I apologize in advance for any errors. This story was not checked by a Beta. I welcome all constructive reviews. Guest reviews are subject to deletion.

In a previous fanfiction I had a few guest reviews after reading only the 1st chapter in a multi-chapter story. I will paraphrase, "story plot was dumb." This was hilarious but upon hindsight it was sad by highlighting a small reflection of our society. Judging before you have all the facts to make an informed decision or state an opinion.

I do not have to agree with you to like you and respect you, please afford others the same courtesy.

Chapter 7

Flight Midway to Los Angeles from Singapore

Pacific Ocean

Amy and Perry took advantage of the staterooms to catch up on their sleep on long flight home.

Rafael, Raissa, and Howard were in the passenger lounge of the aircraft discussing the ADSSS and what can be done to optimize reception of the signal from underground and/or scrambling device to locate Penny.

Rafael made note that they would require a laboratory in addition to specified materials and equipment to enhance the ADSSS. They made a list of supplies needed and sent it to Sheldon for acquisition prior to their arrival on Campus.

While in the lounge Leonard and Raj are preparing for a mandatory meeting at CALTECH on Monday. It is a priority that they all maintain their cover at the University. Luckily the Team has numerous government grants that allow them to telecommute and have a ready excuse when long absences are necessary. "Leonard, did you hear that Leslie Winkle has returned from her sabbatical?"

"No, I didn't. I need to tell Stephanie immediately. She is insecure when it comes to my past girlfriends, especially now since she is two months pregnant."

Raj beams and says reverently, "I am going to be an uncle." With tears in his eyes he hugs and congratulates Leonard.

"You are the first person I have told. Can you keep it a secret until Stephanie decides to announce it? She told me just before we left for Singapore. I am so happy I couldn't keep it to myself. I am going to be a daddy."

Pasadena, California

Taylor and Max went to the Cheesecake Factory to review the crime scene and talk to employees. The driver of the food service truck was found in the trailer killed by a single bullet to the head. They had previously checked into the driver's background and ruled out him being complicit in the abduction. Taylor could see her future brother-in-law's distress at finding nothing. "Max, we need you to focus your personal feelings are showing and that's is dangerous. Do we need to remove you from this mission?"

"No."

"Then get your head out of your ass and do the damn job."

Max hugged Taylor. "Thanks that kick is exactly what I needed. It is frustrating to finding nothing. Let's head back to the Campus and confer with Wil and Bernadette."

Wil and Bernadette were catching up with each other as they configured various video, cyber and space electronics surveillance and monitoring equipment in the Campus's Command and Control Center. The Campus's Command and Control Center consists of a round holographic conference table in the center of a massive room with a twenty-foot high HD video wall.

The conference table area can be self-contained by use of clear retractable, sound and bulletproof panels for privacy. The panel's features provide HD full motion video, tinting, and one-way viewing. The center contains various global military and government tactical stations monitored by the Team's operatives. The technology in the room is unmatched anywhere in the world. The capability includes integrated global military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solutions such as geospatial solutions, space and electronics and reflectors, interactive 3D projection, and unmanned systems.

"Wil, how are Anne and the boys?"

"Everyone is doing great. Anne and I are considering adopting another child. How about you and Howard? I am aware you guys are going through a rough patch right now."

"Actually we are working it out. We signed up for an alternative to divorce program called 'Basic Training for Disillusioned Couples.' We are taught the skills to create, heal, and sustain a successful marriage and make it stronger than ever before. This program teaches simple techniques of communication plus exercises to work on forgiveness, healing, and restoration of trust. We participate in retreats and sensitivity exercises. There are no counselors involved and we don't have to say anything in front of anyone else. We discuss topics relative to our marriage and practice the skills learned. It's working very well with understanding and maturity on both our parts."

"I'm happy to hear that."

Using the recorded GPS location of Penny's tracking device, Wil managed to obtain numerous videos from cameras along the abductors route. He and Bernadette sat down at the conference table to review the various camera feeds on the video wall. The recording from the Cheesecake Factory shows the abductors removing an unconscious Penny from the food service truck. Penny is placed into an ambulance, which can be tracked by cameras along the route stopping at the emergency entrance of Huntington Hospital. They could make out a gurney being wheeled into the building.

Taylor and Max entered the communications room interrupting the review of video footage to take a seat at the conference table. They related that they found nothing new at the Cheesecake Factory. Wil replayed the footage showing Penny's abduction. The GPS signal indicated Penny was moved through the hospital to the commercial property adjacent to the hospital, which was an independent trucking distribution center. The hospital video feed shows twenty trucks leaving the distribution center going in different directions. It is safe to assume that Penny was in one of the trucks and unfortunately all the license plates are unreadable. All are distressed that Penny's trail is cold.

Upon leaving the chicken house, Agent White decided to go to Penny's apartment.

Sheldon happened to be leaving his apartment as Agent White arrived at Penny's door. Sheldon maintaining the initial ruse greeted Agent White as Wyatt. He activates a direct connection with Max so he can overhear the conversation with Agent White. "Hello Wyatt, if you are looking for Penny I believe she is at work."

"Hi Sheldon, I spoke to Penny earlier to tell her I was in town. I am going to wait in her apartment until she gets home."

"I see. Well, I am off to the comic book store. Nice seeing you again." Sheldon continues to walk down the stairs heading to the store.

As Wyatt entered Penny's apartment he was immediately apprehended and rendered unconscious by two large men in police uniform. He was carried from the apartment fireman style to a waiting police car and driven to a UPS ground transportation center.

Max listens to Sheldon's conversation and simultaneously directs Taylor to order an extraction team to apprehend Agent White. Taylor phones the Team's operatives to carry out Max's orders. She is notified that they are 30 minutes out.

Max, Taylor, Wil and Bernadette watch Agent White's abduction on their video feed and use drones to follow the police car. Agent White was lost. Twenty UPS trucks depart within minutes of Agent White entering the facility. They are able to track each truck. However each truck made stops in areas that had a heavy population of people with different transit options. The Team will investigate all options but all were thinking Agent White abductors managed to elude them.

Agent White was taken to a secret location. Upon regaining consciousness he became aware he was in a room roughly 100 square feet strapped to a stretcher with a two-way mirror and a door. The walls and ceilings are sheetrock with vinyl tile flooring. A man enters the room wearing a doctor's smock and carrying a tray followed by four steroid guards. The doctor removes a hypodermic needle from his smock. "Agent White glad to see you awake and aware." As he is injecting the needle, "I am giving you a little something that will loosen your tongue so that my associate can question you about the Caseros in about 15 minutes." Loosening his restraints, "I bought you something to eat to tide you over for a while." He exits leaving the guards in the room.

Sheldon alerted the remaining Team in California of a text received from Amy notifying him that the Caseros will be on Campus in 30 minutes. Taylor and Alex were able to secure accommodations, supplies and laboratory that the Howard requested for the Caseros. Sheldon texted a reminder to Leonard and Raj regarding a mandatory Physics Department meeting at CALTECH in 90 minutes.

California Institute of Technology (CALTECH)

Pasadena, California

Sheldon, Leonard, Raj and Alex are awaiting the start of the scheduled physics department staff meeting. They are the first to arrive followed by Kripke and Winkle.

Dr. Gablehauser enters and calls the meeting to order and welcomes back Dr. Winkle. He addresses the usual housekeeping topics before congratulating Sheldon and Leonard on co-authoring their paper on the Superfluid Vacuum Theory. He states, "Dr. Cooper, Dr. Hofstader you are the recipients of this year's Chancellor award congratulations. After congratulations from their colleagues the meeting ends swiftly. Leslie decides to needle Sheldon as the meeting is adjourned.

With her usual snarkiness, "Hey Dumbass haven't seen you in a while."

"That's Dr. Dumbass you spiral shell small herbivorous shore-dwelling…" Dr. Gablehauser interrupts, "That's quite enough Dr. Cooper."

All attendees exit with Leslie and Sheldon glaring at each other as they exited last.