Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait but life has become quite hectic with the holidays approaching. Here we have the beginning of the main plot and the introduction of the nefarious scheme of Spectra. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

DUTY CALLS

The indefinite leave or vacation for G Force was being completely relished by the team. Although they were to be alert to any summons on their bracelets, they just continued relaxing as they took full advantage of the rare time off. Tiny took off for the shore and his cruiser, left to him by his father, and he took Keyop with him, having built a bond with the youngster. Keyop returned the feelings, because of Tiny's way of making him feel special and in down times, they were inseparable. They were planning to do some deep sea fishing off the coast of Puget Sound.

Jason was pursuing his passion, racing as an independent touring in the western ARCA circuit of NASCAR, racing his G-2 stock racer and as usual, burning up the track and the competition, his aggressive style rubbing some the wrong way. His usual belligerent attitude did nothing to endear him to the officials and his many trips to the disciplinary trailer at the conclusion of races gave him the reputation of a bad boy, yet his talent behind the wheel was undeniable as his many wins proved. And as such, Jason never lacked female company at the conclusion of races and his little black book was filling up. He was reveling in his nouveau-riche like celebrity status and his accelerated social life, with plenty of dates to occupy him between races, not missing G-Force at all.

The two remaining members, Mark and Princess were staying close to Center Neptune, mostly because their outside occupations required they do so. Jill's Snack J was nearly complete in its renovations, so Princess was back to working on a part time basis, helping Jill to stock the new kitchen and do the final touches before the grand re-opening. Mark, on the other hand, was flying special forays, delivering mail to outlying rural towns in the mountains as well as an occasional courier assignment. But both had more than enough time to spend together and took advantage of every free moment to do so, now that things between them were patched up. So now given the opportunity, both G-1 and G-3 acted the part of normal teenagers in a steady dating relationship, doing the typical things like going to the movies, roller-skating, going dancing, and of course parking. They also went on motorcycle rides and flights together as they confided and shared secrets and dreams. As members of G Force, they also kept their physical abilities razor sharp as they worked out together at the Center Neptune gym, part of the Ready Room and on site quarters allotted to the team or they headed out to hike.

On this particular day, they were headed to the beach for some sun and fun as Mark was going to teach Princess how to body surf. He was in his swim trunks and waited on her sofa in her loft as she got ready, a packed picnic basket sitting on the table. The weather was spectacular and Mark was eager to get going, fighting becoming impatient.

He glanced at the clock on the refrigerator and called out, "C'mon Prin, if we don't get going, we'll lose the waves. It'll be low tide at noon."

"I'm coming," she called out from her room. "I just have to finish dressing."

Mark grinned as he contemplated the thought. "Need any help?" he said with a mischievous drawl.

She replied dryly, "No, I think I can handle it. I'm putting on my new bathing suit."

"You sure you don't need any help?" he asked as he was filled with anticipation. "Just say the word."

"Thanks but no thanks, commander." Princess responded as she came out, clad in her new suit, a scarlet bikini that complimented her coloring and showcased her exceptional figure. She was donning a terry beach coverall as Mark jumped to his feet, his cerulean eyes widening in sheer appreciation.

"Wow," was all he could manage. "You look out of sight."

She smiled shyly as she said, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Forget it, it was worth the wait." Mark reached for the picnic basket and wrapping an arm around her waist he said, "Let's split."

They headed to the stairs when the unmistakable beep of a communicator went off. Both Mark and Princess glanced at each other and then at their bracelets.

"Damn," Mark said. "I'm not even going to look at it."

Princess looked at her commander in awe. "I don't believe it. You, mister 'Duty Above All', going to ignore a call from our chief?"

Mark sighed, "C'mon, you know I wouldn't ever do that, Princess. But I've been really looking forward to going to the beach today. This has been a groovy vacation and I've really been digging having the time to just be with you. Contrary to popular belief I am human."

The beeping continued as both stood mired in indecision until Princess relented and raised her arm to take a look. A summons from the chief was signified by the blink of a white light with a member's color. This one was white and pink.

"Yours or mine?" Mark asked.

"Mine," Princess said with a sigh as she spoke into the transmitter. "G-3 here."

"Princess, this is Chief Anderson. Where are you now?"

"At my place, Chief. I was just about to go out. What's up?"

Anderson's baritone spoke an apology, "Sorry to cut your vacation short but I need you for a very important project. How soon can you meet me in my office?"

"Well, Mark and I were about to go to the beach so I'll have to change."

"Is Mark there with you?"

Mark took hold of Princess's hand and held the communicator closer. "Yeah, Chief, I'm here. You want me there too?"

"Yes, Mark. Zark has given me some information from Susan out on planet Pluto and I need to share it with you."

All thoughts of fun now pushed aside, Mark replied dutifully, "We'll be right over." He gave her a look of regret as he said reluctantly, "I guess we can forget about surfing today."

"Uh-huh. Did you bring your clothes with you?" she asked.

"Yeah, in the car. You go get dressed and I'll go get mine so I can and then we'll go."

"Okay." She headed into her room as he took off down the stairs and headed to his car. Damn, I wonder what Zoltar's got cooking for us this time Mark asked himself, scowling. . . .

An hour later, Mark and Princess were in Chief Anderson's office and he again apologized for interrupting their fun as he began to fill them in on why he had called.

"Thanks for coming in you two. Princess, you've heard about the BE alert system the Federation just completed installing throughout the galaxy?"

She nodded, "Benevolent Eye is a state-of-the-art early warning system that works as a network to keep a watch on any activity from Spectra or any other hostile planet."

"Right. Well, the Federation has just completed developing an anti-weapon that is revolutionary and the product of fifteen years of testing and research." He reached for a set of plans and stack of photographs and then spread them out on his desk before G-1 and G-3.

"Now we have here the Planetary Attack eXterminator, or PAX, an anti-weapon that has remarkable capabilities to split the molecular structure and neutralize any destructive power of a conventional weapon or laser and the ability to pulverize any nuclear warhead before it can be detonated. It also can render harmless any weapon that uses natural elements such as light or heat. It is really quite a device and we feel it is the ultimate deterrent."

Both teens were wide eyed as they saw the plans and the photographs of the nearly finished product. Mark spoke up, "Chief, has the Federation built this as a final device or a prototype?"

Anderson replied, "The photos are of both. The prototype was tested before the final design went into production, about three years ago."

Mark and Princess exchanged looks as they passed photos back and forth between each other, impressed by what appeared to be a formidable device. The PAX anti-weapon was an enormous ray cannon that had several capabilities, from using electromagnetic impulses, to a powerful sonic wave, to a molecular splitter that used both heat and intense electrical currents. It was a most impressive device to be sure. It also had the ability to fire in a 360-degree radius, in all directions missing no threats approaching and had a range of approximately 1000 light years.

"Amazing," Mark said, awe evident in his voice. "Who came up with this?"

"Actually it was a collaborative effort. A team of scientists from here on Earth along with several other planets including our sister planet Riga all gathered together and formed a think tank of sorts to come up with something that could keep peace in the galaxy. So after about five years of intense study of Spectran technology, they all came up with this."

Princess shook her head incredulously. "It's really something."

Anderson nodded as he said, "Yes, and that's why I've contacted you, Princess. I need your expertise in computers to assist in the final phase of the completion. All computers must be reprogrammed to support the PAX device, and the software installed to interface with the PAX computer. Because you have the highest security clearance, you're to head this up here with the reprogramming of the master computer and then design software with tutorials that will be sent throughout the galaxy for our Federation allies and members to program their computers."

"But chief, suppose we have to leave on a mission? My first commitment is to G Force," she said frowning as Anderson pressed on.

"You are hereby granted leave from your G Force duties for the duration of this project. President Kane has ordered that the completion of PAX is top priority."

Mark frowned as he spoke up, "Chief, with all due respect, G Force is a team and we work together as a whole. With one of us missing, it leaves us lacking."

Anderson sighed as he said, "I am fully aware of that, Commander. This is a direct order from President Kane."

"Suppose Zoltar in his infinite viciousness decides to mount an offensive? He's been quiet since the flowers incident but his MO is usually to regroup and come against us again. I'm sure that's what he's planning." Mark was adamant but Anderson stood firm.

"Mark, I understand your reluctance. Believe me, I said as much to President Kane but he insisted, so I'm afraid my hands are tied." He went to the door and turned to the perplexed duo. "Excuse me for a moment," he said curtly and disappeared through the door.

Princess sided up to Mark and asked him, "Did the chief seem strange to you, Mark?" Her forest pool eyes were wide as she tried to get his feedback.

Mark was staring at the closed door with a slight scowl. "Yeah. He seemed like he was under duress. I guess Kane and the Federation really put the screws on him. So we have no choice but to go along with it. But I…,"

His thought was cut off by the door sliding open and Anderson returning followed by a young man with wiry, sandy curls and intensely piercing gray eyes that were pale, almost transparent. His ruggedly handsome face was arresting as he stopped beside Anderson to await his introduction.

"Commander, Princess, this is First Lieutenant Randolph Addison from the Federation special cybernetic engineering corps. He's an expert in programming and writing software programs and has been assigned to be your assistant in the project, Princess."

Princess just stared as she felt drawn into those magnetic orbs of the lieutenant as he reached and took her hand to shake. "It's a pleasure to finally meet the infamous and lovely Swan of G Force." His voice was gravelly yet warm, causing a blush to stain her cheeks as Mark's even features darkened.

Anderson cleared his throat as he then said brusquely, "And this is the commander of G Force, the Eagle, Mark."

Lieutenant Addison released Princess's hand and took Mark's in a firm grip as he met the commander eye to eye. He shook the member as he said in cool politeness, "How do you do, Commander."

Hiding under the guise of cordiality, Mark saw an iciness in the eyes that were boring into him, freezing any warmth he might have had toward the lieutenant as he saw the subtle man-to-man challenge hidden beneath the polish of military protocol. He felt as if he were being sized up and in turn did his own mental evaluation and came to the conclusion that if necessary, he could take him. But there was something else that sent a familiar chill through him like he was facing a foe therefore, a silent gauntlet was tossed between the two young men.

"Likewise," Mark said, his own azure orbs hooded as he quashed his rising unease.

Anderson went on. "Now that you've met, I'd like you to take Lieutenant Addison around, Princess and show him the main computer room and Zark's control room. You both will start immediately by meeting with the PAX engineering team to get up to speed as far as comps and how the interfacing of the master and BE computers will be networked with PAX."

"Yes, sir." Lieutenant Addison saluted smartly and then took Princess by the elbow. "Lead the way, Princess, if I may call you that."

"Of course," she said as she glanced at Mark. "I'll see you later?"

"Count on it," he smiled at her as she went out the door with Addison and then his smile faded as Anderson addressed him.

"Commander, I called you here to discuss the latest report from our recognizance probes near Spectra. They and Susan out on Pluto have picked up some activity on the planet that bears watching."

Mark scowled as he said sourly, "Our good buddy Zoltar is at it again, huh?"

"No, that's what's really strange. All things on Spectra are quiet and show absolutely no indication of a conventional offensive being readied. However, strange impulses are being picked up by our probes that have us somewhat wary."

Mark snorted, "That's not such a bad idea. When it comes to Zoltar, these lulls usually turn out to be the proverbial calm before the storm."

"Right," Anderson agreed. "So I think it would be wise for you to gather the rest of the team and stay in your quarters on the premises. So get a hold of Jason, Tiny, and Keyop so you all can be here and ready to go, should the need arise."

Mark saluted, "Big ten, chief." He ran out the door and began to gather the troops.

Out on Spectra, Mala was leading Zoltar to a small enclosed area that looked down into what was a small, dark theater. She offered a seat to her brother as she acted the part of an emcee.

Zoltar was his usual impatient self. "Mala, I hope you have something useful to show me. We've wasted enough time and must launch our next offensive against Earth." He slouched in his chair in exasperation, arms folded.

"I'm aware of that, dear brother," Mala purred as she stood at the observation screen. "Just look down, the show is about to begin."

As if on cue, the lights dimmed and the theater lit up to reveal a slender figure, clad in the garb of the G Force Swan standing center stage as Zoltar sat up in renewed interest.

"Quite remarkable, sister," he commented as Mala pointed to the figure.

"Just keep watching, my brother."

The Swan duplicate was then attacked by several Spectran soldiers, guns blazing as she leapt about, dodging the fire and dispatching the grunts with expert martial arts moves and agile motion. She then retaliated with a toss of her yo-yo explosive, which flattened the second wave coming at her.

"Excellent!" Zoltar crowed as he clapped his hands.

"Hold your applause, Zoltar," Mala said. Now comes the piece de resistance."

The pseudo Swan then raised her left arm and pulled it down at a 90 degree angle as she said "Transmute!" and a flash of light enveloped her for a split second and then a slender raven haired girl clad in a numbered T-shirt and pinstriped jeans stood before them.

"Marvelous, absolutely priceless, my dear sister," Zoltar lauded. "She's an absolute mirror image of the Swan."

And that's not all, she is expert in demolition, explosives and computers, just as the real Swan is. I've programmed our operative to be the exact copy so she would be identical to the girl Princess." Mala said as she smiled in satisfaction.

"Well done, Mala. So let's get her dispatched immediately."

"At once, dear brother."

NEXT---SUSPICIOUS MIND