Utah Undisclosed Location

Both rooms had emptied, but Stalker stood before the monitor. General Hawk's image was crystal clear.

"Sir, I understand we are an auxiliary base, but we still need an actual medical presence. We can treat bumps and bruises, but that's about it currently."

"I understand your concerns, but don't worry about that, Stalker. Lifeline's already on his way back to you guys tonight with a few 'special gifts' that may help with your side of the mission." He looked down at his watch. "Wild Bill should have him touching down within the hour."

Stalker nodded. "I appreciate that, sir. Obviously, we've all had some field training, but that doesn't replace what a real medic can do for us."

"Clearly." Hawk's expression softened a bit. "I hope you understood why I placed Roadblock in charge of the squad."

"Permission to speak freely, sir?"

General Hawk answered instantly. "Always."

"I would have loved to lead that team, but I know why you made your choice. Roadblock has been itching to get back in the field and I think this may be just what he needs."

Hawk appeared relived. "I'm glad you see it that way, Stalker."

"And besides, if they do get in trouble, how will I save the day if I'm already there?" the man in camouflage fatigues said with humor in his voice.

Hawk smiled. "Once a Ranger, always a Ranger. Keep them safe out there, soldier."

Stalker snapped off a quick salute. "Yes sir."

Stalker stepped out of the landing zone as the Tomahawk eased to the ground gently. Looking into the cockpit, Stalker could see Wild Bill giving an enthusiastic thumbs-up. As soon as engines wound down, the side door slid open and Lifeline stepped out.

"Good to see you, Stalker," the medic said, extending his hand.

"Same here, Lifeline. We've got an infirmary just waiting for you to set it up however you see fit. What all did you bring along with you? General Hawk said he sent a few surprises along with you."

The man in the red scrubs motioned to the back. "Not entirely sure. Lots of crates in here, but he did send along a new member of the team."

A blond-haired woman in camo BDUs and a tan shirt stepped down next to Lifeline and raised a salute. "Pleasure to meet you, sir. You can call me Bombstrike." She held out a sealed envelope. "General Hawk said you'd need these since I'm being stationed here."

Stalker offered a quick salute back and studied the new recruit. She looked like she could handle herself, but that would be a given if she had made the list of active Joe team members. "Specialty?"

"Forward air control and counterintelligence," she offered with a hint of pride in her voice.

Wild Bill called from inside the Tomahawk, "Y'all got anybody to unload all this? Lift-Ticket and I just bring it all to where it's supposed to go."

"Don't worry, Wild Bill - I'll send Shipwreck out to find a home for it all," Stalker said. He turned to Lifeline and Bombstrike, "If you two will follow me, I'll give you the quick tour and let you both get to work."

Roadblock was digging through dossiers when Stalker entered the room. "Man, how do you narrow it down? I know I can count on any of these soldiers to have my back, but if I make the wrong choice, I'm gonna catch some serious flack."

Stalker pulled a chair over and sat down on the other side of the table. "Leave the personal feelings out of it. We're all qualified, we're all professionals. And if anyone gets their feelings hurt, that's on them, not you."

Roadblock simply nodded.

"Plus, anyone you don't choose may actually get to stroll in, guns blazing, and playing the hero."

"We're not gonna need no saving. Quick in and out mission. Get the info, get back, finish Cobra once and for all."

"Oh, if were only that easy." Mainframe said as he entered the room.

"Why wouldn't it be?" Roadblock asked.

Mainframe placed the newest batch on intel on the table. "Either of you guys been to the Pacific Northwest?"

"Why would Cobra be hiding up there?" Roadblock asked, his mind still on selecting the perfect team.

Stalker shrugged his shoulders. "Lots of woods, mountains, and plenty of uninhabited areas… sounds like their kind of place."

"That's part of it," Mainframe said and placed a print-out on Roadblock's desk. "Our information says that a possible Cobra-linked container ship docked in southern California and that its cargo was loaded onto freight trains. After that, they were unloaded just north of the Oregon-Washington border. Cameras and satellite imaging stopped giving us useful data a few hours later. Looks like they got wise to our snooping methods."

Roadblock closed the personnel folders and looked up at the two men in the room. "Well, at least a location helps me narrow down my choices. If you two don't mind giving me a little time - Stalker, I'll find you as soon as I have my squad."

"You've got until tomorrow morning," Stalker said as he walked out of the room with the computer specialist in tow.