Loonatics Unleashed:

"Trust" part 1.

(This story is post "Loonatics on Ice")

Rated T for reading level.

Disclaimer: Loonatics Unleashed and related Characters and Elements are trademarks of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Tech's long coyote ears twitched at the sound of his lab door swishing open. His eyes flew open and he leaped to his feet, taking a deep breath to cover his embarrassment.

"Eh, what's up, Tech?" A smirk touched Ace's face. The yellow and black costumed leader of the Loonatics definitely got the feeling that he, Rev, and Slam walked in on the coyote doing something that he didn't want them to know about.

"Nothing." Tech replied a little too fast, a little too much like he was hiding something. The black and green clad coyote drew another deep breath and shoved his discomfort aside. He wasn't ashamed of what he was doing, it was just . . . well, the team was still too new to fully trust. Especially with something as personal as this. The inventor laughed a little nervously. "Glad you're here, chief."

"Yeah, right." Ace's grin faded as his new teammate made lame excuses and distracted everyone with his latest experiments. He glanced suspiciously at the spot where the genius had been kneeling, wondering what Tech was up to. As leader of the newly formed Loonatics, protectors of Acmetropolis, he mistrusted the coyote's guilty manner. What had he gotten himself into? Not only had Tech's ancestor relentlessly chased Rev's ancestor, but on occasion, his own as well. The bunny nonetheless followed Tech over to a workbench piled high with partially disassembled equipment.

Tech was redesigning the team's jetpacks as the ice from their mission against the space Vikings had short circuited them. He was also making them a bit less bulky in their flight mode and more compact in their backpack mode. On the table were also the Retrofire Master Blasters and even the disassembled firing mechanism for the dis-ionic destabilizing gravity disks. The scientist was not at all pleased with how many glitches they'd encountered during their first, icy mission. Perhaps if he had some help around the lab, he might have a chance to more thoroughly test his babies before taking them out in the field. But as there was no one available he trusted around his precious inventions, he'd just have to work harder.

Slam snatched up a small metallic 'cookie' from the workbench. As he popped it into his mouth, however, Tech's eyes and hand glowed green, snatching it from his jaws with his magnetic power. Slam guiltily looked around to see if Tech's pizza server was around to bind his mouth.

"Uh,uh, uh, Slam." Tech gave the small, round mechanical button a double squeeze, transforming it into its arm-encasing Retrofire Master Blaster mode. The inventor fired the large blaster. The golden beam struck a parabolic reflector the scientist used in projecting holograms. The curved mirror of the device focused the beam and reflected it to ricochet around the room, pinging off of reflective surfaces and scattering Loonatics. Tech stood still as the rampant fire bounced around missing him until it finally detonated at Slam's feet. The Tasmanian devil leaped back with a shout to avoid getting crisped toes. Tech returned the gun to its original state. "NO eating in my lab! Even if it can't melt icebergs, if this went off inside you, it would give you a case of indigestion that even you could well find impossible to live with."

Having impressed upon Slam the need to be careful in his lab, Tech's olive green eyes drew to the roadrunner dashing all around the room handling everything. "And Rev? please don't touch my stuff."

"Oh,-heh-heh-sorry,-Tech." Rev stopped his exploration, exerting a phenomenal amount of self control to keep his hands to himself; he didn't want to lose them like Slam almost lost his toes. Ever since he got his first real look at the coyote's lab and his cool inventions, he found himself gravitating toward the genius, despite ancestral instincts and parental 'coyote issues.' It really was too bad that Tech was so standoffish. The roadrunner ran a hand through his cock's comb, red to match the inverted triangle of his Loonatic's uniform, a cocky grin coming to his beak. Well, he'd just have to see what he could do about that.

"Hey, guys," Lexi's face appeared on a wall monitor. The control room adjoined the coyote's lab on one side and the main living area on the other, but the intercom saved the pink toned bunny the walk. "Zadavia is on the line and . . ."

"She needs an action hero of my caliber to handle a little crisis at the Acmetropolis planetary power grid." Duck quacked into the lab and Lexi rolled her eyes as the mallard made her call superfluous. "Of course, since it isn't actually about a bad guy, the rest of you can come along."

"Oh, brodda." Ace paced past Danger, motioning the Loonatics to move out.

Pink Triangle.

"You know, Tech, I'd really rather my bike be my signature color of pink," Lexi commented as the Loonatics brought their zoomatrixes to a landing near the column-like building that housed the power grid for the whole city planet. "Metallic blue is so yesterday."

The power plant doors were still damaged by the techno-viking's attack, and a rough barricade blocked the mangled front security gate. But the most alarming feature of the reddish sandstone colored building was the unsteady glow coming from the cup-like top of the structure.

As the Loonatics entered the circular, main grid room,Tech broke off from the group to check one of the many control panels that lined the power control center. The readings confirmed Zadavia's report of a breach. In the center of the room, the main power core flared with hot white and yellow bolts instead of the cool blue electric rings that normally ran up it. Unless repaired soon, not only would the breach leave Acmetropolis without power, but would also blow up a sizable chunk of it as well. Tech popped open an access panel and set to work. As he stabilized the system, Tech mentally drew up plans for branching out the power grid. It was too easy to cripple the planet's power supply with it all concentrated in one plant.

Rampant tendrils of energy still sparked around the room. Tech checked the power core, afraid that the mutant techno-vikings' power had proven incompatible somehow and was destabilizing the system. But Acmetropolis' energy supply was actually in better shape after its techno-viking recharge than before. "Hmm, the main problem's not here. I'd better check the dynamos and solenoids."

"Acme-dynamos,-are-electrical-generators-that-produce-power-using-solenoids,- or-commutators,-which-are-switches-to-periodically-reverse-the-current." Rev supplied helpfully. It was actually a ploy to show Tech that he also had some technical expertise. After all, his pop being a gadget salesman, always brought broken merchandise home for him try and fix. The roadrunner glanced at Tech, wishing the genius would let him help. With his super speed, the job would go much faster, but the coyote brushed off his offers. A slight frown crested his beak. "While-a-solenoid-is-a-simple-current-carrying-coil-of-wire-that-acts-like-a-magnet-when-a-current-passes-through-it. Not-entirely-unlike-Tech-here."

"Trust a roadrunner to . . .." Tech's gripe at being compared to just another piece of equipment faded into a faint growl.

Rev didn't seem to hear it, but Lexi did. She notified Ace who stepped between the two, displeased with the genius. The roadrunner seemed to have a potentially unhealthy interest in the coyote's inventions. Especially when historically roadrunners and coyotes were enemies. The rest of the team had spent a good portion of their first mission against the ice vikings getting in between the two, and it looked like they still needed to.

Tech sighed and walked around Ace. "Not necessary, chief. I don't bite."

Then Tech chuckled. Solenoid, huh? Well, with his magnetic power, maybe he was. The coyote genius took out his palmtop computer and set it to act as an energy sensor. When the coyote ran its analysis beam over the inverted cone that was Acmetropolis' power core, the small device beeped alarmingly.

"Ah, here's the problem. It seems the extreme temperature changes from when the techno-vikings froze and we subsequently thawed it has occasioned fissures in the reactor casings." Tech pondered a moment considering how best to re-coat the energy grid. Then his face brightened as Rev's earlier comparison sparked an idea. "Rev, you're absolutely brilliant."

Confused, but pleased by the unexpected compliment, the red plumed roadrunner flashed a smile at the coyote. Tech didn't notice. He was busy reducing one of the twisted, alloy doors to metal filings with his magnetism. While he worked, Rev rapidly answered Danger's questions on what the techno-geek found; though the mallard was more interested with how dangerous it was rather than with the science of it.

"The-grid's-original-shielding-cracked-when-the-Vikings-froze-it. Though-it-is-odd-that-there-should-be-damage-from-the-freezing-process,-since-cold-tends-to-improve-electrical-conductivity. That's-why-so-many-computers-and-other-equipment-need-fans. Still,-the-expansion-and-contraction-of-the shielding-due-to-the-sudden-temperature-changes-in-the-freezing-and-subsequent-recharging-of-the-core-must-have-cracked-it. Most-materials-contract-when-cold-and-expand-when-hot. Water-being-the-only-known-exception-of-course-as-it-expands-when-it-freezes-into-ice-and-condenses-when-it-returns-to-a-liquid." Rev helpfully explained. "So,-Tech,-do-you-have-some-super-cool-secret-device-to-fix-the-core?"

An odd smile quirked the corner of Tech's mouth. "Why, yes, as a matter of fact, I do."

Tech laid out a thick bare-wire cable on the floor around the periphery of the core room. He then positioned his teammates equidistant around the power core itself. Asking Slam to cyclone the metal dust into the core housing, the coyote powered up his magnetism to plug the cable into an outlet at the same time he brought it in contact with his teammates. The loop formed a perfect, closed circuit for a split second before the scientist channeled the energy directly into the housing. A faint sizzle, and a loud boom, then he flung the cable away to run his palmtop sensor over the core again to ensure it was properly plated. The magnetized cloud of alloy filings around the core had completely melded with the unit. "Ah! perfect. And without so much as a tingle."

"Whoa,-whoa,-whoa! You-mean-to-say-that-WE-were-your-super-cool-secret-device? Not-all-of-us-have-molecular-regeneration-you-know! Okay-kudos-for-actually-forming-us-into-a-living-circuit-so-that-the-current-flowed-through-us-forming-an-electromagnetic-environment-for-the-electroplating-of-the-core. We-once-did-something-like-that-in-school-where-everyone-held-hands-to-form-a-chain-and-the-first-person-grabbed-a-live-wire-and-the-electricity-traveled-through-the-chain,-but-no-one-got-shocked-except-the-last-person-in-line-because-he-wasn't-grounded," Rev broke in on the coyote's concentration. "But-do-you-have-any-idea-how-STUPEFYINGLY-dangerous-that-stunt-was?! You-could-have-blown-the-entire-power-grid-and-us-all-along-with-it!! Are-you-insane!!"

"Yes. No. And Maybe."

"Cute." Rev stated in a tone that indicated he found Tech's answer anything but.

"Hey, ya know der, Tech. If we'd known what your plan was, den we could have better helped out." Alarmed himself by how alarmed the roadrunner was, Ace scolded the coyote.

"Ace-is-right,you-know. You-should-have-told-us," Rev insisted, "BEFORE-you-put-our-lives-at-risk!"

"I don't know what you're upset about, Rev." Tech busied himself with analyzing the repairs. "It was your idea."

"What!? I-don't-remember-telling-you-to-nearly-electrocute-us! . . ."

"Calm down, Rev. You recommended I act as a solenoid to power the re-plating process; of course, that meant that the rest of you had to be the actual generator." Tech interrupted the roadrunner, his voice deep and reasonable. "Besides, it was only in the first four centuries after it was discovered that electricity was harnessed at a frequency harmful to organic life."

"Calm-down? I-will-not-calm-down!" Rev ranted. "At-120-kiloamperes-an-arch-from-the-core-could-have-nearly-instantly-heated-the-air-to-1000-degrees-Celsius,-thats-nearly-twice-the-temperature-of-the-sun's-surface,-no-matter-what-the-voltage-is! Even-you-would-have-been-reduced-to-a-pile-of-ash-at-that."

"How. . . how much energy went through us?" Danger squeaked out weakly.

"You-should-have-told-us." Rev reiterated vehemently.

"Too much knowledge can be a dangerous thing," Tech informed Rev a little smugly, indicating a nearly fainting Danger Duck. The fleet footed fowl followed the canine back to his zoomatrix, still carrying on their rather heated discussion.

"So can too little." Ace muttered as he watched the coyote and roadrunner take off for headquarters.

Green Triangle.

"Inconceivable. There was no real danger," the coyote genius insisted. Even after they returned to base, Tech and Rev were STILL arguing. "I would never risk anyone's life without first calculating every conceivable variable."

"Wait a minute der, Tech. Did it ever occur to ya that ya might not be able to pull it off? Dat was an awful lota juice in dat der power core." Ace stepped between the roadrunner and coyote. The whole team was gathered in the main control room, though none of them were seated at the circular briefing table in the center.

"No." Simple, without pride or arrogance, but with absolute confident in his abilities, Tech answered.

Ace slapped a hand to his forehead and ran it down his face. Man, the guy had an even bigger ego than Danger Duck! Only he was humble about it. Wait. Was that even possible? He shook his head to dislodge the thought dichotomy and turned back to the matter at hand. "Okay, okay. So ya knew it would work. Why didn't ya just tell us?"

"I, uh, didn't want to bore you with the details?" Tech ventured.

"Na uh, Tech. Unacceptable. This whole 'need ta know' t'ing is totally bogus for teamwork." Ace knew there wasn't always time to explain strategy. No time to explain was one thing, but keeping potentially harmful secrets because he didn't trust his teammates was another entirely. Ace decided that the scientist really needed some 'trust training.'

The Loonatic leader considered taking Tech alone for this discussion, but the infraction was against the whole team. Besides what was the use of getting in trouble if no one knew? As easy going as Ace was, he realized that, really of the team, only Tech worked when they didn't have a mission or weren't in training drills. While everyone else relaxed, Tech worked in his lab. He feared it was causing a rift in the team. Not through resentment, Tech invented because that was just who he was, but through not forging the bonds necessary for building a team. There was more to life than just preparing for the next mission. Ace found enforcing discipline easy this time. "You're under restriction, mister."

"What?"

Looking decidedly uncomfortable, Rev moved to the far side of the room but was still unsure enough of his new leader's temperament to actually leave the mission debriefing without being dismissed. He busied himself with a side monitor scanning the city-planet. Sure he'd been upset with Tech, but he hadn't meant to get the coyote in trouble. Also uncomfortable with the confrontation, Slam joined him.

"Yeah, right," Danger commented snidely. The mallard was thoroughly enjoying NOT being the one called on the carpet. "Restrict the genius to base, cut his leave time. He'll just hole up in his lab . . . like always. Ha, some restriction, what are you trying to do reward him for his bad behavior?"

Ace considered, assessing the coyote. Danger was right. Any ordinary restriction wouldn't work on the genius. Tech was altruistic, dedicated to inventing things for the benefit of others . . . almost to the point of fanaticism. The Loonatic leader trusted that. Now he just needed to get Tech to trust him and the rest of the team. "Somebody needs a time out," Ace mumbled to himself, "of da lab, dat is."

Without a further word, but with a cunning glint to his bright blue eyes, the bunny crossed the mission control room, mounting the few steps to the peripheral walkway were the tower controls were. Ace slowly and deliberated used his leader overrides to initiate total lock down of all of Tech's labs.

Tech lunged, grabbing Ace's hand to stop him; but the Loonatic leader glared at the coyote, eyes glowing yellow, until the scientist dropped his hand.

"Ace . . . chief, please." Tech watched horrified as his lab doors sealed and he was locked off from his 'babies.' Unmoved, Ace continued the lock down. The coyote's heart constricted; he could barely breathe.

"Whoa-ho! Cruel and unusual punishment!" Danger wasn't the only one surprised at the harshness of Ace's decision, the others' faces registered shock as well. To forbid Tech to work would be torture to the scientist.

"Something's unusual around here, but it ain't da restrictions." Ace stated as the yellow glow slowly faded leaving his eyes blue once more. "Now you just hang out with da rest of us and relax."

Defeated, Tech bit back a slight whimper. His long ears and bushy tail drooped making him look remarkably like a whipped cur. He whispered, forcing the words past the stricture in his throat. "How long, chief?"

Ace considered. He was still a bit ticked at Tech. He'd like to restrict the scientist for a month for that reckless stunt . . . but he didn't think any of them could stand it and he wasn't really punishing the whole team. "Until further notice."

"Aw, come on Tech. It's not so bad." Lexi couldn't help but smile, somewhat amused that Tech considered the order to have fun a punishment. Lexi tried to cheer up the disconsolate coyote. "Tell you what, you can come with me to the mall."