MASK 2:The Next Generation
AN:First the good news: I'll be sure to work some more on this story shortly, as well as my others. The bad news: the next chapter will be the last for a while. Actually, the next chapter will wrap up this story, but another will follow sometime later.
Anyways, this chapter is here now. Go ahead.
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Counter-Strike
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After the training session was interrupted, the agents took their follow-up actions.
Max, Kenny, and Chris hit the gym. Max climbed the rock wall while Kenny lifted weights and Chris attacked the punching bag.
"Whoa, what kind of fighting is that?" asked Kenny.
"It's called Shotokan." said Chris as he delivered a few roundhouse kicks to the bag. "It's a form of karate."
"Ken and Ryu's style, if I'm not mistaken." said Max.
"Video game nuts." laughed Chris as he steadied the bag.
"You rock climb often?" asked Kenny.
"Yeah, mostly in the Santa Monicas." said Max. "I'm usually careful, but I once took a nasty spill. Don't remember much about it, I was out of it for the most part."
"And you still climb?" asked Chris.
"Oh yeah." said Max.
----------
In the vehicle bay, Caitlin, Wei, and Enzo looked over the wreckage of the Rats.
"All this technology." said Caitlin.
"Yeah, imagine what they didn't throw at us." said Wei.
"We may be seeing it soon." said Enzo. "Darwood's not going to be too happy when that chopper pilot doesn't come back."
"This was his ride?" asked Wei as he looked at the Rabbit.
"Yes, it is." said Enzo. "Looks like some Volkswagen Golf/helicopter hybrid. Plus, it's got some kind of weird aero bumpers."
"Aftermarket, most likely." said Caitlin. "Looks like Zender."
"So, you like the aftermarket stuff, eh?" said Enzo.
"I follow the aftermarket." said Caitlin. "Things about cars have always interested me."
"Cool." said Wei. "Let me know if you know anything about big trucks."
----------
In the medical lab, Laura looked over the wrecked Wasps as Liam and Rocky looked on.
"Well, I think this just might be a Weller design." said Laura. "They're based on human anatomy, like Weller's robots. Unfortunately, our attacks left their memory banks wiped clean."
"What about their secondary control systems?" asked Rocky. "You know, the things they were using to control those smaller robots?"
"I found what might be a control unit in their chests." said Laura. "I'm not sure. This isn't my department. What I do know is that it was connected to their CPUs, or brains if you will."
"That's probably why they shut down after they were decapitated." said Liam.
"They also have a dedicated explosive charge designed to destroy any evidence." said Laura. "Apparently, that was controlled by the CPU as well."
"Can they use weapons?" asked Rocky.
"No, their hands aren't designed to pull a trigger." said Laura. "The warrior androids you encountered must have been a different design."
----------
Bruce and the design team watched over Scooter and Michael as they checked out the stolen items on the computer.
"I've heard of these items." said Bruce. "It's called the Locking System. It's a modular equipment system for intelligence operations. Field operatives are supposed to be able to create whatever they need from the modules."
"Yeah, but there's not a lot they can make from what they have now." said Scooter. "I tried all possible combinations."
"Maybe they're planning on selling what they have." said Michael. "If the files are true, they may be following VENOM's M.O."
"If they're planning on doing that, they'd need more of the modules." said Bruce. "They'd need most, if not all, of the modules."
"Maybe they're going to make something with a piece they don't have yet." said Michael.
"Without knowing what, it's needle in a haystack time." said Scooter.
"One of the items stolen was a computer." said Michael. "Why?"
"Every item has a different operating program." said Bruce. "The computer was being used to code these programs."
"Does the computer have the operating programs for all the possible combinations?" asked Scooter.
"No, the computer's hard drive isn't that large." said Bruce. "One such computer should be able to hold twenty programs."
"That narrows it down." said Scooter as he went to work.
----------
"Were you sent by Malcolm Darwood?" asked Gates.
"I...I...I can't tell you." stammered Blades.
"Easy, Gates." said Matt. "You're scaring him."
"Matt, I checked his psyche file." said Jeremy in a way that Blades couldn't hear. "I don't think scaring him would be any mean feat."
"What can you tell us about him?" asked Matt.
"His name is Frank Kelly from Santa Fe." said Jeremy. "He used to use a helicopter to smuggle guns into Mexico. Similar to Han Solo, he was once forced to dump his load when he encountered what he thought was a border patrol helicopter."
"What he thought?" asked Matt.
"Turned out to be a local farmer dusting crops." said Jeremy. "He suffers from extreme cowardice and paranoia. After his mistake, his clients weren't happy. It's said there's a bounty on his head throughout the criminal underworld. However, our informants have been unable to account for his wherabouts for the last two years."
"Darwood might have recruited him around that time." said Matt. "It makes sense since he could find protection from his pursuers."
"His fear may be preventing him from answering any of Gates' questions." said Jeremy. "He's afraid of both what Gates would do to him if he doesn't answer and what Darwood would do if he does."
"Doomed if you do and doomed if you don't." said Matt.
Gates took a break from questioning Blades and joined Matt and Jeremy.
"I'm not getting anywhere with him." he said. "I'll give him some time to stew."
Just then, there was a knock at the door, then Scooter entered. "Jeremy, call everyone to the briefing room." he said. "I think we've got something."
----------
Within minutes, the team had gathered in the briefing room. Jeremy, Matt, and Scooter stood at the front of the room.
"I ran a list of the stolen parts and tried to find out what Darwood could make with them." said Scooter. "Working on Michael's suggestion, I checked the operating programs on the stolen computer and found that one belonged to this."
Scooter tapped a few buttons on his computer and the image of some piece of equipment appeared on the viewscreen behind him.
"It's called a Sonic Wave Projector." said Jeremy. "As the name indicates, it projects a sonic wave that can cause solid objects to shatter. It's easy to transport, does incredible damage, and can do its worst in less than a minute. All Darwood has to do is assemble the pieces."
"Does Darwood have all the pieces?" asked Kenny.
"No, he still needs one." said Scooter.
"I've got Bruce looking into the last piece's transportation right now." said Matt.
"Are you sure it's this one?" asked Chris. "Maybe there's another operating program on the computer that they're going to use."
"No, nothing else on the computer required the other pieces stolen." said Scooter. "I'm telling you, this is the one."
Bruce quickly ran into the room and yelled "We have to mobilize quickly! The professor said the other component is being moved now!"
"Uh oh, no rest for the weary." said Max.
"Just as Bruce suggested, we mobilize now." said Jeremy. "Caitlin, Max, Chris, Scooter, and Liam, come with me. Everybody else stays here to guard the prisoner."
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Elsewhere, Darwood sat in the back of the Monster and watched the clock. "Blades should've been back by now." he muttered.
"He's probably working on an excuse as to why he couldn't pull it off." said Gearbox.
"No, Darwood's right." said Frankenstein. "Blades must be in trouble. He'd never be this late."
"Nice to see someone knows what's going on." said Darwood. "We go without him. There's no way Sanchez can mobilize in time. Let's go."
The Monster, Rocket, and Lion pulled out.
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The Skyhawk, Lightning, Bear, and Ferret raced along the highway.
"I think Darwood sent Kelly after us to keep us busy." said Jeremy.
"Guess he wasn't counting on the guy to fail." said Scooter.
"He's probably not expecting us." said Jeremy. "I hope he doesn't have a mask because I'd really love to see the look on his face."
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The transport truck drove into the mountains. It drove onto a bridge when it came upon a Winnebago parked across the road. A Viper and a Hummer were both stopped by the RV.
"His brakes locked up." said Rocks from the Hummer. "Lost control, came this close to going off the bridge."
"I'm a mechanic." said one member of the truck's crew. "Maybe I can help."
"Please do." said Flash. "I have a car show to get to."
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"I wish Scooter was here." said Rocky as he tried to use the MASK computer.
"What are you doing?" asked Michael.
"I'm trying to see what else Darwood's group could make using these parts." said Rocky. "Unfortunately, this thing is a little beyond my capabilities."
"Let me help." said Michael. He went to work helping Rocky with the computer. "This is how you access the database."
"That's cool." said Rocky. "Bet you can't access the personel files."
"No problem." said Michael. He went to work and brought up Rocky's profile.
"Nice work." said Rocky.
"Wait." said Laura as she entered the room. "While you have the personel files open, do me a favor and check Max's medical records."
"If you say so." said Michael. He went to work again and opened Max's medical file. Laura gave it a quick once-over and gasped.
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The mechanic had crawled under the Monster and was looking at the drivetrain. Flash was standing next to the driver of the truck. Hack and Slash snuck up behind the truck.
"When do we act?" asked Slash.
"Just a second." said Hack.
"Can you find the problem?" asked the driver.
"I can't find a problem." said the mechanic. "It looks fine."
"Okay." said the driver. "Then let's..." He was cut off when Flash hit him in the stomach. She followed with an elbow to the back which rendered the man unconscious.
"What the?" replied the guard in the truck. He picked up the microphone for the radio and pushed the button. "This is transport one. We are being..."
Slash ran to the open window, held his hands towards the guard, and called "Surge, on!" Electricity burst from his gloves and knocked the guard out.
"What's going on?" asked the mechanic as he slid out from under the Monster. The last thing he saw before blacking out was Gearbox's boot.
"That was perfect." said Hack.
"We didn't even have to to transform the vehicles." said Rocks.
Suddenly, the radio crackled to life. It was Jeremy. "Transport one, respond." he said. "Repeat, transport one, respond. Are you there? Who is attacking you?"
Rocks picked up the microphone for the radio. "This is transport one." he said. "False alarm. Sorry."
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"Something is not right." said Scooter. "His voice sounded different."
"If there is something right, it's probably you." said Jeremy. "Hold on." He pulled to the side of the road and pushed a green button on the Skyhawk's dashboard. His Hawk mask slid over his head and he plugged in the control cable. He reached forward and called "White Hawk, on!"
A white energy mass shaped like a bird of prey flew from his mask. Jeremy guided it with his glove. He could see everything the "hawk" could see. A minute later, the energy probe found the stopped truck. Rocks was working on getting the rear doors open.
"Darwood's men are robbing the truck." said Jeremy. "We have to hurry."
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Rocks finally got the rear of the truck open. In front of him and his teammates sat another piece of the device.
"What is that thing?" asked Hack.
"That would be a sonic wave generator." said Frankenstein as he walked over.
"It's only a matter of time before we get it hooked up." said Darwood.
"Perhaps more than we thought!" said Gearbox as the MASK vehicles approached.
"Get to your vehicles!" ordered Darwood. "Slash, put the generator in the Monster! And don't break it!"
"Like I'd do something that stupid." said Slash as he picked up the generator. He then turned and walked right into the open truck door. "Generator's okay!" he yelled.
Flash jumped into the Rocket, Rocks and Hack slid into the Lion, and everybody else got into the Monster.
"Okay, Liam." said Jeremy. "Flight mode!"
He and Liam transformed their vehicles. Caitlin and Max did the same. Darwood and his team did so as well. The mechanic regained conciousness at that moment and quickly realized what was about to happen. He performed the only action he could make and hid by the side of the road.
"Looks like we just established air superiority." said Liam as he flew the Ferret in close to the Lion.
"Rocks, would you be so kind as to swat that mosquito?" asked Darwood.
"No prob." said Rocks as he fired his side cannons at the Ferret.
As Liam dodged the shots, he muttered "So that's the way it's gonna be."
Caitlin and Flash attempted to shoot each other, but they were both going too fast.
"Hey, MASK girl!" said Flash. "Why don't you slow down so I can get a clear shot?"
"Mmmm, how about no?" replied Caitlin as she performed a tight turn and fired another shot at Flash. She still missed.
"It ends here, Darwood." said Jeremy over the radio. "You might as well give up."
"Ah, but it isn't." said Darwood. "Gearbox, aim at the center of the bridge."
"But that will miss!" said Gearbox.
"Just do it!" said Darwood.
Gearbox aimed his laser cannon at the center of the bridge and fired. The center of the bridge collapsed and fell into the gorge.
Caitlin and Flash found themselves on two opposite sides of the gap as it started to widen.
"What did he do that for?" asked Jeremy. "We can still reach him."
"Jeremy!" yelled Scooter as he pointed at the widening gap. The truck's driver was lying in front of the truck. The gap was about to swallow him.
"Break off the attack!" ordered Jeremy. "We have to rescue someone!"
"I'm on it." said Max as he climbed out of the Bear. Liam disengaged the Lion and flew over to join him. Max ran over to the crew member and tried to drag him to safety.
"Hang on." said Max. "We're okay." Suddenly, the roadway dropped out from under him. Max grabbed onto the exposed beams sticking out of the road and held on tightly to the crew member's hand.
"Oh great!" said Scooter. "Now we have two someones to rescue!"
"Liam, we could use your help." said Jeremy.
"I read you, lad." said Liam. "But I can't hook onto someone with this winch without someone guiding the hook."
"I'll do it, partner." said Chris as he climbed out of the Bear. Liam lowered the winch until Chris grabbed it and held on.
Liam carried Chris over the gorge and lowered him into it. Chris quickly found Max and said "Need a hand?"
"You can just hook onto this guy and take him to safety." said Max. "I can climb up myself."
"If you insist." said Chris as he hooked the winch onto the crew member's belt. He then signaled to Liam and the two were lifted to the road surface.
"Right behind you." said Max. He started to climb up to the roadway when the beam broke free and hung away from the edge.
Liam gasped at the sight of his cousin in danger. Chris and the driver were set down on a safe part of the road as Liam and Jeremy continued to panic.
"Max, I've got you." called Caitlin as she pointed the back of the Lightning at him and fired the grappler. Max grabbed it and swung over to the side he was trying to climb to.
"Good, now hold on." she said as she drove forward and pulled him up. Max climbed up onto the roadway and ran to safety.
The bridge stopped collapsing when it reached the support. The front wheels of the truck dropped over the edge, but it fell no further. The guard in the truck regained conciousness at that time and gasped when he saw the gap in the bridge.
"Is everyone alright?" asked Chris.
"Yeah, but Darwood got away." said Jeremy.
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Gates returned to the interrogation room where Blades was being questioned.
"If you're coming to continue the interrogation, you can leave now." said Blades. "I'm not telling anything, so forget it."
"Did you think we weren't going to check your fingerprints, Mr. Frank Kelly?" asked Gates. Blades looked at him in surprise. "Santa Fe, right? We know you're working for Malcolm Darwood. The question is 'How did he recruit you?'"
"Just after I got in trouble with those gunrunners," explained Blades "I went into hiding. I don't know how, but Darwood found me. He found me before they did. After that, he smoothed things over with them on the condition that I join The Foxes."
"The Foxes?" asked Gates.
"That's Darwood's group." said Blades. "He got the name from his nickname in college."
"And what are the Foxes planning on doing with the stolen equipment?" asked Gates.
"I'd really rather not say." said Blades.
"I don't think you have much of a choice." said Gates as he turned away from Blades to check something. "Remember, you're handcuffed to that chair."
"Actually, I do have a choice." said Blades. "Because the handcuffs? Well, let's just say a set of lockpicks come in really handy in my line of work."
Gates turned back to Blades to see he had gotten his cuffs off and was now holding his chair like a weapon. Blades then used the chair to force Gates up against the wall. He then took the cuffs and used them on Gates, shackling him to a pipe along the wall. He then knocked the gun out of his hand and ran.
"Come back here, you coward!" yelled Gates.
Blades ran into the next room and found his mask. He put it on, then went in search of the Rabbit.
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Meanwhile, Matt entered the interrogation room and found Gates handcuffed to the pipe. "Gates, what happened?" he yelled.
"It's Kelly, or Blades, or whatever!" yelled Gates. "He's escaped!"
Matt picked up Gates' gun and shot off the cuffs. "Let's go!" he said as he handed the gun back to its owner.
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"A sign?" muttered Blades. "A line on the floor? A fire escape plan? Is there anything in this place that will show me where my car is?"
He stepped around a corner and encountered Kenny and Michael. "What the..." stammered Michael.
"Isn't he supposed to be tied up?" asked Kenny.
"Grab him!" yelled Michael.
Blades quickly ran the opposite direction with Kenny and Michael in hot pursuit. He ran through a door, closed it, and locked it behind him. Kenny tried to open it unsuccessfully.
"Locked." he groaned. "Guess I'll have to use my personal skeleton key." He took two steps back, then rammed the door with his shoulder. When he and Michael got into the room, Blades was nowhere to be found. He had escaped through a vent.
"He's resourceful, I'll give him that." said Michael. "But we have one advantage in our chase."
"Which is?" asked Kenny.
"We know where he's going." said Matt as he and Gates ran over.
"Right!" said Gates. "The vehicle bay."
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Blades had made it to the vehicle bay and was warming up the Rabbit when Jeremy and the others returned.
"Uh oh." said Blades. "I have to hide."
The Skyhawk, Bear, Ferret, and Lightning parked and their drivers exitted the vehicles.
"I can't believe we lost Darwood!" said Jeremy.
"Don't feel too bad, J." said Max.
"Aye, only a bloody coward would cause a distraction by threatening innocent people." said Liam.
"Relax, it's our first battle against people who can think." said Caitlin.
"Hey, is Kelly's Volkswagen supposed to be running?" asked Jeremy.
"Jeremy!" called Rocky. "The prisoner has escaped!"
"Is he still here?" asked Jeremy.
"We believe so." said Gates.
"His vehicle is still here." said Enzo. "He must be as well."
"He might even be in this very room." said Michael.
Blades hid in the shadows and watched the team. He moved a little to the side and knocked over a broom. It made a loud clatter.
"It came from back there." said Kenny.
"Rotor, fire!" called Blades as he emerged from hiding.
A red rotor blade fired from his mask and spun towards the agents. They quickly dove out of the way.
"No sign of him on the monitors." said Laura as she walked out of a hallway. She froze when she saw the rotor coming right at her. Her only response was a muffled gasp.
"Look out!" yelled Max as he ran to her.
He knocked her to the floor and out of the blade's path. After the blade had cut into the wall, Laura looked over at her savior.
"Get him!" yelled Jeremy as Blades ran for the Rabbit.
Blades breathed heavily as he ran. He ducked under the rotor blades and jumped through the open window. He looked up at the approaching agents and called "Rotor, fire!" again.
Once again, the agents dove to the side to avoid the flying blade. Blades lifted off in the copter and docked with the Volkswagen's chassis. Once the car was complete, Blades got out of the vehicle bay as quickly as possible.
"Great! First Darwood, now this guy!" groaned Scooter.
"Are you two alright?" asked Liam.
"I...I'm okay." said Laura as she picked herself off the floor.
"Me too." said Max as he tried to catch his breath. "I can't believe I just saved someone's life."
"I guess we're even then." said Laura. Max just looked confused.
"You realize that Darwood now has a dangerous weapon." said Matt.
"That's why we have to act quickly." said Jeremy.
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AN:Anybody care to guess what Laura found out about Max?
Today's profiles will focus on the team's vehiclular experts, Wei and Caitlin.
Wei Chang
Allegiance:MASK 2
Position:Heavy Vehicle Driver
Cover Job:Truck Driver
Birthplace:Shanghai
Mask:Charger (allows him to maintain his momentum no matter what he hits)
Vehicle Code Name:Mammoth (Kenworth T800 Tanker Truck/mobile base)
Bio:Wei is relatively new to the country having emigrated from China a year earlier. However, he has managed to adapt to American life very well. Wei learned how to drive big trucks on his parents' farm. After their deaths in a house fire, he decided to come to America. He teamed up with the FBI after several job offers from the local Triads.
Caitlin Horowitz
Allegiance:MASK 2
Position:Wheelman
Cover Job:Race Car Driver
Birthplace:Philadelphia
Mask:Lightspeed (fires laser beams)
Vehicle Code Name:Lightning (Lamborghini Gallardo/fast attack hovercraft)
Bio:Caitlin was always into cars, even as a child. When she turned sixteen, she quickly aced her driver's test. Since then, she's been on the rise in the world of auto racing. She was chosen to try out for the new MASK team and was reluctant to join at first, but changed her mind after she had a feeling she should. (Note: Caitlin's inspiration to become a race car driver was Gloria Baker, but she has no idea Baker was a member of the original MASK team.)
Thank you for reading. After the next chapter, I'm taking a little break. But not a permanent one. Don't worry, I'll wrap this story up.
AN:First the good news: I'll be sure to work some more on this story shortly, as well as my others. The bad news: the next chapter will be the last for a while. Actually, the next chapter will wrap up this story, but another will follow sometime later.
Anyways, this chapter is here now. Go ahead.
--------------
Counter-Strike
--------------
After the training session was interrupted, the agents took their follow-up actions.
Max, Kenny, and Chris hit the gym. Max climbed the rock wall while Kenny lifted weights and Chris attacked the punching bag.
"Whoa, what kind of fighting is that?" asked Kenny.
"It's called Shotokan." said Chris as he delivered a few roundhouse kicks to the bag. "It's a form of karate."
"Ken and Ryu's style, if I'm not mistaken." said Max.
"Video game nuts." laughed Chris as he steadied the bag.
"You rock climb often?" asked Kenny.
"Yeah, mostly in the Santa Monicas." said Max. "I'm usually careful, but I once took a nasty spill. Don't remember much about it, I was out of it for the most part."
"And you still climb?" asked Chris.
"Oh yeah." said Max.
----------
In the vehicle bay, Caitlin, Wei, and Enzo looked over the wreckage of the Rats.
"All this technology." said Caitlin.
"Yeah, imagine what they didn't throw at us." said Wei.
"We may be seeing it soon." said Enzo. "Darwood's not going to be too happy when that chopper pilot doesn't come back."
"This was his ride?" asked Wei as he looked at the Rabbit.
"Yes, it is." said Enzo. "Looks like some Volkswagen Golf/helicopter hybrid. Plus, it's got some kind of weird aero bumpers."
"Aftermarket, most likely." said Caitlin. "Looks like Zender."
"So, you like the aftermarket stuff, eh?" said Enzo.
"I follow the aftermarket." said Caitlin. "Things about cars have always interested me."
"Cool." said Wei. "Let me know if you know anything about big trucks."
----------
In the medical lab, Laura looked over the wrecked Wasps as Liam and Rocky looked on.
"Well, I think this just might be a Weller design." said Laura. "They're based on human anatomy, like Weller's robots. Unfortunately, our attacks left their memory banks wiped clean."
"What about their secondary control systems?" asked Rocky. "You know, the things they were using to control those smaller robots?"
"I found what might be a control unit in their chests." said Laura. "I'm not sure. This isn't my department. What I do know is that it was connected to their CPUs, or brains if you will."
"That's probably why they shut down after they were decapitated." said Liam.
"They also have a dedicated explosive charge designed to destroy any evidence." said Laura. "Apparently, that was controlled by the CPU as well."
"Can they use weapons?" asked Rocky.
"No, their hands aren't designed to pull a trigger." said Laura. "The warrior androids you encountered must have been a different design."
----------
Bruce and the design team watched over Scooter and Michael as they checked out the stolen items on the computer.
"I've heard of these items." said Bruce. "It's called the Locking System. It's a modular equipment system for intelligence operations. Field operatives are supposed to be able to create whatever they need from the modules."
"Yeah, but there's not a lot they can make from what they have now." said Scooter. "I tried all possible combinations."
"Maybe they're planning on selling what they have." said Michael. "If the files are true, they may be following VENOM's M.O."
"If they're planning on doing that, they'd need more of the modules." said Bruce. "They'd need most, if not all, of the modules."
"Maybe they're going to make something with a piece they don't have yet." said Michael.
"Without knowing what, it's needle in a haystack time." said Scooter.
"One of the items stolen was a computer." said Michael. "Why?"
"Every item has a different operating program." said Bruce. "The computer was being used to code these programs."
"Does the computer have the operating programs for all the possible combinations?" asked Scooter.
"No, the computer's hard drive isn't that large." said Bruce. "One such computer should be able to hold twenty programs."
"That narrows it down." said Scooter as he went to work.
----------
"Were you sent by Malcolm Darwood?" asked Gates.
"I...I...I can't tell you." stammered Blades.
"Easy, Gates." said Matt. "You're scaring him."
"Matt, I checked his psyche file." said Jeremy in a way that Blades couldn't hear. "I don't think scaring him would be any mean feat."
"What can you tell us about him?" asked Matt.
"His name is Frank Kelly from Santa Fe." said Jeremy. "He used to use a helicopter to smuggle guns into Mexico. Similar to Han Solo, he was once forced to dump his load when he encountered what he thought was a border patrol helicopter."
"What he thought?" asked Matt.
"Turned out to be a local farmer dusting crops." said Jeremy. "He suffers from extreme cowardice and paranoia. After his mistake, his clients weren't happy. It's said there's a bounty on his head throughout the criminal underworld. However, our informants have been unable to account for his wherabouts for the last two years."
"Darwood might have recruited him around that time." said Matt. "It makes sense since he could find protection from his pursuers."
"His fear may be preventing him from answering any of Gates' questions." said Jeremy. "He's afraid of both what Gates would do to him if he doesn't answer and what Darwood would do if he does."
"Doomed if you do and doomed if you don't." said Matt.
Gates took a break from questioning Blades and joined Matt and Jeremy.
"I'm not getting anywhere with him." he said. "I'll give him some time to stew."
Just then, there was a knock at the door, then Scooter entered. "Jeremy, call everyone to the briefing room." he said. "I think we've got something."
----------
Within minutes, the team had gathered in the briefing room. Jeremy, Matt, and Scooter stood at the front of the room.
"I ran a list of the stolen parts and tried to find out what Darwood could make with them." said Scooter. "Working on Michael's suggestion, I checked the operating programs on the stolen computer and found that one belonged to this."
Scooter tapped a few buttons on his computer and the image of some piece of equipment appeared on the viewscreen behind him.
"It's called a Sonic Wave Projector." said Jeremy. "As the name indicates, it projects a sonic wave that can cause solid objects to shatter. It's easy to transport, does incredible damage, and can do its worst in less than a minute. All Darwood has to do is assemble the pieces."
"Does Darwood have all the pieces?" asked Kenny.
"No, he still needs one." said Scooter.
"I've got Bruce looking into the last piece's transportation right now." said Matt.
"Are you sure it's this one?" asked Chris. "Maybe there's another operating program on the computer that they're going to use."
"No, nothing else on the computer required the other pieces stolen." said Scooter. "I'm telling you, this is the one."
Bruce quickly ran into the room and yelled "We have to mobilize quickly! The professor said the other component is being moved now!"
"Uh oh, no rest for the weary." said Max.
"Just as Bruce suggested, we mobilize now." said Jeremy. "Caitlin, Max, Chris, Scooter, and Liam, come with me. Everybody else stays here to guard the prisoner."
----------
Elsewhere, Darwood sat in the back of the Monster and watched the clock. "Blades should've been back by now." he muttered.
"He's probably working on an excuse as to why he couldn't pull it off." said Gearbox.
"No, Darwood's right." said Frankenstein. "Blades must be in trouble. He'd never be this late."
"Nice to see someone knows what's going on." said Darwood. "We go without him. There's no way Sanchez can mobilize in time. Let's go."
The Monster, Rocket, and Lion pulled out.
----------
The Skyhawk, Lightning, Bear, and Ferret raced along the highway.
"I think Darwood sent Kelly after us to keep us busy." said Jeremy.
"Guess he wasn't counting on the guy to fail." said Scooter.
"He's probably not expecting us." said Jeremy. "I hope he doesn't have a mask because I'd really love to see the look on his face."
----------
The transport truck drove into the mountains. It drove onto a bridge when it came upon a Winnebago parked across the road. A Viper and a Hummer were both stopped by the RV.
"His brakes locked up." said Rocks from the Hummer. "Lost control, came this close to going off the bridge."
"I'm a mechanic." said one member of the truck's crew. "Maybe I can help."
"Please do." said Flash. "I have a car show to get to."
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"I wish Scooter was here." said Rocky as he tried to use the MASK computer.
"What are you doing?" asked Michael.
"I'm trying to see what else Darwood's group could make using these parts." said Rocky. "Unfortunately, this thing is a little beyond my capabilities."
"Let me help." said Michael. He went to work helping Rocky with the computer. "This is how you access the database."
"That's cool." said Rocky. "Bet you can't access the personel files."
"No problem." said Michael. He went to work and brought up Rocky's profile.
"Nice work." said Rocky.
"Wait." said Laura as she entered the room. "While you have the personel files open, do me a favor and check Max's medical records."
"If you say so." said Michael. He went to work again and opened Max's medical file. Laura gave it a quick once-over and gasped.
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The mechanic had crawled under the Monster and was looking at the drivetrain. Flash was standing next to the driver of the truck. Hack and Slash snuck up behind the truck.
"When do we act?" asked Slash.
"Just a second." said Hack.
"Can you find the problem?" asked the driver.
"I can't find a problem." said the mechanic. "It looks fine."
"Okay." said the driver. "Then let's..." He was cut off when Flash hit him in the stomach. She followed with an elbow to the back which rendered the man unconscious.
"What the?" replied the guard in the truck. He picked up the microphone for the radio and pushed the button. "This is transport one. We are being..."
Slash ran to the open window, held his hands towards the guard, and called "Surge, on!" Electricity burst from his gloves and knocked the guard out.
"What's going on?" asked the mechanic as he slid out from under the Monster. The last thing he saw before blacking out was Gearbox's boot.
"That was perfect." said Hack.
"We didn't even have to to transform the vehicles." said Rocks.
Suddenly, the radio crackled to life. It was Jeremy. "Transport one, respond." he said. "Repeat, transport one, respond. Are you there? Who is attacking you?"
Rocks picked up the microphone for the radio. "This is transport one." he said. "False alarm. Sorry."
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"Something is not right." said Scooter. "His voice sounded different."
"If there is something right, it's probably you." said Jeremy. "Hold on." He pulled to the side of the road and pushed a green button on the Skyhawk's dashboard. His Hawk mask slid over his head and he plugged in the control cable. He reached forward and called "White Hawk, on!"
A white energy mass shaped like a bird of prey flew from his mask. Jeremy guided it with his glove. He could see everything the "hawk" could see. A minute later, the energy probe found the stopped truck. Rocks was working on getting the rear doors open.
"Darwood's men are robbing the truck." said Jeremy. "We have to hurry."
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Rocks finally got the rear of the truck open. In front of him and his teammates sat another piece of the device.
"What is that thing?" asked Hack.
"That would be a sonic wave generator." said Frankenstein as he walked over.
"It's only a matter of time before we get it hooked up." said Darwood.
"Perhaps more than we thought!" said Gearbox as the MASK vehicles approached.
"Get to your vehicles!" ordered Darwood. "Slash, put the generator in the Monster! And don't break it!"
"Like I'd do something that stupid." said Slash as he picked up the generator. He then turned and walked right into the open truck door. "Generator's okay!" he yelled.
Flash jumped into the Rocket, Rocks and Hack slid into the Lion, and everybody else got into the Monster.
"Okay, Liam." said Jeremy. "Flight mode!"
He and Liam transformed their vehicles. Caitlin and Max did the same. Darwood and his team did so as well. The mechanic regained conciousness at that moment and quickly realized what was about to happen. He performed the only action he could make and hid by the side of the road.
"Looks like we just established air superiority." said Liam as he flew the Ferret in close to the Lion.
"Rocks, would you be so kind as to swat that mosquito?" asked Darwood.
"No prob." said Rocks as he fired his side cannons at the Ferret.
As Liam dodged the shots, he muttered "So that's the way it's gonna be."
Caitlin and Flash attempted to shoot each other, but they were both going too fast.
"Hey, MASK girl!" said Flash. "Why don't you slow down so I can get a clear shot?"
"Mmmm, how about no?" replied Caitlin as she performed a tight turn and fired another shot at Flash. She still missed.
"It ends here, Darwood." said Jeremy over the radio. "You might as well give up."
"Ah, but it isn't." said Darwood. "Gearbox, aim at the center of the bridge."
"But that will miss!" said Gearbox.
"Just do it!" said Darwood.
Gearbox aimed his laser cannon at the center of the bridge and fired. The center of the bridge collapsed and fell into the gorge.
Caitlin and Flash found themselves on two opposite sides of the gap as it started to widen.
"What did he do that for?" asked Jeremy. "We can still reach him."
"Jeremy!" yelled Scooter as he pointed at the widening gap. The truck's driver was lying in front of the truck. The gap was about to swallow him.
"Break off the attack!" ordered Jeremy. "We have to rescue someone!"
"I'm on it." said Max as he climbed out of the Bear. Liam disengaged the Lion and flew over to join him. Max ran over to the crew member and tried to drag him to safety.
"Hang on." said Max. "We're okay." Suddenly, the roadway dropped out from under him. Max grabbed onto the exposed beams sticking out of the road and held on tightly to the crew member's hand.
"Oh great!" said Scooter. "Now we have two someones to rescue!"
"Liam, we could use your help." said Jeremy.
"I read you, lad." said Liam. "But I can't hook onto someone with this winch without someone guiding the hook."
"I'll do it, partner." said Chris as he climbed out of the Bear. Liam lowered the winch until Chris grabbed it and held on.
Liam carried Chris over the gorge and lowered him into it. Chris quickly found Max and said "Need a hand?"
"You can just hook onto this guy and take him to safety." said Max. "I can climb up myself."
"If you insist." said Chris as he hooked the winch onto the crew member's belt. He then signaled to Liam and the two were lifted to the road surface.
"Right behind you." said Max. He started to climb up to the roadway when the beam broke free and hung away from the edge.
Liam gasped at the sight of his cousin in danger. Chris and the driver were set down on a safe part of the road as Liam and Jeremy continued to panic.
"Max, I've got you." called Caitlin as she pointed the back of the Lightning at him and fired the grappler. Max grabbed it and swung over to the side he was trying to climb to.
"Good, now hold on." she said as she drove forward and pulled him up. Max climbed up onto the roadway and ran to safety.
The bridge stopped collapsing when it reached the support. The front wheels of the truck dropped over the edge, but it fell no further. The guard in the truck regained conciousness at that time and gasped when he saw the gap in the bridge.
"Is everyone alright?" asked Chris.
"Yeah, but Darwood got away." said Jeremy.
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Gates returned to the interrogation room where Blades was being questioned.
"If you're coming to continue the interrogation, you can leave now." said Blades. "I'm not telling anything, so forget it."
"Did you think we weren't going to check your fingerprints, Mr. Frank Kelly?" asked Gates. Blades looked at him in surprise. "Santa Fe, right? We know you're working for Malcolm Darwood. The question is 'How did he recruit you?'"
"Just after I got in trouble with those gunrunners," explained Blades "I went into hiding. I don't know how, but Darwood found me. He found me before they did. After that, he smoothed things over with them on the condition that I join The Foxes."
"The Foxes?" asked Gates.
"That's Darwood's group." said Blades. "He got the name from his nickname in college."
"And what are the Foxes planning on doing with the stolen equipment?" asked Gates.
"I'd really rather not say." said Blades.
"I don't think you have much of a choice." said Gates as he turned away from Blades to check something. "Remember, you're handcuffed to that chair."
"Actually, I do have a choice." said Blades. "Because the handcuffs? Well, let's just say a set of lockpicks come in really handy in my line of work."
Gates turned back to Blades to see he had gotten his cuffs off and was now holding his chair like a weapon. Blades then used the chair to force Gates up against the wall. He then took the cuffs and used them on Gates, shackling him to a pipe along the wall. He then knocked the gun out of his hand and ran.
"Come back here, you coward!" yelled Gates.
Blades ran into the next room and found his mask. He put it on, then went in search of the Rabbit.
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Meanwhile, Matt entered the interrogation room and found Gates handcuffed to the pipe. "Gates, what happened?" he yelled.
"It's Kelly, or Blades, or whatever!" yelled Gates. "He's escaped!"
Matt picked up Gates' gun and shot off the cuffs. "Let's go!" he said as he handed the gun back to its owner.
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"A sign?" muttered Blades. "A line on the floor? A fire escape plan? Is there anything in this place that will show me where my car is?"
He stepped around a corner and encountered Kenny and Michael. "What the..." stammered Michael.
"Isn't he supposed to be tied up?" asked Kenny.
"Grab him!" yelled Michael.
Blades quickly ran the opposite direction with Kenny and Michael in hot pursuit. He ran through a door, closed it, and locked it behind him. Kenny tried to open it unsuccessfully.
"Locked." he groaned. "Guess I'll have to use my personal skeleton key." He took two steps back, then rammed the door with his shoulder. When he and Michael got into the room, Blades was nowhere to be found. He had escaped through a vent.
"He's resourceful, I'll give him that." said Michael. "But we have one advantage in our chase."
"Which is?" asked Kenny.
"We know where he's going." said Matt as he and Gates ran over.
"Right!" said Gates. "The vehicle bay."
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Blades had made it to the vehicle bay and was warming up the Rabbit when Jeremy and the others returned.
"Uh oh." said Blades. "I have to hide."
The Skyhawk, Bear, Ferret, and Lightning parked and their drivers exitted the vehicles.
"I can't believe we lost Darwood!" said Jeremy.
"Don't feel too bad, J." said Max.
"Aye, only a bloody coward would cause a distraction by threatening innocent people." said Liam.
"Relax, it's our first battle against people who can think." said Caitlin.
"Hey, is Kelly's Volkswagen supposed to be running?" asked Jeremy.
"Jeremy!" called Rocky. "The prisoner has escaped!"
"Is he still here?" asked Jeremy.
"We believe so." said Gates.
"His vehicle is still here." said Enzo. "He must be as well."
"He might even be in this very room." said Michael.
Blades hid in the shadows and watched the team. He moved a little to the side and knocked over a broom. It made a loud clatter.
"It came from back there." said Kenny.
"Rotor, fire!" called Blades as he emerged from hiding.
A red rotor blade fired from his mask and spun towards the agents. They quickly dove out of the way.
"No sign of him on the monitors." said Laura as she walked out of a hallway. She froze when she saw the rotor coming right at her. Her only response was a muffled gasp.
"Look out!" yelled Max as he ran to her.
He knocked her to the floor and out of the blade's path. After the blade had cut into the wall, Laura looked over at her savior.
"Get him!" yelled Jeremy as Blades ran for the Rabbit.
Blades breathed heavily as he ran. He ducked under the rotor blades and jumped through the open window. He looked up at the approaching agents and called "Rotor, fire!" again.
Once again, the agents dove to the side to avoid the flying blade. Blades lifted off in the copter and docked with the Volkswagen's chassis. Once the car was complete, Blades got out of the vehicle bay as quickly as possible.
"Great! First Darwood, now this guy!" groaned Scooter.
"Are you two alright?" asked Liam.
"I...I'm okay." said Laura as she picked herself off the floor.
"Me too." said Max as he tried to catch his breath. "I can't believe I just saved someone's life."
"I guess we're even then." said Laura. Max just looked confused.
"You realize that Darwood now has a dangerous weapon." said Matt.
"That's why we have to act quickly." said Jeremy.
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AN:Anybody care to guess what Laura found out about Max?
Today's profiles will focus on the team's vehiclular experts, Wei and Caitlin.
Wei Chang
Allegiance:MASK 2
Position:Heavy Vehicle Driver
Cover Job:Truck Driver
Birthplace:Shanghai
Mask:Charger (allows him to maintain his momentum no matter what he hits)
Vehicle Code Name:Mammoth (Kenworth T800 Tanker Truck/mobile base)
Bio:Wei is relatively new to the country having emigrated from China a year earlier. However, he has managed to adapt to American life very well. Wei learned how to drive big trucks on his parents' farm. After their deaths in a house fire, he decided to come to America. He teamed up with the FBI after several job offers from the local Triads.
Caitlin Horowitz
Allegiance:MASK 2
Position:Wheelman
Cover Job:Race Car Driver
Birthplace:Philadelphia
Mask:Lightspeed (fires laser beams)
Vehicle Code Name:Lightning (Lamborghini Gallardo/fast attack hovercraft)
Bio:Caitlin was always into cars, even as a child. When she turned sixteen, she quickly aced her driver's test. Since then, she's been on the rise in the world of auto racing. She was chosen to try out for the new MASK team and was reluctant to join at first, but changed her mind after she had a feeling she should. (Note: Caitlin's inspiration to become a race car driver was Gloria Baker, but she has no idea Baker was a member of the original MASK team.)
Thank you for reading. After the next chapter, I'm taking a little break. But not a permanent one. Don't worry, I'll wrap this story up.