My head throbbing I woke to find myself tied to a desk chair.
"So you're finally awake." Dredd said standing over me and I glared up at him. "Oh don't look so mad, I couldn't very well let you see where our secret headquarters is."
"If it's so secret how do you expect J-Shock to find me?" I asked, trying to ignore the pain from my aching head.
"That's easy. All I need to do is send out a distress call and N-Tek will come running." Naught said, now in his human form. When I glared at him he just laughed.
"What exactly is this 'N-Tek' and why would they rescue me?" I replied as I struggled to free myself. Of course I could easily break free using my strength but they couldn't know who I really was. So for now I kept up the act of being helpless. "Plus what's J-Shock got to do with them?"
"J-Shock's working for N-Tek, just like Max Steel. When I contact them with my demands, J-Shock will come running to save you and she'll fall right into my trap." Dredd told me and I laughed at him, surprising Naught.
"J-Shock's not an idiot. She'll know you're up to something." I answered and that's when Dredd leaned down so he was face to face with me.
"I already know she's not a fool but she is a hero and J-Shock won't let anything happen to an innocent." Dredd said. Knowing that was true I couldn't think of a reply and Dredd smiled beneath his helmet. "Keep an eye on her while I go and contact N-Tek." The moment he was out of earshot, Naught dumped my bag in the corner of the room, well out of reach, and turned to leave.
"I thought he told you to keep an eye on me." I said and he raised an eyebrow at me.
"Like you're going anywhere, girl." He answered and left the room.
"Is he gone?" Shock asked and I jumped slightly, haven't completely forgotten he was still in my bag.
"Yeah he just left." I answered and he flew over to me. "Need some help?" He asked and I shook my head, quickly freeing myself. "Then let's go." He said and linked with me.
"Let's rock...wait a second." I replied and he asked what the problem was. "If I change into J-Shock they'll know who I am. Oh man, not good."
"And what's going to happen when J-Shock doesn't show up to rescue you?" Shock pointed out to me and I winced. "Two major problems."
Slumping back into the desk chair I rubbed my eyes in confusion. "What do we do now?" I groaned and that's when I heard a beeping noise coming from Shock. Quickly detaching from me, he brought up a screen.
"Jessie, are you there?" Berto asked and the moment I saw his face my face lit up.
"Man you won't believe how good it is to see you. After what happened in the park..." I started and he held up a hand.
"Sorry to interrupt you but I have to be quick. I'm sending J-Shock and Max Steel in to rescue you in the next few minutes. Wait where you are and you'll be safe." He told me and I raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Just trust me, okay?" He added with a smile and I gave him a nod. The second he vanished from the screen I looked over at Shock.
"What did he mean by sending J-Shock to save me? And how will Max Steel get past Dredd and Naught?" I asked my Ultralink who shrugged, as confused as I was. It wasn't until roughly half an hour later that I got my answer. When I heard footsteps approaching I pretended to still be tied up while Shock linked with me, hidden from view.
"Now she's on her way to save you." Naught told me as I frowned at him.
"You really think she'll just walk right up to your front door and hand herself over? You must have a screw loose or something." I mocked and he growled at me, stomping towards me.
"You're lucky that you're still useful as a hostage. Otherwise…" He told me, only for Dredd to walk in.
"Otherwise what?" I replied but he didn't dare answer with his boss in the room.
"She's on her way. Soon I've have an unlimited source of Turbo energy and it's all thanks to you, Jessie." Dredd told me as I sat in silence.
"Nothing to say? That's a first." Naught commented as I pretended to be powerless again.
"If only they knew." Shock said in my head and I managed not to smile. Moments later I heard something outside and Naught looked up towards the door.
"Is that her?" He asked and I rolled my eyes at him. Duh, I thought to myself and he glared at me. Before he could say a word to me, Dredd ordered him to bring J-Shock to us. Grumbling to himself he did as he was ordered and he left.
"Good help is so hard to find these days." Dredd commented as we waited. A short time later Naught walked in with J-Shock in tow.
"How is that possible?" Shock asked me and I gave a quick shrug, worried that Naught or Dredd would see it. Thankfully they were obvious to me, too focused on J-Shock.
"So we meet again, Dredd. How'd you like Strength mode, Naught?" J-Shock asked and I laughed, remembering when I landed on him in our last fight. Even Dredd found it amusing and Naught frowned at me, apparently still seething. Turning to me, J-Shock asked if I was okay.
"Yeah I'm fine." I answered, quickly realizing that Berto was somehow controlling J-Shock. He always asks that when I get hurt, I thought to myself. As J-Shock turned her attention back to Dredd, I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Before I could react, someone placed their hand over my mouth.
"Shh. It's me, Max. Just keep quiet and we'll have you out of there soon." He told me and I didn't move, figuring out that he was in Stealth mode. Taking his hand away he whispered something to me and I somehow managed not to smile when I heard his plan.
"So are you ready to hand yourself over in exchange for your friend?" Dredd asked J-Shock who seemed to consider this. Then to my surprise, and probably everyone else's, she shook her head.
"Actually how about I wipe the floor with you instead? Jessie, run!" She shouted and I dived to the floor. Before Dredd or Naught could get a shot off, Max Steel appeared from nowhere and attacked. Teaming up with J-Shock, they fought as I grabbed my bag and made a run for it. As I reached the door I had to duck when a shot was fired in my direction. Tempted to mock Dredd and Naught, I instead made the most of the diversion and ran for my life.
"Why aren't we fighting back?" Shock asked as I ran as fast as possible along a corridor.
"Because Dredd and Naught can't know who I really am." I answered as I stopped and tried to figure out where to go. "Besides I'm sure Max Steel and 'J-Shock' is doing a pretty good job anyway." Deciding to go left I soon found myself at a dead-end. Turning around I went right instead and I finally found myself outside, standing on a ledge. Unfortunately I heard a voice behind me and I turned around to find myself face to face with Dredd.
"You're not going anywhere." He growled as he aimed at my head. Not sure what to do now I stood there and glanced down, wondering how high up we were. It was then I heard someone outside call out to me. I recognized the voice though I did hesitate when I heard what they wanted me to do.
"Did he say to jump? Is he nuts?" Shock asked and I shrugged. Before Dredd could stop me I jumped. "Are you?" Shock shouted as I fell. Seconds later I felt someone catch me and I grinned as C.Y.T.R.O flew me over to the waiting Jump Jet that was hovering in midair.
"Nice timing Berto." I said as he flew aboard. Setting me down I saw Forge walk over to me.
"Where's Max?" He asked and as I watched, there was a massive explosion from inside the secret base. Seconds later I saw Max Steel and J-Shock fly outside and land beside us.
"Nice job guys." I said as Shock detached and looked on. "Score one for Max Steel and …J-Shock?" Still a little confused I heard someone laugh and when I turned around I saw Berto walking towards us.
"Allow me to introduce you to my holobot." He said as I stared at, well, myself I guess. "Thanks for going along with the plan." After a moment I looked at him, a slight frown on my face and he stared at me. "Is something wrong?" He asked me and was taken by complete surprise when I gave him a quick hug.
"Geeze you had me worried before. Promise me you'll never freak me out like that again." I said as he blushed slightly. Instead of answering he nodded and I laughed. "Hey where are Dredd and Naught?" I asked and everyone looked at the base which was now engulfed in smoke. I got my answer seconds later when a Jet shot out, just missing us. Before anyone had time to respond it went supersonic. "And there they go again." I sighed and Max grinned.
"Hey we got you back safe so quit complaining." He answered and I rolled my eyes, earning a laugh from all aboard.
"Alright, next stop N-Tek." Forge said and we were on our way moments later.