Woops. Forget the disclaimer.

Disclaimer: I don't own Alpha Force and I sort of don't own the plot.

Hex groaned and covered his ears.

'Must they make so much noise?!' he cried. Amber grinned and patted his shoulder.

'Think about what it must be like for them; the poor things just want a home to go to,' she said. Hex rolled his eyes and finished scrubbing out the water bowl.

Alpha Force were in Northumberland, staying with Alex and his family. They had been there for a few days when Amber caught sight of an advertisement in a shop window.

Wanted. Volunteers to help out at local dog pound. Must be dedicated and willing to work hard.

Amber had immediately rung up and volunteered not only herself, but Alex, Paulo, Li and Hex as well.

'It's a chance to help make a difference,' Amber had said firmly. No one was going to argue with Amber, so they all had their names put down on the volunteer list.

Now Hex was wondering whether escape was possible. He and Amber had scrubbed abut a million water and food bowls and the dogs' barking was driving him up the wall. Just as he was about to sneak off to the toilets, Li, Paulo and Alex came running up to them. Hex screamed silently as Amber gave a gasp of delight.

'Ohhhhh. So cute!' she cooed as Li handed her a lead. Attached to the other end was a small terrier with big brown eyes and pointed ears. Amber immediately bent down and made a fuss of the dog, who rolled over, demanding a tummy scratch. Alex was struggling to control a boisterous Rottweiler puppy while Paulo cradled a tiny poodle. Hex couldn't help grinning. A poodle! That didn't really fit with the big Argentinean. Li's dog, who was sedately chewing a tennis ball, didn't exactly match the lively Anglo-Chinese girl either. Hex realised with immense relief that they didn't appear to have a dog for him.

'Don't worry, Hex,' Li remarked, bringing Hex's good fortune crashing down. 'Kayla has a dog for you.'

Just as Li finished speaking, Kayla appeared around the corner. She was a volunteer at the shelter as well and had taken Alpha Force under her wing, showing them around and teaching them about looking after the dogs.

'Where's-' Hex stopped abruptly as he saw the dog trailing behind Kayla. 'What is that?!'

Kayla grinned. 'Isn't he lovely? This is Titch. He's a Great Dane.'

'Thanks Kayla,' Amber laughed. 'Hex'll have fun with him.'

After walking the dogs, Alpha Force sat in the volunteer room eating and talking to the other workers. Hex was rubbing his arm, a grimace on his face.

'Never again,' he muttered. He turned to Paulo. 'If I ever even suggest getting a dog, punch me.' Paulo laughed and nodded.

'Of course.'

Amber bounded up to their table.

'Oh, please can I be included in that responsibility?' she begged. Hex looked horrified and quickly shook his head.

'No way in hell, Amber!'

Amber pouted. 'You're so mean.'

Kayla wandered over to the five friends and motioned to the only spare chair.

'Mind if I join you guys?' she asked. Alpha Force shook their heads and Kayla sat down.

'I just wanted to thank you all for the fabulous work you guys have done these past few days. I'm amazed that kids your age would even be interested in helping out here,' Kayla said.

'We like helping,' Li remarked. Kayla smiled, not realising just how true those words were.

'The world needs more people like you five. Animals have barely any rights these days. People treat them like pieces of meat.' Kayla paused and looked sadly out the window. 'Those dogs that came in just as you arrived this morning are one of the worst cases. They were dumped at a local tip. They'd served their purposes and then they were left to die.' She sniffed and blew her nose on a tissue.

'What exactly was their purpose, Kayla,' Amber asked softly.

'They were part of the drug and cosmetic testing industry. Those poor dogs were most likely sold by their owners to the companies for a few bucks. Can't keep your pet any more so sell it to people who'll lock it in a tiny cage and rub makeup in its eyes. Makes me sick.'

There was a shocked silence that hung over the table. Kayla blew her nose again and excused herself. Li was the first to speak.

'What jerks!' she fumed. 'How would they like it if someone did that to them?' She scowled and ground her teeth. Paulo put a soothing hand on her shoulder.

'We must do something', he said.

Amber had been unusually quiet. Hex glanced at her and then waved a hand in front of her face.

'Earth to Amber.'

Amber's head jerked up. 'We will do something. I know just the thing.'

'Ok. Are you all ready for my brilliant plan?' Amber asked. Her friends nodded.

'Hurry up, Amber. We've been waiting all day.'

Since Amber had had her brainwave at lunchtime, she had refused to say anything until after dinner. Now Alpha Force were sitting in a circle in the Craig's living room, waiting for Amber to reveal her plan.

'Don't make me strangle you,' Hex muttered as Amber stood up.

'Does anyone want a drink?' she said as she started to walk towards the door.

'NO!'

Amber laughed and returned to her seat. 'All right, all right. I'll tell you.' She paused and smiled mischievously. 'Now what was it again...?'

'Amber. I swear if you procrastinate any more I'll-' Alex clapped a hand over Hex's mouth, cutting him off.

'Go on, Amber. Or I'll let go of Hex.'

'Fine. My plan is this. We're going to get evidence of what some of these companies are doing to those poor animals. Two of us can get inside and film and take photos. Uncle John can contact some news stations and Hex could do something on the computer and wallah! Publicity will create awareness and awareness will help to fix the problem.' Amber finished and smiled at her friends. 'What do you think?'

'I'm not sure it will be as simple as that,' Alex ventured cautiously.

'Yeah. Getting the evidence may be a cinch, but as for making people care enough to get it shown on the news...' Li said quietly. 'Remember when we were in West Sahara? That was people, little kids, and no one cared. I'm not sure if they're going to care for animals if they won't bother for people.'

Amber remained silent. She was thinking, trying to rework her plan, but nothing else was coming up.

'We have to try,' she said eventually. 'Please.' Amber looked around at her four friends, pleading them with her eyes. Paulo, Li and Alex didn't say anything but when she looked at Hex, he cleared his throat.

'It's worth a shot, I suppose,' he muttered. Amber beamed and squeezed his arm.

'Thanks,' she murmured. Louder she said, 'Paulo? Li? Alex? Are you in?' They all nodded which made Amber's smile grow wider.

'Thank you guys, so much. You won't regret it.'

Alex smiled back but inside he was churning. I hope so.

Next chapter should be up fairly soon.