As the squad assembled for the ambush on Hacker's pre-invasion, Earth struggled as it suffered hours on end without electricity. It was no longer a city-wide epidemic, but a worldwide epidemic. Market values went haywire, power plants exploded, traffic of vehicles wedged one behind the other bumper-to-bumper. Civilians walked on highways, calling relatives and checking their realities.

News stations somehow remained online, keeping updates of what was going on around the world. Nations were arguing that this could give terrorists freedom to bomb anyone they would want in order to protect their nation.

The world was vulnerable at all ends.

Temperature was below normal for all-time temperatures of October, with a temperature of 23 degrees. Snow, blizzards, and around the world thunderstorms and other disasters struck cities unexpectedly with these harsh weathers; creating a pre-apocalyptic aura. Homes that were once homes were being destroyed in these massive storms.

With that, several light years away from earth was a tiny crack splitting in the space between two dimensions; Earth's and Cyberspace. Slowly, the crevice was growing wider and making a way between both worlds.

/

Time was running out for the Cybersquad. It was mere hours before Hacker would launch his attack, as well as Dr. Alvin. Little did they know he was under hibernation, and that it would give them the perfect opportunity to retaliate.

Jet/Dr. Marbles knew he had to remain in character as he lurked around Hacker's ship as one of his men. He managed to convince him that he was brainwashed, but little did he know of his backup memory.

Jet stood by the door that held Hacker. A timer was set for 5 hours and 18 minutes; the start of the invasion and the awakening of Hacker.

He could not reach out to the Earthlings; nor knew exactly where they were. He only hoped they were ready for what was coming.

/

Matt watched as Max charged in his pilot seat, head hung and strapped wrists to each armrest. He gave no effort to fight anymore as he concentrated on recovering from the bullet wound. His memory bank, however, were still full of errors.

Inez impatiently paced the ship's floor as she grew more and more anxious of Jackie and Slyder.

They broke from their concentration when a bang on the passenger door jump-scared them. Matt walked briskly to the door, leaning against it.

"Who is it?"

"It's us!" Jackie called. With no hesitation, Matt opened the hangar to see Slyder and Jackie dressed in ragged cloaks followed by eight civilians. Half of them were a bit shorter as they dusted off their dingy pilot caps and bandannas. They stepped inside of the hangar, unsure where to stay. Inez gestured to the back of the ship as they were allowed better seating and refreshments. Slyder and Jackie walked over towards Matt and Inez as they gave a smile.

"Wasn't that hard." Jackie smirked.

"Eight pilots. That should do. I would be surprised if there were more because I'm pretty sure everyone had a vehicle." Inez thought.

"That would've been everyone with a license." Matt told her. "Okay, let's see what's Digit's up to."

Matt swiftly worked with the cyan watch as he move the pixel from his watch and expanded it on a table. It gave the map of the island again and all the forms of hills, mountains, and cliffs.

"Scan for Digit." Max told the watch. The map immediately pinpointed Digit, as well as a thousand plus more dots as it focus on him as the blue dot, apparently conversing with the red dot; levitating at a level.

"From the looks of it, it's taking a bit of time for Digit to convince her." Slyder folded his arms. "Do we need to call in?"

"Yes." Inez said as she dialed Digit. It took him a minute to pick up the call as he had to get Wicked to stop complaining.

"Yeah I'm a bit busy here can't you see?" Digit groaned.

"Sorry Digit. How's it going?" Inez asked.

"Not as well as I thought. Wicked thinks you guys kidnapped the guy. And she won't do anythin' until she sees him. WHAT IS HE TO HER ANYWAY?" Digit complained.

The squad turned to Max as his head lifted. He was at 98% full charge. He side-glanced from the seat as he shrugged.

"Spit it out." Slyder demanded.

"Jenna trusts me only. because I only managed to convince her that you guys were...relevant in stopping Hacker. It doesn't mean she's obliged to listen to any of you...sooo...if you want to get her to do what you say, it has to come from me." Max clarified.

Inez nudged her wrist closer to the android's face as she said, "Digit, get Wicked here." She glared at Max, "Make it quick."

Max shrugged.

/

Wicked snatched the earpiece from the avian-hybrid Digit as she hooked it on her ear.

"Max? Are you okay?" Her voice was now more calming and assuring.

"I'm fine Jenna." As she sighed, "Glad we ran into you."

"You better be." She pouted, "Is everything these brats are saying true?"

"Who you callin' a brat?" Digit growled. Jenna sneered as she averted her glance to the ship that was approaching the island.

"Yes." Max said. "Believe me: I'm not held against my will. But under circumstances if I was I would have blood on my hands."

Jenna snickered at the dark humor of his. She admired him deeply.

"I shouldn't have a problem. Hacker's guards are quite plain. They should be easier to sabotage and have them carry hostages back." Jenna said.

"Brilliant." Max said. "Then afterwards I need you to stay low. I don't need you involve in this afterwards."

Jenna's heart sank, as she felt an awful feeling sink, "I can handle myself, thank you."

"I mean it. I don't want Hacker to use you anymore. So after this stay low in your hideout, and don't look back." Max grimaced. "And I won't either."

Jenna was smart enough to know where this was going. She felt disgusted, used, and overall broken. More broken when she was exiled from towns for being a witch. She closed her eyes.

"I understand." As Wicked held back the urge to breakdown.

"See you." Max said, as he was uncertain that he would be. Depending how things went, he may/ may not have a happy ending.

/

The call ended with Digit assuring that he'll be heading back. Though, that was no time for the squad as they got ready to take off as they began to undo the straps around Max. He flexed his limbs as he adjusted himself to the controls.

"Where's the bird?" Max asked.

A bang on the ship answered his question. Jackie made her way to the passengers side and opened the door for an exhausted Digit. He collapsed on the floor, crawling to his seat panting.

"Geez, not as much in shape as I thought!" Digit groaned as all of the squad but Max chuckled at him. He turned on all engines and began to take off, sailing south of the approaching enemy ship as they were sure they could've been clearly seen.

"Looks like Wicked worked her magic." Matt said.

"Where to next?" Max said as he gripped the joysticks and steered the ship. Inez stared back at the island, wishing for the prisoner's safety.

"A shipping dock. Find one for us Max." Slyder said. "We need eight cruise ships for these boys."

"There's one forty cybermiles away from here. It's going to take us a couple hours unless I set it on turbo boost." Max grimaced. "If I do that, we won't have enough fuel coming back."

Matt folded his hands, "Go at your pace. You're the pilot."

Max nodded as he thrusted the sticks and headed straight through a vortex and into a deserted cyberspace.