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Chapter 9: High Noon
this page added by Shane Gooseman
disangro@hotmail.com
The heroes of mask take a break from their usual saving the world activities, to take a holiday in the Wild West. But the villains of mask never rest. What starts out just plain fun gets deadly serious in a real hurry.
A lady announcer, perhaps the same one who had organized another race where a certain microfilm was stashed inside the winners trophy, had a crown over her head and was saying to the audience, Its a real pleasure to welcome all of you to our wild west celebration period, Wichita Kansas. In addition to the car races right here, dont forget the boat races by the lake, and the air races and stunt-flying exhibition out by the plane testing center. Its a celebration of our old west past and our present status as air plane capital of the world.
She catches her breath, And mostly, its a biiiiiiig party! Waahhoo!!! And finished off by loud applauses from everyone in the stadium.
Brad Turner, Boris Bushkins, Calhoun Burns and Matt Trakker were all hanging around at the garages near a pit stop. Brad was saying, Matt, Im sure happy you talked me into joining you guys. Guess you were right, even Mask need a vacation once in awhile.
Matt said in a relaxed mood, For once, we are just here to race.
No, problems, Calhoun said cheerfully.
Boris, bald but heavily bearded said in his heavily Russian accent, Dah, no need for masks.
The Mask agents laughing joyously
Huh?! Unfortunately, they were interrupted however by the sight of Manta driven by Vanessa Warfield and Stinger with Bruno Sheppard by the wheel entering a garage beside the pit stop. Sly Rax pushing a button to open the garage door for them.
Trying to keep up the spirit, Matt said, Hey, no need to sound so gloomy just because venom decided to attend the celebration.
Brad, sarcastically, Arent we lucky. Most parties only have one pooper. This partys got a while bunch.
Well Im here to have fun, and venoms not gonna spoil my good time.
Boris, Dah, maybe even venom is taking vacation. Everybody have goood time.
The only place Vanessa would take a vacation is in a rattlesnake pit.
Walking towards them was a smiling Vanessa Warfield
Hello, Im just looking for a big ol ice cream cone. Anybody know where I can find one?
Matt, being the leader, replies, stuttering even, No, I havent.erdont. SorryIdont know.
Vanessa sweetly said, Well, guess Il have to look around, bye
After shes gone, Brad was the first to break the silence. An ice cream cone!?
Calhoun, eye wide, Vanessa!!
Uneasily, Matt wants to move on, weve gotta head over to the air show. Have a good race fellas. Matt rides in Bulldog with Boris while Calhoun with Raven and Brad in Razorback.
Lady commentators voice is on the speakers again ,The next contestant in todays aviation solo, is former NASA test and stunt pilot, Acee..Riker
The course is won by flying over and under the balloons ,held up by some rope, the fastest.
A white jet darts across the sky, in so much grace and pace, sidelined by awesome maneuvers from its ace pilot in so much composure.
Look at that, Ace Riker gets on his way to the best time of the day.
Matt and Boris views the event from a blue rig.
Not far away, a purple Indy car drives down the road. The sports car carries Max Mayhem on the left side, while his perhaps twin brother Max is on the right. In the middle is a non-moving lifeless helmeted head of a robot. Miles, Time to clip wonder birds wings.
At that very moment, Buzzard split. The left and right sides detach from the middle, which sprouted wings in a scissor motion. Each of the left and right side is a 2 wheeled cycle. Miles orders, Attack according to plan.
A synthesized voice acknowledging from the mid-part/plane/robot. Drone attacking as ordered.
Lets go Max, while everyone is busy here, well check out the underground progress.
Ace Riker is going to have a perfect time, ladies and gentlemen. the commentator in amazement.
Then suddenly, the drone appears, shredding the air with discs the shape of a V, blowing out a balloon in the process.
Unconsciously, the commentator gasped in the microphone. The audience wondering what going on.
Ace greeted his teeth trying to avoid the discs, at the same time wearing on his mask. He calls into the radio, This is falcon, no idea whats going on. But Im gonna ground that turkey.
Ace rears his ship around and fires.
On Q, Bulldog goes to battle mode. Front part of truck dropping backwards, rear tires coming in, tank threads comes out. Exhaust pipes/freeze cannons are lowered in ready position, the front part of truck which dropped back, had its roof drop down like a cap and a missile launcher gears itself.
Now, both Matt and Boris have their respective masks on. Matt using Shroud, which is a yellow helmet but a red cloth/handkerchief covering his nose and mouth in western fashion. The bear-like comrade mask over Boris face.
Bulldog fires its freeze cannons, making a wall of ice to protect Meteor from the drones weapons.
Miles voice is on the drones radio, Disengage, divert mask vehicle to these coordinates.
Command received, confirmed, before it flies away.
Ace, Dont have the foggiest notion whats going on Matt, but Im heading after that yahoo.
Be careful Ace, Id be willing venoms behind this. Matt warns.
A new event is starting in the stadium, Vanessa and Calhoun the participants. Brad going through the rule with Calhoun.
Remember, outlaws and posies is not just a race. Once one of you passes the other, its all over. Brad, before adding, and ambushes are ok.
In Vanessas case, an ambush can be deadly.
The crowned commentator signals the flags. And they zoom off.
The race starts but not the kind of head to head affair as expected. Raven racing behind Manta but doesnt appear to want to go ahead. Vanessa has the black corvette in her rear view mirror.
The track runs half a mile out of the stadium. Passing 2 moulds before making a U-turn and going back. Vanessa still kept tags on the vehicle behind her with her mirror and saw it going left fitting between the moulds before she herself did a U-turn.
Hiding in the space between the moulds, Calhoun waits. Sure not like Vanessa. She should had used every nasty Venom trick she knows by now.
Completing the turn, Vanessa said to herself, That Mask moron couldnt be so stupid, he thinks I didnt see him.
Then, just when Manta was about to pass the second mould, Calhoun brought Raven out shouting, Ambush!!
The audience got excited, but Vanessa wasnt. I hope his happy, this race doesnt mean anything to me.
Brad was there to congratulate Calhoun when he returned to the garages.
Great race Calhoun, you beat Vanessa. Whoops, here comes Ms Viper herself.
Vanessa stops by and congratulated with a smile, Nice race, Calhoun. Then drives off.
That left both of them looking at each other.
Get real, its one thing for Vanessa to be semi-human but this is too much.
Calhoun agrees, Way too much. Vanessa didnt care about this race, just wish Id know why.
Manta drives down the dirt road and switches to fighter plane mode. The rear tires go out into a right angle, along with the wings. The front tears rotate inwards and smaller wings that looked like fins with lazers come out. The front engine compartment stretches out, a missile launcher occupies the missing space and it goes airborne.
Miles and Max Mayhem stop short in front of an underground entrance being blocked off by wooden planks and fence.
Beyond that fence is the secret air plane test center, miles explains
Nice they provided Venom with its own entrance.
The two shot their flame guns, tearing the fence and engulfing the planks with fire, eating it away. After the entrance is cleared, they proceeded inside.
Hard to believe all this was made by earthquakes and volcanoes. Max said, then with a curl of fear, hope they dont have one while Im down here.
Thats centuries ago you idiot.
Further inside, Bruno Sheppard is busy pounding the wall using Stingers arm in tank mode until all the rock falls off revealing a another wall but with reinforced steel.
Its all ready boss, Bruno said just when they appeared.
Miles outlines, Tomorrow, Venom breaks through that wall, steals the plans for the most advanced fighter jet in the world and becomes invincible.
Yeah, Bruno said, as Stinger wheels around, and right now I gotta have some fun. Making mush out of mask. Stinger changes mode back to an orange GTO and moves out.
Just dont do something stupid, that causes mask to get wise to what we are doing, Miles voice echoing off the walls.
Ace struggles to lose the drone, flying around the trees and making fancy maneuvers. The situation was made worst when Vanessa showed up, following Aces tail with the drone.
Better make them think they got me before they do, Ace reasoned. Cruise control, flow. Using his mask to control Meteor. After a few more rounds from his pursuers, Meteor extended its cannon from between its twin thrusters.
Now for a little backfire smoke, he said as smoke starts to trail out from the cannon. Meteor falls to the earth just as if it really had been shot, courtesy of Cruise Control.
Gliding over the trees, Ace spots a clearing and lets go 2 missiles into the forest where the clearing ended. Blowing out some trees, resulting in some more smoke. Meteors tank threads drops down in place of landing gear, wings fold down to complete the transformation, just before it hit the ground and thunders into the smoke. Tank threads shredding the ground, leading to a smoky area.
From above, one would think that a plane had crashed landed and exploded when it went through the trees. That was what Vanessa thinks, Sure feels good to be the real me.
Down below, a still-in-one-piece Meteor bellows some more smoke from the thrusters.
In a race, Stinger and Razorback are at it.
With Bruno in front, he couldnt control his itchiness, No mask wimp passes Bruno. He swerves around and switches to tank mode. The wheels and sides move upwards horizontally, tank threads keeping it moving. Lazers comes out of the tires, the rear bonnet opens and Stingers arm snakes out. Windshield cannon takes its place, and exhaust pipes comes out from under and positions by the rear view mirrors.
Brad reflexively switched Razorback to battle mode. The front and rear tires sprang out, making Razorback taller. Of course, itll be crushed, thats why the backside bent down, so does the front side, but not some part of the engine, which now looks like a snout. Two side doors with twin lazers slide down. Razorback makes an arc over the lane with its new shape. Stinger tries to go through Razorback, whose twin lazers cutting his windshield cannon, but his arm grabs hold of the right side of Razorback (the bonnet) and brings it down as Stinger goes through Razorback, the arm wrestling him down smack to the ground.
Brad is now at the garages, sitting on his car, just finished repairing but gloom over his face.
Calhoun said, Dont be so hard on yourself, Brad. It was supposed to be a race, not a war.
Its my own dumb fault. For a minute, I actually believed that Venom was on vacation. Or something, shouldve known better.
Bruno and Vanessa show up.
Bruno has something to say to you, Brad, nudging Bruno, Doncha Bruno!
YeaI, er didnt mean to get all carried away and stuff. Im, S-s-sorry. He hissed in difficulty, not used to the word.
Matt runs up to them, his face in urgency, Brad, Calhoun, Ace is down and we need all vehicles for a search.
Calhoun and Brad jumped into their vehicles and moves out.
Bruno said angrily, Dont ever make me apologize again.
Shut up Bruno! All thats important is mask is distracted. Today we complete preparations, after we get the plans, tomorrow is venoms
Out beside the lake, Mask is taking a lunch break.
I must admit gentlemen, I was quite disappointed that Vanessas change of heart was an act. Dressed with a proper smile, shes very attractive, Calhoun said, sipping a cup of coffee.
Matt, said above from his map, And deadly. All of venoms deadly, and whatever they are up to, it has to be big.
Vanessa wouldnt make herself sick if it wasnt, Brad said.
Matt puts down the map, So, heres the track. If theyre planning to leave, theyd probably head west.
Where many big roads become one little road, Boris added.
Right, and thats the one place their vulnerable.
Be real easy, if we knew what they were after. Ace said.
Logic says, its at the air test center. But security there is incredible.
Ace said, feeling rather low, You really want me to stay grounded?
They wanted to shut off our eye in the sky. Lets make them think they did. Matt explained, as everyone, except Ace walked to their vehicles.
Ill be by the lake. Ace said, unhappily.
Underground, Stinger is throwing some metallic-mud at the wall. Everyone was using ear plugs and the purpose was soon known. Super sonic sound passes through the wall. It vibrated and shook, same happened to the ground before them as the wall came apart. Tremors are made, and can be felt throughout the stadium causing a commotion.
Miles orders Bruno, You get upstairs with Vanessa. When Max and I get the plans for the jet fighter, Ill give the signal.
And what then, Bruno, Max
Crush MASK! with Stinger reversing.
Brad shook his head, That wasnt an earthquake.
Could be something happened at the test center. Calhoun surmises
Yeah, maybe venoms creating its own back door. Matt said.
Lets go to center to see if plans still there. Boris suggests.
Matt agrees, Yes, thats what venoms after. You two stay here and race, with your eyes open. Boris and Ill head out for the center.
The Brothers got the plans and went to Buzzard.
When we get to the entrance, signal the others, after they are through, well flood the tunnel and get out of here.
Back at the stadium, another race has started, and as usual, it is strictly a Mask vs Venom affair as the other cars could not catch up.
By the lake, Ace sits in tank mode Meteor with the canopy open and talking to a white rabbit. The problem with this job is the infernal waiting. When I was a test pilot, there was action all the time. Now I stand on hills and
At the test center, Boris climbs into Bulldog, telling mask about the missing plans.
The race has taken a tide, Vanessa Bruno side by side, Calhoun Brad bringing up the rear cautiously.
Miles voices over the radio Crush em!
Stinger circles around, while Manta took to the air bombarding Raven with her missiles.
The second round of Razorback vs. Stinger took to a new step when Brad went into battle mode and wasted Stingers tire-guns.
Manta flies low beside some barrels. Whip On! Vanessa commands, using her mask to throw the barrels at Razorback. It would had hit Razorback if Brad hadnt switched to its white Stock Car mode.
Venom are apparently running away.
Finally Manta and Stinger reaches the garages they had earlier occupied which was actually a tunnel leading underground. As soon as the two vehicles went in, Sly Rax transformed the innocent looking pit stop to battle mode. The gas posts turn into catapults for tires. While the overhead border comes down as a saw.
It moves towards Razorback with its tank threads, firing a tire hitting Razorback and gets struck to the fence. Another tire was shot, but Raven came around releasing its disc which splits into a net, the momentum pushing it away. Raven, immediately went into the garage in hot pursuit.
Razorback went to its alternative mode and blasts the fence. Pit stop goes forward, its saw cutting the air.
Just then, Bulldog shows up in time and goes to battle mode. Its cannon freezing the pit stop. Rax uses his mask in a last ditch effort, Saw blade on. But it all bounce harmlessly off Bulldogs fender. The mighty bulldog extended its own saw of its own from where the front engine was supposed to be. It cut pit stop and goes over it, smashing it to bits, while Rax run in horror.
Brad, who had already freed himself, Vanessa and Bruno went into the garage. Calhouns after them.
Then there must be another way out. Come on, well head em off at the pass. A slight western in Matts tongue
The old west, I love it!
In the tunnel, Buzzard and Stinger are exiting, Manta blasts some pipes and joins them.
Calhoun uttered a slight gasp when water comes his way. He quickly changes modes. The engine part rotates, the front tires are brought together with lazers. Thrusters appearing from its behind and floats on water like a boat. Raven turns back to its Black Corvette when it saw land and speeds out.
Only person whose missing the action, Ace feeds the rabbit. Dont get me wrong Mister Cottontail, I like visiting with you. But Im anxious for some action.
Meteors radio goes alive, Ace, venom prepared short cut and their on the way. We need you to hold them until the posy arrives.
Ace didnt need to be told twice as he cheerfully ran back to his vehicle
Ride em cowboy!!!
Bulldog, Raven and Razorback both met each other in an intersection.
Matt said, Well take the high road. Youll take the low road.
And Ill get to venom before yee. Calhoun melodies.
Lets round them up guys. Matt said
While everyone followed the road, Raven went to the side and drives down the small hill towards the lake, switching mode before touching the water.
Buzzard, Stinger and Manta are going up the road, but Meteor in tank mode greeted them by blasting a few shots.
One of which, was on target in Buzzards direction but they split up just in time. Manta converts and goes for the blue sky.
The shot also hit Stinger which made Bruno out of control and down the hill and stops by the edge of the lake. Lazer guns blazing from Raven adding to his troubles.
Raven narrowly misses Stingers arm swiping at him which prompted Calhoun to use his mask. Which has a snout, making him almost like a fox. Gulliver, shrink. As a prism engulfs the arm, cutting it down to size. But Raven had to retreat to the ends of the lake to escape Stingers arsenal of weapons as it went up the hill.
Suddenly Razorback arrived, Were here Ace. Shooting its prism missile from its snout which blinds the Mayhem brothers, their vehicles colliding into one another in a heap.
Meteor went to jet mode and goes after Manta.
Drone, engage mask jet, Vanessa orders.
Meteor quits Manta and darts to safety.
Miles held up his hands clutching the plans. Manta flies low and uses her whip to extract it, Miles feeling a shock from the lazer powered whip.
Meteor rises, the drone doing the same thing. Ace cuts the engines, Calhoun, get this one for me. and brings the thrusters on before it goes into the lake. He flies over. passing Raven. Calhoun sees the drone coming and shoots a disc. It netted the drone who crashes to the water.
Stinger goes towards the waving Mayhems. Their reunion was spoiled however by Bulldogs freeze cannon turning the road to ice, Stinger rams into the cycles. Bulldog goes onto the road to battle Stinger.
Shroud ON! commands Matt, a cloud of smoke engulfing Bulldog.
Comrade fire! activating the rear missile which shoots and crystals snows down on Stinger, malfunctioning its weapons. Bruno switched modes, and Bulldog extends the saw to break Stingers left side along with the threads and door.
Give it up Vanessa, Venoms finished
Im never finished, Riker!
Manta turns around, trying to blast Meteor from the face of the sky.
Matts voice by the radio, Ace, this is Matt, we got things under control down here. But Vanessas got the blue prints, dont lose her.
Every time Ace goes up Vanessas tail, she always maneuvers back firing at Meteor.
Cant get behind her, so Ill come down. Lead her into your range Meteor flies over Bulldog, but a strange smoke emitting from Manta puts everybody to sleep.
That idea down the drain, Ace tries something, Ok, guess Ill have to resort to a lil trickery.
Meteor lands, it wheels around and the whole cockpit section launches, all one third of Meteor.
It shots two missiles at Manta, who uses her whip to throw them away. But as she was busy with that, Ace got above her and drops a bomb. It landed on Manta, overheating it. Vanessa took of her mask and kept the plans on her seat belt and ejects with her jet-powered seat.
Drop the blue prints Vanessa, if you dont, Ill throw you into that lake and keep you there until everybody wakes up. Ace said.
Ok, Vanessa, Cruise Control increase. Ace uses his mask when she refuses, taking her down.
Ok, ok Vanessa yelled, throwing the plans away, and escapes.
Back by the battle ground, everyone is still asleep.
All except Ace that is, whose talking to Mister Cottontail who looks up, puzzled at this strange human.
See, this is what I mean. Lots of action, then poof, everybody decides to take a nap or something. Whats the matter, you tired? Ace giving a long yawn.
Guess I am just not as young as I used to be, going for a stretch. Well, I guess if everybodys gonna take a nap*yawn*I might as well take one two.
What do you do now?
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