Chapter 9: The Foot Strikes First
The air in Stockman's lab was thick with tension. The turtles were still getting used to his presence, and he was still gauging how useful they could be.
Leonardo, ever the leader, remained cautious. "If TCRI is onto you, you're not just in danger—you're a liability."
Stockman smirked. "That's one way to look at it. Another way? I'm leverage."
Donatello adjusted his bo staff. "Leverage won't help if they send people to eliminate you."
Stockman leaned back in his chair. "Which is why I plan to strike first."
April sighed. "Oh, great. More reckless decisions."
Raphael crossed his arms. "Gotta say, I kinda like this guy's style."
Before anyone could respond, the lab's security system flared red.
Intrusion Detected.
Stockman's expression darkened.
A moment later, the power cut out, plunging the room into darkness.
A second after that, the skylight exploded inward.
Ambush
Foot Clan ninjas dropped into the lab like shadows given form, their movements swift and silent.
Casey was the first to react, grabbing his hockey stick. "Aw, hell no—"
A kunai whizzed past his face, barely missing him.
The turtles were already moving.
Leonardo's swords flashed, deflecting a shuriken as he stepped forward with deadly precision. "They're not wasting time!"
Michelangelo flipped over the desk, his nunchaku spinning. "Man, they never just knock!"
Stockman, however, was already in motion.
He activated his wrist device, and the moment his fingers brushed against the interface, the lab came alive.
Hidden turrets emerged from the ceiling, firing precise, non-lethal stun blasts at the Foot ninjas.
A pulse wave erupted from the floor, sending two attackers sprawling.
Donatello's eyes widened. "Okay, now I'm impressed."
April ducked behind the desk, yanking out a small taser from her bag. She shocked an approaching ninja in the ribs, sending him twitching to the floor.
Stockman moved through the chaos, his mind calculating. This wasn't just an attack.
This was a message.
And he hated being threatened.
---
As the last of the Foot ninjas fell, the room grew silent.
But the battle wasn't over.
Because standing in the broken remains of the skylight was a figure Stockman recognized instantly.
Karai.
She leaped down, her sword gleaming in the dim light.
Leonardo immediately raised his own weapons. "Karai."
She ignored him, her piercing gaze locked onto Stockman. "Baxter Stockman. The Master wishes to speak with you."
Stockman chuckled. "And he sends assassins instead of a polite invitation?"
Karai's grip on her sword didn't waver. "You are interfering in matters far beyond your comprehension."
Stockman smirked. "You'd be amazed at what I comprehend."
April hissed under her breath. "Baxter, don't antagonize her."
But he wasn't backing down.
He took a step forward, meeting Karai's gaze with cold confidence. "Tell your Master this: I don't respond well to threats. If he wants to talk, he knows where to find me."
Karai's expression remained unreadable.
Then, in a blur of motion, she was gone, disappearing through the broken window.
Leonardo lowered his swords. "You just made an enemy of the Foot Clan."
Stockman smiled.
"No," he corrected. "I just made myself someone worth fearing."
End of Chapter 9.