A/N: All previous disclaimers and warnings apply. Enjoy. I know another chapter - woo hoo! Getting close to ending this. I'm excited. Are you?

This is not beta'd. All mistakes are my own.

Chapter 11

Ace and his boys met with their employer. They were informed of the inevitable betrayal by Mantaya and the Cobras. The Cobras were a given, and if Senor Cervantes perceived his cousin to be a threat, well so be it. Ace assured Cervantes they would protect him with their lives.

Later that day, Raphael pulled him aside out of the view of any cameras. "I didn't want to tell you this, but I've done some checking on Leo Stoddard. He's not who he says he is."

"Who is he then?"

"His real name is James Raab. He used to be with the FBI. Upon further investigation I found he is now with the CIA." RaphaeAl waited as the shocking news took root in Jesse's head. Then he added, "Your dad and he also have a history and it's not good."

Could this get any worse? "Shit!" The teen was stunned. He tried to process everything quickly. That sure as hell explained Stoddard's prior attitude toward him. Then his shoulders slumped even more so. "So, what's the plan?"

Raphael explained that Cervantes expected a double cross from both his cousin and the Cobras. This is why the Black Marauders were informed. Cervantes also figured since Mantaya's men are experts in deception and explosives that wherever they met with this Jonathon Price the place would be wired to the gills. This is where they came into play.

The undercover DEA agent mapped out a plan. Jesse listened with rapt attention. He could not believe what they were going to do. Miguel definitely had thought this through. This man was the master of evil and if there were going to be any treachery he would rather have it done right in his own backyard.

The time to act and put forth Cervantes plan came that same night. The Black Marauders, Raphael, and a handful of other employees joined forces to move Mantaya's prize shipment of weapons from the airstrip to Cervantes compound. The airstrip itself wasn't heavily guarded which told Jesse there were other things guarding its safety.

All of them carefully approached the strip of buildings. Two guards guarded one building both the front and the back. They were easily subdued as the Black Marauders stealthily approached from behind.

"Ace," Joe and Josh found something. Their flashlight beamed steadily upon it. "It's a trip wire. See where it starts and it runs from there all the way over there." Luis and Todd waved from the other end.

Hell this was going to prove interesting. Buck certainly outdid himself. Looks like he had too much fun Jesse wryly thought. "Okay we need to be careful as we approach this building. I'm sure there is more than one trip wire."

No sooner had the words left his mouth Josh nearly walked into the next one. Joe saved his friend's life by grabbing onto his arm and pulling him back in the nick of time.

"Neither of you move!" Raphael's shout brought all the teens to a standstill. He shined his flashlight on both Joe's and Josh's predicament. There just above their heads strung across was another invisible trip line. "Now easy does it, duck down and move forward slowly." They all breathed easier once they all made it to the door.

"Okay, will someone please tell me how we are going to get those crates out of here with all those trip lines?"

Joe's uncle responded, "The experts will diffuse that volatile situation." The boys looked behind and watched as some of the men that came with them had already begun the tedious job of clearing the way for the trucks.

"Glad it's them and not me. Where to from here?" An eager Joe stated to all who could hear him.

Once inside they carefully made sure nothing else was booby trapped. Their prize came in the form of three large crates. They waited for the all clear and soon the trucks backed in and the crates were loaded upon them.

Travis received an urgent call at 06:00 from Team Five informing him of a slight snafu. "What kind of snafu?" His eyes widened. "Let us know when they figure it out." In so many ways he expected something of this nature to occur, especially when there were too many players involved. He prayed all his teams would remain safe.

Julio Mantaya was livid. He found out that the crates of weapons that had been sitting at the airstrip were moved without his knowledge. Someone had expertly gotten through all the surprises and made off with his shipment.

He got in Ben's personal space yelling like a crazed individual. "I thought you were an expert! I can't believe someone got past all those trip lines! What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I did my work I think you should have a look at this."

Julio looked at a small device that Ben held. It was a small screen and the word play flashed upon the screen. "Not only did I install the trip wires I also took the precaution to set up a few security cameras. A press of this button will show us who the culprits are."

At that moment Julio's phone rang. He didn't even look at the number when he answered it. "Hola."

"Well wouldn't you say it's a beautiful morning, cousin?"

Ben had pressed the play button and Julio's expression changed as he saw who robbed him. While his voice remained firm it was the suppressed fury that caught everyone else's attention. "Very bold Miguel. I see you are observant as always. What do you propose?"

"I propose that you and your men, and Mr. Price come and name a price."

"Those are mine and you know it."

"Finders keepers, Julio. You haven't learned much over the years, have you?"

"Fine. We'll see you at 14:00. And Miguel, if I were you I wouldn't let your guard down." Julio ended the call without waiting for an answer. He had plans to make.

"Travis…Okay. I understand…We'll be there….Remember what I said…Yes it is imperative to watch out for all of them…especially those boys…If any harm comes to them it's on your head…I know…I'll have all the necessary equipment standing by….and Howie, please be careful."

Team Seven were on the move headed for a show down. Cervantes' compound their destination. Their collective thoughts centered on all who were involved in this crazy mixed up mess, and what they would find when they arrived. They had been quickly briefed by the Director as to all the events that had unfolded at the very last minute changing everyone's plans. Cervantes had upped the ante by stealing the weapons from his cousin. Anything could happen and they were afraid they were not going to be there in time for the fireworks.

In the meantime, Mantaya's anger over his cousin's betrayal showed through as he planned his next move. His men, including the Cobras, and he were probably a heartbeat away from Miguel's compound he ruefully thought you are so naïve cousin as he looked at the small device he held within the palm of his hand. One touch of a button could change so many lives. Miguel may have the Ace, but he still held the ultimate winning hand.

The anticipation of the attack had everyone on alert mode. Ace kept an eye on each of his boys. Sly and Teddy opted to keep a lookout from the rooftops, while the rest of them were spread out near the obvious points of entry. He had reminded them earlier of why they were here.

"This is it. Remember, we need Mantaya and Cervantes alive. As much as I would like to see it happen the other way we have our orders. Keep each other safe."

He was brought back to the present when one of the outside guards groaned loudly and slumped to the ground. Here we go! A direct hit to the south gate shattered the silence and many men poured through it with weapons at the ready. The staccato shots of gunfire had many running to and fro protecting life and limb.

Jesse got off a few shots before he found he needed to duck and cover when a heavy stream of shots came his way. What the hell?

Teddy watched as one of the attackers broke away from the main bunch and started targeting Jesse. He signaled Sly stating he was going in, because Ace was in trouble. Sly signaled that he understood. He then crept stealthily across the rooftop tracking the man until that man looked up and fired upon Teddy.

Sly had been keeping his friends covered when he heard that stray shot. He turned suddenly and saw Teddy lose his balance and fall. "Noooo!" He shouted, but couldn't do anymore because his shout drew the unwanted attention of others. He, too, had to move and almost lost his balance more than once while dodging some of those heated unwanted projectiles. All the while he wondered if Teddy had survived that fall.

Jesse heard Sly's shout, he also heard the muffled scream, and vaguely wondered which of his boys went down. He had rounded the corner and found Stoddard a/k/a Raab shooting up at someone. His fury took the man by surprise as Jesse collided with the man's midsection knocking them both to the ground.

Raab's gun went sailing through the air landing no more than a few feet from where they wrestled in the dirt. Seeing an opening Raab suckered punched Jesse and scrambled toward the gun. Jesse recovered quickly but not quick enough as Raab grabbed the gun and pulled the trigger.

He had tried to shift his body out of the path, but knew he hadn't succeeded as a white hot heat exploded across his side. Jesse landed hard upon the ground with a grunt of pain. The next few words stunned him. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. I didn't think you'd be that stupid."

The agent came closer his gun pointed directly at Jesse. "I would have thought Larabee had taught you better."

Jesse breathed in heavily watching and waiting as Raab came closer and closer. He half wondered if the man was going to kill him. It was like time stood still and the din of everything around them didn't matter as the other man crouched down where Jesse lay wounded.

Like a rattlesnake Jesse struck out at his attacker. Raab didn't know what hit him until he felt the blade rip into his abdomen. A look of shock crossed his features as Jesse gave the blade a vicious twist before he yanked it out again.

"You little bastard!" The man cursed as he rapidly backed away from Jesse.

"Never underestimate your opponent, Agent Raab."

The other man painfully clutched his stomach while the blood stained his clothing red. Before he turned to leave he said, "You'd do well to follow your own advice. We will meet again, but next time I will come out on top. That's a promise I intend to keep."

Jesse watched as the man staggered away leaving him alone with his thoughts.