Chapter 2 All action on the docks stopped as a sleek Manta sub entered the hidden wharf. After it was secure, the elevator brought up an imposing figure. He surveyed his surroundings as he exited on to the docks. His steps tattooed a rhythm in the men's head as he made his way down the metal gangplank. All held their breath hoping he would not single them out for some cardinal sin that they had broken. Thankfully, he just walked past them his cloak billowing behind him almost likes a living, breathing entity. What little sunlight that entered the building seemed to be attracted to the silver mask he wore.

"Talk to me." He growled to the base commander. "The metal is being held in a secured lab on Dolphin's Cove. It wouldn't take long though to breach their defenses." "Good, Good." He walked to the center of the room where a holographic map was. An area of the beach not far from the lab had been the source of a problem, a tourist spot where a multimillion-dollar resort was nestled. Zartan by Serpentor's command had let lose his Dreadnock to run amuck on the beach trying to clear the tourist spot out. The plan had backfired when the Dreadnoks took up dolphin shooting as a sport, infuriating the locals. "What of the Dreadnocks?" "They have been taken care of, though the press is having a field day with the dead dolphins." "No matter. Tonight we attack. Tell your men to start preparing to disassemble the base." "We have one small problem, Destro darling." Turning he saw the raven hair beauty standing behind them. "There is a hotel near the lab is owned by one Kip Burnett. It seems Kip's half sister is paying him a visit. Along with a group of seasoned Joes." So, my cousin is in town. Destro silently thought on this, smiling through his mask This could change things "We will make a two- prong attack. One to the lab, the other to the hotel where the Joes are staying. creating a perfect diversion."

"I can't believe you did that!" Ashley Faireborn exclaimed as she entered the hotel room with Mayhem. "What? I mean the crowd loved it." Mayhem aka Mac Hart-Burnett shrugged. "Still have you no shame?" She moaned putting her packages down on the couch next to Keoni who was watching TV. "Nope." Mayhem just shrugged. "You missed Mayhem's show at the hula. "Mischief explained. "He about gave a group of little old ladies a heart attack. I took three rolls of film, just for the officer's bulletin board" Keoni just smiled, engrossed in the evening news. Mischief looked at the report about a secret lab government and how the residences of Dolphin's cove were unhappy with the effects it was having on the environment. Keoni shook his head, "They are saying that the lab is killing off the dolphins. Even the Navy is outraged. I mean one thing you do not mess with is our Dolphins. Funny thing is I have been to that lab I thought it was environmentally friendly. I don't understand. I mean I don't think that any waste that they would produce would kill dolphins. The scientists in charge would not stand for that." "Maybe we can use some influence and check the lab out." Mac shrugged. "But, right now I'm hungry and Kip said he would take us all out to dinner. On that note, I'm going to see if the lovebirds will come out of their room. I swear they have been at it all week. We only have three more days here. I mean when are they going to see the sights." "Maybe that's the plan Mac. I'm sure they are seeing the sights just fine." She retorted. This brought Mac up short. A blush crept up his high check bones. "Never saw it that way, I guess I have been neglecting you." "Really?" Mischief glared. He smiled placing a finger under her chin. "After dinner I'll take you to see the stars." With that, he lowered his head His lips brushed hers. When he raised his head, he gave her a wink and walked out of the room. Mischief watched him leave the room. "Where's Lady Jaye." Mischief asked Keoni. "She needed to think. Probably went to the falls." "Problems in paradise?" She quipped. She heard Keoni sigh and wondered if she might have hit the nail on the head. It was no secret that the two of them at times did not see eye to eye. Even though her brother had broken up with Lady Jaye, Mischief compared Keoni to her big brother, he was seriously lacking.

Keoni sighed leaning his head back he thought back to earlier that day. "Where have you been all my life?" He asked tracing her jaw line. He watched her brow furrow. "What's wrong?" He asked wanting to wipe away the worry. "I ran in to someone in the lobby." She said never taking her eyes of him; he could tell she was gauging his reaction. "Who?" "Dashiell." She had said simply with that lilt of her that he though was so damn sexy. At that moment, he knew his world was going to be shattered in a million pieces.

"Your brother is here" Keoni said when his thoughts snapped back into the present. "What, how, when, where and WHY?" worry crept into her voice.

"Jaye really didn't tell me." He shrugged. It was plan that this piece of news was not what she wanted to hear. She fell into the nearest chair. "I'm so dead." She put her head in her hands and moaned, "My brother is going to kill me." "I mean it's not that bad, you could be a member of Cobra." He tried to comfort her. "Keoni, being a member of Cobra would be better then him finding out that his little sister was a Joe and dating his ex-girlfriend's brother. A brother that on the three occasions that he meet him, the two came to blows." "Well things were rough for Mac at the time, you know that. From what I hear, sometimes your brother is not the most understanding person." "Trust me I know that. That is why I will not defend him for his actions back then. But Mac made retribution for his sins." She groaned placing her head back in her hands. "But the thing is my brother won't see it that way." You know." Keoni Mimicked Mischief's patented 'getting into trouble look "You could always tell him Storm Shadow is a member of the Joe team. From what I have heard of your Brother he might be so shocked to learn that it might not register in his brain when you tell him the rest." "Keoni has anyone ever told you some times you are down right evil?"

Of coarse their paths would cross. But why so soon? It had happened so fast, she thought she would have time to prepare to collect her thoughts, and most importantly, to look her best. He was Just stan- sitting there. God he looked so. different Flashes of the old Flint was seen in fleeting images, the way he had teased her, the look he got when she had done some hair brain scheme, or the lopsided grin. The look he had given her when he found out she had someone new had torn her heart in two. She sighed dipping her foot in the cool water. Had it only been two years? She had looked fate in the eye and laughed in its face. After the accident the doctor had told her she would never live a normal life, let alone be a Joe again. What did Doctors know? She thought flexing her shoulders. God though that time in my life, I don't know if I would have strength again to do it twice. She had been in hell and made her way back, all on her own. That was a lie; the Joe team had been behind me every step of the way. Threats still echoed in her mind if she did not succeed, if she did not come back a hundred and ten percent. Lady Jaye found herself wanting to scream at him tell him He was not the only one hurting, the only one living a nightmare. They had traveled through hell together before, quilt assailed her she had turned her back on him follow the road alone, now she bathed in the light. Dash though seemed to have surrendered to the darkness. She was learning to love again. It was not that earth shattering love that her and Dashiell had, but a quiet storm of a love. Why did she have to see him? Why did he have to show up making her doubt herself and her feelings for that crazy 'ninja' pilot up in her room who was obviously mad about her? The look in his eyes had torn her heart in two when he had heard that Dash was here. I never want to see Keoni hurting like that again. She found herself trying to make decision when there was none to be made. Flint would not be back, he was too far lost. Dash was a different story. According to his letter, a girl like her did not have enough strength in her heart to be with a man who was in a wheel chair. Since she was borne in a life of privilege, she would not know how to handle the situation. It had cut her to the bone, her biggest supported in the end thought so little of her. She looked up at the sky noticing the sun making its way down the horizons she glanced at her watch. Damn it is close to five o'clock. I am going to be late to met Kip and the others. She got up brushed herself off walking down the hill.

Jacob Rich thumbed through his magazine. The glossy images of pretty women smiled back at him. As usual, he found him self bored out of his mind. He thought if he moved to Hawaii he would have some fun and excitement in his life, but instead he ended up working the desk of some plush hotel from one to nine. This was not necessarily a bad thing, hot women would pass through all the time but he would never have a chance with them. To top things off nothing ever happened of any worth. Oh, there was the whole balcony with the model, the sailor and his boss. but that was a completely different story. He sighed as he looked up at the massive ceiling, illuminated by several skylights. The sun was setting in it brilliant oranges and reds. Huh?" He questioned, figuring his mind was playing a trick on him as he swore he saw a shadow move across. "Jacob!" His thoughts were broken when his supervisor came out from his office. "What have I told you about reading magazines on the job?" His sentence was cut off as the elevator doors parted. Kip Burnett held the door for his family and friends before exiting himself, causing Jacob's supervisor to smile. "You going to get it now." His supervisor smirked. "Mr. Burnett Will not take lightly to a concierge reading magazines on the job." His supervisor began to call over Kip when the Skylight crashing in cut him short and the screams of "CCOOOBBBBRAAAAAAAAAAAAA" filled his ears.