Tex is aboard the Century Eagle getting some work down, when the communications console calls for his attention. He goes to it and activates it.

"Yes?"

"Is this Tex McCoy, leader of the Rangers?"

"It is. Who is this?"

"Please activate your holocom and we will explain."

Tex activates the holocom and a life-size holoimage of General Stalker appears!

"Stalker!" growls Tex

"Greeting Mister McCoy. You and I need to talk."

"About what?"

"Captain Ulrik. We both know he needs to be stopped. You see, I have an agent within his ranks, and I know what he plans to do next."

"And why should I believe you?"

"Bowser trusted me. Bengal trusted me. There's no reason you can't trust me."

"And look what it got them!"

"I never told Bengal to blow himself up. I'm keeping a hands-off approach in this."

"So you need us to clean up another of your messes is that it? What is it, the third time?"

"Please, Mr McCoy. Ulrik was never under my command. He was one of Franco's agents. And I'm aware of what it cost your family. As I told Bengal, I like results, not bloodbaths. I would never have approved Hope Valley.

Tex growls.

"Tex? Everything all right in there?"

General Franklin walks in, spots Stalker and produces his sidearm.

"Don't bother general." says Tex "It's a hologram."

Tex puts a hand through the hologram, and Franklin puts away his sidearm.

"Yes." says Stalker "These holocoms are quite remarkable. I'm glad we were able to get one."

"General Stalker" says Tex "General Douglas Franklin of the Alaskan National Guard."

Stalker nods.

"General."

"Why are you talking to that terrorist?"

"Becasue I know what Ulrik is planning." says Stalker

"You trust him?" says Franklin

"No." says Tex "But I'm going to listen to him."

*****

Mountain valley, central Alaska. The Runway Strayers are looking down on a ruined outpost.

"Why are we here again?" asks Kolya

"This used to be an outpost the KH Military was using." says Archie "The original Ursa Majors took it out."

"And we're sure it's being used again?" says Herbie

"Absolutely." says Sadie, holding binoculars. "Take a look."

Archie takes the binoculars.

"A military truck by the looks of it." says Archie "And it's stopped just short of the old wall."

The ground in front of the wall lowers and the truck drives down into it.

"Sadie?"

Sadie hold a finger to her temple.

"One driver, a wolf-sapien. Delivering weapons."

"What are they planning?"

"I didn't get that part, but there is another truck half an hour behind him."

"Good. We'll ambush him and get in there."

*****

Highway. The second truck drives up, but the driver notices Archie standing in the middle of the road. Archie stares hard at the driver and he holds his head and groans, veers off the road and comes to a halt. The driver gets out and gagging, heads for the bushes. Herbie comes up from behind him and takes out his anti-sapien gun and zaps the driver. Instantly the driver is changed from a wolf-sapien into a regular wolf. He gives out a yelp of surprise and notices Herbie, yelps in fear and runs off into the tree's.

"I knew my vertigo powers were good for something." says Archie "All right, wait here while I check it out."

*****

Valdez Alaska, Valdez Oil Terminal. Dozens of oil storage tanks are scattered around the area, an oil tanker sits at the dock ready to sail. Sgt Sharp and his platoon are here talking to the foreman in the terminals break room. Several dozen roughnecks are gathered here, sitting in the chairs or just standing around. The foreman steps up.

"I'd like to introduce Sgt Chayton Sharp of the Alaska National Guard. They are here under the orders of the governor and the Road Rovers."

Sharp steps up.

"We have reason to believe there is a KH Military spy among you. A wolf-sapien disguised as a human, looking to turn this facility into a burning wreck."

"If that happens" says one roughneck "it'll make the Exxon Valdez look like a picnic."

"Exactly." says Sharp "Corporal."

Driscoll steps up and shows them a fancy scanner.

"This scanning device is Road Rover issue, so if he's in here this scanner will find him."

"Is this necessary, chief?" says a roughneck near the back

"Afraid so." says the foreman.

"Just relax, gentlmen" says Sharp "If your not a wolf-sapien terrorist, you got nothing to worry about. Corporal."

Driscoll activates the scanner and gets results immediately.

"He's in here all right."

Driscoll moves through the room, Ciskowski and Overstreet go with him. Driscoll comes up to the roughneck who spoke before and the three of them raise their weapons.

"Turn it off." says Driscoll.

The other roughnecks back away as the man touches his arm and a wolf-sapien appears, glaring at them.

"What did you plan to do here, furball." says Ciskowski

He stay's silent.

"Ciskowski, Overstreet, take him to the other room." says Sharp "The National Guard thanks you for your cooperation, gentlemen. Hicks, contact Tex McCoy, and tell him we have a prisoner."

"Yes sir."

*****

Central Alaska. Archie, wearing a changeling belt and disguised as a wolf-sapien runs the truck into the base. He's met by another wolf-sapien at the bottom of the ramp.

"Park it over there. Your the last to arrive."

Archie parks the truck and gets out.

"So, what's the plan, chief?" says Archie good-naturedly.

"You'll know soon enough trooper. Get to the briefing room."

*****

Valdez Oil Terminal. Tex and Blackjack drive up in the MRAP and head for the break room. They're met by Sharp.

"We got him under wraps chief." says Sharp "My boys are working him over right now."

Tex stops.

"Working him over? You mean your....?"

"Hey, he's a terrorists. The Geneva Convention doesn't apply."

Tex growls and heads toward the other room. He's stopped when he hears a punch landing and a loud grunt. Tex storms into the room to find Overstreet holding up the wolf-sapien and Ciskowski ready for another punch.

"That's enough!" shouts Tex "That is not how we do things!"

"Maybe it should be." says Ciskowski.

Tex points to the door.

"Out! Now!"

The two exit the room, leaving the trooper in a heap on the floor.

"Are you all right?" says Tex

"What do you think?"

"I might be able to do something for you. Would you like to change back into a regular wolf?"

"Ah, that sounds nice."

"Good."

Tex takes out his special pistol.

"This will change you back, but first, what was your plan here?"

"I don't know. I haven't heard from General Franco or Captain Ulrik for over a year. I think they forgot about me."

"Is there another spy here?"

"No."

"Any surprises I should be aware of that you planted?"

"Security's too tight for that. Please, I had a mate and a pack. Change me back, please."

Break room. Tex steps out with a very timid wolf.

"See that this wolf finds his way into the wilderness."

"Yes sir." says Sharp.

Tex turns to Ciskowski and Overstreet.

"And don't ever let me catch you doing that again, understand?"

"Yes sir!"

Tex steps out of the building and heads for the MRAP. Blackjack hangs out the window.

"Hey Tex! We just heard from Trip, the Runway's Cycleborg. Archie has infiltrated the outpost. It's not abandoned as we thought."

"Do we know what they're planning?"

"He's working on it."

******

Ft Wainwright, Fairbanks. Aboard the Century Eagle, Rommel is at the comm board when it signals for attention.

"Hello Rangers, can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear Trip." says Rommel "What have you got?"

"This is Herbie, we just heard from Archie. The troopers based here have just split into two groups. Group 1 is heading for the town of Warmfoot. It looks like another Hope Valley mission. Group 2 is headed for the Bonanza Fortune Mines near the town of New Horizon."

Tex has come in and has heard the report.

"Which group is Archie with?"

"Group 1, and it's at least two platoons worth."

Tex thinks for a minute.

"How do we handle this?" says Rommel.

"Have the Ursa Minors join the Runway's. When they are in position they are to attack. Have the Ursa Majors go after Group 2. and send Sharp's platoon to demolish that base.

"Yes sir."

*****

Highway. The KH Military convoy is headed for the town of Warmfoot. Archie is alone in the last truck's cab. A trooper pokes his head in from the back.

"We almost there?"

"Several more miles, trooper."

He goes back into the rear. Archie puts a finger to his ear when he hears several clicks. Suddenly the truck in front of him slams on it's breaks, Archie doesn't even slow down, but slams into the back of the truck. The troopers in the back shout in surprise and curses. Archie takes out a stun tennis ball tosses it in the back and runs for it.

KH troopers are piling out of the trucks as the rest of the Runway's and the Ursa Minors attack with their anti-sapien weapons. A trooper sets his sites on Alakanuk and fires, but the shot passes through him. A finger taps his shoulder and finds himself surrounded by four more Alakanuks.

Two troopers makes a break for it into the woods, but are stopped by Kaltag's elastic body, which wraps around them both. Herbie finds several troopers aiming for him, but he starts spinning in place like the Tasmanian Devil. His spin gets bigger and engulfs the troopers, who go screaming all the way.

All the time the Rover units use their sapien weapons and within moments it's all over. Sgt Hondo in the drivers seat of one truck floors it and Kolya speeds after him. Hondo does a double take when he see's Kolya matching him and Kolya smiles and waves. Chichagoff suddenly appears and freezes the road and Hondo tries to recover. Kolya jumps on the truck, grabs Hondo and they both go flying into the bushes. The truck runs off the road the slams into a tree.

"Is that everyone?" says Archie.

"I believe so." says Alakanuk.

Numerous wolves can be seen running away.

"Archie to Tex, operation complete."

"Copy that, Archie. Good work."

******

Bonanza Fortune Mines. Several miners have been taken prisoner and are being forced to load a truck with boxes of gold and silver. A laser shot changes one trooper back into a regular wolf. The Ursa Majors make themselves known.

"Shoot 'em!" shouts Lt Riggs.

Tanaga runs right at a trooper who starts shooting at him. Tanaga's fur takes on a metalic sheen and the shots bounce off. Another tries to shoot at Glacier, but his paw sword also deflect the shots away. Atka appears from behind Riggs from a pile of snow and hits him point blank from behind. In moments it too is all over.

"This is Glacier to Tex McCoy. Operation complete."

"Well done Glacier."

*****

Hidden base. Private Vandever is running a cord from the base entrance and heads for a detonator behind a big boulder. Vandever attaches the cord and looks at Sharp several yards away. Sharp pumps him fist down.

"Fire in the hole!" shouts Vandever.

*****

Century Eagle

"This is Sharp to Tex McCoy. Operation complete."

"Roger that."

"Now all we have to do is take care of Ulrik." say Samson

"Let's get moving Blackjack." says Tex

"Yes sir."

The Century Eagle get's moving and heads for the air.

*****

Highway. Two semi's drive down a deserted highway. Cpl Marika is in the passenger seat of the first truck. She spots a black strip on the highway.

"Hit the brake!"

Too late, both semi's drive over the strip and the engines die.

"Everybody out! Defend yourselves!"

A dozen KH Troopers pile out from both semi's but laser fire catches them all in a crossfire. Eleven wolves run off into the forest while Ling and Sheila hold Marika prisoner. Tex steps up.

"Very textbook Rangers. Now then, Marika. Your going to take us to Ulrik."

*****

Mointains. Marika is at the wheel while Tex and Samson are in the back cab, weapons drawn.

"Welcome to Mt Snowthrone, Ulrik's Alaskan base."

Marika turns off the road and stops in front of a rock face. A hidden door opens and both semi's enter. Half a dozen wolf-sapiens are gathered around, Ulrik is off to the side.

"Glad you made it corporal." says one.

Tex suddenly appears and tosses a stun grenade, and then all hell breaks loose. A huge firefight erupts, Tex spots Ulrik and runs after, laser shots going past him. He finds himself in a corridor and a signs marked "escape route".

"Ulrik!"

Tex dives as Ulrik fires at him. With only a moment, Ulrik shoves a handle down marked "base destruct". Tex look in horror at what he's down and Ulrik manages to get away in an underground escape pod.

"This is Tex to Ranger's, everyone out! The base is gonna blow!"

Small explosions begin to ripple through the base. The ceiling in front of Tex collapses, trapping him.

"Tex, where are you?" says Cody

"I'm trapped down the escape corridor."

Tex looks around and spots a floor vent, big enough for him to crawl through.

"Scratch that! I've found en escape route! Get aboard the Eagle and wait for me as long as you can!"

Tex pulls off the vent cover, dives in and crawls through. He's buffeted by numerous small explosions and soon finds himself in the deserted vehicle bay. Both semi's are useless in esacaping but he spots a rocket snowboard. He gets on it, activates it and speeds down the mountain. Tex looks back as a tremendous explosion rocks the mountain and set's off an avalanche.

"Tex, do you copy?"

"Just get ready to pick me up!"

Tex barely stays ahead of the avalanche even with his rocket snowboard on full. He looks up to the see the Century Eagle above him, it's back cargo ramp open. Tex spot a snow bank, heads for it and catches some awesome air!

"COWABUNGAAAAAA!!!!"

Tex smoothly lands inside the Eagle and collapses in a corner, panting. The other Ranger's are wildly cheering and applauding.

"That was awesome!" says Taj.

"Way to go Tex!" says Ling

Tex gets his second wind and heads for the cockpit.

"Rommel, head for the exit point of that escape route!"

"Yes sir!"

******

Bering Sea beach. Ulrik is here and pulling brush away from an escape plane. He gets in and activates it. On board the Eagle they spot him trying to get away.

"Blackjack, do not miss!" says Tex

"I got him! Fox 2!"

Ulrik doesn't have time to react before his plane is hit and explodes into the Bering Sea. The Ranger's cheer their victory.

"Contact Hunter" says Tex "Tell him Obsidian Unit is no longer a threat."

"With pleasure!" says Rommel.

The threat of Obsidian Unit is over. Alaska is safe. What's next for the Rangers? Find out in the next story!

The End.