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The Rescue - Page 1 Lily sat leisurely on the back porch, soaking up the warm California sun, and systematically ripping the fuzz of Archie’s favorite tennis ball. Every so often she would glance over at him, lying there in the sun, moping, silent, listless. He had been this way for a few weeks. Ever since Mommy brought home a big piece of paper with the word “Death” on it. She knew it said “Death” because Archie read it to her. He was so mean lately. He was grumpy and just, well mean! She went back to the tennis ball determined now more than ever to piss him off for being so downright mean. He watched her. He knew it was eating her up inside that he wasn’t reacting to her destruction of his ball. That was satisfaction enough. He rolled over to let the sun warm his tummy and closed his eyes. Archie knew what was coming, and he knew that he was the only one left to organize the Chi Gang. He hadn’t heard from Mikey or Fancy in weeks. This was bad. At least he knew why Fancy was incommunicado, it would be very difficult for her to contact anyone while adjusting to her new home. New Jersy. Didn’t Mommy know someone in New Jersey? It didn’t really matter, what was most important was finding Mikey. Where was he? Did he have a weapon to protect himself? And even if he did have a weapon, did he have enough ammo to survive? What about shelter? He knew there was snow in Troy, and Archie learned a great lesson about snow during his Christmas trip to Chicago – it was damn cold! He knew that it was time, he would have to go and find his right-hand-man. He got up and trotted thru the French doors, thru the office and headed down the hall to the back door. It was closed, and he turned back to the Living Room to ask Daddy to open the back door – he whined for “potty”. He skipped down the back steps and furtively glanced as Daddy walked back in the house out of site. Archie quietly approached the hole in the ground where the house met the grass and nosed his way into the small opening under the house. He diligently took inventory of the stash there. Not much left after the last hit, but enough to get them out of California and into Houston. He used his teeth to pull the zipper open on a small green duffle bag and Mikey’s scent escaped into the stuffy cramped hole. A twinge of grief struck him as he wondered if he’d ever see his best friend again. He sat down and wondered to himself if he should risk bringing Lily with him. Sure, she had proven herself on the last hit, but this was different. There was no telling what they’d find once they got to Michigan. But then, she’d probably whine and raise a fuss, and tell Mommy what he was up to. So – she would come. They would leave in the early morning hours when Mommy and Daddy were asleep. He began to quietly pack the stash into the trunk of the Roadster. At 2am, Archie got onto the computer and sent an email to the Gang. They would all meet in Joplin, Missouri at a seedy motel on Route 66. Joplin was perfectly central in the US and only 15 hours from Troy. They could stay on Route 66, away from the major highways, away from concerned humans who would be inclined to “rescue” them and send them to jail. The trick was to get them all to come. Not everyone liked Mikey, and most of the girls were very disapproving of The Gang and their methods. Only Whoosh, Abba and Velcro would know of the true reason for the trip. The rest, especially that spoiled bitch Princess Chi Chi and the ever-so conservative Snooty, would be told that they were on a trip to attend a special memorial for Auntie Jewels. Archie emailed the meeting location and clicked send. It was a sort of blessing having a Mommy who knew about computers, he learned a lot about “hacking” and erasing data trails. First he located the sent email and deleted it. Then he opened the File Manager and located the Windows Temporary Internet file, he searched the folder, found his cookie and the corresponding data and clicked delete. He snickered at his cleverness, “What email?” Lily and Archie slipped out the office window and headed for the garage. Archie quietly rolled the big black Roadster out of the driveway and onto the street. He let the car roll a few feet down the road until they were sufficiently far enough from tha house and then started the engine. It came to life with a roar, and Archie’s heart raced. How he loved this car! He gunned the engine and the Roadster responded with a jump as it tore off down the street. First stop – Katie, Emily Rose and Miguel. Archie pulled up to the sidewalk where he saw the Lily-clone sitting patiently. Emily Rose was perched atop a small valise, with a larger suitcase on the ground behind her. The back door opened and Katie popped into the back seat. “Good to see you Archie”, she said demurely. “I wish it were under better circumstances”. Archie just glanced at Katie and nodded his head. Lily dove under the sterring column and pulled the trunk release for Miguel to toss the luggage in. Archie prayed he wouldn’t notice the Tommy Gun or the Glouc 9mm. He held his breathe as Miguel tossed in frst the suitcase, then the valise. Miguel trotted around to the passenger side door and jumped into the front seat. Archie looked at him, and Miguel just nodded in return. Did he know? Before Archie could make any kind of determination, an eruption of giggles and whimpers rose from the back seat. Lily, Emily Rose and Katie were catching up “girl style”. “Excuse me, Ladies,” Archie spat sarcastically. The girls turned to him with disapproving stares. “Katie, any word from the other members of the Gang?” “The Houston Office will be ready to leave when we arrive. The Philly Office communicated that they would meet us in Joplin. The Georgia Contingency is doing a sweep of the Southern States to pick up the independent members before they head to Joplin. There are other stragglers responding, they will be at the rendezvous point. So, yes, the Memorial Trip is underway.” “Do they all know where to meet?” He asked her. “Yes”, replied Katie. “The Motel 6 on South Range Line Road. They will fend for themselves until you check us all in.” Archie cringed at the thought of the check in. He had made the hotel arrangements online, even swiped Mommy’s Gold Card and Driver’s License from her purse. But that only got him so far. He would have to find a way of checking in. He didn’t dare try a 5-star hotel, because of the security risk, so they were forced to go “underground”. But this was a rescue mission, and when everyone was too far from home to turn back – well, then he would tell them all the truth of their mission. Archie thru the Roadster into gear and they sped off down the road toward Route 66. It was Sunday morning, 4 am. They would be in Houston by Wednesday evening if all went according to plan. As he drove, he marveled at how large the Chi Gang had grown in just a few months. To think, a rebellious act of spoiled brat-dom had grown into a full fledged “gang” of mis-fit Chiuahua’s. He snorted at the Houston Office. Yes, Abba certainly did turn that group of fluffy spoiled blue blood’s into an organized “office”. To think he met her when she was sitting on death’s door, and now she was practically Alpha-Bitch of the Gang. Maybe she would be if Fancy was forced to resign. He missed Mikey. They were going to find their Hench Man or die trying. The Georgia Office? He wondered who that could be. He had heard about Rosy and Jose – and they were in Georgia. What an addition that Jose would make. He looked like one mean Mexican – maybe he was deadly with a blade, they needed a nice blade addition to the Gang. At least with Jose and Pedro there were more men in the Gang – so many girls and you had to be worried about being taken seriously. All those damn doll clothes. He thought about Mikey in his leather jacket, and swallowed a sob. There is one truth to Chihuahuas – they were loyal to each other to the death. The Chi’s settled in for the long ride. Miguel got comfortable in the front seat, curled next to Archie to help keep warm, the girls in the back seat in one large furry ball of tails and ears. To be continued: Next installment, the Houston Gang joins the Roadster. The Philly & Southern Gang set off for Joplin. |
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