Different Horizons-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chase made it to the tower relatively quickly. He stopped in an alley in front of the building. Chase peaked around the corner. More soldiers guarded the entrance than before. Chase guessed that The Copycat wanted to take extra measures to ensure no one foils his plans. Chase had to find another way to Ryder.

Chase noticed a guard walking around the corner towards him, so he hid. As the guard passed by, Chase grabbed him and dragged him into the alley. Chase held the soldier by his uniform.

"What's going on?" the soldiers called out.

"I'm sorry in advance," Chase told him. "I normally wouldn't do this." Chase knocked out the guard with a swift but powerful punch to the temple.

Chase carried the unconscious soldier behind a dumpster. He took the guy's uniform, which was big enough to fit snugly over his suit. Chase put on the helmet, grabbed the gun, and left the alley.

Chase made his way towards the tower. In his hands, the heavy weapon shook softly. Chase couldn't believe that he knocked someone out. Back in their universe, nothing ever got to the point where that was necessary, except with the mad scientist in Adventure City. They didn't knock her out, but he and Ryder discussed it being the last option if all else failed.

On this occasion, Chase tried to convince himself that it was his last option. If Chase had just tied the soldier up, he could've gotten out and warned the others before Chase could do anything. The soldier could've called out for others had Chase tried reasoning with him. Chase had no other choice. Yet, the feeling that it was wrong still rang in the back of Chase's head. Chase felt no different than the corrupted officials working for the villains.

Chase made it to the tower. The tower looked eerie in the moonlight like it knew what was happening inside. Chase kept moving forward. The night breeze sent a chill down his spine.

Chase walked towards the entrance of the building. He passed through soldiers and mercenaries. The majority of them ignored him. A few looked at him but didn't pay much attention to him.

"Hey," someone said behind him. Chase turned around to see the Squadron Eagle Staff Sergeant from earlier. He was walking towards Chase. As the Staff Sergeant got closer, Cbase realized how big the man was. He was bigger than Chase and had about the same build as Bruce. His tag had the word "Anderson" engraved into it. "What are you doing with your rifle drawn?"

Chase looked down at the weapon in his hand, an M-4 Carbine. Chase looked around and noticed that the other soldiers carried their rifles on their backs. Chase looked back at the Sergeant. "I was . . . checking the safety and inspecting it, sir." Chase straightened his composure. Thanks to Ryder's dad, Chase knew how to act around chiefs.

"You're supposed to do that in the armory, where no one is around for you to injure if your weapon were to misfire."

"I forgot, sir," Chase said.

"Hmm," the Sergeant said. He looked at Chase's face as if trying to read his mind. He stayed quiet for so long that Chase thought he got caught. At last, the Sergeant eased up. "Very well. What's your current objective?"

"Uh, I didn't get one, sir."

"Well, now I'm giving you one. I'm commanding you to cell guard for the rest of the night. Next time, don't forget the simple rules we have. Let's go."

"Yes, sir," Chase said. Chase followed the Sergeant towards the entrance of the tower.

"State your ID and business," the guard said.

"Staff Sergeant, ID two-zero-zero-four with Squadron Eagle. I have the next guard switch for cell patrol with me." The guard let them pass. "You know you're way from here." The Sergeant told Chase. "Get going. The switch is in an hour. Make yourself useful somewhere until then."