"Flash!"
"Thunder." Numbah 78 returned the code word in a harsh whisper to the figure stationed just inside the door of the hidden 2x4 hangar. He turned and motioned to the dark bushes behind him that lined the far side of the residential road. Four of the shadows cast by the streetlamps along the darkened subdivision broke away from the hedge and darted across the street to join 78. 77 moved up next to him and the 2x4 officer nodded.
"Sir, he's in there. We can go ahead."
"You're sure he'll help us?"
"Rob's a good kid, always pays his debts off. He'll cooperate."
"Good." Numbah 77 waved his men forward. 78 frowned and muttered under his breath; "I hope."
They had decided to lay low until dark, largely because of the massive search activity around the area. Fortunately Jason knew everything about 86 and the way she conducted operations, and thanks to his evasion training with Patton Drilovsky, he was able to keep the sector hidden. After nightfall, 78 had recommended that they head to the haouse of a freelance 2x4 operator who had been working with 78 on a new project to sell to KND. They needed to get out of the immeadiate area as soon as possible, before the grid Jason knew 86 had created closed in.
The garage was exactly the same as all the others on the block- connected to the house on one side, same design, same color. They went in through the small door at the side, 78 leading the way into the pitch black orifice.
The door closed behind them suddenly, blotting out what minimal light had drifted in from the street. 77 froze, bringing up his weapon.
A voice rang out from the darkness, everywhere and nowhere at once.
"Everybody stop. Put your weapons up. I'm going to turn on the light. Don't move."
A light seared across 77's vision. He grimaced, fighting the reaction to pull his sidearm and aim. The room swam slowly into focus.
A single kid stood in front of the operatives, pointing what looked to be a custom sidearm in their general direction. He seemed to recognize 78 because he lowered the gun.
"Matt, what are you doing here in the middle of the night?" He rubbed his eyes and gestured to his Rainbow Monkey pajamas pointedly.
"Look, Rob, I need a big favor. I know it's short notice and everything, but we need the A.T.T.A.C.K.V.A.N. Now."
"What?" Rob looked suddenly more awake. "But Matt, that's my life's work, you can't take her on a mission now! I-" He stuttered. "Besides, she's not finished yet." He ended lamely.
"Oh, come on, Rob, I was here when you finished it last weekend."
"Well I still haven't taken it out yet. I don't know if the avionics will even work… I mean, for crying out loud, the flight computer's a Bop-It!"
78 avoided the worried glare 77 shot him and strode over to the wall where there was a bank of 2x4 switches. "I can fly it. I know the controls, and-"
He froze. Numbah 77 grabbed for his weapon, but stopped when the now-angry 2x4 mechanic shifted his aim of Matt to 77.
"I…said…NO." He bit off each word through gritted teeth.
Numbah 77 motioned to his sector. They slowly begsan to drift apart, each of them moving so that they formed a semicircle around Rob. He nervously shifted his aim from one to another. Clark could see from the fear in his eyes that he knew all to well that if he shot one operative the others could easily bag him before he reset his aim.
"Leader." 77 was startled to hear Numbah 78's voice over the private frequency in his earpiece communicator. "Lemme talk to him a minute."
"You sure he's safe?"
"Yeah. Just gimme a second."
"Well, if you're sure…"
77 motioned for the squad to holster their weapons. They complied, but they kept their semicircle formation.
Making sure not to move his hands toward his S.T.I.N.G.E.R., 78 moved over to the shaking mechanic. They conversed in low tones for a moment before the latter sagged. He let his pistol slide to the ground and slowly reached over to push one of the controls on the wall.
The partition groaned and after a moment of protest slid up.
Now Loading Kids Next Door Database
2x4 A.T.T.A.C.K.V.A.N.
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The vehicle beyond was amazing for 2x4 standards. It had the basic chasis of a Honda 2003 Odyssey van, but the top had been customized with two massive missile racks. Giant dual drives jutted from the rear. Inside, Jason could see that the two captain's chairs seats in the middle had been turned sideways so that they faced the sliding doors, and that marble machineguns had been installed on free-pivots so that the sides acted as door gunners. The rear seat had also been turned around to allow for rear gunners.
"The rear seat can also fold down for troop transport." Rob said, proud despite his dispirited manner. "I designed it to play the role of gunship and transport."
"Don't worry, buddy, we'll bring her back in one piece."
"You'd better. If there's so much as a scratch-"
"Not one scratch."
The mechanic looked at 78 suspiciously. "Not a scratch?"
"Since when have I ever let you down?"
"More times than I can count." The mechanic said under his breath.
"Saddle up troops. 78, I assume you can fly this thing?" Jason said, taking control.
"Sure, chief. Or I can always learn quick."
"That's reassuring."
A few moments later, however, the drives had fired up and the sector that was quickly becoming infamous all over the KND slipped into the night.