When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today we follow Boar squad.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are having a soccer day, which is a really fun day. The Toronto Maple Leaf indoor soccer centre has excellent turf and a top notch smoothie bar as well. Team white is up a goal when some unexpected guests spoil the fun.

Three Washington Capitals walk in as if they own the place. This bothers the Leafs but winning the Stanley Cup comes with privileges. Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dimitry Orlov a few steps behind him. They walk on to the field and Dimitry kicks the ball far out of play.

“That’s enough.” Nikita Zaitsev says in Russian. He approaches the Capitals with Igor Ozhiganov. The five Russians glare at each other.

“I need help.” Evgeny says.

“Lies.” Says Igor.

“No, I’m serious. I need helping fixing my airship.”

“Hey!” Mike Babcock interrupts. ” None of us speak Russian real good. Take your red rally off the field. And you, young man, go get my ball please.” This he says to Dimitry who bristles at the command.

“Go get it.” Alex says before things get out of hand.

Dimitry jogs off to fetch the ball cursing Mike loudly in his native tongue. Alex leads the Russians over to the smoothie bar. The Leafs get back to their soccer game while Alex explains.

“We use Evgeny’s airship for many things.” He speaks in Russian, not sure who may be listening. “We solve crimes, save citizens, all good things. But the ship has crashed.”

“It was sabotaged.” Evgeny says.

Alex quiets him with a look. “It will not fly.” He finally says.

“What do you want us to do?” Igor demands. “Fix your own ship. We are in the middle of a game here!” The Leaf takes his soccer very seriously even if he thinks it’s called football.

“Why do you think we can help?” Nikita takes a calmer tone. He isn’t worried about a single game because he knows there are more to come, each one more serious then the last. He listens to the Capital, even if he doesn’t trust him.

“The dorsal pressurized regulating coupling has gotten flaberinized and I need a goblin engineer to recalibrate the hyperpile” Evgeny says. “We need your help finding one.”

“Your team has wizards doesn’t it?” Igor demands, then he gets up and turns to leave.

Alex opens up a panel on his wrist and turns a dial. The sonic detonator implanted in every Russian cyborg before they are released into the NHL begins to vibrate behind Igor’s left eye.

“Sit comrade.” Alex smiles. “We come seeking our countrymen. It would be sad if we found defectors.”

Slowly Igor sits down. He squeezes his fists so tight it hurts. He fought so hard to make it across the ocean. He fought so hard to be free of his masters. How it hurts to feel their pitiless grip where he thought he was safe.

“So you know how to find the goblins, yes?” Evgeny asks, more like a demand.

Igor is silent, staring at the panel on Alex’s wrist. Nikita is also silent, but unlike Igor he hasn’t stop smiling.

“We don’t know, but our friends do.” Nikita knows this will bother Alex.

“Who?” Alex is bothered.

“One, maybe two guys. I will get them.” Nikita wears his smile like a dagger. Alex doesn’t like inviting foreigners into his business. He needs the airship though.

“Get them.” He finally says.

If anything Nikita smiles wider before standing to leave. He returns with Nazem Kadri and Morgan Rielly. Nazem and Alex don’t get along but Morgan is always friendly. He shakes hands with the Capitals, raising his eyebrows at the exposed circuitry on Alex’s wrist.

“So you need a goblin?” Naz asks.

“An engineer.” Evgeny confirms. His tone is not as condescending in English which serves him well.

“One sec.” Naz takes a step and falls into the shadow of the bar.

Morgan starts to whistle, filling the silence that follows. Alex stares at Morgan hard. Morgan finally notices and answers the glare with a smile, but at least he stops whistling. After a few tense, awkward minutes Naz returns with a squealing, squirming, green little goblin in a dirty leather smock. The creature is bound by the strap of a large tool bag and gagged with a pair of goggles. Naz drops the goblin at Evgeny’s feet. The Capital quickly secures it under his arm and turns to leave with barely a nod in thanks. Dimitry follows close behind.

Alex lingers, glaring at Morgan.

“Why are you here?” Alex asks. “If he is able to get a goblin so easily, why did you come over here?”

“It’s really lame that your country plants kill boxes in all of your heads.” Morgan answers. “It’s beyond lame that they gave you the button. Way beyond lame.”

“What are you talking about?” Alex tries denial but immediately abandons the attempt. “How could you know of such things. It is forbidden to speak of them.” He turns to Igor. “Now you learn the cost of betrayal.” He twists the dial in his cybernetic wrist. Nothing happens.

“That’s why I’m here.” Morgan isn’t smiling anymore. “I disconnected your switch. And since it had an active tether to all the devices I was able to deactivate them too.” Morgan’s technopathic powers are very useful.

“What? How?” Alex futilely twists his wrist dial, his confusion rising to match his frustration.

“It’s simple really.” Morgan’s smile creeps back. “You really ought to update your system.” The Leafs turn away from the retreating Capitals, focusing on what’s important, their own game.