Chapter 3:

With her hair twisted up into a bun, dressed only in a light blue cami with matching pajama pants, Isabella sat cross-legged upon her soft queen-sized bed looking down on one of the three now open red files her father had given her earlier that day. She carefully studied the blueprints inside with great intensity, memorizing every possible detail being portrayed; softly her brows furrowed together in deep thought and her lips turned down in a soft scowl,

"Where on Earth do people get these ideas from?" she asked out loud as she dropped the first file she was looking at and picked up the second one before repeating the same observing process; she found her head slightly inclining to the side as she glanced at the model drawing of what could be a newly constructed weapon of war, "Man these people have way too much time on their hands…" she stated with a soft shake of her head before she carefully put down the second file; beside her she picked up a notepad and pen which she used to neatly and decisively scribble down her personal observations on the first two weapon ideas. After briefly explaining how she thought the ideas were certainly unique, she greatly emphasized how the whole idea of those weapons lack stability. Already Isabella could envision a hundred different ways that could go wrong with using those ideas they way they are; without a doubt in her mind did she know that the plans needed some work. Isabella finished writing her last statement on the notepad before she set it down in her lap and reached for the final file; she lazily flipped the cover back and pulled out the short report written specifically for the contents inside before she skimmed over the writing and glanced down at the models for this last new idea. At the top of one of the papers inside the file read the bold words "Nanomite Technology"; the name itself instantly caught Isabella's attention. The file, as Isabella read through, discussed how they will be made into warheads and with the proper programming can eat through any material but in this case they are strictly designed for metal. Isabella softly reread the report out loud,

"A single warhead can obliterate a heavy-duty military tank in just minuets. Once the Nanomites hit their target, they won't stop until the Kill Switch has been deactivated, disarming the Nanomites and preventing further destruction…." Her voice faded out as she glanced back down at the drawn out model of the Nanomite warhead.

"Have people completely forgotten what it means to fight fair?" she asked herself. With a soft disapproving sigh, she reached down and picked up her notepad and pen once more. Now if it wasn't considered unprofessional to start off a written report with the words 'Hell No!' that is precisely how Isabella would have phrased it. In a swift, graceful penmanship she spoke her mind,

"This is idea is far more dangerous than anything else I've ever been exposed to. Though I appreciate the progress that has been made with technology, this is out of the question. Could one imagine what could happen should an idea like this fall into the hands of terrorists? These Nanomites could have the ability to annihilate an entire city and the only way they can be stopped is by a push of a button….." Isabella's train of thought was soon interrupted when her phone, lying next to her on the nightstand beside the bed, went off. The catchy jingle of Ne-yo's 'Miss Independent' reached her ears, signaling that she had received a text message. After tucking her pen behind an ear, Isabelle leaned over and reached for her phone; she hit the 'view' button on the phone and words came up on the screen,

"Meet me at the Marine Birthday Ball when the clock reads 11:00" the number was listed as unknown; a single eyebrow rose up at the anonymous order. Isabella turned her phone sideways and slid its keypad out before she swiftly typed back,

"And who might this be?" she replied curiously. Just seconds later her phone went off again,

"That's a secret." her screen read. Instinctively Isabella's head cocked itself to the side slightly,

"Do I know you?" she questioned, feeling both intrigued and cautious about whoever she was communicating with. Another few seconds went by before she got her response,

"Do you want to know me?"her screen returned. Isabella couldn't help the small amused smile that threatened to pull at her lips before she simply shook her head and wrote back,

"I can see that I won't be getting anywhere with this interrogation." She stated. After a few seconds of silence her phone sounded off once more,

"Oh there will be plenty of time for interrogations later."

Both of Isabella's eyebrows rose at this statement, "You sound so sure of yourself." She boldly typed back. Once she sent her message out, she put her phone on vibrate. The moment she felt her phone frantically vibrate in her hand, she hit the button and viewed the message,

"What can I say? I've always been a man of absolute certainty."

Isabella gave a soft snort, "Uh-huh….sure you are." She retorted. Her phone tingled again after ten seconds,

"You doubt me?"

"Should I not?" she wittily threw back and waited for the response.

"Fair enough. So can I expect your presence on Friday night?"

Isabella bit her lip in deep thought; though she found this conversation slightly amusing, she wasn't stupid enough to just accept an offer from an anonymous stranger, even if that person might be someone she may know on base.

"You can expect it but I make no promises. After all, it's a masquerade so that alone will make it a bit difficult to pick a face out of the crowd." She pointed out.

"Ah true. But I'm always up for a challenge." Her phone replied.

"Well good luck with that." Isabella lazily typed back.

"I'll be looking forward to our meeting.…" after that last message, her phone stayed silent. Isabella picked it up and placed it back on her nightstand after she quickly set it on silent. Then she gathered up the scattered files on her bed and placed them in a neat pile alongside her phone with her notepad and pen on top.

"Well looks like thing will be going down hill from here." she calmly stated outloud as she then pulled back the covers on her bed and slid beneath them. Just as she turned off the lamp that rested on her nightstand, she made a quick mental note,

"Keep a sharp eye out for anyone suspicious and a gun on my person at all times." Then after she looked over at her alarm clock which read 12:46 A.M. Isabella closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep…………

(Somewhere inside the Cobra's hidden base)

A tall and well built man with dark hair and eyes had just flipped his communicating device closed and slid it inside one of his pants pockets.

"Well Storm Shadow?" The Doctor's low and chilling voice asked impatiently; Storm Shadow turned towards the man with a small triumphant smile,

"She got the message." He informed. The Doctor gave a soft chuckle,

"Good….very good." The Doctor stated, feeling quite pleased that his plan was working. He then turned away from Storm Shadow to check up on a file that was lying on a table, "You know….originally I going to use a new recruited Viper to get this job done but James McCullen insisted that you should be the one to handle the task."

"I've never failed in completing a mission." Storm Shadow calmly pointed out.

"Which is why we're sending you now; though I must admit….." The Doctor began as he looked up from the file to glance over where Storm Shadow stood, "….I will be quite interested in seeing how you'll take care of it." he stated.

"She won't be anything I can't handle I assure you." Storm Shadow replied.

"Well I'd hope so." James McCullen's voice spoke up as he walked into the room with the other two men, "It'd be very ironic for you to have been able to hack into the War College's system and get out unidentified but get bested by a young woman." He stated with his heavy accented voice. Storm Shadow turned his dark eyes upon McCullen,

"Like I said before, there's nothing she could do that I won't be able to use against her. Bringing her in will be as simple as plucking a rose off its bush." He coolly replied.

"Ah but be mindful…..every rose has its thorns." The Doctor quickly threw back with a soft chuckle. A small smirk pulled at Storm Shadow's mouth,

"Well then….." he spoke, "…..I won't hesitate to dethorn the rose if necessary." He finished while he brought out of his many throwing stars and let the blades spin suggestively. Both McCullen and The Doctor seemed satisfied with his response and gave a soft nod of approval,

"Do what you must Storm Shadow." McCullen ordered, "Just be sure that whatever you do it is concealed. Her father has some very powerful connections and if he finds out that foul play has been committed against his own daughter that could arouse some trouble for us in many directions and we can't afford that." McCullen swiftly reminded him. Storm Shadow gave a soft nod of his head in understanding,

"Of course." He agreed.

"One more thing…." The Doctor quickly spoke up once more, "….I don't want her completely maimed. She'll need to be in complete health for what will be coming towards her upon arrival here. So if she gets to be too much of a handful, drug her."

"It will be done." Storm Shadow answered before his holographic figure faded from scene.