Junkyard Dogs x

  “There are two things that Heroes and Villains share, and that’s their sense of aesthetics. I’m not referring to the skulls and spikes some villains go for, but a more general trend. They tend to like the super-advanced technical living quarters, or want retro-feel in ultra-modern function.

  It’s like a bunch of steampunk and cyberpunk enthusiast’s got together to have a public fight club, and damned if they don’t insist on authenticity.”

  “So yes, I need to find antique billiard balls to make a gearshifter for a supped up T-bucket.”

  Nahoa wandered into the shop, having landed late the night before and crashed immediately on getting to his little cabin near the gate. He found Levi under a little Porsche on a lift, apparently doing an oil change. Kar1n was doing the same thing to one of three grand marquis that were wearing new paint, new wheels, and tinted windows, making them essentially identical to one another.

  “So, you’ve been busy.”

  “Oh, hey big guy. Welcome back!” Levi greeted, leaving the oil to drain from the car he was under. “Yeah, I didn’t want to travel again after visiting the family in Texas, so I jumped on some projects here.”

  “Why did you clone the Grand Marquis?”

  “Everyone uses the one we have, to avoid driving a nicer car into the city. I figured save on potential arguments, and then the boss mentioned a shell game and I went all in on the idea.”

  “That’s cool. There have been times when a couple of us have needed the house car.” Nahoa nodded. “Heard anything from everyone in Japan?”

  “Talked to Erica, she said they were going to the party soon. Seems like an interesting batch over there.” Levi said, then glanced up as a rather nice Cadillac pulled up to their open, rear bay door. “Whose that?”

  “Don’t go check, you’ll get punched again.” Badger teased.

  “That only happened once! And it’s not like Kar1n can greet people.” He walked out, though he was a bit less carefree than the last time an unexpected guest showed up.

  “A man two of the boys had met stepped out, smiling. Thud, Weld, it is a pleasure to see you both. And is this the infamous Mr. B I have heard so much about?” the Tailor asked, looking sharp in his custom three-piece linen suit

  “Mr. Taylor, Good to see you. Did you get El’s proposal for those fleet vehicles you were asking for?” Weld asked as Badger and the other two came out.

  “Indeed, I did, and I’ve sent her some additional notes. I do love it when customers decide to go green, but I always need to outsource for the big orders.” He sighed. “That being said, I have an order that’s become a bit of a hassle and I was wondering if you boys might be interested in a side job that might lead to you getting access to things you’d be interested in yourself.”

  “Another courier job?” Nahoa said, the first one had gone off the rails hard, but the Taylor had always played straight with him and Marcus

  “Actually, a parts hunt.” He said in a luring tone. “I know Griffon garage does good work, and I know Thud is reliable. And in fact, I believe you have an aircraft mechanics certification, Weld? I need parts for an aircraft, a cold war era warbird, but my sources have dried up. Thus, I need someone to go to a few boneyards and see if they can find the components.”

  “Heck, that sounds like fun. And please Call me Badger, I pretty much live in my callsign.” Badger said with a grin. And if we can't find it, we might be able to make it with the fancy gear the boss got us.”

  Weld nodded. “I’m always up for a boneyard.”

  “Great. I have a truck you can use to drive down, and pick up what I need. I won’t lie, I have a list, but it won’t take up all the space, so if you guys stumble across something fun, feel free to pick yourself up a toy or two, and I’m happy to pay you for your services, of course. This isn’t something that should turn hot, unlike what Azure Rong and Thud had to deal with before.”

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  “I’m going to have to fight a trash kaiju, aren’t I.” Nahoa muttered.

  “That only happens very occasionally.” The tailor assured them.

  Badger snorted. “Give us your list, we'll see what we can find. I know Weld here wants to do some aircraft stuff so we can also look for those sorts of parts. Think we should take Kar1n? She’s missing T-Panda.”

  “Hell, build material might be cheaper if we buy it there, cut it down for what we’re doing.”

  “When are you dropping the truck off? and is there a timeframe for this part hunt.” Nahoa asked, less blinded by the idea of going to a mechanics playground.

  “No major timeline. It’s more that the parts are a pain in the ass to find. I need panels and doors from an old Samaritan, and they are not really common in civilian hands.”

  “Then that should work. Boss and most of the house are in Japan right now, so we have time to run about.” Badger said .

  “Great. The truck will be here in the morning, with a list of what I need. To be fair, if you can’t find everything at the first location, I have another you can try but I am hoping Florida will have it all.”

  Nahoa shook his head, “Guess I’m not unpacking yet, not if we are road tripping down to Florida.”

  The Tailor smiled, “You will love the truck. “

  “I hope it’s got leg room. I just got back from Hawaii.” The big man said. “What all do you need to finish before we go?”

  “Just some oil changes.”

  “So easy to knock out. I’ll let you finish it up. I’m going to head to the house. I have some stuff mom sent Granny to unpack.”

  “See you there.”

  The next morning, they came to the shop to find a huge semi with the trailer already hooked up, the cab as long as a delivery van. “Okay. That’s intimidating.”

  “So is Kar1n coming with us or is she staying at the shop?”

  “Coming with. She is too helpful in the field for parts recovery. “

  “It has been a while since we last went to a scrapyard together. I have packed Chuck's attachments, and charger, we are ready to go.” Chuck was held carefully in her front manipulator his eye bobbing on its antenna

  They climbed into the cab, discovering a small but complete RV set up in the back, including a kitchenette and small bathroom. Levi sat down in the climbed seat and opened an envelope taped there. “Gas card, toll card, and the list of parts, including two engines. Got to admit, he provides everything.”

  “That’s kind of his job description.” Nahoa said settling in the living cabin.

  Badger buckled in looking excited. “Let’s get on the road again. Depending on time, maybe we can stop one way or the other and see my mom in South Carolina.”

  “Should be doable. And the kitchenette is stocked with sandwich and breakfast fixings. We can take turns and break for dinner.” Nahoa paused. “Should I worry that he knows I like pickle loaf?”

  Sounds reasonable, and I’d almost be more surprised if he didn’t, Nahoa. That guy doesn’t miss much.”

  “Fair.” The big man admitted. “You’ll have to teach me how to drive this thing, I’ve never driven anything bigger than a minivan.” He settled in the back one eye on Kar1n as she folded into her preferred standby position under the table.

  “No worries. This has automatic transmission, so that helps. Just remember, this much mass doesn’t stop on a dime.”

  The drive down the coast was straightforward, thanks to the fact both Badger and Levi had their CDLs. Nahoa spelled them for short breaks, on clear highways, the automatic transmission of the truck a godsend for that, but he mostly served as meal prep and navigator for the drive.

  “I’ve never been to Florida, have you?” Nahoa asked, “I wonder if it’s as crazy as the internet says it is?”

  “The boss fought a giant snake that just happened to be there. I’m feeling like yes. Badger laughed.

  “Well at least there will still be beaches and cute girls in Bikinis.” The big Hawaiian said, “at least for me, you too have girlfriends so you have to behave.”

  “Sorry, but it is still winter, even in Florida, and were not going to the southern tip. What we want is a bit north of the main Everglades. The panhandle, I think its called.”

  “Ah man! You think we will at least see an Alligator?

  “Oh, that’s about certain. Junkyards tend to have all sorts of critters in them. And this is an old yard.

  “So, is this just old plane stuff or cars and other junk too? Nahoa asked. He was mostly muscle in the shop as he wasn’t really mechanically inclined and spent time at school when he wasn’t on gate duty.

  Levi glanced back, “Honestly, from what I saw when I looked it up, it’s likely a grab bag. Kind of a dumping ground up to around the early sixties. I think it was originally a World War era airfield, before it became a parking lot, Then got bought by someone and started taking in all sorts of scrap. The Government was supposed to take anything useful out, but there’s plenty of reason to assume they didn’t really do that much to be sure. Nothing in there would have been that essential.”

  “So, the government sold their trash and the ball rolled down hill. I could see where this could get weird.” The big Hawaiian said, passing the other men sodas

  “Yeah, plus super-battle crap tended to end up in military junk piles. We’re talking pre-EPA America, stuff got dumped willy nilly to some extent.”

  “So possibly extra spicy junkyard critters or sentient trash.” Badger said sounding eager.

  “Yeah, that’s possible.” Levi admitted. “I hadn’t thought of the extra-spicy quite so seriously but possible.”