The Chaotix, The Fox and The Dingo

Chapter Six; Thieves' Lament – The Fox and The Dingo

Still in their ducking cover, Vector and Espio peered through the cracks to Pinstripe, who was stick firing away with his tommy gun. “Shit, how many bullets does that gun have?” Vector noted, careful to turn his head back to cover when he saw the gun barrel point down the peep hole. Espio just clung onto Vector, not really caring whether him or the enemy could see his vulnerable position. Koala Kong and Tawna were also beginning to recover their senses, adding to their misery. “Well, I've gotta be honest with you fellas, I'm just here for the bounty on your heads just like that weasel character, that snivelling coward!” Pinstripe called over to Vector, trying to anger him out of hiding to shoot him. “Why am I even stressing so much? You're just a couple of moingy reptiles, yous mugs are no threat to a bunch of intelligent mammals like us!” Pinstripe gleefully mocked his victims now, with Vector and Espio ever more sinking into resignation and anger as Pinstripe's words cut into their psyche. It wasn't just them who felt that way...

Probably the Chaotix boys' best stroke of luck thus far began with a dull boom. It was the sound of a heavy footstep making contact with something rickety and metallic. This was followed in quick succession by small, metallic, tap-like sounds, lighter feet following. Before they could comprehend what vermin could make such a loud noise, the ground in front of them turned orange with fury. They turned around expecting to see that Pinstripe's bullet had flared a little before firing, but where he once stood was a full-on fire. Pinstripe lay about a metre away from it, looking badly burnt. Tawna and Kong, on the other hand, were terrified as they were zipping around, dodging a steady supply of scimitars. When the fire faded out, Vector and Espio could just about make out the silhouette of a large, bulbous figure with little canine ears and big crocodilian jaws. “Now listen 'ere, yer fuckin' scumbag. What's with callin' me an' Joey mangy reptiles who ain't threats to yer intelligence?” With this, Pinstripe scurried to his feet and motioned for Tawna and Kong to join him in fleeing. When he tried to escape by going up to the roofs, he was greeted by a slim yet fierce lizard in surprisingly decorative purple robes for someone who relentlessly attacked. “Going somewhere so soon, old friend?” he asked sarcastically with a lisp and a manical coldness to his voice. The lizard then gave Pinstripe a farewell present before the little mafia group darted off; a slash on the arm.

“Man, gotta admit, that was neat!” Vector jumped up from behind the junk to admire the work of the two reptiles. Espio tumbled over the junk in a panic, as he frantically tried to yelp out to Vector “Wait, Vector, we're detectives, we have to be careful with who we converse with!” Vector span his head to look back as the crocodilian pricked his ears up and stared inquisitively. Espio froze as he sensed the observing eye roll over him. “So...you're the two detectives everyone we know's been lookin' for. You guys know there's a bounty on yer heads, right?” “We gathered...” Vector responded darkly. “Funny thing is that we were after it ourselves before!” Espio stepped forward more in a hurried fashion. “But yer don't seem like the kind of guys worth killin' just for some bounty for a guy who hates us for betrayal.” Yer seem...cooler than I was expectin', mates!” He held out his hand for a handshake, and Vector hesitantly put his hand to it. “The name's Dingodile, chaps. That sulking lizard up there is Joey. He's a right lil' stickler for technicalities, though.” As if on queue, the lizard jumped down from the roof and held his scimitar in Dingodile's face. “For fuck's sake, Dingodile, don't call me Joey!” He then withdrew his scimitar back to his waist and turned to Vector and Espio. “Apologies for the abrupt introduction before. I am Joseph of the Komodo Brothers, more commonly referred to as 'Komodo Joe'. I'd like to think of myself as a sly treasure hunter, but that's why they also call me 'The Fox', so I'd let that do the talking”. He then leaned in a bit closer. “Just do not called me Joey” he whispered in a threatening tone.

“How long ago 'as it been since you were even with yer brother though?” Dingodile highlighted from the back. Joe sighed. “It's true, it's been half a year since I last saw Moses at all. He's probably living it up in Cortex's Castle, and here I am, stuck in a stinking shack in my downtime with Dingodile.” Vector's eye lit up when he recognised the name. “Cortex!” he beamed, “that's the name of one of the evil scientists behind our misplacement! Do you know where he resides, could you lead us there?” Dingodile frowned upon seeing Vector's hopeful smile. “'Fraid not, mates. Our communication with any other Commandos has been down since we hit. The only ones we've seen were the ones attackin' yer earlier, an' fat chance they'd get us back to the castle.” Vector looked rather disheartened at this. Espio felt guilty for him despite not having been involved, and stepped forward to take the initiative. “Well, you said that you and Dingodile had a shack though, correct Joseph? Would it be possible to at least stay there until the problem is resolved?” Joe looked sorry as well when he addressed Espio. “Well, it's a small space. I doubt we'd be able to fit everyone in without sacrificing our personal freedom, right Dingodile”. To Joe's horror, Dingodile had only been paying half attention to him, as he perked up and replied “Crikey, good thinkin' Joey1 You guys can fit in the shack and we can all work together!” Joe froze stiff as Vector jigged excitedly. “Alright! No more cold nights in the rain, pal! We've got a roof on our heads again!” Espio said nothing, he just looked at Joe, who appeared to be losing his rag. “You called me Joey again, you scatterbrained...no...inconsiderate...wait...you egotistical bastard!” As the other three went on ahead to retrieve the Chaotix's belongings, Espio stood there for just a minute and thought 'Hmm, I can see why Vector would like these guys. Guess I can't do anything more than wait and see how this plays out'.