CHAPTER 9

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Location: The TOC

Date: 4MAY21

Time: 1100

It’s been seven weeks since the battle for the TOC. And it had been months since all the Pawtriots had been together. But it feels good to be back home where it all started.

During the battle, we were tired and outnumbered, but we took back the TOC and saved the Sanctuary . . . again. We fought hard against the forces of evil and showed bravery at every turn.

The Red Hands, Mr. Mocoso, Hans, and Heinz met us with fury. But they fought for greed and power. The Pawtriots fought for our home, our freedom, and for one another.

And just as quickly as the battle had begun, it was over.

Still, Mr. Mocoso, his nasty pinschers, and a few Red Hands managed to escape. They had already loaded all the gold buried beneath the TOC into the shipping container. All they needed was a way out.

Mr. Mocoso scurried onto the shipping container as a transport helicopter hovered above. While some of the Red Hands secured the container to the helicopter with chains, Hans and Heinz couldn’t help but reveal their diabolical plan.

“You fools really think you won, don’t you?” Hans snickered as he reluctantly backed away from the battlefield in retreat. “This is just the beginning!”

Then Heinz called out, “We never wanted this stinking place. We wanted the gold! Mr. Mocoso has far bigger plans. And if I were you, Rico, I’d be very worried!”

As I watched them slip away, I realized that this wouldn’t be the last time we would cross paths. We had won the battle, but the war against evil had just begun.

Hans and Heinz even sent us a written message last week, taunting us more.

RICO:

YOU AND YOUR GOODY TWO-SHOES PAWTRIOTS HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU’RE UP AGAINST. WE HAVE STARTED OUR OWN UNIT. OUR OWN EVIL UNIT.

AND YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO STOP US!

WE’RE THE MENACE MUTTS. AND WE MEAN BUSINESS—EVIL BUSINESS, OF COURSE.

YOUR DEAREST ENEMIES,

HANS AND HEINZ

CO-LEADERS OF THE MENACE MUTTS.

After the battle for the TOC, it took us a few weeks to get everything back up and running, but we are better for it. And now that we’ve recruited Pawtriots from each branch of the Armed Forces—Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Marines—I gave them all tasks and purpose. If we’re going to continue fighting evil, we must be well organized.

Sergeant Rico: Commander

Penny and Brick: Recruitment

Franny, Smithers, Morgan, Sawyer: Tactics Instructors

Chaps: Drill Instructor

Daisy: Maneuvers Instructor

Simon: Signals Instructor

Lindy: Air Force Instructor

Jet: Coast Guard Instructor

Jag: Navy Instructor

Gunner: Marine Instructor

The Pawtriots were already a household name after we saved the Sanctuary the first time around. We were getting fan mail every week, but once word spread about all the adventures we had just been on, fan mail started arriving daily. Animals from across the country had heard the stories about all the animals we saved and all the beasts, spiders, krakens, and robots we defeated.

I love reading every letter. Each one reminds me of the Pawtriots’ true purpose: to help those in need.

I write every animal back so they know that the Pawtriots are ready, willing, and able to help. I tell everyone that no matter how long it takes or how far we must go, we won’t ever give up until our mission is complete.

And I always sign my letters the same:

Stay strong. The Pawtriots are on the way!

—Sergeant “Rico” Ricochet