MASK Legacy: Saga 3- The Fallen

Chapter 1

Author's Notes: Well, loyal fans, we are back with the third installment of the MASK Legacy Saga, and once again, we hope you'll all enjoy this one as much as the other two. Kudos for co-author Lisa L. who helped me come up with the awesomely descriptive, yet totally cryptic chapter summary. Also, special thanks to all of our readers and reviewers that we've gained over the course of our writings…you guys help make the writing process all that much more fun, even if I didn't get back to some of you that have emailed me. None of you have been forgotten, so please keep reading and reviewing. Especially now…when the team is starting to ride toward a very dark fall.

Standard beginning of story disclaimer: We don't own MASK, but believe me, if we could get the rights off of Kenner/Parker toys or whoever owns them now, we would. We only own original characters Roxanne Trakker (Lisa), Annie Turner (Darster), and all of the other unrecognized characters we added for a little bit of background color.

Story Rating is a very solid PG-13 for several dark themes, which will get much darker by the time we're done. Happy Reading

Old age was starting to show on Matthew Trakker, as he glanced into his study mirror casually sipping his favorite brandy. He still held onto his strong physical fit body by exercising daily, but his once bright blond hair showed streaks of gray mostly from stress and dark rings were forming under his eyes from the lack of sleep. It seems like everything was happening so fast, that he could barely grasp it anymore. Only a few weeks had past since the accident and things had yet to return to normal. His blue eyes drifted into his glass searching for the comfort he couldn't find anywhere else. Suddenly a buzzing noise from his computer pulled him back into reality. He moved behind his desk, and the moment he turned the computer on to answer the call, he set all his worries aside, "Duane, What do I owe the pleasure?"

"Ah Matt Trakker. It's been awhile," Duane Kennedy replied from the comforts of his own home computer, "How is Scott doing?"

"Better," Matt smiled to show his appreciation, "The doctors are talking about releasing him within the next two days. It's been a challenge to keep him in bed and the doctors are on the verge of restraining him."

"Oh?"

"Thought he'd check himself out of the hospital and rip out his IV, but Annie was there to lecture him on ends about how she wouldn't be responsible for him if he passed out and decided to injure himself further. He's never cared much for hospitals, but he'll do anything she says to keep her happy."

The two gentlemen laugh at the thought, "Ah those two will be married before you know it, Matthew."

"I know…but that idea is sort of put on hiatus at the moment, until Scott is at a full recovery."

"Of course, I can tell all of this has taken a great toll on you. I hate to trouble you with business at this hour."

"Go ahead Duane. The world doesn't sleep while VENOM is lurking."

"Nicely said, but I'm afraid these talks tonight have very little to do with VENOM. I've received reports of your daughter's conduct from the last mission from Annie Turner."

Matt stiffened slightly, but knew that should have been expected, "I'm aware of that. She is on probation, until I feel she is fit to return to duty. At the moment I can't afford to lose another one of my agents. Scott isn't fully recovered, and his accident has put a lot of emotional strain on the team, especially Roxanne."

"Sometimes I wonder what you see in that girl, but she is you flesh and blood. I trust your judgment Matt, but this will go in her file for reckless endangerment. It won't take much after this to have to removed permanently."

"I understand," Matt did a swift nod of compliance.

"Anyways the real reason why I'm calling," Duane paused for a moment to find the right words before continuing, "I wanted to keep you informed of a little project we have been running on the side as a joint effort with the United Nations. Long before MASK was formed, your brother was working on a state of the art missile guidance system. "

"That was nearly 25 years ago, Duane. Technology has advanced a great deal since then."

"We both know your bother was a man well ahead of his time. I mean look at your assault vehicles. No weapons the military can produce can come close to such level of stealth & precision. This system is based on the same crystal power source used to energize your masks. Using Alex's notes we were able to create a synthetic replica of the crystal and update your brother's previous work, before coming to our final product."

An unwelcome grin appeared on Matt face, "The full power and capability of that crystal was logged by my family for two generations. The crystal emits a constant stream of energy based on it physical properties. There are still mysteries surrounding the exactly origin of it. The crystal was so powerful we only needed it to energize our masks for 30 seconds; else the power would overload the mask. Surely you realize that using it like a battery could turn your new system into the next atom bomb."

"Believe me Matt we wouldn't of gone through with it if we hadn't found away to regulate the power output. This new system allows a faster response time. We're talking about saving millions of people from unsuspecting attacks," He reassured back.

"Or dooming them. I can't believe you kept this project from me. Why tell me now?"

"Cause this is the exactly the type of reaction I was expecting to get from you," Duane sighed as he pushed up his glasses, to prevent them from sliding off his nose. "Listen Matt Contra World is growing more out of hand these days, especially with Jon running the show. We need to be prepared for anything."

"What's to stop anyone from reprogramming the protocol or overloading the system?"

"It would take two access keys from the two highest ranking members of the PNA and UN. Then that individual would have to access the control station in an undisclosed top-secret location. It won't be an easy task, I assure you."

Matt continued to show displeasure on his face, "I really wish you would of consulted at least Bruce or Alex on this project."

"You worry too much. We have good hard working men and women who dedicated their lives to develop this system."

"Duane, you heading off to bed?" A woman in her late fifties wearing a nightgown interrupted peaking into Duane's study.

"I'll be up in a few minutes dear," Duane hastily replied back to his wife. After she left the room his attention drifted back to the computer, "Well I guess you're going to have to come out here and debate me in person Trakker. In the mean time, the Mrs. is expecting me for bed.

"I'll take you up on that offer. Good night Duane."

"Night Matt," Duane signed off and rubbed his eyes.

"AAAAHHHHH!"

Duane's head popped up the moment he heard his wife scream from the hallway. "ALICE!" He rushed out with his heart pounding and mind racing at what he might expect. He froze the moment he saw someone holding a gun to his wife's head. "YOU!" he said with utter disgust, "Let her go this instant!"

"Your in no position to order me around. I want the access key; else your wife gets a nice fat size hole in her head.

He bit his lip. It was a choice between national security and his wife, but either way he'd be the next to go.

"What are you standing around for? Lets keep in mind; I'm only holding this gun to make my job a hell of a lot easier. I really don't need you old geezers alive to pick the safe you have hidden in the floorboard under your desk.

Sweat dripped down Duane face. How could you know that? Alright take it easy. It's ok to comply. They can have my key, but they won't get the second one. With a step of confidants, he lead the perpetrator back into his study and revealed the hidden safe under his desk. Several times he glanced up at his shaking wife, which resulted in him fumbling the safe combination.

"Will you hurry it up and keep your eyes on the safe. Else next time you turn your head the first shot starts at her feet."

"Alright…alright," He took a deep breath and steadied his trembling hand. Once the safe pop open, he was pushed side and thrown into his wife.

Duane hugged his wife and spoke as thought he were performing one of his speeches, "I always knew you'd do something like this someday."

The thief stopped eyeing the access key, as though it were a precious treasure, and gave Duane a vicious look. Those very words had struck a nerve. "You know I forgot to leave a parting gift so you'd remember me by." The thief charged towards Duane and slammed him up against the wall. The PNA president's eyes were mostly full of shock by the power of the attack, then stinging sensation he felt in his gut.

"DUANE!" Alice screamed as she headed over to her husband, who slowly fell to the floor with a knife in his gut. Duane reached out to his wife feeling the very life being sucked out of him. She stood frantic over him trying everything in her power to stop the bleeding.

Through all the commotion nobody noticed the new figure to enter the room, "Weren't you told not to have any witnesses?"

A gun fired and the shot went straight into Alice's heart. Duane looked down at the added weight in his lap. His wife was no longer alive and soon he'd join her. His vision started to blur, but he got a good look at the man who shot his wife, "Jon…you…son…of a…bit…."

Jon knelt down before the president, before he closed his eyes, "I'm sure that's the first time he never finished a sentence. You get it?"

"Of course."

Jon pulled the knife out and handed it to his accomplice, "This was a sloppy job. Next time do what your told."

"Maybe I don't like to do what I'm told."