, Fernando drives off through the gate, then stops once he was on the other side.

The passenger door opens by itself. Tammy trots over and gets in closing the door behind her.

Fernando (as Tammy does her seat belt): The price of freedom is not free. With me, your price is to be without me. With people out there wanting to see you dead, it is a very heavy price to pay. As my wife you are to be part of me. Going against me goes against being my wife. I will love you, cherish you, honor you but you are not to go against what I hold dear. What I do is to have you alive for one more day. Go against that, dare to be free and you die by the hands of others.

Without saying a further word, Fernando revs the engine and snaps the clutch into gear, making the Porsche spin its wheels on the gravel before catching the ground underneath, launching itself forward harder than what astronauts feel during a space shuttle launch.

The ride was fast as long as traffic allowed it. Most of the time Fernando had the engine near red-line in what ever gear he had the transmission in as kilometer markers past by them every 6 seconds.

It took less than 1/2 an hour to get to the house near the other side of Rome from Nemi
He rode the brakes for the last couple kilometers trying to slow down to make the turn into the driveway and the parking area behind the house. Fernando didn't notice Hondo on the roof. Once in the parking area, Fernando turns off the engine. The power locks trip, unlocking the doors.

Tammy does not say a word, but gets up and out of the car, heading to the house, holding all emotions in trying to be strong but failing once she enters and runs up the stairs. She enters Fernando's room, diving onto the bed and taking a pillow to beat up on as she lets go of all emotional control. Her actions do not go unnoticed.

Hondo walks over to the other side of the roof and looks down at Fernando by the Porsche, emptying the trunk. He silence tells him that things were not well between him and Tammy. He hops down off the roof to the balcony below it.

Hondo: Yo Boss.

Fernando looks around him, not finding Hondo anywhere until he look up at the balcony and finds him there.

Fernando: Wus Up?

It struck Hondo odd that Fernando did not complain about being called 'Boss'.

Hondo: I'll be right down.

It didn't matter to Fernando what Hondo did. But he had to put his feelings in check , for being annoyed and angry at Tammy does not mean that he held the same feelings to Hondo. He continued to take out the picnic items out of his car.

Jeanie enters Fernando's room unnoticed, as Tammy kept crying into the pillow she had beaten. Quietly Jeanie walks to the bed and sits on it gently. She gently puts her hand on Tammy's back, gently rubbing it. Whether Tammy noticed it or not during the time being, she does a few seconds later, pushing the arm out the way and staring at who it was with her.

Tammy: You!...
Jeanie: Everything alright?
Tammy: No! And its All Your Fault!
Jeanie: How is it my fault?!!
Tammy: He never wanted Me! He Wants You!
Jeanie: I think you get it all wrong.
Tammy: How would you know! You Want Him! You Even Said You Want Him!
Jeanie: I did say that I do want him, but I did not know that he was married to you. And I will say that I still want him but I would never disrespect his marriage to anyone- including you. Understand that what we have is a friendship that only exists because of who we are to each other. He saved my life and I owe him everything in that life. I'm a multi-billionaire Asian news publisher, he wants nothing to do with my money or property. Believe me, I have friends only because I can drop 40,000 dollars their way. But not Fernando, he want to work for what he has, he wants to earn for what he got. He has you, and I know through our friendship that he will not do you wrong.
Tammy: That's A Lie! What He Wants Is...

Tammy is a lost for words.

Jeanie: What does he want?

Tammy tries to find the words but they still elude her.

Tammy: He wants... I don't know what he wants! All I know its not me!
Jeanie: He would not have married you if he didn't like you. Why else would he marry you?
Tammy: He married me because he loved me. But he was killed and then he returned as a different person!
Jeanie: You mean his agency double.
Tammy: No!

Tammy just stares at her.

Tammy: You don't know?
Jeanie: Know what? There are not many secrets he has that I don't know.
Tammy: Then you know that he is a time traveler?
Jeanie: Time traveler? No. He's a US Secret Agent. He has access to things that I would not want to know.
Tammy: No... I mean besides that. He is a time traveler. I mean'

Tammy goes to his desk and takes his laptop from it and brings it to the bed. Opening it up wakes it from sleep mode. She goes through the application folder but finds nothing out of the ordinary.

Tammy (almost to herself): Its here... somewhere.

Jeanie closes the laptop and take it from her, putting it on the desk where she took it from.

Jeanie: I'm sure it is, but that's his personal property. Even if you are his wife, you are to respect his personal property.
Tammy: But... it was there... somewhere.
Jeanie: Look. Something tells me that you fell in love and got married to his agency double.
Tammy: NO!
Jeanie: Then tell me how you two got married.
Tammy: We got married ten days before he was killed.
Jeanie: How he is still here alive after being killed?
Tammy: I don't know. He's a time traveler!
Jeanie: Even if he is a time traveler, dead is dead. He would not be coming back. How do you know its even him? You're his wife, you should know him intimately.
Tammy: We... never had a chance.
Jeanie: Not even the basics?
Tammy: Basics?
Jeanie: Basics, like: His multi-iris-ring angel eyes colours (No...); his ears prematurely ending where they should be pointed (no...); hidden scar by his left eyebrow on his forehead (no...); mole in the middle of his right forearm (no...). You know none of this about him?
Tammy (putting her head down): No.
Jeanie: Then you probably don't know about the white square patch of fur behind his left leg above the ankle.

Tammy shakes her head.

Jeanie: I wont mention the birthmark behind his right testicle.
Tammy: What?!!
Jeanie: He has a little birthmark behind his right testicle, looks like a mini cashew.
Tammy: And how would you know!
Jeanie: Been there, done that with him while you were probably in school learning your A B Cs. Seriously, I'm twice your age and I am younger than he is by a couple of years, and I have known him, his friends and his first wife while you were probably crying in Kindergarten because Mickey stole your crayons. I'll admit that I have not gone all the way with him as I would have wanted too, but we came very close to it on several occasions. Therefore, you should know him as intimately as I do and even more so. You should be carrying his squirrel puppies by now. You fail on being a wife to him on many levels. You don't marry somebody just because it is convenient for you. You are giving him a disservice if you are!
Tammy: Then what does it mean to be a wife?!!
Jeanie: To be a wife means to be many things depending on who she is and who he is. The basics for us women is simple, we give up everything in our lives to make his better; we are loyal to him and not just in the sexual term to being loyal. We have to be his best friend, do things with him that he would only trust with his male friends, support his hobbies, understand his deficiencies, strengthen his weaknesses, and most of all- no matter how wrong he may be you have to back him up. You do all that for him, he will the same for you but more so.
Tammy: And what if he would cheat on me?
Jeanie: A man would only cheat on his wife if she is not giving him what you are supposed to give him or you cheat on him first. If he does, you need to be forgiving to him because without him, you are nothing.
Tammy: I am too somebody!
Jeanie: Then divorce him and walk out on his life if you think you are. But listen to me first. Nobody in this world is capable of living alone happy. No one is able to do for themselves those things they need others to do for them. In short, no matter how many friends or family you may have, you do not want to live alone, you do not want to die alone. This is what love and acceptance is all about. You are nothing without him because he compliments you as you compliment him. It goes both ways. I know Fernando enough to know that he wont do you wrong, but you are doing wrong to him by not being his other half. Like I said- you don't give a man what he wants and needs, he will find somebody else to do it in your place. I understand you American women wanting to be free because I am an American woman too, but that does not make you his wife. It makes you an incomplete and incompatible half. If you want sex, you can go out a screw who ever you want to satisfy your lust, but if you want love, there is one person out there willing to give it to you unconditionally but only if you give it first. All I see you doing is nothing but excuses. You are not a wife by any mean or form.
Tammy: I Too Am His Wife!
Jeanie: Then prove it. Not to me, nor to him though you should but to yourself. All I see right now is a little girl who lost her teddy bear. That teddy bear is not going to her, she is going to need to go looking for it, for all this crying wont find it for her. You have a lot to learn, and don't use your age of inexperience as an excuse. He was married to his first wife at 22, I was married to my husband at 25 and we did our best with what little we had to make it work. You are not. You are just making excuses.

Jeanie gets up out of the bed and heads to the door and stops before opening it.

Jeanie: He tells you something, you listen. He tells you have to do something, you do it. I'm not telling you to be his robo-wife, I'm telling you to be a wife.

The door opens and she leaves.

Downstairs in the parking lot, Hondo tries to make conversation as he helps Fernando carry the things into the basement to put away.

Hondo: How did it go.
Fernando: Not well.
Hondo: But its fixable. Right?
Fernando: Nothing to fix.
Hondo: So...
Fernando (dropping his things): Look. I'm not going to forfeit my life because she's too reckless with hers. I don't care about her past, her ex-boyfriends or her former lovers, she is with me. She says that she loves me, she knows nothing of what that means or entails. The only good thing in this relationship is that I never consummated the marriage with her, therefore I can go to the bishop, make my payment and annul this marriage once and for all. She wants to endanger her life, fine by me. She can go endanger it without me.
Hondo: Whoa... back up a step or two. What happened?
Fernando: I just said everything. Weren't you listening?
Hondo: I was. But details. What you mean you wont forfeit your life for hers.
Fernando: Like I said, I wont. I gave her the bio-energy pill so that she wont be killed if it got to that point. She did not wanted it even after I shoved it down her throat.
Hondo: Wait, you cant force immortality on anyone like that.
Fernando: I just did. And I dont care anymore. She thinks that her friends are more important than I- her husband. She said that she is more than capable in making her own decisions but she is going to be killed by them. She does not understand what shit she is in and how much of a chunk of her ass its going to bitten off. She thinks that she can do this all by herself. In short she has went against everything this marriage stands for.
Hondo: If I can ask, what does the marriage stand for?
Fernando: Saving her life.
Hondo: And?
Fernando: And what?
Hondo: She went against in you saving her life. Right?
Fernando: Look. I am going to take care of Anne. You are going to take are of whoever gave you strife and grief over here. Then we are going to take care of Misao. You do me a favor and put on the trench coat in your closet. You may not like dressing up in suits like I do, but like my suits, the trench is bullet proof.

Jeanie walks in to the basement room, Hondo gives a Fernando a nudge to get his attention and points to her.

Fernando: Something wrong?
Jeanie: We need to talk. Alone.
Fernando: Hondo...
Hondo: Yeah, yeah. I'll wait upstairs. Maybe I can put some burgers on the grill.
Fernando: Thanks.

Hondo leaves the basement. Once up the stairs, Jeanie closes the door behind her.

Fernando: Going to tell me what you have to say or are we going to play 50 questions?
Jeanie: I had a long talk with your wife. Damn girl is daft in the head.
Fernando: What did she say?
Jeanie: Among other things, that you are a time traveler. That is was you that was killed and not some agency double.
Fernando: And you believe her?
Jeanie: Of course not. The girl is insane.
Fernando: There are certain things I don't tell you because I don't want them to be plastered on tomarrow's headline news. But, what ever comes out of her mouth is the truth. One thing I can say about Tammy is that she does not lie, no matter how crazy the truth seems to her.
Jeanie: What are you trying to say?
Fernando: Maybe I am a time traveler. Maybe I was killed and brought back from the dead. But either way, I do not want this information made public. I'm asking you not too.
Jeanie: You need to prove that to me.

Fernando pulls out his Paw 3000 device and taps on his screen. A bright flash happens on one of the washing machine, where his laptop is when it was not there before.

Jeanie: Teleportation has been around for a while now.
Fernando: True but... hmmm... you would agree that some 23+ years ago, we did not have the technology we have today. Right?
Jeanie: Yes.
Fernando: So miniature tv cameras with audio did not exist.

Jeanie nods. Fernando types on the laptop, and a bright orb appears, floating by him. He takes Jeanie by the hand.

Fernando: Remember the day you nearly drowned?
Jeanie: Of course. You saved me on that day.
Fernando: But you never knew who pushed you in. Right?
Jeanie: I had my suspicions.
Fernando: Then look.

The orb opens up showing the events of that day.

Mr. Braum showed up to talk with Ms O'Rerdin, passing by the group as he approached her. Without warning or reason, he reaches out and pushes one of the girls into the pool, all of whom can barely swim. But the girl Mr. Braum had pushed in was one who could hardly swim at all: Jeanie Chin. From where Fernando stood, he takes a couple of steps and diveve into the deep end, grabbing Jeanie by her mid section and pulling her out of the pool. She was already passed out and not breathing, probably because she gasped when she was pushed in and breathed in water, causing her to go into pulmonary shock and stop breathing.

Fernando puts her on the floor, positioning her head to the side to expel the water she might have swallowed, putting his hands on her lower chest and push down on her. She coughs up a bit of water as Fernando pushes down on her, but was still not breathing. He then switches to beside her head and reposition her to give her mouth to mouth resuscitation. The class gathers around us and watched. After a few breathes, Jeanie crunches upwards and starts coughing. The class starts clapping and cheering, though Mr. Braum and Ms O'rerdin quickly quiets them down.

"You alright?", Fernando asks Jeanie. At first she nods her head and then grabs him and hugs him tightly and starts to cry. "There, there... you're safe now...", he tells her. She starts to quiet down a bit but does not lets him go.

"Come on, I need her to fill out an accident report.", Ms O'rerdin stated as she reached over to us.

"I'll do the paperwork, you just sign it when I'm done.", Fernando tells Ms O'rerdin as he picks up Jeanie and carried her to the office. He sits her down on a bench on the far side of the room while he looks for the paper work, and fills it out. He just fill out the facts, checking the little boxes of listed items and write the statement below. Everything else, he leaves blank, like her name, class/homeroom, date and time. Nor does he allows her to sign it, as its required at the bottom of the page.

Fernando walks up to her and stick his hand out to her for her to take. She does, and uses it to help her get up, and she grabs him again, holding him tightly.
"You saved my life.", Jeanie stated emotionally.
"I do it all the time, Jeanie.", Fernando tells her.
"I owe you my life.", he can hear her say quietly to herself as she held on tightly.

With a few keystrokes, the orb disappears.

Jeanie: What was that?
Fernando: It was an observational portal into the past. Your, make that, our shared past.
Jeanie: But...
Fernando: I created this version of a time machine in order to save Cathy on the night she was killed. Little did I know that there are certain events that can not be changed.

Jeanie just stares at him.

Fernando: This is not the only Time Travel device out there, but this is one of two that I built using Dr. Kaku's theoretical design. Mind you, there are other Time Travel devices out there, some by alien races that I rather not speak about. Now, to answer your question, I am a time traveler who decided to protect those few around him for what ever reason. I do not go back to change events to my advantage, but I do prepare for future outcomes that become known to me and manipulate the present to alter that outcome if needed. Right now, my wife needs me or else she will end up dead sooner than the marriage with my first wife. If I fail, she dies. I don't intend to fail.

Jeanie snaps out of her fazed state of mind as she absorbed all this information.

Jeanie: Wife, you mean Tammy, upstairs Tammy?
Fernando: Who else would I be talking about?
Jeanie: So, what she said about you being killed, is it true?
Fernando: Depends on your point of view of the truth.
Jeanie: What is your POV (Point of view)?

Fernando access the video surveillance library from the house's intrusion system, accessing the event in question. He brings her over to the laptop to see the events as they happen.

Fernando walks around the service island into the kitchen and gets out a clean glass for her. He fills it with ice and then water. Anne had found his gun neatly holster away on the table. She quietly removes it from the holster and takes aim to him. He turns to put the glass on the service island, seeing Anne having his weapon already aimed at him.

After a long round of dialog a shot rings out, Fernando get hit near center of his chest. Breathing for him just become difficult, the pain unbearable, nerve signals to his legs and lower body gone. His white wedding shirt, turning bright red at the site of impact and spreading fast. But yet he manages to holds on to the island to keep him standing. He looks at his shirt as it turns from white to red before looking back at her. After an exchange of words he stumbles a bit as he gets weak. After a while he falls to the floor and dies.

Jeanie: That was you. But how?
Fernando: All I can say is that a Time Traveler can never be killed, but they can die of old age. That is best I can explain it.
Jeanie: But...
Fernando: Quantum Immortality. Out of two possible outcomes to happen, both happens to me. I got killed in one outcome but continue in another, both exist at the same place and time. I can be killed an infinite number of times, but die once.
Jeanie: Because Natural Death only has a single outcome.
Fernando: Now you got it.

Jeanie tries to think what to say next but falls short for words.

Fernando: Don't worry about it. Like I tell you that I dont need your money because I have an infinite supply of my own. And also, my missions are to help save you guys. Tammy is currently first since she is the next event to happen. In the future, it will be you and the Asian community when I go against Misao and the Atlanteans. When I need help in that one, I will be calling you. But for now, I want you to never say a word I mentioned here, about me being a time traveler and the events yet to happen because in telling others, you alter the events in a gross way that will make it difficult for me to deal with manipulating that event. You understand what I am telling you?

Jeanie only nods.

Fernando: Good.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jan 26^th, 2011, 10:21pm

Hondo left Jeanie and Fernando in the basement and went into the kitchen. He rummaged around for what he would need to cook some burgers on the grill an' laid it all out on the counter. A lot ran through his mind as he worked.

He was a bit worried about Tammy an' Fernando's relationship for one thing. He wished he could go give that sassy squirrel a kick in the butt an' a good scoldin', though he knew it wasn't his place to do so. So, true to his ways, he pondered on it but left it alone for now. He knew Tammy needed Fernando and loved him, he knew Fernando loved her an' wants her to be with him forever, an' he knew that Tammy probably wouldn't understand how much she needs him until she gets into a bad jam herself an' finds herself alone in it. She almost died last time, but it was a surprise to her. Hondo feared that she would have to get into a situation where she was alright but her friends die around her while she is helpless to act before she snaps out of her hesitations an' realizes how much she needs Fernando, an' needs to fight by his side, as his companion, friend, and wife. If she would only realize that bein' married meant not goin' it alone or makin' your own decisions, but standin' side by side with the one you love, an unstoppable force when the bond is right. He pondered on other means of communicatin' this to her, that had less disastrous results. None came to mind. He just hoped Fernando came up with a good idea.

Thinkin' about them also brought up the thought of their bein' mostly immortal. Hondo knew Fernando didn't died and stays fairly young, but to what extent he can he does not know. He still feels pain, hunger, get injured, can be incapacitated, but to what extent? Could he be hacked to pieces an' not heal? Do injuries build up an' cause him joint pain like arthritis?

Hondo had the burgers seasoned an' formed by this time . Jeanie's driver/servant came down in time for Hondo to give him a few instructions. After Hondo had the driver set straight on what to make inside to go with the burgers, he went out to start the grill. He ended up changin' the small propane tank before he could fire it up. Once the grill was lit he turned it on high heat to start the cleanin' process.

The whole immortal thing bothered him. Not the fact of it, as he believed in the immortal soul possessed by those who believe in God an' the sacrifice an' resurrection of his son, Jesus Christ, an' he knew men before the flood lived 900+ years. Also, Hondo knew that there were some things in this world that went beyond explanation, an' none of that bothered him. What bothered him was that, though immortal Fernando could still be hurt easily, an' he he was even abnormal, bein' fast as he is an' his other highly evolved senses, but what about Tammy? Yes, she knew what to do an' how to do it, yet she hesitated. For fear of harm to herself or some deep seated pacifistic belief, he knew not, but what if now bein' immortal or a sort made her feel unstoppable? Made her take unnecessary risks? Feel like Super Tammy. If any one of them was close to super, Fernando was an' he still ducked bullets, as they never agreed with his digestive system.

Hondo cleaned the red hot grill grate with a wire brush until clean bare metal showed. He sprayed it down with a special grillin' non-stick spray an' laid the burgers on the grates. He then closed the lid on the grill, turned the temperature on the grill down to medium, cracked open a cold soda, an' sat down at the picnic table.

Immortal with the one you love.

That brought about many thoughts as well, though two main thoughts stood out most of all. First, the thought of bein' immortal, or at least not dyin' for a long time, or passin' on by a normally mortal blow. The chance to heal an' become your enemy's worst nightmare. Though not a bad thought, was it somethin' he would want? Man had long perused longevity an' immortality through his own means as a way to by-pass God, but would a man in this mortal body be happy livin' in it forever, or even 900 years for that fact. Hondo thought of the pros an' cons to immortality, though he didn't ponder long. He wasn't immortal, nor had been offered it. Fernando had no reason to offer it to him. Hondo was just a friend, a side-kick whom could be replaced an' after some time probably Fernando would find that desirable, even before Hondo outlived his usefulness. Hondo just resolved to do the best with the time he had. Besides, who wants to live forever alone? Even with a friend, without a companion, a help meet, that special someone life was lonely. This Hondo knew all too well.

Hondo stood up an' walked over to the grill. The burgers needed flipped, but wouldn't be a lot longer.

The debt that all men pay: Death.

The topic of immortality always eventually brings up death. Hondo knew he had cheated death many times, far more than many he knew, far more than any had a right to. Some days he felt like a regular Jonah Hex, alive for some unknown reason, though by all right should be dead. He also felt alone. He had been in love a few times, though he had lost every gal he had ever loved one way or another. One right now, who was lost to herself was now out to kill him, her an' her cyborg, drug dealin' boss. All Hondo had ever wanted was that one special gal that could work an' fight right beside him, an' always seem to be there. The one he could eventually grow old an' die with, yet they always seemed to die or just plain run away an' leave him once again alone. What crime had he done against heaven to be hurt an left so alone? That he did not know.

Hondo stood up an' streached. He shook his head to clear out the thoughts that dared try to bring emotion to the surface an' cloud his thoughts and attentions to the mission at hand. He opened the grill once more to find the burgers done to perfection. He turned off the grill, scooped the burgers onto a platter an' carried them inside.

On the table in the kitchen Jeanie's driver had macaroni, potatoe, an' grean leaf salads laid out as well as homemade chips, a sour cream dip an' ranch style baked beans. More than enough for all of them.

Fernando appeared at the top of the stairs as Hondo set the burgers down. Jeanie wasn't far behing him.

Hondo: Burgers an' sides are ready, Jefe.

Fernando: Looks and smells good.

Jeanie: You didn't let that cowboy burn them!

Driver: No, Ma'am. He cooked them to perfection.

Hondo: Thanks, at least I get one vote of confidence 'round here.

Fernando: I'm sure it is all fine.

Hondo: I hope so. Jeeves here seemed to do a good job on the sides. Oh I was gonna ask ya earlier. Ya told me not to talk about what happened to me in that mess until after I was on my feet. Ya want me to tell ya or write it out?

Fernando: If you want to you can fill me in after we eat.

Hondo: well, let's get at it. Do ya want to call Tammy down or do ya think she's up ta eatin'?

24 hours earlier, in a small, country landin' strip in Utah a pilot watched the new while cleanin' the sand out of the carburetors of an old 1932 Stearman 4-EM. The engine had been redone an' now boasted almost 600 hP over the original 450. The paint on the outside was rough, but the pilot kept the engine an' other mechanics in fine workin' order.
Outside the old hanger the wind howled an' tore at the metal buildin' as a 2 day sand storm raged on. The pilot of the old bi-wing had barely made it in, but was not in a hurry to leave. The metal buildin' groaned an' shook with the force of the wind, as if threatenin' to fall down with each new gust.

The old man that served as maintenance, radio operator, an' control tower operator for the little strip slept in his chair behind the desk. The News castor on the TV droned on about politics, unfair treatment of Muslims that bombed peaceful people, an' other bull shit that went on unnoticed by te pilot that worked in a tireless, almost lovin' fashion on the old bi-wing. As the news from abroad came on a picture caught the eye of the pilot. The News castor spoke on the continuin' violence in Italy, an spoke of a shoot out between 2 supposed American's at a country gas station. They played a video taken from the security camera's at the station. There was 3 people visible at first. A cowboy could be made out on the other side of a truck, but no facial features could be seen. It was obvious that the man an' woman even farther away from him, by a ford mustang, were attemptin' to shoot him in the back. The cowboy took out the other man right away, which brought a wry smile to the pilot's face, but the smile was quickly gone. The cowboy seemed to hesitate an' the woman by the mustang moved into full view. The video stopped an' the image of the woman zoomed in on the TV. The new castor reported that the owboy managed to get away, but the woman chased him an' the chse ended in a firey crash. The cowboy was believed to be dead, but the woman was still at large. The pilot looked at the picture in shock at first. Soon a firey hate showed in the young pilots eyes.

Pilot: It's her. Kooter, IT's HER!

The old airport controller jumped up out of his seat.

Kooter: Who?! What?!

Pilot: That woman! The one I've been searchin' for for 2 years! The one that might now if Pa's alive! She works for El Grande! She's in Italy!

Kooter: Settle down. You don't even know if she's still there. Een if you found her she's kill you. Besides you know that lot. If they had your Father they'd have killed him by now for sure.

Pilot: I know.

The pilot looked up at the ceilin' sorrowfully.

Pilot: He probably is dead an' I miss him so. He's all I had left.

The pilot stood still for a moment then looked up. Her eye's flashed an' her teeth grit.

Pilot: I promised Pa, the day he was reported as presumed dead that I'd get the ones that did it. Now is the time.

The pilot shucked off her coveralls. There was still grease on her face, an' her copper colored hair hair hung wildly about her shoulders. Her jeans, an' t-shirt were clean, thanks to the cover all's, but her worn leather western boots showed sighns of grease, dirt, an gasoline on them. She threw on her snap up shirt an' slipped into her bomber jacker an' leather helmet, ignorin' the protets of the of control operator.

Kooter: Now listen here girl, Your father would kill me if I let you do a thing like this! Are you listening to me? You'll only get yourself killed! You need to stay here and kep your fathers memory alive.

Pilot: No I've been hidin' long enough. They will come after me if I don't go after them first.

Kooter: well you can't fly out in this weather!

Pilot: Oh no? Watch me.

Kooter: Why? Why must you do this?

The pilot's green eyes snapped with fire she turned away from the od man an' leaned her head against her plane.

Pilot: The cowboy in that video was fast. Faster on the draw than I've seen in a log time, an' a good shot, yet he couldn't kill her. Now he is dead an' she is still free, her an' that devil man boss of hers! How many more have to die before she is stopped? HOW MANY!?!

Tears flowed down her face as she remembered. Her father was the first to go, but she lost others not long after too. Certain old friends of her fathers feared they would hunt her down after her fathers death for information they thought she might have. They lost their lives protectin' an' hidin' her. She had managed to stay out of sight, flyin' special courier routs through the deserts an' badlands of America in her old bi-wing, but she knew it would not last long. Also, the guilt of the sacrifice of those that had strived to protect her weighed heavy on her too.

Pilot: I will come back, Kooter. I promise.

She kissed his weathered old cheek lightly then turned to open the hanger doors.

Kooter: Go with God. Remember, don't let the hate rule you. You're too good a person to let it rule and ruin your life.

She pushed her plane out into the howlin' sand storm. She covered the air intakes with a temporary sand filter an' started up the engines.

The old man watched as the plane taxied to the runway an' took off.

Kooter: Take care of yourself Valentine.

-----------------------

36 hours later:

A lanky, but shapely woman with copper colored hair, green eyes, dressed in American western garb gets off of a cargo plane at Milan International Airport. She waits by the plane until her ride is unloaded. It was a rough looking, but well tuned 1948 Harley panhead. She strapped her leather duffel bag to the back seat above the saddle bags and climbed on. She fired the cycle up an' drove it to the back of the airport as if to go to customs. Instead she finds a blind spot to the camera's, cuts through the fence wire and pushed the cycle out. She smiles as not a person is in sight as she fires up the old motorcycle an' drives off.

A pair of eye's belongin' to a look-out, under El Jefe grande's employment watches as the young woman slips away from the airport. He picks up his cell phone an' dials.

Look-out: El Grande, I've spotted a young American woman that fits your description. She's headed your way.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jan 28^th, 2011, 8:34pm

Fernando: I'll go get Tammy, or deal with her being finicky.
Hondo: We'll be waiting, but not forever!
Fernando (as he walks up the stairs): Yeah, yeah...

He walks up the stairs and enters him room, finding Tammy still crying on the bed. Closing the door softly, he walks to the bed and sits on it. Tammy props herself up and turns to him.

Tammy: YOU! What Do You Want Now?!!
Fernando: Jeanie and Hondo made a small dinner for everyone, and they would like you to come and eat.
Tammy: They? Why not you!
Fernando: Look Tammy. What I have to say is going to be ugly. But its going to be said. Now, not too long ago, in the US of A, when a man marries a woman, that woman automatically becomes his property. She looses some rights as an individual. In fact, a husband could rape his wife and he would not get arrested for it. Plain and simple, until 1992, such things were as such- ugly. As far as the rest of the world, this still holds true, women become less than individuals when they get married. We got married here in Italy, did we not? The laws here are worse than they used to be in America.
Tammy: So you are going to force me to be your wife, make me do things that I would not want to do! You going to be a MAN and enforce your will on me?!! Is That IT!
Fernando: No. I would not force you to do something you would not. Look. As much as I may not show it, I do care about you and I do love you. But I do not want you to do things you believe are right that are going to kill you!
Tammy (as she kneels up and tries to push him away): YOU MADE ME IMMORTAL WITH THAT STUPID PILL!
Fernando: The pill has its limitations.

He pulls out his gun from inside his suit jacket and places it to her temple.

Fernando: A bullet to your head will scramble your brains that it will take 1000 years for you to recover from. Even then you are not going to be 100 percent.

He moves the gun to between her breasts.

Fernando: Bullet to your heart will take years to heal from, like it did with me. Only a jump back to the past allows me to be here with you. I seen the future Tammy. It is one without out you if I do not intervene, if you do not fight back.

He puts the gun down on the bed.

Fernando: I don't want to lose you. But I'm not going to force you either. But maybe that little pill will give you a second chance that you would not otherwise have. That's why I gave it to you. Call me selfish but I don't want to lose you. I already lived through the pain of losing one wife, I do not want to live through that again through you.
Tammy: Then let me make my own mistakes. Let me be who I am.
Fernando: No. Not when it will cost you your life.
Tammy: Then tell me what happens, and let me make my own decision.

Fernando gets up and gets his laptop from the desk and takes it to the bed. He opens it, and types his codes on the keyboard and activates the time observation orb. It opens up to the size of the screen of the laptop.

Date and Time stamps are unknown and represented as question-marks, but it was a bright sunny day in an outdoor farmer's market. Tammy was shopping, Bink at her side carrying the bags of fresh produce. She picks up a large Roman Apple and gives a sniff before asking the farmer who grew it, how much it costs and does he have more. A red hair mouse comes out of the crowd and puts a SiG 229 to Tammy's temple and pulls the trigger. The blast from the bullet fired echoes across the open market, the hollow point bullet exits out the other side of Tammy's head, creating a larger exit hole than the entrance, spilling brains and blood about the area and on Bink. Tammy is dead before she hits the floor. The red haired mouse escapes in the panic that ensues.

The series of images stop at this point.

Tammy: When does this happen?
Fernando: Don't know. The Time Stamp is confused, meaning that it can happen in several locations in time. In short, if not now, then later but when is not sure.
Tammy: Then how about where?
Fernando: Background is too blurry to make out the city you were in when it happens. Could be here in Rome, or in Milan. Could be New York City, I know you like shopping in those farmer's markets in the city.
Tammy: What happens to Bink?
Fernando: She gets sent back to the SWA Section 2 where her mind will be wiped again and given to another handler, an abusive handler who will take advantage of a little girl who will do anything he tells, make that orders her to do.
Tammy: You're lying, aren't you?
Fernando: When have I ever lied to you? I mean, when it does not concern my person.
Tammy: I cant tell anymore.
Fernando: Anything that concerns you, I don't need to lie.
Tammy: Wind that back to when she kills me.

Fernando types a few codes to the keyboard, rewinding the events to when the red haired mouse puts the gun to Tammy's head. Tammy looks at the mouse, and the area.

Tammy: That clock in the back ground.
Fernando (typing a code on the keyboard, showing three images): There is a clock in Rome, Milan and New York that looks like that, near a farmer's market. There is also a similar clock in Madrid, Spain and San Juan Puerto Rico. This could be anywhere.
Tammy (looking at the red haired mouse): Why does she look familiar?
Fernando (typing a code on the keyboard, showing another image): It was Annie.
Tammy: Annie?
Fernando: There is only one Annie who is a cold blooded murderer. There is one more thing I have to tell you.
Tammy: What's that?
Fernando: Though there is an infinite number of possibilities in which this could happen, a small number of them which seems to register further into the future, it shows that you were pregnant at the time.
Tammy: Pregnant? Me? But we never did it.
Fernando: I know. It only means that there is a possibility that day we will within a year's time. I'm not forcing you into something you don't want to do.

He shakes his head.

Fernando: Look. There are many more chances of this event happen within a few days from now. Others within weeks and months from now. If we fail, and if she also fails to kill you, she is willing to wait until she can successfully strike again. A year, two years, three. I'm not asking much from you, just be a wife ' what ever it means to you but do not go against me. This shows that you are not safe until the danger is dealt with. Immortal or not, a bullet to the brain and you might as well be dead because 1000 years is too long to wait.

Tammy pushes the laptop screen closed, turning off the temporal observation orb.

Tammy (softly almost in defeat): What would my husband want of me as his wife?
Fernando: Nothing that she wont do for herself. Look. Hondo and Jeanie made a small dinner and want you to eat with them. Please join them.

Tammy sighs. Then she looks up at him.

Fernando: Its up to you. I'm going to stay up here for a minute before going downstairs.

He gets up out of the bed and walks over to the desk, taking his laptop with him. Tammy looks at him for a while before getting up and walking to him. She puts her arms around his neck. He puts his hand on one of her arms.

Fernando: Look. We will always have disagreements. We will always have arguments. And we will even have fights. But Tammy, like I told you before, I don't want you sharing my bed angry at me. Call me selfish or stupid, but the bed should be a place where we should not be angry or else somebody will be sleeping on the floor. I just want you as my wife, what ever that means to you but you are not my property, you're not less of an individual because of it. You are still Tammy. Tammy G-Squirrel.
Tammy: No. I'm Tammy G. Formerly Tammy Squirrel. Formerly a single squirrel, now a married squirrel. A wife to a wonderful man who can be an asshole at times, but he's doing for me what he thinks is right and is protecting me from the evils of this world even if I disagree with it. He is trying his best to be a man to his woman, and I'm not helping. If that does not count as anything, then I wont know what does. I'll see you down stairs?
Fernando: Yes. Later.

Tammy kisses him on the temple, above the stems of the glasses. She then lets go of him and walks out the room.

Fernando leans back against his chair, pushing it back against the support springs, and lets out a sigh.

Fernando (to himself): I don't remember being married being so difficult. Cathy, I swear, I don't know what to do with her at times.

He gets a mental answer that he already knew, involving patience, love and understanding.

He opens his laptop and sends it through its shutdown sequence. Closing its lid, he goes downstairs to meet with the rest of the group.

He takes his seat at the that of the table. Jeanie sits on the other end, Hondo to his left, Tammy to his right. Though it should have been 'serve yourself", Tammy and Jeanie go out of their way to serve Fernando. Hondo does not say a word, seeing Fernando as annoyed about the situation as he was.

Fernando gets up and walks to the kitchen, opening the refrigerator. He takes a bottle of red wine and takes it to the table. He fills his glass and drinks it with his meal.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jan 28^th, 2011, 11:21pm

Hondo ate in silence watchin' what played out before him. Tammy seemed in better spirits but her an' Jeanie's racin' to see who could please Fernando the best was makin' Hondo ill. Fernando obviously was unhappy with it as well.

Fernando got some wine to drink with his meal an' set the bottle out for anyone to get some. Tammy jumped up to get a glass for herself. Jeanie got up to get a glass, but not before askin' Hondo if he wanted a glass too.

Hondo: No thanks. I might head out to gather some intel later this evenin'. Things are bound to bust loose soon. Need to keep my wits about me.

Jeanie: One glass won't hurt.

Hondo: Well, I'd rather be safe than sorry. Anyway, I might stop at the bar to hear the local gossip. Ya don't get the news outta the barkeep without orderin' at least one round.

Jeanie: I understand.

Fernando: Keep your eye's open. Things could get dangerous out there, as you well know.

Hondo: I know, but hopefully I have the edge right now as they think I'm dead. Speakin' of that, I might as well fill ya in on what happened.

Fernando: If you want, just don't let your supper get cold.

Hondo: I'm mostly done anyway.

Truth bein' told Hondo just hoped to take Tammy an' Jeanie's minds off of their fightin' over Fernando. He left out most of the history as he told the story as he didn't want to remember some of it an' he didn't want any sympathy.

Hondo: Well, at the gas station I was attacked from behind by a guy an' a gal. I managed to shoot the guy right off, but I hesitated on the gel. I knew her in the past. We were close at one time. I thought she was dead. Turns out she's not, but her memory is gone. She was taken in an' trained by an enemy of mine. Seems that she's here to help make sure Annie kills Tammy. Her boss deals drugs in Mexico. Seems like he got some cybernetics in him now too, as by all rights he should be dead from a show down we had in the states several years back. The killin' of Me an' Tammy was suppose to impress some drug dealer here in Italy. I guess he wants to expand his empire. Anyway, she only winged me there, but I managed to borrow that cop car while she an' the cops shot it out. She chased me an' ended up losin' control of the car when she shot my tires out. If she thinks I'm dead she'll be after Tammy only. I figure goin' into town might stir the pot an' she'll be back after me an' off of Tammy for the time bein'.

Fernando: you think that is wise?

Hondo: I'm not sure. It's against my better judgment, but If I can buy you an' her more time, well, so be it.

Fernando: just be careful.

Hondo: No worries, Boss Man.

Tammy had already drank 2 glasses of wine an' had started on a third almost absent mindedly. Neither Fernando nor Hondo missed this detail, but they said nothin'. Hondo wondered about how much she was consumin'. He had never seen her drink much so she couldn't have any tolerance built up to it, but she was goin' at it like a wino. '

Hondo stayed quiet for the rest of the meal. He had said more there than he had in a while. He turned back inside himself to think once again. He knew Tammy, though immortal could be killed or seriously incapacitated. For Fernando's sake he did not want this. Hondo was one of the few that knew most of what happened with the loss of his first wife. Hondo knew his pain an' did not wish to see his good friend go through it again. 'Though Hondo knew he couldn't take as much as maybe Tammy or Fernando could as he was just a mortal he set to in his mind to do whatever was necessary to prevent Fernando goin' through that again.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jan 29^th, 2011, 9:22pm

Usin' pictures she got off the internet while on the plane, Valentine found the gas station where the shoot-out took place between the cowboy an' the red headed woman. 'When she arrived she parked her 1948 Harley panhead out front.

The sight of the classic motorcycle brought many stares, looks an' even a few cat calls. A few people came up to her to ask its year an' model. She was polite but quick with her answers. One young fellow even made a broad hint about her comin' over to his place for a physical activity. She smiled sweetly an' acted like she had no clue what he meant. This confused him enough for her to get away. Inside the store she questioned the employees about the shootin'. Only a couple spoke English, but she managed to pick up enough Italian to mix with her Spanish to be understood. 'No one knew where the woman was or who she was. The manager suggested to try Rome, to the south, as that was the direction the cowboy an' the red head had came from. She thanked them, bought a couple food items, an' went out to her bike. She loaded the food items into the saddle bags , climbed on, an' started the engine. She was lost deep in thought as she pulled out. Had she not been, she might have seen the black car with tinted windows follow her out.

'On the road she cruised at 80 mph, while thinkin'. She was a long way from home, not that she hadn't been before while flyin' cargo planes, but then she was expected somewhere. If somethin' had gone wrong on a plane an' she had to ditch she would have people that cared about her welfare out lookin' for her. Now she was alone. No help if she had to ditch this time, an' this time, if anyone came lookin' for her it was not with her welfare in mind.

'she sighed a bit as she thought about this. She missed her Pa an' his friends, as they had been like uncles to her, but they were dead now. Dead because of her. 'All of them dead because of her, an' now she was left alone. She told herself that she should have been the one killed not them. Deep guilt sat on her heart, an' an inward depression held it there. She had not really cried over what had happened. Yes, the night she got away she cried bitter tears, tears of anger toward those that had taken her pa, tears of anger for those who had taken her 'uncles", tears with revenge muttered through them, but never the tears of pure grief an' sorrow, no, never the deep cleansin' tears that could relieve her soul an' spirit. That sorrow she hid deep down, pinned in her heart by a feelin' of self blame, an' survivor guilt.

Valentine pulled into a shabby little hotel just north of Rome an' rented a room on the ground floor and around back of the buildin'. She found her room, unlocked the door, an' pushed her motorcycle inside the room with her. The room was shabby, an' the fixtures were antique, but it was fairly clean.
After a quick shower an' some food she laid back to rest, though it was only 2:00 in the afternoon. The time change added to the fact that she hadn't slept in days. She planned on catchin' a nap then walkin' about town after dark to see if she could learn anythin'.

As she laid in the bed her mind turned back to the meetin' of the dark haired man an' the red headed woman that had meet with her father that fatal night an' had threatened him. What had they talked about? What had they wanted from her father? What had they wanted from her? Were they still after her? Were they here now? She tossed an' turned, tryin' to sleep as these questions raced through her mind. Even as tired as she was, sleep did not come easy, nor had it since that fatal day. All she knew that she had to kill them, make them pay, even if it meant the loss of her own life. '

The debt that all men pay: Death.

Valentine was not afraid of dyin'. She had believed in the Lord for salvation of her soul. She had been raised in a Baptist church most of her life, an' knew where she was goin'. Death did not scare her. More so, death felt as if it would be a relief. She had no family left, very few friends left, owed no man or woman anythin', no ties, no hopes, no dreams, other than seenin' these two dead. After this she had no plans, an' felt that makin' plans would have been foolish anyway. There was no way she could possibly walk out of this alive.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jan 30^th, 2011, 12:21am

Fernando finishes his meal. Before he could get up and put away his empty plate, both Jeanie and Tammy go to retrieve it. He had to draw the line at this point.

Fernando: Cut it out, ladies.
Tammy: But...
Fernando (interrupting her): No butts, Tammy. Let Jeanie deal with this for now.

Jeanie takes the plate and starts cleaning up the table, taking the empties to the kitchen where her staff takes care of it. Fernando takes the last of the wine from the bottle and pours it in his glass. He takes his glass, but upon grabbing it, Tammy puts her hand over his, trying to take it. He just looks at it and then her.

Fernando (taking his glass from her hand): That RU22 pill you had this morning should have worn out by now, so those 3 glasses you just took might hit you hard.
Tammy: And what about you?
Fernando: This is one of those rare times I want to be drunk, so I can get a good night's rest. I suggest that you go upstairs and rest up for a minute. I got a few things to do before I retire to bed.
Tammy (the alcohol slowly hitting her): I don't want to go to bed.
Fernando: Then wait for me upstairs.

Tammy stammers upstairs. Fernando walks over to Hondo, taking the last swig from his glass.

Fernando: Like I said, be careful out there.
Hondo: I'll be fine, boss.
Fernando: Cut it with the boss crap... you got everything you need?

Hondo nods.

Fernando: What about the remote to open that gate?
Hondo: With the keys.
Fernando: Good luck then.
Hondo: Thanks, Jefe.

Hondo leaves the house through the rear ext and gets in his Ford truck. The engine roars to life, headlights turn on and the truck slowly rolls out of the parking lot. Fernando stands by the door and watches Hondo drive away.

Jeanie walk up behind Fernando.

Jeanie: Almost hate to see him go.
Fernando: He has a job to do and is doing it.
Jeanie: What job is that?
Fernando: Not Time traveling, if you think. No, he's looking for my murderer. Cold hearted bitch is after Tammy.
Jeanie: I think you told me that before.

Fernando closes the door and turns to face Jeanie. He then takes her in his arms and gives her a more than needed passionate kiss on her lips though only lasting for a short time. They separate from their lip lock.

Jeanie: My god, what was that for?
Fernando: Just saying thanks.
Jeanie: Thanks, for?
Fernando: Helping out here and with Tammy.
Jeanie: She's a piece of work. Where did you find her?
Fernando: Long story. Maybe when all is said and done I'll sit down with you and tell you everything.
Jeanie: Alright.

She pulls out a laced edge handkerchief and wipes his lips with it.

Jeanie: You better get up stairs before wifey comes down and finds you holding me.
Fernando: Yeah. You're right.

Fernando slowly lets her go and starts walking away.

Jeanie: Fernando?
Fernando (stopping at the stair case): Yes Jeanie?
Jeanie: Thank you.
Fernando: Huh?

Jeanie blows a kiss at him.

Fernando: Oh...

Fernando walks up the stairs and enters his room. Tammy was changed out of her clothes and was in an opened bathrobe with white bikini panties underneath. He starts to take off his jacket, shoes and holster off, putting them on the table except for the shoes. He looks over at her as she lays on the bed almost seductively. The pants comes off next and is put together with the suit on a hanger and is put into the closet. He starts taking off his shirt as Tammy crawls to the foot of the bed.

Tammy: Don't you notice anything?
Fernando (hanging the shirt on the back of the chair): Other than you in a robe and white bikini panties on? No.
Tammy: Fernando!
Fernando (sitting down to take off his sox and ball them up in the shoes): I have seen you in that and less. In fact taking showers together with you I've seen you in nothing at all. So you are just showing me what I already seen.
Tammy: Cant a wife get the attention of her husband?
Fernando (taking off his t-shirt): Can I ask you a question?
Tammy: And what would that be?

Fernando walks to the bed in his briefs and sits down on the bed. He takes off his glasses and puts them on the nightstand next to the bed.

Fernando (turning to her as he sits on the bed): Are you drunk?
Tammy (crawling over to him): I would not know if I am for this would be the first time I would be. I do feel liberated.
Fernando : Then you're drunk.
Tammy (kneeling up and putting her arms around his neck): I might be. How about making love to me?
Fernando (kneeling in front of her as she was to him): No.
Tammy: Why Not?!!
Fernando: I am not going to take your virtue when you are not right of mind. I do not want you to wake up in the morning hung over wondering what you had done and regretting it.
Tammy: You don't love me?
Fernando: Of course I love you. I just do not want to make love to you stone drunk. You understand that?

Tammy starts to tear up.

Fernando: Shhh... don't cry. Be brave and don't cry.
Tammy: But you wont make love to me!
Fernando: Not when you're drunk! (taking off her open robe to her elbows) It would be too easy to take off this robe and your panties and take advantage of you right now. We do not do that to each other.
Tammy: You don't love me! Don't You!

Fernando pushes her onto the bed and partially gets on top of her, holding her shoulders down. The robe continues to pin her arms from the elbows.

Fernando: I would not trust you to sleep in my bed with me if I didn't.
Tammy: I'm just a wife of convenience, just like this marriage!
Fernando: You would not be sharing my bed if it were.

Tammy does not want to say anymore. Just let the tears of failure run down her face.

Fernando: Look. I'm tired and got a headache. (He slowly lets her go and gets off her) We could continue this later or tomarrow.

He gathers the corners of the blankets and crawl underneath them. He just lays there, staring at the ceiling.

Tammy slowly sits up and does away with her robe, provided that she struggled out of it from having it bunched up behind her and pinning her elbows at the back. Usually she would fold it and put it on the table or nightstand, but this time it ends up on the floor crumpled up. She remains there sitting with her knees to her chest, arms around her legs and chin on her knees. Fernando sits up and looks at her.

Fernando: Tammy. Get under the blanket so I can hold you and kiss you and feel your fur against mine.

Though Tammy as going to argue, Fernando leans against her and kisses her cheek.

Fernando (as he raises his end of the blanket): Please?

He rubs his nose against her cheek. Eventually all this enticing persuades her to join him in bed, putting her head on his chest and arm around his body. Nudging his nose against her head, he gets enough of her attention to start a limited amount of intimate foreplay with her. Just enough to tire out quickly and go to sleep.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jan 30^th, 2011, 5:32pm

Hondo drove into Rome, stickin' to back streets mainly, keepin' the exhaust on quiet mode an' usin' as few runnin' lights possible. The black ford blended into the shadows an' was practically invisible to passersby. 'Hondo wore his .50 cal dragoon in a cross draw shoulder holster, a .36 cal 12 shot walsh in a back holster, an' two colt anacondas in hip holsters. He also donned his black bullet proof vest an' the bullet proof duster/trench coat. 'In his normal black garb Hondo moved easily through the shadows, bein' invisible or seen as he wanted.

'Hondo approached a few people here an' there, showin' them pictures of Laurie, Annie, an' El Grande. To help confuse the enemy, if word when word got back to them of someone askin' questions on them Hondo also stuck in a couple other know wanted fugitives an' a few other random pictures of people that he had found pics of online. When questioned as to what authority he asked by, he showed them an SWA badge an' a fake ID namin' him as Agent Lynch. From what he gathered they were all keepin' a low profile, but these local's that lived in the hours from dusk to dawn knew each other well, an' new comers were noticed. Hondo got random hits on sightin's of those he looked for but no one had seen any of them together in any of the local shops, but from what he was told they were more sightin's of these 3 in the last two days than before that, but all 3 had been identified as bein' seen several weeks before hand but not as much as recently. He knew that this most likely meant that they were gearin' up for their final strike.

By 1:00 am he had visited most all the local hotels, open street shops, an' had talked to several people on the street. A couple Euros usually opened information to him an' had with it promises of silence. Hondo knew some of these folks would not stay quiet about what was asked of them. He knew they would be beatin' it to the door of one of these three to let them know that someone asked about them in hopes to make another few Euros. Never the less, he took great cautions on who he asked. 'By now, he had the names of 4 probable hotels that might house their enemies, 3 local bar hang-outs, an' had a fairly good idea one where an' what time of day they shopped. Strangely enough Hondo also was told of a young woman dressed in a similar style as he was askin' about two of the people in the pictures, Laurie an' El Grande. He found this odd but decided to keep an' eye out for this person as well. He didn't like it. She might be after the same folks, but why? One lone woman wouldn't stand a chance against those two, but if she was tryin' to join them it could be more trouble.

Once he was done with this he asked a couple folks that he knew would not give him all they knew in hopes of collectin' double rewards. These he waited an' followed, after they thought he was gone, to see where they would go. These folks helped eliminate 3 hotels an' added one name to the list. From what he gathered Annie was at a hotel that was beside a military installation an' behind a police station. It was scratched from the lists as a good place to hit her. The place was rough an' dirty lookin', an' had security armed with machine guns. The hotel that was added was one of the most upscale hotels in Rome. This, he decided, was Laurie Ann an' El Grande's hotel. Hondo asked a few folks around both. All three were seen leavin' their hotels at different times, but no one saw them come back. 'A door attendant of the hotel where Laurie was supposedly staying also told Hondo f a young woman in a brown duster, ridin' an antique motorcycle that had asked the same question. Now Hondo knew she was on the same track he was, but which side was she on?

As Hondo climbed on the runnin' board of his truck to swing into the seat he stopped for a moment. He could not see much around the darkness of the buildin's across from the hotel as the lights from it cast deep dark shadows in that area, but he felt he was bein' watched. He tipped back his hat an' looked off at the buildin's One alley way help his attention most. It was as if he could feel someone lookin' him right in the eyes. It was almost as if he could feel there very soul an' spirit. The feelin' he got was not of one huntin' him, nor of one to fear, but of someone that needed help, that needed him. Feelin' that there was no threat he tugged his hat back low, an' sat himself down inside the truck.

It was almost 3 am by the time Hondo got to the first bar. He started with the least likely of the three an' worked his way up. The first bar was the closest to both hotels. Hondo set up to the bar an' ordered a whiskey. 'He sipped on it an' played with it as he talked to the barkeep. The place was fairly dead an' the barkeep was lonely an' willin' to talk. Hondo didn't learn much new, other than Laurie Ann an' Annie were seen together here on the day he had been in the shoot-out with Laurie. The barkeep didn't hear what they said, but they ordered drinks to celebrate. Hondo figured it was to celebrate his supposed demise. 'After a while another customer came in. While the barkeeps attention was elsewhere Hondo poured his half finished drink into a hip flask, laid his money down plus a generous tip, thanked the bar keep an' left. As he drove away from that bar an old Harley Motor cycle passed him an' pulled into the bar's parkin' lot.

The next bar was quite similar. Hondo ordered his drink, got info, an' poured rest of drink into flask. Here the barkeep had seen El Grande mostly, several times talkin' to some 2 bit thugs, an' one time talkin' to a red head the barkeep identified as Annie. as he stood at the bar 2 guys came up behind Hondo, one standin behind the other.

Thug #1: Mister, we need to talk with you.

Hondo: No interested. Go away.

Hondo had seen them come in right after he had an' they had sat at a table an' watched him, talkin' back an' forth.

Barkeeper: Leave him alone.

Thug #2: You'll stay out of this if you know what is good for you.

Hondo (to the barkeeper): It's alright I'll handle this.

Hondo stayed with his back to them, but watched them through the mirror behind him.

Hondo: If you boys know what's good for ya, you'll walk on outta here now. Ifin ya don't I can't promise that I won't kill one or both of ya.

The thug closest to Hondo pulled his gun as he spoke.

Thug #1: I'd like to see you try. AHHHH!!!!! *THUNK!!*

As the final words came out of the thugs mouth, Hondo spun around. As he did so he trapped the thugs left arm between his left side an' arm. As he did so he slammed his elbow into the thugs back, slammin' the thug into the bar, smashin' his nose an' sendin' his gun flyin'. as he did so the surprised other thug went for his gun, but in a sloppy manner. The thug got his gun out, but that was it. Hondo had pulled that big .50 cal dragoon from it's shoulder holster. One shot an' the thug crumpled to the floor. Hondo 'gave the one thug's arm that was still 'pinned under his arm a nice snap, breakin' it at the elbow. The thug screamed in pain as Hondo then spun him around to face him an' shoved the .50 cal up one of his nostrils.

Hondo: Now listen! I gave you a chance an' this is what ya chose. Now you hear me good! You go back an' tell your boss the next time he tries to kill me, either send a man, or come himself, but don't send no snivelin' punk.

Hondo slammed him to the floor an' stomped on his other hand to make he couldn't use a gun on him. The barkeep came up to Hondo.

Barkeep: Senor, please out the back. The police ill be here soon. You get out. I'll lead them astray. Them was bad men, Senor. We are glad you take them out.

Hondo: Thanks, Senor.

Hondo slipped out the back an' got into his truck. He knew now that he had rattled a cage. He must be gettin' close.

As Hondo arrived at the next bar he parked the truck across the street an' settled in. He didn't get much time to talk to the barkeeper this time, as the place was fairly busy, but he got all he needed to know. All 3 had been seen in here, more often in the last 2 days. There was a storm on the horizon, Hondo could feel it in his bones.

Hondo settled down at a table in a front corner by the bar. Here he could see the window's an' the door. More importantly he could see them in the mirror as well, to hide the fact that he was watchin'. There he sat nursin' a double whiskey an' waitin'. This time he'd get a look at this Motorcycle drivin' cowgirl if he had to stay there all night. Hondo casually glanced at a neon wall clock. The time was 4:00 am.

Around 5:00 am Hono ehard the sound of an' ol' Harley motorcycle pullin' up outside. He waited, but knew it had to be her.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jan 30^th, 2011, 10:27pm

The morning sun signifies the birth of the day at 5:30AM. Tammy wakes up with her stomach upset and her head pounding. Sitting up made it worse for her as the room begins to spin and her gag reflex kicks into hangover mode. She runs out the bedroom not caring about being seen in her white bikini panties, down the hall and into the bathroom at the end of the hall. She ends up throwing up the half digested contents of her stomach coated in a dark purple hue.

Taking less them ten minutes, she purges her stomach completely empty, taking several flushed down attempts to do so. Once her stomach starts to feel better, she goes over to the bathroom basin, rinsing out her mouth, then wiping down her face with the cold water. Jeanie walks in to check up on her.

Jeanie: You OK?

All Tammy could do is nod as she pants for air by the running water in the basin. Jeanie walks in, taking off her dark red, nearly black, silk robe and puts it on Tammy's shoulders. Jeanie was left wearing a see through camisole with black silk underwear that shown through. Though Jeanie was much shorter then Tammy, the robe was enough to cover what needed to be covered.

Jeanie: Put that on, I would not want you strutting around in your panties, enticing my staff.

Tammy manages to catch her breathe and turns her head, seeing Jeanie in not much as possible. Jeanie closes the toilet cover and helps Tammy to sit on it.

Jeanie: I can go get you something for that hangover, an old Chinese remedy.
Tammy (Taking Jeanie's hand as to not leave): No, but thank you. I'll be fine.
Jeanie: Hmmm...

Tammy just bows her head for a moment, breathing a bit heavier than normal.

Jeanie: It would only take five minutes to prepare.
Tammy: I said no, but thank you.
Jeanie: Look, as his wifey, you cant be hung over like this. You need to show him that you are as strong as he is, that you can support him anytime he may need you.
Tammy I can deal... with... thi-*

Tammy turns to the basin and throws up in it one last time. The running water manages to take most of it. She puts her arm against the rim and puts her forehead on her arm, panting for air one more time.

Jeanie cleans up the area of the basin where the running water has not caught the vomit. Drying her hands on a nearby hung towel, she takes Tammy by her temples.

Jeanie: Wash out your mouth. I'll be back with that remedy.

Jeanie walks out of the bathroom, heading down to her room and then downstairs. Despite her staff's protest of her strutting around in nearly nothing but a see-through nightie and black panties underneath, Jeanie prepares a concoction of Pepto Bismol, seltzer water, two buffered aspirins and a couple of sleeping pills. She complains that other parts of the ingredients were not available that would have cut down on the yuck-taste of the brew. She replaces the missing coconut water with a few drops of vanilla extract that Hondo uses for his coffee.

She prepares it, crushing the pills into a fine powder and dissolving it 1/2 a glass of seltzer water. Then she mixes the Peto Bismol in the seltzer water, stirring it smoth until it was a 1/3 more in the glass. She keeps stirring the brew, keeping it smooth, as she adds several drops of vanilla extract to it. She dips her finger in it and tries its taste. Not exactly what she was used too but palatable in some sense. She tells on of her guards to go up with her and wait by the bathroom door.

She walks up to Tammy, handing her the glass with the pink bubbly brew.

Jeanie: Drink up and you should be fine in half an hour.

Tammy gives the glass a sniff before taking a small sip from it.

Jeanie You're supposed to drink it all at once. Come on, drink it...

Tammy obeys, drinking the stuff as best as she could. She could only take 2/3 thirds of the stuff before stopping. Jeanie takes the glass and puts it on the basin, where a bar of soap would be in the molded in soup holder. Taking some toilet paper, Jeanie wipes Tammy's maw.

Jeanie: Don't you worry about a thing.

Tammy's stomach feels a bit better, though the Peto Bismol makes it feel heavy in there. The effects of the sleeping pills takes five minutes to kick in, as Tammy rests her head on her arm against the basin and closes her eyes. Jeanie signals the body guard to enter the room.

Jeanie: You, Number 2. Pick her up and carry her to my bed.
Body Guard: Sorry to question your orders, but your bed? Why not her bed?
Jeanie: Fernando's in there still sleeping. If you wake him up carrying his wife to his bed, he's going to be very upset. Now, my room, my bed!
Body Guard: My apologies mistress. I did not see your wisdom in your request.

The body guard nods. He bends down on his knees, putting his arms under Tammy's knees and behind her shoulders. He picks her up and carries her to Jeanie's room. Jeanie opens the door for him. He walks in and gently puts Tammy on the bed. Jeanie tells the guard to eave and resume his former orders. She then gets up on the bed and props Tammy over her shoulder, taking off the robe off her. She lays her back down on the bed before putting on her robe again, though leaving it open.

Going to the bathroom, she takes the glass off the basin and takes it down to the kitchen. She takes the glass and gives it to her driver/chef who was cooking breakfast.

Jeanie: Here, you take care of that.

The driver/chef takes the glass and puts in the sink for now and goes back to tending food being cooked. A minute later the food is being served, a mixture of traditional Chinese, American and Italian. She sits down with her staff and eats the meal served. As they eat, she gives them the orders of the day.

Jeanie: You boys go out and restock some of the empties. Also bring some ground beef. I want to try an American Favorite that is one of several that Fernando loves.
Driver/Chef: Can I ask what is is?
Jeanie: Meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes and assorted vegetables. Nothing like what we can make at home, but I have a recipe somewhere.
Driver/Chef: That will be good, m'lady.

Jeanie: Now go. I am going to check on wifey upstairs and then try to wake up Fernando for breakfast.
Driver/Chef: Fine m'lady. One and Two, come with me.

The three of them leave towards the rear of the house. In a minute, the limo is heard driving away. Jeanie goes upstairs to check in Tammy who was in her bed.

Jeanie (nudging her): Wakey wakey...

She picks up Tammy's arm and then drops it. She repeats the process again. Then she checks Tammy's pulse, finding it still going strong. Smiling, and taking of her camisole, she folds it up neatly on the foot of her bed. She then goes out of her room, closing the door and trots over to Fernando's room. Once in his room, she climbs onto his bed and under the blanket he was in. She straddles him, looking down at him. She can feel that he was aroused, but for most men, the rise in blood pressure in the morning causes an erection. She crosses her arms on his chest and rubs her nose against his.

Fernando slowly wakes up.

Jeanie: Hello lover.

Fernando grabs Jeanie by the shoulders and pushes her up off him. Problem is, only her top half went up, while her bottom half remained down, sliding onto his bottom half.

Fernando: JEANIE! What are you doing here!
Jeanie: Being your wifey.
Fernando's Tammy!
Jeanie: Tammy got violently ill early this morning. Throw up everywhere. My boys had to clean up the mess she made. I don't thing her and alcohol don't mix weil.
Fernando (pushing her off him): But where is she!
Jeanie: OK. She is in my room. I gave her an anti-hang over potion to make her feel better. She will be sleeping it off for a while.
Fernando: You drugged her?!!
Jeanie: No. The anti-hang over potion has a sleeping pill in it to calm the nerves and et her sleep.
Fernando (getting out of bed): What if she throws up in her sleep?!!

Taking his glasses off the nightstand by the bed, he trots over to Jeanie's room as he puts them on, finding Tammy sleep in the bed. He checks her life signs and opens her mouth, checking inside. Jeanie walks into the room.

Jeanie: Told you she was OK.
Fernando: Jeanie! Don't do that! Do not get between my and my wife! Wait. Where are your guards?
Jeanie: I sent them out for supplies.
Fernando: And Hondo?
Jeanie: He has not returned yet.

Fernando gets up and slowly walks out the room. Jeanie follows him as he walks to his room. He reaches under his pillow but finds something mission. Then he sees the holster on table and gets it. The door bell rings.

Jeanie (taking Fernando's robe from the table): I'll get it!
Fernando: Jeanie! Don't!

The door bell rings as if somebody was impatient inside. Jeanie goes to open the door, Fernando stops a quarter of the way from the stairs. Pounding on the door is added to the bell ringing.

Jeanie: Who is it?
Voice on the other end: Open The Door! It Is The Police!

Jeanie unlocks the door locks, and the door swings opens violently, knocking her to the floor. 'A man in a well dress suit steps into the house, pulling out a gun from his suit, aiming it at Jeanie. His head explodes in a shower of blood and brains, as Fernando shots him from the stairs. Another steps in his place, he gets with a volley of 4 rounds across his upper chest and shoulders. He manages to stagger out of the door way. Fernando runs down the stairs. The rear door begins to sound like somebody is banging on it with something heavy. Fernando manages to close the downstairs front door, locking it. He then goes over to Jeanie who was a mess of nerves.

Fernando: Jeanie... for your safety, go up stairs to your room and lock the door! They are bullet proof and difficult to break in. I will take care of these assholes.

Jeanie just stays, trembling and crying. Fernando smacks her.

Jeanie: OW!
Fernando: I'm sorry to do that.
Jeanie: No... Its OK. I was panicked.
Fernando: Looks, go upstairs and lock the door to your room. You and Tammy will be safe there.

Jeanie nods. She gives him a kiss before scurrying up the stairs. Fernando listens for the door to clock and the lock to engage. A Molotov cocktail explodes by the front door. Fernando was glad its fire and bullet proof. He thinks which way to form his attack. He then goes for the balcony and roof. Once on the balcony, he crawls, surveying the scene. A battering ram was left by the rear door, a group of men in suits were by the gate smoking cigarettes, watching the fire burn. A couple of cars were parked by the side of the highway, black with tinted windows. They have not looked up to see Fernando.

He aims for a head shot.

Fernando: This is for violating my home Mother#$@!er...

He pulls the trigger, popping off the dome of the of the one who looked most important. He quickly shifts his aim and shoots 3 more to the left of him. One of them on the right runs for the safety of the car while the remaining 3 starts shooting back at the balcony. Fernando manages to crawl back from getting hit. He keeps crawling to the rear of the house. A Molotov cocktail explodes at the edge of the balcony where he has. Fernando jumps off the back of the house, hiding against the rear wall.

The shooting stops momentarily. Fernando steps out into view, seeing the men bending down to take their dead and wounded. They were soon to join their friends among the dead and wounded.

He runs to the front of the house, hearing the screeching of tires as the cars run away. He walks back to his Porsche finding the door locked. Giving the handle a coded sign in a series of pulls, the doors unlock. He sits on seat and grabs the steering wheel, putting his gun on his lap.

Fernando: Aisapi Porsche, Emergency.

The Porsche comes to life.

Aisapi Porsche: What is the matter of the Emergency?
Fernando: External fire on the front of the safe house.
Aisapi Porsche: Activating sprinklers.

The external sprinkler systems turn on. In a few seconds the fire is extinguished. External sensors shows the fire is out and the sprinklers turn off.

Fernando: Aisapi Porsche, check for external intruders.

The Porsche goes silent for several seconds.

Aisapi Porsche: None found.
Fernando: Good. Emergency contact: Marco Tongi. Information to be given: House was attacked need a clean up crew.
Aisapi Porsche: Message being sent.

The stereo speakers of the Porsche turn on, allowing Fernando to listen in. Marco cellphone rings, and is answered on the third ring.

Marco: Who the hell is calling during a meeting?!!
Aisapi Porsche: This is Fernando G's Porsche 928GLT sending a recorded message. Safe house was attacked. Need assistance and clean up crew.
Marco: What the...
Aisapi Porsche: This is Fernando G's Porsche 928GLT sending a recorded message. Safe house was attacked. Need assistance and clean up crew.

Aisapi Porsche repeats the message again.

Voice in the background of the phone: Who are dares interrupt a mission meeting?!!
Marco (in the background): It's a computerized automated message sir. I think there is a situation at Tammy's Safe house. We are going to need a couple of fratelloes and contingency crew over there...

Marco's phone hangs up, ending the call. The automated message stops.

Aisapi Porsche: Anything else sir?
Fernando: Unlock the house doors to allow me to enter and lock them once I go inside. Maintain surveillance mode and notify the house of anyone approaching the gate.
Aisapi Porsche: Will do sir.
Fernando: I may come back out once the occupants inside the house are checked to be safe. I will notify you if I do.
Aisapi Porsche: Survaillance Mode: On. Unlocking house doors. You have ten seconds to enter the house before they lock again.
Fernando: Thank you.

Fernando gets out of the Porsche, taking his gun fro his lap and makes a mad dash to the rear door. Once he gets inside, the external doors of the house all lock. Fernando runs upstairs and knocks on Jeanie's door.

Fernando: Jeanie! Its Me! Open up the door!

Several seconds later, Jeanie opens the door and then pounces on Fernando.

Fernando (trying to get Jeanie off him): Help is on the way. You better get dressed, as do I.
Jeanie: Yeah...
Fernando: I'm also going to need Tammy in my room when the come in.

Fernando goes over to the bed and picks up Tammy in his arms and takes her to their bedroom. He places her gingerly on the bed and covers her with the blanket to make her more comfortable. Then he quickly puts on the basics of just a shirt and pants with socks and shoes. His gun goes into a clip on holster and onto the rear of his pants. Picking up his car keys and cellphone, he puts it in the pocket. He goes back to Jeanie's room to tell her something. The door was open, and she was putting on a Red Qipao with silver and light blue decoration of a Phoenix hiding a tree.

Fernando: Jeanie. If you see bullet casings on the floor, leave them there. They gave to be gathered as evidence.

She walks up to him and gives him a hug.

Jeanie: Anything for you.
Fernando: I'll be downstairs. You can be anywhere in the house you think would be best for you.
Jeanie: I'll be downstairs too.
Fernando: Fine.

Fernando pushes Jeanie off him and heads downstairs. In the kitchen, he makes a quick breakfast for himself. Sitting in the dining area, he waits for help to arrive. Jeanie arrives downstairs he had finished cooking and was eating his meal.

Marco, Hillshire, and Jean with their cyborgs arrives to the house with a pizza van following them. They find the gate partially opened, not wide enough for a car to drive in. They park their vehicles on the shoulder of the highway which was part of the property and walk in. Triela, Rico and Angie run into the yard, guns drawn, surveying the scene. The handlers makes note of the dead bodies by the gate. The girls quickly return as Hillshire makes note of the fire damage to the front of the house. Hillshire walks to the rear door and knocks on it. He makes note of the para-military battering ram by the door.

Fernando (hearing the knocking on the door): Hide in the bathroom behind the kitchen.

Jeanie does not say a word, just obeys. Fernando trots over to the rear door. He aims his gun straight at it, then opens the door. Hillshire sees the AA 1981/84 pointed at him.

Hillshire: DOn'T SHOOT!

The others run to see if Hillshire was alright. Fernando puts down the gun.

Fernando: Come in.
Hillshire: What happened?
Fernando (as the others enter the house): Don't know. Don't care. (pointing down the hall to the body on the floor), that one was pounding on the door until Jeanie opens it, and he pulls out a gun to shoot her. He was not successful as you can see. Another one of his buddies tried to come in after him and I let him have it with several rounds. Somehow I managed to get to the balcony and found several men, they threw a Molotov at the door. I let them have it with my .45. The gun battle lasted another 2 or 3 minutes, I made my way down tot he back of the house when they threw another Molotov at the balcony where I was. Once on the ground floor, I manage to few a few more before 2 black cars with tinted windows ran away. They seemed to not have license plats that I saw.
Jean: May we search the house?
Fernando: By all means, go ahead.
Marco: Where was Tammy when this happened?
Fernando: Sleeping. She got ill from a little celebration we had the night before, and Jeanie gave her a sleeping pill to get better on.
Hillshire: Where's Jeanie.
Fernando: Hold on. (yelling) JEANIE! COME OUT ITS SAFE!

Jeanie comes out of the first floor bathroom behind the kitchen and walks over to Fernando. Marco goes upstairs to check up on Tammy. Ferro walks in.

Ferro: Looks like Mafia Boys out there.
Fernando: You know who?
Ferro: That we are trying to figure out.

Fernando nods.

Hillshire: Looks like the Safe house is no longer safe.
Fernando: It held up to the attack. That's good enough for me.
Hillshire: They might come back.
Fernando: Let them try, they will get more of the same.
Ferro: Tell me, how did the structure hold up so well?
Fernando: This is not a wood house as it may appear. Its steel and Duranium 'Alloy shell, with Wood inserts and covering. The glass is Du Pont's Gorilla Glass. No way anyone is going to get in by attacking the place.
Hillshire: But a bunch of kids managed to break in.
Fernando: They had days to circumvent the locks one way or another. That is not going to happen again. I can assure you of that myself.
Hillshire: I see.

Marco (coming down the stairs): She's sleeping like a baby. What did you give her?
Fernando: Jeanie...
Jeanie: Well... Two Unison sleeping pills with buffered aspirin and some Peto Bismol.
Marco: Aspirin and Peto Bismol?
Jeanie: She woke up and made a mess throwing up. My crew and I cleaned up the mess.
Hillshire: Where is your crew?
Jeanie: I sent them out to shop for supplies before this happened.

Jean comes down the stairs.

Jean I found 12 casings. All .45ACP format.
Hillshire: Fernando, Let me see your weapon.

Fernando hands the gun in its clip on holster. Hillshire takes it out, and drops the magazine from it. He counts 4 rounds in it. All in .45ACP format.

Hillshire (hefting the gun lightly and examining its construction): This is a double width, 'double stack 1911?
Fernando: Yes it is. Be careful, there is a round in the chamber.

Hillshire turns away from everyone, and ejects the round, catching it before it went too far.

Hillshire, 5 plus 12 makes 17. Fernando, what is the capacity of this weapon.
Fernando: 17, 16 in the magazine, one extra in the chamber.
Hillshire: They're his, Jean.

Priscilla enters from the rear.

Priscilla: We found tire tracks, they match the width of a large vehicle, like a Ford Crown Victoria or a Lincoln Continental.
Fernando: Those are American made cars.
Jean: Not always. Ford does have a plant in Germany. They build such large cars for dignitaries and the wealthy. Looks like the criminal element got a hold of a couple.
Fernando: HMPH.

Fernando walks over to the body by the door. The others follow him, watching what he does. Fernando pats down the body, find something hard in one of its pockets. He searches inside the pocket, pulling out a wallet. A driver's license was found inside.

"Bartolomeo 'Antonio Bruno.' Was on the license, along with a picture matching the dead man on the floor. Fernando hands the wallet to who ever was behind him; Marco takes it.

Marco: Bruno the Fixer...
Ferro: Bruno?

Marco nods.

Fernando: Excuse me for not know my Italian Top 100 Most Wanted, but who's Bruno?
Marco: Bruno is a fixer. He disposes of bodies for both the mob and Padania.
Fernando: So?

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jan 31^st, 2011, 11:59pm

Valentine woke up at about 10pm in a cold sweat. She gasped for air as she looked wildly about tryin' to remember where she was. It all came back to her an' she heaved a heavy sigh of relief. She had 'drempt that the dark haired man an' the red head had captured her, 'shown her that her father was alive. Then, while forcin' her father to watch they raped her. Once they were done, they killed her father in front of her. She woke as his body hit the floor.

She settled herself down after a few minutes an' got up. She dressed quickly an' packed up her stuff back into her saddle bags. She didn't eat anythin' as the nightmare an' what she knew lay ahead of her left her feelin' sick. She sat on the bed for a while tryin' to gather her thoughts an' prepare herself for what could happen. She had been in a few bar type fights in her life, as flyin' lead her to some rough places, but she had never killed before, fought people that wanted her dead, nor had she ever fought on her own.

At 11:00 pm she finally got up the nerve to go out an' start what might possibly be her final hunt for the people responsible for, as she saw it, ruinin' her life. She strapped on two .38 special revolvers in low slung hip holsters, placed a pair of 1911 .38 supers in shoulder holsters, an' thrust a 14" Arkansas Toothpick in a sheath on her back. She then pulled on her brown duster, which had a couple speed loaders an' extra mags in the inside of it, an' finally tugged her oil skin outback hat down low on her head. She didn't have any bullet-proofin' on at all. She figured when they met it would be her last stand; Rome Italy would be her Alamo.

She pushed her motorcycle outside the room an' locked the door behind her. She pushed the motorcycle down the road a ways before startin' it, to keep her leavin' quiet. Once out on the road she headed to down town Rome. Once there she parked her motorcycle in an alley an' walked the streets. She got a few hits on the picture she had. She only had one of the red head. Most of the folks questioned knew the picture from the news, but had not seen her personally. There were a few folks that she was sure knew somethin', but they refused to talk. When she was asked why she searched she either dodged the question or just said for personal reasons. One person told her that a cowboy that claimed to be from the SWA was also askin' about her, an' 6 other people. She asked if a dark haired man was one of the ones he was lookin' for. The person said yes, an' when asked for a description of the man in the picture the person described the dark haired man. She asked about the description of the cowboy, but the person merely shrugged. Said he wore black, was about 6', wide shoulders, big built, an' his name was Lynch, but his hat was pulled too low to make out the face. She thanked the person an' went on. Once she saw someone that looked to maybe be dressed in western garb, but it was at a distance, an' he disappeared into a shadow. Later she saw a black ford pick-up truck pass her as she stood in the shadows an' watched it pass. The windows were tinted so she couldn't see the driver, but the rig was very different from anythin' she had seen in Italy. It had a very strong American west look to it, yet it was very well put together. Not just a back country rig, but a truck made for a purpose. If there was one thing Valentine could really appreciate, it was a good built piece of machinery.

By 1:00 am she had went to most every place in down town she felt she could go without endangerin' her mission. She had picked up some info on the possible whereabouts of the red head an' the dark haired man. They were supposedly seen at one of the upper class hotels in the area. She got on her Harley an' went there to question the door man. He told her that they had been there but had left earlier in the evenin' an' hadn't been seen since, but could possibly be back soon. She thanked him an' drove off a ways to a small alley, where she could watch the hotel an' not be seen.

She sat in the alley for 1 and a half hours before anythin' came up, but it was not who she had been expectin' to see. A specially modified black Ford F-350 diesel pulled up in front of the hotel. She pulled a pair of binoculars from her saddle bag to have a better look. A man dressed in western clothes, all black, stepped out of the truck. He walked up to the valet an' the door attendant an' showed them some pieces of paper, which Valentine believed to be pictures. He was for all matters a well built man, sort of a rugged attractiveness hung on his form, though she could not make out his face as his hat shadowed it too much. After a few minutes he nodded to the men he talked to an' walked back to his truck. He stopped an' stood on the runnin' board for a moment he tipped his hat back enough for his face to show an' looked off into the darkness, as if he was lookin' right at her. She could see look on his face, it was a hard cold look, but yet lacked evil. He stood there for only a moment, but it seemed like an eternity for Valentine as it was as if he was starin' right into her very soul. He then pulled his hat back low, climbed into the truck an' drove off. Valentine decided to follow this strange man as she felt he might have the answers to complete her mission, yet a source of deep pride told her she didn't need his help, yet she wanted it.

It was nearly 3:00 am when they arrived at a bar. She had followed way behind, runnin' with her headlight off, usin' only the street lights to show the way. The streets themselves were fairly empty, an' all the cops seemed tucked into a pastry shop somewhere. She stopped in a dark spot between two street lights an' watched. She waited until she was sure the man in black was inside the bar before she moved closer. She found an area across from the bar in a dark alley where she sat an' waited for him to come out.

As she sat an' waited she recalled how he looked, more so his face. Though she only got a brief look at it she felt that she had a good mental image of it. At first all she could see was the cold, hard look it bore, but the more she studied the image in her mind the more she felt she could see a deep seated sorrow. As if one or more events of the past had left him broken of heart, an' torn in spirit. It was the look of hidden grief. Grief that he felt he could not share, so he hid deep. So deep that it took more intuition than sight to actually find it. She felt that this face, or more importantly, the man behind it could not only help her, but maybe even understood how she felt. Maybe he was someone that could help mend her hurt, someone that had felt her pain, someone that could care. She shook her head at the thought as she scolded herself an' her pride took over. "I don't need any help." she thought. "Besides he might not be like that. He might just be hard. Maybe even evil. For all I know he is with them!" She shook her head at the last two thoughts. He wasn't with them. If he was he wouldn't be lookin' for them. She also didn't believe he was evil. She had seen his eyes. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, an' in what she saw, she saw no evil. But the fact still stood, she did not truly know him an' he did not know she even existed, or so she though.

Her thoughts were broken when the cowboy in black emerged from the bar, climbed again into his truck an' drove off. Valentine was torn between wantin' to follow him an' wantin' to find out what info he had gotten. She knew he had stopped for information, as anyone after even a casual drink would have been in there longer. She decided that she was on her own so she started up her motorcycle an' pulled up to the bar's parkin' area. She sat on her Harley a moment as she watched the black truck fade into the distance, then finally dismounted an' entered the bar.

Once inside she sat down at the bar an' ordered a whiskey. Valentine had never been one to drink. She knew the dangers of drinkin' an' had been taught in church how it was wrong, But he father had taught her a bit different. 'A glass of whiskey for a cold or some wine for a bad stomach are good remedies, even the Apostle Paul said so. ' He used to say. He also taught her all things in moderation an' to try to keep from the appearance of evil, but he also taught her to do what had to be done an' use common sense. She knew the barkeeper wouldn't talk unless she was drinkin'. She took the drink that the barkeeper gave her an' took a quick sip before askin' him anythin'. It burned her mouth an' throat, but she managed to conceal that. She asked about Laurie an' showed the barkeep a picture. He told her he had seen her here in company with another red head that he saw here more often. He also said that they seemed to be celebratin' somethin'. From the date an' time he gave she was sure it was the death of that cowboy on the news. She talked to him a bit more, disappointed that that was all he had. She hoped to bring more out of him by tryin' to look cute, usin' some feminine charm, but if he had any more information he was not sayin'. She was pretty sure he didn't though. Now she wished she had followed that cowboy.

'She finished her drink an' watched the weather that was bein' shown on the TV when a news flash came on. 'Shooting at local Bar' the headlines read. The news anchor said that 2 locally know thugs that had been causin' trouble in town for years were now out of commission. 'locals reported that an unknown 'Lone Ranger' has busted up one thug an' shot the other with a revolver that looked like it came out of an old western movie. He then disappeared into the night. No one seems to be able to describe or identify the mystery man, but locals are calling him a hero,' said the news anchor. Valentine was sure that it had to be the cowboy. The news anchor continued, 'Police said they are not looking for suspects at this time as they believe the shooting to be justified. The sergeant on duty said that the mystery man did them all a favor. Next up on new channel 13 we will discuss a new study that shows what your pets are actually thinking, but first a word from our sponsor'

Valentine wrote down the name of the place an' asked for directions to it. The barkeeper gave her the directions an' she left. It didn't take her long to find the place. It was only a couple miles down the road. When she got there the police were still pretty heavily in the area. Again, she found herself a spot to wait it out.

It was after 4:30 am before the police left the bar. She was droopin' a bit as the whiskey had relaxed her, but was holdin' up. She drove into the bars parkin' area an' did as before. This time the barkeeper had not seen the red head in the picture, but had seen a dark haired man that fit her description along with another red head. Valentine described to him the other red head that the other barkeep had told her about. He said the description was right. This worried Valentine a bit. How many people were involved in this? Where did they all stand? She knew now that this other red head she must keep an eye out for as the other two might have given the other red head information on her. Valentine knew now that she had to work quickly. She decided to ask the barkeep about the cowboy.

Valentine: Do ya know where the cowboy was that was in here earlier?

Barkeep: Cowboy? 'I know of no cowboy, Signorina.

Valentine: You don't hafta cover for him. He's a friend of mine (she lied). I need to see him, but I can't get a hold of him. He may be in trouble.

Barkeep: Trouble, him? I no think so . . I mean, it sounds like he can take care of himself. . .though I know him not, I never see. . .

Valentine: Don't worry, Like I said I'm a friend of his. I just want to help him. You want your hero killed?

Barkeep: No, NO. I see him, but I don't know where he go. Maybe bar on other side of bridge, 5 kilometers northwest. If he is at bar still looking for those bad people he look for, he will go there.

Valentine: Grazie, Signore.

Valentine got up an' walked out after downin' her whiskey. It didn't seem to burn as much this time. 'Maybe it was a better brand,' she wondered. 'She got on her Harley an' drove down to the third bar. She saw the black truck parked across the street, but could not tell if anyone was inside it. She went into the bar. She looked around but didn't see the cowboy in black at first. She walked up to the bar an' ordered a whiskey. She heard someone shift in a chair an' turned to glance at who it was, as she hadn't seen anyone in that direction. The door-way came into the room to make a covered entry way, but it also made a nook off to one side of the bar, there sat the cowboy. He was sittin' so his chair was beside the table, not facin' it. He was posed to move an' move fast if he had too, an' she knew he could, but he sat there with an' almost lazy ease. He was positioned so he could see the windows across from him, an' the door beside him in the bar mirror, but he could not easily be seen upon enterin' the bar. As soon as she caught sight of him she quickly snapped her glance back to the back of the bar, hopin' he didn't see her lookin' at him, but for some reason she knew he knew.

She stayed where she was at, hopin' he would approach her, but he sat still with the same cold, hard look on his face, but it was twisted into a look of disinterest as well this time. She knew he saw everythin' that went on in there from where he sat, an' since he was still here he had either found what he wanted to know or was waitin' for someone. The only part that worried her was that he might be waitin' for her, but how would he know she was followin' him? She glanced at him again quickly to see him studyin' her with a more thoughtful look. Their eyes locked for a moment. She thought she saw a spark of fire leap in his eyes only to grow cold again. He held his gaze unashamedly, but she could not. She turned around quickly again to address the barkeeper. She asked him the same questions she asked the others. He told her all 3 of the folks she asked about had been seen in here. He also told her to watch out as they were bad an' they were bein' hunted. She asked by who. He told her certain people in certain government agencies. She asked why an' he said, 'Who knows? They are just bad.' When she asked who was huntin' them he said he wasn't sure all of whom were huntn' them. He said if she wanted to the cowboy at the table by himself might know more as he was huntin' them. She thanked him an' went back to her drink.

'She sat at the bar for a bit tryin' to work up the courage to go talk to the man in black. After 10 minutes or s she finally worked up the nerve. She tossed back her drink an' stood up as two guys, obviously thugs but higher class thugs, walked into the bar. The first one walked up to her.

Thug #1: Miss Patterson, I presume.

Valentine wheeled around startled 'by someone callin' her by her last name. She hadn't even heard them come in or up to her as she had been lost in tryin' to convince herself that she needed some help an' couldn't do it alone know, even if dyin' doin' it was part of her plan.

Valentine: I'm sorry? Did you address me?

Thug #1: You are Maria Patterson, are you not?

Valentine: That is my name. I was not aware that anyone knew I was here.

She talked casually as she walked over to the edge of the pool table. There was a pool cue lyin' on the table an' as she sat on the edge she gripped it 'with one hand, but made it look like she was just holdin' on to the edge of the table.

Thug #1: EL Jefe Grande and Miss Laurie have extended an invitation for you to dine with them this morning. El Grande regrets that he could not be here to give you the invitation himself, but wants me to convey how honored he would be for you to join him at your last meal.

Valentine had never heard their names before, but she was sure that this was them, an' they meant to kill her. She knew if she went with them now they would pat her down an' she'd never get a chance to shoot.

Valentine: I'm sorry, I can not accept at this time. How about if they both meet me in the park alone for lunch?

Thug #1: I'm sorry, I didn't make myself clear. This is not a request. It is demanded that you come with us now. If you cause a seen an innocent bystander could get hurt.

She looked down at the floor for a moment. Someone innocent gettin' hurt was the last thing she wanted, but she knew she if she did as she said she would be dead an' her father an' 'uncles' would not be avenged. No, she could not die until she could be sure to kill them too.

Valentine: OK, but give me your arm, an' user me out so everyone thinks we are together, an' so I know you won't hurt anyone here.

The thug grinned as he thought he had won, but when he got close enough somethin' hit him in the back of the head an' he went down. Valentine had swung the pool cue at the right moment. Unfortunately the thug was only stunned an' not unconscious yet. She jumped up as he fell as the other thug went for his gun. AS his gun came up her pool cue came down hard on his arm with a loud *CRACK*. The thug screamed in pain as he held his now broken arm. The other thug had now managed to jump up, so Valentine swung the pool cue at him, but didn't get enough time to hit hard enough. The thug managed to catch it on his arm an' yank it from her grip, but this caused him to trip backwards. At which time Valentine grabbed a chair an' smashed it down over his head knockin' him out cold.

'She looked over at the cowboy in the corner an' he was still sittin' there with the same look on his face. She swore under her breath an' wondered why she ever thought he might help her. Unknown to her he had a pistol on his lap ready to shoot if needed, but wantin' to know who he was dealin' with more, he had let her fight her own fight. He knew she needed help, but he knew that his own team couldn't afford to have someone that would need more protectin' than they would be of help.

Unfortunately, by this time, the thug with the busted arm had ran out of the bar to get reinforcements. 'Valentine saw two more run up the stairs. She stood off to the side so that they ran in half way before they turned around an' saw her pointin' two pearl handle 1911's at them.

Valentine: Put your hands up! NOW!

The thugs obeyed, with their guns still in their hands. Then a voice behind her spoke,

Thug #5: No put your hands up.

Valentine: You shoot me an' all have them dead before I hit the floor.

Thug #5: What do I care about them? I get paid either way.

Slowly she started to put up her hands an' the other thugs started to drop their hands. Then she heard a dull thud followed by the sound of someone fallin' to the floor. The thugs across from her instantly put up their hands an' the sound of a large revolver cockin' was heard in her ear.

Cowboy: You heard the lady, keep them hands up. You're lucky today, I'd have shot ya just for the fun of it, but don't think that ifin ya get out of line I won't shoot ya with the lady present. Ya even look cross eyed at either of us an' I'll drop ya where ya stand.

The cowboy's manner was cool an' easy. He wasn't overly excited, nor showed that this was anythin' than normal for him. He acted with such ease an' talked with such calmness, even in his threats, she all of a sudden felt safe.

The cowboy walked past her an took the guns from the thugs. She glanced down behind her to se the other thug out cold with a bit of blood on the back of hs head an' a knot formin'. Obviously the cowboy had knocked him out with the butt of his revolver, but why had he stepped in then an' not earlier.

The cowboy forced the thugs to sit back to back in a couple chairs, an' tied them together. 'He walked up to the barkeep showin' him a badge of some sort.

Cowboy: After we leave give us 15 minutes then call the police. Tell them that they were harassin' customers an' threatenin' them with guns an' you had to take them down.

Barkeeper: Si, Signor.
'
Then the cowboy turned around an' walked up to Valentine.

Cowboy: Need to be more careful next time, Miss. Never let a door get behind ya like that unless you know you have back up right there an' ready. Even then it's not the best move ifin I can be helped.

Valentine: I can handle myself, Thank you very much!

Cowboy (drolly as he nodded at the unconscious man): Yeah . . . I see that. But this one (pointin' to the man he knocked out) nearly did ya in.

Valentine: If you think I need so much help, why didn't you help me when that man attacked me?

Cowboy: It wasn't my fight. Besides, you seemed to know how to fight alright.

Valentine: But the other one could have shot me!

Cowboy: But he didn't.

Valentine was mad at him, not because he had done anythin' wrong, but because her pride that told her she could do it all was hurt. That an' she now realized how much she doesn't know about this deadly game she was now playin' an' how much more the other side knew. They knew she was here, they knew her name, an' they knew her weaknesses. She wasn't mad at the cowboy, but she was confused. This made her feel even more helpless. To hide it she acted mad.

Valentine: Well, don't do me any favors! Now just leave me alone!!

Cowboy: The one with the broken arm is gone.

Valentine: SO?! Your point is?

Cowboy: His mouth still works. He'll have gotten other by now. Ifin ya don't want ta fight an army right here an' now I'd scoot out the back, an' ifin ya'll allow me I'll give ya a hand.

Valentine: Don't bother! I can take care of myself! An' Don't tell me what to do!

Valentine stormed out the front door, her coat tails flappin' as she walked. The cowboy turned to the barkeeper.

Cowboy: Damn, that woman's gonna get herself killed, little fool. You give us 20 minutes before callin' the police, eh?

Barkeep: Si, Signor. But the Signorina . . .?

Cowboy: Don't worry. I'll watch out for her, fin I have to hog tie her an' haul her bodily to safety.

Barkeep: Grazie, Signor.

The cowboy walked outside the door an' looked around carefully. Valentine had gone to her motorcycle an' had prepared to start it when someone caught her eye. 'She thought she saw a red headed woman that looked like Laurie enter a buildin' around the corner from the buildin' across the street. She got off an' started to walk over. All of a sudden she heard the racin' of an engine an' the cowboy yelled for her to look out. A large van tore around the corner an' hit her. It wasn't a direct hit, but more of a glancin' blow off the fender. She didn't hit the ground, but was thrown back against a buildin'. She hit the wall hard an' addin' to the injuries sustained by the blow from the truck.

As she looked around here everythin' seemed to move in slow motion. The van squealed to a stop. Two guys jumped out of the front an' 3 out of the back. at the same time the cowboy was runnin' across the street at her, his black coat flappin' in the wind, teeth grit, revolvers in hand. Valentine managed to stagger forward an pull her 1911's as the 5 men that jumped out of the truck pulled their gun. 3 had pistols, 2 had '9mm auto machine pistols. The 3 with hand guns had started to shoot at before the cowboy could get there. Valentine managed to fire her guns, though everythin' seemed to be hazy an' moved in slow motion. She just 'fired in their direction an' kept firin'. Suddenly somethin' hit her left arm an' she dropped her gun, she didn't understand why she couldn't hold onto her gun nor lift her arm, she fired the other still but somethin' tore at her right leg, once then twice, an' she felt herself fallin'. Pain shot through her leg an' arm as she fell, but then somethin' caught her, picked her body upright an' held her tight. About the same time, everythin' around her seemed to return to normal speed. What had seemed like minutes had only been seconds. She had killed one of the thugs an' wounded another, but he was still shootin'. In the mean time the cowboy had ran across the street, grabbed her up an' held her close to him as they shot at his back. With his head low he covered them both with this black duster. She realized then that it was bullet proof an' he was sheildin' them. The pound of the high speed machine pistols hammered at his back, an' ricocheted off the wall by them. As soon as the machine pistols stopped she felt the cowboy drop her to the ground. He had waited for them to reload to drop her an' swing around. In his hands were Colt Anaconda .45 long colt double action revolvers. He fired at them yellin' for them to 'meet their maker' as he shot into them soon all 5 lay dead. Methodically the cowboy reloaded his pistols. An' put them back in his holsters. He then pulled his .50 cal Dragoon an' checked the loads in it. As he did so the man with the broken arm came from around the corner with an Micro-Uzi in his hand. The cowboy looked at him with the .50 cal in his hand, but hangin' down by his side.

Thug: I'm GONNA KILL YOU!

Cowboy: Go ahead, Punk. Make My Day!

As the thug thrust the Uzi out in front of him to fire the pistol in the cowboys hand came up so fast that no one could see it move. The Gun boomed thunderously then there was silence. The thug was thrown back about 10 feet an' lay on the pavement, not to move again.

The cowboy reloaded the big 50 an' then walked over to where Valentine lay.

Cowboy: are you gonna be alright there, Miss?

Valentine: I think so, but I hurt bad.

Cowboy: Can you breathe alright?

Valentine: It hurts a bit, but not too bad. I think they shot me in my left arm an' right leg.

The cowboy looked at her leg, movin' it a bit, as he looked. She sucked in air through her teeth tryin' to hold back the pain.

Cowboy: She's not broken, but we need to bandage her. This isn't a good place. The police will be here soon an' will want answers I can't give them right now.

Valentine: We can go to my hotel room. It's only a couple miles from here.

Cowboy: ok. Hold on.

The cowboy lifted her up as gently as possible, but fast. Valentine squeaked as she tried to hold in yellin; or screamin' from the pain. The cowboy walked quickly to his truck, deposited her in the passenger seat, 'jumped in, an' speed off, squealin' the tires as he went.

The cowboy handed Valentine a bandanna to press into the wounds on her leg. The arm would have to wait. She told him how to get to her hotel, an' they were there in less than 5 minutes. The keys were in her left pants pocket, so the cowboy had to get them out himself. She blushed a bit, though in pain as he did so. A slight smile danced across his eyes then vanished, otherwise his facial expression remained much the same.

After unlockin' the door the cowboy picked her up out of the truck an' laid her down on the bed. After he had got a bag
from the truck he locked the room door.

Cowboy: I'm sorry, Miss, but I'm not great at this stuff, nor do I have all I need. I have some whiskey in a flask to clean the wounds with, but it will hurt like hell. I can't take you to a hospital either, lessen they haul ya away. I could get ya back, but they might not be able to protect you like my group can.

Valentine: I understand. I don't know you, nor do I know who you work for, but you risked your life for me. For that I trust you.

Cowboy: Thank ya, Miss. I'll explain more of who I work for later.

Valentine: I understand, please Call me Val. It's Short for valentine. I only let my friends call me that.

Cowboy: I thought that thug said your name was Maria.

Valentine: 'That is my first name. My middle name is Valentine. That's what I usually go by.

Cowboy: I see.

The cowboy took a knife from his belt an' cut off her jeans from around the bullet wounds on her leg.
Cowboy: These will need stichin' but they aren't too bad. I can clean them an' bandage them. Boss man will hafta stitch ya up.

Valentine: Boss man? You don't run your group?

Cowboy: Naw, it's hard to explain though. Let's just say we are just a couple friends doin' a job together. The Boss man leads, I just do. He's not really a boss, an' it ticks him off sometimes when I call him boss, but he gets over it. His real name is Fernando.

Valentine: Well, I know your friends name but I still don't know your name.

Cowboy: This is gonna hurt.

The cowboy poured some whiskey from his flask onto her leg wounds. She gasped an' sucked air in fast, tryin' her best to stay quiet, an' she did good.

Cowboy: Sackett. Hondo Sackett.

Valentine: What?

Hondo: that is my name. Hondo Sackett.

Valentine: Thank you Mr. Sackett.

Hondo bandaged her leg with some clean bandannas an' some gauze.

Hondo: Just call me Hondo.

Hondo bandaged her arm too, which would need stitches as well, but was still minor. He took off her button-up shirt an' raised her white t-shirt enough to inspect her midriff without exposin' her top. It was obvious through the t-shirt that she didn't wear a bra, or he'd have had her take it off. It's not that she was small chested at all. She was medium chested, probably 'C' cup, but was firm enough to go without an' probably often did. Hondo tried not to think on it, for she was beautiful, in a rugged, womanly way, yet with enough child in her to be cute. But it wasn't just her body, it was somethin' in her eyes. Yes, they held a sadness an' loss, but Hondo could see beneath it. She might be someone he could love very easily. He thrust the thought from his mind as he finished doin' what he could for her. He had lost too many lovers before now. This gal was nearly lost today. He couldn't bear to have his heart broken again, nor see this lovely little gal killed because of him.

Hondo: Here drink this.

Hondo gave her the last of the whiskey in his flask to help dull the pain.. after she was done he took the flask from her an' wrapped her in her coat.

Hondo: we'd better get goin'. I want you looked at soon. That van might have done more internal damage than we know. I don't see any signs of internal bleedin' other than a few bruises, but I don't want to chance it.

Valentine: But I haven't paid for the room yet.

Hondo I'll take care of it.

Valentine: An' my motorcycle! I can't leave it to be impounded. It's all I have left of . . Pa's.

Valentine hung her head low, slumpin' where she sat. a small tear flowed down her face, her face showed sorrow, but her eyes showed hate.

Hondo: We'll get it if we can. I have to ask you somethin' first, but we'll talk about that in the truck.

Hondo picked her up an' carried her back to the truck. After he got her settled in he ran to the front office, paid her bill, an' returned the room key. Once back in the truck Hondo started the engine an' drove off toward the bar. It was now almost 7:15 am. Hondo spoke as he drove, takin' his time to go around the back way.

Hondo: Why were you askin' about Laurie, El Grande, an' Annie?

Valentine: I really don't want to talk about it.

Hondo: I need to know.

Valentine: Please, I don't feel well.

Hondo: I have to know right NOW!

The tone of his voice scared her a bit but after a moment she answered.

Valentine: I think Laurie an' El Grande killed my father an' some of his friends that were like uncles to me an' now they want to kill me.

Hondo: You think or you know?

Valentine: I don't know.

Hondo: What? You go against them an' you don't know?!

Valentine: I saw them threatenin' Pa with a gun the night he disappeared. He was a pilot an' I think they hi-jacked his plane an' threatened to kill me if they didn't. Somethin' happened, maybe they knew I saw them, but they came back to kill me. Several of Pa's friends came to my aid. One snuck me out while the others attacked the thugs they sent. All of Pa's friends were killed that came except the one that got me out. I vowed then to kill the ones that ordered their deaths even if it meant my own death.

Hondo: Ok

Valentine: Why did you have to know?

Hondo: I had to make sure you were on the right side. Your thinkin's screwed up but your cause is just.

Valentine: So tell me your reason.

Hondo: It's personal.

Valentine: So was mine. I trust you, but you should trust me too.

Hondo: You haven't done anythin' to earn my trust yet.

Valentine was silent as Hondo pulled up down the road from the bar in a clear area.

Hondo: I'll be right back.

Hondo jumped out an' walked down the street to the bars parkin'. The police were still cleanin' up down the street, but were too busy to see him. He wheeled the Harley back down the street an' to the clear alley where the truck was parked. Once there he used a board in the back of the truck as a ramp an' pushed the bike up in. Only then di her really realize how badly the bullets had bruised his back an' legs. He realized too that he was hit in the front too, but the vest had stopped them. He thanked God that they were usin' only 9mms.

He strapped it down an' drove off. After about 15 minutes of silence he spoke.

Hondo: Laurie was my wife.

Valentine: What!?!

Hondo gave her a stern look that made her shrink back into her seat.

Hondo: I was married to her. Her an' I made a great pair. A friend of mine, his wife an' sister 'in-law were kidnapped by El Grande to try to force my friend into a deal.Laurie, my friend,I an' some hired toughs went after them. Once at his base we destroyed it, but we took some fire, the toughs freaked, an' Laurie took a couple bullets for me. We were sure she was dead, but a medical crew found her right after we left an' managed to revive her, though I don't know how. The ambulance wrecked on the way to the hospital, which gave her a concussion. She was found by El Grande an' taken to the hospital. She lost all her memory from the trauma. He then took her in, an' trained her as his assistant. She believes I tried to kill her. She tried to kill me or I'd not of known she was here.

Valentine: You were the cowboy at the gas station?!?!?

Hondo: yeah.

Valentine: But they said you were dead!

Hondo: naw, they just think so, or thought so. Now they know different. Anyway, El Grande is an' ld enemy that predates Laurie. I thought I killed him before I ever met her. His name was Hatfield in those days.

Valentine: What about Annie?

Hondo: Well, she tried to kill the Boss man, an' wants to kill me an' the boss man's wife as well. El Grande is a drug dealer, so he helps Annie to make himself look good to the drug community as we tore it apart a while back.

Valentine: That was you?! I heard about it.

Hondo: Not Me. Us.

Both were silent for the rest of the trip.. Valentine pondered on what was to be done an' on what kind of man had saved her. Hondo pondered on what he was goin' to do with her an' how Fernando was gonna take it when he brought home a stray.

It was 8:00 when the houses gates came into sight an' Hondo nearly panicked at the sight of the SWA clean-up crew's presence. He floored the truck, makin' the engine roar an' the tires squeal as he did so. The gates were open so he flew up the drive an' squealed the tires as he stopped.

Hondo: Somethin's wrong. You wait here. I'll be right back.

Hondo jumped outta the truck an' walked briskly into the house, hand on his revolver

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Feb 1^st, 2011, 11:59pm

Another hour or so of cleaning up, the bodies are taken away to for further identification. They were able to identify another besides 'Bruno the Fixer.' Vincenzo De Luca, also known as 'Vinnie the Apprentice', one who is known to be Bruno's assistant in stealing cars and disposing of bodies. In the minds of the SWA staff that was there, having these two in the goon squad only mean that they were going to clean up the bodies after the deed was done.

As the SWA Clean Up Crew survey the damage, Fernando goes upstairs momentarily to check on Tammy. She was still sleeping the hour away, so much like him at times. He gives her a kiss on her forehead before leaving the room, closing the door behind him. He head downstairs, watching the clean up crew do their task of cleaning up. Marco approach him, Fernando passes him to stand by the staircase in the long hallway that runs the length of the house.

Marco: You know who could have sent these monkeys?
Fernando: Only one person has that kind of money to afford such a service and the reach to get it.
Marco: You think it was Anne Rossellini?
Fernando: Think? No. I know it. Ever played Baseball?
Marco: I heard about the American game.
Fernando: Well, in Baseball, you have 3 chances to try to score, if you fail, each one is called a 'Strike.' She now has 2 strikes against her. I am not going to allow her to score on her third.
Marco: I see. So. Your officer still stand?
Fernando: Offer?
Marco: In 7 days. You have wasted 3 thus far.
Fernando: I would not say wasted. I would dare say Tammy is ready for anything thrown at her. Just need to test her out there in the line of fire.
Marco: I would like to see that happen.
Fernando: Too bad you wont. In the very least you can read our report when all is said and done.
Marco (as he nods): Hmmm...

Hondo arrives through the back door, gun in hand. A quick survey of the scene shows only 'friendlies' in the immediate area. They turn to him as he approaches them.

Fernando: Hondo?
Hondo: What happened here, Jefe?
Fernando: The place was attacked. Looks like Annie sent a few friends to check out the place.
Hondo: Everyone alright?
Fernando: The girls are alright. Jeanie sent her crew out to get some fresh supplies, they were not here when it happened.
Hondo: Good. '(he pauses for a moment) I need you to step outside for a moment.
Fernando: Eh?
Hondo: I need you to step outside. I have sumthing to show you.
Fernando (taking the lead): Alright, lets go.

Once outside Fernando sees Hondo's truck with an old Harley secured to the bed. He starts to walk to the passenger side. Hondo take a couple of quick steps past him, stopping at the passenger door.

Hondo: Look, iffin' this is goin' to cause a problem, I could send her to the hospital but I prefer not too because of the questions they are going to ask.
Fernando: Open the door, Hondo.

He hesitates for a moment before opening the door. Fernando looks at the young mouse female inside and her injuries.

Fernando (in an angered tone): Hondo...
Hondo: Its... I'll send her to a hospital.
Fernando: Like hell you wont! She'll bleed out on the trip! (he pauses for a moment) Send her upstairs to your room. I'll deal with the suits and get the first aid kit from my room.
Hondo: Yes sir!

Valentine, though patched up was still leaking. She looked out of it as it is. Hondo tried to help her out of the truck but she staggers out.

Fernando: Carry her Hondo.

Hondo puts her arm over her shoulder and picks her up with is arms and carries her inside. Fernando follows him into the house. He soon passes Hondo, running block for him so he could go up the stairs. The handlers and Ferro questioned who was that Hondo was carrying into the house, but Fernando brushed them off, telling them, 'We'll figure it out later...' He takes the stairs up to his room as he calls for Jeanie. Hondo had placed Valentine on his bed.

Fernando arrives to Hondo's room with Jeanie and his large EMT tool kit medical bag. Containing everything an ambulance and most emergency rooms would have, it was big enough to hide a an average third grader. Taking a nearby chair, he places it by the bed and puts the bag on it.

Fernando: Hondo, take her shoes off.

Hondo hesistates but does as he was told. Fernando hands a pair of rubber gloves to Jeanie and puts on a pair himself.

Fernando: Now, Hondo. I need you to step out.
Hondo: What about Jeanie?
Fernando: Jeanie was trained a long time ago to assist. Lucky for her she ended up marrying to a newspaper multi-billionaire or she would have been in Jeanette Isabel's place as my EMT partner at the cafŽ.
Hondo: Without the hassles I bet.
Fernando: Hondo. Leave.

Hondo nods for a second before leaving the room. Fernando looks at Jeanie.

Fernando: How much you remember your stuff.
Jeanie: Most of it.
Fernando: Good. Take off her pants and lets take care of that leg wound first. It don't look good from here.

Valentine protest to having her pants opened up, even in her weakened condition, only to have a face full of chloroform. As Fernando and Jeanie worked on the young mouse. Hondo hung around for a while outside the door, but gets tired and goes downstairs for anything looks good in the frig.

Along the way, several try to stop Hondo and ask questions that he refuses to answer. He takes can of soda from the frig and puts it on the service island. Jean approaches the service island while on his cell phone. He hangs up the phone and looks over at Hondo.

Jean: Who is she?
Hondo: Fernando said that we figure it out later.
Jean: There was a shoot out at two bars in Rome. You and her had any part of that?
Hondo (lying): No. Now we will deal with it later.
Jean: 'American Property or not, I'll have you arrested for interfering with justice.
Marco (approaching the service island): Jean. Leave it alone.
Jean: I'm Fratello Supervisor here.
Marco: And I have seniority over you. Now, Fernando would not have allowed anyone in unless he can trust them.
Jean: Have it your way. But I'm letting the chief know of this insubordination.

Jean walks away. He signal his cyborg to follow him as he walked out the front door. Hillshire approaches the service island.

Hillshire: Tell me the truth Hondo. Were you or were you not involved in those shootings? Evidence has been gathered and is any of the recovered bullets matches your weapon, you will be answering questions in an interrogation room.

Hondo starts taking out the weapons he had on him and places them on the service island.

Marco: I assume this is a yes.
Hondo: I did what I had to do in self defense. At the same time, save a little lady from harm's way.
Marco: That's more like it. You agree Hillshire?

Hillshire just nods. Hillshire looks them over, noting the empty casings in the revolvers and the number of rounds in the magazines.

Marco: If and when questions are being asked, don't claim Diplomatic Immunity. It pisses Jean off to no end.
Hondo: Everything seems to piss off your Boss-man.
Hillshire: Some people take things more serious than others.
Marco: Like your friend up stairs. What are they doing upstairs anyway?
Hondo: He calls it Emergency Battle Field Medicine.
Marco: So he's patching your friend up? I see.

Hondo looks at the can on the service island and puts it back in the frig.

Hillshire: What was wrong with that soda?
Hondo: It got hot with everyone breathin' on it.

Hondo takes off his trench coat, several bullets lodged between the layers fall to the ground. Both Marco and Hillshire looks at them and then at Hondo.

Hillshire (as he walks around to the kitchen): Don't touch those.

Hillshire puts on a rubber glove and a paper napkin, picking up the bullets off the floor. He wraps them in the napkin before inserting them inside a plastic clear zip-lock bad.

Hillshire (holding up the bag to Hondo): This will go a long way as evidence of your self defense.

Hondo nods as he watches the bag disappear in Hillshire's pocket.

Marco: Give me that trench.
Hondo: What for?
Marco: There might be more still lodged in the layers.

Indignant of the request, Hondo hands him his trench coat. Putting on rubber gloves, Marco lays it flat on the service island next to his guns, feeling the material for hard lumps. He pulls out another 6 more bullets from between the layers. Handing them to Hillshire, they are place into the same plastic bag.

Marco: You hurt anywhere?
Hondo (lying): No.
Mario: You sure? Because we'll strap you down to gurney and drag your tail to Saint Lorenzo Emergency General if you show signs of being hurt.
Hondo: I feelin' like I been in a few rounds with Tyson but I'll be fine.

Frustration sets in but Hondo has to has to be better than that in front of the SWA staff. He looks at frig, the stove and then the coffee pot and decides to make a cup of brew. Going through the spice rack, he finds a bottle of vanilla extract. He spices his cup a bit before taking it to his lips.

Marco: When Fernando finishes with your friend, I want him to look you over.
Hondo: I prefer to be left alone.
Marco: Just a precaution. Or would you like Priscilla to look you over at the couch in front all of us with Olga holding you down?

Looking at the Russian Female Rabbit, Olga looks at him back, she balls up her hands into a fist and cracks her knuckles by pressing her fists together as she walks to them.

Hillshire: I heard back in Russia, she was a champion Polar Bear Wrestler.
Olga (in her thick Russian accent): Don't you be listening to these boys. I was only champion for one year, then I retired.

Olga and the guys laugh, Hondo hesitantly joins in though finds nothing funny about it.

Hondo: I'll have a talk with the Boss-man when he is done.
Marco: Alright then. When Fernando is done, you go see him and I don't want you out until you have a clean bill of health. Just one more thing.
Hondo: What would that be?
Marco: When you go flashing badges, just flash the tin and don't say you're with us. Very few know that the SWA is in law enforcement.
Hondo: My mistake.
Hillshire: Tell them you're with Public Safety. People may not like them but they do respect the not-so-secret police.

It would be another hour and thirty minutes before Fernando finishes with the patient. Butterfly stitches will minimize scaring. Jeanie gets a spare bathrobe from Fernando's room, putting the mousette in it. Fernando picks her up as Jeanie quickly changes the bed sheets. Fernando puts her back on the bed, taking a blanket from the closet and covers her with it for the time being to keep her warm. Jeanie puts the bloodied items into a small laundry basket. During this time, Hondo picks up his guns from he service island and places them on his person on various holsters.

Fernando (taking off his gloves): That is all we can do.
Jeanie: She should be fine after some rest.
Fernando (taking the laundry basket): Clean up here. I'm going down to talk with Hondo.
Jeanie: And when I'm done?
Fernando: Maybe you should wait for your staff to return downstairs and explain what happened when they come.

Jeanie nods her head. Fernando closes up his medical bag and takes it with him with the laundry basket. He walks out the room and walks down the hall to his room. He puts the medical bag on the floor and shoves it with his foot under the bed. He closes the door as he leaves the room and heads downstairs.

Half way down the stairs, Fernando yells out, 'Hondo, laundry room, now!...

Hondo (yells back): Yes Boss!

Trotting around the Kitchen, Hondo meets up with him at the basement staircase. They take the stairs in silence. The door closes downstairs.

Fernando shoves the clothing and blankets into one of the machines, followed by various detergents and fabric softeners, and a powdered enzyme used in hospital and professional cleaning services to remove blood from cloth. The machine begins its wash cycle when the door closes. Fernando turns around and leans against the machine with his arms crossed.

Hondo: Maybe I should have called before bringin' her in.
Fernando Don't say a word.

He takes a glance at the washing machine, dirty water and suds passed the 1/2 way mark, churning away. He turns back to face Hondo.

Fernando: I'll trust you on this one. But if she turns on us, I'll be putting her down with a couple of bullets to her head.
Hondo: Uhm... She's hunted like we are, by the same people I believe.
Fernando (interrupting Hondo): Frankly I don't care right now. I don't want those idiots upstairs to know what is going on here. How can one keep what happens here a secret if everyone and their mommas are looking at everything we do. I'm just sick of it.
Hondo: Mind what happened here?
Fernando: Annie sent her friends over to play house. I had to tell them otherwise. The SWA was called in to clean up after the fun.
Hondo: I see Jeanie is fine. How's Tammy?
Fernando: Tammy got sick from all the wine she gulped down while I was sleeping. Jeanie and her crew cleaned up the mess she made. Then Jeanie gave her a witches brew of pills to ease her stomach and put he to sleep. She's in my bed, still sleeping, even after those goons tried to break in and set the place on fire.
Hondo: I see.
Fernando: The mousette in your room is your responsibility. She or you replaces what she eats or otherwise use in this place and clean up after her.
Hondo (interrupting him): Want to know her personal story?
Fernando: No. That's your business. If she wants to tell me a sordid story of her past after an introduction, that's on her to tells me, not yours.
Hondo: I see. You angry about it?
Fernando: I'm angry about what happened here. The attack and now guests that wont leave. In truth- right now I would be sleeping the hours away. Instead I'm forced to be awake and I don't like it. And one more thing.
Hondo: What is it?
Fernando: This is the sixth time I saved Jeanie's life. She's going to act funny and touchy feely around me. Just turn a blind eye to it.
Hondo: I can do that, but what about Tammy?
Fernando: I will deal with Tammy when I need too. Right now I need some peace.

Hondo slowly nods.

Fernando: One more thing.
Hondo: What is it?
Fernando: You figure out the sleeping arrangements, and she is going to need some fresh clothes. We can go clothes shopping for her later, when her stuff is dry and we can get sizes from them.

Hondo sighs. It was one thing that he would not like to do, buys stuff for a woman and her needs. But since she is going to be out for a while, so he might as well do her the favor.

Fernando: Lets go upstairs. I have not had breakfast yet.
Hondo: No? Then who made the pot of coffee?
Fernando: Probably Jeanie or one of our guests upstairs. I'm confiscating it is mine now.
Hondo: Heh...

Together they go upstairs and to the kitchen. Fernando gathers a few things and a frying pan. He quickly makes breakfast for himself as he starts drinking coffee. He places the plate of food on the service island. He signals to Hondo to make himself something after he steps out of the kitchen. He places his meal on the ding table and starts eating it. The uncomfortable silence hung about the room like a bad smell. Marco breaks it.

Marco: Who is our guest upstairs?

All eyes turns to Hondo. Fernando manages to intercept the question for him.

Fernando: We wont know until she wakes up. Until then, don't get any funny ideas of interrogating her before hand. She's under my custody and care.
Marco: OK. We can deal with that , but I want all intell to be shared equally.
Fernando: Shared equally? Got anything on Annie?

Marco looks at Ferro and then Priscilla, who was shrugging her shoulders. Then he shakes his head.

Fernando: I'll give you a hint: Nemi General Hospital. Check there and check who was the doc who signed off on her work. I want that name, and his personal information.
Marco: Sound to me that you already know.
Fernando: I do, so you don't go around disbelieving and disproving what I would tell you, I'm letting you know on your own so you can deal with it yourself.
Marco: Any hints?
Fernando: You can safely assume since it's a medical facility, that it is one of your medical staff. Anything more and I'll be giving it away.

Marco starts walking to the rear door.

Marco: Hillshire, come with me so we can check it out.
Hillshire: Triela, Angie. Come.

The four of them walk out the door. Fernando slides a credit card to Hondo's direction as he walks to put away his empty coffee cup and dirt dishes.

Ferro: I think we better go as well. Priscilla, get the intell team but leave the clean up crew. We will return after this excursion.

Priscilla does not say a work, just gathers Amedeo and Georgio and follows Ferro, following Marco and Hillshire Fratello teams. The sound of vehicles leaving the premises can be heard from inside the house.

Fernando goes down stairs and returns with a laundry basket of dry items. He pulls out a pair of jeans from them and looks inside.

Fernando: Says here she is a size 5. You can get her some Levis and Wranglers at the department store where we got those skunk girls their stuff. Just don't be drop your jaw at their price. They are imported here, thus the expense. Get a couple of flannel shirts and t-shirts too if they have any.

Hondo nods.

Fernando tosses the Porsche keys at him.

Fernando: Take the Porsche.
Hondo: Uhm...
Fernando (trying to make up an excuse): Just take the Porsche. This way she wont get scared to find you and her motorcycle gone.
Hondo: Oh.

Hondo takes care of his dirty empties.

Hondo: I may not say it often, but thanks.
Fernando: Thank me when its over. Right now we have a long way before we can see the beginning of the end. I would go, but I have to look over Tammy.
Hondo: Alright.

Hondo leaves the house to go to the department store in Rome. For the time being, Fernando sat on one of the living room chairs, looking towards the door.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Feb 2^nd, 2011, 1:32pm

OOC: Sorry it's short. :BIC

Hondo walked out to the car and climbed in. after he gave the car his name an' password the engine started.

Hondo: Alright, set GPS to the department store in Rome. No driving help needed.

His requests were confirmed so he took off. The time was 9:30 am

Travelin' to town took less time in the car as he could go faster easier, since the car was low to the ground, but it was still a long enough time for Hondo to think. He was a bit distraught with it all. He wondered if he had done the right thing in bringin' her to the safe house. He knew if her story was true an' she was interrogated by the police it would be all over the news an' Annie, Laurie, an' El Grande would make themselves harder to get, if not go underground completely for a while. They would also probably have every 2 bit scum bag and back shooter after Fernando, an' his group. 'Hondo wanted to believe her an' her eye seemed to speak truth, but he'd been tricked by women before. His lonesome heart wanted to believe her, an' to possibly love her, but as soon as that thought came into his mind he shut it out. He had been hurt too much before. He had a mission to complete, he told himself. She will only get in the way, she's more trouble than she's worth, was what his mind told him. He was unable to love again, he told himself, but was it true? Was he just too scared of bein' hurt again? How could a man like him, that could an' almost had charged hell with a bucket of water be afraid of a little woman? But it was not the woman that he feared as much as his own heart. Man may lose his body in a fight to the death without a second thought, but the break of a heart he will shun every time.

He arrived at the department store at 10:15 an' went inside. As he got out of the car he winced an' stretched out his sore muscles. he had hurt before, but sittin' made him all the stiffer. It'd be even worse on the trip back he knew, an' this brought no comfort. It didn't take him long to shop as he went in with a purpose. He wasn't sure which brand to buy so he bought her a black an' blue pair of Levi jeans an' the same in Wrangler, all boot cut medium waist cut. He then grabbed a black, grey, an' brown flannel shirt, an a pack of woman's medium t-shits that came in a mixed pack of grey, black, an' white. he also grabbed her a pack of cotton bikini underwear of the same color as that of the t-shirts. He was not sure what else she'd need or if she would even live long enough to use what he had so he figured ifin he had to he could always come back. Shoppin' an' checkout time wasn't more than 30 minutes, so Hondo was back in the car headin' to the safe house by 10:45.

Lunch rush hour traffic slowed his return time by 15 minutes, which only gave him all the more time to think. He hoped Fernando wasn't mad at him an' hoped he knew that Hondo would do nothin' to jeopardize the mission or any of their safety, but ifin he didn't by now he probably never would. Hondo Sackett only took chances with Hondo Sackett, not with anyone else. Hondo hoped Fernando an' Valentine might get to talk before he gets home in case he was wrong so Fernando would shoot her instead of him havin' too, though he would shoot her ifin he had too. Hondo also pondered on why Fernando had him take the Porsche. His reason seemed valid, but why was he worried about her? He seemed more angry that she was here, so why would he worry about scarin' her? Hondo tried not to think about her. He could not love again, an' he could not let her cloud the mission. AS he thought 'bout all that he remembered what a friend of his from Australia once told him, "Some people want things, possessions, riches, but all of that can be taken away and in the end all your left with is your story. Your story is only made by following your dream, but if you have no love in your heart you have no dream, and no story."

--------------------------

10:00, Valentine woke up from her chloroform induced sleep. She woke slowly an' was confused as she woke. At first she thought she was back home, but as she recognized the room as unfamiliar, an' as she started to feel pain again she became worried an' a bit scared. She forced herself upright in bed, though it took a couple tries. She looked around at the room then down at her self, she was still half under the blankets, but the bathrobe she wore was open at the top an' showed that she had nothin' else on. She could see the bandage on her arm, see the bruises on her ribs, an' stomach, an' after she uncovered her legs she could see the bandages there an' more bruisin'. It all came back to her in a flood of memory. It all seemed so unreal to her, the van hittin' her, the men shootin' at her, her shootin' back, then this mysterious cowboy in black that used his body as a shield to protect her from the bullets, then he turned coolly, an' without fear shot down the thugs that had tried to kill her. She remembered the last one the best, the man with the Uzi. The cowboy spit out "Make my day" in such a cold manner that it sent shivers though her as she thought about it again. He then without any emotion blew the thug away with what appeared to be a hand cannon as if he was swattin' a fly. She barely remembered their conversation on the way here, an' she was pretty sure he had carried her up here, but was not positive. She remembered a dark haired squirrel in dark shades an' an Asian lookin' mouse, but she was not sure who they were. Was that Hondo's Boss an' his wife? she wasn't sure.

Valentine sat on the bed for 5 minutes before tryin' to move. She hurt badly, but wanted to see Hondo an' find out what was goin' on. She sat on the edge of the bed an' tried to stand, but her leg was too stiff an' sore to hold her weight. After lookin' around for a moment she saw a cane leanin' at the end of the bed. She scooted to the foot of the bed an' grabbed it. With this in hand she was able to stand an' hobble about a bit. After she got her leg lose enough to stand without leanin' on the cane she tied shut the bathrobe she had on. As she looked around she determined this must be Hondo's room, as some of the times in 'there were western. The room itself was clean, an' well maintained, but was furnished plainly but efficiently. This suited her well as she'd never been one for frivolous decorations. After a bit she decided to venture out of the room. She didn't know when they might check on her again, an' she didn't feel like waitin'. Also, bein' hurt made her feel helpless an' even more alone. She just needed to see or hear someone, hopefully Hondo, but she'd take any friendly face, though friendly would not define the face she would first see.

As she walked out of the room she looked around. I was The area appeared to be the sleepin' quarters of the house, an' one bathroom was seen on the hall as well. She found a stair case an' looked down it not seein' anyone below. She called out Hondo's name softly, but heard no reply. As she descended the stairs she saw the kitchen off to her left an' the livin' room out in front of her. Once at the bottom of the stairs she called out Hondo's name again. Then a voice answered an' scared her. It was familiar but unfamiliar at the same time. Who ever it was had been in the kitchen area close to the stairs an' she hadn't seen him.

Voice: Hondo is not here right now.

She jumped, spun, an' would have fallen down had the man the spoke not had caught her from fallen.

Valentine: I'm sorry you scared me.

Squirrel: Well, If you aren't who Hondo believes you are you should be afraid.

Valentine: Where is he? An' Who are you?

Fernando: I am Fernando. I own this place. Where Hondo is now is no concern of yours, but he'll be back soon.

Valentine: Your Hondo's Boss. You patched me up, didn't you?

Fernando: Yes.

Valentine: You don't trust me, do you?

Fernando: You have not given me any reason too.

Valentine: Hondo said the same thing.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Feb 2^nd, 2011, 4:50pm

With almost everybody gone, Fernando sits on a living room chair, just thinking. Jeanie walks down after the place quiets down. She finds the cleanup crew still working about the front of the house and Fernando at the end of the living room alone in a chair. She heads for him and sits on his lap.

Fernando: Yes Jeanie?
Jeanie: Nothing, nothing at all.
Fernando: You don't owe me anything.
Jeanie: Yes I do. I owe you my life once again and everything in it.
Fernando: Look. You don't owe me anything. Saving you I was saving Tammy, and myself. I was doing my job as man of this house. Nothing more.
Jeanie: But doing so, you saved me from that man with the gun. I owe you my life.
Fernando: Jeanie, if you want to give me something, just give me peace and quiet. Go take care of that which you need to take off. I would like some alone time.
Jeanie: You sure?
Fernando: I'm sure.

Jeanie gives him a kiss on the lips before hopping of his off his lap. She sees the laundry basket on the table, and takes it upstairs. Fernando just sits there, letting out a sigh. Several minutes pass, taking a sizable chuck out of the hour. He just keep thinking how much he hates being awake in the early hours of the morning.

Fernando (calling out to a member of the cleanup crew): Nahil. I'll be upstairs taking a shower.
Nahil (nodding): Go ahead. We're almost finished here.
Fernando: Good. If you or your crew want a snack, you're welcomed to what's in the frig.
Nahil: Thanks.

Fernando slowly gets up and heads upstairs to his room. He takes off his shirt, pants, holster and gun putting them onto the table. The t-shirt and briefs soon join them. With just Jeanie upstairs, he takes his undergarment items along with his towel and a couple of personal hygiene items (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.). In a minute, he is in the bathroom taking a long overdue hot water shower.

He takes his time with finishing up, drying off with his towel and brushing his teeth. Coming out his fur only takes a few strokes with his brush, unlike his little wife who will take 1000 counted strokes just to do her tail, which takes her about a 1/2 hour to do. At least the results look more appreciable than it would on him.

He puts on his t-shirt and briefs, and then wrings out the towel of its moisture. He walks out of his room without coving himself as only Jeanie was around and everyone else was sleeping. He does not run into her as he walks the distance from the bathroom to his room. New pair of pants, new shirt and sox is gathered for him to put in. His AA M1981/84 goes into a clip on holster and onto the pack of his pants against the small of his back. Everything that he worn before went into the clothes hamper.

He takes his suit jacket and places it on the table for a moment, sitting on the bed next to Tammy. She was sound asleep. He gives her a kiss on the cheek before getting up, gathering up his suit jacket closes the door as he leaves. Going downstairs he checks on the cleanup crew's work, finding it satisfactory. Looking at his watch, it was 12 after 10 and thinks of how he would still be sleeping. He continues out the door and into the front yard and driveway. He looks about, one of the two Pizza vans was there. Much of the cleanup crew had placed themselves on strategic locations about the house and yard: the roof, balcony, behind the trees, in the pizza truck and in the small porch area in the front of the house. They sit and wait, guarding the house and waiting for their supervisors to return.

Fernando hates times like this, nothing to do but wait and see. Going back into the house, he takes a long walk to the rear of the house, looking out to the truck. Hearing somebody walk down the stairs, he heads back to intercept who it was. He thought 'It could not be Tammy, so it has to be Jeanie.' Instead it was the woman he patched up in Hondo's room.

Continuing on their conversation, Fernando gives her a reply.

Fernando: Hondo is a wise man not to trust anyone as is without confirmation.

Valentine just looks at him for a moment, trying to figure things out.

Valentine: Where are my clothes?

Fernando: What's left of them, I had washed. Come.

Fernando walks over to living and points out the chairs.

Fernando: Sit and relax. I need to chase somebody with a laundry basket.

Valentine: Uhm...

Fernando starts to walk away, going up stairs. Valentine follows him past several rooms, the fourth to last set of rooms in the hall way. He knocks on the door. A white Asian mouse opens the door.

Fernando: Jeanie, can I have the laundry basket with the things inside.

Jeanie: Oh sure.

She walks back into her room and comes back, handing Fernando the laundry basket with everything inside. Fernando turns, finding Valentine behind her. He takes the jeans that were on the top of the pile and gives them to her. He had to dig into the pile and search for her t-shirt. Giving her the t-shirt, he points to the last doors in the hall.

Fernando: Those are the bathrooms. They are complete with shower stalls, wash sink, a toilet, vanity mirror with drug cabinet and a supplies closet under the sink. You use your own towel and soap unless you need one and I'll see what supplies can be handed out. Just one thing I tell all the women who use the bathrooms in my place- No Panties, Bras and Stockings Are to Be Left Hanging around about the Place! We have washers and dryers in the basement and all the floors have bathrooms set up like these two, and every bedroom as a dresser to put your things in. This is not a hotel, this is my house and you are a guest in this house. Do I make myself clear?

Valentine: Yes sir.

Fernando: Go in and change. I'll leave these in Hondo's room for him to deal with. Then I'll be down stairs, no doubt you are hungry. Steak and Eggs sound good to you?

Valentine: Uhm... I'll wait for Hondo to return.

Fernando: Then after I eat, you can help me take your motorcycle off his truck. Then I'll tell you about the rest of the rules.

Valentine nods before taking the bathroom on the right. Fernando walks away, going into Hondo's first and placing the laundry basket on a nearby chair. The he heads back to his room to check up on Tammy. Though a bit more responsive, she was still sleeping. Hopefully soon as he thought, she would be awake. His final leg of the journey took him to the kitchen, where he made a steak and egg breakfast for himself. Taking the last of the coffee from the pot, he refills the coffee maker and starts a new batch. Some 15 minutes later, he had finished making his meal, yet Valentine had not arrived. Not caring, he sits down at the dining table and starts eating his food.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Feb 2^nd, 2011, 8:33pm

Valentine went into the bathroom to change. She took off the bathrobe an' looked at herself. She was black an' blue from right below her breasts to her knees. Large white bandages covered where she had gotten shot. She could feel the stitches under the bandages. She had a bit of a headache too, which she figured was not only from her accident but from the whiskey she consumed. She had been drunk before, though not of her own choosin' an' knew it took a lot for her to lose control, an' that was not enough, but it was enough to give her the headache an' make her feel like not eatin', but so does a van in the ribs. She turned around to try to see her back as well, some bruisin' there too, but not as bad. Her muscles ached mostly an' she did not like them bein' so stiff. Openin' the medicine cabinet she found some muscle ache rub, she took her time rubbin' it in an' it felt good, though for a moment the thought crossed her mind that she'd rather have some cowboy doin' it for her. The thought quickly left. She didn't plan to live long enough to get into a relationship, an' the thought of a relationship scared her. She hadn't trusted her heart to a relationship. She never thought she was good lookin' but she remembered how those males engineers had treated her as just a sex object. Were all men like that, she wondered. She kinda liked this cowboy, though. She did own him her life, after all, an' he was a man with physical desires. He She remembered how he had looked at her when he patched her up the first time. He didn't ogle an' was very respectful, but a certain light crossed his eyes at times as he looked at her, though he seemed to chase it away. An idea formed in her mind, one that she'd have to think on a bit.

Valentine finally finished with the muscle rub an' put on her t-shirt. She looked at the jeans an' frowned. Hondo had cut up the leg before he had bandaged up her leg. The right leg was nearly cut off as is, so she found a razor knife an' made some shorts out of them. She slipped the jean shorts on an' tucked in her t-shirt. She limped to Hondo's room where she found her boots. She sat on the edge of the bed an' pulled them on. after she found her hat an' pulled it one. She was missin' her overshirt an' hated not havin' it so she borrowed a black work shirt of Hondo's. It was large on her so she didn't bother snappin' it up. She stood up an' limped around a bit. She decided not to take the cane with her as her muscles were looser now, but she knew if she sat down to long they would stiffen up on her. She looked at her guns that lay on a chair in the corner. She picked up one of the revolvers an' held it for a moment. She hadn't been without one, even at her own place for a while. She laid it back down on the chair. If she was to earn trust she would wait until they said she could carry her gun.

Valentine limped back down the stairs. Fernando was mostly done with his breakfast when she made her appearance again. She had no stomach to eat right now. Fernando made her a bit nervous but she tried not to show it. She had a job to do, an' these people could help, but more importantly she owed them her life, especially Hondo. She like Fernando's manner somehow an' she wanted to make sure she played by his rules so she came down, besides, she wanted to check over her Harley in case she needed an out. Fernando was one she realized would be good to have on your side or the worst possible person to have against you, much like Hondo she guessed.

She stopped an' stood by the table an' waited for Fernando to address her.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Feb 3^rd, 2011, 3:09pm

Fernando notices Valentine standing by the table.

Fernando: Need anything?
Valentine: Huh? No.

Fernando: Then have a seat or make yourself useful.
Valentine: Useful?
Fernando: Read a book, watch TV, sit on the chairs in the living room. Didn't your parents told you about manners and about standing about a table when somebody's eating?
Valentine (sitting down): Oh. I'm sorry.
Fernando: Now, what do you want?
Valentine: Just a few questions.
Fernando: Ask.
Valentine: What or who are you? What is this place? What do you do? How are you affording all this? Can I walk out on my own or am I stuck here?

Fernando waited for her to stop. After a few seconds of silence, he answers her questions but not the way she would have.

Fernando: Who or what I am is nobody's business because I am a private man. This place is my house and how I afford it is by people putting back what they take from it. Now you can ride away on your bike from this place if you want, but if your stitches start to pop open, you will be dead holding onto your handle bars before you realize something is wrong. So sit down, relax and take a few days to heal. Hondo is your keeper, not I.
Valentine: Hondo. Where is he? He calls you his Bass-man, what does he mean by that?
Fernando: Where, I don't know or care. As for him calling me his Boss-man, he needs to stop it. There are no leaders here. Just advice and rules of the house to be followed.

He finishes off his last few bites before putting away his plate, wiping it down in the sink before putting it in the dish washer. Valentine follows him with her eyes.

Valentine: Do you ever take off those glasses?
Fernando: No I don't. So don't ask about them again.
Valentine: I'm sorry if I'm intruding.
Fernando: Excuse the misplaced anger, but intruding was those asshole trying to break into this house hours before Hondo carried you in here. Intruding is those assholes trying to burn this place down to kill us and me defending this house alone because everyone who suppose to be here to protects this place was not here doing something else. Now if you don't mind, we got a date with a truck and a motorcycle.

Fernando walks around the service island, through the dining area, and down the hall to the rear of the house. Valentine follows, watching him go towards the rear of the truck. He opens the rear gate and drops the door to its hanging position. He finds a couple of long boards inside the truck's bed and lines them up as ramps from the back of the truck bed. Fernando unties the motorcycle and takes it down the ramp and puts down the kick stand to have it stand on its own on the ground. He puts the boards back into the truck's bed and closes its gate. Valentine looks over her motorcycle.

Fernando: Ride now and die. Stay here to heal and you can go home when you are better. You don't want your stitches to pop on the road.

Fernando walks back into the house. Valentine takes her saddle bags off the bike and takes them in the house with her, following him.

Valentine: Wait. Just one more thing.
Fernando: What?
Valentine: Where are we?
Fernando: You are Northwest from Rome, about 30 minutes at 70 miles per hour. Go out the gate, take a right and follow the right to any and all highways and you will be in Rome in no time.
Valentine: And how am I to pay for this hospitality?
Fernando: You said 1 more thing and I answered it,
Valentine: I know. But there are a lot of questions to ask. So, how do I pay for all this?
Fernando: I'm not expecting you to drop your panties for me if that is what you mean. Everyone has a job here, and everybody is expected to do it. Later today I expect you to sit down and talk with the two ladies here, you already met Jeanie. The other is my wife, Tammy. She's not feeling well right now so she's sleeping it off in my room. One more thing.
Valentine: What is it?
Fernando: Your papers in order? The SWA works here from time to time, thus I would give you your own room but because of them that is not possible. You can call them the Secret Service of Italy and they will arrest and interrogate anybody they feel like. You play the role of the pretty quiet one, and I'll give you what protection I can give.
Valentine: Protection? How?
Fernando: This house, like the US Embassy, is American Soil on Italy's country side. They know that when they walk in here, the rules change and I am in charge. To tell you the truth, most of them are nice people despite doing the dirty job that they do. But there are a couple of assholes who would break rules to get what they want.
Valentine: I think I understand.
Fernando: Get Hondo to give you the details. Right now if anyone other than the four of us from outside this house asks you questions, all you say is, 'I don't remember anything....

Valentine nods.

Fernando: There is nothing to do but wait, so make yourself scarce or useful. I'm going to my room and check on my sick wife. Introduce yourself to the kitchen. The basement is off limits without supervision and being taught how to use the machines. These are not your typical laundry machines.
Valentine: How hard can it be?
Fernando: They are not your typical laundry machines. If the basement gets flooded because you decide to use them without being taught how to use them, you will be swimming for a while as you clean up the mess.

She nods as she watches Fernando go upstairs. Hearing him walk on the floor above her, he goes into his room.

Closing the door, he walks over to the bed and sits on it. Holding her hand with one hand, he brushes her bangs with the other before giving her a kiss on the cheek. She stirs and stretches.

Fernando: Tammy, you awake?
Tammy (in a very groggy tone): I am now.
Fernando: You feel better?
Tammy: I think so.
Fernando: Good. Get washed and dressed . I need to talk to you about several things that has happened while you were sleeping.
Tammy: What happened?
Fernando: Don't worry about it now. Get dressed and ready, we have unexpected guests in the house.
Tammy: Oh...

Fernando kisses her on the check again.

Fernando: I should be down stairs. Dress to impress, alright? Your bosses were here and should be returning in a couple of hours or so.
Tammy: Bosses?
Fernando: You know, Marco, Ferro, Jean' those idiots.
Tammy: Oh. So I better...
Fernando (interrupting her): Yes, you better.

After a moment of silence.

Fernando: I'll see you downstairs.

Fernando leaves the room and heads downstairs. Tammy slowly gets out of bed, getting a few items together, and prepares herself for the rest of the day. After a shower and a round of other personal hygiene routines, Tammy goes through her things. She puts on a grey wrap around skirt and a sky blue blouse that she bought a couple of days before along with a few other items. A matching grey suit jack was next, along with white ankle sox and white Nike sneakers. Reluctantly, she takes her purse with her, along with her gun inside.

She goes downstairs, not finding Fernando in the house. She takes a look around the first floor, still not finding him. She notices the rear door opened, and goes for it. She finds Fernando standing behind some mouse girl in cut-off jean shorts and a t-shirt working on an old motorcycle. She steps out of the house, walking to them.

Fernando: Sounds like your carbs are out-of-sync.
Valentine: Maybe if I had a syncro-meter then I would be able to tune them!
Fernando: Ask Hondo. He might have one, I don't.
Tammy (as she approaches them): Fernando. Who is she?

They both look at her.

Fernando: You know, I did not ask.

The Porsche starts to pull into the drive way and into a parking spot.

Fernando: How about you find out.

Fernando starts to walk into the house, leaving Tammy with the young mousette and Hondo stepping out of the Porsche. Fernando calls out to Tammy as he walks to the house.

Fernando: Tammy!

Tammy turns and see him walk into the house. She follows him.

Tammy: Coming...!

She catches up with him at the entrance to the stairs to the basement. Once she gets within reaching distance, he heads downstairs. She follows him. In the Laundry room, Fernando closes the door. An walks over to lean against one of the wall mounted dryers.

Fernando: I don't know who she is, but I know this much: While the SWA was fixing up the damage to this place, Hondo carried her in. She was shot up and still bleeding despite the first aide he gave her. I stopped him from taking her to the hospital, because the police would have caught them and they would be asking questions. Can I say that she is American like we are, but that's about it. Now, I want you to go along with what I'm saying. She is not that badly hurt and will recover quickly but I told her that if she don't rest and heal for a wile, her stitches will burst and she will bleed to death wherever she is. Hopefully she will keep that in mind and don't do anything stupid or anything against us.

Tammy: You trust her?
Fernando: Not just yet.
Tammy: Oh. OK. You said that the SWA was here fixing up the place. Why?

Fernando: While you were recovering, a group of men pretending to be the police attacked the house. Jeanie opened the door thinking it was the police and the attack happened. I managed to hold them off, killing several of them but the rest escaped in their cars. But they threw some Molotovs at the house and cause fire damage. Since the house is made out of steel and some exotic materials, only the exterior paint and decorations were damaged.

Tammy: Do we know who they are?
Fernando: The SWA managed to identify the bodies of Bruno the Fixer and Vinnie the Apprentice out of the group.

Tammy gasps because she knew who they were and what they do as per the many staff meetings she has been. She also knows they are names that he would not know.

Fernando: Know them?
Tammy: Know of them and what they do.
Fernando: So I was told. Look. I know who could have sent them, the SWA has their doubts so I sent them on an intell chase. They should be back with the results in an hour or so. But, Marco gave me a reminder. He says that we have 4 days to end this mission before they take over. That means you being taken away from me to do this job.
Tammy: What would you propose?
Fernando: We continue until there is a resolution to this mission.
Tammy: And if there isn't?
Fernando: I will ask for an extension.
Tammy: And if they don't give it?
Fernando: Then I'll take it.
Tammy: But they wont give it.
Fernando: If they want to use this place as a mission point then they will have to give me something in return.
Tammy: They will argue that this is my place, as it is on paper.
Fernando: Going against me?
Tammy: ....no.
Fernando: Then the choices are clear. We work together and get this dealt with once and for all or you die. I'm not letting you die if I can help it.

Tammy does not give a reply to his statement.

Fernando: Lets go upstairs and see what's going on with Hondo.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Feb 3^rd, 2011, 6:56pm

Hondo stepped out of the Porsche, an' as he did so, he saw Fernando an' Tammy retreat into the house. He heard an old engine idlin' behind his truck. He grabbed the bags on the passenger seat an' strode to the truck. Valentine was dressed an' on her knees. She stood up when she saw Hondo an' turned off the Harley. As she stood there in her cut off jeans an' t-shirt, a bit of grease on her cheek, she looked like a million dollars to him. 'She smiled as he came up.

Valentine: Your back! Fernando helped me get my bike out of your truck. He thinks my carbs are out of sink an' said you might have a syncro-meter.

Hondo nodded: Yeah I got an' older model one, but it should work. You are lookin' better than when I saw ya last.

Valentine: Fernando patched me up good, but he said I need to stay here an' heal for a while. He said if I take off anytime soon my stitches could pop an' I'll bleed to death before I can do anythin'.

Hondo narrowed his eyes at that. He had seen the wounds. They were not pretty, but they weren't gushers. He decided to ponder on it, but he was pretty sure why Fernando would say that. Hondo remembered what he had to go through to win Fernando's trust. He had done that faster than most, an' most flunked out. They wouldn't have been friends like they were now ifin they hadn't been through the first mission together. That mission built a lot of trust, of which Hondo was glad for, but Fernando ever bein' Fernando he still acted like he didn't trust Hondo too much, but Hondo knew different. Hondo didn't fault Fernando for it, though. He hadn't been there nor seen the truth in her eyes, but even seein' it firsthand Hondo did still not trust her totally.

Hondo decided to talk to Fernando later about her. 'Hondo was almost afraid to love again, an' even if he decided to he didn't know if she would reciprocate it, but he knew his heart was fightin' what his mind told him was a bad idea. He worried about his judgment, whether or not he could see her for who or what she was, without blinders on.

Hondo: Hmm, well ya'd better listen to him. He knows his business. Oh, I got this for ya in town.

Hondo handed her the bags wit the clothes in it. Her eyes got wide as she dug around. She looked up at him 'an' smiled. He thought he could almost see a tear in her eye.

Valentine: That's where you were! How can I ever thank you. Ya'll have done so much for me. I don't deserve all you've done an' I don't know how to pay ya back.

Hondo: Don't worry about thankin' me. You prove to be who ya say ya are an' I'll take care of the bill. I made a little money last time I was here. But what do ya mean by not deserve?

Valentine hung her head: My Pa an' his friends died because of me. I should be dead not them. I don't deserve to live or be helped.

Hondo frowned an' spoke gruffly: Now I'll have none of that! That's damned stupid talk! I put my life on the line 'cause I saw worth in ya, as did your Pa an' his friends, or they would not have done what they did! You want revenge for what they did? Stick with us, but don't throw your life away. They are scum! They aren't worth throwin' your life away!

Valentine: But I have nothin' left in life . . .

Hondo raised his voice: Ta hell ya don't!! You lost some folks you cared about, well that happens. Life is only as good or bad as you make it. You have a chance here an' now to make some new friends. Even ifin ya don't care for us there will be other folks. You ride an' old Harley. That speaks volumes. Only a good mechanic can keep those old bikes runnin', I know. I saw how you faced them down, an' pulled your guns even though knocked sill by that van. You have talent an' guts. You can go a long way ifin ya get rid of that poor me attitude!

Hondo started to walk away from her toward the house. Valentine was in tears an' yelled back at him.

Valentine: What do you know about losin' everyone or everythin' you care about!! DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE!!!

Hondo stopped an' looked down at the ground. He stood there for a few seconds but to both it felt like eternity. He finally turned around an' walked back up to her. His face held a cold, hard look that could chill one with one look, but his eyes were only sad. He spoke quietly an' slowly.

Hondo: 'I know all too well. Don't think for a moment that you're the only one that has ever lost anythin' or anyone they cared about.

He started to turn away when she grabbed onto his sleeve.

Valentine: I'm sorry. I just don't know how to deal with what I feel. I didn't mean to '. . .

Hondo: It's alright. Just forget it happened an' lets start over. If you need help talk to one of us. Any of us, Fernando, Jeanie, Tammy. Well, be careful with Jeanie. She's a bit of a loud mouth, but don't throw your life away.

Valentine: An' if you need to talk to someone about what happened to you . . .

Hondo cut her off: I don't. Don't bring my past up again. It is past an' I don't care to dwell on it or publicize it.

Valentine nodded.

Hondo: Now ya should put your clothes away upstairs. You can stay in my room. I'll sleep in the basement.

Valentine: You don't have to. That bed is big enough for two.

Hondo: Yes I do. Just leave it at that.

Valentine looked at him for a moment then wrapped her arms around him an' held him tight.

Valentine: Thank you.

Hondo grimaced: Watch it.

She let go of him quickly.

Valentine: What's wrong?

Hondo: That bullet proof jacket an' vest I had only stops penetration. Every slug is like getting hit with a baseball bat. I'm pretty sore all over.

Valentine: Are you gonna be alright? Did you tell Fernando?

Hondo: I'll be fine, just bruised up. An' no I'm not tellin' Fernando, an' it would displease me ifin he finds out.

She shook her heard in understandin' but was worried about him. She had hear the bullets hit. Fernando should know, she knew, but she didn't want to hurt Hondo's trust, but would it help Fernando's trust of her if she did tell. She figured Fernando to be the harder one to gain trust but she wasn't so sure anymore.

Hondo spoke up after a moment: Might as well put those clothes away. They aren't very fancy, but they should get you by, I know you can't have a lot in those packs other than a few supplies an' ammo, eh?

Valentine shook her head yes.

Hondo: Well let's go inside. I need to check in with Fernando. I'm sure plans have changed since the house was attacked. From now on I think we're gonna have to stick together. No more single man searches.

Hondo started off into the house without waitin'. Valentine grabbed her bags an' followed.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Feb 4^th, 2011, 10:27pm

The four of them meet by the rear entrance of the house.

Hondo: You got a few things to explain, JefŽ?
Fernando: Yeah, I got a few things to say. Come.

Everyone follows him to the dining area and sit down on a chair as he did. Fernando starts off with what he has to say.

Fernando: First off, Hondo. As you can see, the SWA is not here. I have them chasing some intell and they will be returning with the results of that chase. Jean is going to want to ask your friend some questions, I will not want him to do so. So hide her in your room while he is here.
Hondo: I already spoke to Marco and Hillshire about that.
Fernando: About her or yourself?
Hondo: Mostly myself but she was mentioned as well.
Fernando: You better make sure of the details. Jean would rather have you two tied up to one of his interrogation chairs, injecting truth serum into both your arms for answers.
Hondo: He would not dare.
Fernando: He would and you know it.

Silence hung around the room like an annoying child, making everyone give it some attention before he or she leaves.

Fernando: Hondo. About your friend, what you know of her?
Hondo: Enough.
Fernando: Give me more. Where you found her, what she told you, why you brought her here? How about we start with her name.
Hondo: Her name? Valentine, or that is what she wants to be called. I found her in a bar, rescuing her from a gun fight from the same people that I have problems with, the same people tied with Annie. As for her story, she is hunted down by them like we are.
Fernando: You two are hunted down by them for whatever reasons you two share. My problem is with Annie killing all of us with that bomb in our place and killing me again on our public wedding day. Tammy is Annie's next target though now that she knows I'm still alive, she has upped the ante.
Hondo: I have seen Annie with the same people who are after us.
Fernando: And that's besides the point. Really. The SWA does not care about personal vendettas, though Jean is running the organization into the ground for them killing his parents, little sister, brother, and fiancŽ. Revenge is only good to a point. The rest has to be action to defend yourself in whatever reason to permanently neutralize their threat. That is what I am doing for Tammy, and when all is said and done, I will write a report stating that to satisfy the SWA's paper eating machine, and who knows. Another round of medals for us all, I really don't care. We won enough medals, money and privilege to live anywhere, Hondo. But we stay in the way as targets to our enemies, why is that?

Hondo thinks for a while before giving an answer.

Hondo: Because we refuse to be targets and stand up to fight as up as free men.

Fernando crosses his arms and releases a pent up breath. He just looks at Hondo's direction for a while.

Fernando: You forgot 'To protect ourselves and those we love by any means necessary....
Hondo: That goes without saying.
Fernando: It goes on the report to be given to the SWA so they can get off our backs.

Silence does the 3 second marathon about the room.

Hondo: OK. I think where this is going.
Fernando: Tell me where then.
Hondo: You want all the ducks in a row then they come to inspect them.
Fernando: I want them not to have a reason to put you or your friend in jail for what happened. You don't need you say it, her injuries and you walking around like a stiff old man tells me that it was some shoot out you two were in. The police has been wanting answers to their questions about the shoot out, and it will eventually be given to them as plastic bounded reports from the SWA. You will have a hand in creating that report as much as you hate being a desk jockey, it will be done. So in order to do that, yo are going to collaborate with her and get all your duck in a row.
Hondo: You got it, boss. Anything more?
Fernando: No.
Hondo: Explain to me why you telling Val here that if she pops her stitches, she would bleed to death.
Fernando: Because she will.
Hondo: I did the first aid, she was not that bad when I patched her up.
Fernando: When I took of her bandages, the cuts have not clotted. The wounds have not started to heal, they were still runny. So, she is either a hemophiliac or is very anemic. So what is the problem?

Hondo was going to answer but had no answer to give. Valentine does however.

Valentine: I have not been eating well for a long while now. Since my daddy disappeared.
Fernando: Then you are going to eat as if your life depends on it, because it does.
Valentine: And if I don't want too?
Fernando: You will or you will end up unable to pick up a gun or pull its trigger when you need too in a gun fight. You understand where I am coming from? Because you are almost there now.

Valentine nods.

Fernando: Hondo. I don't care about stories. I do care about results. As for your friend, respect is given, trust is earned. You are to share your room with her, don't care how. We don't have enough space for her and the SWA staff at the same time to give out rooms freely.

Hondo nods.

Fernando: Now. Valentine this is my wife, Tammy. Jeanie is upstairs. Go with them and learn about the place.

Valentine could only nod.

Tammy gets up out of her chair, and heads to the stairs with Valentine following her. Fernando waits for them to have gone onto the floor, and the sound of a door closing. Then he turns to Hondo.

Fernando: The thing is this, Hondo. We can not look like a goon squad taking out those who have done wrong to us for what ever reason. There are laws to follow. There are rules to the game. I'm sure you can give me good enough reason why things have happened so far. But is it good enough for them- the SWA? I do not want Jean tying me to a chair and injecting me with drugs to get the truth out of me. Neither do you. Also, I know your gentlemen's aversion to sharing a room with a woman. You did it with Rose, and I sense that you will with this one. You are to be in that room when you need to be and no where else. I don't care if you have to sleep in a chair while she sleeps in your bed, but if the SWA Staff sees you elsewhere, they are going to ask questions. You know they will. Furthermore, you are a man. You need to stop acting cowardly around women you may have to get close too. I don't care how- I don't expect you to walking about naked in the house swinging that fire hose of your like a monkey on a vine, but you will need to in your room. In other words, if it has to- modesty goes out the window. I can not tell you how many naked women I have seen in my lifetime, or how many times I had to be naked around them, but it had to be done and I had to hold back any and all shame at those times in order to do what had to be done. Praise women for what they are to us, but it only applies to a select few, everyone else does not deserve this attention because they are willing to lower themselves to something you would not want to touch, and they will do so at an early age. According to statistics, chances are Valentine is not a virgin, but she is to you because you never had her in those terms. She might actually be or not, that is not for me to know, but like I said- women will do things to themselves and become lower than they are. I'm not saying that she is a hoe or a man-eater, but anything is possible and she might already be or will allow herself to be with a man as she thinks she needs to be. If I'm wrong in all this, about her, then so be it. But you should not be hiding and covering yourself like Adam and Eve from god after eating the apple. By extension from me and Tammy, this is your place too, so you have rights in here that everyone else does not. Use them or lose them.

Hondo: I see where you are coming from.
Fernando: I doubt it but you probably do. I'm not you.
Hondo: Now wait a minute! Ifin' I am going to act like a boy-scout around a lady, that is my prerogative.
Fernando: On the other side of the coin, that shyness can be taken the wrong way and you will be hurt by the actions of others because of it. I'm not telling you to stand up on the bed while Valentine is one it and yell at her, 'I am man! Hear Me Roar!' but I am saying is a Woman as a place around man, in cases of those who do not belittle themselves to others in order to gain power or provide service to men, and that place is next to him. For the same part, Man has a place around women, and that is next to her. What happens between them is on them. Only you can say where things go with you and Valentine. And let me point out, you called her 'Val", so that tells me that you have accepted her more than just friends. I'm not questioning your relationship with her, what you two share is on you both, but your actions around her in front of everyone, shows it when it shouldn't. Some people might think I'm cold to Tammy. But I treat her as I need too; there is a way I treat her around her friends, her co-workers with the SWA, around us, and alone in our room. None of those ways will interfere with any other. I cant. And I wont. Understand where I am coming from?

Hondo just nods.

Fernando: Now, about our cases. You keep track of every bit of your vendetta's intell and you will write up a report that will satisfy this nation's law enforcement agencies, and I will with mine. We will have to show connections between the two. And we have 3 days to complete everything. Actually 4, but I want that last day to recover from what we had dealt with. Meet me later today, I need to give you some spy-tech gadgets this evening.

Fernando gets up out of the chair and starts walking upstairs.

Hondo: Where are you going?

Fernando: Intell gathering.
Hondo: Wait, I'll go with you.
Fernando: You got a lady to take care of.

Hondo does not answer. Fernando continues to go upstairs, entering his room. After a minute's time, he walks out of the room and down the stairs, he walks out of the house and to his Porsche.

As the Porsche drives away, the girls run down the stairs. They see Hondo still in the house, but not Fernando.

Tammy: Did... Fernando just leave?
Hondo: 'Fraid so.
Tammy: Why didn't you stop him?
Hondo: I tried.
Jeanie: Why aren't you with him?

Hondo did not want to answer that one, and thus leaves to go outside and work on his truck. He would have preferred to have chased after his comrade, but hearing the Porsche's engine fade into the distance at speeds he would rather do on a speed track, he knew there was no way to catch up to him now.

In his mad man style, Fernando arrives in Rome faster than he could drive through its inner city traffic and get a parking space. He makes a mental list of things to get and need. But first there was something he had to do that he did not like doing. He walks about the Piaza di Spanga with his cane to a little cafŽ across from the stairs.

Taking an outdoor table, he orders pastry and coffee. He takes his time eating and drinking, asking for refills when done. Though cars are rare to drive through the plaza they occasionally do. A new model Fiat 900 series drives slowly, stopping across from the cafŽ. Fernando has an eye on it, and a hand on his gun. A lone figure, a red headed mousette gets out of the car, limping with a cane to where Fernando sat. The Fiat drives away slowly from the Piaza. Fernando still has his eyes on both until the car disappears around a corner and the red headed mousette is at the caf's separation barrier.

Red Headed Mousette: You are supposed to be dead.
Fernando: So are you, Annie.
Annie: Only Fernando calls me that. You going to let me in or do I walk away?
Fernando (pointing to the opening at the far end): You know how to enter this place.
Annie: You could open up this separation panel and let me in this way.
Fernando: There is a 'no dogs allowed' rule keeping me from doing you that favor. Look, you want to come in here, you walk in like everybody else.
Annie: Hmph...
Fernando: I'll be right here. Waiting.

Annie has no choice but to walk. As she does, a waiter comes by and fills Fernando's coffee for the third time. Fernando gives him a 50Euro bill to leave the coffee carafe pot behind and to bring another plate of pastry and a an empty cup for his friend. The waiter quickly complies, faster than Annie could get to the table. As she sits there, Fernando glances to the carafe of coffee, seeing that whispers of smoke was still coming out of its opening.

Annie: You look well for somebody who had a couple of rounds to his chest. Now explain, why are you still alive.
Fernando: You were dead first, so you should explain first. But before you do, I know about your billionaire uncle paying for SWA Cybernetics that now makes up part of right shoulder and chest. I also know that SWA Medical Technician Dr. Fernando Bianchi signed off on you getting that technology. Unfortunately, he is going to be fired and his reputation ruined so that not even Luigi's Pizza shop would hire him.
Annie: That explains me. Now you.
Fernando: Ever heard the Jamaican Expression, 'Two face has too faces?...
Annie: I'm not Jamaican to have heard it. What does it mean?
Fernando: It means, that I have a twin. Actually I'm part of a rare set of identical triplets. You killed one of us. You have 2, including myself, wanting revenge against you. The messed up part is you killed the nicest of the three of us, so that voice of reason that used to make us think and look for another way of doing things peacefully and without bloodshed, is no longer there. Give me a DAMN good reason why I should not blow your brains out here and now.

In this stand off, Annie blinks. She tries to remove her gun from her purse but was not fast enough as a carafe of hot coffee shatters against her face and hot coffee flows from her head and neck to her upper body giving her first degree burns. The Fiat 900 screeches in front of the caf", and widows rolls down. A couple of arms stick out with guns pointed at Fernando. They did not expect him to jump off his chair and fly at them, his gun taken out and starts to empty its magazine into its rear passenger section. The driver tries to put the car into gear, screeching its tires against the pavement. Fernando lands on its hood and fires several rounds into the driver and passenger seats before jumping off. The Fiat suddenly turns crashes into a nearby store behind the cafŽ. People run away in panic, clearing the plaza in seconds.

Fernando gathers his spent cases, and checks on the car, finding a couple of more spent casing there. He walks back to the caf", finding a barely conscious Annie laying on the other chair. He grabs her by her hair and lifts her to his face.

Fernando: Bitch, listen and listen good. You want me dead, you want to kill my wife, you have declared war on this family. I am going to kill everyone of your friends and family until you are the only one left, then I'm going to make your life so miserable that not even death is going to be an escape from the pain I'm going to put you through. We could have been friends, but you made the first move against us- the bomb on the plane. Be happy no one was on board except for a few robots and a hundred empty seats or else you would be hanged right now for the death of those who were on that plane.

Annie (barely conscious): #$@!... You...
Fernando: I would not do you the favor with a sandpaper condom.

He lets go of her hair, dropping her head back on the second chair.

Fernando: Mark my words, your friends and family will pay for what you had done.

Fernando starts to walk away, stopping at the front entrance of the caf", giving the waitress there two 500 euro bills.

Fernando: Sorry for the mess.

He walks away. Once out of the area, he takes his time, tapping his cane in front of him in his blind man act.

He finds his way to the technology section of Rome, looking for some spy gear to get. Though small, many of the gadgets were single function units. As he shopped around, he eyes every item seen and takes notes on their functions and their prices. He decides on two of them for the group: a high resolution Camera inside a pen, and a 2-way radio inside a watch with a 1/4 mile output radius. He makes a deal for 6 sets of them for under $500. He also picks up micro leatherman toolkit for $15 a piece as part of the deal. But he was not done.

He picks up a couple of 12 channel radio and several 4 channel receivers at a hobby story. The explosives he is going to need to get from somebody at the SWA. Some 2 sided tape and several tubes of crazy glue ends the shopping.

He takes his bags of supplies with him to his Porsche. A stop at the butcher shop ends the trip as he picks up a few steaks, ribs and assorted cuts of meats.

The trip home was slower, looking at his watch he figures that the SWA would approaching home by now. At 50MPH, his 35 mile drive lasts 40 minutes as soon as he got out of Roman Traffic. But he manages to get home before they do.

Fernando takes the first bag with the meats. Placing it on the table where the girls were at. Tammy looks inside, seeing the wrapped choices cuts of meat inside.

Tammy: Where are we going to put all this? There is no room in the refrigerator's freezer.
Fernando: We'll make room. Besides, most of that will be eaten by tomarrow night. Just figure out where to put it. There also might be a freezer in the basement but it has not been used in a long time. You could check on that as well.

Fernando starts to leave.

Tammy: Fernando!
Fernando: I got more things to put away.
Tammy: Food?
Fernando: No. Other things we are going to need.
Tammy: We need to talk.
Fernando: Talk later. Right now Your coworkers will be arriving soon and I need to be ready for them. You (pointing at Valentine)'don't remember anything just your name because your ID says so and you were told that was your name.

Valentine just nods. Fernando continues to the door with Tammy following him. Jeanie takes the bag of meats and starts putting it into the refrigerator freezer. Moving a few things around, she managed to fit it all in.

At the Porsche, Tammy finally catches up to Fernando as he takes out another bag of stuff.

Tammy: Is that more food?
Fernando: No, its things we might need to get this mission done.
Tammy: Fernando, please. Just stop for a minute.

Fernando places the bag on the floor.

Fernando: What is it?
Tammy: We need to stop and think for a moment.
Fernando: While we stop and think, Annie is out there plotting away her next move against us. In fact, if you turn on the Italian news, you will get the latest of her attacks on me today. If she is not at the hospital, then she made her escape again. But this time, she will be sporting first degree burns across her face. I made my move to defend myself. She will make another attack on us again.
Tammy: I don't wan to do this anymore.
Fernando: Take is as you like, but you have no choice. If you were home in New York City, USA, and someone crashed through your window or door with an axe and means to do you bodily harm, what are you to do? Lay there and die for them? No. I would want you to fight back, even if you got hurt, because you hurt is a whole lot better than you dead. It applies to here as it does there.

Tammy bows her head down.

Fernando: How long will it take for Numil, Fat Cat or Rat Capone to finally score a kill against the rangers? Dumb luck only last for so long. It will fail on them, one day. And when it runs out, it is going to cost them dearly. If they would have continued here with us, one of them would have been dead, and you would be blaming yourself. Really Tammy. This is the real world, not garbage tech, luck and making the bad guy fail in his plans. We need to have the bad guys killed, not arrested because we know the courts are corrupt and thy will be released in less than a year to continue where they left off. You need to remember the time observation orb- Annie finally get you, but it's a matter of when. And finally, how would I live my life without you? I'm sorry that I don't show it, but I do love you. But protecting you takes more priority than making love to you because I can make love to you when the time is right, but protecting you takes 24/7/365.4.

Tammy thinks while all this was being said to her. Then she gives her answer to what he said.

Tammy: No. You're right. Its just a matter of time before one of us gets killed. And if anything happens to me, a certain blonde mouse is going to want to comfort you for as long as you need her to. I love you too, maybe too much to realize it may be wrong, but you is all I have. I don't want you to stop protecting me no matter what because in the end I am scared of this world because it wants me dead.

Fernando: You should stop thinking like that and learn to deal with your fears and how to fight them. You need to know how to protect yourself because one day you will need to do it, despite being immortal. Now, come with me while I take this stuff to the basement.

He picks up the bag and takes it to the basement. Tammy follows him. Hondo was already there working on a few things. Fernando puts the bag on the table, and starts taking out items from the bag, handing a few items to Hondo.

Fernando: Just the man I want to see.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Feb 5^th, 2011, 1:17am

Hondo took the items handed him an' observed them. One thing he learned with Fernando was he expected you to inspect an' learn yourself then ask questions. He never took kindly to someone askin' what somethin' was before they examined it.

Hondo looked the items over. He had a 2 way radio that looked like a watch, a transceiver (12 channels), a couple receivers, a micro Leatherman, an' a small camera.

Hondo: Spy gear, mission team communications radios, an' bomb detonator, eh?

Fernando: yeah. I figured you'd know what to do with some of that. The radio and micro Leatherman are yours. If Valentine eats, is well enough, and you think she's trust worthy enough, she might get one too and help out.

Hondo: What are your plans for the bomb stuff?

Fernando: we'll talk about that later. Right now you need to worry about that gal. Remember what I said earlier.

Hondo: I remember. Been thinkin' on it too. I understand where yo' are comin' from, an' I appreciate that you hold me in high enough regard to say that this place is partly mine too. You've been a good friend, an' I'd not do anythin' to jeopardize that or any of ya. I don't completely trust Val, but at the same time I believe her. Had I not felt in my gut that I could believe her I'd not risked bringin' her here first. I'd have taken her to a hospital an' let the police take us. I'd take a bullet for any of you, even Jeanie, though I can't stand her at times, anytime. Even though I'm not immortal like you an' Tammy here are. I'd rather be shot up an' even dead than to let anythin' happen to you all because of my actions or lack of them.

Fernando: I know.

Hondo: Of all of us I know ya do, but with that said I'm not askin' ya to trust Val right now. I appreciate the advice, an' I will take it to heart as I know you have all our best interests in mind. I will take what ya said an' use it the best I can. I'll use the room still, though I hadn't planned to, but understand this, just 'cause I draw a line somewhere that is considered old fashioned doesn't mean that I'm not open to exceptions. I might act odd sometimes, but some things I hafta work out on my own in my own way in my own time. Oh, an' if any bastard makes any comment about me as to why I am a bit shy of women right now, not havin' it on with a gal right now, or struttin' my stuff 'round one or more, have them come tell me to my face. I'll deal with them.

Fernando: You know you don't hafta explain to me. Just don't let your past ruin your future.

Hondo: Don't worry 'bout me.

Fernando: I don't, but I do. I think you understand.

Hondo: Yeah. I'll go talk to Val an' leave you an' Tammy to talk. I'm sure you have things to explain to her before her agency folk get here.

Hondo walked up the stairs. He barely heard the comments made behind him as he left.

Tammy: He is a good friend to have, isn't he?

Fernando: More than he'll even know.

Hondo walked upstairs to his room. Valentine sat on the bed cleanin' her guns.

Hondo: Ifin ya plan on bein' able to use them ya'd better eat up like Fernando said.

Valentine: I just don't have much of an appetite. Besides, I'm fine, I know I am.

Hondo: The Boss Man says you aren't. Until further notice, what he says goes.

Valentine: I'm fine, besides, why do you call him Boss? He said he is not.

Hondo: Well, he might as well be. Listen, he knows more about this business than anyone can. F he says it, ya might not agree with it, but ya'd better at least consider it. He don't speak just to hear himself. He only speaks like that when he has somethin' to say, so when he talks listen well. He says you need to eat. I did first aid on ya. Your ribs are stickin' out, your paler than ya should be, your eyes are blood shot, an' your hand shakes.

Valentine looked down at the floor.

Valentine: Please don't worry 'about me. All those who do end up dead.

Hondo: well, ifin I end up dead It will probably be from savin' your butt 'cause you didn't eat an' wasn't able to hold up your end.

Valentine stood up fast as she was a bit miffed, but staggered. Hondo reached out an' grabbed her good arm.

Hondo: Now, see that's what I'm talkin' 'bout. Your strong, but you body is weak due to lack of food.

Valentine sighed: I guess your right. I'll eat soethin'.

Hondo: you'll eat a lot of somethin's. Now let's go down stairs.

Hondo walked beside her, but she made it fine. She was weak due to lack of food, but tried not to show it. She was proud an' strong, though not puffed up. It was a silent pride that would only let someone that she really cared for help her.

Once down stairs they entered the kitchen. No one was there so they had it to themselves. Hondo grabbed out some meat, cheese, an' bread for her to make a large sandwhich, an' she got out some chips, dip, an' salad stuff. They talked as they worked on makin' her a large emal.

Hondo: When the SWA get her do as Fernando said, you know nothin'.

Valentine: I don't like to lie.

Hondo: I don't care to either, but in this business you have to for now. Not just for your safety but for all of ours. They decide you know more than you are sayin' or have knowledge of what happened, they will drag you, I an' anyone else they care to out of here, strap us down an' force us to tell all we know. That would be very bad.

Valentine nodded: I understand. I was goin' to do as Fernando said, but I just wanted to point that out.

Hondo: No need to. We all do things we don't like to in this world. I still am learnin' to do things I don't want to do. You are involved in a game of life an' death. The other side plays by no real rules. We have rules but we cannot afford too many rules or they will win. What we do, Fernando, Tammy, an' I, is fight for those who can't fight for themselves. We fight for our own first an' foremost, but it is not for our gain. Thus we sacrifice some of our values. This is the price to free some that can't free themselves. Freedom does not come cheap, but some of us are willin' to pay the price. None of us is promised tomorrow, but if we can make a good tomorrow for even a few that would not have it otherwise we've been successful.

Valentine: I see.

Hondo: I'm not sure you do, but ifin ya stick 'round here you will.

Valentine: I'll stay at least until we get these people. I will not be able to rest as long as they live.

Hondo: Ok then. Oh, an' we are sharin' a room. Another compromise that we have to make to keep the SWA dumb to goin's on.

Valentine: there's room enough for two on that bed.

Hondo: There is a chair as well.

Valentine looked a bit dejected at that statement.

Valentine: You don't like me enough to share a bed with me?

Hondo: The opposite is true. I like you too much to want to have bad spoken 'bout you 'cause of me, no matter what you've done in the past.

Valentine: Don't worry about that. I owe you everythin' I have an' am. I've never been with a man before, but if you want.. . .

Hondo cut her off: Whoa right there! I am askin' nothin' of the kind of ya. IF we live through this an' want to maybe become more than friends then we'll talk 'bout things, but if we do it will be because we care 'bout each other. Not for payment or lust. Now get to eatin' we'll talk more later.

Valentine thought, did I hear him right? Does he like me? She liked him for some reason, though she barely knew him, but it lifted her heart. He actually said somethin' about goin' further in their relationship if all went well! This brought back her appetite with a vengeance. She added some macaroni salad to her mix as well as she started to eat. In the back of her mind she worried that he might change his mind, though or he was just sayin' that to keep her quiet. She was scared to a bit, but she knew she owed him an' wanted to make him happy, though it would be a first time for her, an' she only wanted to do it with him. She thought on what she must do to repay him an' keep him. The answer kept comin' to her but she did not like it.

Hondo wondered what had gotten into that sckull of hers. She liked her, an' he did not see her to be a player, but she worried him a bit. He only hoped she'd throw him no curve balls while they shared a room. He worried that even to his iron constitution that the temptation would be too great. It'd been a long time since he'd been with a woman, an' there were times he ached to be again.

Hondo walked towards the livin' room to look out the window as he heard a dog bark down the road. Barkin' dogs always caught his attention as usually it meant a change in somthin'. As he looked out he saw some vehicles approach the house. Tammy came up from the basement as he turned 'round.

Hondo: Damn!

Tammy: What's wrong?

Hondo: The SWA, your bosses. Hey are here! Quick, Help Val get her food up to my room an' have her stashed away. Please.

Tammy: Sure Hondo.

Tammy ran over to Valentine who had already started to gather her stuff Hondo walked quickly down the basement stairs.

Hondo: Boss man, SWA. They're back.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Feb 5^th, 2011, 8:35pm

(Note: Dogs barking, good one. Considering that the house is the only one around for almost a mile; but I'll leave it in that there are feral animals around the property, including dogs. Would not be surprised if there was a wild pack roaming the area but even this is a note of concern. Wait- Almost forgot; in GsB II in the interrogation of captured drug runners, Fernando said that he would throw their carcasses to the wild not far from the house and let the feral animals deal with them.)

- - - - - - - - - -

Fernando: I'll deal with them. The rest of you just keep quiet unless I tell you to talk.

Hondo and Jeanie nods in agreement. The SWA Vehicles can be heard rolling into the drive way and stop at the parking area in the house. Marco and Hillshire walk in first with their girls, followed by Ferro and Priscilla. The rest of the crew walks in with them and then walks out when gestured to by Ferro. Marco noticeably crosses his arms as he faces Fernando.

Fernando: Found out who it was?
Marco: Yes.
Fernando: And?
Marco: Its now an internal investigation.
Fernando: Not giving me his name?
Marco: Its now an internal investigation.
Fernando: So, I cant go question Doctor Fernando Bianchi?
Marco: He's off limits to you.
Fernando: Then, what was the extent of Annie's cyborgization?
Hillshire: That we are trying to figure out.
Fernando: OK.

Fernando walks over to the living room area and takes a seat at the one chair that was seated against the others.

Ferro: We picked up on a disturbance at the Piaza di Spagna involving casualties. Was that you?
Fernando: I was in the area at the time.
Marco: Dont play games with us. We already seen the security cam tapes of the area. We know what happened and your involvment. I just have one question for you.
Fernando: Just ask.
Marco: Why didn't you kill her then and there?
Fernando: Not my time to do so.
Marco: You had the chance.
Fernando: I gave her some coffee instead.
Marco: Hope you know, she managed to get away.
Fernando: Ask me if I care, because I don't.
Marco: Now that is a dangerous attitude to have.
Fernando: You don't understand my point of view. Now is not he time for me or anyone else on this team to act on her. In 4 days time it will be. Not only will she be taken cared of, so will her terrorist and drug dealing friends. Kill her now, and they will go into hiding. Understand that in the least.
Hillshire: Then you have a plan to deal with this?
Fernando: Half cooked, but it is still a plan.

Ferro walks over towards Fernando, stopping in the middle of the living room.

Ferro: we need to talk to the owner of the motorcycle outside.
Fernando: If you mean Valentine, forget. She don't remember a thing.
Ferro: How convenient.
Fernando: She also has a field designation of mission operative, so she is working for me. Anything you want will be given to you in the report when we are done here.
Ferro: Tell me, what is your mission here.
Fernando: Originally, it was to solve a murder, and enact justice accordingly. Since then it has ballooned into something much more. Tell me Ferro, has the price of pot fell yet?
Ferro: What do you mean by that?
Marco: It has. You have a reason why?
Fernando: Anne is dealing with some drug and weapons runners from Central America. They brought in a huge shipment of pot to drive prices down and corner the market. Anne gets part of the procedes.
Ferro: That makes no sense. She is entitled to the Christiano Estate. Its worth Billions!

Fernando: You don't understand. A rich man wants power and fame. As Franca, Anne has fame as a notorious terrorist. As the heir to the Christiano Estate, she has money. But the one thing she lacks is power, especially since much of her Padania Cohorts are now in jail and she has nobody to command over. With these goons coming in from Central America, she now has power that she craves. If it gives her some pocket money, then so be it. Care to add to it Hondo?
Hondo: That's the jist of it.
Marco: Then Termination Papers for Franca and her friends are in order.
Fernando: I'm surprised you had not done this any sooner.

Marco walks past Ferro, just a few steps from Fernando.

Marco: Franca and her counterpart, Franco were slated for capture and arrest, not termination. We wanted them alive for they have the pieces to the Padania Puzzle we have been trying to assemble. Unfortunately, because of their own in-fighting, many of the puzzle pieces have been killed off. Mr. Polanco was one of those pieces.
Fernando: What are you trying to insinuate?
Marco: Nothing. We already figured out Tammy's priorities during the LSD Mission. Question is, well... there are many questions surrounding you.

Ferro starts to step closer to Fernando, but staying behind Marco.

Ferro: Who are you and why is there no body in your coffin?
Fernando: Is this what its all about?
Priscilla: Why are there two sets of dates for your death?
Fernando: That one is simple- Blame the people I work for, the CIA.
Priscilla: Wha...?
Fernando: Because many within their own ranks were fired or arrested, I can not return home fearing that they would go after me. So it was decided that when the plane exploded, it would recorded that I and much of my team was killed in the explosion. That explains the first date. The second date, you were all here to see what happened on that day.
Ferro: Explain the lack of a body.
Fernando: Ever seen James Bond: You Only Live Twice?

Most nod.

Fernando: That explains it. My agency took my body from the grave and... what ever you would call it: reanimate it, reincarnate it, brought it back to life, what ever. Simply put, unless the body is killed from the ravages of old age, death is not necessarily a permanent condition. I am proof of that technology.
Ferro: What about atrophy of the brain?
Fernando: I have to take pills on a daily basis to insure that my brain stays intact for the procedure to work. Why do you think I wear a religious wrist tag demanding that no Autopsy of this body is to be done to it?
Marco: This is too convenient to be true.
Fernando: I was clinically dead for over 96 hours before my body was recovered.
Ferro: OK, how about a share of technologies and we will work without further questions or interference of the staff.
Fernando: You guys already have it.
Ferro: What?
Fernando: Your girls are brought in at near death or dead situations. Your medical staff brings those girls back to life whether you guys know it or not before being turned into cyborgs. Thus, the technology can be used on you adults when death is knocking at your door, but your medical staff is not willing to do that.
Marco: Of all the dirty stinking...
Hillshire: Marco.
Fernando: Nor are they willing to share it with the public.
Marco: The public done deserve what we cant get for our selves.
Hondo (to himself): Of all the stinking selfish things.
Fernando: Oh really?
Ferro: Then how about you share what you have with us and only us.
Fernando: Cant do that.
Ferro: And why not?
Fernando: The pill I take is only 1/2 the equation. The other half lies in the other drugs used in the medical facility that revives me. That information I have no access too unless I die and become a recipient of the services.
Marco (pulls out his Berretta, aiming it at Fernando's chest): Oh, that can be arranged.
Fernando: Kill me, Marco, and I promise you that I will return to go after you, and this time I wont be as nice to you as I am to Anne. Furthermore, I will have the revival lab destroyed to prevent its abuse from the likes of you. I swear, I expect this crap from Jean. Not from the likes of you.
Ferro: Marco, put the gun away.
Marco: Why? Fernando stated a theory, and I want to see that theory work.
Ferro: Because we will lose if you do. Right now all we have is a chance and a chance is better than nothing.
Fernando: Tsk, Tsk, Tsk... You would be sick of immortality, Marco. After the first 200 years, you would get tired of everything that has happened. Is that right Hondo?
Hondo: Uhm... Right Boss.

Priscilla walks from behind everyone towards Fernando, taking a crucifix made of black Grenadilla wood from her neck, placing the cross hard onto Fernando's forehead. She says something in Latin.

Priscilla: (In the name of the father, the son and the holy ghost, I command you to leave!)

Fernando takes the crucifix from her hand into his.

Fernando: You expect me to burst into flames or something? (he pulls out a crucifix of gold from inside his shirt, holding it out at her by his thumb) I don't leave home without mine.

He tosses her crucifix back her. Priscilla catches it. Fernando slowly gets out of his chair faces them all.

Fernando: Now, if you want to work in this place, don't get in my way. If not, you guys can leave so that my crew can work on our mission.
Ferro: How about we assist you in yours?
Fernando: Nope. My deal still stands. In 7 days, if not then you guys take over.

They all look over at each other for a moment. Ferro makes the decision for everyone.

Ferro: Marco, Hillshire, you two stay here. Everyone else can leave with us if repairs have been completed.
Fernando: The repairs are completed. Though I could have done a better job myself.

Ferro looks him for his snide remark.

Ferro: Priscilla, gather the clean up crew and the Intell Gathering teams and collect them at the pizza vans. We're going back to base. Marco...
Marco: Yes, Ferro?
Ferro: You and Hillshire know what to do here.
Marco: Of course.

With a nod, Ferro walks out of the house through the rear entrance. Priscilla gathers the crews and leaves with them through the same exit. After watching them leave, Marco turns to Fernando once again.

Marco: No funny stuff from you, sir.
Fernando: What the #$@! you talking about?
Marco: You know. No leaving the premises without telling us. No personal missions without our authorizations. And no unauthorized anything I could think off.
Fernando: Is that is how it is going to be?
Marco: Yes.
Fernando: Then get out this house and go eat, sleep, and shit in your car.
Marco: You have no authorization here.
Fernando: Oh really. By order of the United States of American and all territories thereof, which includes this house and the property around it, I am giving you this one warning to leave before I take action to defend it and every American in it.

Fernando takes out his gun and aims it to Marco's face.

Marco: ANGIE!!!

Angelica hops into view, taking out her Berretta 9mm, pressing on the trigger but the pistol flies out of her hand. Hondo pulls out both his pistols and has them aimed at Hillshire and Triela. Fernando aims his gun back at Marco.

Fernando: Go for that gun Angie, and I'm afraid that you might get hurt. I really do not want to hurt you or anyone else in this room.

Hillshire: Then put the gun down.
Fernando: What proof or guarantee I have that nothing will happen?
Hillshire: You have none, but diplomacy must start somewhere.

Fernando presses the button to release the magazine from the gun, catching it as it falls. Angie tries to go for her gun but Fernando shoots it out of her way. He shoves the magazine back into his gun and cycling the next round into it.

Fernando: No one told you to get our gun, Angie. Now, Marco, pick up Angie's gun.

Marco does as he says, slowly and deliberately.

Fernando: Now give it to Angie and tell her to put it away.

Marco does he was told, giving the Berretta to Angie and telling her to put it away. She does as ordered. Fernando nods to Hondo, who nods back and puts away his guns. He then slowly lowers his gun to his side. Unknown to them, Tammy is slowly making her way down the stairs with her SiG in her hands, aiming it at anyone or anything that could be a target.

Fernando: Don't try it with me Marco. I'm pissed off as it is.
Tammy (making her way to the living room): Fernando! Everything alright?!!
Fernando (seeing her): Put the gun down, everything is alright.

Tammy lowers her gun, breathing a sigh of relief. Marco turns to look at Tammy.

Marco: You actually came down on your own with a weapon in your hand?
Tammy: I was defending my house and the people in it.
Marco: Maybe there is hope for you yet.

Tammy walks over to Fernando and puts an arm around him, leaning her head to his chest.

Tammy: You're lucky Bink is not here or she would have shot first and asked questions later. Now, what's going on?
Fernando: Marco was trying to undermine the authority of this house and those in it.
Tammy: Its our house, we are in charge here.
Marco: Tammy, you better rethink that.
Tammy: What for? Both the Italian government and the United States gave me this house for what happened in here. As far as I am concerned, this is still American Soil and is governed by American Rules. Italian law can go fly in a lake.
Marco: Is that how you feel about it?
Tammy: I'm just expressing my rights under the American Constitution under Freedom of Speech and Expression. But when I step out onto Italian soil, I know how to act and behave. Now if you don't mind, we Americans have a mission to conduct. I am rquesting that you do not get in our way.
Marco: Is that it now? You leaving the SWA?
Tammy: I'm still under a 90day agency imposed vacation so I can get the death of my husband out of my system. What I do in it is my business. Now, I still have about 45 days left in that vacation.
Marco: And this mission?
Tammy: You, the people I work for failed in getting my husband's killer. A killer who is now after me. So if you don't mine, I'm doing my best to stop her from taking that action because you guys wont for some reason or another. At this point, I don't care what you guys do.
Fernando: It was Bianchi who turned her into a cyborg in order to make her live again.
Marco: That is still under review.
Fernando: Then explain why I keep hitting and she keeps coming back. Face the facts, Marco. If your doctor illegally Frankensteined a Padania terrorist back to life with the same technologies you have with your girls, then your girls will not be able to defeat this thing he help create.
Marco: What makes you so sure that you can.
Fernando: Because I did. Maybe not one of your technology, but the US has been experimenting with cybernetics since the 1990's. I had to fight a rogue unit that went mad before in its former life as a mouse, my wife back then divorced him, and as a cyborg went after her. He killed her, I killed him, and believe me when I tell you that Annie is now one of those constructs and its going to be difficult to take her down.
Hillshire: If this is true in the slightest bit, do you know what you are saying?
Fernando: Yes. You idiots built a monster who killed me, now I'm enacting revenge. You are not going to stop me from doing so because stopping me will mean the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands of innocent people in the long run.

Marco steps over to Hillshire, both start whispering. Both are unaware that Fernando is listening in.

Marco: What do you think about this?
Hillshire: To be honest, if the fool thinks that he can take on a terrorist revived with our cyborg technology, let him die trying.
Marco: And if he wins, we lose valuable intell on capturing her alive.
Hillshire: I seriously doubt he would win. I doubt this whole team will win.
Marco: And Tammy?
Hillshire: We recover Bink and put the blame on Tammy's actions of going into a suicide mission without her cyborg. That trumps up the charges against Franca where we will have to capture her dead or alive.
Marco: You really think losing a handler is worth it?
Hillshire: It gets Fernando out of our hair if he is killed.
Marco: And what if he comes back from the grave?
Hillshire: There is a reasonable explanation for that. Just don't know what it is though his explanation sounded reasonable within itself. Look, only way Fernando could have came out that coffin, is if he had help. I'm sure Hondo had a hand in that. But no way a whole team is going to be recovered if there is no one left to do the recovering.
Marco: So, we allow them to do as they please and hopefully allow them to fail.

From the back of the living room, Fernando makes his point known.

Fernando: We wont fail.

They both turn to face him.

Marco: Alright. Have it your way. But you are going to have a couple of JAFOs on your tail.
Fernando: Fine by me.
Hillshire: Triela, Angelica. Change of orders. You will be with us on their mission as their observers. You are not to intervene or try to rescue any of them if they get into trouble. You are to protect your respective handlers. Do you understand?
Angelica and Triela: Yes sir.
Hillshire: Good.
Fernando: Looks like those spares are going to be used.
Marco: Spares?
Fernando: I'll show you later. Right now I have to discuss some matter of intell with my wife. So if you don't mind... Tammy, upstairs, our room. Hondo, get the batteries charged on those units downstairs, and thanks. Jeanie, we'll deal with lunch later.
Hondo: No problem, JefŽ.

Fernando shakes his head as he starts to head for the stairs. Tammy takes his arm and together go up the stairs. Once in their room, Fernando takes off his suit jacket and holster, folding them neatly on the bed. Tammy does the same with her suit jacket. He walks over to the bed and kicks off his shoes. Tammy joins him from the opposite site of the bed ad crawls over to him. She puts her arms over his shoulders and around his neck, leaning her head against his. she starts to slowly unbutton his shirt.

Tammy: You OK?
Fernando: I should be asking you the same thing.
Tammy: I could be better.
Fernando: Just having a rough day. Managed to kill off a few of Annie's friends as they tried to ambush me.
Tammy: Then that's less of them we have to deal with.
Fernando: Out of who knows how many.
Tammy: I'm not worried about it.
Fernando: I'm worried about your co-workers wanting us to fail.
Tammy: let them want all they want. We just have to deny them of their wishes.
Fernando: Yeah.

She nuzzles her nose against his cheek and gets a kisses him by the lip. His lack of reaction concerns her a bit though this seems to be a normal for him at times.

Tammy: Need rest?
Fernando: Not really, just a lot on my mind.
Tammy: Then maybe I could help get those things off your mind?
Fernando: Don't know.

Tammy steps back and pulls Fernando onto the bed.

Tammy: Do I need an invitation to have some sort of intimate relationship with my husband?
Fernando: I'm sorry Tammy.
Tammy: Yesterday at the park was the furthest I ever gone with anyone in my life, though I'll admit some boys tried to take there without my permission.
Fernando: Oh.

Fernando reaches up behind Tammy and slowly pulls her down to him. She extends her arms against the bed as to not fall down. Though she was up-side-down to him, he plants his lips against hers.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Feb 6^th, 2011, 12:02am

Hondo went down to the basement an' plugged all the 2 way radios into their chargin' cords. Once he was satisfied that they were all set an' that the other equipment was ready as well he headed upsatairs. The SWA members that stayed were in the livin' room talkin' it all stopped when they saw Hondo but as he climbed the stairs he had heard a few words like: Tammy . . . killed easy. '. . Fernando and Cowboy hard to get rid of. . . Do they all have to die?' It was enough to sound bad but not enough for him to be sure if they planned on somethin' or if they hoped for somethin'.

Hondo just stood an' gave them a cold stare as he stood there. They tried not to act like it bothered them, but it did. After a long few second he turned away an' walked upstairs. Once upstairs he made a quick stop to the bathroom then back to his room. Valentine had eaten all she was given an' was finishin' cleanin' her guns.

Hondo: Glad to see ya take care of yur weapons. I knew a few women that carried guns but most don't treat them right, like the last gal I was with. Nicest pair of colt revolvers ya could ask for, an' she just let them beat 'round in her purse an' never cleaned them.

Valentine: The folks that taught me how to shoot made sure I knew how to take care of the weapons I had properly. They always were talkin' 'bout how your weapon can sometimes be your only friend, so take care of it like your life counts on it 'cause it can.

Hondo: Smart folks. Don't see many like that left. Glad ya listened to them. By the by, we might be goin' out tonight. Probably group recon. but things can turn ugly. Make sure ya bring yur irons. Probably just the 38 supers would do.

Valentine: You trust me with them?

Hondo: Like I said, you've not done anythin' to earn my trust, yet. Trust takes time, but has to be grown somehow an' if things get bad I can't be always protectin' you. Also, if things get bad for us or someone else on the tem, I need to know that you can cover my back.

Valentine: I can cover you back an' protect myself, don't worry, but I have one question.

Hondo: Well, do keep me in suspense. Ask it.

Valentine: Since you say you don't trust me, have I done anythin' to make you not trust me?

Hondo: No. If you had you'd not be here now, but in the hands of the SWA. IT's not that I don't trust you at all. If I didn't have some faith in ya, you'd not know what was goin' on an' those guns would be in my hands not yours. I have some faith in ya, but you don't have my full trust. When ya do, I won't be watchin' my back, explainin' this stuff to ya, or questionin' your actions. When you have my full trust I'll just know you have my back, you will be in on the plannin', an' I'll know that what you do, you do for a reason. I might question how ya do it, but not why.

Valentine: I think I understand now. I'll do my best to earn your trust.

Hondo: I know ya will. But right now I've got to clean my guns. Wanted to earlier, but it's been hectic today.

Valentine: Can I... help?

Hondo: Sure. You can start on my revolvers ifin ya want to. I'll start with the shotgun, an' rifles. They are a bit more complicated. Not that ya couldn't handle them, I just know them better.

Valentine: I understand.

Hondo an' Valentine talked as they worked. He got her to talk about what she believed in, religiously, an' about other things as well such as likes, dislikes, guns, cars, truck, planes, etc. Hondo looked over at the clock after a while an' yawned. It read 1:30 PM.

Hondo: Dang, am I tired. I've not slept since yesterday night.

Valentine: I can finish up for you.

Hondo: you should probably rest too. You lost a lot of blood last night. You'll need your strength tonight.

Valentine: I'll sleep later.

Hondo: The Boss man likes to start early to prepare for an' evenin' mission. He could yell for us any time.

Valentine: I'll be done in 15 minutes or so, then I'll rest.

Hondo: Ok, I'll just nap in the chair an' you can have the bed.

Valentine: No, I'll rest in the chair. It's easier for me to sit there to finish up 'cleanin' these guns.

Hondo: You sure?

Valentine: Positive.

Hondo: Alright... Val, but make sure I wake up if they call for us.

Valentine: I will. Don't worry.

Hondo took off his hat an' boots an' laid back into the bed. He covered his eyes with his left forearm to block out the light. The bed felt so good to his bruised body. He fell asleep almost instantly as he was more tired than he had allowed himself to believe.

Valentine watched him as she finished. She finished with the last gun by 1:45 pm. As she watched him she thought about how much she owed him an' how to repay him. She also thought about how much she was fallin' for him. She had not planned this at all. But she worried about how she could know if she could trust her heart to him. Maybe is she gave herself to him . . . it was a thought that had been on her mind, but when an' how to do it?

She walked up beside him as he slept. He was out of it, as he seemed to trust himself with her. This made her smile. She bent over an' brushed some hair off f his face. She hadn't seen him without his hat until now. She ran her fingers through his hair lightly then kissed him on the forehead. After a moment she sat down gently on the edge of the bed. Once her own boot's an' hat were off, as well as her over shirt, she curled up beside him restin' her head on his chest. As if an instinct his right arm dropped to her shoulder to pull her tight against him. She pulled a spare throw over them, closed her eyes an' drifted off to sleep, the first safe sleep she had felt in a long time.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Feb 6^th, 2011, 11:54pm

The expression of Love can come in any form, depending on the two involved. Rest, sleep, awake, pleasure, sharing, lust, love, caring, comfort, understanding, knowing, needing, wanting, pain. It comes in the good and in the bad; beauty and ugliness. Its there in layers, wanting to be removed. As they kissed, Tammy takes off her blouse and undoes 'the bra, then unzips her skirt. But before taking it off, she breaks their kiss. Fernando slowly sits up and turn to face her. She reaches to his shoulders and pushes down his shirt to his arms. He unbuttons the cuffs of his sleeves and takes the shirt off, followed by his t-shirt. He sits up on the bed and starts taking off his sox, Tammy reaches around him and unbuckles his belt. The button on his pants and the zipper soon follows. He faces her and kneels on the mattress . For a second 'she takes his hands. She tries to look into his eyes but his glasses are in the way. She lets go of his hands, and reaches to take them off. He stops her for the moment.

Fernando: The light is too bright in here for me to takes them off.
Tammy: Even with the shades and curtains already pulled?

Fernando nods.

Tammy: What if we stay under the blankets, would it be safe for you then?
Fernando: Yes, but it would get hot under there.
Tammy: I would not mind, if it I was there with you.

She gives him a kiss on the nose and time seemed to have frozen in place.

Fernando takes off his pants at the same time Tammy takes off her skirt. They get tossed to the table and they go under the blankets up to their shoulders. Tammy reaches her finger tips to the side of his glasses.

Tammy: Close your eyes.

He nods. The fingers apply a little pressure, the glasses slide off his face. 'Closing the stems, they holds them in one hand while covering his closed eyes with the other. She reaches over and places the glasses onto the nightstand. The blanket goes over their heads. She straddles on top of him, brushing his hair from his face.

Tammy: Is that better?

Fernando nods then says.

Fernando: Yes.

She lowers herself until their lips met once again. Hands touch 'each other, fingers being placed softly, touching, feeling. Every surface gently felt, every spot touched . Kisses roam like the hands, landing in places for her for the first time anyone has ever kissed her there; for him a reminder of nights with another so long ago. Time is forgotten as they continue on their intimacy. His hands goes down to her waist, feeling the elastic band and white cotton of her bikini panties. He tugs at them slightly, testing her reaction but a loud knock on the door. He lets go of her and slam his fists at the sides of the bed, she pushes off him, holding herself on her extended arms. The knocking on the door gets louder and somebody yells from the outside.

Marco: Tammy! Open the door! We Need To Talk!
Fernando (holding back his frustration and anger from getting too loud): No! No! No! NO!
Tammy: Shhhh. Let me take care of him.

She looks at him momentarily, realizing that if she lifts the blankets off them, that his eyes would get hurt from the lights in the room. She takes a nearby pillow and covers his eyes with it.

Tammy: Pretend to be asleep, I'll tell him that 'you got 'a headache.

They shift position as she slowly got off him. The door opens after some fumbling with the doorknob, but not by Tammy who was sitting up on the edge of the bed with the blanket covering her. Triela was kneeling on the floor with a set of lock picks in her hands, Marco was behind her with Angie at his side and Hillshire behind her. Tammy yells at them.

Tammy (yelling): CLOSE THE #$@!ING DOOR!!
Marco: Something came up.
Tammy (still yelling): I SAID CLOSE THE DAMN DOOR!!!

She walks up to them, using the top blanket to cover her as much as possible. She takes the door by its edge and slams it close on them.

Angelica (whispering at Triela): What were they doing in there?
Triela (whispering at Angelica): Look like they were making puppies.

Marco (from the other side of the door): We need to talk!

Tammy (yelling through the door): THEN WAIT DOWNSTAIRS UNTIL I GET THERE!

She can hear their steps walk to the stairs and continue downward. Fernando had already shifted over with the pillow over his head, feeling the top of the nightstand for his glasses. Tammy quickly steps back to the bed, throwing the blanket back on the bed. She takes the glasses from the nightstand and hands it to him as she sits on the bed. He puts on his glasses and takes the pillow off his head and off to the side of the bed.

Fernando: Remind me not to ever get you mad at me.
Tammy (bowing her head): I would never get mad at you. But I am going to 'have a talk with those idiots.

She pauses for a second.

Tammy: Get dressed. Sounds like Marco and Hillshire are impatient.

Fernando slowly sits up.

Fernando (reaching around her and holds her): I would rather be here with you.
Tammy: So would I, but there are priorities to deal with.

Tammy leans back against him, letting out a sigh. Fernando leans behind her, softly kissing the side of her neck. She leans back against him, moaning softly.

Tammy: Please... We can continue later.

Fernando stops though he would prefer not too. Tammy gets up from the bed and over to the table where their clothes were piled. Putting hers on, she tosses his to the bed to put on. 'It only takes a minute to get dressed, and another 5 to get hair and make up redone.

Together they walk down stairs. The three of their visitors were in separate chairs in the living room. Tammy and Fernando look at them.

Tammy: We're here. Now what do you want?
Marco: We wanted you alone.
Tammy: What ever needs to be said, can be said in front of my husband.
Marco: Its SWA business.
Tammy: He's been present to SWA before. In fact if it were not for him, there would be no SWA, so talk.
Marco: Alright. We were discussing... certain things. SWA Business to be precise. Hondo may have over heard a few things being said. I would not want him to misconstrue things and tell you things that are not as he thinks them to be.
Fernando: Tell me what you said you think he heard and I'll think about it.
Hillshire: Thing is, many things were said. We don't know what he heard.
Marco: But we were talking about a future termination mission after this one, that is if you fail and we take over.
Fernando: For us to fail means all of us to be killed.
Hillshire: It hurts to be you.

Fernando looks at his watch, seeing that it is almost 3PM.

Fernando: Seriously, I'll talk to Hondo about this later on. Tammy, would you make some sandwiches and drinks. I'll get Hondo and Valentine for the meeting. You JAFOs are welcomed.
Marco: Gee, thanks. I feel honored.
Tammy: Marco, sarcasm is not your best trait.
Fernando (walking to the 'stairs): Thanks, Tammy. I'll be back with Hondo and his girl pal.

As he walks up the stairs, Fung- the driver and chef of Jeanie's crew and her to body guards return with bags of groceries. They go upstairs to Jeanie's room to show off what they got and explain their difficulty of getting American style vegetables but believe they can get by with Italian varieties instead. Jeanie have the sit down and tell them what had happened but not to slight them for their absence because they were doing a job for her.

Fernando knocks on Hondo's door when he finds that the lock has been set. 'With no answer at the first set of knocks, Fernando increases the volume and pounds on the door very hard.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Feb 7^th, 2011, 1:12pm

Hondo's eyes shot open at the loud poundin'. He tried to sit up an' grab his gun, as he wasn't sure what was happenin' at first. He had been deeper asleep than he had planned on. As he tried to move he found his right side weighted down an' warmer than normal. He looked down to find Valentine snuggled up to him. This surprised him a bit. The poundin' happened again 'an' Hondo called out.

Hondo: Who is it!

Voice: Fernando. I need to talk to you.

Hondo: Can ya give me a moment?

Fernando: sure. You alright?

Hondo: Mostly. I'll explain later.

Fernando: Just come on down as soon as you can. Meeting time. Bring Valentine with you.

Hondo: Alright, Jefe.

Hondo waited until his steps faded away. Valentine was out of it more than he had been. He had to shake her a couple times to get her to wake up.

Hondo: Hey. . . HEY, Val! Wake up.

Valentine moaned a bit, stretched, then opened her eyes. She looked at him. Closed her eyes again for a couple seconds then opened her eyes wide an' sat up fast.

Valentine: OH! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sleep so hard.

Hondo: I thought you said you were goin' to sleep in the chair?

Valentine laid back down an' closed her eyes.

Valentine: The chair was too hard to sleep on.

Hondo: But why pick on me? There was plenty of room on the other side of the bed.

Valentine: Well, you are warm an' comfortable.

Hondo: Comfortable?!

Valentine: Yeah.

Hondo: Well, I've been called a lot of things, but never comfortable.

Valentine rolled onto her back an' looked up at him.

Valentine: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I just . . .

Hondo: Don't worry 'bout it. Besides, your better than a hot brick to keep a man warm.

Valentine smiled: Thanks.

Hondo: For what?

Valentine: Not gettin' mad at me. I've not slept well since . . . that day.

Valentine's face fell, an' sadness filled her eyes.

Hondo: yeah, I can understand.

Valentine: With you I just felt so safe an' secure. Your arm wrapped 'round me an' you held me tight.

Hondo: I did?

Valentine; Yes. I know you probably thought it was a former love, but it felt so good.

Hondo: Well that explains that dream I had.

Valentine: Want to tell me about it?

Hondo: No.

Valentine: I understand.

Valentine sat up, her hair was in a mess, but it made her look all the more sweet.

Valentine: I only wish . . . oh, never mind.

Hondo: What?

Valentine: never mind, I just . . .

Hondo: Oh, just 'say it. I like a woman that speaks straight out. I'm not into mind games.

Valentine: (in a small voice with eyes looking down) I just wish that you had held me because you wanted to hold me.

Hondo lifted up her face with is hand under her chin so her eyes met his. They held that gaze for a moment as Hondo gently swiped the hair back from her face. He spoke after a moment in a kind voice.

Hondo: It's not that I don't want to, Val. I have just too many things goin' on right now to think clearly. I can't let whatever I feel for you cloud the mission at hand, nor can I take time away from it to understand what I feel or to get to know you like I'd need to, to make a decision. Maybe after this is over, maybe things will be different an' we will.

Hondo moved his hand from her chin an' stood up.

Hondo: We also need to be careful. I don't want to hurt you nor do I want to be hurt again. Missions are stressful an' that can cause false love to help ease the tension. If we are to be anythin' to each other it must be real, not stress induced. Ya understand?

Valentine: I understand (quietly) I don't have to like it though.

Hondo shook his head: No. I can't say I like it all the time either, but I'd like losin' you over this even less, even if we only ever be friends.

Hondo pulled on his boots an' hat, put on two of his guns an' threw on a vest.

Hondo: Val, get ready. Fernando don't like waitin' too long, neither do I.

Valentine: I'll be fast, don't worry.

Hondo: alright

Hondo sat down in the chair for a moment to pull the legs of his pants down over his boots. He spoke without lookin' up.

Hondo: Next time you do that to me while I sleep, stay on my left side. I don't like my right hand blocked like that when on a mission like this.

Valentine smiled at that comment, got up an' started to change.

Hondo tried to keep his eyes down but he caught a glimpse of her in her white panties an' t-shirt on only. A quick smile flashed across his face. She was beautiful to him.

Valentine was smart, she pulled on the black Wranglers, stickin' with dark colors as she remembered that Hondo said if they were to go on a mission today it'd be after dark. she looked up at Hondo for a moment, an' he appeared to be busy 'checkin' the loads in his guns. She turned her back to him, slipped off her white t-shirt an' grabbed a black one to put on.

Hondo caught a glance of her smooth, pale back as she pulled on the shirt. She was well muscled for a woman an' still had the curves to drive any man wild. Hondo looked back to his guns quickly. It seemed to be gettin' hot in there to him. He hoped she hurried as he wanted them to go down together, but he wasn't sure he could stay in there too much longer.

Hondo looked up after a bit to see that she already had one of the dark grey flannel shirts on and tucked in as well an' was adjustin' the straps on her shoulder holsters for her .38 supers. Hondo stood up.

Hondo: Here, let me help.

Valentine: Thanks.

Hondo adjusted the straps to fit her right. She placed the 1911 .38 supers in the holsters an' practiced drawin' them a couple times. When she was satisfied she clipped on 2 double stack double slot mag pouches. She pulled on her hat an' spoke as she did so.

Valentine: Alright. I'm ready.

Hondo: Almost.

Valentine: Huh?

Hondo walked over to the closet an' pulled out a black leather vest, which he tossed to her.

Hondo: Put this on. I got this for a gal that helped in the last mission, right before she left unexpectedly.

Valentine put it on without question.

Hondo: You didn't ask why. I appreciate that.

Valentine: I figure you had your reasons. Maybe I'm wrong to do so, but you have my full trust. You have since the moment you stood in front of me to shield me from those bullets.

Hondo: Hmm, well, you can figure that out later ifin yur right or not. Just keep that vest on. It's bullet proof.

Valentine: Ok. I will. Thanks.

Hondo: No problem. Alright, let's git down there.

Hondo walked down first an' Valentine followed behind but off to one side.

Fernando was in the kitchen with Tammy workin' on makin' some food.

Hillshire, Marco an' their cyborgs were still in the livin'room. Hondo gave them an icy stare as he came down. He wasn't sure what they were talkin' 'bout but none the less, he didn't like their presence. Hondo spoke after he descended the stairs.

Hondo: Alright, Jefe. Ready when you are.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Feb 7^th, 2011, 11:30pm

Fernando calls the meeting to order. Everyone gathers at the seats by the dining table. Tammy puts the sandwiches and drinks on the table for anyone to take.

In the meeting in the dining area, Fernando pulls out a few printed maps, self made dossiers, building plans and his laptop. Though Fernando mentions the use of various satellite technologies, Hondo knew better- this information could only be gotten from time observations. He continues as they go over the paperwork. Tammy has handed out roast beef and ham and cheese sandwiches out onto the table along with soda, juice or water. Fernando takes a Roast Beet with a soda.

Fernando: Anne Rossellini has several rented apartments and hotel room here in Rome, as she does in Florence and Milan. El Jefe Grande has several hotel rooms from which to go in and leave for him and his entourage. But they all seem to be meeting in this warehouse not far from the river docks. In fact, it seems that this is the only place they all have in common.

Hondo: Seems like a good time to hit them all at once.

Fernando: No. We don't know how many are there, we don't know who else is involved, we don't know what arms they have. As it is, I'm waiting on a shipment of a couple of RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenades) to take out their vans when we hit and their reinforcements arrive. We all need to know what exactly we are up against. As is, we are going in with silenced weapons. I don't like to use them because of their bulk, but if we run into any guards, they need to be taken out as quietly as possible.

Hondo: I'm not modifying many of my guns to have them silenced.

Fernando: Don't worry, along with the RPGs there will be a shipment of USMC (United States Marine Corp.) silenced 1911s in .45ACP format. They will be delivered by private courier at the US Embassy. I will pick them up when they arrive.

Hillshire: Care for some assistance in retrieving those weapons?

Fernando: Why not. I can always use a hostage is things go wrong.

Hillshire tries to laugh it off, but does not find anything funny about it.

Fernando: Seriously. When done, these weapons are to be returned with a field test grade of an A or better. This is what the US Military is looking for. Don't worry, these are tried and true weapon systems, its that some new recruits are complaining about the use of difficulty in using them. I think the military should stop recruiting the illiterate and the highly stupid. As we were. If they have a meeting tonight, like I believe they will, we will listen in to 'that meeting. If they don't, then we will break in and assess their capabilities and motives. If we find their drug stash, the SWA will go in before we go after them 3 days from now. Is that OK with you Marco?

Marco: Fine with me.

Hondo: What ifin' they have guards?

Fernando: We will need to take them out. That's why we have silenced weapons. The plan is this: we go into the city's infrastructure pathways that run parallel to the sewers, and take out their land lines. Then with a cellphone jammer I have coming with the weapons, we will have them with no means of outside communications. Then we go in, take out the guards, and assess their capabilities. The vehicles will be searched but otherwise left untouched. No slashing of tires, as much as I would like to do so otherwise. Let them figure out what happened. We could even make it a mob hit, trying to muscle in on their territory.

Marco: Those are the best. It makes them take their attention away from us and onto each other.

Fernando looks at Marco for a moment.

Hillshire: What about the Working Girls?

Fernando: Good one. We need to bribe them or otherwise them away. A Prostitution bust will alert them to police activity in the area and go elsewhere.

Valentine: How are we going to do this? Climbin' on to roofs and all that?

Fernando: We get there by 1 car, the Porsche, park it 3 blocks away from them as to not draw attention. Marco, Hillshire, you will have to bring in your own ride. Then we walk the rest of the way, take the fire escapes 'on the surrounding buildings, and assess the guards in the area. No doubt they will have them on the ground and on the roof surrounding the warehouse. Though it will be night time, hide in the shadows. Try not to be seen while seeing. You all will be wearing some protection, so its going to be hot tonight. We also will be in pairs; Hondo, you have Valentine, Tammy will be with me, you JAFOs will go with whoever you want to follow. Just don't get cocky out there. I trust you all can do that.

Hondo: Sure.

Valentine: I think I can.

Tammy remains silent.

Fernando: Tammy?

Tammy: Oh... yeah.

Fernando: Yeah what?

Tammy: Yeah... we can.

Fernando remains silent for a moment. Then he continues.

Fernando: If you must take out a guard, throat and head shots only. If you get him anyplace else, he will probably scream in pain and alert the other guards. Head 'or a throat shot ensure that he wont be doing much screaming.

Hondo: I'll keep that in mind.

Fernando: Please do. Any questions?

No one says a word.

Fernando: Alright. We leave at 9PM, get there by 10. Hopefully they will be there. Acquaint yourself with their faces, their names, maps and building plans. You will need to know this as if your life depends on it because it will. I'll be around... somewhere.

Fernando gets up and starts walking to the rear of the house. He looks out for a moment, seeing the Porsche, the motorcycle, Hondo's pick up truck, Jeanie's limo and Hillshire's Mercedes Station wagon. He decides to go o the roof.

Along the way up the stairs, Fernando finds Jeanie walking out her room with her staff. They were carrying the shopping bags of items they had bought with them.

Fernando: Going anywhere?
Jeanie: Not out. Just gong to prepare dinner for you.
Fernando: For me? Wont the others get jealous?
Jeanie: I got enough for everyone, but it is for you.
Fernando: When you think it will get ready?
Jeanie: Around 6o'clock or so.

Fernando nods.

Fernando: Alright. See you then.

Fernando continues up the stairs to the attic. He takes a ladder from the attic, and places it on the balcony against the roof. Once on the roof, he makes his way to the front of the house, looking out onto the highway and beyond.

Several minutes has pasted 'when someone else climbs up on the roof. Their light steps on the shingles says it was not Hondo. Only one from the group to dare venture this far out would be Tammy. She makes herself known when sits behind him and puts her arms around him.

Tammy: Is there any other way?
Fernando: For?
Tammy: Tonight.
Fernando: What do you mean?
Tammy: Killing the guards. Is there any other way to deal with them?
Fernando: Drugs takes too long to act. We cant sneak around them, there are too many.
Tammy: But...
Fernando: Look, you don't have to pull the trigger unless you have too. I'll be taking out most of the guards I see. You just gather the intell we find and keep an eye out as back up. Shoot when you have too, when I cant. OK?
Tammy: That's fair, I think.
Fernando: Good. I don't expect much trouble here, but it is something to be expected.
Tammy: I know. I been there before.

They continue to look out there onto the highway.

Tammy: Less than 6 hours before mission time?
Fernando: Yeah. I have to go 'get the things ready and call the embassy to see if they have the supplies.
Tammy: Can I go with you?
Fernando: You could. But you need to be in the back seat, Marco's too big to sit back there.
Tammy: I wont mind.
Fernando: OK. Lets go.

He slowly turns to get up on the roof but Tammy gets his attention.

Tammy: Fernando?
Fernando (adjusting himself on the roof): Yes?

Tammy takes him by the temples and plants her lips on his, slowly putting his head on her lap as she held him down and kissed him. Some 2 minutes later, she breaks off the kiss and pants for air. She still looks at him.

Tammy: I'll go freshen up and meet you and Marco by the Porsche.
Fernando: Yeah, you go do that.

Tammy slowly lifts Fernando's head and slides over, putting him back on the roof. She then slowly gets up and carefully walks over to the ladder and walks down. Fernando watches her walks by, admiring her tail swaying with every step. As soon as she was back inside the house, Fernando sighs. This relaxing suddenly made him start to slide off the roof. Clawing at the tiles and shingles, he manages to catch it at the edge of the roof, turning under it and falling on the balcony below. He just lays there for a moment, thinking, 'Was it worth it?' His only answer was, 'Yeah'...

In a couple of minutes, Fernando makes it downstairs and has a talk with Hondo first.

Fernando: Hondo. Tammy and I are going to the Embassy to pick up the supplies. Mind watching the place and taking care of the stuff in the basement?

Hondo: Sure. How long are you goig to take?

Fernando: Going there and back, less than an hour. Getting them will take 5 minutes.

Hondo: I see. And the two JAFOs?

Fernando: Marco will be going with me. Hillshire will be staying. He bores easily so keep the place quiet and maybe he'll be napping.

Hondo: Sounds good.

Fernando: Laters.

Hondo: Yeah, laters.

Fernando goes to meet up with Marco about picking up stuff from the embassy, and if he would want to go with them or not. Marco decides that. A minute later they were at the Porsche getting in. Tammy took the seat behind Fernando's driver's seat, Angelica took the seat behind her handler, Marco. Another minute, they were leaving the drive way.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Feb 8^th, 2011, 6:01pm

Hondo watched Fernando an' that mob disappear down the road. Valentine was out tinkerin' on her bike an' Hillshire was lookin' rather bored in the livin' room as his cyborg watched TV an' cleaned her gun.

Hondo grimaced as he thought. He was not sure what all was up but somethin' bothered him. 'Marco an' Hondo had meet towards the end of his first mission with Fernando to retrieve Bink. Marco an' Hondo had came to an understandin' an' had gotten along fine at the end of that mission an' mostly through the second mission. Between missions Marco had even called just to check on Hondo an' see how he was doin'. They didn't seem like calls to check him out or make sure where he was at, but they seemed fairy friendly. But since the beginnin' of this mission Marco had acted cold an' distant. His attitude had gotten worse since the mission went on, but it hadn't been directed at Hondo per say, but more so at Fernando. This hurt any talkin' between Hondo an' Marco as Hondo would stand by Fernando come hell or high water. But was this what nagged at his mind. Was this the warnin' bell that went off in his head or was it somethin' far more sinister?

Hondo walked down to the basement as he thought an' checked over the stuff. The 2 ways were nearly charged, the camera's were charged, an' the radios were ready to set off some explosives.

Once he was done there he decided to check out what Valentine was up to. As he opened th basement door he saw that Hillshire had fallen asleep on the couch an' his cyborg had curled up beside him an' was asleep as well. The TV was still on, though so it covered any noise Hondo made as he walked past them.

Outside Valentine had been doin' some thinkin' of her own. She thought of how nice it had felt to be snuggled up to Hondo an' how he held her in his sleep, as if to protect her even when unconscious. It had all felt so comfortin', an' it was the safest she'd felt n a long time.

She messed with a few adjustments on her motorcycle but didn't really do anythin' big. She wanted to get the carbs synchronized, but her mind just wasn't into it right now.

Her mind was on things like how to pay back the one she saw as her hero. She had fought in her mind on what to do an' had even thought 'bout askin' Tammy or Jeanie on the subject, but she found it a bit personal an' embarrassin'. She worried that if she asked they would just throw her out or tell Hondo what she had said an' they all would hate her. She didn't care if the rest of the world hated her, but she didn't want Hondo to. After much deliberation she came down to only one thing that she had that she could try to pay him back with, though she didn't find it a full payment, but it was the best she thought she could do. She would give somethin' that some had tried to take fro her, but none had taken nor had she given it. She knew He had been married before, but she was younger than he was by 5 or 6 years at least, so she was sure she could satisfy him. But would he accept her? This she did not know. She decided that she must wait a while. Fernando had said they would finish the mission in 3 days. well before that He would be stressed out, then she could catch him with his guard down an' she could honor him in the best way that she knew. but between then an' now she decided she must make sure it will work. She had to make sure he would go that far, that she could push him that far.

Valentine was jarred from her thoughts an' jumped up an' onto her feet as a voice behind her surprised her.

Voice: The ol' girl doin' alright?

Valentine: HUH?! oh, Hondo! you scared me.

Hondo: they say those that scare easily have a guilty conscience.

She ignored that comment as he was partly right.

Valentine: My Harley is fine, though it'd be better if the carbs were tuned.

Hondo: We can maybe do that tomorrow. I don't want to start it an' wake Hillshire nor his cyborg. They both fell asleep an' ifin they stay that way till the boss man gets back I'll be happy.

Valentine: I understand.

Hondo: well, we have about 5 hours until we take off, so ifin ya need to do anythin' before hand better get it done A-sap.

Valentine: I understand. hey, do you know where an extra towel an' some soap are? I'd love to take a shower before we go.

Hondo: yeah, I've got an extra towel, an' extra bar of pine tar soap. I don't really have any good shampoo, though. I just use the bar of soap half the time an' the other half I've got some regular cheap shampoo, but with that long hair of yours it'd make a mess outta it. Maybe Jeanie would lend ya some womens shampoo.

Valentine: OK. Can we get those now?

Hondo: Sure.

Hondo went up to his room with Valentine right on his tail. Hondo dug out the soap, an' towel for her. He handed it to her an' walked back out the door.

Hondo: Go ahead an' get ready. I'll toss in the shampoo to ya ifin Jeanie will spare any.

Valentine: Thanks.

Then he went over to Jeanie's room. He knocked on the door an' waited.

Jeanie: Just a moment.

Hondo waited only a few seconds before she opened the door.

Jeanie: Is something wrong?

Hondo: No. Should there be?

Jeanie: Well, you never come to my door looking for me, so something must be wrong. Did Fernando send you?

Hondo: No, He's gone gettin' supplies with Marco an' Tammy. I came to ask if you had any extra shampoo.

Jeanie: You want Shampoo? You strike me as the kind to use bar soap in his hair.

Hondo sighed: Not for me. Valentine would like a shower, but I don't have any shampoo that would be good for her hair.

Jeanie: Oh! I have just the thing for that shiny red hair of hers.

Jeanie disappeared into her room an' returned a few moments later.

Jeanie: Here you go. This should do nicely. tell her to keep it. I have plenty.

Hondo: Thanks.

Jeanie: Anytime. Remember serving you is serving my Fernando.

Hondo muttered as he left: Yeah, that's what I was afraid of.

Hondo walked to the bathroom door an' knocked. Jeanie watched him the whole time. He turned an saw her right after he knocked. She grinned at him as if to to say, "Go on in'. He acted like he didn't see her. Valentine answered from inside.

Valentine: Who is it?

Hondo: It's me. Come to the door an' I'll open it enough just to hand it in.

He could see Jeanie out of the corner of his eye shake her head disapprovin'ly.

Valentine: Could you come in? I need some help undoin' these bandages.

Hondo rolled his eyes. He turned his head enough to see Jeanie smile an' wink at him as ifin to say, "you sly dog'. He sighed an' shook his head.

Hondo: well, cover up, an' I'll come in.

Valentine: I'm covered. come in.

Hondo went in almost backwards watchin' to make sure Jeanie didn't come at the door behind him to listen in. she disappeared into her room after he stood in the door way lookin' at her far a minute with a bit of a cold look that said 'Get the hell outta here.' he then turned around to a sight. Hondo stood wide eyed for a second before regainin' his composure. Valentine was sittin' on the edge of the tub holdin' her folded t-shirt over her breasts. an' wearin' just her white bikini panties.

Hondo: Ya could of covered up a bit more, eh? or at least put on a bathrobe.

Valentine: I forgot to bring it in with me, an' didn't realize I needed a hand until I was mostly undressed. Besides you were married before, right?

Hondo: Yeah, but that was a while ago, oh never mid. Let's just get those bandages off ya.

Hondo got her bandages off fairly quickly. The one on her arm he could see maybe needin' help with, but the one on her leg? For the first time in a while Hondo was emotionally confused.

Hondo: alright. your all set.

valentine stood up. She stood in front of him for a moment an' looked into his eyes. She kept her breasts covered, but just barely, by usin' one arm to hold the folded shirt in place. The other she brushed some hair off his face. Once again the room seemed all too hot to Hondo.

Valentine: I know your probably still pretty sore as well. If you got into the shower too I could rub your back as you stand under the hot water. It'll loosen you up good for tonight.

Hondo: No, I take showers alone.

Valentine: We can turn out the lights if that makes you feel better. I won't touch anythin' you ask me not too as well.

Hondo took her hand from his face, held it a moment as he spoke.

Hondo: Don't tempt a starvin' Lion with a steak in your hand. He's likely to take your hand with the steak whether or not you planned for him too.

Hondo let go of her hand an' headed to the door. Before he left, with his back to her he spoke again.

Hondo: Ifin ya need help puttin' new bandage wraps on, get on your t-shirt, underwear, an' wrap yourself in a towel then come to the room. I'll help ya then.

Hondo opened the door an' walked out. as he did a door shut down the hall in the direction of Jeanie's room. Hondo rolled his eyes an' went into his room. He wanted a cold shower at the moment, though he knew it'd do little good. Instead he went out onto the balcony. to sharpen his knife.

about 20 or 30 minutes later he heard his name bein' called so he hollered out.

Voice: Hondo?

Hondo: YO! I'm out here!

Valentine appeared a few moments later in a bathrobe.

Valentine: Can you help me again?

Hondo: Sure.

They walked back inside to Hondo's room.

Hondo: Sit on the bed.

Valentine: Ok.

Hondo started into rewrappin' the area's Fernando stitched to protect them but didn't talk as he did so. After a moment Valentine spoke up.

Valentine: Are you mad at me?

Hondo: No. Not at all. Why do you ask?

Valentine: well, I wondered from your comment earlier about the Lion, an' you were bein' quiet.

Hondo: I'm usually quiet.

Valentine: I see.

Hondo: You do understand what I said earlier though, eh?

Valentine: Not really.

Hondo: I meant, even though you might have meant well, ya need to be careful. Val, I'd never intentionally hurt ya, I hope ya know that.

Valentine: I do.

Hondo: But ya also hafta understand that a man can only be tempted so much before he breaks. I don't want to do anythin' to you that would hurt you in anyway, but ifin ya tempt me too much I might not be liable for my own actions. I told ya before, I've not been married for a long time. I also don't play 'round with women, sexually, outside of marriage as a habit. When a man is used to havin' a woman 'round then he loses her it's hard on him in many ways. It makes him easier to temp an' more likely to fall.

Valentine: I'm sorry. I didn't mean . . .

Hondo: Don't be sorry. Just learn from it an' be glad it was me. Other guys would more than likely taken ya for all your worth without lettin' you have a say. Just learn from it. I like you, val, but ifin we are to have anythin' meanin'ful between us it must be real, not stress induced nor lust driven.

Valentine: I understand.

Hondo: Good. Now go finish dressin'. I'll be out on the balcony if needed.

Hondo walked out to the balcony to finish sharpenin' his knives an' to watch. Val joined him a few minutes later. She sat down right beside him, layin' her head on his shoulder. They both just sat, watched an' enjoyed the presence of each other, silently.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Feb 8^th, 2011, 11:25pm

In under 25 minutes, they were in Rome, heading for the American Embassy. At the gate, Fernando, Marco and Tammy showed their agency identification and were allowed to drive in. They head to the back of the building where a garage door opens. Fernando takes the first available parking spot as the garage door closes behind them. The Embassy guards surround the car with weapons drawn as Fernando and the others step out of the Porsche. They slowly raise their hands up. The guards frisk them and remove their weapons.

Marco: This better not be a trap.
Fernando: Believe me, I'm shocked as much as you are.
Marco: Somehow I don't believe you.

The Ambassador arrives with two higher ranking embassy guards approach them, he is talking to somebody on a cordless phone. One of the guards is carrying a bathroom scale, another a laptop with a finger print reader and a retina scanner.

Ambassador: Yes, now I have him in front of me. Want to talk to him? Well, he's about 6ft tall, looks like 180 pounds... have him step on the scale? (pointing at Fernando) You, step on that scale.

The guard puts of scale in front of Fernando, he steps on it. It spins to 145 pounds and stops. Both the guard and the Ambassador looks at it.

Ambassador: '145 pounds.
Fernando: Shoes and clothes add 10 pounds.
Ambassador (looking at him): Yeah, what ever. (Back to the phone) Well, that would mean the species match. But aren't they rare enough as it is? Seriously. They should be rounded up and counted.
Fernando: Who ever that is, I want to talk to him.
Ambassador: Hold on. (turning to Fernando) You are supposed to be dead. 'Now shut up or I'll make our guards shut you up!
Fernando: Go #$@! yourself.
Tammy: Fernando! Don't cause any more trouble.
Ambassador: 'Hold on.

The Ambassador steps over to Tammy and hands her the phone. She puts it to her ear.

Tammy: Hello?
Voice on Other Side: You must be Tammy Squirrel. I have your file in front of me.
Tammy: I'm Tammy G., formerly Tammy Squirrel.
Voice on Other Side: There is no record of a name change here.
Tammy: There would not be because we got married over here in Italy and I have yet to return to the states.
Voice on Other Side: Now, don't tell me that. I have photos of you at the cafŽ as of a few days ago. Now tell me, how can you still be married to a dead man?
Tammy: He's not dead.
Voice on Other Side: Is that so? Prove it.
Tammy: I cant.
Voice on Other Side: Then how can you be sure that he you are allowing yourself to have you most intimate and private of moments is actually who he is?
Tammy: I just know.
Voice on Other Side: Not good enough. Put the Ambassador on.

Tammy hands the phone back to the Ambassador.

Ambassador: Yes? OK. Hold on. (turning to Fernando): Take off those glasses.
Fernando: Make me.
Ambassador: He refuses. (turning to a guard) Take his glasses off. Everyone else, do not shoot no matter what happens.
Fernando (to himself): Your mistake.

Guard walks up to Fernando and reaches for his glasses, only to have his arm parried away. He tries again, only to be thwarted again. It turns into a fight only lasting a few short seconds as Fernando kicks the guard in his groin and twists his arm behind his back.

Ambassador: He failed to remove the glasses. Oh? Yes sir.

He hangs up the phone. He looks at the guard with the laptop and points to a work area in the garage.

Ambassador (pointing to the work area): Set up the equipment over there. (walking over to Fernando) You better register as a dead man, if you dont, I have orders to have you killed.

The guards lift up their guns, cycle a round to the empty chamber and switch the Safety Switch to Firing Mode. All weapons are pointed at him. The Ambassador gestures to 'Fernando to go over to the laptop.

Ambassador: Fingerprints can be faked with no ill results to the one with the fake prints. But a fake retina scan would leave the person blind in that eye. Thus both eyes will be tested and all 10 fingers. Anyone of them fail, you die.
Fernando: I want the lights off during the retinal scan.
Ambassador: You think this is Burger King? You cant have it your way here.
Fernando (going through the first couple of fingers in the fingerprint scanner with guidance from the embassy guard holding each finger in place): Go #$@! yourself.
Ambassador: At least you do his arrogance well. Perhaps it's a species thing?

As each finger is passed through, each reading comes up registered to a certain file in the database. All 10 fingers are done in about a minute.

Embassy Guard: He passes the first part of the test.
Ambassador: Fingerprints can faked. (turning to Fernando) Say 'Mary had a little lamb....
Fernando: Go #$@! yourself, asshole.
Embassy Guard: Voice print confirmed, sir.
Ambassador: How is that possible when that is not the correct phrase!
Fernando: It is for me.
Ambassador: Do the Retinal Scan.
Fernando: I said Turn off the lights.
Ambassador: What for?
Fernando: One stray bit of light will throw off the test. Want me to fail?
Ambassador: I would love for you to fail.

Fernando stands there, crossing his arms. After a several seconds, the Ambassador signals the one of the Embassy Guards to turn off the lights in the area. The places goes into total darkness until several guards turn on the flashlight attachments on their M16s. Some of them point their flashlights towards Fernando.

Fernando: One stray bit of light hits this retina scanner and I'm taking out the idiot that did it! Aim those flashlights elsewhere!

The flashlight beams go elsewhere. Fernando places his head for the retina scanner to read his left eye. It registers as a match to the file in the database. The right eye is done, and it too registers a match to that file. As Fernando gets up and puts on his glasses, the lights are turned on. The laptop displays Fernando Dossier file on its screen with large red letters going across it diagonally, 'DECEASED.' The Ambassador looks at the file and then him.

Ambassador: You are doing pretty well for a dead man.
Fernando: I got better. But like you said, fingerprints can be faked. So can death. Just to prove to you who I am, personally, your last words to me were at my funeral, 'You poor #$@!.' Then you stuck a needle to my side. But I was pumped up with enough Curare to take out a horse to keep me still as if I was dead.
Ambassador: So it is you. Now the question is why.
Fernando: Why is simple enough. We had to let the enemy think that even though they lost everything, that at least they had revenge. But, Ambassador, sir. Tammy is now a target by those very same people who did me in and I will do what it is that I can to protect her. Including coming back from the grave.
Ambassador: I see. What is your assessment of the situation then?
Fernando: Padania has moved to Marijuana as a source of income and social ills, and have joined forces with a South American Drug lord for both it and illegal Russian made arms. If left unchecked, it will grow into a mafia war the likes has not been seen since the 1970s.
Ambassador: That bad? I see. Need military involvement?
Fernando: I think Italy should be able to deal with shipments that are already here on its own, but the US Navy should run detailed checks on every freighter that leaves Northern South and 'Southern Central America heading to Italy. Out of every 1000 shipping container, 1 or 2 will be loaded with weapons and drugs. First shipments will have Marijuana, which you know is a hook-drug. Later shipments will be cocaine and then crystal meth and Heroine. I would not want that shit shipped here or anyplace else.
Ambassador: You think it's a danger to the US?
Fernando What you think? With a glut of drugs here in Italy, they will be moved to larger markets, and the worlds largest illegal drug market is the United States. 'The market will be flooded, prices for the stuff will be so low, they will be giving the stuff away. You remember in the 1960s when Malcolm X wanted to protest police brutality in Harlem, the CIA flooded the streets with free drugs, and everyone was too strung up to even care about protesting. Now imagine that on a nationwide scale. Imagine your 8 year old daughter dropping her little flower print panties so she can get a hit of crack cocaine. If you don't think this is a clear and present danger to the US, then I don't belong here.

The Ambassador thinks for a while. He starts to walk to Tammy.

Ambassador: Give them back their weapons.
One of the Embassy Guards: Sir?
Ambassador: I said give them back their weapons. These people are operating on a level of undercover that their own life mean little to the mission. If they are willing to do that, they deserve their weapons. (Pointing to one of the guards) You, take two others with you. I have a large package for them in my office. Bring it here.

The guard takes 2 of his friends with him. The Ambassador walks over to Fernando as the guards return their weapons to the group.

Ambassador: How long you think you playing dead will last?
Fernando: I already been found out, the safe house has been attacked but I will deal with it as I see fit.
Ambassador: I want a 200 page report on this when you're done.
Fernando: Just 200?
Ambassador: 200, leather bound, gold embossed, written in blood on sheepskin paper.
Fernando: Good. I thought I would have to hire a Bible Drawing Monk to do the large decorated type .
Ambassador: Do that. The more the better. I want to put that report on a scale and judge it by its weight as one would do with gems and precious metals, then I'll get to read it and submit copies to your superiors in the states. Just one thing though.
Fernando: What?
Ambassador: When did you two get married?
Fernando: Go ask the church. They did us the favor.
Ambassador: Before or after your murder?
Fernando: Before.
Ambassador: Then your marriage should be annulled.
Fernando: Its not. If it were, then we would just sign the papers again.
Ambassador: I see. Well, you better not give that little squirrel a hard time. I knew her mother when she moved over here to marry Christiano Polanco. She dropped by everyday to make sure her papers were in order and she used to give gifts to the guards and staff here. I don't expect you to do the same, but in the same light I expect you to not given this squirrel girl any hardships.
Fernando: Yeah right.
Ambassador: I'm not happy with the arrangements she is under to be here.
Fernando: That was something she agreed too. I did not force her to do anything.
Ambassador: Just 'listen or else. I can make your life difficult if I have too. As it is, your agency friends in America wants you back for some reason.
Fernando: Tell them that they are going to have to wait.

The guards arrive with a fairly large wooden box. Fernando picks up a nearby crowbar and opens up the top panel. Inside was several trench coats with the label from Miguel Cabarello. As he removes them, he nods. Under them was several smaller boxes labeled 'USMC SOCOM 1911.45ACP'. He opens one and finds a 1911 handgun inside with its cleaning kit and a silencer inside. Under them was boxes of .45ACP Hollow Point Ammunition, 100 rounds count each. He also fine 2 rocket propelled grenade launchers with 6 boxes of dual packed rocket propelled grenades. IR Masks were also in the box, along with a cell phone signal jammer, some small boxes of C4 explosives with detonators, and a box of hand grenades. There were several other minor items that Fernando did not count on. Reaching into his pocket, he presses a button on his key ring, the hatchback of the Porsche opens up. Fernando bangs the box panel back in place.

Fernando: Marco. Help put this shit in the car.

Marco reaches over to one end of the box and 'helps lift it into the trunk. Fernando closes the hatchback and gives his order.

Fernando: Everyone, back in the car.
Ambassador: When you think this will be over?
Fernando: Maybe a week. Two the latest.
Ambassador: Godspeed then.
Fernando: God has nothing to do with this.
Ambassador: Heh...

Fernando gets into the Porsche. He revs the engine, waiting for the garage door to open. As it does, Fernando slowly backs out of his parking spot and towards the door. Once the garage door was high enough for the Porsche to go through, Fernando stomps on the accelerator and screeches his tires as the Porsche roars out the building. In the courtyard, he makes a J-turn and spins the Porsche about 180 degrees. He drives down to the Embassy gate and stops just an inch from the street barrier.

The gate is raised and Fernando screeches his wheels onto the pavement, making the Porsche pounce onto the street and disappears at a high rate of speed. Soon he was on the highway, driving home as if he just left from a hard day of work.

It takes about 30 minutes for Fernando to drive back to the safe house. Marco goes inside the house to get Hondo for help as Fernando opens the hatch back of the Porsche and lifts the heavy box out of the trunk and puts it on the floor. Hondo arrives with Marco behind him. Fernando tells them to put the box in the basement and make a quick inventory of the contents. They do as they were told. Fernando stands by the trunk on the Porsche, stretching his back because he felt a twinge when he lifted it out of the car. Tammy walks over to him.

Tammy: You OK?
Fernando: Not that I am or not, but I have to be.
Tammy: You should have waited for them to 'come get it out.
Fernando: I'll be fine after a while.
Tammy: But...
Fernando: Don't go against me Tammy. I say I'll be fine. Take it at that.

Tammy wants to say something but decides that silence would be better that this time. She follows him into the house and to the basement as he walks, stretching his back with the first few steps. Soon he appears to be normal, but appearances are deceiving.
- - - - - - - - - -
Note: Miguel Cabarello is a Brazilian Company dealing in bullet proof apparel, from t-shirts, shirts, jackets and coats, along with the normal military gear. It is what presidents, dignitaries and secret agents wear when protection must look like normal clothes.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Feb 9^th, 2011, 1:36pm

Hondo an' Marco opened the box that they had carried to the basement.

Marco: Should we wait for Fernando?

Hondo: Naw, He said for us to inventory it. He'll most likely not be down here.

Marco: He should be laid up after lifting this box out by himself.

Hondo: You let him lift that box out by himself?

Marco: He did it while I was getting you.

Hondo swore under his breath.

Hondo: That's all we need. Damn you, Marco. Ya know he doesn't wait! Ya should have stayed an' helped him. I heard the car pull in. I was on my way when ya came in!

Marco: Hey, this is not my problem yet.

Hondo: No, but ya seem to want it to be! Were ya hopin' he'd do it himself an' get hurt? Part of some master plan to get rid of us?

Marco: No, not at all.

Hondo: yeah right! You'd rather see us all dead. Why don't ya just shoot us down like dogs, eh? Ya afraid we'd all come back form the dead?!

Marco: You got it all wrong. You don't understand.

Hondo: I understand enough. Jean would like us all dead an' out of his way. Well, he might just get that soon enough, but until then we are here to stay.

Marco: I have nothing else to say on the matter.

Hondo (under his breath): bullshit ya trader.

Marco acted like he didn't hear, but he did. Hondo wasn't sure but for a brief moment Marco looked a bit sad, as if he regretted somethin' he had done or had to do. Hondo just turned his back to him an' got to work.

Hondo: Alright, what tools did Fernando get us this time . . . ah!

Hondo pulled out a rocket grenade launcher, then another. Hondo pulled everythin' out an' stacked each item in groups with other identical items. He then made a list of the items:

2 Rocket Grenade Launchers
12 rocket grenades
10 1911 .45acp's w/ silencers an' cleanin' kits
4 bottles of gun oil
2 cans of powder blast gun cleaner
1200 rounds .45 hollow points
6 IR masks
1 cell phone jammer
10 blocks C4
12 detonators
16 hand grenades
6 1911 hip holsters made to use with or without silencer attached
8 tactical flashlights with light filters
32 batteries (one set plus spare set for each flashlight)
10 SOG fightin' knives
6 Miguel Cabarello trench coats

Hondo wrote out what was there on a list an' commented as he finished.

Hondo: Miguel Cabarello? Never heard of him.

Marco: They are made in South America. If you need bullet proof clothes and need them to look like they are not bullet proofed Miguel Cabarello is the only way to go. Your own President wears them. Any dignitaries or secret service agent will wear them.

Hondo: You wear them?

Marco: Sometimes.

Hondo: Hmm. come on.

Marco: Huh?

Hondo: I need to give Fernando the list of what is here, an' I'm not leavin' ya here with this stuff.

Marco gave a frustrated sigh: Oh, alright.

Marco turned to followed Hondo upstairs. Marco noticed that Hondo kept an eye on him most of the time. Hondo knew Marco knew he was watchin' him, but he didn't give a damn.

Before Hondo could even get to the stairs Fernando was comin' down them with Tammy right behind him. Fernando seemed alright but seemed to walk a bit more stiffly.

Hondo: You alright, Jefe?

Tammy: He hurt his back.

Fernando gave her a bit of a glare, at least as much of one that is possible with dark glasses on.

Fernando: I'm fine.

Hondo: yeah, I've said that before.

Fernando: And you made it through, like right now with your old man walk.

Hondo: Don't worry 'bout me I . . , never mind. Here's the inventory list.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Feb 11^th, 2011, 11:44pm

(at the same time Hondo is in the basement with Marco.)

Together they walk in, passing by the stairs. Fernando stops just short of entering the dining room/living room area, Tammy stops right behind him.

Fernando: Wait for me upstairs stairs.
Tammy: But...
Fernando: Just go. I need to check on Jeanie about something .
Tammy (going up the stairs, sounding defeated): OK...

Fernando watches her go half way up the stairs before going to the dining area. He stops by his seat in the dining room and watches Jeanie and her driver/chef Fung work in the kitchen. She take s a large pot and puts it in the oven. He continues to prepare assorted vegetables, putting them into a pot on the stove. Jeanie looks over the counter area, checking if she has everything done. Then she sees Fernando by the dining table.

Jeanie: Fernando?
Fernando: How's dinner going?
Jeanie: It should be done in a couple of hours.
Fernando (he walks around the dining area and stops at the kitchen entrance): What you doing right now?
Jeanie (walking up to him): Just waiting on the food. Need me for something?
Fernando (taking her by the wrist): Yeah, for 5 minutes at least.

He takes her to the rear of the first floor where the guest rooms were. He takes her inside one of them, closing and locking the door behind them.

Jeanie: Before we do anything, can I say that your wifie is still upstairs?
Fernando: That's why we got 5 minutes, maybe less.
Jeanie (kneeling in front of him and starts to undo his pants): A Quickie? Sure, anything for you hon!
Fernando (Taking her hands and stopping her from going further): Jeanie! No. Its my back. I think I threw it out lifting something heavy.
Jeanie: Eww, that's not good. That takes several days of rest to take care off.
Fernando: I don't have several days! We have a mission in tonight and a larger mission 3 day from now.
Jeanie (feeling his back): I'll see what I can do. But your wifie should do this for you while you sleep. I know she wont let me do it to you in your bed.
Fernando: She lived a very sheltered life. I doubt she would know how to do this.
Jeanie (feeling a large knot on the right side of his lower back): Eww... that is big. I don't think you be doing missions for at least a week.
Fernando: I have no choice.
Jeanie (reaching into her pocket and giving him her cellphone): How about you being honest with your wifie? Call her and tell her to come here.
Fernando: Her cellphone is in New York City.
Jeanie: Then we go up to your room.
Fernando: She is not going to be happy with you there.
Jeanie: So? Its not the first time I faced the scorn of another woman because of her man. Or should I remind you about your first wifie?

Jeanie fixes his belt and pants that she had undone earlier before. Then she unlocks the door behind them.

Jeanie: Look, we do this and teach your wifie how to do this, and we can take our time to get you better, that a lot more than what a 5 minute quickie can do.
Fernando: She is not going to be happy about it.
Jeanie: And I don't want you to fail on the mission because your back cramped up. Now, lets do this.

Taking his wrist, Jeanie opens the door and lead him out the room. They continue through out the house to the stairs. Once at his room door, Jeanie opens the door and steps inside first.

Jeanie: Tammy?
Tammy (angrily): Shouldn't you knock first?
Jeanie: Normally, yes. But I need your help.
Tammy: Help? Something wrong with Fernando?
Jeanie: He hurt his back lifting something heavy, I don't know what.
Tammy (seeing Fernando in the hall): I asked you if you were alright!
Fernando: I did not want you to worry, OK?!!
Jeanie: Lets not worry about this now. (pointing to Fernando) You- take off everything down to your briefs and go to bed on your stomach. (pointing to Tammy) You- shut up, sit down, listen and look at what I do. And No Complaints From Either Of You!

Fernando walks into the room and takes off his outer layers and places them on the table. Shoes were put by the table's leg. He slowly walks around the bed and crawls on it before laying down on his stomach, a position he does not like to do. Jeanie points to the head of the bed to sit down at. Once Tammy was on the bed, Jeanie got up on it and straddle him below his tail, her knees against the bed holding his tail down and crossing her ankles behind his knees. She opens up the buttons on her Quipao to 1/2 way down her waist. Tammy was about to protest, but Jeanie puts a fist to her face.

Jeanie (pointing out the knuckles and joints on her fist): Now look here. You are only going to use the flat striking area of your fist, rolling it back and forth between your knuckles and first joint while applying pressure to the area. Like this.

Jeanie puts both her fists on Fernando's back and pushes but not too hard against him, rolling her fists as she described to Tammy. She counts of to ten, before shifting her fists slightly lower on his back and continues. She does this for a while, shifting down and up, and left and right to cover a large area on him. Though most of the time he was relaxed, when she went on the direct spot where he was hurting, he held back from wincing in pain. Jeanie continues for another 5 more minutes until a loud but muffled pop came out of his back. Fernando stiffen up for a second and relaxes, Jeanie sits up, getting her hands off him.

Jeanie: Did I hurt you?
Fernando: No. You just took care of it.
Jeanie: Its not going to last long. You know that.
Fernando: I'll take it for what its worth.
Jeanie: Alright. You'll do better with more. How about having wifie do it in my place?
Tammy (under her breathe): My name is Tammy...
Fernando: She would need to learn and I'm not a practice dummy.

Jeanie smacks him on the rear end as hard as she could.

Fernando: OW! Why you did that for!
Jeanie: You should be respecting your wifie. Let her do it and I'll correct her as needed because this is something you two should be doing in the first place.

Jeanie gets off him before he could answer, telling Tammy to get on him like she did before.

Fernando: You better teach her correctly, I don't want to be hurt more than I already am!
Tammy: You would not be hurt if you had not decided to lift that heavy box all by yourself.
Jeanie: Tammy- men are stupid that way. Just accept it that he is going to do stupid things, get hurt and try to hide it.
Fernando: I'm Not Stupid!
Both Tammy and Jeanie smack him on his rear end.

Fernando: OW, OWW!!! This is husband abuse!
Jeanie: Yeah, yeah... Tammy put your fists on him like I told you.

Tammy does as she was told, but putting her weight on her arms when she shouldn't. Fernando was about to complain but Jeanie notices it.

Jeanie: Keep your weight off him. You are to just push against him as you roll your fists on him. Do it.

Tammy adjust herself and starts to massage his back as Jeanie taught her. Not as good as Jeanie, Tammy kept on massaging his back with several corrections by Jeanie. Eventually, she improves. Still not as perfect as Jeanie was, but that was probably because Jeanie has smaller hands. But it was enough for Fernando to relax into a light sleep after some 10 minutes had past. Jeanie slaps his rear end to wake him up.

Fernando: OW! Why Must You Do That!
Jeanie: You cant sleep while she's doing that. Tammy. Get up and lets see how he is.

Tammy sits up. Jeanie puts her hand on where she felt the knot of tight muscles in his back, finding it softer and pliable but not like the rest of him.

Jeanie: It will have to do. How you feel.
Fernando: Better.
Jeanie: Good. You'll probably need another one before you leave on your mission but I'm not the one giving it to you. She is.
Tammy: Yeah.
Jeanie: Alright you, get up and put your clothes. I can bet the other men will want to see you.

After a couple of long seconds, Tammy was still sitting on him.

Jeanie: How is Fernando going to get up if you're still sitting on him?
Tammy: It would be fun to find out.
Jeanie: Tammy, seriously. Get off him so he can get dressed.
Fernando: Yeah, my tail's getting numb!

Jeanie slaps his rear end one more.

Fernando: OW! STOP Doing That!
Jeanie: If your tail is getting numb, you should not have felt that. Now, Tammy, get off his rear end before I have to smack your tail too!

Tammy slowly gets off his rear end, inching to sit on the edge of the bed. Fernando slides over to the opposite side of the bed, slowly gets up as if to not strain or stress himself again, and starts putting on his clothes.

Jeanie: You two should to talk, I got a meatloaf in the oven that needs attention.

Jeanie walks out the door, closing it behind her as she leaves.

Tammy looks as Fernando as he finishes getting dressed. When done, he gets up and looks at her. She turns her back at him and crosses her arms.

Fernando: I'm sorry.
Tammy: You should be.
Fernando: I did not want you to worry.
Tammy: I supposed to, I'm your wife.
Fernando: I also don't want you telling what I did or how it was wrong. Look, its not easy working on saving someone's life, I might even get hurt or killed in the process but I would still do it for you. All I ask is that it is as easy as possible. If I am going to be met up with resistance and complaints, why should I do what has to be done? I would rather not do it and go away.
Tammy: You would?
Fernando: There are thousands of people left high and dry because they thought what I was giving for free was not good enough for them. Now they are paying a price they though they never though they had too, and the messed up thing about it is some of them enjoy paying that price.
Tammy: But, what about me?
Fernando: What about you? I don't want a nagging wife on my tail all the time. I don't want a wife that constantly says, 'I told you so.' I don't want a wife that thinks she could do better than I. I don't want any of that. What I do want is a kind, caring and loving woman who can share what she has with me and I share with her what I have. That is all I want. What I get depends her, who just happens to be you.
Tammy: What about you going to Jeanie for services?
Fernando: It was just that ' services. I know what she can do, and if I need her to do something, like that back massage, I can trust her in giving it and doing a proper job. Never would I used her or anyone else for sexual favors or services, that is what I have you for.
Tammy: I'm not a floozy or an easy lay. Nor I am not and never was a slut, hoe or what have you.
Fernando: No, nor would I expect you to be. I want you to be my loving wife as what those terms are to you. But Tammy...
Tammy: What?
Fernando: If the job calls that you are to have sex with somebody else in a mission, or in the stress of the mission like we almost did in the last one, or I would dare say that you fall out of love for me, I would understand. Things happen. We can make excuses as to why it happened, but it is harder to forgive one when it does.
Tammy: So if I went out to have sex with Chip, because... for what ever reason, you would forgive me?
Fernando: I would. I would also kill Chip afterwards, but I would forgive you.
Tammy: Wait a minute! Killing Chip was not part of the agreement!
Fernando: Chip is married to Gadget, and she asked me to do her the favor if Chip were to ever cheat on her to kill him because she would be able to deal with a cheating husband.
Tammy: When did you two ever agree to that?
Fernando: Technically a long time ago. In actuality, just a couple years ago when she got lost in Time and the Rangers did not know where she was or how to get her back when they found her. I found her in a Pteranodon's nest some 70million years ago, rescued her before she ended up as Pteranodon puppy chow and she delayed me from taking her back for a long talk. That was when I made that promise to her. Look. Some rescues are easy, others are not.
Tammy: OK. What if I cheated on you with Dale.
Fernando: I'll forgive you and then kill him.
Tammy: But why?
Fernando: Call it a Man thing or something like that. You are my wife, and it should be we who share our love- emotionally and physically. But it does not always happen that way. You have Chip and Dale and others I may not trust to be with you but I have to trust you to be with them. Just like I have Jeanie, Tinkerbell and others and you may not trust them to be with me but you have to trust me to be with them. Seriously, I may share time and emotions with them but we wont share bodies. I think the worst kind of rescue is the Emotional Rescue.
Tammy: Emotional Rescue?
Fernando: Emotional Rescue is when one gets so tired from being abused for so long that they no longer think that they are being abused, that they deserve what they get, that they given up hope for other options even when it is placed in front of them. Tink was like that. Separating her from Mr. Pan was something awful, because he was addicted to her fairy dust. Look. I don't know what to say anymore. I'm just sorry but I would never cheat on you unless I was put into a situation where I would have to in order to get out of it. Look... I have to go check on Hondo.

Tammy does not say a thing as he tries to walk by. She grabs his arm when he got beside her, and pulls him to her, holding him. She looks up at him, thinking, about to say something but doesn't or cant until she finally does.

Tammy: I'll forgive you for what transgressions you may have but don't let me find out through somebody else. I want you to be honest with me if that happened. So, even though we were not married then, what happened between you and Gadget.
Fernando: Nothing.
Tammy: Fernando...
Fernando: Look, while you were gone with the SWA that week, Gadget tried to seduce me on more than one occasion. When the house was empty and it was just me and her, she would strut around with her purple robe open showing off her purple underwear. How many sets of purple underwear can a girl have? I swear!
Tammy: As many as a girl can have because she likes them. I have 14 white bikini panties and matching bras because I like them.
Fernando: And they look good on you.
Tammy (trying to hold back from blushing): So... what happened? You touched her? You took her panties down and did her?
Fernando: No. Look, I did kissed her, a long romantic one when she pushed me to that point but that was it. I swear.
Tammy: Was she in our bed?
Fernando: She was but not when that kiss happened. We were in the living room when that happened.
Tammy: I know, Rose told me all about it.
Fernando: Her and Hondo only saw the tail end of what happened. In truth, I told her like I may have told you, that if you tempt a dog with a steak long enough, one day that dog is going to chomp down on the steak and on your hand too. She tempted me, so I initiated the kiss they caught us in. But before that, she kept kissing me and tempting me every opportunity she could find. She even snuck into my bed while I slept. But...
Tammy: But what?
Fernando: I don't know. Even though she has been trying to seduce me, I took her out on a date to figure out what is going on in her little head. But Section 1 had other plans and... well, she thinks I saved her life when I put her in the Porsche when the bullets start flying. Then she started acting funny. You know?
Tammy: I don't know what to say. But you did saved her life, I can see why she would be acting funny around you. (she sighs) Thank you for letting me know.
Fernando: I'm sorry.
Tammy: I forgive you. But I'm killing that man-stealing Gadget!
Fernando: Wait- Gadget is my problem!
Tammy: I don't kill Gadget, you don't kill Chip or Dale. In fact, you don't kill any of my past, present or futures lovers; I don't kill any of yours. Lets be honest with each other. OK?
Fernando: OK.
Tammy: Good. We better get going. Your boys need to do some things before we do tonight's mission.
Fernando: You and Hondo's friend should be studying those maps and getting to know the area better than we do. I already have them memorized. Take Jeanie too. I don't trust her yet, but maybe you can.
Tammy (letting him go and reaching for the door knob): I'll see what I can do.

Tammy opens the door and together they walk out. Going down the stairs, they meet up with Hondo and Marco.

Hondo: You alright, Jefe?
Tammy: He hurt his back.

Fernando gave her a bit of a glare, at least as much of one that is possible with dark glasses on.

Fernando: I'm fine.
Hondo: yeah, I've said that before.
Fernando: And you made it through, like right now with your old man walk.
Hondo: Don't worry 'bout me I . . , never mind. Here's the inventory list.

Fernando takes the list and pockets it.

Fernando: Have you checked that they seemed to be operational?
Hondo: Uhm... you said to go take inventory.
Fernando: That I did. But inventory is just not listing items on a piece of paper, especially when there is a mission hours from now. Is any of the stuff working? Anything broken?
Hondo: Well, they look good, and the small parts seem to match up with other things, like the batteries.
Fernando: Tammy. You know what I asked you to do. All the paper work is on my desk. Hondo, come with me.

Hondo sighs under his breathe as he and Marco follow Fernando to the basement. Soon they were on the basement, Fernando looks at the groups of items on the table.

Fernando (taking a 1911 box and opens it): Nice. Now does any of these things work?

No one answers.

Fernando quickly assembles the 1911 and puts the silencer on. The magazine gets filled with 7 rounds and he takes it upstairs. Hondo and Marco follows him. Fernando continues to walk to the back yard until he walks to the bush line around the property. Checking the bushes to makes sure thing of value or living was around it, he steps back and lets off 7 rounds into the soil in rapid secession. The gun only makes its mechanical sound as it goes off, the shot being silenced by the silencer. He then hands it off to Hondo.

Fernando: It needs to be oiled. I bet the others do too. I'll check on the radios and electronic stuff, you and Marco can do the fire arms.
Marco: Wait a minute!
Fernando (as he goes back into the house): You can either watch or help out. I would appreciate an extra pair of hands and we can check each other's work.

They follow him to the basement and begin work.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Feb 12^th, 2011, 11:00pm

Hondo kicked himself mentally for not checkin' the mechanics out in the mechanics of the equipment when he unpacked them. Marco decided to put the silencers on an' load each of the 1911 while Hondo checked out the mechanics of the RPG launchers. He cycled the RPG's but did not fire any off as there was too few as was, they make a lot of noise an' a big mess. Once Marco loaded all the 1911's Hondo took them outside an' fired them off while Marco loaded batteries in the flashlights an' checked them.

Fernando worked on the radios an' added the correct components to the c-4. There was little talkin' amongst themselves as neither Fernando nor Hondo trusted Marco an' Marco seemed to have a guilty conscience an' wasn't in the mood to talk, 'specially with Fernando 'round.

Hondo returned back inside shortly with all the 1911's of which he promptly broke them all down into their individual components to clean an' oil.

Hondo: All these need cleaned an' oiled badly. Whoever had these gun should have been shot with them! No one should treat their gun like this.

Fernando: Most likely new recruits. I figured that was probably why they were turned in as being defective.

Marco: At least we train our recruits how to take care of their weapons.

Hondo (muttered): To throw them at the enemy then surrender or to drop them at the first hint of danger then surrender.

Fernando: No comment.

Marco: Are you insinuating . . .

Hondo: I'm not insinuatin' anythin'.

Marco started to say more but the pissed off look an Hondo's face an' the look on Fernando's face that said 'speak an' die' made him stop an' just grumble to himself. Fernando gave Hondo a similar look that more spoke of time an' place. Hondo mumbled somethin' under his breath an' went back to work.

Hondo went back to reassemblin' the 1911's. Marco helped reluctantly after a couple Minutes. Fernando set aside the C-4 equipment an' attended to the IR masks, cell phone jammer, an' a few other odds an' ends.

It takes them a good 45 minutes to check everything out. Hondo is the first to speak again.

Hondo: Jefe, We're done. Everythin' checks out now as what didn't is fixed.

Marco: Well, I'm done here. I'm going to see what Hillshire is up to.

Marco leaves the basement without another word as if he couldn't wait to get out of there. Hondo stayed behind an' didn't speak until Marco was gone.

Hondo: Sorry, Jefe. I didn't mean to start anythin' with him.

Fernando set down was he was workin' on at the time an' looked at Hondo.

Fernando: You know I don't like them being here any better than you do, but for now we have to deal with them. This has to be done in 3 days or they take over, and you know what that means.

Hondo: Yeah, Annie, EL Grande, an' Laurie get away, or at least some of them do an' they will hunt us down when we least expect it.

Fernando: or worse. You know I have to do this for Tammy. With or without help. I trust you and know you will try to do what you can, but I don't ask for your help usually. Now I'm asking you to just lay off Marco for all of our sakes.

Hondo: Alright, Jefe. For you, Tammy, an' Val I'll lay off, but I still don't trust him . Somethin's up.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Feb 13^th, 2011, 1:45pm

(The Girls' Meeting)

Tammy goes upstairs and gathers the mission dossier from Fernando's desk. She then walks out the room, closing the door behind her, and heads to Hondo's room. She knocks on the door softly, like she is used too. Valentine barely heard it as she held on to one of Hondo dirty t-shirt, giving it a sniff for his scent. She decides to check on the door and hope it was a false alarm. Still holding onto the t-shirt, she opens the door and finds Tammy on the other side.

Valentine (holding back on her nervousness): Uhm, Tammy is it? Something wrong?
Tammy (looking at her and the t-shirt she held): Is that Hondo's T-shirt?
Valentine (quickly folding it up and putting it behind her back): I... I was.. uhm.. just sorting the laundry. Uhm... Come inside.

Tammy walks into the room, following Valentine. Valentine drops the t-shirt into the pile it was in. She then turns to Tammy who was just a few feet from the door.

Valentine: So... what does brings you here?
Tammy: I need you down stairs immediately.
Valentine: Uhm, OK. Something going on?
Tammy (showing the folder of papers and things): We need to go over this information.
Valentine: Alright, I'll be down.

Tammy leaves the room and walks to the steps, going down to the dining area. She sets up an area to work on at the table, seeing Jeanie in the kitchen. Though she was cooking, she was waiting on things being cooked and paying attention on them.

Tammy: Jeanie. I know you are not on this mission, but I would like you to be a contingency plan. Want to join?
Jeanie: Contingency plan? You beginning to trust me?
Tammy: The jury is still out on that, but since my husband seems to like you more than I am comfortable with, I could use you and your team if there is an emergency.

Jeanie walks over around kitchen and service island to the dining area. At the same time, Valentine joins in from up stairs. They take chairs opposite to her. Tammy sorts out the papers of maps, building diagrams and pictures of those involved.

Tammy: This is the warehouse, third building in from the corner of the block. It trails down to a dead end street, the front side is facing the dock, the back side, the streets. We'll be walking there from where we parked 3 blocks away. Fernando says that the landlines will be taken out. We'll be approaching the buildings from the block behind and climb to the roofs, he says. Any guards we see , we silently take out. Head shots only.
Valentine: Head shots only. Got that.
Tammy (glancing at her): Only the guards that we find along the way. Everyone else is to be left alone so we observe them and gather any information they may have. In other words, according to Fernando, if you see El Jefe Grande, Laurie, Annie, any mob or terrorist leader, they and their entourage are to be left alone.
Jeanie: Alone? Why?
Tammy: First off, they might not be there when we get there. Secondly, if they are there, we are not to engage but to observe and take notes. We are to only engage any guards we run into and they are to be taken out as quietly as possible. We don't want a fire fight, we wont be prepared for it.
Valentine: But if we find them, a round or two to the head will end our problems.
Tammy: So you would think.
Valentine: So I would know. You don't come back from the dead.
Tammy: Annie was shot dead and somebody brought her back to life, using cybernetic technology that is only privy to this nation. Now she is unstoppable. Shoot her in the head and the bullets bounce off her metal skull.
Valentine: You're joking.
Jeanie: She is not. See the little girls here? They too have that same technology, brought back from the dead, made into government killing machines. Annie became one from stolen technology. So if you think you can take her on, by all means, go ahead. She is 5 times faster and 10 times stronger than you will ever be. The only person who could has a chance against her is Fernando.
Valentine: Why? Because he is one of them?
Jeanie: Maybe he is. Maybe he is not. Its not my place to say.
Valentine: And you? You're his wife. Is he one of those things?
Tammy: What my husband is, is none of your business. He is still a loving and caring man.
Jeanie: He sure is.
Valentine: What? You sound like you're his lover or something?
Jeanie: Is, was, it does not matter. What does is what he says, goes. Tammy, if its fine by you, I'll have my crew parked 5 blocks away in a bee's line to the mission warehouse, so if there is an emergency pull out, I can be there in under a minute.
Tammy: Good. Take the med kit with you from under our bed.
Jeanie: I will.
Valentine: You ladies make him sound like he's superman. Any chance he can fly?

Tammy and Jeanie look at each other.

Both: Yes.
Valentine: Now I know you're lying.
Tammy: He's a flying squirrel. From that he can fly. But that's besides the point. He's leading this mission, to gather information only. When we get the information, any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may be, then we can feed it to the computers and extrapolate data for the final mission: Hondo and you take out El Grande Jefe and Fernando and I take out Annie. Any shooting we do to them tonight will be from cameras. Any questions?
Jeanie: None.
Tammy: Valentine?
Valentine: I disagree on observing. I say we taken them on and kill them before they kill us.
Tammy: Talk to Hondo and you will find out why.

Valentine does not say a word for then moment.

Tammy: What will dinner be ready?
Jeanie: Around 6 or so.
Tammy: Good. You two can go do what you need to do, then we eat and prepare for the mission.
Jeanie: Sounds good.
Valentine: If I need to find you, where will you be?
Tammy (putting the papers away): Hopefully in the arms of my husband in our room.
Valentine: Alright.

Valentine sighs, then puts her face into her hands. Jeanie gestures to Tammy, pointing at Valentine.

Tammy: Valentine, what's going on?
Valentine: How do you get a guy to like you?
Jeanie: Show'em the goods.
Tammy: Jeanie!

Jeanie just smiles at her.

Tammy: What do you mean by getting a guy to like you?
Valentine: You know, saying thanks for saving your life?
Jeanie: Oh, drop your panties for that.
Tammy: Jeanie!
Jeanie: What? It almost worked for Fernando.
Tammy: Look. Don't say a thing. OK?

Jeanie sticks her tongue out at her before heading back to the kitchen.

Jeanie: I got a meat loaf to watch.
Tammy: Good. Now Valentine. I can not say what it is you are looking for or if Hondo is the right guy. But I can tell you that there is a danger for emotions being pushed and twisted from the pressures of a mission like this. You might just like a guy but the pressures and the situations of the job might make you want to drop your panties for him, and end up in a sexual relationship with no feelings or emotional substance to it. Sex without Love, some may like it but its not fulfilling. Also, from what I know of Hondo, during missions he can be a bit cold and uncaring. Its not that he does not care but he's too focused on doing the job and taking it to completion. After the mission, the whole mission, not just this one tonight. If you try to do something to push what you have of him, you could scare him way.

Valentine looks up at Tammy.

Valentine: How can he be scared, when I saw him stand up to several men shooting at him to rescue me?
Tammy: Some guys don't like to be pushed into a relationship, especially when they have their minds on other important matters. It makes them feel like they are being cornered and no man likes to be cornered.
Jeanie: You can say that again.
Tammy: What do you mean by that?
Jeanie: When Fernando saved my life the first time, I did everything in my power to try to win his heart, but all he did was wrong. Even if I would have sat on his desk, lifted up my skirt and dropped my panties for him, he would have ran as if somebody set his tail on fire. Anyways. You could test it on Hondo if you like. Whatever it is you're wearing, make it easy to take off and then take it all off, including your panties and tell him how much you want to have his puppies. If he runs or says no, then there maybe a chance in a having a relationship with him now or in the near future.
Valentine: What if he makes some excuse about being tempted and how the important the mission is?
Jeanie: Then he is not interested.
Tammy: Not true! Valentine- has he thrown you out the room?
Valentine: No.
Jeanie: If he don't run, he might throw her out, and that is more than of a 'No' than any sign he could give.
Tammy: I should not say anything but Hondo is recovering from a relationship gone bad. It was one of those Mission Crushes and for a while things looked great for them but all the of sudden near the end of the mission, she turned on him and went for her captain. I would not rather speculate on anything about that but he was badly burned by her.
Valentine: What about his wife?
Tammy: Wife? I never knew he was married.
Valentine: He told me that Laurie was his wife but years ago there was a gunfight with El Jefe Grande and he thought she was killed. Now she is back and she is on the other side.
Jeanie (beating Tammy to it): He still has feelings for her?
Valentine: I don't know. There is something or he would not have mentioned it.
Tammy: I don't think Hondo is ready for anything, not until after this mission.
Jeanie: You could throw him a little nookie.
Tammy: Jeanie!
Jeanie: I'm serious. Whether he wants it or not, he is so wound up tight and pressure building up inside, he's going to explode on the inside and start making mistakes in judgment. You don't want that in a mission. The pressure has to be released somehow.
Tammy: Hondo is more than capable of handling the pressures of a mission and make the right judgment calls on it.
Valentine (turning to Jeanie): You think so?
Jeanie: I know so.
Valentine: So what should I do?
Jeanie: I'm not you, but what ever you willing to give him, give it to him and don't take 'No' for an answer.
Tammy: Don't!
Valentine: Why not?
Tammy: You do that, he is going to be so twisted around from what you would do to him, he will make bad judgment calls from that alone! If anything, let him know how you feel, and what you want and see where it goes from there.
Jeanie: Then drop your panties.
Tammy: Jean...ie...
Jeanie: I'm just saying it like it is. Why should we ladies wait for our men to give us some loving when we are more than capable of giving it as well. They will give back what we give them. Believe me, he is not going to lay there if he has something of a heart beat beating inside him.
Tammy: I swear Jeanie, that is just going to cause problems.
Jeanie: Maybe there is something wrong with Hondo? You know the only ones who wear that cowboy get up in New York are gays and homosexuals looking for an easy lay for the night? And that dark handkerchief sticking out of his left pocket is a flag as to how he likes it depending on what color it is!
Tammy: Maybe its because New York City, there are no farms, cows or those thing that cowboys do. I can assure you that Hondo is not gay.
Jeanie: Slept with him?
Tammy: Grrrr... Jeanie! Stop making insinuations! Where he came from he lived the cowboy life! Then he ended up in the cafŽ and helped with the last two missions! He went out with some girl in the last mission and was engaged to marry her but she ended that relationship in a hurtful way! He is what he is and not some gay guy pretending to be a cowboy in Uncle Charlie's Bar! Understand that! OK?!!
Valentine: Then what do I do?
Jeanie: Throw him some nookie and see what happens.
Tammy: No! Do nothing! Just talk to him! Nothing more!

If Valentine was not confused as to what to do before, she is now. She looks at them individually, running the ideas through her head before making a decision.

Valentine (slowly getting up): I'll be in my room, I'm getting a headache.

Tammy and Jeanie watch her leave and go up the stairs. It does not take too long for her to get into the room she shares with Hondo, where she takes her clothes of and puts on a robe before lying on the bed and holds onto to the pillow that he slept on, taking on his scent from it.

Back downstairs, Tammy has a staring contest with Jeanie.

Tammy: If Hondo and Valentine end up arguing and it interferes with the mission, I'm cutting your tail off, Missy!
Jeanie: If they are meant to be then they should be more intimate. What's going on now is a lot of suffering between the two! You know, you people in this spy game would #$@! on a drop of a hat from orders from above. But when it comes to interpersonal relationships, you people fail. So what gives?
Tammy: I don't have sex because my supervisor orders me to seduce some target. I find it disgusting and I wont do it!
Jeanie: You know Fernando has for god and country.
Tammy: So? He's a man and its his job to do so when called upon. I can deal with that because he is honest with me about things like that!
Jeanie: So its OK for a man to do it and not a woman?
Tammy: For me it is because it I wont do it. I am not getting some disease or worse- pregnant for the sake of a job! My body is for that one person I love. And if Fernando had to bed some floozy hoe to get information out of her, I can trust him that he would use protection when with her and then get himself checked out to make sure he aint giving me anything from the mission.
Jeanie: Who know how many women he has been with over the years?
Tammy: That's his business, not mine. (looking at her watch) We still got plenty of time before dinner time. I'll see you then.

Tammy gets up of the chair and puts it under the table. She then picks up the folder with the papers inside it and heads upstairs. Not happy with the results and the characters both Jeanie and Valentine later, she thinks to herself to leave it a lone and have a talk with Hondo later about it. Jeanie on the other hand Right now she wants to takes of what she had on and lay on the bed to wait for her husband to return. She does not understand how Ferro can handle such stress but can see why she is named 'The Iron Lady.' But at least she understands why Fernando sleeps so much of the time, leading and making decisions for the group can be very tiring.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Feb 13^th, 2011, 6:17pm

(continue Fernando/Hondo discussion)

Fernando: I wouldn't say too much here and now, as the may have this place bugged now for all we know, but what is it that's bothering you about Marco.

Hondo: Ehh, I don't know, Jefe. Just a gut feelin'.

Fernando: They think you overheard them talking.

Hondo: I did. I didn't get a clear picture of what they were sayin' but whatever it was it didn't sound good for us. I got the distinct impression that they would like us all dead an' buried. An' there's Marco, heh. Ya know we kept in touch after the first mission in a friendly way. He'd call to see how things were goin', no personal questions or questions that made me think he was tryin' to keep tabs on us, but that all changed after you were shot. He's been gettin' more surrly an' stand offish. It's like he has a guilty conscience 'bout somethin' he has done or has yet to do. I can't say I have ever fully trusted the fella, but I thought he was one of the better eggs in that SWA basket. Now, I'm not sure.

Fernando: We can talk more about this later as I need to think on some of this as I'm not sure what to tell you on some of this, but let me tell you this, you know Annie is now a cyborg, right?

Hondo: Yeah, from the SWA's own technology, or so I have been lead to believe.

Fernando: That is correct. She is going to be hard to kill. The SWA would take more losses than they could afford if they went against her head to head. They might hope we get killed off, but only after we defeat Annie. Tammy and I will be taking care of her. Not that you couldn't. Even though I'm faster than you are, you are one f the few that I believe could do the job as well, But you have El Grande and Laurie to take care of. Annie is our problem. No offense, and I do appreciate your help, but she is our, my and Tammy', problem.

Hondo: No offense taken. But remember she had me slated for death as well. El Grande an' Laurie would never have gone after me as I had no clue Laurie existed an' I hadn't heard a word 'bout El Grande in ages. Annie put them on me. I figure she thought if I proved to be a hard target it wouldn't harm her too much, but ifin I was easy it'd not be a waste of her time. Tammy was a personal vendetta 'cause of you. I was just in the way.

Fernando: I understand and your right. Annie is just as much your problem as mine. I kind of don't always think about that as I love and worry about Tammy, despite what others say, and I just take it for granted that you can handle yourself.

Hondo: No worries, Jefe. An' ya won't hear me sayin' ya don't love her. I know all too well that ya do. You an' I are too much alike in that way. We focus hard on a mission an' try to place personal feelin's an desires to the side. I tried to go against my nature with Rose an' ya know how that ended.

Fernando: yeah. I know all too well. For now I'm asking you to let us handle Annie.

Hondo: No problem. I know ya two can handle her. Maybe this will help Tammy get over her fears an' freezin' up in battle. She gets over that, no tellin' what you two can do when ya stand side by side.

Fernando: True. And I figure that you would care to handle your old enemies on your own as well.

Hondo's face went blank of emotion which did not go unnoticed by Fernando. It actually worried him some, not that he didn't think Hondo could handle it, but he felt his fried was goin' through somethin' that he didn't want to talk about, but was hurtin' him none the less.

Hondo: Yeah. Old enemies die the hardest they say. I'd rather handle them myself. Thanks.

Hondo tried to conceal any emotions. He emotions were confused an' his mind conflicted with his heart. He liked Val very much, yet was afraid to fall in love with her for both of their sakes. HE also felt the pain of goin' against the body that once held a woman that he had loved an' married, even more so now as the time drew near of which he would face her alone. He knew he could kill her but he didn't know how he would feel after it was all over. What he did know is that he could not allow these feelin's to get in the way of the mission, so as fast as his emotions attacked him, he resealed them deep inside himself allowin' his mind an' cold hard facts to take over.

Fernando: Well, by any rate, The SWA will want us alive until it is all over. That is not to say they won't blow up the area around us, after we kill our target off, to hide what happened but until we take them, or at least Annie, out they will try to keep us alive.

Hondo: That's comfortin'.

Fernando: Well it will have to do for now. We will handle the SWA after our mission is done if we have to. We took them down once, don't think we can't again.

Hondo: True. We're a better team now as well.

Fernando: Yes we are. well, I'm done down here. I'm going up to my room for a bit. I'm sure supper will be son, but if you have everything you need to heave ready ready, then I'd rest up for a bit. We have a long night ahead of us.

Hondo: Alright.

Fernando went up the stairs first an' Hondo followed. Once upstairs Fernando asked Jeanie, who was in the kitchen about supper and where Tammy was. She informed him that supper would be ready around 6:00 maybe a bit later, but not much an' told him Tammy had gone upstairs a little bit ago. Fernando went up stairs without sayin' anything else.

Hondo stood at the top of the stairs an' looked 'round for a bit. He didn't see Marco or Hillshire 'round.

Hondo: Jeanie, You seen the SWA guys recently?

Jeanie: They went to their rooms right after Marco came up to get ready and to rest before supper.

Hondo: An' Val?

Jeanie grinned to herself: She went up to your room. She's probably waiting for you.

Hondo: Alright. thanks.

Hondo thought 'bout goin' upstairs but his mind told him not to at the moment. "She'll just hafta wait," he told himself as he went into the livin'room. Hondo sat down on the recliner an' draped one leg over the side of the arm rest. He didn't turn on the TV, but just sat there. His eyes appeared to be fixed on the blank screen, but his mind was hard at work thinkin' over what was to come, an' preparin' himself for what could happen. He had nerves of steel as was, but others lives could depend on his actions an' he would not allow his actions to be found wantin' for lack of plannin'.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Feb 17^th, 2011, 12:08am

When a couple if together long enough, the individuals that make up the 'couple will start to copy each other. With Fernando and Tammy, it was Tammy who is copying Fernando's lying in bed with as little as possible on. He has always felt uncomfortable in pajamas and assorted sleep wear, even as a child, but in his underwear he was just fine. Tammy on the other hand was raised on wearing sleep wear to bed but has started picking up this habit from him.

Thus when he entered his room, Tammy was already in bed with nothing on but her white bikini panties and matching bra, staring at the ceiling if she did not have her arm covering her eyes. Fernando closes the door silently and walks about the bed, taking off his outer layers of clothes before crawling onto the bed to join Tammy.

Fernando: Everything went well?
Tammy: No.
Fernando: Care to tell me what happened?

Tammy sits up on the bed and turns to him.

Tammy: That Valentine, I swear.
Fernando: Who's Valentine?
Tammy: Hondo's friend.
Fernando: What about her?
Tammy: She wants to 'do the termination mission now, and not 3 days from now. She thinks that it can be done even with what little to go by. I had to argue with her not too, that this is an observation and information gathering mission. But you know what the damnedest 'thing is?
Fernando: No. What?
Tammy: Whether Hondo knows it or not, she is in love with him and wants to thank him for saving her life.
Fernando: Nothing wrong with that. Everybody goes through that once in a while. From my teen lifeguard years to present day Spy Work.
Tammy (interrupting him): She wants to drop her panties and have hot action puppy making sex to thank him. And Jeanie was not helping, urging her on to actually drop them!
Fernando (holding back from laughing): Oh. OK. Nothing wrong with that I guess.
Tammy: You guess? What's wrong with maintaining one's virtue? With holding onto one's virginity until one's wedding day?
Fernando: Because it is not for everybody. Marriage is just an institution by where government, society and community recognizes that a couple is united by what ever systems they used. But Tammy, signing a couple name in a hotel registry in Mobile Alabama and in other states will be recognized as a marriage and that recognition will be extended to the rest of the nation. But it is not for everybody because not everybody believes in it.
Tammy: But, it legalizes that the couple can have sex.
Fernando: Couple have been having sex without having some government since before there was a government. Like who on God's earth married Adam and Eve?
Tammy: God did.
Fernando: Nope, he created Eve, not married them. And according to Jewish and Muslim beliefs, Eve was the second woman God made. The first, created from the same dirt as Adam was Lilith. And they were not married either. Not until did man made cities and laws did man not married woman through some civilized set of laws. So tell me, Tammy, if there no set of laws to follow, would you agreed to be my wife?
Tammy: I'm married to you, aren't I?
Fernando: I meant, going back to the beginning, when did you think that I was the one for you?
Tammy: I was falling for you since you helped in reuniting me with Bink almost a year ago because 'it was becoming apparent to me that even though people say that they want to help you, that they would charge for the service and let you hang high and dry if you cant pay. Even the Rescue Rangers were showing their ugly side of this, but you? You asked for nothing in return. You did what you could with the few who helped out to the end, and 'you did not asked for anything. When I saw you disappear in that bright ball of light after the jet blew up, I cried for the next couple of hours. But in all honestly, Fernando, you won my heart when you rescued me from the kidnappers in that tiny helicopter. Seeing you hovering outside the room window, I could not believe it that it was you there, taking care of those who tried to do the same to me. Don't know where you got that from but it would only be you who would kill all their arm guards without being caught or being inside the building. You came in like some avenging angel and rescued me.
Fernando: I had help from Hondo.
Tammy: You may have had help from Hondo, but it was you who was flying that thing, it was you shooting those thugs, and it was you who cut me loose and carried me out of the hotel. Only you could have done that and it is you that I fell for. So no excuses from you about having help or not, because if it were that you were alone in doing this, only you would have done the same with no one there to back you up.
Fernando: I never meant for you to fall in love with me.
Tammy (interrupting him): You mind not saying a thing? What happened, happened, and here we are. As man and wife. (she puts her hand behind his head and leans towards him, giving him a momentarily kiss) I would not have it any other way.

Fernando does not say a word as he is a loss for them as she puts her forehead against his, giving a slight smile.

Tammy: You gave me more than just your life. You have given me almost everything a man could give except one thing.
Fernando: What would that be?
Tammy: A baby.
Fernando: A baby? Why?
Tammy: Because we're married? Because I want a family? Because I want to be a house wife to a loving husband and a wonderful father with the 2.6 kids?
Fernando: Why are you asking?
Tammy: Because, I can not demand that from you, but hope that you would oblige to what is it to be a loving husband.
Fernando: But, squirrel mating season is not for another 5 months.
Tammy: I know, silly. But we have to start somewhere. And I know the first time will be painful for me, but I can take it. All I ask is that you try to be gentle with me as possible when it happens.
Fernando: What about, I mean, you wont get pregnant until then, but what about birth control? I mean'
Tammy: Having you implant your seed in me? I would not mind. In fact, I think I would grow to love it. We love each other in that we share everything we have so far, sharing each other's body fluids would be just another thing we share. It is something I am going to need to make our children, so anything you could give I would appreciate.
Fernando: Then, about us and sex... what would you allow or want to allow and not allow?
Tammy: We would do anything you want, but no anal stuff. That is an exit back there, not an entrance.
Fernando: Anything else?
Tammy: Don't force me into anything, I'm not happy with you forcing that immortality pill down my throat but I understand why you did it. You could have asked me to take it, and I would have decided to do so. Also, don't hurt me, don't hit me, don't abuse me. Love me and I will love you back unconditionally. And one more thing.
Fernando: What?
Tammy: I'm not wearing fairy wings for you. I know you and Tinkerbell has had a long relationship so if you want a fairy fantasy, it aint going to happen.
Fernando: I don't expect it too. 'You are Tammy, not Tink. You're my wife, she's a friend. You are not replacing her when we share a bed. Its just me, you these pillows and the blankets. I would not do that to you, I married you, not Tinkerbell or anyone else.

They both stare at each other, but Tammy wants to see his eyes. She reaches over to take his glasses off but he holds her hands as they hold onto his glasses.

Fernando: Its too bright in here.
Tammy: I'm sorry. Would you want to be under the blankets where it is dark?
Fernando: Do I need an invitation?
Tammy: Its your bed silly. I am the one who should be asking.

Fernando lifts the cover from his side and crawls under it. Tammy joins him from the other side and both meet midway on the bed. She slowly reaches over to his face and puts her hands on the side stems of his glasses. She takes them off slowly his face, drawing them close to her as she folds them up. She crawls back towards the edge and stick her arm out of the blanket, putting the glasses on the night stand by the bed before returning to him.

Fernando: Its your bed too. Has been for quite a while.
Tammy: Lets not discuss who's bed is it, and discuss about us two making a family.
Fernando: Discussing? How many boys and how many girls would you want?
Tammy: I don't know, primarily because it is all due to chance. But...

Tammy slides over the remaining few inches and puts her lips against his. It only lasts for a few seconds.

Fernando shifts over and lays back against the pillow. Tammy crawls over to him and straddles him like before and both begin kissing, touching and feeling again. Like before time speeds up on them, minutes becoming seconds. Their intimacy increases with the passing of time. Without interruption, they go past where they were before they were interrupted hours ago, taking off the last bits of their clothing, she lays down for him, offering her virginity for sacrifice to him. He prepares to take it as he kneels up between her legs, her hand taking him and aims it to her prize as he slowly lowers onto her. She holds onto him, making sure she is in control, despite his chipping away at it with kisses to the sensitive side of her neck. With her other hand, she pushes him off her by chest and shakes her head.

"No... no... no...", she says to herself. Fernando slowly gets out of top of her and lays by her side.

"You OK?", he asks with concern.

"No... Its not right...", she starts to say but does not finish.

"Its OK, if it is not. When ever you're ready.", he tells her, unknowing interrupting her.

She does not say anything for a while, just holding back her emotions as she slowly sat up and put her hands into her face.

"Its not alright.", she says to herself, finishing what she had to say.

"Tammy. Its OK. Don't worry about it.", Fernando says to her, keeping his eyes closed from the perceived brightness of the room, sitting up and then holds onto her wrists to take them off her face.

Eventually she allows him to takes her arms away from her face. And looks at him, tears rolling down her face.

"Its whenever you are ready, Tammy. Not because you think you can for me.", he tells her.

She yanks a hand away from him and uses it to wipe away the tears.

"It can wait. I can wait. If it bothers you, then we shouldn't.", Fernando explains as he lets go of her other arm. She does not say anything. "I need to wind down from this.", he says as he lays back down and takes the blanket to cover himself with. Finding his briefs from under the blankets, he puts them back on.

She crawls over to him and gives him a kiss on the cheek, 'I'm sorry...' She then finds her panties under the covers and puts them on before getting off the bed, then starts to put on her clothes. For a second she goes into the closet, adding something to what she was wearing. She was zipping up her skirt when Fernando turns over and starts feeling around the nightstand for his glasses. He knocks them down onto the floor as he feels for them. Tammy picks them up for him and sits on the bed as she puts them into his hands. He sits up behind her as he puts on his glasses.

"You leaving?", he asks.

"For a drive. Can I have the Porsche keys?", she says and then asks.

"And if I don't want you to leave?", he asks.

"Please... Don't do that to me.", she answers.

"Right side suit jacket pocket.", he tells her.

Tammy gets up and goes to the table where his clothes were and searches the suit jacket. She finds the keys and puts them into her jacket pocket. She then walks out the room. Fernando gets up and gets dressed 'as he can hear her go down the stairs. Once in his clothes, he runs to the balcony and watches her drive away, taking the right turn to the gate. He jumps off the balcony and flies over garage door and runs inside after punching in the code to open the door on the outside keypad. Going past the assorted cars, trucks and vans, he go the far end to the garage where a set of motorcycles were: A Yamaha V-Max 2000, A Honda Ninja CX-R 1800, A Kawaski Katana 1800, and a Harley Davison Fat Boy- former Police motorcycle.

He takes the V-Max, putting on a black helmet he took from a peg on the wall. The 2000cc engine roars to life as he puts on the helmet. Putting the motorcycle into gear, he puts the motorcycle on its rear wheel until he drops the front wheel at the gate. Making the right turn out the gate, Fernando pulls back on the accelerator handle and shift through the gears. Tammy could only be going to one of two places from this direction though Fernando follows her when he finally sees his Porsche a couple hundred feet in front of him.

She drives to Rome, find a parking space on one of the Coliseum side streets and walks the rest of the way to a farmer's market. Fernando parks his bike a couple of spaces away from the Porsche and follows Tammy. She seems nervous as she makes her way from food displays to food displays. She has yet to buy anything, just walks aimlessly about. Fernando look at his watch, seeing her wasting 10 minutes with nothing happening. He senses something was not right and decides to approach her, opening his suit jacket and pulling out his gun from behind. Closing in on the 20 or so feet that separates them, she notices another individual also heading to her direction. A red-headed mouse.

At 15 feet, red-headed mouse goes into her purse and pulls out a large Berretta 9mm pistol, Tammy has yet to register the threat that approaches her. Fernando takes running steps towards Tammy. At ten feet, Tammy starts to pull out her SiG P239 but an arm goes by her shoulder with a much bigger American Arms 1981/84 .45ACP pistol in it's hand. Her body falls back a couple of inches against something hard and a thick layer of material wraps in front of her. Fernando yells at the red-headed mouse.

Fernando: Go Ahead Annie! Shoot And I'll Drop You Where You Stand!

Tammy tries to recompose herself as nervousness sets in. But at the same time, several men with guns drawn make themselves known. Fernando shifts his eyes and counts 8 of them. Those around them who were around for shopping, run away from the immediate area.

Anne: I brought friends.
Fernando: I have enough bullets to give each of you two of them.
Anne: You shoot one and the rest will shoot you dead.
Fernando: I don't care about them. I kill you and they wont get a pay check. Its that simple. Do the math, bitch. You dead equals no money for them!

The men momentarily look at each other, seeing that some of them shrugged at the prospect of not getting 'paid. It was enough of a distraction for Fernando to release a fast volley that drops all with a single shot to their heads but Anne and the one next to her. He looks at Fernando with his eyes wide open and his jaw dropped. Fernando has his gun aimed at Anne.

Fernando: Yo punk! Run and tell your bosses that her money is no good when it means you are going to lose men on jobs she offers.

He just stands there visibly shaking. Another shot of gun fire echoes across the farmer's market. The gun from his hand flies out with visible damage to the sliding mechanism and a sudden shock of pain hits his hand. Fernando aims his gun back at Anne.

Fernando: Punk, I said run or I drop you where you stand.

He runs away but Anne turns and shots him in the back of the head. He falls dead just feet from a farmer's food display, ruining an otherwise good scene.

Fernando: That was uncalled for!
Anne: When you work for me you work or you die!

Fernando spins Tammy around and behind him, wrapping the suit jacket around her. Unfortunately, she falls as he walks to Annie. He closes the distance between them, 8feet, 6 feet, 5 feet, 3 feet. 'His gun was aimed at her right eye just out of her range of her reach, a cyborg's weak point. Tammy tries to unravel herself from his suit, but the heaviness of the anti-ballistic resistant layers seem to hold her down. He pulls the hammer back on his gun.

Fernando: Think you're faster than me? Try something stupid and I'll blow that baby blue-green out of its socket and repeat it to the other one before your brain shuts downs and your body hits the floor, still breathing because it has not registered that your brain is dead.

Anne thinks, moving slowly to put away her gun.

Fernando: Walk away and enjoy the next couple of days. There will not be anymore for you after that!

Tammy manages to sit up, with the suit jacket covering backwards on her from the neck down. She manages to get her SiG 239 but she could not get out of the suit as she was sitting on the pleats of the jacket. The more she struggled with it, the more it held her down.

Anne: Just one question. You two ever married?
Fernando: Wouldn't you like to know. You broke her heart when you killed me.
Anne: About that. Explain yourself. Aren't you supposed to be pushing up daisies.
Fernando: So should you.
Anne: I had some help. You?
Fernando: I go better.
Tammy: SHOOT HER ALREADY!!!

Anne slightly raises her gun at Tammy but Fernando pushes it away.

Fernando: This is between you and me. You leave my wife out of it.
Anne: All I wanted was her cyborg sister to take care of her. Now I'm one of them!
Fernando: #$@! you, Anne. You never wanted Bink to take care of her. You wanted her to dissect her and figure out her secrets to sell to Padania and other terrorists you work for. Now you are one, how about selling yourself instead.
Anne: I'm not a whore.
Fernando: Funny. Franco told me you were easy. Half a bottle of wine and you were taking off your clothes.
Anne (raising her gun at him): YOU KILLED FRANCO!

Fernando takes a half step 'forward and leans in, shoving the barrel of his gun into her mouth. With his other hand he grabs her wrist with the gun in her hand and keeps it away from anyone. Finger pressure on her tendons ensure that she does not pulls the trigger on anyone.

Fernando: Drop the gun and then take a step back and run. Any funny moves and you're getting the remaining 9 bullets I have.

Anne drops the gun from her hand, it falls to the floor with a bounce. She then takes a step 'back, as does Fernando. The gun pulls out of her mouth, she continues to 'take a few more backwards steps before turning around and running away. He picks up her gun and puts it in his pants pocket while putting his own weapon into its holster in the back of the pants. Not far away there is a wallet, which he goes for and picks up. Inside he finds several ID Cards complete with addresses and a hospital patient card. Several credit cards fills empty slots and along with various paper notes inside with numbers and information, a large ward of 100, 200, and 500 euro notes fills the cash slot. The surname Savonarola shows up in several places, including 'Emergency Contact: Christiano Savonarola' on both the driver's license and the hospital patient card. He puts the wallet in his other pocket.

He takes several steps takes him to Tammy and helps her up off the floor. Connections are made in his head, connecting Anne Rossellini and billionaire industrialist Christiano Savonarola. 'Cousins? Uncle and Niece?", Fernando thinks to himself.

He reaches behind her, grabbing the suit jacket by the lapel and pulls it off her. In a smooth single motion, he puts on the suit as it spins about him.

Tammy walks up to him as if to hold him, but instead starts banging the sides of her fist against his chest.

Tammy: WHY DID YOU LET HER GO! WHY! WHY DIDn'T YOU KILL HER! OR LET ME DO IT! DAMN IT! WHY!
Fernando (grabbing her wrist and pulling her away from the scene): Lets go before the police come. I do not want to spend the rest of the day answering their questions.

Tammy was near hysterics, before a slap to the face calms her down. Fernando stops and pulls out Annie's wallet, opening it and showing off the various ID cards inside. Tammy looks at it, unsure what to say.

Fernando: She'll be coming for this. Lets make sure that we have the appropriate welcoming for her.

Tammy remains in silence, before Fernando puts away the wallet in his suit pocket. He continues to 'pull her to find the Porsche by the Coliseum. He opens the door and pushes Tammy inside.

Fernando: Aisapi, Emergency passenger transport to Home Location. Pursuit Chase Mode, Target is the passenger inside. Protect her at all costs and do not accept no further orders until you get to the designation, and only from me.
Tammy: Now wait a minute!
Aisapi: Orders understood.
Fernando: Good.

He checks Tammy and the doorway to make sure that nothing was in the door's way. He slams door and they lock into place. The Porsche's engine roars to life as he takes several steps away towards the rear of the car, watching It pull out of the parking lot and go down in its own. Tammy fights with the controls of the car, but nothing responds for her.

Fernando walks over to the V-Max Motorcycle just a few feet away. He takes the helmet and puts it on while pressing on a button between the handle bars, bringing on the 2 liter engine to life. Getting on the bike, he slowly pulls it out of the parking spot it was in and rides off after the Porsche. He catches up with the 928 at the entrance of the expressway. Aisapi-Porshe senses the V-Max and after several miles declares it as a hostile, its engine revs into the red zone and the gears shift through until the Porsche was pushing 175 wherever possible it was safe do so. Fernando does his best to keep up with the Porsche. They get home within 5 minutes once getting on the highway, at ten after six.

Walking to the Porsche, Fernando releases its controls and allows Tammy to exit the vehicle. She was not too happy about being forced to go home, or the whole incident at the farmer's market. Nonetheless, Fernando pushes her towards the house and shoves her through the rear door. He continues to forcibly guide her to the dining area and pushes her to sit onto a chair. Jeanie, seeing this whole thing, does not say a word. As having known his temper against others, she knows to watch, remain quiet, and not to interfere. Fernando looks about the living room, finding it empty.

Fernando (yelling out): MARCO! HILLSHIRE! GET OVER HERE! NOW!!!

It was loud enough for even Hondo and Valentine to hear, as it was supposed to be. Marco and Hillshire arrive immediately with their girls from upstairs. The girls had their guns raised, just in case. Instead he gives them a stern look. Hondo steps out of the room and stands by the staircase to listen in. Valentine steps out the room and stands by Hondo, he signals to her to keep it quiet.

Fernando: Did you in any way, shape or form gave an order for Tammy to act on her own?
Marco: No.

Fernando pulls out Annie's wallet and gun from his pockets. After emptying the wallet from its cash, he puts it on the table with the gun. Marco picks it up and looks inside.

Marco: Where did you get this?
Fernando: From Tammy acting on her own to find her and almost getting herself killed in the process.
Tammy: I would not have gotten killed!
Fernando: And why not!

Tammy thinks for a moment, then she unbuttons her blouse and opens it.

Tammy: I took one of your bullet-resistant t-shirt! That's Why!

Fernando gives her a stern look.

Fernando: That Don't Protect You from A Bullet To The Head!
Hillshire: So that melee in the Farmer's Market...
Fernando: That was Anne, and if it were not for my actions, Tammy would be dead!
Tammy: How Would You Know!
Fernando: She Had Her Gun Out 10 Seconds And 20 Feet Before You Even Saw Her! Girl! I Swear! By The Time You Were Pulling Your Gun Out, She Was Already Aiming At You!
Tammy: She's A Cyborg! She's Faster Than I Was!
Fernando: Yeah, right.
Tammy: If she would have shot me, she would have hit me in the chest and I would have returned fire!
Fernando: And if she would have shot you in the head?

Tammy does not answer.

Fernando: You Don't Think! That is the problem! At Close Range You Are More Likely To Get Hit With A Head Shot Than With A Body Shot! Especially Now That People Are Walking Around With Bullet Proof Vests!

Tammy continues to not say a word.

Fernando: You Think That T-shirt Would Have Saved You? You Think That After You Get Shot That You Can Fire Back? Do You How It Feels To Get Ht By A Shot?
Tammy: No.

Fernando points his finger and puts it to her chest. He feels the thickness of the anti-ballistic layers besides her opened blouse.

Fernando: First you feel a hard poke followed by a very hard punch 1/2 a second later.
Tammy: A poke and then a punch?
Fernando: Yes. Like this.

He draws his finger back about an inch back and sends it back onto her chest below her breasts, followed by an Inch Punch, a devastating blow in Marshal Arts. Tammy falls back on her ass, clutching at her chest, breathing hard.

Fernando: That is what is what its like to be shot, but being shot is a lot more harder.

Then he turns to Hillshire and Marco.

Fernando: Take that and copy it for your records, then fax it to your intell staff. And be prepared, Anne will be coming to get that back. Since she wants it, I'll give it back to her...
Marco: You are going to give it back, just like that?
Fernando (as he walks to the kitchen): I said that I'll give it back.. after we are done copying its contents and sending them to Section 2, I'll give it back. Now prepare for war. She will be coming with friends.

Marco gathers the wallet and the money off the table and heads to the stairs with Angie behind him. Hondo hears and then sees Marco heading to the stairs and takes Valentine back to their room. 'The door can be heard closing as Marco makes it 1/2 way up the steps. Fernando prepares a sandwich or himself. Jeanie complains.

Jeanie: Dinner is almost done!
Fernando (putting his sandwich together): I'll eat later. Take Tammy upstairs and check if she is alright. Then feed and prepare your crew to defend the second floor.
Jeanie (wiping her hands on a nearby towel): Alright. Fung, finish up here, serve something and bring something upstairs for us all.
Fung: Yes Mistress. It shall be done.

He finds a miniature serving table, mainly for serving one in bed, and starts to prepare 4 separate meals on it. Jeanie walks over to Tammy and helps her up, then takes her upstairs to Fernando's room. Marco comes down with Angie, tossing the wallet back at Fernando.

Marco: I faxed the information to Logistics. The chief called. He and Public Safety Director Petris want to come and talk with you. They are on their way.
Fernando: You notified them of the impending danger?
Marco: They are aware of it. But they are still coming. All available fratello teams will be arriving before they do.

The sound of a very large, very fine tuned engine arrives at the gate and drives past the house.

Marco: That must be Ernesto and Pia in the Dino.
Fernando: A 40 year old Ferrari?
Marco (walking to the rear of the house and its exit there): That's their style.

Fernando follows him. They both wait outside as Ernesto and Pia walk out of the fancy car, looking about the house and the area as they approach the rear. A couple of white squirrels, his white hat and suit and her white hair and dress makes them a site to be seen. They stop by Marco and Fernando. Ernesto extends his hand to 'Fernando. Fernando takes it and the shake hands.

Ernesto: You must be Fernando. This is my cyborg, Pia. Nice place you have here.
Fernando: Its just like any other secret government safe house.

They both laugh.

Ernesto: So, you're the one who married Tammy?
Fernando: What of it?
Ernesto: Hey- don't take so negatively. Just saying. What does she sees in you? And aren't you supposed to be dead?
Fernando: Rumors of my death were premature. Hillshire's inside.
Ernesto: Thanks.

Ernesto walks in with Pia behind him.

A Blue and White Stripe Smart car drives up the driveway and finds a parking space in the rear. Allessandro and Petrushka step out of the tiny vehicle and head to the rear entrance where Fernando and Marco remained.

Allessandro (approaching them): You must be Fernando. Heard so much about you.
Fernando: Yeah, what ever. Excuse me. I need to move the motorcycles out the way. Marco, want to help with the other?
Marco: Yeah, sure.

Fernando steps to the V-Max and pushes it to the garage. Punching a code on the key pad, the garage door opens. Marco follows him, pushing the old Harley behind Fernando into the garage. 'Fernando points to an empty spot on for Marco to place the Harley at. As they walk out, the garage door closes. A Mercedes 500 SEL pulls into the parking area as they walk across the parking lot. Jean and Rico step out of the car and walk into the house without even saying a word.

A fancy stretch 'modern Rolls Royce pulls into the driveway and circles the parking lot, paring itself in front of Jeanie's Rolls Royce. A driver and a couple of body guards set out of the front of the car and opens the rear door, helping a rather well dressed woman to step out. Chief Lorenzo gets out of the car after her.

Fernando: Who's the dame?
Marco: That is Public Security Director Monica Petris. I would not call her a dame, at least not to her face.
Fernando: HMPH.

They walks up to Marco and Fernando, stopping for a brief moment. Director Petris holds out her hand to Fernando. He thinks its to help her step into the house but she clamps down on his hand like a vise-grip pliers and shakes it.

Director Petris: You must be CIA Operative Fernando G. I heard so much about you and your wife Tamy. Nice place you have here. I would like you to consider working for us if possible.
Fernando: I'll consider the offer but do not take it against you if I refuse.
Director Petris: Oh I'm sure that we can make a deal that you cant refuse.
Fernando: Yeah. I'm expecting trouble, so if you don't mind, take to the safety of the place and make yourself at home. Marco, go get Tammy and Hondo from upstairs.

Director Petris walks in with Chief Lorenzo behind. He gives Fernando a nod as he passes by. Marco follows and goes ups stairs to retrieve Tammy and Hondo. Everyone comes down and gathers themselves around in the living room. The chairs from the dining room were moved to the living room to make sure everyone had a seat. Everyone except Fernando, Tammy, Hondo and Valentine. Chief Lorenzo starts.

Chief Lorenzo: So, you're Fernando. Aren't you supposed to be dead?
Fernando: That was an agency double who was killed, sir.
Chief Lorenzo: And where is his body? We had your grave exhumed and found it empty.

Before Fernando could answer, Chief Lorenzo tosses a ring at him. Fernando catches it.

Chief Lorenzo: Empty, except for that. Isn't that your wedding ring?
Fernando (giving the ring to Tammy): That is where it was? I have been looking for it for months!
Chief Lorenzo: Heh... seems like you have all the answers.
Director Petris: Let me say something.

Chief Lorenzo nods.

Director Petris: I can understand this mission against Anne Rossellini but that is what my people are for. I must ask you to stop this mission and let it alone.
Fernando: With all due respect, director, it is she who has been hunting us down. We only defended ourselves and now that she left her wallet in her last attach, she will be coming here for it. I or my staff has never gone out and deliberately hunted her down. She is the one following us.
Director Petris: You have any proof on that?

Fernando walks about the room and finds the tv remote. He turns it on and punches in a code. The screen lights up. On the screen was a Fernando or who he claims as his agency double and Anne. Fernando walks around the service island into the kitchen and gets out a clean glass for her. He fills it with ice and then water. Anne had found his gun neatly holstered away on the table. She quietly removes it from the holster and takes aim to him. He turns to put the glass on the service island, seeing Anne having his weapon already aimed at him. The date and time was of the wedding day, several months before.

Fernando: You don't want to do that.
Anne: I don't? Understand where I am. You killed my lover and then you tried to kill me.
Fernando: If he did not pull out his gun, then I would not had killed him.
Anne: You had your gun between my breasts, he was trying to defend me!
Fernando: All I wanted was answers, I did not wanted to shoot you. But since your kind of people only listen to ideas at the end of a gun, I had little choice.
Anne: You want those answers? Yes, it was one of our bombs. We wanted to blow up that plane with the SWA personnel in it. We wanted to end the Frankensteinian work that they do. It is not fair what they do to those girls. They had to be stopped, their work had to end.
Fernando: At the price of innocent lives?
Anne: Innocent people always get hurt when opposing sides clash.
Fernando: You knew that I was to pilot that plane back, didn't you?
Anne: The cockpit would have remained intact in the explosion, you are a flying squirrel, you would have survived.
Fernando: But not my daughter.
Anne: Daughter?
Fernando: Dr. Aiesha G. She was part of the group trying to undo the conditioning and cybernetic implants of the girls.
Anne: She would have survived.
Fernando: How so?
Anne: She's a flying squirrel like you, she would have flown like you would have.
Fernando: She is only 1/2 flying squirrel. She would have landed too hard in the water and be killed from the impact. That is if she would not have been killed or hurt by the initial explosions that would have taken out the fuel tanks, spilling flaming fuel into the passenger section.
Anne: You lie.
Fernando: And you're letting yourself be blinded by your own actions.
Anne: Like you know what it is like to be blind. You just wear those glasses just for show.
Fernando: Think what you like.
Anne: Think what I know.
Fernando: What about Tammy?
Anne: What about her?
Fernando: She would have been on that flight too. All she ever wanted was to recover her sister Bink.
Anne: Innocent lives have to pay the price when they agree with the guilty.
Fernando: At the time, she did not side with them. She only wanted to recover her sister Bink from them. Now you are going to deny her a marriage, a family, and happiness? If you are going to kill me then go a head and just do it. You are no better than the terrorists you build your bombs for. Or you can be better than them and put the gun down.
Anne: You denied me those things when you killed Franco. Now tell me, Fernando. Are you afraid to die?
Fernando: No I am not.

Anne pulls the trigger on Fernando's American Arms Model 1984 .45 automatic, hitting him square in his chest. He falls flat on the floor where he is later found dead in a pool of his own blood.

She goes over to him and checks him out for any signs of life, finding none.

Anne: With you gone, there is no one left to be in the way for me to kill that red-headed squirrel for her cyborg.

Fernando pauses the video after that. He repeats the last thing Anne said.

Fernando: With you gone, there is no one left to be in the way for me to kill that red-headed squirrel for her cyborg. She was talking about Tammy. She has been hunting her down and now that I made myself known to be alive again, she is hunting the both of us down. Furthermore, when I took her down the first time, somebody brought her back using cyborg technology.

He walk to her and pulls his gun at, ejecting a bullet onto her lap. She picks up the bullet and looks at it.

Fernando: No one gets hit with that twice and lives, let alone get up from the impact. (pointing at the screen) Yet there she is, killing my body double. Being able to handle the kick back the sister of this gun gives. Your people failed in arresting her several times. They gave her the means to live again like these girls in this room. You people allowed your medical staff and created a cyborg, one who is hunting down my family and friends. And she has allied herself with the likes of a South American Drug and weapons dealer who have started to 'flood the market with drugs and has armed themselves like a small army. I challenged your staff that since they failed, give me 7 days to succeed on that failure. There are 3 days left to that challenge.

Chief Lorenzo: Why was I not informed of this challenge.
Marco: It would be our fault for accepting it, but we have kept an eye on their activities for the most part.
Director Petris (to Marco): Well, this is not excuse for messing up a job. (to Fernando) I can see the problems you have stated and would like to offer you a solution. But I want to know, how certain are you that she will come here to attack this place?

Fernando looks at the others before answering.

Fernando: This place was attacked this morning by her people. She just attacked us less than an hour ago at the farmer's market because I had to chase my wife in argument.

He takes out Anne's wallet and hands it to Director Petris. He continues talking.

Fernando: I found that after she was chased away. Its her wallet, it contains all her personal information an contacts. I had Marco copy it and fax it over to Section 2's logistics. But mark my words, she will be coming, and (turning to Hondo) she wont be coming alone.
Hondo: So this evening's mission is scrapped?
Fernando: Maybe. Maybe not. If she comes, like I think she will, she will not come alone.
Director Petris: What such pettiness for so little to be achieved.
Fernando: Marco, mind telling her what was in that wallet?
Marco: Madam Director, contained in that wallet is Franca's true identity. Her name, Anne Rossellini, and possible connection to Christiano Savonarola, a ranking leader in Padana's infrastructure. It seems to me that according to the papers inside, they are related, perhaps Uncle an Neice.
Director Pertis: Christiano Savonarola? He was the one who escaped from his termination mission, right?
Jean: No body was found after we pull his car from the river.
Marco: I know my Angie scored a kill from that. The car was riddle with holes from Angie's Styer. Blood found on the seats say that she scored hits when they tried to escape.
Director Petris: But without a body, one can not say that they are dead. They could have been rescued. Or their bodies buried in secret so we'll never know.
Fernando: I better not that somebody from the agency cyborg'd him too.
Jean: Now that is enough out of you!
Fernando: Hillshire, Marco, and I know Ferro and the Logistics crew went to Nemi General, where Anne was held there. Less than 2 weeks later she is walking around and shooting a big gun like nothing happened. Getting shot with a .45 will put you in a hospital bed for months of recovery. If she was not given cybernetic parts to recover so quickly, I don't now what miracle of god did this! Now, Marco or Hillshire- who was Anne's attending physician?

Marco wanted to answer but delayed. Hillshire answers for him.

Hillshire: Dr. Fernando Bianchi. Head of Psychiatry at Section 2.
Fernando: And who signed her out?
Hillshire: That is where we have a problem.
Fernando: How so?
Marco (jumps in): The signature was that of Christiano Savonarola.
Jean: NO WAY!
Fernando: Looks like you doubly failed.
Director Petris: Looks like you have a problem, Signor Lorenzo.
Chief Lorenzo (looking at his staff): We do have a problem.

The sounds of several cars' tires screeching comes to a halt at the front gate. Then for a while there was silence until a voice from a bullhorn made its self and its intentions clear.

Loud Voice from Bull Horn: FERNANDO! I KNOW YOU ARE IN THERE AND I'm GIVING YOU ONE MINUTE OR YOU TO COME OUT WITH YOUR WIFE AND HAND OVER WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE!

Fernando looks at the others.

Fernando: Its Party Time. Hondo, get the rocket launchers and hide at the right rear of the house. Marco- get your VIPs to the basement interrogation area, you been there before. Everyone else, cover the house. The windows are bullet and shatter proof so don't try anything stupid. I need to reload. Tammy, you are with me.

Fernando takes the wallet from Director Petris grasp. When he takes his first steps to the stairs, everyone runs around and takes their position. He runs to his room and opens his desk draw, finding 4 of 6 M1981/84 magazines loaded. He takes them into his pocket. Tammy only has her SiG 239 with a spare magazine. He takes Tammy by the waist and gives her a kiss on the lips.

Anne : 30 seconds!

Fernando lets go of Tammy but Tammy still holds on. She takes his hand and take the ring he gave and puts it on his finger. Then she stands on her toes and gives him another kiss. Then she steps out of the room, almost guiding him downstairs.

The first floor seemed deserted as they walked past he stairs. They take the route to the back of the house. Hondo and Valentine were ready with the rocket launchers at the basement stairway.

Fernando: Don't shoot unless they shoot first.
He then walks out of the house. Hondo follows and sees Fernando pointing to his right, where the house has a blind spot of trees and bushes. Hondo takes Valentine there. Fernando takes Tammy to the driveway, seeing Annie out of the sunroof of a large black sedan, one hand with a bull horn, another with a rocket launcher of her own. She sees them and the hands guns they carry aimed at her.

Anne (from the bull horn): You two finally came out. Now give me back what is mine!
Fernando (yelling and holding up a wallet): You want this? Come get it!

He tosses the wallet about 20 ft in front of him. Twenty feet too close for Anne's comfort. They remain in silence for a while.

Fernando: You walk over, pick up your shit and walk away with your friends and no one needs to get hurt!
Anne (from the bull horn): How can I trust your word!
Fernando (yelling): When have ever lied to you? Right now I have the whole of the Section 2 in the house- some 20 or so cyborgs and their handlers waiting for my safe return or your dead body on the morgue slab to dissect. The Choice Is Yours!

Anne remains silent for a moment.

Fernando (yelling): Angie- Where Ever You Are, Take Out The Door Mirror!

A single shoot is heard and the door mirror explodes into pieces. Anne looks at the shattered 'mirror.

Fernando (yelling): 40 some guns, rifles and assorted weapons are now pointed at every head you brought in here, Anne. Come pick up your shit and leave quietly or you are not going to survive this blood bath.

Anne does not say a word.

Fernando (yelling): You What Your Shit, Bitch? Come And Get It!

Anne stills does or say nothing.

Fernando: If I Wanted You Dead, Bitch, You Would Be Dead Now! Come Get Your Stuff!

The door on her car opens and she manages to walk out carrying her rocket launcher on her shoulder. Fernando walks with Tammy closer to Anne and her wallet. He and Tammy stops just steps away from it. Anne adjusts the rocket launcher on her shoulder only to see Hondo come out of the corner with his rocket launcher aimed at her. The situation got tense as they stood facing each other.

Anne slowly bent down 'and got her wallet. She looks inside and finds the money missing.

Anne: Where's my money!
Fernando: Considering that you have an allowance large than most Caribbean Island nation budgets, you would not miss the 30-thousand euros we found. By the way, Father Amedeo gives his thanks for the donation to the orphanage, if you want to know where your money went.

Anne gives him a sour look.

Fernando: Think of the smiling little faces your money brought them!

She just stares at him.

Fernando: its not like you need to eat. Do cyborgs eat by the way? I would not know. Now how about you turning around and GET THE HELL OFF MY PROPERTY!!!

Anne decides to take her looses and starts to leave. Fernando follows her to the gate with Tammy behind him and Hondo some 10 steps behind them. Annie gets into the car she came out of. The others begin to leave as hers is the last one to pull away last. Fernando yells at her.

Fernando (yelling): COME BACK TO MY HOUSE UNINVITED AGAIN AND YOUR WONT LEAVE ALIVE!

As they drive away, the SWA members come out of hiding as does Valentine who was in the front bushes aiming her RPG at the first car of the group, and Director Petris and Chief Lorenzo with Marco from inside the house. Jean walks up to Fernando.

Jean (shoving Fernando and yelling): Why in Hell Did You Let Them Go!
Fernando (shoving back): None of Your business why I let them go!

Jean steps up about to punch Fernando in the mouth only to have a face full of American Arms 1981/84 up close and impersonal. From the group, Chief Lorenzo yells at him.

Chief Lorenzo: Jean Croche! Back Down Right Now!

Jean looks at his boss and takes a couple steps back. Director Petris and Chief Lorenzo walks to them. When they were close enough for Jean not to interfere, Fernando puts away his gun.

Director Petris: I'm sure you had your reasons, but why did you let them go?
Fernando: My team is going to observe them and take note of what they have in their warehouse. Marco and Hillshire know about it, they are to observe what we do.
Director Petris: And after this mission, are you going to capture or terminate them?
Fernando: Terminate them, 3 days from now.
Director Petris: Why 3 days?
Fernando: That would put it on a Friday. People are too busy partying and not worrying about having a termination squad pounce on their heads.
Director Petris: Interesting. You taking this down Signor Lorenzo?
Chief Lorenzo (nodding): Already did.
Fernando: Good. Now if you don't mind, we got clean up and dinner waiting, then observation tonight.

Before anyone could say a word, Fernando starts to walk away.

Everyone starts to walk away back into the house. Fernando goes with Tammy back in their room and he flops back in the bed.a

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Feb 18^th, 2011, 11:48pm

(before Tammy leaves)
Hondo sat in the liivin'room starin' at nothin', for a spell, thinkin' 'bout the mission, his past, an' what his future could be. He wasn't sure if he loved Val or not, but he knew he liked her 'round, though he dreaded that she might try somethin' again. He wasn't sure if she really liked him an' didn't know how else to show it, or ifin she was doin' to him like Jeanie had with Fernando, feel like she owed him for savin' her an' thinks givin' herself in whole was the only way to even start to repay a debt that could never be repaid. 'Hondo wasn't sure how to deal with that as Fernando might be used to it, but he wasn't. It's not that he was ugly or anythin' but women just didn't flock to him.

'The house was quiet an' allowed Hondo to think. The only sound was that of Jeanie movin' 'bout in the kitchen. After a while Hondo stopped thinkin' 'bout Val an' started goin' over the area the mission was to take place in his mind an' just enjoyed the peace that was rare in this house lately, but was now present.

'Unfortunately for Hondo the peace was soon broken. How long he had been there he did not know, thinkin' an' restin' had made him loose a sense of time for a bit, but Tammy rushin' out the back door brought him back to reality. Hondo stood up an' as he did so he heard Fernando's car start. He found that odd so he watched out the window for it. Sure enough Fernando's car drove off with Tammy at the wheel.

Hondo muttered to himself: That's odd.

Jeanie: You say something?

Hondo: Just talkin' to myself.

Jeanie: About what?

Hondo: Tammy just left in Fernando's car an' we haven't much time left until we got to go tonight, so where in the hell could she be goin'?

Jeanie set down what she was workin' on an' looked over at the cowboy at the window. She hadn't liked him at all when she first got there. 'He seemed rough an' unmannerly to her at first, but she saw as time went on that it could be more of a disguise to hide past pain an' loneliness. She began to see at times more of what Fernando saw in him. Though they were far from friends she knew they could work together for the time for a common good. That good as she saw it right now was for Fernando.

Jeanie: That is a bit strange. I can't see Fernando letting her go on her own after all that has happened lately.

Just then a motorcycle screamed by the window an' shot off down the street in the direction Fernando's car had gone.

Hondo: Damn!

Jeanie: What was that!

Hondo turned an' headed towards the stairs.

Hondo: That was a motorcycle. One of Fernando's. I couldn't see a face 'cause of the helmet, but from the dress an' build I'll bet ya double or nothin' it was Fernando on it.

Jeanie: After Tammy?

Hondo: I reckon.

Jeanie: You going after him?

Hondo: No

Jeanie: Why not?

Hondo: Ifin he'd have wanted us he'd have asked, not that I only go with him on invite, but ifin they attacked the house once they could do it again. I go chargin' out there it'll only complicate things. We just need to hold the fort. When Fernando's gone this place is in my care an' all those in it. It's my responsibility.

Jeanie: I understand, though me and my guard can handle ourselves. But just the same, you want us to do anything?

Hondo: Just have supper done an' have yur men on alert. Who knows what might go down when they get back. I'm gonna go make sure Val is ready.

Jeanie: I'll right. If anything happens my guards will help out.

'Hondo didn't say anythin'. He just walked upstairs to his room. Jeanie got busy to make sure everythin' was ready. She didn't think badly of him for not answerin'. She realized it was just his way.

Hondo knocked on the door but there was no answer so he opened the door. The room was fairly dark as the curtains were drawn an' the lights were off. Hondo flicked on a lamp on the dresser.

Earlier Valentine had gone up to the room she shared with Hondo after her talk with Jeanie an' Tammy. She had drawn the curtains, stripped down to her panties, put on a robe an' climbed into bed. In the dark she lay there for a moment. She found Hondo's pillow an' held it to her face, breathin' in his scent. She pulled back from it for a moment then as if a dam had busted she started to cry. She buried her face into the pillow to hold back the flood. She did not know why or for whom she cried. 'She felt confused, lost, alone, an' even a bit scared. She was away from the country she knew, without money, in the middle of all or nothin' mission against some deadly outlaws, in a country that didn't welcome what good their mission could do for them, an' now this. She had lost almost everyone she cared 'bout but then came this cowboy an' his friends, at a point she thought her life was to end, at a point she didn't care if it did or not. She had welcomes death for so long now, but now she wanted life. Life with Hondo, not life alone again. She rather die than to live alone, but she wasn't sure what to do. She knew now that Hondo had a broken an' crushed heart. He had felt much bodily pain she was sure, but it was the inner pain he didn't know how to deal with. She knew she had lost a lot, but through all her loses she had never seen it happen. Hondo had seen sorrow start before his eyes. She felt guilty now. She had been goin' 'round for almost 2 years actin' like a martyr. Hondo had lost a lot more an' had been carryin' it 'round inside him for much longer than she had. She had no idea how long, an' could only speculate. But through it all Hondo functioned. He made a difference in the world the best he knew how. He didn't mope an' feel sorry for himself, nor did he tell people his troubles or expect them to feel sorry for him. Valentine doubted that even Fernando knew his whole past, though she was sure he knew Hondo had suffered. She figured Fernando an' Hondo were much alike in that aspect. 'Both had suffered in the past, both probably only brought it up to make a point once push, neither would offer the info even to those they cared 'bout an' both had probably saved each other's life several times, though neither would keep count an' neither would talk 'bout it. They were loyal to few, but to those they were loyal to it was for life. Their own lives meant little to them compared to those they cared 'bout but those they cared 'bout had turned on them far too often. 'Val stopped cryin' long enough to muse on how different they looked an' talked, but how much they were alike. She thought of Fernando an' Tammy. Though Val had only been there a short time she knew that Fernando had found someone again to love, an' he'd fight to the death for her. She also knew there was a lot more to Fernando an' Tammy's relationship then met the eye. They had gone through a lot too. Maybe in those Missions Hondo had talked about. That made her think on Hondo all over again an' she started to cry softly again. She didn't want to lose him, but Tammy an' Jeanie confused her so much. She almost wanted to talk to Fernando on the subject, but it scared an' embarrassed her at the thought. She knew she couldn't talk to Hondo about it. What to do, though? She was still a virgin, an' the thought of droppin' her cloths an' makin' love to him scared her, though she had thought of it before, but what if Tammy was right? What if it scared him away? But what if she was wrong an' not doin' anythin' for him sexually an' just talkin' to him would make him dump her out the door 'cause she didn't fulfill his needs? How could she make him understand that she loved him with all that she was an' not scare him? She cried an' pondered on it, but nothin' made any sense to her. After a bit she could not think anymore an' cried herself to sleep. When she actually fell asleep she did not know, but she still cried softly even in her sleep.

Hondo turned on the lamp on the dresser an' the room filled with a soft light. Val was still asleep, but she sniffled in her sleep, an' her face an' the pillow were wet with tears. Hondo walked up to the side of the bad, but she did not wake, as she had still be exhausted from her injuries an' Hondo, though large in size, moved very quietly when he wanted to. Hondo sat down on a chair by the bed an' looked at her for a moment. He brushed some hair from her face as smiled a bit, somethin' he wasn't known for these days. She looked so sweet to him, layin' there in the robe she had on, curled up with that pillow, but at the same time she looked very sad an' it almost broke through the carefully placed barriers he had placed 'round the ruin that used to be his heart. Hondo looked at her an' whispered, more for himself than for her as she was asleep still.

Hondo: What is the matter little gal? I hope those tears aren't 'cause of me. Wish I could make your pain go away, but I don't know how. I know ya seem to want to be with me, to pay me back for savin' ya, but I'm no good for ya little gal. Those that get too close to me get hurt. I'm bad medicine. Please don't love me or try to make me love ya. I don't know if I could survive losin' someone else that I care 'bout, an' you'd never survive me. Some are allowed happiness, others aren't. Fernando an' Tammy can take it. They are immortal. I'm just flesh an' blood. Nothin' more Find someone else that can make ya happy in a safer lifestyle. I'm gettin' too old to change. I don't know how to live any different. Besides, I actually make a difference with my life here. It's all I can do. You can do so much more. Don't waste your future on me.

Hondo stood back up an' walked over toward the dresser. He coughed, slammed a dresser drawer an' messed with a gun of his, intentionally makin' noise to wake her. It worked.

Valentine sleepily stretched an' quickly wiped her face an' flipped the pillow to hide that she had been cryin' though her red eyes spoke volumes all of their own.

Valentine: Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep. I was just restin' for a bit.

Hondo: Ya probably need all ya can get, but I could use ya up an' ready.

She sat up on the edge of the bed an' rubbed her eyes. Hondo looked over at her then adverted his gaze quickly. She noticed this an' looked down at herself. Nothin' was showin' yet, but it was close. She almost wanted to make a move now, but ifin Hondo wanted her ready for somethin' it'll only make him mad if she tried, that much she knew. She secured the robe an' stood up.

Valentine: What's wrong?

Hondo: Tammy just left in Fernando's car an' He went after her on one of his motorcycles.

Valentine: Fernando has Motorcycles?

Hondo: Yeah, don't be surprised at what he digs up. Ifin he needs it he has it.

Valentine: What are we goin' to do?

Hondo: Get ready in case trouble follows him back.

Valentine looked at Hondo then at herself: You mind if I change here?

Hondo: Didn't bother ya before, so I don't see why not.

Valentine frowned a bit. She just didn't know how to read him. Was this good or bad?

Hondo checked over his guns an' added a couple on his person as he only had 2 presently. Valentine turned her back to him an' dropped her robe. She closed her eyes for a moment an' imagined him comin' up behind her, grabbin' her by the shoulders, turnin' her 'round an' kissin' her, but his voice snapped her out of it quickly.

Hondo: Ya alright? You've stood there for almost a full minute.

Valentine: OH, Sorry. I was just thinkin'.

Hondo: 'bout what?

Valentine looked sadly down at the floor. She wanted to just tell him so badly, but what if Jeanie was right.

Valentine: It's not important right now. Maybe after this is over I'll tell you.

Hondo: alright, just get ready . We might need ya ifin things go south.

Valentine got dressed an' ready quickly after that, but she didn't make any eye contact with Hondo the whole time. Hondo explained 'bout the equipment down in the basement an' they talked 'bout the mission some more.

Valentine: I don't like this observe an' let them go. We need to kill them when we get the chance.

Hondo: No, that won't work.

Valentine: Tammy said the same thing an' when I questioned her she said to ask you, why?

Hondo: 'Cause I understand the reasonin'. No, I'm not happy we can't do it in one move, but there are good reasons to do it this way.

Valentine: What reasons?

Hondo: Well the 2 most important reasons are these: First Fernando said this is the way we do it. Now I an' I alone reserve the right to go off on my own against his orders ifin no one else will be endangered, but you are to follow his orders to a 'T' unless I say otherwise as I'm responsible for ya while yur here. Fernando has been at this game a long time an' he knows what's best usually. I'm not sayin' for you to commit suicide to keep a mission objective nor to not think on yur own, but ifin Fernando says observe, ya observe an' avoid shootin' at all costs short of innocent lives an' yur own life.

Valentine: I can live with that, but what's the second reason?

Hondo: Second, we don't know all of who is involved yet, nor ifin they will all be there. We shoot without bein' sure that we can take them all then we'll be in big trouble. They all have connections an' such. We shoot one an' miss the others , then the others will go underground an' do everythin' in their power to kill us all. They may wait weeks, months, even years, but they will try to kill us an' they will wait until one of us is alone an' shoot us in the back, one at a time. They will win. I hate waitin' too, but I'll wait over take a chance at messin' this up an' endangerin' my friends, of which yur one.

Valentine hung her head: I didn't think of that. I feel stupid.

Hondo: Yur not stupid, just inexperienced, but ya can make up for the inexperience by trustin' the experienced.

Valentine just nodded.

They talked for a few more minutes before they heard the cars come back into the drive. Before they could get out of the room Fernando's voice boomed through the house.

Fernando (yelling out): MARCO! HILLSHIRE! GET OVER HERE! NOW!!!

Hondo steps out of the room and stands by the staircase to listen in. Valentine steps out the room and stands by Hondo, he signals to her to keep it quiet. They listened to the conversation for a while then after things settled down Hondo went to the balcony with his sharps rifle. Valentine followed behind. Valentine stayed on the balcony to watch from there an' to listen for anyone that was lookin' for them, as Hondo asked her to an' he climbed up on the roof to keep watch.

'Hondo watched as the SWA folks arrived one by one. It made him a bit uncomfortable, but ifin trouble came they might make good backup. After a while Marco came to search for them. He told Valentine to get Hondo an' come on down at Fernando's orders. Hondo slid down onto the balcony an' walked towards the livin'room, stoppin' at his room only long enough to leave his rifle there.

Hondo an' Valentine stood back away from the group, but close enough to hear an' be spoken to ifin they were needed. Fernando did most of the talkin' with the SWA officials only addressin' Hondo once.

Fernando: I found that after she was chased away. Its her wallet, it contains all her personal information an contacts. I had Marco copy it and fax it over to Section 2's logistics. But mark my words, she will be coming, and (turning to Hondo) she won't be coming alone.

Hondo: So this evening's mission is scrapped?

Fernando: Maybe. Maybe not. If she comes, like I think she will, she will not come alone.

The director of the SWA asked a few more questions then everythin' was disturbed by a voice outside on a bull horn.

Loud Voice from Bull Horn: FERNANDO! I KNOW YOU ARE IN THERE AND I'm GIVING YOU ONE MINUTE OR YOU TO COME OUT WITH YOUR WIFE AND HAND OVER WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE!

Fernando looks at the others.

Fernando: It's Party Time. Hondo, get the rocket launchers and hide at the right rear of the house. Marco- get your VIPs to the basement interrogation area, you been there before. Everyone else, cover the house. The windows are bullet and shatter proof so don't try anything stupid. I need to reload. Tammy, you are with me.

The first floor seemed deserted as they walked past he stairs. They take the route to the back of the house. Hondo and Valentine were ready with the rocket launchers at the basement stairway.

Fernando: Don't shoot unless they shoot first.

He then walks out of the house. Hondo follows and sees Fernando pointing to his right, where the house has a blind spot of trees and bushes. Hondo takes Valentine there. Fernando takes Tammy to the driveway, seeing Annie out of the sunroof of a large black sedan, one hand with a bull horn, another with a rocket launcher of her own. She sees them and the hands guns they carry aimed at her.

Some words are exchanged between Fernando an' Annie before she starts forward.

The door on her car opens and she manages to walk out carrying her rocket launcher on her shoulder. Fernando walks with Tammy closer to Anne and her wallet. He and Tammy stop just steps away from it. Anne adjusts the rocket launcher on her shoulder only to see Hondo come out of the corner with his rocket launcher aimed at her. The situation got tense as they stood facing each other.

After a few more words are exchanged Anne takes her wallet an' retreats.

At this time Hondo noticed that Valentine wasn't 'round close. As Anne's mob drives off Valentine comes out from the bushes where she had the first car dead in her sights. She looks for Hondo for a moment in the crowd then trots over to him.

Valentine: Did I do alright?

Hondo: ya did fine. That was a good spot an' a good target. Had they tried anythin' ya'd have messed them up bad.

Valentine Smiled at the comment. Hondo nodded for him to follow an' they slipped through the crowds an' made it back inside. Once inside Jeanie called down from upstairs.

Jeanie: Everything alright?

Hondo: Yeah, their gone for now. Y'all can relax for a bit.

Jeanie: Supper is done. You might want to get some before the other get in.

Hondo: We'll wait. Want to make sure there's enough an' I don't know who all is stayin' Once ya find out let us know. We'll be in the basement.

Jeanie: Alright.

Hondo went down into the basement an' unloaded the RPG launcher. Valentines followed an' did likewise.

After they finished Hondo sat down on an old loveseat that was in the basement. Valentine stood beside him for a moment unsure of what to do.

Hondo: Come on, sit down. I don't know 'bout you but that stress like that can wear ya out fast! That high adrenaline rush then the low after . . .

Valentine: You mean you still get like that in a fight?

Hondo: everyone does to some extent. Just some of us know how to control it better an' after time they get less, but they never go away. I'm always worse when Fernando is up there an' I'm coverin' him. Guess 'cause I know ifin I mess up it could be his life.

Valentine: I can understand that. You facin' that woman down with that RPG, you scared me for a moment as I was sure she was gonna fire on you.

Hondo: no, she knew ifin she did I'd fire too an' she'd not make it either. She'll not risk her own life. She'll only do somethin' like that ifin she's sure she'll get away.

Valentine sat down beside him but as far to the other side as possible. This confused Hondo some. First she wanted him to take her bodily; now she acted like she was afraid to touch him. It didn't make sense. But Hondo didn't have time to think on it right now. He left the door upstairs open a crack an' listened to the voices upstairs while he waited for things to settle down

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Feb 22^nd, 2011, 12:41am

Tammy climbs on the bed with Fernando and crawls over to him.

Tammy: You know there are people here.
Fernando: Send them home before they start knocking on doors and asking for food.
Tammy: I'm serious.
Fernando: Those are your people, from the SWA, you need to take care of him.
Tammy: And if they wont leave?
Fernando: You need to make sure that they do leave.
Tammy: I swear, Fernando.
Fernando: They are your employers, your supervisors, your chief and your director. They may want to talk to me but they will listen to you. I'm asking you to get rid of them so we can have a peaceful dinner and rest up for the mission. OK?

Tammy does not answer for a time that seemed longer that it actually was. And though Tammy does not answer, they get one as someone knocks loudly on the door. A voice yells through the door.

Voice through the door: Tammy! Fernando! Open The Door! We Need To Talk!

They both recognized it as Marco. Tammy got off the bed and walks to the door. She opens it once she saw Fernando sitting on the edge of the bed. She uses her foot to stop the travel of the door. Behind Marco, Tammy saw Jean, Chief Lorenzo, and Director Petris.

Tammy: Yes, Marco?
Marco: We need to talk.
Tammy: Downstairs in 15 minutes.
Marco: Here. Now.
Tammy: I need a moment of privacy with my husband if you don't mind. Besides, where are your manners, this is my house. Do not order me in my house.

Fernando steps up behind her, tapping her on the shoulder. She lets go of the door and Fernando opens it fully.

Fernando: You heard her. This is our house, and we wish to be left alone to discuss matters.
Jean (to himself, starting to walk away): I bet. You just want to have mad puppy making sex.

Fernando steps out of the door around Tammy. Marco blocks his way. They stare at each other for a moment.

Fernando: Jean, disrespect me in this house one more time and not your men or your cyborgs are going to save you from the as kicking I will give you.

Jean turns around and steps back to Fernando, standing behind Marco.

Jean: Is that so?
Chief Lorenzo: Jean. Back down.
Jean: Tell him to respect his guests.
Fernando: Tell him to respect the host and the house or else I will kick his ass out the premises.
Jean: I would like to see you try.
Chief Lorenzo: Jean! I said for you to back down!

Jean and Fernando exchange stares.

Director Petris: Mr. Croche. Cease and desist your emotional outburst and wait for us down stairs.

Jean leaves the immediate area and goes down the stairs. All eyes and faces turn to Fernando and Tammy.

Marco: You going to let us in the room or what?

Fernando turns to face Tammy. She nods yes, he shakes his head no. She nods her head one more time. He turns around and starts moving the chairs around. Tammy turns around to see what he was doing, then reaches to the light dimmer and increases the light in the room to 75 percent. She signals everyone to walk in when Fernando pushes the room table off to a side wall. Tammy sits on the end of the bed as the others walk in and take a seat. Marco makes himself the last one to come in, closing the door behind him. Fernando stands at the side of the bed, with his arms crossed. Tammy pats on the bed to signal to him to sit by her. He refuses for the moment, but walks over to her and leans by the bed. She takes his hand and gently pulls him and sits him down next to her. Fernando lets out a sigh as she leans against him.

Marco: Why you let them go?
Fernando: Cutting off the head of a snake does not kill it depending on it. A cobra or any other poisonous snake, yes. But King snake or Boa Constrictor- then you have a problem is its wrapped around your neck. Killing Anne or any of the other members of her entourage would have not done anything to the rest of the group. Its better to let her go and follow her to wherever she goes.
Marco: Follow her. No body is following her.
Fernando (pointing up to the room's ceiling): I have a KH-17 satellite above our heads in space tied to my computer access following anyone who enters and exits this place. It has a resolution of 3 inches for a 50 mile radius and 1 foot for another 200 miles.
Director Petris: You willing to share that technology?
Fernando: If it were mine to share. But its not, so I cant. Don't ask because I wont.
Chief Lorenzo: What about the results of that technology, the intell it generates?
Fernando: That I can give you in an email. But that is not the problem, now is it?
Director Petris: What are you talking about?
Fernando: Now that I'm not dead, you would want Tammy back in Section 2 with her cyborg.
Chief Lorenzo: We gave her a generous mourning package, if that is what you man.
Fernando: What about a honey moon package?
Chief Lorenzo: As far as I remember, 3 months was it.

Fernando turns and looks at Tammy.

Fernando: I only returned a week ago, all this time Tammy was mourning and I came back from hiding to finish this job and she hears that I have returned somehow and goes out to follow me. I don't think no apology for such a government secrecy on my part being held against her to where it hurt I could ever say to make it up to her.
Tammy: I already forgave you when you returned.
Fernando: As much as it may hurt you, it hurts me a whole lot more. It still does.
Director Petris: So, what you two been doing since your return?
Tammy: Running for our lives.
Fernando: Have you ever been hunted? I mean, aware of being hunted. Knowing that out there somewhere is a group of people would rather see you dead than to negotiate terms because that is how they operate.
Marco: It part of our job.
Fernando: You kill Annie and five of her friends replace her. Kill them and 5 for each one replaces them, and 5 for each of them and so on and so forth. We don't know how many they are and that we need to find out. From the lowliest area guard to the head honchos- Anne and her friends.
Marco: You make it sound easy.
Fernando: You're going to have a problem if it turns out that Christiano Savonarola is also involved.
Marco: How so?
Director Petris: It means that you, as a group, failed on your mission in terminating him.

Fernando: Their failure in terminating Mr. Savonarola is the least of their problems. Those Anne has involved herself with are major South American Drug Cartel Bosses. If you think that the drug problem in Italy is bad now... you wait when the major source of supply take root here like they have in America for the past several decades. Nancy Regan declared war on drugs back in the 1980's, they are still fighting that mess of symptoms of the disease and not the cause some 40 years later. Want Italy in that shit? Want Crack Cocaine in the streets which will increase crime, which will flood your jails, which will make the poor poorer and the illegally rich richer? This has to be done as a surgical strike, just like the last mission. Collateral damage to innocents kept to zero as much as possible. The smaller the crew, the more likely they will succeed. So Marco, if we fail, all this will thrown onto your lap. If you think the cyborgs are over worked and over stressed from the last mission and you tired of chasing leads, wait until this is added to you work.

Chief Lorenzo: I seen your mission proposal and consider your 75 percent chance of succeeding too low to allow it if it were my own staff...

Fernando (interrupting): You want your streets to flow in blood from drug cartels enforcing their rules like Mexico? Want your police taken over in bribes and malfeasance? Want elementary school age girls to be whoring with their older sisters or even their mothers for a hit of crack? This is your future in less than a year if this is not stopped now. Only way the drug cartel will leave Italy alone is like what was done with Slovania's LSD Drug dealers. They have to learn that doing business in Italy will be too expensive to be worth it. We need to send not only El Jefe and his friends back to South America in pine boxes but also his whole crew down to the lowly security guard. Same applies to Anne and her Padania and Mafioso pals.

Marco: Brave words for a dead man.

They all look at him.

Marco: Its true. He was supposed have been killed in the last mission.
Fernando: That's besides the point. Now, Chief Lorenzo, Director Petris, I have 3 days to complete this mission. I wish I had more but I'm not one to break promises or cry that its not possible. I'll have to do with what little I got and if I managed to do something out of nothing then I have pulled a miracle from out my ass. In all honestly, sir, madam, I do not want to be disturbed by your people. This mission requires the utmost cooperation from your staff and I'm not getting it. To them, finding out why I am still alive when they saw me dead months ago is second to the Elvis Sightings at the Piazza di Spanga by the tabloid reporters and the paparazzi. I'm here, I'm going to do this self imposed mission and I expect nothing out of it. If I get a reward for my actions, then so be it. I don't work for nobody in this country, no one here signs my pay check. All I care for is a little cooperation between you staff and my group. Nothing more.

Director Petris: Lorenzo. Can I see you outside for a moment.

Chief Lorenzo nods, and walks out the door with Director Petris. The door closes behind them, as they begin their conversation outside. Meanwhile Marco makes his points known.

Marco: Unless they say otherwise, you are going to be escorted back to New York and pick up Bink, and then brought back to here where you are going to report to your office and write up everything that has happened in your absence.
Tammy: And If I refuse?
Marco: You have no choice in the matter. You will do as told.
Fernando: And if I wont let her?
Marco: Don't get in the way, Fernando.
Fernando: That's my wife and family you are talking about. I will do as I think she needs fit. If I want her working here in the SWA with you, she will work in the SWA with you. If I want her downstairs preparing dinner and washing dishes, she will be downstairs preparing dinner and washing dishes. I have the final say in what is said in this family. Not you.
Marco: Don't push your luck. This is Italy we are in.
Fernando: This, and all other agency safe houses, is the extension if the US Embassy, thus making this US Soil in Italy. You are in my nation right now, not yours. So just smile for the camera and say hello to Agent Watson for me. Anything else happens here, they will be coming. The reason why they have not before is because they are on my orders not too. Now they are. You don't want to have a battle with the Embassy guards when they arrive to check up on me.

Tammy: Fernando?
Fernando: What?

Tammy: Let me do the things I need to do. Husband or not, I can only get your blessings, not your demands though I appreciate your concerns. Really. Marco. I have one thing to say to you. #$@! you an the horse you rode in on. You people at the SWA promised not to endanger my life yet your missions have on more than several occasions. I thought I would never put into a situation where I would have to take a life to save my own- OK, I'll give it that my husband did that to me first, but you- the SWA have put me through ordeals and situations where I had to defend myself to that extreme. You promised to keep me safe, yet there is a killer out there with a lot more resources and man power than the agency who is willing to kill me for what little I have and you- the agency is not doing anything to help defend me. So excuse if I don't agree with you, your agency, your policies because they frankly stink. My husband has done more for me, including die for me than anyone of your people would have.

Tammy pauses for a second but is kept from continuing when there is a light knock at the door. It opens with Director Petris and Chief Lorenzo reentering the room. Director Petris makes her thoughts known.

Director Petris: What we had to discuss only took 2 minutes, but then we heard your discussion through the door. To that I have to say several things. First of all, Marco, though you might be her field supervisor, this is still her home and as they say it, American soil on the Italian nation. To my knowledge no one in the SWA has ever went to some co-worker's home and gave orders to the fact of what you stated. Tammy G. Squirrel is still under her time of leave and is to be left a lone during this time until she returns from that leave. You are to respect her, you husband and their property accordingly, and remember that you are on another nation's jurisdiction by their invitation. Any disrespect to that and you and any other involved staff member will be in my office . Alert the rest of the staff of that notice.

Marco: Yes, director, sir.

Director Petris: US Agent Fernando G., I can not stop you on what on going missions you may be under, but when it involved the public safety of the citizens and visiting tourist of this nation, I'm going to have to warn you to cease such activities or face possible criminal charges. I can understand you acting in self defense, but it can not happen in the view of the public eye or within their vicinity. In short, I don't want any of the people I swore to protect to get hurt. Do you understand what I'm telling you?

Fernando: I do. And for what its worth, I'm sorry.

Director Petris: Don't apologize. I understand that you were defending yourself. But furthermore, I am requesting that you take the resources of Section two with you and use them to the best of your leadership abilities and get this situation out of my country. I don't want my precious Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan or any part of this country to be a drug depot for some drug smuggling South American nor will I accept Italy to be a shipping point for illegal drugs to the rest of Europe, Do I make myself clear on this?

Fernando: Yes Ma'am.

Director Petris: Marco, inform the rest of them downstairs of the new orders to be followed and the change of leadership personnel. Secondly, they are ordered to stay down stairs until new orders and rules of conduct while in this place can be reestablished. Anyone coming up to question my decisions can remain behind their desks writing mission reports for the rest of their career. Now, go and tell the others. What I have to say is for their ears only.

Marco: Uhm.. OK. I'm going to tell them, though I doubt they are going to like it.

Marco gets up walks out the door, closing it behind him. Chief Lorenzo and Director Petris turns to Tammy.

Chief Lorenzo: Now Miss Squirrel, when we stepped out, we had a discussion about you. And this is what we have decided. Monica?

Director Petris: We have considered what you have been through, going through the murder of your husband and going through a period of mourning and then only to be wretched away from that by having your husband back. We know about the actual marriage days before the ceremony, we recognize the union. But you never had a chance to take all this and swallow it. Thus, Pieri and I have decided to end your current standing Inactive Status and start a new one for 3 months. Consider it is as your Honeymoon period.

Tammy: Honeymoon?

Director Petris: As a married woman, I know that what happens now during your first few months of marriage depends on what happens to the rest of it for as long as it lasts. But, during this time, though your status is inactive, I must warn you that what actions you take with your husband in this mission might be taken as criminal actions against you if you continue on this course.

Fernando: Ms Director- #$@! you! How dare you try to take away Tammy's only hope of defending herself against a cyborg threat that certain members of your medical staff created illegally? Mark my words, if either of us does not terminate this threat, your precious little cyborgs will have much more of a problem in dealing with her than they did a bunch of normal living targets, including a 50-something year old arthritic man by the name of Christiano Savonarola, who by admission of your own staff don't know where he is but he managed to sign out Anne from a hospital days after his termination. You can go ahead and take Tammy's gun and agency credentials, they will be replaced by what I can give her through my agency, and when we leave this misbegotten nation of yours, don't think of looking for us. You will not find us and you will fail if you try to hunt us down. We are not the enemy, so stop treating us like one or else I can shut down this agency and charge this nation with illegal use of child soldiers in domestic and foreign disputes.

Director Petris: Is that all you have to say?

Fernando: No. Get the #$@! out my house and take your DAMN people with you. And you better pray to god that we should succeed, because if we don't, it means the fall of Italy in ways you never would have wished it to happen. Now get out.

Chief Lorenzo (as he got up): Miss Squirrel, I need you to surrender your agency identification and service weapon.

Tammy gets up and take her purse from the night stand by the bed. Taking out her service weapon, Identification card and shield from her purse and hands it to Chief Lorenzo. He was the first to walk out the door, heading down stairs. Director Petris remained behind for a moment.

Director Petris: It is not that I want Agent Tammy not to defend herself, its that I have concerns about the public safety.

Fernando: You go find Anne and tell her to stop the hunting and the shooting at us and all this end right now. But knowing her, she will falsely promise you that before putting a bullet through your head. We never fired a shot at anyone without somebody putting that show of force to us first. We never had to defend ourselves unless we were attacked first. You have missed that point. Now get out of here before I start to get ugly.

Director Petris: You already are... ugly.

She leaves through the door, closing it behind her.

Fernando (to herself): That #$@!ing bitch.
Tammy: Fernando, could you please calm down?
Fernando: How could I? Those assholes took your rights to defend yourself away as a person!

The faint sounds of car engines turning on and revving can be heard. A couple of the vehicles leave while others wait.

Tammy: No they didn't. They can not take away what you gave me. Now.

Fernando walks over to the door, opening it.

Fernando: Lets go and see who left. Maybe I can still kick out those who remain.

He walks out of the room with Tammy following right behind him. Going down the stairs he sees that everyone had left, but a couple of car engines were still running in the rear parking area. He walks to the rear of the house and steps out a couple of steps to the parking area. A silver Mercedes 500SEL station wagon leaves the area as soon as he steps out. A bright yellow Fiat 612 with Ferrari components pulls over to Fernando and Tammy who was just coming up behind him. Its window rolls down, showing Marco at the controls.

Marco: Hope you reconsider.
Fernando: What for? To be humiliated by your people and agency? No.

Marco extends his hand out the window, in it was Tammy's shield, agency identification and service weapon. Tammy retrieves her property from him.

Marco: Despite what you think, some of us care about that red headed squirrel you call your wife. You better take care of her in this mission or else if she gets hurt or killed, there will be a lot of angry people hunting for your tail.
Fernando: I would die first before letting her get hurt.
Marco: Make sure you live up to that promise.

Marco revs the engine of his Fiat, sounding more like a Ferrari engine under the hood than a Fiat one. Putting the car in gear, he slowly drives away as the window rolls up. Tammy looks at her stuff as she held it, slowly realizing the importance of what each items means.

Fernando slowly around, taking Tammy by the arm, then sees Hondo and Valentine at the doorway.

Fernando: How much of it did you hear?

Hondo: To be honest, bits and pieces of it, but putting those pieces together, its an ugly picture to look at.
Fernando: Enough of that. Lets eat, and rest up. At a quarter to eight, we get ready and leave.

Hondo nods slightly, before taking Valentine by her arm and escorts her to the dining table. Fernando does the same with Tammy. At the dining table, Jeanie serves up the meal for everyone to eat. She had made more than enough for everyone to have first and even seconds.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Feb 25^th, 2011, 9:21pm

Hondo held Valentine's chair for her an' seated her at the table. She started to refuse, but realized that he was tryin' to be a gentleman to her. Was this a good sign?
Fernando did the same for Tammy then sat down as did Hondo. Hondo made note of Fernando's seatin' Tammy for later thought. Hondo was an' still tended respectful of all women folk unless they proved first that they didn't deserve it. It was his upbringin'. 'Fernando acted like he had no respect for women, but Hondo now could see that at times he acted that way against what he'd prefer to act like, but he had a job to do an' at times Fernando went overboard to make a point to Hondo, but 'round the ones he trusted an' cared for his true nature showed through, Hondo also wondered ifin the stress of it all was bringin' it out now as well. This was the first time that Hondo, Fernando, an' Tammy had sat down to eat together in a long time. Hondo an' Fernando had been together to eat an' talk just as friends after the first mission, but they had not done so in a long time. Te last time he remembered eatin' a nice dinner together was when Fernando, gadget, Hondo, an' Rose went out together, but that time there was too much interpersonal stress. 'Hondo realized that there had been no rest, peace, or settlin' time for any of them since the beginnin' of the last mission. It was always eat on the run, eat under stress, even talk under stress.

'Jeanie set on the food an' they passed it 'round takin' their fill as there was more than plenty. The food looked good, an' reminded Hondo of home.

At that moment Hondo wished all 4 of them were out at Wyomin', eatin' fresh American beef steaks 'on a front porch of a ranch house, watchin' some horses snort 'round in their pen while the sun goes down. Maybe even go into town on Friday night to go 2-stepin'. He wondered whether Tammy an' Fernando would enjoy it as much as he would though. He knew Valentine would. That thought startled him for a moment. She had barely been with them one day, yet he was thinkin' of her as one of the group. That almost scared him that he'd let his guard down to her so fast. He wanted to love her, 'as he did like her an' respected her, more than she knew, but he had too many obstacles in the way to love her. The two biggest were the mission at hand an' Laurie Ann. He was sure he could kill her ifin he had too but, as much as he wouldn't admit it to himself, seein' her again stirred the old love he had for her. He could not love 2 an' until this mission was over he could not permit himself to love even one. He knew the end of the mission would solve part or all of his problems. Either Laurie Ann would die an' he could let her go again, though the feelin' wasn't strong like it use to be nor was he even truly aware of it, or he would die which would solve all of his troubles, but would it be best for his friends?

Valentine looked at Hondo several times as he ate but Hondo didn't look at her, nor did he eat fast. It was more slow an' thoughtful, but with a distinct look of not wantin' to talk at the moment as thought was more important. Tammy looked at Fernando but he wore a similar look. Valentine caught Tammy's eye an' looked back an' forth between Hondo an' Fernando. Tammy just shrugged her shoulders an' shook her head. Valentine sighed a bit an' went back to eatin'. She remembered what Fernando an' Hondo had said 'bout eatin'. Though she wasn't as hungry as she was earlier she definitely had gotten most of her appetite back.

They took about 30 minutes to eat an' they did so in silence the whole time. Once Done Jeanie took over to clean off the dishes before anyone else could move. Fernando told her that everyone could still take care of their own dishes, but she argued that they had a mission to prepare for. Fernando gave that up fast an' turned to Hondo.
Fernando: We should get the equipment ready.

Valentine: I can help.

Fernando: Hondo and I can get the equipment ready. You and Tammy get the maps and get yourselves ready. You're wearing fairly dark cloths already. Just make sure they are quiet and fit tight enough to not snag on anything.

Valentine (lookin' a bit dejected, but tryin' not to): Alright. I'll be ready.

Fernando: Good.

Fernando turned and headed towards the basement an' Hondo followed without bein' told.

Once in the basement they grabbed 7 silenced 1911's (2 for each of them, one for each of the women an' a spare to leave in the car) six 2-way radios (one for each of the 4 on the team, a spare to be left in the car, an' one for Jeanie) '21 full ammo clips, (enough for 2 reloads for each of the 1911s) 2 mini cameras, and a RPG launcher with 4 RPGs.

Fernando an' Hondo went over plans again for the mission just to be sure each understood their own part as well as everyone else's for smooth operations. They had almost everythin' ready an' carried upstairs 'an' had only one more load to get When Fernando looked at his watch.
Fernando: We will need to be leaving soon to get into positions

Hondo: Yeah

Fernando: You alright?

Hondo: I'm fine.

Fernando: Listen I know you probably didn't get all of what happened earlier, but I'll tell you in the car, but don't worry. It's nothing we have not handled before.

Hondo: Well, I'll be glad to hear what that was all 'bout but I knew ya'd tell me in your time ifin I needed to know.

Fernando: So then what gives? Having second thoughts about the mission?

Hondo: Don't we all at times? But no, I'm not. I'm just poderin' over everythin'. I feel like I've left the coffee pot on at home while on vacation, ya know?

Fernando: Yeah, I get that feeling every once in a while as well. Don't worry about it. We will make it through.

Hondo: But if we don't?

Fernando: Hondo, this is recon only the big mission date is still 3 days away.

Hondo: Yeah, but we're not ready for battle. What if the shit hits the fan?

Fernando: We'll take care of it if it does.

Hondo: No.

Fernando: No?

Hondo: I will.

Fernando: Nonsense!

Hondo: Listen to me, Jefe. I'm just a co-pilot here. I'm expendable. I've been doin' a lot of thinkin' lately. Today proves my thoughts right even further. This mission must be completed within the set dates or none of us will survive. I can be replaced. Ifin things go to hell, get the girls, get out an' leave me.

Fernando: Damn it, Hondo. Don't even think like that.

Hondo: But we must. We can't go into this without a plan B. This one is too delicate of a matter. We screw this over and don't get out it's over. Even ifin some of us live they will scatter then hunt us down. No, 'If it comes to it leave me there.

Fernando: Hondo, I'm immortal, you know that. I can come back . . .

Hondo: an' put Tammy through all that again? No sir, not ifin I can help it! Besides, don't think I'm stupid, Jefe. You might be immortal to a point, an' you came back this time, but what 'bout next time? I've seen you get hurt. Is it not possible for you to get hurt beyond the scope of yur bio-pills an' yur immortality?

Fernando: I plead the 5th.

Hondo: I thought so.

Fernando: Hondo! Don't worry about me.

Hondo: Damn it, boss man. Of course I worry 'bout you, but not just you. Tammy an' Val worry me too. You can take care of them an' make Tammy Happy. All I could do is bury you again. I did that once, remember? Even knowin' you'd be back do ya think it was easy? Hell no! 'sides, it's easier for one to escape that mess than for all of us. Just let me handle plan B.
Hondo didn't wait for a response but scooped up the last of the stuff an' waled up the stairs to load the extras into the trunk of Fernando's car.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Feb 27^th, 2011, 5:56pm

Fernando thinks that he has to make a decision that he was saving for when the mission was over. At least part one of two of it. Perhaps now is the better time, especially when Hondo gets like this. Suicidal Plan Bs are not in Fernando's Options. He goes upstairs and waits for Hondo to return for more stuff to pack. It only takes a Hondo a minute as he does not have the keys to the Porsche, Tammy still does. He returns, placing the box of stuff to be packed by the door way.

Hondo: Mind giving me the keys to the Porsche.
Fernando: No.
Hondo: No? Why not?
Fernando (pulling his pants pockets out): I don't have them. Tammy does.
Hondo: OK. I'll get them from her then.

Hondo starts to walk around the steps to the kitchen where Tammy and Valentine were studying the maps but Fernando steps in his way.

Fernando: Actually, that can wait. I got a couple of things upstairs to bring down and need your help with.
Hondo: Oh. You do?
Fernando (walking to the stairs to the second floor): Yeah...

Hondo follows him up the stairs and to his room on the second floor. Fernando opens the door and turns on the light to 50 percent intensity. He goes to the laptop, turns it on and types on it.

Fernando: Excuse me. I have to unlock a few electronic locks to get them.
Hondo: Alright. Sure.

A bright light flashed in one of the lower desk drawers. Hondo did not see it as Fernando's body was in the way. Fernando reaches over and pulls out a couple of ring jewel boxes and places them on the desk next to the laptop.

Hondo: What are those?
Fernando: I would be lying if I said they were engagement rings. Now. I need to talk to you.
Hondo: About?

Fernando pulls out a funny looking bottle where the next folds back into the main body, and hands it to Hondo.

Fernando: If I can save time in a bottle, well, if it were possible, but its not. Know what is that in your hand?
Hondo: No. Is it important for the mission?
Fernando: It's a physical metaphor for Time Traveling if it can be shown as a physical object.
Hondo: What does this have to do with the mission?
Fernando: If it were to fail, and you do a Plan B, I'll go back in Time to pull your shot up hyde out of danger. We can always start over again, as Time Travelers, you should know that or at least learning it.
Hondo: You would go back in time and... what about your headaches?
Fernando: #$@! the headaches. I'm not letting a friend die out there for nothing. Understand that.

Fernando takes one of the jewel boxes and opens it. He then closes it and opens the other, closing it and giving it to Hondo.

Hondo (taking the tiny box and opens it): What's this?
Fernando: Living as a Time Traveler is not a good thing to do with a normal lifespan. You will quickly waste away your years and die in a life of a few years looking old and stressed out. Misao is going to learn that the hard way.
Hondo: And you're saying?
Fernando: Its an immortality pill for you. The other is for your friend if you trust her. Don't mix them up or one day you might turn into her and she into you as the pill energy matrix tried to set things as to its genetic programming.
Hondo: But why?

Fernando: Aren't you listening? Living as a Time Traveler is not a good thing to do with a normal lifespan. After we take care of the world's problem as it pertains to Tammy, you and I, what you do after that depends on what you have. I know you have the time travel parts from the Delorean in your truck, but its not working because there are some things missing. Besides, running around at 88 miles per hour is a very bad thing as you don't know what you are going to hit when you get to the other side. Why you think that Delorean became a pile of junk after a while? I have a slightly better solution for time travel but like I said, Living as a Time Traveler is not a good thing to do with a normal lifespan. Now, the choice is yours. Until then, talk with the girls about the weapons and devices.

Hondo (looking at the small box in his hand): If I refuse?
Fernando: Give it back so I can recycle its energy and reprogram for somebody else who is worthy of this.
Hondo: Worthy? Now wait a minute.

Fernando: Worthy, as in you are now to me to give you this. But if you refuse, then I will have to give it somebody else after you have been long since and gone. I'm not saying that I'm giving you god's gift, but maybe it will help you understand who god is and why he allow things to happen. While you're at it, you should go to the Time Traveler's Convention in a little town of Bethlehem in what is now Israel in the year zero and watch a miracle happen. Until then, you should not take this pill for granted. You can still get hurt, you can technically die but death only happen when 92 percent of your body is destroyed. Having a stake through the heart or your head chopped off will not kill you as you think it will. You will go through a stasis period where you will be unconscious while your body heals. The larger the damage to your body, the longer it will take to heal. A bullet to the brain will take you 1000 years to recover from, and you might lose some memories from it as well. Idiot doctors performing an autopsy on your will create more damage to your body, so get into a habit of wearing a medical alert wrist band stating no autopsy is to be performed on your body. You also have a lot to learn about the Science of Time. Time Travel is not to be taken lightly. Any event you were involved with you can never interfere in- Einstein's Laws of Conservation says so. If such laws were to be broken, my first wife Cathy would be here with me and Tammy would be in the cafŽ still crying about what happened to her family because no one would have taken that mission without either of us to help her. It is cold for me to have said that but it is also true and because I have tried. Thanks to Gadget, the death of Tammy's mother and Bink's indoctrination into the SWA became inevitable.

Hondo: So you are saying that all this is Gadget's fault?

Fernando: No it is not. Tammy's mother and sister were attacked because they were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Tammy's mother married the wrong guy who put up a convincing good-guy act and won her heart. It is this asshole who led a double life, his activities and his so-called friends that killed them. Killed them along with everyone in the house- other family members, servants, house staff and field workers. It was what the bloodiest murder scene since the Charles Manson murders of the 1960s. Gadget's interaction of trying to stop it made sure that we cant go back for another try for we were already there. Got that?

Hondo could only give a blank stare, gears in his head running faster than their bearings would allow.

Hondo: Then how about I go.
Fernando: The more people that get involved, the more target rich the area becomes and you will be part of the carnage. It was already been calculated that the more people go the least likely that they would return alive, there was only one chance to do the rescue and Gadget screwed it up and it failed though it is unfair to put all the blame on her. Besides, you go rescue Bink and Tammy's mother then, none of this would happen, we would never have gone to Italy, Tammy and I would never have gotten married and everybody lives happily ever after you could say. Those of us involved would now have two sets of different and possibly conflicting memories, and most of you would go insane from it. The immortality pill protects you from going over the edge but is wont be a pleasant ride, that I can tell you. Tammy would go insane as one memory would have her thinking she's immortal and in actuality she is not. You would have never taken that pill as here you are now thinking about it and go into screaming insanity from it. So, the choice is yours.

Hondo stands there taking this in. Fernando gets up and walks over to the closet, going on and pulling out a couple of t-shirts. He hands them to Hondo.

Fernando: Those are bullet resistant t-shirts. Along with a shirt or jacket with the same protection, it should stop most things fired by guns and rifles. Think of it as another layer of protection.

He reaches in and takes out a couple of shirts but does not give them to him.

Fernando: Three layers of protection- you'll survive what Plan B throws at you except for a head shot. Lets go and lets see if these things fit your friend.

Hondo was about to say something but Fernando interrupts him from saying anything as they walked to the door. For a moment, they stop by the doorway

Fernando: My suit jacket is a layer of protection, as is the shirt and then t-shirt under it. When Anne got me the first time earlier this week, I was only wearing one layer of protection- the t-shirt. The suit did not help because it was open, trying to protect Tammy behind me. So, if you think I will allow another hit to this body or have Tammy go through another hospital stay or funeral, you must be crazy. Then again, even though I may be immortal, I am still me- full of attitudes and mistakes. Hell, I can't see half the time. I am far from perfect, but if I have to do something to help somebody from some evil doer then may god help them because I'll do what it is that I can eliminate that evil for now on. In short Hondo, immortality as I have it versus how you see it is just an illusion. One can live for the next 900 years and still do nothing, while another can live 33 years... well we know what Jesus Christ did here on earth.

Hondo just nods during Fernando's pause.

Fernando: You have a lot to learn. Most importantly, those who make change in this world don't do a Plan B. And like the Marines, I don't intend to leave a man or woman behind- dead or alive. If we fight, then we all fight. If we run then we all run. Then we gather ourselves and return to kick ass. I cant do that if I lose a man out there. Understand that.

Hondo gives him a sour look for a moment.

Hondo: I'll think about it.
Fernando: Don't think- do, as a one of my karate masters once said. Now lets go and lets see if this stuff fits you and your friend.
Hondo: Why do you refer Valentine as my friend? Haven't you accepted her into the team yet?
Fernando: The team, maybe. But my life and friendship with her, that depends on her. Right now her only interest as I see it is in you. She wants your attention and not do wrong by you. But like I keep telling you, Hondo. Women are not equals to men. They might be able to do things as same or even better than we do, but they are not our masters. Nor are they our slaves. They are to serve us as we serve them, and that is where the differences lies. Now you got a wife out there that does not remember herself being as such to you, and prefers to see you dead. Who knows maybe she was performing those wifely duties to El Jefe, thinking that she belongs to him. What ever. She is not going to return to you and will kill you if given the opportunity. So the choice is made, she wants a divorce by hot lead. I say you give it to her, and give it to her and with personal interest added to it. Only then are you going to be freed of this wretched existence of exes and bad mojo. Now lets go.

Before Hondo could say a word on edge wise, Fernando steps through the door and heads to the stairs. It was something he did not liked but Fernando did lot in the worst of times. Hondo was right behind him a couple of steps away as Fernando walked quickly down the stairs. Once by the girls, Fernando puts the shirts on the table for them to look at.

Tammy: What's this?
Fernando: Something you already have and she is going to need.
Valentine: Huh?

Hondo steps from behind Fernando, putting the t-shirts next to the shirts. Fernando nods at him.

Fernando: Added ballistic protection. Bulletproof shirts and t-shirts.

He takes one of the smaller t-shirts and tosses it at her.

Fernando: Take off what you got and put that on. Don't worry about being seen in the dark, that's what the trench coats are for. Protection is needed more than camouflage. Remember, this is observation only. If guards get in the way, only guards will be taken down quietly as possible. Valentine, is it?

Valentine nods.

Fernando: Valentine, you watch and guard Hondo's back. Tammy will be watching mine.
Hondo: Now wait a minute.
Fernando: What's the problem, Hondo.
Hondo: I thought we were all going in at once.
Fernando: We are. But we will be taking different directions.

Fernando takes the map from between the girls. He points at specific locations.

Fernando: We will walk here, where the phone line junction is at. A crowbar and a launched RPG will make short work of it. Then we split off, taking the remaining 2 blocks in separate directions. You and Valentine take the left side of the block, we take the right. Taking the adjacent buildings, climb up to the roof, Take the fire escapes but be on your guard. Check the area before continuing. Once the area is clear, we will meet at the warehouse sunroof, take pictures, record what is being said and hide until they leave. Then we take the warehouse, study what they got. If the SWA wants action in this place, they can take over after we get what we want. If not, we burn the place down. Since there are no land lines in the area, the place will burn for quite a while before any attention will be brought in to take care of it. Do I make myself clear?

They all nod to what he had to say though they don't necessarily agree. Each one has their own point of how things should be done, and believe that they can step up to the plate when called for. For Hondo, its 'Plan B'. Valentine still wants to charge in and take out everybody in the room. Tammy just wants to prove to everyone that she can take out Anne. But none adds up to a mission with set goals and objectives as what Fernando has. They all look over the assorted maps and satellite imagery.

Fernando: Valentine- put on the t-shirt and shirts. Hondo you too, and show'em how to use the radios and cameras. There is only 2 hours left before we go.

Fernando starts to walk away. After disappearing around the corner, Tammy looks a the others before going after Fernando. She finds him heading to the rear exit of the house carrying the box Hondo left in the hall and follows him into the back yard and calls out to him.

Tammy: Fernando?

He stops for a moment, half way to the Porsche from the house. She trots over to him.

Tammy (as she turns around him and faces him): Fernando?
Fernando: Yes?
Tammy: is it me or does this feel like the last mission?
Fernando: It's the last mission if it fails and we end up in a gun battle with them. If everyone stays within the orders, we will succeed for the final mission in three days.

Tammy leans against him and sighs.

Fernando: Look. I have no worries about this as long as everyone stays within given orders.
Tammy: I know.
Fernando: Two hours and nothing to do.
Tammy: I would not say that there is nothing to do.
Fernando: I'm mission ready as are you.

Tammy inches up on her toes and plants a kiss on his lips. Going back down, she sighs.

Tammy: Not even for a quick chase under the blankets?
Fernando: I would love nothing more than to do that. But I'm too focused on the mission to be a loving husband right now. Nothing says that I can't still be a caring one.
Tammy: I would not want you to stop caring.

After a few moments of silence, Fernando steps back from Tammy.

Fernando: I need the keys to the Porsche.
Tammy: Keys to the Porsche?
Fernando: Yes. You did drive it last.
Tammy: Its in your suit jacket pocket.
Fernando (going in to both pockets): How?
Tammy: I put them where they belong in our last attempted undercover blanket mission, when Marco interrupted us.
Fernando (pulling them out from his left pocket): Oh.

He steps away from Tammy and opens the rear of the Porsche's hatch and puts the box of assorted items in the trunk space.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Mar 1^st, 2011, 10:15pm

Hondo walked up to his room and Valentine followed. She looked at him to start a conversation but he didn't. His mind seemed to be elsewhere, or was he deciding he didn't like her? This bothered her. She wasn't sure about the whole team yet, but she really liked Hondo and wanted him to like her. Jeanie's suggestions haunted her an' made her question her actions, she wanted to believe Hondo was good; she wanted to talk to him, tell him what she felt like Tammy had said, but she was afraid, afraid of rejection mostly. She didn't like the recon mission, but she trusted Hondo to know what was best an' she saw how they had worked earlier. They may look odd as a team, but they were a well oiled machine for the most part. So very different in styles, backgrounds, an' ways of thinkin', yet under a common goal they worked better together than any of the set, professional groups. She did not understand why, but even so it made her want to be a part of it, yet without Hondo's love she was not sure she could do it. To work beside a person you love but not have it returned she thought might be more than she could bear, yet it would allow her to be close to him an' give her hope of someday. She told herself that she didn't know that he'd not reciprocate her love after it was all over, but Hondo's words rang in her ears as well. What if it was merely mission stress? What if she only felt this way 'cause she owed him? What if after it was all said an' done they didn't feel anythin' for each other? What would be left for her then?

Hondo broke her out of her thoughts.

Hondo: Somethin' wrong? Ya need somethin'?

Val stopped for a moment. Hondo didn't have his shirt on. She didn't realize until then how broad his shoulders were or just how well muscled he was. He had a little extra weight, but it didn't detract from his appearance any. She could also see scars on his chest, sides an' abs. In the mirror behind him she could see several on his back, of which some could have been whip marks, as well as all the bruisin' on his body from where the bullets had hit him this mornin'. She didn't realize how much it had hurt him, yet he didn't show that he had been hurt nor had he complained. I made her feel a bit guilty as well. She stared at him with a look like a goat starin' at a new fence may have. She stuttered for a moment as her brain spun its wheels then she looked down at the floor to get her speech center re-engaged.

Valentine: uhh . . aye, ah. . . I, umm, no . . . NO! I'm fine. Just thinkin'.

Valentine turned red with embarrassment. Hondo grinned at it at first as he realized what was up, though he didn't know what she was thinkin' on, but he raised an eyebrow as well. She had tried to get him into the shower, she had slept with him, yet havin' his shirt off could lock up her mind. He shrugged it off as that she had just been thinkin' on other things an' it surprised her was all.

Hondo: Alright. Put both of those shirts on an' make sure ya still wear that vest I gave ya.

Valentine: But both of these are already bullet proof. Why should I wear another layer? It'll only weigh me down.

Hondo: Every little bit helps, believe you me. I had just a vest an' coat on this mornin'. You don't wanna get hit like this. I'm used to a rough life.

Valentine: Are you sayin' . . .

Hondo: I'm not sayin' yur weak, believe you me. I'm sayin' yur a woman, an' I'm sure a very able woman, but yur smaller than I am, an' I doubt yur as used to bein' tossed 'round. I don't want ta see ya hurt, alright? Just trust me. I'll be wearin' mine too.

Valentine: I'm sorry. I shouldn't question you. I've just always lived in a man's world, but I've always been treated different. 'I always hated that. I just wanted to be accepted for who I am an' not discriminated against 'cause I'm a woman. I guess I let that get to me sometimes an' question what I'm told to do.

Hondo pulled on his bullet resistant t-shirt as she talked.

Hondo: Question anythin' that doesn't sound right to ya, but make sure ya have a real reason to question it.. Val, Ya said ya trust me, so hear me out. Men an' women are different. Women are built different than men an' have different roles. I'm not sayin' women are stupid or unable. I'm sure yur just as able as I am, but we each have our own place. You can live in a man's world iifn ya accept that you're a woman, an' wll be treated like one. Ya can work on cars, kick ass, fly planes, ride broncos an' such in a man's world ifin ya act like a woman, let me treat ya like a woman, an' accept that ya are. Ya can't make it in that world ifin ya expect ta be treated like a man an' try ta act like one.

Valentine: But I don't like to be treated different.

Hondo: but ya are different. Val, you are a woman; a very beautiful, able woman. Ya have a lot to learn, but you can learn them, an' ya can be one of the best there is out there ifin ya want to be in whatever ya want to be as long as ya except whom ya are. Ya want to be on this team an' work with us?

Valentine: Be on the team? Me?

Hondo: For now ya are. I'm not offerin' a permanent position at the moment, but after this is all over, ifin things work out I'll talk to Tammy an' Jefe an' maybe there will be a spot for ya. But ta make it work on this team ya hafta understand an' accept that ya are a woman. You said that yur a Christian an' from a Baptist background, right?

Valentine: Yes, but . . .

Hondo: No buts. You know what is taught an' what the bible says, right?

Valentine: That we are weaker vessels.

Hondo: Emotionally yeah, but none of it says that women are weak or unable. Think 'bout the Proverbs 31 woman. She was strong, able, an' respected. Why? ''Cause she was wise, worked hard an' could still be a woman. Ifin you can't accept who God made ya, how do ya expect others to except ya?

Valentine: I never thought 'bout it like that.

Valentine sat down on the bed as she let it soak into her mind. IT made perfect sense to her, but why hadn't anyone told her this before or why hadn't she thought of it on her own. She was considered a genius, though she had never told Hondo or any of them there. Not only did this make her think about herself, but it made her love Hondo all the more. She was now confused all the more on how to show this. Should she drop her panties for him, make love to him to pay him back an' show what she could do for him? Or should she just tell him? She knew what her faith dictated she should do, but was that enough? Hondo spoke again breakin' her out of her thoughts once more.

Hondo: By the way. I was talkin' to Jefe a bit ago. He now knows that I was married to Laurie Ann. He is intuitive an' knows more than I care for him to at times, but I know I never told anyone here 'bout this an' I don't know how he could know. Well, I shouldn't say I didn't tell anyone, as I did tell you. You didn't say anythin' did you.

Valentine was surprised to see Hondo already fully dressed. He must have finished dressin' while she was thinkin'. He didn't look at her when he spoke an' he seemed a bit hesitant as he spoke.

Valentine: I thought everyone knew already. I was talking to Tammy an' said somethin' 'bout it. She seemed surprised at first, but I didn't realize until then that they didn't know. Should I not have told?

Hondo looked over at her with a hurt expression covered in a glare.

Hondo: I don't go 'round tellin' everyone 'bout your faults or life, damn it. So don't do so to me. I told ya 'cause I knew ya were hurtin' inside. Your eyes spoke volumes 'bout yur heart bein' broken, an' yur feelin' alone, but I didn't broadcast it! Don't assume next time.

Valentine: I . . .

Hondo: I'm goin' to the basement. We have to leave in a couple hours. Be ready in one hour.

Valentine: Can I go with you?

Hondo: No. I need time alone to think.

Hondo picked up a small ring type box off of the dresser an' placed it in his pocket. 'He started to walk out the door when Valentine stood up an' placed a small hand on his shoulder.

Valentine: 'Hondo, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean anything by it.

Hondo: Don't apologize, Val. It's a sign of weakness.

Hondo walked off without looking at her. Had it not been for his great sense of hearin' he'd never had heard her whisper in a quaverin' voice: 'I love you, Hondo.'

He didn't stop or act like he heard her but kept walkin'. He just had too much on his mind to deal with that right now, an' had too much pain that he needed to bury that had been brought up again.

Valentine went back into the room. She took off her over shirt an' t-shirt an' laid them on the bed. She tried to hold back the tears but they came on anyway. She fell onto the bed face first an' topless. She cried softly into a pillow. 'What have I done?' she asked herself. 'Finally I find someone I can love an' trust, then I hurt him! He's so wise an' kind, though he tries to hide it, an' I only 'cause him more pain! Why can't I stop hurtin' those that I love?...

Hondo walked down to the basement an' sat down on an old sofa he had saved down there from the reconstruction. He didn't mean the not apologizin' thing that he told Val, but he just needed to get out of that right then an' didn't know how else to. He was fallin' for her too fast an' it scared him a bit. He had fallen for Rose fast an' look where it got him. The same with Laurie an' Red. He was a damned softhearted romantic underneath it all an' it pissed him off at times. He shook his head at it all. He wanted to talk to Jefe 'bout her, but he knew what he'd probably say. It just helped to hear it from the horses mouth at times.

That brought on the thought of immortality. Hondo pulled the small box out of his pocket an' opened it up. The light was dim where he sat, but the pill seemed to light up the room. It glowed with many swirlin' colors an' patterns. Was it so easy? One pill an' bam! Immortal? Yet he argued with himself that God's gift of salvation was that simple. Just acceptin' it was all ya had to do, no works involved. 'Course God was far greater an' perfect a bein' than any of them were. 'Hondo knew salvation had to be free an' through God's grace alone as he could never have earned it. Even his good works were soiled. They were nothin' compared to what God was an' did. Even on his best day Hondo knew he didn't always think the best, he cussed, 'got angry at things he shouldn't, drank too much from time to time, an' probably had shot folks with the wrong motive as well as other things that he'd rather not bring up even in his own mind at the present. Hondo Sackett was far from perfect. So why had God allowed him to be saved? Why did God forgive his sins? Even as unfathomable as that was Hondo sill had trouble with why Fernando had found him worthy to have this. He knew Fernando was a good friend, but it awestruck Hondo to think that Fernando cared 'bout him as a friend enough to want him 'round for eternity, as a team, kickin' ass. Hondo knew it was a rare friend that would do that. IN his life Hondo had been a loner, sometimes by choice, sometimes not. Mostly he just didn't find folks that could be more than acquaintances. Too many folks had called themselves his friends to only run off when he needed them most. That's why he tried to trust no one an' rely on no one. Fernando was different. He wondered ifin Fernando had talked to Tammy 'bout this. She might not want Hondo 'round that long.

Eternity is a long time, an' this bothered Hondo a bit. He knew Fernando had a pill ready for Valentine, but why? Had Fernando gone forward in time an' saw them together? Did he know they would work out? To be alone forever would be too much of a burden to bear. Fernando had someone now, someone to care for, an' share with, but Hondo had not been blessed with good relationships. What if he an' Val's relationship ended like all the others? What if she turned on him after she was turned immortal an' came after his friends? The last thing he wanted was to be locked into an epic battle for eternity with someone he had loved, someone that would remind him over an' over of his broken heart until there wasn't a heart left in him. They say if there's not love in your heart, you have nothin', no song, no story, and no life. Hondo's grandfather once told him, 'Son, if you don't have love in you your worse than dead. Sure you may be alive, but your dead an' hollow inside. That's not liivn' son. That's pure hell for as long as you're alive... But what if they did work out? An' even ifin they didn't... maybe he would find someone else. But one other thing perplexed him. How is this all possible?

Hondo stared at the pill. He didn't believe in magic, though he had seen things that would make your hair stand on end, turn white, an' promptly fall off. IT was not that he didn't believe in the supernatural or miracles, but magic is none of that. There are more things in heaven and earth then that can be explained by man, this he knew, but what was this glowin' pill? Be it of Satan or of God, this he did not know. Fernando could be odd at times but not for one instant would Hondo believe he was in pact with the devil over this nor would he try to give Hondo somethin' that was demonic based. 'Not only that, but Hondo didn't believe Satan had the power over man's lives to lengthen them, so what is it? A bible verse from a Sunday school class long past comes into his mind. John 1:3 'All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.' 'So God made all things. Hondo believed the bible to be true in all points, but sometimes interpreting what exactly was meant at times was hard as the bible is not all historical facts. Sometimes it is lessons that must be thought on. That verse made sense to Hondo. All things that are made were made by God. Nothing that exists was made without him. So what was this pill? If God had made it why Did Fernando seem to have a corner on the market??

Hondo sat for quite a while pondering this. He had been there for almost 45 minutes when the answer finally came to him. He almost shouted it to himself, but kept silent. He leaned forward on the couch an' grinned. FERNANDO WAS A TIME TRAVALER! Hondo remembered the passage in Genesis that talked about the Garden of Eden. In the middle of the garden sat the tree of life. The only 2 trees specifically talked about in the Eden was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life. When Adam an' Eve were driven from the garden the tree of life was guarded by an angel to keep sinful men from eatin' of it an' livin' forever. It was believed to be destroyed in the great flood of Noah's day, but it was created by God. As such the fruit that it bore would have had a chemical makeup. All that would be needed was one piece of fruit to be taken before the fall of man by a time traveler. Once analyzed it could be broken down to be specialized for specific DNA to keep it out of the wrong hands an' could be altered to heal a person's body as a temporary effect instead of the long term immortal life.

Hondo mumbled to himself: So that's how he did it!

Hondo knew God had kept it from man for a reason, but he allowed this to happen. Maybe it was his will that a few could have this opportunity. Not that God needed them, but he allowed it as God gave men free wills an' as such he allows men to correct problems of their own makin'. Was Hondo Sackett chosen to be a warrior for God on earth? To right some wrong of man against their fellow man until Jesus comes back to rule an' reign? Or was Hondo Sackett given the choice to be so if he chose to be?

Hondo weighed many of the options He held the pill in his hand an' stared at it. He heard the chime of a clock upstairs. One hour until they left. If he chose to take it no matter what happened tonight he'd be back sooner or later. If he chooses to wait an' think more it could be too late to choose later, though Fernando had promised to save him even if it meant personal pain to him. No the choice must be made now. Either he would walk up those stairs immortal or he'd walk up those stairs mortal. Either way he would not allow his choice to change his action. Even the immortal should live life as if they were mortal.

Hondo prayed for peace on a decision. He found that peace in his heart as he prayed. He closed the lid to the box. His decision was final.

Valentine laid on the bed cryin' for a good 30 minutes. At the end of that time she lay on the bed snifflin' as she looked over at some of Hondo's stuff that was in the room. She then looked over at the clock. She did not realize that she had been layin' there that long. She looked down at herself.

Valentine (thinkin'): what if Hondo came in an' saw me like this?

She wondered for a moment that maybe she wanted him to see her like that. Maybe he would find her sittin' there topless in a pair of jeans sexy. Maybe he'd see her cryin' like that an' he'd feel sorry for her an' open his arms an' take her up in them? But maybe he'd be upset with her as he was focused on what lay ahead. Maybe he'd find her cryin' to be a weakness. What is she offered her body to him an' he took it without love but only in lust? What if she was not pretty or sexy to him? What if he found her ugly? She wasn't sure what to think, but she knew she could not take his rejection right now. She also knew that she had hurt him. Tammy an' Jeanie had confused her, but maybe Fernando would talk to her. Maybe he could tell her what to do. She was still a bit scared of him, but if Hondo trusted him could she give him any less trust? No, she could not. She wiped her tears off the best she could, got dressed in the 3 layers of bullet resistant clothin' that was given to her, an' set off to look 'round the house for Fernando. She hoped he was 'round somewhere an' not in his room. For ifin he was she knew she couldn't get up the nerve to knock on the door. Ifin what Jeanie said was right 'bout nerves, which from personal experience she knew she was nervous, Tammy an' Fernando might be tryin' to sooth each others nerves. She knew she'd not be forgiven if she interrupted that at a time like this.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Mar 3^rd, 2011, 6:55pm

Mortal or immortal, the passing of time is different for everybody under different circumstances. A man with a orange on his lap would sense a minute as an hour, but the same man with a beautiful woman on his lap would sense an hour as a minute. Thus time pasted differently for everyone. Leaning against the Porsche as he held Tammy time seemed to have stood still as it rapidly passed by in relative peace and serenity. No doubt Tammy felt the same way, as the hour went by. The only thing that denoted the passing of time was the darkening of the Spring sky.

Valentine makes it down the stairs first and checks the first floor, finding it empty. She then makes her way to the rear of the house, finding the rear door open. She finds Fernando and Tammy holding each other by the Porsche as she walks to the door. She thinks to herself, 'There they are. Happy as any couple can be.' She spends a couple of moments to gather up courage to confront them with her problem. Holding on fast to her emotions, she steps out of the doorway and head to their direction. They notice her approach them but choose to remain quiet and see what she has to say.

She arrives just a few steps from there before stopping.

"Uhm... I hope I'm not interrupting anything important.", Valentine says to get their attention. They both look at her, noticing that she's wiping a tear that had gotten away.

'something wrong?", Tammy asks.

"I'm not sure anymore.", Valentine says.

Tammy breaks away from Fernando and steps over to her.

"What's the matter?", Tammy asks.

"I'll go see Hondo.", Fernando says as he started to step away. Valentine steps towards his direction.

"No. I need you to hear this too.", Valentine says, holding back what she could.

"Well, I think what ever you should say, you should say it to Hondo.", Fernando says as he points to the doorway behind her. Valentine turns around and looks at Hondo and then at the floor. Fernando signals for him to come closer. As he walks to them, Tammy walks to be besides Valentine.

"You want to say what is bothering you?", Tammy asks.

She nervously looks at each one of them, Tammy, Fernando and then Hondo lastly. She wanted to run but couldn't. She then finally breaks down and apologizes.

She takes a couple of steps to him, managing to be in the middle of everyone, 'I'm sorry Hondo! I really am!...

'sorry for what?", Fernando asks. Valentine turns around to face him but did not say a word for a moment, Hondo beat her to the explanation.

'she told you about my wife when I wanted it to be private.", Hondo tells everyone.

"Is this what its all about?", Fernando asks.

"Yes. She told Tammy and Tammy told you so you can tell me about what to do about it.", Hondo says in an angered tone.

'she told me but I did not tell Fernando.", Tammy says to defend her.

"You didn't?", Hondo asks. 'Then how did you know?", turning to Fernando.

"When I found you shot up on that bluff over the police surveillance area and brought you back to take care of your injuries, you were mumbling some strange things about names, an ex-wife, an ex-girl friend and some guy named El Jefe. Observing your actions, especially when they are mentioned in any way, you gave a stronger than necessary reaction for it. I just did the math and confronted you about it.", Fernando tells him in just an angry tone.

Hondo was not sure what to say, but Fernando says it for him. 'Its been a very hard week for all of us. Things are being said that should not be said, especially when the pressure is high strung about the place. We need to apologize for making things harder than necessary and start making things easy for each other.", Fernando tells him.

Hondo thought about it for a moment. Fernando was right in what he said but like most men, he don't like being proven wrong. But it was beginning to eat at him along with other things.

"Alright. I'll apologize but first I want some answers.", Hondo says.

"Answers to?", Fernando asks.

"Where did you get the pill from?", Hondo asks.

"The pill has a long history to it.", Fernando answers.

"We got time.", Hondo tells him.

"Alright. Simply put, the pill comes from another world around the Sirius Star System, you may know it as The Dog Star that follows Orion. They have been in war with the Orions over many thousands of years because the Siruians discovered Time Travel and the Orions had it first. Because the Orions had it first, they made themselves out to be the Time Police, and they try to set back other star system civilizations that discovers it. If they cant, they would try to destroy them. When Earth discovered Time Travel in several forms, the Orions went to attack Earth. The Siruians helped in defeating them but the plan almost backfired unless somebody had to sacrifice themselves to make sure the Orions were destroyed in a Time Vortex. The original Fernando was the one who scarified himself many years ago. The problem with Time Travel is that you quickly grow old and would die relatively young. The other problem is that you could be killed while time traveling. The Surians had created this bio energy pill for time travelers to solve these issues. The side effects are as you know- immortality and healing from any injury as it works on your DNA to rebuild your body constantly. In short you do not die unless much of your body ends up getting destroyed.", Fernando explains.

'so, it is not from the Tree of Life in Eden?", Hondo asks.

"If you want to be a Time Traveler, you need to understand that there are certain times and certain places you are not allowed to go. Events that you are involved and manipulated is one of them. Events by a greater power is another. But I will tell you this much, the pills must get their power from somewhere. The Surians and other star systems claim that they had god send their son there with similar results but gained a stronger belief. They say that their scientific discoveries were made by help from god. That includes the pill. So the Surian race is more in peace with themselves and accepts god in their world and live happily like some of other worlds. The Orions did not. You could call it a Intergalactic Holy War, but the Orions were destroyed when they attacked Earth, defeated with help from the Siriuans. Earth got God's message but it is not fully understood. They are willing to help us. But this planet must figure out that message on its own. Given time, it will. Now, the pill did not come from tree of life from our Eden, but it may have came from theirs. I'm not going into the semantics of religion. You believe what you want to believe, but this is what I know from what I was told and shown to see. Anything you want to know?", Fernando explains.

"No. Not from you at least.", Hondo starts to say. 'Somebody needs to explain herself of her actions....

"No, she doesn't", Tammy gets to Valentine's defense.

"Why? You set up her up to this?", Hondo asks in almost a demanding tone.

"I don't know what's in a girl's mind, but I'll back up Tammy in what she has to say.", Fernando says. He then nods at Tammy.

"I don't know what is on your mind, sir, but in having talked with her in those few moments we had, she has shared her innermost feelings she has for you. Yet she does not know what to do about them because you have not acknowledged her in any way. To her, you have been cold and being cold hurts a woman in ways you could not comprehend as a man.", Tammy tells him.

Hondo could only turn to face Valentine. She breaks the silence between the two.

"When you left the room an hour ago, I said that I love you. I don't know if you heard me or your ignored me, but not returning even a look, and that hurt Hondo.", she begins to say, 'I don't care if you think that I owe you or that I am paying you back, but the love I feel for you in here, in my heart is real. If you do not want to return that not even in the slightest bit, then I don't belong here in this group....

"If you want El Jefe either pushing up daisies or floating in the river, then you are going be part of this group and you are going to help gather information tonight so we can take them out later in a couple of days. You are not going to walk out on me on a mission this important, nobody does.", Fernando tells her.

"But...", Valentine tries to say but is interrupted.

"No Butts. What personal issues you have with Hondo, you are to deal with it during the time you have free. Once a mission starts, you are to do as required. Period. Hondo. Like I said, what you do with your relationships is your business. But when it interferes with the team and the mission at hand, then it becomes my business. You got somebody out there who you once loved that's wants you dead- that is an Ex-From-Hell. Exes-From-Hell do not return asking for forgiveness and wanting back in the relationship. They want to destroy your life and anyone associated in it. They prefer to stand over your grave and pee on it. If you make Valentine as your insignificant other then your ex will want her as dead as much as she wants you dead. That puts the both of you in danger. Valentine, you're bent over backwards on some vendetta and they know you are here. They want you dead as much as you want them, and they will take you out as with everyone else around you. That includes Hondo. That includes Tammy. That includes me. I am not to be some asshole's target because I hang out with you. So the both of you have more problems than what personal and emotional shit that is going on in your stone cold broken hearts. Deal with it. Or they will pick you off while the both of you are either arguing or kissing during the mission. I trust you to do this mission, I expect it to be done without problems. There is a time to be professional and there is a time to be emotionally interpersonal. The time to be professional is fast approaching. The time to be emotionally interpersonal is leaving. You two have 30 minutes to put your business in order, or I'm leaving to deal with the mission with Tammy alone.", Fernando tells them in the most demanding and authoritative tone as possible without being showing anger though it was heavily hinted.

"Yes sir.", they both say, one after the other.

"Now get back in that house and deal with it.", Fernando says as he points to the doorway. 'And don't come back until you two are ready to do this mission or I and Tammy drive away alone if you two are not done....

He continues to point at the door until they start to walk in.

"That was a bit harsh.", Tammy says as she stepped up to him. She leans against him and puts her arms around him as he replies to her comment.

"Don't care. I'm not going to have emotional instability endanger a mission or even endanger us. One #$@! up on their part, one word about their interpersonal relationship said out loud and every guard in the area will be alerted to us being there. If we end up in a gun battle and we get caught, I am going to kick both their asses for being stupid.", Fernando tells her.

Jeanie and her crew walk out long after Hondo and Valentine had walked in. They pack up their limo with the emergency medical stuff from Fernando's room. Jeanie walks up to Fernando and hands him his eyeglass case with the night time pair inside.

"You're going to be needed these.", Jeanie tells him.

"Thanks.", Fernando says as he switches the pair.

A car can be heard rolling up on the driveway, a yellow Fiat 612 pulls around the corner and stops several feet from the Porsche. It was Marco's car. He, Angie, Hillshire and Triela step out and walk to Fernando and the others. The girls had their guns drawn and looked around the area by turning their eyes and heads. Fernando could not be anymore annoyed at the situation.

"You came back to try to stop us?", Fernando says as Marco and Hillshire walks up to them.

"I thought we have an intell mission to do.", Marco says.

Fernando shakes his head at hearing this.

"Look. The chief had to put up a convincing act for the director. In turn they had to put up a convincing act for Jean. That's why Marco gave Tammy back her gun, shield and agency identification.", Hillshire explains.

"The others will be hidden in the area as back up. You know, Allessandro, Ernesto and their girls.", Marco stated.

"A Pizza Van will also be nearby for technical support as well.", Hillshire added.

"Why are you doing this?", Fernando asks.

"Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, we help our own.", Marco says, pointing to Tammy.

"You guys ready?", Hillshire asks.

"Not quite, but we will be leaving in 30 minutes whether we are ready or not.", Fernando answers.

"Alright. In 30 minutes we go.", Marco says, signaling to the girls to stand down.

Fernando goes into the box inside the Porsche and start taking out various items from it. First he hands Tammy a wrist-watch.

"I already have a watch.", Tammy says.

"It's a two-way radio disguised as a watch.", Fernando tells her, pressing on its buttons to turn it on. Tammy takes it and puts it on. He then hands her a wiring harness.

"What's this for?", Tammy asks.

"It connects the radio to an ear-bud microphone for silent communications.", he tells her as he shows off the jack and ear bus/mike ends. "Put it though your sleeve and out the collar to your ear and out the wrist to the watch." He does the same to himself, though a lot faster that she does.

The next to be checked and given out are the guns with their holsters, silencers, and extra magazines. They were put together, made ready and put away. One of the RPGs is made ready, followed by a bright yellow box with 3 rubber shafts sticking out off it.

"What's that?", Hillshire asks.

"It's a cellphone jammer.", Fernando answers as he plays with the switches. An LED turns on at the top of the box. "Go call the chief.", he then says.

Hillshire and Marco look at their cellphone, seeing full bars on them which is odd because of the isolation of the place they could get 2 maybe 3 signal bars at best. Hillshire tries to make a call, but nothing happens when the number is dialed out. He shakes his head as he puts away his cellphone. Marco nods and smiles. Fernando turns off the unit.

"What's the range on that thing?", Marco asks.

"One hundred yard maybe. Don't know, it's a small unit but it also works on walkie-talkie cell phones too.", Fernando answers.

"What's the RPG for?", Hillshire asks.

"Its to take out the landlines with.", Fernando answers.

"You going to blow up an underground junction?", Hillshire asks.

"Why not? No phones, they cant call for help.", Fernando.

"Let us take care of the infrastructure without leaving a flaming mess.", Marco says. Then he makes a call on his cellphone. 'Hello Ferro. Yes. We are going to need the land lines taken out for the area. The crew can do that? Thanks.", Marco says before ending the call and putting away his cellphone. 'Now you are not going to need the RPGs....

"Why?", Fernando asks.

"We don't want a mess too big to clean up. We don't need the attention the media might bring with it.", Marco explains. Fernando nods at his words.

Fernando reaches into the box inside the Porsche and pulls out an Infra Red viewing mask and hands it to Tammy. He turns it on and points to the tiny screens on the inside of the mask, showing the area lit up as if it was daylight.

"I don't need one, but put that on and adjust it to your size.", Fernando explains. Tammy does as she was told.

"The cyborgs don't need that. They have IR built into their artificial eyes.", Marco says.

"Lucky them. So do I.", Fernando tells him.

"30 minutes is almost over.", Hillshire tells him as he looks at this watch.

"I'll leave when I'm good and ready. Right now I am not good and ready.", Fernando tells him.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Mar 5^th, 2011, 12:19am

Hondo went inside the house an' Valentine followed close behind. The house was empty, as everyone else was outside so Hondo walked to the livin'room an' motioned for Valentine to sit down. She did so reluctantly as he stayed standin'. He paced for a moment. It was only a minute or two, but to Valentine it seemed like ages an' it was unbearable. Hondo just shook his head as he paced as he was tryin' to think of what to say but the words just weren't comin' to him. Valentine finally broke the silence, but in a small unsure voice.

Valentine: Please forgive me.

Hondo: 'Val, it's not that. There is nothin' to forgive.

Valentine: But. . . but your angry with me.

Hondo sighed: Val, I'm not mad at you.

Valentine: But earlier . . . .

Hondo: I wasn't mad at you. Yeah, I'm a bit annoyed that ya told Tammy, who I thought told Fernando, an' I admit I was wrong 'bout it.

Valentine: So, you're not mad?

Hondo sat down beside her but not too close: No, I'm not. But you disappoint me.

Valentine: How?

Hondo: You said you trust me completely yet you haven't been completely honest with me. 'Why don't ya tell me what's on your mind.

Valentine: I'll try but I'm not sure how to say it.

Hondo: just speak from your heart. Straight out. That's how it's best. Too many folks waste time sayin' fancy things or playin' word games an' never actually say what they want or need ta say.

Valentine: Alright. Well, I told you 'bout my past, but I didn't tell you that , . . Uh. . . I planned on dyin' when I faced El Grande.

Hondo: What? Are ya sayin' ya want to kill yourself?

Valentine: No, I couldn't kill myself. I never could, but I was so alone 'an' so angry. I just wanted to kill them an' die. I had nothin' to live for.

Hondo: Val, you have plenty to live for.

Valentine: I do now, but I didn't then. You don't know what it's like.

Hondo: I thought we talked 'bout this? I do understand.

Valentine: I don't mean just that. There are other things I just can't talk 'bout raght now. I'm ashamed an' embarrassed 'bout it. Maybe someday I can talk 'bout it, but not now.

Hondo: Ya don't hafta.

Valentine: Thanks. Anyway, you were the first good thing that's happened to me since I lost Pa. I owe you so much. I owe you everythin' that I am.

Hondo: Ya don't owe me anythin', Val.

Valentine: Yes I do.

Hondo: Val, No. You don't. I help those that need it an' I don't expect payment. I do it 'cause it's the right thing to do.

Valentine: That's why I owe ya all the more. 'Cause ya don't ask for it or expect it. Anyway, I found myself fallin' in love with you. Not right away as much as after ya turned down all my advances to pay ya back. You were not like other men that I knew that would take me, but at the same time I worried that it was only 'cause you didn't like me. You don't know how scared I actually was when I tried to make advances to you. 'I was told that I should get undressed for you an' offer you my body in no uncertain terms an' not take no for an answer, but I was too scared to.

Hondo: Who the hell told ya to do that??

Valentine: I can't. .

Hondo: Valentine, who?!

Valentine: Jeanie.

Hondo: I'll hafta talk to that one.

Valentine: Please don't. I don't want my words to hurt anyone else's trust.

Hondo: Alright, I'll leave off for now.

Valentine: Thank you. 'Well, when you seemed mad earlier I was afraid I was losin' all chances to get you to love me. I don't know if ya heard me but I was sure ya did, but I finally worked up the courage to tell you that I love you, but you kept walkin'. Tammy was right. You've been cold to me, not mean, but cold, an' it hurts so bad. I can't explain how badly it hurts. It's like losin' Pa all over again every time your near an' I want you to love me an' hold me but all I get is a cold feelin'. I can see in your eyes that you don't have a heart of stone, so why do you shut me out? Ifin you don't like me tell me an' I'll leave. Just please, don't leave me wonderin' anymore. My heart can't take it anymore.

By now tears were rollin' down her face an' her voice was quiet an' shaky from tryin' to hold back the emotions. Hondo stayed silent for a moment as she stared into his eyes with a beggin', pleadin' look that spoke more volumes 'bout how she felt than her words could ever say. Wiped a tear off of her cheek an' she grabbed his hand an' held it against her face for a moment, then let it go. Hondo looked down for a moment then back up at her before he spoke.

Hondo: Val, don't think I don't like you, please but . . .

Valentine: You don't want me as any more than a friend right?

Valentine tried to look tough an' hold it in but she was obviously on the point of cryin' inconsolably.

Hondo: 'Val, please don't cry. I don't want you hurt. An' I'm not sayin' that I couldn't love you. I'm sayin' I can't right now an' please hear me out. There are several reasons I can't right now. Part of it is I need to focus on this mission. Part of it is you don't understand the stress one can be under. You no doubt feel somethin' for me 'cause I saved ya. It's normal. But a mission is no place for a relationship to start. I did that once. The last Mission Fernando an' I was in I fell in love with a gal that was workin' with us. We even got engaged, but in the end she left. We both ended up getting... hurt, though it was more on my side as I truly did love her at the time. It didn't affect the mission but it could have ifin we had broken up sooner. Not on my part though, which is another reason I can't. I don't let my personal life affect me when on a mission. I'm sorry for it, but I am colder, harder, an' more calculatin' on a mission. That is just me. Ifin ya truly love me you'll hafta learn to understand that an' accept it the best ya can. Ya also know what I hafta face out there this time. Now I know what Fernando said, but he doesn't know what I'm thinkin' or what's in my heart. Partly it's my fault as I don't even communicate with him like I should, but he understands me to some degree an' knows not to press it. Val, I'm not in love with Laurie anymore nor do I expect to get her back. I lost her several years ago. It was part of my past I wanted to stay buried. Her comin' back brought up old pains that I hafta deal with. Unfortunately I can't deal with these fully until she is dead. Once she is I can let the past be the past again. You don't understand what it's like to have what you thought to be past come an' haunt you like this. I just need some time an' understandin' from you.

Valentine: so what 'bout us now?

Hondo: For now we can be friends an' mission partners, but nothin' else, but I'll promise ya this, ifin ya still want ta try for a relationship after the mission then we can try it.

Valentine: you really mean it?

Hondo: Yeah. I'll leave it up to you to decide after the mission. Ifin ya decide ya don't want anythin' with me, no hard feelin's, but ifin ya do we'll try an' make it work an' go from there.

Valentine: Thank you. I wish we could be more now, but I'll take what I can get.

Hondo: Ok. Good. Just understand, part of this is for your good too.

Valentine: How so?

Hondo: you heard Fernando an' I know what he says to be true. Ifin you an' I decided to try a relationship now an' were to show it outside these walls the enemy would see. Ya gotta believe they are keepin' an eye on us. One slip up, on guard or spy finds out an' they will target one of us to flush the other out. They are cruel, Val. They want you, I, an' those with us to suffer, ifin they can get heart an' soul to suffer as well as body they just get even more joy outta it, believe you me.

Valentine: So this is to protect me as well?

Hondo: yeah. It is. Honestly, ifin it was just my will I'd take ya up on a relationship here an' now. All the stress an' pain I've had this last year, I could use someone to love an' hold, but that would be selfish an' it's not the right reason either. That's part of the reason I want some of this junk outta the way first, so we both can think clearly.

Valentine: alright. I can live with that, but what 'bout us now?

What do you mean? We'll work together as planned.

Valentine: No, I mean the room.

Hondo chuckled: oh that! Well, we're both adults, an' not that I'll peak, but I have been married before so I know what a woman looks like. We can still share it.

Valentine: but I'll take the chair.

Hondo: No you won't you'll sleep in the bed.

Valentine: But what 'bout you? You need good sleep too.

Hondo: I plan on getting... good sleep.

Valentine: you can't in that chair.

Hondo: well, I figured to sleep in the bed.

Valentine: but you said . . 'oh. You mean?

Hondo: Well, ifin you don't mind. We managed to sleep together without any hanky panky. 'Like I said, were adults an' we are plannin' on sleepin' anyway.

Valentine: I'm fine with that I guess, but . '.

Hondo: But what?

Valentine: can I sleep close to you? I slept better that way an' I haven't sleep that well in a long time.

Hondo: Yeah, I guess that'll do. Now how 'bout wipin' yur eyes an' getting... outside? Jefe will be rarin' to go. We don't wanna be late, an' we want him ta know we can handle ourselves, though I thinks he knows we can.

Valentine: alright, but why did he get upset then?

Hondo: 'cause he's careful an' doesn't take chances. Even though he trusts certain folks he'll always be harder on ya in a mission ta keep you an' himself sharp.

Valentine: Oh, by the way, what were you talkin' 'bout with him. It made no sence to me.

Hondo: What was it 'bout?

Valentine: A pill an' the tree of life, an' other worlds.

Hondo: Oh, that. Honestly I don't understand it all an' I should never have brought it up. I was wrong. I didn't want to let Fernando know what I truly felt an' just kinda funneled my frustration through that. I was wrong. As far as what it was 'bout. You'll hafta trust me that it'll just hafta wait until a later date as it'll take a lot of explainin'.

Valentine: Alright. Maybe. after the mission.

Hondo: yeah, maybe. Come on.

Hondo stood up an' held out his hand to help her up once up Valentine used a tissue to wipe her eyes then threw it away as Hondo stood by. Then together they walked out the back door to meet Fernando. To their surprise they had company again.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Mar 5^th, 2011, 11:22pm

From his vantage point, Fernando sees Hondo and Valentine walking to leave the house before the others do when they walk out the door. He just nods at their general direction. Hondo nods back in acknowledgment. He signals with his finger, pointing to Marco and Hillshire as they walked out the door. Fernando just nods back. Once at the rear of the Porsche, Fernando hands them the items they will need: radios, ear pieces, IR Masks, silenced guns and extra magazines. Trench coats were given but not put on. He left the RPG inside the trunk for now. In their non-verbal communications, they understood that what they need to say will be said in the car on the way to the mission.

Fernando looks at this watch. Jeanie and her team leave in their limo.

Fernando: Its time to go. Ladies, take the rear seats. Hondo, you're in front with me.

Hondo nods as he lowers the back of the seat to let the girls in. Tammy goes in first to be behind her husband, Valentine follows after her. Hondo and Fernando remain standing as they watch Marco and Hillshire put their girls into their car.

Marco: We'll follow you.
Fernando: Fine.

They all get into their cars. Engines start and roar to life. Fernando recognizes the growl of the Ferrari V8 under the hood of the Fiat, and bet the rest of the car was mostly done in Ferrari specs with a 4 passenger Fiat body. Back in 1988, the Porsche 928 was the fastest production four passenger car in the market. And though Fernando has kept the Porsche at better then Peek Performance, its been a long time since Porsche had held that title. As engines warmed up, everyone put on their seat belts. Spinning the steering wheel with one hand, Fernando puts the car into gear and slowly pulls into the drive way. Marco follows in the Fiat. For a moment they stayed at the speed limit, Fernando making sure Marco was right behind him but then pulls along side of him. The windows roll down.

Marco (yelling from behind Hillshire): There is no reason to be driving so slow!

Fernando just nods before rolling up the window again. He then revs the engine, pushing the speedometer a bit more. Marco tries to pass him but suddenly the Porsche's engine just roars loudly as Fernando floors the accelerator and passes him in proper fashion. Hillshire nods at Marco and the Fiat lurches back as 450 horses shove rubber to pavement and the dash board metered indicators shift to the right. He catches up to Fernando as they reach the 145mph zone. Though in the last gear, Fernando presses his thumb against the ball of the stick shift, revealing a button underneath. A metal label around the button says, 'Go Baby Go!' The button is pressed and the Porsche roars like a dragon who's tail was stepped on. It quickly disappears into the darkness of the highway, his rear taillights shrink into the distance as Nitrous Oxide is pumped into the combustion chambers.

Hillshire: How fast is he going?
Marco (pointing at the radar gun on his dash): It says he's going over 212 to our 147.
Hillshire: Does he knows that if he cracks up now that no one in that car will survive?
Marco: You actually thinks that he cares?

Back in the Porsche, Hondo glances over to the dashboard, seeing all needles on the dials midway into the red zone. He just sighs as something about this car's set up does not show any signs of tearing itself apart from the stress. Instead he was more interested on why Hillshire and Marco were there. Since getting rid of them, Fernando relaxes on the throttle lets the car to slow down from its high speed.

Hondo: Yo Boss?

Fernando: They said that they had to put up a convincing act for their chief and director but they are more than interested in this mission and have set up their own people at strategic places to observe them and us at the same time. How you want to take that is on you. Right now they are part of this mission whether we like it or not. Might as well use the girls to our advantage.

Valentine: Use the girls? Is there something I should know?

Fernando glances over to Hondo who nods slightly.

Fernando: Long story short, Valentine, those are not little girls as you may think they are. Some would say that they are not even alive. They are cyborgs. Cybernetic organisms created and built by the Italian Government to deal with their internal and domestic disputes with home-grown terrorism. They might look like little girls, but they can rip your arm off and crack your skull with the bloody stump. They are weapons systems for those who train them. The rabbit is Triela. The mouse is Angie. They were little girls once until they were literally brought back from the dead as cyborgs. The men- Marco and Hillshire are their handlers, two of several and they must take care of their girls and make sure that they fit into the public world as they do in their mission roles and weapons training. If they were to target you for a termination mission, consider yourself dead because they are that good.

Valentine: Is that even possible?

Fernando reaches behind his pants pocket and pulls out his wallet before tossing it onto Valentine's lap, opened to his USA Agency ID card.

Fernando: There are many things that governments- here in Italy, back home in the states, or any place around the world that holds secrets that they use to their so-called justified means. If anyone in the public finds out about such secrets, consider yourself dead because they may or may not kill you but they will make you disappear. Being missing is worse than being dead because people will hold hope that one day you would return but never will. So they are torturing you and them at the same time.

Valentine looks at his ID in the wallet and was about to pick it up but Tammy beats her to it, showing off hers for the SWA. Hondo notices the actions in the rearview mirror and speaks for Tammy.

Hondo: I told you that they wuz professionals.

Valentine: What about you?

Fernando speaks before Hondo could.

Fernando: Hondo was drafted into this monkey suit business with my recommendation that he works under me.

Valentine: So is he a government agent like you two?

Fernando: Yes and No.

Valentine: Yes and No?

Fernando: He's hired as a consultant for me. If he want to join the agency after this mission is over, he has my recommendation. Until then, he's unofficially an agent. He does not have the rights and freedoms that I have but they are extended to him though me as they are extended to you.

Valentine: Me? What do you mean?

Fernando: That shoot out at the bar? The police are still looking for you and Hondo to lock up first and ask questions later. And over here there are no speedy trails or police brutality issues to cover for you. But through me, you two do have diplomatic immunity, as long as you behave and do as you been asked to do. I'm not asking anything more than that.

Valentine sighs and sinks into her seat.

Tammy: And if you get into trouble, if its not too much, I could get you out with some agency pull that I have.

Valentine: But... Uhm... you don't look or sound Italian.

Tammy: I'm American.

Valentine: Then how did you get here into this mess?

Tammy: Long story short, those same people we are going after, killed my mother and when the government found my near dead little sister, they made her into one of those cyborgs. It took me almost 1/2 a year to find her and another month to get her back. I been with the agency ever since.

Valentine: Oh...

Tammy: Look, don't get me wrong. If this never had happened, I would be back in the USA studying medicine. I don't like to kill but know that it is something necessary in order to stop evil people from what they do- hurting other people.

Valentine: Can I ask then, how you and your husband met?

Tammy: Who do you think found my little sister and got her back for me? But the price I have to pay is that I stay here so that she can get the medical care she needs as a cyborg.

Fernando: Under all that computerized synthetic constructions, they are still little girls under all that Robotic systems.

Valentine: So you owe so much that you married him?

Fernando (before Tammy could): No.

Tammy: Uhm... It's a long story. This has been going on for almost a year under several missions you could say. I fell in love with him in the first mission but he had to go away. In the last mission he made a promise to me and in that promise we got married. We been together ever since though it has been just a few months.

Valentine: You two been happy in marriage?

The inside of the car remained silent for second or two.

Tammy: Yes, but its not been easy. Every relationship takes time and work to keep it together.

Fernando takes a different route than they are used too to get into Rome, skipping the first couple of exists and continuing to the third.

Fernando (as he slows down for city traffic): It is not because she owes me or I owe her. We owe each other nothing but a promise to live life together and not to make things hard for one another. Until then there has to be a lot of trust in each other and not one more for another, it has to be equal if things are to work.

Hondo sighs at hearing this, thinking how Valentine is going to take it.

Valentine: I... see.

Fernando: Don't care if you or you don't. Right now your mind should be how you are going to make things work for this mission because we are here.

Valentine: Huh?

Fernando: We are here. Hondo make sure she's ready.

Fernando opens the door and steps out, lowering his seat and helps Tammy from her seat. Closing the door, they head to the rear and opens the hatchback trunk of the car. Fernando gives Tammy an Trench coat but she does not put it on at the moment. Hondo steps out of the car and helps Valentine to get out of the Porsche. They walk to the rear where Fernando was going through the box and hands them a couple of items, including the trench coats. The mini-cam pens were the last thing given out.

Fernando: Turn in the radios and make sure they work.

Pressing a few buttons the radios in the watches were turned on and the volumes set.

Fernando: Radio check.

Jeanie: Radio check fine and we're at our position.

Fernando: Good. Hondo, Valentine, Tammy?

Hondo: Radio check?

Fernando: I can hear you. Can you hear me?

Hondo: Yes.

Fernando: Valentine?

Valentine: I can hear you.

Fernando: Good, and I can hear you too. Tammy?

Tammy: Radio check is OK.

Fernando: Same with yours. Alright people, check your weapons and take the safeties off.

As everyone checks their weapons, Fernando reaches into the trunk of the Porsche and pulls out a pair of crowbar while pocketing a small round object. One of the two crowbars is given to Hondo. The last thing to be taken out is given to Tammy, the cellphone signal jammer. The trunk closes. A yellow Fiat pulls up behind them and their passengers empty out. Everyone turns to face them as Marco gets out of the car last.

Fernando: What kept you?

Marco: You're the one with the fancy driving.

Fernando: You're the one with the Ferrari engine in a Fiat.

Macro nods.

Marco: You guys ready?

Fernando (signaling to the others and starts to walk): Yeah. Where's your crew?

Marco (as they turn the corner and walk down the block): They're... around.

Fernando: I see.

They continue to walk until they stop at the corner, two blocks away from their target at the end of a 'T' shaped intersection.

Fernando: There it is. Hondo- you go that way for a block and turn down to a parallel street and take them from the left. I will do the same from the right, but first, follow me.

The group follows him around the corner and down the street for a few steps, stopping by a manhole. Fernando shoves his crowbar into one of the drainage holes and arcs the crowbar, lifting the manhole cover at the far end. Hondo takes the lip of the manhole cover and slides it to the side away from the hole. Dropping the crowbar next to the manhole cover, Fernando reaches into his pocket and pulls out a hand grenade. He put the pin to his teeth, but Marco signals him to hold it, then crouches down to the manhole.

Marco: Nahil, Georgio! You guys down there?

A voice responds back to him.

Voice in manhole: We're here, and the land lines have been taken cared of.

Marco: Good. You guys staying in there as back up?

Voice in manhole: Yeah. You can close this hole. We got another one opened by the pizza van!

Marco: Good.

He slowly gets up and signals the girls to cover the hole. They pick it up with relative ease and covers the hole with it. Fernando secures the hand grenade and puts it away.

Fernando: They're lucky you were here.

Marco: You were more luckier.

Fernando: How so?

Marco: Killing of Italy's law enforcement agents carry the death sentence.

Fernando (picking up his crowbar): Like I said. They're lucky you were here.

Marco: Hmph.

Fernando: Alright Hondo. Take your partner down the block and make the turn so you can end up heading their way. Check in at every corner and wait so we end up at the target area at the same time. Put on the IR Masks when you get to the corner and check for guards and possible snipers in the area.

Hondo: Will do, Boss.

Fernando: Good, now lets go.

They separate to their opposite directions. Marco and Angie follows Fernando and Tammy, Hillshire and Triela follows Hondo and Valentine. In a few minutes, the first of several of radio calls are made.

Hondo: We're at the corner.

Fernando: Good, so are we. Make the turn and go down to the next corner and check in when you're there.

Hondo: Alright.

They continue to the next block after making the turn. Hondo, Valentine and Tammy puts on the trench coats and the IR Masks. Fernando takes the Cellphone Signal Jammer and turns it on as they continued own the block. Hondo's group spots a group of working girls.

Hondo: Jefe. We got a group of working girls here.

Fernando: Find the one who looks like she's in charge, tell her for them to leave and give her the money.

Hondo: What money?

Marco: Is there a problem?

Fernando: Working girls as witnesses on Hondo's end. Hondo- check the pockets in the trench. Don't ask where its coming from, just pay her off and tell her to take her girls away from the area.

Valentine: There are a couple of guys in the area with the girls.

Marco: Cancel that.

Marco takes out his radio and calls on it.

Marco: Hillshire, take them back 1/2 block and stay out of sight. Ferro, we need a clean up crew to take care of the filth on streets.

Female voice on Marco's radio: Will do. Team B and C, put on your police uniforms and perform a raid. Make them run away from the area.

Male voice on Marco's radio: Got that.

The sounds of a police siren can be heard on the radio for a second before the radio goes silent.

Female voice on Marco's radio: Hillshire, can you move in on the tail end of the commotion and sneak in?

Hillshire (on Marco's radio): We can do that.

The street in front of Hondo's team fills up with flashing lights, loud voices on bullhorns and assorted street life running away from the scene of the raid. Hillshire sends Triela ahead of them and watch her making it to the opposite corner. They soon follow one by one, Valentine, Hillshire and Hondo scurry across the area of commotion. The area quiets down when they continue down the block in silence for a moment. It was not long before Valentine screams, tripping over a dead body hidden in the darkness.

Fernando: What's going on?!!

Hillshire (on Marco's radio): We got a dead body here. Looks like a junkie OD'd on dope. Still has a needle in his arm.

Marco: We'll deal with that later.

Female voice on Marco's radio: Good. Just take note where you found it and we'll call the morgue to pick it up after we leave.

Hillshire (on Marco's radio): He looks like he's been dead for a while, there is no heat signature on him.

Fernando: How far are you from the last corner?

Hondo: About 30 yards.

Fernando: Good. Collect yourselves and go to the building next to the target and call us when you get there.

Hondo: Will do, Jefe.

Fernando: Stay on your toes. Looks like the raid got a couple of guards' attention.

Hondo: I hear ya.

Fernando does not say a word but signals to his team to stop by the last corner and hide in the darkness to survey the scene. Looking up they could see the IR signature of a couple of guards on the roof. A fire escape can be seen on the buildings along the street, including on the target building. Unfortunately all their final egress to the ground floor were folded in place in storage. Setting them up would noisy. Fernando figures that they could climb up to the low hanging supports with a little cooperation from each other. Hondo comes the same conclusion when his team arrives to their building.

Hondo: We're here.

Fernando: So are we.

Hondo: You ladder in the up position?

Fernando: It is. Yours?

Hondo: Yep. We're give Val a boost to climb up first, then we'll figure out who's next.

Fernando: Same here. Don't know about you, but I seen 2 or so guards by the ledge before they left. No doubt there's more.

Hondo: Gotcha Boss.

Fernando sighs.

Fernando: Alright- get yourselves up there and remain silent until I say we move.

Hondo: I hear yea. Lets go.

Fernando's team had an easy time of getting up on to the fire escape. Both Marco and Fernando boosted Tammy up to the fire escape, followed by Marco getting boosted up by Fernando and Angie. Angie jumped up to the second level of the fire escape, followed by Fernando who jumped up to the ladder between the levels. Fernando takes the lead by passing Angie and quietly climbs the metal stairs almost to the roof. He leaves the cellphone signal jammer by the stairs. The final flight to the roof was a ladder that hooks over the ledge. Fernando stops just enough to have his nose over the edge and look around the roof.

Hondo's team had some difficulty on getting onto the fire escape. Once Valentine was up, Hillshire was next. Hondo was next with a boost from Triela. Triela jumped up to the staircase between the first and second levels. Hondo takes the lead and climbs up the stairs to the top floor and then to the ladder that leads to the roof. There he looks around.

They spot the guards on the roofs of the buildings, mostly clustered at the target buildings but a few on the adjacent buildings.

Fernando (on the radio): How many on your end?

Hondo: Looks like 4, maybe 5.

Fernando: No maybes- count and be sure.

Hondo: 4 the other one is with the main group.

Fernando: there's a sky light on your building?

Hondo: Yes.

Fernando: So do we. Use it to your advantage.

Hondo: Alright.

Fernando: How many on your side at the target building?

Hondo: I count 8 though there could be more and some of them are moving about the roof.

Fernando: I count about 8 too on my side, figure 16. plus 5 on each side... 21 total. Lets do this- head shots only. Take out the one furthest away just in case it draws their attention and then work on the ones closest to you before getting on the roof.

Hondo: Will do.

Fernando: Go!

Almost at the same time a barely audible 'Click' from their guns could be heard but at almost 20 yards away from their positions a couple of goons barely felt any pain as the hollow point bullets entered and expanded inside their brains. The ones closest to them were next to follow, as were the one by the skylights.

Fernando scurries over the ledge of the roof, remaining low as he heads to the sky light. Angie follows, as similarly happens on Hondo's end with him and Triela. They realize that the area of the target building was tight, so dropping one goon meant most would witness it and react accordingly.

Fernando (to himself though its picked up by the radios and transmitted to all): Shit. Wish this was my gun.

Hondo: Make do with what you got.

Fernando: That comment was not meant for you guys.

Hondo: Consider it the voice of reason telling ya.

Fernando: Hmph... Take out the ones in the front. I'll take the ones in the rear and we'll meet in the middle.

Hondo: Sure thing, Boss.

Fernando: Ready?

Hondo: Of course.

Fernando: Go...

Both Hondo and Fernando get up from behind the sky lights and begin shooting. The guard are caught unaware, what panic they would ensue would not last a second as bodies fell on the roof. They look around and at each other.

Hondo: No signs of life.

Fernando: So it would seem. Pickup your casings and meet me by the skylight. That means everybody.

Fernando and Hondo clean up at their area, picking up the casings left behind before heading to the skylight. The others follow them from the fire escape. Tammy picks up the cellphone jammer and the couple of casings she finds by the roof ladder. Valentine picks up the casings she finds. Both Angie and Triela stand guard as their handlers take note of the carnage.

Marco: They don't look Latin American.

Fernando: Most Colombians, Ecuadorians and Brazilians don't. They tend to look like European from their Spanish Heritage because they had not mixed with the local Indian population. Central Americans did. But the sign of a good drug Central or South American cartel- Paramilitary clothing, AK-47s and other Russian made arms, cheap 2-way radios from big electronic companies, well fed bodies, and rankings like an army. Looks like we are dealing with somebody who knows this all too well.

Fernando reaches down and wipes down a window. He looks like around through the pane and nods. He removes a few items from his pocket: a suction cup and an iPod Touch. A with a few taps of the iPod's screen, he puts it into record memo mode, recording everything inside the warehouse. Attaching his headset to the iPod and shoves the mic into the suction cup. It picks up the conversation of the meeting with every detail, which is recorded and listened to by everyone there.

Anne: I need more men.

Unknown male voice: Your friends not giving you any more?

Anne: I need real men. Not stupid idiots who think about getting paid first before doing their jobs.

Unknown male voice (sounding more clearer): That is not my problem. My problem is getting rid of this horse and grass and make a profit for it. So where's my money.

Valentine: That's El Jefe Grande!

Others: Shhhh...

They continue to listen.

Anne: I already gave you the money. Its in the case, you idiot.

Unknown male voice: How do I know its not a bomb? You open it.

Anne walks to the table in the middle of the room where a table was. On the table, an aluminum brief case. She walks over to it and thumbs through the combination and opens it, showing the money inside.

Anne: There- 100-thousand euros, 50 percent like you ask for these two trucks with the goods.

Unknown male voice: And the other 50 percent?

Anne: Same place, same time, here, 2 nights from now.

Unknown male voice: And what of your cheating boyfriend?

Anne: He's not my boyfriend.

Unknown male voice: You had how many times to kill him and yet he lives. I think you have the hots for him. I believe that you créme your panties everytime you think about him. You want him so bad that that you shove a dildo in your cunt and dream that he's doing you lovely. He is a boyfriend you don't want to kill. If you fail in killing him and his wifey-friend, it just proves what I say.

Anne: And what about you? You cant get rid of a couple of American cow-folks? If they weren't so modernized, they would be riding into Rome on horses! Rome has not seen a horse since the turn of the century!

Unknown male voice (reaching out a pulling a woman next to him and shows off a hypodermic syringe): What's it to you? I already got his hoe of a wife and have her as mine. And I killed the bitch's family a long time ago. They are next. No. I don't have a problem. You got the problem here. Since you cant take care of your problems, I'm upping the price. The rest of the 50 percent and the dead body of your boyfriend and his woman alive so I can turn her into one of my slaves... This drug makes it so easy and there is no cure to its addiction other than death.

He shoves the needle into the woman's arm and pumps the drug into her bloodstream. After pulling the needle out, she sighs and holds onto him tighter and kisses him passionately.

Unknown male voice: You see, this drug makes any woman its injected too as your slave. They will do anything you tell them to do. I bet it will turn your cold ass into a hot sex slave.

Anne: I'll kill you if you try that shit on me.

Unknown male voice: Under this drug, you cant, you wont. Besides, I want that cowboy's bitch. I killed her family, Marie-Valentine is next.

Hondo: Why that mutha-pucker...

Fernando: Hondo. Be quiet.

Hondo: But that's Laurie he's injecting that shit into!

Fernando (walking up to Hondo and pushes him away from the skylight): That's no longer the woman you know if he's been injecting that crap into her all these years. And if there is not cure for it as he says except for death, then there is only one favor you can do for her.

Hondo gives him the meanest stare he could given anyone.

Fernando: You heard him. Tammy and Valentine are next on that sicko bastard's list. Unless you want him to win, I would advise you to calm down and we will deal with him in a few days. Preferably with an few chosen injections of hot lead.

Hondo: How about we take care of them right now.

Marco (walking up them and hands Fernando the iPod Touch and the wires with the microphone from his harness): They seem to be arguing details. I suggest we go before they start calling in the guards and find us with their dead bodies.

Fernando: Good idea. Take the group to the cars. And meet up with Jeanie. I'll be there a couple of minutes later.

Hondo: Why are you staying behind?

Fernando: I need to clean up and I can fly out of this area faster than you guys can run. Now go. Take the girls with you.

Hondo gives him a cold hard stare.

Fernando (giving Hondo the keys to the Porsche): Its an order, Hondo. Run'and meet up with Jeanie. I'll be there in a couple of minutes later.

Not happy about the situation, Hondo gathers the others and leads them away. Fernando watches them leave and follow them up the street with his eyes. Once they had passed 2 blocks away Fernando walks back to the skylight. He takes the crowbar with one hand and a dead body with the other. Smashing the skylight window with the crowbar, he shoves the dead body through it and sends it to the floor of the warehouse below. The place becomes like an angered hornets' nest, men scurrying about with gun drawn and orders being yelled at by those in charge. Fernando picks up a couple radios from another dead bodies he puts in his pockets and the cellphone signal jammer before running off the ledge of the roof and flies off it. Men run out of the warehouse looking about with guns drawn but Fernando was long since gone.

Meeting with the others at Jeanie's car, Fernando signals Jeanie to go ahead as they deal with lose ends. Hondo, Marco and Hillshire get out of their cars and walk over to him.

Hondo (in an annoyed tone): What deal you made with them this time...

Fernando pulls out the radios from his pocket and hands them to the men.

Fernando (turning one of the radios on): Like I said, I was cleaning up.

The voices of men could be heard discussing and arguing about orders and finding the dead guards on the roof. Marco nods as he listens then speaks.

Marco: I assume that these are ours to keep?

Fernando: How else will you get such intel for the termination mission?

Marco: Good.

Hillshire: These look like Motorola Saber units.

Fernando: Probably made in China or Hong Kong and sold cheaply in survivalist and spy-tech stores everywhere.

Marco: Alright. We'll be by in the morning for a debriefing.

Fernando: Yeah, what ever.

Marco and Hillshire get into the Fiat and drive away. Fernando goes into the driver's section and pulls on the lever to release the rear hatch. Hondo already put their things into the box before. Fernando dumps his gun, empty magazines and the cellphone signal jammer into the box.

Hondo: What you did back there?

Fernando (closing the trunk closed): I left a calling card.

Hondo: Why you did that!

Fernando: They are going to know who killed all their guards. Its no secret between us that we and them are at war. But they'll be stupid to try to attack us in the next couple of days with reduced numbers and zero guards. Its just the 4 of us, let them think there are more of us.

Hondo: You better hope that they don't.

Fernando: Get in the passenger seat. I need to hit the bed and get some sleep. I think you do too.

Hondo: That's one of the few things you said all day that I can agree on.

They both get into the car and drive away. The ride home was a it longer than getting there because of the slower drive but they managed to get there within 20 minutes.

Though there was food for a final night time meal before bed, they forgo it and head straight to their rooms. Fernando brings the box in the trunk to the house and left it by the small table where the house's only phone was at.

In Fernando's room, Fernando prepares himself to sleep. Tammy has little choice in the matter and joins him under the covers.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Mar 7^th, 2011, 12:19am

No one talked on the way home nor really said much of anythin’ when they got to the house. Jeanie an’ her men had reached the house first an’ were all out of the way. Hondo unloaded most of the stuff out of the car, but didn’t do more than set the stuff on a bench in the basement. By the time he was done Fernando an’ Tammy were already in their room. There was food out but Hondo didn’t feel like eatin’ neither did the rest it seemed.

Valentine was sittin’ on the couch silently, an’ didn’t even look up when he came up from the basement. Hondo walked over to her but she still didn’t react to his presence. He sat down beside her with a sigh. Valentine just sat there lookin’ down with a blank stare.

Hondo: Ya’ll right?

Valentine: I don’t know. I didn’t act like I thought I would.

Hondo: You mean when ya screamed when ya saw the dead guy?

Valentine: No. I do feel a maght silly ‘bout that, but that’s not it. I know I killed someone an’ saw you shoot those men when ya saved me, but this was different. That all when you saved me felt like a dream or somethin’. Probably from getting’ hit first an’ all that adrenalin that hit me, but . . .

Hondo: You feel guilty ‘bout tonight?

Valentine: Yes an’ no. That’s the problem. I don't feel bad 'bout those men gettin' shot. I know ya didn’t see me, but I locked up when ya started shootin’. I keep getting’ this naggin’ thought since then that says, “what if he needed ya?”

At this point tears did flow down her face.

Valentine: I’m sorry; I’m no good to ya. Ifin ya needed me I couldn’t have done anythin’.

She hid her face in her hands at that time. She expected Hondo to chastise her or the like, but she was surprised to feel him rub her back an’ shoulders. She didn’t want to look up at him but he lifted her chin up with his hand. It forced her to look at him through tear filled eyes an’ put her hands down. His faced was softer than she’d remembered seein’ before an’ a more worried look was on his face. She didn’t see any anger in it which surprised her. Was there more to this man than she had seen? She loved him for who he was an’ knew he had a heart underneath his rough exterior, but after all he went through today she expected him to be pissed off at the world. From the first time they met, to her, he seemed to have the same personality as the character Wolverine had in the ‘X-Men' Movies. He was tough, surly at times, he hid his emotions behind a gruff/growly attitude, he was a hunter, but he cared deeply ‘bout those ‘round him to the point of self sacrifice. He was hurt deeply, yet tried to hide it, he almost wanted to join in the fun of the moment but was almost afraid to show emotions openly in a crowd, or even alone, but when it counted most, ‘specially one-on-one, he could show a very deep compassion for another even when his own heart ached. She’d never seen him on a rampage, but could only guess about the animal that hid inside him an’ came out when he needed it most. Yes, Hondo an’ the depiction of Wolverine were much alike in her eyes, though he wasn’t indestructible an’ not always as ornery, but she only now realized the true depth of both characters, one fiction an’ the other right in front of her eyes. Hondo stared into her eyes for a moment an’ suprisin’ly it soothed her this time, an’ the quiet didn’t seem so harsh. Hondo finally broke the silence between them.

Hondo: Ya don’t know that ya couldn’t have helped me, Val. I didn’t need it. Had I needed it I believe you could of an’ would of pulled yourself together. Either way, now that ya know what to expect somewhat, understand next time it’ll be a lot worse an’ you’ll hafta be shootin’. You were lucky this time that Fernando an’ I were able to take care of it all. Next time ya won’t be so lucky, but I’ll be there with ya, remember that. I need ya to be able to take care of yourself, but ifin ya get into a bind I’ll be there. Yur special, Val. Remember that. You can do what must be done. Your strong, though yur hurtin’. I know when the time comes you will do what must be done, but you must believe that too.

Valentine took hold of his hand an’ pulled it close to her chest, just below her neckline, an’ rested her chin on it. She sniffled a bit to try to quell any emotions then spoke without lookin’ up at him.

Valentine: How do ya do it?

Hondo: What? The killin’?

Valentine looked up at him: No. Ya sit here an’ try to comfort me, reassure me, an’ promise to try to protect me when you must be hurtin’ so.

Hondo: I’m alright. Only bruised from this morning, but I heal fast.

Valentine: I don’t mean that.

Valentine looked down again as she didn’t want to see his eyes change again. On missions or ‘round folks he usually showed only 2 emotions, an’ they were unemotional an’ pissed off, that was one of the things that reminded her of Wolverine. But when he was alone with her she noticed that he let some of the blocks down, an’ at least let his eye show emotion even if his face didn’t. She didn’t want to see the pain or sadness she knew was comin’.

Valentine continued: I saw how you looked an’ reacted at the sight of what El Jefe was doin’ to Laurie.

Valentine looked up to see what she feared, hurt in his eyes.

Valentine: I’m so sorry Hondo. I just can’t sit here an’ let you try to comfort me when I know you must be goin’ through hell inside. That’s part of the reason I’m upset raght now. I told ya I love ya, an’ I do. I want so bad to make the pain go away, but I can’t an’ ya won’t let me in to try.

Hondo rubbed his jaw for a moment as he thought of how to reply. He looked up at her as she was starin’ at him with a look of love an’ worry in her eyes. He couldn’t hide the pain from her somehow as her very presence made him unable to put up his defensive mask when they were alone. He finally spoke after a few moments.

Hondo: Yeah, Val. It hurts a lot. I loved her once. I held her in my arm, made love to her, smiled with her, laughed with her, an’ cried with her. Her death was hard on me. But this is harder yet, though I am stronger than I was when I lost her. Val, I’ll always try to be there for ya, though I can’t promise that I will be. I promised her I would be an’ look what happened. Since I found out that she was alive there’s not been a day that I’ve not blamed myself for not takin’ her body with us. I was sure she was dead an’ left her body to save the others. It was what she asked me to do with what I thought were her dyin’ words. Now I find that she’s alive, an’ I thought she was just brainwashed. Now I find out that she’s on a drug that there is no cure for but death.

A tear rolled down Hondo’s rough face but his voice was steady.

Hondo: When I saw that tonight it was as some primal instinct took over. I wanted to kill them all right then an’ there. I’m glad Fernando was there. He’s right. I can’t save her. The only thing I can do for her is to put her outta her misery. An’ he was right, that was not the time. Had I done so I’d have put all y’all in danger. Ya know what scared me the most tonight?

Valentine: I didn’t think you were scared of anythin’.

Hondo: I was scared tonight. When I heard him say what he wanted to do to you an’ Tammy that scared me bad. Val, I lost one gal that I cared for an’ I have ta kill her ta save her. I can’t do 2 or 3 of ya. It’d kill me. Val, ya mean a lot to me an’ I hope I can return that love ya want from me after this is all over, but for right now I can’t love ya like ya want nor can I burden you with my problems. My pain, my heartache is nothin’ compared with what they’d be ifin I lost ya. I can’t let them take Tammy either. She is my friend, though she doesn’t always like me bein' 'round too well nor does she agree with some of the stances I take. But more importantly she is the wife of my best friend, Fernando. I couldn’t stand seein’ what it’d do to him ifin this madman got his way. Val, it’d kill both of us, inside at least. You an’ Tammy are more important to us than our own lives, understand that. So for you an’ her good, an’ the good of the world, we must set aside personal feelin’s an’ do this. Each must deal with their own demons right now. I appreciate you wantin’ to help me, but as it stands I am tryin’ to lock those feelin’s away. I can’t let you in right now. Ifin we survive an’ ya still want in to this mess of a life of mine, you may enter.

Valentine: We will make it an’ I’ll be there for you as you’re there for me. Thanks for sharin’ with me. It means a lot to me. You’ll never know how much.

Hondo: No problem, Just don’t worry over me. At least until the mission is over, and then we’ll hash it out. I don’t like bein’ fussed over.

Valentine: I’ll do my best not to, an’ If I do I’ll try not to let ya know.

Hondo: Alright, oh, an’ don’t think I’ll do this every time I have a problem or an’ old pain arises.

Valentine smiled as she knew he was crustin’ up again. He could only show what he truly felt for so long before he went back to normal.

Valentine: I love you for who you are Hondo Sackett, an’ I don’t expect anythin’ out of you that you’re not willin’ to give. But now I think we need showers then to get some sleep.

Hondo: I’m inclined to agree with ya. There’s two showers, so lets both get one an’ get some sleep.

Valentine: Ya still alright with me sleepin’ with ya?

Hondo: Yeah, we’re adults.

They headed upstairs to their shared room as quietly as they could. Once inside Valentine spoke again.

Valentine: Uhm, I hate to ask this, but what should I wear? I don’t want to cause any problems, but I don’t like to sleep in too much.

Hondo thought for a moment then grabbed one of his t-shirts an’ threw it at her.

Hondo: Wear my t-shirt. It’ll be big on ya an’ work as a short night gown. But please wear some underwear with it. No freestylin’ in my bed . . . yet. (the yet was said under his breath)

Valentine: Thanks. This’ll work great, but don’t make any changes for me to your sleepin’ style. I promise I won’t try to start anythin’ . . . yet (the yet was said under her breath)

The ‘yets’ were heard by both, but neither acted like they heard them other than a slight smirk that danced across each of their faces went turned away from each other.

Hondo: Enjoy yur shower.

Hondo grabbed his towel an’ shavin’ kit that held his soap an’ other such stuff an’ walked off to one of the bathrooms without leavin’ Valentine time for any further comments. He washed up quickly, thought the hot water felt good on his sore back. He almost wished Valentine was there to massage his back in the warm water, but he put such foolish notions outta his mind. He cared for the gal an’ would treat her right. He heard Val get into her shower. He was surprised to hear her sing softly as she showered. She had a beautiful voice. So much so he had a hard time leavin’ the shower before she did, but he did so. He threw on a pair of loose fittin’ black cotton shorts before leavin’ the bathroom an’ then he went to his room.

Once in his room Hondo pulled back the blankets an’ laid down. Valentine was not but a few minutes more. She was dryin’ her hair as she entered the room. She jumped slightly an’ turned away at the sight of Hondo without a shirt again, but she recomposed herself when she heard him chuckle.

Hondo: Sorry, didn’t mean to surprise ya. I can put a shirt on ifin it bothers ya.

Valentine: uhm, no . . NO, it’s fine. I just well, .. I didn’t know what to expect I guess, but . . Never mind.

Hondo chuckled again an’ she gave him a sour look, though inside she admitted it was good to hear him chuckle. She turned out the room light an’ went over to the bed. Hondo covered up with the sheet as she turned out the bed side lamp. She crawled over Hondo so his right arm was free an’ laid up against him. He covered them both with a light blanket an’ put his left arm ‘round her. The right he used to cover his eyes to block out even the smallest amount of light. They talked a bit but enjoyed the closeness most of all. Hondo fell asleep on his back with Val curled up at his side. They were both exhausted, but for some reason the presence of the other each made them sleep a little better.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Mar 11^th, 2011, 4:11pm

Nothing worse than not being able to sleep while in bed in a dark room. For Tammy this infuriating in one sense but comforting in the other. She figured out not too long ago why men stare at the ceiling while in bed and has found herself doing it on some occasions , but this? This is something new. She cant sleep though her husband was, or so she thought he was.

She pushes herself up on her arms and looks straight down at him. “How do you do it?”, she says to herself.

“Do what?”, Fernando asks, his light sensitive eyes being able to see her where she has trouble seeing him.

“Did I wake you?”, she asks.

“I was already awake.”, he answers.

“Couldn’t sleep?”, she asks.

“Couldn’t sleep because my wife is awake.”, he answers.

“Huh? Oh. I’m sorry.”, Tammy tells him.

“Don’t be, I’m too tired to sleep.”, Fernando tells her.

“From the mission?”, she asks.

“Look… even before I became a Time Traveler, I am not able to keep the energy level up for too long of a time. No one can really, but with me, as soon as I lay down, I cant get up until I get some rest. Not sleep, but rest.”, he answers.

“But, Fernando. Everybody’s like that.”, Tammy starts to say. “Its just seems to me that you could keep going on forever.”

“I wish…”, Fernando says.

“Seriously, you keep going when most gave up. You would prefer to keep on fighting instead of giving up. And without that, we would not be here today- me having Bink back and married to you.”, she explains.

“I don’t care about others, Tammy. All I care bout is you. And one day when its made, I will give Bink a bio-energy pill that will restore her back to the little girl she once was. But I have to say this- as her body rejects the cybernetic implants and grows back a new body her, she is going to be in a lot of pain. Whether she is strong enough to endure it remains to be seen. But if she lives through the process, you will have Bink back and not some robotic little girl that share in part of her body.”, he tells her.

“You want her immortal too?”, Tammy asks.

“No. The bio-energy pill only restores one’s body from injury. It was what my daughter, Dr. Aiesha used on me at the hospital for a rapid heal. The pill will bring Bink back and reject her cybernetics but it will be painful for her to undergo through that procedure.”, Fernando answers.

“When can we do this?”, Tammy asks.

“Not now, that’s what you want to know. Not until this and any other mission is over. Things have to be prepared for her, as its going to take years. Like I said of the immortality pill, the more injury to the body, the longer it will take to heal. Much of her body has been replaced with man-made things and that is going to take long time to replace. But in the end, Bink will be a girl again.”, he answers.

She just looks at him, wondering about the delay. This mission is one thing, but others? According to her this should be it, the end of it all. Fernando reaches up to her and gives her a kiss on the nose.

“Goodnight little one…”, he says to her before a yawn as he laid back down on the bed.

“I’m not little…”, Tammy quietly argues.

“To me you are. But that’s besides the point. Goodnight…”, he says before closing his eyes. In a matter of minutes, he goes to sleep. Tammy lays there with him for a while, thinking. Eventually thinking turns into sleeping.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Mar 13^th, 2011, 10:57pm

Mission day was upon them. They knew where the enemy would be an' when they would be there. The SWA was busy elsewhere takin’ out a shipment that came from the warehouse they were now approachin’. Everyone had piled into Fernando’s car like that had a couple nights ago an’ with their gear were now on the road. No one talked on the way as tension was runnin’ high. The SWA had taken out the phones for them again before they went after the shipment so everythin’ was set. As before Fernando an’ Tammy took one street an’ Hondo an’ Valentine took the other street. They made it to the warehouse without any trouble. There were a couple guards which they took out with the silenced 1911’s but other than that it was uneventful. Fernando signaled over the radios for them to enter on opposite sides of the warehouse. They entered, took out a couple guard each then everythin’ seemed to be smooth sailin’ as they had depleted the number guards a couple days before. Silently they meet at an inner office. On the count of 3 they broke down a door an’ entered with their guns drawn. They had successfully made it in an surprised there enemies.

Anne (to Fernando): So you think you’ve won?

Fernando: I know I have won.

Laurie (To Hondo): Hondo, I remember now! Please take me out of here! I still love you! It was this mad man; he hypnotized me and made me do it! I knew you’d come for me someday!

Fernando (To Hondo): It’s a trap don’t listen to her!

Hondo’s hand started to shake as he looked at her.

Valentine: Hondo, Shoot her! She’s lyin’! You know the truth!

Laurie: Hondo! Please save me!!

Fernando: Hondo! NO!!

Hondo lowered his gun to take a step forward an’ as quick as a flash Laurie came up with hers. At that moment all hell broke loose. Fernando shifted away to shoot Laurie, an’ Tammy turned to Annie only to have her gunshot outta her hand. As Tammy's gun flew from her grasp, she fell to the ground clutchin’ her hand. Fernando turned to Tammy to have Anne leap forward an’ knock Fernando out cold. At the same time Laurie Ann shot at Hondo but Valentine pushed him outta the way so the bullet only grazed his skull an’ knocked him out. Valentine fell over as Hondo fell to the ground an’ she was knocked unconscious by Laurie.

El Jefe: Very good. Now we must leave. I’ll turn these two women into my slaves on the way. We will let the cowboy and your boyfriend live to see their women turn on them.

Anne: He’s not my boyfriend!

After takin’ Hondo an’ Fernando’s guns Anne an’ Laurie carried the unconscious bodies of Valentine an’ Tammy to a helicopter. Laurie fired up the copter as EL Jefe Grande injected the two captives with his slave drug.

Back in the warehouse Hondo an’ Fernando both came too.

Fernando: Damn it Hondo! You Royally ‘F’ed-up this time.

Hondo: Boss, I . . .

Fernando: Don’t say another word! They took our guns so we have to get back to the safe house and get more, But God help me Hondo Sackett, if that crazy idiot gave Tammy the same drug he used on Laurie I’ll kill you!

Hondo stayed silent an’ followed as Fernando in a run to the car. Once in the car Fernando pushed the car up over 200 mph as they raced back to the safe house. Not a word was spoken between them on the trip.

Once back Fernando warned Jeanie of the problem an’ she assembled her men to help. Hondo grabbed his old single action revolvers to replace the double actions revolvers that had been taken.

They assembled back outside to go after the women when 2 helicopters came into sight an’ landed in the back parkin’ lot. Fernando walked toward them with Hondo off to his right. Jeanie an’ her guards were fanned out behind them. Out from the copters came 7 guards, EL’ Jefe, Laurie, Anne, Tammy, An’ Valentine. Tammy an’ Valentine looked at Fernando an’ Hondo respectively with cold hard stares. Their eyes were red an’ their features hard.

Fernando: What have you done to them!

El Jefe: Just gave them a little of my own secret recipe. Like Laurie they are now my slaves to do with as I please. Don’t think you can take them back They must have more or die. So until I choose to let them die they will make love to me as I please, serve me as I please, an’ kill whomever I please.

Hondo: WHY YOU DIRTY . . .!!

Fernando: Hondo, shut-up! Your bungling has cost us too much already!! EL Jefe, What do you want from us? You expect us to talk or cooperate with you?

El Jefe: No Agent G. I expect you to die. Tammy, Maria-Valentine, Kill Them All!

Tammy an’ Valentine instantly pulled out guns as did everyone else.

Fernando: Tammy, don’t do this. Remember what we had.

Hondo: Val, please, put down the gun.

Tammy: You are the enemy. There is nothing to remember of you but hate

Valentine: We must obey, and you must die.

At that moment all hell broke loose. Hondo an’ Fernando both scream a war cry of rage an’ pain as they shot their own women then started in on the others. The guards were easy to kill so Jeanie an’ her guards took them out. The others were hard to kill. The drug made Tammy, Valentine, an’ Laurie fight with their last ounce of strength an’ El Jefe an’ Anne had cyborg parts. When the smoke cleared Hondo held Valentine’s broken Body an’ Fernando kneeled over Tammy’s. With death only seconds away both of their minds cleared momentarily.

Valentine (to Hondo): This was the only way. Don’t blame yourself an’ remember I loved ya.

Tammy (to Fernando): Take care of Bink for me. Even though our time together was short I treasured every moment. I love you.

With that they both died. Hondo had been grazed a couple times an’ had a bad leg wound. Fernando had been shot in the shoulder an’ side but they both stood. Jeanie’s men were unharmed, but Jeanie had taken a bullet to the head an’ lay dead on the ground. Fernando survived the scene with a cold, dead look. Hondo dare not look up as he felt the weight of the world was on his shoulders. It was all his fault. Fernando came over to him but did not look at him.

Fernando: Get your stuff out of my house and into your truck now. Don’t ask any questions.

Hondo limped to the house where he leaned against the wall to tie a bandana ‘round his leg wound to slow the bleedin’. He then gathered his stuff an’ came back out to the truck. Fernando was waitin’. Neither said anythin’ until Hondo had put his stuff in the truck. Fernando spoke first.

Fernando: Get in the truck.

Hondo: Fernando, I . . I don’t . . .

Fernando: Get in the 'F'ing truck!!

Hondo did so.

Fernando: I don’t want to hear from or see you ever again. If I do, I’ll shoot you on sight. Consider yourself lucky I don’t kill you right now, as you’d die very slowly. You destroyed this team and you have destroyed me!

Fernando pressed a couple buttons on his paw-unit an’ in a flash Hondo an’ his truck disappeared. Fernando turned to the carnage before him. Inside he was grievin’, but not wantin’ to show it he turned his sorrow to anger an’ hate. The SWA soon arrived to clean up the mess. The mood Fernando was in scared them an’ rightly so.

At the edge of a back-water town Hondo an’ his truck appeared. He found his medical kit an’ patched up his wounds as best he could an’ changed outta his bloody clothes. He drove into town shortly after an’ right up to a bar. The sorrow of losin’ everythin’ that mattered to him weighed even more heavily on him as he could only blame himself. For the next followin’ weeks he drifted from town to town drinkin’ until he was thrown into jail to sober up, an then begin’ God for forgiveness. God long forgave him, but the forgiveness he looked for was his own. That he could not give, nor could he find in a bottle. He sold his guns to pay for gas an’ whiskey until he only had one old colt revolver left. He managed to live like that for one year.

A year to the day of the incident that drove the cowboy to this state, a flyin’ squirrel walked into the bar in which he sat. They looked at each other for a moment. The cowboy was shaggy, dirty, his hands shook from drink, his eyes were blood shot, an’ he had no life left in him. The Flyin’ squirrel wore a black suit with a white shirt an’ he had sunglasses on. They both recognized each other.

Squirrel: I tried not to do this, but I cannot find peace until you are dead. Now go to hell, where you belong!

The cowboy said nothin’. He looked down then with a shaky hand went for the old colt revolver. He didn’t have a chance an’ he knew it, nor did he want to kill the squirrel. He knew what he had to do to make it look legit, though. So with a pull of the old gun the cowboy committed assisted suicide. He figured he could at least die easily do help easy this squirrel's pain. As if in slow motion he saw the bullet come towards his head but he felt no pain as he fell to the floor. He heard as if in the background the squirrel talks.

Squirrel: Everyone stay calm. I am Agent Fernando G. of the CIA. This man was a wanted fugitive who is responsible for the death of 3 people. Barkeeper, here is $8000. Bury him and keep the rest for the trouble.

The cowboy then lost all sense of hearin’ an’ sight. Everythin’ was dark an’ he felt like he was fallin’ into a bottomless pit.

Hondo woke up with a start an’ gasped as he did so. He panted for a moment as he tried to regain his bearnin’s an’ figure out where he was. He finally realized he was in his bed in the safe house. He looked over at the clock an’ it read 5:30 am. He looked beside him an’ He sighed to himself as he looked at her. Val was still there. It was all a dream, though a very vivid dream. Hondo wiped the cold sweat from his head with his right hand an’ tried to settle back down. He looked back over at Val, an’ stroked her hair just to make sure she was there. She looked like an angel layin’ there so peaceful like sleepin’. There was a rare beauty ‘bout here, he admitted to himself, a wild, innocent beauty that reminded him of the untamed mustangs that ran free in the western U.S.A. She was much like those mustangs. She was wild an’ free, yet innocent, shy, beautiful, untamed, and yet needs to be a part of a group to truly feel safe. He shook his head at himself. She was too innocent for him. She was more like a scared, yearlin’ filly. He was like an old rouge stallion. He was not right for her. He was rough, at times cold an’ calculatin’, he liked rough, ate rough, worked rough, played rough, an’ at times slept rough. He knew she could take it as she was strong, but did he want to ruin her so? Could she keep her sweet, innocent nature in this business? He sighed an’ settled back into the pillow. He made a promise to her. He could not back outta it as he didn’t back down from promises, an’ he couldn’t worry ‘bout it until the mission was over. Maybe she’d be smart, leave him, an’ go live a real life. He looked back over at the clock then back at Valentine. He usually would get up ifin he was awake by now as he was usually up from between 5:30 an’ 6:30, but he was tired an’ he didn’t want to wake Valentine at the moment. He determined to go back to sleep an’ sleep until 7:30, as it had been a busy week, felt exhausted from the nightmare he had just had, an’ he was way behind on sleep. He soon fell back asleep.

He woke again at 6:15. He had barely fallen asleep but the dream plagued his mind still. It wasn’t the first of its kind, but never the less it always took him time to get over them. He never admitted that those dreams bothered him, but they did. He lay there an’ stared at Valentine for a full 10 minutes before somethin’ else caught his attention. It was a smell, A very familiar smell. BACON! He tried to get up without disturbin’ her, but he didn’t do too well. She stirred then sat up sleepily as he was dressin’

Valentine: Anythin’ wrong?

Hondo: No, but I smell bacon. An’ where there’s bacon there’s breakfast.

Valentine chuckled then yawned: Figures. I tried ta get your attention without success. Should have stuffed bacon in my pocket.

Hondo gave her a slightly annoyed look.

Hondo: Now, you know why none of that worked.

Valentine: I know, but I like tryin’ to get different expressions outta you as ya don’t show many different ones often.

Hondo: Hmph!

Hondo walked up to the bed as her back was too her an’ swatted her on the back side.

Hondo: Come on, ya little mustang. Might as well eat breakfast with me since yur awake.

Valentine: oh, alright. Wait, little mustang??

Hondo: I’ll explain it to ya someday, now get dressed an’ such. I’m gonna brush my teeth then go downstairs.

Valentine (mumbled): Alright, I’ll be down shortly.

Hondo walked downstairs to find Jeanie an’ her driver cookin’ up a good ol’ fashioned USA breakfast.

Hondo: That smells good.

Jeanie: I’ll have it ready in about 15 minutes. I figured you’d be up and we could all get our breakfast out of the way. Your lady-friend coming too?

Hondo: Yeah, she’ll be down in a few. Fernando an’ Tammy probably won’t show for another 4 hours at least, though.

Jeanie: I know Fernando and his wifey will be later, so I’ll cook some fresh when they get up.

Hondo: sounds good, an’, uh, thanks. Ya’ve been a great help.

Jeanie looked at him with a bit of surprise.

Jeanie: Your welcome, though I have to admit that surprised me. You are the last person I expected to hear that from.

Hondo: Well, don’t get used to it. Call me when it’s ready.

Jeanie smiled at his comment. It was so in character for him. Hondo went an’ sat down in the livin’ room. Soon Valentine joined him an’ at which time Jeanie called them to eat. There wasn’t a lot of talk at the table as all were busy eatin’. Hondo enjoyed just havin’ Valentine close, but the dream he had the night before still bothered him. It had been so vivid. He knew in his mind what he had to do. Laurie could not be helped, an’ no tricks would stop him. He wanted to believe that the dream could never really come true, but the question remained, what if?

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Mar 21^st, 2011, 4:48pm

The sun rose long before anyone in Fernando’s room dared to move. It was 6:55AM when Tammy woke up and tries to go back to sleep without any success. The smell of bacon and coffee in the air says that breakfast was ready. Though she was not a fan of bacon or coffee, she was getting used to it in small quantities. Without waking Fernando, she quickly gets dressed and fixes herself up, though she wore yesterday’s clothes.

She walks down stairs, noticing it being very quiet except for knives and forks hitting a plate and cooking sounds in the kitchen. Entering the living room and dining area, she sees Hondo and Valentine sitting down at the table, eating breakfast. She walks around to the service island area, where Jeanie calls for her attention.

Jeanie (as she slides a plate of food on the service island): Tammy…

Tammy looks towards Jeanie and the food she had put in front of her.

Jeanie: Eat. You need your energy to recover from last night. Besides, aren’t the SWA coming over this morning.

Tammy (taking the food and placing it on the table): They should be getting here before noon.

Jeanie: I see. Anything I should prepare for them?

Tammy: No. Don’t trouble yourself for them.

Jeanie: You sure? I can make some lunch for them.

Tammy: No! Don’t… I mean, you’re a guest in this house, not a servant.

Jeanie: Even a guest has to return some of the hospitality given to them…

Tammy (interrupting her from finishing her idea): Don’t worry about it.

Jeanie (cleaning her hands on a nearby dishtowel): Alright. I’ll make something for Fernando when he wakes up.

Tammy (watching Jeanie leave the kitchen area): You don’t have too.

Jeanie stops at the table by where Tammy was having her breakfast.

Jeanie: What I do for Fernando I do for him because I want too. It also frees you to be more of a wife for him now because when I am gone, you will be taking these responsibilities yourself.

Tammy: When you leave I will gladly do what I can for my man. Now go take care of what you do, I got a house to run and you have to be a good guest or leave.

Jeanie decides not to have the last word for it was not worth getting into a fight over. Thus she goes upstairs to her room. As Tammy glances over to the stairs, Valentine and Hondo glance over to her, then suddenly goes to their meals as she turns back. Tammy does not notice. After a few minutes, Hondo cleans up his area, and takes his cup and plate to the kitchen to put into the dishwasher. Valentine soon joins him in the kitchen to do the same.

Hondo leaves the kitchen area, leaving Valentine behind in the kitchen. He walks past the table when Tammy calls for his attention.

Tammy: Hondo?

Hondo immediately stops and turns to face her.

Hondo: Yes?

Tammy: Is there another mission yo and Fernando going to do after this?

Hondo thinks, not wanting to tell the truth, even though it was unsure it was going to happen.

Hondo: Nothing that I know of. Issin’ there going to be another mission after this?

Tammy: No. Just asking.

Hondo: Well, I was hopin’ we get to the café soon enough, I got unfinished business to take care off.

Tammy: Unfinished business?

Hondo (lying as best as he could): I got bills to pay and take the rest of my stuff out of storage. No doubt Fernando has unfinished business to do now that he’s back.

Tammy: Yeah. I guess you’re on that.

Hondo: Anything else?

Tammy: No, that’s it.

Hondo: Alright.

Hondo signals to Valentine to leave with him out the back door for the moment. She complies and leaves the place right behind him. Tammy continues with her breakfast until she finishes. Like the others before her, she takes the plate and cup to the kitchen and puts them into the dish washer.

The few moments she has to herself, Tammy goes back to the room and get her ready for a shower and a fresh change of clothes. She walks to the bathroom in a robe with her things spends about 20 minutes showering and taking care of other personal hygiene requirements. Back in the room she puts on a dark blue dress suit with a white shirt, but not the suit’s jacket. She finds her service weapon in a clip-on holster and takes it, putting to the inside of her skirt on the right side.

She takes a look at the clothes hamper in the room and thinks about doing the laundry, though it would not be a full load. For now she thinks not to do it though it will need to be done soon enough. Tammy goes back to the bed and sits on it, leaning over Fernando and wonders how he does it, sleep almost motionless for a seemingly long time. Though he had explained it to her in the past, she does not remember it at all.

Tammy (to herself): I hope you wake up soon. The SWA will be here later today and they are going to want answers.

A kiss on his forehead, and she slowly gets off the bed as to not disturb him. With almost little to do, she goes downstairs and sits on the sofa. Taking the TV remote she channel surfs the 1055 stations the cable and satellite provider has to offer and finds nothing to see. She settles for Myth Smashers, a rip-off of both Myth Busters and Smash Lab in the United States done in Italy. Red Zone follows, a rip-off of Top Gear, made by Ferrari and Lamborghini because Top Gear berated their cars as “Fast Looking but Not Fast Going.”

As she watches the TV, she does not hear a car roll up onto the drive way and towards the rear parking lot. Hondo identifies it as Hillshire’s Mercedes 500Sel station wagon, and thus makes no fuss about it as he and Valentine worked on her motorcycle. Hillshire steps out of the car along with Marco, both opening the rear doors to let Triela, Angie and Ferro out. Hondo watches them as they gather at the rear of the station wagon, Hillshire opening the rear of the station wagon and handing out bags for the girls to carry. Marco turns to face Hondo and points to the rear door of the house. Hondo nods at him, with Marco returning the nod as they start to walk in.

Valentine: Should we be going in?

Hondo (looking at his watch): We haven’t been called in and its too early for the meeting. Chances are this is personal stuff before the meeting.

Valentine: Oh…

They go back to working on the motorcycle.

Marco takes the lead once inside the house and takes the group to the living room area. Tammy was too busy look at the TV to notice.

Marco: Ferrari was building supercars much longer than Lamborghini.

Tammy: But Lamborghinis look better.

Marco: Its just a matter of tastes.

Tammy just freezes in place before making a statement.

Tammy: Marco?

Marco: I can understand this being your home but this Laxi-Daisy attitude would have gotten you kill if Hondo wasn’t outside working in the yard. I hope he was armed, if not he and his friend would be dead too.

Tammy: Though we were expecting you, you are early. What’s going on.

Ferro: I already hear Marco’s and Hillshire’s input on last night’s mission. Now what about yours? You fired any rounds, killed anyone?

Tammy: No. Now what’s going on?

Ferro: According to Marco and Hillshire, some twenty something guards were killed.

Tammy: That sounds about right.

Ferro: Can you explain how 21 bodies were found floating in the harbor this morning?

Tammy: That was not us.

Ferro: Then who was it?

Tammy: I don’t know, it had to be them.

Ferro: What proof do you have?

A voice could be heard from upstairs.

Voice from upstairs (coming down the stairs): Because they were here before I got here No way they could dumped the bodies in the time it takes them to drive here.

Jeanie makes herself known as she steps into the living with her crew behind her. Tammy puts her head down and shakes it.

Ferro: Alright. I know you are here as their guests, but who are you to be backing them up?

Jeanie (handing out a business card, though written in Mandarin): Me? The name’s Jeanie Chin. I own a conglomerate of news and other assorted print media in Oriental Asia, with a reading audience of 1.7 billion. And I’m here for a story. Their story.

Ferro: I know who you are. They already explained it to me that infamous J-Chin is here. How do I know you were not helping them dispose of the bodies?

Jeanie: I nor my crew here get our hands dirty in such work. I am only here to observe and report the story I see. And like I said, they were home when we got here.

Ferro: Then explain your delay.

Jeanie: A 1950’s Rolls Royce Silver Wraith stretch limousine can not run as fast as a Porsche 928 with racing gear. At best my ride could do 90 miles per hour if pushed to that extreme, not 210 like the Porsche. Nor can I take turns at high speed. Now if you don’t believe me, I can arrange for a test drive, right now if you like.

Ferro: Hmph. You know this is a media controlled nation. I want to see this story before you send it to your news agency.

Jeanie: You do? Well, like I told the Chinese New Media Council, you don’t need to see what I print until it is printed and sold. My news agency cover the 5 little dragons and the 3 big dragons along with many other nations. If you know your Asian nations, you know who the dragons are. Now, I’m not here to put your nation in a bad light. But there is this world wide issue of drug trafficking, which your nation seems to be port of call even though measures are being taken to take care of the problem. My story is of how US Agents in Italy are trying to stop this known problem. Seems to me, you have a major world known drug lord on your shores and yet you have not picked him up for questioning and his property searched. Why not?

Jeanie puts a portable recorder to Ferro’s face, the tape inside spinning as it records. Ferro pushes the recorder to the side.

Ferro: We are working with the US Agents and planning a drug bust with their cooperation. That is all I can say.

Jeanie: So I assume this is a ‘No Comment’ and a denial of what needs to be done?

Ferro: How about you leave and you wont be arrested.

Jeanie: I would like to see that. If I dont make a constant update to my servers, everything I have here- about you, your agency, your government will be core dumped into my press office computers and somebody will be coming and making house calls.

Ferro: We’ll see about that…

Tammy: Ferro, Don’t!

Everyone turns to face Tammy.

Tammy: Look. I don’t care what bodies were found in what river. We did not do it, we did not put them in the river. Now you should get Priscilla go over those bodies and find what she can. I can assure you that they are not Italian.

Ferro: And how would you know?

Tammy: Ask Hillshire and Marco. They were with us until the end when we separated and they went back to the agency compound.

Ferro: And where is your husband?

Tammy: Upstairs. Sleeping.

Ferro: Wake him up.

Tammy: No. He needs his rest.

Ferro: Then I’ll wake him up.

Tammy: Do so at the risk of your own life.

Ferro: And like what are you going to do?

Tammy: Me? Nothing. Him? Pull his gun from under his pillow he sleeps with and put a couple of rounds into you. So go ahead. I’ll have your suit fixed for your funeral.

Ferro does not answer and wonders about the validity of her comment. The problem here is Tammy has yet to lie to her superiors and supervisors in the agency, and to see if she is lying or not is to take a chance against the truth.

Tammy: Well? You going to get shot up trying to wake him up, or you going to leave him alone.

Ferro: Has he tried this on you?

Tammy: Tried? No. Done? Before we got married, yes. But not since after.

Ferro does not answer or tries to say a word.

The sound of a car’s engine arriving at the gate and driving at the driveway just up to the door catches everyone’ attention. The sound of the engine was something that would belong on a super car like a Lamborghini Contach, Ferrari Testarosa or a Masseratti Muri; reving high for a second before dying off followed by the ‘thud’ of a closing car door. Light foot steps can be hear walking to the house door. The doorbell expectantly rings.

Everybody look at the door and then to each other before it rings again.

Tammy: You people bringing in more guests?

Hillshire: It was just us.

Tammy: Then send one of the girls to open the door.

Hillshire nods before signaling to Triela to open the door. She returns a scowl before heading to the door. It rings one more time when Triela opens it, her free hand behind her back on her rear holster, ready to pull out cold steel of death if needed too.

An Asian White Mouse stands in the doorway, dressed in a black silk Qipao that stops at her knees but with side cuts midway up. She clutches a small black purse in her arms, the Prada badge just visible over her arm. She looks at the dark skinned blonde hair girl and at the people behind her.

Asian White Mouse: I’m sorry, I might have the wrong house.

Ferro (stepping up behind Triela): Who are you looking for?

Asian White Mouse: Hmmm…You may not known him but I’m looking for a tall squirrel, this used to be his house as I remember.

She looks at the doorway and finds the house number on the door.

Asian White Mouse: Yes, this is the place. Does he still live here?

Ferro (As Jeanie walks up behind her to see who it was): Who is he? Got a name?

Asian White Mouse (smiling): He went by many names… But…

Jeanie: You!… What are you doing here?!!

Asian White Mouse: J-Chin, well, if you are here, then you can tell me what happened to your savior. Is he dead like the internets states?

Jeanie: How you know of this place you man-stealing wench! And who let you out of your cage anyways!

Asian White Mouse: How I know of this place is because Fernando use to take me here all the time so we can practice making puppies like husband and wife after doing business when in Rome. As for being let out of my cage, Diplomatic Immunity is key that opens many cages.

She takes an unchallenged step into the house and look at everyone.

Ferro: Ms. Jeanie, who is she?

The Asian White Mouse stops at Jeanie, and looks over to Ferro, pulling out a wallet from inside her Prada, opening it and showing off a metal shield and an ID Card written in Mandarin.

Asian White Mouse: The names Jao Lynn. I’m an Intelligence Agent for the People’s Republic of China. Now I have 1 question to ask and I want an answer. Where is Fernando G., and is he dead or alive?

Ferro: Ms Lynn…

Jao Lynn (interrupting her): That’s Agent Jao. In many Asian nations, the last name is first and the given birth name is last.

Ferro: Alright Ms Jao. What’s your business with him in the first place?

Jao Lynn searches in her purse and pulls out a Jewel case box and an envelop. She opens the case and shows Ferro a very elaborate medal inside.

Jao Lynn (putting away the jewel case): The People’s Star only goes to those who have selfishly given themselves to others.

Ferro: Were you at the UN Celebrations over a month ago? You could have given it to his family then.

Jao Lynn: Though I was at the UN Celebration, we were not directly involved or affected in your conflict he took care off. He has stemmed off the flow of Russian and Asian arms to criminals in this area. Now, I need to know if he is dead or alive.

Ferro: If you were at the celebration, then you should know that he is dead.

Jao Lynn: So you would think. I seen him pull Dead Man act before, usually leaving a widow and children behind, yet access to the moneys and rewards he had gained.

Tammy (getting up out of her chair angrily): THAT IS NOT TRUE!!!

Marco acts fast and runs to her, shoving a handkerchief into her mouth, pinning her arms and dragging her back towards behind the kitchen. The door of one of the rear rooms slams shut.

Jao Lynn: I see. I’ll assume that this ploy of disinformation is to protect him as he is upstairs sleeping… last room on the right by the storage room.

Jeanie: Whether he is here or not remains to be seen.

Jao Lynn (interrupting her): Then I’ll wait for him.

Jeanie: How about you leave.

Jao Lynn (showing off the envelope): I have something for his eyes only.

Jeanie tries to snatch the envelope but fails, Jao Lynn takes it and puts is back in her purse before walking around them and takes a single seat in the living room.

Jao Lynn: Where ever he is, tell him I’m here for him only.

In a guest room behind the kitchen area, Marco holds Tammy tightly as she struggles against him and her mouth covered with his handkerchief wadded up into her lips.

Marco (keeping from yelling in her ear): Calm yourself, you crazy squirrel!

Tammy is not in the least bit calm, nor did she liked being man-handled as she was. To try to end the struggle, Marco throws her front first onto the guest room’s bed and pins her against it from behind.

Marco: Calm Down And I’ll Let You Go!

Tammy struggles some more before calming down. Marco slowly lets her go and gets up off her and the bed.

Marco (almost yelling as Tammy turns around and sits up): Don’t Go Half Cocked Into Challenging Someone You Don’t Know! If She Is A Chinese Agent As Her ID Says, Then She Is Probably Armed And Has Friends Waiting Nearby! Want To Find Out What Its Like To Have A Bullet To The Chest? Get Up In Her Face Again, And You Just Might Find Out!

Tammy takes the handkerchief out of her mouth and slowly get up.

Tammy (as she got up): You’re probably right… But Marco…

Tammy slaps him hard across the face.

Tammy: Don’t You Ever Manhandle Me Like That Again! I’m Not Your Wife! I’m Not Your Daughter! Fernando Does Not Even Touch Me Like That!

Tammy begins to leave the room but Marco grabs her by the arm, leaving her no option but to turn around quickly and knee Marco in the groin. He lets go of her and crumples to the ground. Tammy storms out the room and walks to the living room fuming. She stops in front of Jao Lynn.

Tammy: What ever is it you have for my husband, you give it to me and then leave.

Jao Lynn: Husband?

Tammy: Yes, Husband! What Part of ‘I’m Married To Fernando’ You Do Not Understand?!!

Jao Lynn (showing off the wedding and engagement rings on her finger): You and 47 other women out there have that claim to him. No, I’ll wait for him here.

Tammy: Get Out My House.

Jao Lynn: I’m waiting for Fernando. I will wait here the whole day if I must.

Tammy reaches into her side and pulls out her service weapon, only to have one pointed back at her. Both weapons are immediately shot out of their hands by Angie and Triela as they stand from opposite sides of the room in combat stances, smoke pouring out of their guns.

Hondo and Val run into the house, he has his guns drawn.

Hondo (slowly walking past the stairs, surveying the scene): NOBODY MOVE!

Hillshire: Triela! Angie! Stand Down!

Triela: But…

Hillshire: I Said Stand Down!!!

Both the girls put their weapons down, as does Hondo when all weapons have been put away.

Hondo: What Happened Here!

Looking around he finds somebody who he did not see go in from before.

Hondo: Who are you?!!

Hillshire: We were dealing with that when Tammy flew off the handle.

Hondo: That’s the truth?

Most everyone nods and yes something in agreement, except for Tammy as the unknown guests.

Hondo: Tammy- laundry time. Now. Mr. Hillshire, I’ll trust you in finding out who she is and clean up the mess before Fernando wakes up.

Hillshire: I will.

Hondo: Where’s Marco?

Ferro: We’ll find him.

Hondo: Good. Now do it quietly. Tammy- Laundry- Now!

Valentine: Want me to join you?

Hondo (handing one of his revolvers to her): No. You can supervise clean-up up here or try to figure out that syncro thing.

Valentine: Alright. I’ll keep an eye on things here.

Hondo nods at Valentine and then points to Tammy and then at the stairs. Tammy walks through the living room and to the back stairs to the basement. Hondo looks at the others.

Hondo: If Fernando asks, tell’im I’m downstairs with Tammy, sorting things out.

He follows Tammy down the stairs, closing the doors behind him. He points to one of the couple of chairs for Tammy to sit down on. She sits on it reluctantly.

Hondo (in a very angered tone): I’m Not Even Goin’ To Ask, So You Better Start Explainin’!

Tammy’s mind starts racing for an answer, only able to come up with the most stupidest one possible.

Tammy: She started it!!!

Hondo (trying not to tell): Not Good Enough! Who Is She, First Of All! Why Is She Here?!! And Why Would You Dare Pull A Weapon On Her!… Knowing That The Cyborgs Will Take Action Against Any One Who Would Draw Their Weapons!

Tammy does not answer.

Hondo: Who Is She?!!

Tammy (yells back): I Don’t Know!

Hondo: Of All The Asinine Things To Do! You Stupid Or Sumthin’?!! You Even Know Why She Is Here?!!

Tammy (yelling): She’s Claims To Be His Wife!!!

Somebody knocks on the door and opens it. Jeanie walks in though one of her crew stands outside the door.

Hondo (miffed about the intrusion): What do you want, Jeanie…

She walks over to Tammy and hands over her gun to her. Tammy checks her weapon. Though slightly damaged with a dent on the slider, it was still operable.

Jeanie: Look Tammy. Jao Lynn is a government whore. She’ll do anything and everything to get what her government wants her to get. That means lying to you about being married to your husband. They all lie in this spy game, you should remember that. They all will do things that you or I would not normally do under normal circumstances. If Fernando had sex with her, I hope be rocked her little world because she makes herself out to be a man eater. But if Fernando had sex with her, its because of this spy game he is in. I can assure you that there was no love in that mating, it was all business. Sex is a tool like everything else for them. And it all happened long before you two set eyes on each other, so it does not matter what she says- you have to keep your mind at ease with that.

Hondo: Is that all?

Jeanie (turning to Hondo): Jao Lynn is a very dangerous person if you let her get to you. She has ways to get into your mind and worm her way into your heart without you suspecting a thing because she is trained to do so.

Hondo: Then I’ll send her on her way.

Jeanie: Don’t.

Hondo: Why not?

Jeanie: She is here for Fernando. Let her see him when he’s awake and have him deal with her.

Hondo: Hmmm…

Jeanie: I have my men blocking the upstairs stairway so she wont bother him. As for you, Tammy, you better stop flying of the handle like you did because she will take that to her advantage.

Hondo: You done?

Jeanie: I’ll go make Fernando some breakfast so it will be ready when he wakes up.

Tammy: No…

Hondo: Tammy. Calm Yourself Down. Jeanie, go ahead. I’ll send Tammy upstairs later.

Jeanie: Thank you.

Jeanie leaves the room, closing the door behind her.

Hondo: You heard her. Ifin’ she’s claimin’ to be his wife, its all a lie and you better realize that she is lyin’ to you to get to your husband. How much access you give her to Fernando depends on how much trust you have for him.

Tammy: What if its all true?

Hondo: You know better. Rings can be bought. Papers can be faked. But one thing you have that she don’t is his love for you. That says a lot more than what papers and rings can say because that can not be faked.

Tammy does not say word in reply, just sighs in defeat.

Jeanie and her driver/chef walks into the kitchen to make Fernando his breakfast. During this time Fernando wakes up and makes his way to the bathroom to shower up and later get dressed in his room. Jeanie walks upstairs, carrying a serving tray with a breakfast meal for him. Her driver/chef follows her and opens the door to his room for her to enter. Closing the door, he stands outside and waits for her.

She puts the service tray on the room’s table as Fernando was putting on his shoes.

Fernando: Where’s Tammy?

Jeanie: She is in the basement with Hondo.

Fernando (sitting up after finishing his shoes): Can I ask why?

Jeanie (sliding his coffee cup at him): Eat first.

Fernando takes the coffee cup and looks at it. Jeanie puts a plate of food in front of him, along with silverware.

Fernando: Explain why I’m eating up here and not downstairs.

Jeanie: Too many people downstairs.

Fernando looks at his watch.

Fernando: Too early for the SWA to be here.

Jeanie: Some of them are here. Better for you to eat here in peace than to deal with them downstairs.

Fernando: Why is Tammy in the basement with Hondo?

Jeanie (Fernando begins with his breakfast): There is also an unannounced guest downstairs. She wants to talk to you.

Fernando: Again. Why is Tammy in the basement with Hondo?

Jeanie: The unannounced guest… she claims to be your wife. It upset Tammy greatly. That’s why she is in the basement with Hondo.

Fernando: Did she gave a name?

Jeanie: Its your old friend, Jao Lynn.

Fernando: She made any other statements?

Jeanie: She says she want to talk to you alone. She also showed off The People’s Republic Star of China medal, saying that it belongs to you for your work here. Honestly, I don’t believe. China does not give away one of their highest orders to foreigners. She also has a letter for you in a sealed envelope. All I seen was your name on it written in Mandarin.

Fernando: Probably more of her trickery.

Jeanie: I know that you mated with her many times in order to get the job done for the agency.

Fernando: Lets not go there with that.

Jeanie: If I was your wife, I would know what you did was for the job and your life so I would not fault you for what happened even if you derived pleasure from her. I hope you left her begging for more when you left.

Fernando: Jeanie…

Jeanie: I know. But she is here and she is up to something and her comments have upset Tammy so. She wants some personal business with you. I would not slight you if anything were to happen, but Tammy needs to know that.

Fernando: Tammy already knows, and she should not allow it to bother her.

Jeanie: But it is.

Fernando: Then send her up here so I can talk with her.

Jeanie: Jao Lynn?

Fernando: Tammy.

Jeanie: Oh… I’ll be back.

Fernando: No. Alone.

Jeanie: And Jao Lynn?

Fernando: She wants to see me, she can wait.

Jeanie: Alright.

She leaves the room, leaving Fernando alone with his breakfast. In less than half a minute she was at the basement, knocking on the door first before opening it and letter herself in.

Jeanie: Sorry to interrupt, but Fernando wants Tammy in his room.

Hondo look at Tammy and nods. She gets up out of the chair and follows Jeanie to their room. Hondo was just a few steps behind. On the stairway from first floor to the second floor, Jao Lynn trots over to them from the living room but is stopped by Jeanie’s guards.

Jao Lynn (almost yelling at them between the guards): When I will see Fernando?

Jeanie: When he calls for you. Until then, sit down and shut up.

Jao Lynn can only stand there for a moment, plotting away.

Hondo: You heard her. Git to a seat and wait.

Jao Lynn turns to face Hondo, before walking back to the living room and taking her seat again.

Jeanie opens the door for Tammy and lets her in. Fernando see this happening and tells Jeanie to join them.

Fernando: Have a seat Jeanie. You too Tammy.

They sit in the chairs around the table in the room.

Fernando: Jeanie tells me that you got upset downstairs at somebody and tried to shoot them?

Jeanie (interrupting Tammy from answering): I did not say that!

Fernando: I reviewed the security logs while you were getting Tammy for me, so I added to what you said. Now Tammy… explain yourself.

Tammy: She said she was your wife!

Fernando: So?

Tammy: Is she?

Fernando: Depends on your point of view.

Tammy: Depends on my point of view?!!

Fernando: It does not matter any more, but in my last mission about 5 years ago, I was in a fake marriage with her to pose as husband and wife around Western China and Eastern Afghanistan, where Muslim rule over everyone decreed that anyone living in sin were to be stoned to death. To have her as an equal to me according to those laws and to have her function as an independent as possible to be agent in a place where women are not to allowed to function alone, we were given papers stating that we were married and she given engagement and wedding rings. But it was a fake marriage which ended at the end of the mission.

Tammy: Did you have sex with her?

Fernando: Does it matter? Remember our talk about the job forcing us to do things that we would otherwise not do. But I’ll admit that I did have sex with her because the job required it. Our hotel room was bugged to see if we were actually man and wife or playing the part. So we did everything we had to do to make the act as convincing as possible. She was also given birth control to not get pregnant, as Muslim rule in that area made condoms illegal. But like I said, this was over 5 years ago, before I moved to the café and before I met you as a teenager back then.

Tammy: I’m sorry.

Fernando: Look. I never thought that my past would come back to haunt me and hurt you. But it may mean that I go out on a mission with her again, and if I do, I might have to do things with her that I should be with you because the job demands it. I am sorry if I do.

Tammy: Its OK. I understand its for the job and will forgive you for it.

Fernando: Jeanie. Bring her up here.

Jeanie gets up and walks out the room, going half way down the stairs and calls for Jao Lynn. Jao Lynn arrives at the stairs. Jeanie tells her guards to allow her to go by. In a few seconds they were entering Fernando’s room. Jeanie takes her seat. Jao Lynn stands as she looks around the room.

Fernando: Take the computer desk chair and bring it here to sit on.

Jao Lynn does as she was told, taking the computer chair and setting it next to him. She sits on it, opening her legs for a moment before crossing her legs above the knee, showing Fernando what she had underneath.

Fernando: State your business and then you are to leave.

Jao Lynn: Why so harsh? I missed you all these years, you know.

Fernando: Our mission ended over 5 years ago. You got a life as do I. Now what gives?

Jao Lynn: The Chinese government was going to give you a medal for what you did here and in the past with them. But rumors of your death needed to be verified. Nor was the Chinese government was going to admit that it was our weapons sold in the black market that ended up here. With that explained, I give you The People Republic of China’s Star.

She takes the jewel box out of her purse and opens it, revealing the medal inside. Before she could take it out and pin it on him, Fernando takes the jewel box and closes it, putting it away in his pocket. Jao Lynn complains.

Jao Lynn: Hey! I was to pin it on you!

Fernando: So? It does not matter . Now what else you have to say.

Jao Lynn (going through her purse and pulling out an envelope): I have this letter for you from the People’s Communist Party Ruling Council.

Fernando snatches the envelope from her hand.

Jao Lynn: Hey!

Fernando: Hey nothing. Its mine, right?

Jao Lynn: Yes, but…

Fernando (tossing it to Jeanie): But- nothing. Jeanie, read it. You know my Chinese is not up to the task.

Jeanie opens the envelope and starts to read the letter that was inside. First she reads it to herself to get the translation correct.

Jeanie: It says that ‘in interest of China, that your marriage to Jao Lynn has been extended for future missions and should be treated as a real marriage. There is also orders to have you recalled for a mission but details are withheld.

Jao Lynn: Order are at the Embassy, waiting for you to pick them up.

Fernando: I have not received any orders from any American Agency recalling me into any action, especially with you.

Jao Lynn: Aww… What’s the matter?

Fernando (pointing to Tammy): I’m not married to you, Jao Lynn. I’m married to her.

Jao Lynn: I forgive you.

Fernando: Jao Lynn. Leave. I’ll deal with you after I am finished here.

Jao Lynn: How long will that take?

Fernando: Another month, maybe two. Now leave peacefully before I throw you out.

Jao Lynn: Alright. Have it your way. But I’ll be in touch.

Jao Lynn gets up and slowly walks out of the room. A few seconds later Tammy runs out the room after her, catching her by the stairs. Jeanie goes after her as Tammy grabs Jao by her arm.

Tammy: If you know my husband intimately, then tell me something that only I as his wife would know.

Jao Lynn: Well, How about I show you instead. Its about this big…

Jao Lynn makes the letter ‘C’ with her tiny hand and then takes her index fingers and measures off a space almost across her chest between them.

Jao Lynn: You should know what I’m talking about.

Tammy nods and then bows her head as Jao Lynn starts to walk away.

Jeanie: It does not matter. I know those measurements too.

Tammy looks at her before storming off into her room.

A few seconds later a powerful and large car engine can be heard being turned on, and the car it is in driving away.

Fernando walks out of the room and walks downstairs to the living room. He carries a report folder with him. There he deals with the SWA members that was there. Giving the report folder to Ferro, he then returns to his room.

Satisfied with the report, Ferro tells the others to take her back to the compound. Calling the chief, they cancel the day’s meeting with Tammy and Fernando as they got what they came for.

Fernando finds Tammy on the bed crying.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Mar 23^rd, 2011, 12:14am

Hondo waited downstairs in the livin’room until Jao Lynn came back down. She stormed out of the house an’ drove off. Fernando was right on her heals, so to speak. He gave Ferro a packet that contained a report; an’ he even told her so. There were a couple questions ‘bout the bodies, but Fernando was in no mood to be questioned. Ferro wanted to know more about the Asian gal that had just left, but decided to do some research first

Hondo an’ Valentine stood by an’ just listened. Fernando soon headed back upstairs with the unspoken order that the SWA folks should leave. Satisfied for now they left, leavin’ Hondo an’ Valentine alone again.

Valentine: Glad that’s over.

Hondo: For now it is, but I have a feelin’ that we’ll be seenin’ more of her.

Valentine: The Asian?

Hondo: Yeah.

Valentine: Tammy really got upset ‘bout her.

Hondo: Tammy should have known better. Ya’d think she’d trust Jefe more than that by now. I just can’t believe she pulled a gun in anger on an unknown opponent who had not made any threatenin’ moves. I’m a bit disappointed in her, honestly.

Valentine: What did she say to you in the basement?

Hondo: Thet’s between us, Val.

Valentine: you don’t trust me?

Hondo: It’s not that, Val. Tammy is my friend an’ she deserves the same trust you’d expect of me. I’ve not told anyone what ya said ‘bout yur past, though I asked Fernando ifin he wanted to know the overview when I brought ya in, but he trusted my judgment enough that I didn’t hafta tell him anythin’.

Valentine: Like I did with Tammy ‘bout yur wife. I’m so sorry ‘bout thet. I never even thought of it that way.

Hondo: Eh, too late ta worry now, but never to late ta learn. I forgave ya, Val, but even so, it was worth it ifin it made ya think Which reminds me. Where are yur guns?

Valentine: in our room. Why?

Hondo: Even when ya know ya shouldn’t need them, wear them. Take today for instance. Ya just never know what may happen.

Valentine: I’m sorry. I just didn’t even think ‘bout it.

Hondo: An ol’ Sheriff once told me this, “Keep yur guns on ya at all times. Ifin this helps ta remember ta do so, every time ya walk outta yur house without them say ‘Baa” like a sheep does. ‘Cause without thet gun yur now a sheep; ya’re weak, helpless, an’ vulnerable. With a gun you’re a hunter, a fighter, but without it ya’re defenseless.”

Valentine: Guess I never thought of it that way.

Hondo: Yur gun is a tool that can save yur life an’ the lives of friends. It is a tool of which Great good or evil can be done. Some folk think savin’ folk is somethin’ ya do for reward or in yur spare time, or even a job. But it’s none of those. It should be yur life. Doin’ good is what we should do. Folks think they do good to save someone they deserve a reward. But ta not do good is to do bad. I never understood why some folks think they deserve rewards for doin’ the good they should be doin’ in the first place. The problem is, when ya do what’s right an’ good ya make enemies. Yeah, sometimes we get rewards for what we did, but we don’t expect them, but ya can expect enemies. So from now on, when ya leave thet room, put on yur guns. Even to take a shower at least have one wrapped up in yurt towel with a spare clip or ammo wallet.

Valentine: I understand. I’ll go get them outta our room raght now.

Hondo: Ok, meet me back outside an’ well get thet sycro device workin’ yet.

Valentine: Be raght there!

Hondo walked out an’ a small grin crept on his face then a worried thoughtful look replaced it. She had called it there room. She had always called it his room, but it was as ifin she really felt they were a couple, an’ it was their room.. This worried him a bit too as the only thought that crossed his mind was, “What the hell am I getting’ myself into now!”

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Mar 29^th, 2011, 1:55am

Fernando walks over to the bed and sits on the edge. He gently pats her on her back.

Fernando: What’s wrong?

Tammy stops crying for a moment and faces him momentarily.

Tammy: What’s wrong? How many women you had sex with?

Fernando: Actually, that is none of your business.

Tammy: Yes It Is!

Fernando: How so?

Tammy: In Communicable Diseases class, they said that because of MIV-MAIDS* what sexual history one may have is shared with their current partner!

Fernando: That is only if you are infected with MIV or have MAIDS or have something else like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, or the Papalona Virus and infect you with cervical cancer. I’m clean and would never infect you with something that would harm you or make you sick.

Tammy: That’s Not The Point! What Is Your Sexual History! Because I Don’t Have One!

Fernando: Want to know my sexual history?

Tammy: YES!

Fernando: Alright. Since I was 13 I have been having sex with every girl I was with. Until I got married, I had about 11 girlfriends who were my sex partners at one time or another. But I never had 2 girlfriends at once until high school. Then not because of not of my fault, I ended up with about 6 girlfriends, all who wanted to be my sex partner and yes, I got into situations where I had to have sex to get out of it. But they all knew the situation and they all allowed it. In short, it was a very confusing time for me. But in the end I went out with one girlfriend who was my sex partner for a while and then we broke up. After that, I found my first high school girlfriend and we got married. Her sexual record is that she was raped several times and thought very little of herself in the sexual sense. In fact she had a very loose connection between love and sex until we met up. Thus she had several ‘lovers’ before I met her. But between her and I it was just us. After she was killed, I would up with the girlfriend I went out before but we would always argued and fought. She became Aiesha’s mother and my Ex-From-Hell. Eventually we broke up, and I went deep into my undercover work. There were missions where I had to infiltrate an organization and sex with the females was used. Then there were other missions where I had to pretend to be married to a female agent and in the course of the mission had sex with her. In all, there was at least 15 or so women had sex for the agency. But for anything recent? Nothing in these past 5 or so years. And in all cases, with the exception of my wife and Aiesha’s mother, I never got anyone pregnant or infected despite the lack of protection I or we used. In fact, Aiesha’s mother was on the pill and she still got pregnant. They also never infected me with anything, as I kept getting myself checked every six months to make sure that I did not. Sexually speaking, I am very responsible, though lucky that I was, if anything would have came up, I would have taken action to fix the problem. With the exception of sex for the mission, all relationships I have had was out of love or what I thought was love. With the exception of Aiesha’s mother, the girls I was with thought and said the same thing. Now here I am with you, not caring about my past because history is over and its time to do something in the present make something of the future. If you don’t ever want to have sex with while we are married because the thought of I having some 40 plus lovers in my past repulses you, then so be it Tammy. But understand that I could have not returned when I did, and I did it because I do love you and I do care about you. But if you think that is not enough then we can work it that so this is a marriage of convenience.

Tammy looks at him, unsure what to say to what he stated.

Fernando: Though you tell me that you are a virgin, that is not the issue here. The issue is whatever you tell me, I trust you in that it is the truth. If you tell me that you are a virgin and you are not, then you have betrayed that trust. If you had a sexual history, that is fine by me but you do not have to lie about it. But at the same time you could have said nothing and left it at that and it would have been the same. I kept my sexual past a secret because it does not involve you, but now you know it. I don’t know nor care about your sexual past, but if you profess that you are a virgin, then you better be.

Tammy: But I Am!

Fernando: You just missed the point.

Tammy: And What Point Is That?

Fernando: Trust.

Tammy: Trust?

Fernando: Yes. Trust. Trust in not lying to each other. Trust in not putting the other in harm’s way. Trust in not giving each other an illness or disease from our exposure to what we done outside of our relationship. Tammy, we been through this before. It is what our marriage vows tell us to do. I trust you to the point where I don’t care about the past because all that we have now is all that we got. And I am trying my best to make sure that we do not lose what little we have to share because if we lose it all, we will have nothing. As my wife, you have a place in this relationship. You have a say in what happens in this relationship. You have the right to do as you please. But I have to agree with it for one, just like you have to agree with what I do, where and when. Except for that, you have free reign in what you think you have to do is right for you first and for us second, as I exercise the same right as well. Now if you think this marriage should not go on, if you are repulsed by my past, if you no longer cant stand me as the man I am, you can walk out and leave. I got a life to live whether you are a part of it or not.

Tammy: No!…

Fernando: No, what.

Tammy: No, I don’t want you to leave.

Fernando: Because…

Tammy: Because… I’m scared without you.

Fernando: You need to grow a pair of balls.

Tammy: This is a scary world, Fernando. People want me dead, some want to take you away and give you what I had not, they don’t care about a fraidy-cat squirrel girl that I am. Without you, I just want to hide and hope things go away.

Fernando: Welcome to the real world. Just wait when I have you time-jumping and land you on some sand pit of a society where you will be sold for a sack of gold coins with teeth marks for proof of ownership.

Tammy: You would not dare.

Fernando: It’s a matter of trust.

Tammy: I trust you to take me out of that danger.

Fernando: You need to figure out how to deal with it yourself before I can find you and give you any form of help. Remember a couple of days ago when you tried to take Annie on your own, if I was not there to intervene, you would have been dead despite you thinking that you could have dealt with the problem.

Tammy: I know. I’m sorry.

Fernando: But Tammy…It’s a first step in confronting your fears.

Tammy did not wanted to respond to that in any way or form.

Fernando: Look… you have a long way to go but making start of it is a good . I need to go check up on everybody.

As he starts to get up, Tammy grabs his wrists.

Tammy: Don’t go.

Fernando looks at her for a moment.

Fernando: You need to take that little girl inside you and drag her out and shoot her.

Tammy thinks for a moment.

Tammy: I am not me without that little girl.

Fernando turns to her.

Fernando: One day all that innocence you have will be gone. Little by little, it has been chipped away but it still exists for now, a remnant of what it was.

Tammy: Until then I will continue to acknowledge that little girl within me.

Fernando: She will have to be gone when you become a mother.

Tammy: She will… wait. What do you mean by that?

Fernando: A little girl can not take care of a baby for one. And for you to survive that long, you need to get past our mission 2 days from now. There is no room for you to be scared. No room to run away. The demons are out there and they want to take that little girl, and do awful things to her before they kill her.

Tammy: That’s why you are there, to rescue me from all of the evil that is out there that intends to inflict harm on me.

Fernando: I cant be there all the time for you, husband or not, father of our children or not. You will need to do things on by yourself and your own, pass or fail.

Tammy thinks for a moment, leaving the room in silence during this time. Fernando breaks the silence.

Fernando: Look. I gave Ferro my report, so chances are they wont be coming today or maybe not tomarrow. So, we have the day to ourselves and then some.

She just looks at him.

Tammy: So you’re saying?

Fernando: It does not matter what I said, it does on how you took it.

Tammy: So you would want for us to strip down to nakedness and fool around under the covers to fool around?

Fernando: Is that how you took it?

Tammy: Is that what you want?

Fernando: Maybe I should leave.

Tammy: No!

Fernando: Stop flip flopping on me, what do you want?!

Tammy: Don’t… leave me… please.

Fernando: Why?

Tammy: Because… I don’t want you to… be with another woman out there.

Fernando thinks about it for a while.

Fernando: Talking about Jao Lynn? Don’t worry about her. Eventually I will have to see her before she makes herself a bigger problem than you think Jeanie is.

Tammy: But… I Don’t Want You Near Her!

Fernando starts to take off his jacket and tosses it to the table.

Fernando: I’m giving you 3 hours of under-the-cover alone time with you. And if I fall asleep during this, don’t wake me up.

He kicks off his shoes, followed by the rest of his other clothes and t-shirt before going under the covers in his briefs. Tammy thought about taking off her layers but she shifts over to him and holds him through the layers and softly cries. For now he holds her, taking an arm out the blanket and putting it against her back under her tail.
-----------
Note:
*MIV-MAIDS – Mammalian Immunodeficiency Virus – Mammalian Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Apr 5^th, 2011, 11:23pm

Hondo was already outside workin' on the gettin' the synchronizer set when Valentine returned. As Hondo looked up she held open her vest so he could see the pair of colt .38 supers in her should holsters. He nodded aprovin'ly.

Hondo: Alright. I think I have this setup right now. Been ages since I've used this thing, an' never done it without someone who knew more 'bout them than I did.

Valentine: Well, the theory is simple enough.

Hondo: Theories don't explain these extra parts I always end up with. Oh well. Fire her up an' well see what she does.

Valentine fired up the old Harley an' after revin' it a few times left it to sit in a purrin' idle.

Hondo: she runs good 'nuff, but I think I hear what Fernando meant.

Valentine: You do? I still don't hear it.

Hondo: It's a gift. I have extra sensitive hearin', so I can hear little noises like that.

Valentine: but my your ears aren't any bigger than mine.

Hondo: that don't have squat ta do with it. It's somethin' yur born with that just doesn't show on the outside, but it also comes from trainin'. I've lived outside an' in situations that ifin yur hearin' ain't sharp your dead. The hard part is filterin' other noises out in yur mind. Ya need to hear what is normal, then mentally block it out an' listen for abnormalities. It's hard to explain . . .

Valentine: I think I understand. so, the carbs are outta sync a bit.

Hondo: The indicator here says they are, but not by a whole lot.

Hondo helped Valentine adjust it . They adjusted it, revved it, checked it, drove the motor cycle 'round the parkin' lot then checked it again. Once satisfied Hondo signaled for Valentine to shut it off.

Hondo: That's right on the money. Should get a few extra ponies outta her now.

Valentine: I'd like to take her out on the road an' give her a good tryout.

Hondo: I know, but its not a good idea.

Valentine: Why not?

Hondo: After what we did the other day they are lookin' for us. We need to stay here until it's time to strike. For any of us to leave only gives them an opportunity to take the one that left out, weakens the forces here, an' could possibly give them leverage.

Valentine: Leverage? Ya mean holdin' one of us for random?

Hondo: Ransom or as a hostage/shield to make sure the rest won't attack them.

Valentine: So if they kidnapped me you'd listen to them to save me?

Hondo: As much as I'd hate to, yeah, ifin that's my only option, which you can bet yur life they'd make sure it was.

Valentine: What about Fernando? Would he let you?

Hondo: He'd not stop me without a fight, though I imagine he'd help me as I would ifin it was Tammy.

Valentine paused for a moment as Hondo cleaned up th tools only once he had put them away did she speak again.

Valentine: If I were to get caught don't listen to them.

Hondo: What?

Valentine: The mission is more important than my life. If they were to get me don't come after me. Just finish the mission.

Hondo: What kinda talk is that?

Valentine: I'm serious.

Hondo: That's what worries me.

Valentine: But what if they did get me?!

Hondo: Now settle down. First off I told ya why ya shouldn't leave so yur not gonna do anythin' stupid like that an' get caught. secondly even ifin it did happen they'd most likely kill ya on sight.

Valentine: But what if they didn't kill me an' used em against you?

Hondo: No use worryin' 'bout roads ya aren't crossin'. Ifin we're forced ta cross that road down the line we'll deal with it then. Until that time there is no use losin' sleep over it.

Valentine: I see what ya mean.

Hondo: Good. Now how 'bout a sody-pop? I've got some good glass bottled stuff in the downstairs fridge an' I need ta use some of the Fast-Orange that we keep down there ta get the grease off as well.

Valentine: Sure.

Valentine followed Hondo to the basement. He washed up quickly an' she did so as well, since she had a little grease on her. Once they were cleaned up Hondo walked o the fridge.

Hondo: Help yurself. I keep this good stuff down here ta keep the SWA folks hands off of it.

Hondo grabbed an Sarsaparilla an' Valentine grabbed a cream soda.
Hondo plopped down on the old couch he had down there an' settled back. Valentine stared at him for a bit until he looked over at her.

Hondo: Somethin' on yur mind?

Valentine: Just thinkin' 'bout your great hearin' an' yur not respondin' to when I said I loved ya.

Hondo: I explained that. Ya not forgive me yet?

Valentine: I know ya have stuff on yur mind an' ya promised me after it was all over we'd talk 'bout it, but I don't . . . I don't want to die without lettin' ya know again that I do care for ya an' think yur a good person no matter what has happened in the past.

Hondo: Yur not gonna die right any time soon.

Valentine: Ya can't promise that.

Hondo: I can promise ta do everythin' possible, which is a lot more than ya know.

Valentine: I know ya would, but can ya do somethin' for me? It's kinda personal an' all.

Hondo: I hope ya don't mean . .

Valentine: I don't mean sex. No I don't want to die a virgin, but there is one thing I really want.

Hondo: ok, what?

Valentine: sat down her soda-pop an' grabbed Hondo's an' placed it by hers. She then leaned close an' stared into his eyes for a moment. Then all of a sudden she kissed him. It wasn't a peck on the cheek either, it was a full force passionate kiss that threw him off balance for a bit. He pushed her off once he regained control of his mind.

Hondo: What the hell!

Valentine: I wanted to be held an' kissed by ya at least one time s no matter what happens I have this to remember.

Hondo: well, ya could've warned me first. An' why here an' now?

Valentine: I figured in bed was oversteppin' the boundaries an' puttin' ya into a place ya didn't want ta be in right now an' outside might let someone see us. An' I didn't tell ya 'cause I was afraid ya'd say no.

Hondo: Well, yur reasons are good, but I might have said yes.

Valentine leaned in an kissed him again not as roughly, but slower an' smoother. She pulled back after a moment as she didn't feel that Hondo was into it very much.

Valentine: somethin' wrong?

Hondo: I still dind't say yes.

Valentine: But ya didn't say no either.

Hondo: but . . but. . . oh, what the hell.

Hondo grabbed her an' kissed her roughly, but not too rough. She pulled back this time an gasped for air.

Hondo: Ifin ya want any more take yur guns off first!.

Val quickly stripped off her vest an' her shoulder holsters an' Hondo did the same. He barely turned back to her when she plowed into him knockin' him down onto his back on the couch to kiss him more roughly. He pushed her up off of him a bit an' raised an eyebrow at the wild, grinnin' look on her face.

Hondo: Ya know ifin any of the other see us like this I'll never hear the end . . oh what the hell.

With one hand behind her head an' one on the small of her back he pulled her into his for a long kiss. For the next little while they held each other, talked, an' kissed.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Apr 14^th, 2011, 11:02pm

Tammy does not stop crying for another ten minutes, nine minutes longer than it should have. Not amused at the whole spectacle, he looks back at her.

Fernando: Done through crying?

Tammy (sniffling): Why are you being so mean?

Fernando: Why are you being a little girl? Seriously, Tammy. You need to grow up. Time and time again, this world has shown how mean and vicious it can be towards you. And you worry about 1 woman on a planet of several billion and of me having sex with her? You should be worried about getting caught, getting killed, and how to prevent that if I am not there for you. You understand where I am coming from?

She just nods, though reluctantly.

Fernando: Now, the choice is yours: we can spend the next couple of hours here or we can make something of this day?

Tammy (nervously): What would you want to do?

Fernando: I have things to do but they can be put off for you for the meantime.

Tammy: No… if you have things to do then get them done, don’t hold things off on the account of me.

Fernando: Then change your clothes and redo your make up.

Tammy: Why?

Fernando: You’re going with me.

Tammy: But…

Fernando (interrupting her): The only butt I want to see is yours, fixing yourself up and getting dressed.

Tammy: But… let me say something.

Fernando: No. Now you listen to me. Trust starts here and now. Just like you need me to be there to rescue you, I need you to be at my side at all times when needed. And I need you now. So go.

Tammy was beside herself, wanting to say something within her god given rights and doing what he is demanding her to do. She takes more time than necessary to take action- sit up on the bed and start taking off her clothes. Folding them neatly onto the foot of the bed, she just sits there and lets out a sigh.

Tammy (to herself): You don’t love me.

Fernando heard what she said, getting a bit more than annoyed, he has to keep in control of his emotions and not let his anger show.

Fernando: What do you mean that I don’t love you?

Tammy: You don’t show it. You show more attention to Jeanie and now Jao than you ever have to me. Am I am trophy wife or something to show off to others? My wife is Tammy Squirrel! Grab my crotch and say, ‘This is where my babies come from?’ Do I really mean that little to you?

Fernando: If you meant little to me, I would have done things to you, used you, and make you think you owe me such things. If you want to know when, we could start with my rescue of you from the RF agents who were collecting the reward on your tail for one. The price you would have to have paid, sex with me. Same with reuniting you with Bink a couple of days later. Then keeping you off the plane that blew up, everyday you live is a day you owe me. Now if we continue with you joining the SWA, giving you the drug that cured you from the LSD poisoning, more sex, everyday for it is a day that you owe me, now doubled. The list goes on, Tammy. I have taken bullets for you, I even had died for you, and you dare say that I don’t love you? So what we have not had sex yet. What we have is more than just sex. It is love, and you need to rethink all that. Now go before I pick you up and take you there myself.

She just looks at him, hold back what anger she could. But she does not hold it all.

Tammy: You would not dare. Who or what do you think I am!

Fernando: My wife.

Tammy gets up but Fernando grabs her tail before she got too far. She sits back on the bed and yanks her tail from his grasp. He reaches over to her, pulling her to him and holds her against him. She fights back to let him go but it was a futile attempt to do so.

Fernando: I said that you are my wife, to love and hold and treasure for the rest of my infinite days. You need to stop being stupidly hysterical over nothing. I did not marry you because you are a virgin. I did not fall in love with you because it was easy to do so. I fell in love with you for some unknown reason, and I would reciprocate what you give me. But in this spy game, you females put us males into a situation where only sex is the only means of escape. You females also use sex for entrapment. Understand that I told you that I have a mission to after we are done here. Understand that this mission has just reared its ugly head, and I am mission married to Jao. But that does not mean that I am cheating against you, or that I am practicing polygamy between you and her. Mission marriage is just a front, a disguise for a couple of spies to play a role in a mission, and not the government of China has made such act between her and I permanent. She is my spy partner, but you are my life partner. Understand that difference, and understand that you have nothing to fear.

He slowly lets her go. She sits up as he did, not saying a word. She remains silent as she walks to the dresser and gathers a fresh change of clothes. Fernando crawls out from under the blankets and takes his clothes at the foot of the bed and puts them on. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he gets his sox and shoes, putting them on one at a time. Tammy does the same next to him.

Tammy: Fernando?

Fernando: I don’t want to hear it, Tammy. Be mad all you want with me, but I have a right to live out my life as I see fit. If it meant in I having all those females as sexual partners, then so be it. You had just an equal opportunity in sex as I. And now it means that it might be used as part of my job, I will do what I can when I can if it is necessary. Not because I would want too and take any available opportunity that is there.

Tammy: You are my husband! You are to be loyal and faithful to me and only me!

Fernando: There is a difference between being faithful and doing it on the call of duty. The SWA may not have put you into that situation but I have because of the agency I am with. And believe me, Jao Lynn is not the only one I have done it with. All I can say is that I would never do anything that would disrespect this marriage.

He reaches under the pillow and pulls out his gun. He checks it before taking to his shoulder holster and puts them on. The jacket covers everything as needed. Walking over to his computer desk, he logs into his laptop and goes through various screens and maps before shutting it down. He turns to face Tammy.

Fernando: Lets see your gun.

Tammy: Huh?

Fernando: I said, Lets see your gun.

Tammy: Why?

Fernando: Don’t play that game with me. The video shows the Angie shooting your gun from out your hand. If it is damaged, even in the slightest bit, it will malfunction in action. You do not want your gun to fail when facing Anne, her friends or anyone else who deems you worthless or collecting a reward.

Tammy reluctantly hands over her weapon, letting him to inspect it with a discerning eye. After ejecting a few rounds, he takes the weapon and tosses it in the trash can.

Tammy: Why you did that?!!

Fernando: Because its trash.

Tammy: But Why!

Fernando: The slider and ejection mechanisms were stiff and though movable, has resistance to it. That means that it would jam on you in a fire fight. Last thing you need is for your weapon to jam on you, which it will do.

Tammy: But…

Fernando: But Nothing Tammy! This weapon is no good. Period. Now…

Fernando gets up and starts walking to the door.

Tammy: I’m to leave without a weapon?

Fernando: Deal with it. Now lets go.

Fernando gets up and heads to the room’s closet where he pulls out an aluminum brief case. He puts it on the bed as he thumbs through the combination locks on it, opening it. Inside was a bunch of North American Arms pistols that he used in the original rescue attempt. He looks over the weapons and ammunitions, a gun at a time until he finds a particular pair: the .32NAA Guardians. Around the handles, a RFID Watch for it.

A final check of them, he puts one into his rear pocket and a couple of loaded magazines in the front suit pocket. The other one he puts on the bed with a couple of loaded magazines with it, along with a box of ammunition. The brief case gets closed and put back into the closet. Fernando gathers the gun, magazines and ammunition box from the bed, taking them to Tammy. He hands her the items.

Fernando: You should know how to use this thing.

Tammy looks at the items handed to her, then at Fernando.

Tammy: Isn’t this..?

Fernando (interrupting her): It is. Now, lets go.

It takes a while for Tammy to put the things in her purse after putting on the RFID, finding that the ammunition box would not fit in it at all. Fernando takes the box and carries it with him.

Together they get to the stairs. Fernando pauses a the top step for a moment.

Fernando (yelling): Jeanie! I’m seeing Jao Lynn and taking Tammy with me!

Jeanie (yelling back from behind her closed door): Alright! What you want for dinner?

Fernando (yelling): Surprise me!

Jeanie (yelling back from behind her closed door): OK!

He takes Tammy by the arm and starts walking down the stairs. With the first floor empty, Fernando leads Tammy to the rear of house to the back doorway. In the parking area, Hondo and Valentine were finishing up on her motorcycle. The men eye each other as Fernando walks to the Porsche with Tammy in tow. Hondo approaches them.

Hondo: Where yous two headin’?

Fernando: Just out for a while.

Hondo: Mind a shotgun?

Fernando: No, but I’ll pass. Its just the two of us. For now.

Hondo: Hmmm. I see.

Fernando nods before opening the door to the Porsche. Tammy gets inside of the vehicle.

Fernando (closing the door): Dont wait up for us.

Hondo: Ifin’ there is any trouble.

Fernando: I know. Call.

They both nod at each other before Fernando steps around to the other side and lets himself into his car. Once inside, the engine starts and idles for a minute. Then the car revs high for a second before going down to a lower idle. The wheels turns to its fullest point before the Porsche jumps out of its parking spot, spinning about with the front wheels as the center point of its pivot. It shoots out the drive way before making a near 90 degree turn onto the highway.

Hondo adjusts his hat as he sees the tail lights disappear around the turn. Then he shakes his head. Valentine has rode her motorcycle up to as the Porsche made its exit, trying to hide within the noise of the car.

Valentine: Suspecting something?

Hondo: No…

Valentine: Then, what is it?

Hondo: I don’t want to give any man what he is going through.

Valentine: You mean, their relationship? Aren’t they married?

Hondo: Lets just say they have a few marital problems.

Valentine: Well, maybe, they can work it out.

Fernando drives the Porsche hard, but not as fast as he could. Doing 90 miles per hour in third gear creates a lot of engine noise. More so than necessary, having Tammy almost yell at him.

Tammy: FERNANDO!

He puts the car into fifth gear from third, letting the revs go low while sustaining his speed. He does not turn around to look at her.

Fernando: What do you want?

Tammy: Why must you drive like a mad man all the time?

Fernando: Its something I like to do, and do it whenever the situation allows.

Tammy: But…

Fernando slows down the car to a respectable 75, downshifting into fourth gear.

Fernando: But what?

Tammy: But… you shouldn’t drive like that, at least not all the time.

Fernando: Why are you nitpicking?

Tammy: I’m just saying. I don’t want to get into an accident.

Fernando: I have close to 25 million miles of driving under my belt, and never have I had an accident. I may have smashed a few cars in my time, but those were deliberate actions in my part of doing my job. I am highly trained and highly focused when behind the wheel. So don’t complain about how I do in what I do.

Tammy: So…

Fernando: Look Tammy. Like it or not, I’m focused more than ever because of last night. Me being dead I can deal with. You being shot up and injected with that slave drug I can not. So I need you to shut up and put up when I tell you too.

Tammy: Is that what this is about?

Fernando: What do you think it is?

Tammy: I don’t know.

Fernando: So stop being stupid and start using that mind you have in your brain.

Tammy: Stop being so mean to me!

Fernando: Stop being so Mary Poppins. The world is a hurtful place. There are people that want to see you dead or worse. Being under the influence of a slave drug like that is worse than being dead.

Tammy: What if you get hit with the drug?

Fernando: I’m immune to most drugs out there except for the strongest like Curare, even then the stuff only slows me down. You don’t have the protection that I have, and I can bet that Blowfish powder is part of the drug’s mixture.

Tammy: Blowfish powder?

Fernando: I need you to think. To acquire an encyclopedic mind of facts. The flesh and organs of a Blowfish or Puffer Fish, as it is known, has a powerful Neurotoxin in it, strong enough to kill anything and anyone that would dare eat it. In Haiti it is used by witch doctors in the making of Zombie Dust. Zombie dust when blown into the face of a person, the Neurotoxins starts eating away the frontal cortex, eliminating free will and free thought of a person, thus making them a mental slave willing to do any order to tell them to do. They act and think robotically, without emotions, and will do a task even if they are hurt from it, will continue to do it until they finish, you tell them to stop or are killed in the process. The only antidote to Zombie Dust is taking the zombie out of the area and hope the brain will heal from the damage, a process that takes years, if not decades, if at all. It is the only thing I know that could make such a drug that potent. But the drug he has, has more ingredients in it. What I don’t know. Nor do I want any of that crap in you. I’m not saying that you would volunteer to take it, but to have it put in you, forcibly, is what I don’t want. So understand me being more vindictive and less loving kind of a husband. I already lost one wife due to her independence, I am not going to lose you.

Tammy looks down at her knees, unsure to what to say. Eventually, she gathers some courage to say something.

Tammy: Why are we seeing Jao Lynn?

Fernando: She wants me to do her a favor, I and going to demand for one myself.

Within a minute of saying so, Fernando drives into the garage of the Roma Hilton.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Apr 22^nd, 2011, 12:28am

Hondo an’ Val didn’t stay down on the couch for long. Hondo told Val that it might not be good for Fernando to catch them kissin’ like that right now, as he might think they couldn’t handle their end of the mission. They both knew they could still an’ Hondo felt even a bit more resilient. It’d been a long time. He an’ W. I. Rose had kissed a couple times but not like that. Their first kiss had been warm an’ innocent; the later ones, now that he thought back on them, were cold, cold kisses. He had been too busy with the mission an’ loved her too much to question it. Now, with Val, he hadn’t had a kiss like that since he was last married. It was still innocent, but it spoke volumes on how she felt ‘bout him. It was not a kiss of lust, but of deep love. It weakened any questions he had ‘bout how she truly felt ‘bout him, though he told himself he still needed to wait until the mission was over an’ they had a chance to get out from under the stress before he could truly believe they had a chance at a real relationship.

Val was a bit disappointed but agreed with his reasons. Hondo told her they could maybe do it again later ifin things were quiet. She liked that, an’ even though Hondo made out as if he was reluctant to do so again he secretly hoped they could do so again several times. They straightened their clothes, an’ put back n their guns. Once ready they took their half finished sody-pops with them an’ headed back to the garage.

Hondo: Val, why don’t ya drive yur bike ‘round the back lot a few times. I want ta make sure those adjustments are good when it’s cold too.

Valentine: Alright, oh an’ thanks.

Hondo: Eh, don’t worry ‘bout it. I work on vehicles pretty often.

Valentine: No, I mean lettin’ me kiss ya. It meant a lot to me. Ya just don’t know how much . . .

Valentine turned away as the words choked in her throat a bit. She turned away an’ walked to where he bike was. She knew she loved him. He was one of the first in a long time. There had been others that had tried an’ some she liked, but she never allowed herself to fall in love with them. What was this cowboy gunslinger so different? What made her feel so safe with him? He wasn’t like others, he didn’t dress, talk, or act like what a normal guy was considered to be, but how he was made her comfortable. He was someone she could love all too easily. It almost scared her at times how easy it was for her to love him, but she had seen the hurt in his eyes an’ knew too much ‘bout his past to balk. She knew a good thing when she saw it an’ she knew to balk now might be to lose him forever, but like Tammy said, to chase him or try to force him to make up his mind too soon would chase him away just as fast if not faster. She hopped on her bike an’ was ‘bout ta start it when Fernando an’ Tammy walked out. She waited as Hondo talked to Fernando quick like then as Fernando started his car she started her motorcycle. The engine purred on it like it never had before. Fernando was right ‘bout it an’ Hondo was good at makin’ it right. They were a team that much she knew. As Fernando pulled outta the drive an’ Val started forward on her motorcycle

Hondo adjusts his hat as he sees the tail lights disappear around the turn. Then he shakes his head. Valentine has rode her motorcycle up to as the Porsche made its exit, trying to hide within the noise of the car.

Valentine: Suspecting something?

Hondo: No…

Valentine: Then, what is it?

Hondo: I don’t want to give any man what he is going through.

Valentine: You mean their relationship? Aren’t they married?

Hondo: Let’s just say they have a few marital problems.

Valentine: Well, maybe, they can work it out.

Hondo: I sure hope so for both of their sakes.

Valentine: Is there anything either of us can do?

Hondo: Stay outta their way unless intervention is absolutely needed an’ get this mission finished so that they can have some time ta work things out.

Valentine: you don’t think . . . Never mind.

Hondo: What? Speak yur mind.

Valentine: Ifin we do, ya know, if you decide ya do like me an’ we get together, we wouldn’t be like that, would we?

Hondo: Why would ya think we would be like that?

Valentine: I don’t know. I guess I’ve seen plenty of bad marriages an’ always worried that it’d happen ta me an’ I don’t want that. ‘Specially with you. I love you an’ the thought of us bein’ at odds with each other like that . . .

Hondo: Every relationship has its own issues. Ifin we do get that far with each other we will have arguments an’ be at odds with each other at times, but how often we are depends on how much we are willin’ to accept our places an’ how much of ourselves we are willin’ ta give.

Valentine: I’m not sure I understand.

Hondo: It’s like this, even though a woman is no less a person than a man she has her own place in a relationship. God gave man the responsibility as the leader, though he should consult with his woman before makin’ most decisions anyway. If the man is doin’ what he’s suppose ta he’s protectin’ an’ tryin’ ta make a home for his woman even at the risk of his own life. In return all he asks if her trust an’ faithfulness. But one of the other most important issues is how they see that. A relationship is like a 3 legged foot race. Only one can lead, the other must follow, but it’s not one behind the other. It’s two side by side, workin’ together. It’s a friendship where each pulls their own load. It’s not a contest between the two it’s a partnership. IT will only work if both are committed, try ta work together, an’ realize when one falls the other falls to, so ta get back up is a joint effort as well. Ya understand?

Valentine: I understand. Ifin I love ya like I should I’ll give myself to ya an’ let ya lead but ifin ya love me enough you’ll lead as my partner, not my better or my master.

Hondo: right.

Valentine: So what’s with Tammy an’ Fernando?

Hondo: There is a lot of issues there, a lot of stress an’ different ways of thinkin’, but a lot of it, I believe, is Tammy refuses to trust Fernando enough ta let him lead. She thinks she knows better at times an’ I think she lets his past get to her too. She’s worried me lately. She’s gotten unpredictable an’ unreliable. I think she has Fernando worried as well an’ its makin’ him react more firmly, to which she acts worse to. It’s like an oscillation effect that gets worse an’ worse until somethin’ breaks.

Valentine: Well, I hope they can stop it before anythin’ bad happens.

Hondo: You an’ me both! Now how ‘bout ya go run that ‘round the back a few times. I’m lookin’ for some hardware ta secure it better in the back of my truck for the next time we haul it.

Valentine: OK.

Valentine took off on the motorcycle as Hondo fished ‘round the garage for what he was lookin’ for. He found some of it an’ some other things he could improvise. He went to his truck, which was by the back door an’ put the things in it. Behind him, at the back door her heard someone call his name. It was Jeanie.

Jeanie: Hondo! Are you going to stay around here today?
Hondo: Plannin’ on it. What of it?

Jeanie: I need to run to town to get some supplies and some food for supper. I might be gone for 2 or 3 hours.

Hondo: All your staff goin’ with ya?

Jeanie: Yes. It will be just you two here.

Hondo: Alright. Thanks for lettin’ me know.

Jeanie returned inside an’ Valentine pulled up beside him on her motorcycle.

Valentine: Anythin’ wrong?

Hondo: Ifin ya call havin’ the place to ourselves in a few minutes for the next couple hours a problem then, yeah, somethin’s wrong.

Valentine grinned mischievously: So could we maybe, ya know, do what ya said we could earlier, ya know, what we were doin’ downstairs, but ya don’t hafat iifn ya don’t wanna, I wouldn’t push ya into anythin’ ifin it made ya feel uncomfortable I mean . . .

Hondo kissed her suddenly. It was with a dual purpose an’ it worked. She both stopped ramblin’ an’ took it as a yes.

Hondo: Why don’t ya put that pan-head away an’ go clean up. I know I smell a bit like sweat an’ grease. A quick shower might not hurt either of us.

Valentine: Yeah, I’ll be right in.

Hondo went inside but watched from a window ta make sure she was alright. When he saw her start ta head in he grabbed a fresh shirt, boxers, pair of pants, an’ headed to the bathroom. He was in the shower by the time he heard her enter the shower next door. She was hummin’ an old country tune by Conway Twitty called, “I’d just love to lay ya down” as she showered. He smiled to himself an’ ended up blastin’ himself with cold water for the last part of the shower. She really did get ta him like no other woman had in a long time. Not ta say there weren’t any beautiful women that had stirred his blood since he lost his wife, but none like this. There was a true beauty ‘bout this one that radiated from the inside out. That’s what made the difference.

Hondo got out once clean an’ dressed. He wore black jeans, a black t-shirt an’ a grey over-shirt. He went to his room an’ grabbed that .32 NAA Fernando had given him an’ a small leather clip-on holster. He figured on bringin’ his usual gun rig downstairs with him, but he knew he’d only take them off again. This he could keep on him. He flicked the switch inside to fire mode with a paper clip in case Val needed ta use it an’ left the activation watch in his duffle bag.

Valentine had put her motorcycle in the garage an’ headed to the house. She didn’t know she was bein’ watched by Hondo from seein’ him, as she couldn’t but she felt his warm gaze on her as she walked towards the house. By the time she got upstairs he was no where to be seen. She grabbed some clothes from their room an’ one special item from her saddle bags an’ headed to the bathroom. She could hear the water runnin’ in the bathroom beside her an’ know Hondo was in the shower. She wished she was in there with him for a moment then scolded herself for such impure thoughts, though she smiled at the thought still.

Valentine slipped outta her clothes an’ looked at her naked form in the mirror. She wouldn’t describe herself as a beauty though many would, but she wasn’t ashamed of what she had. She just hoped Hondo would like it. She grinned at that thought too, though she shook her head at herself an’ wondered silently to herself ‘bout her lines of thought lately. She climbed into the shower an’ started washin’ she hummed as she washed though she didn’t really think ‘bout what she was hummin’. Half way through her shower she noticed that the water got really hot. For a bit then leveled off only after the shower next door turned off. She thought it was odd an’ pondered on it for a moment. She figured Hondo must have been usin’ only cold water to make that happen but . . . then it hit her what she was hummin’. She turned red as she realized he must be thinkin’ ‘bout here an’ that song she was hummin’ he probably could hear. She didn’t even mean to hum that one, though it was fittin’. She’s always liked Conway Twitty’s “Love to lay ya down”, but now the song had actual meanin’ for her. She still blushed for a bit as she knew what the cold water was suppose to do, but she tried to keep her thoughts clean. That wasn’t workin’ so she turned off the hot water too. She wasn’t sure that it worked for women as well as it did for guys, but maybe the shock of the cold water would help. It did a little.

She got out an’ dried off. She used a hair dryer that was in there to dry her hair before she got dressed as not ta get her clothes wet from her hair. Once her hair was dry she slipped on a clean pair of bikini cut underwear, a white t-shirt that showed all her curves very well. She was wishin’ she hadn’t used the cold water at that moment as since she didn’t normally wear a bra her nipples showed through the shirt more than she cared for. She sighed an’ unfolded the item she had pulled from her saddle bag. It was a full style western skirt. She slipped it on an’ looked at herself in the mirror. The skirt stopped just below her knee caps so you’d see the tops of her boots with it on. She looked at her shirt an’ decided she’d hafta get an over-shirt still as certain parts were not warming fast enough. She walked back to their shared room an’ heard Hondo downstairs already. She pulled her hair into a pony tail once in the room. She looked at it them took it back loose. Hondo seemed to like it loose better, though he had never said so, but she just knew he did. She grabbed a maroon over-shirt an’ tugged it on. She didn’t button it, but left it open more like a light jacket. It covered her chest enough to make tings not so noticeable. She then pulled a nice pair of leather western boots outta her other saddle bags. They were a small square toe black ostrich skin lowers with turquoise uppers. They looked good with her black skirt an’ maroon over-shirt. She just wished she had a turquoise t-shirt ta go with it. She put on a turquoise an maroon belt on which helped blend the colors an’ would help hold up her gun. Once she was satisfied with how she looked she grabbed one of her 1911 .38 supers an’ shoved it into the waistband of her skirt.

Valentine started to head towards the stairs as she heard Jeanie’s Car leave. Her timin’ was perfect almost as ifin she knew, but how could she? Valentine was sure she couldn’t but some doubt played on her mind. She shook it off as she headed down the stairs.

Hondo was in the kitchen makin’ some ice tea when he heard Valentine comin’ down the stairs. He turned an’ started speakin’ before he saw her.

Hondo: Val, Want some ice teaaa . . .Hot Damn! You look good! “Whistle, Whistle” Not that ya don’t usually, but I’ve not seen ya spiffed up like this before an’ in a skirt ta boot.

Valentine: Ya like it then?

Hondo: Does Fernando wear dark glasses? ‘Course I do.

Valentine: Good. I thought ya might. An’ I’ll take some tea.

Hondo: Only problem is I’m not sure I wanna take my eyes off ya that long ta finish it!

Valentine: Aw come on, I’m not that good lookin’.

Hondo: Don’t be too sure ‘bout that, but you go sit down in the livin’room an’ I’ll be right there.

Valentine nodded an’ walked to the livin’room with a hop in each step, her boot heals clickin’ at each foot strike. She sat down on the couch an’ Hondo soon came over with the teas. His shoulder rig an’ guns were layin’ in the recliner, but he still had on his vest. Hondo handed Valentine her tea an’ then sat down beside her. They sat in awkward silence for a moment, neither knowin’ what to say or how ta start. Valentine started.

Valentine: Uhmm, so, this is nice.

Hondo: Yeah.

(Awkward silence)

Hondo: I’m sorry, Val. I was never one for plannin’ this sorta thing. Spur of the moment always worked better for me.

Valentine: Don’t worry ‘bout it let’s just talk.

Hondo: OK. Why don’t ya tell me ‘bout yourself?

Valentine: Alright. I guess now is a good a time as any. I’ll hafta someday anyway, I guess.

Hondo: ya don’t hafta.

Valentine: you mean way think we’ll never work out?

Hondo: That’s not what I mean. I mean ya don’t hafta tell me everythin’ ‘bout yur past. There are some things in mine I don’t care to share an’ I hope you’d trust me an’ care enough ‘bout me ta let me keep things of my past that I don’t care to share in the past. Now, I’d not hold anythin’ back that I think would possibly hurt ya in the future, like enemies an’ such, an’ I’d expect the same from ya, but a person’s gotta have their own secrets sometimes. That’s part of Tammy an’ Fernando’s problem. Tammy wants to have her own secrets but expects Fernando to tell all. I’ve been there for several of those go ‘rounds, believe you me.

Valentine: I appreciate that, but don’t you usually say a true friend is someone ya can tell everythin’ ‘bout yourself to, good or bad, an’ they say they like ya better, not ‘cause of what ya did or are, but ‘cause they know more ‘bout ya?

Hondo: Yeah, but I said can tell, not hafta tell.

Valentine grinned: Alright, you win. I’ll tell ya some anyway.

Valentine proceeded to tell Hondo ‘bout her early years, not knowin’ her mother, how she learned to shot an’ even ‘bout her IQ level bein’ high, but how she tried to hide it as it often made her feel odd an’ when folks knew she was often an outcast unless they needed help. She then told ‘bout how she was almost raped. She hung her head as she talked ‘bout it, an’ her face was red from embarrassment. Hondo put a hand on her shoulder an’ she looked up at him.

Hondo: I had no idea ‘bout you bein’ a genius or that ya were sexually abused like that. It explains a lot Val, an’ I like ya even better, not ‘cause of what ya did, what happened, or what ya are, but ‘cause I know more ‘bout ya.

Val smiled through her embarrassment: Thanks.

Her eyes were moist an’ he could tell, even though she was a woman she was not used to showin’ emotions like that. When he asked her, she even admitted reluctantly that she never was one to show her hurt feelin’s to anyone. Even her father had not really seen her cry. When she had she waited to let it out into her pillow at night when alone. She recomposed herself an’ started again.

Valentine: this is the hardest thing to talk ‘bout for me.

She then proceeded to tell Hondo ‘bout the night she lost her Pa again. This time she tried to give him more detail an’ she tried to let him know how she felt ‘bout it all. She had told him the basics before, but tried to do so factually as ifin it didn’t apply to her, but was some facts from a book, though she hadn’t done a good job of that last time either. She went through again how she had been there to hide from life as she was almost scared of people after the attempted rape, an’ all that happened there. She saw her Pa bein’ forced into doin’ somethin’ by EL Jefe Grande, Laurie Ann, an’ a few thugs. All of which had guns out an’ there motionin’ with them at him an’ off in the direction of her Pa’s place. She knew they were threatenin’ him ‘bout her, but could do nothin’ as she didn’t have a gun on her. It was not long after her Pa’s friends got her outta there an’ all but 1 of the group that helped her escape were killed by the thugs as they were tryin’ to get to her. Even since then she has sot revenge almost single mindedly, not left the house without a gun, an’ tried to hide from people as much as she could. She also said how she had felt so alone but had lost fear. She was only afraid that she either wouldn’t get those responsible killed before she died or she wouldn’t die in the fight.

Valentine: It was you who saved me. The moment I saw ya step into that gun fire to save me, I knew there was reasons outside myself to live, the moment you held me in your arms I knew there were good, kind men out there still after all, the moment ya tried ta patch my wounds up I knew I could find a friend again, the moment ya stuck yur neck out ta save me by possibly alienatin’ yourself with yur friends an’ getting’ yourself in trouble with the SWA I knew I could love, an’ the night ya let me snuggle up beside ya in bed so I could feel safe an’ sleep well, I knew I could stay with yiu for eternity.

By now the tears were comin’ down her face quite freely an’ her voice quavered at times, but she still kept in control of herself otherwise.

Valentine: I also realized that I don’t deserve ya. I’ve been stupid an’ selfish. I tried ta push ya into a place we’d both have regretted an’ I’ve used ya without givin’ ya anythin’ in return. I’m sorry, I just don’t deserve you!

Valentine stood up quickly to leave but she found that Hondo was holdin’ her hand an’ wasn’t lettin’ go. When he had grabbed it she wasn’t sure, but she was sure he’d been holdin’ it for a while.

Valentine: Just let me go.

Hondo: Your talkin’ foolishness, gal.

Valentine: NO, I’m no good . . .

She was cut short as Hondo yanked her back towards him an’ into his lap. He kissed her lovin’ly. It was a soft, slow kiss, full of love, laced with passion but asked for nothin’ in return. It was a kiss of pure comfort an’ Love. She was sure then an’ there that he loved her even ifin he wouldn’t admit it to her or to himself. He left up after a bit so that he could see into her eyes. She had settled down a bit, though her eyes were wet an’ tinged with red.

Hondo: Val, ya’ve done more than I can say fer me. Ya’ve given me a new lease on life as well. After all I’ve been through I never thought I’d find a gal like ya that would love a scoundrel like me. Most wouldn’t give me time to straighten things out, or love me even while I can’t say I return the same love. I do care about ya a lot an’ I could so easily allow myself ta love ya, but for us both I hafta straighten a few things out. Also, ‘bout tryin’ ta get me ta make love to ya as ya thought ya owed me an’ all that, I think I understand better why ya were actin’ like ya were an’ such, so no need ta explain. I think we need each other, even ifin it will only be as friends. Ifin ya try ta understand my oddities an’ just understand that certain things in my past made me like I am an’ I can do the same for ya, we’ll get along fine.

Valentine: Thank you for sayin’ that, but is that enough ta pay ya for all ya’ve done for me?

Hondo: Val, don’t count who owes who what. Ya do that an’ you’ll end up either slavin’ yur life away ta pay a debt or left feelin’ short changed an’ bitter. I started out ta do what I did for ya ‘cause that’s what I do. I save people when I can. From an undetermined point after I continued ta do for ya not only cause ya needed me to, but cause I cared for ya. Ifin ya care for me too then let what ya do for me be ‘cause ya do care. An ifin ya want ta stay with me an’ do what I do after this is over I ask that ya help save people ‘cause they need savin’ an’ we can do it. Also when ya do save someone ya don’t keep track of who ya saved or what it cost ya.

Valentine: I understand. Yes, I can do that. Can I ask ya one question?

Hondo: Go ahead.

Valentine: I know ya just said a lot here, but I notice you an’ Fernando both don’t talk a lot. Ya only talk when ya have sometihin’ important to say an’ ya both just seem, I don’t know, different. Ya risk your lives to help others for a livin’, yet ya ask nothin’ in return, not even recognition. I’ve never met folks like you two before. Ya both are quiet an’, I don’t know, seem older than ya are, inside that is. I don’t even know how ta describe it or how ta ask what I’m askin’.

Hondo: I think I know what yur getting’ at. There’s an old country song that I think answers yur question. The verse I have in mind goes like this, “Trying to be a hero, winding up a zero can scar a man forever, right down to your soul. Livin’ on the spot light, can kill a man out right cause everything that glitters is not gold.” That answer yur question?

Valentine: Yeah, I think I understand.

Hondo: Good.

Valentine: You’re done talkin’ I take it.

Hondo: Yup.

At that he pulled her too him an’ kissed her hard an’ passionately for about 20 seconds. When he let her go she grinned wryly at him.

Valentine growled playfully: Is that all ya got?

Hondo: why don’t ya find out?

Val sat back on her knees an’ took off her over shirt. Her nipples had warmed up so they weren’t imprintin’ as bad as before, but he had her stirred up so they were still showin’ some, but she didn’t care. She didn’t care ifin he took her all the way, but in her mind she knew he wouldn’t an’ she wouldn’t try to make him as she knew he was worth waitin’ for. She growled again an’ launched herself into him knockin’ him back into the couch an’ lip-lockin’ even before his head was fully down on the couch.. Once again he put on hand on her shoulders just below her neck an’ the other at the base of her spine. He used both to pull her close into him, as he loved to feel her warm, soft, but toned body against him. He rubbed her back intermittently as well. She initially had her hands on his shoulders but then changed intermittently to having them over his shoulders or cuppin’ his face in her hands. They changed who was on top a couple times, kissed sittin’ up, standin’ up, an’ even fell off the couch an’ stayed on the floor for a bit. They didn’t kiss the whole time as they spend some time just holdin’ each other, feelin’ the closeness of their bodies an’ even laid arm in arm starin’ into each other’s eyes as ifin to look into the others inner most bein’, their souls. For both it was probably the most intimate thing they had done an’ they had done so both fully clothed an’ no sex was involved.

No matter what would happen to them in the upcomin’ days they would both look back on this time with fond memories. They knew even then that ifin they never were able to do this again, though they hoped they could, that this moment together was worth a lifetime of troubles to get. As they held each other the radio in their room could be heard in the silence of the house as it an’ they were the only noises there. The song on the radio was a song by Darius Rucker an’ it went like this:

“Got a baby girl sleeping in my bedroom And her mama laughing in my arms
There’s the sound of rain on the rooftop And the game’s about to start
I don’t really know how I got here But I’m sure glad that I did
And it’s crazy to think that one little thing Could’ve changed all of it
Maybe it didn’t turn out like I planned Maybe that’s why I’m such, such a lucky man

For every stoplight I didn’t make Every chance I did or I didn’t take
All the nights I went too far All the girls that broke my heart
All the doors that I had to close All the things I knew but I didn’t know
Thank God for all I missed Cause it led me here to This

Like the girl that I loved in high school Who said she could do better
Or that college I wanted to go to ‘Til I got that letter
All the fights and the tears and the heartache I thought I’d never get through
And the moment I almost gave up All lead me here to you
I didn’t understand it way back when But sitting here right now it all makes perfect sense

For every stoplight I didn’t make Every chance I did or I didn’t take
All the nights I went too far All the girls that broke my heart
All the doors that I had to close All the things I knew but I didn’t know
Thank God for all I missed Cause it led me here to This
How I cried when my mama passed away
But now I’ve got an angel looking out for me today
So nothing’s a mistake

For every stoplight I didn’t make Every chance I did or I didn’t take
All the nights I went too far All the girls that broke my heart
All the doors that I had to close All the things I knew but I didn’t know
Thank God for all I missed Cause it led me here to This
It led me here to This”

*Note: The text in green is from the post before. It was added for constancies sake.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on May 1^st, 2011, 12:05am

Fernando put the Porsche at the end of the garage, and they sat in the car for a minute, preparing themselves before they stepped out of the car. Fernando gets out first and walks behind the car, slipping on the RDIF Watch for the gun in his rear pocket so she does not see it. Soon he was there to help Tammy out of the car.

He holds her hand as he helps her up out of the car. He does not let it go as she steps out and he closes the door. She tries to walk away but stops as the resistance in their arms builds up. She turns to face him.

Tammy: Something wrong?

Fernando: You.

Tammy: What do you mean?

Fernando: When we get to Jao Lynn’s room, I need you to be quiet, not say a word even if she asks or says something to you. She is trained in making people squirm with just a word, and you need not to bend at her wind. The less you say, the better. Say nothing would be the best thing to do

Tammy: You trying to control me or something?

Fernando: Look Tammy. I don’t need to control you, but if you do not behave yourself, you are going to regret that we have a marriage.

Tammy: Is that a threat?

Fernando: It’s a promise. So behave or else I will leave you to what devices Jao Lynn has. Believe me, it would not be the first time I had somebody wake up homeless, not remembering who they are or how they got there. Now remember, we share more than just a bed, we share a life. And that life at certain time is going to need a leader. Right now I am that leader. What problem you may have, lets deal with them now or we don’t at all. Understand where I’m coming from?

Tammy just stands there for a moment without answering.

Tammy: There is no problem… with me.

Fernando: This is about seeing a so-called ex-girlfriend?

Tammy: Yes.

Fernando: I married you, not her. Remember that. And remember that we are going to go through some hard times in this Spy Game we are in. I don’t care what they taught you in the SWA, it is not what I call infiltration, espionage or law enforcement. But I promised that I would do my best not to hurt you in what may happen. Tammy, I need that chance to do what I think is right for you or else face Anne alone.

Tammy: Is that a threat?

Fernando: No.

Tammy: Sounds like one.

Fernando: You ran off on me once and if it were not for me, Anne would have put a bullet into your head. Run off on my again, I wont chase after you. That is all I am saying.

Tammy: You wont run after me?

Fernando: Why should I? You’re an adult. You’re capable of making your own decision. Even if those decisions burn you. You don’t want my protection, then so be it. You can wait in the car as far as I care.

He starts to walk to the elevator door. Tammy stands by the car, watching him walk away to the other side of the garage where an elevator door was. She continues to think as she watches him approach it and reach for the button on the call panel. The lights above the elevator door counts down. The door opens and Fernando steps in. Tammy runs as fast as she could to get to him before the elevator closes. She covers the distance in just a few seconds, entering the elevator as the doors started to close.

Fernando (twisting his master key on the elevator control panel): Decided on Love, Honor and Obey?

Tammy: I don’t know why I married you, you are so horrible at times.

Fernando: Consider me as a mirror. What you bring to the mirror will be reflected on you. Now, I need you to not give Jao Lynn a reply or reaction or she will play with your emotions. If you don’t think you can do that, then you can wait outside.

Tammy: I want to be there when you are with her.

Fernando: Don’t trust me?

Tammy: I don’t trust her.

Fernando: Neither to I, but I know the limits of that relationship. You don’t. And really, I need you to not to react to what she says. She will taunt you like a school bully on flowered panty wedgie day.

Tammy does not answer for the moment.

Fernando (pulling the key out of the elevator control panel as the door opens): Here we are.

Holding the sensor bar or the elevator door, He lets Tammy walk out onto the floor before stepping out and taking the lead. He walks down the hall to a door that seems to be further apart from the other doors. He opens the door and walks in, Tammy follows right behind him.

Jao Lynn was on the bed in a dark blue see-through negligee, camisole an matching hi-cut panties, lying on her side looking over a loose leaf binder of mission directives, assorted pornography magazines and her OQO and Toshiba Libretto mini laptops. She sits up looks at them as they stood by the door, show off what little she had on.

Jao Lynn: I was only expecting you, but if you want to make it a three-some…

Fernando: I’m not here for you or your personal needs. What is this mission you want me in?

Jao Lynn: Actually, its your mission.

Fernando: My mission?

Jao Lynn: Its in the grapevine that you accepted a mission from the Japanese Emperor about a Yacusa and Triad issue.

Fernando: I told him that I would think about it.

Jao Lynn: If you say yes, I want in on it.

Fernando: Why should I accept you as a team partner? The last few times you tried to trap me and take the reward for yourself.

Jao Lynn: Funny. Consider that it was you who left me in all those traps, and getting me arrested on some of them.

Fernando: I like the good old days too. Now seriously. You want part of that mission, I need intel and some help in this current mission.

Jao Lynn: Help? Hmmm.. Its going to cost you.

Fernando: If you accept, then I will allow you in the next mission, if I decide on taking it.

Jao Lynn: I could take that mission for myself.

Fernando: Without seducing the Emperor.

Jao Lynn: I’ll send him my resume.

Fernando: He’ll put it with mine… in the trash.

Jao Lynn: I’ve worked for the Imperial House of Japan before.

Fernando: So have I. But that does not mean that they will turn to you for help. Least to say, the Sino/Nippon war of the 1930’s and 1940’s left some lasting scars.

Jao Lynn: And what do you know of Chinese history?

Fernando: Enough to eat with chopsticks and get into those panties of yours.

Jao Lynn: Hmph.

Fernando: Don’t you want to know what my current mission entails?

Jao Lynn: If you are going to continue to humiliate me, why should I listen to what you have to say?

Fernando: It involves cybernetic technologies and a new brain-washing drug.

Jao Lynn: Keep explaining.

Fernando: I’ll tell you the rest tomarrow at my place. Morning at 10 o’clock. Be prepared for battle.

Jao Lynn: Why not now?

Fernando: Now is not the time. Besides, any intel sharing on this mission will be done on my terms. I do promise that you do as asked, you wont get hurt.

Jao Lynn (as she slid across the bed on her rear end): But Why Not Now?!!

Fernando: I got intel to gather, things to do with my wife and buy food for dinner.

Jao Lynn: Aren’t I your wife?

Fernando: You are a mission wife according to those papers. Tammy is my wife, I hope for life. I am not going to consummate any government sanctioned relationship unless I have too. Until then, report to my place at 10AM tomarrow morning with what resources you have or can otherwise get.

Jao Lynn: Hmph…

Fernando: Its to your advantage that you do as I ask. If not, nice seeing you, wifey.

Fernando starts to push Tammy to the door.

Jao Lynn: Hey!

Fernando: Tomarrow. My Place With What You Got. 10AM, as In The Morning. Not At Night.

He walks out the door and slams it, leaving Jao Lynn behind. In a couple of minutes they were back in the garage by the Porsche. He opens the door for Tammy but she does not go in. She just stands between the doorway and the open door.

Fernando: Something wrong?

Tammy: You meant what you said there?

Fernando: What did I say?

Tammy: That you were not going to consummate any government sanctioned relationship unless you have too.

Fernando: Would you want me too?

Tammy: No.

Fernando: Well, if I am forced into such a situation, I wont, unless its with you.

Tammy: Hmph…

Fernando: What?

Tammy: Since you returned, you been having a wanting and willing lover in your bed with you and you have yet to do anything with me.

Fernando: Maybe its because there is somebody out there that did me in and is going to do the same to you. Our relationship is nothing if Anne puts a bullet through your head. You need to understand that. I cant be your hero and your lover at the same time.

Tammy: Can’t walk and chew gum at the same time?

Fernando: I’m serious, Tammy. I’m too focused on getting this mission done as soon as possible. There is nothing neither one of us can do to make it go faster. We just have to wait.

Tammy: Sounds like an excuse to me.

Fernando: Think what you want. You want me as a hero, a hero aint nothing but a sandwich. But if you want me to protect you from psycho bitches and what evils lurk about the world that wants to see you hurt, dead or worse, then let me do my job. As for sex, again, after this mission. As for love, you got that unconditionally, why would you think I’d be out here chasing bad guys who want to do you harm? Get with the program, will ya?!!

Tammy: Now you’re being mean again.

Fernando: If I were being mean, I would be pulling your tail, throw you over the hood of the car and do you in front of the security cameras.

Tammy: You wouldn’t dare.

Fernando takes a couple of steps, closing the distance between them. He then takes her right hand with his left and with his right behind her back, pushing her towards him until they were pressed together.

Fernando: Don’t ever dare me, because changes are I will take that dare.

He takes his right hand and slowly slides her back side to her thigh and immediately up her skirt, taking a handful of her firm round rear-end, covered by her smooth cotton bikini panty under her skirt. She tenses up for a second, refraining from giving a verbal reaction of any kind for the moment. But after a second’s worth of eternity, she pushed him away slightly and slapped him with her left hand.

They stare at each other for the moment.

Fernando: Sex is easy, Love is not.

Tammy: Then stop being so mean to me.

Fernando: You tell me- do you still love me?

Tammy: You make it difficult to do so.

He turns around and takes a step away from her.

Fernando: Close the door and lets go.

Tammy: Go, where?

Fernando: For a time out in one of the rooms upstairs. Then lunch afterwards, if you’re up to it.

Tammy: Maybe I don’t want to go where you want to.

Fernando: Have it your way, then. Remember, I have the Porsche’s keys.

He starts to walk away from the car and back to the elevator. Like before, Tammy stand there thinking, and not wanting to follow him but something tells her that she must. She closes the car door and starts following him, he having a 1/2 of a garage lead.

She manages to catch up with him before the elevator arrives. They enter it together, Fernando shoving his master key into the control panel and presses the button of a higher floor. Within a minute the elevator stops and Fernando pulls out his control key as the doors open. She follows him down the hall, passing by bright white painted doors. He stops at the one at the end of the hall, putting another key into its lock and opens the door.

She stops right behind him and looks inside. Fernando turns to her and quickly pick her up in his arms and carries her inside despite her protests. He carries her inside the room to the bed at the center end of the room and puts her on it. He then quickly goes to the door, closing and locking it. Tammy was on her hands and knees on the bed looking at what he was doing. She asks him a question as he returns to the bed.

Tammy: What is this place?

Fernando (as he stands by the bed next to her): Its one of the private rooms the agency has for our agents to use. There is no one slated to be here for the next several weeks.

Tammy: How do you know?

Fernando: I check the agency’s mission logs, there are no agents coming here anytime soon.

Tammy: Why did you bring me here?

Fernando shakes his head as he sits down before letting out a sigh.

Fernando: You tell me that you want to have sex, yet when I try to make a move, even in jest, you shoot me down. Seriously. I don’t know what is going on in your head, but things can not be done by your own terms. Nor can it in mine. We must work together to make this marriage work.

Tammy: You’re the one who is acting negatively in this relationship.

Fernando: I remember saying ‘I do.’ to ‘Do you take Tammy Squirrel to be your lawfully wedded wife, love, honor and cherish her, keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and keep faithful only unto her so long as you both shall live?’ And though I’m not pushing it with you, you did agreed to ‘…love, honor and obey.’ Things have been fine until recently, when you have been only giving me discord, dishonor and disobedience. If this is what yo call Love, Tammy, then why did we get married in the first place?

Tammy: Why did we get married in the first place? If you don’t remember, then maybe we should annul this marriage and be on our separate ways.

Fernando (as he starts to undress): At this point, do what you want, I don’t care. But also remember, walk out that door and you walk alone. I’m going to try to find some rest here.

In less than a minute he had taken everything off but his briefs. Having loosely folded his clothes, he takes them to a table on the far end of the room and places everything on it except for his service weapon. Going back to the bed, he places the gun under the pillow before crawling under the covers. He takes his glasses off and puts them on the night stand.

Tammy continues to stay on the bed, looking at the lump of blanket made by Fernando being under it. She takes a long time to decide into taking any form of action but eventually does. She gets off the bed and walks to the door, but instead of opening it, she checks if the door was locked. She then goes about the room as if checking it for something she was not sure of looking for. Going to the windows, she closes the curtains to darken the room as possible. Her final set of actions is to stand by the bed and starts taking her clothes off, folding them neatly on the bed for a moment until she was just in her white bikini cut cotton panties. She puts her clothes by his on the table before crawling under the blankets with Fernando.

Though he was trying to sleep, he was not sleeping as he laid on curled up on his side. He inches up behind him until she could rest her chin on his shoulder. She lets out a sigh.

Tammy: I sorry.

He does not want to answer but verbal reflexes force him to.

Fernando: Sorry about what?

Tammy: About a lot of things.

Fernando: Like?

Tammy: Being selfish and demanding.

Fernando: That’s a start.

Tammy: Fernando!

He turns over to face her.

Fernando: Unloving.

Tammy: Unloving? We’ve went as far as we could without sex!

Fernando: Yes, unloving. When we get intimate, it seems to me that you are just there to satisfy yourself through me. It is not how it goes, as you are to give of yourself to me as I do to you.

Tammy: Don’t it goes both ways?

Fernando: You’re the one trying to force things to go faster.

Tammy: When I was with Chip, we always rushed because Gadget could drop by unannounced on us.

Fernando: You said you were a virgin.

Tammy: I still am. We never gone further than you and I.

Fernando: Look, the less I know, the better. But I better not find out that you lied. That is all I’m saying.

Tammy: You don’t believe me?

Fernando: Oh, I believe you. The problem is when I get that stupid ‘munk drunk and his stupid mouth spews out a story that he did you lovely on a regular basis. Then I’m going to shove his buckteeth into the Visual Cortex of his brain so he can brush them at the back of his head. Then you and I are going to sit down and I confront you with the recording of his verbal diarrhea.

Tammy closes her eyes and puts her forehead against his chest.

Tammy: I would never lie to you. Never.

He gives her a kiss on the forehead. She looks up at him.

Fernando: I should not worry about you lying to me. I do about others. Like I told you about Jao Lynn and other woman out there. They are the one who are lying when I tell you the truth. OK?

Tammy: I think I see what you mean.

Fernando: Lets take this marriage slow and enjoy the time we have. OK?

Tammy (softly as she nods): OK.

Fernando goes to kiss her on the forehead one more time but Tammy tilts her head upwards, making him land on her lips. She moves with him as he tries to pull away, maintaining lip contact . She slowly puts her arm around his neck, and slowly continue with their kiss.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on May 14^th, 2011, 12:26am

After a while Hondo an’ Val had talked about many things an’ had kissed an’ held each other enough to help fill a void that had long been empty in both; a void of love. It was not that they had gotten their fill, but it was more then they had in a long while.

Hondo still sat in the recliner an’ Valentine sat on his lap. His head lay back in the cushion, eyes closed, as if asleep an’ her head was nestled against his chest, her eyes closed as well an’ a contented smile sat on her lips. He played with her hair almost absentmindedly as they just enjoyed bein’ together. Hondo was the first to say anythin’.

Hondo: Val, Ya up ta doin’ somethin’?

Valentine: Hmm, What did ya have in mind?

Hondo: well, Fernando is gone, Jeanie is gone an’ we’re the only ones left. We thinned out our enemies help so even ifin they had someone watchin’ this place they’re either long gone after one of the others or too short handed ta follow all three of us. So I thought maybe we could go out for pizza. It is Italy after all an’ I’ve heard of a wood fired pizza oven at one of the local places. Might be good ta try.

Valentine: I like that! Never know when we might get the chance again, too.

Hondo: Yup.

Valentine: We take your truck?

Hondo: I thought maybe your motor cycle could use a test run. Besides, My truck was seen at that ruckus in town when I picked ya up. Not many like her ‘round here an’ not sure ifin the SWA smoothed things over yet. There are folks there that really rather see me in an Italian prison ta rot. They rather kill people from hidin’ that don’t always need killed rather than face those that do like men. Jefe an’ I make them look back. The only reason we survive is they need us an’ we took them apart once. They fear we could again, though they have taken more precautions ta see it can’t happen again.

Valentine: After all y’all have done for them? What ‘bout Tammy? Wouldn’t hurtin’ y’all hurt relations there?

Hondo: They don’t need her. They rather not have her, actually. Ifin she was dead they’ wipe her sisters mind again an’ give her to another handler.

Valentine: They should be shot for what they do to those kids.

Hondo: I agree, but they did save Tammy’s sister. The bigger problem lies in that they aren’t the only ones experimentin’ with cyborgs. Even our Government is.

Valentine: What! But . . but, we have laws against such . . .

Hondo: Val, you’re smart, I know, but open yur eyes. All governments have dirty secrets. Everyone is tryin’ ta out do the other, ta have the newest bio weapon, ta have the newest tech. They make laws ta keep us outta their hair. They do whatever they want to outta the public eye. Don’t let the media fool ya. Ifin Italy has this much progress, what do we have?

Valentine: You mean things like the Philadelphia project and Montauk project still happen?

Hondo: The Montauk project is still happenin’. Don’t let that park fool ya. They are workin’ underground still.

Valentine: How do you know this?

Hondo: Well, outside of my other sources, there are men in black suits that randomly pop out an’ escort visitors off of the 90% of it that is restricted an’ there is several mega watt power lines runnin’ there that the power company can provide proof that they are heavily in use an’ the only thing powered in the area is one light in a tool shed. It doesn’t take a genius to add that all up. Ifin ya have even an idea of what they did then ya can only try ta imagine what is happenin’ today.
Valentine: I don’t want to think of it. It’ll only make me even madder. I don’t see how I could be so stupid ta miss all this.

Hondo: You’re not stupid by any means. Just misinformed an’ blinded like the government an’ the media wants ya to be.

Valentine: IS there anythin’ ya know ‘bout what they are doin’ that can’t be found out by common sense?

Hondo sighed an’ he frowned a bit.

Hondo: I won’t lie to ya. Yeah, I know some other things that ifin it leaked out that I did I would be captured, tortured for what I know then killed. They’d do the same to ya an’ everyone here. I’m sure Jefe has some of his own knowledge too. The thing that keeps us safe is anonymity, usefulness, an’ keepin’ our mouths shut. I will tell ya this, ifin what I know ever becomes need ta know, I’ll tell ya. Until then, don’t ask me again an’ forget this conversation, alright?

Valentine nodded: I’m sorry. I won’t talk ‘bout it again.

Hondo: Good. Now get up, an’ let’s get ready.

Hondo swatted her on the rear. She squeaked as he did so an’ got up.

Valentine: I’ll go upstairs an’ get my holster.

She swished her hips as she walked away. An’ Hondo muttered to himself.

Hondo (mutterin’): Damn, she’s good lookin’.

Hondo stood up, put on his holsters an’ holstered his guns. By the time Valentine had made a reappearance Hondo had found the directions to the place and was waiting by the door.

Hondo: ready?

Valentine: Yeah. You want to drive?

Hondo: Ya trust me drivin’ your Harley?

Valentine: Completely. An’ it’s not that I don’t want to. I’m dyin’ to see what extra power she has on the road, but it would look odd for you to ride behind me.

Hondo chuckled: Yeah, probably so.

Hondo opened the door an’ held it open for Valentine. Once she was outside he locked it behind them. They walked to the shed an’ got on the old pan-head. Hondo fired it up on the first kick of the starter petal an’ gunned the engine a couple of times. Once set he pulled down the drive. Once out on the road he opened ‘er up an’ headed towards town.

On the way Hondo did several loops an’ back checks but no one seemed ta be followin’ them. Once convinced they were fine he headed towards the restaurant. It was on an older side of town but was a decent area still. Hondo found an area to park the old Harley that would not easily been seen.

Once inside they found a table that allowed them to see without easily bein’ seen. Hondo knew enough Italian to order. The place was ran by an older couple, who were very nice. As they waited for their pizza to cook they talked quietly an’ Hondo glanced over a local paper. One thing caught his eye.

Hondo: Val, ya read any Italian?

Valentine: Yes, I probably can speak it better than you can too, but ya did a good job.

Hondo sighed: Now ya tell me. Read this wanted Ad.

Valentine read the ad in the paper then looked at Hondo with a surprised questionin’ look.

Valentine: Is this what I think it is?

Hondo nodded an’ grinned: Yup, our ol’ friends El Grande an’ his mob are hirin’ new guards an’ goons ta replace the ones we fired.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on May 15^th, 2011, 10:45pm

Some three hours of intimacy and fulfillment of their marriage vows, Tammy lightly naps on his arms. She dreams of what had happened between them. Despite the arguing and the fighting and the mixed messages , they had managed to love each other as man and wife should. Fernando remains awake though his eyes were closed. He keeps her in his arm protecting her.

Perhaps it was his Paranoia setting in or this spider sense tingling, but he did not feel right being there.

As if on cue, the door to the hotel room opens and several white mice in dark glasses and black suits enter the room with weapons drawn except for one. With a few outside the windows, tethered to repelling ropes, and several more outside in the halls, Fernando reaches for his gun and aims it the only smart looking one of the group. Tammy wakes up from the noise and huddles against Fernando, the bed’s blanket covering up of her as possible up to her chin. He puts an arm around her to try to reassure her.

Fernando (pulling the hammer on his gun with his thumb): What is the meaning of this intrusion, Agent Maus?

Mouse Agent: Very funny. I bet you think we all look a like.

Fernando: I don’t know who you mice do it. You all look like you came out of some cloning facility. Now what do you want, Ya?

Mouse Agent: Ya?

Fernando: You know. Ya… Ya Vole!

No one laughed at that. The sounds of gun hammers being pulled back could heard.

Mouse Agent: Enough with the jokes. Now aren’t you supposed to be dead?

Fernando: Have you gotten the memo?

Mouse Agent: What memo.

Fernando: Go check your cell phone text messages, about 3 months ago, shortly after the UN Party. Message ID 0121131653JG. You can check now if you want. No, In fact, check now.

Mouse Agent: Like what will that do?

Fernando: Just humor me.

As the mouse agent goes through his messages, Fernando points to another.

Fernando: Hey you…Hand me your cell phone.

Other Mouse Agent: What for?

The first mouse agent nudges at the second and nods. The second tosses his cell phone to Fernando, who catches, flips it open and dial an undisclosed number. It rings three times before being answered.

Voice on the other end: Identification code.

Fernando: I don’t give identification codes. Now put Supervisor John G. on the landline before I send 10,000 volts through it

A few seconds of silence and the voice on the phone changes to a different individual.

Second voice on other end: Prove to me who you are or I’ll hang up.

Fernando: I don’t need to prove nothing to you. But you should keep the rot gut from out of your desk, and stop chasing the poor secretaries. You’re lucky that the CIA cant get sued for sexual harassment. Now stop sitting on that stupid looking mole on your left butt cheek you call a beauty mark and address me accordingly.

Second voice on the phone: Alright Agent Fernando, what brings you back from the dead?

Fernando: Looks like you did not get the memo either.

Second voice on the phone: I got the memo alright. I just don’t believe it. Either you were killed or managed to fake it.

Fernando: You know better than anyone that it was faked, John. Now I need you to call off a contingency of agents who all have their guns pointed at me at an agency room in the Roma Hilton and send them on their way. How many? I guess 34 in and around the room, with a few playing spider man outside the windows. I cant be sure how many are outside on the roof or in the lobby. Look like? They’re all white mice wearing dark glasses and black suits. No, I think you should call them, who ever their leader is while he’s looking for a lost text message. You should have their number. What do you mean you don’t have his number? Then do a mass call to all of them. You’re testing the limits of my patience…

He closes the phone and tosses it back to the agent who threw it at him. Upon catching it, his supervisor’s phone ring as he still looked for the text message.

Mouse Agent: Identification code. Oh, Supervisor John G. Alright. Yeah.

He closes his phone, ending the call. He them looks at everyone about him, taking a small portable radio from his pocket.

Mouse Agent (talking on the radio): Alright everybody. This is a sanctioned mission. Everybody pull out!

Upon command, all the mouse agents in and about the room start to walk away, the ones outside the room on ropes are pulled back up. Seeing this happen, Fernando puts down his gun. The mouse agent remains behind as the area clears.

Mouse Agent: The Agent rooms are not for bringing your date too to practice making puppies.

Fernando: You definitely did not get the memo. You don’t know who this is?

Mouse Agent: Like you say about us, I say its just another squirrel. Now who is she?

Fernando: My wife. Tammy G.

The Mouse Agent takes a closer look, then looks over his cell phone’s database and find her dossier inside it. He compares the picture on the phone to her.

Mouse Agent: So it is her. Still no excuse to bring her over and use the facilities like a cheap whore house.

Fernando: This is my wife you’re talking about.

Mouse Agent: Wasn’t the Safe house given to her? Both of you should be using that place to be making puppies there instead.

Fernando: This place is safer. We needed a time out.

Mouse Agent: Yeah right. Besides, we know your other wife is here. Planning to make a ménage à trios?

Fernando: If I were, you would be the first I call.

Mouse Agent: Hmph…

Fernando: Besides. What is it to you anyway?

Mouse Agent: Consider it a warning- You are to stay away from her at all costs.

Fernando: That is not possible. She is looking for me, and she is part of my mission. Now go chase jay walkers or something. I got a real job to do and you are interfering with it.

Mouse Agent: I am, huh?

Fernando: Yes you are.

Mouse Agent: Let e tell you something, Agent Fernando. The Agency don’t like lose cannons, and you are a lose cannon. Mingling with foreign agents will get you kill, even if she is your wife. Don’t come running to me when you need help.

Fernando: I don’t intend too. Now how about leaving and let me to my mission.

Mouse Agent: You got 24 hours to vacate the premises.

Fernando: And if I don’t?

Mouse Agent: Don’t push your luck around me.

Fernando: Don’t you around me. Now leave before I forget who I am and throw you out of the room.

Mouse Agent (turning around and walks to the door, giving Fernando The Finger): I like to see you try.

The door slams behind him.

Fernando: Stupid Idiot.

Tammy: I thought you said no agents were in Italy.

Fernando: I said there was no agents in Rome. They must have came in from the other Safe House.

He looks at his watch.

Fernando (to himself): Hmmm… Past 2:30. (then to Tammy): Tammy, you hungry?

Tammy: Yeah, sorta.

He notices the concern on her face.

Fernando: You OK?

Tammy: I am (then to herself but he hears it) Mom said that it would hurt the first time, but nothing about being sore.

Fernando: You’ll be fine.

Tammy: How would you know? You’re not a girl.

Fernando: Take my word for it. You’ll be fine. Now if you still hurting tomarrow, I’ll take you to a specialist.

Tammy: I already have a Gynecologist.

Fernando: Alright, then we’ll see him in the morning if you still are in pain.

Tammy: It’s a her!

Fernando just shakes his head for the moment.

Fernando: Alright, you win.

Tammy looks at him for a moment before leaning up against him, putting an arm around him.

Tammy: I’ll be alright. Billions of females before me went through this before and they came out fine, so should I.

Fernando (putting an arm around her): I’m sorry if I hurt you. I didn’t mean too.

Tammy (turning up to face him, interrupting him): Look. As much as it may have hurt, at times it felt like you were splitting me in half but it was ten times more enjoyable. It was a lot more than I would have expected it to be and I would do it again with you anytime we have the time and opportunity to do so. Now just shut up and hold me for a while.

He holds her for a moment. He tries to break up the moment to go on with the rest of the day.

Fernando: Tammy?

Tammy: Yes, dear?

Fernando: We nned to get dressed and go on with the rest of the day.

Tammy: I know. I just don’t want to end what we have here.

Fernando: We can have that time when we get home. Now we got a mission to deal with.

Tammy nods. In a couple of minutes they separate and begin to get dressed.

He waits for her at the door. She takes a few seconds longer to get dressed, and meets him at the doorway, He hooks his arm around hers and spins her towards him until their bodies met. He puts his free arm between her back and tail and holds her against her. She does not resist.

Fernando: If we did not fight and argue all the time, we could be the most happiest couple in the world.

Tammy: I know. But I treasure my independence even more…

Fernando (unknowingly interrupting her): That will cost your life if you continue in that direction.

Tammy: You did not let me finished. I treasure my independence until today. Now I know how much you are a part of me.

Fernando: I don’t mean to be crass, but I think that’s the sex talking.

Tammy: Maybe it is, but as your wife, I now know what it all means now.

Fernando: Tammy.

Tammy: Yes?

Fernando: Now is not the time to be distracted. I need you sharp and aware as possible. We can be distracted at home in the privacy of our room. OK?

Tammy nods. He gives her a kiss as he takes his hand from her back and opens the door with it.

Fernando: Lets go.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on May 19^th, 2011, 12:11am

Hando finished readin’ the paper as best he could with some help from Valentine, who read it very well. There seemed ta not be anythin’ else or interest to them, just the usual political junk, murders, rapes, drugs, etc.
The pizza took a while to cook as it was made from scratch an’ slow cooked on a wood fired brick oven. But the wait was well worth it. Breadsticks were served with a tomato sauce much like the marinara sauce that was often served in American pizza joints but was very different at the same time. They talked at they ate their bread sticks as they were done with the newspaper by then. They talked ‘bout life, ‘bout each other ‘bout their pasts, somewhat. Valentine was a bit more open ‘bout her past. Hondo said very little ‘bout his past, not that he was ashamed of it, though there were a few moments he wasn’t proud of, but more ‘cause some of it couldn’t be shared yet an’ some he just didn’t want ta remember. Valentine was fresh to him, not of his past, an’ with her an’ helpin’ Fernando an’ Tammy on missions it was a new life, separated from his past. He had times already since with Fernando that he didn’t care to remember, like his time with W.I. Rose, but that was over. Hondo wasn’t one to look back at the past anyway. He had a few times an’ regretted doin’ so. He made it a habit after the last time ta only recall the past when he had to. This was not one of those times.

Valentine sensed Hondo’s uneasiness with talkin’ ‘bout his past, though she firmly believe it was not that he was tryin’ to hide anythin’ from her. She talked ‘bout her past to help ease the pain as she was still in a related battle to her Pa’s disappearance an’ his friends deaths. For her it was easier to talk to Hondo ‘bout it to help her focus, though she wouldn’t find it easy with others. With Tammy or Fernando she could possibly talk to ‘bout what all happened, but not as easy as she could with Hondo. She wished it was easy for him to talk, but she was figurin’ out that it was more of a man’s way ta keep to himself even like this. She was sure he had an’ would share more with her than he did with most others, but at the same time he felt that his past was his to bare, an’ not hers. She also know the pain involved for him in this mission. She only hoped she had broken through his shell enough an’ he had grew to love her enough to help ease the pain of what was to come.

Hondo knew all too well what was to come. They must kill an’ old enemy of his that was supposedly in part cybernetic parts now, an’ he had ta kill the body that once housed his wife. The thought of her on that drug stuck deep into him. The very thought brought on the feelin’ of bein’ stabbed in the heart, but the feelin’ was even stronger when he thought that it could happen to Valentine an’ Tammy too. It was one of the few things that kept him from dwellin’ on it. He knew thinkin’ on it too much distracted him from what must be done. He put aside the thought as an emotional hold an’ thought only ‘bout it in facts an’ instincts. It was as ifin he had programmed it into his own mind. Kill Jefe Grande, Kill Laurie Ann. Even this would have sent him into his usual quiet, contemplative state where no emotion is shown an’ few words are said, but Valentine would not allow him to do so.

Valentine loved this odd cowboy in so many ways, yet she’d only known him for a short time. Though a short time, it seemed like she knew him for ages an’ could trust him as an old friend of whose trust had been tried an’ not found wantin’. She knew Hondo was not much for a lot of small talk, but he didn’t seem ta mind her talkin’ an’ he seemed ta like interjectin’ from time to time.

Hondo liked listenin’ to her talk. Her conversations, thoughts, theories, etc. were intelligent, well thought out, but still fairly innocent. He felt comfortable interjectin’, addin’ ideas, an’ correctin’ things he saw were too innocent an’/or unrealistic in what she said as she was open to what he thought. Rarely was there found a person of such a high intellect that was not boastful or braggin’ ‘bout it. Hondo had no doubt in his mind that Valentine could out do Gadget Hackwrench-Maplewood any time of the day, if not through sheer skill then through her humbleness. No, he hadn’t known her that long, but it took her a bit to tell him she was a genius, she asked him not ta tell anyone. Gadget told him before he could get his own name out an’ she let the world know. Hondo was fairly sure Valentine would take help, advice, an’ would test things better, given time. She’d already proven some of that while they worked on her motorcycle, key word ‘they’. Never once did she try to take over or the like. Gadget rarely let anyone help, constantly took over other folk’s projects, took no advice, listened to no one when in her work mode, an’ never tested anything. It always amazed Hondo how that group had survived so far. He often wondered ifin Fernando was behind their survival; him an’ that time travel laptop, that is.

Their conversations an’ inner monologs were cut off with the arrival of their pizza. It was a hand tossed crust, half done how Hondo wanted it, half done like Valentine wanted it. Hondo had half done in hamburger, bacon, onions, an’ jalapeños. Valentine had half done in Italian sausage, pepperoni, onions, an’ banana peppers. They both tried a slice of what each other picked an’ agreed it was good. They drank unsweetened ice tea with it an’ each had a glass of wine as it was given to them on the house. They ate slowly as they were in no hurry. They didn’t talk a lot as they ate, but just enjoyed each other’s company. ‘Course Hondo rarely had a lot to say an’ though Valentine usually had more ta say than he did, but she wasn’t over talkative like Gadget, which please Hondo well. She seemed ta know when he wanted someone ta talk with an’ when he wanted her ta just quietly be there. Hondo hadn’t figured her out that well yet. Partly ‘cause he had not allowed himself or his mind to dwell on that an’ partly ‘cause she was a woman an’ not ta be totally understood.

Though they took their time the time passed fast an’ soon they had paid their bill an’ were on their way. Hondo took a cut off into the country an’ found a back country stone road that ran along a stream. He found a place there ta pull over an’ stop.

Valentine: What’s up?

Hondo: You in a hurry?

Valentine: No.

Hondo: Thought we could sit an’ listen to the stream for a bit. Might not have much of a chance to get out in the next couple days. I’m in no hurry ta get back.

Valentine grinned: Sounds good ta me.

They sat side by side on the bank listenin’ to the stream gurgle as it ran over stones an’ fallen logs. Hondo had his arm ‘round her an’ she laid her head on his chest. They didn’t say anythin’ most of the time, just sat, watched nature, an’ enjoyed the closeness. Hondo tried ta shut it outta his mind but he kept thinkin’ of the last time he an’ Laurie had sat like this along a stream in Wyomin’. He also had a fleetin’ thought that this could be the last time they were together, ifin not cause she lost interest after it was all over then from her dyin’ on the mission. The only thing that kept that thought down was that he knew Fernando would use time travel ta make sure it didn’t happen. He worked ta keep such thoughts outta his mind. The only thoughts he tried ta keep were ‘bout how good it felt ta have a woman at his side again an’ on the mission. Though it was natural to think of Valentine first, he tried ta enjoy the moment while thinkin’ on the mission as it was for both of their good as well as his friends to end this mission well. This mission was personal for all 4 of them this time.

Valentine spoke an’ it woke him from his thoughts.

Valentine: Sun’s gonna set before too long.

Hondo: Damn, the time did fly by eh? Seems like we just sat down.

Valentine: Been here almost an hour now. We don’t leave soon we won’t make it back before dark. Figure it’ll be safe ifin we get back while it’s light out still

Hondo: Well, ya figure right. But no worries, that ol’ Harley has plenty of life in ‘er. Ya’ve done a good job on ‘er.

Valentine: Except for the carbs.

Hondo: Ifin yur not used to multi carbs it can happen.

Valentine: That’s just it. I am. My bi-plane has multi carbs, but I just couldn’t hear that it was off on the Harley.

Hondo: Are ya perfect.

Valentine: No, but I wish I was. Sorry, I know I still have a lot ta learn. I just get frustrated with what I don’t know or overlook.

Hondo: Ifin ya remember yur not perfect, are willin’ ta learn an’ take help from others ya will always be perfect enough for me.

Valentine: Really?

Hondo: Yup.

Valentine: Does that mean ya love me?

Hondo: Val . . .

Valentine: I know, I know. Not until after the mission. But say it or not I know ya do..

Hondo: Let’s go.

Valentine: Ya can change the subject all ya want an’ even ifin ya don’t say it, I’ll always love ya.

Hondo got on the Harley an’ Val climbed on behind him without another word said. She held onto him tight as they took off down the road. She knew he loved her an’ though it pained her some that he would not say it, she did not let it bother her. She knew she was not fightin’ for his love. There was nothin’ for her to fight. He only could do the fightin’ as the fight was with his past an’ all she could do was love him an’ support him until he could defeat it. She knew he’d keep his word an’ enter into a relationship with her after it was all over at her will. She just hoped he could let go of the past well enough to let himself love her fully. What she did not know was that no matter the past he had lead he tried to not let it ruin his future by dwellin’ on it an’ no matter the burden he bared ifin she still loved him after this was over he would give her his love.

Hondo sped down the road, goin’ fast an’ above the speed limit, though not reckless at all. He liked feelin’ her holdin’ onto him from behind an’ loved the wind on his face.

The sun had started to set by the time they reached the front gates to the safe house. The gate opened at the touch of a button from a small remote Hondo had an’ closed behind them as they entered the drive.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on May 26^th, 2011, 9:42pm

Sex does not equates to Love nor does Love equates to Sex. One can function without the other but yet many confuse the two for one another. Thus now the equation has gotten a bit more complex for Tammy to handle but she realizes its complexity and thinks she can deal with it. In fact, she believes that this is how it should be.

Fernando has been through this track many times before. His long line of ex-girl friends, one dead wife, an unclosed affair with her twin sister despite the years that has past between them and who knows how many relationships formed under the guise of working for the government. Having such a track record with so many women, he is lucky not to have contracted a social disease and only have one child that he knows of. But he made a promise to this red haired squirrel, and he intends to keep it for as long as eternity allows.

Though she is distracted in what had happened between them, wanting to take him back to the room and continue with more in what they had shared, he was distracted with what will happen next. He knows how much sex can be distracting, focusing one’s attention to their partner more than what they have to deal with in life. If not careful, this distraction between them would bring their down fall.

The drive from the Roma Hilton to the Piazza di Spanga was a short one for them though they had traversed over a half a mile. They take a familiar set of seats at a familiar table at a familiar café that they had sat in many times during their short time together. A waiter comes by and puts down an order of coffee and pastries. They just hold hands and stare into each other’s eyes.

Tammy: This place again?

Fernando: Don’t like it?

Tammy: No. Its not that. Its… the only place where you say “I love you” without saying the words.

Fernando: Love is more than just saying those words, or having sex to show it. It is doing what you can for the other.

Tammy: I know…

She thinks for a moment.

Tammy: Aren’t you afraid of them attacking us here?

Fernando: No. Look… If you show fear then they will try to attack you. If you show indifference or lack of fear, then they will stay away from you.

A young voice joins in their conversation in Italian: Giornale, signore? (Newspaper mister?)

Fernando (taking a newspaper and handing the newspaper boy a 5 euro bill): Grazie. Mantenga il cambiamento. (Thanks. And keep the change.)

The newspaper boy runs off with a smile, saying "Il dio li benedice! (god bless you)" before he leaves.

Tammy: You made that little mousette her day.

Fernando: How you know the newspaper boy is a girl?

Tammy: She’s trying to look like a boy because its usually a boy’s job to sell newspapers, but I doubt boys in Italy wears pink trimmed Nike sneakers.

Fernando: Next time I’ll give her 50 Euros and tell her to buy black ones.

Tammy: Next time.

Fernando: Yeah.

For the moment they say nothing. Fernando puts the newspaper down, its headlines only showing a political scandal of a Parliament member being caught with Padania extremists. He pays no attention to it.

A new generation Volkswagen Beetle drives by the café, making the turn at the next available corner. Though the Piaza di Spagna is a pedestrian mall, cars do occasionally drive through if they abide by stricter rules of the area and are allowed entrance by the police who guard the area.

A tall, muscular built male mouse wearing a suit, glasses and shoes, walk in the same direction as did the vehicle a couple of minutes before. With him, a female mouse about 10 years of age, carrying a violin case. They stop next to Fernando, on the other side of the café’s partition. They know them as Marco and Angelica. He leans against the waist high partition, turning to face the both of them.

Marco: What are you two doing here?

Fernando: What does it look?

Tammy: We’re on a date.

Marco: I can see the dating part. But why here? You two are wanted by every buffoon and goon in this city is willing to collect the reward on your sorry asses. Or don’t you remember?

Fernando: I dont remember such a threat against us, but I’ll tell you this. No one or no thing is going to stop me from enjoying some alone time with my wife. Now, where did you get this info?

Marco: Lets just say that since your introduction here in Rome, you have been a wanted squirrel by many factions. Including ours.

Fernando: I don’t know where you getting at, but I do what I have to do in order to be able to sleep at night.

Marco: Consider it a warning. Don’t be unnecessarily exposing yourselves needlessly.

Fernando: Thanks for the advice, but frankly, I got a date with the wife. So if you don’t mind- leave.

Marco: Have it your way. Just to tell you, there will be some of us watching for your safety.

Fernando: Fine. Do what you want. You better not post the video on YouTube or any other video file sharing system.

Marco (as he starts to walk away): It would not make the agency any money… It might end up as DVD in some sex shop.

Fernando and Tammy watch him walk away. He lets go of her hand and takes a sip from his coffee. Tammy takes his hand as he puts down the cup.

Tammy: You should not let him upset you.

Fernando: I’m not.

Tammy: Then why the frustration?

Fernando: I’m tired of people trying to impose on our lives.

Tammy: Well… when this is all over, we don’t have to worry about all anyone getting on us anymore.

Fernando: There will always be somebody out there waiting to get us.

Tammy: Don’t be so negative.

Fernando points to passed her to the corner. Tammy turns around to see a red haired mouse heading to their direction though her mind was thousands of miles away. She does not notice them as she approaches their table. Fernando reaches and takes her by the arm, putting his gun under her chin.

Fernando: Don’t make a stupid move, Annie. Not only am I could shoot you here and now, there are 4 trained snipers aimed at you right now.

Anne: Alright, you win. What do you want?

Fernando: You and your friends are to leave us alone until our date. If you don’t, you and them will have your heads ventilated.

Anne: Alright. I get what you are saying.

Fernando pushes her to stand up while taking his gun from under her chin but still aiming it at her.

Fernando: Now leave before I forget that we have a deal.

Anne starts to walk away. Fernando turns his head to visually follow her.

Fernando (yelling at her): Tell the Grande Jefe to leave Italy or be buried here.

Anne freezes in place before slowly turning around. Fernando gets up to stand, having Tammy behind him.

Anne: What was that you just said?

Fernando: I don’t repeat myself. Now tell that jerk of a South American drug cartel to leave Italy and take his stinking drugs with him before I send a CIA goon squad to kill off his men, his family and burn his land to ashes. Got that?

Anne: Yes I got that. Now you got this.

She reaches for her gun, only to have it blown out of her hand by Fernando. She stares at him with a mean look.

Anne: If I didn’t know better, I would say you’re the cyborg here.

Fernando: Well I’m not. Now pick up your defective shitty piece and leave.

Anne: Why don’t you kill be now?

Fernando: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to live, and a time to kill. A time of war, and a time of peace; a time to love, and a time to hate. This is a time to leave things alone and for you to walk away.

Anne: Heh, King Solomon… Getting biblical on me?

Fernando: I’ll get biblical on you when I piss on your grave.

Anne goes and picks up her gun, finding it damaged. She puts it away in her purse.

Anne: Tomorrow.

Fernando: Don’t bring your friends. It would be hard for them to collect a pay check from you if you are all dead.

Anne: We’ll see whose going to die tomorrow.

She starts to walk away again, this time not turning back for anything. Fernando puts 2 100 euro bills under his cup and takes Tammy by her wrist. She follows him inside the café where they hide behind a window. She does not protest his actions, They wait for a minute, then observe a large black car slowly roll by the café. Its windows roll down and a pair of double barrel shot guns can be seen sticking out the window. The car stops in front of the café where Tammy and Fernando were sitting, the shot guns go back in the car and the dark tinted windows roll up. It slowly drives away.

Fernando walks out of the café and watches the car take the nearest corner and disappears behind the building. Tammy walks up to him, taking his hand.

Tammy: Tell me why you are not willing to kill her until tomorrow.

Fernando: Like I told her, there is a time for everything, and the time for her to die is not now but then.

Tammy: It has something to do with Time Travel?

Fernando: You could say that. But it is no excuse for us not to be ready then.

Tammy: I see.

Fernando: Perhaps you do.

He takes her by the hand.

Fernando: Lets go.

Tammy: Where to?

Fernando: A movie perhaps. Anywhere but here.

Tammy: I see.

They both leave for the next part of their date.

At the end of the movie, Fernando takes Tammy to the Trattoria Restaurant, a very expensive restaurant. It just happens to be where Fernando and Hondo had killed John Doe months before. Fernando shakes the hand of the maître d' , leaving a more than generous tip in his palm, insuring a speedy service and no questions of reservations to be had. Fernando requests a quiet corner for them

They were called immediately to their table, in a secluded area of the restaurant, usually reserved for special guests. It did not mattered to him as long as he and his wife has some uninterrupted alone time together.

Though they take their time, they finish their meal in about an hour. Leaving a generous tip, Fernando takes Tammy by the hand and escorts her out the dining area. In the waiting room, a white haired old mouse argues with the maître d' about his usual table and why its taking so long to be served. He notices Fernando and Tammy walk out of the dining area, and follows them out the door with his eyes. He quickly leaves the maître d' alone, heading out the door. He shouts out Tammy’s name.

White haired old mouse: Tammy! Tammy Squirrel!

Fernando and Tammy freezes before crossing the street, he gently positions Tammy behind him as they turn to face the old mouse. The white haired old mouse walks up to them until he reaches about 2 meters from them. For a moment they stare at each other.

Fernando: Who are you and what you do you want of my wife?

White haired old mouse: I know her.

Fernando: That does not answer my question.

White haired old mouse: Excuse me for my manners. My name is Savonarola, Mister Savonarola.

Fernando: Christiano Savonarola…

Fernando slowly unbuttons his suit jacket, not letting his eyes off Mr. Christiano for a moment.

Fernando: I know you. You are Anne Rossellini’s uncle.

Christiano: You must be Fernando. Anne told me so much about you.

Tammy searches inside her purse and takes out her gun, standing behind Fernando nervously.

Fernando: You’re supposed to be dead.

Christiano: Lets say I got better through science. Aren’t you supposed to be dead too?

Fernando: Lets say Anne missed.

Christiano: I see. Well, I suppose you cant send a woman out to do a man’s job. But now, if you don’t mind, I would like to talk to your wife.

Fernando: Give me a good reason why I should not kill you right here and right now. You had my wife’s mother and her newly married family killed off. Her little sister was hospitalized with severe physical and mental trauma. All the evidence shows that you were involved, in fact I have the security video tape placing you there while John Doe and Pinocchio cleaned up the mess and then run way when the sirens were heard. Tell me why, because if I walk away from here, tomarrow Annie dies. Tomarrow night I will be pulling my gun barrel from your mouth and admiring your brain splatter on the wall behind you.

Christiano: A good reason? How 50 security guards to start?

As Christiano nods, several male mice in suits get up and surround them, drawing their guns. Fernando draws his gun and puts it to Christiano’s eye. Tammy stands from behind him, also aiming at Christiano.

Fernando (pulling the hammer back on his gun): Them I don’t care about. But I would like to see them collect a paycheck from their dead employer. Now, I’m going to tell you once- tell your men to back down. I don’t care about dying for one, as you see I can return from the grave, but secondly, The SWA have been following us all day. There are snipers aimed at your men through every window and several agents willing to join in from the restaurant dining area. I might be dead when all this is over, but so will you be, and so will most of you men as well. This restaurant will be a damned hell of a bloody mess in tomarrow’s news paper headlines. Now, where are you going to take this?

They stare at each other for the moment. Christiano waves his hands, his men put away their guns and most leave. Some remain but their weapons put away. Fernando puts his hand on Tammy’s pistol and gently pushes it downward. Putting his arm around her, they carefully walk backwards for several steps, Fernando still have his gun aimed at Christiano. Together they walk, Tammy turning about to find the way and leading Fernando out as he walked backwards. Together they take a few steps to the side of the restaurant, ducking into its garbage alley and behind a dumpster. Fernando leans against the wall, taking Tammy in his arm and holds her against him, their guns still drawn in their hands. He puts his hand to her mouth as several mice run out of the restaurant in various directions, looking for them.

Christiano shouts out by the restaurant.

Christiano: I WANT THEM ALIVE AND I WANT THAT VIDEO TAPE!

Listening to the patter of feet going to all but their directions, Fernando makes them wait until it quieted down before leading Tammy out of the alley and quickly down the street. They turn the corner on the following block and make their way to his Porsche. They put their weapons away when they exited the alleyway.

Once in the car, Fernando puts the key in the ignition but does not turn on the engine. Instead he sits back on his seat and looks out of the windshield. He thinks, and as he thinks he speaks to himself.

Fernando: Another cyborg…

Tammy: Huh?

He turns to face her.

Fernando: Another cyborg. That’s what I said.

Tammy: Explain what you mean.

Fernando: Months ago, you and the other handlers were in a mission to terminate Christiano. I remember that because it was a hard 4 days not having you there with me in the hideaway.

Tammy: Yeah…

Fernando: Don’t tell anyone, but I got the report from that mission. And according to that report, Rico shot Christiano in the chest. Angie and Claes also shot up the car that he escaped in before it drove off the road.

Tammy: Yeah. We did not find any bodies in the wreckage.

Fernando: Survival was unlikely, but he did. Plus he’s walking around now, no way anyone could heal from such extensive injuries so fast. He had to have been cyborized. Question is, by whom? It better not be Dr. Bianchi. He’s already on my shit list for reviving Annie and turning her into a cyborg so she could live.

Tammy: And if it is? The SWA is not going to let you have your way with one of their top medical staff.

Fernando: He’s the one who put the hit on your family.

Tammy: I know.

Fernando: John Doe killed your mother and step father, and raped and maliciously harm on Bink to the extent to kill her as well.

Tammy: I know all this. Why are you saying this…

Fernando: Because… I was there.

Tammy: YOU WERE THERE!!!

Fernando nods.

Fernando: Despite my warnings, Gadget, Jeanette and I tried to save Bink and your mother. I was shot in the arm and if it weren’t for my bullet proof vest, I would have been killed as the bullet went through my arm and into the side of my chest. John Doe was the one who shot me as I was too busy with telling Gadget on the radio to stay put.

Tammy: Which arm?

Fernando points to the biceps on his right arm, drawing an imaginary line from there to the side of his chest.

Tammy: Why you telling me?

Fernando: One day you would find out. But honestly, it just came out because you asked.

Tammy: Is there really a video tape of what happened?

Fernando: There are several- the house security system which I removed afterwards; then there was a vivi-cam each one of us had recording our activities. Gadget, I swear…

Tammy: What about her?

Fernando: She tried to take over my Time Travel Systems to go back and succeed in the rescue. What she did was permanently seal the Place/Time Coordinates so no one could rescue them. She did not mean too, but she tried to break Einstein’s law of ‘No one thing can exist in two different places at the same time.’

Tammy sits there, soaking all this information in. She then lets out a sigh.

Tammy: There is no way to go back save them?

Fernando: Not for me or anyone else.

Tammy: How if I go?

Fernando: I doubt you could. The Place/Time Coordinates are sealed up good. Besides, one mission at a time.

Tammy (nodding): Alright.

Fernando: First Anne, then Christiano.

She looks at him, unsure how to reply to that.

Tammy: Christiano?

Fernando: We are here because of me and my mission to terminate Anne. That is not right, if I, we, kill her and Christiano brings her back, it would be useless to even try again. Plus Christiano killed your mom. You know that with his billions if he were to be arrested that he would bribe the judges and jury to declare him not guilty. No. He must pay the ultimate price for what he did to you and your family.

Tammy just sits there, staring at the floor for a moment. Then she nods.

Tammy: Yeah.

Fernando starts his car and lets it warm up in idle. He notices Tammy still looking at the floor, her hands folded on her lap. He slowly slid his hand across the center console and puts it on hers.

Fernando: You OK?

Tammy: Yeah, I am.

Fernando: Look, I’m not forcing you into anything you do not want to do. From sex to killing people that rightfully deserve it.

Tammy: No, its not that.

Fernando: Then what is it?

Tammy: I’m just tired. Tired of everything. You know? Just too much excitement for one girl to handle.

Fernando: I can understand that.

She turns to look at him for a moment. After a while, Fernando takes his hand off hers and onto the gear shift knob. Soon they were on their way home.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on May 31^st, 2011, 12:32am

Hondo pulled up to the back door to let Valentine off then pulled over to the shed where they kept the motor cycle. He looked ‘round as they pulled up an’ as he parked the Harley. Jeanie was back but there was no sign of Fernando or Tammy that he could see. Valentine waited by the back door in the shadows until Hondo caught back up with her. Though they had not been together long she’d learned a lot from him an’ knew she could learn more. One of the important things she learned was to not make a target of yourself by avoidin’ skylinin’ yourself an’ keepin’ in the shadows. It was a normal thing for Hondo to do so an’ he often didn’t think of it, but Valentine had noticed how he acted an’ where he went. It came as such a second nature to him that she had ta ask why he did keep ta shadows an’ take the long way ‘round certain areas before he even thought ta explain it to her an’ try ta teach her how. She picked up on it fast an’ he was glad for it as they might not have much more time together. They would be set to attack in approximately 24 hours.

Hondo held the door for Valentine as she entered the house. Jeanie was in the kitchen cooking, her chauffeur helpin’, an’ her two body guards were loafin’ ‘round. At Hondo’s presence they instantly became busy studyin’ one thing or another. They had both looked down the barrels of his old Colts before an’ didn’t care to again.

Hondo: Jeanie, heard anythin’ from Tammy or Fernando?

Jeanie: No, should I have?

Hondo: Don’t know.

Jeanie: You think they are in trouble?

Hondo: Never know, but I wouldn’t start worryin’ until mornin’, though they will probably be back sooner. Fernando can handle himself an’ take care of them both, I’m sure an’ the SWA always seems ta tail him when he’s in town. Ifin I don’t hear from them by midnight I’ll call them to check first.

Jeanie: We will help if you need us.

Hondo: Naw, I won’t need help. ‘Sides ya’ll can help better by watchin’ this place ifin I hafta go out.

Jeanie: I’ll have supper ready in 2 hours.

Hondo: Alright. I’ll be ‘round.

Hondo walked off towards the stairs without hesitation or second glances an’ Valentine followed. Once upstairs Valentine spoke.

Valentine: You have anythin’ planned?

Hondo: Yeah. Grabbin' my shotgun, my other set of pistols, an’ since it’s coolin’ down this evenin’, my duster an’ head to the roof.

Valentine: Watchin’?

Hondo (sighed an’ looked everywhere but at her): An’ thinkin’.

Valentine: ‘Bout tomorrow or us?

Hondo (walked into their shared room): Both.

Valentine followed: Can I come too?

Hondo turned an’ looked at her. He was all set to say no, but the look in her eyes an’ her sweet face stopped him. Instead he said nothin’ an’ just stared at her for a second as he tried ta make up his mind.

Valentine: I know this isn’t a make out session or the like an’ I know ya need yur space at times too, but I want ta be a part of your life. The good an’ the bad, the please an’ the work, the talkin’ an’ the thinkin’, the noise an’ the silence, every aspect I want to be there for you as I know you’d try ta do for me. I know ya think I only care ‘bout ya cause of mission stress an’ ‘cause ya saved me, an’ I know ya may still think I want to make love to you to pay you back, which both I do want to do, but not together, I mean I want to make love to you an’ I want ta pay ya back, but they aren’t connected like they used ta be in my mind. What I’m trying to say is even if ya don’t love me I want to be there for ya. As far as I’m concerned ifin ya don’t want ta be tied down to one woman that’s fine. I’ll work with ya an’ even be there for ya sexually ifin ya just want me as a partner.

Hondo: Val . . .

Valentine: No, let me finish. I don’t want you ta feel obligated to me in any way, but I want ya to feel free to use me as ya want or need ‘cause I love you. I used ta think I’d never give myself to any man unless I was married to him, but I owe you all I am an’ I give what I have ta offer to ya outta love, not ‘cause I owe ya, but ‘cause I do owe ya I give it to ya without askin’ anythin’ of you. I can be your house keeper, partner, play thing, mistress or wife if ya so desire, but I ask no promises or vows from ya.

Hondo: Val . . .

Valentine: I’m not done yet. I’ve thought it over hard all the way home, while we ate, while we held each other an’ my mind cannot be changed. The only thing I do ask is that ifin ya want ta use me ta keep me properly informed. Ifin ya want me in on yur work include me on the plannin’, ifin ya want me in your bed tell me when, ifin ya want me to clean, cook, stay outta sight, whatever just tell me an’ I’ll do it.

Hondo: Can I talk now?

Valentine: Yes.

Hondo: Good. First off, ya talk too much. I promised we’d try a relationship after this was over, but ifin it don’t work we can be friends, but I’m not usin’ ya like a slave, physically or sexually. You are a person an’ make sure ya don’t forget it. Ya have the right ta live an’ kill people. I told ya once before, I don’t count the cost of doin’ right ta help others an’ don’t expect ya ta count what it cost ta save yur hide. All I ask is that when ya see someone that needs help an’ ya can help them do so, but don’t count the cost an’ don’t let them think they owe ya. Yeah, they will always feel that they do as ya may always feel like ya owe me, but they wouldn’t an’ you don’t. So get over it. Ifin ya want ta join me change outta the skirt an’ into some britches.

Valentine smiled, walked up to him an’ kissed him on the cheek.

Valentine: My mind still hasn’t changed, but understand this. My offer is open to you only. No one else.

Hondo: Well, that’s a start, but my mind hasn’t changed either.

Hondo grabbed his hip rig an’ added his other guns before he slid into his bullet resistant duster. Valentine dropped her skirt an’ set on the edge of the bed to pull her boots off. She was pullin’ on a dark coloured pair of jeans by the time Hondo has put on his dusted. Hondo checked the loads in his shotgun an’ grabbed an ammo belt for it. He also checked his rifle, laid it in the chair in their room an’ threw a couple ammo belts on it in case of an emergency. The extra belts had ammo for his pistols, the rifle an’ the shotgun. While he was doin’ this Val turned her back to him an’ stripped off her shirts. She put on the bullet resistant t-shirt Fernando gave her, a dark coloured over shirt, the bullet resistant vest Hondo had given her an’ her gun rigs. Hondo went over to the closet as she finished.

Hondo: Ya any good with a rifle?

Valentine: Yes.

Hondo threw her a lever action 38-40 Winchester carbine, an ammo belt, an’ a light weight dark grey duster.

Hondo: It’s bullet resistant too. Wear it where ever an’ whenever ya can. Even when it’s warmer than ya’d care for.

Valentine: I wondered why ya wore that duster most of the time.

Hondo: That’s one of the reasons.

Valentine: There are others?

Hondo (actin’ like he didn’t hear the last comment): Ya ready? 'Cause I’m headin’.

Hondo turned on his heels an’ headed towards the balcony with Valentine close on his heels. Hondo leaped right up to the edge an’ pulled himself up easily. Val tried unsuccessfully. She was amazed at how nimble he was for his size. She jumped again an’ he caught her by the arm an’ lifted her up with one hand, much to her surprise.

Valentine: Your stronger an’ nimbler than ya look.

Hondo mumbled somethin’ incoherent. Then went to a spot an’ sat down by a dormer on the roof. Valentine sat down beside him. As they sat down the last few rays of sun had disappeared an’ stars were steadily fillin’ the sky. They both sat in silence for a long time. Hondo looked at the stars part of the time an’ stared out at the distance part of the time while Valentine stared at him mostly.

It seemed like a long while before anyone spoke, but in reality it could have been no more than 45 minutes. Hondo spoke first.

Hondo: Val, tomorrows the day.

Valentine: I know.

Hondo: You scared?

Valentine: Yes

Hondo: Good. Bein’ scared can keep ya alive as long as ya think still.

Valentine: Are you scared?

Hondo: Sacred? No. Worried ‘bout you an’ the others? Yes.

Valentine: Nothin’ seems to scare you. I wish I was as courageous as you.

Hondo: Ya know what courage is, Val?

Valentine: No bein’ afraid of anythin’?

Hondo: No, it’s bein’ scared stiff, but saddlin’ up an’ facin’ that fear anyway. I’ve faced many fears in life, an’ though I’ve faced so many that I have few left, I still have some.

Valentine: like what?

Hondo: Failure.

Valentine: failin’ what?

Hondo: You, Tammy, Jefe. I fear failin’ to be there when any of ya need me the most.

Valentine sighed an’ placed her head on his shoulder. After a few more minutes Hondo spoke again.

Hondo: Val, we all will be busy. I hate this, but I can’t protect ya every moment. An’ since such is the case I need ya ta show me ya can use those guns, I need you ta shut down yur feelin’s an’ give yur heart a stone cover. It’s kill or be killed. The thing is, we kill them they can’t kill or hurt anymore innocent folks. They kill us an’ they keep killin’. I need ya to kill, an’ I need ya ta remember what I taught ya ‘bout not makin’ yourself a target an’ ta use yur head. I know ya have a lot of knowledge up there, but I need ya ta show some wisdom.

Valentine: I will do my best ta kill an’ not let it get ta me then. As for how I will feel later I can’t promise anything.

Hondo: An’ I don’t ask ya too. We can deal with later when it becomes now. An’ we can figure out ifin ya can handle this sorta life.

Valentine: I hope I can. I want to help others with ya, but to think ‘bout takin’ someone’s life to save others is one thing. To be faced with it for real is another.

Hondo: I know.

Valentine: You said a moment ago that I had knowledge but needed to show wisdom. What did ya mean by that?

Hondo: Wisdom is where ya take what ya know, what ya know how ta do an’ what ya know about when ta do it an’ put them to action. Ya can know that pistol in yur holster shoots, ya can know shootin’ it can kill someone, an’ ya can know that doin’ it before they do can save yur life, but ifin ya don’t use all that info it is just info, facts, knowledge, an’ you're dead.

Valentine: I understand. How do ya do it?

Hondo: Do what?

Valentine: Take the waitin’? I’m tryin’ ta put it outta my mind, but I have 100 thoughts in my mind right now, ‘bout you, life in general, how I got here, what we have to face, who we need ta kill, an’ why. I just know I won’t be able ta sleep tonight.

Hondo: I understand. Ask Fernando. He can tell ya how bad I am at waitin’. I get like a caged tiger when I hafta wait. The only reason I’m halfway calm now is ‘cause yur here an’ I’ve had a lot of practice lately. This is why I warned ya ‘bout relationships durin’ a mission. Some folks when they get like this revert ta sex ta blow off pent up energy.

Valentine (muttered to herself): I wonder ifin it works.

Hondo: It does.

Valentine: How do you kno . . .

Hondo gave her a look barely visible in the dim light, but it was a sad, lonely look.

Valentine: Hondo, I’m sorry. I forgot you were married there for a moment.

They were silent for a moment. Then Valentine spoke again.

Valentine: Ifin ya need ta blow off . . .

Hondo (interruptin’ her): No Val. I made myself clear on that. As much as I might like to . . No.

Valentine: But why? I’ve offered an’ it’s not like ya love me an’ want ta wait for later.

Hondo: Where in hell did ya get that idea?!

Valentine: I’ve told ya I loved ya, we’ve spent time together an’ even made out, but ya won’t say that ya love me.

Hondo: Damn it Val! Ya just don’t get it!

Valentine was a bit taken back by his reply.

Valentine: What am I not getting’?

Hondo: Just ‘cause I won’t say it doesn’t mean I don’t feel it! I’m lousy at showin’ how I truly feel on a normal day, but right now with all this goin’ on an’ you , Tammy, an’ Fernando in danger along with me on this mission, I just can’t let myself admit it right now. Don’t ya understand? I’ve got this mission on my mind first an’ for most. This is worse than any recent ones I’ve been on. Every aspect is personal not just to me but to all of us. Hate me ifin ya must or think me unfeelin’, but I must keep a clear mind on this mission. All of us must. When we go out there tomorrow we go out there with each other’s lives in our hands. When we go out there it is not every man an’ woman for his/her self. It’s all for one an’ no man or woman left behind. I don’t know how ta make my feelin’s for ya any plainer. I’ve let myself go an’ given more of myself to ya than I ever have to anyone else in a similar situation an’ more than I promised myself I ever would. I’ve tried ta make it clear an’ ya’ve said you’ve understood. Ifin you're pushin’ me ta get an answer ya want now then forget it. I made ya a promise on our relationship for after we’re done here. Please, don’t make me regret it.

Valentine looked down an’ sniffled a bit. She looked back up at him after a moment an’ he could see tears in her eyes.

Valentine: I’m sorry. I do understand, but at the same time I don’t an’ I’m scared, an’ I don’t know how ta handle this waitin’. I selfishly wanted you to take me physically just ta take my mind off of this. I don’t want ta hurt you, but at the same time I don’t want ta die without knowin’ for sure that ya loved me.

Hondo: Val, right now with this on my mind I can’t love ya like ya want. But like I told ya before, afterwards ifin ya feel the same we can try for a relationship. I would not promise that to someone I just liked. I’d only promise that to someone I know I can an’ do love. Please believe that. But I will not say it now as ifin ya feel different later it will ring hollow an’ haunted in our ears for a long time after. Trust me on this one. It is far better this way.

Valentine nodded: I’ll trust you. Forgive me when I doubt you.

Hondo: We’re only human. Don’t worry ‘bout it.

Valentine: Wonder how much longer Fernando an’ Tammy will be.

Hondo: a few seconds.

Valentine: How do ya know.

Hondo: I see their headlights in the distance.

Valentine: How do ya know it’s them?

Hondo: Fernando has one of the few of that make an’ model car an’ the headlight patterns are unique on ever different model car. Plus I’m startin’ to hear the engine an’ Fernando is the only one that has an engine like that in that model car frame. Let’s get down ta meet them.

Hondo dropped to the balcony with one easy movement an’ Valentine followed. He stayed so she could grab onto his shoulders to make the impact lighter on her. Hondo walked down to the kitchen with Valentine on his heels.

Jeanie: Are they back?

Hondo: They’re turnin’ into the drive now.

Jeanie: Good, supper should be ready in 30 to 45 minutes, though it can wait if Fernando needs it to.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 2^nd, 2011, 10:06pm

Fernando takes the long way, circling around Rome at least once and making a stop by the docks.

Tammy: Why are we stopping here?

Fernando (as he reaches to the radio, turning it on): Just listen.

Male Voice on Radio: I want 10 men on the roof at all times, 8 by the truck doorway, and 2 at every corner! The Big Boss Will Be Over Tonight To Check On You Scallywags And You All Better Prepared For Anything!

Tammy: Is that?

Fernando: Shhh….

Male Voice on Radio: Jose will be giving you a handgun and Rafael will be giving AK-47s soon after! You Are All Responsible For Your Weapons While On Patrol And You Turn Them In When You’re Done With The Your Shift!

Fernando reaches over to the radio and shuts it off.

Tammy: How…

Fernando (interrupting her and turning the ignition): I placed a bug on one of the security cameras when I told you all to leave. Now… 10,8… 36 men plus the big boss and his personnel men. No way Hondo is going to get through that alone.

Tammy (as the car slowly drives): What?

Fernando: You and I take on Anne and her crew tomarrow after noon. Then Hondo takes on the big boss later that night. Thing is, we will be too tired from dealing with Anne to help Hondo. But this is where planning comes in.

Tammy refuses to answer on the basis that it might anger Fernando or question her intelligence. Either way, Fernando continued to drive away.

Fernando: You think you can take on Annie on your own?

Tammy: No. I cant.

Fernando: Well then. If it were not for me, you would be between a rock and a hard place.

Tammy: Don’t you think I know that?

Fernando: I’m not telling what you are up against because you do not know what you’re up against.

Tammy: I know she’s a cyborg but at what level is unknown.

Fernando: If you know that much then you need to assess your skills in whether you can kill a cyborg with the only shot that can kill it. Can you do it?

Tammy: No. I cant.

Fernando opens the console between the seats and pulls out a 1911, dropping it on her lap. She slowly picks it up.

Tammy: This is not going to stop her.

Fernando: That is only 1/2 the equation. The other half is at home.

Tammy: What do you mean?

Fernando: Depleted Uranium Bullets. Upon impact they liquefy to 2,500 degrees, melting and reacting with anything in its way. Mainly used as anti-tank and amour piercing rounds for high powered rifles and machine guns, a friend of mine shrinks them down to .45CP format for me to use… just in case. It will crack a cyborg’s reinforced skull wide open like a properly sharpened machete opening a coconut.

Tammy lost stares at him at the prospect of such actions. Fernando shifts his eyes over to her while appearing to stare down at the road ahead.

Fernando: I do not intend to let you fight this one alone. Nor do I intend to leave you powerless in options. I intend for us to win, because loosing is too far a price to pay.

Tammy wonders what to say next but has a hard time trying to find the right words.

Fernando: And wear the trench coat. Its for your own good.

Tammy just nods as she continues to stare at him. They remain silence even when Fernando pulls into the driveway a couple of minutes later. The gate automatically closes as he drives his Porsche to the rear parking area. They stay in the car for a while even after the ignition was turned off. She gives back the 1911 pistol back to Fernando as she had no room for her purse to put it in. He puts it in his suit pocket.

Fernando electronically unlocks the doors, opening his driver side for him to step out of. Tammy sits reluctantly for the moment, opening her door as soon as Fernando puts his hand on the outside door lever. They both seem to open the door together at the same time. With the door opened, he reached inside and takes her hand to help her out of the car. She stands next to him as he closes the door.

Fernando (as he turns to the direction of the house): Don’t expect me to do that for you all the time.

Tammy (as they start to walk to the house): Do what for me?

Fernando: Help you…all the time.

Tammy (bowing her head down): I know that.

Fernando: Then you need to be prepared, for my absence.

Tammy trots a few steps ahead of him and then stops in front of him, just a few steps from the door.

Tammy: Don’t you think I know that already? Please, lets not take it there!

Fernando: Knowing and doing are two different things. You are still a little gun shy and that is making your slow in your response. You are not going to have a second chance, immortal or not, if a bullet finds your brain.

Tammy: I know that already!

Fernando: You cant let them give you the mad speech. It needs to be put to an end when they start, but you need to give then a reason to start to distract them for a moment. Look… I’m not telling you to outright murder somebody. But you are going to need to defend yourself with deadly force when needed.

Tammy: Can we end this? I do not want to talk about it.

Fernando: Go in the house and get dinner ready for us. We’ll discuss it before bed time.

Tammy just sighs before turning around and heading into the house first. Fernando was just a couple of steps behind her. He stops when he enters the house as Tammy heads to the dining area and living room space. He takes off his jacket, taking it to the computer desk by the stairs where the main phone line was at. He puts his jacket on the banister of the stairs to retrieve later when he goes up the stairs.

Walking around the staircase, he walks to the dining table, taking his seat at the head of the table. Hondo, Valentine and Jeanie look at him for moment. Tammy gets in between the Jeanie and the stove, looking over the meal.

Hondo: Had a fine day?

Fernando: No.

Hondo: No? Meeting with Ms Asian Mouse went bad?

Fernando: It didn’t. I told her to be here at 10. Chances are she will be here at 7 in the morning. Let her in and do not allow her to disturb my rest. Only Tammy will do that to inform me that she is here.

Hondo: 7, Eh?

Fernando: Yes. Now be prepared.

Hondo: Prepared for what?

Fernando: Prepare for war. Around noon, it will be Tammy, Jao and I taking on Annie and her crew. You, Valentine and the SWA will be dealing with El Jefe Grande in the evening. Extermination orders have been ordered for him and his crew, so be there to collect the kopi-doll prizes. Furthermore, wear the bullet proof trench coats I handed out. I don’t want any casualties on my side.

Hondo (nodding): I have my own.

Fernando: Add to the layers.

Tammy arrives to his side, putting a plate of steak, macaroni & cheese, and steamed vegetables. Putting the eating utensils by the side of his plate, she sits down next to him with hers.

Fernando: Thank you, Tammy. (Then turns to Jeanie at the kitchen) Thank you too, Jeanie.

They both nod from their respective positions. He turns to Hondo as Valentine went to the kitchen to get their meal.

Fernando: No argument with the SWA. The building will be surrounded, you and Valentine will take the main entrance with whom ever the SWA decides. They will make light work of the guards. You need to make your way to El Jefe Grande and put a few bullets into his brain, then Laurie. Valentine, don’t hog up the action and put yourself in a situation where you are gong to get shot, hurt, killed or worse. If Hondo has the shot to take down El Jefe Grande, let him have it. Same with any of the SWA members. But if you can take it when nobody else has and you can do so without getting shot at yourself, then do it. This is a team effort, and as a team, anyone killing him gives you a shared credit for the deed. Understand at what I getting at?

Valentine (nodding): Yes sir.

Fernando: Hondo. She’s to back you up and you back her up. Nothing stupid is to be accepted. Don’t endanger her or yourself in this mission.

Hondo: I already know that.

Fernando: Then so be it. Lets finish this meal and go to bed. Jeanie, any dessert?

Jeanie: Of course.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 5^th, 2011, 2:06pm

As Jeanie was getting’ the desert ready everyone continued with their meals an’ those that were done just sat there.

Valentine caught Hondo’s glance with a look as ifin she wanted to say somethin’. Hondo shook his head slightly to stop her from askin’ anythin’ right then. They were all tired of this, nerves were shot an’ tempers were short. Hondo had worked with Fernando long enough to know his moods. Fernando was feelin’ the burden of command an’ was very short tempered right now. The best that could be done was for them to stay silent an’ do their job the best they could.

Hondo didn’t like lettin’ Fernando an’ Tammy go off with that Asian gal to take on Anne an’ her bunch alone, but he knew they could handle themselves alright. Hondo was sure Fernando felt the same ‘bout leavin’ Hondo an’ Valentine alone with the SWA to handle the others, though he knew they could hold up their end. Fernando would have never entrusted them to go without him ifin he didn’t trust them. Yeah, Fernando’s words sounded like he thought they still needed to be told how to do their jobs, but that was just his way to show that he cared about their well bein’. It was one of those things both Hondo an’ Fernando had in common, neither could show emotions well. They both care immensely about their friends but tended to show it in what was considered the wrong way. Often it lead to their snappin’ at the ones they cared about or actin’ like they needed to be reminded how to do their jobs, but those that knew them well, an’ the list was short, knew they never mean ill by it.

Hondo didn’t ponder on any of it long. His mind was on how they were goin’ to take out El Jefe an’ Laurie Ann. He wished he could go without Valentine as he wasn’t sure of her skill yet. He trusted her, but had not seen her in any real action. He knew ifin he tried ta leave her behind she’d hate him for life an’ probably try ta follow him anyway. No, she had to go; it was in the cards so to speak. He didn’t really like the hand he was dealt but it was the one he had to play. Even though good cards are a help even Hondo knew it wasn’t as much the cards you had but how well ya played the cards ya got. His current hole card seemed to be the SWA, but it wasn’t one he wanted. He’d rather go it alone than to trust the SWA right now, but he didn’t have a choice in the matter it seemed. An idea was formin’ in his mind, but he’d hafta think it over a bit more then call Marco in the mornin’ ifin he still thought it was a good idea.

The silence in the room hung over the table, like a thick fog, cloudin’ thoughts an’ causin’ additional irritation. Everyone had their own thoughts on their minds, Fernando an’ Hondo had similar thoughts. Both felt certain levels of leadership burdens an’ certain amounts of wishin’ they could be there for the other. Tammy an’ Valentine had similar thoughts as well. Both worried ‘bout ifin they could handle themselves in the fight to come, both at different degrees, an’ they worried ‘bout the safety of their men as well. The gals wished someone would talk to help clear the air an’ the guys each gave their perspective gals looks that said they wanted quiet as they knew nothin’ they could say to each other would help or hadn’t been said before. They wanted to just be done with their meal an’ in bed to think an’ prepare their women if possible.

What seemed like an eternity though was only a few minutes later, Jeanie arrived with desert. It was a ”puddin’ cake” which consisted of a chocolate cake/ brownie hybrid top an’ a hot fudge like puddin’ on the bottom which was then covered in a gob of cool whipped cream an’ served with a glass of milk. It tasted very good, but could not be fully enjoyed by anyone.

Valentine watched as Hondo ate his desert He an’ Fernando had similar expressions on their faces. It seemed as ifin neither one was really knowin’ that they were eatin’. It was more of an automatic reaction to havin’ food placed in front of them as they were too deep in thought an’ tryin’ to repress any emotion that could compromise their chain of thought. Valentine felt herself like a condemned criminal eatin’ her last meal. Her an’ Tammy exchanged glances throughout the meal. She knew she had found a kindred spirit with Tammy as they both understood what each other was goin’ through where their men could never seem to fully understand. Tammy gave Valentine a look that said she felt the same about the meal. They both sighed almost simultaneously an’ went back to finishin’ their deserts an’ starin’ at the table.

Valentine was pretty sure she could stand with Hondo. She had stood alone before, but that was when the fight was brought to her. Yeah she had beat up a few punks in bar fights an’ the like but she had never gone to the enemy with the plan on killin’ them before. IT had been her plan all along to kill El Jefe Grande, but it had never seemed so real an’ now that she felt that she had a reason to live it seemed more deadly too. She had grown an’ renewed a lot of hopes an’ dreams since Hondo had saved her that fateful day an’ not too long ago at that. She knew it would take only one mistake, one bullet, one moment to smash those dreams an’ hurt the one she loved.

Valentine was still lost in thought when Hondo stood up.

Hondo: Well, I’m done.

Hondo carried his dishes to the sink, rinsed them an’ stuck them in the dish washer. Both Tammy an’ Valentine stare at him oddly as he usually sits an’ waits for all the others to finish before he gets up unless Fernando asks him to do somethin’. Jeanie watches to make sure he puts his plate in the dishwasher, though she pretty well knows he will, an’ Fernando doesn’t even look up or acknowledge.

Hondo finished that quickly then turned toward the stairs an’ spoke as he walked.

Hondo: I’m headin’ towards bed. Don’t hurry up for me, Val. I’ll be awake for a while.

Valentine just nodded, but he wasn’t even lookin’ at her nor did he wait for anyone to say anythin’. The bathroom door upstairs could be heard to open an’ shut. Valentine finished her desert then just sat there. The bathroom door was heard to open then shut followed by a room down the hall. Valentine just sat there lookin’ at the stairs for a moment. After a moment Fernando spoke.

Fernando: We all have a busy day tomorrow and we each have our own group. Tammy and I cannot help you and Hondo nor can you two help us. WE each must do our own tasks and face our own enemies. Until after all targets are taken out and maybe even longer, you are all Hondo has and He’s all you have. You should hurry up and go to him.

Fernando said this without looking up. Valentine sat there looking at him for a moment as did Tammy. He did not look up at either of them nor acted as ifin he’d speak again.

Jeanie was the first to move. She stood up as if nothin’ was happenin’ an’ started takin’ care of leftovers an’ the servin’ dishes. Valentine stood up after a moment reluctantly an’ took care of her dishes like Hondo had then started walkin’ towards the stairs. Fernando spoke once more.

Fernando: Valentine, Hondo is good. Trust him. I trust him, but at the same time he needs you.

Valentine (timidly, but firmly): You don’t need ta tell me that. I know what he needs an’ what he can do.

Fernando: Do you? I don’t think you do. I don’t know if you ever fully will. He’s a good man. Treat him good.

Valentine: You’re right. I don’t know him well enough ta know what he can do nor how to do for him, but I love him an’ trust him. I know he trusts you an’ he thinks you’re a good man too. Me, since I trust him I trust you. I will try ta do my best for him. Good night.

Fernando did not answer or shift positions. He hadn’t looked up the whole time he spoke as ifin he was thinkin’ an’ talkin’ at the same time. Valentine headed up stairs with a stop at the bathroom to clean up an’ brush her teeth before bed, leavin’ Tammy, Fernando an’ Jeanie downstairs.

It didn’t take her but 5 minutes to finish up in the bathroom. As she left the bathroom an’ headed to Hondo’s room she saw Jeanie come up the stairs an’ head towards her room. Now Tamm an’ Fernando were alone.

Valentine wanted ta be alone with Hondo but was scared to at the same time. She trusted him, but she was still ajustin’ to his normal mood. Now this sudden change in his mood had her surprised, but at the same time she knew why an’ didn’t blame him. She knew he felt responsible for her an’ he was goin’ to kill the body of his wife an’ the man that ruined his wife an’ so many others. Valentine had so wanted to enact revenge for her father an’ his friends, but not at the cost of possibly losin’ Hondo. At the same time ifin they could work together to rid the world of this menace she would sleep better at night.

Hondo had cleaned up, an’ was already in bed. He had on a t-shirt an’ boxer-shorts but had his pants with belt an’ other items in the pockets laid on a chair as well as his shirt an’ guns. All laid out an’ ready to put on an’ go at a moment’s notice.

Hondo was layin’ back in bed with his left arm coverin’ his eyes to block out the light comin’ from a small lamp by the side of the bed when Valentine came in. Hondo didn’t stir when she came in, but she knew he was awake from the way he was breathin’. She stripped down bare right beside the bed to see ifin he was watchin’. He either was good at controllin’ himself, didn’t find her attractive, or was really not watchin’ her at all. The first she was sure he was to a point an’ the second she didn’t believe so she had to settle on the third. She sighed an’ stood there watchin’ him for a moment to be sure then just shook her head. She stretched her lean, muscular yet well curved body, streatchin’ every muscle in the most sexy way she could think of all the while checkin’ if Hondo was watchin’ with a few side-long glances. She huff slightly then walked ‘round the bed to grab a fresh pair of panties an’ a night shirt from her bag. She slipped them on, turned out the light then crawled into bed. Normally she slept right up next to Hondo as it made her feel safe an’ sleep better, but she just lay away from him on her side of the bed for a moment. She thought maybe Hondo needed her as a distraction right now, but she didn’t want to push him. Since paradin’ ‘round in the buff didn’t get his attention she knew better than to push it any further. She puzzled on what ta do for him. Fernando was all too right. She had no clue what or how to do for him. She sighed an’ looked over at him in the dark an’ after a while finally got up the courage to speak.

Valentine: Hondo? You still awake?

Hondo: Mhmm.

Valentine: Can I ask you somethin’?

Hondo: Mhmm

Valentine: What can I do for you?

Hondo: Hmm?

Valentine: I mean, what do you want or need from me? I’m lost, Hondo. Really lost. I know ya said after we’re done with this mission we can try a relationship, but that’s not what I mean exactly. Even as a friend or companion, what do ya need from me? You always seem to be able to handle yourself, go it alone, an’ go on as if ya don’t need anyone, so I don’t know what you need. I offered you sex: all the way, oral, however you liked it. I offered service, too. I just don’t know what I can do for you?

Hondo: I didn't ask ya ta do anythin’ for me an’ ya don’t hafta.

Valentine: Yes I do. Ya do so much for me daily that means so much to me. Just the lettin’ me sleep in your bed means a lot an’ the holdin’ me so I can sleep even more so, but I don’t know what ta do or how to do for you.

Hondo sat up for a moment an’ looked over at her. She was curled up layin’ on her side lookin’ at him. She looked even more scared an’ alone than she had when he first met her. He felt bad as he knew he was neglectin’ her feelin’s in all of this, but he told himself over an’ over it was for her own good. But somethin’ in him chided him an’ said it wasn’t only that. He knew he never showed emotion well. He always found the best way ta deal with emotion was to block it out, to act cold, to put it from you mind like it didn’t exist. But he was dealin’ with a woman here, an’ as such he knew they were creatures of emotion more than gut feelin’s an’ cold hard facts. Not that Valentine was weepy, or over emotional, but as a woman she had emotional needs that she looked to him to fill.

Hondo had to think for a moment. His mind was so focused on the mission to come to even think ‘bout his own personal needs like that was a big gear change. He would never understand how women seem ta tangle thoughts like they do, but was sure she wouldn’t understand how guys compartmentalize their thoughts as they did. After a moment he answered

Hondo: Be there

Valentine: Where?

Hondo: No, I mean be there for me. Ifin ya want ta do somethin’ for me just be there. Don’t make fun of me, tear me down, argue with what I say, kick me when I’ve had a bad day, just be there. Be there ifin I need some encouragement, ifin I need someone to talk to, ifin I need someone ta share silence with. Just be supportive an’ carin’. Be there. I’ve seen too many folks, friends, married couples, partners, fellow employee’s an’ others that daily tear down, make fun of, argue with an’ generally make each other miserable. There is enough folks in this world ready ta do that for ya, ta kick ya when your down, to rain on your parade, but too few who are there for ya. I do for ya what I see ya need ta have done, but I can only see it when I try ta just be there for ya. You want to know what you can do for me. Then just be there for me, an’ when it comes that I need something that you can do for me you’ll see it. That’s what bein’ there for someone is.

Valentine sat up an’ looked at him for a moment.

Valentine: I understand what ya mean, but not sure how ta do it exactly, but I will try ta be there for ya.

Hondo: that’s all any of us can do is to try.

Valentine lay back down. She felt a bit better but was still on the side of the bed by herself. Hondo spoke again softly.

Hondo: I’m sorry ifin my mood is botherin’ ya. I warned ya I got like this before a mission climax. But don’t be afraid of me. I might be a bit distant an’ hard at times, but I’m there for ya.

Valentine: What made ya think I was scared or worried ‘bout your mood.

Hondo: The scared look in your eyes, the fact that you on the far opposite side of the bed when ya usually sleep close ta me, an’ the fact that ya replaced the word I used “botherin’ ‘ with “scared” an’ ‘worried’.

Valentine sighed: I didn’t mean to . . .

Hondo: Ya don’t hafta explain anythin’ to me right now, Val. I know how I can be. I’m sorry I scared you. Ya forgive me?

Valentine: I forgive you.

Hondo: Well?

Valentine: What?

Hondo patted the side of the bed by him. She slowly slid over an’ lay her head on his chest. He put an arm ‘round her then kissed her forehead. Her pent up emotions let loose ‘bout that time, an’ she held onto him tight an’ cried silently an’ spoke through the tears.

Valentine: Promise me I won’t lose you tomorrow.

Hondo: No promises, but I’ll tell ya this, I’ve been through worse with less help. I think it’ll take a lot more of a problem ta kill me an’ I’m not ‘bout ta let them kill you, alright?

Valentine sniffled an’ nodded her head yes.

Hondo: Alright then, let’s get some sleep.

Valentine: Ya don’t want to talk about tomorrow more?

Hondo: No. There will be plenty of time to talk about that tomorrow. Tonight you need to clear your mind of it an’ get some sleep so that you’re at your best tomorrow.

Valentine: Alright. Good night. (Whisper) I love you.

Hondo: Good night, Val.

Valentine snuggled in close to him an’ shortly fell asleep. Hondo lay awake for a couple more hours. He thought ‘bout the mission for a while, but towards the end of his wakin’ thoughts he thought ‘bout how he missed his old home in the mountain spotted an’ windswept plains of the U.S.A. an’ how good it felt ta have a woman at his side like this. Hondo wished for sleep ta come but knew even in sleep there was still no true rest for his mind as his mind would played over the events to come whether he wanted it to or not.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Aug 14^th, 2011, 10:37am

Fernando listens to Valentine going up the stairs and for a door to close, recognizing it to be the bathroom door.

Fernando (to himself but loud enough to be heard): Trust is earned, but respect is given.

Tammy: That’s not nice to say behind someone’s back.

Jeanie: He is right though.

Tammy: That was something that should have been said to her.

Fernando: No. It was a mental comment stated verbally, and not meant for others to hear, let alone comment. Now lets leave it alone. We have to rest up and prepare for a meeting and 2 missions to prepare for. Jeanie, you think you can provide Hondo Emergency Support like you did the lat time?

Jeanie: I can. But will he accept it?

Fernando: He will have no choice but to accept it. Just in case the SWA tries to back stab him, he’s going to need your help if they do. You have Journalistic Diplomatic Immunity through your nation?

Jeanie: I have it for several nations.

Fernando: Good. If it turns out bad, you may need to use it.

Jeanie: Expecting trouble?

Fernando: Better to expect trouble and it does not happen then to expect nothing and get into trouble.

Jeanie: I see your point.

Fernando: Most of the stuff I already have here, so all we need is a good night’s rest. You should go, Jeanie. Prep your team for an early rise and prepare for the meetings for one.

Jeanie: And the second?

Fernando: I need some time alone with Tammy.

Jeanie: Alright. Clean up while you two are down here.

She leaves the kitchen area after putting her plate and utensils in the dishwasher. Tammy turns to watch her go up the stairs and then to Fernando when Jeanie was out of hearing range. Fernando was just pushing stuff around on his dessert plate.

Fernando: Its not her best.

Tammy: It wasn’t?

Fernando: She experimented on it. Personally, I would have preferred simple egg custard with caramel syrup.

Tammy: Oh?

Fernando: But that’s besides the point. Wake me up tomarrow when you do. We have a long day soon after the sun rises.

He gets up and takes his plate to the kitchen, even though Tammy tried to intercept them from him. Brushing her off him, he cleans the plate at the sink and puts it in the dishwasher. Pressing the button turns the dishwasher to clean its contents during the night.

Walking out of the kitchen, he walks over to the living room and sits on the couch for a moment. Tammy walks up from behind and puts her arms around him, he concentrates hard as to not let his fight reflex from kicking in. Letting out a sigh confirms him coming down to a more relaxed state.

Tammy: You OK?

Fernando: I’m as expected.

Tammy: Thinking about tomorrow?

Fernando: Preparing for tomarrow.

Tammy: Preparing?

Fernando: Going through every possible scenero, every possibility, every action and its reaction.

Tammy: And?

Fernando: And what?

Tammy: And… what have you figured out?

Fernando: That’s for me to know and you to follow orders when the times comes.

Tammy: You are not going to let me know?

Fernando: Time Traveler Ethics: Never disclose any information unless it is the time to disclose it.

Tammy: That is so unfair!

Fernando: You have a lot to learn and an eternity to learn it. Until then, when your life depends on it, you listen to me, and tomarrow is a day your life if going to depend on it.

Tammy could only nod at what he said though not wanting to agree with it.

Fernando: Go upstairs and get ready to sleep. I have a few things to do before I go up, but I will there before an hour’s passing.

Tammy sighs before replying.

Tammy: Alright. I’ll see you in a bit then.

Then she kisses him in the cheek before letting him go, walking away and up the stairs. Fernando continues to sit there, listening to her footsteps as she goes to their room. Once he hears the door closes, he slowly gets up out of his chair and walks to the basement.

He looks about before looking at his watch. Then he reaches over the work bench and pushes then hooks his fingernails underneath the lower ledge and pulls out a hidden drawer. Grabbing the slightly extended drawer from the top, he pulls it out of workbench’s shelf and puts it on the work bench. Ammunition boxes are pulled out, and dusted off before being set down to be opened.

Each box is plain brown with no labeling on them, even under the heavy paper tape that is wrapped around, sealing them. His fingernail scores against the tape where it closes a gap, going across a couple of times before it rips. Opening it on the workbench reveals a clear plastic ammunition box. Five by twenty rows if bright yellow bullets in .45ACP casings, all hollow points in design. Fernando nods. Pulling the magazines from the package from the embassy, filling them all with the yellow bullets, seven bullets a piece, 20 magazines plus 4 of his own which hold 16. A total of 212 bullets, 8 1911s checked, oiled and loaded with a magazine, and 1 extra in the chamber. He looks over at his handy work, 7 guns from the embassy package, and his own.

Taking a nearby duffle bag, he puts everything but his own equipment into the bag then zippers it close. His own equipment he puts on his person in the holster and various pockets. He takes the duffle bag upstairs and puts into one of the unused rooms behind the kitchen area.

He looks at his watch and sees that it was relative early before the morning hours. Walking to the stairs, passing the computer area once controlled by a robotic bat several months before, the phone on the desk begins to ring. Fernando eyes it before picking the handset off the hook, putting it to his ear.

Fernando: Who dares call this private number.

An old man’s voice on the other end responds. He recognizes it as belonging to the man who dinner date he and Tammy ruined, Christiano Savonarola.

Christiano: Who dare is right. You dare make a mockery of me in front of my own men? But never let it be known that Christiano Savonarola is an unfair man. We are right outside your gates. Come outside for us to discuss it further.

Fernando takes his gun out and looks it over, thinking to himself before answering.

Fernando: How about you stand by the gates alone and tell your men to leave for 10 minutes.

Christiano: How can I trust you that no harm will come to me.

Fernando: I am a man of my word. No harm will befall you unless you draw a weapon first. Then the SWA agents who are about the area will pounce on you like hyenas on a wounded gazelle and tear you and your men to pieces. You want to talk, you be there alone.

Silence on Christiano’s end for a moment fills the telephone, followed by the sound of an automobile driving away.

Christiano: I’m alone.

Fernando (as he walks to the front door): Enter the gate when it opens. You and only you are to go through it and to the front door of the house. Anyone following you will be met with deadly force. Don’t tempt me as I can see you on the surveillance cameras around the area.

He presses a button on the panel by the door. On Christiano’s end, the gate starts to slowly open. Looking through the peep hole on the door, Fernando sees Christiano walk through the partially opened gate, then presses the button on the panel again to close the gate behind him. Christiano walks to the door, where it opens and he is met with a large bore gun at his face. Fernando slowly steps from behind the door.

Fernando: What do you want?

Christiano: Trying to put an end to this fight you and my niece have.

Fernando: I’m only defending what it mine. Your niece seems to be a greedy terrorist whore hell bent on taking all that does not belong to her.

Christiano: Pray tell in what?

Fernando: Where shall I start? Kidnapping of my wife’s little sister for one. Death of me and my crew during the bombing of my plane over the Mediterranean Sea. There is the attempted kidnapping of my wife while we were looking for her sister, and the constant hunting of her and those she hires of me and my wife. And that is just the icing on the cake.

Christiano: I see. Now to my understanding, aren’t you supposed to be… dead?

Fernando: Are you supposed to be dead as well? I doubt anyone could survive an 80 foot fall off a cliff while going over 100 miles per hour. Somehow you did.

Christiano: And a bullet to the chest at point for you. Lets say I got better.

Fernando: She missed. As for you, with stolen cybernetics no doubt.

Christiano: What medical technologies I received was paid with my own money since the Italian Health Care System is something least to be desired.

Fernando adjusts his aim to Christiano’s right eye, puling back on the hammer. An echo of the hammer pull could be heard where it shouldn’t. A glimmer of sliver steel can be seen in the darkness though Fernando’s eyes could pick up details in the dark better than any owl. Christiano slowly turns around to meet the one behind him.

Fernando: Say ‘good evening’ to our guest, Hondo. Though I was expecting you much sooner.

Hondo: Had to sneak out the room without alarmin’ the little lady.

Fernando: That would explain the bare feet, jeans and t-shirt.

Hondo (nodding): I got no issues shootin’ someone bare footed. Now, what do you want to do with the trash?

Fernando: Eventually I’ll send him back out. He’s barely legal as it is. First, some questions…

Hondo: You seem to like sendin’ trash back to their home.

Fernando: As much as I would like to ventilate his skull, I have no qualms with this one. Its his overrated niece that I’ll shoot onsite. Now Mr. Christiano, just one question- where did you and Anne received your cybernetics and to what extent? And speak loudly enough for the microphones to pick up and record your voice.

Christiano: I don’t need to tell you where I get my medical supplies from.

Fernando: No you don’t, I already know Dr. Fernando Bianchi has a hand in it for he left a messy paper trail covering stolen medical and cybernetic technologies for Anne’s hospital stay, most with your signatures on it. Now that may not be a crime within itself to some, paying for and receiving stolen goods is. But that’s an issue for the Italy’s law enforcement agencies to deal with.

Christiano: And why are you telling me this if you already know?

Fernando: Just letting you know, just like I’m letting you know, prepare for a funeral for Anne’s going to die. This little personal war between us ends when one of us dies, and it will end tomarrow. And I will guarantee that nothing within your power will be able to stop our date with death. Furthermore, you can kill me afterwards, but not before than and if you do, I will return to haunt you to your end of days like I am now with Anne. Understand what I’m telling you?

Christiano: I understand. This war between us was never meant to be.

Fernando: You killed Tammy’s family, permanently injured her little sister. Nothing in my book justifies that. If Tammy was in Italy at the time of this massacre you ordered, my wife would be dead as well. Now give me a reason why I don’t shoot you now.

Christiano: I would like to believe that someone like you are of the business acumen. I got something for you, you got something for me. I think we can barter a deal through negotiations.

Fernando: What deal do you want to negotiate? I can tell you now I’m not interested.

Christiano: I’m sure we can come to an agreement. First I get Anne to stop hunting you and your friends and family.

Fernando: You have no control over her.

Christiano: She will listen to me.

Fernando: I highly doubt that. What else?

Christiano: I’m just a man trying to make sure no harm comes to my family.

Fernando: When your family comes charging at mine with guns drawn, they have just signed their own death certificates with me as their cause of death. Now out with it. Know this cant be just about Anne, since you’re such a business man, everything has to be to your benefit and profit. What is the rest of this deal?

Christiano: I see. I’m sure that there are reasons to this, as you are one willing to use self-defense as an excuse. I’m sure Anne has a reason to…

Fernando (interrupting him): Anne and I had a relationship, she build the bombs and get it placed by a third person. If she believes that bomb is going to injure innocents, she calls me if I’m in Italy and I defuse it. Some 270-some bombs later, she reneges on our deal and puts on a bomb on my plane. I know it was her bomb, her design, she built it. It does not matter that the SWA was on my plane, innocents were to be on that plane, she even admitted it was her bomb. Since then, its been war between us. She struck first at me, my friends, and my family. But #$@! that. What the #$@! you want? I can bet its those video tapes of you offing my wife’s family.

Christiano: Spoke like a true business man. Name your price.

Fernando: 1.275 Billion Euros, but then again, the tapes are not here. They are on the other end of the Atlantic, on a Web Server, ready to download the files to anyone who requests it with the proper web address. Kill me, and I don’t contact that web server to keep it from dumping its content onto YouTube.

Christiano gulps as the beads of sweat grow on his forehead.

Fernando: I want you to walk out of here and I promise you will be left alone. But come back, bother me, my wife, or my family and I wont guarantee your safety. Now leave before I renege on this deal.

Christiano: But…

Hondo: If I were you, I would start a steppin’ now. I have no qualms about putting a bullet in scum like you.

Chiristiano: So this is how its going to be?

Fernando: That’s how it is and you got Anne and your Padania asshole friends to thank. Now start walking.

Hondo (giving Christiano a push): You heard the man. Start a steppin’.

Looking a then both, Christiano hesitates on taking his first steps, but a shove from Hondo sends on him on his way towards the gate. He stops at the gate momentarily before it opens and he walks out.

Hondo (as he and Fernando put away their weapons): What is it with you releasin’ scum out like that?

Fernando: His friends are not far away from the gate for one and I don’t want attention brought to this house for two. Bad enough everyone knows of this place.

Hondo: If you would have killed him, he would not be returnin’ to tell everyone.

Fernando: Its not just him. Remember, Anne came here, and to my knowledge she was never here before.

Hondo (walking onto the house): Hmph…

He stops midway in the living room and the stairs, turning around to see Fernando lock the door. Fernando walks towards him and stop just a couple of feet away from him.

Hondo: You done with preparations?

Fernando: Huh?

Hondo: You done with getting the weapons ready?

Fernando: Why do you ask?

Hondo: Only reason I see you would be down here and smelling like gun oil.

Fernando nods.

Fernando: Only the 1911 hand guns and spare magazines. I loaded them depleted uranium rounds.

Hondo: You what?

Fernando: We’re dealing with people running on drugs and cybernetic technologies. Unlike those guards we took down, they are not going to feel getting shot even with a large .45 round. But when a depleted uranium round hits, it penetrates and explodes like a miniature RPG.

Hondo: I know what they do.

Fernando: Well, lets just say that I want to hurt a lot more than just their feelings.

Hondo takes a couple of steps towards the stairs, then pauses for a second.

Hondo: Speaking of hurt feelings, shower up. You don’t want to be smelling like gun oil and share the bed with Tammy.

Fernando: Alright. I’ll wash my hands before going to bed.

Hondo: Take a shower. Its not just on your hands.

Fernando: Hmph…

Hondo (as he walks to the stairs): I’ll see you in the morning breakfast meeting. And don’t forget to shower up unless you want to hurt more than just Tammy’s feelings.

Fernando stands there, watching Hondo go up the stairs. Hearing the bedroom door close, he sniffs his hands and arms, grimacing at the smell of gun oil and gunpowder. He goes up stairs to the showers before going to bed with his wife.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Aug 20^th, 2011, 5:16pm

Hondo had gone back up to his room after the incident with Signor Christiano. The room was dark an’ Valentine was still asleep when he entered. His eyes weren’t as good as Fernando’s in the dark, but they were better than most. He slipped out of his jeans an’ t-shirt an’ put his gun back under his pillow before layin’ down beside Valentine. He noticed she seemed ta be dreamin’ before he lay back down an’ the dream wasn’t good as she moaned an’ whimpered as she slept. He lay back down an’ pulled her close, she didn’t seem to stir from sleep but she visibly an’ physically relaxed.

Hondo selfishly wanted things ta work out between them but at the same time didn’t want ta put her through anymore. He had tried leavin’ this life before, an’ that was before he was this deep into it. He knew he could not, but she still could. The decision was up to her, but he’d kick himself ifin she stayed ‘cause of him an’ was ruined tryin’ to live this life. For good, kind women, this life was a bastard. It took cold, hard, an’ often selfish, evil women to handle this life well. Hondo had watched past gals he loved be torn apart ‘cause of it, he watched Tammy struggle an’ barely hold together ‘cause of Fernando, but he wasn’t sure he wanted ta watch this one suffer like that, nor was sure it was worth her sufferin’ even for their personal happiness. He was sure she could find love somewhere else with someone more deservin’. He knew she was tougher than she looked an’ it seemed that even through the night mares was able ta put on a tough front an’ hide the emotions in front of the other. He was honored that she trusted him enough to show those emotions ta him an’ that she felt safe when he held her, but was it right of him to allow her ta stay with him?

He cussed at himself an’ the situation mentally. There was too much at stake ta have this on his mind too, yet her bein’ there made him face these thoughts an’ emotions, Tammy was not happy with him for not givin’ into her, Jeanie wanted him to sex her up, an’ Fernando wanted no relations on a mission an’ yet has his own ta deal with too. It was so much simpler when they both were single, even with the baggage of past relationships. At least one could think on the mission coolly an’ focus on it in a logical manner. This mission was nothin’ like that. Not only did they have 3 women in the house complicatin’ things an’ a 4th that would be helpin’ Fernando tomorrow that had made a few matters worse as well, an’ the whole stinkin’ politics driven games the SWA tried ta play with them, but this mission was in an’ of itself personal for Hondo an’ Fernando while also a mission to protect those they cared ‘bout too. All in all it was a twisted mess of emotions an’ politics; neither goes hand in hand well. Yeah, these folks they were after were criminals to society, but if Hondo an’ Fernando fail society as a whole will not notice the loss in a dramatic way, but Fernando, Hondo, Tammy, an’ Valentine would lose all. Yeah, Hondo knew they had Fernando as a time traveler an’ Hondo himself was very hard to destroy an’ harder as of more recent, but he did not like to play those cards in the hand he gambled with. They were purely last ditch, ace up the sleeve moves.

Hondo sighed as he tried to clear his mind from all this thought. Even the silence was too loud with all the noise his mind was makin’. He lay there for another hour before drifitin’ off to sleep, but no relief for his mind was found in sleep, only rest for the body.

5:15 am the next mornin’ saw Hondo up, dressed an’ lookin’ for coffee. He had managed ta slip out without wakin’ Valentine again to make the coffee.

By 6:00 am he had drank 2 cups while sittin’ outside, watchin’ the birth of a new day with the risin’ of the sun. After his second cup he filled his again an’ a clean cup an’ walked up to his room softly where Valentine still slept. He sat both cups on the side table by his side of the bed an’ sat down n the edge. He looked at her for a moment, soakin’ in her angelic face an’ great figure. She looked so peaceful lyin’ there like that, so much so that he hated ta wake her.

He leaned over an’ brushed the hair of the side of her face an’ then kissed her on the cheek. HE then whispered into her ear that it was time for her ta wake up. She stirred a bit as she held the blankets close an’ nuzzled her face into the pillow. Hondo sat up for a moment before speakin’ again.

Hondo: Come on ya ornery little mustang, time ta get up.

Valentine (mumbles): What time is it?

Hondo: A little after six.

Valentine: mmh, sorry, didn’t mean to sleep this late today.

Hondo: No worries. Ya needed it.

Valentine ( sittin’ up): Did ya just call me little mustang again?

Hondo (handin’ her a cup of coffee): yup

Valentine: why?

Hondo: ya don’t like it?

Valentine: No, no, I kinda like it, but why?

Hondo: I’ll tell ya someday.

Valentine: What if there is no more someday for us after today?

Hondo: Don’t think like that, besides, there will be.

Valentine: But what if there isn’t.

Hondo (after a moment of silence): Ya remind me of a little mustang I once had. I got her right outta the wild. She was beautiful, graceful, small an’ sleek, yet powerful. She was very shy ‘round new folks, but once we became friends she was fiercely loyal, so very gentle, an’ there wasn’t a mean bone in her body.

Valentine: What happened to her?

Hondo: Oh, I was out ridin’ some property in the mountains I was lookin’ at buyin’. She was the best mountain horse I ever had. She looked small for a guy my size, but she was strong an’ acted like I wasn’t even on her when I rode her. Camped one night an’ when I went lookin' for wood I got between a mother grizzly an’ her cubs. She wasn’t a huge one, but big enough. I had left my knife by the fire where I had cut up kindlin’ ta start a fire an’ had an arm load of wood. I dropped the wood ta draw my pistol, but she was fast. I was sure she was gonna kill me that day, but damned ifin that horse didn’t pull free from where I had her tied an’ charged that bear. I couldn’t get ta my handgun as it was on the ground right where they were fightin’, but I ran back ta the camp sight ta get my rifle from my saddle. I killed the bear, but she had busted a leg of that little mare an’ cut her up pretty bad too. Had ta put her out of her misery. Not owned one since as I could never find one like her or that could fill her place.

Valentine: I’m sorry.

Hondo: Don’t be.

Valentine: I think that story has a double meanin’, doesn’t it?

Hondo: Not sure what ya mean.

Valentine threw off the blanket an’ crawled over to sit beside him with her cup of coffee in just her panties an’ t-shirt.

Valentine: I know I might not be as good as your last wife, but I want ta try ta fill that void. I just need a chance to. Please don’t write me off. I know you worry ‘bout me an’ this life. After today I’ll know how I’ll handle this all a bit better, but either way, please give me a chance.

Hondo: Val, I don’t compare ya to my former wife or any women I’ve known. You are you, an’ I take you for that. An’ there was no double meanin’ in that story.

Valentine: Then why haven’t ya remarried yet? I know ya must have been lonely.

Hondo: Maybe ‘cause I wasn’t ready or the right woman just didn’t come along. It’s not like I haven’t tried, but I have battles I hafta finish first an’ it hasta be the right woman. Don’t marry in hast, Val. It’s better ta want what ya don’t have than ta have what ya will end up not wantin’.

Valentine: Are ya sayin’ ya don’t want me?

Hondo: No, I’m sayin’ ya might not want me. There is better out there.

Valentine: That’s bull shit.

Hondo: Valentine!

Valentine: No, I mean it! Who wouldn’t want you? You’re kind, a true friend, you’re respectful, trustworthy, an’ even more.

Hondo: There is plenty that don’t want me, believe you me.

Valentine: Well, they are stupid an’ I’m lucky ifin I get the chance ta try ta do for ya.

Hondo: I promised I’d give us a try after this is over.

Valentine: I know, but that doesn’t stop a girl from wantin’ it here an’ now. An’ I do like it when ya call me mustang, but can that be somethin’ just between us? As a private name just you an’ I know ‘bout?

Hondo smiled an’ kissed her gently. She leaned into the kiss which lasted only about a minute but what seemed like a sweet eternity for her while it lasted, yet later, when it was over it seemed like only a couple seconds had passed.

Hondo (grinned): I can agree ta that.

Valentine: Well, I’d better get dressed. That other woman might be here soon and I think I heard Jeanie pass in the hall a moment ago.

Hondo: Yeah, I heard her too.

Valentine stood up before Hondo did.

Hondo: Well, I’d better go down stairs. See ya down there, Mustang.

Hondo smacked her on the butt an’ she jumped an’ squeaked as he did so. He grabbed his coffee an’ made a hasty exit as she scolded him. He grinned as he exited an’ headed downstairs. Back in the room Valentine smiled an’ leaned against the door. She was sure that was a good sign. Hondo was not one ta smack gals butts, unless they meant somethin’ special ta him or in the line of duty. This she was sure of an’ she knew sh was not in the line of duty. She quickly changed an’ grabbed her guns before headin’ downstairs.

By this time Jeanie was cookin’ breakfast an’ Hondo was outside sittin’ on a bench thinkin’ ‘bout this evenin’s mission again. Valentine left Hondo to his own thoughts an’ went back ta the kitchen ta see ifin Jeanie wanted a helpin’ hand.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Nov 3^rd, 2011, 12:57am

Arriving in the bedroom, Fernando finds Tammy already asleep. He quietly prepares himself to go to bed and carefully climbs on it as to not disturb her. Once under the covers, he lays backs and stares at the ceiling. Tammy grabs his arm and snuggles up against him while in her sleep.

It takes more than an hour for him to sleep.

He wakes up at a quarter to 4. Getting out of bed was a bit of a problem, but he managed to switch a pillow in place of his arm Tammy was holding on to.

Fernando gets dressed after a quick shower, putting on his Hugo Boss suit with Maximum Ballistic Protection, along with his bullet resistant t-shirt and dress shirt, giving him a triple layer of protection to his center of mass, and double layers down his arms to his elbows.

Though he would prefer not too, but he gathers the clothing Tammy would need, including those upper layers lined with ballistic protection, giving her as much protection is as he has for himself. Chances are, as he thought, she would not accept what he had laid down for her.

4:30, the coffee maker was brewing a single cup and a small breakfast was made for himself. He had already wolfed it down in less then 10 minutes to energize him for the moment. A second meal will be made for all to eat.

Fernando goes into the back room to recheck on his work when done with the dishes. During this time he hears somebody in the kitchen but decides not to meet with them. Who ever it was, they were gone within an hour, more than enough time for him to check on his work one more time. Hearing who ever it was go up the stairs, Fernando leaves the room, carrying the bag with him to the table.

Jeanie walks down the stairs with her driver/chef Fung. Fernando puts the bag in front of his chair and under the table, away from their view. Jeanie stops by the table as Fung makes his way to the kitchen area.

Jeanie: So what will it be today?

Fernando (turning to Fung at the kitchen before to Jeanie): Should be some steaks in the freezer. If not I’ll get some from the basement food storage. Make a Steak and Eggs breakfast with all the fixings: pancakes and coffee, hash-browns or home-fries potatoes and a serving of fruit. Include you crew in this meal, since they are going to be part of the hunt.

Fung drops a spatula on the stove as he placed a frying pan on a burner. Jeanie and Fernando turn to face him.

Jeanie: You heard him, check the freezer for the steaks, if not I’ll go down with Fernando to the basement and get more.

Fung nods before turn around and opens the freezer door. He pulls out several steaks but not enough for everyone. He turns around and holds up 4 fingers. Jeanie nods and takes Fernando by the arm.

Jeanie: We need more steaks.

Fernando (complains as he follows her): You mind not pulling?!!

With her in the lead, they make their way into the basement. Once in the basement, she lets him go, closing the door behind. He gives her a momentarily stern look before going to the back of the room where a large freezer was at. Several steaks and other assorted meats were placed on the work shelf by the freezer for Jeanie to take.

She stands there waiting for him to end his task. Fernando notices her standing behind him before closing the freezer and locking it behind the gate it was in.

Jeanie: Why is a freezer locked behind a gate?

Fernando: None your business, actually. But since you wont drop the subject until you get an answer, there are some high explosives in there that do well cold and undisturbed.

Jeanie: How much explosives?

Fernando: Enough to leave a smoldering crater large enough to the house, garage, swimming pool and much of the surrounding woodlands.

Jeanie: Why?

Fernando: Why, what?

Jeanie: Why that much explosives?

Fernando: The people I deal with, that’s why.

Jeanie: What happened to shooting them?

Fernando: Those people go beyond shooting them. Their property is contaminated with their deeds. Their friends and family are infected with their ideals, just waiting to fester into something worse than they were. You just can not kill one and think its going away.

Jeanie: Though unfair, I understand your point, having seen it happen first hand.

Fernando: Good. Now what was here stays here. I better not see it published anywhere… ever!

Jeanie: But…

Fernando: But nothing. I think Fung is waiting for those. So will the others when they wake up and breakfast is not ready because we are still arguing this point.

Jeanie (picking up the meats before leaving): I get your point already.

Fernando: Good. Now go ahead while I do a few things down here.

Jeanie: But…

Fernando: But nothing! Just do it!

Jeanie groans as she leaves the room with the meat that was gathered, taking them to her driver and chef, Fung. Fernando closes the door behind her, locking it from the inside. He then takes a seat inside the room by the workbench.

Jeanie puts the meats down on the service island as Fung started cooking a large meal for the crew. He had already the four steaks on the grill along with some bacon he had found in the freezer. The eggs would be cooked when the others came down, though other items were also being made at this time: hash-browns and home-fries potatoes. He was cooking all that he could find since he did not know what the others wanted.

In a few minutes Fernando walks out of the basement and back to his room, if for a moment to check on Tammy, who is still asleep.

Hondo on the other hand goes back downstairs to the kitchen, wondering what the smell of food in the air was about. Valentine was in the bathroom, showering up and getting ready for the day. He walks into the kitchen seeing Jeanie and her chef/driver already there making something. Fung looks at him as he turns over a steak.

Fung: What would you like sir?

Hondo turns to face him.

Hondo: Eh? I thought you were under some vow of silence.

Jeanie: He can talk when needed. And he needs an answer from you. Since Fernando said that we all are to have a big steak and egg breakfast with all the fixings, what would you like?

Hondo: Such a large breakfast would slow one down.

Jeanie: Only in the morning, but in the afternoon you would get a lot of energy from it. Since your battle will be in the afternoon, you would benefit from it.

Hondo: Just hand over 2 mugs and the coffee pot, I’ll take care of the rest.

Jeanie (sending two mugs to him): Hmph…

Then she takes the coffee pot off the coffee maker machine and puts it on the service island.

Jeanie (turning the handle towards his direction): Bring it back.

Hondo (placing the coffee pot on the dining table): I aint going nowhere with it.

He fills the two mugs with coffee and adds sugar and cream to one of them, just a bit of sugar in the other. He then takes a small bottle of who knows what from his pocket and pours its content into the second cup. It does not go unnoticed.

Jeanie: Drugs are not the answer…

Hondo takes the coffee pot and puts it back on the service island, and puts the bottle he poured into one of the cups to her face.

Hondo: Its vanilla extract.

Jeanie: How do I know that was all in there? You could have replaced it with something else.

Hondo: Ask Fernando.

Jeanie: I will.

Hondo (as he heads back to the dining table): Good, do that.

He picks up his mug and takes a sip from it.

Fernando walks down the stairs and into the dining area, seeing Hondo sitting at the dining table.

Fernando (as he takes his seat at the table): Good morning, Hondo.

Hondo: Yeah. Good morning.

Valentine arrives a couple of minutes later. She walks to the dining table and sits by Hondo, who gives her the other mug of coffee.

Valentine: What’s for breakfast?

Hondo: A big Ihop meal: Steak and eggs with all the fixin’s.

Fernando: Complaining about the meal?

Hondo: Maybe, maybe not. Just sayin’ that it a tad too big, and its not our last meal. But since Jeanie explained it, lets eat.

Fernando: I see. Go on without me. There’s a certain squirrel that needs to be awaken.

Hondo: Hurry up, the grub might be all gone when you come back.

Fernando (getting up out of his seat): Eh…

Tammy enters the dining area as Fernando was stepping away from his seat. She was wrapped up in her robe. She walks to the table.

Tammy (as she takes her seat): What’s for breakfast?

Jeanie walks from around the service island with a serving cart, reaching from behind Fernando and putting a couple of plates in front of him, then fills his coffee mug. Tammy just gawks at the high fill plates of various breakfast items.

Hondo: That should answer your question.

Jeanie then puts a couple of plates in front of Hondo, followed by Valentine before setting up four other plate settings for her crew. Tammy complains about not being served.

Tammy: Hey! Don’t I get any?

Fernando: This is a breakfast meeting. You are served if you are dressed for it.

Tammy: About that. I choose my own clothes…

Fernando (interrupting her): The clothing I selected for everyone here is in some form bullet proof or bullet resistance. Now… I lead this mission, no one does what they want to do or what to wear unless you want to be shot up and left bleeding on the side of the road or to be picked up by the enemy and dumped into some garbage landfill. Now go and get dressed.

Tammy gets up and takes off her robe, leaving it on the floor and sits back in her chair, in her own blouse and denim skirt. Fernando was not pleased with it but nods to Jeanie to serve her some breakfast.

They ate in silence for most of their meal. Even Jeanie’s crew ate silently, but that is their practice in doing so.

With first round of food been served, Jeanie begins to serve the second round as Fernando pulls out the duffle bag from under the table, putting it on his lap. He open is and places one of the M1911’s on the table, holding up a spare magazine.

Fernando: You all know about the .45 automatic. In this case, I loaded them with Depleted Uranium rounds. You are to only use these guns and these rounds.

One of Jeanie’s body guards complains, putting his .50 caliber Desert Eagle on table next to the M1911. Fernando takes one of the Depleted Uranium rounds and rolls it to the guard.

Fernando: It does not matter if your gun shoots out a bigger bullet. We are going to deal with people who wont feel that when it hits them. They wont feel the Depleted Uranium round hitting them either, but they will when it explodes inside them.

The two body guards look at Jeanie, saying something in Cantonese. She nods at them before turning to Fernando.

Jeanie: They said, what is it that an explosive .45 round can do that a .50 round cant do?

Fernando: OK. Its time that all of you know what we are up against.

He pauses for a moment, turning his eyes to Hondo for a reaction. Seeing a slight nod from him, Fernando continues.

Fernando: Among other things, those we… I am facing are a group of cyborgs. Robotic-organic beings, reinforced with bullet resistant layers and metal or carbon fiber reinforced bones. Shooting them with a normal bullet, even with a FMJ Hollow Point, will do nothing as the bullet resistant lining stops it from further travel. Your .50 caliber bullets wont slow them down, I doubt they will even feel it. Only rounds from a high powered rifle or an explosive round will make them feel it, and stop them. As for Hondo’s targets, drugged up individuals to the point where they can not feel pain, only a shot to the head will terminate their chemical wracked brains from continuing its wicked bubbling reactions. They too need something to remind them that they are still flesh and blood. But that is not your job to engage them. Your job is to provide back up if anyone if them gets past Hondo and the group he is working with. You report to Jeanie first, and Hondo second. I do not expect you to be involved with clean up either Do I make myself clear?

Jeanie: Crystal.

Fernando: Good. Now, without further interruptions, lets finish our meal.

He cuts a some of his eggs and steak, taking a forkful into his mouth. He chews and swallows, then puts his fork down.

Fernando: One more thing…

The others turn to face him.

Fernando (continues): Hondo. When we leave, you go to the basement, and get the bullet proof trench coats, and give them to Jeanie and her crew, and put on the ones I left for you and Val… I don’t want any casualties.

Hondo (with a nod): Will do…

He keeps himself from saying ‘boss.’

Fernando (continues): Tammy. You are going to put on all that I have set for you, or I will shoot you myself to teach you a lesson on what it is to be shot, and then I will deal with those who hunt us down myself. Do I make myself clear?

Tammy does not answer. She then turns to Hondo as he speaks.

Hondo: You better listen to what your husband says. He goes alone and gets kill, you ‘re next on their list. And you will be no shape in dealin’ with them if that happens.

Tammy (yelling): I Too Can Defend My Self!

The mechanical sound of a gun chambering a round is heard loudly by everyone, especially by Tammy, who’s ear the barrel was under.

Fernando: Knock it out of the way and another will replace it.

Tammy (yelling): THAT IS NO WAY TO TREAT YOUR WIFE!

Fernando: It will take one thousand years for your brain to recover from the injury…

Valentine: A thousand years? What is he talking about?

Hondo: Nothin’ that concerns you…

Fernando: You have not given it to her. For shame Hondo. She’s the only mortal in a room full of immortals. As for you, Tammy… I told you that as my wife, you are to do and say as I tell you. I am not going to have another wife killed on my watch.

Valentine: This is crazy talk!

Hondo: It is not, but first I hav’ta ask… What you mean the only mortal in a room full of immortals?

Fernando: I gave Jeanie the pill long before I came to the café, in a happier time. It is not that she is my wife or lover, though Chinese Tradition says she owes me everything- mind, soul, and body but she tried to give me her heart. No… That could not happen but I gave her the pill, and several others for in case I would ever need her, she would be there for me. She is forever in debt to me for that and she pays the price when called for. Now Valentine like I said, you are the only mortal in a room full of immortals- Jeanie, her cook and driver - Fung, Body guard number 1 – Ng*, Body guard number 2 – Lee, my wife Tammy, your boyfriend – Hondo, and me, the one who started it all.

Valentine (shouting): IMPOSSIBLE! THE SOUL IS THE ONLY THING IMMORTAL AND I AM THROUGH IT BUT NOT THROUGH MY BODY!

Hondo: Its possible to make flesh immortal…

Fernando: It happens when one becomes a Time Traveler. Things happen, one learns. I have taken several to a starry night in Jerusalem to see a baby born to a Virgin mother. You know that when he died and shed his mortal coil, he did not want a church to grow from what he did. If anything, he just wanted others to follow in his foot steps and continue his deeds. But one cant be nice to others when others are trying their best to kill you. Remember that Tammy.

He puts away his gun and continues.

Fernando: Its not that we are immortal, we can die, we can be killed. But it takes so much effort to do so, I can say that many tried, no one succeeded. And like I said- a bullet to the brain will take 1000 years to heal, if given that time to do so. Its that with normal people and modern medicine, you are declared dead while your brain lives. They disconnect you from the life support machines and nature takes it course, the brain dies with so much damage and no blood flowing to it. But not with us. So Valentine, it don’t matter about you going church on me, I can take you back to a time to hear them and have them explained by the very lips that said it. To which, Tammy- know your place around me. Jeanie does and she is not even my wife, so understand that I don’t want a word said about this while we eat.

Valentine: If you are immortal, then why must you eat?

Fernando just scowls at her.

Fernando: The body does get hungry, and the pallet wants tastes. Thirst can become maddening, so the body must be satisfied. Immortality in this form has a price, and that price is living its life. Now no more!

Valentine (shouting): YOU CAN’T TALK THAT WAY TO ME! HONDO!!!

Fernando draws the gun from Tammy to her, followed by Hondo with his.

Fernando: Hondo. As fast as I am, I would dodge the bullet and you would hit Tammy. Second of all, next time check under the table and make sure there are not any guns pointed at you.

Hondo puts down his gun and puts a second on the table next to it, with Fernando following suit right after.

Fernando: I’m not your boss. I’m not your Jefe. I’m not your military superior officer. I’m nothing more than an acquaintance, and if not at times, a friend. But you have a lot to learn. A thousand years of learning, that we are here to do what has to be undone. Justice has to be served on either the shiniest gold trim silver platter or the filthiest unglazed clay pot. For those who killed, and keep killing, when life loses its meaning, and is taken for naught, then the pact calls for revenge. I got my targets to inflict justice on to, whether with Tammy beside me or not, I am doing it not only for her but for all of us. Remember that bomb on the airplane- it was meant for us. Remember where we would be if we were on that plane when it took off. And for you, your wife is no longer who she was. Don’t think that you can rescue her. Its like Angel Dust- once taken and you are forever damaged, twisted and possessed by the demon in the drug. You are no longer who or what you were, you are gone. Something evil has taken your place in your body. She dies, Le Grand Jefe dies, everyone associated with them dies. You just better succeed in walking out of your mission, carrying severed heads by their scalps because you are going to need them for those who dares replace them. The only difference between good and evil is that good does not force you to decide. I’m not forcing you to decide, I’m not making you to take action. That is for you to decide and do. You can get in your truck and drive back home as far as I care.

Hondo: I’m not walkin’ out on ya…

Fernando: I did not say that. But if you, and everyone else, are to stay and do their mission, I expect more than one hundred and fifty percent. I want them done with no damage or injury to us. And furthermore, what I say goes. Know your place and your mission objectives. No excuses. Act with integrity, and no regrets. Now if you people don’t mind, I would like to finish breakfast.

Hondo: We’ll talk later then.

Fernando: We wont talk at all. Tammy has to get ready after breakfast and then we leave.

They stare at each other for a moment. Though Fernando breaks away first to eat his meal, Hondo lost because it was in a way being dismissed, and he does not like being dismissed.

The others begin to eat. It was an uneasy meal but everyone ate it. Eggs, pancakes and French toast; with ham, sausage and steak; coffee and juice filled the rest. Syrup, ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard and other condiments add to the meal. Assorted fresh breads and muffins were options for anyone to take. Fernando finishes his meal first, taking his empty plate and coffee mug to the kitchen where he waters them down before putting them in to the dishwashing machine.

He leans against the machine with his arms crossed and look at the others. Hondo finishes his meal next, and like Fernando before him, takes his plate to rinse it off at the sink.

Holding his plate in front of him, he asks Fernando, “You mind letting me put this in there?”

“Put it in the sink for now.”, Fernando tells him.

Miffed, Hondo put the plate and other items into the sink. He looks at him and then at the others.

“What are you looking at?”, Hondo asks.

“Nothing.”, Fernando answers. He starts to walk away, “Let me know when the others are ready.”

Fernando walks out of the house through the rear door. He stands just a few steps from the door, on the asphalt area of the parking area where the vehicles were. He stands there with his arms crossed. Little time had past when the sound of three cars go up onto driveway.

Most of those in the vehicles enter through the front door, but two continue to walk down the driveway to the rear of the house. If Fernando wasn’t expecting them, he would have drawn his service weapon and shot them.

“Hello Marco, Angie.”, he says as they turn the corner without looking at them.

“Good morning to you too.”, Marco replies. “Why are you out here? Is Tammy ready?”

“I’m ready. I don’t care if she is or not. She has 5 minutes to be by my side, or I leave without her.”, Fernando tells him.

“Given that it may, but isn’t there a morning meeting for an afternoon-evening mission?”, Marco asks.

“That’s Hondo’s mission, which you should be part of.”, Fernando explains.

“No. I’m Tammy’s field supervisor, and I am to be where ever she is.”, Marco adds.

“Then let me tell you. Our mission is to take out Anne Rossellini, and anyone who might be employed her at the Coliseum Park, 10o’clock. I don’t like to be late.”, Fernando says.

“Then Angie and I will be with you.”, Marco tells him.

“I forbid you to go.”, Fernando throws at him, adding, “This is a CIA Case.”

“Anything involving on Italian Soil, by foreign governments or personal directives, is a case that involves the SWA.”, Marco tells him sternly. “You either allow us to be part of it, or we force you into not going.”

“I would like to see you try, but to save face- mine and yours, we make a deal. Don’t interfere in what has to be done.”, Fernando tells him with a hint of anger.

“You make sure no innocents are killed.”, Marco returns.

“I can guarantee that all of my shots will hit their targets. But it anyone gets shot or killed from outside our group, it will be on them, not me.”, Fernando tells him.

“You are going to be responsible if they do…”, Marco warns but stops when Tammy steps out of the door.

Fernando looks at her as he takes advantage of Marco’s silence, “A police officer is not responsible for innocents shot in a shoot out if ballistics prove the bullets did not come from his gun.” He looks over Tammy, seeing she has put on the protected clothing he as put aside for her, “Everyone but I will be shooting 9mm bullets. I will be shooting .45 caliber. You find a .45 bullet inside an innocent, you can arrest me.”

“I can assure you, the pleasure will be mine.”, Marco tells him.

“Then lets go. We have a showdown to attend.”, Fernando tell him as he starts to walk to his Porsche.

He gets into his car first, with Tammy opening the door for herself but keeps the door open. Angie and Marco walks to the passenger side, seeing Tammy in the rear seat behind Fernando. Angie gets in and sits in the rear seat next to Tammy, Marco puts the seat back and sits next to Fernando. The door closes shut as Fernando slowly drives out onto the driveway.

It does not take them long to get to the meeting place, behind the open area of the Coliseum. The place is strangely empty, tourist season being over for the past several weeks, there was no reason for anyone to be there other than passing by on the local street circle that surrounds it. Fernando parks the Porsche by the parking area usually reserved for concession stand vehicles.

The four of them step out of the car and stand about, looking outward to the large area in front of the ancient stadium. The place was empty for a few moments until several cars drive up on stop on the far end. Several goons step out of the vehicle, making an arc as they stand together facing Fernando and his little crew. After several seconds, Anne steps out of one of the cars passenger section and parts the line by the middle to walk through it. She takes many steps with the men behind her, until they were half way in the area. Fernando takes several steps away from his car, reaching behind him to move Tammy so she could be shielded by his body. All remains quiet for the moment.

“I see you brought back up.”, Anne yells across the distance.

“They are not back up. In fact, they are here to arrest me if this is taken to higher level of assault with a fire arm.”, Fernando yells back at her

“Is that so?”, Anne asks, then signals to her men. The sounds of various fire arms from a simple revolver to a micro Uzi sub machine gun are readied . Fernando looks at them all through shifting his eyes from one end of the line to the other. Some 24 men stand behind her, two dozen in total from what it seems, armed with anything they can carry. Whether or not there were more in the vehicles, remains to be seen and continues as an unknown.

Fernando thinks to him self, ‘Two – seven shot 1911s in my pockets, 3 magazines each, and my two AA 1981/84s in the shoulder holsters with 16 rounds each. Over twenty of them.’ He begins to unbutton his trench coat, reducing its protection to his sides. But he still has 3 layers of protection under that.

Behind him Angie has her Styer machine gun ready, despite it being useless against cyborgs with its 5mm rounds, it should do well against flesh and blood. Marco can only have his Berretta ready, looking at the those in front of Fernando and Tammy. He curses his bad eyesight as it blurs those aiming at them.

“If they are here to arrest you, why are they armed and ready?!!”, Anne yells from across the distance.

“They do have the right to defend themselves.”, Fernando yells at Anne.

“They can go and come back to pick up your dead body!”, Anne yells at him.

“We Stay!”, Marco yells from behind.

“You Want To Die Too?!!”, Anne yells to him.

“You are all under arrest!”, Marco yells across the distance.

Anne laughs loudly to be heard.

“ENOUGH!”, Fernando yells at her.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Mar 21^st, 2012, 11:35pm

Hondo signed in a frustrated manner as he leaned against the counter. He watched Fernando walk off with a half annoyed half pissed-off look. Inside him was another matter. He knew Fernando had, in his own crass way, handed him the baton of leadership. It was not a good, proud feelin’ as some would say, but more of a sickenin’ feelin’ deep in his gut that tied his insides in knots. This feelin’ did not well up from a personal fear of what lie ahead but more of a worry for the lives of those he was to lead. For these lives depended on the competence of his decisions, the accurate swiftness of his gun, an’ the alertness of his mind.

He turned back to the sink without lookin’ at those at the table who were puttin’ their trust in him. He knew they were more or less puttin’ their trust in Fernando’s trust of him, except for Valentine, but it was all the same to him. No matter whom they trusted more if there was a loss of life it would be on him.

As he stood at the sink he picked up his dishes out of it, rinsed them an’ added to the dishwasher before lookin’ at those who sat at the table.

Jeanie an’ her crew ate in silence, seemin’ undisturbed for the most part but they were seriously ponderin’ over the events to come.

Tammy ate quickly with a worried look on her face. She was definitely feelin’ the stress of the mission an’ though she tried to understand she could not totally comprehend the weight that Fernando an’ Hondo bare on them nor understand how they dealt with these burdens. Like any woman, Tammy’s mind was a jumble of thoughts on their reaction, the mission at hand, troubles past, an’ the future to come an’ it showed.

Valentine, the last of those that were still at the table sat hunched over her plate. She had been usin’ her fork to push around what food was left on her plate since Fernando had pointed his gun at her. She had lost her appetite, if she had one to begin with, an’ just felt more confused an’ lost than before. She wasn’t fallin’ apart per say, but she was visibly troubled. Hondo had noticed that she was tough when the task called for it, an’ she had seen enough in life to not be lost in all this. Her biggest problem was she had always had a protector. Even before she met Hondo she had one of her father’s friends lookin’ after her. She didn’t realize she was leavin’ protection until the day she was shot. Had Hondo not been there her life would have ended, but he did show up an’ once again she had a guardian. This guardian was different, though. She knew he would try to protect her, but he also expected her to take an active part in her own protection an’ that of the others there. Only now did the gravity of it all sink in. She was part of a team of protectors, justice seekers, an’ not a helpless girl who was bein’ protected. This was about her but not about her. It was bigger than her, an’ while it could help protect her it could be her end as well. This was not the endin’ to a problem but the beginnin’ to a life of solvin’ troubles. Her mind was too filled with all this to think straight. She wanted to talk to Hondo about it all but it was all new to her an’ she was not sure how he’d react in his present state. She pondered silently, waitin’ for the silence to be broken.

Hondo stood there studyin’ the group for a couple minutes until Tammy stood up quickly, left her dishes on the counter without rinsin’ them an’ took off up the stairs. Hondo mumbled under his breath as he takes care of her dishes.

Jeanie: We can take care of them later. Leave the dishes alone.

Hondo: We all have enough on our plates an’ I need everyone ta pull their own weight. Besides I’m just standin’ here at the moment. Y’all can clean up the rest of the breakfast stuff after out meetin’.

Jeanie: When will that be?

A car pulled into the drive at that moment.

Hondo: Well, ifin that is our SWA contingent we’ll have it here soon.

Valentine for the first time since the gun play lifted her head.

Valentine: Hondo?

Hondo: Later, Val.

Valentine: But we need to talk.

Hondo: After the meetin’.

Valentine: But . . .

Hondo: Valentine! I said AFTER the meetin’. We hafta take care of business first. There will be time after.

Valentine hung her head again an’ whispered an “ok”. Hondo felt bad for speakin’ so harshly at her, but they didn’t have time for this now. He needed her beside him at full alert an’ needed the others to trust him. Just then the front door opened.

Hillshire: We late for the meeting?

Hondo: We were just a waitin’ for y’all so we could start. Take a chair.

Hillshire: Good. Triela, sit down here.

Just as they sat down Tammy came hurryin’ down the stairs. In two quick steps Hondo came up to her an’ grabbed her arm lightly to stop her.

Hondo: Be careful an’ good luck.

Tammy (smiling): Thanks. You know Fernando. He’ll watch out for me.

Hondo: Just make sure he looks out for himself too.

Tammy: I will. Don’t worry. I won’t freeze up again.

Hondo: I hope not, but just the same, ifin y’all run into more than ya can handle call me. I know Fernando wouldn’t so I’m relyin’ on you ta do so, alright?

Tammy leaned over an’ gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

Tammy: Thank you. I will. And you all be careful too.

Hondo (grinned): I’m always careful.

Tammy: And you have the scars to prove it. I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but you are our friend and you have helped my husband help me from the beginning. We don’t want to lose you. I know Fernando was hard on you this morning but he means well.

Hondo: I understand why he was like that more than anyone, I believe, so ya don’t hafta explain. Just both of ya come back in one piece, eh?

Tammy: We will.

Hondo nodded an’ Tammy took off out the back door. He didn’t say “good bye” as he felt that ifin he didn’t things would turn out. He wasn’t superstitious but at the same time a good bye before a final show-down seemed a jinx on the whole setup.

Hillshire: Where is she going and where’s Fernando?

Hondo: Tammy an’ Fernando have their own mission ta do. Weren’t ya told?

Hillshire: I was told, but I figured they’d be here for the meeting in the very least.

Hondo: It’s not Fernando’s way.

As he spoke the car in the driveway roared to life an’ pulled out. Hondo watched out the window as it pulled off.

Hondo: Looks like Marco an’ Angie are with them. I’m sure Fernando had a fit ‘bout that.

Hillshire: But Marco was supposed to be with us! I was told they would be two fratellos and the back-up crew!

Hondo: I really didn’t want any help from the SWA, but I’m stuck. So, ifin I’m stuck y’are too. Now, let’s get this meetin’ rollin’. We all have final preparations ta make, I’m sure. Now, the SWA pizza van crew will be there, eh?

Hillshire: I will call to double check, but I was told it would be.

Hondo: An’ where will they be stationed?

Hillshire: They will be parked a block away but they will have 4 snipers, one for each side of the building. I will have communication with them but . . . (he hesitated)

Hondo: But what?

Hillshire: Well, since my Fratello is the only one that will be there I cannot risk us being up in the front as we are the only ones close enough to pull you out in case of emergency.

Hondo: So y’all will hang back ta keep yur own asses out of the line of fire so ya can report ta Fernando ifin we bite it?

Hillshire: Something like that. We’ll take care of anyone that gets around you.

Valentine: But I thought Fernando said you couldn’t . . . (Hondo cut her off abruptly)

Hondo: I know what Fernando said. Just leave it alone. We’ll talk about it later.

Hillshire: What did Fernando say?

Hondo: It has nothin’ ta do with the mission. It’s a personal matter that doesn’t need discussed at a mission meetin’. Now, you have your own weapons and ammo or do you need any?

Hillshire: We have our gear. What will you be using for weapons?

Hondo: Special .45 rounds in 1911s.

Hillshire: Will that be adequate?

Hondo: They are explosive penetratin’ rounds made to crack even the toughest armor.

Hillshire: I’d like to see those.

Hondo: After the mission talk to Fernando.

Jeanie: What about me and my men?

Hillshire: They will be there too?

Hondo: They are there for back-up only. I don’t trust your SWA to help us pull out ifin things go south. That’s what Jeanie an’ her men will do, though I hope ta not hafta use them. I want them a block away from the buildin’ on the opposite side to yur SWA van. Can ya contact them an’ let them know not ta fire on them?

Hillshire: I’ll call after the meeting to finalize and update them.

Hondo: Good. Jeanie, I’ve still gotta git y’all the clothes Fernando promised, but is there anythin’ else y’all need or want before we go?

Jeanie: Do you have a map of the warehouse and where you want us?

Hondo: You should have one from last time ya played backup for us. It’s the same warehouse. Just git with Hillshire after he calls back ta his headquarters an’ find out which block y’all are ta be on. I’ll need ta know too in case we need ta git out fast. We’ll have communicators in case we need ta call ya, but unless we call ya there will be radio silence. Also, ifin one of yur men can get to somewhere high an’ use some field glasses ta watch. Ifin Valentine gits in trouble an’ I am not seen close enough ta aid then git in there an’ pull her out.

Jeanie: Alright. I will

Valentine: I’m stayin’ as long as yur in there!

Hondo: You’ll do as you’re told or stay here!

Jeanie: I will make sure she gets out if she gets in trouble, even if she does not want to.

Jeanie looked at Valentine an’ Valentine snarled quietly, but loud enough to be heard. Jeanie only smiled ever so slightly.

Hondo: We can only git through this by relyin’ on each other. Fernando put me in charge of this so ya do it my way or ya sit out. That goes for anyone of ya! I’m open ta suggestions but not rebellion! Is that understood?

Jeanie, her staff, Hillshire, an’ Triela shook their heads yes without any apparent reservation or bad attitude. Valentine scowled an’ would not make direct eye contact but reluctantly nodded yes after an uncomfortable, silent few seconds.

The meeting continued for another few minutes as details were discussed 'bout how they were gonna enter, an' what the back-up would be doin', though some of it depended on the SWA's positions. Hondo an' Hillshire did most of the talkin' with Jeanie addin' in from time to time, but Valentine said nothin' else durin' the rest of the meetin'. Once they were done most of the important stuff Hondo dealt out a few quick tasks to be done before zero hour.

Hondo: Alright, Hillshire, you make yur call an’ get with Jeanie. Once y’all have positions figured out let me know so I can look over it for my knowledge. We leave at 3:00. That gives us 5.5 hours until we leave. Let’s make the best of them.

Everyone stood up an’ stretched. Jeanie’s men started clearin’ the table, Hillshire moved to the livin’room as he dialed his cell phone an’ Valentine turned an’ walked away towards the stairs.

Hondo: Valentine! Basement now! We hafta talk.

Valentine turned an’ walked towards the basement with Hondo on her tail. She didn’t stomp or pout but she was obviously miffed.

Once in the basement she turned ‘round an’ opened her mouth to yell at Hondo but he covered her mouth before she could utter even a syllable. Hondo spoke immediately in a quiet but stern tone.

Hondo: Don’t say a word. Just follow me.

Valentine scowled but followed. When Hondo walked up to what appeared to be a set of shelves she almost said somethin’, but before she could open her mouth the shelves opened an’ Hondo walked through the doorway that was left. Valentine followed closely an’ once inside the door closed behind them. The room was dimly lit but she could see it was storage of some sort. She figured Hondo would stop here but he kept walkin’ further, openin’ another hidden door in some way which she did not see. Once in the next area Hondo flipped on a light that brightened the whole room. Valentine looked ‘round obviously stunned as she looked at a large underground garage with many different types vehicles includin’ a helicopter. She would later wonder ifin he didn’t bring her here for a private conversation or for a wow factor so he could start speakin’ first.

Hondo: Val, listen. I know you don’t understand everythin’ that was said but ya gotta remember this: What we do deals with a lot of secret info, technologies, identities, an’ more. When ya hear somethin’ ya don’t agree with, don’t understand, or the like don’t blurt out anythin’! Think first!

Valentine: But what Fernando said is blasphemy!

Hondo: How so?

Valentine: Our bodies can’t be immortal. The Bible says, “It is appointed for man once to die, then the judgment.” We hafta die!

Hondo: What ifin he said we could live 1000 years.

Valentine: Well, that’s just impossible too! We are made to live only so long.

Hondo: What ‘bout Methuselah, Adam, Enoch, an’ others like them?

Valentine: What ‘bout them?

Hondo: They each lived over 900 years. Ifin ya count that Adam was created as a man in his late 20’s or early 30’s he very well could have been 1000 years old.

Valentine: Well, ya got me there, but Immortality is still blasphemy.

Hondo: So what do ya do with the verse in Corinthians that says: “The dead in Christ shall rise first then those which are alive and remain shall be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall they ever be with the Lord.”?

Valentine: I don’t know what . . .

Hondo: Of course ya do! Think! That’s what God gave ya a brain for. It says the dead shall rise first an’ then those which are alive shall then be caught up. So are those that are still alive disobeyin’ God? They should slit their own throats when they hear the trump, eh?

Valentine stood lookin’ at Hondo with a blank look that turned into a frown. She studied the floor for a few moments then spoke without lookin’ up, an’ when she spoke it was quietly.

Valentine: You’re right. I didn’t think it through. It just sounds impossible.

Hondo: “There are more things in heaven an’ earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” Hamlet: act 1, scene 5. Just ‘cause ya don’t understand somethin’ doesn’t make it impossible.

Valentine: Ya are smarter than ya make yourself sound, ya know.

Hondo: I don’t know ‘bout that, but I know I have a lot left ta learn. An’ I am sorry for cuttin’ ya off so abruptly in the meetin’ I wish I had time ta talk with ya ‘bout this all, but time got away from me an’ I was tasked ta make sure ya were the right person ta join us. Why I cut ya off is that our immortality is not known outside our group, for the most part. The SWA are t’wards the bottom of the ‘who to tell’ list, believe you me! I had ta stop ya for all of our sakes.

Valentine: When ya say, join us, do ya mean . . .?

Hondo: Yeah. I care ‘bout ya Val. I’d like us ta go further than we are now but we can’t until this mission is over. I also wish I could wait ta give ya this until after the mission ta see ifin ya even want this life as ifin ya take this ya’re either with us or against us. I’d wait but I’m not gonna chance losin’ ya. I can’t lose another . . . I mean we don’t want ta lose anyone.

Valentine: Ya don’t hafta fear me turnin’ on y’all. I know I don’t always understand an’ I may not handle certain things as well as y’all do, but I trust ya. So lead an’ I’ll follow. An’ when things get bad, just know I can turn off my emotions an’ handle what is thrown at me.

Hondo: Now I’m not forcin’ ya ta take this immortality pill. This is for ya to decide. Fernando gave it ta me ta decide ifin ya could handle it. Obviously he thinks ya can handle it an’ so do I.

Valentine: What, he afraid y’all would have an immortal enemy to battle for eternity?

Hondo: No. That’s not a worry.

Valentine (teased): What? I’m not a serious threat?

Hondo: No, it’s not that. Immortality isn’t as trouble free as ya’d think. There are costs.

Valentine: Like what?

Hondo: Well, first off ya’d be immortal, not indestructible. Immortality means ya don’t age an’ in this case means ya can heal from normally mortal wounds. But healin’ time is slow. A shot ta the heart can take 2 years ta heal. A shot ta the head can take 1000 years an’ yur memories will be either gone or screwed all up. Besides that there are social costs. Ya will watch all the friends an’ family ya know an’ love die an’ pass on, ya will hafta live in different areas without reachin’ out ta old friends as they won’t understand why ya’re not agin’, an such what like that.

Valentine: So there is no way for ya to die?

Hondo: No, ya can die, but somethin’ like 85% of yur body hasta be destroyed. It’s just best ta act like ya don’t have it. It will save ya a lot of time an’ pain.

Valentine: I understand. But I’ll have y’all, right?

Hondo: I can’t say ‘bout the rest, but even ifin we are only friends I’ll be ‘round for ya.

Valentine: I understand. . . Aright, I’m ready. What do I hafta do? Strip down an’ be dipped in some goo, or be injected with some type of gamma radiation potion?

Hondo (chuckled): It’s a lot easier than that.

Hondo pulled a small wooden box outta his pocket an’ opened it. The pill inside glowed with different swirling colours as he held it. He held it out to Valentine.

Hondo: Just like a big vitamin pill.

Valentine: What do ya feel after ya take it? I mean, does it hurt?

Hondo: Ya might feel a bit of a tingle, but really, probably ya’ll feel nothin’.

Valentine looked at it for a moment without speakin’.

Hondo: Ifin ya need time ta think ‘bout it I understand.

Valentine: I’ll be the same, right? It doesn’t change who I am, right?

Hondo: No. It doesn’t change ya. It jest stops ya from agin’ or dyin’ easily. But remember what I said, still treat life as ifin ya are mortal. Yur jest as well off takin’ it an’ forgettin’ ya have it until ya need it. Ifin ya tell anyone ya risk bein’ listed as crazy or endin’ up as a lab rat.

Valentine: I understand. I want to do this. I’ve never fit in very well or felt useful, but I’ve always believed I had a place in life to do somethin’ good to help others. I think this is it.

Valentine looked at it again only for a moment then popped it into her mouth an’ swallowed it. Hondo grimaced slightly.

Valentine: What’s wrong?!

Hondo: That was damned big ta take without water or anythin’!

Valentine (sighed): Oh, I though somethin’ was wrong . . . Ya know, that was all very anti-climatic. Ya talk ‘bout becomin’ immortal an’ expect a flash of lightin’, spasms, potions, some ritual, somethin’ weird. Not that I ever thought ‘bout becomin’ immortal but if I had I’d have expected somethin’ more showy.

Hondo (Shrugged): Guess it’s like Salvation. Ya’d think getting’ ta heaven an’ havin’ sins forgiven would be hard, but all it takes is faith in him how died an’ rose again ta take our sins an’ give our souls eternal life in heaven ifin we only believe. Who would think it’d be so easy?

Valentine: True. I guess often it’s the important things that happen in the still small voice, not the roar of thunder, nor cheer of a crowd.

Hondo: Yeah, our work is like that, Val. What we do is a matter of life or death to individuals, towns, countries an’ sometimes the world, but ya’ll find after a mission the only pomp an’ circumstance ya’ll hear is the beat of yur own heart as ya fall asleep in bed knowin’ ya did yur job to the best of yur ability.

Valentine: So different from social stigma.

Hondo: The cinema did that. True heroes are unsung an’ are never heroes in their own eyes.

Valentine: Like you an’ Fernando?

Hondo: We are not heroes.

Valentine: In yur own eyes.

Hondo: No, we just do the job that others can’t, that we can, an’ that needs done.

Valentine: Against impossible odds, selflessly for others who can’t while askin’ nothin’ in return. That’s what a hero is.

Hondo: Maybe, but we are not heroes. Most heroes are found in sub shops or in grave yards.

Valentine: Ya only know ‘bout them ‘cause they have finally been recognized. You two are unsung heroes, believe me.

Hondo: Val, someday ya’ll understand. Until then, just watch, listen an’ leave that topic alone.

Valentine: Alright. An’ I’m sorry for my sulkin’ at the table, my temper, an’ my apparent lack of trust.

Hondo: Don’t apologize . . .

Valentine: . . . It’s a sign of weakness, I know, but . . .

Hondo: No buts. Just work on it. Ya know yur weaknesses, now do yur best ta strengthen those areas.

Valentine: Ya will never know how much I love ya.

Hondo: Val, I . . . .

Hondo was cut off abruptly as Valentine wrapped her arms around his neck an’ pressed her lips against his in a rough passionate kiss. He did not fight it, though it took him a couple seconds to join in fully. She rubbed his back with one hand while the other hung onto the back of his neck. Hondo slowly but firmly rubbed her upper an’ lower back with one hand each. They kept at it for a bit until they fell back against a wall an’ slid to the floor. Hondo didn’t realize how short on breath he was getting’ until this point. He pulled away but not too far so he could still hold her an’ not to seem to reject her. He could see that she was huffin’ an’ puffin’ as well as he held her.

Hondo: It’s not good (huff) ta tease a hungry dog, Val.

Valentine: This dog (huff) is hungry too an’ (puff) doesn’t need much teasin’ to attack right now.

Hondo: Val, I know we talked an’ ya admitted ya tried ta get me ta take ya sexually, but (puff) we agreed to wait ta explore further relations until after the mission. Are ya goin’ back on that?

Valentine: No, I’m not. (huff) but this mission stress is getting’ to me too. Don't you think I’m gettin’ wound tight too? (puff)

Hondo: Val, we all are, but sex isn’t the way ta unwind ifin we want ta try for a serious relation after this mission.

Hondo stood back up, havin’ regained his breath. Val was pretty well recovered too. Hondo helped her to her feet.

Valentine: I know, but what if the mission goes bad an' I loose you somehow?

Hondo: Don't worry. It won't get that bad. You should get some rest before we go, though. I'm gonna lay down for a bit here soon an' you should too.

Valentine: As long as ya hold me for a bit first.

Hondo: That I can do.

Valentine: Give me a couple minutes before you come up to the room then. All I want is some time alone with you. It'll help me unwind a bit (under her breath) though other things might help more.

Hondo (sighed): Alright. I’ll stop an’ see ifin Hillshire has everythin’ set. After I'll come up an' hold ya for a bit. I do need ta git some sleep ifin I can as I didn’t sleep worth shit last night.

Valentine smiled almost mischievously an’ Hondo raised an eye brow at her then shook his head as he headed back up into the house. Once back upstairs Valentine scurried upstairs While Hondo approached Hillshire, who sat in the livin’ room watchin’ TV.

Hondo: What did ya find out?

Hillshire: We’re set. The cleanup crew will be on the far side of the building, leaving the close side for your emergency removal crew. I know you don’t trust us and you have every reason to not, but we’ll do our jobs. If you get in trouble we’ll have your back. Jean hates you still, all of you, and even though we’re ordered to help you he told us not to go out of our way to save your lives. But Marco is senior agent and he likes you and Fernando, you especially. He told me he cut off talking with you and tried to make it seem like he wasn’t a friend to keep you at a distance to protect you all and to make it easier for him to help your group. I personally remember how you and Fernando handled the take down and rebuild of the SWA. We were all treated well. Others would have eliminated us. For this, I feel we owe your group something at least. How much I can give, I don’t know. You understand my first responsibility is to the SWA so I will not do anything to compromise the SWA or my spot in it, but else wise I’ll see what I can do to help. Just remember, if ask this conversation never happened.

Hondo: I understand. Now understand this, I’m out there ta do a mission. I didn’t ask for help nor want it, but we both have our orders. Do what ya can but stay outta my way an’ I’ll try ta do the same for ya. That’s all I ask.

Hillshire: Fair enough.

Hondo: Ifin anyone asks, I’m goin’ ta lay down. I’ll definitely be up by 1:00 ifin not earlier. No one is ta disturb me unless it’s an emergency.

Hillshire: You alright?

Hondo: yeah. Just a mild headache.

Hillshire: You and Fernando. We SWA agents don’t get headaches before missions.

Hondo: We’ll we don’t have the luxury of havin’ others plan everythin’, have unlimited back-up, or have no care ‘bout the lives of those with us. We plan everythin’ from how, what, when, an’ where an’ our team mates are our friends. It’s the difference between mountin’ a coin operated pony at the mall and mountin’ a 9 year old mustang stallion fresh off the range.

Hillshire: Did not think of that, though I disagree with your analogy. Anyway, I don’t envy you. I could not handle the pressure of doing it all myself on the resources you have.

Hondo refrained from answerin’ him on that one. Hillshire was suppose ta have his back so pissin’ him off further if he was pissed at all, was not a good idea. Hondo just nodded as he turned an’ walked upstairs to his room.

Though the walk to his room was a quiet short one, his mind was filled with noisy thoughts that seemed to go on forever. There was so much to think about. The lives of those he worked with, the repercussions of failin’, the killin’ of the body that once house one he loved, an’ much more filled his mind all at once. So jumbled was his thoughts that before he knew it he was in the room an’ he didn’t remember even enterin’. Apparently he had done so almost silently as well as Valentine jumped an’ squeaked as he shut the door. She clutched her bathrobe 'round her as she stared at him for a moment, wide eyed. After a few moments she signed an’ lowered her hands allowin’ her robe to fall open once more.

Valentine: I didn’t hear ya come in!

Hondo: Sign of a guilty conscience.

Valentine chucked a pair of balled up jeans at his head. He ducked an’ chuckled as they missed him, though only by a hair width. Hondo grinned at her slightly as he stood lookin’ at her. Now the squirrels may have enough body hair to be considered mostly covered without clothes, but the species of mice both Hondo an’ Valentine were really didn’t have much for body hair. Without clothes they were not even considered skimpily covered. She had brushed out her hair, an’ had on only a small cotton bikini and bra. She didn’t need any support from the bra as she had firm breasts, so it acted merely as a cover. It made a lousy cover though as it was almost see through on her, but all in all it looked very sexy on her.

Even though Hondo’s mind was full of thoughts a sight like that was enough to part them for a moment. He had to mentally warn himself to keep thinkin’ with his mind as at that moment with a sight like that an’ with all the stress he was under other parts wanted ta do the thinkin’ for him.

Hondo: I though ya weren’t gonna try for anythin’ extra?

Valentine (blushed): I’m not. I know ya will think I’m foolish, but I had a dream last night of holdin’ ya like this an' all was good with the mission. Call me silly or superstitious, but I just felt maybe it’d give ya the will an’ desire to come back to me whole. I know this can’t be easy for you havin’ to kill your . . .

Hondo put a finger to her lips.

Hondo: No more talkin'.

He then took her in his arms an’ kissed her. She held on for a bit then pulled back with a smile.

Valentine: Take those clothes off an’ come to bed.

Hondo: Will my boxers do? or do I need somethin' more formal?

Valentine (blushing): That’s fine! Now just . . .

Hondo: Alright! Just keep yur shirt on . . . never mind too late.

Valentine chucked a pillow at him, of which he caught an’ tossed at the end of the bed beside where she now sat. Hondo laid his guns beside the bed, hung his vest, over-shirt an’ jeans on the chair back, and folded his t-shirt an’ laid it on the chair. Valentine stood up an’ took off the robe she had on an’ threw it on the chair, leavin’ just the skimpy cotton 2-piece on her body as a coverin’. Hondo turned out the over head light an’ with the shades drawn the room was only dimly light since it was cloudy outside. Hondo looked towards the window for a moment an’ hoped the clouds would stay. They left no shadows.

Valentine sat on her side of the bed with her knees up to her chin as she waited for Hondo to climb in. He was movin’ slowly at the moment as his mind was workin’ overtime. She knew he needed to think, but he also needed to rest an’ relax. The only way that was to happen was to take his mind off what was to come for a bit. Not only would it help him but she also wanted to forget what was to come for a bit an’ just hold the one she loved. She so wished for this mission to be over an’ to hear Hondo tell her he loved her. She knew it was selfish but she wanted him for herself. She knew not until this mission was done could she have him. She wanted to do other missions with the team, be part of the team, an’ be Hondo’s gal. She had never before been so nervous an’ sexually frustrated at the same time. She knew she loved him, it was not just lust, but Hondo an’ Fernando were right, mission stress made her want sex all the more. She had never had sex before but it didn’t matter. The body knew what it wanted an’ knew it would like it.

Hondo slid into the bed an’ lay back, lookin’ at the ceilin’ as he did so. Valentine slid over beside him, leaned over him an’ kissed him lightly then pulled back 6 inches or so, so she could stare into his eyes. She loved the steel grey colour in them an’ how they changed with his mood. As she leaned over him she saw them soften from a hard grey to a lighter, bluish grey in only moments. He smiled at her slightly then pulled her to him so that their bodies pressed together an’ he pulled the covers up to her shoulders. They kissed for a while then just held each other, enjoyin’ the feelin’ of their bodies pressed together under the sheets. Before too long Hondo actually fell asleep, of which Valentine was glad for. She too soon fell asleep, her head on his chest, body pressed against his side, an’ her arms ‘round his neck. It was now 4.5 hours to mission time.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Apr 24^th, 2012, 4:53pm

“Yes, enough.”, an unseen voice makes itself heard from the crowd.

Footsteps can be heard as the crowd parts. An old man walks through the parted space wearing an expensive suit, making its way to Anne’s side. He stops when he gets there.

“You again…”, he says.

“Christiano Savonarola…”, Marco says out loud but heard by everyone else.

“I want to ask your men a question.”, Fernando says to be heard.

“You can ask anything you want, for they will be your last words.”, Christiano replies.

“I know I asked it before, but I’ll say it again. Who is going to pay you if your bosses are dead?”, Fernando says and asks.

“It is you who will be dead!”, Anne yells back.

“You keep forgetting, Cyborgs have one weakness. Whether you know it or not...”, Fernando yells at her.

“What the fuc…”, Anne yells but is interrupted by loud sound of a single gun shot, followed by a muffled explosion, and splattering of blood and brains hitting her. Fernando had shot Christiano in the eye after seeing him reach for a weapon. He lays there dead with a handgun in his hand and more than half the top of his skull missing.

Gun fire exchange rapidly between the two group. Seeing that the men did not go down after several shots to their mid sections, Angie switches to headshots with her Styer Machine gun, taking down half of the group. Fernando throws Tammy behind him as he goes after Anne, who has started to run away from the crowd. After several steps, he stops and takes aim.

With a cyborg’s weak spot out of sight, the bullet hit home at her right shoulder, blowing up and taking out the arm from its shattered socket, causing her to spin around before falling into the floor. Cybernetic systems shut down the flow of blood to the area, keeping the bleeding to a minimum. He takes several more steps to Anne as she writhed in pain. Several shots whiz past him, as a couple of the remaining men shoot at him from his 4o’clock position.

Pivoting on his stepped heel, Fernando spins around and gets his pursuers into view. His arm raised with adjustments made to his aim to their heads, Fernando lets lose a barrage of bullet fire that falls them dead with explosive results where they stepped onto.

Turning around to his intended target, he finds her to be gone. He receives several shots to his back, forcing him down to the floor. Tammy runs up to him to check him out.

“I’m sorry hon.”, Tammy whispers in his ear, then her gun goes off, hitting him in the right buttock. Fernando grimaces in pain, as he watches her run towards the park.

He tries to get up, but is pushed back onto the ground, feeling a pair of tiny hands grabs onto his wrists and a pair of handcuffs put on him.

“Make sure they’re tight, I don’t want him to break away.”, Marco says.

“I’ll shoot him is he tries to run.”, Angie is heard directory on his back.

Fernando could only growl at the predicament.

“Whoa, calm down tiger, or Angie will shoot you.”, Marco bends his knees to lower himself towards Fernando.

“#$@! you, Marco!”, Fernando growls loudly at him, “Let me go before Tammy gets hurt!”

“Calm yourself down and maybe I’ll reconsider. Until then consider yourself detained.”, Marco tells him. He takes his cellphone and makes a call to Ferro. It is answered immediately, “Hello, Ferro?”

“Yes, Marco?”, Ferro answers the call.

“We need a clean up crew here by the coliseum.”, Marco explains.

“We already have a crew to support Hondo’s thing.”, Ferro explains.

“Can you spare anyone?”, Marco asks, “At least to keep the reporters at bay?”

“I’ll send Olga your way with Nahil. Priscilla will take care of the police and reporters.”, Ferro answers, “Was it successful?”

“No. Our flyboy here killed our target for questioning, but this time it’s a confirmed kill.”. Marco explains.

“Which target?”, Ferro asks.

“Christiano Savonarola.”, Marco answers.

“Christiano?”, Ferro asks, “How?”

“Don’t know. But he is now dead thanks to Fernando blowing his brains out.”, Marco explains, looking around, “It’s a real mess here. I count over 20 bodies here.”

“Twenty? No way Fernan…”, Ferro was starting to say.

“We, Angie and I took down more than half of them in defending ourselves.”, Marco explains.

“What about Tammy?”, Ferro asks.

“We need to go after her. She went after Annie after Fernando wounded her and she ran away. You should have seen her, she shot Fernando up to put him down, and shot him in the ass to keep him from running.”, Marco explains.

“Annie?”, Ferro asks.

“No, Tammy!”, Marco tells her.

“Wow. It takes her all this time to use her firearm in the field and she uses it on her husband. That says a lot.”, Ferro replies.

“Divorce by lead is all I can say.”, Marco adds to the conversation, “Anyways, we got one loose and wounded terrorist and Tammy going after her.”

“That can be trouble.”, Ferro says.

“One more thing, when we all return, arrest Dr. Bianchi, Dr. Gilliani and Dr. Belgonchi, and detain the rest of the medical staff in closed personal quarters.”, Marco almost orders.

“What for? The Chief will have a shit fit if this blows up in our faces.”, Ferro replies.

“Tell the chief that there might be some stolen cyborg technology involved and the leak might be coming from one of them.”, Marco

“What’s the proof on that?”, Ferro asks.

“Lets say, a confession from the dead. I am also going to need an outside medical team to autopsy Christaino and see how much, if any, of his body has cyborg technology. I don’t want the medical team aware of this until questioning.”, Marco explains.

“I’ll see what I can do. But we’re already on a thin thread with staff stretched out like this.”, Ferro replies.

“Thank you.”, Marco tells her.

“Oh don’t worry about that. You will owe me big time.”, Ferro tells her. She hangs up her cellphone, ending the call.

Marco looks down at Fernando. “And you will owe me big time. Until then, consider yourself under arrest until we find Tammy.”, Marco tells him.

“#$@! you! And Let Me Find Her!”, Fernando growls at him loudly.

“Not with that hole in your ass. You’ll bleed out from your ass by the time you reach the other end of the park looking for her. Now relax. First aide’s coming to patch you up, and then to a detainment cell at our offices.”, Marco explains.

“You are not going to be able to detain me...”, Fernando tells me.

“I don’t think you have a choice in the matter.”, Marco tells him as he looks at the SWA Medical team arrives. “Now stay still and let them do their job.”

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on May 10^th, 2012, 8:58pm

The chase continues for another quarter mile, first through the nearby park and through the streets into an outdoor market. The crowd runs away from the main closed off street area, hiding behind anything where they can get to.

Anne manages to duck somewhere in the middle of the outdoor market, hiding between two vendor table areas. Tammy slows down to a walking pace, her gun out in front of her with both hands holding it, raising it occasionally to aim down a hidden gap between vendor spaces.

She misses Anne hiding between the folds of a tent. Anne, though, did not as she peered through a hole in the tent material, seeing Tammy walk by. She takes her useless arm and tries to twist it back into the socket, finding nothing there for it to hook into anymore. She managed to pin it back against a deformed shoulder blade, putting the hand at the end of the arm into her pants pocket. Any pain she would be having is being taken cared of by the artificial endorphins.

Pushing the cloth tent wall away, Anne silently steps out from hiding and readies her over-sized gun. A voice cried out, “LOOK OUT!!!”, making Tammy look around to see Anne several steps away from her. But Anne was looking for the voice that made itself known. It was enough of a distraction for Tammy to react in her defense.

Tammy lifts up her SiG P239, pulling the trigger once she has it aimed at her target’s chest. A slow volley of several shots were heard going off as Anne tries to lift her heavy MP5. Each shot penetrates her chest, fracturing carbon fiber bone until it shatters, exposing her vital organs in the process. Her heart gets turned into hamburger, much like her lungs gets turned into Swiss Cheese. She stands there in disbelief, trying to gasp but there is nothing there to hold in the air. She goes down on her side and lays there dying though most would presume dead.

Tammy stands there watching Anne bleed out onto the floor around her as the crowd starts to form around them. The police arrives with Marco and Angie a minute later. No one touches Anne until Marco tells them to do so. A second wave of cops comes in and starts confiscating cellphones that were recording the show. A medical crew arrives but is ordered to not do anything by Marco, not just yet. He examines the body, taking pictures of deformed bullets that hit her in the chest, and those that had penetrated her body. The exposed shoulder wound was also looked over, with exposed metal and carbon fiber linkages being seen through the gaping hole Fernando put there. He orders the medics to wrap up the body and take it to St. Lorenzo’s Emergency Medical hospital and put under ice under Police escort.

A couple of photographs were taken of Anne’s dead body and of her weapon, while none were taken of Tammy. Though the police surround her, they are ordered to leave her alone. Marco picks up the MP5 off the floor and walks over to Tammy as Anne gets put into a body bag. Walking into the circle of police officers, stops by Tammy and slowly takes her empty gun from her grasp. He then takes her hands.

“Lets go home.”, he tells her, stepping out of the circle of police officers.

At the hospital SWA Handler Alessandro Ricci guards the two bodies in the morgue with his cyborg Petrushka. He would be met with Marco, his cyborg Angie, Ferro, and Chief Lorenzo hours later in the afternoon. An unknown doctor dragged from the emergency ward was brought down with them. A recent graduate of med school, doing his residency, much of it as with many other interns, learning their craft in the emergency room under the supervision of experienced doctors.

“Pull out these two and open them.”, Marco points to two drawers. Alessandro pulls them open. The doctor pulls the zipper on the bags open, exposing the bodies inside. He looks at them, one older male with 1/2 his skull and much of his brains missing, much of it stuffed into plastic bags resting on his stomach. The younger female had much of her chest punched in and ripped opened by multiple gun shots, littered by deformed 9mm rounds still inside her. Her right shoulder was just as visibly damaged.

“What happened to these two?”, the doctor asks.

“They are Italy’s most wanted criminals. This is what happens to criminals who fight against their capture and arrest.”, Chief Lorenzo explains before giving the doctor his orders. “You are to inspect their wounds, note any artificial constructs inside them, and report to us what you found. We’re not worry about their cause of death. We can figure out what killed them.”

The doctor looks at him as if he was crazy.

“This is the new wave of terrorist. Artificially enhanced with mechanical devices in their bodies. That so called woman there could grab you by your neck and rip it off your body without a second thought on concentrating for strength with her artificial hand.”, Ferro tells him.

“We want to know how much of their bodies are artificial, and what company, research facility, or government supplied the parts.”, Marco tells him.

“You have your job cut out for you, doctor. You have 6 hours to complete this task. We’ll recover the bodies and your report when you’re done. You’ll be on your own to do this, no help is allowed because this is a government secret. Understand that?”, Chief Lorenzo tells him.

“Can I go get something here to eat?”, the doctor asks.

“Ask the boy here, he’ll get your food for you.”, Marco says as he points to Alessandro.

“Hey!”, Alessandro complains.

“Petrushka can stay behind while you get his food.”, Ferro almost orders.

“Yes Ma’am!”, Alessandro says at attention, holding back the urge to salute, as it would have gotten him a slap in the face.

“Your time starts now, doctor.”, Chief Lorenzo tells him, then turns to Marco and Ferro, “Lets go check on our patient.” He starts to walk away with the others following him.

It takes them a couple of minutes of go from the basement level where the morgue was to Intensive Care where their patient was.

While in the elevator, Chief Lorenzo asks, “What is happening in the other mission?”

“Hillshire is co-leading it with Fernando’s number two man, Hondo. They should be leaving the base as we speak.”, Marco says as he looks at his watch.

“I think I should be getting off to join them.”, Ferro says.

“They should be fine.”, Marco throws in.

“Its just Triela and Hillshire.”, Ferro adds.

“They can handle themselves without any problems.”, Marco replies.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jun 22^nd, 2012, 2:19pm

The leading group of the SWA walks into Fernando’s room as he was putting on his clothes. Not too long before he had turned off the life support and monitoring machines and disconnected himself from the wires that connected him to them. Gathering his belongings, he puts on his clothes when they came in. They being Ferro, Marco and Chief Lorenzo.

“Leaving so soon?, Marco asks out loud.

Fernando jumps up to pull up his pants and then zippers and belts them. He turns to face Marco, seeing the others there with him. “Where’s my service weapons, personal digital devices, money and identification.”, he tells him.

“We have them in the crime lab while we assess what bullets went where and if any of yours hit any innocents. Now you should be in bed before your stitches pop.”, Marco tells him in return.

“#$@! the stitches. I’m going home.”, Fernando demands.

“If you’re strong enough to go home, you’re going to detention instead.”, Marco tells him.

“I got two words for you, Marco.”, Fernando begins to say.

“And they would be?”, Marco asks, interrupting him. Fernando grabs a nearby visitor’s chair, sliding it towards him.

“#$@!...”, Fernando begins to say, throwing the chair through the window, followed by, “...You!”, before he jumps out the window.

He lets himself fall 10 feet before opening up his wings and hug the side of the building until it turns the turn an he disappears into the turn. By the time Marco and the others arrive and look out the window, Fernando was already gone.

“DAMN HIM!”, Marco yells out the window.

“Wasn’t expecting that? He did the same thing with Enrico Belucci and his men from Section One the last time he was here.”, Ferro points out.

“You don’t have to rub it in.”, Marco tells her in return.

“Now that he is gone, what are you going to do?”, Chief Lorenzo throws at him, “We don’t have that many handlers to spare. In fact we have none.”

“There is only one place he can go, so I’ll go there and beat him getting there.”, Marco explains.

“And where is that?”, Ferro asks before the chief does.

“His home. It will be empty by the time we both get there.”, Marco explains.

“Alright.”, Chief Lorenzo begins, “I expect arrest and detainment before the second mission is completed.”

“Will do.”, Marco says, seeing that Chief Lorenzo was leaving the room.

Fernando manages to fly a few blocks onto a nondescript apartment building. Somehow he manages not to get the attention of everyone else in the city as he made his escape. But it was not complete. He needs his money, identification and electronic gadgetry. Looking about the area, he could not identify the area of the city he was in. His best option was a church steeple far in the distance, but flyable in a couple of jumps.

It takes him about three minutes of flying and relaunching from crossing the expanse of streets between the buildings. He approximates that he must have flown just over a mile in distance, which he could have covered in one hop but being wounded and filled up with meds, he took several breaks in between. Eventually he gets there, flying down to the sidewalk and the church’s main entrance.

Walking up the steps, he tries the doors until he finds one unlocked to open it. The foyer was empty but the altar was not. He takes a slow long walk down the aisle. At the last row of seat, Fernando takes a knee and does the sign of the cross before continuing down the aisle. Coming from the side entrance where the rectory was a priest walks out onto the altar.

“How can I help you, my son?”, the priest asks.

“I was just robbed and need access to a computer with internet to contact my job.”, Fernando explains.

“Wouldn’t you like to go to the police first?”, the priest asks.

“I have no identification, and am not an Italian Citizen. So if you know that the police would do to people in my situation, I’m not spending several days in lock up while my finger prints clear on their system.”, Fernando tells him.

“I see.”, the priest says to himself.

“The computer?”, Fernando asks.

“Oh, sure. Right this way.”, the priest says before heading to the rectory. Fernando follows him. They walk past the main reception area into a private office. “You can use this one.”, the priest points out.

“Thank you.”, Fernando says as he sits down behind the keyboard. Though the items on the screen was in Italian, he understood what was where and what it did. To throw off the priest who was shoulder surfing him, Fernando goes into an old yahoo-email account and opens a ‘compose email’ page. He inputs a very encryptic email address, and a short title in the subject, “Location.” The message was a short request for “a car, and personal items; items believed to be stolen.” He presses the “SEND” button and then shuts down the yahoo-email account. He gets out of the office chair, telling the priest, “Thank you.” Before leaving the rectory and walks to exit the church.

Several miles away in a lab in compound somewhere, several techs look over a Porsche 928 with its hood open. They wonder about the sealed casing that covers the engine bay, trunk area, under dash area and center console. In another lab, an American Arms 1911 double stack variant is being put through its rounds, along with the various items found on Fernando. The lab tech look over the items with a discerning eye, looking over the items. All of the sudden radiation alarms go off as the assorted items begin to glow. A tech holding onto the fender of the Porsche complained that it was getting very hot before it disappeared like all the other items in the other labs.

The Chrono Server at Fernando’s home assembles the items in a neat package inside the Porsche’s front passenger seat before materializing the vehicle in front of the church Fernando was exiting. He trots down the stairs and to the car. He grabs the door handle of the Porsche, opens its doors, and sits down in its seat before closing the door. He gathers his wallet and gun off the pile on the front passenger seat, followed by the car keys. The ignition key is put into the key hole.

“Password.”, a voice from the car’s stereo system sounded as the center area lit up into a keyboard pattern.

“Aisapi, Voice Print Confirmation only, password: Tinkerbell.”, Fernando responds to the command.

“Password and voice recognized. Where do you want to go?”, Aisapi asks.

“Released controls to me but provide standard protection.”, Fernando orders.

“Will do. Automotive controls released for driver input only. Standard protection systems on and armed.”, Aisapi replies.

Fernando whips the wheel with one hand while dancing with the pedals and putting the car into first gear with the other hand. He was pulling out of the parking spot and going to his safe house.

“Aisapi, connect to cellphone and dail out to Marco Tongi, private mode only.”, Fernando requests.

Over the stereo speakers the cellphone can be heard dialing out. The phone rings on the other end twice before the call is answered.

“Who is this?”, a male voice answers on the other end.

“Who else would it be, Marco?”, Fernando answers.

“You! You know you are under arrest!”, Marco yells back at him.

“I have two choice words for you, Marco.”, Fernando tells him.

“What would they be?”, Marco asks.

“Diplomatic Immunity.”, Fernando tells him.

“Your American Diplomatic Immunity Has Been Revoked.”, Marco almost yells back.

“Tell that to the Vatican Council.”, Fernando tells him.

“WHAT?!!”, Marco yells on the phone.

“I said ‘tell that to the Vatican Council.’ And if you don’t want to listen to them, you can tell that to the Japanese Embassy, and then your own Prime Minister.”, Fernando tells him, “Now we can discuss this like gentlemen or deal with it like savages. I suspect you are at my place but cant get in...?” The silence on Marco’s end gives Fernando his answer. “I’ll be there in 30 minutes. Don’t try to do anything stupid.”

“What is that supposed to mean?!!”, Marco asks loudly.

“It is how you take it.”, Fernando tells him. He reaches to a button on the dashboard and presses it to end the call. Hitting the highway, Fernando presses on the gas pedal and power shifts through the gears, sending the needles of the gauges to the far right measuring speeds of 150 MPH or better when he could. As promised he arrives about a half hour later, finding Marco and Angie in the rear parking lot by their car near the house’s rear entry way that is locked and weapons out.

Fernando take the Porsche into a long slow circle around the parking lot, putting the car into its parking spot with its nose pointing out of its space. At the same time he makes a few adjustments and then activates the car’s internal radio phone, startling Marco as his cellphone rang in his pocket. Marco looks at his pocket as he puts his hand in it, seeing Ferro’s name and number flashing on the tiny screen. He activates the cellphone to receive the call to see what she wanted.

“How can I help you, Ferro?”, Marco asks. He was not expecting Fernando’s voice.

“Greetings from cyberspace, a Macintosh OS Virus once said.”, Fernando tells him.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH FERRO’S CELLPHONE!”, Marco yells at both the cellphone and at Fernando’s Porsche.

“Before you get stupid, I don’t know where Ferro or her cellphone is. What I’m doing is a simple cell phone number switching trick that the 2600 script kiddies do and have published on the internet. Now that I got your attention, don’t do anything that you would regret. Take your weapons out and take out the bullets and magazines from them and pocket them.”, Fernando tells him.

“And if I refuse?”, Marco asks.

“Then you can go home, your office, the SWA Compound, I don’t care. Just go, leave this place and leave me alone.”, Fernando tells him.

“We have orders for your arrest.”, Marco tells him, “You coming peacefully or am I going to have to use force?”

“Go #$@! yourself, Marco. I can come back from the grave, you however can not. So if you value your life and your cyborg’s life, you are going to either sit down in peace with me and are we going to have a last stand here? This is my place, don’t forget that. And don’t forget, you are at a disadvantage being here. You don’t know where, if any, are booby traps and robotic guns hidden .”, Fernando tells him.

Marco starts to look around the area, then back at the car.

“You going to disarm, walk away or fight your last stand?”, Fernando asks.

“What about you?”, Marco asks.

“This is my place. I do have the right to defend it as I see fit.”, Fernando tells him.

“This is not bloody America!”, Marco shouts back.

“Its America in Italy, as given by the treaty your nation signed with the US, that these safe houses, like the embassy. Just like the 500 safe houses Italy has across the 50 states, 35 in New York State, with 25 in New York City alone.”, Fernando explains, “It was never yours to give to Tammy as a place of her own.”

Fernando hangs up the phone, watching Marco holding back from throwing his onto the floor. The door to the Porsche opens and Fernando steps out. It only takes him 25 steps to walk to the rear door where Marco and Angie stood. Their weapons out but not pointed at him, at least for now. He stops within three feet in front of them and look at them and their weapons.

“You mind putting those things away.”, Fernando demands.

“By order of Italian Law Enforcement, I’m placing you under arrest.”, Marco tells him.

“Let me show you something...”, Fernando tells him as he opens one of the panels of his suit jacket, showing the tattered fabric inside, “You should arrest your investigation team. As is they owe me a $5000 suit jacket. And I’m not counting the damage they put on my car.”

“That it...”, Marco says as he grabs onto Fernando’s arm. Unfortunately for him, Fernando was just too fast, kicking Angie’s SMG out of her hands and throwing Marco onto the ground, putting his foot onto Marco’s neck.

Fernando slowly steps off Marco’s neck, “Next time I wont be so nice.” He puts his hand on a near by panel on the door, the sound of the lock undoing itself can be heard. He pushes the door open and stands by the doorway. “Put away your guns before entering the house.”

Marco sits there for a moment.

“You coming in or are you going to cause trouble?”, Fernando mockingly asks.

Marco just scowls at him for the moment before turning to Angie and giving her a nod. She picks up her SMG and puts it away before going into the house. Marco gets up and goes in after her. Fernando closes the door behind him. They all walk and then stand about the living room. Fernando continues to the kitchen and pulls out several tall glasses, filling them with water from a pitcher that came from the refrigerator.

“I’m sure you are all thirsty, so drink up.”, Fernando tells them before taking a glass to drink from himself. Marco nods to Angie and both take a glass themselves to drink from. Fernando finishes his drink and puts it on the island counter, “Its not New York Water but its drinkable.”

“Isn’t this triple activated carbon filtered well water?”, Marco asks.

“There are about 15 filters buried under this house, all about Angie’s sized, so nothing it coming short of radioactive hydrogen is coming out of those taps. Now lets continue – What do you want? Not my arrest I hope. I have Diplomatic Immunity for one and I’m dead –two.”, Fernando tells him.

“You are to be detained until such evidence proves that none of your bullets hit any innocents…”, Marco states.

“And to prove who I am.”, Fernando interrupts him. He continues, “Thus far you and your agency treatment of me have been, shall I say, least cooperative? Hold on.” He takes the remote of the TV and turns it on. He then takes his cell phone and punch a code on it. Four windows open up on the TV, followed by four female secretaries appearing on the screen putting on some kind of head set. Underneath each woman was a name and title from four different nations: Nana Kawasaki, Imperial Secretary: Japan on the top left, Michelle Johnson, NYC Branch CIA Executive Secretary: USA on the top right, Josefina Solmaria de Los Santos: Imperial Secretary: Spain, and Monica Petris, Executive Director of Public Safety: SWA. Marco could stand in awe seeing his boss’ boss on the screen with the other three. “Good tidings ladies.”, Fernando says to them.

“Good Tidings.”, they all return with Ms Petris adding, “What seems to be the problem, Fernando?”

“Plenty, Monica.”, as Fernando begins before adds, “But with a show of hands, who is going to give me diplomatic immunity, because I need it to protect me from being arrested.”

The four women all raise their hands. Marco lets his anger know.

“WHAT!”, Marco yells out, “This man is to be detained by Italian Law!”

Ms Petris answers back, “Is that you Marco? First let me say this – I don’t know what charges are being held against Fernando, but you are not to arrest him! Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Ma’am. But I’m under orders from the chief to arrest him.”, Marco tells her.

“I’m telling you to disregard those orders and I will follow up with an all-points bulletin to end this hunt. Furthermore… Is Angie there?”, Ms Petris says and then asks.

“She’s right here.”, Marco answers as he guides Angie into view.

“Good. Angie. Be a good girl and establish Protocol 51-3.”, Ms Petris tells her as she types on a keyboard in front of her.

Angie stands at attention and salutes the screen. Instead of Angie giving response, Fernando does.

“Thank you ladies. Just a few more seconds for you to witness this...”, Fernando says as he turns to Marco, “You are under orders to leave me alone unless we are conducting business or personal visitation. I have not broken any laws, and if you and your law enforcement agencies are seek my arrest, I am declaring Diplomatic Immunity as proposed by the UN of conduct of embassy and government employees and its citizenry as I am of these nations. This immunity extends from me to my crew, friends, and associates. Do I make my self clear!”

“Yes sir!”, the voices from the TV came from all four woman. Both Marco and Fernando looks at the TV.

“Alright ladies. Sorry for the interruption. Monica, if you can stay for a few more seconds, please?”, Fernando says and then asks.

One by one, three of the four women on the TV Screen blink out before Monica Petrica’s image zooms to fill the screen. Fernando nods at her, as so does she.

“What is Protocol 51-3?”, Marco asks.

“Protocol 51-3 is an agency directive for all cyborgs to stop their pursuit of individuals we deem innocent.”, Monica tells him.

“INNOCENT! Fernando is wanted for questioning pending an investigation on an outdoor shooting involving several casualties!”, Marco yells at her.

“Tell me – were you involved in this shooting by the coliseum in any way, whether you witnessed it or partook in it? I have seen the videos which were down loaded on this unit I’m speaking to you on. They show you and your cyborg took a more than active approach in this event. And it is my decision that Fernando acted in self defense as Christiano drew his gun first to shoot.”, Monica asks.

Marco bows his head and speaks softly, “I was involved, Ma’am.”

“Would you like for me to order your cyborg to arrest you?”, Monica tells sternly him in asking, “I can order her to do so.”

“That wont be necessary, Ma’am.”, Marco says.

“Good.”, Monica says, then turns to Fernando, “Will there be anything more?”

“Just one thing, perhaps two.”, Fernando answers.

“That shall it be?”, Monica asks.

“I want Tammy arrested, detained and brought here to answer to what she done to me.”, Fernando tells her, trying to hold his anger.

“I see. Yes. She did shoot you several times according to the video. You sure you don’t want Italian Law to be passed onto her?”, Monica asks.

“No...”, Fernando begins to say, interrupted by Marco’s cellphone beeping, signaling that it as a text message. Fernando continues as Marco reads his cellphone message, “Tammy is American, shooting an American Agent while in chase of a known murderer and terrorist. She might be an agent of your SWA but she acted on her own outside of agency orders. Only an American Judge can act on this.”

“I see.”, Monica replies, continuing to type on her keyboard. “Will that be all?”, she then asks.

“That should be all. Thank you.”, Fernando says to her.

“Now wait a minute!”, Marco shouts out, “Why is he and his crew getting special privileges?!!”

“Marco, this is not to ever leave your lips. Fernando operates on a level you can not dream to achieve. He will have his death faked when needed, and operate at the fringe of the law to do his job as required by the government he works for requests. He fulfilled his task of getting rid of Christiano for us by request where you all have failed, but stopped him from getting rid of Anne because of his wife, your subordinate as I remember, interference. Who knows where those two are, and in knowing Tammy as the gun shy agent she is, you better hope that Anne has not killed her if she crumples under pressure. Do I make myself clear?!!”, Monica tells him.

“Yes, Ma’am.”, Marco says as he bows his head.

“Good.”, Monica tells him, then turns to Fernando, “Fernando my dear. Let me know when all this is over, and I’ll have the Prime Minister throw a party on your behave.”

“Thank you, but that may not be necessary.”, Fernando tells her.

“Just be nice to your wife. She has been through a lot, you know”, Monica says to him.

“I’ll think about it, depending if she survives her encounter with Anne.”, Fernando explains.

“Well...”, Monica begins to say, “My media reporters in the field are saying that there was a shoot out at an outdoor food market with one dead and from the looks of it, Tammy is involved but is fine. The police questioned her and then released her when she showed them her SWA ID.”

“Good.”, Fernando says, “and thank you.”

“No, thank you.”, Monica says, “Anytime you need me of my services, just call.”

“Thanks.”, Fernando replies.

Monica Petris smiles before her screen blanks out. Fernando turns to Marco as Marco’ cellphone beeps again.

“Well...”, Fernando says, dragging it for longer than necessary.

“One day I’ll figure out how you do it.”, Marco says.

“When you work in deep level infiltration as I do, you will.”, Fernando explains, then adds as be points to Marco’s cellphone, “What’s the message.”

“Its an email from Ms Petris. It says, ‘To all handlers and cyborgs: Your standing orders are as follows – you are cease and desist on any arrests orders against American agent Fernando, his friends and his assosicates.’ The second one says, ‘To all free and available handlers and cyborgs: You are to find, arrest and detain Section II Agent Tammy Squirel-G. and return her to American Agent Fernando at his safe house operations site.’”, Marco recites from the screen, then looks at Fernando and protests, “You are not going to arrest her.”

“I will do with my wife as I please.”, Fernando tells her.

“Don’t do anything to harm her or you will be hearing it from me.”, Marco warns him.

“Threatening me? Don’t threaten me, Marco. The cemeteries are filled with idiots who had threatened me. Don’t be an idiot.”, Fernando tells him.

“And I said don’t do anything to harm her. If you do harm Tammy, you will hearing it from me.”, Marco tells him in return.

“Well then. Looks like we are agreeing to disagree. And with that, I will not be responsible if you put me in a situation where I have to defend myself. Is that clear enough for you?”, Fernando tells him.

“Yeah, crystal clear.”, Marco responds, adding, “You may have the same protection that we handlers have from high above, but that wont stop me from giving you the royal ass kicking you deserve if you hurt her.”

“Something going on between you and my wife?”, Fernando asks him so sternly that it was hard to tell that he was even asking the question at all.

Marco sums up the bravery inside him and approaches the service island that separates them before saying what he had to say, “First of all, I’m her field supervisor, and she has been a loyal agent to the orders I gave her. That has not changed.”

“Watch what you say next. In fact, get out of here. Go find Hondo’s mission and assist him in what he has to do because you wont do it.”, Fernando tells him, “I want Hondo and his team back alive and that mission fulfilled successfully.”

Before Marco can answer, his cellphone rings. He looks at the phone and see that its Ferro’s phone number, then looks at Fernando before answering it in speaker mode.

“Hello?”, Marco asks in answers it.

“Hello, Marco! What Is This About That Tammy Is To Be Arrested, Detained And Sent Back To Fernando’s Safe House And Not Fernando?!!”, Ferro yells in awe and anger.

“Its from Public Safety Director Petris.”, Marco explains, “I was on video conference with her when she made it.”

“I’m Not Doing It! She’s Becoming Our Top Operative!”, Ferro yells back on the cellphone.

“If you value your job, do it.”, Fernando tells her.

“Who are you to tell me how to do my job?!! You are nobody to tell me how to do my job!”, Ferro yells at him from the cellphone.

“Well then, I’ll just send a copy of the tape his house’s security system makes to Ms Petris and Mr. Lorenzo on the next meeting I have with them.”, Fernando tells her.

“You would not dare...”, both Marco and Ferro say.

“Then Do Your Damn Job!”, Fernando gets loud.

“Marco?”, Ferro asks.

“We’re between a rock and a hard place, Ferro. Comply to the orders and I’ll see what I can do.”, Marco explains.

“Alright.”, Ferro replies. Then she adds before ending the call on her end, “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Yeah, later.”, Marco replies but it was too late as the call was ended. He turns to face Fernando, finding him staring back.

“You have your orders, now get out.”, Fernando tells him, followed by the sound of a large sized car entering the driveway at a high rate of speed, followed by the screeching of halted tires against the parking lot pavement, stopping it. Fernando turns to face the hallway as somebody turns the knob on the rear door to open it but cant. After a couple of times of twisting, there is a knock on the door. “Open it. And if its Tammy, arrest her.”, Fernando tells him.

Marco nods at Angie who walks to the rear door. It takes her a while to walk there before opening the door. Tammy was on the other side of the doorway.

“Hello, Angie. Marco he...*!!!”, Tammy begins to say before Angie take her hand and Judo throws her into the house. She pounces on Tammy and pins her arms against her back, hand cuffing them together. Tammy can only look front of her in shock, awe and horror.

Marco walks up to them, “I’m sorry Tammy. But I’m under orders to arrest you.”

“By Whom?!!”, Tammy cries out from where she laid on the floor.

“Any wife who turns on her husband, harms him, commits adultery against him, shuns him and does him wrong then she is to be stoned until dead.”, Fernando says in a haunting tone, “The Old Testament is a great book. I can see why the Chassidic Jews, Armenian Christians and Islam’s fundamentalist members adhere to these laws.”

“WHAT?!!!”, Tammy yells from her position.

“You heard me.”, Fernando tells her. “Marco, get Angie to put her in a chair and take your cyborg out of here.

“Alright Angie. Lets go.”, Marco says as he starts walking away.

“I did good, Marco?”, Angie says as she trots up to him.

“You did great…”, Marco tells her, followed by the rear door slamming shut.

Fernando walks up to Tammy who was still on the floor. He grabs her by her handcuffed wrists and the back of the collar of her blouse and lifts her up onto her two feet. She tries to complain but he pushes her towards one of the living room chairs before lifting her up again and sits her down on the arm chair.

She finally gets a chance to complain, “What is this about?!!”

“If I can undo the Immortality pill I gave you, I would.”, he says to her in an angered tone.

“What? Why?!!”, Tammy yells at him.

“Maybe if you can’t see why, then maybe we should not be married.”, Fernando tells her.

“What are you saying! I Love You!!!”, Tammy yells back at him.

“The hell with that. Now, where did you shoot Anne at?”, he asks her.

“At the Farmer’s Market not far from the coliseum.”, she answers dejectedly.

“Where as in what part of the body you hit!”, he yells at her.

She tries not to cry as she answers, “I hit her several times in the chest.”

“Then she’s not dead.”, he says quietly.

“What do you mean, she’d not dead?”, she asks.

“A nine-millimeter round goes through the body, not stop at the point of impact. Two, Cyborgs have some level of internal anti-ballistic protection. So unless you have a .50 caliber rifle or a 20 millimeter anti-aircraft gun, you’re not hurting her. And the cyborg’s weakest point where they can be killed is the eyes.”, Fernando tells her.

“But she bled out!”, Tammy yells at him.

“The bathrobes in my house at the cafe has a red gelatin layer that makes it looks like the bullet penetrated and I’m bleeding out while the bullet proof layers stops the bullets! In Theater its called a Squib! She can have the same thing under her clothes, making it look like she was hit and bleeding!”, he explains. He pauses for a while, then continues by yelling, “Christiano is dead because I splattered his brains across Coliseum Road!”

“They why you shot Anne in the shoulder!”, Tammy yells back.

“Because I wanted her to suffer, that’s why! Even using explosive rounds on her did not slowed her down! DAMN YOU AND DAMN IT ALL!”, he yells at her. They stay quiet for just a second, before he continues again, “Where was she taken?”

“The morgue at St. Lorenzo’s Hospital...”, she answers.

He walks to the back of the hall to the rear door, taking out his cellphone and undoes its fake phone number program before dialing Marco’s cellphone. He opens the rear door and steps outside as he waits for the call to be answered. It is by the fifth ring.

“Hello Marco, who is protecting Anne’s body at St. Lorenzo’s?”, Fernando says as soon as its answered.

“That information is classified by the likes of you.”, Marco answers.

“Look, just listen and listen good. Anne may still be alive!”, Fernando tells him.

“That’s highly unlikely. She bled out.”, Marco argues you back.

“Aren’t cyborgs bullet proof?”, Fernando asks.

“To some extent they are.”, Marco answers.

“Anne’s shoulder was the only place that everyone knows she has such technology implanted in. But I shot her twice, once in each shoulder so both had to be replaced! And if her shoulders were replaced, her spinal column had to be reinforced, and her ribs, and anything else the doctors deemed necessary. Throw in a layer of ballistic protection because they can. Now tell me, did any of Tammy rounds went through Anne?”, Fernando explains and then asks.

“No, they were all found deformed in the vicinity... of... the... penetrating... wound.”, Marco finally realizes what Fernando was telling him. He continues before hanging up, “I have to contact the others, and do not show up at the hospital!”

The phone call is disconnected from his end.

Meanwhile, in the hospital morgue, the doctor looks over the corpse of the female mouse papers on his clipboard labels as ‘Anne, aka Franca the Padania Bomber.’ With some muscle, he was able to put her on the gurney and then onto the examination slab after rolling her into the examination room.

Unzipping the body bag down to her feet, he notices not only was she still fully clothed, but no identification tags were assigned and attached to her body. Along side her was a Ziplock bag of deformed nine millimeter rounds smeared red with blood.

He looks at them suspended in front of his face, saying to himself as he takes a portable tape recorder and presses the record button, “Odd. All this time and the blood has not congealed. Maybe she was a hemophiliac? If so, why endanger one’s life with injury from a criminal life?”

He puts down the bag and tape recorder, looking at her face and her shoulder injury, the hold in her blouse exposing to the mechanicals inside. “Interesting... Internal Prosthesis. Well, lets get this started.”

He picks up a scalpel from the tray of tools next to the examination table, rolling its shaft against the rubber covered fingers of his latex gloves. He bends over her body, grabbing the collar of her shirt with one hand and pulling it taut. His other hands readies the flat edge of the scalpel against the top first button. “Alright Miss, its not like you have anything I have not seen before on other women.”, the blade twists under the button and cuts the treading that held it in place. The button flies out across the room from the pressure of being pulled and cut off from its stitched anchor. A second button pops off and flies like the one before and the blade slides to the third button which was already taught from the pressure her breasts pulled on the shirt.

Sometimes when Rigor Mortis sets in, a dead body becomes fully animated as if it was alive. This time was no exception as the uninjured arm raises up and shoves the hand with the scalpel away. He thinks nothing of it until the body partially sits up and the hand grabs his neck tightly. She continues to sit up on the slab while continuing to hold on fast to his neck.

“I don’t go that far on a first date. Too bad, you ruined your change for a good night date.”, she looks into his eyes, seeing fear in them as he finds breathing almost impossible. Just as impossible as he being unable to pull her hand off his neck no matter how much he struggles. “Don’t worry, this is not going to last that long.”, she tells him. The force of her fingers shoot up a few hundred pounds, snapping everything from his larynx to his spinal column. His body suddenly goes limp before she drops him gently into the floor.

Walking about the room, Annie finds many things that she can use. A locker room with lockers filled with clothing and personal items she can steal to fulfill her needs. In the corner of the examination room, a scrub area she can clean herself up with. In a quarter of the time it takes to start the examination, she has changed into another female’s clothes and the doctor’s examination coat and identification badges on turned the other way to hide its information but still look official. Gauze, elastic bandages and a large triage sheet around her neck gives her arm support it needs until it can be looked over by her ‘private physician.’

Taking a set of dark glasses, keys and an iPhone from the dead doctor’s pockets, Anne finds an exit in the locker room not connected to the guarded room door. She puts on the glasses before stepping out into the hall. She looks over to the male and female standing by the door down the hall, pretending to look the door.

Making it out onto the hospital parking lot, Anne looks over the keys in her possession. They belong to a Lexus brand automobile, with a built –in alarm remote. She presses on the key’s remote button as she approaches to the four Lexus automobiles in the lot. A beige on in the middle of the lot flashes its lights. She walks to it, grabs its door handle, opens its door, and sits inside. Her only thought, ‘Its not a Mercedes.’

With the engine finally on, she slowly drives out of the parking lot while making a call on the doctor’s cellphone. She disappears into the afternoon.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jun 28^th, 2012, 12:46am

( I know it needs editin' but it's midnight here an' I'm exhausted. But it is up like promised. This post technically goes before the post above it. In the edited GsB 3 the changes will be made)

Hondo didn’t sleep too soundly as his mind could not escape the harsh possibilities of which the mission at hand could bring. In his dreams he even plotted, planned, an’ played out possible outcomes. Most of which he did not like, but it was so ‘cause of the worry on his mind. Hondo wasn’t a worrier, to speak of, though many times in his life he had every right to worry, but even the most callused of individuals would have worries before such an undertakin’ as this. But even in his worry, only those who knew him well would have known he was worried, an’ those that knew him well were few an’ far between.

Hondo woke from sleep with a jolt as if someone had shaken his very soul. He didn’t move at first as he saw no threat nor heard anything out of the ordinary, so he lay still, collecting his thoughts as he lay there. It took him longer than he liked to gather where he was an’ what was goin’ on, but that was mostly due to stress fatigue.

Valentine was snuggled up against his side, still asleep. Hondo watched her sleep for a moment. She was at peace in her sleep, as if the deaths of those she seen before and the deaths she knew she’d see to come never happened nor would. He wished for her sake that she never had to face death or deal it out again but he somehow knew it was her destiny and he hoped it would be beside him. Whether with him or with others he prayed it would never be against him. He already had to kill or be killed by one woman he had cared about, an’ she wasn’t the first that had tried to kill him or have him killed in one way or another. Another would probably destroy any heart he had left.

Hondo slowly pulled away from the sleepin' Valentine, being careful not to wake her a he did so. She groaned a bit an' burrowed herself deeper into the pillows an' blankets as he did so, but she did not wake. He sat up an’ watched her sleep again for only a moment as he wished once again that he could take this all on himself, but he well knew it couldn't be.

After a minute or so had passed Hondo swung his feet onto the floor an' sat there for a moment. He stared at the floor as he did so, tryin' to collect his thoughts an' force his sleep groggy brain to function at 100%. After an indiscernible amount of time he finally stood up, streachin' his body as he did so. Though the pill had made him stop agin' he still felt 10 years older than he had before this mission, an' that was fairly old, as though he was young in years he was old in days an' had been hard on his body.

Once thoroughly stretched he dressed, puttin' on a black bullet resistant t-shirt an' over-shirt, a black western pinch-front oilskin hat, black Kevlar jeans, a bullet resistant leather covered vest, an' his western boots. Once dressed he put on an assortment of holsters, pistols, an' knives, mostly all concealed, except his double, drop-leg revolver holster.

Hondo grabbed up his black duster, rifle, an' shotgun, leaned them by the door, an' then walked over to the bed where Valentine was still nappin'. He shook her shoulder gently as he spoke to her.

Hondo: Val, time ta git up.

Valentine: hmmm?

Hondo: Come on, Mustang. We gotta git ready t'roll.

Valentine: uhnnn

Valentine rolled away from him an' curled up under the blankets as to say she wasn't ready to get up. Upon turnin' away from him, she exposed her rear to him, which he smacked to get her attention. This brought a squeak out of her.

Hondo: It wasn't a request, Mustang.

Valentine (groggily): You didn't need to smack my butt!

Hondo: I needed your attention fast. Don't have the time nor inclination t’play 'round.

Valentine: What time is it?

Hondo: Ten to one. We leave in two hours. I need ta git some of the extra bullet resistant clothes for the rest of the group. I need you ta git your gear ready an' ta dress in the bullet resistant clothes that Fernando an' I gave ya. Be down stairs an' ready in 30 minutes.

Valentine: Why 30 minutes? We have 2 hours, don't we?

Hondo: You’re my partner in this. I need ya ready. Our lives an' the lives of others depend on us knowin' what's goin' on, what needs done, an' how ta do it. Ifin either one of us doesn't know what's goin' on how can we expect to help the other or even survive? Also, I need you to not question what I say. Ifin ya have a question on what needs done or how ta do it, ask now as there might not be a later, other than that don't question me. Only one can lead an' I was given that job. Ya want us both ta survive? Then ya must not question me. Don't ask just do.

Valentine: I didn't mean anythin' by that.

Hondo: I know ya didn't an' I'm not tryin' ta be mean. I'm tryin' to see we both live an' that this mission is accomplished. We fail then not only will we most likely be dead, or wish we were dead, but many others will die, most more innocent an' undeservin' of death than we are.

Valentine: How do we deserve to die?

Hondo: Those who live by the sword perish by it. We might be tryin' ta do good an' help people, but when ya make a livin' like we do it's only a matter of time.

Valentine: What about that pill an' bein' immortal?

Hondo: It only prolongs the possible time an' the amount of pain ya'll endure gettin' to that time, but it still comes down ta time.

Hondo grabbed up his rifle, shotgun, an' coat as he opened the door.

Hondo: Downstairs in 30.

Hondo then headed into the hall, shuttin' the door behind him. He walked slowly, but deliberately downstairs where he set his long guns an' coat on the table. Hillshire was on the couch nappin’, but Triela woke him when Hondo entered the area. Hillshire looked around an’ rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Hondo looked at them for a moment, an’ then turned away without sayin’ a word.

Hondo headed towards the basement door as Jeanie appeared at the top of the stairs.

Jeanie: Hondo, do you need help down there?

Hondo: Just need your coat size an’ that of your body guards.

Jeanie: I will write them down.

Jeanie came down into the kitchen area an’ grabbed a pen an’ sticky note from beside the phone. Once she had the sizes written down she handed them to Hondo.

Jeanie: If you don’t have these sizes my guards can go one size up. I can go one size up or down.

Hondo: Be right back.

While Hondo disappeared into the basement to get the clothes an’ some other items Hillshire made a call to HQ to see if Fernando’s mission had been reported yet, an’ Jeanie went back upstairs to assemble her guards an’ their weapons.

After Hondo left the room Valentine laid in bed for 5 more minutes to gather her own thoughts. She had never been overly emotional, but this mission tried her ability to block overly emotional responses. She felt the little girl in her wantin’ to cry from Hondo’s gruff, semi-harsh ways, an’ the feminist in her wantin’ to tell him who’s the boss. But, her sensibility won over. She knew he was right an’ only wanted to protect her. She also knew he needed her. Not just as a partner or back-up, but he needed her to be supportive, in his emotions which he had a hard time showin’, an’ in his decisions. The world had often been against him, as it had been for her at times. She knew he needed that one special person to be there on his side, no matter his decisions, even if the world was against him. She knew that was all he wanted in a woman; a partner to stand with him through thick an’ thin. She so wanted to be that woman, but she struggled to be that loyal an’ trustin’ at times. She knew she trusted him, an’ she felt it was a complete trust for the most part. Her problem was her curiosity an’ a drive to know. She knew she had already blown the “standin’ by her man” already twice today. She was determined to not make it three times.

Valentine had been fairly self reliant an’ had kept to herself most of her life, though she was always friendly. Some would say she had many friends, but most were just good acquaintances. She had very few good friends, but that never bothered her, until her father disappeared an’ was presumed dead. It was only then that she felt completely alone, even after all she had been through before. With Hondo she did not feel alone, but nothin’ was like it used to be. Now instead of bein’ with her father, few friends, or alone in the background, she was thrust into the forefront of somethin’ that mattered on a national if not global scale, with a group of folks she barely can call acquaintances. Instead of havin’ to one to call her own an’ talkin’ over things with her father before decidin’ what she wanted to do, now she has someone that needs her to stand tall with him, listen to his an’ his friends barked orders, an’ do what she’s told right then without question. Instead of safe at home she is now in a strange land where a failed or questioned order can mean her death, the death of the one she loves, an’ possibly the death of many more, a few she knows many she don’t. All this added to the turmoil of thoughts, fears, an’ anxieties in her mind, but all of a sudden a voice from years back parted the clouds in her mind. It was the voice of her father tellin’ her to clear her mind of things that didn’t matter an’ focus on the task at hand, much like he used to do when he taught her how to fly. Like Hondo often did, she shook her head to clear the mess of thoughts outta the way of the thoughts that needed to be there.

Valentine hopped outta the bed, threw on a bathrobe, an’ trotted to one of the bathrooms. She could hear Jeanie talkin’ to one of her men across the hall as she walked. Once in the bathroom, she freshened up, did her business an’ left, takin’ less than 10 minutes to complete all that she needed to do. Once done there she walked briskly back to her shared room.

Once in the room, she quickly brushed her hair, assembled her weapons, put on the bullet proof, t-shirt, over-shirt, an’ vest she had, put on a pair of black Levis she had an’ threw on her black leather motorcycle chaps as they were thick so they should help in a close fight. She was dressed, armed, an’ headed downstairs with her shotgun an’ duster over her arm in 10 minutes. She knew what she had to do, set her mind to focus on the task at hand, an’ locked up her emotions as best she could. Marie Valentine Patterson was ready for war, or at least she hoped she was.

Jeanie caught a glimpse of valentine returnin’ to her room as she talked to her guards. She told her men to put together the .45 1911’s Fernando had loaned them, as they were cleanin’ them again whether they needed it or not, then meet her downstairs. After they acknowledged that they would do so she turned an’ headed back towards the stairs. Now, it’s not that she tries to sneak up on anyone, but years of hard livin’, trainin’, an’ lookin’ for a news scoop left her with the habit of walkin’ softly without even thinkin’ of it. She knew she did it, but didn’t think of it until it paid off. Had it been Fernando or Hondo on the phone, or had Triela not been watchin’ TV she would never had gotten that close to overhear Hillshire as he finished up on the phone. She didn’t even think to listen what he was sayin’ until she heard Fernando’s name. It was then she stopped, stood still, an’ listened.

Hillshire: You have Fernando in custody? What if Hondo finds out, or the oriental friend of his? . . . I’m not saying anything to them. . . I understand. Need to know info. . . Yes sir. . . What about Tammy? How did they lose her? . . . Well, hopefully one of our teams find her before someone shoots her. . . I understand, sir. . . Alright. . .I need to go. He could walk in at any moment. . . Yes sir. I’ll keep you informed. . . Let me know if I need to hold them too. . . Yes sir. Good bye.

Jeanie stood still for several minutes before she silently walked back to her room. She checked on her men findin’ them just finishin’ up. She did not tell them what was said but told them she did not trust the SWA man Hillshire that was in the house an’ told them she wanted an inconspicuous eye kept on him. They nodded an’ followed her downstairs to the table. There they sat an’ loaded the special ammo that Fernando gave them to use in the 1911 if the need arose. Hillshire noticed their handlin’ ammo, got up from the couch, where he returned after his phone call, an’ walked over to the table.

Hondo returned from the basement after bein’ down there almost 20 minutes to find Jeanie, her men, loadin’ 1911 mags with ammo at the kitchen table. Hillshire was standing beside the table as Hondo entered the room.

Hillshire: Can I get a look at one of those rounds.

Hondo threw the coats Fernando had promised Jeanie onto the table an’ Jeanie’s men looked at Hondo for an answer to Hillshire’s question.

Hondo (growled): I told ya earlier, talk to Fernando after this is over. Ifin I see ya grab even one round I’ll cut your damned fingers off an’ shove the bloody pieces up your nose.

Hillshire: Don’t you threaten me.

Hondo: I’ll threaten whomever I damn well please! When Fernando an’ Tammy are not here I’m in charge of this house an’ I am in charge of this mission too. You steal from Fernando you are stealin’ from me. I nail thieves’ hides to barn doors. You don’t want to piss me off.

Hillshire: Or what? Are you forgetting my cyborg?

Hondo: No. You want to try somethin’? Well, let me tell ya how it plays out. I’m fast, these folks at the table are almost as fast as me, which even though it’s slower than Fernando its fast enough. Before you could blink I’ll have shot you an’ these fine lookin’ gentlemen at the table will have your girly gun shot down. Now even ifin she does kill me I can guarantee 2 things. One, neither of you will live, an’ two I’ll be back. You think Fernando is hard to get rid of? Well, you don’t want ta even start with me.

Hillshire looked at him long an’ hard, unsure what to do. Triela was still watchin’ TV an’ was apparently oblivious to the events at hand, almost like she had grown overly comfortable in this place as if it was her own room. After a long uncomfortable silence Hillshire sighed an’ sat down in an unoccupied chair.

Hillshire: I have no wish to start anything, though I don’t see what the big deal is. I’m sure it’s no national secret.

Hondo: True, but it is Fernando’s an’ he has not given us permission to give it to you. Remember our conversation earlier? You have those you must be loyal to, right? I have no one I must be loyal too, but I choose to be loyal to Fernando. You can steal from me an’ I’ll be pissed off. You steal from my friends an’ I’ll not only be unimaginably angry, but will stop at nothin’ to right the wrong.

Hillshire: I guess I don’t understand that kind of loyalty.

Hondo: I didn’t expect you to.

Hillshire: What does that mean?

Hondo: Do you have a friend that would give his life to protect you an’ you’d do the same for?

Hillshire: No.

Jeanie: That was a quick answer.

Hillshire scowled at her.

Hondo: Then you would not understand. It’s nothin’ one can be taught. Now we have a mission here in a bit. I want the vehicles loaded in the next 30 minutes.

Valentine: What vehicle are we takin’?

They all looked up at Valentine as she stood on the stairs half way point.

Hondo: Almost 30 minutes to the minute, eh?

Valentine: I was listenin’ to your conversation there for a minute. I didn’t want to enter in case you needed backup.

She looked at Hillshire as she said the last sentence an’ he looked at the floor with a frown in response.

Hondo: hmm. Well, we’ll take the truck. ‘Fraid anythin’ else might get damaged. Wouldn’t notice it on this rig. (turnin’ to the other) I want to move out in 1 hour from now. Jeanie, will you be takin’ your car or do ya need a loaner for a pull out vehicle?

Jeanie: We will take my limo.

Hondo: ok, just keep it outta site until needed. I know she’s bullet proofed, but the sight of it will arouse suspicion.

Jeanie: I understand.

Hondo: Hillshire, You have your own car, right.

Hillshire: yes but . . .

Hondo: Good you can take that then.

Hillshire looked a bit annoyed at bein’ cut off but Hondo didn’t care. Hondo needed a quiet ride there an’ wanted to spend time with Valentine alone again. IT could be just the stress but he had a naggin’ feelin’ that things were not gonna go as planned.

Hondo: Alright, we all know what needs done.

Everyone nodded their understandin’ an’ set to tasks at hand.

Valentine set her coat down on the table an’ laid her shotgun on it. Hondo stood there watchin’ her but her eyes didn’t meet his for several seconds. When she finally looked up into his eyes he still stared silently at her.

Valentine: What?

Hondo: Nothin’. Just gettin’ a good look at ya.

Valentine: Don’t worry. You’ll see a lot of this face in the years to come. More than ya bargained for.

Hondo: you’ll get tired of mine before I’ll grow tired of yours, believe you me.

Hondo reached into his back pocket an’ pulled out two leather items an’ handed them to her.

Valentine: What are these?

Hondo: Ropers wrist guards. They are good for other things, though. They give your wrists added support for pistol shootin’ an’ are great to deflect knives or clubs in close fights too.

Valentine stretched up on her toes, since she was almost a foot shorter than Hondo, an’ gave him a light kiss on the cheek.

Valentine: Thanks. I know I haven’t been there for ya, standin’ with ya, like I should have been, but I’m workin’ on it. I promise I won’t let ya down today. I’ll be there, even when I don’t like nor agree with your call. I trust you, an’ I know I’ve been lousy at showin’ ya that I do. I have a lot to learn I guess.

Hondo: We all have a lot to learn. Admittin’ it is half the battle. You’re all I got in this. I don’t trust the SWA to do anythin’ but cover their own asses. Jeanie will help ifin she’s needed but she’s only in case we screw up. It’s us against the world. You ready?

Valentine: As I’ll ever be,

Hondo: Good. Lets git ‘er done.

Everyone worked quickly, gettin’ things together an’ in the vehicles. Everyone looked over their maps an’ things were double an’ triple check as to Hondo’s orders. The hour went by quickly, but things were prepared as were the group well before they had to leave.

Jeanie contemplated tellin’ Hondo what she had overheard several times. She wanted to let him know, but at the same time she knew he didn’t need any more on him at this time. She would tell him after an’ make sure the SWA would not capture Valentine or Hondo.

The hour hit upon which Hondo said they would leave. He had been very quiet for the last hour other than givin’ an order here or there or answerin’ the occasional question. When it was time he said nothin’. He just stood up from the chair where he had sat to rest for a minute, put on his coat, pulled out his truck keys, shut off lights in the house, grabbed his guns, an’ headed to the door. The others did not need promptin’. They all grabbed up what they were gonna carry with them an’ followed. Once everyone was outside Hondo locked an’ secured the house.

Once at the vehicles, they gathered for one last quick meetin’ before the mission.

Hondo: Ok, we all know what needs done. Jeanie, once we get there, get one of your guys in a good spot to watch what’s going on. The rest of your group is to stay well back. Turn on your radios but maintain radio silence unless Valentine or I break it. Understand?

Jeanie: Yes, Hondo, we understand. If you call we’ll be there.

Hondo: Hopefully you will not hear from us. Hillshire, I want you to help them into a good spot , meet with the SWA back-up team then meet us at the far end of the alley off to the west of the buildin’ just short of where Jeanie’s team will be.

Hillshire: What are you doing?

Hondo: Valentine an’ I will head out first an’ we are going to speed a bit. I have a fuzz buster that will shield us from police detection. You two are to maintain legal speed. I want no attention drawn to you two. I will be careful to draw as little attention as possible, myself. I am goin’ to try o find a vantage point ta overlook the buildin’. I want to observe it myself for a bit. El Jefe Grande is a rotten, slippery snake. He will have 2 or more escape routes planned. I know the guy, He’ll be the first to ditch, but what seems like the obvious way that he’s escapin’ will only be a diversion. If it seems obvious expect for him to have gone another direction. Since you an’ Triela are only backin’ us up keep an eye out for him to rabbit on us. ‘cause he will.

Hondo didn’t say another word nor wait for any questions or comments. He swung himself into his truck an’ started the big diesel. It roared to life an’ he revved it a few times, lettin’ the turbo spin up. Valentine sprinted to the passenger door an’ leapt in, barely getting’ the door shut before Hondo hit first gear. Hondo’s truck took off in a light cloud of diesel smoke, an’ the squeal of tires. His tires didn’t stop squealin’ until he hit 3rd gear. The truck took off down the highway like a bat outta hell. The steely look on Hondo’s face as he drove was one to make even the most stout-hearted lad back down. He was ready to charge hell with a bucket of water an’ win.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Aug 16^th, 2012, 11:41pm

OOC: Alright, it's not a full post. I'm still workin' on the actual mission post. This is just character interaction before the mission. the next post will contain the mission at hand. :BIC

Hillshire shook his head as he watched Hondo's truck disappear. Jeanie looked at him with a questionin' raised eyebrow.

Hillshire: Damned American cowboy.

Jeanie: Be careful what you say next. He is Fernando's friend and that makes him mine as well. He is no Fernando but he is good at what he does.

Hillshire: But what he does isn't very nice?

Jeanie: Excuse me?

Hillshire: Just a line from an American comic book character.

Jeanie: I know of whom you speak. Hondo reminds me of him too, but what Hondo does is necessary.

Hillshire: Maybe so, but that cowboy is going to get himself killed and us along with him.

Jeanie: Himself maybe, but others he will not. He'd even sacrifice himself for you if he was needed to, even though it'd be a waste.

Hillshire: Pardon?

Jeanie: You heard me. Also, stop calling him a cowboy.

Hillshire: But his is, is he not?

Jeanie: He is, but you say it in a derogatory way. He is more than a cowboy. He is a man. A man of which likes you could only hope to be.

Hillshire: I thought you didn't like him. I heard you even called him a stupid cowboy. So why stick up for him?

Jeanie: He has proved himself to be more. He pulls off this mission and he'll have my trust and respect, as he should have yours. So what about you? I thought you would have some respect for him after what he and Fernando have done in the past.

Hillshire: If I didn't have any respect I wouldn't be here. What bothers me is that these Americans seem to get special treatment. I'm part of the local government here. I should be leading this and have extra back-up. Hondo should be doing what I say. Instead I am told I am to help these Americans and let them lead,

Jeanie: I might be Asian, but I spent a lot of time in America. I don't like you and want to hear no more talking bad about my friends or their country.

Hillshire: Alright, so we know we don't like each other, fine. But we have a job to do. Shall we go?

Jeanie: After you.

Hillshire frowned at her but said no more. He signaled for Triela to get into the car. She did so an' he followed suit. Jeanie stood an' watched until they were both in their car an' the engine was runnin' before she moved. She nodded to her men an' walked over to her own car. Her driver opened the door for her to get in. She nodded, entered the car an' sat down. Less than a minute later the limo pulled out of the drive behind Hillshire’s Mercedes 500sel station wagon an' headed down the road at about 120 kilometers per hour. The driveway gate shut behind them as they left leavin' the safe house locked up properly to await their return.

Jeanie looked at her watch. They had 2 hours before they needed to be there, but she figured they should make it in 1 hour and 20 minutes at the current pace. She sat back into her seat and closed her eyes to clear her own mind. She had not planned on this stressful or eventful of a time when she first followed Fernando here, but since she was here she was glad she could help.

Hondo an' Valentine speed down the road at approximately 180 kilometers per hour. Though Hillshire and Jeanie's group left only 5 minute later Hondo was already almost 10 miles out when they started his way. Hondo figured that 50 minutes more would see them there, as they had to slow down close to town as there was more traffic to contend with.

Inside the truck the only noise was that of the engine an' the road under them. Neither of them said a word, which was fine by Hondo as he didn't know what to say to her and he had the mission on his mind. For Valentine, it seemed like a painful eternity as she wanted to say so much to him an' have him say certain things to her, but she didn't want to push him.

It was a good 25 minutes before the silence was broke between them.

Hondo: Val, I know you know how to handle yourself, but I need you at the top of your game today.

Valentine: I will be.

Hondo: Good. Know that it's alright to be scared but it's not alright to let it direct your actions.

Valentine: The only thing I'm scared of is failin' you.

Hondo: You won't fail me. I know the last time you locked up some. It's partly my fault. Just don't let your emotions take charge. Think fast an' keep movin'.

Valentine: How is it your fault?

Hondo: I didn't help prepare ya enough. Ya're still a greenhorn at this, for lack of a better term, cloak an' dagger game. I also knew ya were "thrown off yur horse" so to speak. Ya couldn't get back on in time. No one ever gets totally used to this shit, but those of us that have done it longer get used to bein' able to shake off bad rounds an' hide personal fears an' emotions. Not that it's easy nor are ya able to keep your emotions outta it 100% of the time, especially on a mission like this.

Valentine: You mean . .?

Hondo: Laurie, Ann, El Grande (Hector), an' this whole mess. That’s why I need you at your best. Emotions make ya vulnerable in a fight. The best way to go into a fight is dispassionate 'bout those there but generally pissed off. Not angry, hateful, worried, or any other emotion. If you care for me an' let it change your judgment in there that will weaken your judgment.

Valentine: I understand, but what 'bout you?

Hondo: You mean Laurie?

Valentine: Yeah

Hondo: That's why I need you at your best.

Valentine: 'Cause your feelin's for her will hurt your judgment or speed of action?

Hondo: No, but 'cause I don't know how it'll effect me.

Valentine: What 'bout us?

Hondo: Us, as in?

Valentine: You said you cared 'bout me. I know you want to wait until this mission is over to see if there is somethin' lastin' between us, but how will my bein' there effect you?

Hondo: I'm hopin' it will negate any past feelin's that surface 'bout her. An' don't worry 'bout us. Ifin I had not seen anythin' lastin' between us I'd not given you that bio-life pill nor would you share my bed or even be involved in this mission.

Valentine: But what 'bout what you said earlier today 'bout bein' friends even if we don't make it?

Hondo: I meant it, but it's not for me that I said that.

Valentine: Who then?

Hondo: You. I left you an out in our relationship. I want to wait until after this is over so you can decide with a clear mind. I already decided a while back.

Valentine: When?

Hondo: Somewhere between the flash of anger in your eyes in the bar when I didn't help ya with the fist fight an' the scared, hurtin' look in your eyes when I picked ya up off the pavement an' carried ya to me truck.

Valentine: but how? I wasn't sure until we were sittin' by that creek an' even still question myself after that.

Hondo: You still question yourself?

Valentine: No, Yes!, uh I don't know! Honestly, I know I want to be with you, but we've been together such a short time. Everythin' in me says yes except that logical part of my mind that says you can't know someone or fall in love that fast. But honestly, how did you know?

Hondo: The eyes are the gateway to the soul. I'm part Native American, ya know. They say the Native American man has a gift for readin' the soul. Whether it's true or not, I don't know, but I seem to be able to. In those brief moments that I looked into your eyes I saw the woman ya are an' the child ya were. Is it the total bein' of who ya are? No, but I saw enough to know there was someone to ride the river with.

Valentine: I don't know what to say.

Hondo: Ya don't need ta say anythin'.

Valentine: I wish I was gifted like you.

Hondo: No ya don't. Besides ifin ya were like me we might not get along. Similarities bring people together, but it's the differences in them that keep them together. The differences keep a relationship interestin', as long as they don't make ya go head ta head, that is.

Valentine: So, are ya sayin' ya love me?

Hondo: No, but yes. What I'm sayin' is I care for ya, deeply.

Valentine: But you just said . . .

Hondo: I know! I have decided on my part, but until this is over . . . look, I know we held each other, an' kissed, an' shared some very intimate times together in the last couple days. I shouldn't have let it happen. It was selfish of me. I let my emotions get the better of me. Ifin ya still want me after this is over, an' I don't mean the minute it’s over, I mean in a month or 2 after it's over. Ifin after ya've had time to come to terms with what we have an' will do here, relax, rest up, heal up, visit home, whatever ya need ta do to feel that some normality is back in your life an' ya don't see me as some monster for what must be done here, then if you still want me I'll be there waitin' for you. If that time comes I will be there with open arms to tell ya want ya want to hear, not 'cause ya want it but 'cause I'll mean it. Then I too can find peace 'bout us.

Valentine: You don't have peace about us now?

Hondo: I've been told by supposed men of God, medicine men, gypsies, an' gambler that I was destined for a lonely life, without love, an' those that said they loved me or cared will either realize they don't, die, or are lyin' to trap me.

Valentine: I'd never try to trap ya or sell ya out!

Hondo: I believe that, an' ya technically can't die on me, though ya can be outta commission for a while.

Valentine: So that leaves . . . oh. So ya think I might realize I don't care about ya or love ya after this is over. But I do love you an’ . . an’ . . .

Hondo: It's a possibility. But it doesn't matter at the moment.

Valentine (sigh): I know. I just can't believe that we're now goin' to finish what we all came here to do.

Hondo: I know. It don't seem ta settle in until you’re in the middle of it or done. Just don't let the emotion of it stop you.

Valentine: But what if I make a wrong decision about somethin'?

Hondo: The most important thing is when ya make a decision, follow it through. Stoppin' mid decision ta think it over will only cause ya to mess up worse or get killed. It makes ya stop too long. Sometimes ya hafta tweak a plan as you see it's not workin' but changin' mid stride is not a good thing unless you already know exactly what ta do an' how to transition. Ifin ya hafta think 'bout either of those, don't change, just do.

Valentine: Okay, I'll try to remember that.

They rode in silence for a few minutes longer. Hondo did not intend on goin' off into that conversation but sometimes things present themselves that ya don't plan on or hope will not happen but when they do ya just hafta roll with the punches. Valentine broke the silence this time.

Valentine: So you think El Grande will run?

Hondo: I know he will. He doesn’t care 'bout anyone but himself.

Valentine: That goes for most folks in the crime world.

Hondo: Most, yeah. Carin' for another, loyalty, honor, it's all seen as a weakness to men like Hector Hatfield an' his ilk.

Valentine: I wonder about the SWA, too.

Hondo: How so?

Valentine: I see how they treat you, Fernando, me, all of us on this mission. They act like we're the bad guys, but it seems like they are the bad guys. Are they even gonna back us up or are they gonna help us then shoot us at their earliest possible moment?

Hondo: They will help us. After it's over they may want to shoot us, but they are scared. They still don't understand how Fernando is here. The agency double lie we tried sellin' to them pacified them but I'm not sure they believe it 100%. They know if somehow Fernando did come back that even ifin we can't do the same he'll kill them all without mercy.

Valentine: He would do that?

Hondo: I'm surprised you question that, but I guess you don't know him like I do. Don't you worry; just stick to the plan an' all will be well. Your guns all loaded?

Valentine: Yes.

Hondo: Good. Now remember, the guards should be normal men. Use your regular ammo on them. Ifin they act like it doesn't bother them smoke them with one to the head an' chest with the depleted uranium rounds. That will take them out no matter what they are. Laurie and Hector are a different story. I don't know ifin Laurie has any cybernetic parts or not, but she is on a mind control drug of sorts. She still acts on her own, but it makes her loyal to the giver. It may also make her hard to shoot. I will try to take her out myself, but ifin ya get a clear shot first take it. This is not for revenge, remember, though it will revenge loved ones for each of us. This is an extermination.

Valentine (sighs): Yeah, I know. I had wanted you to save El Grande for me, but you’re right. It doesn't matter who kills them as long as they are dead.

Hondo: Right. Now look at the maps for me an' give me a good route to get 'round the back of the buildin' opposite the warehouse. I don't want to go straight there, that way will be watched. We are 15 minutes from there. We need to get there as unseen as possible an' take a look before Jeanie gets here.

Valentine: Alright, I see some alleys that might get us there that they should not expect anyone to approach from.

Hondo: Alright, which way?

18 minutes later Hondo an' Valentine climbed out of the truck an' made their way to the top of an adjacent buildin' without bein' seen by anyone else other than an early SWA spotter. He figured he was probably recognized but he also knew there was to be no shootin' until the word was given. They would be safe. . . for now.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Aug 24^th, 2012, 2:26pm

A coded knock on the door allows it to be opened. An old man in a white shirt, black pants and a leather apron stands behind the open door, telling the younger man in a suit and a suitcase to enter. The younger man enters the tenement apartment, the smell of aged rank and filth permeates through the place, a building from three or four hundred years of age. The old man closes and locks the door, turning round to the younger man.

“She’s in the other room. Just follow me, Dr. Bianchi.”, the old man tells him.

The younger man follows him down a hallway that makes up the place which several rooms connect to it; a large space as a living room, a kitchen with a small dining area, a bathroom with a tub and toilet install when the building had inside plumbing over 100 years ago, a bedroom, and then a second bedroom which they walk inside.

Parting the curtains that makes up its door to the bedroom, they find a large bed , a small folding serving table with surgeon’s tools on it, an open bottle of a clear liquid on it and a wet handkerchief. On the bed was a blond mouse with her blouse torn at the shoulder and forceps holding back the skin to a very large wound.

“We don’t have much time, Dr. Bianchi. The Ether should be wearing off in less than an hour.”, the old man tells him.

Dr. Bianchi puts the suitcase on the on the bed, opens it to reveal a new shoulder ball joint and tools to work with it. He takes his time putting on his lab coat and glove stored in the suit case. The last thing he puts on is a plastic visor that covers his face entirely. He walks along the length of the bed, looking at the patient and then at her wound. A couple of fingers at the side of the neck registers a strong pulse. The gaping wound showed extensive damage to the shoulder ball joint. He reaches inside the bag and takes out a tool without looking, applying to the wound, reaching down into the arm until a loud snapping is heard, followed by a whirring sound.

Six inches of the metal down the arm is pull on until it sticks out of the wound. Another tool goes into the wound, separating the metal collar bone from the should ball joint. Once room is made, the shoulder ball joint is removed. Dr. Bianchi looks at it, seeing the deformity just below the head of the shoulder ball joint. Dr. Bianchi reaches into the wound and pulls out the a plastic and steel cup ball retainer, also deformed making its entrance more like a ‘C.’

With items in hand, he looks for a place to put them down. The old man looks at him with a towel stretched across hands.

“Put them here. I’ll take care of them.”, the old mad tell him.

Without thinking, he puts the items on the towel, the old man take them away. He then takes the new shoulder assembly in his hand and spins the shaft on the socket, testing it for travel and smoothness.

Putting it in the shoulder cavity and fastening it to the rest of the cybernetic components takes a few minutes, with testing of its connection inside and travel of the arm to the shoulders, minor adjustments were made to it before the open flesh was closed up. The skin was patched with a square piece in the brief case. A little glue and solvent put with it seals the patch in place. Except for a little wrinkling, it looks like her natural skin.

Dr. Bianchi turns to face the old man, “Where can I wash up, the bathroom perhaps?”

The old man nods as he points to the hall. Dr. Bianchi heads to the hall and towards the bathroom. He take his time washing himself up in the surgeon’s style of working the soap and scrub brush from under his fingernails down to halfway onto his forearms, creating a good lather in the process. He rinses off as timely as he took to lather up, taking his time to do a through job. Hs does not know that the old man was securing a few tools from his tool case for themselves, replacing them with similar weighing objects from an automotive tool kit.

When done he heads back to the bedroom where the old man and the patient was. The old man was already at the doorway with an black attaché case loaded with euros in medium to high denominations.

“One million euros, plus a little extra for a work well done.”, the old man says as he puts a brick of 500 denomination euros inside Dr. Bianchi’s lab coat. He continues, “The lady would like you to stay and wait for her to wake up. She has something else to offer you, a position in her company I believe it is. You would be well paid, more than you would ever receive in an advanced medical career with the government.”

“I will think about it, but right now I have to go.”, Dr. Bianchi says.

“If you like, I could drive you to where you have to go.”, the old man tells him.

“No, but thank you. Let me get my surgeon’s case and I’ll be on my way.”, Dr. Bianchi states.

The old man gets the case from the table and hands it to him, saying, “Have it your way then.” Then he starts leading him to the exit door at the end of the hallway.

Without saying a word, Dr. Bianchi steps out of the apartment and down the stairs from which he came. After the passing of a couple of floors, Dr. Bianchi steps out onto the foyer and then the outside steps of the run down neighborhood. He walks the couple of blocks to his car.

He stops by the driver’s door, putting down the cases he was carrying containing money and tool on the ground, he fumbled for his keys. It takes about a minutes for him to find the keys to his 1999 Masserati Quartovalvole. The sound of him putting the key into the key hole sounded too much like a gun being readied to fired. He freezes in place for a second, sneaking his free hand into his lab coat where he kept a hand gun in. Then he recognizes the voice behind him.

“I would advise you to turn around slowly, Dr. Bianchi.”, Ferro tells him from behind.

He stands up from being hunched over in turning his car key in the door and puts the key in his pocket as he faces her, finding that Ferro was not alone. Marco stood next to her with Angie at his side. Her Beretta 9mm pointed at him

“What is she doing here?”, Dr. Bianchi asks.

Marco step up to him, taking him by the wrist, turning him around and pushing him against his car, “You’re being put under arrest.” The handcuffs tie his wrists together, before being frisked. Marco pulls out the brick of 500-euros out, showing it at Ferro. She nods at him before putting the brick of paper money to his face. She takes and opens his surgical case and opens it, finding automotive repair tools inside.

“This is interesting...”, Ferro says as she shows the contents of the case to Marco. Bianchi turns around to see what they were talking about, seeing the car tools in his case. “Is this what they use to repair the cyborgs with?”, she continues.

“That’s the case, but those are automotive tools that were put in. I’ve seen the emergency surgery kits many times before, those are not the tools. See how they do not exactly fit the molded tool areas?”, Marco explains. He picks up the other case, opening it and finding the load of cash inside. “My. This would not be your retirement package.”, he taunts the doctor.

Dr. Bianchi decides to remain silent but Ferro does not, “Where is she?”

Dr. Bianchi continues to remain quiet.

“Don’t give me reason to make you give up answers, doctor.”, Marco tells him, “I already too many lost to the likes of those scumbags. Now, where is she.”

“I know my rights.”, Dr. Bianchi snaps at him.

“Padania members have no rights.”, Marco tells him, “Now, how would you like me to take out those answers, or should I have Angie do it for me?”

“That’s police brutality!”, Dr, Bianchi almost yells out. It was followed by a hard slap by at the ear which knocks him down.

“I will treat you just like any other criminal terrorist. Consider yourself lucky that you are not on the Termination list, or Angie would have put in you what ever how many bullets it takes to take you down. But if you dont cooperate I might have her put a couple of rounds in you!”, Marco lets out at him.

“We need him alive.”, Ferro reminds Marco.

“He’ll be alive, I promise you that. I will have him ready for interrogation and admitting everything.”, Marco tells her.

“Make sure he is a able to speak when we take him in for interrogation.”, Ferro reminds him.

“Wait a minute!”, Dr. Bianchi complains from the floor, “That’s police brutality! I know my rights! “

“Angie.”, Marco tells her, “Give me your gun and shut him up.”

She does as she is told, handing over her Berretta 9mm to her handler, and then pounces on Dr. Bianchi, pummeling him with titanium reinforced fists. Even though he learns to shut up after a couple of minutes of being beaten, Angie continues until he passes out. Then she gets off him.

“Thank you Angie.”, Marco tells her as he hand her back her gun.

“You’re welcomed Marco.”, Angie replies.

“You better hope he wakes up for the interrogation.”, Ferro says in an angered tone.

“Don’t worry. Angie did not killed him, as much as he deserves it.”, Marco says. He then hands over the brief case with the money over to Ferro, then quickly frisks Dr. Bianchi on the unchecked areas, taking out his personal handgun, wallet, eyeglass case and agency clip on ID Tag. He hands each item to Ferro as they are found.

“Shall I take his Masserati?”, Marco asks.

“No. But give me your smartphone. I’ll program his number and voice onto it, so if they call, you can trick them into a meeting.”, Ferro explains.

Handing the iphone to Ferro, she puts a SIMM Chip into a slot on the side of the device. She then accesses an app* on the SIM Chip and taps on the screen a few times to access various options of the app. She then shuts down the program, removes the SIMM Chip and hands the smartphone over to Marco.

“Dr. Bianchi’s number, contacts from his last back up and voice transforming software are now in your smartphone. Any call that comes in from his database will activate his voice protocols and your voice will speak in his voice. Any calls coming in from your database, including any agency number you two share, will be in your voice when you speak.”. Ferro explains to him.

“Nice.”, Marco says.

“There are a couple of numbers in his database without names, so who knows who they are, and perhaps those we are looking for. Just be careful in what you say and how you say it when speaking with them.”, Ferro tells him.

“Oh I will.”, Marco replies.

- - - - - - - - -
*Note: App, short for Application Program or Software Application. It is a program used for adding functions to a digital device.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Aug 27^th, 2012, 10:32pm

OIC: OK, so this post doesn't contain the mission, but it definitely launches it. been short on time an' it hasn't flowed like I wanted it to. I've rewritten Hondo an' Hillshire's dialog 5 or 6 times. this is the best one so far. So I'm postin' this to keep things goin' an' to keep me from totally rewritin' it again! : BIC

Hondo lay in the shadows with a pair of old field glasses lookin’ over the warehouse. Very little activity was seen. A few guards wandered about on rounds but other than an occasional passin’ vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian all was quiet. The place looked the same as it did last time except for the lack of vehicles outside the warehouse, a few steel panels where there used to be windows, an’ a helicopter on the far side of the roof, partially obstructed from view by a short wall. It was quiet there . . . way too quiet.

Hondo had lain there for a while before Valentine came around the corner, keepin’ low as she came to his side. Valentine had been watchin’ from the far side of the buildin’, keepin’ an eye out for Hillshire an’ Jeanie’s vehicles. She spoke in a low voice as she approached.

Valentine: They should be here in 5 minutes.

Hondo: Alright, we'd better get down there. Head out. I’ll be right behind ya.

Valentine nodded an’ moved off slowly towards the door that got them up there. Hondo waited a few minutes, watchin’ the surroundin’ area to make sure there was no activity caused by their movement or the approachin’ vehicles. After he was sure things were stable for the moment he moved farther back into the shadows an’ retreated along the same path Valentine took.

Below, Hillshire an’ Jeanie pull up beside the truck where Valentine stood. Hillshire, Triela, Jeanie, an’ one of her body guards got out of their prospective vehicles an’ approached Valentine.

Hillshire: Where is Hondo?

Valentine: He’ll be along.

Hillshire: I did not ask when he will be here. Where is he?

From a few yards behind Hillshire came the answer.

Hondo: I’m right here.

Hillshire: You should not sneak up on someone like that at a time like this.

Hondo: You should be more aware of yur surroundin’s at a time like this. Turn yur back to the wrong spot for too long an’ yur dead. Speakin’ of that, why the hell did ya come straight here?

Hillshire: They are not watching. They are understaffed and the new guards are untrained.

Hondo: Are you a complete idiot?

Hillshire: How dare you call me an idiot!

Hondo: I didn’t call ya anythin’. I asked a question.

Hillshire: I am not an idiot. We have taken down 100 or more of these would be American drug dealers.

Hondo shook his head in disgust.

Hondo: Haven’t ya been listenin’ at these meetin’s we’ve been havin’?

Hillshire: Yes, of course I have listened!

Valentine: Doesn’t sound like you’ve listened.

Hillshire: What do you mean?

Hondo: Hector Hatfield, AKA El Jefe Grande, will not let his guard down. I bet ya 10 to 1 he knows we’re here. Had ya been more careful we could have kept him in the dark longer or at least peaked his curiosity enough to make him string out some of his help. Yeah, he doesn’t maybe have all the guards he used to have, but he’s a rat. A cornered rat is the most dangerous, believe you me. I killed him once. This same cyborg shit y’all use is what brought him back too! Someone with that kinda money isn’t hidin’ an’ vulnerable. So smarten up or leave.

Jeanie: He knows we are going to come to him. This is his home here. He has the advantage. You would do well to listen.

Hillshire: I am the SWA officer in charge here and I will not be ordered by any of you.

Hondo turned to him, obviously pissed off, an’ walked up to Hillshire. He got right close, face to face with Hillshire so that he could see the veins in Hondo's neck as his muscles tightened. Hondo spoke through grit teeth, in low, harsh tones.

Hondo: I don’t know who ya think ya are or who I am, but git this straight, I don’t care ‘bout you or this little piece of shit country of yurs. I don’t care ‘bout yur problems, successes, fears, loves, hates, friends, or enemies. What I care ‘bout is those folks that came with me, my friends who trust me, an’ takin’ down this son of a bitch an’ his operation! He has taken an’ killed those that I cared for. I will stop at nothin’ to get him. I’ll go through you an’ your whole #$@!in’ country ifin I hafta to see that this bastard is put down like the mad-dog he is!! Now your place is backin’ us up; not leadin’! You back us up an’ you get the honor of tellin’ your boss that this scum in yur country was put down on yur watch an’ any information they have on yur Padania terrorists is now yurs. Ya fail to back us up or hinder us an’ either myself, Fernando, or both of us will tear yur organization down an’ make all y’all wish ya never existed. An' believe you me, you will wish for death but it’ll not come soon enough!

Hillshire (hissed): Are you threatening me?

Hondo: No. Merely statin’ fact. You can know yur place an’ stand with us or ya can stand against us. There is no other choice. All other choices 'sides standin’ with us fit into the “against us” spot. Yur move, Chess Master.

Hillshire: As much as it pains me to say it, I know you are a man of your word. I also would not put it past you or Fernando to take us down again, though you might be surprised how much harder it would be this time. Unfortunately we cannot afford the bad P.R. it would bring us to fight your group and I have been ordered to help you. Just know this. I was given the opportunity to let another group help you. I chose to go with you. I just think I should lead.

Hondo: That is not up for debate. You're back-up an’ will follow the plan that was laid out ifin y’all plan to be a part of this.

Hillshire: Alright. You lead. But hear this, this plan fails and the blood of your group is on your head, not mine. We will back you up the best we can.

Hondo: An’ what proof do I have that you’ll hold up your end an’ not run away or shoot us in the back?

Hillshire: That we will do our part, you will just have to trust us. That we will not shoot you in the back, well, I am not stupid. You have extra back-up with that Asian woman and her men, plus Fernando will ask questions if you do not come back. I need at least one of you two alive to take the blame off of us. As you Americans say, "you can bet your Wellingtons on it."

Hondo: Boots.

Hillshire: What?

Hondo: Boots, you can bet your boots, oh, never mind. I’m trustin’ you then.

Jeanie stepped up an’ cleared her throat.

Jeanie: It is no longer a time for talking.

Hondo: Yeah, yur right. It’s that time. Y’all ready to git dangerous?

Everyone either nodded or voice that they were ready. Hondo stood there for a moment lookin’ from one to another of them.

Hondo: Alright. Jeanie, get a lookout in this buidin’ then get the rest of ya a block over an’ in position for a snatch an’ grab. Take my truck with ya an’ have it ready to bug-out in case of an emergency. Hillshire, we’ll ride with you to the SWA groupin’ spot. We’ll storm the place from there since there is more cover from that approach, as talked ‘bout in our last meetin’. Now, Let’s Go!

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Nov 1^st, 2012, 8:40pm

Posting tomarow. It will be the last post as far as Fernando's chase is concerned.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Nov 1^st, 2012, 11:51pm

Fernando gets to Rome a few minutes after Marco does, making his way to the St. Lorenzo General Hospital. He curses the Roman traffic along the way.

He knows that he is taking a chance in going to the hospital but it is a chance that he is going to take. In his mind Anne should have taken her action to escape by now, but there was no chatter on the emergency frequencies. There could be a possibility on the situation being kept in-house, which would be stupid on their part with massive casualties to be the end result if they do. He presses on the gas pedal, crossing a red light and blaring his horn as he zooms across the intersection.

In another five minutes of city traffic, Fernando was pulling into the hospital parking lot. He parks his car in a parking slot closest to the hospital’s main entrance and steps out of the vehicle. Aisapi, the car’s artificial intelligence system, secures itself as Fernando walks away. Going through the swinging doors, Fernando make his way to the information booth line, which was filled with family members waiting to get visiting passes. He decides to cut the line, expecting trouble.

Trouble comes in the form of a large Mafiaso type in a suit holding flowers in one arm, yelling, “Mira madri fonguli..!” (‘Look here mother #$@!er...!’)

The threat is met with having a large bore caliber gun pointed to his face. Those behind and around him panic and charge out of the area looking for cover. Fernando steps backwards to the information desk, giving it a quick glance to see where everything was. Once at the information booth, he yells, “Morgue!”

The panicked booth attendant chatters the instructions in a hurried pace that no one could understand. Despite it, Fernando makes some sense if the finger pointing to the hallway. He decides to leave in that direction, where a couple of nervous guards were there holding their night sticks. As he steps across the Apache line, the two guards step in and swing their sticks at Fernando. The one at his left swings at his head, is blocked and gets a solid fast blow to his nose. He reels back unconscious against the wall with his nose broken. The other swings for the mid section, hitting as hard as he could. Fernando does not flinch on impact, three layers of ballistic protection doing its job if keeping the force of impact to a minimum. Fernando takes the night stick and yanks is from the guard’s grasp, and then grabs his ear and twists it in the motherly fashion he learned from mom. The guard could only bend over in a twisted flaying arms form to lessen the pain as much as possible.

“You’re coming with me...”, Fernando hisses at him and he leads him by the ear. The guard could only whimper with each step he took. It takes two long and grueling minutes to get to the morgue.

Once down the hall facing the morgue, he sees Alessandro and Petrushka by the morgue entrance. They see him as he approaches them with the guarding whimpering as he took steps in an awkward and twisted way. They draw their guns as he got closer. Fernando stops when he is within ten feet from them. With a hard push, he throws the guard to the floor.

“‘Sandro, you read your message about Protocol 51-3?”, Fernando tells him as the guard quickly crawls away.

“What message?”, Alessandro asks.

“Go look on your cellphone. I promise not to do anything.”, Fernando answers.

Alessandro give him a scowl before reaching for his phone. He fingers through the touch screen at the various messages. “From Director Petris? Hmmm… Petrushka, it says for you to establish Protocol 51-3 by order of Director Petris. Know what it is?”

Petra does not answer but puts away her gun.

“Petra?”, Alessandro asks.

“I suggest you read the rest of that message.”, Fernando tell him.

Alessandro continues to read the message though he did not want too, “By special order I command all fratello teams to cease and desist any and all standing orders to capture, arrest and detain Fernando G at all costs. He is under special orders from both I and his agency to capture and terminate the terrorist Anne. You are to assist him and comply to his orders. Any fratello units and Section One and Two agents not willing to comply to these orders are to see me to discuss about the rest of their careers with Public Safety.” He looks up at Fernando, “I don’t believe this.”

“Dare to question it, or are we entering that room?”, Fernando asks.

“And if we enter the room, what do you expect?”, Alessandro asks.

“Tell, during the time you and your cyborg was here, did anyone entered or leave this area?”, Fernando asks.

“Uhm... There was a female doctor leaving from the other room. She had her arm in a sling.”, Alessandro explains.

“That was Anne!”, Fernando exclaims, “Now open the door!”

“How could that be Anne? The rooms are not connected. Besides, aint she dead?”, Alessandro replies.

“Open that door and we will find out if she is. I say a thousand euros that she is not in there and that doctor was Anne.”, Fernando tells him.

“So, who’s going in first?”, Alessandro asks.

“Send in your cyborg to scout the area but not to touch anything and come back to tell us the results.”, Fernando answers.

“Good enough. Petra, you got that?”, Alessandro agrees and asks his cyborg.

“Yes, Sandro.”, Petrushka answers.

Taking the keys from his pocket, Alessandro opens the door to let Petruska in. Fernando steps back from the door to make himself less of a threat to them. In a minute Petrushka opens the door and stands in the doorway, keeping it open.

“There is a dead body in there and a few open lockers in the other room.”, Petra says.

“There should be dead bodies in there, it’s the morgue.”, Alessandro replies in an annoyed tone.

“The dead body is on the floor.”, Petra explains herself further.

“Why didn’t you say so… never mind.”, Alessandro says as he runs into the room. Fernando signals for Petrushka to enter further into the room before entering and following Alessandro. He walks up to the examination room where Alessandro was checking the carotid pulse on the body. “He’s dead.”, Alessandro says.

“Too bad for him. But the question remains, where’s Anne?”, Fernando walks about the place and finds the locker room with its own exit door. “You owe me a thousand euros.”

“I owe you nothing!”, Alessandro says as he walks into the locker room behind Fernando, seeing the other exit door. “Shit. I need to call Marco on this.”

“Go ahead. I’ll be right next to you, not touching any of the evidence.”, Fernando tells him.

Alessandro just scowls at him as he takes out his cell phone. A few taps on the screen, he puts the cellphone to his ear. In a few seconds, Marco answers his phone.

“Yes ‘Sandro?”, Marco asks.

“We have a situation at the hospital.”, Alessandro begins to explain, “The doctor is dead and Anne’s body is missing.”

“What?!!”, Marco yells on the phone.

“The doctor is dead and Anne is missing.”, Alessandro repeats himself.

“I heard you the first time.”, Marco replies angrily.

“Fernando is also here, and I need an explanation on this...*”, Alessandro tries to explain but Marco interrupts him.

“What do you mean he’s there? Put him on the phone now!”, Marco holds back from yelling.

Alessandro looks at Fernando for a second as he takes the iPhone off his ear and puts it on speaker phone mode. He then stretches out his arm to give Fernando the phone, saying, “Marco wants to talk to you and he does not sound happy.”

Fernando takes the cellphone from Alessandro, “I don’t care if he’s tip toeing through the tulips with Jean. Oh, hello Marco. Tip toeing through the tulips with Jean?”

“I told you, you are not to go to the hospital looking for Anne!”, Marco tells him sternly for all to hear.

“Consider your team lucky that they did not confront Anne or you would have a dead fratello team to deal with and I would be calling for assistance on them. If I didn’t come, they would be found dead, what hours? Days when you come to check up on them? And remember Director Petris’ orders. You are to help me. Not me help you but I will offer what assistance is required after I think about it.”, Fernando tells him.

“You were ordered not to be there. Besides, how did you know where she was?”, Marco tells him sternly before asking.

“Your biggest mistake is using St. Lorenzo for everything. If it wasn’t for that it would have taken me longer to go through 9 more hospitals with Morgue facilities. Now, how about discussing what we found?”, Fernando answers and then questions as he walks to the doctor’s body.

“What have you found?”, Marco sternly asks.

“Mind you, Alessandro is touching everything and leaving fingerprints behind, not me. But looking at the doctor, red bruising around the neck under the chin. She probably cracked his trachea, but that is not what killed the poor doctor...”, Fernando began explaining.

“Then what killed him?”, Marco asks in an annoyed tone.

“Think about it, Marco. His neck was snapped, as the odd angle his head is in comparison to the rest of his body. Death was instant, at least she did not let him suffer for too long. Lets. There is this locker area we just found. You guys probably did not check it when you brought body over here.”, Fernando answers.

“What about the locker room?”, Marco continues to ask in his annoyed tone.

“I was getting to that. First I have to enter it and see what Alessandro broke this time.”, Fernando replies.

“I did not break a thing!”, Alessandro yells out to be heard.

“Anyways. Looks like several lockers are open, and don’t know what may be missing but the clothes Anne was wearing are here on the floor. Hmmm… Alessandro, check the doctor’s body for his personal effects. I doubt he will have any.”, Fernando explains to Marco and then to Alessandro.

“I don’t remember you being my supervising commander.”, Alessandro says to him.

“Go search the doctor’s body for his personal effects.”, Marco tells him from the speaker phone.

Alessandro follows his orders. It only takes a few seconds for find nothing outside of his clipped on ID Tag. “There’s nothing on him.”, he says.

“If you know his name, you should check DMV records for his personal vehicle. I’ll bet a luxury car that belongs to him is missing from the parking lot.”, Fernando says out loud.

“Why a luxury car?”, Marco asks.

“Seen the hospital staff parking lot?”, Fernando asks and says, “Its full of Mercedes, Lexues, Infinities, Audis, and couple large American cars. I seriously doubt our dead medic will be driving a Toyota.”

“Then consider this as an order, do not leave the place until I get there with a clean up crew. Got that?”, Marco demands from the iphone.

“Sure, why not. I’m not not here when you get here, I’ll be upstairs hacking a vending machine for a free snacks.”, Fernando tells him.

“Stay there and don’t anything stupid!”, Marco almost yells. Having heard enough of this dead end discussion, Fernando hangs up the phone and shuts it off before handing it back to Alessandro.

“I’ll be back from the cafeteria. You and your cyborg want anything? Soda, pastries, coffee?”, Fernando asks.

“Your orders are for you to stay here.”, Alessandro tells him.

“I would like to see you try to enforce an order that does not pertain to me for I am not a member of your agency. Now, lets see – Coffee, light, two sugars? I’ll be back”, Fernando tells him. He then walks out the open door at the main room. He returns from the hospital cafeteria in less then ten minutes.

Marco arrives with Angie twenty minutes after Fernando’s return, seeing him finishing off a pastry and a coffee. Looking around to survey the scene, Marco does not like what he sees. He walks to the far end of the locker room, pulls out his cellphone and makes a call to Priscilla.

“Hello, Priscilla? Yes. What you have on the doctor doing Anne’s autopsy? OK. What kind of car does he drive? A beige Lexus? You got the license plate? Good. Get an APB on it. Anne’s escape and may have taken the doctor’s vehicle. The doctor is dead. We need a clean up crew here. I’ll call Ferro later. Thank you.”, he says into his cellphone. He then steps back to the other room where Fernando stood at the doorway.

“Well?”, Fernando asks.

“A Beige Lexus. Police will be looking for it.”, Marco answers.

“And that will scare her from getting to it when they find it and surround it. Besides, she probably used it to take her somewhere, not bring her back.”, Fernando explains.

“Then what, we cant find her after that?”, Marco asks.

“It’s a general area if she is there. I doubt she would stay, let alone drive the same car to a destination but rather a to pick up point.”, Fernando explains.

“You think you are up to taking her down?”, Marco asks.

“I made a mistake once of not killing her. I’m not going to make that same mistake again.”, Fernando tells her.

“You are going to have to play you’re A-game.”, Marco explains.

“What do you mean by that?”, Fernando asks.

“There is a ninety percent chance that Anne has been repaired.”, Marco answers.

“How are you sure of that?”, Fernando asks.

“We caught one of our own with a repair tool kit and an empty parts box. We have him in detention and are questioning him as we speak.”, Marco answers.

“Bianchi again.”, Fernando says before taking a sigh. He says as he steps to the doorway, “Marco. Get to the safe house and untie Tammy.”

“Where are you going?”, Marco asks.

“Out to get more doughnuts. Where you think I’m going!”, Fernando says before leaving through the door.

Fernando runs down the hall and up the stairs, making his way through the maze of halls that a hospital can be. He eventually gets out to the parking lot and into his Porsche.

Meanwhile down stairs, Marco looks at Alessandro, “Don’t touch anything.” He then signals to Angie to follow him. Together they leave the room.

Fernando makes it to well to do apartment in the rich part of Rome after hiding his Porsche several blocks away in a hotel in door parking lot. He sits hidden in the living room and waits. He checks his gun’s bullets as he waits, and switches to a full magazine.

Anne arrives to one of her many homes in Rome, carrying a couple of bags of groceries. She quietly takes to the kitchen, not knowing she was alone. Fernando keeps quiet as he sees her shadow pass by him. A loud ‘thunk’ tells him that she has put her groceries one of the kitchen shelves. The rustling of the bags says she’s putting away what ever she had bought at the stores.

Fernando crawls his away to the kitchen area, slowly getting up at the doorway. As he hears her go to the refrigerator one more time, he steps in front of the doorway with his gun aimed at her. She turns around to get to the bag and sees him at the doorway.

“You should have shot me when I had my back towards you.”, Anne tells him.

“Only a coward shots anyone in the back.”, Fernando replies.

“So what’s keeping you? Shoot already!”, Anne shouts at him.

“No. Consider yourself under arrest.”, her tells her.

“You’re joking.”, she replies.

“I don’t joke.”, Fernando says, adding, “For murder of a federal agent, grand theft of American equipment from an American facility, physical hacking and theft of American servers in an American facility, terrorism by bombing of an American airline, murder of several individuals on that plane including the Rescue Rangers, UN Staff and members of the SWA. And there is more.”

“BULLSHIT! NO ONE WAS ON THAT PLANE!”, Anne yells out.

“For all that you’re facing the death sentence in American alone. You’re facing a termination order by the Italian government. With me you get to live long enough to see trial.”, Fernando tells her.

She reaches into the refrigerator behind her and throws a jar of olives at him, missing him by inches. He shakes his head at her.

“You missed.”, he tells her.

She gets frustrated. He pulls back on the trigger on his weapon.

“You know Anne. If you didn’t run away, I was going to make you suffer for you did to me.”, Fernando tells her, “But I see Bianchi rebuilt you. That bastard.” He lets out a sigh. “Anything he gives you, I can take away.”, he says before shooting her in the shoulder, and blowing out the rebuilt cybernetics inside. She instinctively clutches at the wounded area.

He follows his aim on her as she slides down onto the floor. As soon as she is on her rear end on the floor. He shifts his aim to her other shoulder and lets out another shot. Her hand holding the wounded shoulder suddenly drops to her lap. His aim shifts and he shoots her at both hips and knees, then the ankles on both legs and the elbows and wrists on both arms. He puts down his shooting arm and takes out a cellphone. He makes a call to Marco. The call gets answered on the third ring.

“Hello Marco. Where are you? Get a crew over to me. I have Anne incapacitated. No, she’s alive but she will not be moving under her own power. Exterminate her? Not for you people. You want her dead, kill her yourself. And get Ferro to call off the police before they come here. In thirty minutes? I see. I’ll wait for your arrival.”, Fernando says to the phone before closing it and putting it away. Then he looks at Anne.

“The SWA will be here to enact on a termination order on your skank ass for everyone you have ever killed, everything you have ever bombed, every terror plot you involved yourself in. May the lord be more merciful towards your soul. I will not be if we are meet again.”, he tells her.

“Why don’t you kill me here and now.”, Anne taunts at him.

“I don’t outright kill anyone unless it is in self defense. Being faster on the draw, I can outdraw and outshoot most people when they reach for the guns. So I am not going to shoot you here in the condition you are in. Let the little girls who you tried to kidnap or destroy do that for you.”, he tells her. He then reaches for a chair and puts it where he stands and sits down on it. “If you want forgiveness, you are not having it from me.”, he tells her.

“Go #$@! yourself.”, Anne tells him.

“It would not take much to do such to your ass. But I do not need to rape you to prove a point. I already have a loving wife who will do anything I ask. You remember Tammy. You made her a widow and forced me into hiding for several months. You also wanted to eliminate her so you can have Bink. Tammy is that little cyborg’s blood and flesh sister from the same mother. You can not eliminate that kind of a bond. Never. Not even in death will you be able to eliminate that bond and one day Bink would find out what you did to her sister and kill you for killing her and it would only taken a matter of time. And then what? You will be using her in your terrorist acts. You will not change. You will continue to do bad, hurt and kill innocent people because you believe that people like you are above it all and they are just collateral damage. Why? Because you have money? Because you can sway political thinking in this country? You’re just a stupid rich brat who thinks she can have it her way. Well, life it not Burger King; you cant have it your way all the time. Too bad you only have less than a hour to change to a better life.”, he tells her.

“Just you wait. When I’m gone there will be somebody worse than I to take my place, and that person will show no mercy to any of you all!”, Anne tells him.

“Then I wont hesitate to put a bullet into his head. At least I give you the respect you never gave me to sit here and watch you die when they come for you.”, Fernando replies.

“You can bend over and shove that respect up your ass.”, she spits out at him.

“Then have it your way.”, Fernando says as he walks away, taking the chair with him. He rests at against the sofa’s armrest, out of her view but he being able to see the entrance of the kitchen.

In several more minutes the SWA Staff enters the private home with Marco in the lead and Tammy in tow. Angie walks in an scouts the place, where Fernando points to the kitchen. Angie stops at the kitchen entrance, aiming her gun at Anne and signals for Marco to arrive. He, Tammy, the other cyborgs and their handlers gather, looking at her.

Marco turns to Fernando who nods at him.

“Tammy. You need to step outside and wait for me by the car.”, Marco tells her.

Fernando steps up to her and takes her by the wrist, and leads her out the private home. They can hear Marco give Anne her final decree.

“By orders of the Italian National Republic, we the members of the SWA and Public Safety and Law Enforcement Section Two enact this termination order against you: Anne Rossellini, also known as Padania and the Five Republics’ Bomb Builder Franca for high crimes and treason, for the destruction of property, life and limb against your government and your fellow citizens. You have any last words before we enact on this order?", Marco tells her.

“Go #$@! yourselves.”, Anne tells him with tears running down her face.

Once they are outside, Marco gives the order to shoot Anne – head shots only. The three cyborgs take aim and release a single volley of rounds fired into her forehead area. The shots fired were barely audible to Fernando’s ears as he leans against Marco’s car holding Tammy in place next to him. She pushes off and looks at him.

“They killed her yet?”, Tammy asks.

“From the sound of it, they did.”, Fernando answers.

“I’m glad Bink was not there.”, Tammy replies.

“So she would not be part of a firing squad?”, Fernando asks.

“That too. I just don’t want her to kill so easily. Like you say, only in self defense and when there are no options left.”, Tammy explains.

“Yeah.”, Fernando replies.

“So why did you not kill her?”, Tammy asks.

“I wanted her to suffer, not kill her unless it was in self defense and if there are no options to leave her alive.”, Fernando answers.

“You had your chance.”, Tammy points out.

“I don’t kill the weak or the defenseless. And she was weak and defenseless because I made her that way. She has crimes to atone too, and I am not going to be judge, jury and executioner for her. That is another person’s job to do.”, Fernando explains.

“I see. Want to go home?”, Tammy says and asks.

“I’ll go home. You got to stay with your superiors.”, Fernando tells her. He then steps away from her and starts walking away.

“Fernando, I’m sorry!”, Tammy yells at him when he reaches the intersection.

He continues to walk to the hotel parking garage to his Porsche. He sits down in the driver’s seat for a while. The key gets put into its ignition, and the engine gets turned on. The Porsche slowly drives out of the hotel garage and down the street.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Nov 26^th, 2012, 10:57pm

Hondo grabbed his gear outta his truck an’ hopped in Hillshire’s car, as did Valentine. As they pulled away, Jeanie, her driver, an’ one body guard took off in the opposite direction in her limo an’ Hondo’s truck. The other guard was already on his way up to where Hondo had come from with field glasses.

Within a few minutes they were parked behind the SWA van. Hondo an’ Valentine checked over their weapons quick as Hillshire went off to talk to whoever was in charge of the snipers an’ clean-up crew. It didn’t take long to verify everythin’ was in order as they had probably check each weapon 6 or more times in the last 4 hours alone, but Hondo was a firm believer in checkin’ an’ carin’ for your weapons.

After everything was checked over they cinched their gear on. Hondo had his boot knife, his colt anacondas in a crossed back-belt holster, his 2 colt dragoons .50 conversions on his hips, an’ 2 1911’s in shoulder holsters with a set of crossed bandoleer of filled 1911 clips, 45 colt, .50 dragoon conversion ammo, an’ shotgun 00 shells. He also had a derringer in his hat an’ his 1887 lever action shotgun in hand. Valentine had Arkansas toothpick strapped to her calf, her 1911 38 supers in shoulder holsters, one 38 colt python cross draw on her left hip, the other in a back holster, a .45 1911 on her right hip loaded with depleted uranium rounds (like Hondo’s were), a single bandoleer mixed with 1911 mags, 38 special, an’ 38-55 rounds, an’ she carried her Winchester 38-55 lever action carbine.

Hondo was just shruggin’ back into his duster, as was Valentine, as Hillshire returned.

Hillshire: They are all setup. They have snipers to cover all sides. There has been no movement outside and hardly any inside.

Hondo: That’s ‘cause they know we’re here. Have they spotted a whirly bird?

Hillshire: Whirly bird?

Valentine: Helicopter, chopper, whirly bird, huey, etc.?

Hillshire: Oh, yes. There seems to be one on the far side of the roof, but the rotors are barely visible.

Hondo: Does anyone have shoulder rockets, bazookas, or the like in case it takes off?

Hillshire: Yes. We have two shoulder mounted anti-aircraft rockets, one on each side of the building. If it head right out to sea we have a small patrol boat with a third on it. They will also watch for any water escapes in case anyone gets past us.

Hondo: Let’s not let anyone get past us. We clean them all out now. Huntin’ down stragglers later is not an option. We need to kill them all now so they don’t have the option of tryin’ to kill us later.

Valentine: What if they surrender?

Hondo: Ifin we don’t kill them now the SWA will later, or worse.

Valentine: What is worse?

Hondo: Makin’ deals with them. They rat out someone for their own freedom. Then they tell the others ‘bout us an’ we have more trouble on our hand.

Hillshire: Do not worry. Those we make deals with we tend to shoot, via sniper, soon after freeing them. It doesn’t pay to have criminals that might have seen our facility running around. You can never trust someone who rats out their own people. Besides, once their own people find out they ratted on them they will be killed anyway. Our way is just quicker and more humane.

Valentine: That is just awful an’ wrong!

Hillshire (to Hondo): I thought your team understood their end?

Hondo: So did I

Valentine: I understand my end, but . . .

Hondo: I told ya you’d think me a monster after this.

Hillshire: You going to be able to hand this or do we have to do this without your team?

Hondo: No. We will handle it. Just give us a moment.

Hillshire: I’ll be right over here.

With that Hillshire walked off a few paces.

Valentine: You really condone this??

Hondo: Yeah. I do.

Valentine: I hate what these folks have done an’ want them to pay for it, but if their guards give up why should they pay for somethin’ they didn’t do? It’s just monstrous!

Hondo (hissed): Listen! These aren’t mall cops, an’ hospital security guards out of work tryin’ to earn an honest dollar to feed families!! These so called guards have rap lists as long as you are tall, ifin not longer! They’re not hired ‘cause they want to protect a businessman, they weren’t hired ‘cause they are known as upstandin’ citizens. Their resumes are drippin’ with blood. Blood of the innocent! Who did you think we would be fighin’?!?

Valentine: I don’t know. I guess I didn’t think ‘bout it.

Hondo: That’s the problem! You didn’t think.

Valentine: Why can’t we just round them up an’ let their blood be on the SWA’s hands or even try to get them expedited to the US?

Hondo: First off. These folks don’t give up. El Jefe hires loyal, dirty gun hands. They will fight to the death, as if they don’t El Jefe would kill them an’ any family they might have. These folks know that gettin’ into this. Second, I don’t trust the SWA with anythin’. We handle this an’ handle it now. Lastly, most of these so called guards are native to here. El Jefe doesn’t haul them back an’ forth with him. Crooks like these are a dime a dozen. So no matter what the local law would get them an’ that’s the SWA. You can hate me for this, but know this, I am doin’ this not for my pleasure. It is for our good. Believe you me, they will kill you without thinkin’ twice. The only way to beat evil like them is to beat them at their own game. I told ya earlier, emotions make ya weak. They are not gonna lose sleep over our death. Ifin they hafta use their gun or not it’s a paycheck. Killin’ you would be like sweepin’ the floor to a janitor. It’s what they do. We hafta be as hard hearted to their death as they are to ours. Only thing that sets us apart is we are doin’ it to save lives. That’s what gives us the upper hand. We have a reason, a purpose to do this. They do it just to support their habits. I need ya with me on this an’ backin’ me 100%. Ifin yur not behind me 100% then you’re weighin’ me down. What’s it to be?

Valentine: I’m with ya, for now. After this I’m not sure. I’ll need some time to think.

Hondo: I expected that.

Valentine: I know. I didn’t believe it until now.

Hondo turned to where Hillshire stood.

Hondo: Hillshire! We’re set.

Hillshire trotted back to them.

Hillshire: Now everyone know what’s what?

Valentine: I know what to do. Kill anyone in there that moves; damn conscience, conviction, or humanity.

Hillshire: Sounds right.

Hondo: Just do your part. We got this.

Hillshire: I hope so. You two get killed and Fernando will kill all of us.

Hondo: So glad to know ya are doing this outta love not duty.

Hillshire (scowled): Just killed them and at least one of you come back, preferably the girl. She’s at least nice to look at.

Hondo: You’d like that, ya would. No dice. I ain’t no Douglas McArthur, but I say this, I shall return. Now tell your people we’re goin’ in.

Hillshire turned an’ talked on his radio to inform his folks. While he did that Hondo grabbed a radio outta his pocket an’ turned it on.

Hondo: Back-up squad, Y’all got yur ears on?

Jeanie: Why wouldn’t we have our ears?

Hondo: Never mind. Just lettin’ ya know we’re headed in.

Jeanie: Good luck.

Hondo: Thanks. Just keep listenin’. I don’t anticipate needin’ ya, but ya never know.

Jeanie: We will be listening ad watching.

Hondo: 10-4, over an’ out.

Hondo turned to Valentine: Well, should we see ifin anyone’s home.

Valentine: Let’s get this over with.

Hillshire came up behind them: We are all set. We’ll follow you a ways off and cover your movements until you get there. After that we will try to find a door or window to back you up through but we’re not going inside unless you call for back-up.

Hondo: Alright. Val, one by one we’ll get up to the first cover spot. As we talked ‘bout before. We have 4 spots of cover before we hafta breach the door. We shouldn’t have any issues until the last spot, but just to be on the safe side, one of us will run over there an’ the others will cover. We’ll switch off coverin’ each other until the last one. We’ll hit the door together.

Valentine: Ok

No sooner had she said ok she was off.

Hondo: Damn her. She’s all pissed off.

Hillshire: Have fun with that.

Hondo: Well, as long as she’s mad at me she won’t worry about me so this is a plus, I guess.

Hillshire: Just be careful that she does not shoot you in the ass like Tam, er, no Tom!

Hondo: Who, what?

Hillshire: Never mind. I forgot you didn’t know him.

Hondo narrowed his eyes an’ stared him in the eyes for a moment. Hillshire seemed stressed out all of a sudden. He was hidin’ somethin’ but Hondo didn’t have time to find out what it was.

Hondo: Ifin ya say so. Cover me. I’m off.

With that Hondo darted off to Valentines position. Triela stood by Hillshire’s side and spoke without looking at him.

Triela: You almost blew it.

Hillshire: Shut-up and keep them covered. When the next one moves you move up to their spot. Wait for me at the last cover position. Once we are both there we can cover them until they hit the door. After that you cover them from the door unless I call for you to cover me.

Triela: Yes sir.

Once Hondo made it to Valentine’s position, he looked around, she nodded an’ he took off for the next spot. He had his shotgun in hand, ready as he did a fast sideways walk/run to the next spot, never takin’ his eyes off the goal. Valentine stayed hunkered down as he moved, rifle to her shoulder, eye on the area from where danger was sure to be.

She tried not to think about her an’ Hondo, an’ for the most part didn’t think of them as her mind was so focused on the mission an’ her adrenalin was risin’. For a brief moment she did think of him as he moved to his next spot. She knew she cared about him an’ she knew she over reacted. She figured on shootin’ anythin’ that moved as fast as possible, but she had never thought of it like that. Hondo was right. He was no more a monster than she was. He just knew the truth of it an’ wasn’t afraid to face it. She knew she was afraid to face some truths, but she was more afraid of failin’ on this mission. She knew to fail would be to sign all of their death sentences. This was not acceptable.

Before she knew it Hondo was in place an’ Triela was beside her. As soon as Hondo nodded for her to come, she was on her feet, rifle in one hand, sprintin’ towards him. She slid in behind him an’ they waited for Hillshire to get to Triela. Once He was there Valentine started to move but Hondo grabbed her shoulder.

Hondo: I’ll go first from her to the last spot. I have the scatter gun. You can shoot past me with that rifle; I don’t dare shoot past you with this.

Valentine nodded an’ Hondo took off in his same fast pace side walk. She didn’t see him do that the first time as she went first last time, impetuously. She didn’t watch him long as to watch him meant she wasn’t watchin’ out for him. She scowled to herself as she thought ‘bout her sprint. She moved faster, but left herself open. She had a lot to learn, she realized. It hit her how right Hondo was; emotions make you weak in a fight. She let herself get pissed off an’ instead of lookin’, listenin’, an’ learnin’ what she could while she could before things got really hairy she let her anger blind her an’ acted irrationally. She thanked God that he showed her that she needed to cool off before she got in there.

Before she knew it her turn was up again. This time she moved, rifle in hip shot mode, watchin’ where danger could be instead of where she was goin’, as she had time to look at that before she left her last spot of cover.

Hondo sighed a breath of relief as he saw he come this time. She was learnin’.

In no time Hondo an’ Valentine stood peerin’ past their last spot of cover. Hillshire an’ Triela joined them soon after.

Hillshire: We made it this far without being spotted. Maybe they don’t know we are here at all.

Hondo: Don’t bet on it gambler. They know we’re here. Them not shootin’ worries me. They must be set inside to wipe us out. Alright, slight change of plans. We need the distracted, worried, an’ possibly bleedin’ before we rush that place or else we’re all dead.

Hillshire: You might be right. You have any ideas?

Hondo: Yeah, I want snipers to fire into windows an’ the like on the other sides of the buildin’ for 2 minutes. 100 seconds into this I want one shoulder rocket to be placed through those big double doors. Valentine an’ I will be on our feet an’ in before the smoke clears make sure the snipes aim high an’ away from us for the last 20 seconds. This will confuse them. Val, we’ll need to shoot an’ shoot fast. Since the door is all the way to the right almost there should be no one there, so you check right then forward. I’ll take left then forward as I can. We shoot, shoot fast, an’ shoot to kill. We won’t have time for any more than a double tap an’ even then it’ll stress us. Ifin ya can’t get a good kill shot, incapacitate, an’ remember to shoot them again when things slow up.

Hillshire: You are such an old softy.

Hondo: Shut-up an’ get your folks ready. We need to hit that door in less than 3 minutes. Your radio on a secure channel an’ scrambled?

Hillshire: Of course. Just a moment.

Hillshire spoke quickly on the radio and set things up. As he did Hondo pulled a pair of old aviator’s goggles an’ a bandanna out his pocket an’ tossed them to Valentine. She didn’t need any explanation as she put on the goggles an’ tied the bandana ‘round her mouth an’ nose. Hondo pulled up his bandana, that was ‘round his neck up over his nose. He didn’t use goggles as they wouldn’t work with his glasses an’ he didn’t carry contacts. In less than minute things were ready an’ waitin’ on Hondo’s word.

Hillshire: Give us the word and it is a go.

Hondo: Let’s get this over with. Tell them now!

Hillshire (on the radio): Now!

In less than a heartbeat the air ran out with muffled shots from sniper rifles an’ other muffled weapons. Most of the shots just hit the buildin’ but it was for distraction only. Exactly 100 seconds after the noise began the doors were blown inward in a cloud of fire, smoke, an’ debris.

“NOW!” Hondo yelled as he sprang forward into the mess. Valentine didn’t need any promptin’ to stay by his side as he dashed forward into hell on earth.

Valentine was glad for the goggles as not even half way to the door they smoke hit them. She wanted to choke on it as was an’ couldn’t imagine how bad it would be without the bandana. How he did it, she didn’t know, but Hondo kept plowin’ through the smoke an’ before she could even see the inside well enough to see anyone Hondo’s shot gun was already singing’ out an’ spittin’ its deadly blasts of lead. He wasted no time. She checked to the right like Hondo had said to do an’ there was one guard stumblin’ through the smoke. She froze for a moment, but before he could bring his gun up she snapped outta it an’ placed a hip-shot through his heart. The spray of blood an’ the look of horror on his face was enough to shake her for only a second. She forced the emotion outta her mind an’ tried not to think ‘bout it. There was time to think on it later she realized. Now was the time to be cold an’ unfeelin’. She moved right to her next target then the next without stoppin’. Her only thought was, “So, this is what Hondo meant”.

Hondo had moved in to the left an’ Valentine was soon by his side. He had emptied the shotgun an’ both dragoon colts. He had hoped the explosion would scatter more of them, or at least make them surround El Jefe Grande. Something wasn't right. He dove behind a van that was parked inside and to the left that offered some cover. He reloaded as Valentine covered him, then they switched.

Hondo: Stick close. Around the front of the van, we’ll use it for cover as long as possible.

Shots were riddlin’ the other side of the van, a few findin’ their way through it. Lucky it was full, but full of what he did not know an’ that bothered him. Valentine took a couple more out by shootin’ through the front side windows as Hondo fired his shotgun over the hood. He ducked down one last time, reloaded it an’ threw the strap ‘round his shoulder so the shotgun hung across his back. He hunkered down, pulled out his Anacondas, an’ readied himself to move.

Hondo: Val, there is another bay past that door an’ the offices are towards the back far side. We must get there, that is where they will . . .

Hondo was cut off by a familiar voice calling out and the gunfire stoppin’ at the same time.

Voice: Hondo! Hondo Sackett! Give yourself up and I’ll make sure they spare your little girl friend.

Hondo motioned for Val to stay down as he stood up, guns in hand, pointed at the speaker. He moved to the front of the van as he spoke.

Hondo: That’s bull-shit, Laurie, or whatever you call yourself now. Ya never could lie to me, ya know. I give myself up, you take the girl to El Jefe, an’ he drugs her up. So, no dice!

Laurie: You think you have everything figured out. So I’m lying. Give up, we’ll leave and give your other friends a chance to leave us alone and live. That’s the best I can offer.

Hondo: Bull-shit. If there is any shred of the woman I used to love in there you’d know ya can’t get me with shit like that. Only Sheeple are stupid enough to believe that crap.

Laurie: Then we will have to kill you and take the girl.

Hondo: You’ll never win. Even ifin ya do get the girl an’ give her to El Jefe, then what? You’re old news to him. He’ll have a new play thing. I’m sure he bangs you but what happens when the new girl gets there. She’s young, strong, an’ shapely. You’re getting older, as am I. He’ll throw you out to do his dirty work while he plays with the new girl.

Laurie: He wouldn’t! He loves me!!

Hondo: Yeah, we’ll see how much he loves you when he gets some fresh ass to play with.

Laurie (composed herself): Maybe you’re right. Your argument has merit. It looks I’ll hafta kill you both.

Valentine: Not if I kill you first, Bitch!

Valentine had snuck around the back of the van an’ positioned herself so that Laurie had to turn before she could fire on her. What Valentine missed was the 2 guards makin’ a dash to get in position to shoot her, up on a catwalk.

Hondo: Val! Lookout!

Valentine dropped into a crouch an’ spun at the same time to the direction Hondo had looked. She caught the first guard in the midsection an’ he fell off the catwalk. Hondo shot the other, but it took his guard off Laurie. As he turned towards her again she was already firing. Hondo had winged her with the .45 colt in his left hand but Laurie’s 500 S&W hit him hard.

Valentine shrieked as she saw Hondo blown back an’ drop to the floor: Nooo!

She turned back to Laurie an’ saw her grin an evil grin.

Valentine: You F-in’ Whore! Die!

Valentine shot but Laurie was already spinin’ towards her. Her shot barely hit Laurie’s arm. Laurie shot as she turned but Valentines shot messed up her aim an’ she shot her in the arm. Four guards of whom had escorted Laurie out but had taken covered positions soon after jumped out of the spots where they were hidin’ an’ aimed at Valentine.

Guard 1: Signora, El Grande gave us specific orders.

Laurie: Down, boys! I know what Hector said, and you know that I give the orders when he is not here. This country bumpkin-skank is mine to deal with. So either back off or I’ll tell Hector that you tried to rape me, kapish?

Guard 2: Si, Signora. Scusi.

Valentine held her arm an’ spat at Laurie.

Valentine: Go ahead, make my day! Shoot me, bitch. Shoot me an’ we’ll see how well ya fare with your boss. He wants me alive; we overhead him tell you so 3 days ago.

Laurie: Tsk, tsk. Such a temper. Don’t you worry. I’ll tell Hector that one of his clumsy guards shot you.

Guard 1: Signora! Questo è inaccettabile!!

Laurie: It’s jsut too bad that you understand English.

With that Laurie Shot the guard with her S&W 500. He hit a support beam behind him an’ crumpled to the floor, blood poolin’ instantly ‘round him. The hole in his chest was big enough to sling a cat through without rubbin’ the edges.

All Valentine could picture was Hondo with that hole in him lyin’ in his own blood. It made her want to fall to the floor cryin’, but she held onto her anger. Emotions in a fight make you weak, but when one must choose between the weakness of pure sorrow or pure, hell-fired hatred that latter aids more than the first. She knew if she had even a glimmer or hope in escapin’ this she must stay good an’ angry.

Meanwhile Laurie had taken 2 steps backwards so to see the remainin’ 3 guards with her an’ keep Valentine in her sights. Valentine growled as Laurie cast a glance her way. Laurie smiled at this then turned her attention back to the guards.

Laurie: How about you three? You joining him or sticking with me?

They looked at each other before one stepped forward.

Guard 4: We stick with you. We don’t understand Engli . .oof!

The third guard belted him in the gut with his AK-47 of which the fourth guard held his gut an’ glared at him. The fourth guard straightened back up, sighed , an’ spoke in broken Italian.

Guard 4: Noi non . . uh. . . capire . . . iglesia . . NO! . . . er. . . l'inglese, Signor

Guard 3 (whispered): Signora, cazzo testa!

Guard 4: l'inglese, Signora cazzo testa!

Guard 3 (face palm): Dio, siamo morti.

Laurie looked at the 3 of them an’ shook her head.

Laurie: Why am I always left with the stupid ones. Alright, your smart enough to be loyal. Now grab his gun and give it to me.

The guards jumped for the gun but the 3rd one got to it first, wiped the blood from it onto his pants an’ handed it to Laurie.

Laurie: Now I kill you with his gun. If Hector doesn’t believe me he can have your body looked at. He’ll see the guards bullets in you and mine in him.

Valentine growled an’ lunched herself at Laurie without sayin’ a word. Laurie cooly shot her in the leg which made Valentine fall face first to the floor. Laurie jumped forward an’ grabbed Valentine by the hair, knockin’ her hat off.

Laurie: You think you can beat me ,you little prairie harpy? It’s laughable. I am far supirior! Guards! Two of you grab her an’ hold her by the arms upright. It’s time for a little target practice!

Valentine groaned as the guards hauled her to her feet by her arms an’ streched them out between them.

Laurie: Your a pretty little thing. Well, when I’m done even the necrophilia crowd won’t want you!

Valentine (through grit teeth): Your insane! What will your Hector think? I know he’s here an’ your takin’ too long to kill me.

Laurie: He told me to have fun killing Hondo. Well, he was too dangerous to waste time on. He’ll not question me. Now, I think I’ll shoot out your joints first, then if your still alive and haven’t passed out I’ll move on to the parts Hondo must have liked you for. He knows how to pick his sexual play things, that is for sure.

Valentine: You are completely crazy, bitch. When EL Jefe sees the precise wound patterns he’ll know somethin’ is up. He’s not stupid like you.

Laurie: Give it up. You won’t rile me. You see, Hector loves me. If you hope to live you’d better say your prays, you little wench. OH! I’m sorry. God doesn’t protect harlots! I guess your just going to have to die.

Laurie gave an evil cackling laugh. Valentine wondered what could change a person so much as she knew Hondo would not, could not love a woman this evil. A chill went down her spine. She was glad it was to end like this. She did not want to live an’ let them use her body to house such evil.

Valentine: Go to hell.

Laurie: You first.

With that Laurie checked the gun over, made sure it was loaded an’ took aim.

~ Boom!~
___________________________________

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jan 8^th, 2013, 3:09pm

Fernando takes his time to drive back to the safe house, not exceeding the speed limit as he usually does. Thus it takes him almost 90 minutes to dive the distance. He looks at the rearview mirrors occasionally, finding nobody was following. Once on the driveway, he drives to the rear of the house. He parks the car on its usual spot and sits in the car for several minutes.

He thinks about Hondo’s mission should have started by now. If there as no hitches in the mission, Hondo and his crew should be returning around 5 or 6 o’clock. He also thinks about the victory against Anne, finding no comfort in it. There was little to take in other that is was over. At least with Anne, Franco and Christiano Savonarola dead, Padania terrorist activity will drop to almost zero. He’s sure that during the civil peace, arrests will be made, and Tammy will play a role in those arrests along with Bink at her side to protect her when needed.

The few problems that remains is at the café, and Misao herself he thinks to himself. There is no way in his mind that a simple mission in Japan will solve their problems with organized crime. Anytime there is a society, there will be those in that society that will work against it for their self promotion. In the least he believes that he should have a sit down with Misao and discuss the terms of such a mission with his authority to refuse on any condition or reason.

The keys get pulled out of the ignition and put into his pockets. He opens the door and steps out of the car, looking about the place and seeing nothing out of the ordinary. The door closes and he walks about the car, noting every scratch and ding on its molded painted exterior. The good thing about black painted cars is that it takes a lot to show off any scrapes on it; especially when the primer coat is also black, then it could take a hard scrape to bare metal to show off any damage. What small damage he finds can be easily repaired at the local auto paint station he knows that does only exotic cars back in New York City.

Getting into the house, he walks straight to the kitchen where he takes a drink of water and prepares a roast beef and Swiss cheese sandwich on a plate. Thirty seconds in the microwave makes it medium rare, a can of Pepsi completes the meal which he puts in the table to eat. He takes his time to eat the snack but it always seems that he had gulped down the meal in just a couple of minutes.

With the can in the trash and the plate in the dishwasher, he sits on the single living room seat looking at the TV which is turned off. A floating ball of light randomly circles about the room the room.

“Tink.”, Fernando says out loud.

The tiny ball of light lands on the arm rest of the chair he is in, and flashes brightly in an explosion of light. The fairy in a green dress sits on the arm rest with her legs crossed at the knee and she leaning against him caressing his face.

“Tinkerbell…”, Fernando tells her.

“You know I’m not supposed to talk in this world.”, Tinkerbell replies.

“You’re not supposed to talk in any world except to other fairies.”, Fernando explains.

“I know, and we both know Queen Mab made exceptions to a few on this world, with you being on top of that list.”, Tinkerbell reminds him.

He just looks at her sternly, “What brings you here?”

“You.”, Tinkerbell answers, then adds, “Look, we know because she was too deep in that world of evil, you could not save her. And if it were not for you taking action, she would have left Rome as a smoldering crater in just a few years. In short, you saved millions of lives that would be destroyed because of her. And you reunited a pair of sisters doing so.”

“I don’t need to be reminded of what needed to be done and why.”, Fernando tells her.

“You also married that squirrel girl.”, Tinkerbell adds.

“It does not matter to me what happens because of that. She’s willing to allow herself into the entanglement of such a relationship, I am not going to deny myself that I have for so many years and I will do right by her as long as she does right by me, which she didn’t on these past days.”, Fernando tells her.

“Well... if you can find it in your heart, please forgive her. I can tell you that she got caught up in the excitement to capture Anne and you were the way of that capture.”, Tinkerbell tries to explain.

“Tammy got lucky. I am tired. And I am glad that this is over. ”, Fernando says to her.

“So, I have to ask. Which Fernando are you?”, Tinkerbell asks.

“Why do you want to know?”, Fernando asks.

“If you are the Fernando I know, then you are married to that squirrel girl. If you are a new Fernando, then you are not married to her.”, Tinkerbell answers.

“Let me answer it to you this way, if Queen Mab found out that I know what birth mark you have is where on your body, you would be a corporeal being right now.”, Fernando tells her.

Tinkerbell looks at him with raised eyebrows and a dropped jaw.

“Should I point them out?”, Fernando says as he reaches with a pointed finger behind her.

“No.”, Tinkerbell almost demands, grabbing him by the wrist and moving his hand from out from behind her. She puts it on her lap, holding his hand place with both her hands. She continues, “If you are Fernando I know, explain how you came back from the dead.”

“I was not dead, but near death where it seemed that I was dead with help from the bio-energy pills you know about. It kept me alive long enough to be rescued and healed.”, Fernando explains.

“I see.”, Tinkerbell replies. She thinks for a moment before saying, “You treated Tammy badly. Very badly.”

“I know. I was still healing then.”, Fernando tells her.

He pulls his hand off from her grasp. Once he has his hand back, he gets up from the chair and starts to walk to the stairs, taking off his jacket at the same time.

“Where are you going?”, Tinkerbell asks.

“My bedroom.”, Fernando answers her.

“Well...”, Tinkerbell tries to say.

“Join me.”, Fernando tells her.

“But you’re a married man, sir.”, Tinkerbell tells him trying to be all uppity.

“That did not stop you before. And it wont stop you again. Now come.”, Fernando tells her.

“What about your wife?”, Tinkerbell asks.

“She wont be back for hours if not days.”, Fernando begins, “Furthermore she knows what relationship we have and wont question what happens between us. Now you coming upstairs or not?”

“There is nothing for me to go upstairs too.”, Tinkerbell tells him.

He turns around and faces her, “If you think that then you can leave and forget who I am and what I did to help you since you wont help me because I’m married to somebody else. Remember what we have before you leave.”

Fernando continues to go upstairs, losing up his shirt and tie before walking into his room. He keeps the door open for her to come in when she decides to do so, continuing to take off his clothes. Taking off the shoulder holster, he wraps it up with his gun inside and puts it away in the dresser drawer. The shirt is next which is folded up and put on the table. He sits down and takes off his shoes and sock, then gets up and takes off his pants which are also folded and placed next to the shirt on the table. The t-shirt was last to be taken off, folded and placed with the shirt and pants on the table.

He walks about the room before getting onto the bed, crawls under the blanket and puts the glasses on the dresser’s top. He spends a couple of minutes staring at the ceiling before Tinkerbell walks in. She walks up to the bed and sits on its edge.

“Now that you have my attention, what do you want?”, Tinkerbell asks in a semi annoyed but also concerned tone.

“You. Your mind. Your soul. Your body. But in all honesty, if you were to take off the clothes you have on, I would not take you. I just need to know whether in righting a wrong was right by the actions taken.”, Fernando tells her.

“Feeling guilty about what happened?”, Tinkerbell asks.

“I will dare say that I feel numb about it. And as you know, feeling numb about what happened is not a good thing.”, Fernando answers.

“I see.”, Tinkerbell replies, taking a few moments to think of an answer to give, “In less than five years Rome would be burning from a nuclear fire she would have ignited from her hate of the government, and you stopped it from happening. I don’t agree with what Italy is doing with the broken children they are using but it is not something to kill millions of people for.”

“And how do you know that Rome would have burned if she lived?”, Fernando asks.

“You’re not the only one who Time Travels. Its in the list of possible events in several ‘What-if’ locations. Knowing that the Italian government will not concede to their demands, she uses a nuclear device on the city. With her gone, its not going to happen.”, Tinkerbell explains.

“Still does the actions taken justify the results of righting a wrong?”, Fernando asks.

“If she would live and gotten Bink away from Tammy, she would have used her for killing others in her way and would have taken her to be dissected by Padania and the 5 Republics before sending the results to IRAS and the UN. And that would have been after she sets Rome on fire. So think, one who is so bend on destruction, one who is willing to kill millions to promote an ideal, one who does not value the sanctity of life and takes life for not, needs to be eliminated before they take another life again. Remember, she took your life and was willing to take Tammy’s life as well. So in that light, it does not matter how she was taken down as long as she was taken down because one who does not respect life as they do their own should be disrespected themselves.”, Tinkerbell explains.

“You sure know how to dance around a question. So what is the answer?”, Fernando asks.

Tinkerbell lets out a frustrated sigh. “Yes, it does because she does not respect the life of others, she needed to be disrespected herself like you did to her.”, she tells him.

“And if I did not acted as I did?”, Fernando asks.

“In her anger with the government, she will try to destroy it by destroying the city that supports it. Over a million will be instantly dead, millions more will suffer and die from the pollution created many years later. The area of the city and many miles away from it will be a dead zone.”, Tinkerbell explains.

“What if I had her arrested instead of terminated?”, Fernando asks.

“Same thing, as soon as she was far away from the city, she would make a phone call. Then that night there would a bright light for a second and then it would seem like the sun is rising from the west, and the city and miles around it would be gone forever.”, Tinkerbell tells him. In the brief bit of silence that passes, she adds, “She has become a destroyer of all life for an idea, a killer for a political belief. She does not care anymore as long as she got her way. She was a agent who got too personal in her mission, too involved with those ideals.”

“What was that?”, Fernando asks with a slight growl in his voice, “Repeat the last thing you said.”

“She was a agent who got too personal in her mission, too involved with those ideals?”, Tinkerbell asks.

“Except for Pandana and the Five Republic, who is she an agent for?”, Fernando asks.

“The IRAS.”, Tinkerbell answers.

Fernando lets out a slight growl.

“Something wrong?”, Tinkerbell asks.

“Everything is wrong.”, Fernando answers.

“Everything?”, Tinerbell asks.

“It was the IRAS that was helping Tammy to get Bink back but all of the sudden, that help stopped. I would not be surprised if she had something to do with them ending their help. I thought it was funny that she was able to get all sorts of information about us, our whereabouts, our actions. Being an agent for the IRAS explains everything. Even in killing me, she was able to get supplies out of this house without notice, being an IRAS again would allow her to do that. She has abused the power of her position, and used it to her advantage. She wont be doing that anymore. No one else will either.”, Fernando explains.

“What do you intend to do?”, Tinkerbell asks.

“Without Annie and Christiano, Padania and the Five Republic will fall within the next few months. But the IRAS will have to be taken down a few pegs, they are a rescue organization, not to be used to promote political ideals from those private organizations through strife and terrorism. They have questions to answer and staff to fire. They need to be reduced to what they started out to be – a rescue group. Not a political organization.”

“What are you going to do?”, Tinkerbell asks.

“Put them in their damn place.”, Fernando answers. He slowly sits up on the bed. He reaches out with his hand towards his clothing on the table. They float over across the distance and land in front of him. “Thank you, Tink.”, he tells her.

“I could give you that ability.”, Tink begins, “But you would be a very dangerous person if I did.”

“I’m danergous enough as is.”, Fernando says as he puts on his shirt, “And I am going to be a danger to an organization who thinks they can be more than a government and their conspiracies.” After a pause to put on his pants, “Tink. Could you get Anne’s gun and identification, put it in a plastic evidence bag and put it on the table?”

“Isn’t that stealing?”, Tinkerbell asks?

“It is, but will be returned when I’m done shoving it into somebody’s face. Now will you do me the favor or shall I get the Chronoserver to do it for me?”, Fernando says and asks before getting off the bed to adjust his clothing.

He walks over to the table to put on his sox and shoes as he sits down. After putting on the shoes, he looks down at the table. “You going to do me that favor or not?”, he asks.

With a bright flash of light, the requested items along with a folder of reports about Anne. Fernando looks over the items.

“Thank you.”, Fernando says as he puts on his gun holster. The suit jacket comes on next before going around to the desk to put something in his pocket and and something else on his wrist. He walks over to the bed, puts a hand into a pocket and drops something in front of Tinkerbell. She looks at it, a .38NAA by American Arms Tammy’s back up weapon Fernando gave her when she joined the SWA.

“You know I don’t carry guns.”, Tinkerbell says to him.

“Put in a suit like mine, copy my wallet and its contents and exchange my name and picture with yours, take the gun and hide the wings. You’re coming with me.”, Fernando tells her.

“I don’t carry guns. Now why you want me to do this?”, Tinkerbell says and asks.

“You are coming with me to the IRAS Headquarters in Rome.”, he says as he takes the gun, drops the magazine and starts to empty the magazine then empties the chamber. He reassembles the gun with an empty magazine and drops it in front of her again. “Now take it, put on a suit like mine, copy my wallet and make it yours and hide the wings.

Tinkebell floats the gun in front of her.

“You cant shoot an empty gun. Maybe throw it like a rock or swing it like a hammer, but you cant shoot it.”, Fernando tells her as he takes the gun from mid air and pulls back on the sliding mechanism, showing her the empty chamber.

She gets up off the bed and watches him go into the desk again and searches. He returns to her with one of Tammy’s small black leather carry all purse, putting the gun in it, they stare each other for a while.

“You better not shoot anyone in front of me.”, Tinkerbell tells him before magicly switching her appearance to match his.

He gathers a brief case and puts Annie’s things into it before handing over the carry all purse and closed brief case to her and starts walking out the room. She follows him to the Porsche down stairs. They get into the car and drive away at his usual triple digit speed. Only Roman traffic makes their 15 minute trip into a half hour trip but eventually they get into the parking lot of the Roma Hilton. He parks the car at his usual spot and unlocks the door for Tinkerbell remotely. He waits for her to step out by the front of the car. Instead of opening the door, Tinkerbell teleports out of the car and next to him. He shakes his head for a moment.

“What?”, Tinkerbell asks.

“Nevermind.”, he tells her as he sides his sleeve up and scrolls his finger on a flat glass panel of his iPaw device.

They both disappear from the parking lot and end up in the elevator lobby on the 35th floor of a modern office building. The glass door panels are etched with IRAS letters and logo into the glass.

“And you complain about me teleporting out of the car?”, Tinkerbell complains.

“Just follow me.”, Fernando tells her as he pushes one of the doors open but finds it locked. “Damn them.”, he says to himself as he reaches into his wallet to pull out a pass key. Swiping the passkey through the slot actives the unlocking mechanism. “Lets go.”, he says as he opens the door and points for her to enter first.

Tinkerbell walks in with her typical seductive walk she has when she does walk, which was rare. Her tight suit just made it more so. Fernando lets out a sigh and walks in after her, then passes her to the information booth.

Pulling out his wallet and showing the young receptionist his CIA ID and Sheild, telling her, “Your boss is getting arrested, best for you to go home and get a job at Luigi’s Pizza.”

Tinkerbell does the same in showing her shield and ID at the receptionist, following him with wallets in hand through the offices. After entering into the main hallway, Fernando takes notice of the office doors and the labels on them. It only takes less than a minute to find a glass encased conference room with a meeting of suits inside. But it was not who he was looking for, and continues to walk down the hall.

Tinkerbell picks up her pace to be beside him, “Who are we looking for?”

“The executive regional director”, Fernando answers.

“Oh... but wouldn’t he or she be in that meeting in that other room?”, Tinkerbell asks.

“No. Even if he were, I want us to be alone with him in his office.”, Fernando answers in the coldest tone possible.

Taking a right and then a left turn, Fernando walks into the executive secretarial area, looking over the secretaries typing away. He walks over to the closest one, making sure she sees his wallet with the shield and ID inside.

“Tell your friends here to have a three hour lunch. We’re here to arrest your boss.”, Fernando tells her.

The secretary looks up at him and then at Tinkerbell behind him who nods back at her showing her sheild and ID as well. She then nods. Fernando turns to a pair of doors on the opposite wall, reading each label on them and finding the one for ‘Executive Regional Director.’

Grabbing the door knob and giving it a twist, he finds it locked, but as Leon has old him, ‘Apply a half ton of force and any door knob will open its door.’ Fernando closes his eyes and lets out a sigh, giving the door knob a twist that increases in pressure until the locking mechanism gives out and the door opens.

Seeing this, and knowing that the door was locked, the secretaries leave their typing area and run in their high heels and tight skirts. Fernando pushes the door open.

“Gloria, I told you I was to be left alone!”, an elder man yells out from behind a young female intern sitting on his desk facing him.

The door closes after Tinkerbell walks in, Fernando pulls out his gun and walks to his desk from the side.

“ Gloria did not get the message. Tink – send this little one to a stall in the ladies room, and make sure she does not leave until after we do.”, Fernando say out loud.

Tinkerbell waves her hand, her wand invisible to all but her and Fernando. The young intern disappears with a bright flash of light, reappearing in a stall that gets locked up which she can not get out of, and the bathroom door locked as well. The old man looks at Fernando and then at Tinkerbell.

“How you did that?”, the elder man says to them as he sees Fernando walk to to him.

Fernando lets out a hard slap to his face with the back hand of his left hand, “Let me warn you that I am ambidextrous. So if you want to live, you better answer a few questions I have.” He then switches the gun to his left hand and takes his desk name plate with his right. “Signore Timothy D. Wattamaucher” was inscribed on the plastic laden wooden prism.

“Timothy D. Wattamaucher... I wonder that that D. stands for... Donnel, Dwight, Damien, Donald, Duffus, Dummy, Dingbat...”, Fernando begins to say before smashing the prism on fhe desk and breaks it in several pieces.

Looking at the pieces of broken wood and the newly form dent on the wooden desk Fernando just formed, Mr. Wattamaucher replies in a soft scared tone, “Its Daniel.”

“I did not hear you. Tink, you hear that?”, Fernando asks. Tinkerbell only shakes her head. “Answer and answer loudly for all to hear.”, Fernando adds.

“You’re not going to get away with this!”, Mr Wattamaucher tells him.

“No? Tink. Send us tot he roof and restore this room to before we walked in on this pervert.”, Fernando says. Tinkerbell nods as Fernando asks the director, “How old is the intern? 16? 17?” They all disappear in a flash of light and the room restored to before when they came in.

Once on the roof, Fernando grabs Mr. Wattamaucher by his tie and leans him over the edge of the roof.

“I’m tired of this, now that intern’s age.”, Fernando tells him.

“She’s 15!”, Mr. Wattamaucher tells him nervously, “She’s the daughter of one of my managers!”

Fernando pulls him back off the ledge and pushes him to the outside wall of the elevator motor service room. He taps the director on his chest lightly before taking a few steps away, turns around and aims his gun at the director.

“Anne Rossellini was one of your field agents. What level agent was she and what was she doing on the Bink Polancco case?”, Fernando asks in a demanding tone.

“I am not privy to say who our agents are and what cases they are involved in.”, Mr. Wattamaucher tells him.

“Alright, have it your way.”, Fernando tells him, “Just to warn you. I have ways of making you talk, but I have much more enjoyable ways of watching you die. Now which one shall it be?” He pulls up on the sleeve and slides on his finger on the Paw device on it. They disappear in a flash of light and in a fancy apartment suit but there were no windows except for rooms connecting to it which were locked.

Fernando points to the table, Tinkerbell puts the brief case on it and opens it. Fernando goes through the documents inside. Next to the brief case he places Anne’s guns on the table.

“Lets see.”, Fernando walks away reading the folder, “Anne Rossellini, aka Caterina, aka, Franca – the terrorist bomber and card carrying member of Padania...”

“Who are you, where am I and how we got here?”, Mr. Wattamaucher complains.

“How am I? I’m from the future, and I will tell you this much, you are in a secret place in Rome and it is with my technology from the future that you were brought here to answer questions. If you answer the questions wrong, I will kill you and you will be found as a dead drunk derelic in some alley in Rome tonight. Answer the questions correctly, and you get to live until you crash your car in a drunken rage a few days from now because you cant handle the truth of what happens after this or you die from a heart attack five years from now. Either way I’m shutting down the IRAS starting with you first. The choice it yours. Oral sex with a minor still sex with a minor which in Italy is a guaranteed jail sentence.”, Fernando tells him.

Mr. Wattamaucher gulps.

“Now about Agent Anne Rossellini and the Bink Polancco Case.”, Fernando demands.

“How about you ask her yourself.”, Mr. Wattamaucher tells him.

“I would, if she was not dead. Killed by a mafia termination squad.”, Fernando tells him.

“Now I know you’re lying. I spoke to her just this afternoon.”, Mr. Wattamaucher tells him.

Fernando walks up to him, opening and folding back the report cover, showing the title page to the director, ‘Autopsy Report of Anne Rossellini’ which has a picture of her face on it.

“It happened two hours ago. Should I flip to her autopsy photos and show you?”, Fernando says to him.

“No #$@!ing way! I had just spoke to her this afternoon!”, Director Wattamaucher tells him.

“Now about IRAS Agent Anne Rossellini and the Bink Polancco Case.”, Fernando tells him.

“If you’re from the future, then you should know!”, Director Wattamaucher tell him.

“Somebody from the future that we are chasing killed Anne. This messes up the Time Line as she was not to die for another five years when she takes this job too far. Somebody linked to her and the Bink Polancco case. Now, the details we don’t have.”, Fernando tells him.

“Seems to me you already know everything.”, Director tells him.

Fernando puts down the autopsy report and smacks him harder than before, knocking the director onto the floor.

“Next time I smack you I’m breaking your jaw. Now speak or else I’m killing you if you remain quiet.”, Fernando tells him.

The director whimpers and cries, saying between the sobs, “I don’t know what you want to know!”

“Why was Tammy Squirrel, adult sister of Bink Polancco, never notified of her sister’s hospitalization when the Polancco family was attacked? According to all records we have, it was Agent Anne Rossellini who had a hand in that information. Was she under orders or working alone?”, Fernando asks of him.

“I don’t know, she was probably working alone!”, the director lets out between sobs.

“Now, Wattamaucher. Why is it that I don’t believe you?”, Fernando tells him, then turns to Tinkerbell and points to a far away chair, “Tink, bring me the comfy chair.”

Tinkerbell waves her invisible wand and the chair slides over to Fernando. Fernando positions it to the table where anyone sitting on it could read the autopsy report. He helps Director Wattamaucher to sit on it.

“According to the report, Agent Rossellini was a aupervising field agent searching for wrong doings of the Italian government. That would make her accountable to you. But then again, why was she working with low lifes, rougues and criminals? Seems to me she was so covert in her activities that she forgot who she is. Is that true?”, Fernando explains and asks.

“I don’t knOOOYEOWW--*!!!”, Director Wattamaucher says before yelling out and writhing on the seat. It stops as suddenly as it starts.

“I forgot to tell you. That seat and all the others, along with the table and the tiles on the floor are electrified with the Isreali Auto Anti Theft System. Answer a question with ‘I don’t know’, and you’ll get 40,000 volts with increasing length of time.”, Fernando tells him.

“Why are you doing this to me?!!!”, Director Wattamaucher begs.

“I told you, ‘I have ways of making you talk, but I have much more enjoyable ways of watching you die. Now which one shall it be?’ Now, which one shall it be?”, Fernando tells him.

“Alright. I’ll tell you everything.”, Director Wattamaucher nervously says as he wipes his tears.

“I’m waiting.”, Fernando tells her.

“Anne was under orders to trace what was happening to little girls who suddenly disappeared from hospitals, and she was tracking the Polancco girl.”, Director Wattamaucher tells her.

“Under who’s orders.”, Fernando demands.

“The UN and US Military Intelligence Agency.”, Director Wattamaucher answers.

Fernando looks at him in awe through his dark glasses but his lower face shows anger.

“I see. Tink, restore him of his bodily status before we met and return him and the girl to his room as they were. Erase his and her memories of this meeting.”, Fernando says.

Before the director would say, “Huh?”, he disappears in a flash of light from the room.

“You going to shut down the IRAS?”, Tinkerbell asks.

“Cant. I can deal with the UN, but not the US-MIA.”, Fernando tells her.

“US-MIA?”, Tinkerbell asks.

“I’m part of the CIA, Central Intelligence Agency, which is a civilian organization which uses the military at times for assistance. The MIA is the military version of the CIA, and does not require civilian agency permission to do what as they want and please. They operate on their own and has been known to kill CIA Operatives who get in their way. They don’t scare me for they can not harm me, but they can harm my friends and family which includes you. That I do not want.”, Fernando answers.

“So, Anne...”, Tinkerbell asks.

“She was way too deep to have gotten out on her own. If she would have gotten Bink or the other girls, the MIA would have gotten them, not Padania though she would have thought she handed them over to Padania. Those girls would have been a template for an army of child and adult soliders for the MIA.”, Fernando tells her.

“Then what do we do?”, Tinkerbell asks.

“We, nothing. I’ll deal with the MIA when I can on my own. Right now, take us and Asiapi Porsche home. I am going to need some alone time with you because of this. Put me to sleep for the next 3 hours and stay with me when I wake up. I need to dream up of a solution for this. But wake me earlier if Hondo and the others arrive home.”, Fernando tells her.

With a wave of her hand, the room gets restored and they disappear to the safe house with the Porsche parked outside. The evidence gets sent back to where it came from. In his room, Fernando sleeps in his bed with just his briefs on as he likes to sleep that way. Tinkerbell in under the covers with him, laying on her side facing him and brushing the hair away from his forehead.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jan 9^th, 2013, 10:10pm

OIC: Fightin' writers block an' a lack of time again. I didn't plan on cuttin' off an' postin' until I was further along, but for lack of postin' anythin' recently here it is. I'll try to finish up the rest of the post in the next couple weeks an' get it up. : BIC

Laurie grinned evilly as the shot sounded but the smile quickly faded into a look of confusion.

Valentine had closed her eyes just before the shot sounded. She stiffened for impact an’ felt a jerk on her arm. She was sure her shoulder had been blown away for a moment, but she felt no pain. She realized her hand was by her side an’ seemed to work. She opened her eyes to see Laurie starin’ down at the floor behind her. Valentine turned slightly to look where Laurie peered. The guard lay in a pool of his own blood.

It felt to Valentine and Laurie that an eternity had passed but it was only 3 to 4 seconds. The guard off to Laurie’s side was the first to act. He jumped an’ spun, brinin’ his gun up as he spun but he never completed that movement as another shot was fired sendin’ him flyin’ back. The shot left a spray of flesh an’ bone on Laurie’s face as she spun to meet this unknown attacker. Her face was one of anger until she saw who it was. Her face turned almost white. She lowered her gun as she turned. The last guard there still held onto Valentines arm, though his attention was on Laurie and the dark figure with the large caliber hand gun. Unfortunately for Laurie the only guard left was the third and most stupid of the lot.

Valentine turned away from the carnage behind her just in time to see the guard in front of her being blown backwards. In the darkness past them she saw someone but had a hard time seein’ who it was. She squinted an’ blinked a few times to get the sweat an’ blood outta her eyes. She didn’t even realize she had a gash on her forehead from the fall she took after her leg was shot, nor did she have time to contemplate it. What she saw was not possible, she thought, but there he was.

Laurie (screamed): NOO! You’re DEAD!! I #$@!ing Shot You!!!!

Hondo (wheezed): You shot me alright! *wheeze* But ya didn’t count on 3 layers of bullet resistant paddin’,*wheeze* a thick leather holster, nor the 1911 ya hit.

Valentine could see him better as he stepped forward into the light. He was holdin’ his left side, high up. He was breathin’ heavily, he face was cut up, but he still stood fast with his big colt dragoon in his hand pointed at Laurie.

Laurie: Why won’t you just die!!

Hondo: Ifin it makes ya feel better, this hurts like Hell!

Laurie: It’s not good enough. I wonder though, you stand there so firm pointing that gun at me, but can you really shoot me? Can you shoot the one you love, your own wife?

Hondo: No, I couldn’t shoot the one I love, but know this, you may have the body of my former wife but the woman I loved is dead. Now, it’s time I put her body to rest by shootin’ an’ killin’ the witch that’s livin’ in it. So, backed by the name of Samuel Colt, I commanded you, Demon, BE GONE!

Laurie screeched as she raised her gun to shoot him, but even with her drug induced speed an’ trainin’ she was not match for him. Hondo coolly cocked her revolver an’ fired without battin’ an eye. The shot threw her back against a stack of crates.

At the same time Valentine tried to pull away from the guard an’ did so, but in doin’ so fell an’ bashed her wounded arm an’ leg against the floor. She squeaked which grabbed Hondo’s attention. The guard was unarmed as his weapon was holstered. He didn’t even have time to draw as Hondo shot him right off his feet without a second thought.

Hondo took a deep breath an’ walked over to Valentine who sat on the floor.

Hondo: Y’all right, Val?

Valentine: I won’t be ridin’ that bike again for a while. Looks like I’m gonna end up owin’ Fernando again as I need another patch job. Otherwise, I’m alright.

Hondo: Don’t feel that ya owe him. We all owe each other somethin’, but like him, we’re glad to help where we can. Now let’s get you outta here.

With a groan Hondo bent over, grabber her good arm that she held up to him an’ hauled her up.

Hondo: Sorry, not sure I can carry ya, but I can take the weight off yur injured leg.

Valentine: No worries.

Laurie (raspy): You think you’ve won? *cough, cough, groan*

Hondo limped Valentine over to where Laurie lay. There was a huge hole in her mid-section. Hondo’s aim was a bit low, from bein’ slightly hunched over he figured an’ from the pain. Hondo let Valentine sit on a nearby crate before takin’ one more step close to Laurie. He stood there lookin’ over her with his gun hangin’ by his side.

Hondo: I’m sorry I left your body when we escaped all those years ago. Had we any sign that ya were alive I’d have taken you with us or died tryin’. Had the others not had a medical team you’d have been dead. I wish ya had died. The woman that I knew that had this body was sweet an’ kind. She’d fight alongside me then cry for nights over the lives she had taken. That was back when I had enough heart left to find lives sacred too. Maybe we’re a lot alike now, but at least I can use this hate an’ anger in this black heart of mine to save lives. Now just take yur own advice an’ die.

Laurie: You won’t kill me like this and I’ll live on. I’ll show you! *cough, hack* I’ll live and find you *wheeze* and I’ll take away everything you hold dear while you watch helplessly *cough, groan* as I destroy it! Then I’ll break you to where *groan, wheeze* you’ll never be able to stop the evil. You’ll only be able to watch it until it kills you or you kill yourself to keep from seeing it! Ha HA HAA*choke, cough, hack, wheeze*

Hondo picked up his revolver and aimed it at her, but a shot ripped the air an’ split her skull before he could fire. He looked over at Valentine, who held a smokin’ 1911 .45.

Valentine: That bitch has taken enough from all of us. She won’t take anymore.

Hondo: Ya didn’t hafta shoot her. I would have.

Valentine: Yeah I did hafta. I had to know I could an’ that I helped take her down. Also, I dind’t want ya to be in this alone. Yur not alone anymore. We’re here for ya. Fernando, Tammy, Jeanie, me, all of us. Ya don’t hafta fight alone.

Hondo: I don’t ask others to fight my battles.

Valentine: Ya didn’t ask. We offered.

Hondo: Just wait until ya had time to think like ya wanted. You’ll see me for the monster I am after this is done.

Valentine: I had all the time in the world to think when she had me standin’ in front of her as a target.

Hondo: No, it just seemed like all the time in the world. A person can come to many conclusions when they are faced with their immediate mortality, or the like. But these decisions aren’t always made with a clear head. Ifin ya can’t see yourself doin’ those things with all of life ahead of ya then they aren’t for the best. But for now we need ta get ya outta here. Where the hell is Hillshire, by the way?

As if on cue gunfire erupted from the next set of bays over from them that were separated by a roll up door an’ a couple of walk through doors. Hondo grabbed Valentine an’ yanked her behind another stack of crates. The first walk through door to the side of the buildin’ they originally came in burst open an’ Hillshire leapt through. He spotted Hondo ran over to him. Triela was behind him sprayin’ bullets through the door as she came. An angry reply of guns came from the other side. She slammed the door an’ dove behind some crate close to where the others were. She set her weapon to single shot mode an’ started pickin’ off guards that tried to get through any of the 3 walk through doors.

Hillshire: What in the name of god happened? And where were you?

Hondo: Where were we? Where in the hell where you an’ yur girly super soldier? We were hit with 18 guards or so, I lost count. Val’s been wounded an’ my old sweetheart bounced a big ass bullet off one of my shoulder holster guns! We could have used a little back-up!

Hillshire: We couldn’t see from the smoke and there was no good cover to get there so we took the long way around and ended up in the other side. There are probably 30 guards over there.

Triela: There were 38. Now there is 30 *BANG*, 29.

Hillshire: Just keep a look out.

Triela: Yes sir.

Hillshire: Anyway, we snuck in through an open door. From what we heard Laurie was planning on surprising you and killing you two herself. The other guards were a distraction and a test to make sure there were only 2 of you. She was afraid Fernando would be with you. You two she thought she could handle but the 3 of you together, well, she thinks you make quite a team. Frankly, the 3 of you together scare her. El Jefe, on the other hand is scared of you for some reason. He doesn’t give a damn about Fernando. He’d like to see Val as his companion to use as leverage against her Father.

Hondo glanced over at Valentine, but she had scooted over to the far side of the stake an’ was takin’ aim as a door that seemed to be openin’ slowly.

Hondo: She thinks her father is dead!

Hillshire: What the guards said it sounds like he is not. Some partner of his has him for now.

Hondo: Don’t breathe a word of that to anyone! She needs to rest an’ heal from this a while first. I’ll tell her once this is over.

Hillshire: Alright. But like I said, it was guards talking. How reliable their information is I do not know. All I am sure of is that these guards now attacking will find a way over here.

Hondo: I knew there had to be somethin’ up earlier with these guys. They attacked us like they were backed by a large number. I need to get Valentine outta here. She’s not gonna make it much further.

Hillshire: Don’t look at me. I’m supposed to back you up, not pull you or your team out.

Hondo: Yeah, ‘bout that. What happened to ya not enterin’ the buildin’ but shootin’ from secure areas?

Hillshire (grinned): You secured this area right?

Hondo: You folks an’ yur mind games. Well yur here now, anyway. Get yourself into a good position. They are gonna pop open that roll up door as soon as they figure out how to. We luck out as the raise/lower mechanism is on our side.

Hillshire: You going to call on your backup to get her out?

Hondo: Yeah. Get yur spot. It won’t be long now.

Hondo grabbed his radio outta his pocket an’ moved back by Valentine. He looked it over to find it a bit cracked from him fallin’ on it but it seemed operational. He hit the mic button an’ gave a shout out to Jeaine an’ her men.

Hondo: Backup crew, y’all there?

The radio was silent for a moment, but then it crackled to life much to Hondo’s relief.

Jeanie: We’re here. Is all well?

Hondo: Eh, we’re not half done here. That she-devil we were after is dead, but we have a little less than 30 guards on the other side of a wall from us, an’ they will figure out how to get to us before long. Valentine’s hurt an’ needs pulled out, but things could get hairy fast.

*CRASH! BOOM!!*

At that moment a forklift with explosives tied to the tines an’ a brick on the throttle pedal crashed through the roll up door an’ blew up at the same time. It’s smolderin’ remains, still havin’ some rollin’ momentum crashed into the van that was parked to their left. The van smoldered an’ would inevitably burst into flames before long.

Jeanie: What was that?!

Hondo: they just figured out how to get through! I need one of your men in my truck A-SAP! Get Valentine out an’ clear out!

Jeanie: Yes, right away!

Hondo dropped the radio into his pocket an’ took up a position beside the already firin’ Valentine. Triela’s H&K UMP submachine gun an’ Hillshire’s H&K G36 guns were autos so they tried to keep heads down while Valentine an’ Hondo focused on getting’ those that tried to sneak through the hole in the wall or any of the man doors. As the smoke slowly started to dissipate the firing from the other side increased an’ got more accurate. Hondo cursed smokeless powder. Some good, thick, black gunpowder smoke would aid in keeping them an’ their movements more concealed as it would keep the smoke level up.

It wasn’t but a minute or two later when Hondo heard a familiar diesel engine approach. Not much after the truck was heard it was seen. The brush guard on the old truck smashed through the rubble an’ the big, thick treaded tires stomped all the debris in its way. The truck slid to a stop, usin’ the flamin’ van as a barrier. One of Jeanie’s personal guards were in the back hunkered down behind Hondo’s large truck box of which they had turned sideways as a barrier. He was shootin’ as soon as the truck stopped. The tinted windows didn’t let Hondo see who was drivin’ though he figured it was the chauffer.

Hondo grabbed Valentine by her good arm an’ stayin’ low as possible they made their way to the driver side of the truck as fast as possible. As they approached the door, the driver’s door flew open. The driver jumped out an sprayed a stream of bullets out of a sub machine gun takin’ down 2 henchmen guards that had snuck threw a door an’ were getting’ set to take a shot at Hondo an’ Valentine. The driver then turned to them.

Hondo: Jeanie! What the hell are you doin’ here? You were supposed to send yur damned henchmen, not come yourself!!

Jeanie: None of them drive stick.

Hondo: That’s a load of bull!

Jeanie: You going to argue or let me get her out of here?

Hondo: Fine.

Hondo opened the back door an’ set her down in the back seat. Valentine lay across the seat an’ held her 38 super 1911 in hand ready in case she needed it.

As Hondo shut the door Jeanie came up close to him.

Jeanie: Hondo, Fernando is being held by the SWA.

Hondo: What?! How the hell did you know that? And what ‘bout Tammy?

Jeanie: I overheard Hillshire talking on the phone to someone at the SWA before we left the house. Tammy is missing. It sounded like there was more going on but he cut the call short.

Hondo: Why didn’t you tell me before? I should have dealt with that before this! Damn it all!!

Jeanie: Fernando can take care of himself. You needed to do this mission. Also, I could not get you alone without making them suspicious. I must go.

Hondo: You know ifin he has orders to take us in after this?

Jeanie: I did not hear of any such orders but it is possible.

Hondo: Y’all get outta here. Take Valentine an’ make sure she stays with you. Do not let her come back for me, ya understand? LOOK OUT!!!

Three of El Jefe Grande’s guards came through the wall. Two of them had micro Uzis an’ the other had a shotgun. Triela took out the shot-gunner, but one of guard sprayed bullets at Hillshire an’ Triela which forced them to duck down farther. The other guard turned towards Jeanie an’ Hondo. Hondo grabbed Jeanie an’ pulled her in front of him, duckin’ his head down. Part of the spray hit him an’ pounded his back like drumsticks thumpin’ on a drum in a marchin’ band. Hondo was grateful for the bullet resistant layers. He wasn’t fully healed from the last time he acted as a bullet barrier, an’ though it didn’t hurt much now ‘cause of the adrenaline flowin’ through him it would later. As the henchmen reloaded Hondo swung ‘round an’ shot the first one through the head with a 45 long colt round from his Colt Anaconda. The second one turned to look at Hondo as he fired an’ it cost him his life. Hillshire took that moment as the guard turned away from him to shoot the idiot in the chest with his Beretta.

Jeanie looked a bit shaken but stood firm.

Hondo: Keep her with you. Ifin Fernando gets out make sure to ask him to not let her come lookin’ for me. Get your Men to follow you back in yur car. Take my truck an’ keep goin’. Call them by radio. Don’t stop until ya get to the safe house! Now Go!

Hondo turned an’ fired at a couple more would be heroes for El Jefe, but they ended up as corpses instead.

Jeanie stood still for only a moment as Hondo shot the last two then jumped into the truck. She swung the wheel hard to the right an’ hit the gas, throwin’ wood, glass, an’ rubble as she took off.

As Jeanie climbed into the truck Hondo grabbed his shotgun off his shoulder an’ walked forward. Triela an’ Hillshire saw him an’ knew what he was up to. As the truck started to move El Jefe’s men jumped to any hole they could to try to disable the truck or those around it. They did not succeed as they were met with a roarin’ shotgun an’ the rhythmic rattlin’ of two auto assault rifles.

Valentine shot out the window as the truck took off an’ flopped back into the seat as soon as they cleared the building. As soon as they were on their way Jeanie called her chauffer. Within minutes her limo was on her tail an’ she floored the big truck.

Valentine: Wait!

Jeanie: No. we must go.

Valentine: No! I need to help Hondo!

Jeanie: Hondo told me to take you back to the safe house. You are wounded and need medical attention.

Valentine: Help me tie a pressure bandage on it, give me the truck and I will go back. You can return with your men.

Jeanie: No. Hondo told me to make sure you didn’t return. I owe him to do what he asked.

Jeanie heard the cockin’ of a pistol’s hammer in her ear. As she looked into the rearview mirror she could see Valentine, teeth grit, holdin’ a revolver to her head.

Valentine: Ya will give me the truck an’ let me go back or else . . .

Jeanie: Or else what? You will shoot me?

Valentine: You don’t believe I have it in me to kill?

Jeanie: No. I believe you can kill, but I believe you are a good person. You would not kill someone who is trying to help, someone who is not a threat. I know if you kill me you would break Hondo’s heart. You would not do that to him. If you truly love him you will let me do this for him and for you.

Jeanie saw Valentine’s hand tremble a bit an’ a tear flow down here, dirty, bloody, smoke-stained cheek. Moments later she lowered her gun slowly and de-cocked the hammer. Valentine sat back in silence for a minute or two then she whispered softly, to where Jeanie could barely hear.

Valentine: I’m sorry. I . . . I love him so much an’ am so confused. I feel so helpless. Forgive me.

Jeanie: I understand. You are forgiven this time. This will stay between us and us alone. I give you a warning, though.

Valentine: ‘Bout what?

Jeanie: Point a gun at me again and that pill Fernando gave you will be as useful as a sugar pill is for curing cancer.

Valentine: I understand.

Jeanie: Let us get you back. Fernando and Hondo may need us before this is all over.

Hondo stepped forward into the breach as the truck roared off, emptyin’ his shotgun into the room in front of him. Hillshire an’ Triela joined him which gave him enough time to sling him shotgun over his shoulder, pull his Anacondas an’ continue. Hondo fired several times then stepped behind some boxes. Hillshire an’ Triela took a pile of crates opposite of him to trade shots with the enemy. Hondo reloaded his shotgun an’ each pistol as he could. He figured that they had killed another 10, possibly wounded a couple others. They were still out gunned, but he figured if Triela’s count was right they had 15 strong against them an’ maybe 4 wounded. Whether the wounded could still shoot at the or not he wasn’t sure.

They didn’t make any headway for a minute or two but he was sure the enemy hadn’t had a chance to organize any better either, but it gave Hondo time to look the area over. He could see they were on the back part of the buildin’. The buildin’ was ‘L’ shaped an’ they were on the bottom of the ‘L’ now. This part contained the offices at the toe of the ‘L’, the rest was storage an’ loadin’ docks.

The guards were on the office side an’ were holdin’ their ground, which meant El Jefe was still there. If that was so he would be feelin’ like a trapped rat right now. Hondo knew this would make him dangerous an’ force him to make his escape move soon. Hondo only hoped that it would make El Jefe reckless. El Jefe wasn’t stupid; he was a genius of the highest caliber an’ a cyborg to boot. Hondo never claimed to be smarter than him. He knew he’d lose at a game of wits an’ now even strength, though even before he was a tough customer to beat. Hondo’s only hope for defeatin’ El Jefe Grande was the hope of makin’ him act recklessly an’ that his own cause against El Jefe was just. Hondo had been in tighter spots against worse odds, but not of the like of El Jefe. El Jefe was to Hondo as Moriarty was to Holmes. Getting’ through the guards was the easy part. Takin’ down El Jefe would not be easy. Hondo was glad Valentine wasn’t there as the danger was too great.

Hillshire moved from pile to pile as Triela covered him. He made it to the pile of boxes Hondo was behind.

Hillshire: So what is the plan?

Hondo: I didn’t plan to make it this far.

Hillshire: Are you serious?!

Hondo (grinnin’ slightly): Nope. Just wanted to see ya panic.

Hillshire frowned: This is not the time for that.

Hondo: Maybe not, but I wasn’t gonna get a better opportunity.

Hillshire sighed: So, what is the plan?

Hondo: Kill them; stay alive.

Hillshire: You are not a lot of help!

Hondo sighed: We hafta pick off a few more then rush ‘um. I need to get into that office area. I need you an’ yur little machine-gun girly there to draw them off. We’ll keep pickin’ at them an’ I’ll move round. As soon as I get close back up. They should advance an’ hopefully that will let me slip in behind them. Got it?

Hillshire: It sounds like a foolish plan but . . .

Hondo: But what?

Hillshire: Better you than us. Just come back alive so Fernando does not kill us.

Hondo: I’ll make a note an’ try to remember to do that.

Hillshire signed at Hondo’s response, though it sounded as an attempt at humor no humor was indicated on his face, not then not earlier. Hillshire knew it was probably to deal with his own emotions. Hondo had said nothin’ about how he had killed his ex-wife or what had happened. Hillshire saw the body an’ recognized what was left of her from breifin’ photos. He figured Hondo had shut-down emotionally. Hondo’s supposed humor was more to annoy as the only emotion he’d allow himself to tap was hate.

At Hondo’s nod Hillshire signaled to Triela an’ together they lay down a cover fire. As they fire Hondo moved from pile to pile, post to post, and shadow to shadow. Hondo moved a few times then stopped shootin’. He let Hillshire draw the fire of the others while he moved carefully an’ unseen into position.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jul 5^th, 2013, 9:51pm

In the passing hours, Tammy is in her SWA Dorm Room on her agency computer typing up her report. Some 1200 words and 9 pages, she was getting nowhere fast with the details she did not know but only her husband knows. For her it has been a crazy few days, being dragged into a situation and needing to deal with it and her husband. Ferro walk through the open door way, stopping to look at Tammy staring at her computer screen.

“That report ready yet?”, Ferro says loud enough to break Tammy’s concentration.

“Huh?”, Tammy answers before turning to Ferro. She looks at her for a moment, “I’m sorry, I don’t have it ready yet.”

“Any why not?”, Ferro says as she takes a couple of steps to Tammy and then looks at her computer screen.

“Most of the details I do not know. Fernando did his own investigation, to get the details I need and the ending results. I was, err, dragged to where the action was.”, Tammy tries to explain.

“Hmmm...”, Ferro begins to think before saying, “Type up what you know and what you did and submit it. You got an hour to get it done.”

“OK...”, Tammy tries to reply, though Ferro was walking out the door.

Another fifteen minute of editing, Tammy finishes her report and submits it to Ferro’s email. She shakes her head for a moment, as she realizes that the report she submitted was less than two-thirds of what she had before but it was what she knows and what she did. Unfortunately Ferro arrives to her room with the print out of the three pages.

“What is this?”, Ferro asks as she shakes the printed pages of the report at Tammy.

“Its what you told me to send.”, Tammy replies.

“Its very deficent!”, Ferro tells her.

“I’m sorry but that is all I know!”, Tammy tells her in return.

“Then you will call your husband and have him give you those details.”, Ferro tells her.

Tammy does not want to argue, “I’ll see if I can reach him.”

“Do so.”, Ferro tells her before she leaves the room.

But she does not get far as Marco stops her not from getting too far from Tammy’s door. Tammy can hear them speak for a moment before Ferro begins to walk away. Marco stays outside for the moment, presumably watching Ferro walk to the stairs. He then walks to Tammy’s room, knocking on the door frame before walking in.

Tammy looks at the door way, “Oh. Its just you, Marco. What’s up?”

“Just wanted to see how you are doing, that’s all.” , Marco answers.

“I’m OK, considering.”, Tammy begins to say.

“Its not easy shooting somebody, even if they deserve it.”, Marco begins to say.

“Its not that.”, Tammy interrupts him.

“Oh?”, Marco asks.

“Its all this paper work that Ferro wants done and I cant answer any of it because my husband did so much of it.”, Tammy answers.

“But... you shot somebody intentionally to kill them.”, Marco tries to throw in.

Tammy pushes herself from her desk and turns her chair to face him, “Ms. Rossellini wanted to kill me to get Bink and reprogram her for Padana’s deeds against Italy. Furthermore she killed my husband’s agency doppelganger, forcing him into hiding and forcing me to live being a widow until his return. And according to SWA Records, she is wanted for various unsolved murders and injuries from the various bombings she and Franco are accused of. Maybe I can be forgiven for attempting to kill somebody who could not be killed by the normal means I attempted but how can she attone for her sins of conspiracy and murder of dozens of people. I did what I had to do in self defense against her actions of killing me and kidnapping Bink.”

“You have a right in saying that. But it leads to the question, where is Bink?”, Marco says and asks.

“She is in New York with somebody I can trust.”, Tammy answers.

“Can I ask why?”, Marco asks.

“The answer is simple, Marco. I do not want her exposed to murder and violence, even if it is for the enforcement of a nation’s law and peace. A child should not go through this. That is why I have her away with a family friend.”, Tammy tells her.

“She should be here with you.”, Marco tells her.

“Where she is, is none of your business. And before you pull off that ‘She’s your cyborg’ crap, she was my sister long before she became a cyborg, and for both her safety an well being, she is where I want her to be. Just like you have Angie where you want her to be.”, Tammy tells him.

Marco thinks and chooses his words wisely, “Bink needs her medical assessment and training, as you too need your training. The sooner she is here, the sooner that can happen.”

“I’ll return her when I return from my honeymoon with my husband, which will be three months from now from the time I rejoin my husband and we have a peaceful alone time together.”, Tammy tells him.

“And who approved this?”, Marco asks.

“Director Petris did, after you left to tell the others about who’s in charge when in our house. You can verify it with Chief Lorenzo if you like.”, Tammy tells him.

“I don’t have to verify anything.”, Marco tells her.

“Now why are you here?”, Tammy finally asks.

“Well, if you were in a more receptive mood, we handlers were going to celebrate on winning the mission, for without you, we would have not had a chance.”, Marco explains, adding, “And naturally you’re invited.”

“Let me get this straight, I’m invited to a celebration of a murder?”, Tammy points out to him.

“No. It’s a celebration by the handlers of a completed mission. Whether it ended with the termination or arrest of the subject, the mission is over as far as we are concerned. Things will be better to Italia with them out of the public view and influence. That is what we are celebrating.”, Marco points out.

“Then why in the past were there no celebrations?”, Tammy asks.

“There were, its that you were not part of those celebrations. Also when you arrived, this has been one giant mission, a bunch of small ones leading to another.”, Marco explains.

“There were no celebration for the Solvainia LSD Mission and I was part of that.”, Tammy points out.

“There would have been, after your marriage to what’s him name.”, Marco beings to explain.

“My husband has a name...”, Tammy interrupts him.

“His name will not be mentioned within the halls of this agency unless he is here to hear it, except by you. Now, as I was saying; there would have been a celebration, but finding him, his agency doopleganger, dead, threw a monkey wrench into the works and everything as put on hold. Then you left for your home in America to mourn. So without you, there could have been no celebration.”, Marco explains, interrupting her.

“I want no part of any celebration of the downfall of another person.”, Tammy tells him.

“You should reconsider that train of thought. This is not the celebration of a person’s downfall. This is a celebration of a completed mission with no casualties on our end. During war time, this would be a celebration of a battle or war won, which has been happening since the beginning of time.”, Marco explains.

“Go find somebody else to celebrate with. I have work to do, and later a home to go to, which I will want to be left alone when I get there.”, Tammy tells him.

“Alight. Have it your way.”, Marco tells her. Before he steps out of the room, “If you change your mind, then call me.”

Tammy does not acknowledge his last statement as she turns back to her desk. She can hear him walk away for a moment before stopping and the sound of several voices in the hall way as she looks at her computer screen. She does not hear or pays attention to a set of fast pattering feet that was getting louder.

Priscilla barges into her room and almost yells, “Why are you not coming to the end-of-celebration!”

“If you were outside, then you heard me tell Marco why.”, Tammy tells her.

“I heard nothing, and I want to hear it from the horse’s mouth.”, Priscilla tells her.

“I’m a squirrel, not a horse.” Tammy throws at her.

Priscilla just scowls at Tammy for the moment.

“I am not going to celebrate the fall and death of another person, especially when we were involed in their demise.” Tammy tells her, “Now if you don’t mind, I have a report to finish.”

“But you helped in bringing down Anne Rossellini, Italy’s worst terrorist!” Priscilla points out.

“Look. My attempt in bringing down Anne was a personal one that she wanted to take Bink away from me – her sister, and she would have done anything to achieve that goal including getting me killed. It was not for the SWA or for Italy, and if she would have killed my while pretending to be dead, then at least I tried to save what’s left of my family. Now go enjoy your precious little party without me. I want to me left alone.” Tammy tells her.

“I’m not leaving until you come with us.” Priscilla tells her.

“Please leave before I have to call Ferro or the chief and tell them that you are keeping me from my work.” Tammy explains to her as she picks up her cellphone. Priscilla stands there as is to call her bluff. “Hello, Ferro? I’m having a problem with Priscilla as she will not leave my room or leave me alone. Yes, I will tell her. Thank you.” Tammy says on the phone before turning to face her uninvited guest. “Ferro said to leave me alone before she gets here or you will be washing out the pizza vans tonight and everynight for a month.” Tammy tells Priscilla.

Priscilla just stares at Tammy for the moment.

“Don’t come crying to me if you change your mind.” Priscilla tells her before leaving.

“I swear. What is her problem?” Tammy says to herself as she hears Priscilla walk away. She then sits there for the moment before saving her work.

Looking at her cellphone she knows that Fernando will not answer for some reason, puts it away. She thinks for a moment before gathering her things and leaves her room. It takes her a few minutes to get things together and head to her car in the parking lot. She puts h bag on the hood of the Jaguar, fidning it lower than it should be. Stepping back, she finds the two tires on that side flat. Walking around her vehicle, she finds all four tires flat. She releaves a pent up frustrated sigh.

After three cans of “Flat Fix” and the airpump running on the fourth wheel, Tammy closes the trunk and sits in the driver’s seat thinking. After a few moments of looking through the windshield, she closes the door and drives for the her Safe House.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 21^st, 2013, 6:21pm

Before long Hondo was almost behind the last of the gunmen that could be seen in the open. Unless El Jefe Grande had somehow managed to sneak off he was sure there were others in the office area, but how many he could not say. The few windows to the warehouse area were blocked by window blinds an’ the lights in the rooms were too dim to cast much for shadows. It wasn’t long before he had worked himself behind them an’ to a ladder on the back wall. It appeared to be some sort of maintenance, access ladder of some sort. It came close to one of the upper office windows, which appeared to be open. This appeared to be a good way in, as long as he wasn’t spotted. Once on that ladder, if seen, he’s be a sittin’ duck. Hondo holstered his pistols an’ swung his shotgun so it crossed his back in a more secure manner, all the while keepin’ an eye on the bullet swap that continued. The climb up the ladder made him feel where he had been shot more so. The adrenaline had kept the pain at bay but he felt it all too well now. It didn’t take long to get to the top, an’ though he had a close encounters with a ricochet or two he made it to the top. Once at the top he realized the window looked closer to the ladder from the ground than it did at the moment, but he didn’t have time to waste. He leaped from the ladder to the window, grabbin’ the sill with his hands. About that time his left arm gave out from the brusin’ to his left side an’ shoulder. He lost grip with his left an’ hung precariously by his right an’ it seemed as if he might fall for a moment. That was enough to give him another burst of adrenaline. Hondo managed to overcome the pain long enough to hoist himself in the window. Once inside Hondo sat, pantin’ on the floor as he tried to regain composure an’ keep the pain under control. He had taken worse beatin’s an’ had more to come even today, he was sure, but he wasn’t getting’ any younger an’ the hard life he had lived thus far was bein’ felt today in full.

Hondo push himself to his knees then rose slowly to his feet after about 30 seconds. He peered around the empty room an’ saw nothin’ that needed any investigation so he moved towards the door. He pulled his dragoon colt before he tried the door. It opened easily an’ quietly as Hondo stepped carefully into the hall. It was dimly lit an’ empty. Hondo make a quick sweep of that floor. The few small offices here looked unused for the most part, but the large conference room had been used heavily. It was the one with the large skylight that they had spied on them through a couple days before. No one was around so he took a minute to snoop around. There were piles of empty food containers, papers here an’ there as well as parts to weapons, some ammo and empty mags. The place was a mess. Hondo thought out loud, in whispered tones as he looked around.

Hondo: I think we might actually have ya worried, my ol’ enemy.

Hondo saw some drawin’s on a table against the wall.

Hondo: Ifin yur worried, you’ll have a plan. I know yur smart but yur cocky. Hopefully cocky enough to left me a clue.

It didn’t take long for Hondo to find somethin’ that gave him a sense of urgency. He held up a layout of the warehouse an’ marked on it was placements of bombs with one central area mark as having a larger load.

Hondo: Shit! What next?

As soon as he said it he regretted it. The sounds of a helicopters startin’ up could be hear on the roof.

Hondo: I had to fricken ask!

Hondo dug into his pocket an’ pulled out the battered radio he had an’ tuned into the frequency that Hillshire had been usin’. The damn thing was pretty well shot but he got it to work. They had a secure channel but it only encoded an’ decoded their own broadcasts while still allowin’ non-coded message signals in. Hondo talked into the radio as he moved down the hall. The warehouse layout had shown that each bomb had its own control panel but that there was a timer start button an’ time read-out on the stairs to the roof. Hondo knew it was left intentionally for him to find but ifin the count-down had started he needed to see if he had enough time an’ if he could intercept El Jefe Grande. Hondo knew he could not let this monster escape again. He had to kill him again!

Hondo (into radio): Hillshire! Get out, the place is rigged to blow! I repeat get clear of the buildin’. The place has multiple self-sustainin’ bombs.

The radio crackled to life.

Radio: This frequency is being used by law enforcement. Get off this channel or we will find you and prosecute you.

Hondo: This is Hondo Sackett, I am attached with Fernando’s Team an’ am leadin’ the clearin’ out of this buildin’ in front of ya! There is several bombs in here an’ . . . SHIT!

Hillshire (on the radio in a whisper): Control that is Sackett. Hondo, your radio signal is not encrypted.

Hondo: I don’t give a damn! Listen! I am lookin’ at a control panel you have 75 seconds to get out of here before the bomb blows.

Hillshire: We are coming in after you.

Hondo: I said get your #$@!in’ Asses out of this buildin’! Now! 65 seconds.

Hondo started up the stairs to the roof when his radio came alive again.

Hillshire: We are out! But as we left 5 guards ran in. They are probably headed to the roof.

Hondo (to himself): Shit that’s all I need.

Hondo was out of time but bein’ surrounded wouldn’t work. He upholstered two pistols an’ raced down the stairs to meet them head on. He was runnin’ out of time an’ didn’t feel like dyin’ today. He expected at any second to see the guards but saw none until he hit the first floor. Several guards were tryin’ to come in an’ saw him at the same time. Hondo raised both revolvers an’ started firin’ 4 went down right away, another two wounded staggered back an’ they along with the rest tried to run out the door that most likely Hillshire an’ his girl had gone through. Hondo didn’t see it but heard the rattle of gun fire that ended them as they ran out of the buildin’. Hondo was about to dash for the door himself when he heard a door down the hall slam shut. He ran down the hall an’ threw open the door just in time to see a trap door in the floor of a large closet shut. He had less than 15 seconds an’ knew he’d never make it out the door. Instead he keyed up his radio one last time.

Hondo: The chopper is a fake! El Jefe Grande has gone underground! Repeat Copter a decoy! The Rat is underground!

Unfortunately, the damage to the radio an’ his bein’ deeper in the buildin’caused his transmission to be choppy. All that was heard by the SWA was: (static)Chopper fake (static)Jefe Grande has gone (static)Decoy (static)The Rat (static)

Hillshire (on Radio): Get out of there!

Hondo: If I don’t make it tell Fernando an’ Val I’m sorry.

What was heard was : (static)Tell Fernando (static) Val I’m sorry.

Hillshire: NO, GET OUT!

Hilshire’s last message was deafened by the sound of multiple small explosions followed by one large one that seemed to have happened all at once. The helicopter had taken off an’ was shot out of the air for good measure. Decoy or not they were takin’ no chances. The buildin’ itself lay in rubble; several fires burnt as well which added to the smoke an’ dust in the air. Fire trucks were call immediately but most knew it would be too late for anyone left inside. Triela tried to run into the buildin’ but was held back by Hillshire.

Triela: We gotta save Hondo!

Hillshire: No. We can’t it’s too late.

Triela: He might still be alive

Hillshire: Even if he is he will be broken to pieces and he won’t live long. If he did he would be an invalid. That is no way for a free cowboy to be.

Triela: The SWA could save him like they did me and the other girls!

Hillshire: Hondo? A cyborg?? No, that would never work. Besides he’s too old for our use.

Triela: But he was there for me and all the other girls back when Fernando . . .

Hillshire interrupted: You are not to speak of that event. It was good that Hondo was there for you and protected you but he would have shot me without blinking ha I got in his way.

Triela: Fernando probably will. He warned you to bring them both back alive.

Hillshire: He did, didn’t he?

The fires burnt for hours an’ even then the materials were too hot to handle. By the time things would be ready to look for bodies it would be dark. Since the hope of survivors was not even a thought in anyone’s mind, the hunt for bodies was put off until first light. The SWA clean-up crew stayed to keep control of the situation and do what clean-up they could before the press could find out anythin’. Back at the SWA the mornin’ paper’s headlines were bein’ sent into the papers offices. The headlines read: “Faulty Electrical and Explosives Storage Do Not Mix.”

Hillshire, Triela, an’ all other specialist personal retreated to SWA headquarters to wait for new orders an’ repercussions from Fernando.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Dec 6^th, 2013, 7:22pm

Tammy drives at slightly higher than normal to the safehouse. She arrives into the gate in less than 45 minutes though a pick up truck and a Rolls Royce Limosine drive up behind her. Together the three vehicles drive up in file to the rear of the complex and randomly park themselves near the rear of the house. As they got out of their vehicles, Jeanie and Valerie rush to Tammy.

“Tammy, there you are! You know where Fernando is?” Jeanie says as she approaches her.

“Fernando should be upstairs. Why? How went your mission?” Tammy answers and then asks. Then she notices Hondo not being there, “Where’s Hondo?”

“He was in at the warehousse last we saw him. He told us to leave the area and come here. Of couse Miss Valentine here needed some coaching to come with me.” Jeanie answers.

“I see.” Tammy replies as she starts to head to the rear door of the house. She puts her hand on the knob and tries to twist it, finding it lock. “That’s strange...” She says to herself.

“What is it?” Both Val and Jeanie say.

“It’s locked.” Tammy answers.

“Then just use the key.” Jeanie says.

“There is not key for this door.” Tammy answers.

“Then let’s use the front door.” Val is heard before hee turns the corner of the house.

Jeanie tells her guards to check out to the outdoor area as they head to the front door, and not to enter until she calls them. During the minute it takes them to walk around th house, Fernando is downstairs in the liviging room area checking out his weapons and other personal items. Tinkerbell is ordered to leave if anybody heads upstairs, where she is hiding in his bedroom waiting for him.

Like the back door, the front door was locked as well. But when in doubt, one has to ring the door bell.

The door slowly opens itself just enough to look inside. Valentine puts her forearm against the door and pushes it fully open before stepping inside. Fernando was on the phone while closing his laptop screen as they walk in.

“Alright. Establish a premeter around the area and I’ll be there. And tell your guards to allow me through. I expect you to wait for me to get there.” Fernando says before hanging up the phone. He looks at the three of them.

“Who was that?” Jeanie asks before the others.

“It’s none of you of your concern. You three are to stay here until I return.” Fernando tells them. “Jeanie. Tend to Ms Valentine’s wounds, then the place. We should have a victory celebration.”

“I’m not hurt.” Valentine complains.

“Wait until you sit down and relax, Ms. Valentine. When the Adrenaline drops down you are going to be in a lot of pain and that is going to be the least of you worries. Jeanie...” Fernando tells them.

“Yes sir...” Jeanie tells him before taking Valentine by the arm, “You’re coming with me.”

“Now wait a minute...” Valentine complains.

It goes on deaf ears as Fernando starts to walk away.

“Fernando?” Tammy asks as she trots over to him. She takes him by his arm, forcing him to hold back on his defense reflex that might have hit her.

He looks at her, “I said for you and the other to stay while I’m gone. Among other things, the SWA might be dropping by, so be ready for them if and when they do. I do not want this place to be empty when they come.”

“Alright. When should I expect you to come back?” Tammy asks.

“Soon enough. Before nightfall.” Fernando tells her.

“I’ll be here waiting for you then.” Tammy says.

“Keep the doors locked so nobody can get in without you letting them in. Jeanie, get your men in here and guard from the inside.” Fernando says before leaves without saying goodbye.

In a minute the sound of his Porsche 928 engine roars to life and can be heard leaving the premises. Jeanie gets her men into the house as Fernando drives onto the main highway. With kilometer markers passing at every 5 seconds, Fernando makes it to Rome in slightly over a half hour. Getting to the docks took another 15 minutes. Fernando parks his Porsche a few blocks away where the neighborhood was respectable. A couple of more minutes, Fernando walks up to a security detail behind what was left of the docks, tappig his cane louder to get their attention.

“Who are you and why are you here?” one of the Italian police tells him.

Fernando slowly reaches into his pocket and pulls out his American Agency shield holder and shows them the identication and shield inside, “That is who I am, and Public Safety Officers Marco Tongi and Victor Hartmann are expecting me. Are they here?”

“There are no one here by those names. Go back to your agency and wait for the press release to give you all the news media detail.” The officer tells him.

“Hold on to that thought while I verify your information...” Fernando puts away his identication and then pulls out his cellphone and presses a few buttons to make a call. After a couple of rings somebody answers. “Hello Victor. You’re on the docks? I’m going to hand the phone over to one of these police officers. Please explain to them that I am allowed in the area to see you and Marco. Thank you.” Fernando says on the phone before handing over the officer.

The voice on phone does not sound happy and the demeanor of the officer changes to one from abusive authority to respectful fear. Soon the phone is handed back to Fernando by a shakey hand.

“I’ll take you to him right away...” the officer says to Fernando.

“I can find the place myself. You two stay here and do your jobs accordingly.” Fernando tells him before he steps away.

He walks up to the dock area tapping his cane in front of him. Soon he disappears around the corner from their sight. The dock area and piers seemed untouched by the devastation of the exploded dock warehouse. Not far away was Marco and Hillshire. Fernando approaches them tapping the cane in front of him loudly. They turn to face him.

“You can cut out the act, we know you can see.” Marco says out loud as Fernando gets closer.

Fernando stops when he gets next to them, folding the cane as he looks at the carnage in front of him.

“Hondo has not ben found?” Fernando asks.

“No. And it would take days to get an excavating crew here to clean this up just to find him.” Hillshre explains.

“Try checking under the docks.” Fernando tells him.

“Why should we check under the docks?” Marco asks.

“Considering how this building collapsed, I would think that his body had to fall through the floor and into the water. I’m sure the news media would love to post on the 11o’clock news ‘Local Fisherman finds Dead American Cowboy Armed with Guns in His Fishing Net.’” Fernando tells him.

Both Hillshire and Marco look at each other.

“I’ll be back later. If you find Hondo under the docks, he has rights as an American agent working under me.” Fernando tells them.

“We’ll see what happens.” Marco tells him in kind.

“Don’t see. Do. Remember who got Anne for you. All I want is the favor to be returned.” Fernando tells him. He then nods at them and starts to walk away. It takes him a while walk the distance back to the two security guards. He stops by them for a moment but not look at them, “I’ll be back. Tell the next shift about me in case you two have to leave.”

“Will do.” One of the guards replies.

Without giving a reply, Fernando starts to walk away. In a few minutes Fernando walks up to his car. He looks around for a moment, seeing an alley, which is normal for this area of town. What catches his eye is a manhole cover in the middle of the alley.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jan 3^rd, 2014, 9:39pm

Hondo coughed an’ blinked as he tried to gather his thoughts. He felt pinned down an’ could see nothing. Where was he? What happened? He hurt all over, especially his chest, but though confused he remained calm as possible while he tried to piece together what happened to him. Slowly it came back: the mission, getting’ shot to protect Val, searchin’ for El Jefe Grande, an’ the bomb. It all rushed back to him then.

Just as the bombs went off he had jumped into the closet. Fortunately for him the bombs were not synced well and the further ones went off first an’ destabilized the floor around the trap door, which he had leapt onto, that lead to an underground escape tunnel. He fell in an’ was partially buried under debris but several large structural beams had fallen over top of him keepin’ the mass of the burnin’, crumbling’ building’s rubble off of him. Unfortunately for him he hit his head on the way down an’ blacked out for several seconds or more.

He didn’t know how bad it was as all he remembered of the explosion was the boom then the floor givin’ way an’ plungin’ him into darkness. He could smell the smoke but some air source close by was pushing the smoke up an’ away from him for the most part. After a bit his eyes started focusing again an’ were growing accustom to the dark. The light from a flicker of fire above him cast a faint glow as did somethin’ further along. At first he thought the tunnel lead to the shore line as the warehouse sat almost at the water’s edge, but the tunnel seemed to lead away from the shore and towards the city. He swore violently and bitterly in a low voice as he thought of Hector Hatfield getting’ away. He could NOT fail. It wasn’t an option! His right leg was free but the other had somethin’ pinnin’ it down an’ he had a beam an’ part of the trap door framin’ across his chest, but though it put pressure on his chest it wasn’t layin’ with its full weight on him, which was good. He knew he needed both legs free to wiggle out so he kicked hard whatever had his leg pinned down. He soon would consider that a bad move as pain shot through his leg causin’ him to cuss again and make up some new swear words as the ones he knew just didn’t seem to do the job. He didn’t cuss just cause it hurt but cause he was pissed off and it seemed like the thing to do. The debris had something sharp pointing down and stuck into his leg. Hondo figured they were probably nails, definitely more than one, and they were stuck into his left leg. After he recomposed himself he managed to get the heel of his right boot hooked under the large chunk of wood and nails. A couple deep breaths then he kicked upward to try to flip it up and away. It was too close though to get a good kick with and it only pull out of his leg, hopped down a few inches an’ made some new holes. He knew he shouldn’t had have got up this morning. After he made up a few dozen new words an’ likened the situation an’ El Grande to everythin’ except a Christian he recomposed an’ went for another go. The few inches he had gained the last time was enough to position it so he could kick it up higher an’ move his left leg out of the way, though it hurt like a “som’bitch”! He laid still for another half a minute breathin’ deeply and getting his pain under control. He knew every second he wasted gave El Jefe grande that much more of a head start so he rested no longer but proceeded to wiggle out from under the beam and shit that lay across his chest. It was painful an’ his side felt like there was probably a chunk of wood stuck in it, but he was pissed off and had enough adrenalin in his system now that the pain was dulled greatly. Once free he took stock of what he had. He had most of his weapons, though his rifle would need sited in again and his shotgun stock was beat up pretty bad. His revolvers were still in place an’ had probably saved him from worse injuries. What he couldn’t find was his 1911. After some searching with a small flashlight he kept in his pocket he finally found it. The beam that had fallen across his chest had only not lay fully on him as a spike on it had hooked the 1911 an’ pinned it against the concrete wall of the tunnel. The weight was too much for him to lift an’ the pistol looked pretty mangled. He had an extra clip for it full of depleted uranium rounds an’ he knew he’d need them. Hector was too much cyborg he was sure. He knew Hector too well. He wouldn’t have stopped his upgrade at what was needed to save his life. El Grande was a power-hungry animal that wanted to smash his enemies with his own hands when he could and after Hondo had whipped him once he’d not leave himself vulnerable again. Hondo took and pulled two of the DU rounds out of their casings an’ pulled two lead bullets out of two .45 Long Colt rounds. He replaced the DU rounds into the Long colt brass and put them in one of his derringers. He tucked his pants into his boots an’ clipped it in the inside of his right boot where it couldn’t be seen but he could reach it. The little derringer wasn’t a very accurate weapon thus he usually loaded it with 3” .410 shells loaded with 00 shot. He knew the only way he’d get a shot anyway was close up. El Grande would probably get the drop on him he knew and would strip him of his guns, but this one wouldn’t be seen. Also that bump to the head left his vision unreliable at best an’ the injuries and adrenalin left his hands less steady. It left him with one option; close up or not at all.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Feb 8^th, 2014, 1:28am

OOC: Not the post y'all have been waitin' for but one closer to it. Next post, Hondo Vs Hector (El Grande): a fight to the death!:BIC

Hondo tied a bandana ‘round his left leg up high to slow down bleeding from the several puncture holes it had sustained an’ checked briefly for other wounds. His side had what felt like wood chunks stuck in it but they didn’t stick out too far as to get into the way an’ he wasn’t sure how deep they went. Pulling them out could possibly cause more trouble and would insure EL Grande’s escape.

The tunnel was dark but a faint light way ahead let Hondo see at least a rough outline of what was ahead. He checked his shotgun’s action and once satisfied it would work he made sure it was fully loaded.

He started forward an’ stumbled after just a few yards. Though he could see a rough outline of the tunnel he couldn’t see that the floor was cracked up and very uneven. He didn’t want to give himself away but he knew sneakin’ up on them wouldn’t work in his condition anyway. He had to lose to win. He dug into one of his pockets an’ pulled out a small roll of electrical tape which he used to crudely secure his flashlight to the shotgun barrel. Now he could see wherever he pointed the gun.

Hondo started off again at a fast paced limp, now that he could see the floor, an’ slowly forced himself into a sort of trot. The more he went the more his muscles loosened an’ the more the pain caused his system to surge with adrenaline until he didn’t feel anythin’ at all except his need to end Hector an’ his destructive enterprises.

On up ahead the tunnel split off in three directions. There was some sort of vent to the top side there that spilled some light into the tunnel. It was obvious here that the tunnels were used for running water, electrical, steam, gas, an’ other items under the city. There had to be several maintenance hatches, but most were in the middle of the street. Using them would be suicidal at worst an’ alert the law in the very least. No, it had to be further on in the old town where there might be some access to a basement or the like. Even then it wouldn’t be safe for them to leave the tunnels until after dark. Though the SWA kept the country in the dark information wise, they had other ways of incriminating folks an’ getting their faces put out on an A.P.B.

The tunnel Hondo originally found himself in wasn’t part of the cities tunnel network. It was put up later as an escape tunnel or as a way to get in without being seen. Of the three he looked at now only one fit the bill of someone moving through regularly. Of the three the left one was fairly new the dirt and cob-webs showed no one had gone through there in several months. The right tunnel and the middle tunnel were both old but the middle one was low and narrow. The right tunnel, though old showed signs of being lowered and widened to accommodate foot traffic an’ possible smaller freight traffic as well. Hondo continued his pace down the center tunnel after a brief 15 second observation of the three and where he was. He didn’t know the city too well an’ bein’ underground, not to add the way he got there, left his baring’s a might off, but he was fairly sure he was headed around to the old district to the east of the warehouse. After trottin’ a hundred yards or so in this tunnel Hondo stopped as he thought he heard something. It was voices ahead. He moved a bit more slowly as he wanted to hear what was being said. He got close enough to make out El Jefe Grande talking to the few henchmen that were with him.

Hondo leaned against a wall as he listened, his fatigue, injured body, an’ blood loose was catchin’ up to him. He rested as he listened, tryin’ to gather the strength to end it. He would either end it now or it would end him as he tried.

Hector Hatfield (AKA El Jefe Grande) was obviously in a good mood from what Hondo could hear. His mood plus his thinking Hondo was dead was probably the only reason he hadn’t heard Hondo coming yet. Hectors gloating pissed off Hondo an’ it was that anger that would help him find the strength to keep on keeping on.

Hector: Soon it will be dark and we can finish off Sackett’s friends!

Thug #1: Are you sure the Cowboys dead?

Hector: No. He’s alluded death before, but that fire-ball that he was caught in should have done it, or at least slowed him down. I almost hope he’s still alive.

Thug #2: But that means we are in danger!

Hector: Shut-up, you fool! I am more than a match for him now. He’ll never stand a chance against me!

Thug #1: Then what was all this about? The fight? The building blowing up? Everything??

Hector: I forget how simple minded you oafs are. I will try to make this simple to understand. They found me thus my business would be plagued with law dogs and I would eventually have to fight advanced weapons, special ops, maybe even the army once they found out my capabilities. It’s not good for business and is a potential risk to my health. I would eventually win, but it’s hard, dirty work. I want luxury and comfort all my days. So I draw in the would-be hero, Hondo Sackett, his team, and the inevitable law dogs that would force their way into his pathetic attempt at justice and revenge. I hurt them, waste their resources, and hurt their moral, and then in a ball of fire, wipe away any evidence of me being there, along with any dead bodies. There was enough supplies, flammable chemicals, and dry wood to get rid of any DNA that they may hope to find. The Helicopter, which they shot down, was also a body consuming fireball, of which even in is all they can declare they never found my remains it will be years down the road before they have gone through everything and the amount of damage will put so much doubt of their even finding evidence of my remains that my possible existence will be a mere foot note at the bottom of a forgotten file. In the meantime, I will have killed his CIA friends if they follow in such a way that they will never pin it on me and his lady friend, will vanish out of sorrow many will say, while in reality she is by my side, under my control to do my every bidding, whether to kill for me, make love to me, entertain guests, or even kill herself for my pleasure! HA HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAH!!! * he laughed evilly*

Thug #2: So where are we going? You are known here, the USA, and Mexico.

Hector: We will go to South America. There is a Nazi party there that owes me a few favors. They will take us in, help us with new identities, and as long as I feed them money we will be free to do business as we please.

Thug #3: How do we know you’ll not ditch us like you did all of my buddies in the ware house.

Hectors smile disappeared into a look of shock and rage.

Thug #1: Shut up, man! Just trust him.

Thug#3: No, I mean it. He left his girlfriend to get blown apart by that western bum and his whore. Whats’ stopping him from betraying us?

Hector snarled an’ leaped at the thug grabbing him by the throat and lifting him off the floor.

Thug #4: don’t kill him, Boss. Please. He didn’t mean it!

Thug #5: His little brother was killed upstairs. He’s out of his head, Boss.

Hector’s breathing slowed an’ the snarl slowly left his face. After a moment he dropped the thug who fell to the floor chocking and gasping for air. Hector turned his back to them for a moment then sighed.

Hector: I should kill you on the spot for such impudent behavior, but I’m in a good mood thus I’m in a forgiving mood. Next time I won’t be so forgiving.

Thug #6: We understand, sir.

Hector: Good. So, why should you trust me? Well, I need distributors. You remain faithful to me through this and get me out of here and you will be rewarded. I like, no , love money, but what I love more than money is faithfulness. You could lose me one billion dollars, but if you did all you could to not lose it and was faithful to me in it, that’s all that matters. If I can trust you, you need never fear me.

Thug #1: how soon do we move out, Boss?

Hector: It should be dark in 40 minutes, so we will move out in one hour. Then we got get Sackett’s Bitch. I want to take her a time or two before I inject this slave drug into her, just to see the hope leave her eyes and her give in to despair! That will be my true reward.

The group in the room, 6 thugs and Hector, was startled to hear a voice down the tunnel. It was familiar but rougher than usual but the words rang out loud and clear.

Voice: Over my Dead body, you Son of a bitch!

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Sep 27^th, 2014, 9:00pm

It could have been three hours that had pasted but it actually less than half an hour of waiting and staring at a man hole cover. A solid body van with tinted front widows pulls over into the steet and on top of the manhole. Fernando can see that a hidden compartment in the bottom of the van is open and the manhole cover is lifted from its hole by tools inside the van reaching down onto it. Fernando walks over to the van on it’s driver’s side door. The tinted window rolls down and scuffy musclar hench man looks down at Fernando.

“Move the van.” Fernando tells him.

“HA!” the henchman laughs as three others with guns in their hands step out of the van from the rear of the van and a fourth from the front, all walking to the driver’s side, he continues, “You are no one to tell us what to do here, little man.

“One final time – cover up the manhole and take your asshole friends with you.” Fernando tells him.

The henchman in the driver’s seat pulls out a Barretta 9mm and puts it to Fernando’s face, “You will be leaving here when the morgue truck picks up your dead stinking tail-*!!!”

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Shots are rung out in rapid, with bodies dropping tot he floor dead. The henchman at the driver’s seat scream as his arm with the gun is pinned backwards against the van’s door frame on a broken elbow joint. One of Fernando’s 1911-M2As pinned at the henchman’s cheek.

“Your mistake. Now you die.” Fernando tells him as he lets off one final round into the henchman’s head. He falls into the space between the driver’s seat and the passenger seat by the engine well cover.

It takes couple of minutes for Fernando to cover up the manhole with the wench inside the van and to put the bodies inside the van. With the door open and without sitting on the driver’s seat, Fernando drives the van a few feet off the manhole. He turns of the engine, rolls up the windows and locks doors . He picks up his spent round casings as soon as he got to look over the manhole one more time. He can hear men yelling in the manhole but could not make up what was being said.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Oct 12^th, 2014, 12:16am

The thugs all looked at each other than at Hector.

Hector: This is a bit of a setback. I did not expect him this soon.

Thug #1: Who in hell found us here?

Thug #3: It's that cowboy bastard! I'm going to kill that son of a bitch!

Before any of the others could react thug #3 ran out the door. A few muffled shots were heard either farther down the tunnel or outside the manhole as he ran out the door. The echoes in the tunnels made their location indiscernible, but they didn't have time to ponder long on them as gunfire erupted in the tunnel just milliseconds later. Three quick shots were heard followed by a delayed fourth then after some indiscernible talk a fifth shot was heard.

Hector shook his head: What a waste.

Thug #2: Maybe he got the cowboy?

Hector looked at the thug with an air of disgust in his look.

Hector: You really are a moron. He killed me once. Your friend did not have a chance.

Hondo heard the thug yell out and saw him sprint out the door, drawing his 9mm out of his should holster as he ran at Hondo. Hondo blinked an' squinted to bring his tired, sore eyes into focus in the dark as he drew and fired. Even injured Hondo’s hand flashed to his gun and brought it up so fast it almost appeared to materialize in his hand. Due to his condition the first two shots he fanned off were low, but the third slug caught the thug in the chest. The thugs legs buckled and he slumped down against the wall of the tunnel, his gun going off sending its slug harmlessly into the floor. Hondo walked up to the thug, who was coughing up blood as he sagged against the wall. The thug spoke through the coughing and foamed blood around his mouth.

Thug: You killed my brother, you bastard! The boss won't let you live. *cough Hack Wheeze* He'll make that bitch of yours his sex slave and make you watch her ride him as you die! heh heh hehe *Hack cough cough, Wheeze* You will never win.

Hondo raised his revolver to the thugs head and cocked the hammer.

Hondo: #$@! you.

With that Hondo shot the thug in the head then calmly shucked the spent casings from his revolver and replace them with new rounds. After the revolver was reloaded he holstered it. Hondo limped a few paces forward and though in pain and exhausted he didn't feel either of them at the moment. All he felt was hate, hate of the one that threatened those he cared about. He had but one thought on his mind, "kill El Grande".

The room where Hector Hatfield (AKA El Jefe Grande) and his five remaining thugs stood was an old sealed up basement. They had been waiting for their escape ride to get them but the manhole cover where they were to exit was in the tunnel. To get to their planned exit they would have to go through Hondo Sackett. This worried the thugs greatly, but Hector was barely fazed.

Thug #6: What are we going to do! We can't escape with him out there!!

Thug #4: should have made sure he was dead earlier.

Thug #1: We have to make a move NOW!

Hector: Just have some faith in me and a little patience.

Thug #2: No, we have waited too long we need to kill this John Wayne want to be bastard now and get the hell out of here!

Hector: Fine. Do as you all please but the result of your actions will be on our own heads.

About that time the voice sounded again from the tunnel.

Hondo: Come out an' face me like men, or do I hafta go in an' flush y'all out like the rats ya are!

Thug #4: So you can shoot us as we come out? We are not that stupid!

Hondo: Come out guns holstered an' we'll have us a fair fight, or y'all can send your boss out in which case I might not kill all y'all. Whatever y'all decide ya'd better make up yur minds quick like. I’m a might pissed off an' won't wait all day.

The thugs looked at Hector who sat calmly in a chair and dismissed that thought right away.
With a look at the door and a nod they holstered their weapons, though their hands hovered near them still.

Thug #6: We are coming out!

Hondo: Do it then.

The thugs piled into the tunnel ready for anything, but were surprised to find only a bloody, beat up, and tired cowboy with his head hung down and arms dangling loosely at his sides with pistols holstered. They stared for a few seconds then started to chuckle.

Hondo: What's the joke?

Thug #4: You are.

Hondo: Oh?

Thug #2: You are the stupidest bastard I have ever seen.

Hondo: Why?

Thug #2: You are injured and tired.

Thug #4: There are five of us and one of you. We have semi-auto pistols and you carry old, slow revolvers. Do you want to die?

Hondo: No.

Thug #1: Then what do you hope to accomplish by this? What is your plan?

Hondo lifted his head enough for his eyes to show under the brim of his hat, He stood like that, solemnly, for a moment then grinned. This unsettled the thugs a bit, but they were sure since it was five against one and he was so beat up that how could they not beat him?

Hondo: To kill all you rat bastards.

Thug #6: #$@! you, you white-trash hick!

Hondo: I don't think so. Draw varmints!

The thugs were stunned for a moment at the defiance of the cowboy. He looked like death walking, but yet there he was threatening them! What seemed like hours were but a mere few seconds before the first one of the thugs snapped out of his stunned state. Angered at the defiance this American the thug grabbed at his gun but before he could pull iron he felt a blow as if a sledge-hammer had just hit him in the throat. To his comrades surprise he fell to the ground wih half his throat gone, gurgling his last few seconds of life away. The cowboy stood with a smoking gun in his hand. Hondo had meant to shoot him in the chest but his injuries were taking a toll on his aim. Being snapped back to reality the other thugs went for their guns without a second thought. Hondo shot the first of the last 4 through the heart then shot at the second one and hit the gun in his hand, sending it flying and leaving the thug clutching his injured hand. The other two scrambled back towards the manhole and pushed it up together, being so hyped up on adrenaline as they were. The one Hondo shot the gun out of his hand took off after them but Hondo managed to blow the thugs knee out with the next shot. The thug screamed and fell against a wall. Two quick gunshots sounded from above the manhole and the two thugs that thought they had made an escape fell dead back into the tunnel, a bullet hole in both their heads. The last thug whimpered as he then cried out as Hondo reloaded his revolver and slowly walked towards him

Thug: I surrender! I surrender! For God's sake, Don't shoot me!

Hondo stopped and stared at the whimpering thug for a moment then he holstered his pistol and started to turn away, as he did he pulled his bowie knife from his belt and turned back to the thug, throwing the knife deftly into the thugs chest. The thug crumpled to the floor dying as Hondo walked up to him. Hondo yanked the knife from the thugs body.

Hondo: Wish granted.

Thug gasped: You killed me!

Hondo: you asked me not to shoot ya. Ya didn't say nothin' 'bout stayin' alive.

The sound of clapping came from the doorway of the room up ahead. Hondo looked up to see his arch nemesis standing there with a grin as he clapped.

Hector: What a performance. Well done.

Hondo (snidely): I aim to please.

Hector: Oh I am pleased, I am indeed. You have gotten much more ruthless since we last met. There was a time when you would have spared that rats life, all of them in fact, in hope the system would rehabilitate them. I take pride in believing I helped you become the vicious, heartless killer you have become.

Hondo: You may have pushed me to it but . . .

Hector: But what? It is for a good cause? To save those you care about? That is a load of bull-shit, and you know it. You just tell yourself that to cover up your guilt.

Hondo: This isn't about me. I've overheard your plans you sick, twisted bastard.

Hector: As far as I see it my way is far more humane.

Hondo: Humane?

Hector: Yes. You "save" her from me and she falls for you then you drag her around on these missions of yours you will either get her killed or at the very least make her life be filled with guilt until her heart is as black as yours and mine. She will then loose her soul. Is that what you want?

Hondo: And your way is somehow better?

Hector: Yes, of course it is.

Hondo: How so?

Hector: When I turn her and that bitch of your bosses into my slaves they will feel no guilt as they will have no will of their own. Their hearts will not be filled with hate as they will feel nothing. Their souls will be saved as their action will be mine, not theirs.

Hondo: Laurie was hateful, evil, and soulless. You turned her into a monster!

Hector: That is true. She was one of the early experiments. My superiors were happy with her, but I regret what I turned her into. She was too beautiful for me to kill but she was dangerous and unpredictable.

Hondo: So you sent her to me so I had to kill my wife?!

Hector: She hasn't been your wife since that day in Mexico. I mourn her passing. She was the most beautiful killing machine.

Hondo: You are more sick and twisted than I thought.

Hector: And you are an angel? I think not. But let us stop this idle talk. Let us get down to, how would you say it, “the rat killing"?

Hondo: Killing you is at the top of my agenda

Hondo grabbed iron and with a swift movement brought up his revolver and fanned off 6 shot into El Jefe Grande. Hector jerked with every shot but remained fairly composed. Hondo knew it would not be that easy but he had to rile him up. Hector looked down disgusted at his shredded shirt.

Hector: What a horrible waste of a genuine silk shirt. Did you really think it would be that easy?

Hondo: No, but conversation dried up.

Hector: I should kill you now in a horribly painful way, but I will make you an offer. Come and work for me. I will give you the choice between either letting that little tart of your go free or turning her into a perfectly obedient servant for you. She will kill who you say, make sweet love to you the way you want, and never bitch or complain. She will be the perfect wife.

Hondo: What about the others?

Hector: The CIA Spook and his whore? He will die and she will be my slave.

Hondo: No deal.

Hector: I was afraid you would say that. What a waste. Oh well, Mengele will be happy to have your body as well, after I kill you slowly, of course.

Hondo: Mengele? Joseph Mengele? He's your boss??

Hector: Mengele’s clone, of course. The real Mengele died about 35 years ago. But, no he is not my boss. We just work under the same organization. He does love exceptional specimens to experiment on. Who knows, maybe he will outfit you with a computer brain and turn you into a great assassin too.

Hondo: Don't get your hopes up. I took you out once; I can do it again.

Hector: I doubt it. And your compatriot on the surface will be of little help to you of that I can assure you.

Hondo: I have no clue who is up there. My friends think I'm dead.

Hector: You are dead, or soon will be. And it is your friend, that would be super spy Fernando G. He for some reason hasn't given up on you. Be sure of this your friendship with him is the main reason he will die too.

Hondo: You talk too much.

Hondo cross drew his other revolver and shot at Hector's side and feet with another fanned volley. Hondo's sight was still bleary and his hand not so steady, but practice and muscle memory paid off. He managed to tear up Hectors boots and side arm

Hector: You worthless shit! Those were my best handmade boot! That gun was specially made and given to me by Sadam Hussain!! I WAS in a good mood and just going to kill you slowly then your friend, but now I am going to physically beat the every living piss out of you first!

Hondo didn't even answer back he just launched into Hector, but Hector grabbed him by the shirt and launched him down the tunnel and into a wall. The blow took Hondo's breath away momentarily and reminded him that he was already quite severely injured. This wasn't helping matters. Hondo knew he had to act and act quickly. His only hope was that Hector was angry enough to want to toy with him, cause him more pain. If Hector got tired of hurting him he knew Hector could kill him with one blow. He knew his only hope was the derringer with the depleted uranium rounds in it. He would have to get close enough to him, though as he only had two shots worth and in his current condition, along with the lesser accuracy of the short barreled derringer he had no chance at a long or even medium distant shot. Hondo coughed and gasped as his breath started to come back to him.

Hondo: *cough wheeze* That yur best shot? *wheeze*

Hector: "Dying" for more, are we?

Hector grabbed him by the shirt again and lifted him up off the ground. Hondo grabbed the derringer out of his boot. Unfortunately Hondo was moving a bit too slow though and Hector saw the derringer. Hector batted it out of Hondo's hand and threw him against the opposite wall. Hondo’s side hit the wall this time, driving the wood chunks he still had stuck in him farther in and it started his leg into bleeding worse. In desperation he crawled towards the derringer which was about 15 feet away. Before he could get there however Hector had made his way over to him and kicked him in the face flipping Hondo over onto his back. Hondo fought to keep conscious but his vision kept fading on him. He shook his head, which made it hurt all the worse. He could taste fresh blood on his face. He tried to sit up but as he did Hector yanked him to his feet and slammed him against the wall. Hondo leaned there panting for a moment as he stared at Hector with eyes full of hate.

Hector: Give it up, Sackett. You will never win. You were born to fail. You have failed your friends, two fiancees, a wife, your family, and yourself. You, Hondo Israel Sackett, are the epitome of failure. Can you not at least die honorably?

Hondo: All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothin’.

Hector: And you are “good men”? I seriously doubt that.

Hondo: Maybe I ain’t good men, but sometimes it takes a bad man to take out the worse men.

Hector: Heroic notions, but you will just be dead and I will not only survive but I with thrive!

Hondo: Not if I can help it.

Hondo dove at the derringer but Hector was too fast for him. Hector kicked Hondo in the gut and Hondo hit the ground short of the derringer.

Hector: You think that little pop-gun is going to hurt me? You are more dim-witted than I thought.

Hondo slowly stood up still bent over a bit. He stood there wheezing and panting for air.

Hector laughed evilly: Ha ha ha! This is almost too easy!

With all him might Hondo punched Hector in the stomach. It surprised Hector more than hurt him but it made him angry again. This was what Hondo wanted. Hondo took the opportunity to pummel Hector. Hondo knuckles were hurting like hell. It was like hitting slightly padded steel. Hondo realized how far Hector had gone. He was more machine than man. Hector regained his wits and grabbed Hondo’s left arm as Hondo tried to swing. Hector wrenched Hondo's arm to spin him around then kicked him in the back. That send Hondo into a tripping run that ended up with him face first on the floor again. Hondo rolled over just in time to have Hectors boot just miss stomping on his head. Hondo rolled again to miss Hector’s second attempt at cracking his skull open. This time Hondo rolled onto one knee and spun to meet Hector. Hector grabbed him by the throat and lifted Hondo off the ground.

Hector: I tire of your antics! I think I shall kill you now and be done with it!!

Out of desperation, Hondo took a chance on one part of Hector still being man and kneed him in the groin. Hector flung Hondo backwards and grabbed hold of his sore genitals. As his eyes crossed and the air left his lungs Hector hit is knees. Hondo scrambled to his feet as he knew he was out of time. Hondo ran at Hector who only managed to bat Hondo away and behind him, right where Hondo wanted to go as the derringer was behind Hector. As Hondo hit the ground in a belly slid, he grabbed the derringer with his left hand and rolled over onto his side to try to get to his feet. Hector had mostly recovered by this time though and he stumbled over to Hondo and grabbed him by his right arm and lifted him off the floor. Hondo groaned in pain as Hector lifted him up. As he dangled helplessly a few inches off the ground in Hectors left hand, Hector beat Hondo with his right fist causing Hondo to drop the derringer.

Hector: YOU STUPID, WEAK, VILE LITTLE MAN! YOU DARE THINK YOU CAN BEST ME!! NO ONE BESTS ME! YOU WILL CALL ME MASTER BEFORE YOU DIE OR I WILL BRING YOU BACK SO YOU CAN WATCH ME EAT THAT SLUT OF A GIRLFRIEND OF YOURS HEART AFTER I RIP IT FROM HER BODY WITH MY BARE HANDS WHILE MY HENCHMEN RAPE HER CORPSE!!!!

Hondo thought for a moment that it was over, but he would get one last break. Hector stopped beating Hondo for a moment and dropped him to the ground. When Hondo fell he grabbed the derringer carefully.

Hector: Had enough yet, you little prick!

Hondo spit at him in reply. Hector bent over so they were face to face the grabbed Hondo by the throat lifting him off the ground.

Hector: You just do not know when to give up and die, do you?

Hondo snarled: #$@! you

Hondo lifted his right hand and cocked the derringer.

Hector (smiling): Your little toys do not scare me! Fire away so you can know without a doubt you could never win then I shall kill you!

Hondo fired into Hector’s chest. Hectors smile slowly disappeared into a look of confusion. He dropped Hondo who fell to the floor gasping and choking for air. Hector looked down to see red blossoming on his shit. His mind reeled as his body started to overcome the shock and realize he had been shot.

Hector: No . . . It cannot be . . . its IMPOSSIBLE!

Hondo stood up shakily and limped over to where his hat had long fallen off his head. He put it back on gingerly, slowly stood back up straight and then turned to El Jefe Grande.

Hondo: Depleted uranium rounds, They will melt through about anythin’ ‘cept adamantium, I reckon.

Hector: But . . . I cannot lose . . you are NOTHING!! NOTHING!!! I . . . *gasp* . . . I . . . *gasp*

Hondo: You are nothin’ but an evil, low level scum demon. While I have done my share of damage; I am an avengin’ angel, a deliverer of retribution. For your crimes against humanity I have been sent to serve you the judge’s verdict. It reads, “Go to hell”.

Hondo lifted the derringer one more time.

Hector yelled out in fear, pain, and anger: NOOoooooo!!!!

But it did not good. Hondo squeezed off the shot which sent the DU slug through Hectors head without blinking. Hondo wasn’t sure what was louder, the sound of the shot or the silence that followed. Hondo didn’t lower the little gun until hectors body had hit the ground and lie there for several seconds. Hondo stood there blinking for a moment. Hector was dead but it was far from over. Those that financed Hector's cyborg rebuild and his drug empire were still out there funding other monsters like El Jefe Grande and Mengele's clone, but they would have to wait for another day. Hondo turned and walked to the ladder that lead to the manhole cover. He didn’t have the strength to lift it, but that didn’t even cross his mind. The adrenalin was receding from his system which left him in great pain, shaky, and totally exhausted. His mind was too tired to think above the pain. He sunk to his knees in sheer exhaustion. All he wanted was rest and to hold Valentine in his arms. A nagging thought hung in his subconscious, a departing gift from Hector: Would being with Valentine ruin her? Was he destroying her by allowing her to be with him? Was he that evil that he did not deserve someone to love? Would loving her ultimately destroy her heart and soul? This he would ponder on later, which was unfortunate. Even the strong have chinks in their armor and Hector had hit one.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Dec 10^th, 2014, 2:37pm

Silence hung around long and hard like the smell of the last week's bad lasagna in the trash alleys behind Italy's most expensive restaurants. Another ten minute had past until the manhole cover begins to move as is if on it's own as Fernando stared at it from behind the van. He was ready to draw his guns out if needed but had to keep a causal look about himself as to not draw attention to himself. The manhole cover slides off its hole and a dirty trench coat covered arm props itself for support against the cobble stone and asphalt of the street, soon joined by another. It is immediately followed by a raggedity and dirt covered Stetson hat and the blonde eye-glasses wearing head with it. They both look at each other for the moment.

"Ain't ya gonna help me?" Hondo asks of his friend.

"Nope. You're supposed to be dead, and I can't help the dead." Fernando tells him before reaching out an arm to him.

Hondo takes his arm and pulls himself up onto the street, trying to push the manhole cover into the hole but has trouble. Fernando steps to his side and slides the manhole cover into the hole with little effort.

"What brings ya here?" Hondo finally asks as the manhole falls into place.

"I figured that if your friend brought some back up you would need back up too." Fernando points to the van a few feet away.

Hondo walks to the van and looks inside through what few windows it had, finding dead bodies inside it. He nods at Fernando's little handiwork.

"The women folk alright?", Hondo asked.

"Yes. You got him?" Fernando asks.

"You mean El Jefe Grande?" Hondo asks and then answers, "I did."

"Then do me one favor." Fernando tells him.

"What's that?" Hondo asks.

"Stop second guessing what you did and why you're doing. Assholes like him will tell you the right words to make you second guess everything you are doing – past, present and future. In order to save themselves they will use the devil's tongue on you in order to make you do what they want you do and ruin you mentally if you don't. Remember the Devil is the prince of lies, he would say anything to get things his way, like I know he did you." Fernando tells him.

"How'd you know..." Hondo begins to say, before Fernando interrupts him.

"I could say my hearing is better than most, but I've been through it more times than I would dare admit to count." Fernando interrupts him. After a second's pause, he continues, "Hondo. What we do is an archangel's job, defending the world from the evils that dare try to take or destroy it. Archangels are not beautiful creatures literature makes them out to be, they are rather ugly, worn out, scarred beaten and wretched bodies of the protectors they are. But they do the job without hesitation or second thought. They do or die trying. Just like you, just like me. So #$@! what he had told you, #$@! the thoughts he had set into motion inside your head, and #$@! that you think you are doing wrong. You did right with what you got, and you will continue to do right for yourself, for Valentine, for everyone."

"I'm guessin' you're right." Hondo says barely loud enough to be heard.

"I know I'm right. So let's go, I got the Porsche waiting over there and you need to be patched up." Fernando tells him before walk to his car.

"You mind slowing down?" Hondo complains out loud.

"You will have plenty of time resting as my passenger until we get home. Right now we need to get out of here fast before that van brings in a lot of attention. I don't want to be here answering questions all day." Fernando says before getting into his Porsche.

It takes Hondo an extra minute to get his tired beaten body in to Fernando's Porsche. They left just in time as the SWA and Italy's finest gathers around the van and finds the bodies inside. They find the weapons, wench and the hole in the van's floor. It is the wench and the hole in the van's floor that made them open the manhole and go inside, finding the bodies, Hondo's handiwork, that were left behind.

Fernando takes his time getting home, handing Hondo a couple of high nutrient packaged food bars to get his strength up. It gives him the energy to start healing. Along the way, Fernando calls Jeanie and tells her to tell the others to leave them alone when they got there.

The Women had been alternately sitting and pacing as they waited for news or them men to return. As Jeanie's Phone rang Valentine hopped up off the couch and limped over to where Jeanie sat.

Jeanie (on the phone): Yes? yes. . . .mmhm . . . Understand.

Valentine: Was that them? Is Hondo alive?! Whats going on?!?!

Tammy: Settle down!

Valentine (quietly): Sorry. I'm just so worried about him.

Tammy: We know. We are too.

Jeanie: It was Fernando. Hondo is alive. He is injured but not seriously. Mostly just tired and sore. He went through hell,though today. Fernando did not elaborate but his voice said enough.

Tammy: Any thing else?

Jeanie: Yes. He wants for them to be left alone when they get here.

Valentine: Why? I want to see Hondo when he gets back. He's hurt and he needs me.

Jeanie: No. He needs time.

Valentine: I was shot and I killed bad guys too and I am fine.

Tammy: You shot his ex wife, he was worried about you, and he had to face an old enemy that brought back old feelings and new ones I'm sure.

Valentine: I guess, but I just don't totally understand. Why would he want to be alone.

Tammy: I am new at a lot of this too and don't understand much of it too, but I am learning. Jeanie, you have been at this longer. Can you try to explain more to her?

Jeanie grabbed Valentine's hand and pulled her down onto the couch.

Jeanie: Understanding men is not too complicated but the job You man and Fernando do is very complicated. Let me try to explain to you what they go through, how you can help, and how to know when they are ready for your hep or need to be left alone.

Jeanie, Tammy, and Valentine talked until the sound of Fernando's car was heard at which time they made themselves scarce.

After getting the wood chunks pulled out of his side, a few of the larger holes patched, a long shower, a small lunch-like meal and time to rest and heal, Fernando finds Hondo sitting up on the roof.

"Forgotten what I told you?" Fernando says loud enough to be heard as he approached him.

"Forgotten what?" Hondo asks.

"Not to let what he told you get to you." Fernando reminds him.

"He could not keep his trap shut. Confessin' and admittin' things to me like I was part of his plans. Furthermore, he mentioned you as well." Hondo tells him.

"Unless he's giving me the winning numbers to next week mega million lottery, I don't frankly care as to what he had to say." Fernando tells him, pausing for a second, "Look. In doing the work I do, I am a wanted man by many. Some want me to work for them, most want me dead. Personally, I do not care about all of them. All I care about is doing the right things who need help. Right now that is getting Bink and Tammy together, and that job is almost done. There are a lot of lose strings to deal with and that is what I'm doing. You are with me because you want to help and I accept that. But, there are too many distractions and too many personal things getting in the way. That's normal. You took care of what's his face, I took care of Anne."

The loud clanging of a ladder can be heard being put to the side of the roof. Hondo and Fernando figure it's the girls coming up to bother them as they typically do. The patter of their feet is heard approaching them. And plates of food is put in front of them.

"There's more dinner downstairs." Tammy says to Fernando as he takes his plate.

"I'll be down later." Fernando tells her.

"Make it soon. The SWA will be here soon to ask questions." Tammy tells him.

"I'll be down later." Fernando tells her again.

"Hondo?" Valentine calls to him.

"I'll be down later when he goes down." Hondo says to her.

"but . .", Valentine started to question.

"Later!", Hondo said sternly.

"Alright..." Valentine says quietly.

Together the girls leave them and a minute later the ladder is removed from the roof.

"Meatloaf, corn on the cob, collar greens, mashed potatoes, an', mac an' cheese?" Hondo realizes what is on his plate.

"Eat up. Jeanie and her cook can do anything but I doubt they did it." Fernando tells him, adding after the first bite, "I know Tammy's cooking anywhere, and this looks like she had help from your little friend."

"But..." Hondo tries to say.

"No Buts. Just enjoy. And understand this – the second best thing a woman can give a man is sex. The first best is a good home cooked meal. Now that Valentine is willing to feed your skinny ass..." Fernando begins to tell him.

"Now wait a minute!" Hondo lets out.

"Shut up and enjoy, Hondo. If Valentine is willing to do this much for you, she's willing to do more. So enjoy what she got you." Fernando says to him as he points to his plate.

"I guess you're right." Hondo replies before taking a bite from his plate.

For a while they eat.

"Fernando, Something that Hector said got me worried." Hondo pauses his meal.

"I said to not listen to what he said that makes you second guess everything." Fernando tells him.

"No, it's not that." Hondo begins.

"Then what is it?" Fernando asks.

"Hector said that Joseph Menegele is involved an' they both work for the same boss." Hondo lets out.

"Menegele, Hitler, and The Boys From Brazil have been a thorn on the CIA's butt long before I was born, Hondo. As long as they stay in South America, I do not care. Only when they leave the continent and cause problems for others, I'll take action and that depends on the problems they cause. Until then I got a life to live and somebody to love. You should do the same thing." Fernando tells him.

"I see. You're not going to take action." Hondo says to him self.

"I'm not taking action because there is no action to take. Besides, Menegele's experiments advanced medical science to what it is today. But that is besides the point. The point is I'm not going to their corner of the world to start problems with them unless they had caused problems for us. And for arresting them for Nazi War Crimes, that is not allowable under the law as they were not part of that history. Josef Menegele died in '75. May his rotting bones fertilize the land it is buried under and his soul burn in hell. Got that?" Fernando tells him.

"I got it." Hondo replies.

"Now eat up. I intend to go for seconds and thirds when our visitors arrive." Fernando says to him.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Fernando on Jan 30^th, 2015, 9:23pm

Fernando walks down to the kitchen with the empty plate and glass in his hands. He notices that Marco, Jose, and Hillshire were already in the livingroom with their girls. Both Marco and Hillshire get up from their seat and follow Fernando to the kitchen entry way, stopping there as Fernando puts away his plate, glass and utensils in the dishwasher. He takes a nearby glass and fills it with water.

“Tammy, I want you ladies upstairs and not involved with what needs to be said here. And go get Hondo here.” Fernando tells him.

“As a SWA agent, Tammy needs to be here.” Marco tells Fernando.

Fernando just turns to face Marco for a moment, not saying a word verbally, but saying enough to bite his head off. Hondo walks around from the staircase, seeing the visitors already there. Fernando signals Hondo to give him his plate and things and to have at seat at the table.

“Tammy, take the ladies upstairs, Jeanie, your staff goes with you.” Fernando tells them.

They do not argue, just do as they are told. Once the upstairs doors are heard closing, Fernando turns on the dishwasher and leans on the service island, pointing to the chairs of the large dining table that was there. Jose takes the seat across from Hondo. Hillshire soon follows behind him, taking the seat next to him. Fernando walks out of the kitchen, needing to step around Marco and takes his seat at the head of the table. Marco eventually takes his seat next to Hillshire.

“I assume that this is a typical debriefing.” Fernando points out to the SWA men.

“Debriefing is for involved agency staff only.” Marco points out.

“According to Chief Lorenzo and Director Petris, I’m an outside consultant for the SWA, as is the members of my group.” Fernando points out. He then takes out his cellphone and slides it to Marco, “Care to verify that? They are on speed dial.”

Marco looks at the cellphone before sliding it back to Fernando, “That won’t be necessary.”

“Good.” Fernando says as he takes back this cellphone and pockets it, “Now what is your need of my time and attention? Chief Lorenzo knows he will get our reports within the next 48 hours.”

“We need details as to what happened, when, where and why. Hondo here should be floating down the river, not sitting here with us.” Marco points out.

Fernando signals to Hondo not to say a word before stating, “Hillshire can verify this – both the US and Mexico have been having border squirmishes on and off again since the 1840s, much like Hamas has with Israel along the Israeli/Lebebon border. In that both Mexico and Hamas have dug mile-long tunnels that goes under the defenses that were put up by the US and Israel – respectfully.”

“Enough with the history lesson, what does that have to do with anything?” Marco asks.

“There was a tunnel from the warehouse and the docks leading to a manhole in the streets a few blocks away. Knowing that the streets in the area would be empty because of the raid, I went there and found a van with a few of the enemy inside. I confronted them and had to eliminate them. But in inspecting the van, I found that it had a hole in its floor with a wench over it. The wench removed the manhole the van was over. In hearing a gun battle inside the manhole tunnel, I replaced the manhole cover and move the van by putting it neutral and pushing it out of the way. Twenty minutes later, Hondo came crawling out of the manhole and I helped him out. He took care those inside the tunnel including El Jefe Grande.” Fernando explains.

“Is this true?” Marco asks Hondo.

Hondo just nods his head.

“Who is this El Jefe Grande and what is his connection to the case?” Marco asks.

“El Jefe Grande is one of South America’s biggest Drug Lords. He was trying to infiltrate the European drug market using Italy as a distribuation port. If he would have been sucessul he would have been one of the richest and most powerful men in the world. And the crap he was going to fill the streets of Italy with would have made the mad days of New York’s Crack Days look like a sunny day in the park. That was a CIA Sanctioned job, with help from the SWA to do get this case done one way or another. El Jefe Grande was wanted, Dead or Alive, preferably beaten to a bloody pulp of nervous quivering and babbling mass of man meat. And believe, if I would have gotten him alive, he would be nothing more than that. But Hondo needed to defend himself, and defend himself he did. I need the SWA to do a global news release of this capture and death of El Jefe Grande and his men at the hands of the CIA and the SWA complete with pictures of his rotting corpse within the next 48 hours. Think Ferro can handle that?” Fernando explains and asks.

“I’ll talk to the chief about that.” Jose says before Marco could say a word.

“Good. Hondo, tell them what these men need to know, as long as it does ot break with our agency protocol.” Fernando tells him before he gets up and heads into the kitchen.

“Will do...” Hondo says, holding himself back from saying “boss.”

Marco turns to Hondo, “So what happened when the warehouse collapsed in the explosion?”

“Well, when the bombs exploded, I fell into a hole and found a tunnel. There were several doors in the tunnel, and I had to fight off El Jefe Grande’s men as I walked in the tunnel. Eventually I fought off El Jefe Grande when he resisted arrest.” Hondo explained.

“Where were you when you fell into this tunnel?” Marco asks.

“I was heading to the rear of the warehouse where I saw El Jefe Grande run though a door there, when the bombs went off and the floor gave way.” Hondo says tring to be as truthful as possible.

“You fell down into the tunnel, about how many meters did you fall?” Marco continues.

“Meters?” Hondo asks, trying to be dumb.

“Yards.” Fernando says as he sits down at his seat with a glass of iced coffee.

“About 20 or so yards, The floor give in on an incline so I did not fall straight down but slid down the distance.” Hondo says as he showed with his hand how the floor was slanted, and ran his finger showing the path of how he slid.

“That would explain why he is not so badly injured.” Hillshire says.

“Don’t let that fool you, I had to pull out some big splinters from his ass.” Fernando tells him. Hondo glances over to Fernando, which both nod at each other. Fernando continues, “His trench coat and bullet resistant vest saved him from being injured or even killed but they were damaged because of it. I can get them if you like to see them.”

“No, that wont be necessary.” Jose says.

“Anything else? A small meal for you and the girls perhaps?” Fernando asks.

“No, that won’t be necessary. We’ll be back later tonight with the others.” Marco says.

“I’ll get the girls to make a large dinner for everyone then. What time should we expect you all to come?” Fernando says and asks.

“Why you ask, leaving on us or something?” Marco asks.

“We’re low on supplies. Unless you get your girls to bring in the food, we need to do some food shopping.” Fernando tells him, adding, “And I thought Jean was the paranoid one.”

“Hmph.” Marco replies to himself, adding, “Lets go. Angie – to my side now.”

“Coming Marco!” Angie says as she trots over to him.

“Don’t worry about the door, we’ll get it later.” Fernando says as he sips his ice coffee.

In a couple of minutes the men from the SWA and their cyborgs leave the house.

The Fernando and Hondo look at each other for a while before Hondo speaks up.

“Why you cut me off like that?” Hondo asks.

“You should only give what they ask, nothing more. Do not tell them about Mengele or of the others. To this this was some dumb south American Drug Lord trying to open a market for his goods here in Italy. Your input of the case is nothing more than working for me and my agency as muscle and gunslinger. No more.” Fernando tells him.

“I thought we were equals in this.” Hondo tries to say.

“We are. But in their eyes we can’t be. If they knew about your college education and your technical capabilities, they would want you to work for them, and that you and I do not want. Let them think you’re some country bumkin with little education and you will always be ahead of them. Let them think that your shoot out with the El Jefe was professional, not personal. And tell them nothing of what intel you learned. Got that?” Fernando tells him.

“I got it, Boss.” Hondo says.

“I’m not your boss. Now, lets wind down, the mission is over as far as I am concerned. We just got a lot of typing of reports to do, bodies to bury and friends to say goodbye too, then we can go home.” Fernando explains.

“Speaking of home, I have to report to the SWA Compound in the morning.” Tammy says as she walks down the stairs with the others.

“So you need me to make dinner for how many people?” Jeanie asks.

“You do not have to do anything unless you are offering. Your staff knows how to make Italian dishes?” Fernando says and asks.

“They are not the best for nothing.” Jeanie says.

“Good. Take the Jaguar and your boys shopping. Cyborgs eat a lot for their small sizes so double up on everything. So I guess, including us, 30 or more people. Start with an Antipasta as an apettizer and a meat Ziti and Lasgnana with three cheeses and two meats – beef and pork. Then a rack of ribs with grilled vegetables and some Linguini on the side. Some dry Parmasian Cheese, Garlic Bread with Marinara – Pizza sauce in dippig bowls and several bottles of what excellent house wine you can find. And if you can add it, throw in about a couple dozen buffalo wings for us, plus what ever your staff wants.” Fernando tells her as he holds out his agency credit card to Jeanie.

“Don’t worry, I got it for you. And we’ll be taking the Rolls.” Jeanie tells him before calling the staff, “Boys, come. We got a lot of work to do.”

They leave the house and take the Rolls Royce to do some shopping.

“Hondo...” Fernando calls to him.

“Yeah, I’ll get on those reports now.” Hondo replies.

“That can wait. I need you to do an inventory, if you dropped any weapons at the site, note them. I know the SWA will comb through the place and pick up every piece metal that is not nailed down, including your guns. If you want them back, I need to know what they are so I can get them back for you. After that, have some alone time with Val and get ready for a debriefing dinner with the SWA Staff. Nothing fancy. Just be yourself.” Fernando tells him.

“Alright. And thanks, Jefe...” Hondo replies.

“Yeah. Thank me when I return your stuff for you.” Fernando tells him before turning to Tammy, “Tammy. Upstairs. Hondo, if you are going to be out here, make sure we are not to be disturbed.”

“Will do.” Hondo says as Tammy runs up the stairs.

“And Hondo...” Fernando begins.

“Yes?” Hondo asks.

“Thanks.” Fernando says as he begins the climb up the stairs.

Title: Re: GSB III: A Normal Life In Abnormal Times.
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Jul 24^th, 2015, 12:57am

Hondo made up a quick list of his missing weapons and left it on the desk for Fernando. He groaned as he tried to stretch out his sore, torn up body but stopped and winced at the pain.

Voice: You are more hurt than Fernando told Marco and the others, aren’t ya?

Hondo turned enough to give her a sideways glance.

Hondo: I’ll feel better when I quit hurting. How ‘bout you?

Valentine limped down the stairs.

Valentine: The pain pills Tammy gave me are wearing off. If it wasn’t for Fernando’s glowing pill I’d probably always limp when it rains.

Hondo: Don’t be too surprised ifin ya do still limp.

She stepped up to him gingerly looking down as she approached him. She put her hand lightly, almost lovingly on his arm. She looked up into his face with big, concerned eyes.

Valentine: I’m not worried ‘bout me, but ‘bout you.

Hondo: I’ll heal. Been beat up before, an’ I got the pill too, ya know.

Valentine: That’s not what I meant. I . . . I just know I can never take away the pain of what you’ve been through an’ I know I can’t replace the women ya have loved an’ lost. I . . .

Hondo put a finger to her lips to stop her.

Hondo: Ya talk too much sometimes, ya know?
Hondo put his arm around her pulled her tight against him, even though it hurt, and kissed her firmly. After the kiss he still held her and looked down at her face.

Hondo: Some things are mine to bear alone, an’ sometimes I just need to work things out on my own. Takes time to sort things out in my head. Don’t give up on me yet. I don’t expect ya to replace anyone or to take my burdens. All I ask is for as long as we are together just be there for me when I need someone to sit with me an’ hold me. I’ll try ta do the same for you. Just give me space, companionship, an’ understandin’. It’s all I can ask for an’ all I truly want. In return I offer the same. It’s not much but it’s more than most have.

Valentine: I understand. It is enough for me. I can’t promise I will always know when you need me or want to be alone, though.

Hondo: I won’t know for you either. Let me know an’ I’ll do my best to let you know.

Valentine: That should work. How do you feel right now?

Hondo: I need some quiet to think.

Valentine: Understand. You want me to let you be?

Hondo: No, sit with me. I really need to sit down. My side is killin’ me!
Hondo and Valentine limped together over to the couch and sat down. Hondo leaned against an armrest and Val curled up beside him, laying her head on his chest. Hondo put his arm lightly around her.

Valentine: If you need to sleep go ahead. I will wake you up if anything’ happens.

Hondo: No, just need time to think an’ sit.

Hondo sat back and closed his eyes. He hurt worse and was more tired than he would admit, but his mind was too busy on other thoughts for him to even realize how bad he did ache and how worn out he was. Even so he’d push on through the pain as usual when needed to, but for now what Hector had said ran through his mind. He drifted off to sleep on the living room couch with Valentine beside him. Unfortunately it wouldn’t be a peaceful sleep as the evens of the day replayed as a dream. It wasn’t just the grizzly nature of what happened that would plague his sleep for months to come but the news that there was someone worse than Hector running others like him or worse and of the thoughts of what could have happened to those he cares about had he failed to destroy Hector.

Valentine’s thoughts ran through what she had been through and her own what if’s had Hondo failed. Losing him would have ruined her and she knew it. She didn’t realize just how much she had fallen for this beat up, out of place, gun slinging cowboy until today. She said a short pray as she sat there thinking. She thanked God they were still alive and begged him to lift Hondo’s burdens and lessen the demons of past memories that plagued his mind. She knew he always felt inadequate, like he had failed in life. She only wished to show him he was so much more than he could see. But for now she lent comfort in the only way she knew how, her physical presence, the comfort of her against him. She felt so helpless but couldn’t fathom how much she really was helping him. She had saved him from a dark place within himself, much darker than even the dreams that plagued him now, though she would never know the depths from which she had saved him. For now the room was quiet. The only sounds where those of their own breathing and the ticking of a clock on the wall, but inside their heads rang the noise of a thousand cannons firing, for there is no rest for the weary, nor peace for the soldier at war.