“We’ve tried everything. Nothing’s worked.” Tonya shook her head.

“I think I’ve got an idea,” Sally commented and the group looked to her with expectation. “It’s going to require some extreme coordination, but I think it could work…there’s only one component missing.” Dee, Alec, and Tonya leaned in as the blonde whispered her plan.

Tonya’s eyes grew big as a mischievous grin spread across her face. “A few days ago, Zarbon told me about a substance he’s been working on for anti-riot troops…”

Excited laughs burst from the group before being stifled as Zarbon entered the remote room. His amber eyes scanned the mock innocence on his friend’s faces. “I don’t want to know.” He turned and left.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Zarbon made the final adjustment to the machine before stepping back to check his aim.

“What is this crap again?” Techno asked.

“A sticky, super noxious compound that will be used to help stop riots in a nonviolent, non-lethal manner,” Zarbon replied.

The men stepped back and Zarbon pushed the remote start button. The gun hummed to life, then began to spray the khaki colored gel at the target. A shudder ran through the frame from the force of the discharge. Suddenly, there was a loud “Ping” and the gun began to spin wildly on its base.

Zarbon leapt out of the way just in time as his cat-like reflexes kicked in, pressing the off button as he did. He looked up to survey the damage. “Kuso,” he muttered under his breath as he took in the sight of his best friend splattered with goo.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“What’s that smell?” Jessica contorted her face as Techno tromped through the kitchen.

Poopsie looked up from her breakfast. “Did an orc sneeze on you?”

The glare from Techno ceased all other comments.

“I’m really sorry, mate,” Zarbon called after him. “I really don’t know what happened. I’ll have Dee bring down the ointment. It’ll help neutralize the odor.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tonya set down the weight as she crinkled her nose. “What is that…” but her words were cut off as Techno arrived at the bottom of the stairs.

“Ewwww.” A sound of disgust came from Sally. “It looks and smells like an orc…”

“No!” Techno yelled, then continued the quest to his shower.

Tonya looked at Sally. “I had no idea it was going to smell that bad,” she shuddered.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Alec, Tonya, and Sally stood patiently outside Techno’s door, waiting for the all clear. Tonya knew the shower had been running for several minutes and time was running short. Finally, Dee opened the door and waved them in, tossing a sack with the goo covered clothes out the door and setting down an armful of clean towels from the bathroom.

Dee and Alec picked up the dresser and carefully carried it out the door as Sally and Tonya tackled the large wardrobe. They worked quickly and quietly, removing every piece of furniture from the room. They even went as far as to strip the walls of pictures and posters.

Zarbon arrived mid process and surveyed the group with confusion. When the room was finally clear, Tonya pulled the bright yellow t-shirt with a smiley face on the front from the backpack resting on the chair, grinning. Sally smirked and pulled out the package with the rainbow colored boxer shorts.

A look of understanding crossed Zarbon’s features. “It’s not going to work.”

The duo dashed back into the room and carefully placed the clothes on the floor, then quickly exited the room, quietly shutting the door behind them.

“It’s not going to work,” Zarbon said again.

“We’ve removed everything else he could possibly use for clothing,” Dee said.

“Still won’t work. You’re underestimating how long he can stay in there and ignore you.”

“And you’re underestimating his need for caffeine,” Alec retorted as he finished setting up the coffee pot five feet directly in front of the door. Already primed and heated, the dark brown liquid quickly began to drip into the waiting pot.

Dee and Sally held their cameras ready as Tonya used a large paper fan to waft the deep, rich scent of coffee toward the door. As the scent filled the cave, Zarbon’s doubt started to waver.

Half an hour ticked by, then the door opened without hesitation. The cameras flashed, and the girls started to yell “Gotcha!” but they fell silent in surprise as yellow t-shirt and rainbow boxers flew through the air and landed in a pile at their feet. They exchanged confused glances, staring at Techno then each other as the one eyed man stepped forward, dressed in black boxers and a black a shirt. He knelt to fill the mug sitting next to the pot.

“How?!?!” Sally finally managed to ask.

Techno calmly sipped the brew then replied. “I always keep spare clothes hidden. Never know when they might come in handy.” He eyed his belongings stacked neatly around the cave. “You are going to put everything back.”

“Plan B,” Zarbon said.

Before anyone could ask what Plan B was, Zarbon pulled a handgun from his pocket and released barrage of projectiles at his best friend. As each capsule hit its mark, Techno was peppered with vibrant colors of red, green, blue, yellow, orange, purple, and pink. Everyone stood frozen a moment before Sally and Dee began to take pictures as fast as they could. Alec and Tonya started laughing and quickly lost the ability to stand. Techno glared at Zarbon, who shrugged and smiled back at his friend.

“Sorry, mate. But I also needed to try out the mini paintball gun.”