"BCA"

Guardian Angels

Episode 29: "BCA"

As Saipia awoke on the first of October, an alert scrolled across her computerized eyes telling her that it was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. That brought a smile to her face and made her slide out of bed quicker than usual. Instantly, she wrapped her body in a pink bathrobe and wondered out towards the kitchen where two of her three housemates were waiting for her. "Good morning, Sai," greeted Gjai with a warm smile.

"Uh oh, she's get got on her pink bathrobe. Must mean it's October," Erica commented looking briefly from the newspaper she was reading.

"Just wait until you see what I had Kammy build for me," the white wolf remarked with a playful grin as she quickly opened the door to her basement and made her way down the steps.

"This is the first October with her full prosthetic body," Gjia warned.

Erica chuckled at that. "Right. That is what has me a bit worried. This is also her first real October with the Angels. I mean, we've been with her for a couple years now, but usually we're swamped throughout October. This year, however, we're not so busy. And, from the rumors going around, Saipia has a speech to give in a couple weeks at a big Breast Cancer Awareness thing."

Gjai nodded in understanding and with an air of knowledge that was unknown to the leopard. "She used to give them every year. It has been a while sense she has been asked to give a speech. I'm sure she's very excited about it."

The feline looked at the older white wolf who turned her attention to her coffee. "I'm going to assume Saipia will inform me what the hell you're talking about in her own time. This, however, is one thing I do not like about you Fifteen."

"Erica, my dear, your ARE one of the Fifteen now. You're her Gaurdian. I am surprised that you don't know what I'm going on about or why Saipia celebrates BCA every year. I would have figured she would have told you about it, or you'd have figured it out by now," said Gjai.

"I've got a pretty could guess why, but she still hasn't told me. And she hasn't given a speech since I've known her," replied Erica.

It was then that Saipia finally came up from the basement in new, pink-furred prosthetic body. It was already adorned with a police uniform. However, the black uniform had seems in honor of the month. On the right shoulder it had a new Guardian Angels badge and on the left, it had a Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon patch. Her normal silver star was now pink. The Commander even wore a matching cap as she came through the door. "Tell me you're not going to make all of us where that uniform," Erica begged.

"I'm not going to MAKE you. This is breast cancer awareness month and I would love for you all to wear this uniform, but I'm not going to require it," said Saipia.

"I do like the uniform and the fur, Sai," commented Gjai.

"Thanks, Gjai. This was a splurge. I wanted something special for October. I did have uniforms specially made for everyone on the team. There are also matching Class A and Class B uniforms with all the ribbons and awards. Speaking of, I'll be giving a speech on Breast Cancer Awareness in a couple weeks at a very large benefit concert. The department donates every year, but this is the first year I'll be making a donation of my own. I would appreciate it if the team was there to support me...Both my teams would be appreciated," Saipia explained.

Gjia nodded. "You can count on the majority of us. You might have to convince Rex and a couple of the Moore brothers, though."

Saipia shook her head. "Nah. Rex will be there. He's been there every year for a while. Of course, he's goes because it's the one time a year he can compliment a woman's breasts and not get is face slapped."

Erica and Gjai laughed at that. "That certainly sounds like Rex. I feel sorry for Molly sometimes," said the younger wolf.

"Don't be. If anything you should feel sorry for Rex. I wouldn't have assigned just anyone to babysit that idiot," Saipia commented as she headed towards the kitchen to get some food and coffee.

"You going to tell the Angels WHY you're giving a speech?" Gjai asked, catching Erica and Saipia off guard.

The older wolf thought about that for a moment. "If they attend the speech, they'll know. Those who don't attend, I'll tell them afterwards. And Erica, I'm going to have to order you to attend the speech. You'll want to anyway, but knowing you, you'd miss it if you could."

"Are you kidding. It's been a very long time since I've heard one of your speeches. I want to hear what you have to say. I'll be there, and I'll even where that stupid new uniform of yours. But just because I like you," Erica replied as she put the newspaper down.

Saipia glared at the feline a moment. "You've been talking to Layta. I hope you two had fun last night,"

That brought a blush to Erica's face who was bit surprised by the statement. "Nothing happened last night."

"Erica, I'm a wolf. I could hear you two from my room. And your perfume tells me you're trying to cover your scent. I just hope you stay in her room and out of mine," the commander replied as Gjai giggled at Erica's embarrassment.

* * *

Saipia and Erica were the first of the Angels to arrive at the station. The first thing They did was head to the locker rooms and hang up the new uniforms with notes that told the team that they weren't required to wear the uniforms, but it was strongly encouraged. Erica then proceeded to change into her BCA uniform while Saipia went to her office and went through the paperwork on her desk that included a few pieces of mail. Most of it was congratulating her on her being chosen to give the speech. However, when she opened the final three letters, they were all very threatening, accusing her of paying off the board and saying that, as a Genoid she wasn't worthy of giving the speech. This just made the old wolf lean back in her chair and sigh a heavy sigh of frustration. When Erica entered the office and say the look, she was immediately concerned. "What's wrong?"

"Take a look for yourself," the canine said as she pushed the threatening letters towards her friend. Erica cautiously picked them up and started reading them while Saipia began fixing a pot of coffee to calm her nerves.

"These sound very serious, Saipia. They appear to be written by the same person or group, at least. And they sound homicidal," Erica remarked.

Saipia nodded. "I know. I suppose you're going to order the rest of the team to accompany me to the speech to protect me."

"Yeah. I don't want my potential mother-in-law to get killed giving a speech," Erica agreed.

"Erica Martin's getting married? Since when?" James asked as she entered the office wearing her new uniform.

"She hasn't agreed to anything yet. But the way my daughter keeps nagging her and after last night, It'll happen soon," Saipia retorted.

"I would recommend you not giving the speech at all, but I doubt you'd agree to that," Erica said ignoring the two older canines.

"No. It's been over thirty years since I've been asked to give one of these speeches and a lot has happened in those years. I am really looking forward to this. And I'm a cyborg, it should be pretty hard to kill me. Especially with this armored body," Saipia insisted.

"I still don't like it," Erica defended as James read the letters.

"Well, it looks like we know what we're doing in a couple weeks. I'm with Erica on this one. I don't care how armored your body is, I don't want anyone even trying to kill you. It's a good thing each of us is very highly trained," James commented.

Through the open door to her office, Saipia could see the other members of her team starting to arrive and make their way to the lockers. The commander stood to her feet and poured herself and the two other officers some coffee in cups she had sitting next to the coffee maker which sat on top of a filing cabinet. "Well, should we get this day started?"

"You're not doing anything. If the author or authors of these letters is or are serious, then you'll have to be on round the clock survalience until we're sure you're safe. The safest place for you is..." James ordered.

"At home. I know the SOP. But, I just got my new body and uniform and I want to show off," Saipia said.

The maned wolf simply rolled her eyes. "Nice fur and uniform, by the way. I think pink suits you better than blue."

Saipia smiled at that as she took a sip of her coffee. Her sensitive ears told her that everyone was filtering out of the locker rooms and taking seats at their desks. She could even tell who the footsteps belonged to. She could smell their individual scents and even make out the unique way in the way their clothes ruffled as they moved. From this, she knew before seeing them who was wearing the new uniforms. From what she heard, everyone was, except for one and she shook her head at who it was. "I don't know what I'm going to do about him," she muttered to herself as she made her way past the other two Genoid officers in her office.

A proud smile crossed her face as she saw all the pink and black uniforms. That smile, however was erased when her eyes fell upon Jack. "Is the uniform that bad, or is it because I requested you wear it, Evan?"

The hyena looked up from his computer at his boss then noticed everyone else was looking at him and noticed everyone else had the new uniform on. "I don't like the pink," he muttered.

"Neither do I," Jimmy commented. "But, it's not about the color, it's about what it represents. And Saipia wants to see us in the new uniforms. She probably spent a lot of time and money to get these made. And they did turn out rather nice."

"Besides," said Candy, "It's only for a month. Although, I'm sure we can wear them as long as we want, right, Commander?"

"You sure can. However, I will have a new set of uniforms for everyone at the end of the month, that won't have any pink on them. Those will be our new official uniforms. But, if you want to wear your BCA uniforms, you can do so," Saipia agreed.

"Commander, I like the new look. Those uniforms really turned out great!" Greeted the Chief as he wandered out of his office.

"Thanks, Chief. Evan, out of curiosity, when you said you didn't like the pink, were you referring to the uniforms or to my fur?" Saipia questioned.

Jack stood with a slight grin. "Both, actually. I'm actually glad you're not my girlfriend, at the moment."

"Oh, if you were my boyfriend, and you told me you didn't like the color of my fur, I'd just kick your ass. You do know you're part of a task force fighting discrimination, right? It really makes you look like a idiot when you make comments like that," spat the pink wolf.

"Hey, you need to calm down a bit, Sai. Jack's an idiot, but you really should let him get to you like that," Erica commented, and all eyes were instantly on her with baffled looks. "What?"

"Apparently, my daughter is a better influence on you than I thought. You're right, I shouldn't get worked up over Evan's stupidity. However, that said, Mr. Taylor, if you keep up with this unprofessional behavior, I will be forced to fire you. I am a wolf. You guys are my pack. If a single member of my pack isn't doing what their supposed to, it hurts the whole pack. So, to restore order, it is simply easier for me to get rid of the one bad member," Saipia warned. "Now, as your punishment for your insubordination, you are required to wear your new uniform."

Jack gave his superior a wounded look and reluctantly made his way to the locker room to change. "You're going to fire him anyway, aren't you?" Erica questioned once the hyena was out of earshot.

"I don't really have a choice. His behavior is getting worse. Even after I explained why I won't date him, he still acts like his predicament and state of mind is my fault. And his constant disrespect for me is going to get him in trouble with the chief if I don't do something. And if he gets in trouble with the chief, I'm in trouble with the chief," Saipia said.

"No. I wouldn't fault you for his behavior. Sometimes, no matter what a parent does, the kid turns out rotten. But, Saipia, if you don't get rid of him, I will," said Chief Anderton.

Saipia nodded in understanding as the old man went back to his office. "You going to attend my speech, Chief?"

The old man paused a moment and smiled back at the Genoid. "That's right. You're giving the speech to kick off the March for the Cure and to hand the Breast Cancer Research place our check. Yeah. I'll be there."

"Wait, you're giving the speech this year?" Candy questioned and Saipia nodded. "I heard there was going to be a very special speaker this year, but I didn't know it was you."

"Yup. I used to give them every year. Then one year, I had everything ready to go, and got to the place all ready to give the speech and they said they'd already asked someone else to do it. And I watched every year for the past thirty years as several other people give the speech that I loved to give. Now, I guess they've run out of speakers to replace me," Saipia explained with a smile.

As Jack finally returned to the group wearing his new uniform, James quickly took the floor. "Alright, now that we're all here. For the next two weeks, our job is to protect Commander Saipia. She's scheduled to give a speech at a Breast Cancer Awareness event and has received some very threatening letters. I want around the clock survalience on her. Erica and I will watch over her when she's not here."

"No, you will not, James. You've got a husband and a political campaign to worry about. And Erica's going to be too distracted by Layta. Synder and Jimmy, you two can protect me when I'm at home. Just remember there are four women living in my house. Well, three and a half," Saipia corrected.

Erica gave the canine a firm punch in the shoulder. "Bitch!" she barked, with a big smile on her face. "I'm more woman than you are."

"I'd like you to make that argument to my daughter," Saipia retorted, causing Erica to scoff and fold her arms over her chest in defeat.

"Don't worry, Commander, you're in good hands," Synder commented.

"Don't get any funny ideas, boys. In fact, Tossa, you'll be taking over for Synder. I know you and Jimmy won't try anything stupid," ordered Saipia.

Jimmy laughed and gave Synder a friendly pat on the shoulder. "That's gotta sting. But she does have a point. I've got my military background and Tossa's from Africa and seens some pretty messed up stuff. We're more qualified to keep guard of her in a situation like this as we'll be more prone to actually be looking for people trying to kill her instead of just messing around."

"It's fine with me. Just make you keep her safe, or you'll have to answer to the rest of us," Synder replied.

"Synder, this body is heavily armored. The protection detail is mostly a formality and a precaution. I'd easily survive a gun fight, but if they bring heavy artillery, then I'm going to need some backup," Saipia explained.

"Anyway, you all have your orders. This takes priority over everything," James said.

* * *

The night leading before the speech, was just as uneventful as those leading up to it. However, every time Saipia had entered her office, there was more hate mail, and the threats were getting serious. She was thankful she had upgraded her security system around her house.

As she sat on her couch and watched an anime movie with a plate of rib bones, her daughter sat next to her while Jimmy, Erica, Tossa and Gjai played Spades a few feet away. "So, tomorrow's your big day, huh?" Layta said.

"Yeah. You are going to be there, aren't you?" asked Saipia.

"Of course. Your my mother. I'm very interested in what you have to say about breast cancer," said the youngest of the white wolves.

"Speaking of which," Saipia started and glanced back at Erica before leaning in close to her daughter. "You still haven't told her, have you?" Layta shook her head. "Well, just so you know. She WILL find out in the morning."

"That's fine. I know she'll be pretty mad at me for a little bit, but she'll still love me," Layta replied as she took a bite from one of the bones. "Besides, I doubt you've told anyone the main reason you're giving a speech."

"They'll find out tomorrow," Saipia shrugged. "How are your treatments going, anyway?"

"Fine. My doctor seems satisfied," said Layta.

"Whatever you do, do NOT let your grandmother know you're seeing another doctor. She threw a massive fit when I started going to Kammy for my prosthetics," the mother told her daughter.

Layta rolled her eyes at that. "I have no intention of telling her anything. She spent her life making your life miserable. I really want nothing to do with her."

Saipia gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek. And the two spent the next couple hours watching the movie and eating rib bones.

* * *

Being a representative of the police department, Saipia wore her pink lined class B uniform. She sat on a seat with her legs neatly crossed, her daughter sat next to her on her right while James and Jimmy stood on either side of them on guard duty. They, too, where in their BCA class B's. Erica and the other Angels were patrolling the grounds, but it was Erica that noticed the first signs of suspicious activity as she spotted a guy in a nice suit with a large suitcase amongst the crowd.

The owner of the leading cancer hospital was giving the introduction. "Every year for nearly 100 years, we've have had a special guest come up and give a speech to kick of the March for the Cure and to help with the cause. For a five of those years, we had a very special guest give that speech. However, she hasn't given it in 30 years. But, now she's back. Please help me welcome Commander Saipia."

There was a round of applause as Erica silently followed the man with the suitcase to a vacant building. "I've got a Tango, guys," she announced quietly. Each member of the team, including Saipia, wore a headset so they could communicate with each other and so everyone could hear Saipia's speech.

As the pink canine stepped up to the podium with a big smile on her face, the man quickened his pace with Erica close behind. "It has been a while since I've done this. I just hope I can remember how." That got a few chuckles from the crowd while the potential assassin began to put together his rifle. "Right, anyway. It has been 30 long years since I've given this speech. A lot has happened within that time. I've fallen in love, had a daughter," here Saipia gestured to Layta behind her, "I've gone through a few events that have ended with me getting a full prosthetic body, and now I'm a Commander with my very own task team. However, somethings have not changed. Namely, the reason why I've given so many of these speeches. What a lot of people here do not realize is that I once fought with breast cancer myself," that caught a couple shocked gasps from members of her team, but Erica was busy fighting with the assassin. "However that was a long time ago. The reason I have been invited back to give another speech is because my daughter was recently diagnosed with breast caner and is currently undergoing treatment for it." That distracted Erica long enough for the assailant to get a shot off, hitting Erica in the hip. As the human tried to get away and finish his mission, Erica put a couple bullets in his back. "In a way, I'm glad she got the cancer, because I had almost forgotten what my own battle was like. Luckily, though, she should make a full recovery. I do not know what I would do if she were to die from such a thing. But, there is another thing that her ailment has made me remember is that I personally, have never donated to the National Breast Cancer Association myself. So, in addition to presenting the NBCA with the check from the precinct, I'm going to donate three million dollars of my own money to find a cure.

"I know there are those of you who do not like the prospect of a Genoid giving this speech. I know that has been the main reason why I have been absent from this podium for 30 years. However, everyone must remember that we are all here for the same reason: to find a cure for breast cancer. Genoid and human alike. I know many of the women here, and a some of the men have suffered from this disease. And, one would have hoped that there would be a cure for cancer by now, but, it is tougher than we think. But, every little bit counts. Please, enjoy the March and let's find a cure together."

As Saipia took a step back to take care of the annual presentation of the check from the police department, the crowd let out a cheer. The pink canine was happy, however to finally take a seat next to her daughter once again.

* * *

"I was going to tell you, Erica, I just haven't really had the time," Layta argued with Erica as everyone entered Saipia's house after the March,

"You have time every night," growled the leopard.

"So, you're a breast cancer survivor, huh?" questioned James.

Saipia shook her head. "I didn't survive my battle."

"Oh. So, your current demeanor is a farce. In reality, you're freaking out because you don't want your only daughter to suffer your fate," the maned wolf said.

Saipia nodded enthusiastically. "If I were to show how worried I am about my daughter's condition, you'd all be worrying about me. We wouldn't get any work done."

Erica took a seat on the couch with her bandaged hip and Layta took a seat next to her while Saipia entered took a seat nearby and everyone else took seats around the large living room area. "But you are her mother, Saipia. It's understandable that you'd be worried about her. Especially since she has a disease that took your life."

"I know, but, for me, the best thing I can do is work to keep my mind off the fact that she could die. But, now that Erica's wounded, she'll be far more useful by Layta's side during her treatments than at the precinct," Saipia replied.

"But, she's your Gaurdian, Sai," Gjai complained.

"Gjai, you're Guardian is off with her family every night. If Erica and Layta decide to get married, I'm not going to make them stay here. Besides, Erica's usefulness as my bodyguard with an injured leg is pretty low. If she wants to help me she can accompany Layta," Saipia scolded. "In fact, most of the Guardians don't watch over the person they're supposed to 24-7. Heck, not even Molly keeps an eye on Rex continuously."

"Don't worry, mother. I won't be marrying Erica until she goes back to being a guy," Layta commented.

"What's wrong with me being a hermaphrodite?" Erica asked.

"Nothing if that's how you were born. But, you were born a guy and I want you what you were born as. I love you no matter what you are, but, I want you to know, that I love you AS you are. You had a sex change because everyone teased you, but, now, you're older, stronger, and have me as a girlfriend. I do not think anyone will tease you," said Layta and gave the leopard a kiss on the lips.

"She's got a point, Erica," Saipia agreed as she stood to her feet. "Anyway, I'm going to go take a shower and change. If anyone wants to take a shower, as well, we have four showers. Layta, Erica and Gjai can show you the way."

Next Time:

When the Hollywood ASPCA encounters a dog fighting and illegal animal selling ring that uses Genoids as well as feral animals, they contact the Angels to help them put an end to it. And to do that, the Angels will go undercover...as their feral forms.

Episode 30: "Feral"