MASK 2:The Next Generation
-------------------
The Past Is Gone...
-------------------
"You should have seen it." said Flash. "He completely underestimated me."
Hack and Slash stood at the other side of the lounge. "Well, you should have seen us in Tempe." said Hack. "We were in that dorm room within five minutes."
"Yeah." said Slash. "We did pretty good until the guards found us."
"I told you not to mention the guards!" yelled Hack.
"Remember who saved your bacon." said Rocks.
"I bet Blades is going to have some kind of tale to tell." said Gearbox.
"Knowing him, he'll probably exagerate a lot." said Flash.
"How do we know he mustered enough courage to pull it off?" asked Hack.
"He pulled it off." said another man who was wearing glasses. "I heard about it through the grapevine."
Just then, the helicopter pilot from the Colorado heist walked in with the signal emitter. "Dr. Frankenstein, I believe this is yours." he said.
"Thank you." said the man with glasses. "Good job, Blades. But where are the Wasps?"
"I sent them back to the lab." said Blades. "But...uh...I have something to tell you."
"What? What?" stammered Frankenstein.
"One of the Wasps bought it in the field." said Blades. "But don't worry. I activated the self-destruct system."
"You had me scared for a second." said Frankenstein. "Good thing you did that. We certainly don't want any evidence leading back to us."
----------
"This piece appears to have broken off in the crash." said the professor from the Colorado lab. "It's a radio receiver of some kind."
"What was it attached to?" asked Jeremy as he looked over the smashed-up robot in the laboratory's supply room.
"It seems to have once been here." said the professor as he pointed to a spot in the robot's head where wires were exposed. "I followed these wires and found this."
Gates took a look. "There's enough explosive in here to leave a six-foot deep crater." he said. "It definately would have left no evidence behind."
"Looks like we've got another partner." said Jeremy. "Her name is Lady Luck."
"The robot's memory banks are too badly damaged to get any information from them." said the scientist. "We can't tell who built it from its construction or design."
"I don't think we'll have to." said Jeremy. "Can you do a detailed analysis on the parts used?"
"I think we can." said the professor.
"After that," said Jeremy "we can probably give the list of parts to our computer expert and see what robot manufacturers use the same brands."
"That could work." said the professor. "I'll get right on it."
Gates turned to the scientist and said "While he's doing that, why don't you describe the helicopter that attacked?"
"I can show you." she said.
She led the two FBI agents out to the parking lot and showed them a car. "The cabin of the helicopter looked a lot like this." she said. "Just take away the wheels, fenders, and everything rear of the b-pillars and add rotor blades, a tail boom, and weapons."
"Weapons?" asked Gates. "What kind of weapons?"
"I'm not sure." said the scientist. "I didn't get a good look, but it used a harpoon gun to steal the signal emitter."
"So you're saying the helicopter looked like the passenger compartment of a Volkswagen Golf?" asked Jeremy.
"Yes, only it was blue, not red." said the scientist.
"Thank you, that will be all." said Gates.
The scientist went back to her duties. Gates turned to Jeremy and said "It looks like we're onto something big."
"I think you've known that from the start." said Jeremy.
"Yes?" asked Gates.
"Ever since I got involved with this investigation, it has been nowhere near FBI standard." said Jeremy. "Secret base with a massive supercomputer, outsider help, an M.O. that could've come out of a sci-fi flick. This is something really big and you've known all this time."
"Yes, I have." said Gates. "It's time I came clean. I believe this to be a continuation of another crew's heists from the nineteen-eighties. Have you ever heard of the Peaceful Nations Alliance?"
"PNA? Of course I have." said Jeremy. "They were absorbed into the United Nations a few years back. Why do you ask?"
"In the eighties, one of their security chiefs defected to a criminal organization called the Contraworld." explained Gates. "Back then, they were experimenting with vehicles that could transform from seemingly mundane civilian vehicles to advanced combat vehicles. I know this sounds very unbelievable but..."
"Agent Gates? Agent Sanchez?" asked the scientist. "The professor has finished compiling his list."
In the lab, the professor showed off the list of the robot's components. "I decided to keep the explosive off the list since it's highly unlikely that civilian robots would be using it." he explained. "This is what's left." he added as he handed Jeremy a PDA with the list on it.
"Thanks for putting it on a PDA." said Gates. "That'll make it easier to send to our computer expert."
----------
Back at base, Scooter ran the list through the computer.
"I can't believe we actually have lists of parts suppliers for robotics companies." said Rocky.
"You'd be amazed at what's in this computer." said Scooter. "I'm surprised it can't just solve the crime for us."
"Computers are not omnipotent." said Rocky.
"Nope, sure aren't." said Scooter. Just then, the computer stopped on a listing. "Hold on, we've got something." said Scooter as he clicked on the listing.
"Weller Robotics." read Rocky. "That it?"
"Apparently so." said Scooter. "Albuquerque, New Mexico."
----------
Jeremy and Gates arrived at Weller Robotics in Albuquerque. "This is the place Scooter came up with." said Jeremy.
"Are you sure about this?" asked Gates.
"I agree it's a long shot." said Jeremy. "But it's still worth a try."
They entered the building and were told to wait by the company president's secretary since he wasn't in. Two hours later, the president finally showed up. Little did they know, he was the one known as Dr. Frankenstein.
"Charlie Weller?" asked Gates. "I'm Agent Gates, this is Agent Sanchez. We're from the FBI and we need to ask you a few questions."
"About what?" asked Frankenstein.
"We have uncovered evidence that might link your company to a series of electronic equipment heists." said Jeremy.
Frankenstein nervously conducted an interview with the two agents for twenty minutes.
"Well, it's true that we use a lot of these components in our robots." said Frankenstein. "It's also true that we are experimenting with a human-like robot. In fact, I started my research into robots by studying human anatomy. If someone in my company is using our project to perform these robberies, I think we can find this person with your help."
"Thanks for your offer." said Jeremy. "We'll just look around. Thank you for your time."
With that, Jeremy and Gates left Frankenstein's office. After they left, Frankenstein breathed a sigh of relief and yelled "I'm going to kill Blades!" He then pushed a button on his intercom and said "Don, has everybody gone home for the day?"
"Yes, sir." replied Don over the intercom. "I'm just about to leave myself."
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." said Frankenstein. He then pushed another button on the intercom and said "Initiate security protocol Alpha. Code word: Killroy."
----------
"Did Weller seem nervous to you?" asked Jeremy as he and Gates walked along a catwalk overlooking the production line.
"More than your usual suspect." said Gates. "He's hiding something."
"Obviously." said Jeremy. "What do you suggest?" he asked as a robotic arm started to elevate towards him.
"Right now, I suggest you take cover!" yelled Gates. He and Jeremy dove for cover a split second before the robotic arm rammed into the wall just inches from where they were standing.
----------
Scooter watched the attack over the security cameras he had hacked into. "Holy cow!" he yelled as he started typing rapidly.
"Can you override the security protocol from here?" asked Rocky.
"I'm trying! I'm trying!" yelled Scooter.
----------
Jeremy and Gates pulled out their sidearms. The robotic arm started to reach for Jeremy. He responded by shooting out the arm's hydraulics hoses. When the arm tried to grab him, hydraulic fluid sprayed from the shot-up hoses. The arm's gripper was rendered useless.
"Jeremy!" yelled Gates. Jeremy turned around and saw another robotic arm, this one with a welding attachment. The welder fired a blast of flame at him, but he managed to dodge. He fired his gun at the hoses on the side of the arm. This time, he hit the arm's propane tube. The resulting explosion broke the arm in half.
The half that wasn't attached to the ceiling dropped onto the railing of the catwalk. Jeremy climbed on it and said "There must be a computer controlling the system!"
"What makes you say that?" asked Gates.
"That gripper would've stopped after I shot it if someone was controlling it directly!" said Jeremy. "Since it didn't, it must be running on some kind of program!"
"Find it fast!" yelled Gates as he raised his gun towards another robot arm that was approaching him.
Jeremy climbed the fallen robot arm and stopped when he reached the broken section. He saw flames coming out of the broken propane hose. He holstered his weapon and steadied himself. Then, he jumped towards the other part of the arm and grabbed onto it. He hauled himself up and crawled along it until he spotted a large box-like object at the center of the room.
Gates fired a few shots at the arm that was attacking him, but it still came. Eventually, it grabbed at his chest. He stepped away, but the gripper caught his tie.
Jeremy looked at the object in the center of the room and read the panel on the side. "Control Computer." he said. "This is what I'm looking for."
"Jeremy!" yelled Gates. Jeremy looked and saw his partner's dire situation. He then steadied himself, pulled out his gun, and aimed at the computer. "Let my partner go!" he ordered, then fired. Unfortunately, the outer shell was bulletproof and the bullet ricocheted into the skylight.
"Oh great!" he exclaimed.
"Jeremy!" called another voice, but it wasn't Gates. It was Scooter.
"Scooter?" asked Jeremy.
"Jeremy, I hacked into the security system!" said Scooter over the building's PA system. "I've been trying to shut down the production line and I've got good news and bad news. The bad news is I can't shut down the production line or the security protocol."
"And what's the good news?" asked Jeremy.
"I can activate the maintenance protocol." said Scooter. "That should open the panel on the control computer."
"Do so!" yelled Jeremy. "Please, do so!"
"Already on it." said Scooter as he activated the maintenance protocol. Jeremy watched as the panel that had deflected his shot opened. He looked into the computer and saw its circuitboards, chips, and hard drives.
Jeremy aimed into the computer's guts, said "In the famous words of my home state's governor, 'Hasta la vista, baby!'", and fired. The bullet tore through the computer and a shower of sparks signaled the computer's end.
Lights flickered, various robotic arms jerked around, and another computer started sounding a warning buzzer. Jeremy held on tight to the arm he was on and Gates started to catch his breath, then undo his tie.
Jeremy climbed down off the robotic arm and checked on his partner. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"Next time, I'm wearing a clip-on." joked Gates.
"I think we've just removed all doubt that Weller knows something." said Jeremy.
"I think you're right." said Gates. "Let's check on his office."
"Scooter, you with us?" asked Jeremy.
"Almost lost you there, but I'm still here." said Scooter.
"We might need you to hack into Weller's computer." said Jeremy.
"Looking forward to it." said Scooter.
----------
Jeremy and Gates headed to Dr. Frankenstein's office. He had fled while his security system tried to do away with the two agents. Jeremy booted up the computer, but was stalled by the computer's password.
Gates was on the phone with Scooter. "We can't seem to get past the computer's password." he said.
"I'm on it." said Scooter. Within seconds, the computer's password screen disappeared and they had access to Frankenstein's files.
"Most of this appears to be business-related." said Jeremy. "Wait, what's this?" he asked as he spotted a strange icon. He clicked on the icon and a new range of files opened up.
"What do you think?" asked Jeremy.
"Let's take a look." said Gates.
Jeremy opened one of the files and the design schematics for the robot bikers' motorcycle appeared.
"Now, we're getting somewhere." said Jeremy.
"Fox-2 Rat." said Gates as he read the label on the file. "Try the next one."
Jeremy closed the file and brought up the next one. The file showed the design schematics of Blades' Volkswagen GTI. It had the label "Fox-3 Rabbit".
Jeremy went to the next file. This one was the design schematics of Flash's Viper. It was labelled "Fox-4 Rocket".
"Next one?" asked Jeremy. Gates nodded. Jeremy opened the next file. It was a design schematic of Rocks' Hummer and was labelled "Fox-5 Lion".
"There's one more file." said Jeremy.
"We might as well open it." said Gates. Jeremy opened the file. It showed the design schematics of Gearbox's Winnebago. The label read "Fox-6 Monster".
"That's all the vehicles that performed the heists." said Gates.
"Something's weird." said Jeremy. "The listed files were for Fox-2 through Fox-6, but there's no Fox-1."
"Scooter, are you getting this?" asked Gates.
"I'm looking through the files, but I don't see one for Fox-1." said Scooter.
"Maybe it's not on this computer." said Jeremy.
"Hey, I found something else." said Scooter. "Check it out."
Jeremy pulled up the file Scooter was talking about. It was a detailed schematic of a secret base. It was simply labelled "Foxhole".
"This won't help much if we can't find this place." said Jeremy.
"Luckily, there's a location in the file." said Scooter. He then opened the location on the computer.
"Good work." said Jeremy.
"Wait, can you find out who owns the property?" asked Gates.
"Let's see." said Scooter. "There you go."
Jeremy and Gates looked at the screen. The name of the property's owner was displayed on the screen: Malcolm Darwood.
"I knew it!" yelled Gates.
"What?" asked Jeremy.
"I'll explain on the way." said Gates. "Let's go."
"Wait, after what we just went through, don't you think we should get some backup?" asked Jeremy.
"Good idea." said Gates. "I'll see what we can get. There's someone I think we should bring on this one."
"You mean Rocky?" asked Jeremy.
"Of course." said Gates.
"You hear that, Rock?" asked Scooter.
"Already on my way." said Rocky.
----------
Jeremy and Gates were also on their way to the location listed in the file.
"So, you want to tell about Malcolm Darwood?" asked Jeremy.
"It was going to come out sooner or later, so here it goes." said Gates. "When Miles Mayhew, the security chief from the PNA, defected to the Contraworld, he also killed the scientist who headed the transforming vehicle project and stole the plans for nine vehicles. The Contraworld used the plans to construct said vehicles and used them to commit crimes around the world. Miles Mayhew, now known as Miles Mayhem, headed this group known as 'VENOM'."
"And you think VENOM is behind these heists?" asked Jeremy.
"No, VENOM is no more." said Gates. "The plans stolen by Miles Mayhem constituted less than half of the plans for the project. The PNA used the remaining plans to create a counter to VENOM. Their group was called 'MASK'. Their leader was a proud supporter of the PNA, leading industrialist Matt Trakker. He was also the brother of the scientist killed by Miles Mayhem."
"How did the war end?" asked Jeremy.
"The war between MASK and VENOM lasted over a decade." said Gates. "Eventually, MASK won and VENOM was arrested. Miles Mayhem died in prison in August 2001."
"And how does Malcolm Darwood fit into all this?" asked Jeremy.
"After Miles Mayhem died, we noticed a lot of activity between other former VENOM agents and various businessmen." said Gates. "One of those was Malcolm Darwood. We started an investigation, but the events of September 11 forced us off the case. We had one agent who was close to cracking the case, but she was soon put into the hospital by a sniper we believe was working for Darwood."
"She?" asked Jeremy. "You don't mean..."
"Yes." said Gates. "It was Julie. She was about to update her superiors at the time of the attack. Matt Trakker was assisting us in the investigation and she was talking with him about something. She turned to ask him something and that's when it happened. Eyewitnesses said if she wasn't turning at the time, she would've been shot through the heart."
"Instantly fatal." said Jeremy. "She's lucky."
"I promised to Matt Trakker right then and there that I'd try to prevent VENOM from rising again." stated Gates. "No matter what it took, I would stop them."
"I'll help you in that respect." said Jeremy.
"Thank you." said Gates. "There's a couple of other things I have to tell you about MASK. I'll tell you later."
----------
A few hours later, Jeremy and Gates arrived at the forest property indicated on Frankenstein's computer. Rocky and an FBI SWAT Team were already there.
"What's the story?" asked Jeremy.
"We're just about ready to go in." said the SWAT Team leader. "We just need the go-ahead."
"Just a second." said Gates. He walked over to Rocky and said "Rocky, we need you out here with the backup teams. If something goes wrong, we need someone to back us up."
"Understood." said Rocky. "Not accepted, but understood."
"Good." said Gates. "Okay, we're ready."
"Alright, men." said the leader. "Let's go."
With that, the SWAT Team got up and entered Darwood's property in three groups of five. Jeremy and Gates went with one team. Darwood, the man who had greeted Hack and Slash when they got back from Tempe, watched calmly as the FBI approached.
"So, Dr. Frankenstein." said Darwood. "Are those the two FBI agents who interrogated you in your office?"
"That's them." said Frankenstein, who had changed out of his casual clothes and into a black and yellow jumpsuit. "Are we ready?"
"Of course." said Darwood. "Foxes, mobilize."
With that, Hack, Slash, Rocks, Gearbox, Flash, Blades, and Dr. Frankenstein rushed out to meet the SWAT Team.
"Shouldn't we be doing this with our vehicles?" asked Gearbox.
"Do we need them?" asked Rocks.
One group of troopers entered a grove of trees and looked around. After seeing the area was apparently clear, one trooper said "Area clear."
Right after that, Slash jumped out of the bushes, held his hands out towards the troopers, and said "Surge, on!" A burst of electricity shot from his hands and rendered all but one of the troopers unconcious.
The sole remaining trooper aimed his rifle at Slash and ordered "Don't move! This is a raid!"
"Gecko grab, on!" said Hack from the trees. A green beam shone from his hand and pulled the rifle out of the trooper's hands. Suddenly disarmed, the trooper surrendered.
Another group of troopers came to a fork in the path. Two went one way, while the other three went the other way. Gearbox, Flash, and Dr. Frankenstein watched them split up.
"Okay, you take those two." said Frankenstein. "I'll take the other three."
"Can you handle them?" asked Gearbox.
"Trust me." said Frankenstein.
Flash watched the two troopers as they walked to a clearing and stopped. "Okay, now." said Flash. "Wormhole, on!" A beam shone from her mask and opened a tunnel in space. Gearbox jumped in.
The two troopers were taken by surprise when the tunnel opened behind them. Gearbox grabbed one of the troopers and called "Leech, on!" A green glow surrounded his glove and the trooper lost conciousness.
"Drop him now!" yelled the other trooper.
"Leech, fire!" called Gearbox. A green energy bolt fired from his mask and knocked out the other trooper.
The other three entered another clearing and caught Dr. Frankenstein's attention. "That's good." said Frankenstein. "Stay right there. Droid, on!" A red energy bolt fired from his mask and hit the trooper bringing up the rear. The trooper dropped his rifle.
"Subdue your teammates." said Frankenstein. The trooper snuck up on the next man, grabbed him, and punched him out. His other teammate noticed what happened and stared in shock.
"What are you doing?" he asked. The trooper punched him in the stomach, then hit him in the back of the neck, knocking him out instantly.
"Now handcuff yourself." said Frankenstein. The trooper took out his handcuffs and restrained himself.
Closer to the indicated location of the hideout, the remaining troopers reached a clearing with Jeremy and Gates. Jeremy took out his walkie-talkie, pushed the button, and said "Bravo Team, report."
Nothing.
"Charlie Team, report." said Jeremy when Bravo Team didn't respond.
Still nothing.
"We've got a problem." said Jeremy. "Neither Bravo Team or Charlie Team is responding."
"Where are they?" asked Gates.
"In our custody." said Rocks as he approached. "You'll get them back if you leave now."
"Who are you?" asked Jeremy.
"I'm a representative of the Foxes." said Rocks. "Leave now, or the deaths of your men will be on your hands."
"How do we know we can trust you?" asked Gates.
"This will vouch for me." said Rocks as he threw a pair of badges to Jeremy.
Jeremy picked up the badges and looked them over. "They're from the leaders of Bravo and Charlie Teams." he announced.
"I'll leave you here to ponder their fate." said Rocks as he left.
"What do we do now?" asked Gates.
"Work on a plan." said Jeremy.
----------
Within minutes, Rocky showed up with the remaining two SWAT Teams. "What's the story?" he asked.
"This is now a hostage situation." said Jeremy. "We know they have at least two, as many as ten, and possibly more that we don't know about. I figured that if all of us went in, this was not going to end well."
"So, what's your plan?" asked Rocky.
"On Jeremy's suggestion, he and I will go in and look for the hostages." said Gates as he handed Rocky his cel phone. "If we need backup, I'll text message you."
"We'll come running." said Rocky.
"Thank you." said Gates. "Okay, let's go."
Jeremy and Gates snuck into the base entrance. Jeremy took a quick look around and directed Gates to hide behind a crate. Jeremy soon joined him.
"We've made it this far." said Gates. "I hope Scooter can get us the rest of the way."
"Thanks for the reminder." said Jeremy as he took out his cel phone and called Scooter. "Yo, Scooter."
"I know. I'm working on it." said Scooter. "I could probably do this with a laptop, it's so simple. Okay, it's done."
"Scooter's started the loop on the security cameras." said Jeremy.
"Good thing we let him look over the plans for the hideout." said Gates. "Where are the dungeons?"
"This way." said Jeremy.
He led Gates towards the dungeons and was greeted with the sound of arguing.
"Who's that?" asked Gates.
"Sounds like two of the SWAT troopers." said Jeremy. "One of them is saying the other beat him up."
"Hmmm, sounds suspicious." said Gates. "Let's check it out."
Jeremy snuck over to the bend in the hallway and took a quick look around it before jumping back. "There's another android standing guard."
"What are you going to do?" asked Gates.
"Check its reflexes." said Jeremy as he took out his badge. He snuck over to the corner with his sidearm in one hand and his badge in the other. He threw the badge past the coridor and the android turned to aim at it. As it did, Jeremy shot it in the chest. The android fell back and shut down.
"Nice shot." said Gates as Jeremy checked out the android. "But how did you know it was an android?"
"Didn't move like a human." said Jeremy as he confirmed the nature of the guard. "Also, most human guards say something when they see you."
"Let's keep going." said Gates.
They approached the arguing voices and discovered that they were indeed the SWAT troopers.
"Agent Gates." said one trooper.
"Agent Sanchez." said the leader of Bravo Team.
"Are you guys okay?" asked Jeremy.
"Mostly." said Bravo Leader. "Somehow, these guys turned Johnson against his teammates and subdued the rest of us with little trouble."
"Do you know where the key is?" asked Gates.
"Electronic locks controled from another room." said one trooper. "No key."
"No problem." said Jeremy as he took out his cel phone and called Scooter. "Scooter, about these locks..."
"Already on it." said Scooter while he worked at his computer. Just then, the locks opened and the troopers started to leave their cells. Jeremy bid Scooter goodbye and Gates made carefully sure to keep Johnson away from his teammates.
"We'll discus your betrayal later." said Gates to Johnson. "Right now, let's get you out of here."
Just then, Blades walked in on them. "Okay, what's going on..." he started, then noticed the dozen FBI personel in front of him. "Uh, excuse me. I just remembered something." With that, he ran.
"Let's go." said Jeremy. "It's not going to take him long to notify his superiors."
The agents and troopers left the dungeon en masse. They made their way back to the entrance to find that Blade had alerted his teammates who were now waiting for him.
"Everybody, take cover!" said Gates. Jeremy and the troopers complied.
"We should be safe for now." said Jeremy.
Rocks looked towards them and called "Pierce, fire!" A shot fired from his mask and tore through their cover, hitting one of the troopers in the leg.
"I stand corrected." said Jeremy.
Blades then looked in their direction and called "Rotor, fire!" A yellow blade shot from his mask and flew towards the agents spinning in the air. It came to rest in the wall behind them.
"There was something else you wanted to tell me?" said Jeremy.
"Yes." said Gates as he fired at their assailants. "Back when MASK and VENOM began, Andrew Trakker..."
"The scientist behind the project?" asked Jeremy.
"Yes." said Gates. "He was part of an archaeological expedition that discovered a strange energy crystal. He managed to focus the crystal's energy into several masks and give them bizarre powers."
"Like firing rotor blades or armor pirecing rounds?" asked Jeremy.
"Exactly." said Gates. "Both sides managed to channel this energy to create their own weapons. We never recovered VENOM's crystal or whatever they were using to power their masks."
"It looks like these guys have it." said Jeremy as he exchanged fire with their opponents.
Gearbox ran to his Winnebago, the Monster, and climbed in.
"I think we might need some help." said Gates.
"Got it." said Jeremy as he took out his cel phone and dialed Gates' number. He then sent a text message to Rocky.
Outside, Rocky received the text message and said "We've got a problem. Let's roll!"
"But how do we get in there?" asked one trooper. "I'm sure their sensors will pick us up immediately."
"I noticed they've got a group of bikers patroling the area." said Rocky. "I'm thinking I can sneak in with them."
"Don't you think their sensors will notice if there's an extra biker?" asked the trooper.
"Not if one of them's not there." said Rocky. He started up his Harley and rode after the patroling biker androids.
"Since these are androids according to Jeremy, I guess I don't have to worry about moral complications." said Rocky as he pulled up alongside one of the bikers and pulled out a shotgun.
"Hey, you ever ride with the Angels?" asked Rocky. When the android started to pull a weapon, Rocky blasted it with his shotgun and said "You are now." When the android and its bike fell out of the formation, Rocky took its place.
The three android bikers rode into the base with Rocky. He stopped and let the others ride on ahead. He took a knife, cut the bike's fuel line, and whispered "Sorry, Jesse."
The three androids raced into the vehicle bay and surrounded the Monster. "Wait, where's the other guy?" asked Darwood.
The Monster's forward section split down the middle and opened to reveal a small turret/cockpit with two guns. The rear section elevated with a pair of cannons on it and a radar dish swung up.
The motorcycles, called the Rats, went through the same transformation. Guns extended from the frame rails and headlights. Missiles were revealed from the fuel tanks.
"Now, we've got you." said Gearbox.
"Freight train!" called Rocky as he tore into the bay on his Harley and dropped it onto its side. Rocky managed to pull himself off as it slid into the Rats. He then took a large pistol and shot the fuel trail. It caught fire and quickly burned over to the crashed Harley which promptly exploded, taking the three androids with it.
"That's for my brothers." said Rocky.
Gearbox tried to move the Monster, but the explosion had taken out one of his tires. He had no choice but to quickly take a fire extiguisher to it.
"That should keep 'em busy." said Rocky. "Let's get out of here."
"Just one problem." said Jeremy as he pointed to the Rats. Rocky looked in the direction he was pointing and saw the bikes had separated into three smaller robots each.
"They just don't like making it easy." said Rocky.
"Pick your shots carefully." said Gates as he aimed his handgun at the approaching robots.
"How many shots you got left?" asked Jeremy.
"Full clip." said Gates. "I reloaded just before we went in and I haven't fired since."
"Me too." said Jeremy. "Except for when I shot the android guard."
"Only fired one shot each." said Rocky. "Somebody want this pistol?"
"I can take it." said the leader of Team Charlie. Rocky gave him the gun and he pointed it at the robots.
Jeremy aimed at one of the robots and fired. He hit one of the robot's legs and dropped it quickly. Gates followed suit and took out another robot. Both agents repeated their actions and took out two more robots. The Charlie Leader fired on the robots himself and nailed two himself.
Rocky fired his shotgun at the robots and knocked out two robots at once. A third managed to get close to him and he shattered it with a well-placed shotgun blast. "That's all of them." he said.
"Let's book." said Jeremy.
"I agree." said Gates. "This situation has progressed beyond our capabilities."
As the FBI personel filed out of the base, Darwood yelled "Stop them!"
"Stop this!" growled Rocky as he fired another shotgun blast into a fuel pump. The resulting fire covered his group's escape.
"Don't just stand there!" yelled Darwood. "Put that fire out!"
----------
"Looks like you got your revenge." said Jeremy when he and the others had returned to their secret headquarters.
"Cost me my hog." said Rocky. "Fair trade, I guess."
"Jeremy, I've been meaning to ask you something." said Gates. "How did you know to shoot the androids in the chest?"
"Weller said he based his robots on human anatomy." explained Jeremy. "I figured if we, as humans, have our hearts in our chests, then the androids might have something just as important there."
"Hey guys, I've got something." said Scooter as he worked at his computer. "According to this, VENOM conducted a heist at Duke University in 1985. There was a secret project involving a laser going on and VENOM decided to steal it, but they were unsuccessful. The project was moved to a different research center shortly before the heist."
"Malcolm Darwood attended Duke University." said Gates. "I saw the diploma on his wall while I was interrogating him. He might have run into Miles Mayhem the night of the heist."
"Scooter, was Malcolm Darwood at Duke when the heist occurred?" asked Jeremy.
"Class of '86." said Scooter. "And get this. He was on the debate team. They called him 'The Fox' since he was so cunning."
"Unfortunately, we don't have any evidence other than what we saw with our own eyes." said Jeremy. "Without solid proof, it's just two FBI agents against a leading industrialist and his legal department."
"Weller Robotics is owned by Darwood Industries." said Gates. "I'm afraid they're off the hook as well."
"Plus, we didn't slow them down that much." said Rocky. "So, what are we going to do."
"Here's what we're going to do." said Gates. "Jeremy, there was something else I wanted to tell you."
"Go ahead." said Jeremy.
"Every agent I've worked with on this case has secretly been under a test." explained Gates. "VENOM isn't the only faction to rise from the dead. The FBI has been working with former PNA operatives to create a new MASK team. The agents I've been working with were being tested to see if they were of the caliber to lead the second MASK team."
"I was being tested?" said Jeremy. "How did I do?"
"Very well." said Gates. "You did better than any of the others. In fact, I have selected you as the leader of the new MASK team."
"You have?" replied Jeremy. "I...I don't know what to say."
"I was hoping you'd say yes." said Gates.
"Sir, why didn't you lead the new MASK?" asked Scooter.
"For the same reason none of the original MASK agents are returning." explained Gates. "I feel that I am past my prime and am no longer fit to lead the team. In fact, I am planning my retirement."
"I'm sorry to hear that." said Jeremy. "I accept your offer and I hope to live up to your expectations."
"That is what I wanted to hear." said Gates. "Your first order of business as the leader of the second MASK team is to select the rest of the team. The profiles of the candidates are on this disc." he added as he handed a disc to Jeremy. "Scooter and Rocky are candidates as well."
"Scooter, Rocky, I would like to have you on this team." said Jeremy. "Will you join?"
"I'm in." said Scooter.
"Me too." said Rocky.
"Then the new MASK is a reality." said Gates.
----------
AN:And there you have it. A new MASK team is forming and the investigation is heating up.
As promised, I will now post two more character profiles. This time, they will belong to Darwood's other two vehicle experts.
Blades
Real name:Frank Kelly (no relation)
Allegiance:The Foxes
Position:Helicopter Pilot
Birthplace:Santa Fe
Mask:Rotor (fires rotor blades at opponents)
Vehicle Code Name:Rabbit (Volkswagen Golf GTI/Recon Helicopter)
Bio:Blades was a flight instructor at one of New Mexico's top flight schools. He quit after a student took him for a terrifying joyride. After that, he turned to smuggling to make a living. After an encounter with the Mexican mafia, his incredible cowardice forced him to break a contract. He ran to Malcolm Darwood for protection and joined the Foxes.
Rocks
Real name:Richard Bates
Allegiance:The Foxes
Position:Armor Expert
Birthplace:Cincinatti
Mask:Pierce (fires energy bolts that can pierce thick cover)
Vehicle Code Name:Lion (Hummer H1/Siege Tower)
Bio:Rocks never had much concern for his fellow man. He's spent much of his life trying to figure out how to make other people's lives miserable. He eventually learned the best possible way to cut through most metal armors to break into safes. Malcolm Darwood learned of his prowess and made an effort to recuit him. He was hard to find, but Darwood found him.
Thank you for reading. We shall continue.
-------------------
The Past Is Gone...
-------------------
"You should have seen it." said Flash. "He completely underestimated me."
Hack and Slash stood at the other side of the lounge. "Well, you should have seen us in Tempe." said Hack. "We were in that dorm room within five minutes."
"Yeah." said Slash. "We did pretty good until the guards found us."
"I told you not to mention the guards!" yelled Hack.
"Remember who saved your bacon." said Rocks.
"I bet Blades is going to have some kind of tale to tell." said Gearbox.
"Knowing him, he'll probably exagerate a lot." said Flash.
"How do we know he mustered enough courage to pull it off?" asked Hack.
"He pulled it off." said another man who was wearing glasses. "I heard about it through the grapevine."
Just then, the helicopter pilot from the Colorado heist walked in with the signal emitter. "Dr. Frankenstein, I believe this is yours." he said.
"Thank you." said the man with glasses. "Good job, Blades. But where are the Wasps?"
"I sent them back to the lab." said Blades. "But...uh...I have something to tell you."
"What? What?" stammered Frankenstein.
"One of the Wasps bought it in the field." said Blades. "But don't worry. I activated the self-destruct system."
"You had me scared for a second." said Frankenstein. "Good thing you did that. We certainly don't want any evidence leading back to us."
----------
"This piece appears to have broken off in the crash." said the professor from the Colorado lab. "It's a radio receiver of some kind."
"What was it attached to?" asked Jeremy as he looked over the smashed-up robot in the laboratory's supply room.
"It seems to have once been here." said the professor as he pointed to a spot in the robot's head where wires were exposed. "I followed these wires and found this."
Gates took a look. "There's enough explosive in here to leave a six-foot deep crater." he said. "It definately would have left no evidence behind."
"Looks like we've got another partner." said Jeremy. "Her name is Lady Luck."
"The robot's memory banks are too badly damaged to get any information from them." said the scientist. "We can't tell who built it from its construction or design."
"I don't think we'll have to." said Jeremy. "Can you do a detailed analysis on the parts used?"
"I think we can." said the professor.
"After that," said Jeremy "we can probably give the list of parts to our computer expert and see what robot manufacturers use the same brands."
"That could work." said the professor. "I'll get right on it."
Gates turned to the scientist and said "While he's doing that, why don't you describe the helicopter that attacked?"
"I can show you." she said.
She led the two FBI agents out to the parking lot and showed them a car. "The cabin of the helicopter looked a lot like this." she said. "Just take away the wheels, fenders, and everything rear of the b-pillars and add rotor blades, a tail boom, and weapons."
"Weapons?" asked Gates. "What kind of weapons?"
"I'm not sure." said the scientist. "I didn't get a good look, but it used a harpoon gun to steal the signal emitter."
"So you're saying the helicopter looked like the passenger compartment of a Volkswagen Golf?" asked Jeremy.
"Yes, only it was blue, not red." said the scientist.
"Thank you, that will be all." said Gates.
The scientist went back to her duties. Gates turned to Jeremy and said "It looks like we're onto something big."
"I think you've known that from the start." said Jeremy.
"Yes?" asked Gates.
"Ever since I got involved with this investigation, it has been nowhere near FBI standard." said Jeremy. "Secret base with a massive supercomputer, outsider help, an M.O. that could've come out of a sci-fi flick. This is something really big and you've known all this time."
"Yes, I have." said Gates. "It's time I came clean. I believe this to be a continuation of another crew's heists from the nineteen-eighties. Have you ever heard of the Peaceful Nations Alliance?"
"PNA? Of course I have." said Jeremy. "They were absorbed into the United Nations a few years back. Why do you ask?"
"In the eighties, one of their security chiefs defected to a criminal organization called the Contraworld." explained Gates. "Back then, they were experimenting with vehicles that could transform from seemingly mundane civilian vehicles to advanced combat vehicles. I know this sounds very unbelievable but..."
"Agent Gates? Agent Sanchez?" asked the scientist. "The professor has finished compiling his list."
In the lab, the professor showed off the list of the robot's components. "I decided to keep the explosive off the list since it's highly unlikely that civilian robots would be using it." he explained. "This is what's left." he added as he handed Jeremy a PDA with the list on it.
"Thanks for putting it on a PDA." said Gates. "That'll make it easier to send to our computer expert."
----------
Back at base, Scooter ran the list through the computer.
"I can't believe we actually have lists of parts suppliers for robotics companies." said Rocky.
"You'd be amazed at what's in this computer." said Scooter. "I'm surprised it can't just solve the crime for us."
"Computers are not omnipotent." said Rocky.
"Nope, sure aren't." said Scooter. Just then, the computer stopped on a listing. "Hold on, we've got something." said Scooter as he clicked on the listing.
"Weller Robotics." read Rocky. "That it?"
"Apparently so." said Scooter. "Albuquerque, New Mexico."
----------
Jeremy and Gates arrived at Weller Robotics in Albuquerque. "This is the place Scooter came up with." said Jeremy.
"Are you sure about this?" asked Gates.
"I agree it's a long shot." said Jeremy. "But it's still worth a try."
They entered the building and were told to wait by the company president's secretary since he wasn't in. Two hours later, the president finally showed up. Little did they know, he was the one known as Dr. Frankenstein.
"Charlie Weller?" asked Gates. "I'm Agent Gates, this is Agent Sanchez. We're from the FBI and we need to ask you a few questions."
"About what?" asked Frankenstein.
"We have uncovered evidence that might link your company to a series of electronic equipment heists." said Jeremy.
Frankenstein nervously conducted an interview with the two agents for twenty minutes.
"Well, it's true that we use a lot of these components in our robots." said Frankenstein. "It's also true that we are experimenting with a human-like robot. In fact, I started my research into robots by studying human anatomy. If someone in my company is using our project to perform these robberies, I think we can find this person with your help."
"Thanks for your offer." said Jeremy. "We'll just look around. Thank you for your time."
With that, Jeremy and Gates left Frankenstein's office. After they left, Frankenstein breathed a sigh of relief and yelled "I'm going to kill Blades!" He then pushed a button on his intercom and said "Don, has everybody gone home for the day?"
"Yes, sir." replied Don over the intercom. "I'm just about to leave myself."
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." said Frankenstein. He then pushed another button on the intercom and said "Initiate security protocol Alpha. Code word: Killroy."
----------
"Did Weller seem nervous to you?" asked Jeremy as he and Gates walked along a catwalk overlooking the production line.
"More than your usual suspect." said Gates. "He's hiding something."
"Obviously." said Jeremy. "What do you suggest?" he asked as a robotic arm started to elevate towards him.
"Right now, I suggest you take cover!" yelled Gates. He and Jeremy dove for cover a split second before the robotic arm rammed into the wall just inches from where they were standing.
----------
Scooter watched the attack over the security cameras he had hacked into. "Holy cow!" he yelled as he started typing rapidly.
"Can you override the security protocol from here?" asked Rocky.
"I'm trying! I'm trying!" yelled Scooter.
----------
Jeremy and Gates pulled out their sidearms. The robotic arm started to reach for Jeremy. He responded by shooting out the arm's hydraulics hoses. When the arm tried to grab him, hydraulic fluid sprayed from the shot-up hoses. The arm's gripper was rendered useless.
"Jeremy!" yelled Gates. Jeremy turned around and saw another robotic arm, this one with a welding attachment. The welder fired a blast of flame at him, but he managed to dodge. He fired his gun at the hoses on the side of the arm. This time, he hit the arm's propane tube. The resulting explosion broke the arm in half.
The half that wasn't attached to the ceiling dropped onto the railing of the catwalk. Jeremy climbed on it and said "There must be a computer controlling the system!"
"What makes you say that?" asked Gates.
"That gripper would've stopped after I shot it if someone was controlling it directly!" said Jeremy. "Since it didn't, it must be running on some kind of program!"
"Find it fast!" yelled Gates as he raised his gun towards another robot arm that was approaching him.
Jeremy climbed the fallen robot arm and stopped when he reached the broken section. He saw flames coming out of the broken propane hose. He holstered his weapon and steadied himself. Then, he jumped towards the other part of the arm and grabbed onto it. He hauled himself up and crawled along it until he spotted a large box-like object at the center of the room.
Gates fired a few shots at the arm that was attacking him, but it still came. Eventually, it grabbed at his chest. He stepped away, but the gripper caught his tie.
Jeremy looked at the object in the center of the room and read the panel on the side. "Control Computer." he said. "This is what I'm looking for."
"Jeremy!" yelled Gates. Jeremy looked and saw his partner's dire situation. He then steadied himself, pulled out his gun, and aimed at the computer. "Let my partner go!" he ordered, then fired. Unfortunately, the outer shell was bulletproof and the bullet ricocheted into the skylight.
"Oh great!" he exclaimed.
"Jeremy!" called another voice, but it wasn't Gates. It was Scooter.
"Scooter?" asked Jeremy.
"Jeremy, I hacked into the security system!" said Scooter over the building's PA system. "I've been trying to shut down the production line and I've got good news and bad news. The bad news is I can't shut down the production line or the security protocol."
"And what's the good news?" asked Jeremy.
"I can activate the maintenance protocol." said Scooter. "That should open the panel on the control computer."
"Do so!" yelled Jeremy. "Please, do so!"
"Already on it." said Scooter as he activated the maintenance protocol. Jeremy watched as the panel that had deflected his shot opened. He looked into the computer and saw its circuitboards, chips, and hard drives.
Jeremy aimed into the computer's guts, said "In the famous words of my home state's governor, 'Hasta la vista, baby!'", and fired. The bullet tore through the computer and a shower of sparks signaled the computer's end.
Lights flickered, various robotic arms jerked around, and another computer started sounding a warning buzzer. Jeremy held on tight to the arm he was on and Gates started to catch his breath, then undo his tie.
Jeremy climbed down off the robotic arm and checked on his partner. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"Next time, I'm wearing a clip-on." joked Gates.
"I think we've just removed all doubt that Weller knows something." said Jeremy.
"I think you're right." said Gates. "Let's check on his office."
"Scooter, you with us?" asked Jeremy.
"Almost lost you there, but I'm still here." said Scooter.
"We might need you to hack into Weller's computer." said Jeremy.
"Looking forward to it." said Scooter.
----------
Jeremy and Gates headed to Dr. Frankenstein's office. He had fled while his security system tried to do away with the two agents. Jeremy booted up the computer, but was stalled by the computer's password.
Gates was on the phone with Scooter. "We can't seem to get past the computer's password." he said.
"I'm on it." said Scooter. Within seconds, the computer's password screen disappeared and they had access to Frankenstein's files.
"Most of this appears to be business-related." said Jeremy. "Wait, what's this?" he asked as he spotted a strange icon. He clicked on the icon and a new range of files opened up.
"What do you think?" asked Jeremy.
"Let's take a look." said Gates.
Jeremy opened one of the files and the design schematics for the robot bikers' motorcycle appeared.
"Now, we're getting somewhere." said Jeremy.
"Fox-2 Rat." said Gates as he read the label on the file. "Try the next one."
Jeremy closed the file and brought up the next one. The file showed the design schematics of Blades' Volkswagen GTI. It had the label "Fox-3 Rabbit".
Jeremy went to the next file. This one was the design schematics of Flash's Viper. It was labelled "Fox-4 Rocket".
"Next one?" asked Jeremy. Gates nodded. Jeremy opened the next file. It was a design schematic of Rocks' Hummer and was labelled "Fox-5 Lion".
"There's one more file." said Jeremy.
"We might as well open it." said Gates. Jeremy opened the file. It showed the design schematics of Gearbox's Winnebago. The label read "Fox-6 Monster".
"That's all the vehicles that performed the heists." said Gates.
"Something's weird." said Jeremy. "The listed files were for Fox-2 through Fox-6, but there's no Fox-1."
"Scooter, are you getting this?" asked Gates.
"I'm looking through the files, but I don't see one for Fox-1." said Scooter.
"Maybe it's not on this computer." said Jeremy.
"Hey, I found something else." said Scooter. "Check it out."
Jeremy pulled up the file Scooter was talking about. It was a detailed schematic of a secret base. It was simply labelled "Foxhole".
"This won't help much if we can't find this place." said Jeremy.
"Luckily, there's a location in the file." said Scooter. He then opened the location on the computer.
"Good work." said Jeremy.
"Wait, can you find out who owns the property?" asked Gates.
"Let's see." said Scooter. "There you go."
Jeremy and Gates looked at the screen. The name of the property's owner was displayed on the screen: Malcolm Darwood.
"I knew it!" yelled Gates.
"What?" asked Jeremy.
"I'll explain on the way." said Gates. "Let's go."
"Wait, after what we just went through, don't you think we should get some backup?" asked Jeremy.
"Good idea." said Gates. "I'll see what we can get. There's someone I think we should bring on this one."
"You mean Rocky?" asked Jeremy.
"Of course." said Gates.
"You hear that, Rock?" asked Scooter.
"Already on my way." said Rocky.
----------
Jeremy and Gates were also on their way to the location listed in the file.
"So, you want to tell about Malcolm Darwood?" asked Jeremy.
"It was going to come out sooner or later, so here it goes." said Gates. "When Miles Mayhew, the security chief from the PNA, defected to the Contraworld, he also killed the scientist who headed the transforming vehicle project and stole the plans for nine vehicles. The Contraworld used the plans to construct said vehicles and used them to commit crimes around the world. Miles Mayhew, now known as Miles Mayhem, headed this group known as 'VENOM'."
"And you think VENOM is behind these heists?" asked Jeremy.
"No, VENOM is no more." said Gates. "The plans stolen by Miles Mayhem constituted less than half of the plans for the project. The PNA used the remaining plans to create a counter to VENOM. Their group was called 'MASK'. Their leader was a proud supporter of the PNA, leading industrialist Matt Trakker. He was also the brother of the scientist killed by Miles Mayhem."
"How did the war end?" asked Jeremy.
"The war between MASK and VENOM lasted over a decade." said Gates. "Eventually, MASK won and VENOM was arrested. Miles Mayhem died in prison in August 2001."
"And how does Malcolm Darwood fit into all this?" asked Jeremy.
"After Miles Mayhem died, we noticed a lot of activity between other former VENOM agents and various businessmen." said Gates. "One of those was Malcolm Darwood. We started an investigation, but the events of September 11 forced us off the case. We had one agent who was close to cracking the case, but she was soon put into the hospital by a sniper we believe was working for Darwood."
"She?" asked Jeremy. "You don't mean..."
"Yes." said Gates. "It was Julie. She was about to update her superiors at the time of the attack. Matt Trakker was assisting us in the investigation and she was talking with him about something. She turned to ask him something and that's when it happened. Eyewitnesses said if she wasn't turning at the time, she would've been shot through the heart."
"Instantly fatal." said Jeremy. "She's lucky."
"I promised to Matt Trakker right then and there that I'd try to prevent VENOM from rising again." stated Gates. "No matter what it took, I would stop them."
"I'll help you in that respect." said Jeremy.
"Thank you." said Gates. "There's a couple of other things I have to tell you about MASK. I'll tell you later."
----------
A few hours later, Jeremy and Gates arrived at the forest property indicated on Frankenstein's computer. Rocky and an FBI SWAT Team were already there.
"What's the story?" asked Jeremy.
"We're just about ready to go in." said the SWAT Team leader. "We just need the go-ahead."
"Just a second." said Gates. He walked over to Rocky and said "Rocky, we need you out here with the backup teams. If something goes wrong, we need someone to back us up."
"Understood." said Rocky. "Not accepted, but understood."
"Good." said Gates. "Okay, we're ready."
"Alright, men." said the leader. "Let's go."
With that, the SWAT Team got up and entered Darwood's property in three groups of five. Jeremy and Gates went with one team. Darwood, the man who had greeted Hack and Slash when they got back from Tempe, watched calmly as the FBI approached.
"So, Dr. Frankenstein." said Darwood. "Are those the two FBI agents who interrogated you in your office?"
"That's them." said Frankenstein, who had changed out of his casual clothes and into a black and yellow jumpsuit. "Are we ready?"
"Of course." said Darwood. "Foxes, mobilize."
With that, Hack, Slash, Rocks, Gearbox, Flash, Blades, and Dr. Frankenstein rushed out to meet the SWAT Team.
"Shouldn't we be doing this with our vehicles?" asked Gearbox.
"Do we need them?" asked Rocks.
One group of troopers entered a grove of trees and looked around. After seeing the area was apparently clear, one trooper said "Area clear."
Right after that, Slash jumped out of the bushes, held his hands out towards the troopers, and said "Surge, on!" A burst of electricity shot from his hands and rendered all but one of the troopers unconcious.
The sole remaining trooper aimed his rifle at Slash and ordered "Don't move! This is a raid!"
"Gecko grab, on!" said Hack from the trees. A green beam shone from his hand and pulled the rifle out of the trooper's hands. Suddenly disarmed, the trooper surrendered.
Another group of troopers came to a fork in the path. Two went one way, while the other three went the other way. Gearbox, Flash, and Dr. Frankenstein watched them split up.
"Okay, you take those two." said Frankenstein. "I'll take the other three."
"Can you handle them?" asked Gearbox.
"Trust me." said Frankenstein.
Flash watched the two troopers as they walked to a clearing and stopped. "Okay, now." said Flash. "Wormhole, on!" A beam shone from her mask and opened a tunnel in space. Gearbox jumped in.
The two troopers were taken by surprise when the tunnel opened behind them. Gearbox grabbed one of the troopers and called "Leech, on!" A green glow surrounded his glove and the trooper lost conciousness.
"Drop him now!" yelled the other trooper.
"Leech, fire!" called Gearbox. A green energy bolt fired from his mask and knocked out the other trooper.
The other three entered another clearing and caught Dr. Frankenstein's attention. "That's good." said Frankenstein. "Stay right there. Droid, on!" A red energy bolt fired from his mask and hit the trooper bringing up the rear. The trooper dropped his rifle.
"Subdue your teammates." said Frankenstein. The trooper snuck up on the next man, grabbed him, and punched him out. His other teammate noticed what happened and stared in shock.
"What are you doing?" he asked. The trooper punched him in the stomach, then hit him in the back of the neck, knocking him out instantly.
"Now handcuff yourself." said Frankenstein. The trooper took out his handcuffs and restrained himself.
Closer to the indicated location of the hideout, the remaining troopers reached a clearing with Jeremy and Gates. Jeremy took out his walkie-talkie, pushed the button, and said "Bravo Team, report."
Nothing.
"Charlie Team, report." said Jeremy when Bravo Team didn't respond.
Still nothing.
"We've got a problem." said Jeremy. "Neither Bravo Team or Charlie Team is responding."
"Where are they?" asked Gates.
"In our custody." said Rocks as he approached. "You'll get them back if you leave now."
"Who are you?" asked Jeremy.
"I'm a representative of the Foxes." said Rocks. "Leave now, or the deaths of your men will be on your hands."
"How do we know we can trust you?" asked Gates.
"This will vouch for me." said Rocks as he threw a pair of badges to Jeremy.
Jeremy picked up the badges and looked them over. "They're from the leaders of Bravo and Charlie Teams." he announced.
"I'll leave you here to ponder their fate." said Rocks as he left.
"What do we do now?" asked Gates.
"Work on a plan." said Jeremy.
----------
Within minutes, Rocky showed up with the remaining two SWAT Teams. "What's the story?" he asked.
"This is now a hostage situation." said Jeremy. "We know they have at least two, as many as ten, and possibly more that we don't know about. I figured that if all of us went in, this was not going to end well."
"So, what's your plan?" asked Rocky.
"On Jeremy's suggestion, he and I will go in and look for the hostages." said Gates as he handed Rocky his cel phone. "If we need backup, I'll text message you."
"We'll come running." said Rocky.
"Thank you." said Gates. "Okay, let's go."
Jeremy and Gates snuck into the base entrance. Jeremy took a quick look around and directed Gates to hide behind a crate. Jeremy soon joined him.
"We've made it this far." said Gates. "I hope Scooter can get us the rest of the way."
"Thanks for the reminder." said Jeremy as he took out his cel phone and called Scooter. "Yo, Scooter."
"I know. I'm working on it." said Scooter. "I could probably do this with a laptop, it's so simple. Okay, it's done."
"Scooter's started the loop on the security cameras." said Jeremy.
"Good thing we let him look over the plans for the hideout." said Gates. "Where are the dungeons?"
"This way." said Jeremy.
He led Gates towards the dungeons and was greeted with the sound of arguing.
"Who's that?" asked Gates.
"Sounds like two of the SWAT troopers." said Jeremy. "One of them is saying the other beat him up."
"Hmmm, sounds suspicious." said Gates. "Let's check it out."
Jeremy snuck over to the bend in the hallway and took a quick look around it before jumping back. "There's another android standing guard."
"What are you going to do?" asked Gates.
"Check its reflexes." said Jeremy as he took out his badge. He snuck over to the corner with his sidearm in one hand and his badge in the other. He threw the badge past the coridor and the android turned to aim at it. As it did, Jeremy shot it in the chest. The android fell back and shut down.
"Nice shot." said Gates as Jeremy checked out the android. "But how did you know it was an android?"
"Didn't move like a human." said Jeremy as he confirmed the nature of the guard. "Also, most human guards say something when they see you."
"Let's keep going." said Gates.
They approached the arguing voices and discovered that they were indeed the SWAT troopers.
"Agent Gates." said one trooper.
"Agent Sanchez." said the leader of Bravo Team.
"Are you guys okay?" asked Jeremy.
"Mostly." said Bravo Leader. "Somehow, these guys turned Johnson against his teammates and subdued the rest of us with little trouble."
"Do you know where the key is?" asked Gates.
"Electronic locks controled from another room." said one trooper. "No key."
"No problem." said Jeremy as he took out his cel phone and called Scooter. "Scooter, about these locks..."
"Already on it." said Scooter while he worked at his computer. Just then, the locks opened and the troopers started to leave their cells. Jeremy bid Scooter goodbye and Gates made carefully sure to keep Johnson away from his teammates.
"We'll discus your betrayal later." said Gates to Johnson. "Right now, let's get you out of here."
Just then, Blades walked in on them. "Okay, what's going on..." he started, then noticed the dozen FBI personel in front of him. "Uh, excuse me. I just remembered something." With that, he ran.
"Let's go." said Jeremy. "It's not going to take him long to notify his superiors."
The agents and troopers left the dungeon en masse. They made their way back to the entrance to find that Blade had alerted his teammates who were now waiting for him.
"Everybody, take cover!" said Gates. Jeremy and the troopers complied.
"We should be safe for now." said Jeremy.
Rocks looked towards them and called "Pierce, fire!" A shot fired from his mask and tore through their cover, hitting one of the troopers in the leg.
"I stand corrected." said Jeremy.
Blades then looked in their direction and called "Rotor, fire!" A yellow blade shot from his mask and flew towards the agents spinning in the air. It came to rest in the wall behind them.
"There was something else you wanted to tell me?" said Jeremy.
"Yes." said Gates as he fired at their assailants. "Back when MASK and VENOM began, Andrew Trakker..."
"The scientist behind the project?" asked Jeremy.
"Yes." said Gates. "He was part of an archaeological expedition that discovered a strange energy crystal. He managed to focus the crystal's energy into several masks and give them bizarre powers."
"Like firing rotor blades or armor pirecing rounds?" asked Jeremy.
"Exactly." said Gates. "Both sides managed to channel this energy to create their own weapons. We never recovered VENOM's crystal or whatever they were using to power their masks."
"It looks like these guys have it." said Jeremy as he exchanged fire with their opponents.
Gearbox ran to his Winnebago, the Monster, and climbed in.
"I think we might need some help." said Gates.
"Got it." said Jeremy as he took out his cel phone and dialed Gates' number. He then sent a text message to Rocky.
Outside, Rocky received the text message and said "We've got a problem. Let's roll!"
"But how do we get in there?" asked one trooper. "I'm sure their sensors will pick us up immediately."
"I noticed they've got a group of bikers patroling the area." said Rocky. "I'm thinking I can sneak in with them."
"Don't you think their sensors will notice if there's an extra biker?" asked the trooper.
"Not if one of them's not there." said Rocky. He started up his Harley and rode after the patroling biker androids.
"Since these are androids according to Jeremy, I guess I don't have to worry about moral complications." said Rocky as he pulled up alongside one of the bikers and pulled out a shotgun.
"Hey, you ever ride with the Angels?" asked Rocky. When the android started to pull a weapon, Rocky blasted it with his shotgun and said "You are now." When the android and its bike fell out of the formation, Rocky took its place.
The three android bikers rode into the base with Rocky. He stopped and let the others ride on ahead. He took a knife, cut the bike's fuel line, and whispered "Sorry, Jesse."
The three androids raced into the vehicle bay and surrounded the Monster. "Wait, where's the other guy?" asked Darwood.
The Monster's forward section split down the middle and opened to reveal a small turret/cockpit with two guns. The rear section elevated with a pair of cannons on it and a radar dish swung up.
The motorcycles, called the Rats, went through the same transformation. Guns extended from the frame rails and headlights. Missiles were revealed from the fuel tanks.
"Now, we've got you." said Gearbox.
"Freight train!" called Rocky as he tore into the bay on his Harley and dropped it onto its side. Rocky managed to pull himself off as it slid into the Rats. He then took a large pistol and shot the fuel trail. It caught fire and quickly burned over to the crashed Harley which promptly exploded, taking the three androids with it.
"That's for my brothers." said Rocky.
Gearbox tried to move the Monster, but the explosion had taken out one of his tires. He had no choice but to quickly take a fire extiguisher to it.
"That should keep 'em busy." said Rocky. "Let's get out of here."
"Just one problem." said Jeremy as he pointed to the Rats. Rocky looked in the direction he was pointing and saw the bikes had separated into three smaller robots each.
"They just don't like making it easy." said Rocky.
"Pick your shots carefully." said Gates as he aimed his handgun at the approaching robots.
"How many shots you got left?" asked Jeremy.
"Full clip." said Gates. "I reloaded just before we went in and I haven't fired since."
"Me too." said Jeremy. "Except for when I shot the android guard."
"Only fired one shot each." said Rocky. "Somebody want this pistol?"
"I can take it." said the leader of Team Charlie. Rocky gave him the gun and he pointed it at the robots.
Jeremy aimed at one of the robots and fired. He hit one of the robot's legs and dropped it quickly. Gates followed suit and took out another robot. Both agents repeated their actions and took out two more robots. The Charlie Leader fired on the robots himself and nailed two himself.
Rocky fired his shotgun at the robots and knocked out two robots at once. A third managed to get close to him and he shattered it with a well-placed shotgun blast. "That's all of them." he said.
"Let's book." said Jeremy.
"I agree." said Gates. "This situation has progressed beyond our capabilities."
As the FBI personel filed out of the base, Darwood yelled "Stop them!"
"Stop this!" growled Rocky as he fired another shotgun blast into a fuel pump. The resulting fire covered his group's escape.
"Don't just stand there!" yelled Darwood. "Put that fire out!"
----------
"Looks like you got your revenge." said Jeremy when he and the others had returned to their secret headquarters.
"Cost me my hog." said Rocky. "Fair trade, I guess."
"Jeremy, I've been meaning to ask you something." said Gates. "How did you know to shoot the androids in the chest?"
"Weller said he based his robots on human anatomy." explained Jeremy. "I figured if we, as humans, have our hearts in our chests, then the androids might have something just as important there."
"Hey guys, I've got something." said Scooter as he worked at his computer. "According to this, VENOM conducted a heist at Duke University in 1985. There was a secret project involving a laser going on and VENOM decided to steal it, but they were unsuccessful. The project was moved to a different research center shortly before the heist."
"Malcolm Darwood attended Duke University." said Gates. "I saw the diploma on his wall while I was interrogating him. He might have run into Miles Mayhem the night of the heist."
"Scooter, was Malcolm Darwood at Duke when the heist occurred?" asked Jeremy.
"Class of '86." said Scooter. "And get this. He was on the debate team. They called him 'The Fox' since he was so cunning."
"Unfortunately, we don't have any evidence other than what we saw with our own eyes." said Jeremy. "Without solid proof, it's just two FBI agents against a leading industrialist and his legal department."
"Weller Robotics is owned by Darwood Industries." said Gates. "I'm afraid they're off the hook as well."
"Plus, we didn't slow them down that much." said Rocky. "So, what are we going to do."
"Here's what we're going to do." said Gates. "Jeremy, there was something else I wanted to tell you."
"Go ahead." said Jeremy.
"Every agent I've worked with on this case has secretly been under a test." explained Gates. "VENOM isn't the only faction to rise from the dead. The FBI has been working with former PNA operatives to create a new MASK team. The agents I've been working with were being tested to see if they were of the caliber to lead the second MASK team."
"I was being tested?" said Jeremy. "How did I do?"
"Very well." said Gates. "You did better than any of the others. In fact, I have selected you as the leader of the new MASK team."
"You have?" replied Jeremy. "I...I don't know what to say."
"I was hoping you'd say yes." said Gates.
"Sir, why didn't you lead the new MASK?" asked Scooter.
"For the same reason none of the original MASK agents are returning." explained Gates. "I feel that I am past my prime and am no longer fit to lead the team. In fact, I am planning my retirement."
"I'm sorry to hear that." said Jeremy. "I accept your offer and I hope to live up to your expectations."
"That is what I wanted to hear." said Gates. "Your first order of business as the leader of the second MASK team is to select the rest of the team. The profiles of the candidates are on this disc." he added as he handed a disc to Jeremy. "Scooter and Rocky are candidates as well."
"Scooter, Rocky, I would like to have you on this team." said Jeremy. "Will you join?"
"I'm in." said Scooter.
"Me too." said Rocky.
"Then the new MASK is a reality." said Gates.
----------
AN:And there you have it. A new MASK team is forming and the investigation is heating up.
As promised, I will now post two more character profiles. This time, they will belong to Darwood's other two vehicle experts.
Blades
Real name:Frank Kelly (no relation)
Allegiance:The Foxes
Position:Helicopter Pilot
Birthplace:Santa Fe
Mask:Rotor (fires rotor blades at opponents)
Vehicle Code Name:Rabbit (Volkswagen Golf GTI/Recon Helicopter)
Bio:Blades was a flight instructor at one of New Mexico's top flight schools. He quit after a student took him for a terrifying joyride. After that, he turned to smuggling to make a living. After an encounter with the Mexican mafia, his incredible cowardice forced him to break a contract. He ran to Malcolm Darwood for protection and joined the Foxes.
Rocks
Real name:Richard Bates
Allegiance:The Foxes
Position:Armor Expert
Birthplace:Cincinatti
Mask:Pierce (fires energy bolts that can pierce thick cover)
Vehicle Code Name:Lion (Hummer H1/Siege Tower)
Bio:Rocks never had much concern for his fellow man. He's spent much of his life trying to figure out how to make other people's lives miserable. He eventually learned the best possible way to cut through most metal armors to break into safes. Malcolm Darwood learned of his prowess and made an effort to recuit him. He was hard to find, but Darwood found him.
Thank you for reading. We shall continue.