A few days later the atmosphere on the New Atlantis had settled from tension you could cut with a knife to just grudging tolerance. The addition of Wolf O'Donnell was enough to make even Delphi seem edgy. Wolf was finally strong enough to move around the ship, and he did at least attempt to poke his nose into just about everything. What little he could figure out about the New Atlantis told him that Ariel had every reason to be highly protective on this ship. "This sucker could run rings around almost any other ship in Lylat that I know of." he muttered. Just when he believed that he had seen it all he entered the hanger bay.

Mariko was on top of the prototype jet removing the last of the Imperial Insignia when very familiar swearing reached her ears. "Hello Wolf." she stated with out even turning around. She finally glanced around to spot the aforementioned person carefully approaching the jet she was on. "Is there a problem?" she asked.

"Where did you get this jet and where can I get one?" he stated.

"It's one of a kind, and it's mine." replied Mariko, "So don't get any ideas."

"Damn." he replied, "Actually I do have an idea on where I can get a jet."

"Why does that fill me with dread?" replied Mariko.

An hour later found all four of them in the rec area as Wolf explained where they could find a jet, and hurt Andross to boot.

"A WolvenIII!?" stated Boomer, "What else could they possibly do to that jet? I mean it's already pound for pound a match for an arwing."

"I don't know." replied Wolf, "All I know about the prototype WolvenIII is if it's not complete, it's almost complete. I was on that transport to Zoness to check on the progress, until that Rogue decided to get a promotion by knocking me off enroute. For all I know that prototype is still there."

Ariel raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure about it's location? Andross could have fed you a red herring knowing you would be killed on the way there."

"I'm sure." he stated, "I had been to the facility before the take over, nothing has been moved off of Zoness yet."

Mariko smiled, "I don't know about you guys but I would love to be a fly on the wall when Andross receives the report that his latest jet vanished."

That statement pretty much sealed the plan to steal the WolvenIII prototype.

A few hours later found the New Atlantis under cloak in orbit around Zoness. Mariko and Ariel were preparing to make a distraction so Boomer and Wolf could infiltrate the base and grab the WolvenIII. "Are you sure it was a good idea to put those two together?" asked Mariko.

"Let's see." began Ariel, "Wolf refused to work with you, they are expecting me, and Boomer's the best at cracking the security of the base. So yeah I think it was a good idea to put those two together."

"If they don't kill each other." replied Mariko as they blasted off from the New Atlantis.

Just outside the development facility Boomer had a laptop computer plugged into one of the door keypads and was attempting to hack into the base. Wolf was looking over her shoulder as she clicked away at the keypad. "Do you mind?" she muttered.

"No." he replied. After a pointed glare he decided to keep a look out for Mariko and Ariel. The cue for them to enter the base was when they heard the explosions. Sure enough about five minutes later the com link Wolf was wearing practically exploded with barks of surprised Venom soldiers as reports of the two mysterious black fighters began to attack the base. Less than a minute later the explosions started and several fighters flew out of the base, InvaderII's if Wolf was right. They wouldn't have a prayer against either Mariko or Ariel. "There they go," stated Wolf, "Hope you're in Gray or we may have problems."

"For your information O'Donnell," began Boomer, "I knocked out the communications a bit ago, right know I'm trying to trap the remaining staff inside so nobody sees you when we get in, you're dead. Remember?"

Wolf just snorted as the door they were next to slid open, "I hope you did that." he muttered. Boomer rolled her eyes and entered the base.

Mariko was having fun, the prototype was working perfectly, the InvaderII that tried to take her down we no match for the advanced jet. Mariko clicked on her com-link to wait for word from Boomer or Wolf that they had gotten the jet. As she shot down the stubborn Invader she wondered how those two were doing.

After entering the base Wolf carefully made his way to the small separate hanger where he last saw the prototype WolvenIII. Last time he was here it was still just a shell, now as he entered the room it was complete. He grinned as he walked around the lethal looking ship. What appeared to be a single wing are either side of the jet was actually two wings that could split apart for maunverability and extra fire power. Two extra lasers were revealed when the wings were split. It was slimmer and sleeker than it's predecessors, and currently it was painted in deadly red and black, the standard colors for the Star Wolf team. Wolf frowned, the paint job would have to change.

While Wolf was securing the ship itself, Boomer was hacking further into the base's system to find the plans and notes on the building and development of the WolvenIII. While she worked she heard the pounds and shouts of the base's other workers, as they tried to gain entrance. Despite the distractions Boomer was able to download the necessary information into her laptop. After it was done she then placed a virus program into the base's system. It would destroy all the information in the computer and cover the tracks of what she did and hopefully who did it.

After she was done she called Wolf on her com-link, "You better be ready to fly that jet out, the Venom soldiers still in here are revolting."

"They are always revolting." snapped Wolf, "Tell me something I don't know."

"Are you ready?' sighed Boomer, "I got what we need from the computers and I'm heading back to the Shockwave." Boomer flew her own ship down to the surface, Wolf had to transport down since none of the ships they had were two seat ships.

"Yeah, I'm ready, I'll see you later. I hope that those two left a few Invaders for me."

"This is the first time Mari's been up since the take over and in her new jet. My theory is that they are twiddling their thumbs waiting for us."

Boomer's theory proved true, there wasn't a stray fighter in sight as he made his way back to the New Atlantis.

"WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" thundered Andross as the poor courier who was assigned to deliver the report on the raid at the Zoness Development Base cowered in fear on where his Emperor's wrath would be centered. He almost collapsed with relief when Andross barked, "Get Star Wolf in here, NOW!!!!!!!!!"

Word of the raid had reached Star Wolf before Andross had the report in his hands. Even Vixen was nervous, and it took allot to make her nervous. They were nearby the throne room waiting for the summons. "Are you sure he'll call for us?" asked Pigma.

Leon nodded, "Aside from Star Wolf and himself, nobody was suppose to know about the WolvenIII, let alone where the prototype was stored. He'll want to know how Triton and her merry band found out, knew enough about the base's lay out to break in, and was able to practically wipe the computer system clean."

Vixen was leaning against the wall reading a vid-pad, "As for the computer problems I think I have a bit of an answer there." She handed Leon the pad, "Your newest playmate Miss Gray has a bit of a history when it comes to all things mechanical. I rummaged through the Cornerian Military records and dug these tidbits up."

Leon growled, Pigma snatched the pad from him to see what was up, "Head of her class at the Academy, expert in Weapons Development, designed and built that jet she flys and the weird weapons it's got. I'd say she just graduated from Venom annoyance to Venom problem. To top it off she's got a vendetta against you Green Snout." Pigma congratulated his team mate with a slap on the back, "Congrats."

Before Leon could retaliate with a scathing remark the courier scurried out of the throne room and was relieved to see Star Wolf nearby. "The Emperor wants to see you now." the mouse squeaked before beelining it out of there.

Andrew whimpered, Pigma began to sweat, Leon took a deep breath, and Vixen sighed, "I believe that the going theory is that Triton had inside help. And Andross wants to know who."

"Let's get this over with." growled Leon. The Star Wolf team carefully walked into the room.

Andross didn't waste any time, "WHO KNEW ABOUT THE WOLVENIII!!!!!" he thundered.

"No one outside this room as far as we know." replied Leon.

"Someone must have leaked the information to where Triton found it! I want to know who!!!" Andross's temper was going from bad to worse if it was possible.

"The only other person who knew that's not here is Wolf." stuttered Pigma, "I don't think he told anybody unless Triton is using a Quiji Board to gather information." It was his vain attempt at a joke, but nobody laughed. Wolf O’Donnell’s mysterious death still a sore spot with some.

The curt silence reigned until Vixen cleared her throught to speak. After all eyes spun to her, "I hate to being this up, but am I the only one who is wondering why the WolvenIII was stolen? The same objective could have been accomplished by destroying the base, and not as risky, why does Ariel Triton need that jet?"

After a few minutes of silence Leon stated, "Your right!" he quickly grabbed the report from the floor where Andross had thrown it, by the time he spoke again even Andross was interested. "According to this there were two black fighters attacking the base from the outside while the jet was stolen, one was identified as the Blackfire, the other unknown, but defiantly not the Shockwave. Therefore we have to assume that Mariko was flying that jet."

"How do we know that." stated Andross.

"We do know that Beatrice Gray is a computer and technical expert from her records, therefore we know that she had to be in the base to tamper with the computer systems, and the Shockwave was seen leaving the surface after the WolvenIII took off from it's hanger, so that eliminates her from flying it." Leon took a deep breath, "It points to somebody else joining Triton's little group, most likely a renegade from Venom, somebody who worked in that base or used to."

"Logical." muttered Andross.

"Maybe they never knew that the ship was there." piped up Andrew, "Maybe they were looking for something else and decided to grab the ship as a bonus."

"No way to prove that," snorted Vixen, "The computer banks were wiped clean, good tactic though. Covered up the real objective, what ever that was."

"I presume that the base had backup records stored here?" stated Andross. The team nodded. "Good, I want those records searched with a fine tooth comb, I want to know what they were after, or if the WolvenIII prototype was the target. And if it was, I want the traitor who handed it over to the enemy bleeding at my feet!!"

After the appropriate 'Yes sirs' the Star Wolf Team went to work.

"All right," groaned Ariel, "Let's try this again." She was in the Blackfire hovering a few miles off the ground on the Jungle Planet just outside the known Lylat System. After Mariko and Wolf's little adventure on the surface both Corneria and Andross abandoned it until after the war. To Ariel the old Venom Base seemed like the perfect hideout for both her ship and the others. And to give a few lessons. Wolf O'Donnell was in the WolvenIII and was also hovering a few miles above the surface. Ariel was vainly attempting to show the stubborn wolf how to do a loop.

"I am getting dizzy." snorted Wolf.

More bickering followed, Mariko looked up from where she was on the ground at the two jets above, and shook her head. While Ariel was playing teacher, she and Boomer were repairing and installing various defense screens around the base. Boomer and Ariel were wondering why she and Wolf were so insistent on that. The first round with the oversized Wasps soon cured that problem. Mariko just finished the screens on the west side of the base and was heading back to the main entrance. A yipe and a snarl from her com-link caused her to carefully glance up, to spot yet another failed loop. Wolf was making sure that he didn't crash into things, Ariel cursed him out and Wolf retorted and cursed right back.

Boomer joined Mariko, "Do you think he'll ever get it?" she asked.

"I hope so," sighed Mariko, "Not being able to do a loop is Wolf's greatest weakness, everybody knows that. It's the last thing we need now. I'm hoping that they don't kill each other first."

"Point." remarked Boomer, "I had to turn off my com-link it was getting so bad."

"That's it!" snapped Wolf, "I'm landing till my head stops spinning!!"

"You are not landing O'Donnell until you, crash, run out of gas, or get it right!!" thundered Ariel.

Mariko muttered to Boomer, "Watch and learn." She then clicked her com-link so both Ariel and Wolf could hear her, "Giving up Wolf?" she asked. "I guess that makes Fox the best pilot in Lylat after all." Boomer winced, Mariko gave a smug smile as the WolvenIII turned away from the base and back toward Ariel. As Mariko clicked off her com-link she stated, "You just got to know what button to push."

A few hours later, it finally happened, Wolf O'Donnell finally did a loop. It was hard to tell who was more relieved, Wolf or Ariel. After both jets landed Ariel looked fried and Wolf was walking a bit funny. Boomer did a run down on the jets. While Mariko tried to keep a straight face. "Shut up Mariko." hissed Wolf, looking at her barely controlled laughter.

"So." asked Boomer walking up to the group before murder was done, "Now that we have a place to sleep, what's next?"

"We pick a target." replied Ariel, "After I have a large dose of aspirin."

Back on Venom, Leon tossed the vid-pad he was reading down with disgust. "Nothing!" he spat out, "There was nothing of importance in that base but the WolvenIII."

Pigma was also reading a vid-pad, "Ariel Triton always had her own hidden agenda, so what seems to be nothing now may be worth everything later." He put down his own vid pad and rubbed his eyes, "Of course that doesn't help us now. Too bad we can't get into their minds from here."

Vixen stalked in next, "Well," she snapped without preamble, "I've got good news, and bad news, what do you want to hear first?"

"The bad." rumbled the two men.

"Per Andross's orders I mind scanned every person in that base and nothing. Zip, zero, nada, nobody there leaked any info out, or saw how many or who broke into the base to steal the jet." Vixen rubbed her temples, "I've got the migraine to prove it."

"You said there was good news?" muttered Leon, he wasn't really fond of Vixen and didn't give a damn if she liked him or not.

Vixen shot him a look and stated, "I was able to identify the second ship that attacked the base. It turns out that's it's an advanced prototype jet from the Imperial System, Mariko appears to hail from that system originally, a bit more checking and guess what I found."

"Dare I ask what?" muttered Leon.

"That jet was spotted on a small base just outside Lylat within the Imperial System less than a week ago, also an Imperial Samurai was there too. My guess is that somebody owed little Mariko big-time and secured that jet." finished Vixen.

"Lovely." sneered Leon, "If Mariko has contacts that could secure that kind of equipment that quickly we may have a bigger problem than we thought. Anything else?"

"Short of squeezing any information of Mariko's Imperial contacts out of McCloud and the others? No."

"Great." stated Pigma, "Back to square one. Who want's to tell Andross?" No answer, when Pigma looked up he was alone. He whimpered.

"This is how mercenaries pick their targets?!" stuttered Boomer as Ariel was tying a blindfold over Wolf's eyes and he was holding a few darts. Mariko was taping a map of Lylat to the wall.

"Not really." muttered Ariel, "Just sometimes."

"Oy." muttered Boomer.

"Can I throw the darts yet?" asked Wolf.

"No, Mariko is still in the way." replied Ariel.

He couldn't resist, "Please?"

"WOLF!" all three women snapped.

"Okay," muttered Wolf, "I couldn't help myself."

"You can throw now." snapped Mariko.

In rapid succession three darts hit the map. As Wolf took off the blindfold he asked "What did I hit?"

"Let’s see..." muttered Ariel, "I think we can safely assume that Venom itself is out of our reach for now." pointing to one of the darts. Everybody else nodded.

"We all agree, somebody write down the date." stated Boomer.

"We already hit Zoness once." remarked Mariko pointing to the second dart.

"That leaves just Katina," stated Wolf looking at the final dart, "There’s still allot of military hardware stored there, both Cornerian and Venom." He looked at the three women, before continuing. "Thanks to you three Andross is stopping all convoys to Venom until you guys are safely in Venom’s dungeons." he finished with a smirk.

"Oooo" muttered Boomer, "One nice big target."

"With some hefty defenses." replied Mariko, "Katina was extremely well defended before the take over, but allot of those might have been disabled and not repaired yet...."

"Sounds good to me!" announced Ariel, "Boomer you know the layouts of the bases there right?" She nodded, "Wolf you know what Andross has done with both the bases and the supplies correct?" He also nodded. "Good you two are going to figure out a plan of attack."

"And what will you be doing?" asked Wolf.

"Monitoring the communication waves," replied Ariel, "With the WolvenIII gone, I’m sure there’s going to be some interesting chit-chat around, I’m gonna see if there are going to be any last minute plans to beef up any defenses."

"I’m going to shore up the defense screens." stated Mariko, "A few out there looked a bit shaky, last thing we need is to find a horde of giant wasps making a nest in the hanger."

A few hours later....

"What did they do to Headquarter Base?!?" stuttered Boomer. She was looking at a layout map of Headquarter Base, while Wolf was repainting the WolvenIII.

"Ninety percent of the barracks are now storage, all the convoys were launched from Katina not Corneria, most of the slave camps are on Corneria, so most of the hardware is on Katina. The remaining space is a heavy guard unit, but it has a major flaw, it’s mostly ground based." Wolf stepped back to admire the new dark tan and black paint job.

"I see" replied Boomer looking at the layout. "If I’m reading you right, the unit would be stationed here, at the central command building, leaving a big defense gap for a small air based unit to get through. A few well placed nova bombs would either trap them in the building or rattle them enough so a quick ground attack would mop them up."

Wolf nodded with a grin, "Andross is over confident, he didn’t think anybody would counter him. I only wish I could have seen his face when he got news about the WolvenIII." Boomer rolled her eyes.

Less than six hours later the team of them blasted off from there new base to Headquarter Base. Everything was going well until an entire squadron of InvaderIII’s beelined to them before they got to the base.

"Oh Hell." snapped Wolf.

"What do you know," snapped Ariel "Andross grew a brain...."

"Blocking communications now." sighed Boomer, "The Base knows we’re coming damn it all!"

"The only consistent in life is change," stated Mariko "Once you accept that everything falls into place."

"Thank you Miss Fortune-Cookie." snapped Wolf "Now could you please stop being philosophical and help us shoot them down now?"

Mariko ignored the insult.

A very short and one sided dog-fight later.....

"Those were InvaderIII’s right?" sneered Ariel.

"They had lousy pilots." replied Wolf.

"Understatement." replied Ariel.

"We’re approaching the base," interrupted Boomer, "Anybody got bombs left?"

"I got five." stated Mariko.

"Only three here." replied Wolf, "Dang jet doesn’t have the bomb capacity the WolvenII had."

"I’m full up." answered Ariel. "Where do I hit?"

"Sending the exact targets now," replied Boomer clicking on her pad, "Let them have it!"

Inside the base....

"Sir!!" gasped the Venom soldier to his Commander, "Incoming Bombs!"

"WHAT!!" he snapped, "Who are they?"

"Unknown sir, scanning now....." the soldiers answer was cut off as the command center was decimated by several direct hits with Nova Bombs.

Days later.....

StarWolf was picking through the remains of Headquarter Base. Pigma whistled, "When Triton does a raid she doesn’t kid around!"

"There is nothing left." whimpered Andrew, "How’d they do this with only four ships?"

"Easy." drawled Vixen while digging out some of the computers, "You just have to know where your enemy is the weakest and hit them there the hardest."

"Gray." rumbled Leon, "Her brother was stationed here, she would know the layout and the weakspots of Headquarter Base."

"And our Venom stoolie would know what and where things are." remarked Pigma, "Whoever that is..."

"We don’t even have a name for these guys yet!" remarked Andrew.

"We do now." hissed Vixen, she had finally accessed the last scan in the computer, it showed a close up of the BlackFire, and an unusual symbol on the tailfin, a leaping black dolphin inside a emerald starburst ring.

Before the day was through Andross himself signed the warrants for the arrest and capture for the team now known as "Black Dolphins"

On to Chapter Five
Back to the Black Dolphins Rising Index

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