Shaggy and the others stood to the side of the increasingly noisy machine. They took turns explaining how the Quinica, reportedly, disappeared. Slink even handed over the tablet to Roald. All the while, the giant machine was turning out pieces of equipment and items. Shaggy winced as he heard the damn thing crunch and rumble ominously. But Roald didn’t even notice, as he seemed to read and then reread the information.

It was when Levy had to create a purple shield of energy to stave off a few flying bolts that Shaggy grabbed the tablet from the kid’s hands.

“Dude! Your machine!”

“Wha- Oh shit!”

Roald spun and swore before racing his technologically advanced chair around the room. The big factory machine sputtered and coughed up smoke as Roald moved. The kid would focus his mental powers on different aspects of the machine before hurrying on. Unfortunately, there were no effects to go along with Roald’s powers. So it looked like the kid was running around and glaring at the machine until it worked.

“How the hell did you get this piece of junk?” Vlad asked as he looked over the machine.

“Hey! It’s a state-of-the-art recycler/processor/production facility. I built it myself.”

Vlad snorted. “I’d give it another go, Roald. If you have to be here to hold the shit together, then we are operating slower than we could be.”

“Not to mention that’s time you could use to work on other things.” Shaggy added, nodding at Vlad.

Roald’s fat face went red for a few seconds until he blew out a breath. “Phew! I know you’re right. But I can only work with what you guys and the Quinica give me. I jury-rigged this all together out of whatever was close by. But it can’t hold itself together.”

“Why does it need to be all one piece?” Levy asked. When Roald stared at her, she explained. “I mean, why not have an assembly line? Recycler, then the processor, and then the production? It seems like you jammed every step of the production line into one enormous machine and now you have to rush to keep those parts together. Why?”

Roald’s mouth moved up and down, but no sound came out. Shaggy bit down on his tongue as he realized the thought had never occurred to the boy. Vlad was also looking away as Slink rolled his eyes. Slink moved closer to Roald and waved a hand.

“Is there an off switch? You can close your store for a few days to get everything settled out. Send a report to my office about the stuff you’ll need to do what Levy said.”

Roald nodded meekly as he steered his chair over to the backside of the machine. Soon, all the noise and smoke from the machine stopped. They were left in the eerie silence of the shop as the customers behind them quietly went about their shopping. Everyone now and again, Sylus would get loud with someone haggling. But it was oddly quiet now that the machine was off. Roald came back around the machine, wiping his face and looking exhausted.

Trying to move the conversation back to what they came here for, Shaggy said. “So the Quinica…?”

Roald looked confused until he remembered and grabbed the tablet again. “Unfortunately, your man doesn’t say what kind of energy signature he got. Now it was Lektosian, so that means it can only be a few energy types. Aliens still have a tough time recognizing Terran-based energies. Although most of the earth doesn’t use them anymore, anyway.”

“So it was an alien based technology that the Quinica had access to.” Slink said. “Does that narrow it down?”

Roald shook his head. “Nope. Sorry, but there are plenty of alien races that have messed with portal tech. It’s not a huge scene. But it’s big enough that it’ll take me a while to narrow it down.”

Shaggy growled as Levy nodded sagely. “Okay. What can we do to help?”

“And what do you need to make our turf a portal-free zone? We need to keep these bastards off our turf while we are away.” Vlad said.

Roald looked surprised before he turned thoughtful. “Uhhh, we need to figure out what type of tech they are using. Then we can build a counter for it. But that counter can be anything from simply emitters to energy shields.”

Shaggy groaned. “Stuff we probably can’t get around here?”

Roald nodded. “Yeah, but I can make either. We just need the supplies.”

“Okay, new plan for today. Vlad, take Roald to the old Quinica base and see if he can find anything.”

“Why me?”

“Cause you and your cadre of vamps look passably like Quinica. So you won’t stick out as much. Levy and Shaggy, you two go on patrol and try to find one of these Quinica strike teams. I’ve got some lackeys digging through the storage trying to find what we’ve plundered from the old teams. But there’s a lot of stuff in the Legion’s storage, surprisingly.”

“What are you looking for?” Shaggy asked.

Slink quirked an eyebrow before answering. “These teams are teleporting in and out of our turf. Unless they are making a one-way trip, they have to have a way back. So we are searching for their old gear to see if we can find something.”

Shaggy and Levy nodded as Roald danced in his chair. “Can I take my suit?”

The question drew curious looks from most of them. But Slink merely nodded. “I’d recommend it. Did you get it fixed up?”

“Yeah. Those fucking space-vamps tore into it. But I’ve fixed it up.”

Realization dawned on Shaggy as Vlad asked. “You mean your weird Mech suit?”

“It’s an Exoskeleton!” Roald corrected.

“You still have that?” Shaggy wondered.

“Yes! Despite the Quinica trying to strip it to figure out how it works.”

“Where have you been hiding it?!” Vlad asked, looking around.

“At my place.” Roald said, confused. “I don’t live here, Vlad.”

Slink coughed to get everyone’s attention. “Anyway! Roald, you go get it, and then join Vlad. Vlad he won’t be as much as a liability with the suit. But watch him.”

“Hey!”

“Shaggy and Levy sweep the north. I’ll get the others out and about looking, too. We need this solved before we go on the Raid. Clear?”

Shaggy nodded as he gripped his wife’s hand and started to leave. He noticed Vlad’s sour look and wondered if it was from being ordered around or having to babysit. Levy rushed to Shaggy’s side and fell in step with him as they left. After a thought, Shaggy shouted over his shoulder.

“Get my pack out there, too. We’ll do our own thing, but my guys can go do theirs.”

“Okay.” Slink accepted.

As they exited the tunnel and entered the common area, Levy asked. “So the kid’s in charge? That’s surprising.”

“Hey, if he want’s the job, he can have it. Right now, he’s just the best at seeing the big picture and using our people. Slink’s got a head for organization. If a pretty woman isn’t involved, that is.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Levy raised a hand. “Not knocking it. It’s just surprising. I mean, he doesn’t exactly scream leader of a large Legion.”

Shaggy laughed as they exited the basement and started walking north. “To be fair, none of us do.”

Levy merely nodded as they both looked to the north. Shaggy stopped as he glanced around the large square and took in the throngs of people moving about. Business was going well for everyone who had a shop in the square, it seemed. Shaggy grinned as he spotted their Lackeys moving about, keeping order. Levy's shoulder bumped him.

“So, where are we starting?”

“We’ll head east and then sweep back to the north. Go past the tunnel exit and check on Ren. Then we continue west till we hit the Brute’s mansion. Sound good.”

Levy tapped her thighs. “Seems like a lot of walking…”

“Argh! Oh please, I KNOW you have some spell or something to keep your stamina up.”

“Yes. But I need to save my mana and, honestly, I want to ride a werewolf.”

“Well…” Shaggy said, grinning.

“You know what I meant, Shaggy. Now hurry. You’re burning daylight.”

Shaggy groaned again, but capitulated as he fell to all fours. Soon he was back in his werewolf form and letting Levy get herself seated. They again drew yelps and stares from people. But Shaggy ignored them as he tore off into the east. Levy screaming in joy on his back.

Shaggy didn’t hold back as he tore through the streets. Although this time, more people were screaming and running as he approached. The locals were probably afraid that this was going to be a new thing. More people even came out and took wild shots at them. Bullets, lasers, and energy beams slammed into Shaggy’s body. But he ignored them as he ran.

Levy, however, seemed to take massive offense. As she returned fire multiple times.

“So much for saving mana. Filthy lair.”

“Don’t… wife… filthy.” Levy’s voice said in his head.

Shaggy’s wolf body jolted, and he felt Levy pull a few hairs as he slid to a stop. He tried to turn his head to look at his back. He could just make out his wife’s face from his eye. She was smiling and even blew him a cheeky kiss.

“So that’s new.” Shaggy thought at Levy.

Levy's smiled seemed to grow as her voice filled his head again. “Just… Out… It’s…”

“Seems kinda spotty? You going to use me to practice?”

“No shit…”

Shaggy was sure there was more. But he let his wife’s voice fill his head as he pressed on. The telepathic communication was broken and choppy. But Levy seemed to slowly get the hang of it. Meanwhile, Shaggy continued eastward until he hit the wall. Some locals were chasing him, but he easily outpaced them. Occasionally he would stop and scent the air, trying to remember the Quinica’s old scent.

Shaggy was so busy trying to find a scent that he almost missed his wife’s words. The sounds of weapon fire and shouting had been prevalent throughout the run. So Shaggy had ignored them. But apparently Levy was hearing something different.

“Shaggy! Weapon’s fire to the north! GO!” She dug her heels into Shaggy’s flank and he growled, annoyed.

But he quickly turned northward and stopped concentrating on the smells. Once he did, the noise of the surrounding area came rushing back to him. The sounds of gunfights and screams filled the air. Which wasn’t that strange for Under-Town. But something about it tickled Shaggy’s memory.

“It’s energy weapons, babe. Few down here carry those. Except for the big gangs.”

Shaggy gave a mental shrug and zeroed in on the noise. It was coming from a little alley way crammed between a few unsteady shacks. He forced his bulk through the area until he spotted a group of silver Quinica fighting with a bunch of randoms. Strangely, all the Quinica were outfitted with armor and ranged weapons. Completely different from the normal claw and street clothes crowd.

Sighting their target, Shaggy barreled down the narrow alley. The sounds of crashing metal filled the air as Shaggy’s bulk knocked over a few shacks. The noise stopped the fighting and made everyone turn to see the black wolf bearing down on them. Shaggy yipped happily as he ran, teeth bared and ready.

“Target spotted. Deploy countermeasures!” A Quinica shouted.

Shaggy had just enough time to wonder what that meant before a large white cloud field his vision. He tried to stop, but the dirt road made him slide for a bit before he came to a full stop. Nose buried in the cloud. Shaggy fought the urge to breathe inward as he backed away. But he was too late. A burning, itching feeling filled his nostrils and Shaggy went crossed eyed as he tried to scratch at his nose.

The sounds of fighting had stopped, and it was eerily quiet in the small space. Levy’s voice echoed in his head as Shaggy tried to stop the pain in his nose.

“Shift back!” Levy shouted telepathically

Shaggy felt her feet leaves his back as he triggered his change. It was fast and as soon as he had hands, Shaggy rubbed at his nose. The burning and itching sensation was still there. But it was slowly going away. He spotted Levy’s hands glowing purple as another voice spoke up. Almost robotic.

“Target is weakened. Begin elimination protocol.”

Multiple black lasers rushed out of the cloud as Shaggy kept rubbing his nose. Most missed, but the few that hit made Shaggy seize up. The black bolts zoomed through the air at every angle and everyone that hit made Shaggy’s flesh turn grey and disintegrate. Ignoring his nose, Shaggy dove away, the black lasers following him.

“Levy! Get down!” Shaggy shouted as he dove behind the rumble of a collapsed shack.

He wasn’t sure if his wife had heard him. But he quickly rolled to his feet and shifted his hands. He peered at the white cloud as laser fire still poured from within. His nose was still stingy and he couldn’t see. So Shaggy did the only thing he could think of. He grabbed a piece of debris from nearby and threw it. The piece of metal sheeting zoomed into the cloud. But Shaggy didn’t hear it impact anything. Instead, the laser fire zeroed in on his location and seemed to double.

“Shit!” Shaggy ducked behind a pile of corrugated metal. But he noted the lasers were blowing holes in several sheets.

“Disgrouah!” Levy’s voice shouted over the sound of lasers.

Suddenly, a harsh wind blew from behind Shaggy. The air shifted and bits of dirt and trash flew toward the Quinica. Shaggy glanced up to see the white cloud fading. He grinned as the heavily armed Quinica came back into view. They were looking around, watching as the cloud vanished. Shaggy took the chance and rushed forward, claws extending.

He found the closest target and activated his pounce ability. Laser fired and Quinica shouted orders as Shaggy slammed into the chest of his target. A Silver Quinica in a black armored vest. Shaggy’s claws gouged into the metal plating of the vest, but then they stopped and were forcibly turned upward. Shaggy grimaced as his claws were turned aside, but he raised them up again as he and the Quinica fell to the ground.

“Escape protocol!”

Shaggy claws struck downward into the dirt. The body beneath him disappeared and left behind small blue circles in the air. Shaggy brushed the circles away and stood back up. Arms at the ready. As he spun, he saw Levy approaching, hands still glowing. As she got closer, her hands went through some intricate movements. When she was finished, she tossed the magic in her hands at a few of the blue circles still in the air. But the magic flew right on by.

“Yep. Not magic.” Levy sighed.

Shaggy stayed poised. Even as each stack of blue circles disappeared from the area. Not only were the bastards prepared. But they were specifically prepared for him. The gas, the lasers, the armor. It was all designed to stop and kill him. Levy seemed to think the same thing as she walked over.

“So they are trying to pull you in? Why not just attack the bar?”

“I think they are just assaulting our turf. But if they see a one of the Legion’s leaders. Then they are geared to take them down.”

“Well, they are geared to take YOU down. I don’t think the cloud or armor would stop Ren from beating them to a pulp. Do they know about Slink and Vlad?”

Shaggy shrugged. “No idea. But I was the biggest pain in their ass. If I can toot my own horn.”

“Well, congratulations. Now there are death squads equipped to kill you.”

Shaggy grunted. “Ha! They didn’t even come close.”

Levy said nothing, but poked her chin at Shaggy’s body. Looking down, Shaggy saw several grey pockmarks slowly coming back to color. The wounds were healing. But extremely slowly. He groaned as the dead skin flaked away and his skin turned healthy.

“Still standing, though, honey. That has to count for something.”

“This is going to make grabbing one of them a real fucking hassle.” Levy said as she brushed her hair out of her eyes.

Shaggy chuckled. “Yeah, but it’s no fun if it’s easy.”

Levy smiled back at him for a few seconds before it faded away. She waited for a few seconds before she mock-growled.

“Well? What are you waiting for? Bring me my mount!”

Shaggy rolled his eyes and shifted back into a werewolf, as his eye gleefully hopped around.

“The things we do for love.” Shaggy thought.