Reunions
�������Has anyone seen Renegade?� Kai asked as she and James entered the kitchen of their quaint country style home.
������Jacob nodded as he swallowed his mouthful of cereal. �Fridge.�
������Kai looked confused. �He�s in the fridge?�
�������No, he left a note; IT�S on the fridge.� James picked up the note. �He left.�
�������Shit.� James muttered as he read the words that verified what Jacob had told him.
������Kai took the note from him. �What? Why?�
�������He didn�t say. Typical Zen.�
�������What�s typical of Zen?� Hope asked as she entered the kitchen with Garret on her arm.
�������Leaving without telling anyone during a time when he�s needed.�
������She shrugged. �Maybe he had a reason, you know, something like a life or death situation.�
������ Jacob rolled his eyes. �Yeah right he probably has a date with a supermodel.�
������ Renegade rolled his head as his pitch-black sports car sped up and closer to his distant destination. The screen on the dashboard came to life and Sampson�s shadowed form appeared.
������ �And what do you want?�
������ �To find out what your plan is.�
������ �I don�t have one. They take up too much time and hardly ever work.�
������ �So what are you going to do?�
������ �Improvise.�
������ �This may be a short rescue mission.� Sampson mumbled.
������ �I can hear you clear as day Sam my Man. It�s one of the perks of being perfect.�
������ �Depends on who you ask.� With that the screen went blank.
������ Meanwhile, back at Headquarters, another screen came to life. It was the one outside the briefing room where the Guardians were beginning the tedious process if fixing the hallway.
������ �Everyone, report to the Briefing Room on the double.�
������ �What is it Sampson?� James asked as he sat down in his chair.
������ �I have found the whereabouts of Rancor�s compound.� A map appeared on a 3-D map that hovered above the conference table showing them the lay of the land between them and Rancor�s compound. �You have a special mission. You will attack the compound.�
������ They were all surprised. �Sir?� Genesis asked as he looked between the team and the screen. �Is that wise at this time? Considering Renegade�s disappearance and recent events being what they were. There may be reckless actions on our part that could ensue serious injuries and perhaps even death.�
������ Cell stood. �Simon�s right. I�m not about to risk another life for your wild expeditions.�
������ Sampson shook his head. �This may seem wild to you James, yet it has an importance far greater than you can presently comprehend.�
������ Renegade came to a stop just off a main road. �Why am I doing this?� He asked himself as he cracked his neck.
������ �Because you were directly ordered to.� Sampson said as he appeared on the dashboard�s screen. �Plus the fact that you thrive off this type of job.�
������ �Right.� He muttered as he looked back out the car�s windshield. �So what do you want now? For me to go in search of the tooth fairy?�
������ �No, I already know where she lives, in a pleasant little elf apartment complex off the beaten path down south in Australia. Quite nice actually; her neighbor�s the Easter Bunny, they get together for tea once a week.�
������ �Great, Sampson, sarcasm, very nice. Good timing too.�
������ �Shut up Renegade and listen. I want you to stay put until I give you the word. And remember to put the radar cloak up.�
������ �I�m less than a kilometer from a compound that most likely has enough firepower to send me to Mars, plus there�s a chance that they have my team mate, probably in a near death state, if not already dead, so I think its safe to say that it�s already up. Better safe than sorry.� Renegade�s voice had an edge and unmistakable sarcasm.
������ Sampson shook his head. �Don�t mess up Renegade; you�ll have a sure fifteen minutes to pull this off. I can�t guarantee anymore than that.�
������ Renegade nodded. �Right, I know the drill. It�s just like a good ol� assassination for the agency. I have a few bombs, you want me to set one?�
������ �Do whatever you want, just don�t kill yourself.�
������ �Sampson, you really do love me.� He managed to get out before the screen again went blank.
������ �You leave on my word.� Ruse mimicked Sampson�s latest order as he adjusted his belt on his uniform in the main area of the locker room. �So we have to suit up in our armor and wait around like sitting ducks.�
Garret squawked at his comment, which earned Jacob an evil stare from Hope.
�Sorry.� He said with a shrug. �I didn�t mean it like that.�
Hope shook her head as she looked at Kai as the latter emerged from her changing room. �Go easy on him.� Kai advised her with a raised eyebrow. �After all he�s still young.�
������ �Is that an excuse or a reason for his actions?� She crossed her eyes.
������ Jacob threw his arms up in the air. �Great, I�m getting gained up by both the chicks in this outfit. I should be lucky that Renegade and Ace aren�t here, then I�d be in for it.�
������ Cell shot him a look. �Ruse, I don�t know about the others but after this past month I personally am not in the mood for your quarrelsome and rousing actions. So, please, until things settle down a little, can you give us all a break? If you can do that until the end of this mission you can have a week off and do whatever. Okay?�
������ Ruse, swallowing hard, nodded. �Yeah, whatever.� He started to walk away but stopped at the doorway and turned to face James. Anger was in his eyes. �But this mission sucks! So does every other one! This whole place sucks! We work our asses off to make a difference and what do we have to show for it?!? Nothing!�
������ Genesis was about to walk up to Ruse who had begun to throw a fit but was stopped by Cell. �No, he needs this. He has to let it out.� He then turned his attention back to Ruse who had just hit the wall.
������ �Our enemies get the credit for our work! Our kind get ridiculed and beaten and suppressed while the ignorant bastards are allowed to walk free!! Who are we to save those people!?! Why should we risk our lives to save a people who cannot save themselves?!? Why should we save a people who hate us when we couldn�t even save a person we care about?� Tears started to slide down his face.
������ Cell walked up to Jacob and pulled him into a hug. �These are questions that we have to ask ourselves every morning when we climb out of bed, and there are some mornings I couldn�t tell you why we do it. But through it all I can tell you why we should do it. We should do it to help those like you, Jacob, and those like Ace. We should do this to help those people who can become everything with help but feel like nothing without it.
������ �We should do this because in some way we will make a difference, and because no matter what, evil will rise and someone has to give a damn enough to stop it. But there are those mornings where that doesn�t mean a goddamn thing when you can�t save your friends. And Jacob, you�re right, saving the world means nothing when you can�t stop a friend from dieing. But there is something you have to realize, that as long as you keep Ace in your heart, she can never truly die.
������ �You have to hold onto that knowledge, you have to clutch onto the memory of those lost in battle and if, on those mornings, you can�t think of a reason you should help or should fight, don�t do it for you but for the memory of those who can no longer fight for themselves. And just think about all the other friends you could loose if you don�t stand up and fight for those people who put you down and those people who hurt you. Because you won�t just be condemning the people who truly deserve it to death but also a whole lot of people who are innocent are willing to see the human within everyone, if they�re given a chance.
������ �Jacob, there will always be that line between good and evil and someone has to stand guard over it. It might as well be us. I know it hurts and seems pointless but� just as you needed to be given a chance, you have to do the same for rest of the world. And remember that while people will come and go, the lessons and the impressions that they leave with you will stay forever in your heart.� Cell�s voice was low and calm. It held wisdom and patients, but moreover it held understanding and love. He knew that Ruse had been building up his emotions and using his humor as a shield and he knew that that shield was coming down. Everyone had to experience that time, it was simply Jacobs.
������ �I didn�t mean to say it.� Jacob cried into Cell�s midriff. �I never meant for her to die.�
������ �None of us did, Ruse. Things just happen. Ace told me long ago that her people believed in fate and that everything happened for a reason. If that�s true, then there is a reason she was taken from us. We just have to figure out what that is. We must believe that she died for a greater cause; we must believe that she died to give the world hope. That might not be much, Jacob, but right now hope is all we have.�
������ A man, Dr. Armand, walked up to his expecting leader, �Sir, tests have shown that the power suppressant that we have formulated is working perfectly.�
Rancor nodded as he gazed down upon his test subject. �For how long will it be effective?�
������ Dr. Armand shrugged. �We don�t know sir. Considering her abilities we gave her a larger dosage, a lethal amount to most, to be sure that it would actually fully work on her.�
������ Rancor looked at him through the corner of his tattooed eye. �What ever you do, Dr. Armand, don�t screw this up. She will die, be sure of that, but only once I am sure that your latest development in mutant containment will work. The Guardians will be very surprised once they realize that they�re capture and ultimate death was made possible and effective by their own Ace.�
������ �My Guardians,� Sampson�s voice rang out over the waiting team, �The time has come. Go silently and attack swiftly, but beware of hidden dangers. Retreat if you must, I do not wish any casualties on this mission. Good luck.�
������ �I keep on hoping that Renegade will show up in the knick of time to accompany us on this mission.� Ruse admitted as he climbed the Custodian�s ramp. �I would feel a lot better if we had the full team here.�
Hope nodded. �I know what you mean. I was tempted into bringing Garret along with us, but then I thought against it, I mean, I don�t want him to get hurt.�
������ �None of us do,� Kai assured her as she moved past the younger woman. �Garret is a very special animal, to us all. He is very much a member of this team.�
Simon sat down with a smile. �An annoying team member.�
������ �Sort of like a Renegade with wings.� James added as he sat in the pilot�s seat.
������ Renegade was about to go for a walk when Sampson appeared on the screen. �Get ready.� Sampson advised. �The team just left. Expect them within the hour.�
������ Renegade nodded. �Tell me when they�re an half hour away.�
������ �Why?� Sampson asked as he watched Renegade rummage through a bag of gear.
������ �If I tell you, it�d ruin the surprise.�
������ �Renegade.� The shadow warned.
������ He rolled his eyes. �I�ve been watching the building. From the looks of it, it seems to be an old government lab. They�re the same across the country. That means that the lay out should be fairly simple. I�ll be able to get in easier without the commotion of the fight. But, my means of entrance will be impossible with Ace�s dead weight, so I�ll need a quick and easy exit. You see Sam my Man?�
������ �Renegade, do not call me that. This mission must be a success, if it is not, we will not have another chance to gain her back.�
������ Zen nodded as he pulled out two bombs. �You better warn the team not to enter the compound. Cause when I leave it�ll be blown sky high.�
������ �Very well.� With that the screen went blank and Renegade continued his preparation.
������ Twenty minutes into the trip Sampson contacted the team. �Where are you?� He asked even though he knew the answer.
������ �We are half way to the compound,� Cell said as he adjusted the controls.
������ �There are highly explosive material in the compound so do not go enter it.�
������ Kai nodded. �Do not worry sir, I doubt that there will any problem with that.�
�Be careful, all of you.�
������ Once the screen went blank Cell looked at Kismet. �Alright. We will split into two teams. You will lead on in from the south and I�ll bring one in from west. That will attack the two main entrances. Kismet, you�ll have Genesis and Ruse; Serenity will be with me.�
������ Kai nodded and leaned over slightly. �And what was that about you not protecting her?�
������ Renegade was about to leave when Sampson again appeared. �They�re almost here.�
������ Renegade nodded. �Good. Wish me luck.�
������ �Trust me, you�ll need more than luck.� The screen went blank.
������ Renegade shook his head as he got out of the car. He glanced at the passenger seat. There were blankets and what now set up, ready to receive Ace. He waited a moment more before heading off towards the east side of the building. There was a vent close to the ground. With an expertly placed kick, the vent fell the short distance to the long grass.
������ �You�d think the bad guys would care enough to cut the grass.� Renegade mumbled when he entered the vent. It was a tight squeeze. �Tighter than I remember. I gotta run through more of these programs when I get back.�
������ He was as silent as possible as he moved with surprising ease through the vent shaft. He made a number of turns, stopping every so often to find out exactly where he was. It was five minutes before he found his destination, the storage room. From its appearance Renegade guessed that it hadn�t been used for some time.
������ �If I were a mad man where would I keep the deadly Ace?� He thought a moment. �Bedroom? No� ah, main room, center of the complex. Out this door, up to the rafters, through three walls and presto. I�ll be in the money.� He looked at his watch. �Shit. Only got twenty minutes. Better not mess up.�
������ He then took out a dagger and walked towards the door all the while humming the mission impossible theme song almost inaudibly.
������ �Ten minutes and counting.� Cell called to the rear of the jet.
������ Each team member was silently preparing themselves for the upcoming battle. Serenity was sitting cross legged, meditating; Genesis was running over the systems that needed to be checked over in the hall that Sampson promised would be fixed by the time they returned from the mission and Ruse had a string out and was performing �the cats cradle�.
������ After getting his umpteenth knot he looked over at Genesis. �How�s the A.I. system coming along?�
������ Genesis looked up from his miniature computer screen. �I think I have all the kinks worked out and once this mission is over with I will reactivate it. But I shall only run it over a quarter of the programs until I�m sure it can handle it. Security, main power, and the Chamber will be the last things that the A.I will take over.�
������ �I think that�s wise.� James said genuinely. �We don�t want a repeat of the A.I situation.�
������ Jacob thought a moment about what happened earlier that day. �James?�
������ �Yes Jacob?�
������ �Uh� tomorrow, well it�s the one month anniversary of Ace�s death. Um� can we have a memorial service for her?�
������ Hope, Kai and Simon all looked at James. �Sure, Jacob, we can do that.�
������ Jacob smiled. �Thanks. And hey, maybe that�s the reason Renegade went AWOL, to remember Ace in his own way.�
������ Renegade�s breath caught in his throat when he finally made it into the main room of the compound. From where he sat he could see Ace, side on but even then he knew it was she, the hair gave it away. All around her were men in white lab coats. They were changing the IV�s that ran into her body. Renegade clenched his fists as he remembered his time in a lab. His mind was telling him to get out of there before they saw him and did the same to him, but the rest of him resisted the urge. Knowing what Ace was going through made him move and get the bombs ready.
������ They were almost ready when he heard a voice that made him freeze and again his mind took him back to the lab where he was created.
������ �Boss, we�re ready for the nerve implants.� Dr. Armand yelled up to the platform and the figure that stood upon it.
������ �Good. Begin at will.�
������ Renegade looked at his watch, the team was set to arrive at any moment. �Come on Cell,� Zen mumbled inaudibly. �Hurry it up.� He finished up setting the bombs.
������ It was then he heard the alarms went off.
������ Outside, the Custodian had landed.
������ Cell looked at the teams as the ramp lowered into place. �So much for the two teams,� he said with a shrug. �Genesis, you lead the way with your biggest shield. We�ll follow you before breaking away. Ruse, stay with Genesis. Kismet, take the high ground; Serenity and I will take the bulk of the defenses. Genesis, wait until I disperse some of them before going.� He nodded to Kismet who opened the door.
������ Cell sent out a large beam over the first wave of oncoming attackers, knocking them unconscious before Genesis moved out followed closely by the rest of the team.
������ Meanwhile inside the compound Renegade moved silently to the vertical table on which Ace was held. He spared but a glance to look at her naked form before he took on the tedious task to gently remove the various IV�s from her arms and neck. He again paused, this time to see if anyone was coming, before he began to work her clamps open. The clearing of a voice made him stop. Renegade turned around only to come face to face with Dr. Armand.
������ Dr. Armand was surprised when he saw Renegade. He suddenly recalled his time on the Government Genetics project and with specimen 6-Z 2. He remembered looking at the picture, of what specimen 6-Z 2 would look like full grown; the picture was accurate but paled in comparison to Zen.
������ �Specimen 6-Z 2.� He said in disbelief. He let the point of his rifle drop slightly. �What are you doing here?�
������ When he noticed the gun Zen stood directly in front of Ace, hoping to protect her the way she did him over a month before. �You have my tem member, I�m here to get her.�
������ Dr. Armand shook his head. �And specimen 6-Z 1? Is she with you?�
������ Zen shook his head. �No. Now, put the gun down and walk away. I am not afraid to kill you.�
������ �You turned out even more perfect than anyone could have predicted.�
������ �Good to know.� Zen mocked with an eye roll before grabbing Dr. Armand by the shoulder. �Listen Doc, if you don�t turn around and play nice, I will not be responsible for my actions.�
������ As Zen turned back to Ace, Dr. Armand moved to stand beside him. �6-Z 2. I cannot allow you to take her. She will mean big things for the suppression of mutant scum.�
������ �Apparently you haven�t gotten the fax; I�m a mutant.� With that Zen used his free hand (the one not working the clamp around Ace�s waist) to hit the Doctor in the face, knocking him out. After a second�s thought Renegade disrobed Dr. Armand from his lab jacket and wrapped it around Ace as she fell limply into his arms once the last clamp was unlocked.
������ Renegade immediately moved her tangled hair from her neck enough so he could feel for a pulse. When he felt the weak, yet constant beats he gathered her in his arms and sought out the nearest exit.
������ Kismet looked around at the first chance she had. She was on the highest ground she could reach before the men could regain their bearings. Since she was holding them off fairly well she spared a moment to see how her fellow Guardians were doing. Cell and Serenity were standing back to back. Both of them seemed to be holding their own. Kai took a second to marvel at Hope�s confidence when James was at her side before looking at her other team members. Ruse was obviously tired but he kept fighting nonetheless while Genesis was in the same state as the others. They were out numbered, out gunned and the team knew that if they didn�t get out of there soon there would be nothing left of them to leave. It was then that Rancor showed up.
������ He floated above them, his cloak swallowing him whole. But unlike before, his hood was down and as all action below him stopped, Rancor�s gaze befell the intruders as they gathered together in a group.
������ �You have trespassed,� he said in his gruff tone, �Why?!?�
������ Cell shrugged. �We felt like pissing you off.�
������ �Well, puny man you will now feel the wrath of Rancor��
������ �Yap, yap, yap.� Ruse jeered with a new wave of energy. �How bout less yap and more wrath? Just a suggestion.�
������ Rancor growled as his cloak opened to reveal the number of tattoos on his chest. He held his hand in front of his whip tattoo and instantly a whip materialized within his hand.
������ �Alright, little one, you want my wrath,� he snapped the whip, �Come and get it.�
������ Nervously Jacob held up his hand and concentrated on the whip. It took a moment but the leather slowly but surly transformed into a liquorish whip.
Angry, Rancor threw the liquorish down, but before he could form any other weapons there was an explosion behind him.
������ Renegade slowly made his way to the exit. When he found it locked he pulled out a dagger and charged it with ER. He protected the vulnerable Ace at the same time he threw the dagger. It hit the door with an explosion that was much larger than he would have expected. He moved quickly to a safe distance before pushing the detonator to the bombs. He shielded his eyes when the giant flash of light and fire resulted.
�Bye, bye, Mr. Bad guys.� Renegade mumbled before again moving towards his car with Ace in his arms.
�Guardians!� Cell yelled through the raging pandemonium that resulted from the building blowing up, �Get to the Custodian! NOW!!� He and Kismet then held off the compound�s guards as the other team members ran up the ramp. With a final blast Kismet and Cell joined the others in the jet. The door slid shut at the same moment the ramp slid up into its hiding place. It was soon to take off in a vertical ascent before making its retreat in the direction it came.
�Is everyone alright?� Cell asked from the pilot�s seat.
�Jacob�s wounded. I�m seeing to it, yet it doesn�t appear to be serious.� Genesis informed them.
������ �Hope?� Kai asked, �Are you alright?�
������ Hope nodded furiously as she tried to regain her breath. �Yeah, fine. It�s a good thing that I didn�t bring Garret. Kai, are you okay?�
������ �Yes, I�m fine. James?�
������ �Winded, annoyed, but otherwise fine.� He looked at Kai. �All I can say is that Renegade better have a good excuse for missing this mission. We could have used him today, to watch your back.�
������ Kai smiled at him. �I had everything well in hand, and we�ll contact Renegade later. Just to see what he�s up to.�
������ Renegade sighed once he had Ace situated in the passenger seat. He never dreamed of seeing her again. He had thought that Sampson had lost his mind for suggesting this wild goose chase. Zen started the engine with a final look at the unconscious, bruised woman in his car.
������ Once he was a safe distance away from the compound, Sampson�s form appeared on the screen. �Was the mission a success?�
������ �Sh-h-h!� Renegade hushed before he pointed to the passenger seat. �You don�t want to wake sleepin� beauty do ya?�
������ �What condition is she in?� Sampson�s tone seemed lighter.
������ �She�s breathing on her own, but her pulse is weak. The sooner I get her someplace safe, the better. You should have seen it Samp, I have never seen so many tubes sticking out of one person. And I used to live in a lab.�
������ �Any guesses as to what they were doing to her?�
������ Renegade shook his head until he thought of something that Dr. Armand had said. �No� wait, yes. They wanted her for something about mutant suppressing. She was the test subject. I got her out just before they could add some kind of nerve implants.�
������ Sampson nodded. �In the trunk of your car I have taken the liberty and placed four suitcases inside. One holds clothes for you, one has clothes for Ace, while the other two are filled with medical equipment. Once you get past the boarder find the Motel de Moyer. It�s a nice little place that doesn�t care who you are or what you�re up to as long as you pay the bill. I�ve already paid for two weeks. Now, the reservations are for Mr. and Mrs. Zen Jones. Stay there until she is healed or otherwise instructed. Any questions?�
������ �Yeah, did we win the fight?�
������ Sampson shook his head. �In that type of fight there is no winner. Renegade, from this point on her life is in your hands.� The screen went blank.
������ Renegade glanced at Ace just as she shivered. With a sigh Zen pushed the button that raises the roof of the car as he thought about what Sampson told him and about what he had to do.