ds_flashfiction | Amnesty: Dead Bob challenge (Reply)

Making up for lost ~~challenges~~ time... Here is a response to the Dead Bob challenge. It's part of the Ren Fantasy series and is a sort of sequel to Very Special Forces, my response to the Icon Challenge. Thanks go to

byob_kenobi for the beta. Coming in at 1,229 words.

Super Special Forces

Ren-ji crouched in the shadows with his senses attuned to every sound, every movement. His faithful Ninja dog sat patiently at his side waiting for the silent command to attack. Soon, the moment came to strike. Ren-ji made a complicated hand signal to his companion. Ninja dog stared at him. Finally, Ren-ji mouthed "attack." The faithful Ninja dog slunk toward the target. In seconds the two ninjas pounced. The cheesecake was taken by complete surprise and put up no resistance.

Ren pulled down the handkerchief mask and took a bite. Diefenbaker was already wolfing down his slice, literally. Ren checked his watch and sighed. He had volunteered to stay and watch Diefenbaker while Constable Fraser and Ray went to question a suspect. They were already well overdue. Most likely, the interview had turned into one of their wacky adventures. Ren wished for wacky adventures, but usually ended up defrosting the Consulate freezer. As he and Dief finished off the cheesecake he had made that morning, Ren felt a chilly breeze blow through the Consulate. He wondered if the Inspector had left the window open in her office and stepped into the hallway to check.

"Oh, hello," he said spotting a gentleman standing near the entrance. "I didn't realize I'd left the door unlocked."

"Constable," the older man said in an authoritative voice.

When he stepped into the light, Ren noticed he was wearing The Uniform. He saw the Sergeant stripes and immediately came to attention.

"Yes, sir!"

"There's been a problem. Constable Fraser and his partner need assistance. Round up the wolf. We have a rescue to mount!"

"Yes, sir!" Ren yelped and stepped back into the kitchen to get Dief's attention. Within moments the trio had locked up the Consulate and caught the nearest bus. The bus driver didn't want to allow Dief on, but soon relented when Ren assured him it was official business. Once they were seated, Ren turned to the Sergeant. There was something familiar about the man. He was sure that the officer had been to the Consulate before.

"What's the situation?" he asked. The older lady sitting across from them looked at him strangely.

"That boy is entirely too trusting. For once, I agreed with the Yank. He should have seen it coming. If I've told him once, I've told him a thousand times, you can't trust them," the Sergeant replied.

"Them?"

"These Yanks, who else?"

"Oh yes, sir. Well, Ray is rather nice, and the other Ray was okay if a little brusque."

The older lady across from them reached up and tugged on the bell cord quite insistently. Ren watched her get off the bus before turning back to his companion.

"Were there too many for you to handle alone, sir?

"Oh... well, I thought it best to get backup before attempting a rescue. Procedure, you know."

"Of course."

The bus reached their destination and the three of them got off. Ren noticed that the bus driver snapped the doors shut rather quickly. The man was shaking his head and mumbling as he drove away. Ren felt bad for him. Talking to yourself was always a bad sign.

They walked towards an alley that led behind an Indian restaurant. The Sergeant waved Ren behind a van parked near the rear entrance. Dief sniffed around the back of the vehicle and growled softly.

"You stay here, son. I'll do some reconnaissance."

Before Ren could turn and reply, the man was gone.

"He must be specially trained in infiltration," Ren whispered to Dief with awe.

The wolf gave him a look, but he wasn't as good at deciphering them as Constable Fraser was. They waited a moment before a voice behind Ren startled him.

"They're all right. The Yank's been roughed up a bit, but he's a tough nut. You're clear up to the second floor. I told Benton to expect you. Try to be enough of a distraction so that he can make his move. Send the wolf in first. He can take the guard by the door."

"Yes, sir. Did you get that, Diefenbaker?" he asked, but the wolf was already moving.

Ren followed Dief. The back door led into the restaurant's kitchen. There were several workers milling around, but the pair managed to slip into the stairwell undetected. Just as the Sergeant had explained, a single guard stood by the door. Ren made a complicated hand gesture. This time, Diefenbaker didn't need to be told to attack. With a growl, he launched towards the man hitting him in the chest with all fours. The man bowled over with a yell.

The resulting commotion caused another man to stick his head out. Ren grabbed the door and slammed it back into the man's face. When he pulled the door back open, he saw Constable Fraser fighting off two more men. He seemed to have things well in hand so Ren stumbled over the man sprawled in front of the door and made his way to Detective Vecchio. Ray was slumped against the far wall with a bloody nose.

"Oh my goodness! Ray, are you okay?"

"Ren? What are you doing here?" he asked weakly.

"I came to help."

Ray shook his head to clear it and looked around. He seemed to be looking for Fraser and the other spot of bright red in the room caught his attention. Once he saw his partner was safe, he let Ren help him up. Fraser was tying up the two battered men with his lanyard.

"Good work, Turnbull."

"Yeah," Ray agreed, "but how did you know we needed help?"

"The Sergeant, I didn't catch his name, fetched me."

"What Sergeant?"

"It's not important," Fraser cut in quickly. "You'd better call this in, Ray."

The Detective nodded and went to find a phone. Fraser turned to look at Ren once Ray had left.

"Constable, I don't think you need to mention the Sergeant's involvement to anyone."

Ren was confused for a moment, but quickly recovered.

"Oh, I see! His easy infiltration... he must be with some secret RCMP special forces! I understand, sir! It's classified. You can trust me, sir!"

Fraser blinked at him for a few moments before nodding.

"Yes. That's it exactly. Good work, Constable."

Ray came back in pulling the man from the hall. A proud Dief was right behind them. Ray explained that Detectives Huey and Dewey were on their way along with a couple of black and white units. Both Ren and Fraser fussed over Ray and speculated about whether he might have a concussion or not. Ren volunteered to go flag the police into the alley and ask for an ambulance, much to Ray's annoyance.

A swash of red in the corner of Ren's eye drew his attention once he was back out on the sidewalk. The Sergeant stood beside him at parade rest.

"Thank you, sir."

"For what, son?"

"For entrusting me with this mission."

"Oh well, you had," the gentleman paused, "special qualities that made you the only man for the job. I should be thanking you for helping me save Benton."

"Are you two close?"

"You could say that."

Ren started to ask another question, but the police cruisers approached. The red and blue lights revealed that he was alone in the mouth of the alley.

"Oh, he's good!" Ren whispered and waved the cars in.