A/N: Ok so weekend vacation with a computer but no internet = plenty of time to type! Good for you…boring for me.

Frank couldn't help but smile to himself as the drove into the dessert. He sighed to himself.

"Just like old times." He smiled to Cherri. She nodded.

"Feels like forever since we had an old fashion mission." She yawned and stretched out. Static crawled up front with them.

"I hope the kids will be ok." she said in a soft voice. Ray patted her on the shoulder.

"I'm sure they'll be fine. They have Boomer watching after them." He grinned.

Gerard shifted in his seat and glared out the window.

"It's not Boomer I'm worried about." He pouted. Victory rolled her eyes.

"You're not seriously doing the whole 'Over Protective Father' thing are you?" She said dramatically rolling her head too. He shot her a dark glare. "She's a grown girl now. She is capable of making decisions on her own…even if we don't like them."

Victory crossed her arms and pursed her lips.

Gerard shifted in his seat again.

"I'm not being over protective! I'm just looking out for her, that's all. I don't like the way that kid looks at her like she's just something he can use. I don't like him."

Victory half smiled.

"To be fair…my dad didn't like you the first time we met." She and the others let out a little chuckle.

"That's different. Your father was a deranged robot out to kill all of humanity. I think this is a little different." The others chuckled at this too.

The van made a few unsettling bumps as it drove along. Frank tried to steer away from them but the dessert was not kind to the California back roads.

"If I might interject." Frank leaned out to see them in the rear view mirror. "Turnstile isn't a bad kid. Back in New York he showed a lot of courage and fight in him. He made a damn good killjoy."

Static and Baby Doll nodded.

"Sure he may have been…a little tough to handle growing up…" Static shrugged.

"A little tough?" Baby Doll turned to her. "He set the kitchen on fire!"

"He was just trying to help make dinner." Static protested.

"With my blow torch?" She raised an eyebrow.

Static put her head down defeated. Mikey turned to Baby Doll.

"You had a blow torch?" He raised an eyebrow and smirked. Baby doll just winked and shrugged her shoulders.

"Either way it was a long time ago. I'm sure he's grown up a lot since then." Frank continued.

As he drove he spotted the radio station and revved the engine. The van pulled up on a strange looking building. After the war was over and the tragic death of Dr. D Show Pony had the idea to convert the old dinner into a radio station. With Victory's financial help they rebuilt the old dinner and turned it into Fabulous Killjoy Radio. They'd built a radio tower with the words FKJradio on the front and built a station right below where the old one would have been. The dinner was torn down all except Dr. D's resting place. They'd managed to get him a proper head stone and dedicated the station to him. Show Pony would DJ early in the morning and stay till midnight.

They got out of the van and headed for the main door. The outside of the building was painted a variety of killjoy colors and graffitied with several creative killjoy designs. Gerard pulled open the door for the others as the headed in. The entire studio was trashed. A chair sat toppled over on the floor. Papers littered everywhere.

"I thought you said it looked like a struggle?" Cherri turned to Victory. "This just looks like how Pony always keeps his things."

Victory nodded.

"Yes but his chair was flipped over and then I found this." She led them to the recording room. All of the equipment was destroyed. The glass window was smashed. Glass littered the floor. A single stool sat in the middle of all the chaos. Frank ran to his guitar.

"My baby!" Cherri glared down at him. He quickly stood back up. "Erm…which totally isn't important right now."

She just ignored him and started surveying the room.

"This is where I found the note." Victory pointed to the chair. "It was just folded up sitting there like a present."

Cherri was rounding the room when she stopped near the broken glass.

"Oh my god!" She gasped breathlessly. They all turned to see her facing a corner. Her eyes were fixed on a red spot on the floor around the glass. Several drops followed out of the room and to the sound board and then out of the building.

Frank put a hand on her shoulder.

"He's still alive. They wouldn't have just taken him to kill him. He's still alive." She turned into him as she started crying.

"Do you think it was Astro Zombies?" Frank asked holding Cherri close.

Gerard shook his head.

"They're just a myth. Something war vets tell kids as ghost stories. They don't really exist." He said taking Victory's hand and headed for the door. "Come on. Let's head back to the house. Maybe we can figure out something there."

Cherri looked up and nodded.

"I don't want to be here any more." She pulled away from Frank and hugged herself as she walked. They all agreed and headed for the door.

Gerard opened the door for the others and they all filed out. Looking up something made them all stop. Several figures semi circled around them. They were all dressed in black jumpers. Their faces were covered by strange looking masks. They stood perfectly still like statues but they also looked disfigured. Some had slanted shoulders or stood slouching. Others had one hand longer than the other or what seemed like crooked spines. One thing they all had in common was they were all incredibly skinny. They looked like stick figures in front of the bright brown dessert.

The one in the center twitched it's head to the side robotically like a bird looking at a worm.

"Are you the Fabulousss Killjoysss?" An eerie voice emitted from the mask in a harsh whisper.

Gerard stepped forward.

"I am Party Poison. Who are you?" He asked. His hand sat on the holster of his gun.

The thin creature twitched it's head straight again.

"You mussst come with usss." It hissed.

Cherri stepped forward and pulled out her gun.

"Where is my brother you bastards!" She cried out and aimed her gun at the center creature.

It's shoulders shook like it was angry. Slowly it extended it's arm revealing a small metal ball that separated in the center.

"In due time." It whispered and pressed the ball together. The part in the center closed and the creature tossed the ball into the center of the group. The ball opened up and it began to produce a yellow fog.

"KNOCK OUT GAS!" Gerard shouted as he covered his mouth. They all began coughing uncontrollably. It wasn't too long before they all collapsed on to the sand. Gerard tried to reach for Victory but his head was swirling too much to find her. She reached for him but her arm collapsed. Her communication watch beeped as it fell to the ground. She lay there lifeless as the creatures approached. The one closest to her lifted her by her head caringly.

"Juliet loves the beat and the lust it commands." It sounded like a woman's voice but it was incredibly raspy, like an elderly person. The woman dropped Victory's head and gripped Gerard's hair.

"Drop the dagger and lather the blood on your hand's Romeo." She gripped his hair tight and threw him back. The woman stood up and turned to the others.

"Take them to the warehouse. Put them with the others." The woman looked back down to Victory and Gerard. "Your time to pay is not yet Killjoys….but soon…very soon."

Victory felt one of the creatures roll her over. Her communicator made another beeping sound as she was lifted up off the ground. She drifted in and out of sleep as she watched herself and the others be thrown into the back of a large van. The woman from before placed both hands on the doors. Behind the cover of her mask Victory could make out a dark and evil chuckle. She shut the doors with a heavy slam and like that she was out.

Back at the house:

Boomer pouted as she sat on Frank's living room couch. She and Ghost watched the group of teens on the floor watching TV. The awkward tension in the air was painful. It didn't help that AJ decided to watch an old violent horror movie. None of them were scared of course. Well maybe Helena but only at the gory parts and the sex scenes. Boomer really worried about her sometimes. The girl was so innocent. She hated fighting or swearing or vulgar attitudes. Boomer smiled to herself. Basically Helena was the opposite of her.

Just then something out of the corner of her eye moved. She looked over to see Turnstile getting up. She quickly stuck her eyes to him.

"Easy tiger." He said putting up his hands. He still had the same angry expression as when she took his gun. "I'm just getting up to take a piss."

Boomer eased up and nodded.

"Down the hall and first door on the right." She said in the coldest voice she could manage. Turnstile saluted dramatically and turned out of the room. The second he was gone she stood up.

"Now that he's gone, who want's ice cream?" She asked with a heavy sigh. Everyone raised their hand but Helena.

"Boomer be nice." She said a little annoyed. Boomer rolled her eyes. Leave it to Miss Innocent to stick up for Captain Ass-Hat.

"I'm only joking goodie two shoes. He can have some when he gets back too. I just can't take another second of fake blood." She stretched and headed for the kitchen. Ghost followed her in. Rocket got up next.

"I swear if I see another person chop off their leg I'm going to lose it." He sighed getting up. Sky nodded and followed him to the kitchen. AJ was next to stand.

"Oh come on guys. You can't tell me a bunch of people locked in a room with no hope of escape isn't realistic." She crossed her arms and pouted. Crow stood up beside her and shrugged.

"Maybe if it was a Draculoid behind it all but not a tiny puppet." He brushed his blonde hair out of his face but didn't make eye contact when he spoke to her.

"But it's not really a puppet. It's a guy! And He's in the room the whole time!" AJ argued as she and Crow continued into the kitchen. Helena stood up and raised her eyebrows.

"Well there goes the ending AJ." She called after them.

In the kitchen she found Boomer had gotten out several bowls for everyone. She was already scooping out several chunks of ice cream when her wrist communicator went off. She took a step back and wiped off her hands and pressed the button. It was Victory. Checking in on her no doubt. She pressed the button again but something strange came up on the small screen. It was all yellow and foggy.

"Victory?" Boomer spoke into the microphone but no one answered. Boomer quickly hit the lights and pressed another button on her wrist. The screen lifted and a small beam of light hit the wall. They all stood and watched as the fog on the screen cleared. They could see the ground and then the camera moved. Victory's face came into view. It looked like something was holding Victory up by her head. Suddenly an eerie figure came into view.

"Juliet loves the beat and the lust it commands." A raspy voice sounded over the small speaker. The camera shook again as if Victory had been dropped a short distance. Gerard's face came into view as the figure gripped him by the hair.

"Drop the dagger and lather the blood on your hand's Romeo." They watched as the figure threw his head back. His body bounced lifelessly. The figure stepped away. They could only see a pair of big black boots.

"Take them to the warehouse. Put them with the others." The voice paused. "Your time to pay is not yet Killjoys….but soon…very soon."

And like that the transmission cut out. Suddenly the lights flashed on making them all jump. They all looked to see Turnstile with his hand on the light switch.

"Wooh…now that's a scary movie. What's it called?" He puckered his lips and leaned on the wall impressed.

Boomer stood there for a moment with her mouth open. The others exchanged uneasy glances.

"That….wasn't a movie. It was a transmission from Victory and the others…" She said slowly.

Turnstile's expression quickly changed.

"Was that a direct transmission?" He asked standing at full attention. Boomer nodded.

"There's maybe a minute or two of time lag but it was a direct feed from Victory's wrist band." She said re playing the video over and over. The creepy masked figure haunted the screen.

Turnstile watched closely as the sat in silence.

"Others." He stated. "They said 'Put them with the others'. Tonic could be with them. We need to move out now!" He said rushing outside. Boomer was the first after him.

Turnstile rushed out the door and ran for the van. He didn't get far before Boomer had a heavy grip on his shoulder.

"Where do you think your going?" She demanded. He turned giving her a dark look.

"I'm going out there! Tonic could still be alive! I'm on a rescue mission! If there is any chance we can find him I have to take it." He was shouting now. Boomer took a step back.

"Look I understand he's your leader and you want him back as soon as possible, but I just watched those creatures take out my whole family! I can't just let some kid go in there half cocked. I'm sorry but I can't let you leave. Ghost and I will take the cycle bikes and try to pick up any traces of them. We'll report back to you and when we find something we will call you in for back up." She began taking her gun from her holster and checking the battery charge. She only got a few feet before Turnstile stopped her.

"You can't do that!" He shouted. "I was put in charge! It's my job to take my team and bring Tonic back alive!"

Boomer gritted her teeth and squinted her eyes.

"Your from New York where everything is run like an army right?" She said through her teeth.

Turnstile hesitated and then nodded.

"You are in my domain. I am at least six years your senior so here I am your commanding officer. Any order I give you is a direct order. If you disobey you will be charged and punished. You will stay here with the others." She stopped and walked to Helena. Reaching into Helena's pocket she pulled out her gun and popped open the bottom. Taking something from her own pocket she placed a large fully charged battery into the bottom and closed the cap. She placed it back into Helena's hand and walked back to Turnstile.

"Helena is now in charge. All orders will be followed by her."

"WHAT?" Turnstile and Helena shouted at the same time. He shot her a dirty look. Boomer continued as if they'd said nothing.

"She is now in command. If you choose to disobey she has the right to shoot. Is that clear?"

"You can't do that! She has NO training! Crow, Ghost! Come on!" He looked to his fellow team members. Crow shamefully ducked his head low. Turnstile turned to Ghost.

"I'm sorry man." He said rubbing the back of his head. "She is right. By state law she is highest in command. She can do and say whatever she wishes. We were trained to follow those orders as well as laws of other states. My hands are tied."

Turnstile flared his nostrils and shook his head.

"This is ridiculous!" He grumbled and crossed his arms. Turning away from Boomer he shot Helena another dark glance.

"Ok." Boomer turned to AJ and Rocket. "AJ I want you and Rocket to gather supplies. I need a med kit and extra ammo. Check Mikey and Baby Doll's stash. Helena, I want you to take Crow and Sky to our house. Set up for an attack. Make sure all security systems are set up." AJ and Rocket nodded and headed out.

"Boomer But.." Helena started.

"But nothing. That's an order."

Helena nodded.

"Yes mam." She said reluctantly and headed out.

Boomer turned to Ghost.

"There is a cycle bike in the garage. Make sure it's fully charged.."

Ghost nodded and headed for the garage.

"Let me guess I'm in charge of the cat right." He rolled his eyes and gritted his teeth. Boomer shook her head and grabbed him by the collar. She pulled him to the other side of the van.

"Oh on top of everything you're going to rough me up too? Great!"

Boomer slammed him hard into the side of the van.

"SHUT UP!" She had a firm hand around his collar. The other was on the van beside his face.

"Listen. I know you're not happy about this. I get that. I put Helena in charge for a reason. You're too emotional. You want to go in guns blazing and kill every motherfucker who is involved in this. Helena might not have the skills you do in battle but she's smart. She thinks things through. That's why I need you for something else I couldn't say in front of the others."

Turnstile didn't make eye contact but Boomer could tell he was listening.

"I need you to watch out for her. She can't protect herself and if something happens to me…" Boomer looked away not wanting to thing about it. She turned back. "I know you were put in charge because of your combat skills. I've researched your squadron's stats. Tonic Revolt picked you because you were good. I need you to look out for her. If anything happens to her I couldn't live with myself."

Boomer loosened up her grip a little. Tonic looked up slightly.

"So why ask me here. Not in front of the others?"

Boomer finally let go and took a step back. Turnstile stepped away from the van and fixed his shirt. Boomer ran her fingers through her hair.

"Helena would never have gone for it. She doesn't like people babying her. She thinks she's tougher than what she is. Don't get me wrong the girls tougher than she'll ever know….." Boomer paused like she remembered something.

"Your not making any sense." Turnstile crossed his arms. Boomer sighed and shook her head.

"Never mind. Just please look out for her. She won't steer you wrong. I swear."

Turnstile could see something behind her eyes, something she wasn't telling.

"Fine. I'll…..make sure she doesn't blow an arm of or something." He dramatically sighed.

Boomer took his hand.

"Thank you." She smiled and pulled her hand away. He looked down at his own hand.

"What is this?"

Boomer smiled.

"You didn't think I'd leave you unarmed did you?" He held up a small gun the size of the palm of his hand.

"It's a pea shooter!" He said dangling the small gun by it's handle.

"It packs a good punch." Boomer shrugged and began walking away. Turnstile looked up and tilted his head.

"Hang on….where the hell were you keeping this? You're wearing practically nothing!" His eyes popped a little. Boomer just turned and winked. She smiled to herself as she walked away. Turnstile lingered there for a minute. He smirked and looked at the gun. Slowly the more he looked at it the more his smirk faded.

"OH GOD!" He exclaimed and started cleaning off his hands.

"Come on perv boy!" Boomer called from the other side of the van.

After checking all the houses security systems Helena headed outside with Sky and Crow. She met up with AJ and Rocket and headed for the van. Ghost had the Cycle Bike out and next to the van. It was a slim silver machine shaped like a motorcycle, however instead of wheels it had two large spheres in the front and back for perfect control. Boomer leaned on the side of the van and pressed a few buttons on her communicator band. Helena felt her own wrist band vibrate. She looked at the screen to find it was entirely blue. In the middle were a pair of red and green dots. The red one had a letter H the other had a letter B.

"Helena." Boomer said looking up. "I've linked our wrist bands. If anything happens you'll be able to track me through yours."

Helena examined it and nodded.

"I'll send a vid-transmission when we reach the radio station." She put her arm down and mounted the bike. "Come on big guy." She smiled and looked at Ghost. "You're riding bitch seat."

Ghost just smirked and got on the back.

"What if something goes wrong?" Sky asked biting her nails. Boomer handed Ghost a helmet and put her own on. She quickly started up the engine.

"Well…I guess that leaves you all to save us." She shrugged. She turned the handle bar and was off like a flash of light. They all watched as the bike disappeared into the horizon. Helena waited a few moments and then herded everyone inside for safety. Turnstile followed in the back. He concealed the small gun in his hand. He looked up to Helena and placed it deep in his pocket as he stepped inside.