Operation: Home Front, Family Problems

      by Warrior Aphrodite Persephone, Doberman Empire

      [Bloomington, MN - a few hours later]

      "And so that's why I disappeared last Fall." Persephone concluded and
 waited for her Mom's reaction. "I didn't know how to tell you about Zaph or
 any of it, for that matter. I mean, think about it. At best, you would have
 laughed and told me to get a life." She shrugged. "At worst, you could've
 had me committed. Besides, I had no idea what It[tm] would try." Feeling
 uncomfortable, she averted her gaze and fell quiet.
      "Well," her mother broke the awkward silence, "that's some story. I
 really don't know what to say..."
      Pers waited with nervously for her Mom to continue.
      "... it seems so farfetched, unrealistic. But something inside me
 seems to... it's almost like... somehow I know it's..." Her rambling train
 of thought was interrupted by shouts coming from the other room.
      "Pers! Come quick!"
      "You've got to hear this!"
      Persephone and her mother barely glanced at each other as they rose to
 their feet and rushed out of the room. After the urgent cries, Pers was
 surprised by the relaxed atmosphere that they found. She glanced at her
 Mom, and noticed that she also seemed bewildered by the scene in front of
 them. Sighing impatiently, Pers pulled up another chair. "So, what's the
 emergency?"
      "What?" Brackard asked, looking up. "Oh, Pers, that was fast."
      "What do you expect - it sounded like it was the end of the world...."

      Her words trailed off as she commented into her mind, *Ya know Zaph,
 some days I understand why Mr. Chips torments him.*
      *You too?* the dragon responded.
      "Sorry about the rush," Ryeser interrupted, "but Chet's story - it's
 nothing short of amazing."
      "Oh really?" Pers turned her attention towards the third man, Chet,
 who was still reclining on the sofa.
      "Sorry 'bout the needle," she spoke in a remorseless voice, "but it
 was the only way I knew of to get that dose in you quickly."
      Chet's deep voice surprised the Dobe Warrior. "No apologies are
 necessary. In fact, I should be thanking you." He shuddered, "it was a
 nightmare. I could see myself acting like a child, ruining my relationship
 with your sister, trying to find out about you - and couldn't stop myself.
 It was horrible."
      "Wait a minute," Persephone interrupted, thinking fast, "you actually
 *remember* what happened while you were spongified?"
      Chet nodded slowly. "Unfortunately yes. I can even tell you how it
 happened."
      The Dobe Warrior nodded for him to continue, and as he talked she
 could tell what her sister saw in him.
      "Well, after I dropped Manda off one night a few weeks ago, these two
 little dweebs dressed in that nasty green color jumped me. Before I knew
 what was what, they had this strange machine turned on and pointed right at
 me. It made this really obnoxious sound..." Chet shuddered again. "I found
 myself wanting to run - but couldn't. It was awful."
      "Do you remember anything about the dweebs? Did they say anything that
 sounded rather unusual to you?" Persephone was leaning forward, eagerly
 taking in every detail of his story.
      He thought for a second before replying. "I remember them saying
 something about you being a mean something-or-other and they mentioned
 Manda too... hmmm... something about the machine not working on her. They
 didn't know why - and didn't like the idea of jumping me. Then, they
 took..."
      "Wait a second," Pers interrupted again, "back up. Their device
 wouldn't work on Manda?"
      Chet looked irritated. "That's what I said, wasn't it? It wouldn't
 work on her or your parents, for that matter. I guess they had something
 pointed at the house for awhile. When nothing changed, they decided that
 something must be blocking it - but didn't know what."
      He paused briefly, to see if she had any further questions. Thinking
 furiously, she nodded for him to continue. "Anyways, so after awhile they
 shut it off - the machine that is - and since then it's been almost like I
 was watching somebody else live my life. I don't really know how to explain
 it."
      As he fell silent, Persephone's mind kicked into overdrive. *So, they
 went after my family - why didn't it work? Any ideas, Zaph?*
      *Well, he said they were blocked - which in my mind means protected...
 Grimace?*
      *Possibly. We've got to get them out of here. I can't live knowing
 they're in danger because of me.*
      *Agreed. Now, how to convince them?*
      *Good question, Zaph... One I don't have an answer for...*
      "It was the truth, wasn't it." Her mom's statement broke into
 Persephone's thoughts.
      "What?" she asked, startled.
      "It was the truth," her mom repeated. "All of it - from the dragon, to
 the battles, everything."
      Pers nodded.
      Her mom sighed. "I was afraid of that - but somehow I knew it had to
 be. So, what can I do to help? Besides the car, that is."
      The Warrior sighed and deliberately held her mom's gaze. "You're not
 going to like this one bit, but you're all in danger now. I only made it
 worse by stopping by - I'm sorry. It wasn't something I had meant to do,
 but it happened. I half expect them to mount an attack once they know that
 Chet has been compromised... No, that wouldn't surprise me at all."
      She paused to give her mom a chance to think that over before
 continuing. "We need to get you, Manda, and Dad out of here now. I know it
 won't be easy - but it needs to be done. I can send Ryeser with you -- to a
 safe place and can also arrange to have your things moved."
      Her mom looked stunned. "But our friends, family, jobs..."
      Pers decided to be blunt. "How important will those things be to you
 if you're dead? I can fix some of it easily, the rest we can work out
 later. You won't lose all of your life, but things will be different."
      A hardened look formed on her mother's face. "We don't have much
 choice, do we?"
      "I'm sorry - but no, you don't"
      "Then set things up - I'll call your father... and Manda."
      Pers nodded once as her mom wearily rose to make her calls. "Ryeser,
 give her one of the cell phones and then take the three of them to see Olga
 - I think that'll be the safest place right now. Log them in as visitors,
 I'll bring it up with Sam when I check in later."
      *Hopefully much later, Zaph.*
      The dragon snorted.
      Persephone continued, "their things will probably take about a week or
 so to get there. They'll have to go through the whole security check on
 their way at least once I'm sure. Explain it to them, please."
      He nodded and left the room, wondering how he was going to explain
 everything to her mother. Pers turned to Chet. "I need you to come with
 me."
      He nodded eagerly. "Good. I was going to ask if there was some way I
 could fight back against those bastards. After what they did to me... I
 don't think I could go back to a normal life. Besides, I'd like to stay
 near Manda."
      Persephone smiled; she had been expecting nothing less. "Great.
 Brackard, can you debrief him? Find out if he learned anything that might
 help us and also give him a brief run through? You'll find supplies in my
 kit."
      "Sure, chief. What're you going to do?"
      "Make a few quick calls - see if I can get Chips to take care of the
 details of making them disappear... and then try to find a way to locate
 and take out that damn site."
      "We'll let you be then. Holler if you need anything."
      "Always."

      *--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--
 *--*
      [30 minutes later]

      *Well, that's that, Zaph.* Pers murmured as she watched her parents
 and Ryeser pull out of the drive.
      *Think we moved fast enough?*
      *Let's hope so. If not, Ryeser will take care of them...*
      She smiled as another Brother scurried past her, carrying a box of her
 parents' belongings. *And thank Grimace that His Brothers were willing to
 help out... I'm always amazed by their willingness to help, even in the
 most mundane tasks...*
      *Well, you are giving them the opportunity to strike back.*
      Pers laughed aloud, causing Chet to glance at her oddly. *Point well
 taken.*
      *So what next?*
      *A quick message to Sam - very quick - and then we're off to the Mall.
 If you recall, Chet told Brackard that he had heard one of his cohorts
 mention something about a new store.*
      *I did remember that, if you must know. Just wondered if you had a
 plan, yet.* *Nah... but I'll think of something.* *You always do...*

      Persephone turned away from the window and quickly pulled a portable
 computer out of her duffel. Flipping the power switch, she connected it to
 her Jihad Linker[tm] and logged onto the JihadNet[tm]. Ignoring her new
 messages, she sent the following message to the FC and logged out.

      *------------------------------------------------------*

      To: Fleet Commander A.I.M. Samhain
      From: Warrior A. Persephone

      Element from Northern MN destroyed. Uncovered
      information on location of possible distribution
      center at Mall of America. Am heading there now.

      Also, sent my family to the HQ as visitors.
      Location will not be compromised. Olga and
      Ryeser will take care of them.

      --WAPZ!

      *------------------------------------------------------*

      *You know, Pers, somehow I don't think Sam is going to appreciate that
 message very much.*
      *Shut up, Zaph. We have work to do.*
      Ignoring the dragon, she called to her two remaining men. "Let's get
 moving guys - it's time to hit the Mall."

      To be continued...

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