The Alpha Squad: Black Ops.

The Alpha Squad

Black Ops

Chapter 1

　

　

After the arcade was closed up for the night, the teens put on their Laser Tag gear to duke it out between the guys and gals. They asked Mike and Erica if they were going to join them, but they declined. As soon as they went into the room, Mike and Erica grabbed their own Laser Tag rifles that were used for snipers and put on their gear.  They held each others hands for Mike to turn them invisible and walked right through the door. Mike flew her up to an opening where snipers were designated to be, and he flew to another spot. They watched and observed the two groups below them, and waited for their moment.

Ally tried her best to remember where the rest of the girls were. They chose how far they would be as they patrolled. Since there was four of them, they each took a different sector. She took north, Clara west, Erin east and Nicole south. As she patrolled she could hear someone creeping up from behind her, “Use all of your senses, sight, smell, hearing…” She heard Mike’s voice say. She turned the corner and laid low until she saw the person walk by and was about to shoot when she smelled the familiar perfume that Erin was wearing. I wonder if she’s using that as a lure for Dan? She wondered to herself. She moved along the row of where she was at, and before she could react someone had come around the corner and next to her, fired a shot and tagged her.

“I got one!” Clara declared.

“Yeah you got me.” Ally sighed in disbelief. “Nice team work.”

“Whoops.” Was all Clara could say.

“What happened?” Nicole asked as her and Erin walked up to them.

“Friendly fire.” Ally said, “No pun intended.”

“Sorry.” Clara apologized.

“So what do we do now?” Erin asked, “We’re down one person.”

“You die!” Dave declared as he and others surrounded them. “Do you surrender?”

“How did you find us?” Ally asked.

“Well Clara saying she 'got one' was like a signal flare.” Dan told her, “No pun intended.”

“Oh how I fail to see the humor in that.” Clara said.

“So do you surrender?” Dave asked, and before they could get an answer all of their tag gear went off saying that they were all dead.

“Hey what gives?” John complained.

“None of us fired a shot.” Ally told them.

“So if you didn’t, and we didn’t, then that means…” Nicole's voice trailed off.

“That’s right.” Mike said as he and Erica came out of hiding. “Erica and I used teamwork to defeat all of you.”

“And just to clarify it was I that shot Ally, not Clara; her shot was two inches off.” Erica told them.

“Then this was all a set up?” Dave asked.

“Yes, which you put on yourselves.” Mike told them, “For the past couple of days you have been trying to out-do each other claiming one gender was better than the other. So Erica and I decided to take advantage of the situation to prove that the two of us together outsmarted all of you with working together. Not only that, but this should prove to all of you that when you think you have the upper hand…you don’t! Not until you know the area is clear of all hostiles.”

“Gee Mike you don’t need to go all Patton on us.” Clara told him.

“Clara, I don’t mean to sound like an old army General, but as your leader it’s my job to make sure that you are ready for anything that may come our way. And if that means I have to lecture you guys at times doesn’t mean I’m doing it out of spite. I’m doing it because the last thing I need to do is bury one of you because we got careless. We’ve already lost our families because of The Society, and I’m not about to lose the best friends that a man could have. Are we clear?”

“Yes sir!”

“Good class dismissed.” Mike said as he and Erica left the room.

“You think you were hard on them?” Erica asked.

“Nope, no harder than I would want to be pressed.” Mike told her.

“Well that’s good to know.” Erica said as they took off their gear.

Back in the room the others discussed what had just happened. “I guess Mike is right about one thing, we have been acting like a bunch of jerks lately.” Dave admitted.

“Yeah, and we haven’t been acting like a bunch of princesses either.” Clara also admitted.

“One thing for sure, when Mike wants to prove a point, he’ll use anything to get it across.” Dan told the others.

“Yeah I mean who else would use a Laser Tag room to do so.” Ally agreed.

“Well from here on out we watch each others back.” Nicole declared.

“Especially from unknown snipers.” Erin laughed and the others joined in.

Mike and Erica could hear their laughter, “I wonder what that’s all about?” She wondered.

“It means they got the point that I made and admitted it to one another.” He told her.

“Better than them being sad they were defeated.” She said as she put on her coat.

“Admitting defeat and learning from it is the best lesson learned. To ignore it is the true road to defeat.” Mike said as they left to return to The Big House.

　

　

　

Chapter 2

　

　

It was the week before Thanksgiving, and the teens known as The Alpha Squad were ready for the week off that was coming up. They were told at one time they only got 4 days off, but after the US decided to be apart of The New United Nations, the rules changed. Beings that people would travel during the week and most kids would end up skipping school the government decided to make a week long event to save money for the schools. “Or so they say.” Mike said as he folded up the school newspaper after he had read the article referring to what Thanksgiving was Pre-New U.N. “I’m sure the money goes elsewhere.”

“Mike do you have to have a conspiracy for everything?” Nicole asked him annoyed.

“Is that an honest question or an ex-girlfriend question?” He asked her.

“I would think you would know by now.” She said as she got up from the lunch table.

“So glad that it’s Friday.” Dan sighed, “I need the week off.”

“I take it you were ignoring Nicole’s and mines little squabble?” Mike asked him.

“By now I’d figured you guys would be past that point now that Erica is here among us.” Dan said honestly.

“Come again?” Mike asked curiously.

“Seriously Mike, when it comes to fighting super-villains you have all the answers…well almost all the answers on how to beat them. But when it comes to girls, you are totally clueless.” Dan whispered to him.

“I still fail to see where you’re going with this.” Mike told him plainly.

“I give up.” Dan put his hands in the air in surrender as Erin and Erica came to sit down with them. Dan pulled out a chair for Erin and she sat down, and Erica sat down next to her.

“So what have you guys been talking about?” Erica asked.

“It would seem to Dan, that I don’t have any clue about girls.” Mike answered.

“Don’t feel bad Mikey, that’s every man on this planet.” Erica joked, and her twin sister gave her a look saying, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Hey she’s your sister.” Dan told her.

“Don’t remind me.” She rolled her eyes.

“Erica how about you and I move to a different table,” Mike offered. “So these two will have some time to themselves.”

“Sounds good to me.” She said picking up her tray.

“Did that just happen?” Erin asked as they left.

“Yep, Mike’s a sly one, even when he doesn’t know it.” Dan nodded and they began to talk about their day.

“So Mike what are you doing for Thanksgiving?” Erica asked him as they sat down.

“Um, same as you last I checked…you know eating at The Big House.” He answered.

“Oh that’s right, silly me.” She laughed.

“Well if one thing this group has in common is that we have no parents.” Mike said sadly as he began to think wanting to be with his family again.

“I know…this’ll be the first time having Thanksgiving without my parents.” Erica said knowing that he already knew that, “But not like we did anything, Dad would stay in the library, Mom would close herself up in the room and so the cooks would make me a small dinner for me to enjoy.”

“So in other words you never really had an actual Thanksgiving.” Mike deduced.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She said before drinking down the rest of her orange juice. They talked some more of what they would like to eat for Thanksgiving and then the 5 minute warning bell rang. “Well I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

“Sounds cool to me.” He told her as they met up with Dan and Erin. Mike and Dan headed for weight training and the girls headed for Biology.

“So Mike what did you two talk about?” Dan asked as they lifted weights on the bench press with Dan spotting him.

“We discussed what we would like to do for Thanksgiving.” He answered pretending to grunt as he lifted. Even though he didn’t need a spotter for this was like lifting a feather with his pinky.

“That’s all?” Dan asked in disbelief as he set the bar of weight back on the rack.

“Yep, two people having a friendly conversation.” Mike said as he got up for him and Dan to switch places.

“Oh Mike you are such an idiot!” Dan declared pointing at him.

“I’m such an idiot Erin!” Erica complained, as they walked to class.

“How so?” Erin pondered.

“I mean, I had a chance to have Mike by myself and I couldn’t bring myself to ask him how he felt about me.”

“Look sis, your doing just fine…you’re still getting to know each other.” Erin advised.

“Yeah, but, there is something isn’t there?”

“I believe there is, so does everyone else…but Mike…it may take him awhile to say that he has feelings for you.” Erin assured her.

“I hope so sis, I mean soon Christmas will be here in the next month and I want to get him something nice.”

“Knowing you, I’m sure you’ll pick out something that he’ll just love!”

“You sure?”

“I’m positive; now let’s go dissect some frogs.” Erin said as they went into the classroom.

After school was out the teens returned back to The Big House. They went to their rooms work on homework and then had dinner. After dinner was over Mike got into his Dark-Rider guise and was just about to leave when Light-Blader ran up to him. “Is it okay for me to join you?”

“I was actually about to leave somewhere, wasn’t going on patrol.” He told her as he activated the sky-light.

“Could I still come?” She asked.

“Sure, why not.” He told her as he picked her up. “Fasten your seat belts and hold on tight.”

“Have I ever told you that you have an awesome sense of humor?” She asked as they flew up into the air.

“Nice to know.” He said to her as they flew through the night sky. About an hour later they came to a cemetery. “I know it’s not what you would’ve expected to me to go, but I needed to come here.”

“Not my first choice, but I’m sure there’s a reason you wanted to come here.” She said as she looked at all of the headstones.

“This is The Alpha Squads private cemetery.” He told her as he approached the graves. “The headstones are just reminders of who they were. Their bodies have never been found but we wanted them to have their own place of honor.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you.” She told him grabbing his hand.

“The others come here when they can, but since I can fly fast I tend to come here when possible. Especially when the holidays approach.”

Light-Blader looked upon the headstones and read them to herself, “Frank Black, Beloved Father, Husband, and a Man of God.”

“Marlynn McGreen, Loving Mother, and Woman of God.”

“Patricia Black, Loving Step-Mom, Wife, and a Friend to God.”

“William Black, Awesome Little Brother, and Friend.”

“William R. Black, Loving Grandfather, Devoted Man of Integrity.”

“Dark-Rider, the leaves are covering up the dates.” She told him.

“Oh, let me clear that for you.” He offered as he knelt down and removed the leaves…and saw that the date referring to the death of his father was scratched out. “What in the world.” He said in shock and he moved to the next one and the next one, and realized that all of them were scratched out and some of them had different dates. “I need to check the others.” Within minutes he cleared the others and they too had been scratched out. “Either this is someone’s idea of a sick joke!” Dark-Rider began to say. “Or this is supposed to mean something.”

“Should we have the others come here?” She asked him.

“No, but I took some pictures to be uploaded into I.Q. for analysis.” He then picked her up and they flew back to The Big House. On the way there he contacted them through his communicator and told them that they were having an emergency meeting. When they got there they met in The Meeting Room and he showed the pictures he had taken and gave his point of view of what was going on.

“But who else would have known where we had our own private burial ground?” Blaze asked very upset.

“Mainly all those here in this room.” Jacob answered.

“Not only us.” Dark-Rider admitted.

“What do you mean?” Frezor asked.

“The place we picked was a place where my family and I used to eat our picnics because it was a nice view of the beach where my brother and I grew up nearby.” Dark-Rider told them. “Now one or two things have happened. One, The Society is trying to set us over the edge? Or our parents are alive, have escaped where they were being held captive, and are in hiding.”

“I think all of us would buy that last one.” Molder said for the group.

“I would like to think so as well, but...” Dark-Rider told him. Just then The Alpha Alarm went off.

“Oh now what?” Shieldra complained.

“Give me a second.” Sparks said as he typed into the computer pad that was in the room, “A Society controlled facility has been destroyed.”

“That’s good right?” Star-Girl asked.

“It would be…and if these reports correct than it wouldn’t.” Sparks reported, 

“According to this over 300 people are dead.”

“What was the source of the explosion?” Dark-Rider asked.

“The media are saying it’s not us, but someone else.” Sparks continued.

“Who?” Light-Blader asked.

“They refer to the person as Black Ops.” Sparks reported and no said a word.

Chapter 3

　

　

“Great! So now we have two mysteries on our hands!” Mindra complained.

“No one likes it more or less.” Frezor told her.

“Until I.Q. can finish the analysis on all those grave markers than we should focus on this.” Dark-Rider told all of them, and then turned to I.Q. “I.Q. I need a pattern run of all the places that Black Ops has attacked.”

“Working.” I.Q. responded, and within seconds there was a map of the Salem, Eugene, and Portland showing on the monitor with red blips of all the places that had been hit.

“This guy has been busy.” Molder said observing the maps.

“He’s defiantly been around for awhile.” Sparks reported, “According to the data received he’s been attacking places for the past six months.”

“Then why are we hearing about it now?” Blaze asked.

“I’m sure The Society has been trying to keep this quiet.” Dark-Rider answered, “Cause if the people found out that the places he’s been destroying were under the control of The Society, and with the information they have now, they would be all for it.”

“Point taken.” Blaze agreed.

“So our first step of stopping this guy…” Dark-Rider started to say.

“Stop him?” Mindra asked in disbelief, “Why would we want to stop him? He’s taking out installations that are run by The Society. He’s on our side.”

“Is he really Mindra?” Dark-Rider asked seriously, “This man has gone from destroying property, which I don’t mind since yes it is controlled by The Society. But they are now saying confirmed deaths! When lives our taken that’s where I draw the line!”

“Even those of our enemies?” She argued.

“Yes, even those of our enemies. For sentencing them to death like that is not justice!” He continued, “Having them arrested and found guilty by their peers and sentenced is justice!”

“I see your point Dark-Rider.” Mindra admitted defeat, “You know you should be on the debate team, you’re a very convincing opponent.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He told her, and then took a sniff in the air, 

“What is that smell?”

“I don’t think they’ll be missing a body.” Sparks said as he placed a dead semi-burnt body onto one of the beds in the medical bay.

“You didn’t?” Metallacia asked him in disgust.

“I sure did. I figured that it’s best to find out for sure what exactly the truth in these matters is.” Sparks told them openly.

“I’ll assist, should be no worse than biology.” Frezor volunteered.

“I shall supervise.” Jacob told them as they went to work.

“While they working on those, let’s try to see when his next move is.” Dark-Rider said as they studied that data.

　

　

　

　

　

Chapter 4

　

　

The two men rode in a black van at an unbelievable speed. If it wasn’t for one of their ghosts’ code named Grease-Monkey they would’ve been overtaken by the police miles ago. They drove onto a road that led down to building that had been abandoned years ago by The American Military after The American Riots. The doors shut behind them automatically after they were inside and parked the van. They got out of the van and the young man said, “Hey Grease-Monkey! The timing is a bit off; I thought I might let you know.”

“I’ll get on it as soon as I get done with this new transmission!” Grease-Monkey told him as he came up from behind his work station. He was in his late forties, Caucasian, average height and build. “I take it you boys had no problems?”

“We’re here aren’t we?” Black Ops countered.

“I meant with planting the explosives…you didn’t get caught did you?”

“Of course not this is my dad we’re talking about.” The young man answered.

“Quiet Nitrous.” Black Ops told him, and then turned back to the mechanic, “Where are you going with this?”

“You might want to check in with Recon.” Grease-Monkey answered as he started to take a glance at the van, “He could tell you better than I could.”

“Thanks I will.” Black Ops said as he took off his bullet proof jacket. Then he and Nitrous activated the elevator that was in the mechanics’ office and went down to their headquarters. Once they were down there they saw their team at work, The Ghost Squadron is what they had named themselves. “Recon.” Black Ops called out to, “I was told you have something to say?”

“Yeah, did you make sure that whole place was evacuated?” He asked him.

“Of course we did, I even checked the thermal scanners before he went in.” Nitrous objected.

“What’s this about?” Black Ops asked crossing his arms showing that he was getting impatient.

“The reports are coming in saying that there were 300 people killed in that last blast.” Recon gulped.

“I can’t believe this.” Black Ops huffed. “It was only a matter of time before The Society knew that it was us behind this.”

“Well now they have.” Recon said shrugging.

“So what do we do, we both know that place was cleared.” Nitrous argued.

“How old was the building?” Black Ops asked Resource.

“Let me bring up the schematics.” He told him as he typed commands into one of his laptops. “Okay here it is the place was built thirty years ago during The Cold War. It was…laced with lead.”

“Why would they lace it with lead?” Asked a man that came into the room code named Hertz for he was in charge of communications.

“During that time that building would’ve been used to hide nuclear war heads. They would lace the building with lead to hide the nuclear signatures from satellite.” Black Ops said ominously. “Which means that thermal wouldn’t have given off heat signatures of anyone.”

“You mean we killed all those people?” Nitrous asked in fear.

“Only one way to find out.” Black Ops said heading back to the elevator.

“Whoa! You’re not seriously of thinking of going back there?” Hertz asked.

“Just find out from Recon if there are people there.” Black Ops instructed, “Then tell me when it’s clear.”

Moments later Black Ops and Nitrous were back on the road. Recon had called in saying that the scene was now clear. “So that place was used during The Cold War huh?” Nitrous asked.

“Yes, and once The Berlin Wall was brought down and The USSR disbanded into their nations we know as of today. There was no need for places like that so it was abandoned.” Black Ops explained, “But then most likely what happened The Society bought it and used it for whatever dark purpose they wanted it to be.”

“Well here we are.” Nitrous told him as they parked the van a good mile away.

“Stay here, if I get caught…” He started to say.

“I know the drill dad we’ve been over it thousands of times.” Nitrous assured him, as his father left down the road.

Chapter 5

　

At The Big House, Jacob, Frezor and Sparks continued to work on their autopsy. The rest of The Alpha Squad continued to go over the clues of their other mystery…that was until The Alpha Alarm went off. “Someone’s heading back to the last place that was attacked.” Mindra reported as the others came over to see what was going on. “The Alpha Satellite picked this up a couple of minutes ago.” It showed a black van heading towards the scene of the crime.

“Maybe it’s a clean up crew?” Molder suggested.

“Doubt it; they all left after the media was gone.” Mindra answered as she pulled up the video of them leaving hours ago.

“Then who would be crazy enough to go there then?” Blaze asked.

“It doesn’t matter, according to the earlier videos it showed that same van leaving the place prior to it being blown up.” Mindra reported.

“Molder, Light-Blader, Blaze, you’re with me.” Dark-Rider ordered, “The rest of you stay here.”

Minutes later they approached by air the remains of the building. “Light-Blader and I will go inside what’s left of that place. You two secure that van.” Dark-Rider told them. They acknowledged by nodding and they dispersed.

Blaze dropped Molder nearby the van which startled the occupant. Nitrous looked around and saw nothing. Then he noticed that the van was starting to sink, and jumped out of the van with a gun locked and loaded. He looked at the van and saw that the tires were sunk into the ground. “Grease-Monkey isn’t going to like that.”

“Grease-Monkey huh? Sounds like someone I don’t want to get close to.” Blaze said landing a few feet from him.

“Who are you?” The boy asked.

“Blaze and you are?”

“The names Nitrous.” He said with him still point his gun at her.

“Then maybe it’s you I need to stay away from.” Blaze said playfully.

“I would think lasers would be effortless to shoot at you.” He said, but then changed the setting on it, “but what about liquid nitrogen?” He shot a blue beam that landed on her chest and she went down in pain. He turned to run and found he couldn’t move, and he looked down to see that his feet were now in the ground. 

“What in the world?” Just as he asked that a figure came out of the earth and formed into a man. “Who are you?”

“The names’ Molder.” He answered and punched him before Nitrous could get a shot off. “Nice to meet you.”

Dark-Rider and Light-Blader landed near the remains of the building. He pointed for her to take one side and he would take the other. Light-Blader snuck in and could see a figure dressed in black. He wore gear like he was ready to go to war, a bullet proof vest, an M-16, with back up clips. Four 9mm pistols, a few grenades. He also wore a black mask over his face with goggles over his eyes. She crept up to him like Dark-Rider had shown her, and just as he got up from looking over an area where the remains of someone’s arm she said, “Hey!” He turned and as soon as he looked at her she brought up her hands lit them up. Just as she thought he was wearing night goggles, and the flash from her hands blinded him temporarily for her to attack him with a couple of kicks to the gut that brought him down. “Now why don’t you be a nice bad guy and just give up?”

“How about I don’t.” He told her and before she could react he chop blocked her legs by tackling forward bring her down. He punched her in the face to ensure she was knocked out. “Just be glad I know you‘re a good guy, otherwise I’d probably kill you.” He told her and then said into his microphone on his goggles, “Nitrous get ready to go we’ve been compromised.” Then there was nothing, “Nitrous do you read me?”

“He would answer but he’s a bit out cold at the moment.” Dark-Rider said as he intercepted Black Ops.

“You must be the infamous Dark-Rider.” Black Ops said admiralty.

“And you’re Black Ops.” Dark-Rider nodded.

“I would like to stay and chat.” Black Ops said as he passed by but Dark-Rider grabbed him by the arm.

“The only place you’re going right now is back with me to answer some questions.” Dark-Rider told him.

“You have two choices either let me go, or I’ll break that arm.”

“Is that a threat?” Dark-Rider asked.

“No, that’s a promise.” Black Ops told him. He then was knocked out by a stun bolt.

“That’s for trying to knock me out.” Light-Blader told him as he went down. “Man do I have a headache.”

“Well let’s get out of here before anyone from The Society shows up.” Dark-Rider told her as he scooped up Black Ops over his shoulder. When they got to the van where the others were he saw fowl looks on their faces. “What is it?”

“Dark-Rider you’re not going to like this.” Molder told him as opened the van door, and it showed…

“My brother…Bill!” Dark-Rider said in shock and quickly set down Black Ops, “Then that means…” He took off the mask, “This is my father!”

“That means that it’s a possibility that the rest of our families are alive as well!” Blaze said with hope in her voice.

“That’s one of many questions I have for him.” Dark-Rider said as he loaded his dad into the van.

“Why don’t I like the sound of this?” Molder asked.

“Cause I don’t like it either.” Dark-Rider told him, “Because it means that I have to interrogate my own father.”

　

Chapter 6

　

　

Dark-Rider and the others returned to The Big House with their “guests”. Word spread fast among the ranks that the possibility of their families being alive would soon found out to be a fact. “Put my brother in a guest room and make sure he is comfortable. Once he’s awake Shieldra I want you to fill him in.”

“I’ll be sure to do that.” She promised.

“I’m going to set my dad down and make sure he’s ready for questioning.” Dark-Rider said as he took him into a room, and then came back out. “How’s the autopsy going?”

“We’re nearly done, still running some tests to be sure of ourselves.” Jacob told him.

“You know where to find me when you’re done.” Dark-Rider said as he went back into the room.

He was starting to wake up, everything was blurry at first, and then his surroundings became clearer and clearer by the second. Then he spotted Dark-Rider standing across from the room. “Where am I?”

“You’re in what we call The Big House, and no that is not referring to a prison.” Dark-Rider said dryly.

“Is this how you get answers out of your prisoners by using bad jokes?” Black Ops asked him.

“No, I tend to be straight forward with them.” Dark-Rider told him as he sat down, “But you are not a prisoner and neither is Nitrous. You’re our guests.”

“So that’s why I’m not tied up?”

“Yes, but I need to know, why have you been attacking places belonging to The Society?”

“They took me and my family, except for my oldest son; he’s either dead or hiding somewhere.” Black Ops started to say, “They separated the men from the women, so I have no idea if my wife and ex-wife are still alive. So a few months ago the guys and I broke out, we had worked before back in the day when we were in the military doing missions that were off the books. But because of that my first wife left me, and after being nearly killed on a mission I gave it all up. Remarried and then about two years ago I guess it now is we were all taken. I met up with my old team and from that point on we planned our escape. Then about seven months ago we broke out, we looked for the women and kids, and found out that they were being held in a different facility.”

“And you weren’t able to find out where that was?” Dark-Rider questioned.

“No, we didn’t. So that’s why we’ve attacking one place after another.”

“What were in those places?” Dark-Rider than asked him.

“You want a list?” Black Ops asked him, and then a pen and paper was placed on the desk. “I guess you do.”

“What is this place and where is my dad?” Nitrous asked.

“I guess he’s awake.” Shieldra said as she grabbed a platter with a sandwich and milk.

“Wait, you may want to deactivate your Bio-Suit.” Jacob suggested, “A familiar face may help him open up a bit more.”

“Good idea.” She agreed and turned it off, just right before she went in, “Hello Bill long time?” She greeted him as she put the plate on the table.

“You’re Nicole, my brothers’ girlfriend.” He said calming down.

“Well ex-girlfriend but yes, it is me.”

“What is this place?” he asked as he grabbed the sandwich and began to eat it.

“You’re in the headquarters of The Alpha Squad. I’m known as Shieldra.”

“I remember now, but that means my brother is…” His voice began to trail off.

“He’s someone who is not really human, but he prefers the name Dark-Rider.” She told him and then began to tell of their adventures together.

“Wow so this is what those places was doing.” Dark-Rider said in shock, “Making more Cyber-Drones, and other experiments I’d rather not repeat.”

“Just be glad you didn’t see what I saw.” Black Ops told him, “Now if you don’t mind…” He started to get up.

“We’re not finished yet.” Dark-Rider told him, “You and I still have a lot to discuss.”

“Such as?”

“Why did you go back to the scene of crime, if you don’t mind the pun.” Dark-Rider said sitting back down.

“We heard the reports that people were killed.” He answered, “But when I went in there, there was no one around within a mile radius. I searched the whole building to be sure; we even did a thermal scan. But right before you jumped me, I found remains of a body. But there was no way that place was full of 300 people!”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes! I checked! We used a thermal to be sure!” Black Ops said defensively and pounding his fist on the table. “If I’m guilty of anything is blowing up building, but we’re no killers! And even if there were people in there, or they went in there after we left…”

“When did you leave?”

“About two minutes before the blast.” he answered.

“Hold on a second.” He activated his communicator, “Sparks, you done with that autopsy?”

“Yes and this body has been dead for a few days.” Sparks told him, “All tests prove it, and I went on a hunch and for one more thing, this body as well as the others were teleported into the building seconds before the blast! There was enough post-mortem bruising from the fall. So I did a satellite check and it shows the teleport blips on the video.”

“Good work, we’ll be out in a bit, Dark-Rider out.” He then turned to Black Ops, 

“Looks like we were both right, but I had to be sure.” Then turned his back to him for a second.

“To be sure of what?” He asked.

“That my father was no killer.” he took off the mask, “Hello dad.”

　

　

Chapter 7

　

　

“Michael? Is that really you?” His dad’s eyes began to tear up as he embraced his son. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

“You thought? Myself and others’ felt the same.” Dark-Rider said and briefly told him of the clones that had taken their place.

“I remember that night, being attacked by your own double is something I don’t want to go through again.” Black Ops admitted.

“Actually I know how that goes.” Dark-Rider laughed. They then joined the others in the main part of the headquarters. He and his brother embraced, and cried.

“This has to be the happiest moment the team has had in a long time.” Jacob announced, and then said, “Hello Frank, been a long time.”

“Jacob.”

“Wait you two know each other?” Frezor asked.

“Jacob was my teams’ handler for many years.” Black Ops answered.

“Then it was no coincidence that all of us are working together.” Molder said in amazement.

“You look like your dad.” Nitrous mentioned.

“So all of our parents are alive?” Blaze asked.

“As far as we know, that’s why we’ve been attacking those places.” Nitrous answered, “We check for information and see if they’re in there. If not we blow them up.”

“How do you do that?” Sparks asked.

“My own special mix.” Nitrous admitted proudly and he saw the look that his brother was giving him, “What? It’s not my fault that Dad gave me a chemistry set for Christmas all those years ago.”

“I hate to break this up boys, but we need to call in before The Ghosts disappear.” Black Ops said and motioned to use I.Q. to make contact, and Jacob showed him how to use it.

“Ghosts?” Metallacia asked.

“That’s what the others call themselves as a team.” Nitrous answered, “In case Dad and I are compromised they are to disappear like ghosts.”

“Nice touch.” Frezor complimented.

“They’re just following the protocols that was sent in when they were years ago.” Jacob said as he finished locking in the codes to call. On the screen The Ghost Squadrons’ faces shown on the monitor, “Hello Hertz been a long time.”

“Jacob? Wow it’s nice to see you again.” Hertz greeted, “Black Ops where did you find him?”

“Actually it was our kids that found me.” He told them and made some space for the kids to come into view to see their dads.

“Praise The Lord you’re all safe!” Cookie who was Blazes’ dad proclaimed. They all said pleasantries’ to one another and how much they missed one another. They then updated on another on what had happened at the facility that was recently blown up.

“Well if the women and kids aren’t in there then where are they?” Wondered Gizmo who was Sparks’ dad.

“I’ve been doing a search dad.” Sparks answered, “I found a building that has a lot of heat signatures on the thermal. I sent a Scout-Bot and it shows armed guards and Cyber-Drones. I was also able to hack into their data base long enough to see that it’s full of women and children’s names and ages.”

“Okay here’s the plan!” Dark-Rider broke in, “Both teams will meet at these coordinates that I’m sending you. We’ll meet there in two hours.”

“Sounds like a plan Ghost Squadron out.” Hertz acknowledged and the screen went blank.

“Everyone grab a vehicle.” Dark-Rider instructed, “It’s time to put Operation: Reunion to action.”

　

　

　

Chapter 8

　

　

The Alpha Squad and The Ghost Squadron met together at their rendezvous and had a small celebration of seeing one another again. Once that was out of the way, they gathered together to hear the plan that Dark-Rider had come up with on the way there. He started the meeting by saying, “The outside parameter is full of landmines mainly to keep things from getting out. But that’s going to be our announcement that we’re here. Blaze is going to set the whole area on fire, that’ll not only take care of the landmines but it will also draw out some of their forces. Once they start to come out we’ll have the ground vehicles come in for the first wave of attack via A.I. The second wave will result of Blaze, Frezor, Molder, Star-Girl, and Metallacia on ground assault.”

“Joining them will be Cookie, Grease-Monkey, and Recon.” Black Ops took over, 

“Hertz and Gizmo you’re with me and Nitrous. We’ll go in through the back, and start searching through the floor levels.”

“And my team will be Light-Blader, Sparks, Shieldra, and Mindra. We’ll start on the upper levels.” Dark-Rider explained.

“While the ground team is distracting the outer forces, my team will cover the lower levels team until they get in, and then we’ll go up to the top. Both teams will work their way through until they reach the middle or until they find the packages. Then we’ll meet together and release them. Once we got them we’ll divert to the side of the building where Jacob will be waiting in The Raven. Any questions….Good, now remember we only get one chance to do this, so let’s make it count.”

“And before we go anywhere, let us pray.” Black Ops said and they held hands and prayed that God would be with them and their loved ones. After they had prayed, they put their plan into action.

Blaze had to concentrate very hard! She had never had to produce this much of a fire before, once she had gathered all of her strength she called out, “Extreme Inferno!” A giant wave of flame covered the ground like water and explosions happened left and right. She came back to the others and landed wearily. “I’ll be fine.” She assured the others as she took some deep breathes.

“Vehicles go!” Dark-Rider ordered. They came to life and began the first wave of attack. And just like Dark-Rider had predicted several units of Cyber-Drones came out. As the vehicles attacked, Dark-Rider turned to Molder, “You’re team is a go.”

“Time for some fun!” Molder said as he turned himself into cement, and waved his team to follow him. Blaze took to the air and began throwing fireballs, while Frezor threw Ice Stakes into the hearts of the machines, as Metallacia sliced them up with blades. The Ghost Squadrons’ ground unit followed after them and began shooting the Cyber-Drones in the most vulnerable of areas.

Dark-Rider looked at the others and nodded. Shieldra put up a shield around them and they headed towards the rear part of the building. Nitrous placed an explosive to make a back door, and within seconds it blew. Black Ops led his team in, and Dark-Rider took his team up to the top and entered in through one of the windows. “Dark-Rider to Black Ops. My team is in and no sign of hostiles or the packages.”

“10-4 we’ll keep looking, maintain radio silence until packages are found.” Black Ops said.

“Copy that going dark in three, two, one, mark.” Then all was silent on the com links. Dark-Rider turned to Sparks and nodded. The Alpha Squads’ speedster took off and the others followed behind. As they looked around they saw that there were no guards or anyone else for that matter around. As they kept moving Sparks came back and motioned for them to follow him. Moments later they found people stuck in rooms, and Sparks recognized his mom and nodded to the others. Dark-Rider pressed on his com link and pressed in the code to break radio silence. Black-Ops sent the code back confirming. “They’re all here.”

“Copy that, we’re exactly two floors below you.” He then ordered his team to double time it.

“I need to hack into the system and turn down all the security barriers.” Sparks told the others.

“How many are there?” Mindra asked.

“More than I would like to say.” He told her as he began hacking.

Black Ops’ team came up and found the others. Gizmo wasted no time and helped his son. Black Ops motioned to the others to guard all the exits. “Blast it all!” Sparks spat, “There’s too many codes.”

“So what do we do now?” His dad asked.

“Stand back.” Sparks told him, and then he placed his hands, “Power Surge!” He shot out a powerful shock-wave of electricity through the computer and fried it! “When all else fails.” He panted. They got the people out of their cells and cheerfully saw whom they were being rescued by.

Chapter 9

　

　

“Where’s Patty?” Black Ops asked.

“A man took her down below after the alarms went off.” Molders’ brother answered.

“Then I’m going after him.” Black Ops declared.

“Not alone you’re not.” Dark-Rider told him, “Shieldra you get them to The Raven.”

“Nitrous you too.” Black Ops ordered.

“But I want to help!” He protested.

“You will be.” His father told him, “By helping these people get out of here.”

“You’re right.” And then nodded to Shieldra to lead the way.

Dark-Rider led his dad to where the place where the man had taken Patty to. Once they were in there, Dark-Rider was not at all surprised, “Superior.” He said with disgust. “Let her go Superior! It’s me you battle not a defenseless woman!”

“I can’t get a clear shot!” Black Ops said in frustration.

“You want her, surrender Dark-Rider.” Superior demanded.

“Let her go and I’ll leave with you peacefully.” He told him.

Shieldra led the others to the spot and motioned to Nitrous to plant the explosive. Once he had done so within seconds it blew a hole into a wall. They led them out and just in time came Black Ops with Patty. “Where’s big bro?” Nitrous asked.

“He surrendered his life for hers.” His father told him.

“No!” Nitrous protested and ran back inside. Despite his fathers’ protests he kept going. His family was just now coming back together, his mom, and step-mom and he wasn’t about to lose anymore of them again. He was able to catch up to them and jumped off the level he was and planted an explosive right on Superiors’ back! “Let’s move big bro!” Dark-Rider grabbed him and they flew to the level where his brother had jumped off from, and just in time. After the blast they went back down and saw remnants of a robot.

Chapter 10

　

　

Thanksgiving Day had come and gone. The teens had a wonderful time catching up with their families. They told them of all of their adventures of fighting off The Society, and how they became The Alpha Squad. But not all was good news, “I’ve finished all of the health reports on everyone.” Jacob reported to Mike and his family, “However, I’m sorry to say that during their stay that Patty was injected with a rare form of disease that is slowly attacking her body.”

“There’s no way to stop it?” Mike asked.

“None, but I’ll keep trying to find a solution, that I promise you.” Jacob swore, “We have the most advanced medical facility in the world. I will use it to my fullest.”

“Thank you Jacob.” Patty said with a smile, “But if it is my time then it’s my time.”

“I give you at least five years, give or take two.” Jacob estimated.

“Then we shall make the best use of those years.” Frank said holding her hand.

“I have selected safe houses for everyone to move to throughout the United States.” Mike started to take over the conversation, “All the families agreed that you should have the first pick.” He showed them the list.

“Sutherlin.” His Father answered, “The house there would be perfect for us.”

“Grandpa will move a house or two from there.” Mike told them, “And here are your new identities and an account with enough money to start.”

“What about you big bro?” Bill asked.

“My place is here.” He told him plainly, “If I had it my way I’d have you guys, as well as everyone else’s families live here. But until The Society is defeated and brought to justice, it’s best The Alpha Squad stays where they are.”

“You’ll come and visit?” Patty asked.

“As much as I’m able to.” He assured her, and they all had a family hug.

The day before they were to go back to school they said good-bye to their families. They wished them well in their new homes and lives. They promised to stay in constant contact. But before they left there was more place they all had to go together. They went to the cemetery where the headstones were and then took them out of the ground and threw them into the ocean.

As they saw their families leave they all decided to walk around the beach below. Some of them threw Frisbee's around or played soccer. But Mike and Erica decided to go for a walk. As they walked he played over the last conversation that he had with his dad: “So what’s going between you and that girl Erica?”

“What do you mean?” Mike asked.

“Son, one thing you could never do was fool me when it came to girls.” His dad told him eye to eye. “You have feelings for her don’t you?”

“Her and I make a great team, but…well maybe I do have some feelings for her.” He admitted out loud.

“Do yourself a favor son.” His dad placed his hands on his sons’ shoulders. “Don’t let this one go. Nicole and this girl you told me about Zendra…you let them go, but this one don’t.”

“Words of wisdom?”

“You could say that…” 

“Something on your mind?” Erica asked Mike later that night.

“You could say that.” Mike told her and looked into her eyes, “I’m not good at these things.”

“What things?”

“Relationships. The last two girls I dated I had to let go of.” He explained, “With you…from day one, I don’t want you out of my sight.”

“Are you saying you have feelings for me?”

“Yes, and maybe we should walk and talk about those.” He offered his hand and she took it.

“Yes, let’s.” She agreed and they walked among the shore at sunset.