"Fernando that overbearing, self righteous, . . ." Gadget ranted.
 
"Hush, Gadget." Hondo said.
 
"who does he think he is telling me I have to go and can't stay why I . . ." Gadget continued rantin'.
 
""Please shut up!" Hondo growled. Gadget continued talkin' a mile a minute wich was really gettin' on Hondo's nerves. they were all under a lot of stress no a days and normally Gadgets rantin' would be ignored, but not today. they ran into Rosie upstairs.
 
"Hi Gadget, Hondo . . . whats goin' on?" Rosie asked as she looked on and read their expressions inquisitively.  
 
". . . saying i can't handle dangerous stuff. munitions are to dangerous. WHO DOES THAT FERNANDO G. LUTINOUS MAXI MUS THINK HE IS! why ! , MPHMMPH!" Gadget had continued rantin' for to long. hondo put his large hand over he mouth, but even found that he almost needed a bigger hand to cover this mouth!
 
"She wanted to play with stuff in the basement. Fernando told her no, they had a discussion 'bout loyalties, she got a little smart and Fernando told her to get, he needed to be alone for a bit. she refused and I had to get ride of her before he did. an I can't listen to her rantin' for a minute more either. she might be our friend, but duct tape is the only word I can think of for her right now!" Hondo exclaimed.
 
"I understand. Gadget? will you please stop talking for a few and head to our room. i need to talk to Hondo for a few minutes, then I'll come and talk to you, ok?" Rose asked. Hondo took his hand from her mouth. she had a sour look on her face, but nodded and headed to the girls shared room.
 
"You ok now?" Rose asked Hondo.
 
"yup. for now, at least. you holdin' up alright?" Hondo asked.
 
"mmhmmm. little tired, but there be a lot more to do when Alex II gets back, or so Fernando says and hes not usually wrong about that stuff, the reprobate." Rosie said.
 
"now, now." Hondo said as he drew he into a warm embrace. They help each other for a few minutes then drew back keepin' there arms on each other, but back enough to see each others faces. Rose was smilin' beautifully and Hondo could not help but smile back at his Rose.
 
"How 'bout a night on the town, or afternoon and night for that matter?" Hondo asked.
 
"can we get away? can they do without us for now??" Rosie asked.
 
"Fernando said SWA is gonna be busy all day and night with a hit on Mr. Bigs place, He is gonna do some in depth studies on the insides of his eyelids, and the streets should be crime free tonight as all the major and most of the minor criminals will be at Mr. bigs place waitin' for the SWA to hit." Hondo said.
 
"well, I guess we could. what were you thinking?" Rosie asked.
 
"How 'bout an Opery, mayb a museum, quite dinner for 2, then come back and watch movies until dawn? sound good??" Hondo asked with a wink.
 
"sure." Rose said with a grin as she played with Hondo's collar. "Whats the Opera?" She asked.
 
"Figaro." Hondo said. he kissed her lightly on the head.
 
"Sounds nice. formal?" Rosie asked.
 
"yup." Hondo said.
 
"what time does it start?" Rosie asked.
 
"they had an early performance at 3:30. it's 11:00 now, so I'd like to head out of here by 1:45, 2:00 somethin' like that. put us there 'round 2:30, 2:45. we could get parked and get in and settled nice and early, that way." Hondo said.
 
"Sounds good. I've got to go talk to Gadget and get ready." Rosie said.
 
"Ok, Darlin'. I'll be ready and waitin'." Hondo said. Rose took off to her room and Hondo went to the basement were he stored his clothes.  
 
*I hate dressin' up!* he thought, *but I'll do it for my Rose.*  He only had a suit normally, but he had a tux delivered right after he got the ring from Fernando for just such an occasion. It was a western styled tux, left over from the spaghetti western era in Italy, no doubt, but it fit him and he liked it better then the standard monkey suits.  
 
___________________________________________________________
 
Rose never needed someone to talk for her, she was always good at it and seemed to know what to say and when, plus she had a sweet heart wich was evident just by lookin' upon her, so it didn't take her long at all to calm Gadget down, she explained the touchiness of the situation a little more to her, explained how hard it was, emotionally on them all and asked her to be understandin', even of Fernando. You wouldn't call Fernando, rose's favorite squirrel, not by a long shot, but she had learned a new respect for the old reprobate and got a greater understandin' of why he acts like he does. this whole deal changed many of Rose's outlooks on life and the fragility of it.  
 
after Gadget had calmed down and they hashed it all out, gadget helped Rose get ready. Gadget ironed and fluffed the dress, Rosie was to wear, while Rosie took a shower, so her hair would dry in time. it was 2:00 before they were ready, but to Hondo it would be well worth it.  
___________________________________________________________
Hondo was ready and pasin' by 1:30. he was not nervous, well not too nervous, and he wasn't impatient, but he was prone to pasin' when he was waitin'. He wore the western style tux with a new black hat and a pair of shined calvary boots. he wore a revolver in his waist band, a 1911 on his back and he had 2 darrengers in 2 different pockets. he wasn't expectin' trouble tonight, but on this case he knew to expect the unexpected.
 
At 2:00 Rosie appeared in on the stairs. Hondo had to stop and stare for a few seconds. the dress was very lovely. she didn't put up her hair, but rather let it flow softly over her shoulders. she was gorgeous!  
 
"Are you ready, Mr. Sackett?" Rosie asked.  
 
"That I am, my beautiful flower!" Hondo said with a flourish of his hat. He held out his arm for her to take, and she excepted it. they walked out to the drive and to Rosie's surprise they headed to Fernando's Car.
 
"we're taking Fernando's Porsche?" Rose asked.
 
"Fernando said my truck and the tux would clash bad 'round here." Hondo said with a grin.
 
Hondo opened the door for Rose, shut it once she was in and set then climbed into the drivers side and was off. he had already put the ring and credit card into his pocket. He made a mental note to thank Fernando later and to appologize for soundin' ungrateful. Hondo didn't fell like Fernando was pushin' or the like, like he had told him earlier. He just was unsure 'bout takin' the time off when so much was at stake. plus, he didn't mind wanderin' 'round a strange city, himself, but with all he worry 'bout his Rose. yes she could fight, but in that get up, even as lovely as it looked, it would only drag her down. Fernando's reasurin' that the streets should be clean 'cause of the SWA's little party was the thing that let him decide to go ahead.  
they arrived at the opera in plenty of time. they even had enough time for Hondo to stop at a ATM and withdrew the 5 grand  Fernando had told him too. they took there seats and talk softly until it began. then then held hands. Hondo pulled Rosie's hand into his lap. he help it with one and stroked/patted it with the other.
 
the opera ended and even Hondo had to agree it wasn't too bad, but all he could see in his mind was Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd through most of it. He told Rose that and thats all she could see through most of it too. the folks on either side of them did wonder 'bout the snickerin' cowboy and the lovely gigglin' lady, but they didn't mind. after that it was off to a museum of regional history, Rosie's favorite type, then it was off to dinner. They ate at the restaurant Fernando suggested called Caesar's Palace. it was really good. they talked and ate and laughed. it was such a good time. they both knew, no matter what happened it was a night they'd remember for ever and always. it was 9:30 by the time they left the restaurant but Hondo had one more stop in mind before they returned to the hideout to watch movies.
 
There was a small park by a pond and the moon was full. Hondo pullin' into the parkin' lot close by. Rose looked at him a little inquisitively, but didn't ask. Hondo got out and went 'round, opened her door, and offered her his arm again.
 
"May I have this stroll?" he asked.
 
"of course! you know I love to stroll." Rosie said with a smile.
 
there was no one else there, which was nice. they strolled and talked softly, lovin'ly to each other as they did. they found a bench to sit on, after a few minutes, which faced the pond and made visible the reflection of the moon on the water.
 
"Its so lovely!" Rose exclaimed.
 
"Not half as lovely as you, my Darlin'." Hondo said.
 
"Now stop!" Rose said with a giggle.
 
"well, its true." Hondo said.
 
"Thank you." Rose said. they stared into each others eye, which were illuminated only buy moonbeams.
 
"well, I had hoped to be back home in the mountains by some pond like this to do this, but I guess here will have to do." Hondo said.
 
"We'll have plenty of time to do this when we get back." Rose said.
 
"Thats not what I mean, I mean somethin' else." Hondo said.
 
"What do you mean, then?" Rose asked. the look in her eyes showed she was puzzeled.
 
"This." Hondo said. He stood leavin' her sittin' on the bench and turned so she was in front of him. he then got down on one knee and at the same time produced the ring Fernando had given him to give Rose when the time was right, and Hondo felt it now was right. Rose's eyes got big, but Hondo started to speak before she could say anythin'.
 
Hondo started off: "Darlin' I'm not good at this stuff so bear with me.  . . . I'm not sure what this mission will bring or if we'll make it out alive, but i know one thing, i love you and if we do get out I want you to be with me for ever, not as just a friend, but as my wife. so if you can find it in your heart and you think you could stand livin' your days out with this cussed mean gunfighter, would you so honor me by maybe marryin' me, eh?"  
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Rose was shocked, surprised.......very happy.  A silver tear spilled out of her eye as she said  
 
  "Cussed mean eh?" she tweaked his nose "You, sir, don't know how gentle, thoughtful, and kind your really are. As well as your great capacity for love. I would be very honored to marry you."  
 
   Hondo grinned "Really?"  
 
   Rose leaned toward his face and whispered "I would not have fallen in love with you if I hadn't"  
 
    Hondo had slipped the ring onto her finger and she held both his hands in her lap as they kissed long, under the moon.    
 
    "Well, we should get back now.  Up for some movies on the couch?" He said finally
 
    "Sure!" Rosie smiled and they walked back to the Porsche. The held hands as they drove back to the house.  
 
    "Hang on a sec, I have to get out of these shoes." Rosie said
     
     "And I gotta get out of this tux!" Hondo spat.  
 
     Gadget was asleep in their room, so Rose changed quietly.  She met Hondo on the stairs and they curled up on the couch. Watching The Alamo The Crossing, and Secondhand Lions until dawn.

5PM brings the SWA handlers and their cyborgs to the compound for final mission preparations. The cyborgs get dressed in their 'little girl best' while arming up on ammunitions for their weapons. In Bink's case, 5 magazines of 50 round capacity, 7.75mm rounds for her P90 and 5 magazines of 9mm for her Sig 239. The P90 gets put away neatly in her violin case, while the Sig 290 is put away in a clip on holster at the small of her back, further concealed by her floofy squirrel tail. Tammy only loads up on 2 9mm magazines for her Sig Sauer 229, and refuses to carry anything bigger than her personal weapon.
 
5:15PM, they have a quick meeting of who will be stationed where and perform what tasks. The support crew will be at a 1/2 mile from the Christiano's Estate, blocking the main road to it with a garbage truck; the 2 pizza vans will at the estate's entry way on the shoulder of the road. Marco will have a disposable automobile blocking the road to the estate not far from the estate's gated entry with Angelica and Claes using the car as cover to take care of anyone who might try to escape. The rest, along with rest of the SWA Support team will comb through the property and eliminate Mr. Christiano and anyone else in his immediate vicinity.
 
7PM, the handlers and the cyborgs were on their way on a slow drive to the Christiano Estate. It should only take a 1/2 hour at best, instead, they take 3 times as long to get there, hiding in the cover of darkness to survey the area for the next 2 and 1/2 hours. Support arrives at 11pm. Another 1/2 passes as the vehicles are piled out onto their appointed areas, and they wait.
 
Bink and the other cyborgs out on their modified Phoniac Hearing aide receivers, as Priscilla tests the main transmitter. All pass. The handlers are given the 2-way radios which are tied to the cyborgs' hearing aid receivers. As the clock approached midnight, the lights on the first floor of the Christiano Manson go off. The lights on the second floor remain on. The handlers and cyborgs go out in silence, entering the estate by climbing the fence that surrounds compound. Support follows in 5 minutes behind as the handlers and cyborgs take their position around the house. Silencers placed upon the weapons as the cyborgs wait in the shadows.
 
Triela and Rico enter the house first, followed by their handlers, starting off a firefight on the first floor with assorted hired thugs who occupied the first floor. Bink runs into the mansion ahead of schedule. Tammy yells into her radio to call back her sister but is ignored as the familiar sound of Bink's P90 machine gun goes round after round. Once it quieted down and the fighting moves upstairs and to the other areas around the house, Tammy enters and takes her position by the door. A couple of other cyborgs enter behind her and start combing their appointed areas. The rest check the garage and areas outside of the house. For now, Tammy is safe waiting by the entrance, but Bink was no where to be found in the immediate area.
 
Screams and yells can be heard throughout the house as the shoot out continues. Tammy realizes that she is now stuck in the middle where she is as the fighting starts outside as well.
 
Seeing the battle going to loss, Pino runs to his former entrusted caregiver, Mr. Christiano. Michelle and Bianca fight it out in the halls with the cyborgs. Other thugs of the group try to make a path clear to the garage. Most were cut down along the way, but one manages to get the cars in the garage, only to meet up with Rico. Rico takes the thug and smashes his head through the windshield, in orders to take him alive but quickly dies from his injuries. For the moment, she holds on to the dead body of her prisoner up against the broken windshield like some rag doll as she await further instructions.
 
Petrushka and Beatrice take to the basement area, finding a large wine cellar, as expected. They also find a large sloping ramp to the loading dock from the basement, along with several guards and thugs waiting by three empty trucks. The girls take to their arms and make quick work of those there. Claes and Angelica continue to wait for any action that would come their way, with sniper scopes and machine guns in place on top of the car Marco was sitting on.
 
Pino runs into the room where Mr. Christiano was keeping himself in.
 
Pino: Uncle! We must get out of this place!
Mr. Christiano: What are you doing here?
Pino: We've came to rescue you out of here!
Mr. Christiano: We? We, who?
Pino: Me, and a few friends of John- Michelle and Bianca! They are heading to the garage!
 
Mr. Christiano walks over to Pino, and hands him the key to one of his Mercedes 700s before giving him a hug.
 
Mr. Christiano: Lets go.
 
The both start race walking down a long corridor to the garage, when they hear a voice shout at them.
 
Triela: FREEZE WHERE YOU ARE!
 
Pino turns around, recognizing the girl with the long twin pony tails.
 
Pino: Go on uncle, I'll deal with this one myself.
 
Mr. Christiano continues onward as Pino approaches Triela, who had her shotgun pointed at him.
 
Pino: I should have killed you the first time we met. Now I'm going to fix that mistake.
 
Triela should have put a couple of slugs into him but didn't, for this is a personal feud between them. He grabs the muzzle of the shot gun and pushes it aside as he draws a small throwing blade from his pocket. He throws it at her to strike her face, only to have her arm come up and block it, impaling the blade into her artificial flesh.
 
Mr. Christiano finds his way to the garage, and looks for his guards and any awaiting thugs. Instead, he meets up with Rico, who was still holding the dead body of his body guard against the car windshield. Rico looks at him as he does at her.
 
Mr. Christiano: You're that girl, from the museum!
 
Rico answers with a single gunshot to his chest. She hits him at the upper right of it. He falls against the wall, clutching at his wound. Rico lets go of the dead guard and heads over to Mr. Christiano. Finding him alive, she handcuffs his hand together.
 
Triela pulls back on her shot gun and tries to use the bayonet of the end of it against him. He parries the attack and kick the shotgun out of her hands. She did manage to grab his leg and judo throw him across the room. They both charge at each other pulling out another set of weapons: Triela her Sig 232SL and Pino a double set of knifes in each hand. Triela had not had a chance to shoot due to their fast moments making her unable to aim into the right direction, Pino does manage to give her a couple of fast strikes against her, leaving one leg impaled into her thigh, and another into the side of her chest.  A kick to her mid section puts her at a distance from him as he starts to run down the hall to look got his uncle. Triela lays there, accounting for the damage done to her thus far, but decides to continue to go onward after pulling the blades from her body.
 
She finds him towards the end of the long corridor which leads to the garage. She slams herself into his, causing him to crash through the door to another room, she is right behind  him. He throws 4 throwing  at her,  catching her on her arm and gun hand, forcing her to drop her gun. Pino then sidesweep kicks her off her feet. He pulls out a large hunting knife as they both get up within arms reach of each other. He make his move to slice her across the face. She catches the blade between her hands, and tries to get it away from her face. As he struggles with her, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out the car key that 'his uncle' gave him. As they struggle, the blade from the hunting knife snaps at the base of the handle. Triela takes the blade and tosses it away.
 
Pino takes the key and puts it into his fist, between the middle and ring fingers. He slams his fist, with key inside, into Triela's eye. Pain sets in, Triela thinking that it was just a fist, until blood poured out of her eye socket and vision in that eye goes out. She grabs him by the neck, sending her long tapery cyborg fingers into his throat, tearing out the flesh in the immediate area as she goes to crush his windpipe. Both separate and collapse to the floor.
 
The fighting elsewhere begins to wind down.
 
Rico picks up Mr. Christiano and carries him out of the garage. Two others quietly enter the garage as they see Rico leave with Mr. Christiano. They wait to make their move.
 
Anthros was in the rear of the house with several thugs and house guards in a heavy fire fight with Petrushka, and Beatrice. Pia joins in from the other side a couple of minutes later from her position. The men fall dead around Anthros, he takes the dead-possum routine to its best, and drops on the floor along with those who fought with him. Once the fighting ends here, the girls walk away, leaving Anthros alone. He takes his cue to vacate the area as fast and silently as possible.
 
Rico was at the end of the house when she put Mr. Christiano on the ground by the wall. She steps away from him to make her radio call  to the others. An engine turns on revs high, and a Mercedes Convertible SL-class roars out of the garage, building up speed on the estate road. It hits Rico and makes a sudden stop. A blonde squirrel steps out of the car to Mr. Christiano. She helps in into the Mercedes, and they drive off away.
 
Mr. Christiano: Who are you?
Michelle: Its us- Michelle and Bianca. We are getting you out of here!
 
Angelica notices the Mercedes speeding down the estate road towards them and starts putting rounds into driver's side windshield. Bianca is hit several times, but holds on tightly to the controls. Claes starts firing to take out the tires. The Mercedes continues to accelerates. It clips the car at its rear bumper, sending it to slide out of the way. The Mercedes continues down the main road to the highway, but erratically. It goes off to the side of the road, through the guard rail and down a cliff.
 
Clean up too several hours into the night. Triela and Rico were found badly damaged, emergency repairs begun on them. They would require extensive systems rebuild when they return to the SWA. Bink got an earful from Tammy, even though she took out several thugs and guards that were hiding about the first floor. Claes and Angelica has some damage when the car they using as s shield was hit by the Mercedes. Pia, Beatrice and Petrushka has a few bullet wounds, but nothing serious that would require major repairs. None of the handlers were hurt, not even Marco when the car he was in was hit by the Mercedes.
 
The Mercedes was found at the bottom of the cliff, blood covering its seats, but no bodies found. All were presumed dead. Despite the damage to the cyborgs, the mission was considered a success. It would take them 48 hours to gather their resources and write up their reports. They stay at the SWA compound as they do this.

{Charles, though your posts cleans up a few things, it over steps the 48 hour period that has to be done first.}
-ROLL BACK: 48 Hours, Fernando's CIA base of operations (the safe house)-
 
Fernando gets a call on the following morning from Tammy, explaining that she has to stay at the SWA compound for the immediate interim, but should be returning 'home' soon in a day or two.
 
Even with 16 hours of sleep, Fernando wanted to do another 8 more hours. But oversleeping, even over hibernating, can be bad for a person's constitution. Thus Fernando forces himself to remain awake for the interim to reach the kitchen wrapped in a bathrobe. Gadget was already there, frying up a simple cheese omelet for herself. Along with the omelet, there was some juice and biscuits in the serving island that she had already made. Fernando just barges into the kitchen and takes to the coffee maker's pot, filling a mug that he had grabbed along the way.
 
Gadget: Hey!
Fernando: Hey what?
Gadget: Say excuse me next time.
Fernando: Rule number 1 in this place- Never Get In Between a Coffee Addict and his Coffee!
Gadget: Why I never...
 
Fernando walks out of the kitchen with mug and coffee pot in hand and sits at the dining table.
 
Fernando: Look, I'll apologize when I'm more... civilized. Right now I got a freight train coffee headache that needs to be derailed.
Gadget: Well, if coffee causes the headaches, why drink it?
Fernando: No- its not drinking the coffee that causes the headaches.
Gadget: How is that possible?
Fernando: Look, I'm not going to explain to you the biomechanics of caffeine addiction, just accept the fact that it happens.
Gadget: I don't accept facts based on given statements.
 
Fernando sighs.
 
Fernando: When are you going home?
Gadget: Home?
Fernando: Home, in America? CDRR-HQ? The Cafe?
Gadget: Oh, home... Not until I can get Tammy home.
Fernando: That may not be possible for quite a while.
Gadget: Why is that?
 
Gadget takes her breakfast to the dining table and sits a chair away from him.
 
Fernando: Tammy is now working for the SWA under RR-HQ here, for one. Bink needs the medical attention that only the SWA can give- two. And if we get married, since I cant return home, neither can she.
Gadget: And you cant marry her.
Fernando: Why not?
Gadget: You're twice her age. You look more like her father than her husband. You're arrogant, bossy, mean...
Fernando: You left out overbearing.
Gadget: You're impossible.
Fernando: Tammy and I are to marry because it is our decision to want to do so. And there is nothing in this world that will stop it.
Gadget: Tinkerbell.
Fernando: What about her?
Gadget: You said nothing in this world, well, Ms Bell is not exactly from this world, though is part of it. And the whole cafe knows that you sleep with her! An the whole cafe knows that once she learns that you are abandoning her for a young missy red head squirrel- she will wish Tammy out of existence! That's what happens when fairies that small act upon the only emotions their tiny minds can only hold.
Fernando: Tink already gave us her blessings. Besides, if Tink wants me, she knows where I am, her and I are just friends and the three of us will get along just fine.
Gadget: I knew that fairy was a bad influence, she has all of you living in sin.
Fernando: And when you were living in captivity in that lab with those male mice, I'm sure you had to do things that you are too ashamed of to admit to Chip.
 
Fernando gets up and starts to make breakfast for himself.
 
Gadget: You're the last one to use the kitchen, you clean up.
Fernando: My place, my rules: You clean up what you use.
Gadget: Damn.
 
Fernando fries up a couple of eggs over easy with a slice of ham that was in the frig. With a slice of toast and more coffee, he puts his meal on the dining table in just a couple of minutes.
Fernando: But, you can do me a favor?
Gadget: A favor? You asking me for a favor? You know its going to cost you.
Fernando: It was not even for me, but, you know Gadget- for one who perceives herself and makes other to perceive her as one of the nicest people of Earth, you are rather obnoxious and selfish.
Gadget: I am not.
Fernando: Then do me this favor without question of return of favor or reward.
Gadget: You're asking for too much.
Fernando: you know Gadget- this favor is not even for me. Its for a couple of lost girls who need a ride home and a place to stay. I will arrange passage; all I need is for somebody to supervise them along the way.
Gadget: Huh?
Fernando: That is all I ask. Help bring two lost girls to the cafe.
Gadget: Who are these girls?
Fernando: A rescuer never ask for identity of those they rescue. Or have you forgotten that?
Gadget: Why are you making this so difficult?
Fernando: Why must you?
Gadget: Maybe because they could be thieves, crooks, murderers, terrorists. Who knows?
Fernando: They are 2 young teenage American girls skunks who were forced into prostitution by a film company producer who is really a pornography producer who tricked them into coming here to Italy. I got them in a safe place for the mean time, and they are waiting for you to take them to the cafe where they will be safe. The older one's name is Sabi and the younger's Tabi. Now, are you going to accept to do me this favor or will I have to call my daughter to come here to get them?
Gadget: That is so sad.
Fernando: Look Gadget, if you can rescue somebody, rescue those who need it the most. Tammy is safe with me for now. She will go back to the Cafe when its time. But these two girls need it more. And furthermore, you did not need to know this about them, and when you get them back to the cafe, no one else better not either.
 
Fernando gives Gadget a stern look with that last statement. Gadget slightly withdraws from the distance between them a bit more.
 
Fernando: I swear, you know- all of this crap is just that- crap, and it is totally unnecessary.
 
Gadget remains silent and Fernando spew out the words at her.
 
Fernando: Before coming here, before becoming a so-called Rescue Ranger, I was and still am a Shortfellow. A Shortfellow is a person who devotes his life to the betterment of others. As we Shortfellows say, “To do the work of saving everyone, whether they want to be saved or not, must be done; for evil and corruption must not prevail. For no reward, praise, fame, respect or prize; you will be hated for doing this deed, but this is the job of the ShortFellows and the ShortFellow Society, and the job will be done.” And it is done, without question, hesitation or want of reward or promotion. Now, I saved 2 girls from a life or horror, I need some help in completing this task. Will I get that help or will I have to do to the rangers what I did to the SWA?
Gadget: Is that a threat?
Fernando: I don't make threats. But I do see that if the Rangers do not comply, then there must be changes made. All of this crap of the 'Golden Acorn' rewards and recognition has to end. You got people here doing things and working hard for possession of a trophy, and not for the work itself. That is where things are going wrong.
Gadget: You're just saying that because you never got an award.
Fernando: I don't want an award. I could have won but removed myself from ever running. But again, that is not the point. The point is, the Rangers have become nothing more than a loose group of wanna be heroes who go toting off to show off the things that they had done and the awards and rewards they got. In rescuing these two girls, I'm not going to get any reward, and I have to spend money and resources to rescue them- money and resources that I will never see again. This is not pulling someone out of a pool and giving them mouth to mouth and CPR until they wake up again. This is something more intricate and involved. But in the end, it would be worth it because there will be 2 girls in a safe place living out a more profitable life for themselves, and this world will be better for it. That is my reward, that is my award that I put on the mantle to show off, and that is a billion times better than some stupid gold plated brass and copper acorn.
Gadget: You surely do not know what you are talking about.
Fernando: I dont? Lets see. You got individuals trying to emulate god by manipulating reality and influencing our minds by their own actions. You got starship captain who think that they can act in an aggressive way with paint-torpedoes against our interstellar neighbors. You got people within our group who open up interdimensional doorways just for the hell of it.
Gadget: And we got 1 time traveler who thinks he's the answer to the world's  problems. Honestly Fernando, how are you no different than they?
Fernando: I do what I have to do in order to save this world, not to find some end to a rewarding and award-filled means. I am just 1 person, I am in no command of anyone else. I don't look for reward. I don't want awards. And the total sum of my life is nothing, Gadget. But I do as I must and as need be. Nothing more is required  of that, and that is how I am different than others because I do not use my powers and abilities to manipulate the outcome to my benefit. They do.
Gadget: That is not how I or anyone else sees it.
Fernando: Alright Gadget, have it your way.
 
Fernando gets up and puts away his breakfast plate and mug in the kitchen sink.
 
Fernando: You are to leave this place before the sun reaches its apex, and be on your way to the Cafe.
Gadget: Not without Tammy and her sister.
 
Fernando walks over to the bookshelf and pulls out a non-descript book that contains plastic pages with pockets in them. Each pocket contained a DVD-CD inside. Fernando runs his finger through the pages.
 
Fernando: Lets see... Ah, here it is.
 
Fernando pulls out a DVD-CD from a page and walks over to the DVD player, turning both it and the large screen TV on. Gadget looks at the empty pocket, seeing a serialized number on it: 071611101315. She tries to decipher them from the formula that he gave her from before.
 
Gadget: July 16, 2011, 10:13:15AM?
Fernando: You got that right.
Gadget: But that's 5 months from now.
Fernando: For you it is. For me, this one outcome has already happened and what I am trying to prevent.
 
Fernando lifts up the remote as he walks beck to the dining table, he presses DVD-play as he sits down.
 
The TV screen fills up  with a hospital room, Tammy sitting besides a bed, softly crying. The life monitors above the bed all showing flat lines. Dr. Aiesha walks into view clutching a clip board to her chest.
 
Dr. Aiesha: I'm sorry Tammy, we did all that we could here. But without the medication or her implants, there was nothing we could do.
 
Dr. Aiesha walks away from the bed. She signals to the hospital staff to empty the room and wait outside. Gadget walks into the room a few minutes later. Fernando presses pause.
 
Fernando: You know who is on that bed?
Gadget: Bink?
Fernando: You know what happened to her?
Gadget: According to this, she dies.
Fernando: You know why?
Gadget: I gather that we did not have the technology to save her.
Fernando: I prefer the word incompetence.
Gadget: Incompetence?
Fernando: Mostly on your part.
Gadget: How is that possible?
Fernando: You took it upon yourself to try to make Bink like another Widget with your own implants. Your technology was incompatible with the SWA's cyborg technologies. Furthermore, you took Bink apart to study those implants. “If I can learn how they work, I can extend her life...” you kept saying. Instead those parts went to your sister Widget shortly after this. And now what? You end up with one dead young squirrel and super powered sister that still wants to see you dead. Sure, you got Tammy back to the cafe, but at what price?
Gadget: How can I be sure that what you are showing me is the truth?
Fernando: Ask Jeanette.
Gadget: How can I be so sure that you did not set her up against me as well.
Fernando: Jeanette and I are friends, and life rescue partners, but we do not agree on everything. In fact, we don't agree on 90% of everything that we discuss about. But I trust her to be honest, true and faithful to me and as much as I screw up, I try to do the same to her. So in that, I can trust Jeanette when I cant trust anyone else- including myself.
 
Gadget does not know how to answer. Fernando presses 'EJECT' on the remote, then 'SYSTEM SHUTDOWN'. He walks over to the DVD-player to remove the disk from the slot.
 
Gadget: Hey!
Fernando: Hey what?
Gadget: Aren't you going to continue playing that?
Fernando: What for? You and Tammy get into a fight because you made a promise you could not keep.
Gadget: Then what about you? Where were you in all this?
Fernando: Me? Well, lets see...
 
Fernando goes over through the book of DVDs and then puts the one he had removed and closes the book. He takes the book and walks back to the shelf, zippering up its bounded pages before putting it on the shelf. He keeps his hand on of for a moment before walking away back tot he dining table. Gadget runs to the bookshelf and removes the book from the shelf and opens is.
Quote:

 
Gadget: Wait a minute! Where are the DVDs?
Fernando: You actually going to think that I would allow the archive of possibilities easily accessible to the likes of you? Get real.
Gadget: You are so unfair.
Fernando: Life is unfair.
Gadget: I swear, Fernando...
Fernando: You know, the SWA left behind the conditioning medication for their cyborgs here. It makes the girls loyal and obedient. I wonder how it will work with you?
Gadget: You would not dare.
Fernando: Don't tempt the devil, because you have nothing to offer him.
Gadget: You're not the devil.
Fernando:  It does not matter who it is, but in words you can understand, don't push me because I push back. Don't make offers that you cant make because I will take them. With this crazy flying squirrel I will do what has to be done to the best of all outcomes, and I am not going to allow impatience or ingratitude take the better of me. So, if you think sex is going to make me change my mind and actions, you are so wrong. If you think that money, power or prestige is going to sway me into your preferred direction of action, then you don't know me. That is the difference between you and the others, and Tammy, Hondo, Rose, along with a few others here and myself.
 
Gadget sits there trying to figure this out.
 
Fernando: Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to take a shower and get dressed. I would advise that you do the same because we are going out.
Gadget: Out? Where?
Fernando: Call it a date. Just you and me on a long day together.
Gadget: I don't go out on dates, especially with you.
Fernando: Oh you will.
 
Fernando gets up and starts walking to the stairs.
 
Fernando: Even if I have to use that conditioning medication on you to get you to go, you will go out with me. And then you will understand why I was not there.
 
In under a minute, Fernando walks into his room and gathers his things for his shower. He finds an envelope taped to his door, inside was the credit card and the key to his Porsche with a small 'thank you' note inside. After 20 minutes, he was already out of the shower and drying himself out in his room.  In another 15 minutes, he was dressed and ready to go. Putting his AA .45 into the small of his back with the clip on holster an then his suit jacket finishes his attire. He stuffs a few small items into his pocket before he steps out of the room. Gadget took a little longer. He waits for her downstairs, making a small snack in the kitchen.
 
Hondo comes downstairs to the kitchen to prepare a bit of breakfast for himself and Rose. He sees that Fernando was already dressed and ready to go somewhere.
 
Hondo: Going anywhere? Just give me a few minutes...
Fernando (interrupting him): You take care of Rose for today. I'll be taking Gadget out to town, so you're free to do as you please. By the way, Tammy says that she and the rest of the SWA wont be in a couple of days, so we got the place to ourselves again.
Hondo: I see. Maybe I can get a few things done around here then.
Fernando: Just don't go blowing up the place, that's all I ask.
Hondo: Don't worry, I wont.
Fernando: Good. Damn, what's taking that girl so long?
Hondo: You know how women folk are.
Fernando: Don't remind me.
Hondo: So, what on your plans for the day?
Fernando: Just taking Gadget out. She is already showing signs of cabin fever.  Maybe some fresh air and a change of scenery will do her some good.
Hondo: I see. Well, remember that she is a married mouse.
Fernando: Please, I would not touch her in that way with your private parts.
Hondo: You leave my privates out of this.
Fernando: You're the one insinuating...
Hondo: Well, I was just joking.
Fernando: You know I don't joke.
Hondo: Well, like you did to me- maybe you should relax and take it easy. And thanks.
Fernando: Thanks for what?
Hondo: If it were not for taking your word, Rose and I would not be engaged right now.
Fernando: Well, congrats. Its not that I'm not happy for the two of you, I just can not show it, at least not right now.
Hondo: I understand- not until at least this mission is over.
 
Gadget comes down the stairs in her usual purple mechanics overalls attire. They both look at her.
 
Fernando: Maybe I should get her to dress up in her black dress.
Hondo: Whatever you do, I don't want to hear her screaming.
 
Gadget approaches them.
 
Gadget: Well, I'm ready.
Fernando: Go back upstairs and put on that black dress. This Mechanic's Overalls is not going to make it, not with me.
Gadget: But I'm ready...
Fernando: What part of 'I'm wearing a suit and you better dress up to match me' you do not understand?
 
Gadget storms up the stairs cursing under her breath.
 
Hondo: Now you done it. Nothing worse than dating a pissed off gal.
Fernando: I'll deal with her...
Hondo: Somehow.
Fernando: You know it.
Hondo: By the way, what about the two skunk gals?
Fernando: I'll drop by to check up on them. They should be fine where they are.
 
Fernando lets out a sigh.
 
Hondo: Everything alright with you?
Fernando: I just want to see an end to this madness.
Hondo: Don't we all.
Fernando: Well, you two decided when and where to get married? I would advise that the sooner the better.
Hondo: No, not yet.
Fernando: Well, don't delay it.
Hondo: What about you and Tammy?
Fernando: As soon as the mission is over, I'll drag her by her fluffy tail to church and get the priest to say those words to us.
Hondo: Just like that.
Fernando: Yup.
Hondo: You sure take the fun and romance out of everything.
Fernando: Sometimes its better that way. Besides, you cant let a woman walk all over you. Remember that you are the man and what you say goes.
Hondo: But...
Fernando: Look, men and women have their place, they should remember that and you should remember that. But you should not allow any female to overstep her boundaries where it concerns your decisions and actions. They are to follow you, you are to help them when they ask, you two are to work together as 1... because as a married couple- it is no longer you and her, it is us and we. This is 1 and 1 makes 1, not 2. But in that, one has to lead and the other follows. If both try to lead, then there will be problems. You have sisters, you know how girls can be.
 
Hondo sighs.
 
Fernando: Look- you and Rose are now a team. Until death do you two apart or lawyers with divorce papers. And as a team, you two are to live a life together, and the key word is together. You two are to share everything. But at the same time, a team needs a leader. Don't allow her into that position. Do allow her to be the woman and you be the man. There will be times where you two will not agree with anything, and compromises have to be made, but don't give in into everything. Or else, that for which you love her for will turn spoil and rotten. In short Hondo- don't change for Rose and don't let Rose change for you. Marriage is a shared life, not a shared everything.
Hondo: Rose and I will do as we see fit...
Fernando: Just remember what I told you.
Hondo: I'll think about it.
Fernando: Don't think, do.
 
Gadget comes down the stairs in her black dress and stiletto heels, having a rough time of it coming down the stairs.
 
Fernando (softly to Hondo): Now that is more like it.
Hondo: Careful what you wish for.
Fernando: Don't you think I know that?
Hondo: Just telling it how I see it.
Fernando: Look... I think your breakfast is burning.
 
Hondo rushes back to the stove, cursing out the distraction under his breathe. He did manage to rescue the meal.
 
Fernando walks over to Gadget and extends a hand to help her from the bottom step which she stopped on to readjust her shoes. Holding his hand, she steps down onto the first floor, and together they leave through the back entrance to where the parking area was. Fernando finds his Porsche, not in its usual parking spot, but he's not complaining. He opens the for Gadget and assists her to sit down inside. She tries her best to let anything slip and reveal itself to him. He then takes to his driver's seat. Soon they were off to Rome. But along the way, Gadget tries to make conversation, as per their breakfast discussion.
 
Gadget: I don't see why I have to dress up like this.
Fernando: I'm not going to be dressed up in my best while my date is dressed like some bum.
Gadget: I'm not a bum!
Fernando: Look, Mechanic's Coveralls are nice when you are working, but not for when you have to go out. This is a world of visual content and everyone picks up on what you are by the way you look.
Gadget: So says the blind squirrel...
Fernando: Look, you and I don't agree on everything, but I can say that there are certain parts of you that are beautiful. Unfortunately, those other aspects of you ruins it all.  
Gadget: What?!!
Fernando: You heard what I said.
Gadget: I want you to repeat it.
Fernando: OK- I said that you are beautiful in some areas, but in others you are down right ugly.
Gadget: Start explaining.
Fernando: You're good looking, attractive, kind, generous, cute and sweet in your own way. But you are also obnoxious, overbearing, bossy, you think you know it all and have the answer to everything. All that ruins the good parts that you have.
Gadget: The same can be said about you.
Fernando: Actually, a lot more can be said about me, more on the negative than the positive, but those are the qualities that makes me- me. And I do not care about what others think of me- you do. If you didn't, you would not be all so huffed up with your arms crossed under your breasts.
 
Gadget just turn to stare at him meanly.
 
Fernando: I accept you as you are, as I accept everyone as they are. I'm not going about changing people into what I want them to be. But it seems that many, including you, are. So, there is that problem.
Gadget: Then why are you going about Time Jumping and doing Event Manipulations?
Fernando: Lets see, it goes back to when I was married and that marriage was out through a horrific end with her murder. A friend at that time told me, “God does not allow bad things to happen to good people.” Despite what happened and what was said- things contradicted themselves. It is shortly after that, that I discovered time travel; that I learned how too manipulate events...
Gadget (interrupting him): OK, explain why if you can do that, your wife is still dead and buried?
Fernando: I was about to get to that. I discovered that I can not influence the results of an event that I was personally involved in. Einstein's theory- two of the same object can not exist at different places at the same time. That is true to an extent. Since I was directly involved in that event, I can not touch it, though believe me, I have tried.
Gadget: So, why did you not send somebody else in your place?
Fernando: The person who killed her, was a martial arts expert, government trained killer. Catherine, that was her name, was the last one he killed, but during a 3 week period, that bastard killed many he thought were in his way of whatever his polluted mind believed in. There was only 1 person on the planet outside of a government training facility or a master's doji, that could stop him; and I did- even though it was after the fact. Because of that event, I can not change it nor will send others to change it.
Gadget: How about sending an entire team after him?
Fernando: The government's military did. Not a single man came back from that mission. Look. There was only one person capable of handling this person, and I did what I had to do.
Gadget: From where I see, you are not that good.
Fernando: Don't force me into a manhunt confrontation, Gadget- with me, you will lose heavily. And even if you do win, the price of that victory would be so high, losing would have been a more viable option because the loses would have been less.
Gadget: Again, you are not that good.
Fernando: Then try me. Try me and find out, because when all is said and done, Gadget, you will be weeping over a lot of graves.
 
Gadget does not answer for the moment.
 
Gadget: Hey- you just missed out turn-off!
Fernando: You don't trust me in where I take you?
Gadget: You I don't trust.
 
They continue driving for a while, passing several exits to the city of Rome. Then Fernando takes to an exit and continues to drive along the country side just outside of Rome. After several minutes, they stop and park by a marble and wrought iron fence of approximately 3 meters high. The gate to this high fence was open wide. Fernando stops by a flower cart that was by the fence, giving the old lady there 200 euros for a 5 euro set of flowers. He gives the flowers to Gadget, takes her by the arm and walks inside the fence. They walk up a hill, past a house near the entrance, and Gadget can finally see where they were.
 
Gadget: What are we doing at a cemetery?
Fernando: That is none of your business, but also the lesson you have to learn.
 
They continue to walk down the path. After passing several aisles, they stop on a black moderately sized monument. He points at it. Gadget walks to it and reads the name on the inscription on the stone:
Quote:

 
Gadget: Polancco? Who are they?
Fernando: You know them better as Tammy' and Bink's mother- Mrs. Squirrel and her newly married billionaire industrialist husband Joseph Polancco.
Gadget: Billionaire industrialist?
Fernando: Tammy is not getting a penny of it and neither is Bink. All that money went to his kids.
Gadget: That's unfair! Bink should get something, that was her mother!
Fernando: She should and by American laws has too, but there are several things going against her, whose details I wont go into.
Gadget: Why not?
Fernando: Its their business and its not good to disrespect the dead.
 
Fernando starts to walk away after taking a flower and dropping it on the grave. Gadget follows as he crosses the aisle to another group of graves, stopping by one that had a small black marble headstone.
 
Fernando: This bastard never had a change...
Gadget: Who is he?
 
Fernando points a the headstone.
 
Fernando: Cant you read?
 
Gadget read the headstone.
 
Gadget: Fernando G? Isn't that you?
Fernando: So it is.
Gadget: Why is there one for you?
Fernando: The mission, if you remember, I was supposed to pilot the plane back home; the plane that blew up.
Gadget (saying each word slowly): I remember that... but if you were flying the plane...
Fernando: Your tombstone is over there, next to Chip's. Jeanette, my co-pilot is over there. All of the Rescue Rangers are were on that mission, who were supposed to be on that plane, are all scattered about this place- where ever there was an empty spot to put them in. So, welcome to the dead-zone, Gadget. Don't take being dead too seriously. As you can see, I don't.
Gadget: How cute.
 
Fernando starts to walk away, going though the aisles and rows of head stones until he stops to a couple of them: Gadget Hackwrench-Maplewood and Chip Maplewood. He looks down at the two of them.
 
Fernando: Actually, that is how I was to obtain your freedoms, for one. If you are all dead, then they could not detain you. It's a whole riggermerole thingamabob of legal stuff. Technically, you are no longer married to Chip either. So all this crap about Tammy and I living in sin is either null or moot and you are a hypocrite. Furthermore, you trying to make advances on me to force me to use my abilities, well, you're not breaking any marriage vows if it went too far.
 
Gadget can only look at the two small tombstones that marks her and her husband's graves.
 
Fernando: Consider it as 'divorce by death'.
Gadget: Why?
Fernando: Why, what?
Gadget: Why are you trying to ruin our lives? Why cant you just leave things as they be?
Fernando: Alright, if that is what you want, then so be it.
 
Fernando starts to walk away. Gadget runs up behind him.
 
Gadget: Where are you going, you are not going to leave me behind?
 
Fernando stops, and turns to her.
 
Fernando: You want me to leave things alone? Then so be it. Get your own ride because I don't want you in my face telling me what has to be done. You want to rescue people, but you are selective as who they are. You want to solve crimes, but you only take on big cases. You say that you do good, but it is only that which makes you look good. You seek rewards, acknowledgement, and recognition. You wont do a rescue unless there is something in it for you as a group. So therefore, I will leave things alone when you as a group will leave things alone. Until then, I will do what I think is right for the common good and not for selfish reasons. So consider yourself lucky that you still have your life, because many people here no longer that that option.
 
Gadget turns momentarily and look at the tombstones in the immediate area. Fernando takes the remaining flowers from her and walks over to the Polancco's memorial stone, and drops all but one on the earthen mound. She was a second or two behind to follow. Fernando sighs before he steps backwards and turns to the main pathway, where Gadget was approaching him from.
 
Fernando: Any last words before I walk away and leave you behind?
Gadget: In the least take me back to the hideout.
Fernando: You said to leave things alone, that means, here, now and forever. Drop every and continue on without. That mean you, here, alone.
Gadget: You said that you would do what you consider is right for the common good. This is not for the common good!
Fernando: So says you.
Gadget: You abandon me here...
Fernando (interrupting her): What- Chip is going after me? I think not. Last I heard he's in some hospital bed zonked out of his mind on an Ergot induced coma. He wont becoming out of that in a long time, even with the cure I sent him, the same cure that I used on Tammy and Bink to wake them up. As where Tammy and Bink were splashed in the face with the crap, Chip and Dale ate theirs, making it harder to wash out of their systems. Eventually, they will be cured of it, its just going to take longer with them.
 
Fernando steps around her and heads to his own tombstone, where he drops the single flower in front of it. Gadget tries to remain a couple of steps behind him.
 
Fernando: A friend of mine told me, 'To be dead is to be forever.' Well, here is to forever.
Gadget: What do you mean by that?
Fernando: Before you were born, billions of years had past without you being any part of it. When you die, many billion more years- until the end of time, will pass by without you being part of it. It is this short span of years- perhaps just a few decades, between the billions of years, that you can make a difference. It seems you have not learned that lesson yet. Don't take it too hard on yourself, Very few people ever do.
Gadget: Again, what do you mean by that?
Fernando: As John Lennon used to say, 'You can be the next Adolph Hitler or the next Jesus Christ... in either being the worst or the best this universe has to offer, and leave a lasting legacy that people will forever follow. Which path you take is on you, it is a pity that everyone chooses to do nothing and very few actually achieve that level.' Now, which path are you going to take and what level are you going to achieve?
Gadget: I am just 1 mouse...
Fernando (interrupting her): And I am just one squirrel, but in the least I am doing something about making this world a better place for itself and not for me because when I am gone, this world will go on without me and thus what good is it to have it shaped for me if I am not going to be there? It would be better to have it best suited for others. Being 1 of anything is no excuse to do nothing.
 
Gadget thinks as to what is being said to her. Fernando starts to take walk to the path, and then stands there for a moment looking around. He starts to head to a large and newly placed tombstone just a few rows behind all the others. It seems out of place, compared to those near it. Gadget follows. He looks at it, seeing the name Anne Christiano-Rossellini  inscribed in large letters on the stone that had a statue of a mouse-angel on it. Not too far, just a couple of spaces away, was a small stone, perhaps smaller than most of the others, for Franco.
 
Fernando (to himself): Heh... She was no angel.
Gadget: Who is this?
Fernando: She was a former friend, until the truth came out and her opinions and ideals got the better of her.
Gadget: What do you mean by that?
Fernando: She and her friend were the reason why these graves of the rescue rangers were made. She and her friend were the ones who built the bomb that was placed on our plane that we watched blow up on the deck of the aircraft carrier Enterprise.
Gadget: And she was a friend?
Fernando: You don't understand how this pay game works, so by those rules, she was.
Gadget: How did she die, and at a young age too?
Fernando: I shot her, when confronting her with the truth about the plane's bombing. I would have done nothing, but, she tried to take Tammy's gun, and once in her possession, I let her have it with mine.
Gadget: You were confronting her with the truth?
Fernando: Her bomb, her design, I know how she builds them. What it was doing on our plane is what I wanted to know. Instead, she paid the ultimate price for her silence.
 
After a brief bit of silence, Fernando starts to walk away again, this time to the path and towards the direction of the gate far away. Gadget remained just a couple of steps behind him. He stops 1/2 way across the distance and turns to her.
 
Fernando: Look, if you are going to continue this date of ours, then you have to be besides me and not behind me. As far as I remember, this is not Imperial Japan or Current Day China where women are to stay exactly 3 steps behind their male companions.
Gadget: But...
Fernando (interrupting her)  But nothing. I do have a few rules of my own to live by. Now, you either want to continue on with this date or do you wish to remain here with the silent majority?
 
Gadget remains dumbfounded at his comment and question.
 
Fernando: Lets go, Rome waits for no mouse or squirrel.
 
They continue to walk, passing by the gate and to the Porsche. Fernando drives into the city in just a few minutes, finding parking for his vehicle took longer than the actual trip going there.
 
He manages to find a space by the river not far from the Coliseum. For the moment, they stand by the river's edge by the fence looking at the water flowing by in silence.
 
Gadget (to herself): So, I'm no longer married to Chip...
Fernando: Only Technically and on paper. It is those papers that keeps high crimes and treason charges from keeping you locked with the others because of the last mission. But the both of you are still married in the other, physical sense and thus you still have vows that you abide to as to what you believe your marriage is worth. But if you want to reestablish what is gone on paper, that can be easily arranged. If I remember correctly, New York State has a Proxy Marriage Law where people can be married on paper without being present for their ceremony.
Gadget: There is?
Fernando: Your marriage is what you make of it. All these twists and turns in your life together is just a test of how it is to continue. If you believe that without 'official papers' you are living in sin, then that's your prerogative. But don't be enforcing your will and beliefs on others, like Tammy and I. I am doing the best I can for her under the circumstances that we are under. If you think that mean that we are living in sin, then that is your opinion and not the fact. I would not disrespect her in that way as I would not do the same towards you. So, you can tempt me by dropping your panties and show me what you have to offer all you want, I am not going to take your offer. Not now, maybe not ever. But let me warn you this- you keep teasing a hungry dog like that, you will be bit.
Gadget: I think I understand at what you are saying.
Fernando: Took you long enough.
 
Gadget just sighs after that comment. After a couple of minutes passing by, Fernando starts to walk towards the Coliseum. Gadget keeps up with him.
 
Gadget: Where are we going?
Fernando: How about small lunch or coffee and pastry?
 
Gadget can only give a small smile in response to that question. They walk off around the Coliseum to the tourists area, and find an outdoor cafe where they can sit and have a bite to eat.
- - - - -
 
Triela and Rico remained at the Cyborg Medical Facility as they undergone surgery to rebuild the damaged systems of their cyborg bodies they obtained during the mission. Claes and Angelica were  allowed to leave at when their minor damage were patched up and diagnostics of the repairs showed that they were combat capable again. The other cyborgs remained with their handlers, as the paper work continued.
 
Part of the paperwork was to release information out to the more scandalous tabloids of Mr. Christiano's terrorist supporting activities, and rumors of his death by greedy and non-agreeing members of his kind. The rest of the news media will not receive such news until his death can be confirmed, but at least until then, this will put into the Italian collective mind that people as power as Mr. Christiano are not immune to the repercussions of their actions.
 
Meetings are held within the SWA as to what went wrong and where things could be improved in future missions. Some fingers pointed at Tammy, though several handlers commended her for her actions during the mission- staying true to orders. Much of the issues were of the cyborgs acting out on their own and not under the direction of their handlers. It is believed that because of this, Triela and Rico will be out 2 weeks upon the completion of their rebuilds, and a new training parameters will be defined for all the cyborgs in order to work more like a team and not as individuals.
 
During one of the breaks between meetings, Marco with Angelica in tow approach Tammy and Bink.
 
Marco: So Bink went off on her own during the mission?
Tammy: I'm not happy with her about that.
Marco: Well, before you pull out the Iron Maiden for her, just to let you know that her actions prevented several bad guys from encircling the house and getting some of you in there. What she did was wrong, but she did managed to save us from a much more larger problem.
Tammy: I'm still not happy with her.
Marco: You decided what form of punishment to give her?
Tammy: No.
Marco: Well, lets have some lunch before the next round of meetings come up. My treat- Chinese? Perhaps The Flower of China or The Dragon Inn?
Tammy: No thanks, I'll pass.
Marco: It not like we're dating or anything. Just a simple lunch to talk things over.
Tammy: I appreciate the thought but I pass. Come on Bink, lets go.
 
Tammy starts to walk to the direction of the dormitories with Bink in tow. Hillshire leaves the meeting room, standing by Marco.
 
Hillshire: She has already decided with whom she is going to spend her mating season with, Marco. You have a snowball's chance in hell in trying to get into that.
Marco: Ha Ha... funny. Very funny.
 
Priscilla starts to walk out of the room, her sensitive squirrel ears having picked up what was said.
 
Priscilla (as she passes them by): And you two wonder why you have not had any dates in a long time.
 
Both Hillshire and Marco look at each other as Priscilla continues down the hall.
 
Hillshire: What was that all about?
Marco: I don't know, and I don't want to know.
 
(End Part 1 of 48 hours time gap.)

Task Force 60 cruised the Mediterranean waters off of the east coast of Italy. The battle group consisted of the battleships USS Texas BB-72 and USS Montana BB-73, as well as their escorts:  the cruiser USS San Jacinto CG-56 and USS Normandy CG-60, and the destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill DDG-80, USS Gonzalez DDG-66 and USS Mason DDG-87.  The ships had had a very leisurely cruise so far.  The battleships had spent two weeks in Taranto, Italy's largest naval base, before heading northward along the coast.  The ship had stopped in a few smaller ports along the way as part of her goodwill tour before she finally arrived off the coast of Ravenna four days ago.
 
It had been a good cruise so far.  The Italian people had cordially welcomed the American sailors, and happily taken their money in exchange for trinkets and beer.  It was a far cry from the tenseness of the battleship's voyage around Italy six months prior.  The crew had been having a great time.  The only one aboard who showed any sort of worry was Captain Dixon himself.  The vulpine captain had continued keeping tabs on the situation with the CIA's activities in Italy.  Or at least as much as his security clearance would allow.  Or as much as Fleet Intel decided he needed to know.  Details of the goings os were sketchy at best.
 
So far, it had looked like there was a lot of infighting among whatever terrorist groups were still operating in Italy.  But reports had mentioned something about suspected LSD trafficking out of Slovenia.  And the Slovenian government was possibly involved.  That was why the powerful battle group had moved from southern Italy up north, where she could send a clear message to the Slovenian government that it was in their best interest to cooperate with the American forces working in the area.
 
The last time the Texas had been to Italy, she and her escort, the San Jacinto, had operated on their own.  This time, though, the Navy had seen fit to send an entire strike force to the region.  This puzzled Captain Dixon a bit, since Texas herself had proven not to be the best choice for the mission the last time around.  This time, though, there was actually an admiral aboard Texas in command of the strike group.  Admiral Schilling had hoisted his flag aboard Texas about a month ago.
 
As Captain Dixon watched the waters of the Mediterranean going by, deep inside his command a message as being received in the ship's intelligence center.  The message was a name:  Novo Mesto.  Several sets of GPS coordinates accompanied the name.  Orders from above were printed out and copied down diligently to be passed onto Captain Dixon and the Admiral himself, and then be disseminated throughout the battle group.  Aboard the USS Montana, a similar process was taking place.  It seemed for the fist time in a long while, the battleships would have targets.