Morning couldn't come fast enough for Sandra, and neither could the afternoon or evening. She paced around the hideout, her hands trembling with a nervous energy. Sly knew exactly what was going on in her mind. She was imagining everything that could go wrong, something Bentley use to do back before he became a field operative. Shaking his head with a smile, he stood up, catching the red raccoon by her shoulder. Sandra jumped about 3 feet in the air, proving Sly's theory.
``It's gonna be alright Sandra.'' He told her. ``Bentley's plans always come through.''
``I know...'' she told him, still visibly nervous. ``It's just, what if Garrett put some sort of protection around the RV to keep us out? What if the cops come around from their food poisoning? What if-''
Sly gently grabbed her chin, making her look up.
``Sandra.'' He interjected. ``Calm down and listen to me.''
Sandra stopped talking, but her eyes were still brimming with worry.
``Everything is going to be okay. Say it.''
``Everything... Is going... to be okay...'' Sandra repeated.
``Exactly, and you know why?'' he asked.
Sandra shook her head.
``Because we're Coopers, and we always pull through, no matter what.'' He declared. ``Got it?''
Sandra took a deep breath, then nodded, some of the fear and nervousness fading from her eyes.
``Got it.'' She replied.
With Sandra successfully calmed down, Bentley called their final mission meeting.
``Alright guys, it's almost time for Operation: Triple Threat.'' He announced. ``We just need to go over the game plan.''
Everyone gathered around the table as Bentley brought up his collected footage and his holographic yellow pen.
``For this plan to work, we're going to have to time everything just so.'' He explained. ``First, Sly and Carmelita will report to Inspector Garrett, taking control of the prison transport. I've double checked, and it's an automatic, so you two shouldn't have any problems controlling it.''
``That's a relief.'' Carmelita commented.
Bentley switched the footage to the Impound Lot, turning towards Murray.
``After Carmelita and Sly are in position, it will be up to you big guy.'' He went on. ``You'll need to bust into the impound lot, taking out anything and everything.''
``Fear not!'' Murray bellowed. ```The Murray' will draw in those cops like mice into a mouse trap!''
``Good.'' Bentley nodded. ``If Garrett's anything like you Carmelita, once he realizes the RV is the target, he'll send as many men as he can afford to spare to try and stop Murray.''
``And thanks to your ploy with the poison, his numbers are already pretty low.'' Sandra remarked.
Carmelita smirked as Bentley continued.
``I'm sure after Murray hits the impound lot, he'll be eager to get Marcus and Benjy safely behind bars.'' Bentley went on. ``We'll need to draw him away from the convoy, and that's where you come in Sandra.''
``No need to go into detail.'' Sandra insisted, holding up a hand. ``I've got a way to get him running my way.''
``If you say you do, than you do.'' Bentley replied ``Moving on. After Garrett leaves and both Marcus and Benjy are loaded into the prison transport, you'll need to hightail it out of there. It may take some tricky maneuvering, but you'll have to get rid of any cops that may try to follow you.''
``Shouldn't be a problem.'' Sly replied. ``If I can get Carmelita off my tail, we shouldn't have any trouble with a couple of normal cops.''
``Once you're in the clear, get back here to the base.'' Bentley went on. ``Here, you'll ditch the transport and get the van. Since Marcus can drive stick, he'll have to drive, if that's okay with you Murray.''
``Since I'm driving his RV, it's only fair.'' Murray replied.
``Oh yeah.'' Bentley remembered. ``Murray. You'll have to collect Sandra from police headquarters. Once we're all safely in our prospective vehicles, we get the heck out of Paris.''
``I know the best spot to meet back up.'' Sandra interjected. ``Just tell Marcus to meet us at our usual dumping grounds and he'll know where to go.''
He shut off the presentation, then everyone stuck there hands out.
``We've only got one shot at this, so let's make it count.'' Bentley finished.
``Right.'' Everyone else said in unison.
They all broke up and scattered, each headed for their pre-determined destinations.
...
Carmelita and Sly, both in full police regalia, arrived at the hospital around 7:30. When Garrett saw them, he seemed both relieved and pleased at the same time.
``Fox, Carver, glad you got here so quickly.'' He told them.
``Considering whom we're transporting, it seemed like a good idea to get here early, just in case sir.'' Carmelita replied.
Garrett gave a nod, then led them towards the large prison transport. The large back doors were open, but nobody was inside, yet.
``The hospital won't allow me to check Benjamin and Marcus out until 8pm sharp, but I want this convoy prepped and ready to leave so I can have them in the back of this van and on the way to the penitentiary by 8:01.'' He declared.
Sly had to fight back a snicker, remembering how Bentley had predicted that exact scenario. Luckily, he managed to keep a straight face as he and Carmelita climbed into the prison transport. Carmelita got behind the wheel while Sly took shotgun. Once they were inside, Sly hailed Murray on the comm.
``We're in position, Murray.'' Sly whispered. ``You're up.''
...
Across town, Murray stood on a rooftop in front of the Impound lot. Below him, he could see a few cops and guards milling about. He watched them make their rounds as Sly gave him the heads up.
``You got it Sly.'' He replied.
He took a few steps back, then ran forward, belly flopping off the roof.
``THUNDER FLOP!!'' he shouted.
His loud cry caused all of the cops to look up, just as the hippo came crashing down on top of them. The shockwave sent them all flying backwards into the fence. They quickly recovered and went to attack Murray. One of the cops aimed his weapon, only to have Murray snatch it from his hands and crush it like an empty soda can.
``That won't work on `The Murray'!'' he proudly proclaimed.
He took a swing at the cop, his fist knocking the guy into the fence so hard he left a dent. Another came to aid his buddy, letting off a shot with his shock pistol. The shock caught Murray off guard, but he quickly recovered. Once again, Murray snatched his weapon and crushed.
``That wasn't very nice!'' He admonished.
This guy he picked up, throwing him into the same fence as the first guy. It buckled more under the strain as two more cops came forward. Murray didn't even give these guys time to raise their weapons. Punched them both simultaneously, knocking out a few teeth and sending them skidding across the sidewalk. He then picked hem both up and tossed them at that same piece of fence. This time, the fence finally gave way.
``OH YEAH!!'' Murray shouted. ``No puny fence is a match for `The Murray'!!''
He jogged through the hole in the fence and over to the large RV. He gave a whistle at the sight of it.
``Wow, this thing is amazing!'' Murray complimented. ``I better take good care of it.''
He examined the large parking boot attached to the front wheel, then stomped down hard on lock. It was smashed into tiny little metal bits, allowing Murray to pull the boot off and toss it away. He went to open the door, only to find it locked.
``Uh-oh...'' he let out. ``I forgot about keys.''
Sandra's voice came onto the comm.
``Lucky for you, Marcus let Benjy as some modern conveniences to the van, included a pin number lock system on the doors.'' She told him. ``There's a hatch right next to the door.''
Murray found the hatched and opened it, revealing a basic 1-9 keypad.
``The code is 7225.'' Sandra supplied.
Murray imputed the code and there was an audible click. He tried the door again and was happy to find it now unlocked.
``Marcus keeps the keys hidden in the glove box.'' Sandra informed him. ``Same code opens it.''
Putting in the code once more in the keypad on the glovebox, Murray took the keys, gunned the engine, and zoomed out of the impound lot.
...
Inside the hospital, Garrett was seated in the waiting room, filling out the necessary paperwork for Benjy and Marcus' release. As he worked, his phone went off. He looked down to see that it was his secretary Jodie. Sighing irritably, he answered it.
``This better be important, or I swear you're gonna wish you were out with food poisoning like the other half of the precinct Jodie.'' He snarled into the phone.
Jodie didn't seem fazed by the threat and just calmly spoke.
``It is important, sir.'' She replied. ``I've received a report that there's been an attack on the impound lot.''
That gave Garrett pause.
``An attack?'' he repeated.
``Yes sir.'' Jodie replied. ``The men report that a `pink hippo in a wrestling mask' proclaiming himself to be `The Murray' broke in, assaulted four officers, then made off with the New Cooper Gang's RV.''
That made Garrett shoot out of his chair, the paperwork scattering across the floor.
``WHAT?!'' he exclaimed.
``I'm already sending what squad cars we can spare, but with almost everyone either sick with food poisoning or with you on the transport job, there isn't really anyone I can send.'' She went on.
Garrett gave a snarl, then ended the call. He stalked outside, and addressed his men.
``There's been a situation.'' He told them. ``While I would appreciate keeping all of you here on this job, this situation must be dealt with.''
He pointed out half of the men, separating them from the rest.
``You will stay here as planned. The rest of you are to head down to the Impound lot to deal with a hot-rodder who's attempting to steal the New Cooper Gang's RV.''
The men saluted, then went to do their duties. Inside the transport van, Sly and Carmelita watched as half the men left the convoy.
``Good job Murray.'' Sly whispered. ``Garrett's sending half his men to stop you.''
``I'll give them a car chase they'll never forget!'' Murray exclaimed.
Back inside the hospital, Garrett gathered up the scattered pieces of paperwork, resuming his writing. He found himself working at a bit of a faster pace, eager to get Benjy and Marcus out of the hospital and incarcerated. While the description Jodie had given of the RV hijacker hadn't matched any of Sandra's known associates or the attackers who had assaulted the gang, his instincts were telling him something was up, and after years on the force, he'd come to trust his instincts above all else. He finished the last of the paperwork, handing it over to the nurse. She skimmed the papers, then gave a nod.
``I'll have them brought out immediately.'' She promised.
She disappeared around the corner to collect Benjy and Marcus as Garrett stepped back outside. He ushered for four officers to follow him inside, and that's when Carmelita spoke.
``Looks like the paperwork's been filed and your friends are on their way out.'' She whispered. ``You ready to draw his attention?''
Sandra voice came on the comm.
``Just be ready to gun it.'' She replied.
Her end of the comm went dead as Sly and Carmelita watched. The eight cops went inside and Garrett went to follow them, only to have his phone go off again. He snarled, this time not even bothering to look at the caller ID.
``Unless somebody is dying or you've caught the RV hijacker, I suggest you hang up now before I arrest you for interfering in police business.'' He growled bitterly.
There was a chuckle on the other end, then Sandra's voice came over the line.
``Well then, you might as well add that to the large list of crimes I've committed.'' She quipped.
Garrett froze, his eyes as large as dinner plates. His voice lost all the anger from before, replaced with a combination of disbelief and fear.
``S-Sandra?'' he whispered.
``That's my name.'' she replied. ``Don't wear it out.''
Garrett's entire frame seemed to sag in relief, a gesture Carmelita recognized all too well. She had been the same way when Sandra had told her Sly was alive. Garrett then straightened up, putting his serious face on.
``Where are you?'' he demanded. ``What happened to you? Where have you been?''
He rattled off a few more questions before Sandra finally managed to get a word in.
``I'm in your office.'' She said, her originally cheerful voice taking on a more somber tone. ``I want to talk. No cane, no shock pistol, just you and me. Please?''
Garrett looked over at the transport, then through the window at the officers leading Benjamin and Marcus out of the hospital. He wanted to follow the convoy to make sure everything went smoothly, but a stronger part of him wanted him to get back to his office quickly to make sure Sandra was okay. Not only that, but this could be his one chance to catch Sandra and arrest her.
Before he knew it, his mind was made up.
``I'm on my way.'' He informed her. ``Don't go anywhere.''
``Cross my heart, Garrett.'' She replied.
That was something she always told him when she promised to do something. She always kept a promise she crossed her heart on. He ended the call, then went over to the transport.
``Something's come up.'' He said, addressing Carmelita and Sly. ``I've got to do deal with an urgent matter. Make sure everything goes according to plan.''
``Yes sir.'' They both replied.
Garrett then ran towards his car, gunning the engine and screeching down the street. Sly and Carmelita watched him go, whistling.
``Is that how you act when you hear my name?'' Sly asked.
Carmelita gave a small shrug and Sly smiled.
``It is isn't it?'' he guessed.
``Don't get a big head, Cooper.'' Carmelita chastised. ``It doesn't suit you.''
Sly went to rib Carmelita some more, but the doors to the hospital slid open and they both stopped talking. Through the window of the van, they could see the four cops leading two figures out of the hospital. The first was a short koala with dark purple fur. He reminded Sly of the Guru, if the Guru was a skinny teenager with his hair pulled back in a ponytail. He had a few bandages on his fingers and on his left shoulder, as well as a freshly healed scar across his forehead, but aside from that, he looked pretty good.
``That's got to be Benjy.'' Sly muttered.
``No doubt about that.'' Carmelita replied. ``I guess that makes this next guy Marcus.''
The next figure was huge, easily a foot taller than Murray. His build reminded the two of `Bob' Cooper the caveman after Murray's training. He was muscular in all the right places with claws and teeth that looked like he could tear through metal. However, he had this beaten look in his eye, reminiscing of how Murray looked after Bentley got hurt. He had a scar across his right cheek that looked fairly new and a few bandages on his right arm.
``Sandra wasn't kidding when she said Marcus was a tank with claws.'' Sly whispered.
``Makes you wonder who attacked them, and how they were strong enough to do that much damage.'' Carmelita whispered back.
Benjy and Marcus were loaded into the back of the van as Carmelita engaged the engine. Sly instinctively buckled his seatbelt, bracing himself, his goofy grin returning. The second the back doors slammed shut, Carmelita floored the gas pedal, taking off down the street.
...
Garrett arrived back at INTERPOL headquarters, marching straight up to his office. A few desk jockeys tried to get his attention, but he ignored all of them, his focus set on the door to his office. He got to the door, his hand inches from the knob, and then found himself frozen once more.
He was slightly afraid to open the door, afraid to see the state that Sandra was in, or that this was all a cruel joke and she wasn't there at all. Still he needed to know, and he knew if he walked away, he'd regret it. Steeling himself, he turned the knob and slipped into his office.
Sandra was sitting by the open window, the night wind blowing through her hair. She was leaning against her cane, swinging her legs idly. She looked like she was in perfect health, albeit, a bit tired. She looked up at Garrett and waved.
``Hi Garrett.'' She said softly.
Garrett closed the door behind him, his eyes never leaving Sandra. He tried to search for any injuries, any hidden bandages, but he couldn't find any.
``Sandra.'' He whispered. ``You're-''
``Unhurt?'' she replied. ``Yeah, floating around in the time stream for a month and a half apparently sped up the healing process.''
Garrett attempted to process what he had just heard but found it impossible. He leaned against his desk, pinching the area between his eyes. He looked up again as a barrage of questions came to mind. It took him a second to prioritize his questions, but he soon succeeded.
``Sandra, what happened?'' he asked. ``Where have you been these past two months?''
Sandra shrugged.
``2016, then 1350 B.C.'' she replied. ``I was time traveling.''
Garrett snorted, despite the seriousness of the situation. However, his eyes widened as Sandra pulled a golden pocket watch out from under her hoodie.
``This is the time machine.'' She explained. ``Benjy made it. He slipped it around my neck and activated it before the attackers could get to me.''
Garrett raised a skeptical eyebrow.
``Time travel?'' he repeated. ``Seriously?''
``You've read the old files on my family.'' She reminded him. ``Surely you've read about the Le Paradox incident.''
Garrett nodded.
``I thought it was all nonsense.'' He admitted. ``But, it explains why there's been no sign of you for two months.''
``Trust me, I didn't want to be gone that long, but I didn't have a choice.'' She muttered.
Sandra looked down, then back up.
``Garrett, what happened to my friends after I left?'' she asked. ``How bad were they?''
Garrett looked up, an expression of worry on his face.
``Are you sure you want to know?'' he asked.
Sandra nodded once. Garrett took a deep breath and explained.
...
Sly and Carmelita were zooming down the streets of Paris, Carmelita's foot never leaving the floor. Behind them, police cars were trying desperately to catch up. Sly stuck his head out the window, looking out at the cops before giving them a wave. He pulled himself back into the van, turning to Carmelita.
``So how does it feel?'' He asked. ``Your first police chase as the target rather than the tracker?''
Carmelita's eyes were focused on the road, but Sly could see a hint of a smile on the fox's face. She was enjoying herself. However, she quickly attempted to deny it.
``You forget when you helped me escape from Prague and Canada, so technically, this isn't my first chase.'' She reminded him.
``That doesn't answer my question, Carmelita.'' Sly retorted.
Carmelita just smirked, then yanked the wheel to the side, making a tight left turn.
``It feels... Different.'' She finally replied.
``Good different or bad different?'' he pressed.
``Sly...'' she playfully warned.
Sly raised his hands up in mock surrender, then his eyes widened.
``Barricade!'' He exclaimed.
There were no turns to take, and there were about 4 different police cars blocking the only route off the road.
``What now?'' Carmelita asked.
At that moment, a small metal hatch that allowed a vantage point into the back of the van slid open. Two small hands hooked onto the bottom part of the hatch, allowing the koala the poke his head through and look out at the pair.
``G'day missy.'' A voice with a THICK Australian accent called out. ``Maybe I cin help ya.''
``Benjy, I presume?'' Carmelita asked.
``Aye.'' He replied. ``Ya see tha' red button on te gear shift?''
Carmelita glanced down at it, giving a small nod.
``Give it a push and te bumper will go inna battering ram mode.'' Benjy explained.
Carmelita and Sly both grinned, then pressed the button hard. There was the whir of machinery and the bumper visibly jutted out. The cops in the barricade saw that and immediately abandoned the vehicles as the van sent them flying out of the way.
``Wooo-eee!'' Benjy shouted. ``Good job there, Missy.''
``That's Carmelita to you, Benjy.'' She informed him.
Benjy raised an eyebrow.
``Carmelita? As in...''
He trailed off as he looked at his to rescuers. Recognition dawned and his face lit up like a Christmas tree.
``Bloody Oath...'' he swore. ``Sandy did it!''
Benjy then turned towards the back of the van, one hand still clinging to that hatch.
``MARCUS!! SANDY DID IT!!'' He cheered.
``She did it?!'' a deep voice that sounded like what a mountain's voice might be like, Marcus obviously, exclaimed. ``She really did it?! I knew she'd do it!''
``I told ya she'd come through.'' Benjy grinned. ``She always comes through.''
Benjy turned back to Carmelita and Sly, an eager expression on his face.
``Where is she?'' he asked. ``Is she alright?''
``She's doing alright.'' Sly replied. ``Though she's been worried sick about you two.''
``She's currently keeping Inspector Garrett busy, but once Murray goes and picks her up, we're all gonna meet at the rendezvous point.'' Carmelita added.
Benjy was suddenly moved away from the hatch as Marcus came into view. His snout poked through the hatch with how excited he was.
``What about the RV?'' He asked. ``We can't leave it!''
``Don't worry about it.'' Sly assured him. ``Murray's got that covered.''
...
Murray drove down the streets of Paris, the RV working for him better than even his own van. Behind him, he could see the cops trying to catch up, but after some random button pushing, he'd been happy to discover that the RV was equipped with an array of anti-car chase features.
``Eat oil slick!'' he cried, slamming his fist down on the button.
The rear license plate lifted up and a hose began squirting oil all across the road. From the side view mirrors, Murray watched as the cop cars skidded and slid across the asphalt trying to regain traction.
``OH YEAH!!'' he screamed, pumping his fist. ``I've GOT to get Benjy to upgrade the van!''
``I'm sure he'd be more than willing to.'' Sly replied over the comm.
``You think so?'' Murray asked.
``Ask him yourself.'' Carmelita suggested.
That's when Benjy's voice came onto the comm.
``Oi mate.'' He greeted. ``Ya liken te ride?''
``Oh yeah!'' Murray replied eagerly. ``This thing drives like a dream!''
``Glad ya approve. Howevah, we're in a bit of a rush, so ya best be gitten Sandy from Garrett's place.''
``I'd like to, but even with your mods, I've still got cops on my tail.'' Murray informed him.
``Ya mean ya haven't found te noz yet?'' Benjy questioned.
Murray's grin got wider.
``This thing has noz?!'' he exclaimed. ``AWESOME!!''
Benjy chuckled at Murray's excitement before continuing.
``Flip te top o' te gearshift off, then, as Sandy says, punch it.'' Benjy instructed.
Murray did as he was told and flipped the top, revealing a small red button. With no small amount of childish glee, he jammed the button down, sending the van into overdrive. The sheer G-force send Murray deep into the seat cushions, his lips rippling from the speed. In the mirrors, he saw the cop cars shrinking into the distance. After a minute or two, the noz ran out and the RV returned to normal speeds. Murray shook his head, his entire face numb from the pressure. However, even with his lips buzzing, he couldn't help the big, idiotic grin on his face.
``That... Was... AWESOME!!'' he cheered, throwing a fist in the air.
Benjy laughed.
``When we meet up, I'll see what I cin do fer yer van.'' Benjy offered. ``Kinda curious te see how yer brains does business.''
Murray's smile remained plastered on his face as he raced towards INTERPOL headquarters.
...
Garrett remained leaned against his desk, watching Sandra closely. She hadn't moved from the window sill, but she wasn't making any motions to bolt. Figuring the best way to keep Sandra from leaving, Garrett told her what he knew.
``By the time my men and I got to that warehouse of yours, the attackers had cleared out. However, there was some pretty serious damage.'' Garrett explained. ``The place looked like it had been ransacked and your friends looked like they had gone through some pretty tough interrogation.''
Sandra winced at the word interrogation.
``I was afraid of that...'' she muttered.
Garrett cocked his head. Sandra knew something.
``What were those guys after?'' he asked. ``Was this some sort of score they were trying to settle?''
``Honestly, I don't know. All I know is they came in demanding the time machine, the Thievius Raccoonus, and possibly my life.''
``Wait... these guys want you dead?'' Garret questioned.
Sandra shrugged, looking down at her cane.
``Apparently.'' She replied. ``They promised to let Benjy and Marcus live if they just turned their back on me. If I had to wager a guess, I'd say they have some sort of hatred for the Cooper family. Only one villain hated my family that much, and he was destroyed over 120 years ago.''
``You mean that Clockwerk monster?'' Garret guessed.
Sandra shuddered, nodding.
``My Great-Great Grandfather, Sly Cooper, destroyed him after centuries of that mechanical fiend terrorizing the Cooper family.'' She said quietly. ``I guess whomever these guys are, they've risen to take his place.''
Garrett stood up.
``If that's true, then you are in danger.'' He declared. ``Let me take you into custody. I can protect you and your friends.''
Sandra sighed.
``I wish I could believe that...'' she said quietly.
Garrett slammed his fist on his desk, both angry and hurt at the same time.
``Are you saying that you can't trust my word?!'' he demanded.
Sandra immediately put her hands up, trying to calm the wolf down.
``No!'' she answered quickly. ``Not at all! I know you'd do anything and everything in your power to protect us!''
Garrett raised an eyebrow.
``But?'' he pushed.
``But...'' Sandra began, ``my family has been fighting criminals like those guys for generations, and we've always had to face them on our own. The Fiendish Five, Clockwerk, Clock-la, Le Paradox... The police have tried to stop them, but they always managed to circumvent the law, and that was before the system was as broken as it is today.''
Garrett wanted to deny Sandra's claims, but he had to admit she spoke the truth. The justice system was broken, a fact proven almost every day by dirty cops and crooked judges.
``I can't let these guys run around free while my friends and I just sit in a cell, waiting for the day they come knocking down the door to kill us.'' Sandra explained. ``We need to face them.''
``How do you plan to do that?'' Garrett asked. ``They wiped the floor with you and your gang on your own turf. What makes you think you stand a chance against them now?''
``Last time, they caught us off guard.'' Sandra rationalized. ``We were unprepared and they took us down. This time, we'll be ready for them.''
``Even so, you'd need an army to take them down.'' Garrett argued.
Sandra got a smirk, one Garrett recognized instantly. It was her `I have an ace up my sleeve that you don't know about' smirk.
``Not an army.'' She replied. ``Just another Cooper gang. Or should I say, the Original Cooper gang.''
Garrett was completely confused, but then he began to put the pieces together.
``The food poisoning.'' He began listing off. Two new officers. Pink hippo. Your time traveling...''
Sandra chuckled slightly, shaking her head.
``You've read the old files.'' She reminded him. ``I would have thought you would have recognized Carmelita's name.''
Now everything made sense. He turned on Sandra, his eyes almost feral.
``This was a set-up!'' he accused. ``You were distracting me!''
Sandra nodded.
``Guilty as charged.'' She replied.
Garrett drew she shock pistol, aiming it right at Sandra. She just sat there on the window sill as Garrett attempted to call his officers. However, his calls couldn't get through.
``What's going on?!'' he demanded.
``Oh, that would be Bentley.'' Sandra explained coolly. ``He's been jamming the CCU signal ever since you stepped into the building. For a turtle 110 years out of his time, he's adjusting quite well.''
Garrett howled in rage as Sandra heard the ever familiar sound of the New Cooper Gang RV pulling up on the outside of the parking lot.
``Well, that's my ride.'' Sandra announced. ``Thanks for taking good care of my friends.''
She adjusted her cane and leaned out the window slightly. She then snapped her fingers and fished into her satchel, pulling out the file with the words ``NEW COOPER GANG'' written on it
``Oh, and thanks for this too.'' She told him. ``It will definitely come in handy.''
Garrett's eyes widened and he instinctively turned towards his file cabinet. He had been so focused on Sandra he hadn't noticed the draw was slightly ajar. He pulled it open, and saw that in place of the file he had stowed in there, there was one of Sandra's trademark markers, complete with a rose and a kiss mark.
``Au revoir!'' she proclaimed.
Garrett turned once more, only to hear that notorious clicking noise as Sandra activated her cane's special feature, sending her shooting out the window and over the fire escape. Garrett watched her land across the parking lot, right on top off the New Cooper Gang RV.
``COOPER!!!!'' He shouted.
Sandra gave him a salute, then opened the sun roof of the RV and jumped in. She dove for the passenger seat and buckled in tight.
``PUNCH IT MURRAY!!'' she cheered.
Murray did just that and the two sped off, leaving a fuming Inspector Garrett in their wake. Sandra watched him disappear as Murray turned to her.
``So where to now?'' he asked.
Sandra leaned back in her seat and smiled.
``Just follow my directions and we'll be there soon.'' She promised.
...
The large prison transport van came screeching down the street towards the safe house. It parked (illegally) by the alleyway where the Cooper Van had been stashed, and where Bentley was loading up the last of their gear. Carmelita and Sly quickly climbed out, ditching their police garbs for their usual outfits.
``Bentley, we're gonna need you to open the van door.'' Sly explained. ``It's electronically padlocked.''
Bentley cracked his knuckles, then wheeled over to the door. He pried the casing off the lock and crossed a few wires. Within seconds, the lock was disengaged and the doors opened.
``Once again, technology trembles beneath me.'' He said with a smile.
Benjy and Marcus jumped out of the van, both of them smiling.
``So, you're Bentley, eh?'' Benjy asked. ``Much obliged.''
``Oh it was nothing.'' Bentley said with a wave of his hand.
Marcus barreled past the two intellectuals, making a bee-line for the Cooper Van.
``This is the Cooper Van?'' he asked. ``It looks AWESOME!!''
Sly smiled as he climbed into the passenger seat.
``Just wait til you get behind the wheel.'' He replied.
Marcus's eyes got wide and his smile got bigger.
``I get to drive it?!'' he asked, giddy as a school boy.
Bentley wheeled over to the back of the van, pulling the doors open. Tapping his boosters, he jumped in, the wheel locks automatically hooking onto his wheelchair.
``You're the only one of us who knows how to drive a stick shift.'' He explained.
Benjy and Carmelita climbed into the back of the van as Marcus took the driver's seat.
``Where're we headed mates?'' Benjy asked.
``Sandra said to tell you to meet up, and I'm quoting her on this, `our usual dumping grounds'.'' Bentley supplied. ``Said you'd know where to go.''
Marcus and Benjy shared a knowing smile, then the van sped off into the night.
...
On the outskirts of Paris, there was an old railyard filled with displaced and abandoned cars. It was here that the Cooper van arrived. Surprisingly, they got their first. Marcus pulled up to a large group of train cars that looked like they had been pieced together to form some sort of housing unit.
``Well?'' Benjy asked out of the blue. ``Whatcha think?''
Sly gave a nod of approval.
``Reminds me of that old caboose we used as a hideout for a while, only bigger.'' He reminisced.
Carmelita raised an eyebrow.
``You lived in a train car?'' she asked.
``What, did you think we lived in the van?'' Bentley asked.
Carmelita blushed slightly as everyone chuckled good-naturedly. They were all about to go inside when the New Cooper Gang RV pulled up. Murray had barely put the car in park before Sandra threw the side door open.
``BENJY!!'' she screamed. ``MARCUS!!''
The two of them both turned to Sandra.
``SANDY!!'' Benjy exclaimed.
``SANDRA!!'' Marcus shouted.
They barreled towards each other, Sandra scooping up Benjy into a big hug as Marcus grabbed them both. They hugged each other tightly, and even from a distance, Carmelita could make out happy tears rolling down their faces.
``Wow...'' she whispered.
``Yeah...'' Sly whispered back. ``Those guys are close. Maybe even closer than me, Bentley and Murray.''
Sandra and her friend didn't release each other for a good two minutes, until Marcus finally put Benjy and Sandra down. Almost immediately, the koala began to lightheartedly tease Sandra.
``Two months ya been gone.'' He told her, punching her leg. ``Two months! Whatcha do, get lost?''
``I would have been back sooner if someone hadn't screwed up the time machine.'' Sandra teased right back. ``I was floating around in limbo for a month and a half thanks to your thing.''
``I told ya it had some flaws.'' Benjy reminded her.
``No, flaws are a stuck minute hand or a clicker you need to push harder than normal.'' Sandra argued. ``That was just poor planning.''
The two stared at each other before hugging once more.
``I missed ya, Sandy.'' Benjy admitted.
``The feeling's mutual, Benjy.'' She replied.
``HEY!'' Marcus exclaimed. ``What about me?!''
``Who could forget about you Marcus?'' Sandra replied.
She let Marcus pick her up once more, closing her eyes as she wrapped her arms around his neck. As she buried her face into Marcus' furry shoulder, her entire body went limp and she sagged into Marcus' grip. The original Cooper gang and Carmelita all got a bit nervous at that, approaching her as Marcus gathered her in his arms.
``Is she alright?'' Sly asked.
Benjy just smiled as Sandra's head rolled back, revealing her eyes were closed and she was smiling dreamily.
``Aye.'' He assured them. ``She'd just a wee bit tired. Nothin' a night's rest won't cure.''
Marcus carried Sandra into the large train car house, laying Sandra down in the bed of what appeared to be an overnight car turned into some sort of barrack. Sly approached the bed, an almost fatherly instinct making him pull the blanket over her still form.
``That's the most peaceful she's looked since I met her.'' Sly commented.
Marcus chuckled.
``She didn't sleep while she was with you did she?'' he asked.
Carmelita shook her head.
``Nope.'' She answered. ``She was usually looking at a photo of you guys, or pacing around.''
Benjy snorted softly, looking at his sleeping friend.
``Sounds like Sandy...'' he chuckled. ``What we did te deserve a mate like her is beyond me.''
They all slipped out of Sandra's little room.
``So what happens now?'' Marcus asked. ``Are you going back to your time?''
Sly crossed his arms, shaking his head.
``Not yet.'' He replied. ``Sandra asked for our help, so I know I'm staying.''
``Same here.'' Bentley added. ``I'm curious about the technological advances your time period has.''
``If Sly and Bentley stay, then, `The Murray' stays as well.'' Murray announced.
Sly then turned to Carmelita.
``What about you?'' he asked. ``We can take you back home if you want.''
Carmelita scoffed.
``If you think I'm gonna let you criminals run amok unsupervised, you've gone loco from your time in Egypt.'' She informed him. ``I'm not letting you three out of my sight for a minute. Especially you Ring-tail.''
Everybody grinned.
``Then it's settled.'' Bentley said. ``Looks like the New Cooper Gang and the Original Cooper gang are in for the greatest tag team of all time.''
Everybody laughed at the joke, then settled in for a well-deserved rest.