Bruce looked through the file, his suit jacket folded over the back of a nearby chair, his shirt sleeves rolled up. Only a few days after settling into his new home, and already Bruce had become a regular fixture around the mansion. He nodded at the map with the location of the secret bunker pinpointed. "I'm looking forward to seeing the place. Considering the vehicles I am thinking of, it would need to be big enough to hold a well-designed garage."

Matt laid out another set of plans on the table, the top one showing a quick sketch of possible uses for the various rooms, along with newly confirmed measurements of the facility. He'd felt like a kid again while exploring the place all over again. Only this time with the eyes of an adult assessing the possibilities. "I've brought Peter Kwon on board to design the new base. Some of the rooms are huge, more than big enough to hold many vehicles and the accompanying equipment. There used to be an old gas station outside of it that has been boarded up for years. It might be time to open it again."

"As a front?" Bruce asked as he studied the new drawings, nodding with approval.

"There are several lakes and parks in the area that are becoming popular tourist attractions. A new campground is going in this area this coming summer, and the road has recently been improved." Matt pointed out the areas on the larger area map. He stopped to grin. "Isn't illusion the ultimate weapon? Let people believe the reason people come and go from the secret base is for legitimate reasons."

Alex turned from the computer mainframe, "We'll need a data line, or a satellite link for the computer. Is there a smaller room for the computer hardware?"

"You can have your pick of several," Bruce said as he continued to study the plans. "Peter Kwon? How did you get him?"

"Miles Mayhem was instrumental in his fathers disgrace back in the war. Then came the fighter crash in which he himself was so massively injured, after Mayhem played games with the parts requisitions in a skimming scheme."

Alex shook his head with an expression of disgust. "The crash should never have happened."

Matt looked at the back table where four masks sat looking back at them. The rest sat under the table in storage boxes, with yet a few more in the closet. "I was thinking, there were several designs that were passed over in the project because of their huge power draws. Now that we have the power situation solved with the charging crystal, perhaps we should look at them again."

"I think that would be a jolly good idea. The more variety we have the more versatile we can be in reacting to specific situations and threats," Alex said with a nod. "Speaking of which, any new news on the scoundrel?"

"Only that Miles is holding tight, recovering from unknown injuries. Most likely using his time to improve his own mask and vehicle designs. I think it's time we did the same. Who knows how long we have before he pokes his head out of whatever hole he's hiding in," Matt said, straightening up as Bruce leafed through the maps again.

Alex yawned, "The thought of what is to come makes me tired just thinking about it. I wonder if I should just sell the shop?"

"The wise farmer sows his seed wide to reap a bountiful harvest," Bruce said as he studied one of the new sketches.

Alex rolled his eyes. "Translation, please?"

"We need to find other people for this project, just like Mayhem is doing," Matt said with a smile. "And finding the right people with the right skills in the right personal situations will be difficult. "

"Indeed. Able to stop and take off for a mission at a moment's notice? Physical and mental aptitude. Expertise in a variety of fields. It might be impossible for anyone with an immediate family," Alex mused.

"I'm thinking of a good solid group. Not just a few for whom all of the pressure rests on their shoulders." Matt motioned to the mainframe where Emily's program currently resided. "For each mission the computer helps identify the agents needed according to details of the upcoming mission, factoring in skills, experience, location, and so on. We don't call everyone out every single time. Mayhem is building a network of support and skills. We need to do the same. Then use those people wisely."

Alex looked back at the mainframe, "Then we best find a programmer. I can program the security module for the new base, but the logic parameters are something else. What you describe might sound easy, but the devil is in the details. And the details will determine if it will work or not."

"What does this mean? Venom?" Bruce interrupted, having put aside the maps and drawings to read the latest intelligence report from Duane Kennedy.

Alex rolled his eyes, crossing his arms across his chest, "Venom: Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem. Mayhem always did have a sick sense of humor, I dare say. Which brings to mind, any idea of what to call your new team, Matt?"

Matt pulled a folded paper out of his pocket and handed it to him.

Unfolding it, Alex looked over the sheet filled with words, doodles and phrases, stopping at the one circled at the bottom. Alex smiled and softly chuckled. Bruce looked up at him as his smile turned into a grin.

Alex then read out, "Mobile Armored Strike Kommand: M.A.S.K. Perfect."

"I like it," Bruce said, nodding his approval.

Matt slowly smiled. He wasn't alone in this. It felt good. It helped pull the pressure off his chest.

Emily was gone. But, he still had Scott and he had a promise to fulfill to Emily concerning their son. And to stop Miles Mayhem.

He still lived. He intended to make the most of his life, resources, and yes, even his money. Miles Mayhem wouldn't find that the world would suddenly become his because of what he stole. M.A.S.K. would dodge his steps until they captured the criminal and threw him into prison.

Matt pulled the drawings out of the base. "Good. Because the three of us are the founding members. And we have a lot of work to do."

The End