49I need to thank these people for taking the time to offer comments and suggestions, ALL of which are gratefully apprecated: Doppleganger33 (Yes, I agree- I, personally, think they "goob" Casey up just a tad too much at times), Jessiy Landro, Splinter, Goblin Cat KC (I hope I don't disappoint you with future chapters!), Dory's human replica, and Darktiger2!
It's probably too soon for this chapter, but I would like to post it so it's out of the way. This is only going to be about seven chapters long- and I've written myself into a corner with Chapter Six.
Oh, yeah, TMNT is owed for the rest of eternity by Mirage Publishing those lucky people! So is every character in this story.
Don: Next morning, Master Splinter lectured Leonardo on staying in bed.
"My son, you must help me by getting better. And you must get better by staying in bed," he says in conclusion.
"Yes, Sensei," Leo says, planning his next escape.
Don: Then came both good and bad news.
"Now, today Donatello will take over the chores of Leonardo," Splinter tells the others, as Casey and April begin Leonardo's daily heat pack treatment and such smothering attention.
"Stand back, gentlemen," Don smiles. "Mikey, take note, and learn a few things about being a leader."
"I give him three hours before he's ready to quit," Mike say to Raph.
Don: Mike was wrong: I was ready to quit in two hours.
"But Sensei, what about my work? My research? My projects?"
"What about Leonardo? Do you assume he would not care about his own work, his own research, his own projects?"
"But Leo trains and studies and reads all he wants," Don says, following Splinter through some of the oldest tunnels he's ever seen- this after a long, long morning of making sure that all the weapons and equipment were cleaned, sharpened, or in otherwise good working condition.
Don: A task, I might add, that has to be the most mind-numbing, boring chore in the entire history of mind-numbing, boring chores. And it never really occurred to me just exactly how many weapons we have until I had to take care of each and every one of them. And did you know that you're not supposed to wax the handles of wooden bokken?
"No, my son." Splinter continued, as they moved through these dreary surroundings, "Leonardo would be very happy to spend as much time with his pursuits as you three do with yours, but his responsibilities as leader prevent this. You would all do well to remember this the next time you wish to complain."
Don: We traveled on, for hours it seemed, examining old structures, determining weaknesses and strengths, planning future escape routes and possible hiding places. This seemed like a waste of time to me. After all...
"But Sensei, the Foot can't get past our new security system, and neither can Bishop's group," Don complains. "I designed it myself. It's better than state-of-the-art!"
"And if there is a power failure?"
"Simple. We drop back ten and punt."
"I am sensing that you have no interest in leadership."
"Hey, to tell the truth, I've always been fairly happy with the status quo," he says. "Sure, it's cool to think of myself as in charge- but Sensei, over the past years, we've all had the chance to express and act upon our ideas and suggestions in battle; to be the leaders so to speak. Leo just doesn't order us around, though Raph and Mikey sometimes act that way."
"I understand, my son. But it is not always in those situations you should be able to express and act upon ideas. For example, what we are doing today. You always seem to have planned for any action above ground, for possible battle. Can you not think of any ideas or opinions that would aid us in this goal?"
Don thinks about this.
"Remember, my son- when the old Lair was destroyed, we were not prepared to move to a new location. We were lucky when I found our current home. Then, when Shredder sent the Foot throughout the sewers, we could not even return to our home, as secure as it was. We were forced to stay with Ms. O'Neal- to her cost. And now, with Bishop as our enemy, we must be prepared for anything. Remember: you must focus on the possibilities as well as the actual dangers."
"I understand, Sensei. I really do. This place would not be good for long-term use, you know," he says. "These supports are too unstable. If we had to battle our enemy here- or worse, if Raph and Mike got in a fight- we'd have the ceiling on our heads in no time."
"I agree. Let us continue, my son."
Don: Our way back brought us to the same outer perimeter alarm that Mikey had failed to check the day before. Before we got close, I stopped Sensei from moving, telling him we should proceed with caution.
"Something's not right, Sensei," he says, staring at the area from the shadows. "I fixed that yesterday, but I'm sure I didn't leave it looking like that."
"I do not understand," Splinter says.
"Wait here, Sensei," Don says again, and he carefully approaches the alarm.
"Okay, it's safe," and he makes a close inspection.
"Well, my son?"
"This has been tampered with," he says, pointing to the ground and then the alarm. "Someone has been down here since yesterday. I always smooth out the ground around the alarms- Leo does as well, and Raph, too. Yet this has been tampered with- again!"
"What do suggest we do, my son?"
Don thinks.
"Well, it's going to be hard to search every area between here and the Lair, but we have to assume that someone or something is between here and the inner perimeters. We'd better at least check to see if the inner circle is intact."
"I agree, my son. Get your brothers out here at once."
Raph is with Leo when the call comes through.
"Sure- we're on our way- you want your handy-turtle kit?"
"What? What? What?" Leo is growing frantic.
"Oh, nothing- just a little training exercise, that's all," Raph lies, bailing on his brother.
Leo looks around, and carefully gets out of his bed.
"I'm a ninja. Even with a sore back I should be able to get past April and Casey with no problem," he tells himself.
No one on the upper floor. Good. He makes his way to the combination ladder/fire escape-type stairs, and manages to make it to the ground quietly- well, except for the moan that escapes him when his feet hit the floor as he foolishly jumps down the last few steps.
He freezes at a sound in the kitchen- April is humming to herself as she rattles post and pans- good! He fades into the background, making his way for a little-used back exit that can't be heard or seen from the kitchen.
So far, so good! Bad back or not, I'm no match for Casey or April!
His stealthy ways are working, but they are hindered by his back, his headache-and his guards.
"Going somewhere, Leo?" Casey asks, arms crossed and blocking the exit he is trying to use."
April is right behind Leo. He never even heard her coming up behind him!
"Don called and told us he was calling out the guys," she says. "And he said to literally sit on you if we have to."
Leo sags in frustration, pain, and defeat, refusing to look at their smug expressions of triumph.
"Man! Some family this is," he mutters under his breath, as he is once again escorted back to his room and put to bed.
Don: We find the inner circle intact. Only that one outer alarm has been tampered with, and this puzzles all of us, even Master Splinter.
"Still, we must be on the alert more than ever," he concludes that night, with Casey and April present- Leo is asleep after receiving another lecture from Splinter about getting out of bed- at least, they think he's asleep, but he is listening carefully outside the room.
"Uh, Master Splinter- you wouldn't be trying another 'surprise attack' on us, would you?" Mikey asks. Before Raph can pop him one, Don beats him to it.
"Mikey, this is no trick," Don reprimands him. "I'm sure of that! Someone or something has been testing the outer barrier."
"Why do you keep saying 'something'?" April asks.
"Because the marks on the floor were- well- some looked sort of human- and some looked sort of- wormy," Don tries to explain. "Plus, the wires weren't really cut through or pulled out completely- just- loosened. But I can't explain how."
"Funny that they're only pulled loose," Raph observes. "You'd think they'd do a better job. And why only that particular point? And why haven't they gotten in further?"
"Who knows?" Don replies. "I am sure that whoever it is, they aren't between the two. I'm putting up another camera before bedtime. I want you to come with me."
"Me, too?" Mike asks, his tone a mixture of hope and dread.
"No, I don't need the extra- help," Don replies.
Don: I was going to say "distraction", but it was late, and I didn't want to have to apologize to Mikey.
Mikey: Hey!
"Then it is settled," Splinter says. "Go and take care of these things now. Oh, and Mr. Jones, if it is not too much trouble, put Leonardo back to bed. He has listened long enough, and I do not want him trying to follow Raphael and Donatello."
"Sure thing, Master Splinter."
Leo, busted, doesn't even try to escape. He meekly goes with the amused Casey back to his room. He meekly gets into bed, and meekly allows April and Casey to fuss over him some more. He meekly closes his eyes as if he is going to sleep.
But he doesn't meekly give up.
"I have GOT to be out of bed tomorrow!" Leo vows to himself, after they have turned off the lights and left the room. "They need me!"