'Jason,' Zark's dulcet tones echoed through their communicators. 'Princess,' for a robot he sounded peeved, 'Chief Anderson wants you assembled in the conference room. The rest of the team is waiting.'

'Ten-four, Zark,' Princess answered with her recently retuned easy going nature. Looking down at the new dress she gave a shy, pleased smile, wondering how the remainder of G-Force, and Anderson in particular might react to the sudden change. Deciding the others opinions didn't count as long as she felt completely comfortable, she revelled in her femininity for the moment.

'Come on,' Princess goaded her companion as she trotted down the hall, 'we've got a job to do and nothing will stop Spectra from attempting to destroy the Earth no matter what's occurring in our personal lives.'

Allowing Princess to take the lead, Jason appreciated the new view. Mark's going to love this, he thought, even if he won't admit it to another living soul. What red blooded male wouldn't want a piece of that? Suddenly sensing the dichotomy of his mind, Jason's stomach roiled. This sibling thing is going to get me into a whole new level of trouble. How can I think of my…

Gulping, the image of the young woman, his friend and team mate, turned into something else, something more personal. Mind awhirl with suddenly incapacitating emotions, Jason's latent protective instincts took over. The intimacy of the bond hit him full force. A gaging sound erupted from his constricted throat. Coming to a halt, he wondered how this would affect the rest of the team when he couldn't stop himself reacting to a change in Princess's dress code.

If Mark so much as lays a hand on her…the threat streamed from his mind. Yet Jason openly acknowledged the fledgling romance between the two team members at every opportunity. I've even encouraged it, before I knew about…

Sensing the troubled thoughts emanating from her companion, Princess couldn't help the smirk covering her face. Retracing her steps, she stopped before her sibling, reaching out a calming hand. Princess would have offered aid to one of her almost brothers through any emotional event prior to learning about their shared genetics. In this instance, because of the newly awoken bond, Jason allowed the comforting connections he'd usually shake off. A look into his wide, astounded eyes and Princess realised her brother understood the need for both of them to connect on a physical and emotional level.

Three days, it doesn't seem like much, but I've known about this for three days, Princess remembered, a soft, understanding expression covering her face. It's enough time to come to terms with the fact I no longer exist, biologically speaking, alone in the universe.

'I know exactly what you're going through,' she stated, a hint of humour in her tone. 'It took a lot of soul searching to tell you, Jason. I even considered keeping it to myself for the good of the team. I know Mark would in similar circumstances. The issue's it's going to cause between us will be nothing if the bond becomes public knowledge. When the others find out…'

'Not yet,' he pleaded, 'I still have to wrap my head around this.'

'You've got questions,' she hinted, waiting for Jason's silent acknowledgement, 'me too. I'll tell you what I know, what I've discovered. When this threat is over and we're all safe, we may be able to find out more about our combined past.'

'Now,' he agreed, 'is not the time.'

Together, they entered the central lift well, taking the anti-gravity tube to the administration levels. Racing, side by side to Anderson's office, they arrived out of breath, Jason's hand slipping from the middle Princess's back. A sense of chivalry he'd never realised he possessed, surfaced in the wake of his new relationship.

'I'm glad you could finally make it,' Mark used his best command tone laced with a generous portion of sarcasm to alleviate his seething emotions. Eagle eyes didn't miss the contact, or the glance they levelled at each other as the pair skidded into the room. A silent form of communication passed between them, excluding the rest of the team. Realising it meant trouble, Mark made a mental note to get Jason alone and speak to him about proprietary.

A glance at Princess's new outfit drew a sharp inward breath and questioning glance. His target, eyes directed at Jason, missed the silent query. Completely ignoring the rapid fluttering of his heart and his subconscious questions, Mark steeled his mind. A hard, disinterested expression covered his face completely concealing his shattered heart.

'I hope,' Anderson frowned, sharp intelligent orbs taking in the changes with a single glance, 'we can get on with the briefing.' His gravely speech expressing displeasure at being forced to wait for the final members of the team. Levelling a look at Princess, he wordlessly stated, we'll discuss your insubordination later!

For their part, Keyop glanced at Tiny who scratched his head. A shrug of the big guy's shoulders showing he didn't know what to make of the situation. None of it made any sense to him. Returning to the drama before him, Keyop examined the body language of the three principal players. He promised to get to the bottom of the mystery in the very near future.

'What's Spectra been up to this time,' Jason asked in his usual throw away voice. Once again he'd removed himself from the firing line by taking up an uninterested posture, holding up the wall and crossing his arms over his chest. An eyebrow rose in reaction to both Anderson and Mark's inaudible display of temper. As a method of changing the subject, it worked.

'Nanytes,' Anderson claimed with a heavy sigh, brought back to the reason for calling G-Force together in the first place.

'Nan-what?' questioned Tiny, even more confused. He felt he'd missed an entire conversation.

'Teeny-weeny,' Keyop used to finger so demonstrate his point.

'Imagine the usual Spectra threat,' the Chief added, 'then make it about a hundred million times smaller. Their scientists have managed to miniaturise a mecha to about the size of a virus.'

'How could that possibly be a threat,' Princess pondered.

'We're not sure yet,' Anderson shook his head as if attempting to put the pieces of the puzzle together. 'It seems the Spectran plans have been discovered before they're ready to unleash their latest menace. An engineer, specialising in nano-technology, accidently discovered the machines. She'd been holidaying on the planet Rigel with her new husband. When they came through customs back on Earth, it set off the detectors. Of course nothing could be found. Suspicious her work had been compromised, Dr Payton immediately went to her lab only to find nothing missing. Intrigued by the incident, she inspected her clothing.'

'And found the nanyte,' Mark stated the obvious.

'Yes,' the Chief agreed, 'only because she knew what to look for. To the best of her knowledge, only one other laboratory on Earth is investigating the same phenomena. They not only deny making the device, they are currently helping to decode it.'

'With Rigel becoming a very popular destination for honeymooners form Earth, we need to know what these machines are capable of,' Anderson hinted at malevolent reasons.

'Does Dr Payton have any idea?' Jason questioned.

'Dr Braxton, the chief medical officer for defence has been working alongside Dr Payton to determine the purpose of the nanytes since its discovery yesterday,' Anderson continued his explanation. 'They're under the assumption they look and act like human viruses for a reason.'

'Oh,' Princess's hand went to her mouth. She understood the subtle accusations the Chief made. 'Has anyone been infected so far?'

'Yes,' a sad expression entered Anderson's eyes, 'Dr Payton's husband volunteered to have the device injected directly into his blood stream two hours ago.'

'That's why we've been waiting,' Tiny suddenly made the connections.

'Indeed,' Anderson agreed, 'we've been observing the effect of the nanytes on the human circulation system. They instantaneously began to multiply. Dr Payton and Dr Braxton are working to eradicate the threat.'

'Dr Payton's husband?' Princess asked, melancholy lacing her tone. Of all the G-Force team, she allowed emotion for others to rule her actions.

'Isn't displaying any symptoms at the moment, but,' Anderson warned, 'we expect the nanytes to continue proliferating. Dr Braxton predicts Tim Williston's heart will fail early tomorrow morning unless they can destroy the nanytes. They're working around the clock to ensure that doesn't happen.'

'Die,' the smallest member uttered sadly, 'not good for us.'

'No, Keyop, it's not,' Anderson sounded gloomy. 'If we can't come up with an antidote and this manages to get into the general population, it would be Spectra's greatest and final victory over the Human race.'

'What do you want us to do,' Mark's hand combed through his shaggy hair, clearly displaying his agitation.

'I'm sending you to Rigel,' Anderson used the pause to observe his team. He'd initially decided to split the team into three units. With the level of animosity evident between Jason, Princess and Mark, he re-evaluated individual choices. The task originally assigned to Mark might now be better suited to Jason for several reasons. He neither wanted to share those reasons nor give the team a chance to realise the secrets he'd kept for years.

'At the moment we need information,' the Chief rubbed his hand over the day old stubble in contemplation. 'Keyop and Tiny will be visiting an electronics expo in Rigel's capital city. I want you to make enquires, see if this kind of technology is easily accessible on Rigel.'

'Look for nanytes!' exclaimed Keyop, a happy smile lifting the corners of his lips.

'Mark, you'll be meeting with this woman,' Anderson handed him a photo off the conference table. 'Kirika Tochigi, the Earth Envoy to Rigel. Zark has invented a cover story for you. You'll be visiting your Aunt, who you haven't seen since she left Earth more than a decade ago. I want you to establish if the Rigelian government has been infiltrated by Spectra agents. The Envoy will help you gain access to the information.'

'You think that's possible?' Mark queried, looking uncertain.

Nodding, the Chief finally turned to Jason and Princess. 'You two will be posing as newlyweds at the same resort Dr Payton used for her honeymoon. We think she picked up the nanyte somewhere in the hills surrounding the hotel. I suspect the Spectra base might be located in the area.'

'If it's there,' Jason looked at Princess, wondering if they could use some of the time on this assignment to talk, 'we'll find it.'

'Don't do anything until we have definite proof and a way to ensure none of you are infected,' Anderson warned. Jason's response, protective towards the only woman in the room intrigued the Chief. He needed to carefully consider this out of character reaction and what it could possibly mean.

'Good,' he dismissed them, 'you need to return to your homes and prepare. Jason, Princess, Zark has booked you on a commercial space flight to Rigel. It's the same craft Dr Payton and her husband used to return from their honeymoon. We want you to explore the ship and ensure it's not infected with nanytes. Dr Braxton has a theory. He suspects Spectra may intend to target young couples and this cruse company specialises in honeymoon packages. This,' he handed Princess a small electronic device, 'is able to locate the nanytes in their deactivated form. We want you to collect as many as you can find so we can study the technology. Dr Payton believes Spectra scientists have advanced beyond our current capabilities.'

'If they're activated?' Princess asked.

'Dr's Payton and Braxton are currently working on that,' he responded. 'So far only the nanytes in Tim's blood have been activated. Once removed, they perish before they can be studied.'

'Oh,' she understood the subtle warning.

'Your flight leaves in four hours,' Anderson hinted. 'The rest of the team will follow on the Phoenix in a few days. With the difference in the speed of travel, you should all arrive on Rigel at the same time. Hopefully by then we'll have a nanyte anti-virus giving you immunity.'

'Let's go team,' Mark started to shepherd them out. Apart from the tight timetable, he had his own agenda.

'A moment of you time, Princess,' Anderson requested in a tight voice as they filled out.

Moving from his position on the wall, Jason allowed the rest of G-Force to precede him. Detouring via Princess, he reached out to her. Laying his palm on her forearm, he gently squeezed, lending her strength for the battle ahead. She responded with a small grateful glance. Watching her brother exit the room, she noticed the glare Mark levelled at them. She'd need to put fires out there, before the boys turned caveman on her. At this precise moment she had neither the time nor inclination.

'We discussed your attire earlier today,' the Chief rebuked, his eyes raking her new outfit and forcing Princess's attention to the current battle facing her.

'No we didn't,' Princess answered aggressively. Secure in her belief the Security Chief had no jurisdiction over her personal life, she added, 'you refused to listen to my needs and wants, to treat me as an adult. I'm twenty two years of age and old enough to make my own decisions. I am more than able to choose how I dress and who I spend time with during my off hours. As long as I fulfil my obligations to G-Force, what I do while not on duty is no concern of yours.'

Watching the young woman before him the Chief came to an indisputable conclusion. His young flock had well and truly grown up. He couldn't control their actions, their relationships and their activities while living outside the walls of Centre Neptune. They needed independence, freedom and access to normal lives. Princess refused to be contained in a bubble of protection he'd invented and it wouldn't take long for the others to follow.

Frowning, he didn't need to wonder what brought about this sudden change. He'd noticed the growing dissatisfaction between several members of the team and understood the cause. However the current closeness between Jason and Princess eluded him. Unless, Anderson considered the ramifications of his long held secrets, the pair knew.

Sending them on this mission might been a better decision than I first thought, the Chief realised. Their very different personalities will drive a wedge between them. If not it'll give them time to come to terms with revelations kept from them.

Anderson needed to play the next minutes of this interview very carefully. Deciding on a tactic which might work, he considered his words. 'This,' he pointed to the t-shirt dress, 'suits you. How has your bird uniform changed?' Two transmutes later and the Chief witnessed the improved covering. He could guess how she'd achieve the metamorphosis. 'Apart from the colour, I can't see a difference from the young men. It certainly makes you blend in.'

'But…' Princess prompted, realising the lecture hadn't commenced yet.

'I've seen the developing relationship between you and Mark,' Anderson warned. 'I understand you need to exert your femininity but I'd hoped I wouldn't need to speak to you about interpersonal relationships and how they can destroy moral in such a close knit group. Especially,' he warned, 'if the feelings are one sided or fade with time.'

'This,' Princess accused, 'from a man keeping secrets.' Carefully watching her barb hit, she saw Anderson flinch. He couldn't ignore the fact she knew or what she'd do with the information. 'I saw the picture you gave Mark. You originally considered Jason for the mission but suspected he might learn the truth if allowed to spend any length of time with Envoy Tochigi.'

'I have very good reasons for my decisions,' Anderson defended, folding his arms across his chest in warning. He would not discuss past choices and the current ramifications.

'There is no reason good enough for keeping siblings ignorant of their kinship,' she paused, green eyes blazing, 'or the fact their mother is alive and well. When this is all over, Jason and I intend to tell the rest of the team. I'm going to live my life. If that includes a romance with Mark, then so be it.'

'Why do you think Mark's attentions have remained platonic,' the Chief rebuked. 'I'd hoped warning him, instilling his duty to ridding the universe of the Spectran threat, would stop anything developing between you. Do I need to speak with him again?' Anderson threatened.

'How dare you,' her anger ignited, 'how dare you interfere to such an extent.'

'If you won't see reason,' growled Anderson, 'then I'll be forced to continue leaning on Mark. I don't want it to come to that but the decision is yours. There is more at stake than your happiness,' he finished with a look of such determination.

Delivering an unforgiving look, she stormed out of the office. Their association would never be the same again. As the head of security, Princess had to take orders from Anderson. As a human being, she no longer felt the need for his nurturing and protection.

As the men exited the same room, Mark lay in wait for Jason. Tiny and Keyop, on alert due to the strained atmosphere, stopped to observe the showdown. Adamantly Mark waved them away. He needed to speak to Jason alone and get this off his chest.

Aware of the confrontation about to occur, Jason pre-empted his commander. In some respects Mark's emotions were easy to read, at least for Jason. He understood the mixed reactions the man had to be experiencing, thinking the woman he cared for had changed her allegiance. In the same circumstance, Jason believed he'd do the same.

'It's not what you think,' Jason spoke defensively.

'What,' Mark agressivly demanded, 'am I thinking.'

'I'm not stepping on your territory,' Jason stated firmly, 'but I'll tell you this. Either make a move, making her happy or don't, the choice is yours. The new attire,' he continued in a mocking voice, 'isn't for my benefit or to attract my attention.'

'What…' spluttered Mark, suddenly on the defensive. His second's words finally closing the circuits in his mind. 'Princess…'

'Hurt her,' Jason rumbled, 'and you'll answer to me. I promise.'

With that he walked away. Seething, Mark remained stock still in the middle of the hall. Princess found him there, staring at an empty passage.

'Mark,' she approached gently, laying soft fingers on his shoulder blade to attract his attention.

'After this mission,' he pivoted on one foot to face her. His eyes glittering with supressed hurt for just a moment. Then they turned cold and hard as Mark transmuted to the Commander of G-Force. 'We need to talk.'

Eye's twinkling, the newly awoken bond with Jason opened. She caught a wisp of his frustration at Mark and could guess the content of their confrontation. It brought a smile to her face.

'If I'd realised,' she teased, her own troubles with Anderson temporarily forgotten, 'a change in my cloths would have this effect, I'd have done it years ago.'

'The dress had nothing to do with my decision,' Mark growled. Taking her hand, he led her back to the rec room.

Liar, Princess heard the echo through her link. Unsure if the word issued from Mark or Jason, she agreed.