The squad was on their own finally; in the lair of their greatest enemy...so far. They had to stay undetected, of course, or it'll be much harder to get in.
In the shadows of the alleyway, the squad huddled.
"Okay gang, how are we getting up there?" Slyder pointed up to the tower that lead a passageway to Hacker's ship.
"Easy, we'll waltz our way in there." Jackie said sarcastically. "Don't worry we'll get free food and refreshments when we get on his ship."
Inez lightly punched Jackie, who gave her a mischievous look. "Cut it out Jacks'. This is really serious."
"Disguises will be better." Matt suggested. Then he glanced at Digit. "Sorry bud', you're gonna have play the captive role."
Digit brows raised, "Oh geez. Tie my up will ya?"
Slyder hushed the gang, hearing several footsteps. "Listen."
They listened as they saw four suited soldiers walked with plasma rifles, casual and unaware of anything. The gang nodded as they rushed behind each of them and snatched them by the neck. The four teens dragged their unconscious captives into the dark shadows of the alley as they examined their neon-suits. They exchanged glances as they begin to take off the captive's suits. It was somewhat wrong, but it was something they had to resort to.
Turning their backs to each other, they took care of themselves of switching clothes with a neon suit. Digit veered away to stand at point.
/
"Done." As they turned around to face each other. Their identity masked from head to toe; they couldn't tell who was who.
The taller and more muscular figure walked to stand next to the more curvy one. The other two stood closer.
"Well, that was fast." Jackie folded her arms. Digit turned around, beginning to scream as he saw the intruders. But they wrestled him down and hushed him.
"Digit it's us." The shorter yet slimmer figure who Digit heard was Matt assured. He breathed as he sighed in relief. Well, that was a sign that the suits fitted them.
"'kay gang." As they huddled, arms over each other's shoulders, "This is it. We're here."
They all nodded. Matt wished he could see their faces. It might be the last time he got to see them.
"We'll stick to going by twos. One group of us is going to go through first and get to Hacker's ship. We'll then after the other disables the security system; better overall the power source." Matt stated. He pointed to the skyscraper that stood superior to everything. "And that's the source."
"What about the bombs?" Inez asked.
"Like Max said, he'll detonate them before the start of the invasion." Matt said. "That means we only got two hours to do this."
The all nodded in agreement. And he smiled behind the mask.
"Cybersquad, let's roll out!" As they all chimed in. Slyder and Jackie turned to Digit, who was cornered to a wall and a fence; staring at his friends at horror as they snapped the rope and everything was shielded in darkness and neon lights.
/
They exited the alley as Inez and Matt walked side-by-side on the black street, keeping a strict posture as they glanced back at Slyder and Jackie as they dragged the play-prisoner Digit; duct-taped and turkey-tied.
They nodded as they signaled with their cyan watched as they went separate ways on the forked road.
"Cmon Inez." Matt communicated with the bluetooth installed on the suit. They both slipped into the alleys and shortcuts of the wretched city. Matt signaled to his girlfriend as they sprinted down the 'Green' Light district. Around them, people who dressed like them were too busy being intoxicated with alcohol or lust to care about them.
"Again with the romantic setting." Matt chuckled.
"Oh shut up!" Inez scowled.
They stopped when they reached the main road. More of the soldiers occupied the road; armed with rifles and tanks occupied. Both Inez and Matt deactivated their mask to breathe better. Inez stared at Matt as his hair stood in a mess; as well-looking quite attractive.
"What?" Matt breathed.
"Nothing." Inez averted her glance.
"Inez." Matt hinted. Her spine shivered.
She sighed. Those thoughts were coming back. This might be the last chase for either of them. It pained her that she wasn't any more optimistic about Matt's fate. Not even a little.
"I'm scared for you." Inez admitted. She watched as the soldiers marched out. Matt followed her glance.
"I'm scared too." He barely smiled, "Glad I'm not the only one."
Inez smiled. "I just hope...things go well."
"Yeah." Matt swallowed. Then he reactivated the mask as well as Inez as they entered the main street, walking briskly around the corner avoiding the army. More soldiers walking in twos ignored them. Almost all of them. One of soldiers ran towards them bowing his head.
"Lieutenant, we were having problems getting the drones to the opening ceremony. They say they'll only respond to only you, Jet, or Hacker." Said the soldier numbered 2476.
"Jet?" Inez questioned.
Matt thought quick, "Number 2476 you interrupted me to discuss some silly issue over some drones? Leave it be, I'll take care of that." He imitated a growl.
"Yes sir." The soldier bowed awkwardly, "Sorry sir."
"Hurry up and get behind those men! Why are you so behind?!" Matt yelled. The soldier flinched as he and his partner scrambled and started to sprint. Matt chuckled.
"Good work Lieutenant, you managed to scared a couple of kids." Inez chuckled. They went back to sprinting, cutting alleys and avoiding encounters with squadrons. Matt and Inez halted to a stop in the alley, leaning on the wall to catch a breath.
"What about the rooftops?" Inez panted, pointing up. Matt lifted his head and saw the fire escape. He nodded.
"You can do parkour?" Matt raised a brow. Inez scoffed.
"I did gymnastics...and some free running with my Dad a couple of years back." Inez stretched, "Though, I'm a little rusted."
"My girlfriend can do parkour." Matt was impressed, "Awesome."
Inez grinned as she braced herself and began with a wall run, gripping the edge of the fire escape and began climbing and hopping from one to another. Matt braced himself and followed right behind her.
/
Slyder and Jackie were the center of attention as soldiers would get distracted by the frantic captive they had rounded up. Yet, they remained calm and continued their way to the center of the city.
"So far so good." Slyder said.
"Too good. Somethin' isn't right." Jackie felt the chills. "We're suppose to be attacked or somethin'"
"Jacks' you're paranoid." Slyder chuckled as he grips the rope tighter, making Digit welp.
"Sorry bud." He apologized. Digit hummed lowly. Jackie elbowed Slyder as his head snapped up. Two burly soldiers approached them.
"What are two medics doing with an intruder?" They questioned. Slyder glanced at his tag as he saw the red cross branded in their suit.
"Well, the other guys that took this guy in gave them to us because they said he had...suffered from a concussion." Jackie improved.
The soldiers didn't buy it.
"As medics, this can be very crucial. He could have valuable information on anyone that may try to destroy Hacker's plan. And we'll brainwash him after we finish the procedure." Slyder assured.
At this point, the soldiers didn't care because to them, the two "medics" sounded more like the scientists.
"Whatever." As they brushed past, catching up to the squads heading the opposite direction. Slyder and Jackie slapped five.
"Idiots." As Digit agreed with a louder 'mhm'
/
Matt and Inez made progress on the rooftops as they were now four blocks from the power plant. They crouched down as Matt recalled his photographic memories of the entire lair and then zoomed in on the power plant. He saw it as a 3D blueprint; every square inch and moving living being that were inside and outside. He gasped as he returned to reality.
"What did you see?" Inez stated the obvious.
"Everything. Jeez the place doesn't even have that much security. Are they stupid?" Matt shook his head.
"Probably. Hacker probably drained their intelligence for himself." Inez chuckled. Matt laughed at Inez's logic.
"Hey, at that rate Hacker may not be as smart as we thought." He said as he glanced at the drop down from the rooftop. Matt backed up a few paces; sure that he would be able to make the jump.
"Matt." Inez saw what he was going to do. He stumbled as he started to run, scowling.
"Chill out." Matt deactivated the mask, grinning. Inez blushed.
Matt crouched, taking shallow breaths as he broke off into a sprint and leaped from the edge of the rooftop. Inez went by the edge and saw Matt on the lower rooftop, arms stretched out for Inez. She hesitated at the jump; thinking it was too steep for her to make.
"C'mon 'Nessie." Matt teased her by her old nickname. She growled, taking cautious paces back as she said:
"Don't. Call. Me. NESSIE!" As she leaped from the edge and across to the other rooftop. She braced herself as her leg scraped the edge and made her stumble on her fall. Matt reached out and caught her, as she hissed.
"Inez are you okay?" Matt was concerned. Her breaths were quick and shallow, as she resisted the urge to cry.
"I think I sprained my ankle." Inez groaned as she reached for her right ankle. Matt rested her against the generator as he pressed a button on the side of her calf to reveal her ankle and foot. He gently massage the area that was tender, getting occasional flinches and hisses from Inez. He stood up.
"Just go ahead Matt. I'll wait here." Inez told him. His mask was still disabled, so she was aware of the incredulous look he gave her.
"The hell I'm not. I'm not leaving you." Matt told her.
"What if we get caught? There's no one here that could help us except your father." Inez winced. He growled as he grabbed Inez and tugged her on his back. She yelped and protested as he hushed her. His mask reactivated.
"We won't." He seemed really sure of himself. "After we take out the power we'll find a safe house and then...we'll get some support to take you to my dad."
She shook her head in protest as Matt ignored her. He didn't want something to happen to Inez at this point; because she was extremely vulnerable with no meds or anyone to help out in this case. If Max was still around...
"Idiot." Max growled into his bluetooth.
"I thought you were done with us." Matt grimaced. Inez knew he was referring to Max.
"Unfortunately no. Because you earthlings always have some unexpected turns. I'm impressed you got this far." Max ended sarcastically.
"If you aren't here to help then get the hell out my ear." Matt bit back. "As you can see my girlfriend is injured."
Max grimaced, "Tough luck. I can't do anything until you cut off the power and get to a more discreet area."
"Thanks, pal. " Matt growled as the conversation ended. He side-glanced at Inez, who wore a worried face.
Max gripped her thighs tighter, "After we cut the power, Max said he'll be able to come back to help out."
Inez didn't like that idea, but if it was going to help them get through this, it was a risk they had to take. Matt way his way down the staircase with Inez on his back. He made his way through the gate, the guards not questioning his reason being there because he was the "Lieutenant."
"Okay." Matt said. "Let's find that switch."