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Horse Forse - London Calling

Horse Forse, Bureau of Superheroes and all other characters in this story, unless
otherwise noted are my own intellectual property.  Katie Watson/Fire Fox and Linda
Powell/Flora are the intellectual property of Sam-Gwosdz.  This is a not-for-profit work of
fan fiction and is not meant to violate any known copyrights.  The Colmaton Universe is
the intellectual property of Train.

---

"Hokey, why do you look so uneasy?" Jackie asked the glasses wearing quarterhorse
seated beside her.  The donkey jenny was wearing a very stylish business type blue
blazer with matching skirt.  "Is this your first time flying?"

"Yep!" Hokey quipped, "I think I'm getting airsick."

"Aw!  It's all in your head, Hokey!" Prance neighed as the Paint stallion in the light blue
three piece suit seated behind him glanced out the window.  "Look pal, I've flown
overseas dozens of times!  You're a genius, so think of all this as mind over matter.  If
you don't mind, it doesn't matter."

"That is not helping, Prance," Ahrizad, the Arabian mare wearing a light red blazer and
skirt in similar design to Jackie's, muttered from a seat behind him.  "Hokey, perhaps it
would be good for you to know we have almost reached our destination."

"Oui!" Jacque added from his seat beside Prance.  "Although we will be arriving in
London, our private jet will be landing at Farnborough Airport.  A private facility weeth
much luxury!"

"So, we're landing at a private classy airport?" Nokota asked as the white furred blonde
mare adjusted the hem of her green skirt and then took a stick of gum from a pocket of
her matching blazer.  "Is that why all of us are all gussied up like executives?"

"That's right," Jackie answered.  "We are all posing as administrative staff for Spaz
Limited, a UK based business enterprise.  Our contacts are going to meet us at one of
the luxury suites at the airport."

"Spaz Limited?" Prance asked.  "Who's the genius that came up with that zany name?"

"Probably our hosts," Jackie said with a sneer.  "Knock it off, Prance.  Stay in character,
we're all undercover, remember?"

"I think Hokey's going to be UNDER the COVER soon!" Nokota laughed as the airsick
quarterhorse bolted from his seat and rushed into the restroom.

"This is NOT a good omen," Ahrizad said with a sigh.

After the private jet landed and the disguised members of the Horse Forse departed the
plane, they all retrieved their luggage then walked into the airport common area.

"Now where do we go, boss?" Prance asked.

"Over there," Jackie said as the donkey jenny pointed to a yellow furred cat wearing a
tuxedo that held a sign that read, "SPAZ LIMITED."

"Oh yeah," added Nokota as the group approached the sign bearing feline.

"You've arrived!  Good show!" the cat spoke in British accent.  "Please follow me, your
reception committee is waiting in Meeting Room 7A."

The six new arrivals followed the cat down a long, elegantly attired corridor.

"Now THIS is classy!" Nokota neighed.  "A girl could get used to all this luxury!"

"Stay focused," Ahrizad whispered.

"C'mon Ahrizad," Prance muttered, "ya gotta admit, this is some ritzy place."

"England has many private airports like zhees one," Jacque said sternly.  "No need to
feel overwhelmed."

"Quiet everyone, we are about to enter the meeting room," Jackie said as the twin oak
doors swung open to reveal a long table with many chairs.  Standing in front of the table
was a red and white furred English fox wearing a light pink blazer with matching skirt.

"Please come in and be seated," the vixen said as the cat closed the oak doors behind
them.  The yellow furred cat then took out a small device from his jacket pocket and
began to point it in all directions.

"Room is secure, M!" the cat announced.

"Thank you, Q," M said.

"Q?  M?  What's this, alphabet soup?" Prance asked as Ahrizad struck the Paint stallion
with her purse.

"Quiet Prance," Jackie whispered.

"Members of Horse Forse, I am called "M", spymaster of the British MI5, and we have
summoned you all here because we need you help in a delicate mission."

"Hold your horses," Prance neighed.  "YOU are the head of a big spy organization and
YOU can't just send your own spies in and.."

"THAT WILL DO, PRANCE!" Jackie brayed with such force, the Paint stallion instantly
stopped speaking and lowered his head.

"That's precisely the point, old bean," M said.  "Our agents would likely be recognized if
they attempted this mission.  Covert operations is what Horse Forse is all about,
correct?"

"Oui!  Zhat is our specialty!" Jacque said, nodding his head.

"Jolly good!" M said, "and now that we're all in agreement, here is the mission."

A large viewscreen was lowered from the ceiling.  The images on the viewscreen would
change as M explained the situation.

"This is the Circus Maximus, a new circus that is currently on tour throughout the British
Isles.  Our sources report that this circus may be a front for many illegal activities.  The
owner of this circus is Niles Weatherby.  Though there are rumors that he is the head of
a criminal syndicate, as of yet there's been no evidence against him that could be used
in a courtroom.  All attempts by my own agents to subtly infiltrate the circus have failed.  
MI5 believes that Horse Forse can succeed in this task."

"What?" Nokota neighed.

"Us?  As circus performers?" Prance asked.

"Are you serious?" Hokey asked.

"Of course she's serious!" Jackie interrupted.  "Why do you think MI5 went to all of the
expense of bringing us here to England?"

"Actually Jackie, MI5 didn't, as you Americans would say, 'foot the bill' for your travel.  If
we had done that, your presence in England could be linked to us."

"Well then, who paid for our passage?" Ahrizad asked.

"Wait until they find out, M!" Q began to giggle.

"Shush Q!" M quipped.

"What did the cat mean by that, fox?" Nokota asked.

"HELLO ALL YOU GROOVY HORSIES!" a male voice echoed as the face of a Jack
Russell Terrier instantly appeared on the viewscreen.  "WELCOME TA JOLLY OLD
ENGLAND!  HOPE YOU'LL HAVE A SMASHIN' GOOD TIME!"

"Agent Mojo," Q quipped.

"Er, as I was about to say, since MI5 couldn't get any of our agents in, we have
contacted a special British agent with no ties to us.  Horse Forse, meet Mercurial Jones,
known to our organization as Agent Mojo."

"And here I am in furson!" Agent Mojo said as he emerged from behind a sliding secret
panel.  All of those seated at the table gasped at the odd looking canine attire.  The
grinning Jack Russell terrier walked towards the table clad in his trademark dark yellow
shirt with white ruffled neck and light brown striped trousers.

"Mr. Jones paid for your passage here and will be posing as a talent agent to get many
of you, jobs, at the Circus Maximus," M said, "he had read up on your personnel data
files and.."

"And I'm lovin' all these gorgeous birds!  YEAH BABY!" the canine said as he walked
past Jackie, Nokota and Ahrizad.

"Agent Mojo!" Q shouted.  "Keep your mind on the mission."

"We're gonna trust THIS moron who's wardrobe forgot this is no longer the sixties?"
Prance neighed as Mercurial stood in front of the Paint stallion.  

"Roscoe, I have a real marvy job for ya!  How'd ya like ta be a barker?" Agent Mojo
asked.

"A what?"

"A barker!  Every circus has a barker, someone who stands near the ticket booth,
shoutin' and persuadin' folks ta buy concessions at the midway!  From your track record,
this job would be a walk in the park for ya!"

"I'm beginning to like this guy!" Prance neighed with a wide grin as Agent Mojo now
stood in front of Ahrizad.

"Azra, you're the most physically fit an' able babe of the group!  How'd ya like to pose as
a high wire acrobat?" the oddly dressed canine asked.

"Well, I have never posed as a circus performer before."

"C'mon love, you're a natural!  An' I know you'll land the position just based on that sexy
bod of yours."

"My WHAT?"

"I can picture ya in one of those acrobat leotards, OH YEAH BABY!"

"WHY YOU PERVERTED!!"

"Whoa my Turkish Delight, cut the bad vibes, it's all part of the mission, right?"

"Right," Ahrizad said with a sneer as the Arabian mare crossed her arms and snorted.

"I'm liking this guy even more now," Prance whispered as Agent Mojo now stood in front
of Jacque.

"And YOU Felipe, you're the perfect circus strongfur!" the canine boasted.

"Oui!" the Clydesdale stallion said as he stood up and began to flex his biceps, instantly
causing his suit jacket to rip in several places.

"We'll, get ya another jacket pal.  As for YOU, Dr. Hokemenus, I believe the Circus
Maximus has an opening for a light an' sound technician.  With your near genius IQ,
you'll fit like a glove!"

"Whew!  That's a relief!" Hokey neighed.  "Thought you might want me to be lion tamer
or fire eater."

"AND speaking of fire eating," the oddly dressed canine said as he turned towards
Jackie.  "You once posed as a fire eater during a mission with the CIA!"

"Why yes, yes I did!" Jackie brayed.  "But, that was a long time ago."

"Not ta worry, love!  Like ridin' a bike, ya never forget how."

"And what will I get to do, Mr. Jones?" Nokota asked.

"Ah yes, well, since there are no other circus positions to be filled, ya getta pose as me
secretary!"

"SECRETARY?  ME be YOUR secretary?  I'd rather burn myself with matches, you
creep!"

"NOKOTA!" Jackie brayed.

"Quite alright, Jennifer.  If Emily doesn't wanna be me secretary, I'll find something else
for her ta do," Agent Mojo said as he pulled out his smart phone and did some quick
typing.  "Good news, love!  There IS another position open for the circus!"

"GREAT!"

"They need a furson to clean the animal cages an' stables.  I believe you Americans call
it, pooper scooper duty.  Not exactly glamour work, but I'm sure you'll manage," the
oddly dressed canine said as he turned to walk away from Nokota.  The blonde mare
whinnied and then leapt out of her chair and rushed up in front of Agent Mojo.

"I can take dictation, operate a computer and even fetch you tea at tea time, sir!" Nokota
said with a wide grin.

"I like your spirit, babe, keep it up," Agent Mojo said as we turned towards the group.
"Looks like we're all set.  I have a video call meeting with ol' Niles in one hour.  Nokota,
you'll come with me and the rest of ya, get ready ta go ta work tomorrow.  Me good
friend Q will supply all of ya with some groovy gadgets an' spygear.  Any questions?"

"Good luck to all of you," M said with a smile as the group rose from their seats.  As
Agent Mojo walked with Nokota, he gave her rear a playful pat.

"HEY!" the blonde mare shouted as she turned and raised her hand to slap the canine.

"Cool it, horsie.  Part of the role, love.  I'm Mercurial Jones, eccentric millionaire.  I'm
widely known for showing, affection, towards me female staff.  If ya don't wanna play the
role, you can always shovel out the circus stables."

"Ok ok, I get the message," Nokota sighed as she lowered her hand.  The Jack Russell
terrier took a good look at her from head to toe.

"If yur gonna be me secretary, gotta get ya some new threads, somethin' hip an' groovy,
I'll take carea that little detail.  Gotta show off a LOT more fur, baby!"

Nokota gasped as she thought to herself, "maybe I should've went with cleaning animal
cages."  

---

"Now, where the devil are me new performers?" a pacing hedgehog wearing a
ringmaster costume grumbled.  "Mercurial Jones promised he'd personally have them all
here by eight o'clock sharp!"

"But Mr. Weatherby," a smallish weasel in casual clothes spoke up, "it's only a quarter to
eight."

"What?" Niles Weatherby said as he checked his antique pocket watch.  "Oh, so it is."

"And look over there!  That's a very odd colored van approaching our camp."

"What what?" the confused hedgehog said as he looked up and saw a van with
psychedelic colors and other oddly painted areas that resembled a hippie van from the
sixties.  "Ah!  That must be them!  Mercurial Jones may be an odd lot, but he does have
a bloody good reputation for results!"

The psychedelic van came to a screeching halt in front of the ringmaster and the weasel.

"Top of the mornin' to ya, blokes!" Agent Mojo shouted as he bolted out the driver side
door and rushed up to Niles.  "Ya won't regret hirin' these fair dudes an' babes, trust
me!"

"Good show, Mr. Jones!" the hedgehog said as a crowd of circus workers and
performers gathered around them.  "How about introducin' them all to the crew?:

"I get yur drift, Niles!" the oddly dressed canine barked as he approached the side door
of the van and opened it.  "First of all, here's a stallion all the way from the mountains of
France!  He's so buff and strong, he'd give ol' Woodchuck Norris a run for his money!
Here he is, the one, the only, Strong-O!"

Out of the van came Jacque dressed up in a muscle shirt and circus style trunks and
tights.  As the mighty Clydesdale with the Mohawk haircut walked over to the ringmaster,
many of the females in the crowd began to swoon, sigh, wave and blow kisses at him.

"Next we have one of the greatest acrobats in the world, coming all the way from the
mystical land of the former Ottoman Empire.  Here she is, Lady Camille!"

When Ahrizad emerged from the van, all of the males in the crowd couldn't take their
eyes off her.  The dark furred Arabian mare was attired in a circus style leotard, fancy
plumed helmet and tights.  

"Quite a looker, am I right Niles?"

"Right ya are, Mr. Jones," the hedgehog said as he watched Lady Camille walk over until
she stood beside Strong-O.

"And NOW, here's the fasting carnival barker in the history of barkin', and I should
bloody well be an expert on barkin' since I'm a dog!  Say hello to fast talkin' Freddie
Falconi!"

When Prance got out of the van, he wore a very loud, shiny three piece suit with blinking
tie.

"Come one, come all to see the greatest circus in the world!" Prance began to ramble,
"and while your here ya gotta have some fresh popcorn from the midway!  Get it while its
hot!  Get it while its buttered!  Win your wife or girlfriend a prize from our carnival games!  
Show her your a REAL man!  Don't let opportunity pass ya by!"

"Jolly good!" Niles said as he clapped his paws.  "This bloke could sell refrigerators ta
ruddy Eskimos!"

"Actually boss, I did that once a long time ago," Prance boasted, prompting laughter from
the crowd of circus workers before joining the others in line.

"And now, prepare ta be amazed!  Had ta travel all the way ta South America ta find this
amazing wonder!  Welcome to yur ranks, Flame-O, the fire eater!"

After Mojo's introduction, Jackie got up out of the van.  The crowd was stunned to see
the shapely donkey jenny wearing a circus style yellow bra top with a skimpy purple
bottom with purple ruffles on the waistline.  

"How did I let that crazy canine Casanova talk me into wearing this getup?" Jackie
thought to herself as the donkey jenny stopped in front of the group, holding up a long
stick.  Placing one end of the stick near her other hand, she made fire appear in her
palm to light the end up.  Holding the burning stick up in front of the crowd, Jackie then
brought the flaming end of it to her mouth before slowly clamping down on it with her
teeth.  When the fire went out, the gathered crowd of circus workers and performers
cheered and applauded.

"She's a hot little bird, isn't she?" Mercurial Jones asked.

"Hot in more ways than one, Mr. Jones," Niles said with a wide grin.  "Where is my new
lighting and sound engineer?  We need him to get ta work immediately!  The last bloke
we had left all our equipment boards in shambles!"

"I'll get right on it, boss!" Hokey said as he got out of the van.  Adjusting his glasses, the
casually dressed quarterhorse received little fanfare as he joined the rest of the new
arrivals in line.

"Don't just stand there, ya nerdy bloke!" Niles shouted as he pointed to the big top tent.
"Get goin' an' fix our sound an' lighting equipment NOW!  Need it up an' runnin' for
tonight's performance!"

"Yes sir!" Hokey neighed, saluting before he made a mad dash towards the big top.

"Mr. Jones, did ya, bring yur secretary?"

"Its cool, Niles, wouldn't leave a babe like her behind," Agent Mojo said as he walked
over to the passenger side of the van and opened the door as he whispered.  "Yur on
now, love."

"If this wasn't a mission, I'd beat you senseless for this," Nokota whispered back as she
stepped out of the van.  Instantly, the eyes of Niles Weatherby bugged out when the
hedgehog saw the blonde mare wearing a tiny black minidress with spaghetti straps and
a matching purse and shoes.  Males in the crowd cheered and wolf-whistled at the
equine lady as she walked up to Niles with Mojo by her side.

"Mr. Jones, you've always had an eye for cute birds," Niles said with a big grin on her
face.

"I always choose me employees well," the Jack Russell terrier said, "Miss Pembrooke
here has many valuable, assets!"

Niles and the entire crowd laughed, making Nokota feel and look uneasy.

"There there, chill out an' relax," Agent Mojo said as he gently put his arm around her
waist and pulled the mare towards her.

"That's our Mercurial Jones!  Greatest ladiesfur in all the U.K!" Niles announced to the
crowd.  "Now, enough goofing off, GET BACK TA WORK WITH THE WHOLE LOT OF
YA!  An' show our new employees ta their quarters and work areas!"

At this pronouncement from the boss, the crowd dispersed.  The newer members of the
troupe were led away to their performance areas, though there were some arguing
among the female circus workers over who would show Jacque around, causing some
growling and sneers from male members of the crew.  

"I am-a the Great Stromboli!" an Italian greyhound wearing a set of shiny trunks with a
matching shirt and tights said as he approached Ahrizad.  "Come-a with me, young lady,
you can meet-a my famiglia!"

"Your, family?"

"That's-a right, young mare!  We are-a circus famiglia!"

The Arabian mare nodded as she walked behind the canine.

"So, you're the new midway barker?" an attractive looking red and white furred vixen
wearing a bright red circus style uniform with matching skirt asked Prance.

"That's me alright, pleasure to be working with you and.."

"Can the bugle oil, horsefly!  I'll show ya where you'll be workin.  I'm Penelope Andrews."

"Pleased to meet you, Penelope and may I say.."

"Button it, Yank!  Save it for the crowds tonight, just come with me!" the vixen shouted,
"An' don't ya try anythin' fresh with ME!  The bloke yur replacin' made that mistake with
me, an' let's just say he was walkin' a little funny on his way ta hospital ta fix his broken
arm!"

"I, think I get the picture, miss," Prance said, swallowing hard as he walked behind the
shapely vixen.  

"Fire eater, ya say?" a tallish giraffe male wearing a standard circus red jacket, slacks
and hat said as he approached Jackie.  "Yur hot stuff, in more ways than one."

"Yes, I'm Flame-O, and you are?"

"Impressed!" the giraffe shouted, walking all around the donkey jenny, studying each
inch of her.  "Oh!  I'm Joseph Riddick, but most folks here call me Big Joe."

"You sound a bit, American, Big Joe."

"Yep!  Born and raised in sunny California.  Would you believe I ran away and joined the
circus as a teenager?  Started as a member of the set up crew in the old Bumbling
Brothers Circus, worked my way up to lion tamer but when that circus went belly up, I
had to come here to England to continue my show biz career!"

"Lion tamer?  Sounds dangerous!"

"Only to the lions!" Big Joe laughed.  "Come along with me and I'll introduce you to the
rest of the troupe!"

Meanwhile, under the Big Top tent, Hokey was already hard at work holding several wire
ends in one hand while adjusting the dials on a sound control panel with the other.

"Mr. Weatherby was not kidding!  Apparently, the former sound engineer ripped up all
this wiring before he or she left!"

"Ya got that right, ya nerdy bloke!" a voice shouted from behind him.  Hokey stood up
and turned around to see a gruff looking short bulldog clad in a casual shirt and jeans.
"Name's Dalton, Nigel Dalton, yur assistant!"

"Pleased to meet you, Nigel."

"When the boss fired ol' Smitty two days ago, that bruin went berserk!  Turned all this
ruddy sound system ta shambles before he walked out.  But the boss had'm taken care
of!"

"He did?  How?"

"One word of advice, kido.  Stick ta yur job.  Askin' too many questions can be a might,
dangerous, in this circus, got it?"

"Got it, sir," Hokey nervously answered the gruff canine.

"Sir, ya say?" Nigel asked with a smile.  "I'll say this for ya, boy, yur a lot more mannerly
than ol' Smitty!"

"Thank you, sir.  Would you mind running this wire up to the left speaker array?  I think
I've got that side of the soundboard working again."

"Ya got real good manners, for a Yank," Nigel said as the bulldog took one end of the
wire and walked over to the array.  Meanwhile, under a smaller tent, several giddy
females led Jacque to a tall Corsac Fox attired as a clown and walking on stilts.  

"So, you are new strong fur?" the Corsac Fox grunted with his thick Russian accent.
"You are not impressive to me!"

"Who are you, monsieur?" Jacque asked as the Clydesdale stallion watched the fox sit
down on a stack of crates as he removed his stilts.

"You'll learn soon enough, Frenchy!  They call me Gorski the Great!  The greatest clown
in history of circus!  I have made audiences laugh from Glasgow to Moscow!  I am the
big cheese here!"

"As you wish, monsieur."

"Nyet!  Do not try to flatter me, comrade!" the Corsac fox yelled as he got up off the
crates, revealing himself to be less than five feet tall.  "I see how all the girls swoon over
you!  We do not have many females among our ranks and you swoop in here like
Cossack and take them from us!"

"Monsieur, I am not trying to.."

"NYET!  I do not believe you, French fur!" Gorski shouted.  "Stay away from females
here, or I and other male comrades will make you sorry for it!"

"But monsieur, I have a lady fair of my own and.."

"Who?  Who is this, lady, of yours?"

"She is.. She is.."

"Nyet!  You lie!"

"She is Lady Camille!"

"The new acrobat?"

"Oui!  We have known each other for many months!"

"I still do not believe it!  I will require proof!"

"Monsieur Gorski, I am circus performer, I am not, how you say, Casanova."

"I have eye on you, French horse!" Gorski growled, shaking his fist at the larger stallion
as the fox walked out of the tent.

"Zhat guy iz truly, nuts," Jacque muttered as he began to practice with his circus props.
Walking the grounds of the circus was Nile Weatherby with Mercurial Jones and Nokota
by his side.

"Say Niles, ya don't mind if me an' me secretary hang around for a while?  This cute
filly's never seen a circus before, right sweetie?"

"Well, I.."

"Why not?" Niles asked as the hedgehog glanced down at Nokota's legs.  "Come to me
office an' we'll start with a fresh cupper of coffee!"

"Far out!" Agent Mojo barked as Niles opened the door of a small wooden enclosed
wagon and entered inside.

"I need ta search this place, play along," the Jack Russell terrier whispered to Nokota as
the two followed their host into the wagon.

"Oh my!  I'm all outta milk for our coffee," Niles sighed.  "Havin' coffee or tea without milk
is beastly!  Need ta walk over an' get some from our chuckwagon.  Say!  I have one
honey of an idea!  How about havin' Miss Pembrooke walk with me there?  That'll kill two
birds with one stone!"

"How so?" Nokota quipped nervously.

"Ya never been to a circus before, I can show ya around the grounds!  Whatdoyasay,
miss?"

"Well, I.."

"She'd be delighted!" Mercurial barked.

"What?" Nokota quipped.

"An' while you're out, I'll brew up a fresh pot!"

"Capital suggestion, Mr. Jones!  Everythin' you'll need is there beside the ol' coffee pot,"
the grinning hedgehog said as he extended a paw to Nokota.  "Shall we, love?"

Nokota looked stunned but when Mojo gave the blonde mare a quick nod, she rose from
her seat.

"Have fun!" Mercurial barked as the pair departed.  The moment the door was closed,
the Jack Russell terrier began to search through all of the desk drawers and files.  "Hope
ya gimme all the time I need, doll."

Nokota looked very nervous as she started her impromptu tour with Niles.  She felt even
more nervous when the hedgehog put his arm around the blonde mare's waist.

"You will enjoy all of the sights and sounds of me circus, Miss Pembrooke," Mr.
Weatherby said as he led the blonde mare towards the midway.  It took every ounce of
restraint to keep Nokota from bolting away from the smiling hedgehog, especially when
he let his paw slip below her waist.  

"Why do I get stuck with all the crazed lunatics?" Nokota thought to herself as she felt his
paw caressing her rear.  "I have to keep telling myself, all part of the mission, all part of
the mission.."

Niles and Nokota passed by the smaller tent where Big Joe had just introduced Jackie to
the rest of the single act circus performers.

"Reta!  Don't shave that beard!" the tall giraffe shouted as the group of performers began
to exit the tent.  "And tell Presto the Great that we found his white rabbit near the
elephant cages!  Flame-O, wait up, I'd like to talk to you."

"Sure Big Joe," the costumed donkey jenny said as she closed the tent flap and sat
down on a steamer trunk.  "What's on your mind?"

"Look miss," the giraffe began to whisper.  "I just have to talk to someone, and since
you're a fellow American, maybe you'll understand me better than the others."

"Well, I am a good listener," the donkey jenny said with a smile as Big Joe sat down
beside her.

"There's a lot of, strange things going on in this circus," Big Joe whispered.  "Everytime
I'd ask someone about it, they'd tell me to stop asking questions or else."

"What kind of things, Joe?"

"First odd thing I noticed was on the midway.  The circus has a number of electronic
prize games, many which resemble Vegas style slot machines.  You earn tickets with
good rolls, and then redeem those tickets for cheap prizes.  But on a few occasions, I
noticed the vixen at the prize counter giving some of the players brown envelopes
instead.  One of the players once dropped their envelope and I picked it up for them.  
The envelope contained several large denomination pound notes."

"I see, Big Joe," Jackie said calmly, "what else have you seen?"

"Well, I was once walking past the animal tent when the feed delivery truck arrived.
Usually a circus buys food on credit or a least offers a check for payment, but when I
glanced inside the animal tent that one time, Mr. Weatherby handed the truck driver a
black briefcase and muttered something about 'payment in full.'  I found that a bit odd."

"Indeed, that is strange."

"Tell me about it, Flame-O," Big Joe sighed.  "Another weird thing is how often we rotate
our stock of circus animals.  Usually, a circus will keep their current animals for years
because they're so well trained, but I've noticed here that our exotic animals get
exchanged every few weeks."

"Every few weeks?"

"Yeah!  Lions from Africa, monkeys from South America, tigers from Asia.  Can't help but
notice, especially since I'm the lion tamer of the troupe.  Fortunately, they haven't sent
my Simba away."

"Simba?"

"The lion I train with.  She is harmless, harmless enough that I always end my act by
putting my head into her mouth!  Good thing the audience never gets a good look at her.  
It'd take the excitement out of the act if they saw she had no teeth."

"I see."

"Well, I feel much better now," Big Joe said, wiping the sweat from his forehead.  "I just
had to vent.  I hope you understand."

"I do, Big Joe."

"You can call me, Milton, that's my given name."

"And I'm Jackie," the donkey jenny said as she shook the giraffe's hoof.

"Thanks for listening, Jackie.  I just knew I could confide in you.  You remind me of
someone I know back home in California."

"Some, sweetheart from your past?" Jackie asked.

"No, my darling mother!"

"Your MOM?"

"Yeah, I mean, no offense, but you are a lot older than me."

"Oh, I see," the donkey jenny snorted, crossing her arms.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Jackie," Big Joe said.  "But my mom did a fire eating act for forty years
before she retired."

"Oh!" Jackie brayed with a slight smile.

"Look, we better get out to rehearsals, don't want folks gossiping about us."

"Good idea," Jackie said with a nod as she and Big Joe exited the small tent as a weasel
in casual clothes watched the pair from a distance.  As Niles Weatherby took Nokota into
the Big Top tent as part of her tour, on the far side of the huge structure the Great
Stromboli was introducing Ahrizad to his family troupe of acrobats, all of them Italian
Greyhounds who were all related to him.  There were two costumed males attired like
the Great Stromboli and two smaller female canines that wore a leotard version of their
father's costume.

"Papa!" one of the female greyhounds barked.  "Why did-a we getta a horse for our act?"

"Now Martina!  You know we needed a replacement for-a your sister Emma.  The doctor
said Emma could not-a return to performing until her puppies are born, so Mr.
Weatherby hired Lady Camille!"

"C'mon papa!" another female greyhound barked.  "We're-a family of-a dogs!  Dogs are
more agile and are better suited for-a high wire and trapeze then-a heavy old horse!"

"The, heavy old horse, is standing right here!" Ahrizad neighed.  

"Yeah Sofia!" one of the brothers barked out, "give-a the sexy mare a chance!"

"She looks-a better than you two ina a leotard!" a second brother barked before Sofia
struck each of her brothers with one end of a balancing pole.

"Lorenzo!  Pepito! Pervertito!" Sofia shouted before Ahrizad grabbed the balancing pole
from her paws.

"Perhaps a demonstration of my skills is in order," Ahrizad neighed as the leotard clad
Arabian mare climbed up the ladder pole to the top of the high wire platform.  Taking the
balancing pole in her hands, the costumed mare began to walk gracefully down the
narrow high wire above them.  

"Boring!" Martina barked.

"I can do-a that in-a my sleep!" Sofia shouted.

"Hush-a your mouths!" the Great Stromboli yelled as Ahrizad walked to the middle part
of the high wire.  Then, she released the balancing pole and proceeded to move from
one end of the high wire to the other.  It was when the agile Arabian mare did a long
cartwheel sequence from one end to the opposite side platform that every one of the
Stromboli family cheered and applauded.

"Moma mei!  Even my late-a wife, God rest her soul, could not do such-a feat!" the
patriarch of the performing canine family shouted as Ahrizad took a bow in the middle of
the high wire.  The Arabian mare then dove down into the net below, doing a perfect
circus roll on the net as she climbed down to the floor.

"Fantastico!" Sofia barked.

"Stupefacente!" added Martina.

"Bellissimo!" shouted Pepito.

"Will you-a marry me?" Lorenzo asked dreamily before Martina hit the lovestruck canine
with a nearby juggling club.

"Lady Camille, we must see what-a you can do on-a the trapeze!" the Great Stromboli
barked.  "MOSSA!  VELOCEMENTE!"

Soon, all of the costumed Italian greyhounds began to ascend upward towards the two
high wire platforms.  As Ahrizad was climbing upward, she glanced down and noticed a
caged lion being delivered into the Big Top on a large, flat bed truck.  When the truck hit
an unexpected pothole while backing up, a small side panel fell off the base of the cage
and a large, thin box slid out onto the truck bed.  As the Arabian mare reached the top of
the platform, she saw the truck now parked and the driver quickly leaping onto the truck
bed and sliding the box back into place then slapping the small side panel back onto the
cage base.  While all this was going on, Niles and Nokota walked by the operations area
where Hokey had made his final repairs and was now testing the sound and lighting
systems.

"Hey there, nerdy bloke!" Niles shouted as the hedgehog stood over him as the
quarterhorse was on his hands and knees looking under the main control panel.  "Do
you have my sound equipment repaired yet?"

"Just testing it now, sir," Hokey said as he got back up on his feet.  "As a matter of fact,
you can help with a sound check on the microphones!  If you would, please take a
wireless mic and stand in the center of the ring."

"Stay right here, Miss Pembrooke, I shant be but a moment," Niles Weatherby said as
the costumed hedgehog clipped the mic on his lapel and walked towards the center of
the ring.  Hokey frantically pressed buttons and switched to activate a spotlight that
shown on the exact spot where the hedgehog now stood.  Nokota slowly moved beside
Hokey as Niles started to speak.

"TESTING, 1, 2, 3, BLOODY 4 AND 5 TOO!" he spoke, his amplified voice echoed
throughout the Big Top, bringing applause from the circus ground crew and performers
who happened to be in the tent.

"Thanks for getting that octopus away from me," Nokota whispered to Hokey.

"Octopus?" the glasses wearing quarterhorse whispered back.

"The guy's gotta have an extra set of paws," the blonde mare muttered as she attempted
to straighten out and pull down the back of her skirt.  "Don't ask me how he did it, but I
think that horny hedgehog gave me a wedgie.  If we ever need a set of fingerprints, just
dust my butt and.."

"How do you like the sound, boss?" Hokey asked as the ringmaster attired hedgehog
walked back over to the two horses.

"System's never sounded better, and great control with the spotlight, chum!" Niles
shouted as he turned to face Nokota.  "Well love, shall we continue the tour?"

"But what about my boss, and the, milk for the coffee?" the blonde mare pleaded.

"Oh!  Blimey!  Forgot all about him!" Niles laughed.  "Better not keep'm waiting too much
longer, the chuckwagon's over there, Miss Pembrooke, be a good girl and fetch a bottle
of milk for us while I attend to a little, business."

"With pleasure," Nokota muttered as she walked towards the chuckwagon while Niles
rushed over to the flatbed truck that just delivered the new lion.  Hokey sensed
opportunity as he slipped on a pair of headphones to listen in on the conversation
through the wireless mic still pinned to Niles' lapel.

"Doug, ya wasn't supposed ta deliver this lion till nightfall," the hedgehog said with
hushed voice.

"Sorry boss, there was a mix up with the customs paperwork, hadda deliver now or the
entire package wouldda got sent back ta Zimbabwe," the ferret driver explained.

"Right-O, then hurry it up, quicker we get this cage to the animal tent, the better," Niles
whispered as the wheeled cage was rolled down off the flatbed truck.  Those who were
handling the cage were careful not to wake up the huge, maned lion that was sleeping
inside it.

"Bloody amateurs," Niles muttered under his breath as he walked away from them and
back towards his office trailer.  Nokota stood at the chuckwagon to receive a small glass
container of milk as the mare watched the costumed hedgehog walk away.

"Good," she said under her breath, "I'll walk FAR behind him, well out of his reach."

"Oh miss," the elderly jackal cook from the chuckwagon spoke, "we'll be servin' up lunch
soon, maybe you and your boss will join us?"

"Now THAT'S the best offer I've heard all day!" Nokota cheered, holding the bottle of
milk as she walked towards the midway.  It was there that the blonde mare glanced over
at Prance, who was very busy helping Penelope Andrews set up and test all of the
carnival games equipment.

"So far, so good ya Yank!" the British accented vixen quipped as she pointed to the
group of electronic slot machines set up in a nearby cart.  "Now all of these games are
me own responsibility.  I'll be tendin' ta them exclusively while YOU handle all the
barkin', got it?"

"Got it, Penelope, and let me just say what a pleasure it is to.."

"Clam up, horse face!" the costumed vixen yelled.  "Just stick to yur own duties and no
funny stuff!"

"Wouldn't dream of it," Prance said as he held up a clipboard.  "Let me double check all
of these things.  By the way, who'll be in charge of the ring toss, the shooting gallery, the
mini basketball hoop shoot and.."

"The rest of me staff will take care of those functions," Penelope quipped.  "Mind yur
place, pony boy."

"Yes ma'am," Prance said softly as he entered into the ticket booth and began to set the
volume controls on his sound system.  When he stooped over to adjust the settings on
the left side speakers, he whinnied as he felt a pair of soft paws groping his rear.  

"What the hell?" the Paint stallion asked as he suddenly turned around to see the wide
grinning face of Penelope.

"Ya don't give a gal a chance, do ya?"

"I beg your pardon miss.."

"Please, call me, Penny, ya sexy beefcake," the vixen said softly as she grabbed Prance
by the neck and planted such a long, passionate kiss on his lips that after she released
him, the stallion had a blank look on his face.  "More where THAT came from, stud!"

"Wait a minute," Prance said in a hushed tone; "I thought you broke the arm of the last
guy who had my job when he tried to seduce you."

"True," Penelope said with an evil grin, "that mongrel made the first move, before I
COULD!  I'm YUR blinkin' boss, I'M the one who'll call the shots in our, relationship.  
Come with me, tiger!"

"Tiger?  Relationship?  But Penelope, er, Penny, I mean.."

"Come with me now or I WILL break yur bloody arm!" the vixen quipped before grabbing
the stunned stallion by the wrist and pulling him over to her private trailer.  "Got time for
a bit of lovin' before lunch."

Rushed inside her private trailer, Penelope slammed the door shut and then leapt upon
Prance, causing him to land on her large bed.  As the two began more passionate
kissing, the Paint stallion glanced around her trailer, noticing a number of large sacks in
a far corner, bulging from their tops with pound notes.  The aggressive vixen began to
pant as she started to unbutton Prance's shirt.  Suddenly, she stopped when she heard
the ringing of a loud bell.

"Bloody hell!  Lunch time!" Penelope grunted as she got up from on top of Prance.
"Can't miss lunch, ol' Grumpy only serves lunch from noon till a quarter past.  We'll have
ta finish yur, advanced training, a bit later, ok?"

"Whatever you say, boss," Prance said as the vixen helped to pull him up to his feet.

"I like that answer.  Keep it up, you'll go far in this business," Penelope said as she
pulled down on her skirt and adjusted her costume.  When Prance turned to walk out of
the trailer, the happy vixen gave his rear a playful pat.  "Later, stud."

"Oh boy," Prance muttered to himself as he rushed out into the midway.

Soon, all of the circus performers queued in line near the chuckwagon as Grumpy, the
grizzled elderly gray furred goat, started to ladle out his infamous chuckwagon stew.

"Keep the line movin', ya sorry lot of furs!" Grumpy grunted as he filled yet another bowl
up with his unique smelling soup.  

"Thank you very much," Jackie said as she received her stew, "smells delightful!"

"What did ya say, miss?" Grumpy snorted.

"I cannot wait to enjoy this fine looking meal!"

"I can't believe me ears!  Been servin' up me chuckwagon stew for years an' yur the first
one who ever gave me a ruddy compliment!" the old goat chattered, a smile slowly
appeared on his face.  "Feel free ta come back for seconds, love!"

"Move along, donkey!" Gorski the Great roared as the short Russian accented fox gave
her a quick slap on her rear.  "We are all hungry!"

"That's no way ta be treatin' a lady, ya bloody commie clown!" Grumpy bleated as he
struck him with a wooden spoon.  "Try somethin' like that again an' I'll slap ya up side
yur noggin, shorty!"

"Nyet!  You old goat!" Gorski yelled while Jackie scampered away from the frescos
before spotting Mercurial Jones, Nokota, Jacque and Hokey seated together at a table
nearby.  

"May I join you?" the smiling donkey jenny asked.

"Groovy babe!" the suave canine barked, "have a seat next ta me!"

"Thank, you?" Jackie nervously spoke as she sat down next to Mercurial.  "There are
many odd things going on here."

"Tell me about it," Hokey whispered.  "My assistant implied that many ex-employees of
this circus simply vanish without a trace."

"And my new friend shared much with me about rotating circus animals and odd things
in the midway," Jackie replied in hushed tone.

"Makes perfect sense ta me," Mercurial whispered to the group.  "Based on the files I
peeked at in ol' Miles' office, there's an awful lot of cash flowing through this circus, more
than the low ticket sales suggests.  But all I have so far is circumstantial evidence, we
need some hard evidence ta.."

The oddly dressed canine stopped speaking when he saw Ahrizad, now dressed in a
leotard costume that matched all of the other Stromboli female performers, walked
towards their table.

"Everyone, I have much to share with you," the Arabian mare whispered just as the
Great Stromboli ran up to her.

"Lady Camille!" the proud Stromboli patriarch barked, "please come-a and sit with all of
us!  The Strombolis always do-a everything as familia!  We-a practice as familia, and we-
a dine as familia!"

"Of course, I did not realize that," Ahrizad said with a nod as she turned towards the
others, "please excuse me,"

"Fantastico!  I wanted to discuss-a new idea for-a the trapeze act!  Maybe if-a we
practice it this afternoon, we could-a have it ready for tonight's show!" the Great
Stromboli rambled while walking with the costumed Arabian mare.

"So much for hearing what she found out," Jackie sighed before her face brightened at
the sight of Prance walking towards their table.

"What a relief to be able to sit with you guys for a while," the Paint stallion said as he
quickly took a seat.  "Gotta tell you all about the real slot machine action going on in the
midway and.."

"OH FREDDIE!" Penelope shouted from afar in a soft, seductive voice.  "COME SIT
WITH ME!"

"But Penny, I.."

"GET YOUR ARSE OVER HERE NOW!!!!" the angry vixen shouted back, prompting
Prance to grab his tray and stand up.

"Sorry guys, gotta run, I'll explain later," the stallion muttered as he raced down the
midway.  The fast moving Prance almost collided with Jacque who was carrying his
empty meal tray and bowl towards the group.

"I simply must tell you what I know," the French stallion started to explain before three
female circus performers; a deer doe, a pantheress and a leopardess, dashed over and
surrounded him.

"Come sit with me, handsome!"

"No!  He's going to sit with me!"

"C'mon Strong-O, come sit with ME!"

"Ladies, please!" Jacque pleaded, "I have already finished my meal and.."

"Then watch ME eat!" the doe bleated.

"NO!  He's MINE!" yelled the leopardess.

"I want him!  I saw him first!" the pantheress roared.

"Ah HA!!!!" Gorski the Great screamed as the short fox ran over to Jacque, followed by a
large number of the male circus performers.  "I KNEW it-ski!  Trying to steal women from
us!"

"No no monsieur!  You have eet all wrong!"

"Enough lies!  You SAY you have girlfriend, but yet we see you with OUR girls!  We fix
you good!"

"Zhis iz a mistake!" Jacque neighed.  "I am in love weeth Lady Camille!"

"Then PROVE it, comrade!  Here she comes!" Gorski grunted as he pointed at the
approaching Arabian mare.

"Did you call for me, Strong-O?" Ahrizad asked.

"Please play along, I weel explain later," Jacque quickly whispered before he heard the
stunned mare in his arms and planted a very long, passionate kiss on her lips.  Gorski's
eyes, as well as all of the males and the three females who had surrounded him, bugged
out at the sight of the two horses in such a romantic pose.

When the impromptu couple separated, Gorski the Great lowered his head.

"Forgive me, comrade.  You spoke the truth," the Russian fox said as he and the other
gathered males turned to walk away.  The deer doe, pantheress and leopardess
moaned in defeat as they also left.

"I am, sorry," a nervous Jacque tried to explain.

"I just came to return my tray and bowl to the chuckwagon," a surprised Ahrizad said in a
soft tone, "I must leave, the Strombolis want to begin practice now."

Watching Jacque and Ahrizad leaving, Jackie breathes out a heavy sigh.

"How are we supposed to organize our efforts if we cannot get together?" the costumed
donkey jenny whispered.

"Maybe I could rig up some kind of crude communication devices for us to use,"
answered Hokey in a hushed tone.

"No time, Doc, we're just gonna have ta go with the flow," Mercurial said calmly.

"Go with the flow?" Nokota whispered.

"Just wing it, doll," the British canine answered.  "Sometimes, I do me best work that
way."

"It appears we have little choice," Jackie brayed sadly.  "I do not have to show up for
practice for another hour, perhaps I can have a look around."

"Count me out," Hokey whispered.  "The boss wants me to do a complete inspection and
test on the entire sound and lighting system.  It'll take several hours to finish."

"That just leaves you and I, love," Mercurial said softly to Nokota.

"Oh no!  You and I are NOT going to.."

"Chill out, babe, I meant it's up ta you an' me ta do more snoopin' around."

"Oh, ok then," the blonde mare breathed a sigh of relief.  "But no more hanging around
Niles!  That pervert's been treating my butt as if he owns it!"

"It's cool, we can have a look together."

"As long as you keep your paws to yourself."

"Deal!" Mercurial barked as the pair departed from the table.

"I have to go too, Jackie," Hokey said as the young quarterhorse departed.

"Well, looks like I'm all alone now," Jackie giggled until she saw a fresh bowl of
chuckwagon stew.

"Brung ya another helpin', sweetie!" Grumpy bleated as the elderly goat sat down at her
table.  "Time for ol' Grumpy ta chow down, an' I don't like eatin' alone."

"Thank you, I am flattered you want to dine with me," Jackie said with a smile.

"Flattered?  Ta eat with the likes of me?  You're just bein' kind."

"I mean it, Grumpy!  Cooking meals for such a large group is not a simple task."

"Blimey," the old goat said as he wiped away his tears, "no one's ever appreciated me
job like you, miss."

"Thank you for more of this delicious stew," Jackie said as she finished the bowl.

"Flame-O!  Oh, there you are!" Big Joe shouted as the giraffe rushed over to her.  "The
boss has cancelled our practice session in the Big Top this afternoon.  Wanted me to
spread the word to all of the performers."

"Did he say why?"

"No, just that anyone who dared to poke their head into the Big Top this afternoon would
be fired on the spot.  Sounds kind of weird, if you ask me."

"Sounds weird ta me too!" Grumpy bleated as the old goat stood up on his feet.  "Oh
well, got ta get ready ta serve up supper.  Here Flame-O, let me take yur tray back."

"Thank you, Grumpy!"

"Me real name's Bruce, and since you've been so kind ta me, YOU can call me Bruce for
now on."

"Ok, Bruce, and thanks again."

"No Flame-O, thank YOU!" the elderly goat bleated as he scampered away.

"Anyway, I still have some more of the crew to tell about the change in plans," Big Joe
said.  "I can still practice my act with Simba in her cage.  I guess you can practice fire
eating anywhere, right?"

"Right, that's what I'm planning to do," Jackie said as Big Joe got up and found more of
the circus performers on the midway.  "I think now would be a good time to go for a
stroll, in the Big Top."

Fifteen minutes later, Jackie, still wearing her rather skimpy 'Fire Eater' costume, snuck
around to the back of the Big Top and hid behind several bales of hay.

"I hear voices in the distance," the donkey jenny said to herself, "good thing I have this
device Q gave me."

Taking what looked like a compact from her belt, Jackie positioned it in the direction of
the voices as she took out a tiny earpiece and placed it into her right ear.  Now she could
hear clearly the conversation that was taking place between Niles and several
henchfurs.

"Why all the secrecy, gov?"

"Because there's been an unexpected change in our animal shipments, ya bonehead!"
the hedgehog explained.  "Can't make the ruddy exchange after hours this time around."

"What kind of contraband are we gettin' this time, boss?"

"Yeah, more stolen jewels?  Gold?  Tech secrets?"

"Pipe down, ya bloody moron!" Niles shouted before lowering his tone.  "Ya never know
if the ruddy walls have ears."

"What walls, boss?  This is a tent y'know."

"Just hush up an' wheel that new lion cage in here," Niles ordered as his minions
scattered.

"What is the connection to the animals?" Jackie asked under her breath seconds before
she felt a sharp blow to the back of her head that knocked her unconscious.  One hour
later, the eyes of the costumed donkey jenny sprung open.  She was very confused
when she noticed how everything was upside down.  Quickly her eyes glanced around
and then she realized her current predicament.  Jackie's ankles were tied to a rope that
suspended her high above the dirt floor of the Big Top.  Hanging upside down in midair,
her attention was directed downward at a trio of Niles' henchfurs who were laughing and
pointing upward.  The tight gag over her mouth prevented her from calling out for help or
responding to her captors below.

"How do ya like yur new surroundings, SPY?"

"Yeah!  I'm the bloke that knocked ya out!"

"We'll let the boss decide what ta do with ya when he gets back.  We hung ya up there
like that so ya wouldn't get away!"

"Someone who's got somethin' like this compact might have some more tricks up'r
sleeve, so we're leavin' ya way up in the air."

"That way, even if ya manage ta cut yurself loose, you'll drop like a stone to yur death!"

"Have fun hangin' around, bitch!" the last of the henchfurs laughed as a familiar looking
weasel guy approached them.

"What are you sorry lot laughin' about?" he asked.

"We captured a spy, Eric!" one of the hencfurs bragged, pointing upward.

"Say!  That's one of the new performers the crazy canine brought us!  How do ya know
she's a spy?"

"Check this out," another henchfur said, having the weasel Jackie's compact.  "Flame-O
was eavesdroppin' with it."

"Good show, and good thinkin' stringin' her up like that.  Betcha there's other spies in her
group, they'll come lookin' for her.  How about we hide out for a bit an' see which one
of'm shows up next?"

"Smashin' idea, Eric!" one of the henchfurs said as the foursome quickly found hiding
places around the area of the animal cages.  Hearing every word, Jackie looked worried
as she realized that even if any of her team arrived in the Big Top to rescue her, they'd
be quickly captured too.  Her greatest fear appeared before her eyes as she saw
Ahrizad, still wearing her leotard-like costume, snuck into the Big Top and cautiously
made her way to one of the lion cages.  Jackie screamed into the gag in her mouth in
vain, her muffled sounds never reaching the ears of her mare teammate who silently
approached the side of one lion cage and quickly slid open the hidden drawer.

"Jewels?  Bars of gold?" Ahrizad spoke under her breath unaware that several henchfurs
were sneaking up behind her.  Jackie tried to yell out to warn the Arabian mare, but soon
chloroform filled rag was shoved over her mouth and after a struggle of several seconds,
the mare was out cold.

"You were right, Eric!" one of the henchfurs shouted.  "This is Lady Camille, the new
acrobat!"

"Should we wait for anymore of'm ta sneak in here?" another henchfur asked the weasel.

"Nah!  I say let's round up the whole lot of'm!  They may all be spies!"

"What about Mr. Jones an' his assistant?"

"Well, perhaps Mr. Jones didn't know they were spies, but maybe he did," Eric said
sternly.  "Let's take no chances, chums.  Find them both and bring'm and the others
here.  Might have ta, get rid of'm all at once!"

"But what about the horse bitch spy?"

"Got an idea how we can rid of her and Big Joe an' make it look like an accident.  I'll take
care of her, the rest of ya find the others!"

"Big Joe?  He's a ruddy spy too?"

"Naw!  But he got real chummy with the donkey gal.  My guess is he tipped her off.  He's
gotta go.  Off with you lot, do what I told ya."

"Ya got it, Eric!" another henchfur said as the group scattered out in all directions.  

Jackie watched helplessly as Eric dragged the unconscious Ahrizad away towards the
far side of the Big Top.  

"I've got to get free and save the others," she thought to herself.  "Let's see, good thing
those hooligans didn't undress me.  I still have that trick knife in my shoe that Q gave
me, but if I use it to cut myself down, I'll fall straight down and probably die.  There's got
to be another way."

As Jackie struggled against her bonds, her body started to sway back and forth a little.
The donkey jenny then spotted a very large stack of loose hay piled some distance to
her right.  

"I've got one chance, if I time this exactly right, I'll be back on the ground safely.  If I
miscalculate, it'll be my funeral."

Jackie started to swing herself in a simple, cautious manner.  As she swung back and
forth, the jenny managed to click the heels of her shoes together to deploy the hidden
knife.  As she swung ever wider and wider, the jenny carefully maneuvered her shoe
knife to cut away on the main rope that held her up.  

"Only..one..chance.." Jackie thought to herself as she put more force into her swinging,
trying to keep her swings steady and in only one path as her knife rubbed ever harder on
her support rope.  Being unable to see the progress her shoe knife was making added to
the donkey jenny's worries.  This would take perfect timing and a nearly perfect swing to
accomplish her goal.  As she swung outward towards the huge haystack one last time,
the support rope severed.  The force of her swinging turned the falling jenny several
times in midair until she landed directly in the center of the soft tower of hay.  

"So far, so good," the gagged donkey jenny thought as she rolled herself down the tall
mound of hay.  "But how will I get myself free from these ropes when I do reach
bottom?"

Jackie rolled slowly downward until she felt a pair of paws that halted her progress.  The
donkey jenny tried to scream through her gag until she spotted the familiar face of the
one who caught her.

"Fancy meetin' you here, babe!" Mercurial Jones chuckled as he and Nokota reached
over to stand her upright.  "Have ya free in a flash!"

As the oddly attired canine produced a knife and started to cut away her bonds, Nokota
untied the gag around the donkey's mouth.

"Nokota!  Mojo!  They're onto us!" Jackie brayed.  "They captured Ahrizad and they're
hunting down the rest of us!"

"Chill out, love," Mercurial whispered.  "Those ruffians could be back here any moment."

"And they want to set up a deadly accident for Ahrizad and Big Joe!  He's my friend!  All
he did was talk to me and.."

"And there ya go, Jackie," the canine said as he severed the last of the ropes that held
the donkey jenny.  

"No time to lose!  Prance is over on the midway, Jacque should be around the tent, I'll go
and find Ahrizad, OWWWWW!" Jackie said before sitting down as the sharp pain in the
back of her skull throbbed.

"Ya best stay here, miss.  Me an' Nokota can handle this.."

"No way!  I MUST save Ahrizad and Big Joe!"

"But!"

"NO BUTS!  We have to hurry!" Jackie brayed as she got to her feet and dashed off.  As
Agent Mojo and Nokota snuck out of the Big Top through the back flap, out on the
midway the persistent Penelope had a reluctant Prance cornered in the ticket booth.

"Look Penelope," Prance said as he tried to reason with the vixen, "we're both on duty
now!  We have to set up for all of the fursons who'll come to tonight's performance!"

"Plenty o' time for that later, handsome!" Penelope shouted as she embraced the
nervous stallion.  "Kiss me, ya bloody Yank, an' that's an order!"

"Speaking of orders, why do you keep all those sacks of money in your trailer?"

"WHAT!!!" the circus attired vixen yelled as she backed away from Prance.  "How do
YOU know about that?"

"Duh?  You threw me on your bed before lunch and .."

"How DARE you accuse me of such behavior!" Penelope shouted as she slapped
Prance across the face with her paw.  "I should break your arm RIGHT NOW for sayin'
such a ruddy fib about me!"

As the growling vixen drew up her fist, one of Niles' henchfurs burst in through the door.

"Get outta here, ya bloody interloper!" Penelope yelled.

"Am I EVER glad to see you, friend!" Prance neighed as he stood next to him.  "I needed
to be rescued from this psycho vixen!"

"I have orders ta take ya to the Big Top, SPY!" the burly wolf henchfur barked.

"Spy?  Me?"

"Come along pony boy," the wolf henchfur growled.

"He's a SPY?" Penelope asked as she growled.  "But I didn't even tell'm about all the
illegal gamblin' operations goin' on in the midway an'.. Oopsie."

"NOW ya definitely know too bloody much," the wolf snarled.  "Don't even think of tryin'
ta get away, got a revolver in me vest an' I know how ta use it."

"THERE'S an thought!  Let ME shootin'm!" Penelope pleaded.

"Take a cold shower will ya, miss!  Don't fret, ya won't be seein' THIS bloke again," the
hunchfur grunted as he punched Prance in his abdomen.  The burly wolf then took the
doubled over stallion, threw him over his shoulder and carried him off.  

Hidden nearby, Agent Mojo and Nokota watched Prance being taken away.

"Too late, poor Prance," Nokota began to sob.

"Now now, as you Yanks would say, ballgame's not over yet," the Jack Russell Terrier
whispered.

"It is for you two!" the deep voice caused Agent Mojo and Nokota to turn around as they
spotted two more burly bruin henchfurs reaching down to force them up to their feet.

"Oh, hello gents!  My what a lovely day it is!"

"Quiet, mutt!  Our orders are ta take ya to the Big Top."

"But first, me chum an' I are gonna show the bitch here a really good time," the other
bruin henchfur laughed as he gave Nokota's rear a quick grope.

"HEY!" she screamed.  "Knock it off!"

"Gentlefurs, we can be reasonable 'bout all this, can't we?" Mercurial asked, giving both
bruin henchfurs a quick pat on the back.

"Enough talk!  You're gonna get yours and we're gonna get OURS!" the first bruin said
with a wicked grin as he stared at the blonde mare's legs.

"Do something!" Nokota yelled as the pair of henchfur bears laughed.

"It's cool, babe, it's as easy as three an' two an' one 'an DUCK!" Agent Mojo shouted,
pulling a bewildered Nokota to the ground with him as two loud popping sounds rang out
followed by the pair of bruins screaming and running around in horror.

"I'M ON FIRE!!!!"

"ME TOO!" the bears yelled as the flames coming from their backs grew more intense,
causing them to run off into the distance.

"Oh my, looks like those blokes got themselves FIRED," Agent Mojo laughed.

"Mojo, you saved me," Nokota said softly as the pair got back up on their feet.

"You can thank me later, doll, but for now, gotta find our friends," the British canine said
as they resumed their search.  Meanwhile, back in the far side of the Big Top, Niles and
Eric led Big Joe into the Big Top.

"But boss, YOU said no one was allowed inside here this afternoon," the tall giraffe said.

"But we insist you practice for your lion taming act right now," Niles said with a wide
smile.

"Yeah, got everythin' set up for ya over here in Ring One," added Eric.

"But me and Simba know the act down cold."

"Humor us, Big Joe, besides, it's an ORDER!"

"Well in that case, what's the harm in more practice?" the giraffe said as he approached
the ring where several old barrels were set up in random places.  "Hey boss?  Where's
my whip and chair?"

"You won't be needing them!" Niles laughed as the henchhog rushed outside.  Before
Big Joe could figure out what was going on, Eric opened the door of a lion cage as the
angry lion inside leaped out.  

"Oh, there you are Simba!" Big Joe laughed before taking a closer look at the growling
lion in front of him.  "Hey wait a minute!  This ain't Simba!"

"You got THAT right, traitor!" Eric laughed as the angry lion rushed out after Big Joe.
The agile giraffe barely managed to jump out of the way of the oncoming lion that then
collided with one of the old barrels in the ring.  After the flimsy barrel busted up, it
revealed a tied up and gagged mare that was hidden inside it.

"Lady Camille!" Big Joe yelled as the confused lion turned about and spotted the
helpless mare lying in the ring.  At that moment, two more of Niles' henchfurs were
bringing Jacque into the Big Top.  Immediately, the French stallion spotted his bound
teammate about to be pounced on by a growling wild lion.

"AHRIZAD!" Jacque neighed as he dashed off in the direction of Ring One.

"STOP!" one of the henchfurs yelled.

"Let'm go!" Niles laughed.  "Let the heroic stallion die with his spying friends!"

Running at full stride as fast as he could, Jacque approached the running lion from the
side.  With one last jump, the French stallion collided with the beast just inches away
from the struggling Ahrizad.  The collision sent both Jacque and the furious lion airborne,
both landing a fair distance away from Big Joe.  

"Whoa!  That was too brave!" the giraffe shouted, "now it's my turn to be brave!  HEY
LION!  OVER HERE!!"

As Big Joe continued to wave his arms in the air and shout, the angry lion shook its huge
head and spotted the still bound, gagged and struggling Ahrizad.  

"Oh NO YOU DON'T!" Jacque shouted as the stallion got quickly on his feet and gave
chase to the lion.  When the lion heard the French stallion shout, it turned towards him to
pounce.  

"GET AWAY FROM HIM!  THAT'S NOT A TRAINED LION!" Big Joe yelled.

"Got one chance to buy us some time," Jacque grunted under his breath as the lion
raced nearer and nearer to him.  "If I can punch it square in zee nose, his eyed weel
water and he will not attack for a while."

Jacque allowed the lion to rush very close to him before drawing up a fist and taking a
swing at the lion's huge nose.  The lion swung one of his huge paws in Jacque's
direction and as the fist of the French stallion smashed into the creature's nose, the
lion's paw caught him in the chest.  Each blow was nearly simultaneous resulting in a
huge roar from the injured lion and the force of the lion's paw strike sending Jacque
briefly in the air until he landed near the still bound Ahrizad.  As the lion wailed in pain
trying to move it's paws to relieve the ache of its bleeding nose, Jacque had the wind
knocked out of him and was unable to get up.  When Big Joe tried to rush over to assist
them, Eric stood between and drew out his pistol.

"You're not goin' anywhere, traitor!" the weasel growled while Jacque rolled on his other
side so he could see what was happening to the lion.

"He weel..recover soon..must..save..her.." the French stallion grunted as he rolled up on
all fours and slowly moved towards Ahrizad hoping to block the lion's next charge with
his own huge body.   Hearing the lion's roar outside the tent, the Great Stromboli and his
family rushed through the back entrance of the Big Top.

"Momma mei!  Lady Camille's in-a trouble!  We gotta help her!" the patriarch of the
canine family barked.

"But she's-a not one of us!" one of the daughters barked back.

"SENZA SENSO!" the Great Stromboli yelled, "Lady Camille has-a joined our group!
She is-a as much famiglia as all-a of you!  WE GO NOW!"

Quickly, the five members of the Stromboli acrobats ran towards Ring One.  The father
barked orders as they ran, deploying his sons and daughters with a plan in mind.

"Lorenzo!  Pepito!  Stand-a by at-a the cage!  Sofia!  Martina!  Distract-a that-a monster
then run-a for the cage!  You-a will know what-a to do!"  

"Right Papa!" the four siblings barked in unison as they took their positions.  As soon as
the lion shook his head and was ready to charge, Sofia and Martina waved her paws in
the air and shouted to taunt the lion with many insults in Italian.  

"That's-a right, make-a him plenty mad!" the Great Stromboli barked.  "That's-a enough!  
NOW RUN!"

When the two Stromboli daughters made a mad dash towards the opened cage, the
furious lion gave chase.  As the pair neared the cage opening, they lifted their arms in
the air and jumped.  Lorenzo and Pepito each reached down to grab their sister's wrists
just as the lion pounced into the cage.  Quickly, the brothers swung their canine sisters
out of the cage as the Great Stromboli slammed the cage door shut and locked it.

"TA DA!!!!" the Great Stromboli barked proudly as he and his family all took a bow.

By this time, Jackie reached Ahrizad and started to untie her.

"I am so sorry I got you into this," the donkey jenny sobbed as she worked to free the
Arabian mare.  Soon, nearly all of the circus performers rushed into the Big Top, having
heard all the wild roars of the lion inside.

"Uh oh boss, too many witnesses," Eric whispered to Niles.

"Not witnesses, Eric, they're on MY side!" the hedgehog proclaimed as Hokey was
brought in and thrown into Ring One with the rest of the group.  

"What's the big idea!" Nigel barked as the bulldog ran up to Niles.  "That American
bloke's the best electrical wizard I've ever seen!"

"He's a spy, Nigel!  All of the new employees that crazy mongrel brought us are all
spies!"

"What makes ya say that, dude?" Mercurial asked as he and Nokota calmly walked up to
the hedgehog.  "All of me circus chums came highly recommended an' furthermore.."

"We caught two of'm sneakin' about, one with spy equipment!" Niles roared.  "Even if ya
had no knowledge of this, I still hold YOU responsible!"

"Chill out bristlebrow!  No need ta paint'm all with a big brush.."

"Eric!  Throw Mr., Jones in the center ring with the rest of'm while I take special care of
his, assistant."

"I don't think so, creep!" Nokota yelled as the blonde mare spun around and connected a
roundhouse kick to the hedgehog's jaw, knocking him down to the ground.  The sounds
of several guns clicking into position filled the air as Niles struggled to get back on his
feet.

"STUPID BITCH!  SHE DIES TOO!" Niles roared as Eric led both Agent Mojo and
Nokota into the ring with the orders.  

"The boss is-a no good!" the Great Stromboli barked.  "He tried to have-a the Lady
Camille and-a Big Joe killed with a wild lion!"

"Silence!" Niles screamed.  "If you Strombolis are goin' side with me enemies, then YOU
will all disappear too!"

"Gorski the Great has heard enough!" the short Corsac Fox yelled out as he walked over
to Niles.  "All of these comrades are good fursons!  If they must die, Gorski the Great will
be proud to die with them!"

The eyes of Niles and Eric bugged out as the Corsac Fox walked over to help Jacque
back to his feet.

"I'm ruddy tired of lookin' the other way too!" Nigel growled as the bulldog walked into
Ring One and stood beside of Hokey.

One by one, many of the regular circus workers left the crowd surrounding Ring One and
joined the members of Horse Forse inside the ring.

"You cannot fight us all, Niles Weatherby!" Jackie announced.  "You have lost!"

"You bitch!" Niles screamed.  "You ruddy scum of the earth BITCH!  Me minions have all
the guns an' we're not afraid ta use'm!"

The remaining henchfurs circling the outside of Ring One pulled out their firearms and
aimed them at the group in the center.

"What do ya say NOW, BITCH!" Niles laughed.

"Well, don't know about the rest of ya, but me pals from London should be here right
about, now!" Mercurial said as he glanced at his watch.

"You're bluffin', mutt!" Niles laughed as a thick, heavy fog rolled into the tent until it filled
the entire Big Top.  "WHAT!  WHAT IN BLAZES IS THIS????"

"It's me pals, bushy brain!" Agent Mojo barked as the fog slowly began to lift to reveal a
group of many new figures standing in Ring One.  "Let me introduce'm to ya!  The
gorgeous mare with the armor on an' holdin' a big shield's Noble Knight!  Next ta her's
Fire Fox, she's gotta really hot temper y'know!  Her partner's the doe in green called
Flora!  The hedgehog with the Roman helmet's Lord Bravery, Britain's finest superhero!  
Next ta him the handsome dog in green is The Huntsman!  Last an' certainly not least is
the cougar babe called Hello Nurse an' me pipe smokin' pal, Phineas Pfogg!"

"I don't bloody care if ya bring the Queen's Royal Guards in here!  You're all DEAD!  
OPEN FIRE!" Niles screamed.

"BOUCLIER!" Noble Knight neighed as she hoisted her big shield high above her head,
instantly creating an invisible dome shield over everyone standing in the center of Ring
One as a shower of bullets rained down in their direction.  Niles, Eric and their henchfurs
were soon dodging all their own bullets that ricocheted off the dome shield.

"CEASE FIRE!  CEASE FIRE NOW YOU FOOLS!" Niles yelled as he hid behind a
barrel.

"PHASE DEUX!" Noble Knight neighed as the dome vanished.

"I think that's our cue," Lord Bravery said as he patted The Huntsman on the back.

"INTO ACTION!" the canine in green barked before zooming off.

"Can't ya get another ruddy catchphrase, ya bloomin' mongrel?" the costumed hedgehog
asked as he zipped away in the opposite direction.  The two super fast moving
superheroes snatched away every gun, rifle and weapon of any kind from the entire
group of henchfurs in a matter of seconds.  The two speedsters stacked all of the
firearms into a small pile as Fire Fox turned in that direction.

"Time for a little smelting work," the vixen said.  She breathed in deeply and then
exhaled, sending a burst of roaring fire at the weapons.   In a matter of seconds, the
intense heat turned the pile into a huge glob of liquid metal.

"That's cool, foxy babe!" Agent Mojo barked.  "Ya really put the FIRE in FIREARMS!"

"STAND BACK, EVERYFUR!" Niles roared, "TURN ALL THE LIONS LOOSE ON'M!"

Instantly, four of the lion cages were opened.  Flora turned her head in their direction
and closed her eyes.

"Each of those lions is angry!  They've been underfed and are extremely hungry!  LOOK
OUT!" the green costumed doe bleated.

"Don't worry, Flora, I'll keep 'em back!" Fire Fox shouted as the red and white furred
vixen set up a literal line of fire in front of the hard charging lions with a swipe of her arm,
causing all of them to stop and pull back in fright.

"We have-a to get them back-a inta their cages!" the Great Stromboli barked.

"INTO ACTION!" the Huntsman shouted as the hulkish canine in green rushed past the
flames and stood in front of the angry pride of lions.  "What do you kitties have to say
now?"

All four lions roared in the canine's direction.  After inhaling deeply, the Huntsman let
loose with his own loud roar, a roar so loud, so fierce that each of the lions whimpered
and ran back into their respective cages before the four Stromboli siblings slammed their
cage doors to lock them up.

"For ONCE, Huntsman's big mouth came in handy!" Lord Bravery quipped.

"GET THEM!  ATTACK THEM ALL!" Niles roared, prompting all his remaining henchfurs
to rush towards the center of Ring One.

"I have much aggression to relinquish!" Ahrizad neighed as she downed the first wave of
henchfurs she faced with a number of punches and powerful kicks.  

"I WILL break your arm THIS TIME!" Penelope roared as the vixen spotted Prance and
charged directly at him.

"No thanks, I'd never hit a girl," the Paint stallion calmly said as he emptied a bag of
marbles in front of the angry vixen.  Instantly, when she stepped into the marbles, she
flipped backwards, knocking herself out on the dirt floor.  "Don't work harder, work
smarter!"

"Oh look, hello there ya burly dope!" Lord Bravery sarcastically laughed, waving at a
towering stag, "over here muscle brain!"

The furious stag drew up a fist and slammed it into the side of the indestructible
costumed hedgehog.  The impact made a sound like two slabs of iron clapped together
as the tall stag howled in pain, holding his hoofed hand.

"Too easy," Lord Bravery said as he flicked a single paw finger under the stag's chin to
knock him out instantly.  "NEXT!"

Jacque and Jackie both attempted to take fighting stances, but the wobbly, injured pair
fell to the dirt floor as Hello Nurse rushed over to them.

"Lie still, I will heal your injuries," the cougaress clad in white spoke as she pressed her
paws upon each of their foreheads, causing their bodies to glow.  When two henchfurs
tried to sneak up behind her, Hello Nurse kicked up her heels, landing superpowered
back kicks into each of their midsections.  The two would be attackers sailed past a
stunned Agent Mojo and Nokota before each crashed into a pile of empty wooden crates
a good distance away.

"I do NOT like to be disturbed when I am administering aid!" Hello Nurse grunted.

"I always get a kick out of ya, nurse babe!" Agent Mojo laughed.

"This is NOT a time for humor!" Hello Nurse shouted back as the cougaress held up her
paws.  Now fully restored to normal, Jacque and Jackie rejoined the battle.

"Some of the bounders are runnin' away!" Agent Mojo shouted, prompting Fire Fox to
send a stream of fire towards the main entrance, turning a group of fleeing henchfurs
back.  A group of henchfurs made a mad dash towards the back exit as a huge puff of
fog covered it.  In seconds, the group ran into the fog and ended up inside an empty,
locked animal cage.

"Good show!" Phineas Pfogg cheered.  When three furious henchfurs ran towards Flora,
she threw a couple of seeds from a pouch at the ground and clenched her fist, her eyes
glowing an eerie green, causing a mess of vines to sprout out of cracks in the ground,
entangling the three henchfurs securely.

"Well, now that's a vine situation they're in!" Agent Mojo shouted.  Flora groaned and
facepalmed. "Agent, now's not the time�"

Several arrows flew through the air from the bow of The Huntsman, pinning more fleeing
henchfurs by their coats up against the main pole holding up the Big Top.

"No one escapes The Huntsman!" the canine in green barked as he displayed his
dazzling smile.

Noble Knight took to the air to chase down other henchfur stragglers while Hokey ran out
of the ring and got behind the electronics panel, switching on spotlights to temporarily
blind oncoming henchfurs long enough for the Horse Forse and their allies to handle
them quickly.

"We're losin' bad, boss," Eric whispered to Niles Weatherby.

"Well then, time for us to flee," the hedgehog said as he and his weasel minion dashed
outside.

"NOT SO FAST!" Nokota screamed as she gave chase, "I'LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR
WHAT YOU DID TO ME!"

"Well what do ya know," Agent Mojo said as he ran behind the blonde mare, "those
blokes are headin' for me van!"

"We can get away in Mr. Jones' own van, hop in!" Niles shouted as he and Eric got
inside as the British canine lifted up his watch to communicate with his van's onboard
computer, the VOICE ACTIVATED MODULE, known as VAM for short.

"Hey VAM!  Me chums that just got inta the van need new female super costumes!" he
spoke into the watch.

"AFFIRMATIVE, AGENT MOJO!" the watch answered back.

"Hey!  How do ya start this bloody thing?" Niles asked feeling around for a key as a set
of metal hands reached down and grabbed the intruding henchhog and weasel.  

"Hey Mojo!  They're getting away!" Nokota shouted as she came to a stop near the
colorful van.

"Trust me, doll, VAM's got this covered," the canine giggled as a side panel slid open on
the van and expelled both Niles and Eric out of it.  

"YOU VAGRANTS ARE RUINING MY UPHOLSTERY!" the feminine voice of VAM
blared out.

The angry Nokota stopped in her tracks and burst out laughing at the sight of the male
hedgehog and male weasel now attired in bright blue bikini tops and bottoms.  

"Got to admit, ol' VAM's got style," Agent Mojo laughed as the pair of bad guys stood up.

"EVERY FUR FOR HIMSELF!" the hedgehog shouted as the two bikini clad bad guys
ran towards an angry looking goat carrying a large vat in his hands.  Spotting the pair,
the goat quickly flung the contents of the vat all over the ground, causing Niles and Eric
to slip and slide before crashing into a nearby wall.

"So, ya sorry lotta goons said me gravy was like motor oil?  Well, it sure stopped ya
escape plan, didn't it?" Grumpy laughed as Agent Mojo and Nokota ran up to the nearly
unconscious pair.

"We got the ring leaders, babe!  We won!" the British canine cheered before he noticed
the look of fury on the blonde mare's face.  "Er, doll?  Whatcha gonna do?"

"LOUSY SON OF A BITCH!" Nokota shouted before she kicked Niles hard between his
legs, causing the hedgehog to howl in pain.  "Here's one for grabbing my ass every five
seconds!"

Another swift kick between his legs made Niles beg for mercy, and yet another prompted
Agent Mojo to pull the furious filly away from the scene.

"LET ME GO!  I WANNA KICK HIM SOME MORE!" Nokota neighed.

"Ya need ta relax, babe, take it easy," the canine cautioned as he held the angry mare
around her waist.  "Ol' Niles there's gonna be able ta hit all the high notes in the prison
glee club as it is!"

"I WANT TO KICK THAT BASTARD TO THE MOON!" she screamed as the other
members of the Horse Forse and the Bureau arrived on the scene.

"Maybe we shouldn't ask," Prance giggled at the sight of the bikini clad Niles and Eric
lying down in a mess of greasy gravy.

"Zees looks like zee work of Agent Mojo!" Noble Knight laughed.

"It's me gravy that done it, big horsey!" Grumpy bleated.  "Guess me food did come in
handy for somethin'."

"Thank you, Bruce," Jackie said as the donkey jenny gave the elderly goat a big hug.

"Anythin' for you, Miss Jackie," the goat answered back.

"Sounds like the authorities are on their way!" Flora said, cupping a hand to her ear.

"I don't hear anything, doe," Lord Bravery grumbled until his ears picked up the incoming
sounds of many blaring police sirens.

"You're wrong again, Lord Bravery," The Huntsman said, pointing to the dirt road where
a squadron of siren blaring police vehicles were racing towards them.

"Agent Mojo must've contacted them, the same way he got in touch with the London
office of the Bureau," Hokey neighed as the first car arrived.  Q and M rushed over to the
scene.

"My word!  What sort of Tom Foolery is this?" M asked as the smartly dressed red and
white vixen gazed at the gravy covered, bikini clad hedgehog and weasel.

"Ya still ask that question when ya know Agent Mojo's involved?" Q asked with a giggle.

"I must say, good show, Horse Forse!" M announced while a dozen Bobbies arrived and
began handcuffing all the circus henchfurs.  

"Thanks!" Jackie brayed as Big Joe approached her.

"Is it true that you're a spy?" the tall giraffe asked.

"Well, sort of," the donkey jenny began to explain.

"I'm glad you and your team came here.  I owe them my life."

"It's what we do, Milton," Jackie said with a wide grin.

An hour passed with the last of Niles' henchfurs handcuffed and hauled away.  The
members of Horse Forse and the London Bureau remained with the rest of the circus
workers.

"Hey Frenchy!" Gorski the Great shouted as the fox tod approached Jacque.  "It was an
honor to fight side by side with you!"

"Merci, Gorski," the burly stallion said as he shook his paw.  

"It is too bad you are not REAL circus performer.  Bet you would have great act."

"And I would love to see your clown troupe in action as well!"

"But how can you do that, comrade?  This circus is kaput-ski!"

"I am sure our talent agent can find new circus jobs for you and everyone else in this
circus."

"I hope you are right, comrade."

Outside of the Big Top, the Great Stromboli and his children surrounded Ahrizad with
very sad looks on their faces.

"I wish-a you could-a stay with us," Martina sobbed.

"Yeah, you are-a true Stromboli!" added a sad looking Sofia.

"I agree-a with my sorelle!  Please-a stay and-a marry me!" Lorenzo pleaded.

"No no!  Marry-a me!" barked Pepito.

"SILENZIO!" the father of the four shouted before he turned to Ahrizad.  "I too wish-a you
could join our troop permanently, but I understand.  Your work is importante!  Fighting-a
crime and keeping the-a world safe demands your time.  But I must-a say, you remind-a
me SO much of-a my late wife, God rest-a her soul."

"I will never forget you," Ahrizad said as the Arabian mare embraced the sobbing Great
Stromboli.  Soon, all of his children joined in with the tearful group hug.

"Oh, I almost forgot!  I will change out of this costume and give it back to you.."

"No-a no!  I insist!  You keep it!  You-a earned it, lovely mare," the Great Stromboli said
as he wiped tears from his eyes.  "I believe-a my late wife would-a want it that way.  
There-a will be always a place-a for you in our familgia!"

"I am honored," a weeping Ahrizad said softly.  "I hope you will all find a new circus to
join."

"Si!  We are-a the Strombolis!  We have-a been performing for many-a decades!  We
will-a survive!" the Great Stromboli proclaimed.  Meanwhile, a short distance away,
Jackie, still in her Flame-O costume, walked side by side with Big Joe and Grumpy.

"Here ya go, miss!" the elderly goat bleated while handing the donkey jenny several
pieces of paper.  "Ya loved me food so much, I'm sharin' all me recipes with ya!"

"Thank you, Bruce," Jackie said as she held all the papers in her hands.  "Where will you
two go now?"

"I'm a bit homesick, so I plan to fly back to the states and stay with my parents for a
while," Big Joe said with a smile.  

"What about finding another circus?"

"Plenty of time to do that later," the giraffe said as he looked into Jackie's eyes.  "Your
kindness has inspired me to go back home."

"May you have a happy reunion with your parents, Milton," the donkey jenny said, "and
what will you do next, Bruce?"

"Me?  I'm too young ta retire, so I think I'll go back to me first career."

"And what was that?"

"Cook at a school house!  Might even work me way up ta workin' at a university!" the
elderly goat said with a sad look on his face.  "I'll never forget ya, young lady."

"Nor will I, Jackie," added Milton as the three shared a group hug.  Nearby, Prance was
shaking hands with the many Bureau Agents who remained behind.

"WOW!  I can't believe I would ever meet the likes of you guys!" Prance neighed
excitedly.  "You sound like an American, Huntsman!"

"Yes, I do love America, but this nation suits me fine as well!" the canine in green said
while flashing his trademark dazzling smile.

"Will ya tone that down a bit!" Lord Bravery protested.  "Haven't got me sunglasses an'
the glare from yur ruddy teeth's blindin' me!"

"Fire Fox!  Flora!  Noble Knight!  You three ladies are AMAZING!"

"Thank ya, Prance!" Fire Fox said.

"Yes, thank you," added Flora.

"Merci!" Noble Knight neighed.  "Always ready to assist our mutual colleague Agent
Mojo!"

"Say!  I'll bet Nokota would want to take a selfie with all of us together!  Have any of you
seen her?"

"I haven't, governor," the costumed vixen said.

"Neither have I," added the costumed Roe Deer doe.

"Sorry monsieur," the tall armored Belgian mare answered as M, Q and Hokey walked
over to the group.

"Anyone seen Mr. Jones?" M asked.  "That rascal has much explaining to do!"

"Now M, Agent Mojo an' our Horse Forse friends got the job done, that's what most
important," Q said defensively.

"True Q, but I was the one who had to tell the press why the two main suspects were
clad in bikinis and drenched in gravy!" the stern looking red and white furred vixen
shouted as she folded her arms.  "I demand a full report on his activities!"

"Everything Mr. Jones did was in the line of duty, I'm sure of it!" the Huntsman barked
confidently.

"That's what HE always says," M said with a sigh.  "Where the devil is he?"

"Nokota's missing too, M," Prance added.

"I haven't seen either of them," Hokey neighed.

"Ya don't suppose.."

"Don't say it, Q!" M quipped as Flora pointed towards a small circus wagon.

"I think I saw that wagon, move.."

The group quickly rushed over to the circus wagon as M slowly reached for the doorknob
and swung the door wide open.

"WHAT???" Prance yelled.

"Should've known," M grumbled at the sight of the oddly attired Jack Russell Terrier in
full embrace while kissing Nokota passionately.  "Just what is going on here?"

"I think the Americans call it, Horsing Around," Q said with a giggle.

"Agent Mojo!"

"Not cool," the British canine said as he reached for the doorknob.  "We were here first,
gents.  You an' Q can have it when we're finished."

When Mojo closed to door, M was so furious she shook with range.

"Like Mojo said, M, you and Q are next in line," Prance laughed, causing the entire
gathered crowd to burst into laughter with him.

"I'll deal with Mr. Jones later," M said with a slight growl before the vixen regained her
composure.  "But for now, on behalf of MI5 and her Majesty's Government, I want to
thanks both the members of Horse Forse and our own Bureau of Superheroes for all
your assistance."

"Merci!" Noble Knight neighed.

"You're quite welcome, M," added Fire Fox.  "Happy to lend a paw."

"It was our pleasure," Jackie brayed, trying to keep a straight face when she saw the
circus wagon shaking a little more before the door opened.

"All done!" Agent Mojo laughed as he helped Nokota climb down to the ground.

"I'll give YOU all done, ya ruddy bounder!" M shouted.

"Chill out, foxy mama.  It's all cool!  Got the bad blokes, saved the day, all that sorta
jazz."

"Pay attention to me NOW, Mr. Jones!  I demand it!"

"Well, ya know I never wanna disobey orders," Mercurial Jones said with a grin as the
canine quickly embraced the stunned vixen and gave her a long, passionate kiss with
the many spectators cheering in the background.  After releasing her, the dapper attired
M had a stunned look on her face with her mouth wide open.

"I have that effect on babes," Agent Mojo said as he took Nokota's hand.  "Hadda give
the boss what she asked for, gal pal.  Wanna take a walk around the ol' circus before we
call it a day?"

"You BET I would!" the blonde mare neighed, quickly departing the group as they walked
together down the midway.

"Er, M?  Hello?  M?" Q asked as the feline waved his paw in front of the still 'frozen'
leader on MI5.  

"Monsieur Jones had zee same affect on me zee last time I keesed heem," Noble Knight
said dreamily, causing many in the gathered group to stare at the armored mare.

"Glad I've never had that experience," Fire Fox said with a wide grin.

---

"Eight ball in zee corner pocket," Jacque said as the casually attired stallion lined up his
shot with his pool cue in position, leaning over the pool table in the vast lounge area of
Equine Manor, the large mansion that served as the headquarters of the Horse Forse.

"No way, Frenchy!" Prance laughed as the Paint stallion clad in a 'Horse Forse' T-shirt
and shorts pointed at the pool table.  "You'd have to put some backspin on the cue ball
and then strike the eight ball in just the right place for a three cushion bank shot.."

While the Paint stallion continued to ramble, Jacque struck the cue ball with his stick.
Prance's eyes bugged out when he saw how the cue ball spun to hit the eight ball with
just the right amount of force for it to bounce off of three rails and then fall squarely into
the corner pocket that the Clydesdale has called earlier.

"You were saying, monsieur?"

"Lucky shot!" Prance snorted as he folded his arms in anger.

"Zhat means you now owe me two hundred dollars."

"Double or nothing?"

"Zhat iz why you owe me two hundred dollars now!  I have defeated you four straight
games!"

"I'll win THIS time for sure!  Rack'm up, Frenchy!"

"As you wish," the hulkish Clydesdale said as he gathered up the pool balls from the
table.

"HEY!  Would you two quiet down!" Hokey neighed as he sat with Regina Flecher, the
blonde white tailed doe who served as the group's secretary.  "Me and Regina's trying to
watch TV!"

"My apologies," Jacque replied as he handed a cue stick to Prance.

"Just turn up the sound, genius!" Prance snorted while lining up his next pool shot.
Meanwhile, in the hallway approaching the lounge area, Jackie and Ahrizad were
having a conversation.

"Jackie, I do not know what to do," the Arabian mare wearing a stylish blue minidress
sighed.  "Ever since we ended our last mission in England, Jacque has been avoiding
me.  I have no idea why."

"This is odd behavior for Jacque," the black haired donkey jenny clad in a simple red
blouse and shorts answered back.  "Nokota's been acting strange too, as if she is in
some kind of state of depression."

"I have noticed that also.  I care very much about our friends, what should we do?"

"In my opinion, the best way to handle them both is to confront them.  You need to talk to
Jacque alone, and I will do the same with Nokota."

"Sounds like a good plan, Jackie," Ahrizad said with a nod.  Walking past a maintenance
worker in his white and blue uniform, the two mares entered into the lounge.  The
moment Jacque spotted Ahrizad; he turned away and quietly exited the room through
the door on the opposite side.  

"Hey Jacque!  Where ya going?  We're in the middle of a game!" Prance neighed as
Jacque made his way into the hallway.  Smiling and confidence, the large French
Clydesdale started to back up until he felt a gentle tap on his left shoulder from behind.
When he spun around to investigate, he gasped.

"Jacque!" Ahrizad shouted.  "I want to know why are you trying to avoid me?"

At last, Jacque stood motionless, as if he was afraid to speak a single word.

"You WILL tell me!" the Arabian mare insisted.  "We have known each other for many
years, many years before Horse Forse was created.  You have never treated me like this
before.  I want to know why and I want to know NOW!"

Jacque bowed his head low and slowly began to speak.

"It iz because, I keesed you while we were in England."

"You do not have to apologize for that, dear friend.  It was all a part of our cover.  I am
not angry with you over that."

"You do not understand," Jacque said in a soft voice.  "I cannot forgive myself because,
because.. I.. enjoyed eet."

"You WHAT?"

"I weel admit eet!  I took pleasure in keesing you.  I have crossed an ethical line!  We are
teammates.  I cannot forgive myself for entertaining thoughts of, romance, weeth you.
When I was in zee DGSE, all of our French agents were forbidden to fraternize weeth
each other, and furthermore.."

Jacque's monologue was interrupted when Ahrizad embraced the tall stallion and
planted a long, passionate kiss on his lips.

"BUT MADAM!"

"I have had my eyes on you since we joined this organization, Jacque.  On this last
mission, you risked your own life twice to save mine, protecting me from that angry lion
even when you were barely able to move.  I love you, Felipe Duquesne Richelieu, and I
know you feel the same way about me."

"But zhees cannot be!"

"Look Jacque, when I was in the MIT, our manual also forbade any romantic
relationships.  As I recall our Horse Forse training manual, I saw no rules covering this
subject."

"Even so, what would Jackie think of zhees?"

"Hey!  She dates a superhero!  I do not think she would object.  The question is, do YOU
object?"

Jacque looked downward until his eyes met Ahrizad's.  Both horses then smiled.

"VIVA LA ROMANCE!" the Clydesdale proclaimed as he embraced the Arabian mare as
the pair kissed once more.  Meanwhile Jackie found Nokota.  The blonde mare, clad in a
pair of sweatpants and matching sweatshirt, stood near a window, glancing up into the
midday sky.

"Nokota?  Is everything alright?" Jackie asked softly.

"I guess so," Nokota sighed.  "Guess I'm just tired, that's all."

"I know that look on your face, Emily.  The look of a lovesick puppy."

"What?"

"You miss Mercurial Jones, don't you?"

"Well, we did have those moments in that circus wagon and on that walk.."

"Emily, you know that Mojo is a roguish secret agent who probably has a girl in every
port."

"Yeah yeah, I know, I've seen all those British spy movies."

"And YOU know you can't have a permanent relationship with him, right?"

"I know that, Jackie, I know!" Nokota sobbed.

"Then, what's the problem?"

"When I was growing up, I always had a dream, a fantasy of going out on the town with a
dashing secret agent, like in the movies.  I found myself wishing we would've stayed in
England just one more day, one more night, so that Agent Mojo and I could go clubbing,
or to dinner and a movie.  Guess I sound kind of silly, don't I?"

"You don't sound silly at all," Jackie said with a smile.

"Once, just once, I wish I could go out for a night of fun with Agent Mojo."

"YEAH BABY!" a familiar voice barked in the distance as the maintenance guy removed
his fake moustache and pulled off his fake uniform to reveal an oddly dressed Jack
Russell Terrier.  

"MOJO!" Nokota neighed as she rushed over and gave the canine a warm embrace.
When the others heard the familiar voice and the blonde mare's shouting, all of them
rushed over to see him.

"Mercurial Jones!" Jackie brayed as the couple released their embrace.  "How did you
get past Equine's Manor's security system?"

"I'd like to know that too!" Hokey neighed, crossing his arms.  "I just spent a month
updating our security protocols to make them tougher!"

"Chill out, folks.  Stop sendin' out all those bad vibes.   I've been workin' me way past
cameras an' locks for many years.  I didn't damage anything at all."

"Mercurial!  What are you doing here?" Nokota asked anxiously.

"Hey, I was in good ol' D.C. for a day, thought I'd drop by and see me favorite herd
again!" Agent Mojo barked.  "Wanted ta tell ya in furson that thanks to all of ya in Horse
Forse, Mr. Weatherby an' his henchfurs will soon come to trial.  I hear a few of'm wanna
take a plea deal ta testify against their former boss."

"Bet Penelope Andrews is one of those who rats him out," Prance said sternly.  "That
vixen has a hare trigger temper and an even shorter fuse!"

"That's good news," Jackie added as Mercurial turned towards Nokota.

"Couldn't help but overhear, how would ya like yur dream ta come true?  Right now!"

"WOW!  You mean it, Mr. Jones?"

"Hey, brought me ol' limo on the hunch ya might wanna go out," Mercurial said.

"YES!  YES!  YES!  Just give me, fifteen minutes to change!" Nokota neighed happily.

"Take yur time, love, I'll be waitin'." the British canine said with a smile as the blonde
mare raced upstairs.

"Monsieur Jones," Jacque said as he held Ahrizad's hand.  "May we come as well?"

"Sure dude!  Love ta have ya join the party!" Agent Mojo barked as he turned towards
Hokey and Regina.  "You lot can come too, Hokey and yur deer friend!"

"Really?  You mean it?" Hokey asked.

"Of course, and everything's on me tonight, so keep yur wallets at home!" Agent Mojo
barked.  "Say, Jackie and Prance, wanna come along with us?"

"Thanks for the offer, but if it's all the same to you, I'd rather not," Prance said with a
sigh.  "After tangling with Penelope at the circus, I'm rather afraid to try the dating scene
for a while."

"I wouldn't feel right going out without my boyfriend," Jackie confessed.  "I'll also pass on
your kind offer."

"I get yur drift," the British canine said as he turned towards the others.  "Come along
now, go get yur best threads on an' meet me out at me limo!  We're gonna have a way
out time tonight!"

After all of the others exited the room, Prance and Jackie found themselves alone in the
lounge area.

"So, Boss, what are we going to do for the rest of the evening?" the Paint stallion asked.

"Well, we could shoot some pool," Jackie suggested as the donkey jenny picked up a
cue stick and stood by the pool table.  "We could make it a little interesting."

"By playing strip pool?" Prance blurted out.

"By wagering on our games, keep your mind out of the gutter!" the donkey jenny brayed.

"Oh, sorry.  Guess I've been around Agent Mojo too long," the Paint stallion said with a
laugh.

"How about, ten dollars a game?"

"Sure, why not?" Prance said with a wide grin on his face.  "I think it's fair to warn you I'm
quite good.  I don't plan on losing on purpose to spare your feelings."

"That's fine because I want you to try your best," Jackie said as the donkey jenny leaned
over the table and shot at the racked up pool balls to start the game.  The cue ball struck
the formation perfectly with several balls dropping into nearby pockets, including the
eight ball that was the last to fall, into a side pocket.  "Ok, that's game one.  You owe me
ten bucks."

"WHAT???" Prance neighed with his eyes bugged out.  "I can't believe it!  Must be
beginner's luck!  Bet you can't do that again!"

"I'll take that bet!  Rack'm up!" the donkey jenny brayed, prompting her stallion opponent
to rack the pool balls up.  As Jackie leaned over to line up her shot, she noticed a
sudden flash behind her.

"YEAH BABY!  Moon came out early ta-night!" Agent Mojo shouted as he held up his cell
phone through an opened window.

"WHAT THE HELL???" Jackie roared while Prance burst into laughter.  The angry
donkey rushed over to the window just in time to see Mercurial's limousine race down
the driveway and through the front gate.

"COME BACK HERE, YOU PEEPING TOM MONGREL!" Jackie shouted as Prance
walked over to join her.

"The dude's long gone by now," the Paint stallion said with a giggle.  "Look on the bright
side, boss.  Agent Mojo has paid you a great compliment!"

"Compliment?  How?"

"Well, he must think you're an ASS with a nice ASS!"

"One more pun like that and I'll bash you with my pool stick!"

"Sorry, boss.  Guess Mojo has rubbed off on me."

"Let's get back to our game," Jackie said sternly as the pair left the window.

THE END