Shaggy was jolted awake and immediately tried to sit up. A strap coming down around his shoulder snapped and a bright light was hitting his face. It took him a few more seconds to get his bearings because he thought his vision was blurry. Instead, the landscape outside the car he was in was just going by real fast. He turned toward the nudge that had awoken him and found Stanley looking apologetic and pointing a finger out the front window.

Shaggy, Vlad, and Ren had spent much of the night discussing Slink's plan for a new outpost in Austin. Well, Vlad and Ren had discussed it. Shaggy had finished his burritos and tried to get some sleep. But the two were constantly trying to bring him in on their side. They both argued that they were a better pick for the job. Ren thought his team of Lackeys and Henchmen were tougher and could hold a larger area. Meanwhile, Vlad argued his vampires could slip into any neighborhood and have it completely under his thrall.

In truth, Shaggy agreed with Ren. Vlad's Lackeys were fine, but if the guy was going to purge them and start from scratch? Better to do that in Under-Town. Shaggy knew that Vlad was taking this opportunity as a chance to get a fresh start with his vampiric Family. But they needed to do what was best for The Legion and Ren was the best choice there. In fact, he felt Ren should've been the first of them to set up a base. He and Levy had just lucked into theirs and somehow managed it just fine. Eventually, he got the heated conversation to die down by saying that he would endorse Dave if they both didn't shut up. By that time though, it was a barely two hours until morning.

Shaggy got what sleep he could before they were all awakened with the news that the convoy was moving out. Tom barely had enough time to get a message to the Gunslinger, Maya. Basically, just stating that the attack was on. He did confirm that the military package had apparently been removed from the convoy, though. Which Shaggy felt was a massive win for them. Now all they had to focus on were the books and the HLO stooges.

Ren, Dave, and a few Lackeys went on ahead of the convoy to set up a trap while the others trailed behind. They were going to pincer the series of trucks and defense vehicles halfway between Sweetwater and Lubbock. No one wanted to attack while on the freeway. So instead, they were going to wait until they hit the back roads out of Sweetwater.

Shaggy had been adamant that he was not to be woken until they were outside of Sweetwater. So when he blearily glared out of their stolen car's window, he had to give Stanley a pass. The tangle of on-ramps and off-ramps leading to Sweetwater were coming up and Shaggy thought he could spot the convoy heading north. Grunting and sitting up a little more, Shaggy shoved his broken seat-belt aside and reached down to the car's cup holder. His fingers found something cold, and he barely looked at the drink as he raised it to his lips. A fruity, sugary liquid coated his tongue and Shaggy nearly spat it out. Beside him in the driver's seat, Levy chuckled.

"Well, that's one way to wake you up. How does that Berry-Blast soda taste?"

"Like a fucking jar of pot-pourri. Please tell me y'all picked up water or at least an actual soda?"

"It literally has soda in the name Shaggy." Levy argued as Tom handed him a water bottle from the backseat.

"Ah-hmm," Shaggy mumbled as he cracked open the water and drained half of it.

Letting the cool water run down his dry throat, Shaggy looked around. The flat landscape of Texas was shooting by as they joined the off-ramp. Behind them, Vlad and his team were following along steadily. Shaggy reached down to his waist and then remembered that his Two-Way had been destroyed. He grumbled as he looked over at his wife.

"Are Dave and Ren ready to go?"

"Yep. They picked a spot halfway up the road and have prepared some surprises they're not telling anyone about. Aren't Rita and Cekrass with them? Ask them what are two heavy-hitters have in mind."

From behind them, Shaggy heard Stanley snort and a wave of discontentment hit his Pack Link. He turned around to give the young teenager a look and found the pale boy blushing heavily. Apparently, he hadn't meant for that to be so loud. But now his feelings were on display for all to see. More-so for the other pack members who could read the kid like a book.

"It's just… I hit heavier than Rita." Stanley said, adding hurriedly. "Not trying to be rude. I just do."

"Which is why you're with the boss, pup," Rita growled over the pack link. "He's operating on little sleep and is going to need protection. Your steel-form is perfect for you to throw yourself into any danger that comes his way."

"It's not steel. It's more of a biological alloy made up from the Quinica's cells and my own…"

"We get it!" Tom interrupted. "Kid, just take the cushy protection job and relax. With the boss the way that he is, you'll see some action. Trust me."

"You know I can hear all of you, right?" Shaggy said aloud. "I'm fine. A little tired, but some water and maybe an energy drink and I'll be back to one hundred."

"We can't risk it, boss. Besides, Cekrass and I are more suited to Ren's plan."

Shaggy tried to probe their mental connection for some hint to what the others were planning. But he didn't want to push into Rita's mind for something so trivial. They'd find out in a matter of minutes, anyway. So he sent a big 'whatever' through the pack link and started looking for something to snack on. He felt the hum in the back of his mind, signaling that the others were still talking, but he ignored it. Levy had picked up some granola and chocolate bars from somewhere and he was busy destroying those.

The car fell into silent conversation, both telepathic and out loud as they followed the convoy. Shaggy kept an eye on Vlad and the other trucks that were behind them. They were going to have to move fast. Which meant that Seth and the Bug Brothers were going to be focused on hauling books. Shaggy and the others would be focused on the Players and HLO teams. So his pack were going to monitor the perimeter and handle any strays. The few Lackeys they had brought along would probably help haul the books or back up the pack.

The plan was finalized using Levy's Two-Way and now Shaggy was waiting for the whole thing to kick off. The car grew silent as they traveled further along the two-lane road, heading to Lubbock. They'd have to turn west at some point, but hopefully, whatever Ren and Dave were planning would happen before that. The second team had gone silent as well, and an excited atmosphere filled the car. Shaggy could feel that his pack and his wolf were ready. Judging by the way Levy was white-knuckling the steering wheel, Shaggy guessed she was ready too.

That's when they spotted the first broken-down cars on the side of the road. Then they spotted more. In fact, every couple miles there were more wrecked cars. But no people. Some of the wrecks were still smoking and Shaggy got an inkling of what the others were planning. The only cars on the side of the road were compact sedans. What had happened to the bigger cars that were almost a constant sight on a Texas highway?

"They're building a blockade of cars, aren't they?" Levy practically giggled.

"Yes, dear. I believe they are." Shaggy answered, and he picked up the Two-Way. "Vlad, be ready."

"Yeah, I see it too. We're going to have to hit them fast."

"That's your area of expertise. Just make sure Seth isn't left behind."

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The excitement and tension in the car ramped up as more wrecked cars appeared along the roadside. The tail end of the convoy was still visible in the distant. But Shaggy thought they appeared to be slowing down. His fingers itched to shift into claws as he tapped them on his knees nervously. His inner-wolf banged against its cage. Things were about to start and Shaggy's entire pack was ready for it.

Levy stepped on the gas as one of the trucks ahead of them veered into the other lane. It looked like it had tried to turn around. But instead, it was now blocking the road. The other cargo trucks and SUVs screeched to a stop. Sound seemed to disappear for Shaggy as they raced up the street to their target. The HLO teams were falling out onto the road and quickly getting themselves together. The convoy drivers had exited their trucks and were running full tilt into the flatland surrounding the road. Shaggy pressed the unlock button for his door and got ready to pounce.

Their car was getting close to the stalled convoy when Shaggy spotted Ren, Dave, and the others attacking from the north. He couldn't see how they had blocked the road, but he felt that he knew. So instead, he found his target and opened the, still-moving, car's door. Two HLO teams broke off to fight Ren and the others while Shaggy spotted Maya's team turning to face them. Maya's team leader, Ogre, was standing firm in the middle of the street, glaring down at their car.

"I got the big one." Shaggy shouted over the rushing wind.

"Spoil-sport," Levy called back as she started to slow their car down to a skidding stop.

Shaggy waited until he thought it was safe and bolted from the car. He let his limbs transform as his feet and hands hit the hot road. His werewolf arms and legs tore into the asphalt as he ran, and his vision locked on the massive alien. Idly, he spotted Maya's two other party members readying themselves for a fight. Maya herself was standing a little further back, her hands on her guns.

As he mentally activated his Pounce Skill, Shaggy heard Vlad's car screeching to a halt alongside Levy's. Almost immediately, two blurs of color raced up beside him. One black and one blonde. He could make out Seth's smile as his ability dragged him through the air and straight into Ogre's chest. His claws sank deep, and the alien cried out in shock and angry. Before Shaggy knew it, a grey fist slammed down on top of his head and his claws were wrenched free. He bounced off the asphalt and was in the middle of righting himself when Ogre grabbed him by the waist and tossed him aside.

Luckily, the huge alien underestimated how much Shaggy weighed and barely threw him five feet. Catching himself, Shaggy transformed into his hybrid shape and rushed forward again. Vlad was engaged with the other Players as Seth rushed toward one of the convoy trucks. Levy and the others were hurrying over. So Ogre must have felt he needed to end things quick because he rushed Shaggy while roaring in defiance.

Shaggy ducked the bigger man's arms and slashed his claws across his body with one hand. With his other, Shaggy went to stab the alien in the face. But Ogre got his arm up just in time. Still, Shaggy claws impale the alien's tough skin and Ogre growled in pain.

"Maya! What are you-ARGH!" came the voice of a Player.

Shaggy tried to keep the grin off his face as Ogre glanced sideways at Maya's hoodie-wearing teammate. The young-looking man was shot down as Maya opened up with both pistols. The swordswoman fighting Vlad froze just enough for the vampire to latch onto her neck and bite down. Both players shattered into hundreds of small prismatic cubes and Ogre's roar became even more feral.

The alien's eyes went bloodshot and his grey skin started to turn red. The already massive alien gained another foot in height as he turned away from Shaggy and dashed toward Maya angrily. Shaggy activated Pounce again, aiming for the running alien's legs. His claws scrapped across the back of Ogre's calves but didn't dig any deeper. The attack did make the bigger man twist slightly, ruining his charge. Maya started firing again as Vlad rushed over to help. His black mist-like form wrapped around Ogre as the now-red alien flailed angrily. Minor cuts and gashes started appearing on Ogre's skin as Vlad's attacks landed. If they had enough time, it would have been death by a thousand cuts. But one of Ogre's wild swings actually caught Vlad in the chest and sent the vampire shooting across the road and into an HLO car.

Shaggy dashed forward again as the sounds of fighting and weapons fire raged in his ears. His claws raked across the roaring alien's chest and he ducked a wild haymaker. Ogre's sense of reason seemed to be gone, and now he was running on instinct. He swung massive swings with his arms, trying to take Shaggy's head off as he still moved toward Maya. The gunslinger was still firing away even as her bullets ricocheted off Ogre and hit Shaggy.

"Stop shooting him! You're hitting me!"

"And let you get all the experience!? Bullshit!"

"Maya! There are other fights! Go help one of those!"

Shaggy heard the woman grunt petulantly before the gunfire stopped. Ogre's eyes looked over Shaggy's head and followed the woman as she rushed off. Shaggy tried to get the big alien's attention by swinging his claws into his legs and torso. Ogre was bleeding from several cuts along his body. But still he lumbered toward Maya like an inexhaustible robot. Shaggy raked his claws as far up the alien's chest as he could reach before he had to duck another large haymaker.

Suddenly, there was another flash of black, and Vlad appeared on top of Ogre's back. His fangs were extended and he bit down hard on the alien's neck. But Shaggy saw that the shiny white fangs merely scrapped the surface of Ogre's skin. Vlad's eyes went wide in shock, and even Shaggy was surprised.

Ogre's massive arm reached up to yank Vlad off his back. But Shaggy dashed forward and stabbed his claws into the arm. Pulling the arm back as best he could, Shaggy tried to buy time for Vlad's fangs to find purchase. A massive red fist swung into Shaggy's middle and he felt his ribcage break and the air shoot from his lungs. He held on to Ogre's arm through sheer force of will until his body healed back up. Then he continued to claw and scrap at the alien's arm again. Ogre roared, angrily twisting his body as he tried to hit Shaggy again. But this time, Shaggy was ready for it.

He moved Ogre's own arm into the path of the blow and placed his claws on the other side. The force of the blow jammed Shaggy's claws deep into the alien's arm and he almost cheered. Then Ogre raised his arm in pain and Shaggy went with it. Lifted off the ground, Shaggy was brought up to Ogre's eye-level. Across the red alien's face of complete rage, Shaggy saw Vlad was till trying to get his fangs into Ogre's flesh. He shot the vampire a helpless look as he tried to get his claws free.

Ogre shook his arm like he was trying to dislodge a particularly nasty tick. But Shaggy's claws were buried deep. So instead, the massive alien grabbed Shaggy around the middle and pulled him free. Shaggy claws left huge gushing rends in Ogre's flesh. But the alien barely noticed as he tossed Shaggy aside.

This time Ogre used all of his strength and Shaggy was sent hurtling through the air like a baseball. The orange and green landscape surrounding him blurred until Shaggy felt his body smack into the ground. He tumbled for a short distance before he could hop up to his feet and look around. Shaggy guessed that he was around fifty yards from the road as he watched the fighting still unfolding.

Levy and Tom were helping Seth and the Bug Brothers unload a truck. Stanley, Cekrass, and Rita were fighting one HLO team while Ren and Dave handled the other. Maya was helping Shaggy's pack while Vlad was still stuck on Ogre's back. He had enough time to see Ogre raise his hand up to grab at Vlad again, before Shaggy bolted ran back to the fight. Vlad was going to get tossed, then Ogre was going to join one of the other fights. The big guy was a pain in the ass, but what they didn't need was him joining up with friends.

Shaggy kept slamming his Pounce skill as he ran closer. But the distance was too great. He watched as Ogre's massive red hand came down on Vlad's head, but then the big guy froze. Shaggy couldn't see, but Ogre's entire body seemed to lock up. He thought he saw Vlad's arms wrapping around the bigger alien's neck. But at that point his Pounce ability activated and Shaggy went sailing across the ground. His claws hit Ogre and stomach and sank deep as the frozen alien seemed to ignore the blow. Looking up, Shaggy spotted Vlad, his fangs firmly planted in Ogre's neck. The vampire was happily sucking away as Ogre was frozen by the Vampire's venom. Sighing to himself, Shaggy ripped his claws out and fell onto the road.

"Hrphg!" Vlad shouted, his mouth full.

Shaggy looked up again to see Vlad glaring down at him angrily.

"What?!"

The Vampire tried to arch his head to look down at Ogre's stomach. Shaggy was confused for a few seconds until it dawned on him. Less blood in the body meant less for Vlad. Shaggy shook his head and flipped the vampire the bird. He could still hear fighting going on around them. But he was tired and his pack didn't seem to need help. Neither did Ren and Dave. So instead, Shaggy laid back on the hot road and breathed a sigh of relief. The job was only half over, but they had been successful so far. All they needed to do now was get the damn books home.

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