MASK: Legacy Saga 2: Death Becomes Her

Chapter 10

Author's Note: Once again loyal fans, I'm sorry for the wait in updating the next chapter of our Saga. I got a little bit involved in Lisa's writing of part three of our Saga, that I forgot we need to finish part two. So lest we jump ahead of ourselves and get you all excited, I present the next exciting piece of this chapter. We're slowly moving toward the climatic conclusion, with more yet to come, so please keep reading and reviewing.

Disclaimer: The lyrics to the song "Everybody's Fool" are copyrighted by the group Evanescence and the respective songwriters. We're just borrowing them because they fit the mood of our chapter.

The plan to intercept a Contra World weapon shipment was already underway. Chameleon stood invisible at the five-mile look out point between the airfield and the ranger station located near the California Nevada border. The heighten position up the mountain allowed a clear visual of the road for miles. Yet Roxanne Trakker's attention wasn't solely on that road, instead she had one of Chameleon's video cameras facing the opposite direction where Annie and her father were station two more miles up the road. It had been at least three hours since Annie and Cody left her position, and he was still hanging around her like a lost puppy. Roxanne couldn't make out the conversation, but it was apparent that Annie had clearly forgotten about her brother. She was smiling and laughing lightly with this guy they call Cody. Her eyes narrowed on the vid screen as she focus directly on the two backstabbers, and her fist balled in a rage, as an overwhelming sensation to put that girl in her place over took her. A song started to run loudly thru her mind, as her eyes remained transfixed on Annie and Cody.

Perfect by Nature
Icons of self-indulgence
Just what we all need
More lies about a world that
Never was and Never will be
Have you no shame don't you see me
You know you've got everybody fooled

Annie and Cody finally headed towards the two Matts, as if it appeared the two rangers were ready to depart. Both leaders praised her with a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Cody then gave her a huge bear hug and kissed her on her cheek, which cause Annie to blush slightly.

Look here she comes now
Bow down and stare in wonder
Oh how we love you
No flaws when you pretending

"You're creating a very big scene, not to mention undermining my authority," Annie muttered with a half-smile as Cody let her go from his powerful hug.

"I think your troops are smart enough to realize that I'm just giving my little sister a kiss for good luck," Cody teased with a sparkle in his blue eyes, "and you know that I have standing orders to watch out for you when Scott's not around."

Her half smile waned slightly at the mention of Scott's name, but she was glad that both of her partners were pretty decent friends. They could at least agree on her, if nothing else. Annie wasn't sure how to reply, but her other 'brother' thankfully interrupted the conversation, saving her the agony of having to try.

"Come on, Toad, these people have work to do. And so do we."

"So get moving," Annie mock-snapped with an evil grin, back to her authoritative state. "I don't want any surprises coming out of those mountains."

"Yes Ma'am!" saluted both brothers in unison.

With their laughter dying away, the two rangers took off to scout up the road, meanwhile Annie and Matt return to their respective vehicles awaiting the signal to attack. Annie figured she'd check in with Roxanne to make sure she wasn't slacking off on the job as usual. Annie smirked evilly as she turned the radio on knowing all too well that a device was installed into Roxanne's bike preventing her from shutting off her communications. Yet she got more then she bargained for when she heard a cold voice singing over the line

"But now I know she
Never was and never will be
You don't know how you betrayed me
And somehow you've got everybody fooled
Without the MASK where will you hide
Can't find yourself lost in your lie
I know the truth now
I know who you are
And I don't love you anymore"

Annie's eyes nearly fell out of their sockets, when it dawn on it that Roxanne was singing. It was completely out of character and very dark. It set a slight chill down her spine feeling those words were directed at her personally. She pushed it aside and start shouting over the airway, "Roxanne, are you even paying attention to what the hell you're doing over there?"

"Yes…I'm watching the road…as you instructed you two timing bitch." Roxanne snapped making no effort to hold back.

Annie took a deep breath and clamped down on a more stinging reply, unwilling to make a show in front of Matt. Instead she snipped back, "Quit your goofing off and pay attention. You mess this up…and you don't get a second chance. Not on my watch."

"Kind of hard to pay attention when you're fooling around with other men."

Annie grumbled over the line, "Don't give me that crap. That would be just like you and Scott dating, and he and Cody both know it, so mind your own business and keep your eyes on the damn road."

Roxanne grinned wickedly, knowing she managed to get a rise out of Annie without really trying. You've betrayed everyone, you've fooled everyone, and nobody is gonna want anything to do with you when I'm done.

The day rolled on with nothing much happening, except a couple of deer crossing the road. The entire MASK team and the rangers were getting restless in their stationary positions. Some even doubted if the tip of a weapon shipment was even genuine. Alex, Bruce, and Jess manage to pass the time playing gin in Rhino. Annie and Matt were attempting to comfort each other, by remembering Scott's younger years. Many of the rangers were communicating back'n forth over the walkie-talkie, wondering how much longer they should stay in position. Brad had finally arrived at the ranger station bring very little news regarding an update on Scott's condition, yet he didn't want to distract Annie any further so he chose to keep the information to himself. The only person left out of the loop was Roxanne. She shook her head constantly attempting to stay awake, but the same scenery was torture to endure. But she was determine to stay awake, anything to avenge her brother.

Sometime after midnight, a semi truck headed straight through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and it wasn't alone. Jackhammer, Vampire, and Piranha escorted it by leading the way.

Cliff Dagger yawned, "How much longer til we get there?"

"How many time you gotta ask us the same question?" Sly Rax replied irritated.

"Well what do you expect escorting isn't exactly what I had in mind, when I signed up for this," He whined.

"You don't hear us bickering about it, do ya? Rax snapped back, "Keep you damn eye on the road and stop running over potential road kill!"

"I can't help it if the little guys keep running out in front of me."

"Oh like hell you can Dagger get your eye check. By the time this job gets over with, I'm not even gonna be able to stomach breakfast."

"According to my navigational systems at least another 15 minutes," Floyd butted in before Rax and Dagger both lost their temper. "We're approaching the California boarder and so far no power rangers in sight."

"Power rangers? I thought they were High Mountain Rangers?" Dagger remarked confused.

"Never mind Dagger," Floyd remarked rolling his eyes at the muscle man's comment, " I think Jon nuts sending us on this job, nobody would suspect another shipment so soon. I tell you those Rangers just got a lucky break last time."

"Although it wouldn't be too much of shame to see them," Rax added with a wicked smiled, "Wouldn't mind seeing the red head again, but at this point she's probably in a grave 6 feet under."

"Well what do we got here," Roxanne remarked after getting a clear visual of a semi truck and three VENOM vehicles. She then turned on all communication frequencies, "Alright I have a confirmed sighting. Jackhammer, Vampire, and Piranha are leading the shipment. They have just crossed the border, so Rhino you have a go to follow. Make sure you stay out of their radar range until the battle commences. Who ever it is manning the boarder, as soon as Rhino passes set up a blockade."

Sure everybody knew the plan, but Roxy didn't trust any of them to stick with it, especially not those amateur Rangers. Several sets of commentary followed on the heels of Roxy's snappishness.

"Flying Tiger, this is Black Magic," Hart's clearly annoyed voice sailed over the line. "You get notification of a change in command?"

"Not that I'm aware of," Matt Hawkes replied calmly through the link.

Roxanne didn't care if those redneck hillbillies became offended by her attitude. They're all like little children waiting to be told what they can and can't do. What's even worst is they never listen to a voice of reason. Therefore, there was only one way to ensure a victory and that meant taking matters into her own hands.

"Yeah, me either," Hart continued as he ignored Roxy's orders. "Last time I checked, Phoenix was in command of this mission."

"I still am," Annie affirmed pointedly over the line, "contrary to what other people might think. Go ahead and get that barricade up, Black Magic, and I want confirmation as soon as Flash, Ace, White Eagle, and Flying Tiger are behind it."

"Flying Tiger here," Matt Hawkes called again. "We're all present and accounted for."

"Good, then sit back and enjoy the fireworks boys and girls," Annie replied eagerly, rephrasing Roxanne's earlier statement. "Bruce, Alex, that's a go. Maintain a safe following distance for now."

With the signal given, Rhino slowly moved out of its hiding place and started heading down the road. It trailed behind the suspects by at least a mile to prevent any sudden action by the enemy. Condor also took action, by converting to helicopter mode, "Annie, Matt I'm going to use Hocus Pocus to project a false image, so they don't see your headlights coming towards them."

"Alright dad," Annie remarked, casually trailing her fingers over the rifle sheath attached to Phoenix's right side, "just tell us when to move."

Figures you'd choose your father's eyes over mine. Roxanne felt slightly hurt that the one job Annie had given her was taken away so quickly. No matter it will be I who is victorious after this battle.

Brad moved Condor closer towards the semi truck. Neither the driver nor the three VENOM agents could hear the helicopter over the loud rumble of the truck. Once Brad realized he wasn't going to attract any unwanted attention, he gently landed Condor on the back of the semi. "Hocus Pocus on!" He shouted as a false image of the road appeared in front of the enemy. "Alright here's your cue!"

Thunderhawk and Phoenix both left there positions and headed straight towards the unsuspecting VENOM agents.

"Almost there," Roxanne grumbled under her breath, as she drove Chameleon a little further back from the cliff. As the semi truck came into sight, Roxanne speed up Chameleon and jumped over the cliff. The bike soared through the air, which completely surprised Brad and destroyed the false image fooling the enemy.

"It's MASK!" Cliff Dagger shouted as both Thunderhawk and Phoenix's covers were blown.

"ROXANNE, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!" Annie shouted as she couldn't help but noticed a bike falling in mid air. I will swear on everything that I hold dear to me that I will kill her if my father gets hurt because of that reckless stunt! In warning to her father she yelled, "Dad, watch out!"

"I'm okay, Annie," he reassured her, more concerned that her cover had been blown as he watched Chameleon fall to the ground below.

Matt's eyes we're also on the falling bike, and his heart was pounding rapidly with fear, "Don't do anything stupid Roxy…please don't."