Power Out
"I still don't understand why I have to wear these
stupid things," complained Saf as the three walked through the forest and towards
the club.
Getting ready for an undercover project at a night
club had proven difficult for Safyre - she didn't think she looked good in that
exotic sort of look that some of the norms at the clubs dressed as. So Angel
helped her look for some earrings, and fastened them loosely to her ear stalks.
They jingled as she walked along
"It's only for a little while, Saf," Angel said. She
had midnight blue eyeshadow on her eyelids... maybe a little too much. She looked
beautiful, though, and the silver tips of her wings (though barely noticeable)
added a wonderful exotic look to her. Her heart-shaped locket was hidden in
her mane, and a loose silver chain seemed to replace it, the word 'Sweetie'
hanging at its end.
Rockhound was a completely different story. He had
hung up his lab coat and dug around in his closet until he found a pair of extremely
baggy pants and a leather jacket. With his outfit, he could have walked into
any nightclub like he owned the place! And his usual, scientist-like voice was
replaced by a slightly more 'I'm-from-the-Big-Apple' kind of voice.
Safyre gulped nervously as they neared the club. Act
natural, she thought. They emerged from the forest and onto the streets of Central,
as others bustled by. Keeping close together, they scanned the area for Club
Gangstaz.
And there it was. Its large sign blinked in the dark,
and loud rock music played from inside, blasting out through the city air. People
walked in, people walked out, each laughing harder than the last.
"They sure must be having fun in there," muttered
Saf, following Angel and Rockhound.
"Yeah, judging by how hard they're laughing," replied
Rockhound, smiling a little. "They look a bit tipsy."
"Nah," said Angel. "They're just in there having fun,
that's all. C'mon, let's go."
Angel went through the door first. Rockhound followed
casually. Last was Safyre, awkwardly stumbling into the club. The music pulsed
through the air, and the lighting suddenly changed to green, then yellow, then
red. She hung close to her friends and they found a table.
"Can I get yuz anythin'?" asked a waitress Uni, in
a heavy accent. Rockhound shook his head. "We're good for now," he said. "Right
guys?"
Angel and Safyre both nodded. The Uni smiled back.
"Well if yuz need anythin', just flag meh down, yeh hear?" She turned around
and went to help the next table.
"Okay, here's what we do," began Rockhound. "I go
around to the men's restrooms and make sure no one suspicious is in there. Angel,
you check the ladies' room. Saf, you stay here and guard our table, and keep
your eyes open for anythin' weird. 'kay?"
"Okay," Safyre muttered, putting on her spy shades.
By blinking or twitching either eye she could access the menu screen, and by
moving her head she could set it to different modes. Two rapid blinks would
turn them off momentarily, and if she raised both eyebrows she would keep them
still so that she could look around with the modes set on.
"Aye," said Angel. "We'll be right back. Beep us on
the 'quad if you see anything." She followed Rockhound around back. They both
disappeared into the noisy club.
Knowing she was now on her own for a bit, Saf decided
to look around the bar with her spy shades. But her train of thought was interrupted...
"Whoa, this is like my favourite song!" Safyre suddenly
exclaimed to herself as the music changed. The song 'Sweet Dreams' by the Eurythmics
blared through the speakers. Safyre began to sing with the song, when...
The lights! They shut off! And the music too!
"Hey, what gives? That's a good song!" Safyre looked
around to see the confused and even panic-stricken faces of the people around
her.
Instantly Safyre's paws reached for the Duquad, tucked
safely in her purse. "Guys, we have trouble. The power's down!"
"On our way, Saf," came Rockhound's reply.
Safyre concealed the device and stood up, looking
for her friends. Angel burst into the dark room, at least... Safyre thought
she did. It was much too dark to see anything but the outline of her.
A Gelert - or what looked like one - followed her.
They squeezed through the crowd of panicking people.
"Saf - c'mon! We think the power line's snapped, and
we need to take a look at it - and find out why!" Angel exclaimed.
"Right!" She followed Rockhound and Angel out of Club
Gangstaz.
Behind the club, a red figure slunk through the darkness,
a white skull on its head. Another fish-like creature waited for it, a sneer
on its face.
"Do you have them?" hissed one.
"But of course, Doctor," was the reply.
"Then get into the ship, and we'll get back to the
station," the first said, disappearing into a hallow tree.
The red figure followed.
"Darn glasses!" exclaimed Safyre, throwing her spy
shades into her purse. "Can't see a darn thing!"
"Shhh!" hissed Angel. "I heard someone!"
They emerged from the side of the building, scanning
the area for clues, and hopefully, the electricity generator.
Safyre crouched in the dark, feeling around. Finding
nothing, she stood up, and looked for another spot. Suddenly... "Oof!" Safyre
tripped on something hard and cold, landing flat on her nose. She scrambled
to get up, and stared at what she had fallen over. "I think I've found the generator!"
she said.
"Good work, Saf," said Angel. "Glad it wasn't me who
fell this time," she added.
"Let me have a look," said Rockhound, popping open
the small grey block of metal. Inside were dozens of wires. One hung loosely,
cut in two. "Just as I suspected - someone's cut this wire. And with a particularly
sharp pair of scissors, too..."
"Well then, where did they go?" Safyre folded her
paws and sighed, leaning against a tree. She was incredibly surprised when the
tree started to shift...
"Aiyeeeeeee!"
Safyre screamed loudly as she fell into darkness.
To be continued... | 
