MASK SAGA 5: HARSH REVELATIONS

Chapter 9

Author Notes: It's been 7 years since Darcy and I have started this story and over 20 years since starting this whole MASK fanfiction saga. I hope you have enjoyed reading and we hope to continue writing in our free time.

"Maverick has incoming!" Hi-Tech reported from Wildcat referring to Scott Trakker in Thunderhawk.

"Yeah, that's great...we got our own problems!"

Annie looked up to see the truth in Cross Country's words. Vampire and Piranha were approaching Wildcat's position at a high rate of speed with no intention of stopping. She quickly issued a new set of orders.

"Hold your fire and keep going Cross Country."

A perplexed Hi Tech replied, "Say again, Ma'am?"

"You heard me. Keep driving."

"She has officially lost her mind," Cross Country muttered.

"I am beginning to agree with you," Hi-Tech added.

In Razorback Brad questioned, "We need to strike before VENOM does, unless you know something I don't?"

Annie glanced over at her father feeling confident of the situation. "Call it a gut feeling."

Brad really wanted to overrule his daughter on the situation, especially seeing Vampire transforming from a motorcycle to a turbojet, and Piranha unsheathing its weapons. He couldn't fathom why she wouldn't issue an order to fire. Brad's hands tensely gripped Razorback steering wheel and replies in a not so sure voice, "I just hope that gut of yours isn't wrong."

"It isn't."

Meanwhile up in the air, Scott and Matt Trakker were ready to brace for impact as they saw two of Switchblade's missiles headed towards Thunderhawk. Instead of the missiles hitting the front engine, they went directly under Thunderhawk and hit a Cobra Fang Helicopter that was on Thunderhawk's tail.

Both Scott and Matt had stunned looks on their faces unsure as to why Switchblade had saved them. Once the blue helicopter/jet came closer into view, they could see Vanessa Warfield siting in the cockpit, where normally Miles Mayhem would sit, giving them a hand signal of you're welcome.

"Vanessa Warfield?" Matt said in a dumbfound voice and did a double take.

Scott smirked relieved to see Vanessa and knew it was due to her intelligence that they were even able to pull off this rescue operation off, "Yeah…she probably didn't trust us to get out of this in one piece."

Matt looked at his son surprised, to hear him withholding information and talking casually about the female VENOM agent, "What are you not telling me?"

Scott fired up Thunderhawk's jet thrusters to maximum level seeing the aerial opening that Vanessa just gave them to escape the Cobra and Contra World civil war. "I'll tell you once we're out of here…she's not as bad of a person as you always made her out to be."

Down on the ground. "Hey what side are we on, Vanessa?" Sly Rax stated noticing Switchblade had taken out a Cobra unit, "I thought we were offering Cobra support to wipe out Jon Mayhem remaining forces."

"We are," Vanessa stated keeping her ulterior motive to herself, "Some of these airborne helicopters belong to Jon Mayhem." She then changed her tone to shout orders over the airwave, "Now quit second guessing and get in the water to support Major Bludd. If I accidently hit the wrong one, that's not my fault they all look alike."

"Sure thing boss," Rax said with slight hesitation and then quipped under his breath seeing Razorback and Wildcat before him, "Your dragging us into your family drama yet again." As Piranha drove by Razorback, he blew an imaginary kiss in Annie direction, "Saving your ass yet again princess."

The old Annie would be fuming from that reply, but as she saw both Piranha and Vampire passing MASK by as if they they weren't the main target, she wasn't going to start a feud. Still, she couldn't help winking and giving Rax a big parade wave as he blew past.

"How did you know they weren't going to attack?" Brad asked taking a breath of relief.

"Because I have faith….and I knew my mom wouldn't let us down," Annie said with pride.

"Your…mom?" Brad shook his head to clear it, remembering Annie's earlier instincts. "You have some explaining to do."

"And you have some driving to do or none of this is worth a damn. Quit with the small talk and get us the hell out of here."

Wildcat, Thunderhawk, and Razorback drove into the basement of a three-story parking garage, at St. Charles Hospital in New Orleans. The hospital had originally been selected as a possible met up spot, instead of the transport plane, in case anyone was injured. The underground garage was the perfect place to conceal their location from both the local Cobra and Contraworld forces in the area.

Matt, Scott, Annie, Brad, Hi-tech, and Cross Country exited their vehicles all wondering if the mission had been a success. None of the MASK agents knew who was injured or the extent of the injuries, since radio silent had been in effect during the escape from the swamp. As they headed towards the emergency exit to enter the hospital, they notice Gator parked under a flicking light had a sole passenger in its seat.

Roxanne Trakker sat in Gator's driver seat wearing her wet dirty uniform, with a blanket around her shoulders. Her head was bent downwards, and she held her hands together, as if she was praying.

Upon closer look at Gator Matt Trakker could see fresh blood on the seats. "What happen?" Matt asked lifting his daughter face to see the never ending stream of tears down her face.

"Buddy got hurt pretty badly… impaled by a stupid tree…he's in surgery right now." She replies in a somber voice.

"And Connor?" Annie asked eagerly.

"He's more than ok," Roxanne smiled softly to Annie, "Jess is having him check out."

"Why are you just sitting here?" Scott said slightly scolding his sister.

"You think I want to be here?! I held my son for only a few minutes to have him ripped away from me again. The man I love is going under the knife, and I am stuck here waiting for Dusty to give me an update, because I can't be by his side. I'm a wanted terrorist Scott," Roxanne reminded showing how upset she was for being left out, "The moment I walk into that hospital I'll be arrested."

Cross Country walked over to Roxanne and took off his vest, hat, and goggles, "Here," he replied offering his coat, hat, and goggles. Roxanne blinked several times and looked at Cross Country confused. "Ain't much of a disguise but it'll do for now."

"Thank you," she replied putting the disguise on, "How can I ever repay you?"

"I can't stand seeing a girl cry," Cross Country replied to Roxanne as he shot a pointed look in Annie's direction. "Just give it back when yer done. That's authentic Carolina history yer holdin'."

As Roxanne and Matt Trakker both headed in the hospital, Annie walked over to Cross Country, "That was nice of you."

"Yeah, well, you ain't gonna like this next bit…"

Hi-Tech anticipated what was coming and hastily excused himself, "I'm going to go check on Jess and Dusty."

"That's a good id—"

** KA-CRACK**

Cross Country's fist hit Scott's left cheek in the middle of his reply to the younger Joe.

"Now you I wanna make cry!" Another fist cracked into Scott's right cheek. "That's for making Annie cry!"

Brad leaned on his cane beside Annie, "You gonna do something about this?"

Annie's arms were folded in a pose he had seen on Vanessa thousands of times.

"No."

She started walking toward the hospital entrance, deliberately passing between Cross Country and a doubled over Scott.

"Where the hell do you think yer going?!"

"We're still running a mission here." Annie turned a withering glare on Cross Country. "And I warned you you'd get hurt." Her eyes then flicked over to Brad. "Coming?"

"Someone has to referee this cage match."

"Fine. Don't encourage them."

"I'm gonna bet no one else has the guts to clean your clock," Cross Country continued.

"You…are…absolutely…right…" Scott replied in shaky breaths from somewhere near his kneecaps.

"Well, I'ma callin' you out! What are ya gonna do about it?"

"Nothing." Scott teetered for a moment as he straightened up. Blood dripped from both corners of his mouth.

"Nothin'?!" Cross Country snorted in a thick drawl. "Just what I thought, yer yellow!"

"I believe you'd call it a strategic retreat."

"What?"

"Look Robert, I really don't have time for this," Scott replied simply. "I'm not fighting an Army Veteran twice my size when there's a mission to finish."

"I ain't finished with you!"

Scott stepped back from the confrontation and indicated the hospital entrance. "I am done with this. I have wounded agents up there and a mission to finish. You are still on my payroll so I need you to suck it up and fall in."

"Maybe I'll just transfer out," Cross Country commented casually.

Scott shrugged as he turned away. "Quit if you want but I'm not firing you. You still have a job to do."

"I'ma make you wish you fired me!" Cross Country yelled at Scott's retreating back.

"He's not going to do that," Brad hobbled up beside Cross Country.

The GI Joe mechanic put his hands in down into his pockets. "What the hell just happened?"

"Scott handed your ass to you without lifting a finger," Brad summarized with admiration. "He's called your bluff and dealt you your cards. You've got to decide if you are going to hold 'em or fold 'em."

"Ain't I supposed to get an ace outta that deal?" Cross Country asked.

Brad chuckled. "For a sip of whiskey, I'll give you some advice."

Cross Country just shook his head and wordlessly grabbed his spare tools from Wildcat, pounding out his frustrations on the dents in Gator's side panels while Brad watched.

Buddy Hawks open his eyes to find himself in a quiet hospital recovery room. He had no idea how long he was out, so he was trying to backtrack in his mind to reassure himself that everyone had made it out ok. After abandoning Raven and getting into Gator, he remember Jess shouting orders to her father Dusty to drive Gator more carefully for her patient sake, while somehow avoiding heavy laser fire. He then recalled the tree branch sticking out of his shoulder that was throbbing in pain, as the boat maneuvered though the swamp. The pain became too unbearable that he then recalled Roxanne holding their son Connor in her lap looking at him wondering if he was a goner, before suddenly losing consciousness. He cursed himself for not staying awake. Did they make it out? They must of right?

Unlike earlier his shoulder wasn't in much pain, but that was most likely due to whatever wonderful drugs they were giving him. The branch had been removed from his right shoulder, which was now stitched and bandage up. He then notice an individual sitting next to his bed wearing a green vest and grey hat with goggles resting on top of the hat. "Robert…what happen?" Buddy asked in a confused worried voice.

The figure next to the bed was alerted to Buddy question and leaned in closer to kiss his lips. Buddy eyes widen and came more into focus seeing more clearly who was before him, "Definitely not Robert."

"Of course not silly," Roxanne Trakker chuckled and reached over to hold his right hand into hers. "He let me borrow some of his gear to use as a disguise, otherwise I wouldn't be here."

"Well let's not make this a thing…" Buddy stated with them both chuckling at how ridiculous Roxanne looked. Buddy tone then became more serious, "Did…"

Roxanne stopped him from talking further, "Everyone made it out ok," She then admits, "Just waiting for Jess to bring Connor to the room. I'm not sure what's taking her so long in the pediatric wing, but I hope there nothing wrong with him."

"I'm sure he's fine," Buddy said in a reassuring voice. "I wanted to let you know I already made arrangements for us to stay in a cabin up in Alaska."

"Alaska?" She looked him surprise.

"Yeah I found a place out in the middle of nowhere and off the grid, where nobody should find us. It's finally a chance to stop running and actually raise our son together." He said proudly.

"I already love it," She replied.

"Eh you might not," He admitted, "It needs a lot of work and you'll definitely be ruffing it."

"It doesn't matter," She replied smiling and kissing his lips ever so gently, "We'll all be together."

"Jess what's the hold up?" Dusty Hayes asked noticing Jess had been pacing outside Buddy's hospital room the last 15 minutes holding an active baby Connor in her arms. She looked up at her father unsure how to reply. This child in her arms had an uncertain future ahead of him, her gut was telling her to hand him over to child protective services, but her heart was telling her to reunite him with his parents. "Give the kid back to his parents," Dusty stated already guessing what was on her mind.

"But is that the right thing to do?" She looked him in the eyes with uncertainty. "How can I let this innocent child be raised by a psycho mad woman? I can't believe she is reformed. He is better off…"

"With his parents," Dusty said in a more stern voice, "I know you can't forgive her for the past, but I don't think Roxy and Buddy would of risk everything if they didn't already love and care for Connor. No parent is perfect, but it's better than him being raise by a bunch of strangers and the kid not knowing where he comes from." Dusty put a reassuring hand on Jess's shoulder, "You know Brad was in a similar situation when little Annie was dropped on his doorstep unexpectedly"

Jess shook her head, "That's not the same..."

"Isn't it? He had to decide who was gonna raise Annie a bunch of strangers or him. She would always be a target regardless if he was in her life or not considering who her mother was. That is the same for Connor."

Jess Turn to Hi-Tech wanting support, "What do you think I should do?"

"Jess," He admit seeing both sides, "This is your decision, but realize you're going to be breaking several hearts if you don't give him back. It will create more tension and problems rather than doing any good."

Jess look down at Connor innocent little face looking up at her smiling and sighed, "I hate it when you right. Somebody take him before I change my mind."

"Change your mind about what?" Annie curiously asked coming up from behind.

"Nothing important," Jess replied and could see Annie wasn't going to press the issue with her full attention on the baby and taking him into her arms.

"Remember me little guy," Annie asked rocking him in her arms. The baby cooed at her while taking his little hand and wrapped around her finger just like he did, after she helped bring him into world. Annie smiled and felt herself falling in love all over again.

"You look like you're already ready for motherhood yourself," Dusty added.

Annie chuckled somewhat darkly, "You assume too much Dusty."

"There you are I was wondering what was taking so long," Roxanne stated with relief, as she exited Buddy's room, and headed over to join the group seeing her son Connor among friends.

"You want him back," Annie asked.

Roxanne smiled seeing that Annie was currently bonding with him, "Why don't you hold him for a bit longer. It's all thanks to you he's back with us."

"It was a team effort," Annie replied modestly.

"It's because you told me not to give up that he's here with us now." Roxanne reminded.

Matt Trakker came up behind Roxanne and put his hands proudly on his daughter's shoulder, as he looked at his grandson for the first time, "Arrangements have been made. Buddy will be medivac in the next hour or two then we can head out."

"Good," Roxanne said with relief, "I want to put as much distance from this godforsaken place as possible."

"What happened to you?" Dusty asked out loud, which caused everyone to turnaround looking at Scott Trakker heading in their direction with two red marks on his face.

"Six feet and two hundred pounds of angry redneck," Scott replied with a chuckle not taking it personally, while Dusty jaw dropped with disbelief. "Everything ok here Annie?"

"Yeah, we're ok," Annie replied, handing Connor over to Roxanne. "Here you go, Mom. I need to take a walk and stretch."

Scott watched with awe as Roxanne settled his nephew into the crook of her arms with ease. "You're a natural."

Roxanne positively glowed in response, "It's really all thanks to Annie but she won't take the credit. You should go talk to her."

"Dad?" Scott's eyes flicked to Matt before glancing back at the doors to the public waiting area.

"I can handle it from here son."

Scott walked out to the public waiting room, still working out why he wasn't a spot on the pavement while nursing his sore jaw. He found Annie leaning against a nearby post, watching the main entrance intently.

"Do I need to send a medical team down there?" She asked on Scott's approach.

"Not unless you know someone with a cure for injured pride."

Annie turned. "What did you do?"

"Nothing," Scott shrugged.

"Nothing?" Annie repeated slowly.

"Robert is either going to stay or quit. Until he decides, he's still on my payroll."

Understanding dawned as slowly as the words, "You didn't fire him."

"I didn't fire him, and I most certainly didn't fight him. I just walked away."

"That's…" Annie struggled for a moment. "…that's…that's brilliant!"

"I know," Scott sniggered, leaning into her and the post. "You're pretty brilliant too you know. This whole mission was a success because of you."

Annie left the post and leaned into him. "Us. We did this. We can do it again too."

"Yes. Yes we can."

Meanwhile in a prison in Alagoas, Brazil a man in his early 70s with long grey hair and beard was smoking a Cuban cigar in a cement cell block. The man gritted his teeth in amusement as he heard the sound of footsteps heading towards his cell.

"Took you long enough," The man stated, as if barking orders, as the door to this cell swung opened.

John Mayhem stepped into the man cell sporting stiches across his left check, from where Roxanne Trakker had cut him, "You were right…I should of listen to you dad."

Miles Mayhem, who was once an overweight military man, was now a thin man wearing a royal blue prison jumpsuit. He eyed his son knowing exactly what his downfall was.

"Those woman….have cost me everything," Jon Mayhem admit in defeat referring to both Vanessa Warfield and Roxanne Trakker. "I've lost all the vehicles and masks, and I am being hunted down like a dog by Cobra assassins. You're all I have left father."

Mayhem took a long drag on his cigar watching the pitiful state his son before him, "All is not lost. You may have crumbled my entire empire overnight, but I always had something up my sleeve as a contingency. Who is still loyal to us?"

"Nash Gorey and Lester Sledge," Jon replied, "Everyone else is working for Vanessa, as far as I know."

Mayhem laughed at the thought of Vanessa in command, "I'm sure I can convince a few more to switch to our side."

"I don't see how when we lost all our resources," Jon replied with hopelessness.

"I have resources you don't know about boy," Miles Mayhem replied standing up and walking out of his cell taking back leadership of VENOM, with his son John Mayhem walking behind in tow. "I assure you everything you ever known about MASK and VENOM is all going to change in a split second…."

The End for now…