Robert Floyd, callsign Bob, lay in his bed listening to the early morning sounds. He could feel his Siberian-Husky, Eirwen laying at his feet. Bob breathed in and out slowly and steadily. There were a few birds chirping outside his window as well as the noise of a car passing every now and then. Eirwen shuffled slightly at his feet, her head now resting on his shin.

Bob suffered from panic and anxiety attacks occasionally and Eirwen was the one who helped him through it. At first, no one else knew, and he was okay with that. But, due to some…complications, the Daggers and Penny found out. They were great friends and helped him out a lot. He hadn't had an attack for a while now. Bob smiled fondly as he remembered what they had said. They still cared about him.

Bob's bedside alarm clock started to go off and Bob sighed, rolling over and shutting it off. 0545. Time to get up. He grabbed his glasses and turned on his bedside lamp, dousing the room in a warm golden light. Bob rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he swung his legs over the bed.

Eirwen looked at him, tail wagging slightly, her head now resting on her front paws. Bob leaned over and rubbed her head affectionally. "Hey girl," he whispered, "did you sleep well?" Eirwen whined happily, stretching out her paws in an adorable fashion. She licked his hand and leaned into it. Bob smiled and stood up.

He shivered as the cold room air hit him. It happened every single morning. He didn't exactly like it, but he kept is room temperature down because when he got out of bed, it woke him up. Still shivering slightly, Bob pulled on a black shirt and a pair of socks. It was only slightly warmer. He went to his closet, pulling out his flight suit and putting it on, zipping it up. Checking his watch to see the time (0550) Bob headed out his room, Eirwen in tow.

He headed to his kitchen, turning on the light. He blinked rapidly allowing his eyes to adjust faster. Bending down to a cupboard, Bob poured some dog food into a bowl and set it on the floor for Eirwen to eat. Bob smiled, and grabbed some toast and munching on it as he gathered the things he needed for work. He'd probably have some time to hit the gym, so he grabbed a bag with extra clothes. Bob checked his flight suit pockets to make sure he had everything. Keys, wallet, Military ID, extra pens, glasses, phone. Check.

Shouldering the bag, keys in hand, Bob said farewell to Eirwen, and headed out the door.

It was a cool morning; the sun was hardly rising. Soft clouds shuffled around in the sky, pink and blue. A few golden rays of sun caught Bob's glasses, causing a sunlit refection. Dew sat on the grass in a thin layer of water as Bob walked to his Jeep. His neighbors cat came over and said hi to him by rubbing against his legs. Bob knelt, chuckling as he rubbed the rag-doll cat.

"Hey, Fuffles," He said softly, "Did you catch all the mice?"

Fuffles meowed happily, purring. He trotted behind Bob as he walked to the Jeep and stepped inside. "I'll see you later, okay?" Bob waved, although he was pretty sure the cat wouldn't really understand that he was saying bye. Starting the ignition, and Bob headed to another hard day at work.

Bob walked into the hanger. He was the first one there, as usual. Sitting down, he pulled out a notebook and paper. Maverick always came up with the weirdest of ideas sometimes, so Bob usually liked to write it all down so he wouldn't forget it. Phoenix walked in a few minutes later, sitting down in front of him, saying good morning.

"Morning." He answered. She looked tired. He had learned that really only Rooster, Maverick and himself were the early morning people. The others could be up and about in the morning, but they just really weren't…in it. "Did you sleep okay?"

"I slept fine." Phoenix stifled a yawn, "You?"

Bob smiled brightly, "Slept great!"

Rooster sauntered into the room, a cheerful smile on his face and energy literally emitting from him. He called out good morning to them and walked over. Phoenix groaned. "Bradely," she said, "How do you have this much energy in the morning?"

"Well," Rooster said, "Maverick told me about this one time when I was younger, I had swallowed a battery. He blames the battery for all the energy I get."

Phoenix looked at Rooster with wide eyes, and a flash of suspicion, "You're joking."

Rooster flashed her a grin, "Nope! Just ask Maverick."

"Will do." Phoenix said. Bob noted that she was looking more awake and alert. Rooster laughed. Phoenix shook her head, smirking. Bob was quiet, watching the pair with interest.

Rooster eventually sat down, after doing two laps around the hanger because of all his energy. They sat there for a few minutes and Fanboy and Payback walked in the room.

"Hey guys." Payback waved at them, coffee in hand.

"And Phoenix." Fanboy added, sitting down and pulling out a notebook. Phoenix waved at him.

Hangman entered the room, looking awake and alive, but dead tired. He didn't say anything, just plopped down in his seat. Maverick walked in, holding a folder, with Cyclone, Warlock, and Hondo behind.

"Mav!" Phoenix called out, "Is it true Rooster swallowed a battery when he was younger?" Rooster started to blush, putting a hand to his forehead, groaning. Maverick smiled mischievously, "Yes, yes, it is."

"Rooster!" Hangman looked at Bradely with his eyes wide. Payback started chuckling as Rooster flushed even more, grinning.

"No wonder he has so much energy," Cyclone grumbled, "He's feeding off of a battery!"

The Daggers broke out in uncontrollable laughter which lasted a few minutes.

"Alright, alright!" Warlock held up his hands, "That's enough."

Still smiling, the group started to pay attention to what Warlock was saying.

"We've gotten word from intel. A new threat to the United States has been uncovered. You are the best team we have here, so the mission has been handed to the Daggers. Captain Mitchell will debrief you further and will be training alongside you. We have about five weeks before this mission goes into motion. Understood?"

"Yes sir." They answered. There was no more laughter. Everyone was serious about this. What kind of danger were they in? Bob sat, taking notes, asking himself questions and trying to figure out answers. From what Warlock was saying and the tone of voice he was using, this was dead serious. Bob felt a wave of anxiety rush over him, and he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, willing it to leave. It did.. This was going to be a hard mission.

Bob set his jaw, a determined look on his face. He could do this.

A/N: The story about Rooster swallowing the battery is actually based off a true story! When I was around...4 or 5 years old, I had like a little flat, circular batter, and (don't ask why, I was dumb then) put it in my month. Ended up swallowing it. I didn't need to go to the ER or anything at all. It did nothing. But I'm a very energetic person, sooo I blame the battery I swallowed. Lol, them good ol' days.