Disclaimer

Sadly to say, I do not own the Hardy Boys. Also, any offences in this story are unintentional and purely fictional.

"I have a case for you boys," Fenton Hardy addressed his sons. He sat lounging in his offices chair, leaning back in it so the top edge bumped against the wall. Across from him, his son Frank dropped the file he had been examining in surprise. Joe too, leaning against the wall and absently mindedly twirling a pencil, stared.

Their dad smiled at them. "I know, I know, usually I'm telling you to stay away from most of my cases. This time, however, it doesn't involve serial murders, torturers, rapists, and other revenge seeking criminals I've locked away that seem to like to target my sons. It might be interesting and a tough one to crack, but I don't think it puts either of you in any immediate danger."

From his corner, Joe let out a small sigh. Whenever Fenton handed them one of those cases, they were usually, 'stop the $5 dollar shoplifter at Milton's Drugstore,' and 'figure out why the newcomers in town switched jobs twice last year'. Important jobs, to be sure, but nothing that would spark the attention of a seventeen year old thrill seeking teenager.

Fenton noticed his reaction and smiled, "It's better than those, Joseph. I think you're ready to handle the bigger cases, just not ones where you are the victim."

"Stop teasing us, Dad," Frank said. "We'll make our opinions from there."

The chair Fenton was sitting in suddenly brought all four legs down to earth and its occupant picked up a small file titled, 'Worldwide Weapons Transactions'. "The seas are rough lately. It seems that many of late weapons shipments from sailing in the Pacific Ocean have been mysteriously vanishing. These aren't random events, either, for all the ships that disappeared seemed to carry many of the same type of large, recently developed weapons, weapons in which the US government wishes to keep unknown for fear terrorist supporting countries would copy or counteract them."

Frank whistled. "Whew. I'll say this isn't the usual case you assign us. Do you have any groundwork laid out?" His dark brown eyes danced in anticipation.

"Actually, yes. The FBI have no real leads so it seems that the only way to figure out what's going on is to be on the ships carrying these weapons so that we can figure out where the snag is. In accordance, Joe, I have used some contacts and signed you up as a crewman to one of the ships.

"Frank, from the opposite prospective, I want you to begin investigating the weapons. Who knows about them, how you can find out when they're being shipped, etc., you know the drill. If you can figure out where they are going to it would best, but be inconspicuous, for the men who work for them simply think you are a weapons specialist."

The phone on his desk rang and Fenton hurried to pick it up, eyes growing large on what he heard. He frantically searched for a pen and paper and motioned the boys away.

With a shrug, Frank jerked his head towards the door and left, and Joe followed suit. The older Hardy led the way to his bedroom and plunked down on his bed. Joe entered momentarily, shutting the door and finding himself a chair.

"So," the blond Hardy said. "Exciting case."

Frank looked glum. "Yeah, I suppose. I just wish that we were together for it. I don't know how well I'll work without you."

"I know exactly how you feel, bro, but look at the situation. Someone has to go on the ships, and Dad won't want both of us to do in case, well, something happens. Besides, we're going to be where we use our strengths."

The older Hardy looked away. "I understand Dad's reasoning. I just wish- Well, nothing good ever comes of us splitting up like that."

Joe nodded in accession. "If wishes were horses, then beggars will fly. This is our big chance. And think, you get to be a weapons specialist and I get to crew a ship!"

The moment was broken and Frank let the idea go. There was nothing to be done. Instead, the brothers happily discussed the coming case, spitting out hypothesis that seemed to get crazier as the evening went on.