by Chewy Walrus
"The chip," the Rhymer began, crossing his legs and glaring at both Chewy and the Shark, "is a weapon of greatest military might. Tremel has a personal vendetta against Australia due to a bit of a trade scuffle last year that ended in a debt by his country to ours."
Chewy raised an eyebrow.
"Mandelovians can have incredibly quick-tempered," the Rhymer explained.
"So, basically," Chewy said, "the President-Prime Minister of the most high-tech nation in the world wants to destroy Australia just 'cause their bill was a bit higher than they could pay?"
"In... so many words, yes," Dan said, nodding.
Chewy laughed. Hard. As tears fell from his eyes, the Shark addressed the childlike man in front of him.
"So, old chap, this man knew that the government would send you, and so he used our little endeavor here to find a way to stand up to you?"
"Yeah."
"Wait!" the Walrus' laughter stopped. "So, I'm being used?"
"Basically..."
"Aww, no!" the Walrus smashed his fist into the table. "NO! No one uses the Walrus and lives to tell the tale! NO ONE!"
"Ease up, Lobo," Dan said, resting a hand on the Walrus' shoulder. Chewy flinched at the touch, as if he half expected a bolt of orange energy to fry him. "We can still get him. He's here, right?"
"Yeah," Chewy whispered. "Third room on the right down the far left hallway."
Dan O'Boyle stormed out of Shark's office and made his way down to that very room. He kicked down the door and whispered a rhyme.
"C'mon, baby, light this up,
So I can find this rabid pup!"
An orange glow eminated from the rhyme god as Chewy caught up and stood behind him. The room was torn up... and empty.
The mattress was overturned, clothes strewn across the room, a broken bedpost and bricks removed from the wall... bricks that led to the streets of Chicago.
"He's gone."
Dan's eyes flickered. He opened his eyes again. "He's on his way to the airport," he said. "He's gonna find a way to hook up that chip."
"So, what now?" Chewy asked.
"I follow him."
"Whoa, there, Trigger!" Chewy said putting his hand up. "You brought me into this thing kicking and screaming, and now you're not even gonna be able to take me out of this the same way...?"
"You're out of your league, Walrus-Boy."
"Lead on, Danny Boy... those pipes are calling, you know," Chewy said. "Or better yet, why don't I lead?"
The Walrus bolted down the hallway as Dan rolled his eyes.
"Idiot..."