Back to Denise's Page Fu Wars: Return of the Mercenary
Cast of Characters:
Princess Jodie: Det. Jody Powell
C4US: Det. Blake
M2M2: Det. Skalaney
Lord Bon Bon: Bon Bon Hai
Lucky Streetskimmer: Det. Peter Caine
IM2 Kaine: Kwai Chang Caine
Frog Solo: Det. Kermit Griffin
Chewuouta: Chief Frank Strenlich
Fu Wars
Part 1
"Hey, Pete," Broderick shouted over the chaos going around the front desk of the 101st precinct. The man he called to looked up at his name. "Captain wants to see you in his office."
Detective Peter Caine nodded, letting out a tired sigh.
Broderick shook his head, then returned to the business of answering the phone and taking complaints from those crowding around him.
Captain Paul Blaisdell watched as Peter walked toward him. He noticed the sag to the young man's shoulders, the drawn lips and lines creasing Peter's brow. Even his complexion was pale.
Peter stopped at his desk, adding papers onto the clutter already there. He looked toward the Captain's office and met his boss' gaze, then walked into the older man's office.
"Close the door," Blaisdell said as he stood and came around his desk, settling one hip on the corner. He motioned for Peter to sit down. Both men were quiet, each waiting for the other to talk first. Blaisdell realized he would have to start. "Peter, you look awful," he said, with concern written on his face and in his eyes.
"Thanks. I don't feel any better than I look," Peter answered. His head hurt; joints were achy.
"Look, Son, when the doctor said you could come back to work, he meant for a few hours a day with plenty of rest at night. How many hours have you put in these past two days?"
Peter didn't want to answer. He'd been out with the flu for a week. He had gone stir crazy in his apartment. On the one occasion he felt like getting out, it was to go to his foster parents' home for supper.
Paul waited on his answer. "Well, I've told Frank to decrease your caseload." A glare from the young detective did not stop Paul from continuing. "You're to go back to the doctor tomorrow. I'm driving you there personally. So, go home, pack your bags and come to the house tonight. Your mother is worried about you; so is your foster father." Paul attempted a smile, but seeing Peter in such a state left little humor in the situation.
"But, Paul," Peter started and was quickly cut off by the Captain raising his hand. Knowing he would not win, Peter began to stand, but when a wave of light-headedness washed over him, he decided to stay where he was. Paul watched as the young man sat still, a trait uncharacteristic to Peter Caine.
"Paul, I've got a lead on the tong responsible for the extra drug shipment. I can't just sit on it for a few days," Peter argued, though he did not sound convincing.
"Give the information to Jody. She, Blake and Skalaney can handle the cases for a few days." Not getting a verbal response from Peter, only a pouting look, Paul continued. "What, you expect Bon Bon Hai to increase sales and violence just because you're not there to watch him?"
Peter didn't answer. He didn't think his words would come out correctly. The lightheadedness eased enough for him to stand and walk to his desk, collapsing into his chair.
Paul came up behind him, concerned with Peter's deteriorating appearance. He had gone from slightly pale to a more ghostly pale. Peter's hazel eyes had turned darker. Paul had learned the signs to look for while Peter grew from adolescence to manhood, the signs that Peter was sick but would not admit to it.
"Give me your keys," Paul ordered, speaking in a low tone next to Peter's ear. "No, I'll be all right, Paul." "Peter, give me your keys." Paul held out his hand. Peter knew Paul meant business and reached into his jacket pocket to retrieve the keys to his car. 'I know the kid's sick now, not much of an argument to keep the sacred keys,' Paul thought, then glanced toward two other detectives. "Powell, you and Blake take the Chinatown investigation."
Detective Jody Powell looked at her partner. She had watched Peter as Paul gave the order for her and Blake to team up. She also noticed the lack of argument from Peter. Nodding her head, her blonde curls falling over her shoulders, she came over and accepted the file from Blaisdell.
Detective Mary Margaret Skalaney took in the scene, mumbling softly. Blake heard her and looked questioningly at her, then nodded. He was the only one who understood her when she said, "I'll be glad when his father comes back."
"OK, Son. Let's go." Paul placed his hand on Peter's shoulder. Looking up, he motioned for the Chief of Detectives to come over to him. "Frank, I'm taking Peter home. Let me get him settled in with his mother and I'll come back." Paul explained, his voice in a whisper. The Chief nodded his understanding, looked down at Peter then turned to face the rest of the precinct that had grown quiet.
Frank Strenlich was a stocky man with a crew cut, a reminder of his days as an MP in the Marines. He had retired from the service and became a detective with Sloanville PD, recently having been promoted to Chief of Detectives. He growled out orders, shouting his famous saying, "What, crime has stopped in this city? Get to work, people."
As Peter got up, another wave of lightheadedness came over him, sending him falling toward his Captain and foster father, who caught him. "Peter," Paul exclaimed, urgency clearly lining his voice. "Maybe a trip to the doctor should come first."
"No, no. I just….Paul, you're right. I just need to rest."
Paul supported Peter as they walked through the squad room. Peter felt a presence on his other side. He gave a half grin at the detective who always sported a pair of sunglasses.
"Let me help, kid." Detective Kermit Griffin stated. Peter was willingly led from the precinct as the other officers watched. It was well known Peter Caine NEVER asked for assistance, and to be carried from the place he had worked at for years was an admission by the brash detective that he was sick.
As Paul and Kermit assisted Peter into the car, Kermit asked, "Paul, I know you know what you are doing, but, shouldn't he be at a doctor's office?"
Paul raised his fist and scrubbed it across his jaw and mouth, feeling that a trip to the doctor was in order. "I'm going to take him home and call Dr. Mathews. If he gets worse, then I'll drag him in handcuffs to the ER if I have to. Right now, he needs rest."
Paul drove Peter home without stopping at Peter's apartment for clothes. He would pick those up later; there was always spare clothing for all the Blaisdell children at home. Kermit followed in Peter's car and assisted Paul in getting Peter into the house and onto the couch.
Annie hovered near the couch, giving orders for a pillow and afghan to Kermit and a bowl of chicken noodle soup to Paul. Both men went about their assigned tasks as Annie sat on the arm of the couch, gently brushing the dark hair away from Peter's face.
Peter tried to keep his mind on what was happening around him. It wasn't like him to let others do things he should be doing. 'Damn, why can't I sit up?' he asked himself. With each gentle stroke from Annie's hand, Peter's eyes closed a little more, causing it to be harder to raise his lids. "Babe, I just got off the phone with Dr. Mathews. He's calling in a prescription for Peter. I'm going to run and get it, then drop Kermit back off at the precinct," Paul explained to Annie as he set the cup of soup on the coffee table. Paul watched as Peter finally gave up the fight to stay awake. Smiling, he reached for Annie's hand. "I always knew there was magic in these hands of yours."
"Oh, and how's that?" she whispered back, sensing Peter's relaxation, hearing his regular breathing.
"Anyone who can put that tiger to sleep with just a touch, is magical. I'll put the soup back in the microwave."
She nodded, then listened to Kermit and Paul leave.
Paul came back an hour later and found Peter sitting up, drinking the liquid from the soup. "You still look pale. Take this." Paul handed a large white tablet to Peter, who looked at the pill, examining it from every angle. Paul shook his head, laughing softly. "If you're good and take your medicine, I'll give you the surprise I bought you."
Peter's hazel eyes turned to meet the humor and concern in Paul's blue eyes. "What did you get me?" he asked, feeling like he was 14 again and surprised that he liked it.
Pulling a bag off the floor, Paul reached inside and brought out a gold box, which held three videotapes.
"Star Wars, the new release. All three. Thanks. Can we watch it?" Peter's face lit up slightly. He had always loved the movie and he had been meaning to by the new remake but hadn't gotten around to it.
"Yeah, kid. I told Frank I wouldn't be back until after tomorrow. Take the pill first." Paul watched Peter grimace as he swallowed the medication. A distant memory of a younger Peter came into Paul's mind. Peter was 14 when he came to live with the Blaisdell's. A month after moving in from the orphanage, Peter developed strep throat and was just as reluctant to take medication then as he was today.
"Heard from my dad?" Peter asked, setting the cup down. Kwai Chang Caine had left the city a month ago after being reunited with his son a year ago.
"No. He'll come back." The awkward moment passed slowly. Paul decided to put the tape in the VCR. "Also got you some popcicles. Want to try one or some Gatorade?"
Peter shook his head and sat up and asked for some Gatorade. Paul went and poured himself a glass of tea and Peter his drink. As he entered the livingroom, Peter reached for the glass and drank half the cool liquid then looked at Paul. Peter whispered "Come here and sit down. I need a better pillow." A grin crept across his lips as he placed his glass down on the table. Paul fitted himself between the arm of the couch and Peter. The two sat and watched the beginning of the movie. Annie came over and felt Peter's forehead, noting the new warmth of Peter's skin. Paul patted her hand for reassurance, then draped his arm around his son's chest.
Peter watched as George Lucas came on and spoke about the remaking of the Star Wars movie, the added footage and increase in special effects. Then the movie started. The opening scrolled across the screen, the words telling the story up to the point of where the movie begins. Peter watched as the space ship was attacked, humans and non-humans each racing to safety, as his eyes slowly closed, sending him into a dream that could only be caused by his rising temperature.
In A Galaxy
Far, Far Away
Fu Wars
Episode 1
It is a period of civil strife.
Police units strike from undercover.
They have won at least one victory
Against the evil gangsters.
During the battle, officers
Manage to acquire secret plans
To the gangsters' drug dealings:
The Drug Wagon,
An armored vehicle capable
Of dispensing drugs throughout
The city.
Pursued by the gangsters'
Sinister agents, Princess Jody races
To the precinct,
Custodian of the plans
That can save the citizens of
Sloanville.
Driving madly through the streets of Sloanville, avoiding
silly pedestrians who walk out in front of cars that are traveling at a high rate of speed, Princess Jody notices the gas gauge. She wrenches the steering wheel to the right, turning the car into an alley as the black sedan attempts to catch up with her.
Jody stomped her foot on the brake, causing the car to come to a screeching halt. Princess Jody tells C4US, the electronic wizard of the circuit world; to take M2M2 and hide, after Jody securely locked the plans safely in M2M2's purse. They escape as the black sedan pulls up. The sedan's passengers spring out of the four doors. Two go after the droids as the other two go after Princess Jody. One villain, dressed in black and hampered by a severe nasal blockage, approaches Princess Jody, demanding "Where are the plans?" "I don't know what you're talking about," she says as she struggles against the steel-like grip of a henchman.
"Ah," he breathes noisily, "I believe you do. Now, where are the plans?"
"Lord Bon Bon, I don't know why you're following me. Now get out of my face."
The heavy breathing remains steady as Lord Bon Bon thinks about what he should do next. An idea occurs to him. He motions to the henchman to put the woman in the car, then orders the other two to find C4US and M2M2, sneering at them, then blowing his nose into a handkerchief.
C4US and M2M2 ran through the back alleys, occasionally tripping over the garbage piled along the sides of buildings. C4US stepped on a cat's tail, eliciting a loud growl and consequently received scratches from the offended feline. Soon they were lost, not recognizing any of the buildings and not wanting to get onto the main thoroughfare.
Soon, they came to a barren area of the city. Weeds grew up through broken pavement. The sun beat down on them; no shade was in sight. A gang of children approached them and offered them safety at Lucky Streetskimmer's house. Following the youths, C4US and M2M2 scanned the area for any of Bon Bon's henchmen. Seeing none, they relaxed.
They approached a dingy dwelling where a young man with dark hair lived with his aunt and uncle. The man was introduced as Lucky Streetskimmer. Offering the two wayfarers a place to sleep, he showed them the utility shed. It was a metal building, rust beginning to show on the roof and corners.
M2M2 started rambling. Lucky was only able to make out a few words, but none of them made sense. C4US translated, "She says she belongs to IM2 Kaine. That she must get to him today."
**
"Peter, take some more Gatorade," Paul encouraged, bringing Peter out of his dream for a moment.
"How is he?" Peter heard Annie ask. He heard her walk quietly over to the couch and felt her gently brush a stray hair from his brow.
"His temp is up still. 101.4. Peter, take these pills. Good boy." Peter did as he was told.
The movie still played along. Peter watched through drooping eyelids as C3P0 and Luke Skywalker went in search of Obiwan Kenobi. The scenes played of the sandpeople being frightened by a loud roar, Luke meeting Kenobi and finding the man had known Luke's father. Kenobi told of how the Empire had killed the Jawas and why. Luke realized that his foster family was in danger because of the droids. Peter felt Luke's sadness as he saw the two people he had called family had been brutally killed by the Empire. A memory from Peter's past, one of a temple being destroyed, leaving Peter an orphan, like Luke, came to Peter's mind as a silent tear slipped down his cheek.
Dreams entered again as he fell asleep.
**
The odd group of droids and humans drove into town, slipping quietly by the tong henchmen who stood watching for the missing droids.
The droids waited outside the Shot Glass Bar as the two humans walked into the building. Lucky walked to the bar, ordering a drink as IM2 went off in search of a mercenary. Observing the strangeness of the music and how it contrasted with the inhabitants of the bar, Lucky thought about home -- the peacefulness he had always felt around his aunt, the strength of his uncle.
IM2 caught Lucky's attention and directed him to come over to the table where IM2 sat with a man who wore sunglasses. The bar was not well lit; lights were recessed into the walls, giving a faint glow to the surroundings. Sitting beside the bespectacled man was a large bear; at least to Lucky, it looked and growled like a bear.
"I understand you have a fast car." IM2 started the conversation, motioning Lucky to listen and be quiet.
"The fastest. What's it to you?" The man lounged back against the booth seat.
"We wish to hire you. We must rescue someone and we need a fast car and help to get someone."
"I'm not cheap," the stranger replied. He had played this game for many years.
"We'll pay you $2000 now and $8000 when we get done. Plus, we can give you the key to the city."
The stranger and the bear exchanged grunts and growls, and then they both faced Lucky and IM2. "OK, it's a deal, but I want a gold key, not one of those cardboard cutouts. My name is Frog Solo," Frog introduced himself as he saw IM2 nod his agreement to the terms. "This here is Chewuouta. Meet us in the parking lot in an hour."
An hour later, Lucky and IM2 walked into the parking lot, after having sold Lucky's old Edsel. Lucky looked around and spotted Frog Solo and Chewuouta hovering around a green vehicle. "What kind of crap is that?" Lucky asked, indignation in his voice. He was hoping for a new model Stealth.
"Don't knock it, kid." Frog responded. "It can do 0 to 45 in 1.6 seconds, has the best tracking devices and the neatest radio."
The growl from Chewuouta alerted the humans and droids alike. Frog shouted for them to all get in the vehicle as gunfire erupted. "Our passengers must be hot," Frog said as he turned the ignition and drove off with his passengers.
**
Peter roused from the dream when the phone rang. "Paul, it's for you," Annie softly called out.
"OK." Paul let out a sigh. "It's your turn to be a pillow, anyway." He felt Peter's forehead, noting that the degree of heat was not as high as it had been earlier. "Peter, son, I have to get up." Paul eased Peter's head up and slipped out of the corner of the couch and assisted Annie in taking his place.
Peter again tried to focus on the movie, aware that he had missed the bar scene with the strange animals and Jabba the Hutt. The movie was now to where Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, the two droids and Obiwan Kenobi were on the Imperial Death Star. Luke and Han rescued Princess Leah. Peter smiled as the three had to escape through the sanitation cell.
Annie helped Peter sit up so he could drink some more liquid. His head still spun when he moved, so shaking the strange dream out of his head was of no use. Laying his head back into her lap, Peter smelled the mild scent of perfume Annie always wore. He usually bought her a bottle for her birthday each year. She always said it was too expensive, but loved the gentle fragrance.
Peter again watched as the Millennium Falcon escaped with its passengers from the Death Star after Obiwan was killed by Darth Vadar. In the background, Peter could hear Paul on the phone talking with Frank Strenlich.
"Kermit going with them?" Paul asked into the phone.
"Yeah, just make sure they have all the proper papers before they go storming in there. It'll be a nice surprise for Peter when he gets over this." Paul hung up the phone, saw Peter's glazed eyes and smiled.
"What is going….on?" Peter rasped out, his throat dry and sore.
"Jody followed up on the lead you had. Blake and Skalaney are on stakeout while Jody and Kermit get a search warrant. They're going in. Hopefully, they'll find something and close Bon Bon Hai down."
"Wish I was…was there."
"I know. Look, Dr. Mathews said he'd drop by this evening after he closes. I'm still worried about this fever," Paul said as he reached out to Peter, then laid his hand on Annie's. He saw the worry on her face, also. "You enjoying the movie?"
Peter nodded. "But, I think Frank needs to stop yelling so much."
Paul didn't ask for an explanation, knowing how much the fever was draining his son and hearing the hoarseness of Peter's voice. Paul and Annie squeezed each other's hands for reassurance, hoping Dr. Mathews would close early.
Annie began to hum, allowing her fingers to follow the contours of Peter's brow, an act that usually brought on sleep for the young man. He gave in as Luke Skywalker climbed into a fighter plane, headed for the Death Star. Luke was on a mission to help destroy the Empire.
**
Lucky sat outside the building with the other officers of the guard unit Princess Jody lead (from a safe distance, of course). The object was to go in and destroy all the drugs in the building and capture the henchmen. The first unit went in, but was quickly held back by a sniper.
"Griggs," he called to his friend and fellow officer, "watch my back. I'm going to the top." A sniper had been picking off the officers and had concealed himself in a dark corner. Lucky climbed up the fire escape, looking through the sight of his weapon and unable to see the sniper.
A voice in Lucky's head suddenly spoke, "Use the chi, Lucky."
"IM2?" Lucky asked, stunned. He had watched as IM2 was killed by Lord Bon Bon.
"Use the chi," IM2 said again.
Lucky closed his eyes, felt out for his chi and fired. A cheer went up from the units as the sniper fell from his perch. Lucky smiled and turned as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw the man who he thought had deserted the cause. "I knew you would come back."
"I was your backup, kid." Frog Solo said, smiling.
**
Peter felt the thermometer under his tongue, heard a strange bass voice by his head as his dream disappeared, a dream where Lucky and Frog get medals and a golden key for their brave acts.
The cold metal on his chest where Princess Jody had placed the medal sent a chill down Peter's spine. Opening his eyes, he saw Dr. Mathews with a stethoscope in his ears, the other end on Peter's chest. "Take a deep breath, Peter." Peter did as he was told, feeling worse than he had earlier. The doctor removed the thermometer and looked from Peter to his anxious parents, then back at Peter. "Well, I guess you were about due for another visit to the hospital, Peter."
"Why?" Peter mumbled.
"You have pneumonia. Paul, go ahead and call an ambulance, then I'll call the hospital. He'll be a direct admission," Dr. Mathews explained, then turned back to his patient. "Let this be a lesson to you, next time I tell you to rest, I suggest you do it. You have worked your body so much…," the doctor lectured, then stopped as he noticed Peter had fallen back to sleep.
"Peter?" Annie called, her voice quivering with worry.
"It's all right, Annie." The doctor said, "He's exhausted. The flu has been changing into pneumonia, especially when the body has not been able to rest. I should have strapped him down last week. With IV fluids and antibiotics, he'll be well in a few days." Dr. Mathews patted Annie's hand, then reached for the phone to call the hospital. In his mind, he thanked God for Peter not being worse like so many other patients had been.
Sunlight streamed in from the blinds, warming Peter's skin. Whispering voices caught his attention and brought him out of his slumber. Opening his eyes, he saw the pale blue of the room then noticed the familiar machine that pumped clear fluids into his veins.
"Ah, you decided to wake up." Came the familiar voice of Paul Blaisdell. Behind him stood his friends and fellow colleagues.
"How long have I been out?" Peter asked, the images of his dream came briefly to his mind.
"About 24 hours. What's so funny?" Kermit asked, stepping toward the bed.
Peter smiled, "I had the weirdest dream. You were all in it." Peter's smile broadened as the image of Chief Strenlich as a giant Wookie came into view.
"Well, welcome back from OZ, Dorothy." Kermit smirked then gently punched his fist against Peter's cheek.