Bentleys chair rolled back in forth as the turtle paced about the hideout, sweat pouring down his face.
``This is bad. This is very, very bad.'' He moaned.
``Oh come on Bentley.'' Murray tried to cheer his friend up. ``It can't be that bad.''
``We jist lost ar' thief, an' ar' Interpol officah.'' Benjy lamented. ``An' de auction is tomorrah.''
``Without a thief, this entire operation has just gone south!'' Bentley exclaimed.
``What am I, chopped liver?'' Sandra called out from her cot.
Everyone turned in surprise to see Sandra sitting up in bed, giving a stretch. Marcus was by her side in an instant, squeezing her into a big hug.
``Easy big guy,'' Sandra gasped. ``Can't breathe...''
Marcus eventually dropped her, grabbing her hoodie and coat from where they had been drying. He handed them to her, allowing her to slowly put them on as the others gathered around her.
``How ya feelin' Sandy?'' Benjy questioned.
``Like I'm done sitting on the sidelines.'' Sandra replied, zipping up her hoodie. ``You guys need me, and so does Sly, Carmelita, and Garrett.''
Bentley placed his hand on Sandra's forehead, his face wincing in concern.
``You're still a bit feverish, Sandra.'' he warned her. ``If you overexert yourself-''
``If I don't, Garrett is a goner and Sly and Carmelita remain under Boris' thumb.'' Sandra interrupted, throwing the covers off and batting Bentley's hand away. ``I'll finish my recovery back in Paris once everyone is safe and Boris has been brought down.''
Bentley knew from experience dealing with Sly that no amount of arguing would change Sandra's mind. More than that, she was right. They needed a thief for this plan to work. With a sigh, and a small smile, Bentley cracking his knuckles and returned to the work table. Benjy, Marcus, and Murray soon joined him, Sandra taking the rear as she plopped her hat on her head.
``I guess now's as good a time as any to begin Operation: Frostbite.'' Bentley began. Starting up his presentation. ``I'll just come out and say it, this job is going to be difficult. From the surveillance photos Sly and Carmelita managed to get of the inside of Boris' base, I can see multiple security cameras, laser grids, and an electronic locking system that keeps all those cells locked tight.''
``Mor' than tha', Garrett's cell `as got five different locks on it, and even wit yer lock pickin' skills Sandy, it'll take some time ta open.'' Benjy added.
``Alright, so where do we start?'' Sandra asked.
``To pull this job, we're going to need a distraction, and one hell of one.'' Bentley explained.
``I bet if we got all of those prisoners loose, they'd cause a big enough fuss.'' Marcus suggested.
``Exactly wot we were thinkin' Marcus.'' Benjy agreed. ``Bentley an' I will sneak up te de holdin' area, where da two o' us will hack inna the system, overidin' de locks an freein' de prisoners.''
``Once they're all free, Sandra can sneak in and free Garrett, getting him to safety.'' Bentley continued. ``Then, all that will be left is getting to Sly and Carmelita.''
``Boris is keepin' `is guests in de workers barracks here.'' Benjy explained, pointing to a building in the middle of the oil rig. ``An even wit ar distraction, dere will prolly be a few guards stayin' put.''
``That's where you two come in.'' Bentley added. ``Marcus and Murray, it will be your job to clear out any of the remaining guards so Sly and Carmelita can get free.''
``What about Boris?'' Sandra questioned. ``You know he's not gonna just sit on the sidelines while all this is going on.''
``Boris has one fatal flaw, and that's his big, fat ego.'' Bentley said with a grin. ``He has complete faith in his organization, which he's been flaunting ever since we showed up.''
``Even tho `e knows we're `ere, he doesn't care.'' Benjy added. ```E doesn't think we cin touch `him.''
Sandra smirked, grabbing her cane.
``Time to prove him wrong.'' she declared.
...
Bentley and Benjy rolled through the snow, the koala once more clinging to the turtle's wheelchair. As they rode across the oil yard, avoiding guards like pros, Benjy could see a flash of red fur as Sandra got into position.
``Is she up fer doin' dis?'' he whispered.
``Frankly, she could stand a few more days of rest.'' Bentley admitted. ``But unfortunately, we need her for this. We'll just have to make sure she gets proper care once all this is over.''
Benjy nodded, though he was still visibly worried. He'd watched Sandra push herself past her limits before, and almost always with dire consequences. He feared that this would be one of those instances, especially with so much riding on their success. Still, he didn't have much time to dwell on that.
``There's the terminal we need.'' Bentley declared, pointing through a window to the terminal. ``We just need to get inside.''
``I got an idea.'' Benjy replied. ``Just be ready.''
He jumped off of the wheelchair, practically vanishing into the snow. A trail of raised snow began to form from the wheelchair towards the door. Finally, Benjy popped up out of the snow, his claws latching onto the fragile wall. Positioning himself just right, he knocking on the door, then waited. After a few seconds, the door was opened by one of the large walrus guards. Bentley caught on quickly, tapping a button on his wheelchair to bring out his infamous dart gun. Taking care to aim, he fired, the dart embedding itself in the blubber of the walrus. It flinched when it felt the prick, then began to sway before finally flopping onto his stomach unconscious.
``Noice aim, mate.'' Benjy complimented, releasing the wall and landing back in the snow.
``Thank you.'' Bentley replied, waiting as a new trail of raised snow let out at the path created by the now opened door.
Once the koala shook off the snow covering his body, Bentley joined him inside the cells. As expected, there was a large laser grid criss crossing across the ground, shifting and moving in a seemingly random pattern. Bentley flexed his fingers, drumming them against the wheels of his chair, timing the grid's movements. Benjy jumped onto Bentley's chair, clinging to it carefully.
``Ready?'' Bentley asked.
``Ready.'' Benjy replied.
Rolling the chair back and counting to three, Bentley got a `running start' so to speak and jumped out onto the floor. From there, he didn't stop moving. He jumped over the beams, careful not to cross any of them while also keeping his target in sight. Occasionally backtracking to avoid the beams made the trek a bit longer than expected, but after a minute or so of this, they eventually reached the terminal. The chair hopped onto a raised platform, giving the two genii access to the terminal.
``Alright.'' Benjy let out, letting go of Bentley's chair and approaching the terminal with him. ``Ya ready?''
``Ready.'' Bentley replied.
They both cracked their knuckles and got to work. No time for their avatars this time, the two dove into the code, dismantling it as best as they could in as fast as possible. Firewalls crumbled before them, back-up systems kicked in only to be reduced to 1's and 0's, and counter measures were quickly countered. Within minutes, the cell controls were theirs to command.
``Yes!'' Bentley cheered. ``Now, time for a little jailbreak!''
He hit the release all button, causing a loud buzz to echo through the prison. The laser grid shut off, and one by one, the cells opened up. All the prisoners who were trapped inside slowly approached the doors, fearing this was some sort of trap. However, when they noticed the two genii over by the terminal, some hope returned to their eyes.
``Whot y'all jist standin' dere for?'' Benjy exclaimed. ``Git outta `ere! Now!''
That spurred everyone into motion. They tore out of the cells, practically stampeding towards the doors. Benjy let out a yelp as he jumped onto Bentley's chair again, afraid of getting trampled to death. After a few minutes, everyone had cleared out, pouring out into the snow. The two genii exchanged glances as Benjy dropped down once again.
``Well, that worked.'' Bentley declared.
``Aye.'' Benjy replied before putting two fingers to his ear. ``Sandy, yer up.''
There was a moment of silence, one far longer than Benjy was used to. He coughed, tapping his earpiece to make sure it was on.
``Sandy?'' he tried again. ``Ya there?''
On the roof, there was a slight scuffle, causing some snow to slip off the roof. It was followed by Sandra dropping down into the snow, slipping through an open window. She touched down in front of the two, who looked at her nervously. She wasn't looking very good, and it was clear her fever was on the rise.
``Sandra, are you sure you're okay to do this?'' Bentley asked.
``Like I said before, I'm gonna have to be.'' Sandra replied, already pulling out her lock picks from under her hat. ``Just point me in the direction of Garrett's cell so I can get him out of this hellhole.''
The two genii pointed towards the heavily locked cell wordlessly. Sandra glanced it over, popped her neck, and then twirled her lock picks in her hands.
``This is gonna be interesting.'' she declared.
She crouched down, beginning her work on the first lock. While she did her thing, the two genii prepared to head back to the safe house. Unfortunately, as they approached the doors, they found that there were far more walruses and timber wolves than they had initially taken into account. In fact, most of the prisoners were already being rounded up and escorted back to the holding area.
``Uh oh.'' Bentley gulped. ``Looks like our distraction wasn't distracting enough.''
``Sandy ain't gonna have enough time ta git through all dem locks before dey return.'' Benjy pointed out. ``We're in Barney now.''
``Not just yet, Benjy.'' Marcus corrected, getting on the comms. ``Why don't you let Murray and I take it from here?''
``Yeah!'' Murray agreed. ``These chumps are no match for two Cooper Gang muscles!''
Bentley let out a sigh of relief.
``Have at it you guys.'' Bentley told them. ``Just remember. You can't let them get into the holding area. If as much as one guard makes it in here, we're toast.''
``And try ta free dere captives while yer at it.'' Benjy added. ``Could buy us some extra time.''
``Not to worry.'' Marcus smirked. ``We got this.''
...
Outside the holding area, Marcus and Murray jumped down in front of the doors to the holding area. They both punched their palms, Marcus grinning widely.
``Evening gentlemen.'' he greeted. ``Why don't you make this easy on yourselves and just walk away.''
The walruses and Timberwolves all turned to them. They snarled and sneered, stalking closer. Murray grinned.
``Hard way it is!'' he cheered. ``My favorite way to fight!''
The two steeled themselves as the walrus' charged forward. Murray punched one aside before picking another up and throwing it at a group of others. Marcus ran forward himself, and rammed through several walrus', knocking them down easily. A timber wolf jumped on his back, sinking his teeth into his shoulder. He cried out in pain before grabbing the wolf and throwing him to the ground.
Murray grabbed one walrus by the tail and began swinging it back and forth at the other walrus' taking them out no problem. He then threw the walrus at three others, knocking them all out instantaneously.
``How's it coming back there?'' Marcus called out.
``Two locks down, three to go.'' Sandra reported. ``Keep up the good work.''
Murray spotted a walrus harassing two prisoners. He had them by the scruffs of their necks, shaking them like ragdolls. Murray saw red, then jumped into the air, Thunder Flopping right on the unfortunate walrus.
``Get out of here!'' Murray told the two captives, now free of the walrus' grip. ``Go!''
They took off, but there were more prisoners getting harassed and recaptured. Murray quickly ran over to them and bashed two of the walrus' heads together, knocking them out. Marcus grabbed a pair of Timberwolves by the tails, smashing them into the ground a few times before tossing them across the way. Seeing an opening, the prisoners made a beeline to escape.
``Another lock down.'' Sandra told them. ``Just hold out a little bit longer.''
``Think you can hurry up?'' Marcus asked. ``It's getting kinda hairy down here.''
``Look, you try picking five different types of locks while running a fever.'' Sandra quipped. ``I'm not exactly at 100% right now, so sorry.''
``Just do what you can.'' Murray told her. ``What we need is a way to hold these guys back without wearing ourselves out.''
Marcus glanced around, then his eyes locked onto an old crane, one that appeared to be holding an empty storage container. He grinned, tapping Murray on the shoulder.
``I've got an idea.'' he told the hippo. ``Think you can handle these guys long enough for me to get into position?''
```The Murray' will do his best.'' Murray promised.
Murray then cracked his knuckles before charging into the fray. While he was holding them off, Marcus ran towards the crane, scaling his way up the side and into the control seat. He grinned when he saw the keys in the ignition, powering on the crane before getting read.
``Murray, hit the deck!'' He warned.
Murray ducked as Marcus swung the crane at the oncoming hostiles, sending them all flying. With the giant crane now on their side, the enemy finally turned tail and ran. Marcus punched the air, letting out a cheer.
``Yeah!'' he shouted. ``That's how we do things in the Cooper Gang!''
``Nice job you two.'' Bentley complimented. ``That little display has all the guards running for the hills!''
``Sandy, ya free the Inspector yet?'' Benjy questioned.
``Almost.'' she replied, her voice a bit breathy. ``Just one more lock.''
...
Garrett wasn't sure what was going on outside his cell. He'd heard a buzzer go off, as well as what he could only describe as a stampede. After that, a combination of scratching at his door and distant fighting was all he heard. He stood up as best he could, prepared to do whatever it took to free himself once he was removed from his cell. He wasn't about to go down without a fight.
However, once the door opened, he felt all the fight leave him. His unswollen eye went wide as he saw Sandra Cooper standing before him. She looked a bit worse for wear, but clearly happy to see him. The lock picks she twirled in her fingers solved the mystery of the scratching noises.
``Y'know, I never thought I'd have to bust you out of prison.'' she quipped, though her voice seemed laced with fatigue and fever.
``You look like crap.'' He commented.
``Good to see you too.'' She replied, jokingly. ``Come on, let's get you out of here.''
She then began working on the shackles keeping him in the cell. He watched her, seeing her hands shake as she worked. It took longer than he knew she was capable of to free just one of his paws. The second it was free, he felt her forehead, wincing at how hot she felt.
``You do realize how hot you are, right?'' He questioned.
``Not exactly the place for flirting.'' Sandra remarked, helping him up.
``I mean you're burning up.'' He clarified.
``Yeah, tell me something I don't know.'' She told him, finally freeing his other arm. ``Unfortunately, I'm the only thief on call at the moment, so here I am.''
She began ushering him towards the door, both of them leaning on one another for support. Once they were outside, Sandra's eyes rolled back in her head and she passed out, forcing Garrett to catch her. Unfortunately, he too was weak from his injuries, and they both ended up in the snow.
``Damnit, Cooper.'' he hissed. ``Get up.''
Marcus and Murray came running to their aid, the former grabbing Sandra while the latter helped Garrett to his feet. Marcus took one look at Sandra and swore.
``Passed out from her fever.'' he surmised. ``We better get her back to the RV before we go for Sly and Carmelita.''
``Can you get back to your set-up by yourself?'' Murray asked Garrett. ``You might need to call in some reinforcements for this job.''
``I can manage.'' Garrett informed the hippo. ``Just get her to safety.''
He turned to walk away, but stopped.
``It'll take me 20 minutes to get to my setup, and another 30 for reinforcements to get here.'' he told them. ``That's how long you have to find your friends and get out of here. Stay any longer, and I'll arrest you along with Boris and his cronies. Got it?''
``Understood.'' Marcus replied.
Garrett nodded, then made his way out into the snow. Marcus adjusted his grip on Sandra, turning to Murray.
``You heard the inspector.'' he declared. ``We got a small window to get to Sly and Carmelita and get out of here.''
``Right, let us get this show on the road!'' Murray declared.
...
After dropping Sandra off in the RV and getting her under a few blankets, the two muscles of the group made their way towards the workers barracks that served as the guest quarters. There were a pair of guards waiting in front of the doors, much to their displeasure.
``Guess Boris is smarter than we anticipated.'' Marcus remarked. ``Guest quarters is still guarded.''
``We're runnin' outta time `ere Marcus.'' Benjy informed him. ``We might just hafta charge through.''
``Are you nuts?'' Bentley argued. ``We don't know how many men are inside! We need another plan!''
``I don't mean jist de two of `em, Bentley.'' Benjy assured the turtle. ``Marcus, think ya cin git dat crane over near de barracks?''
``Yeah.'' Marcus answered.
``But, won't that draw everyone towards us?'' Murray questioned.
``Murray, while we may specialize in runnin' towards dangah for each other, the guys ain't got ar loyalty.'' Benjy informed her. ``Dey'll choose dere own lives ovah dere careers without a second thought.''
``Benjy's right on that one.'' Bentley agreed. ``They don't have the same honor amongst thieves that we do. Plus, Sly and Carmelita can use the chaos as a chance to make a break for it. Just make sure you're on standby for just in case.''
``Alright, I'll go and grab that crane.'' Marcus declared. ``Murray, the second that door is clear, you run in and find Sly and Carmelita. Got it?''
``Got it!'' Murray replied.
With that, Marcus ran to the crane as Murray got into position. He sound of the crane moving into position caught the attention of the guards, who slowly looked up to see what was going on. Their eyes went wide when they saw the large storage container swinging towards the door. The effect was akin to a wrecking ball, tearing through the door and causing the guards to scatter to the wind. Guests were doing the same, the noise scaring them beyond compare.
``It worked!'' Murray cheered.
``That it did.'' Marcus agreed, watching everyone flee the building.
His eyes narrowed as he noticed that amongst the figures escaping, Carmelita and Sly were not among them. He watched for a minute, hoping that they were just lagging behind. When they still failed to leave, a lump of fear gathered in his gut.
``Murray, you see Sly or Carmelita?'' He asked.
``Negative.'' Murray replied. ``They're not out here.''
``Something's wrong.'' Bentley surmised. ``Get in there and find them.''
Marcus slid down the ladder, joining Murray in front of the building. They steeled themselves, then made their way inside.
...
Thanks to Marcus' crane job, the entire building was deserted. Rubble from the front door was spread throughout the hallway. They snuck their way in as best they could, passing by various doors that lead to private sleeping quarters.
``Alright you two, according to the trackers I put in the camera broaches, Sly and Carmelita are still in their room.'' Bentley informed them. ``It's the last one on the right. I don't know why they haven't left yet, so be ready for anything.''
The two got on either side of the door, exchanging nods. When they were ready, the kicked open the door, storming inside. They made it two steps in before skidding to stop. Sly and Carmelita were in the room, but had been tied to a pair of chairs and stripped of their disguises. They were unconscious, large bumps on their heads giving away the cause of their current state.
Sly's cane, which he'd managed to smuggle in with him, was currently being examined by none other than Boris himself. His metallic claws danced over the crook of it as he glanced at the door. When he laid eyes on the two, he grinned maliciously.
``Was wondering when Cooper friends would show up.'' He declared. ``I'm sure by now, inspector is free and forces are scattered.''
``Pretty much.'' Marcus confirmed.
``Then I got nothing to lose.'' Boris went on, setting the cane aside. ``Old bird will pay handsomely for Cooper ancestors, and these two fit description of most hated ancestors: Sly Cooper, and Carmelita Fox. So, I take them, leave this place, start fresh with money, and the rest of gang rot in prison for rest of natural life.''
``You'll have to get through us first!'' Murray declared.
Boris laughed loudly, placing a hand on his stomach as he did.
``You think you can stop me?'' He cackled. ``Big fat hippo and bear cub? You not last five minutes against Boris!''
``Is that so?'' Marcus questioned, crossing his arms and smirking. ``Because I don't think you have the guts to fight us head on.''
``Yeah!'' Murray agreed. ```The Murray' has only ever seen Boris have his men do his dirty work!''
``Is that what you think of me?'' Boris replied, cracking his neck. ``Then it is time to, as you say, put your money where your mouth is.''
``Bring it!'' Marcus shouted. ``Still owe you for what you did to Sandra!''
Boris then charged towards the two and grabbed them by the throats before slamming them into the ground. Marcus kicked on instinct, getting Boris in the gut. He gasped for breath, instinctively releasing the two. The two got to their feet as Murray socked Boris in the jaw, knocking him back. He stumbled backwards, rubbing his jaw slightly.
``Fight well for a cub and a fat hippo.'' Boris admitted. ``But won't be enough.''
He then charged forward, catching Murray across the face with his metal right arm. Murray gritted his teeth as he clutched his jaw. Shaking the blow off, he ran forward and began punching at Boris repeatedly. Boris brought up both his arms to block, then swiped with his claws. Murray ducked under the claws and aimed his next fist for the face, only for it to be caught by Boris' metal arm. Boris then tossed Murray aside and into a wall, creating a Murray shaped imprint in it.
``Ow...'' Murray let out.
``Hey!'' Marcus shouted.
Boris turned, just in time to get a set of claws to the face. He ducked back in time to avoid major injury, but the claws still left long scratches on his face.
``Looks like that hurt.'' Marcus remarked.
``So will this.'' Boris threw back, aiming his arm at him.
The palm of his hand opened up and his fingers folded back. This made way for a large cannon that began humming with energy. Both Marcus and Murray saw this and immediately panicked.
``Move!'' they shouted, diving in opposite directions as a beam of red energy tore through the floor.
Boris laughed maniacally as he aimed again, keeping the two on the move.
``How do you like that?!'' He called out, laughing harder as they tried to keep away from his blasts.
Boris kept shooting around the room, trying to hit the two bruisers. He eventually forced them to take cover behind part of the wall just for a moment's respite.
``Well that's inconvenient.'' Marcus remarked. ``Why didn't anyone tell us he had a laser in his arm?!''
``Sorry Marcus, but I didn't think to look into any modifications he may have made to his prosthetic.'' Bentley admitted.
``Ya gotta take `im out!'' Benjy exclaimed. ``Time's awastin'!''
``With that laser aimed at us, we're sitting ducks!'' Murray cried out.
That's when Boris let out a pained yelp and the laser died. The two bruisers blinked, then looked up from their hiding spot to see Boris sticking a red hot metal arm into the snow. Marcus grinned at that, an idea forming.
``His laser overheats!'' he exclaimed. ``We've got an opening!''
``Then let's take it!'' Murray exclaimed, running towards him.
As Boris looked up from his arm, Murray came running up and socked him across the face. Boris stumbled back as Murray ran up again. Boris then realized his laser was cooled off again and fired at Murray, causing him to duck for cover. Marcus got behind Boris, getting a punch in before he too was forced to hide.
``Over here you overgrown snowball!'' Murray taunted, waving his arms around to draw Boris' attention.
``Your mama wears combat boots!'' Marcus sneered.
``And your dad smelled like bratwurst!'' Murray added.
Boris snarled loudly, firing at them in rapid succession. As expected, the gun arm quickly overheated, forcing Boris to stop firing.
``Get him!'' Marcus shouted.
The two ran in close and began clobbering the stuffing out of him. After a few seconds, his laser cooled off again, and he was ready to finish this.
``When I get my claws on you, you will wish you had never been born!'' Boris swore.
``Like I haven't heard that one before!'' Murray sneered.
``Yeah Boris, get a new threat!'' Marcus quipped.
Boris just snarled as he began firing again, the two bruisers going on a dodging spree once more. Unfortunately, all the fighting and running was beginning to wear them down, and the lasers were getting closer and closer with each passing moment.
``We gotta end this and soon.'' Murray insisted. ``I don't know how much more of this running and dodging I can take.''
``Boris is on his last leg.'' Marcus informed him. ``The second that laser goes out, we hit him with all we got, and don't let up til he's down.''
``Sounds like my kind of plan!'' Murray replied.
And soon, the laser died once again. Boris went to stick his hand in the snow, but Marcus grabbed him before he could get anywhere close.
``Not this time, Boris.'' he grinned. ``Murray, catch!''
He threw the polar bear up into the air, right at Murray. Murray then ran at Boris and sucked in his gut, using it to bounce Boris back at Marcus. The polar bear screamed the entire way before his face connected with Marcus' fist. Stars swam across his vision as he sank to the ground, his tongue lolling out of his mouth as unconsciousness took him.
``Oh yeah!'' Murray cheered, flexing happily. ``That's what you get for messing with the Cooper Gang!''
``Nice work.'' Marcus commended, offering a high five.
They shared one, just as a pair of groans emanated from Sly and Carmelita.
``Dios mio...'' Carmelita let out. ``My head...''
``What happened?'' Sly questioned.
The two bruisers quickly rushed to their aid, Marcus' claws making short work of the ropes.
``Let's just say that Boris got a taste of some old fashion butt kicking.'' Murray told them.
``C'mon, let?s blow this joint before INTERPOL storms the place.'' Marcus insisted.
...
The Cooper RV and Van tore out of Polarstava Oblast, just seconds before Garrett's reinforcements arrived at the scene. The men under Boris' employment were quickly rounded up, as well as all of his prisoners. Though many were criminals, they were more than happy to surrender themselves if it meant getting out of the frozen village.
Garrett eventually found Boris' unconscious form, one of Sly's markers left on his chest. Another note had been left as well, this one from Sly himself.
``Make sure that this time, he doesn't cut off his other arm. And get yourself to a hospital before you drop. -Sly Cooper''
Garrett chuckled, shaking his head.
``So that arrogance and strange sense of compassion is a family trait.'' he muttered.
One of the EMTS came towards him, ushering him away from the scene as Boris' unconscious form was loaded up and carted away.
