Operation Pacifica: "Fly Far, Far Far Away"
by Trooper Aphrodite, Doberman Empire

        Trooper Aphrodite sighed, fidgeting on the front seat of the
  TARAV.  Growing irritated, she tried meditating to calm down.  However, as
  she pictured other places she could be, other things she could be doing, her
  ire only steadily increased.

        *Zaph, anything has to be better than this.  Stuck,
  traveling at a measly 55 along this blankety-blank road.*  She sighed
  loudly.

        *Well, why are we still here then?*

        Aph bit back a strong retort, as her Companion's idea sank
  in.

        "You're Right!"

        Her sudden loud exclamation caused the driver to jump and
  glance at her in alarm.  Aph never noticed.  Instead she rummaged around in
  her duffel, stuffing a few items into the pouch around her neck.   She
  punched the button to release the door, and was in the process of prying it
  open - just enough to slip out, when she felt a tug on her ankle.  She
  turned to face the TARAV driver's worried stare but couldn't hear anything
  over the noise of the wind.  Sensing his concern, she hollered, "Don't
  worry! I'll see you tomorrow!"  Aph then called on Zaphyre's strength,
  managing to pry the door open just enough to slip her body out.

        Aphrodite clung to the side of the vehicle, barely managing
  to hold on.  A wild grin spread across her face.

        *Now, Zaph, THIS is the life*.

        The TARAV behind her frantically honked its horn, as she
  worked at hoisting herself onto the speeding transport.  She threw her head
  back and laughed upon reaching the top, then turned around and somehow waved
  recklessly at the worried driver, while hanging on for dear life.  He had
  gotten on the radio, and was now staring goggle-eyed at the crazed woman on
  top of the roof of the vehicle in front of him.  She lay flat, bracing
  herself, willing her body to relax as Zaphyre took control.

        While the incredulous driver watched, her body began to
  shimmer, becoming blurred around the edges before disappearing completely
  from sight.  Scant seconds later it was replaced by the larger form of her
  Dragon-Companion.  Zaph spread her wings, trumpeting her joy to be free.

	 *I'll see you all in San Francisco!!*  she shouted mentally, and
  let go of the vehicle, lifting up into the clear, blue sky.

	 The dragon climbed quickly, leaving the caravan far behind her.
  Rolling playfully through the puffy, white clouds, she giggled as their
  softness tickled her sensitive underside.  Zaph grinned and dove straight
  down, skimming across the treetops before climbing high into the atmosphere,
  freedom coursing through her veins.  Zaph flew along playfully, easily
  outdistancing vehicles on the ground, while enjoying the opportunity to
  +really+ fly.  She giggled.

	 *Hey, Aph, check this out!*

	 The playful dragon began doing aerial loops, reveling in the
  delight of her Companion.  They both laughed, when Zaph flew by a passing
  747, baring her teeth for the people inside.

	 *Hey look! I'm a UFO!*

	 She quickly executed a few crazy loops and turns, showing off for
  the plane, adding to Aph's amusement.

	 *Let's just hope that word of that doesn't spread  _too_ far, Zaph,
  or who knows what may happen...* Aph 'spoke' to her friend.  She pictured
  knights on white steeds, wanting to slay the "vile" dragon.  Zaph just
  laughed at the scenes and continued along merrily.

	 A couple of hours later, the dragon glided quietly above the
  Western coastline, as if looking for something.  Suddenly, Zaph whirled
  about before diving cleanly into the water.  As her body hit the ocean, it
  Shifted slightly.  Her wings vanished into her body, while her arms and legs
  shrank, becoming fins.  This "sea serpent" like creature then dove farther
  into the waters, sending sonic waves deep throughout the sea.   Minutes
  later, the nearest pod of dolphins came to greet the newcomer.

        *Zaphyre!* the nearest one squeeled in her high pitched
  voice, *Welcome back!!*

        The next few hours were filled with greetings and gossip, as
  Zaph became reaquainted with her sea-faring friends.  However, all was not
  as it used to be.  The dolphins spent much of the day telling their draconic
  friend about the recent changes in the water... how entire pods have
  disappeared... how some areas have become devoid of all life... how the seas
  have taken on a sweet, yet evil flavor.  During their tale the mood
  gradually shifted, and the waters began to feel "dangerous" and "wrong".
  Highly concerned, the dragon/sea serpent swam quickly toward the heart of
  the danger, knowing her sea-faring friends had no means to reply to it.  But
  when she reached the point where it felt the strongest, Zaph suddenly became
  confused.

        *I don't get it.  There's nothing here but a small fishing
  bo-*

        Her thought was rudely interrupted by a large net cast out
  of the boat.

        *Oh, Grimace!* she thought - sending out a warning to the
  pod to keep their distance.  The dolphins swam away quickly, recognizing the
  danger.  However, one of the younger ones wasn't quite fast enough, and
  became entangled in the large net.  Thinking fast, Zaph swam to the surface
  behind the boat, groaning when she noticed its purple name, "The Luv Boat".

        *Look Aph, it even has an icon of the Magenta Monster on the
  bow... geez. Any ideas?*

        *I think there are way too many 'minions in the world right
  now.  We just can't escape them!!!  Oh well. Let's have some fun, shall we?*

        Catching her Companion's thought, Zaph grinned evilly, and
  surfaced behind the boat Changing slightly.

        "Um... excuse me..." she sang in a high sing-song voice. "I
  was wondering if you could help me?"

        The 'Minions turned around surprised to be hearing another
  voice in the middle of the ocean.  Their surprise turned to shock as they
  discovered what it came from.  In front of them, balancing on the waves, was
  the strangest creature any of them had ever seen.  In fact, it reminded most
  of them of a really, really big beach ball. One of the men was pushed
  forward roughly by his comrades, obviously chosen as their "leader".

        "Ummm... I d-don't know, Miss Ball(?) What's wrong? If
  B'harnii was here he could fix it for you. I don't think we can, though."

        *Figgers.... needs the Evil One to fix everything for him.
  Definitely a Spongie.*

        The "ball" continued in her high whine. "I seemed to have
  lost something that was very important to me.  A net was thrown into my
  waters and took it a short time ago. Do you know where it may be?" The ball
  suddenly grew two eyes, which glowed with a bright light.

        "Net? Why we have a net right here! B'harnii told us 'bout
  these really yummy fishies that swim here. And he wanted some, so we came.
  Wait a min. You want His fishies don't you! You're one of those Evil
  Jihaddi's!  They really are Demons!" He finished in a yell, grabbing for his
  weapons.

        *I guess the game's over.*

        Suddenly a ball of flame burst forth from the ball,
  incinerating the boat and all aboard, freeing the young dolphin below.

        Zaph quickly Changed back to her True Form.  Suddenly tired
  (emotionally and physically), the dragon flew back toward land, wearily
  crawled up on the shore, and collapsed, asleep instantly.  As she slept
  under the hot sun, her body slowly shifted back to that of a human.

        A couple of hours later, Aphrodite shook herself awake.  She
  stretched languidly and looked around, savoring the sight of the colorful
  sunset.  She smiled and gradually her body shifted, as she drew power form
  the waning sun.  Minutes later, a beautiful dragon silently leapt into the
  air and headed back towards San Francisco.

...

[Doberman Naval Yards, San Francisco]

        Aph casually walked up to the front gate of the base,
  causing the guardsman on duty to glance at her apprehensively.  He was
  obviously not used to having people approach the Yards on foot.  Aph quietly
  offered him her identification; after looking it over carefully, he waved
  her on through.

        She smiled and headed to the O' Club, wondering if anyone
  else had arrived yet.  As she wandered inside, she noticed Warrior Perazim
  hanging out with a group from CP's TARAV.  Aph meandered over and after
  eating some munchies and trading stories, headed off toward the barracks.
  She was met at the door by one of the San Francisco-based Troopers.

        "You must be Aphrodite.  We set up a bunk for you over
  there.  Is there anything else, you'll need?"

        "Thanks...  Just please have someone come and get me when
  the caravan arrives in the morning.  I'm sure they'll be wondering where I
  disappeared to."

        "No problem." He grinned on his way out. "Sleep tight."

        Aph smiled back, before climbing into the standard DE cot
  and collapsing.  Being accustomed to the usual, lumpy mattress, she fell
  asleep quickly, wondering how the others were doing.

to be continued....

Copyright 1996, AlexBell