Camp Bam Bam

Thursday... twenty-three-hundred hours (11:00pm)

Adam was sitting in the main command center going over what the intel. team had been able to find so far. It was amazing how much those boys could come up with in a short amount of time. In less than an hour after the meeting with all the military members of the Unit, Daileass already had two satellites over the site and was working on three more. Adam already had a report in his hand that was so detailed it gave him the average yearly power usage of the base.

Right now, they were working on figuring out an exact number of guards and kids. So far every number they had gotten out of Adams had been different. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Jason had ordered his Starship, the VHC Yoshuhlnak, into orbit above the enemy base, and it was also sending down information for them. It is that ship that Adam is expecting to be able to give exact numbers.

He was sitting there reading the last report when Jason walked up to him with a somewhat disturbed look on his face. "Adam, I just got a report from Telez on the Yoshuhlnak. He says that the base has a Starfleet-style sensor dampening field in place. We can defeat it somewhat, but not enough to give anything very reliable . We also know that the base has an anti-transporter field in place." He stopped as he dropped the report in front of Adam, who just looked at it and sighed.

Before Adam could say anything else, the door opened and the three ‘Chipmunks’ came walking in; fully geared and ready to go. They walked up to Adam and saluted. When he returned the salute, Alvin stepped forward. "Sir, we are ready to head out. Any last minute orders...? We’ve already seen all the reports, as well as the latest from the Yoshuhlnak."

Jason grinned, "I see Daileass is still all wrapped around Draco's processor."

"Not what I needed to hear," Adam said, a slight smile on his lips. He then looked at the three small eight year olds, "No further orders. You know what you have to do."

"Oh, just one thing," Jason said as he sat on the edge of Adam's desk and smiled at the three boys before him. "Adam, I'd like to send one of my people with these three. That way, we have a VSO perspective as well, should we need to infiltrate with force."

"Ummmm...." Alvin said while squirming a bit. "No offense, sir, I am sure your guy is good, but we work best when it’s just the three of us. Our bond and all makes it so we don’t really have to talk to each other, plus... well... we’ll probably be spending most of our time in either the sewers of the place, or the air ducts. Not to mention... We don’t really know what kind of training this person has, and don’t know how to work with someone who isn’t trained like we are." Alvin blushed as he rushed to get the last bit out. He really didn’t want to upset the older boy.

Jason smiled. "Okay. One, it's my son, Oliver; Ollie, normally. Code name 'Fire Eagle'. He's black level VSO, so has been through the Fire and is cleared for front line work. Infiltration, assassination, espionage, sabotage, intel. gathering... he's also the Captain of our Psy-Corp. He's a full telepath, so he'd link well with you three head-cases." He then grinned evilly, "Besides, if it's his qualifications that concern you, he's already in the room. Turn around."

All three boys spun around, but no one was there. They turned back as one, and looked confused at Jason. Alvin opened his mouth to say something, but all that came out was a loud, extremely high pitched, scream of surprise.

"Fuck," Adam said as he wiggled a finger in each ear. "That could have shattered glass, Alvin!"

Alvin wasn't concerned about shattering glass, nor his commander's eardrums. He was more concerned with the fact that his balls had been forcibly pushed back inside his groin when his Mickey Mouse boxers had been pulled up almost to his armpits by hands he couldn't see.

"Ollie," Jason said reprovingly. "Now, now, cariad. Play nice with the natives!"

"But they're Earthlings, Dad," Ollie said as he disengaged his cloak, while still holding the back of Alvin's underwear. "We Colony Rats have to show who's best, don't we?"

Alvin was busy trying to shove his boxers back down his pants, while both his brothers were standing there with shocked looks looking at the boy that had just appeared out of nowhere. "How’d you do that?" Simon asked.

"Stealth belt," Ollie said as he casually pushed down Alvin's combat fatigues, helped the boy adjust himself, then pulled them back up again. "Standard VSO equipment."

Theodore, meanwhile, looked at Adam with huge puppy dog eyes. "Adam... Can we get some, or... do we have to see if we can sign up with them for the cool toys."

Jason glanced at Adam, who shrugged as if to say 'it's your show, bro!' "Well, you're trained to infiltration standard, and you have your own unique advantages... yeah, I think I can let you three have these three belts I just HAPPENED to have Ollie bring me earlier!" Jason giggled as he held out three belts that had been in the pocket of his robe .

"COOL!!!!" All three boys ran over to Jason, hugged him, and grabbed a belt. As soon as they had them on, they all looked at Ollie with a silent plea to tell them how the belts worked.

Ollie just stared back at each for about ten seconds a piece. Alvin nodded silently, and held his arms loose at his side. Ollie came over and pressed a button on the boy's new belt and a shimmer went over Alvin's body. "The belt is attuned to you now, Alvin. When it's active, you are invisible when motionless, but when you move a fleeting shadow can be seen. Normal stealth is still needed. However, there is a dampening field with them, so your footsteps won't be heard, unless you run. You can speak normally, but you can’t make a noise by clapping your hands nor stamping your feet, unless you do so VERY hard," Ollie explained. Then he set up Simon's and Theodore's belts. "The button on the left activates the cloak. The others are only used if you're in full VSO uniform with the other 'toys'."

Alvin stared for a second, then fully understood what Ollie had just said. "Other toys? What other toys... can we have the other toys?" Simon jumped in right away. "Yeah.. can we.. we wanna know what they do." Theodore was right there too. "PLEASE!!!!!"

Ollie looked with appeal at his father, and a slight tightening happened around the edges of his eyes. Jason sighed, "You need to be VSO for most of the rest, guys, and..."

"Adam? Can we? Please? Oh, come on, Adam!!" Theodore pleaded as he rushed to the desk to look into Adam's eyes.

"Jason?" Adam asked, his one word loaded with concern.

Jason's eyes went blue for a second and the three chipmunks all felt a movement in their minds. "They have the training. Most of the Oaths are the same as their personal honor and loyalty to the Unit – and the rest I can impart by telepathy, and accept the same way. They need only the Trial," Jason said after a moment. "To be 'Of the Black' is not easy, boys. But, if Adam accepts, then you three can go through the Trials."

"Adam? PLEASE!" all three chorused.

"I'll talk with Jason," Adam said after a moment's pause, for the feelings he could pick up from the Welsh Commander was setting his own on edge. "After this mission, we'll decide. Until then, I need you three, and Ollie, focused. Okay?"

Simon was about to protest, when Alvin touched his shoulder gently. The three boys locked eyes for a moment, and the childish pleading looks on their faces vanished, to be replaced by steely determination. They all turned back to Adam, and nodded. "When we return." All three of them said in one voice, then turned to look at Ollie. "If you're ready to go?" Simon said speaking for all three of them.

Ollie rolled his eyes, then stared at them. All three giggled, and Simon said, "Yeah. Mind to mind is easier! Come on!"

As they turned for the door, they all linked arms so they were in a chain. Then, "Weeeeee're OFF to see the Wizaarrrrd! The wonderful Wizard of Ozzz...." they sang as they began to skip out of the room.

"Putting my horn-dog son with your crazy three chipmunks is a tactical blunder, I think," Jason stated as Adam tried to pick himself up off the floor where he had fallen while laughing. "Did you see Ollie take that chance to see as much of Alvin as he could? Now he's singing god-awful songs!"

Adam just shook his head and picked up the paperwork again muttering under his breath, "and to think.... they all came from Logan...."

"That explains the 'crazy' then..." Jason grinned as he leaned over and kissed Adam's cheek. "Good match for you, big bro. Okay, I'll go check in with Tel again... see if we've broken through the dampening field around the soon-to-be-dead-Arse-Wipe's base..." he added as he stood up and walked out, leaving Adam to roll his eyes at his back and then continue with his planning.

---

Thursday 2345 Hours (1145PM)

Adam was just finishing up the preparations for the first of several Command Staff meetings. He had gotten all the satellite photos put up on the board so people could look at that; however, they still were not able to get an exact number. Best guess they could make on how many bad guys were at the base is between twenty five hundred and three thousand.

Jason came in, and handed Adam the latest report from Telez. They still couldn’t get through the sensor dampening fields, so while they were not flying blind, they would have to wait for the first report from the munchkins. He was hoping that would come shortly.

Sammy and his crew came in for the meeting and shortly after, many of the others started to come in. Sammy and his whole crew took time to look over the photos, and everything else that Adam had put up. Finally Adam had given Chang as much time as he could; he needed Chang right now.

Adam’s eyes went wide when he realized that Chang was blocking him. ‘I guess with what he’s been though, I should have expected that.’ It was something new to Adam, never before would he not really be able to fell Chang, but because they are both now N-Gen, Chang could block Adam totally with no way for Adam to know if he was dead or not. With a sigh, Adam called out softly. "Daileass... Can you ask Chang to join us in the main conference room? I understand that he needs some time, but I really need him here."

"Sure thing Adam." He got as the reply, then went back to working on the briefing. Daileass got back to him a few seconds later, but it wasn’t what he expected.

"Uhhh... Adam... He’s not here?"

"WHAT?!?!? Where the hell is he?" Adam asked in a loud voice while coming to his feet.

"I... I don’t know. His tracking device is in his room, but he’s not there." Daileass’s voice was full of fear and regret.

"Fine.. where’s Korris?" Adam asked... a sinking feeling in his stomach. He barely noticed that all noise in the room had stopped, and all eyes were on him.

"I can't track VSO members, Adam," Daileass near trembled. "Draco won't give me the codes... sorry..."

Adam spun towards Jason. "Where’s Korris?" Adam almost demanded.

Jason's eyes went distant, then he murmured, "Korris is blocking me. Without knowing where he is, I can't break through his blocks - I taught them to him." He pressed his comm, "Draco - Track and Trace on Blade Master."

'That cannot be done, Division Commander. Blade Master's codes are on Lock Out.' came the response from the Vulcan AI.

"On whose authority?!" Jason almost shouted, his face beginning to flush.

'Dragon Lead Seven - Talons.'

Jason's eyes went wide as he met Adam's gaze. Then he tapped his comm again, "Talons, get your Klingon arse in here RIGHT now, or I'm going to be fucked off royally... and I'm just a few steps from there now!"

Adam was beginning to pace with sheer irritation, and Jason hoped that his little brother would answer fast. However, with such a breach of protocol, would Koth be responding now? He should have already told the other Dragon Leads that he had done an override...

"I'm out here, J...Jace," came a tearful voice from outside the doorway. Koth hadn't used the comm.

Adam spun at hearing the young boy's voice. "Where... is... Chang?" Adam asked in a very measured voice.

Juan was shocked to see his boyfriend looking like such a small boy and crying. At first, Koth would not even raise his head to meet Adam’s eyes; when he did though, he spoke in a very soft voice and only said three simple words. "The Unwinnable Battle."

"THE WHAT?!?!" Adam said, then stopped short. Klingon Honor. He knew about Klingon honor. Adam fell on his ass as the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. "Nooooo." He moaned out.

Jason's face had paled at the same time as Adam had fallen over, and he ran over to pull the now heavily weeping Koth into his arms. He didn't know what to say. So, instead, he too started to weep – which quickly brought Sammy over and into their now three-way hug.

"What's happening Jace?" Sammy asked softly, yet loud enough to be heard by the rest of the room.

Since Koth was now too far gone to answer, Jason found his voice and fought through his own tears to say, "The Unwinnable Battle. When a Klingon's honor has been stolen or lost through no fault of his own – or if a loved one died NOT in battle – they can regain it – by trying to win a fight or a battle that cannot be normally won. Most of the time they die in it, but in doing so, they regain their honor. Sometimes, and only rarely, do they survive – only the greatest... and in recorded history, only the sons of Kahless managed it... Chang is married to Korris now... meaning Chang is Klingon, and can therefore regain his honor in a hopeless battle – and since Korris' own honor is Chang's... they've both gone... to die..."

"Die?" Sammy half yelled, and his own voice was drowned out by the rest of the room exploding with the same exclamation. "We HAVE to stop them!" Sammy said urgently.

"No," Koth squeaked. "We can't. I'll kill you first..."

"We can't," Jason said as he held Koth tighter. "If we did, then Chang's only OTHER option is to commit suicide... this is their ONLY chance of life...."

Through all this, Adam felt his eyes tear up and threaten to break loose, and he was fighting to hold them back. He sort of missed what Jason had said, and so jumped to his feet once he felt more in control. "WATCH ME! Daileass... Move us to Def Con Alpha... we go wheels up in ten minutes! I don’t care what it takes."

Adam was about to continue when a voice form behind him caused him to spin. "Daileass... do NOT give that order."

Adam’s eyes were wide as he looked at the older man standing there also with tears in his eyes as he leaned on his cane. "Master?!?!" Adam was so shocked that his master would countermand his order; he didn’t know what else to say.

"Adam-kun, you must not let your emotions lead you to something reckless."

Adam didn't like where this was going already. When Master Takamura used that form of address, he was about to tell people something that they didn't want to hear. His heart was pounding and he was not going to give in to Master. This was his command. He was not going to lose any more of his brothers.

"Master, with all due respect this is my command. I am not going to lose another brother this way. I will be..."

Takamura looked at Adam with an impassivity that made the room fall completely silent. He shifted on his cane and seemed to literally expand in stature. Takamura's presence suddenly became very intimidating. It wasn't as if he changed the look on his face; if anything his face was more compassionate. The silence was deafening.

"Adam-kun." Tears began to fall freely from his eyes. "Your brother was moments away from taking his own life. Do you understand what I am saying? He will commit Seppuku if you interfere with what he plans. He may very well die, but this is the only way he has a chance to continue living. You know you will never change his mind. Do you think you can?"

Adam felt a rage build up. He was close to losing it. Logan put his hand on Adam's shoulder and started to say something. Adam slapped the hand away and replied angrily, "No! I don't want to hear it. We've lost too many as it is! I am going to save him, no matter what it takes." He immediately regretted his actions because of the hurt look on Logan's face, but he was not going to give in.

"Master, you are not going to stop me."

Adam and Takamura stared at each other for what seemed like forever. The tension was so thick it could almost be seen. Adam launched himself across the room. Not everyone could see what happened. As soon as Adam was close, Takamura sidestepped. He planted a series of kicks and punches. Adam went down hard. He was unconscious before he slammed face first into the wall.

It was lucky that Sammy was in a three way hug with Jason and Koth, for the brown haired boy started raging, and reaching for his holstered gun. He never found it, for Koth had taken it, just as Jason gripped both sides of Sammy's head and captured the furious boy's gaze with his own.

The Trinity, however, had no-one near to stop them training their weapons on Takamura. "Move. Please. Give us a reason," Kevin said in a deathly quiet voice.

"Holster those weapons!" Will ordered as he made to stand in front of the three boys. "Now!"

Torn between obeying their friend and 'avenging' their other friend from a perceived attack, the Trinity hesitated - which was all Takamura and Jason needed - Takamura telekinetically removed the weapons from them, then levitated them over to Jason. The three boy's faces were completely shocked, but they seemed to calm fast as Jason joined them into the mental conversation he was having with Sammy.

Brian had been disarmed by KT, who was whispering fast into his ears, leaving Vish to stare intently at Sammy's motionless form.

Juan looked at Jory, then jerked his head at Takamura, "Did he just take their weapons away?"

"Yes," Jory said, his face unreadable.

"Did you know he could do that?"

"No," Jory said, again his face unreadable.

"Fuck..."

Jason, while still talking to the four boys mentally, sent to Takamura, 'Master - Grandfather Sarek told me of you. You are my family, in a way, for Spock is my A'nirih. Please, explain to the others if they need it - I'll explain to these four.... ummm, can I call you Grandpa?'

Takamura sent back, 'We shall talk more on that later... grandson.'

Logan had moved over to where Adam lay prone on the floor. He was about to pick the bigger boy up when Takamura placed a hand on his shoulder. "Please... let me. Adam and I have much to talk about when he wakes up."

Logan nodded and moved back. The older man pushed his cane under his arm, then bent down and easily picked Adam up off the floor. Then, without any problems at all, he carried the unconscious boy out of the room.

As the doors closed, all eyes were now on Jason and Logan. Many of them were hoping for some sort of explanation.

Logan looked at Jason, who rolled his eyes, "Looks like Master Takamura WON'T be explaining, then... I'm still talking with these four, guys. Koth knows all about it, though. Just... go easy on him, please?"

Koth looked up from the mass hug around Jason, his eyes looking lost. He slowly stood and was immediately grabbed into Juan's arms. With Juan now wrapped around him from behind, Koth started to explain. "I was with the rest of you when the Vulcans were helping your brothers and sisters. Kevin, Joel's Kevin, came running in and stood by Poppa Spock and was there when Adam told my Poppa about some other Genesis base. Then, Kevin's eyes seemed to get larger and he came running to me. He said that Joel wanted me to bring the information about the other base to him in Chang's room. So I did... and..." the Klingon boy stopped talking as huge, heart rending sobs started.

Logan wasn't going to just let that slide. He and the others came and surrounded Juan and Koth, and all were whispering to him soothingly.

After a few more minutes, Koth felt he could continue. With his voice thick with tears he said, "I found just Chang and Kor there... they were suiting up in their Vulcan made armor, and looked... serious. I kinda guessed when I saw the lost look in Chang's eyes. I had that look a long time ago when my family was made outcast and dishonored in the Empire... Chang needed to regain his honor. There is only one way – to Win the Unwinnable Battle, or to die in the attempt..." Koth's voice broke again, but he continued brokenly, "I f...fixed them in my mind... there, in their armor, looking proud and s...strong... I'll never see my b...brother again... he's going to Sto-Vo-Kor. Ch...Chang too... they can't s...survive the Unwinnable Battle - only sons of Kahless can... I'm gonna lose my brothers... But - they h...have to go, or Chang'll just kill h...himself anyway, and K...Kor would as well... Whatever happens, I'm g...gonna lose my b..brothers..."

"Wait a minute?!?!" Austin, the commander of Strike Team Charlie, said as he looked around at everyone else there, not many people understanding what was going on. "You mean that Chang has to die for some stupid reason?"

"Honor is everything to a Klingon. It is our life, our air, our food, our death. Everything," Koth said, his tears stilling and his voice becoming hard. "And your brother Chang is a Samurai... they live and die by the same type of honor. It is NOT stupid."

"Fine... I can understand Honor, but... but why would he have to kill himself. It wasn’t Chang that killed Mom and Dad, it was Adams! Chang shouldn’t have to die for something that fuck face did!" Austin was talking for almost everyone at that point...at least everyone that did not understand Chang and Korris.

"Chang believes so. It IS so. He was used dishonorably, and he is therefore responsible for what he did according to honor. He lost himself in a battle – an utter and total DEFEAT, and he couldn't DO ANYTHING to prevent it," Koth said slowly. "By Samurai tradition, he has to either avenge AND die, or just die. He has no other way out by purely Samurai tradition. However, he is ALSO Klingon as he is bonded to my brother. WE have a way out, with just a slim chance of survival... but in my brother's case and Chang's, it's STILL death... but it is a death with ALL Chang's honor restored."

"So you're saying that because someone used Chang to do something bad... Chang has to kill himself. That makes no fucking sense. I’m sorry but it’s still stupid!" Austin had no clue about their Honor, and this made no sense to him.

Koth's eyes went flat, and he pushed out with his arms with surprising strength, throwing Jory, Will and Logan away; only Juan, who was around his back, remained. "Stupid?!" Koth yelled as his Mek'leth blades seemed to flash into his hands. "STUPID?! HOW DARE YOU! HOW...." he continued to rant as he threw off the stunned Juan's arms from around himself and leapt for Austin.

Austin managed to duck out of the way, but only barely. Then he ducked again as a chair came his way, followed by a snarling and spitting, massively pissed off Klingon ten year old.

"Logan!" Austin called out, "Get him off of me!" He ducked again as he used a chair to fend off the twin blades Koth was using to slowly reduce it to splinters. Austin was trying to fight back, but he was no match. Austin was fully trained, and damned good at what he did, but he did not have the training or the ferocity of a highly pissed off Klingon. Some of the others started to move in to help their UNIT brother, but stopped dead in their tracks as a loud booming voice was heard in their heads. "BACK DOWN!"

What shocked them the most was who had said it. Very few people actually knew that Logan was telepathic, he was more than content to let Adam be the telepathic power in the UNIT.

Logan then turned to face the boy who was quickly losing parts of the chair he was trying to use as defense. "Why?" Logan asked, his face flat and void of all emotion. "You have insulted my brother's honor, Koth's brother's honor, and by association, Koth's own honor – not to mention Juan's, Jory's, Will's, Adam's and my own."

Juan added, his voice barely holding in his fury as he watched Koth finally remove the last pieces of chair from Austin's hands, "Just because you don't 'get' something, it doesn't mean you should call it 'stupid'. I don't 'get' what you see in girls, but you're living with one. Do I call her stupid?"

Koth wasn't listening to any of this. He was in a blood-rage, and all he knew was the scent of his prey before him. As he backed Austin into a corner, he bared his teeth, fully intending to sink them into the seventeen year old's neck as he eviscerated him.

It was this moment that Jason felt he should step in.

Austin closed his eyes, fully expecting to be dead in a few seconds.

Koth leapt at the seventeen year old, snarling as he did so... and stopped midair.

Logan swiveled around and saw Jason standing there, Sammy and the Trinity watching without expression, and Jason's eyes were shinning a deep, powerful blue. "Calm thyself, my brother," he said to Koth in Klingon as Koth started to float towards the Welsh Dragon Commander.

Koth was fighting the hold his brother had on him, but that was impossible. "He... he said... he SAID..."

"I know," Jason said, still in Klingon, "but he is ignorant. He shall learn hereafter. This time, I stand as thy elder brother. Thy honor is MINE to avenge. Will you permit me to do so?"

"I..." Koth trembled in rage as he hung there before Jason, his eyes locked with the Welsh boy's. "Yes, brother; I cede vengeance to thee."

"However," Jason said as his eyes flickered at the now pale faced Austin, "Should he or any other in this room make a stain on our honor again, I grant thee the right to avenge yourself. They now know better. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Koth whispered, his rage slowly draining. Grief for his brother's fast approaching death came flooding back, then, and as Jason lowered him into Juan's embrace, he burst into racking sobs once more.

"Logan," Jason said formally in English, "may I speak to Second Lieutenant Austin?"

"You may. Please do not put him out of action nor kill him. We need him tomorrow. However, should anyone here insult MY Klingon brother's honor again, then he can kill them," Logan said, his voice flat with implicit threat of painful death.

Jason nodded, then walked towards Austin. "Attention, soldier," he ordered shortly.

Austin's eyes, wild at the near death he had experienced, became a bit harder. "I take orders from..."

"Your leader, Adam Casey, is a Commander in the Clan Short Fleet. In the Vulcan hierarchy, I am a Division Commander. Since you are now Clan Short as well as Unit, you are therefore under Vulcan Ranking, Lieutenant. Ergo, I can assume command should Vulcan's interests be involved. COMMANDER Koth, and LIEUTENANT Korris and LIEUTENANT COLONEL Chang Casey have each had their honor besmirched by you. In American Military, that is enough for a severe penalty. In Klingon society, that is enough for death. In Vulcan – we are logical. We find you ignorant of the codes of honor Chang and the Klingons live by, and that plus your fear of losing Chang is accepted as reason for your continued use of insulting phrases. You said that Chang was dying for a stupid reason, and Commander Koth was good enough and diplomatic enough to explain it to you. However, you then continued to call it stupid. Had you simply said it was not understood, that would have been fine. But to call another's honor into question – I will be placing into your mind a brief look at the lives both Korris and Koth have lived through since their parents were murdered. That, plus the recent 'show' you have experienced, should be enough for you to understand."

Jason's eyes blazed out brilliantly for a second, and Austin crumpled to the floor in tears. "Now you understand," Jason whispered softly, gently. "Don't call something you don't understand 'stupid' again, my friend. It may be to you, but to others it is life. You have been punished enough for your insult. You also now have knowledge you did not have before. No other chastisement is required. On your feet, soldier, and do your duty with honor."

Austin got to his feet, his legs trembling and tears still flowing down his face. He fumbled a salute, then stumbled over towards Juan and the still crying Koth. Using the brief experience he had just received from Jason's mind-dump, he laid a hand on Koth's shoulder and whispered in Klingon, "I am sorry. I shall never call thy honor into question again. My life is now thine until my debt is paid."

Koth looked up through his tears, then closed them. "You can hug me and Juan on your lap... til I stop crying..." the grieving boy whispered. "Then, when I get the message that my brother is dead, will you make the Call with me?"

"I don't know how to make the Call, but I am a fast learner," Austin said, his eyes still streaming tears at the memories he was still seeing in his mind. "I shall stand with you." He then drew both boys closer, moved to a chair to sit down with them both on his lap.

Jason then looked around the room, and took in the shards of the few chairs that had either been thrown against the wall and shattered, or ripped apart by the pissed off Koth. "I think this place needs a makeover. Is there another conference room in which we can debrief everyone on the current situation?"

Logan nodded, then ordered a few of the kids still standing around to transfer everything to Conference room 2, which was just down the hall. Then he made his way over to Jason. "Jase... do you have a minute?"

Jason nodded his head, and together the two boys moved away from everyone else. Logan took a deep breath when he was sure no one else could over hear.

"Daileass, could you please start recording?" Logan asked in a quiet whisper. He didn’t wait for an answer... he knew that Daileass heard him and was doing so. "As of this moment, I am assuming command of the Special Forces Division. Until such time that Adam is awake, and has his senses back, I do not feel he is in the right mind set to lead. Do I have your backing on this?"

"Confirmed. As of this time, Logan Casey is de facto Commander of the Special Forces Division," Jason said in Patriarch mode.

Logan nodded then hesitated. "There is one other thing. I need to take care of something else... can you cover for, at most, thirty minutes?"

Jason grinned, "Sure, Logan. I'll explain what we know so far to the rest; you deal with whatever you need to, bro."

"Thanks man... I’ll be back just as quick as I can." With that Logan headed out of the room, obviously on a mission of some sort.

"You'd better, or I'm recalling the Chipmunks and putting them in charge!" Jason giggled at Logan's retreating back.

Logan just shook his head, grinning to himself.

 

---

 

Friday 0030 Hours (12:30AM)

Logan wasn’t sure if it would work, but if it did, His idea would give them a major advantage in the battle coming up. He stopped by the command center to make sure the intel. team knew what they had to do, then walked into his office. Once there he talked to Daileass for a few moments, before he was beamed out.

Logan walked into CIC and was only somewhat surprised to see that there was indeed someone working the main communications board. "Hey there," Logan said as he walked in.

The boy in the seat turned and looked at Logan with a smile on his face. "Hey... you're Antony right?" Logan said with a tired grin.

"Yup, nice to see you again. What can I do for you?"

"Well, I wanted to find out who I would have to talk to about trying to get our guys those sub-vocal communicators."

"Well... you just happen to be in luck. Hey Javyk, you got a moment?"

On the other side of the room a brown haired boy, who was working on what looked to be a door frame mounted on the wall, looked over at Antony. For a second he flashed Antony an almost annoyed look, but then his purple eyes softened and he sighed, "Sure, Antony." He then set down his tools and walked over to join Antony and Logan. "What can I do for you?"

Antony smiled, knowing that Javyk took his work seriously. "This is Logan; he's the Intel. Head of the Special Forces Division. He needs to talk with you about getting subvocals set up."

Javyk looked Logan over for a second before finally replying, "Sure. I'm just about ready to test the door, so I suppose we can be the guinea pigs for that, since we have to go back to Ark for me to get what I'll need. Do you have somewhere in mind to set up a receiving station, or will you be relying on Ark to do all your receiving and handling for you?"

"Well, if it’s possible, I would love to be able to have Daileass... our AI... handle the communications. I mean, there’s no reason to bog down Ark any more then she already is," Logan stated.

"Bog down? Bog down?! You're kidding, right?" Javyk almost laughed. "You poor thing, I assume no one's told you about Ark. Ark could process more than your brain can, and do it twice as fast."

"Be glad you got the short answer... Ark makes the Federation Mainframe look like an Apple IIe!" Antony giggled.

<I was thinking that I make the Federation Mainframe look like a basic calculator, but I will settle for that comparison.> A voice said from all around the room.

"Ummmm." Logan kind of stumbled on his words. "No, not really. All I have been told, really, is the Ark is some type of super computer AI, that sits there and records everything that’s going on.

Logan looked up like he always did when speaking to Daileass. "I meant no offense, Ark, it’s just that no one has explained to me exactly what you are."

<I would be happy to give you an exact description sometime in the future, but if I were to take the time now, Javyk might get upset. Let us just say that I have been around for over sixty thousand years and I have such a complex system that you might only be able to dream about such things.>

"How about I just give him a tour while we're down there," said Javyk as he started walking towards the mounted door frame again. "Follow me, please." Logan simply followed Javyk as he walked towards the doorway.

Javyk picked up his tools and then spoke out loud, "Okay, Kendall, I'm ready to go on this end." He paused for a second before continuing, "Yes, I aligned the buffers." Again he paused. "No, I won't be sticking my hand through this time. I'll be walking through." Javyk frowned, "Yeah, I remember what happened to my hand last time, but I fixed that. It should work just fine this time. Just please turn it on."

Suddenly a light on the door frame turned green and Javyk smiled, "Now we just need to turn it on from our end." Logan simply raised an eyebrow, and thought it best not to say anything. He wanted to ask about the hand, but then thought to himself, ‘maybe I don’t want to know.’

"Hey," Logan said as he held out his hand for the boy to shake, "This is a hell of a place you got here." Logan's eyes hadn't really settled on the boy, but were darting around from one place to another.

"You could say that," Kendall grinned as he took the offered hand. "So what kind of system are we setting up for you exactly?"

"Well, I was hoping to get subvocal communicators for the Special Forces division. I guess from what Javyk said, we could have the control device wired into our AI. I’m pretty sure we’ve got enough spare servers that could handle the extra load it would take."

"What type of terminal is that exactly?" asked Javyk.

"He wants to know what specs your servers have," translated Kendall. "If he doesn't think your computers are good enough, he'll want to install one of our terminals to handle it. It might just be best if I get what we'll need and meet you both there. Javyk'll assess what you need and will be able to tell me what to bring."

"Well, if we go back to CIC, Daileass can transport us, or perhaps Ark could send us right to the server room in the Unit base." Logan wasn’t really sure what was going on, but these guys were part of the Clan, so he wasn’t going to question.

"Ark, you heard the man; take us to that server room," replied Javyk. "Kendall, we'll contact you in a few minutes."

Kendall nodded and then before anything else could be said, Logan and Javyk vanished.

The next thing they knew, both of them were standing in the heart of Daileass’s server farm. Peter nearly jumped out of his skin when they showed up. No one was allowed to beam into this room. Peter realized then that they didn’t beam in; they came in by the Ark teleporting.

"Hey, Peter..." Logan called out. "Sorry to startle you."

"No prob... what’s going on?" The young eleven year old clone of Logan said.

"Well... first, this is Javyk... he’s gonna look into setting up a system so that Daileass can handle the subvocal communications. He just needed to take a look to see what we needed."

Javyk looked around a little, "So, where are these servers you were talking about?"

"Ummm... No offense, Logan, but I kinda figured if you brought him here, he’d at least know something about computers." Peter looked a little lost, and just a bit annoyed.

"Wait, so you mean that these are the computers that you were talking about?" Javyk said gesturing to the servers in the room and trying not to laugh. "What are you running this AI of yours on, binary?"

"Well... DUHHHH.... what else do you think we’re using?!?!" Peter asked, looking at Javyk like he had two heads.

"Umm, perhaps something with more power behind it, like trinary," replied Javyk. "Everything Ark runs on, from its hardware to its software, is all trinary based. I've been creating technology more complex than simple binary systems since before you were born. I wouldn't even use binary to program a toaster."

"But... but... Trinary doesn’t exist in anything other than theory... and even that’s not all that developed yet. How could you have been using it since before we were alive?!?!" Peter asked, Logan simply snickered... a few things made more sense to him now.

"Having been a part of a society that existed about sixty thousand years ago, technology was a bit different," Javyk said as he started eyeing the computers again. "We had much more advanced tech than this entire cycle seems have."

Peter sat there with his mouth moving, but nothing was really coming out. Logan couldn’t help but laugh. "Hey Peter... you better calm down there, or the positronic matrix in your head might start to smoke."

"Well, Logan, if you want my opinion of your systems, I think they all need to be either upgraded or replaced," Javyk said as he shook his head. "IF all you want is the communications system, then that's all I'll set up, but I could fix this mess if you want me to. Chances are I could add a few other little things you might need too. I can have Trevor down here to help me with Archive controls, Kendall could set up hardware, and I could work on networking and interface. It'll probably take about four hours."

Both Logan and Peter had their jaws on the floors. It was Daileass that asked the next question. "Javyk... This is Daileass, the AI that operates these servers. I would only ask one question, about what you would like to do. Would I have to be off line during that time? We are currently planning a massive assault. Not to mention it’s my programming that operates the lighting and ventilation in this base. All that would have to be taken into account if your proposed upgrades were made. If it could happen that I would not have to be taken off line, then I would ask that you do as much as you can. I have been in contact with Ark many times, and know a small amount of what it can do. I would be eternally grateful for whatever assistance you could give."

"I suppose if you still needed some of your systems, that would slow us down a little," Javyk said slowly. "But if that's how it has to be done, that would be fine. It'll only take two more hours than it would have if we can't take everything off line. Although, if I just ask Stepan to help us out and that'll shave us back down to four hours; yeah, I don't see that as being a problem."

"Then by all means, please do what you can." Logan said, knowing that Daileass had already made his desires clear.

 

---

 

Friday 0100 (1:00AM)

Adam woke up with a start. His head was ringing. He knew that attacking Master Takumura had been a mistake, but there was no alternative. He sat up and tried to get his bearings. Master had taken him down hard. If he hadn't been genetically altered, he would be dead now. Adam was painfully aware of this.

"Ah. Adam-kun it is nice to see you up finally. We have some things we must discuss," Takamura said, completely taking Adam by surprise.

Adam was at a loss. He spluttered for a moment before he finally exploded at Takamura.

"You! You son of a bitch! You are going to let Chang die! Why! I can't lose him now. I... I... need him Master. I can't lose anyone else, damn you. Why do you want him to die!?!"

Adam eyed Takamura with some hatred, but it softened as Takamura did nothing but look at Adam with compassion.

"Master I..." was all he got out before he was interrupted.

"Adam-kun. Just call me Isamu. You and your brother's are all very precious to me. I am so proud of all that you have accomplished. I do not wish to lose any of you."

Adam looked at his Master's face and broke down crying. He could not help himself. He hadn't felt this helpless in a long time. Takamura moved over to Adam and took him in his arms. As he did so, tears began to stream down his own face. He rocked the boy in his arms as they cried together.

"Adam. You and your brothers are my family. I want only the best for you. Do you think I want Chang to die?"

Adam looked at the old man. He knew that his words were true. Master had never done anything but help. At times his help was hard to swallow, but it was always with their best interests at heart.

"No, of course not, Master."

"Adam. Please call me Isamu, my son. We are past such formality now. You are part of my heart. You are a very remarkable and special young man. I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished. I wish us to move into a new relationship. Chang is the first person I have ever let call me father, and he is the first I have ever called son. I never want you to doubt my love for you, Adam. You and your brothers have transformed my life. I want all of you to know that you are my family now. Do you understand me?"

Adam was too choked up by this point to speak. All he could do was nod his head and sob into Takamura's shoulder. For his part, Takamura was not much better off. He was feeling the dread of losing Chang and he clung to Adam as well. Finally he collected himself and started to speak.

"Adam. I am in turmoil over your brother's path, but you must realize how important this is. If you wish to blame me, it is not without merit that you should do so. I am the person who trained him in the arts and ways of the Samurai. But I want you to know that it was imperative that I do so. I had to give him the skills to resist what that waste of a life had planned for him. He is far too special a young man, like you, to let become a monster. He needed something that would allow him to survive and even thrive in the difficult circumstances that you boys found yourselves in. I gave all of you a piece of me," he said, tapping Adam on the forehead with his finger, "to help you survive the trials ahead of you. I could see in each of you that you would all become fine young men with destinies far greater than those your keepers had for you."

Takamura paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. His iron will, and the discipline that created it, were all that was keeping him from being reduced to inconsolability. He was old, very old, and sometimes he felt that the weight of those years was going to crush him. He had seen so much, but it wasn't that. It was the crushing reality of how truly incomprehensible it all was. There were never any real answers, always more questions and the striving to learn more questions. It was wonderful and horrifying at the same time.

"My son. You are still so young, but you have taken on so much. I think it is time I tell you something . This is something that I never thought I would be sharing with another soul."

"Mas..." began Adam, only to stop as Takumura looked him in the eyes. "Isamu. You don't have to tell me anything. I trust you more than just about anyone else."

"My son, you need to know, and in order to understand, I must explain some things to you. My honor is tied to you and your brothers, and not just because I am the one who taught you to fight. We are both telepathic and I could just 'dump' everything from my mind, but there are things that I have experienced that are not for most to know. So for now at least, be patient and let me explain what I feel I can."

Adam nodded his head and sat back, waiting for his Master to begin. He knew that Takamura was about to share something that most would never know. He could tell that this was very important. He would not interrupt.

"Some three thousand or so years ago, I was born in the mountains of what is now known to you as Japan. We were a strong family and we had a strong clan. My father, Ikaru, was the headman of our clan. I had an older brother, called Kasai, and we were close when I was little. However, by the time I reached my seventh birthday, I had managed to surpass my older brother in many ways. My body seemed to stop aging at that point, and I was far stronger than any other child in our clan. My brother began to be jealous of me. By the time I had reached the age of nine, it was obvious to everyone that I was "Special." I could sense the truth in people, and know what they were planning before they spoke. Many took to making signs of protection when they saw me, but just as many saw me as a blessing to the clan."

Takamura took a pause and then spoke. "Daileass, would you please have someone leave some tea for us outside the door; just let us know when it has been left. We don't wish to be disturbed for any reason."

"Of course, Master Takamura; I will get someone right on it."

"Thank you, my friend. It is much appreciated."

He turned his attention once more to Adam and the task at hand.

"Things didn't get really bad between my brother and me until dad began bringing me on his trading trips to ensure that we were not getting ripped off. As more and more was asked of me, my brother became increasingly antagonistic. He began to hang out with people in the village who saw me as some kind of evil spirit. You have to understand that being the first born son back then was everything, but my strength and mental acuity were fast making him a second son in his eyes. I was able to beat boys that were twice my age in both strength and skill. I could learn just about anything taught to me almost immediately."

"You must understand that my brother was a remarkable child in his own right. He would have been the envy of anyone. He was one of the fastest runners, could wrestle and fight like no other, and had a very gifted mind as well. He felt that his spot had been taken by me, and to be blunt, in lots of ways it was."

Adam could only nod as he listened to the tale unfolding before him. His mind was still numb with worry for his brother, but he could tell that this was something very important. Master had never gone into any sort of personal stories, except in a roundabout way, in the entire time he had trained him. Adam had not even realized at the time that they were personal stories until after his escape. As the saying goes, “Hindsight is always 20/20.”

"Let's just say our rivalry grew as we did. I began to actively compete with him by the time I was ten years of age. Still, I looked like I was a child of seven, my brother found it unbearable that I could best him in combat and most other things. My mental abilities had grown considerably by then. I had realized that I could move things with my mind. My brother was good, but he didn't stand a chance when I could toss him not only with my strength, but also my mind."

"Sorry to disturb you, Master, but they have left your tea outside the door," Daileass quietly informed the pair.

"Thank you, Daileass, I am so glad that I have the chance to speak with you once again. You always brightened my day when we speak."

Adam began to say something as the shock that Daileass was known to Takamura began to sink in, but just shook his head instead and went to the door to get the tea. Outside the door he found a tray with everything needed for a Japanese tea ceremony. Adam smiled to himself. Daileass must have told them to do this.

He set the mizusashi (a stoneware jar containing fresh water) that represents purity next to Takumura. He lit a candle since he didn't have a fireplace to represent Yang. He then set the chaire (a small ceramic container with the matcha or green tea) in its shifuku (silk pouch) in its proper place in front of the mizusashi. He sent a silent message to Daileass and had him toll a bell seven times.

Takamura smiled and made for the facilities with Adam where they purified their hands and mouths. Takamura then seated himself on the floor, while Adam retrieved the chawan (tea bowl) that contained a chasen (tea whisk), chakin (tea cloth), and the chashaku (tea scoop). He set them carefully in front of Takamura in their proper places. The chawan represents Yin, which is set next to the mizusashi, which represents the sun and Yang.

Adam purified the tea container and the tea scoop with a fine silk cloth. He filled the tea bowl with water and rinsed the whisk. Next he placed three scoops of the tea into Takamura's tea bowl and ladled enough water into the bowl so that he could make a fine paste with the tea whisk. He continued to add water until the tea was the consistency of a creamy soup. Adam passed the bowl to Takamura who turned the bowl around in his hand to admire the bowl as is custom, then he drank from the bowl, wiped the rim, and passed it to Adam, who did the same. Then Adam rinsed the bowl, cleaned the tea scoop and container, and gave them to Takamura for examination. Upon receiving them back from Takamura, Adam cleared the tea ceremony out of the way and returned with a pot of tea and some small tea cups.

The sadness and worry had not left either of them, but they did feel calmer than before. Ritual has that effect, and using ritual in this way was one of the many things that Takamura had imparted to the members of the U.N.I.T. Yes, even Juan used a ritual to calm himself. Disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling his guns was one such ritual, and sharpening his knives was another.

They settled back with the tea and Takamura continued on with his tale.

"I will skip ahead several years. Over time it became apparent to my brother that I was not going to age in a normal fashion at all. He also began to note that members of our family were considerably longer lived than most of our clan. Our grandparents and their parents were still alive, which was almost unheard of in those days. You were an old man if you lived to be thirty, and ancient if you made it to forty."

"My brother came to me one day, and told me that he’d been the recipient of a vision the night before. He had seen us standing together triumphantly ruling over all the lands. He said that we were destined to rule the world. Now keep in mind, Adam, that three thousand years ago the world was a much smaller place to us. However, I had no interest in his plans for conquest."

"We fought soon after that. It was a bitter fight, and in the end I hurt him severely. My brother had formed a plan in his head already. It would still be many years before I would discover what had begun back in our village. He had already convinced several members of our family as well as several people from other families to leave our village and strike out on their own. The day after I defeated my brother in combat that is just what they did. It was nearly sixty years before I learned what my brother had begun that day."

Adam was spellbound at this point. He could not believe what he was hearing.

"My son. We do not have the time for me to tell you like this. May I speak mind to mind with you, for I must tell you about who I am, and ultimately who you and your brothers are. As I said earlier, I cannot do a full mind dump as some things are too personal, while other information, you are not ready for."

Adam nodded his head. He and Isamu looked into each other's eyes and Adam was amazed at the power of the mind he encountered. The intelligence, scope, and discipline were immense. Adam felt the bond with his teacher and it brought tears to his eyes as he shared his sorrow and grief over Chang with the man who had given him what he needed to survive. Suddenly, as if a floodgate had opened, he remembered the first time he had met Isamu. It was as if a veil had been lifted. He had been a scared little boy alone in a frightening world of painful tests. Isamu had placed a piece of himself in his mind. It was what he needed to not just survive, but maybe even thrive in the harsh world of the lab. Adam was shocked. Why hadn't he remembered this before now? Then Isamu began to send the story, and Adam's mind focused on the information he was being given.

***** Sibling Rivalry in Takamura Birejji - Bamboo Grove Village *****

Kasai followed his brother as he made his way toward his Uncle Hanza's home. The young man had grown quite fond of his father's youngest brother. The man was a quick wit and more than a match for the boundless energy that Isamu exhibited. More importantly, he did not seem to mind that Isamu always read his thoughts and exhibited other strangeness. In fact, Hanza seemed to encourage Isamu to explore these things.

Kasai had a purpose in following his younger brother today. The little brat had turned him down flat. He needed to be shown that it was the only way they could proceed. The very fact that they existed at all was the proof needed that they were destined to rule over the cattle and sheep that made up the bulk of the populace. They were short lived, prone to disease, and basically stupid. No one in their family got sick for the most part. They lived three or four times the usual lifespan. Their whole village was way ahead of what was going on outside their mountain and this valley.

The masses needed a God to look up to. It was so obvious. But his little brother could not see that. He was tied into the restricting and outdated notion of working for the greater good. Why should the gifted and truly special work for the meager and useless masses? It was the masses that had to serve and follow the orders of the gifted. Today he would make his little brother admit the truth.

Isamu was aware of his brother following him. He could always sense the malevolence and bitterness of Kasai whenever he was near. He could not read his thoughts, though. Kasai was one of the few in the village who had learned the trick of keeping their thoughts private from Isamu. However, if Isamu was able to touch his brother, he could still read him as easily as a scroll.

Isamu decided that he didn't want to see Kasai after what had been said the other day. He broke from the path and bolted for the woods. Kasai realized that he had been found out and gave up all pretense of stealth. He called out to his brother, asking him to stop. Isamu was not about to listen to him. He plunged forward, determined to elude his brother.

Kasai was very upset now, but he knew something that his little brother did not. The direction he had chosen to travel in was going to lead him to a grove with a waterfall and only one way in or out. The best part was that Kasai knew a much quicker way to get there. He made his way a bit further up the path and took the well hidden trail. He knew that he would have to hurry even though this path was half the distance. His little brother was impossibly fast.

To Kasai's relief, he made it just before Isamu plunged headlong into the grove. Kasai placed himself between his little brother and the exit of the grove. Isamu turned and looked his brother in the eyes. His gaze was measured and distrustful. Kasai sighed, but he knew that years of treating his brother poorly were to blame, and he knew it would take time. His brother was one of the special people, so he would eventually have to accept the truth that was being brought to him.

"Isamu my brother. Do not run from the destiny that I bring you. Look around you. How many like you are there in this world? That is right. As far as we know there is only one, only you."

"Kasai, I do not care about these things that you speak about. What do I care for conquest and power? I have no ambition to put my effort toward these hollow things." Isamu had assumed a defensive posture.

"Hollow? How can the destiny of leadership be hollow? We are the way we are for a reason, my brother. Destiny has taken us by the hand and is leading us toward conquest. We are superior to most of the world in every way. Powers greater than us have marked us to be special. We should not shy away from that gift. Through our superiority we will bring about a perfect world. We will weed out the weak and corrupt, and bring about a paradise. You, my brother, must see your role in this and grasp your destiny with both hands. We will make them serve as is their proper place." Kasai was so impassioned he did not see that Isamu had edged around and made a break for it. It was just enough time for him to slip past his older brother.

Kasai realized his mistake very quickly and was just five or six strides behind his little brother. Isamu went full tilt, and began to pull ahead. It was going to be hard, but Kasai would not give up. Isamu sensed the intent from his older brother and decided to change tactics. With no warning at all, he reversed direction and charged straight at his elder sibling. Kasai was taken off guard as Isamu landed six rapid hard kicks to Kasai's head. He went down hard. Isamu didn't break stride at all and was on the move as soon as his feet touched the ground. He could hear his brother's cursing as he sped off...

***** Adam's Room *****

It was nearly thirty minutes later before Isamu and Adam emerged from his room. Adam had a look of determination on his face. He looked somehow a bit older and more mature. Adam didn't break his stride as he said, "Daeliass, where is Logan? I need to find him right away. Also, have the plans for the base and all the data we have ready and waiting in the Command Center. I want the whole of the Intel. Team to report to Logan and me immediately. It is time to set our brothers free!"

 

---

 

Friday 0130 (1:30 AM)

Juan was in a panic. Rambo was AWOL. Tears were streaming down his face. First Chang and Korris, and now this. He had just gotten his buddy back. He couldn't loose him now. Not with everything else. He had just gone to take a shower. Rambo had been chillin' on the bed. Now he was gone.

"Rambo... Where are you?" Juan was thinking the worse. Rambo must have been kidnapped. "Daileass. You gotta help me. Rambo's gone missing. Some one must have kidnapped him! I need the intel team hear ASAP! While your at it get me a security detail, and file a missing persons report for me. Did we get a satellite tracking chip installed in Rambo yet?!?"

Any other time Daileass would have had to fight to suppress his giggles. With Chang and Korris going off to die it didn't matter how ridiculous what Juan was saying sounded. Of course Juan was deadly serious.

"Juan calm down. I know where Rambo is right now. One of the little guys wandered in here and picked him up."

"What?!? Where are they? I am going to kill that..."

Juan was derailed as Daileass provided a feed from the location of Rambo and his kidnapper. A boy who could not be more than three or four was sitting on the floor of one of the pods. He was busily talking to Rambo while nodding or shaking his head.

"...kid..." Juan finished lamely. 'Oh God. Cute. Real cute. NO FAIR. TOO CUTE! Man I have got to remember to use the cute thing to my advantage more often', Juan was thinking to himself. His anger quickly melted away to nothing as he listened to this little boy pouring his heart out to Rambo. As he continued to watch the boy interact with Rambo an idea began to form in his devious little head.

"Daileass you need to do me a favor. Can you make it sound like the bear is speaking? You know, not my voice but what I say." Juan had a gleam in his eyes, and a wicked grin on his face.

"Sure I can Juan. Uhm... Are you sure about this?"

Juan scowled. "Daileass, just do it. When have I ever done anything to hurt one of the little guys?"

"Uh huh." The boy said as he shook his head yes at Rambo. "Eyes Bobby. Whad youw name Misdew Beaw.?"

"OK Juan. You just say it and I will relay it so it sounds like Rambo is saying it." Daileass sounded a bit unsure.

"My name is Rambo Bobby. Why did you steal me?" Bobby's eyes got wide and he looked around the room then back at Rambo.

"No. I din sdeaw you." Was all the stunned little boy could get out.

"Bobby you didn't ask if you could take me. That's stealing." Rambo said.

"No I din. No. I dhinged yous wooged wonewy Misdew Beaw." Bobby was almost crying when he said this. Juan was quick to comfort the little boy.

"I know you didn't mean to steal me Bobby. I can tell you are a very good little boy. Why do you think I was lonely?"

Bobby took a moment before answering in a small voice. "I nowd id, 'cause Eyes wonewy doo."

Juan was touched by this little boy. He typed a message to Daileass on his terminal. "Daileass, please get me everything you can on his case, and let me know who is supposed to be in charge of his pod."

"Why are you lonely Bobby?" Rambo said in a kind voice.

Bobby looked at his feet and fidgeted in the manner of all small children. "Eyes wonewy 'cause Papa gown."

"Where is your Papa Bobby?" The small boy began to tear up. "Come over here and give me a hug buddy, and tell me what happened."

Juan was typing away furiously on the keyboard as he spoke with Bobby. "What do you mean they have no one in charge of his pod yet. The oldest kid there is twelve!" The more information he got on what had happened the angrier he got. This boy's care was not what it should be. It was not coming close to the standards set by the U.N.I.T. or Family Clan Short of Vulcan. He was pissed and going to get to the bottom of it.

Bobby tears began to flow freely and he started to cry for real, but he grabbed Rambo in a fierce hug and began to tell him about it. "Mama and Papa Awways yewwed each odhew. Papa din' wige Mama dagin' hews medsin. Papa say id bad. Papa vigded widh dhe guy Mama ged medsin. Papa veww down de sdaiws. He nevew ged up. Mama veww sweep. My bwuddew god mad ad dhe guy. He huwded my bwuddew bad. Misdew Pedews camed ovew dhen man wan away. Misdew Pedews cawwed vone an peopwe came. Daged my bwodhew gone. Mama no waged up. I aww awone. I no see bwuddew." Bobby said this almost in one complete sentence and was in tears and sobbing by the end. If Juan hadn't been so used to the little ones from when he and Jorry hung out with them he would have been clueless.

Juan typed into his terminal again. "Daileass you speak for Rambo and transport me outside his room now!" Seconds later Jaun was standing outside the room. He took a few seconds to calm himself. He didn't want to scare the kid. He stepped into the pod.

"Rambo. There you are. You shouldn't wander off like that. I was scared I lost you, or you had been kidnapped." Juan was smiling, and trying to resist his desire to hug his missing friend, but he was more concerned about Bobby right now.

"I am alright Juan. My new friend Bobby just took me to his room because he thought I was lonely. He didn't mean to steal me," Rambo said as Bobby's eyes got wide. Bobby was sure he was in trouble and going to get a spanking.

"Well if you vouch for him Rambo he must be a good kid." Juan held his hand out to the frightened little boy. "Hi. I'm Juan. Rambo is my buddy. I am so glad I didn't loose him."

Bobby was unsure what to do. Rambo suddenly spoke up. "Go on Bobby. He wants to shake your hand."

Bobby grabbed Juan's outstretched hand and blurted out. "Eyes sowwy. I din' mean sdeaw Wambo."

'Yep', Juan thought to himself, 'too cute'. Juan picked the little boy up in his arms and gave him a big hug. "I know you didn't mean to steal him buddy. It's OK. I am not mad at you and you are not in any trouble. You know lets keep it a secret that Rambo can talk. Just between us OK?"

Bobby still wide eyed and a bit disoriented just nodded his head and settled into Juan's hug contentedly. Just then a door opened and a sleepy boy came into the common area.

"Bobby?!? What are you doing out of bed? I thought I told you to stay in your room."

"Sowwy Joey," Bobby said hiding his head in Juan's shoulder.

Then the boy addressed Juan. "Who the hell are you and why are you in our Pod?!?"

"I am Juan Casey, Joey, and that is my friend Rambo that Bobby is hugging right now. Looks like he got up and wandered into my Pod and took him because he was lonely. Just so you know, I am one of the guys in charge here." Juan extended his hand to the boy.

"You're younger than me. How can you be in charge?" The boy was giving him a disbelieving look.

"Daileass. Can you inform Joey here about just who I am please?"

"Certainly Juan. Joey, this is Brigadier General (One Star) Juan Casey. He and his brothers Lt. General (Three Star) Adam Casey, Major General (Two Star) Chang Casey, Brigadier General (One Star) Jory Casey, and Brigadier General (One Star) William Casey make up the members of the original U.N.I.T. They are in charge of the Special Forces Division of Family Clan Short of Vulcan. Juan is specifically in charge of the Heavy Weapons Section of the U.N.I.T."

"Oh. They told us about you when we first got here. Uhm. Nice to meet you," Joey said as he gave Bobby's hair a tussle. He looked up at Juan again.

Joey gave Juan a questioning look. "Uhm. We really don't have time for explanations right now." Joey shrugged, but still seemed curious about it. "I'll tell you what Joey, how about you come with me, Rambo, and Bobby and I will show you what this little kid can get done."

"Its OK. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Joey was looking at the floor when he said this.

"No Joey. It's not OK. I don't mind telling you, but I don't have a lot of time right now. We have a mission, and I have to see to this little guy first. So tell me what is up with Bobby here wandering around alone?" Juan was trying not to sound as pissed off as he was. He didn't want to scare this kid. Joey seemed like a good person, and Bobby seemed to like him.

"He goes to bed before the rest of us. I read him a story and then I go back to my room when he falls asleep. Well, he misses his big brother, but we can't get anyone to let Bobby see him. He keeps having nightmares, and he has wandered to other pods several times." Bobby for his part had his face pressed tightly against Rambo.

"I see. Well I will get that taken care of right now. Daileass where is Bobby's brother being taken care of?" Juan was not happy. This boy should never have been kept from his brother and someone should be helping him to deal with this.

"He is in our medical facility right here Juan. Room 12D, he has been moved from the Critical Care Unit for quite some time now, and his charts indicate that he has been in a condition to receive visitors for several days. In fact as soon as he has a Pod assignment, he can leave the medical section"

"Thanks Daileass. Joey, why don't you come with me and Bobby to see his brother? I am sure they can't wait to be reunited."

"Uhm. Sure, whatever you say. There is not really anything I can do about it anyway if I did object."

Juan looked at the young man for a moment before replying. "No Joey. You are dead wrong. That is not how things are supposed to work around here. When I get Bobby here settled, I would like to talk with you, but only if you are willing. I will not force you to, or anything like that."

"Uh... Well. OK, I Guess," Joey said as he looked at Juan with his confusion clearly visible on his face.

"Thanks Joey. Trust me, you will be happy with what happens after we talk. Lets go. I want you to meet my boyfriend. Watch what a little kid can get done!" Juan took the boy by the shoulder with a hand and looked him in the eye. Joey could feel the confidence radiating from this kid. His eyes were different colors.

"You ready to see your brother Bobby." The little boy just nodded his head as he clutched Rambo tightly. Juan was beginning to be concerned about getting Rambo back, but he had to take care of Bobby now. He would deal with the Rambo situation later. "Lets get to work Joey!"

A half hour later, and a serious dressing down of the people in charge of medical, Bobby was laying in the hospital bed next to his older brother. He was asleep. Juan, Joey, and Koth, who had joined them while Juan was dressing down the medical staff for not setting up family visits, were talking with Bobby's older brother William.

"Papa used to fight with Mama about the drugs a lot. The last time that guy came over Papa had a bad fight with him. He gave mom something that made her really sick. Mama wouldn't wake up and Papa was really angry. The guy tried to leave, but Papa grabbed him at the top of the stairs. The guy hit Papa with something and Papa fell down the stairs. I got real mad at him and I tried to get him, but he beat me up real bad. Our neighbor, Old man Peters came out with his gun and the guy ran away."

"You are a fine warrior William. You have fought for the Honor of your family. You are as brave as any Klingon warrior." William had tears in his eyes, but the young Klingon's words brought a small smile to his face and his chest expanded with pride. Just minutes ago he was sure he would never see his little brother again but here he was. "Qu'raki, may I speak to you outside please." They excused themselves and left William and Joey talking about Bobby.

"What is it Teddy Bear?" Juan asked as he melted into Koth's eyes.

"What are your intentions regarding Bobby and William's situation?" Koth had an intensity in his eyes. "We must see to it that this type of situation does not continue. That boy is very brave. I also want the honor of hunting down the man who killed his parents. When we get back from our mission, we need to put something in place to keep this type of thing from happening."

Juan met Koth's gaze with a fire that was if anything more intense. "I already consider Bobby my 'little bro' Teddy Bear. I know just the place to have them stay. They will be very good for them. I have already asked Daileass to have them meet us here. They should already be on the way. What I found was that the U.N.I.T. members that were in charge of intake were called away, and the civilian side of things had not been set up to pick up where the U.N.I.T. left off. Actually as mad as I am I have to admit that the civies haven't done to badly under the circumstances. If anything this is our responsibility and our fault. I am one of the core members and a leader. I think it is time I did just that."

Koth smiled. He knew what his Qu'raki did already. He had joined him and Jory in their care of the little ones. They saw to it that the little ones were protected, had adventures, and knew that they were loved unconditionally. The G-Cats were also frequently involved with the care for the little ones. God help anyone who threatened them. It was very much like his family in the VSO. They both operated differently than Family Clan Short, but the truth was that when it came to family, they had more in common with Family Clan Short than was apparent at first glance.

About three minutes later a large black woman with humongous breasts. wearing a bright orange Hawaiian style mu mu, came striding up the hall. She was followed by an elderly black man, with salt and pepper hair that was high and tight. The woman completely ignored the nurse who tried to ask her what she was doing, and where she was going. She just held up her hand and gave her the look. The nurse sat back down at her desk, and looked offended. The man stopped and addressed the nurse.

"My name is Sam darlin'. You will have to forgive my Martha, Ma'am. She heard that there was a couple of little ones here that need a grandma and she is on a mission. No one can stand between her and a child in need of lovin'." He let out an infectious belly laugh. He gave the nurse a disarming grin and a wink. She blushed and said something about it being no problem at all.

"Where's my little Juany boy?" Martha exclaimed as she swept up to the couple in the hall. Juan blushed as she gathered him to her ample boosom. She turned to Koth. "Juany, who is this handsome young man?"

"Granma Martha, I want you to meet my Teddy Bear, Koth."

Martha's eyes lit up as she took Koth in her arms and crushed him to her chest. "I always knew Juany had good taste, you are quite a catch. If I was thirty years younger and single..." She gave Koth a wink and kissed him on his ridges. Koth was stunned. This elderly woman, was brash and outspoken. She reminded him of the Klingon women he had known. He found that he approved of her immediately. "Kothy boy, I would like you meet my husband Sam. You can call him Granpa ifn' you want." Koth winced at the name, it was so close to what his brother called him.

Koth was met by an elderly black man. He was obviously ex-military, his 'high and tight' salt and pepper hair gave it away. He shook hands with Koth, and gave him a warm hug and pat on the back. "It is nice to see someone has tamed the wild boy's heart."

"It is my pleasure to meet you sir. My Qu'raki speaks very highly of you both. We have need of someone to comfort our little brothers. They have been separated and caught up in red tape that we don't find appropriate for our care. We feel that you will provide what these boys so desperately need."

The four spent the next several minutes outside the room discussing the situation. Finally Juan made his way back to Bobby and William. They woke the sleeping little boy up. At first all he did was clutch Rambo, which made Jaun's stomach do flip flops. Then the little boy remembered his big brother and threw his arms around him. William let out a gasp of pain, but was all smiles at his little brother.

Juan explained that he wanted William and Bobby to be placed in a pod together, and he had the perfect place for them. On cue, Martha swept into the room. A few hugs, a Werther's® Originals candies which she made a big production out of not letting Sam eat because he had to watch his diet, and hugging the boys to her ample breasts was all it took to get the boys calling them Granma and Granpa.

Juan explained that they had to go because they needed to do some things before they went on a mission to save some boys. Juan asked Joey to join them, because he thought that he would find what Juan had in mind interesting. Joey for his part agreed. He was bemused, and wanted to see what craziness the slightly younger boy would cause.

As they made to leave Bobby called out to Juan. "Yous gods dage Wambo. He needses yous."

Juan went up to the little boy and took his buddy from him. He gave Bobby a fierce hug and a kiss on the cheek. "You be a good boy little bro. I love you and your brother."

Juan exited the room and took off at a run. Once outside the hospital area he stopped. Koth and Joey found him clutching Rambo and sobbing. Koth immediately took Juan in his arms and held him. Joey felt awkward. He didn't know what to do. He laid his hand tentatively on Juan's shoulder and suddenly found himself in a three way hug as Juan sobbed.

Forty Five minutes later Juan and Koth were introducing Joey to a man named Ken, his three sons, two other boys named Chris and Gordan, and a wild long haired blond man with a long mustache named Terry Gene Bollea. Joey could not believe how his day had turned out. This morning he was helping Bobby change his urine soaked sheets, and now...

 

---

 

Friday 0400 (4:00 AM)

Adam was sitting in his office trying hard to concentrate on the planning of this mission, and not on his brother. He had no idea right now if Chang was even still alive or not. That was probably the worst part. He was calmer after his talk with Isamu, and the planning they had started after that, but he was still worried. Adam was told by Rainer, one of Logan’s clones, that Logan had ordered a satellite moved to cover the base that Chang was attacking. While it also had the sensor dampening fields that the other base had, they could tell just from the pictures that something was going on there. The fires and explosions told him that Chang and Korris were definitely making a fight out of it, but...

"… so in other words, we don't have shit for helicopters." Will said, and Adam had to shake his head.

"Sorry bro... I zoned out for a second. What was that?" Adam said, without any of his normal energy,

Will looked around at everyone seated in Adam’s office, his brothers and his parents; by now, they all included Jason and Koth as their immediate family. They all had a very sympathetic look on their faces as they watched Adam still struggling with everything that was going on. Before Will could repeat what he had just said, a knock came at the door.

Adam jumped to his feet, while calling out, "COME IN!"

Adam’s face fell when he saw it was Uncle Mike and Uncle Tom. He had been hoping it was someone with news on Chang. Mike came into the room, and went immediately to Adam, pulling him into a hard hug. When Adam broke the hug, Mike stepped back and put both hands on the boy's shoulders. "I heard about Chang. He chose the only course he could, and I think you know that."

Adam slowly nodded while tears fell from his eyes. He was sure he was cried out, but obviously he wasn’t. "I... I know. I am so proud of him... but it still hurts so much."

"I know it does, but think of it this way, at least now we’ll have someone who might be able to control Pablo." Mike said with a small smile playing on his lips.

Adam couldn’t help but laugh at that, even through his tears. "I don’t know who to feel more sorry for." For once Adam was hoping that the young foul mouthed angel would show up. Adam was sure that he would know if Chang was dead or not. But so far Pablito hadn’t shown up, so Adam still had no word.

"I know it probably won’t make you feel better, but I brought you a present," Mike said as he reached his hand out, and Tom placed a large leather sack in it. Mike then handed it to Adam, who looked inside. He reached in, and slowly withdrew the head of General Adams.

Adam couldn’t help but smile, and he looked at the horrified look on the General's face. Finally they had been able to put a stop to this madman’s games, and save countless more people from having to go through what they had. Everyone in the room, including Janet and Joe, had looks of relief, and even some pleasure from some of the boys.

As Adam put the head back in the sack, Tom spoke up. "You know, I think that might look good mounted on your mantel piece, Adam."

"You know, I may just do that. You know anyone that would be willing to stuff a human head?" Adam asked as he cinched the bag closed, and placed it in the corner of his office.

"You know, I just might know someone who would do it. I’ll talk to him if you want," Tom said as he patted Adam on the shoulder.

"We’ll see after this mission is over with," Adam responded, then motioned for his two uncles to sit.

"Sorry, Adam, I have to get a few things seen to." Tom said as he started to turn and walk from the room. "Before I go, though, is there ANYTHING that the US Military can do to help? If you need it, I can have five thousand troops ready to go in two hours."

Adam smiled but shook his head. "Thanks Uncle Tom, but this is a family issue. When we joined the Clan, we gained a huge family, so we got all the help we need." Adam took a deep breath, then picked up a data padd. "However, we could use some equipment and supplies. We haven't recovered from Saturday yet."

"Anything you need, you’ll have," Tom said emphatically.

Adam nodded, then got up out of his chair, and moved over to Tom. He gave him a big hug, then handed him the Padd. "This is our wish list."

Tom took a moment to look it over, his eyes getting bigger and bigger as he read. A few of the kids in the room couldn’t help but chuckle a bit as Tom kept reading. After scrolling through the list, he looked up to Adam and sighed. "I can do this... on one condition."

Adam’s eyebrows rose at that, but Tom continued. "The condition is this... I’m going with you."

Adam’s eyes filled with tears one more time as he launched himself at Tom and wrapped him in a big hug. "Thank you, Uncle Tom... Thanks."

Tom patted Adam on the back while struggling to breathe. "I couldn’t do anything less for my favorite nephews. Now... I need to get working on this. I’ll be back soon." Adam let go of Tom and nodded. Tom turned and walked out of the room.

At the same time, Mike stood up. "I better go check on Sammy. See what trouble he’s caused while I was away," he said while chuckling.

Jory jumped to his feet. "Uncle Mike! Aren’t you going to at least tell us what you did to Adams?"

Mike turned around and looked the young boy in the eyes. He saw the Juan had also sat forward, a look of anticipation on his face. He took a deep breath, walked over to Jory and pulled the young boy into a hug. "I don’t think you need to know all the details, but I will say this. I live by the Golden Rule... and General Adams died by that same rule." He then turned around and walked out of the room.

Almost everyone there had a shocked look on their faces, while both Jory and Juan looked confused. Finally Jory looked to Adam. "What’s the Golden Rule?"

Adam finally was able to smile as he spoke softly. "Do onto others, as you would have done onto you."

 

---

 

Friday 0430 (4:30 AM)

"Adam," Jason said softly ten minutes later as he came into the office, "I have just gotten a report from Ollie on the disposition and numbers of the targets. You don't have enough people. Not even when you were at full strength did you really have enough."

"I know, I just got the same report from the Chipmunks," Adam said slowly as he leaned back in his chair. "I am going to need help."

"Yes," Jason nodded in agreement. "Now, the VSO are not meant to be front line, but we have been trained in it, and are able to do it. I can get in over twenty-six companies between the Dragon and Sehlat – all black level operatives. And if you can do your thing at the 'front door', we can land with our two ships and slip inside those buildings. We can clear inside while you..."

"Take the heat outside and make lots of noise – we can do that," Adam said, his face becoming feral. "But remember, you need to move fast, for General Adams left orders to destroy the 'evidence' if the base is attacked."

"We move very fast. We'll be inside and with the kids before the guards are," Jason said seriously.

Adam nodded, his grin getting wider, "Great, then you can snipe from inside once you have the place locked down."

"Riti will be in his element," Jason agreed, his own grin now matching Adam's. "Glad you approve. Here's Sehlat Lead 1, the Howl of the Sehlat, Division Commander Sellik."

As Adam stood up, Sellik entered the room, followed by his large female Sehlat companion. "Greetings, Adam Casey," Sellik intoned formally as he raised his hand in the Vulcan salute. "I believe we have an interesting mission to plan for."

"Indeed we do, Commander," Adam smiled as he gestured to the chairs before him. "Indeed we do."

 

---

 

Friday 0445 (4:45 AM)

"Okay, I think we’re ready." Logan said as he looked around at the group of people standing around the room that housed Daileass’s server farm. Or at least what used to be a huge server farm. Now it had barely half of the stuff it did before. Logan looked over to Javyk who was standing next to the main power switch. "You sure this is going to work?"

The purple eyed boy just shook his head in disgust, and flipped the switch. All around them lights came on, and the sound of computers booting up could be heard. Almost everyone there held their breath to see what would happen. Every single one of the Logan clones had complained bitterly about the link to their brother being cut off for the last hour as Daileass had been shut down and Ark had been controlling everything.

Suddenly all of the clones clutched their heads and fell to their knees as Daileass’s voice came out of the speakers, shouting out in pain. "HOLY SHIT!!!! This fucking hurts! Hold on a minute!"

Suddenly the boys on the floor who had been moaning in pain stopped, and started to get back to their feet. Before Logan could ask what happened, Daileass came back over the speakers. "GOD DAMNED, THAT HURT!"

"WHAT?!?!?!" Logan asked with concern written all over his face.

Daileass started chuckling as he came back over the speakers in the room. "Talk about sensory overload. These computers were dumping info into me way too fast. I had to get in there and tweak the programming to slow it down a bit. Now I am re-routing information so it gets processed at a speed that my brain can handle. I hate to say this, Logan, but my matrix couldn’t keep up with these Trinary computers."

Logan’s jaw was on the floor. From the reaction of his brothers, and what Daileass had said at first, he was expecting the worst. Before he could say anything, Daileass laughed and kept going. "I can’t believe how much more power are in these things. I mean I discussed this with Ark, but I never thought it could be like this. God damned, I feel good."

Javyk came over and slapped Logan on the shoulder, while the clones were all chatting with each other about the upgrade. "See, I told you it would all work out. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do."

Logan couldn’t do anything other than nod, but Daileass was right on top of it. "Javyk, since you were so nice as to give me these teleporter systems, I would be honored if you would allow me to be the one to send you back to Orlando."

"By all means." Javyk said with a rare smile. The next thing anyone knew, Javyk and everyone else that came with him vanished.

"Now Logan... you have to get everyone equipped with the subvocals. I’ll take care of the rest." Everyone could hear the grin on Daileass’s face at that point. The little boy trapped in the positronic matrix had new toys, and like all kids, he wanted to play with them.

 

---

 

Friday 0745 (7:45 AM)

Adam had chosen to spend the last hour alone in his office. It had been almost two hours since the last time they were able to see anything happen at the Genesis base that Chang and Korris had assaulted. Fires were still burning, but nothing had happened there in the last hour and a half, at least nothing that they could see from the satellite. He was beginning to lose hope that he would ever see his brother alive again. Silently, he started to weep again. Chang meant so much to him, that he didn’t know how he would go on without his brother. His second in command... His rock.

Very few people know how close he and Chang actually are . Logan was always there to help him when he needed it, but Chang was there when he needed guidance. Chang was more than just a noble and honorable warrior; he was one of the wisest people he knew, not to mention a master tactician. Adam might be better at large scale engagements, but Chang was unsurpassed in small team combat. That was the one thing that kept any hope alive in Adam’s mind that maybe... just maybe; Chang would be able to pull off the impossible.

"Adam?" Daileass’s voice came over the speakers. Adam looked up, expectantly.

"Go ahead!" He said in a rushed voice.

"I’m sorry Adam... This is not about Chang." The AI’s voice was full of regret. He wanted nothing more than to be able to give Adam the news he was waiting for.

Adam slumped, and sat back in his chair. "Okay... what is it?"

"Sir, there are some people outside the Command Center that wish to speak with you."

Adam couldn’t help but sigh. "Daileass... I’m not really in the mood to talk to anyone right now. Can they come back later?"

Daileass didn’t say anything for a moment, and Adam thought that maybe he would be left alone. But that wasn’t to be the case. "Adam. I am asking you as a brother... please talk to them."

Adam closed his eyes and signed. He really would have liked to say no, but he knew he couldn’t. Not when he was asked like that. He nodded his head, knowing Daileass could see him, then got up out of his chair. The door opened even before he got there, and he walked out into the controlled chaos that was the command center.

Logan started to rise out of the Command Chair when Adam raised his hand and headed for the door. Logan never missed a beat, and went back to issuing orders to his brothers, and the rest of the intel. team.

When Adam walked out of the door, well, he wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but this definitely was not it. Adam took a moment, and quickly counted the seventy three pairs of eyes that looked back at him. The oldest of them were about seventeen... the youngest could have been a twin of one of the boys Adam knew very well. Mark Little. Adam took a moment to get over his shock, then opened his mouth. "Okay... what can I do for all of you?"

One of the kids, about fifteen, stepped forward. "Uhh... Sir? Well, I know you don’t know all of us, but we were all brought here in the last few days. You may not know this, but we’ve all started to lean on each other to try and make it through everything that happened to us. But... but we all know that it was you and your family that gave us a place to finally be able to feel safe."

The boy looked very nervous, and glanced back to his fellows; most of them nodding at him to continue. He turned back to Adam and took another nervous deep breath. Adam knew this was something the boy had to do, so he waited patiently. "I... I guess what I am saying... what we wanted to say was... Thank you."

Adam couldn’t help but smile. This is what he and his brothers had worked so hard to build, and this simple thank you... this was all he needed to hear to know they had done the right thing. "You're welcome. I am glad we could help you guys."

They all nodded, and one of them pushed the spokesman a little, and Adam knew he wasn’t done yet. "Well... We also heard a bit of what’s going on, and what you guys are planning. And... well... we wanna help?"

Adam’s eyes rose a bit in surprise. He was not expecting that. He recovered quickly though and looked at everyone there. They all had the same look of determination in their eyes. The same look that he saw in so many other kids’ eyes. Most of them of course; he would never be able to look in the eyes again. Adam knew what he should do, knew what Mark Little would want him to do, but he just didn’t have the time.

"I’m sorry, guys, there just isn’t the time to get you trained to the point that you could help. If I let you guys go with us, it would be suicide for all of you." Adam saw most of their faces drop, and he quickly went on. "When we get back, I will make sure that all of you get trained in whatever you want, but for now, the best we can do is have you guys help with..."

"ADAM!" A voice came over all the speakers in the base. Whoever was calling him simply hit the all call button. "Adam! You need to get up to the flight deck right now. There’s a bunch of armored kids walking in... with the bodies of.. MY GOD.. with the bodies of Chang and Korris!"

Adam’s eyes flew open wide, and he launched himself down the hall. Most of the kids barely having time to get out of his way, the rest just hit the ground, and Adam jumped over them. Behind him he heard many other running feet, but he was too focused on the door in front of him; the one that lead to the hanger deck.

Before it was even halfway opened, Adam was through it, and running at full speed to the other side of the hanger, where a group of kids were gathered around two forms lying on the floor.

He pushed his way through the crowd and stopped dead at what he saw before him. Both Chang and Korris were fucked up badly. Neither one of them had any armor left... just tatters. Adam knew from the style of what tatters remained that it was the Vulcan armor Chang had received the day before. But there wasn’t enough of it left to cover more than an inch of the boy's body. There were countless bullet holes in both boys, and even more cuts, scrapes and gashes. Adam was frozen in shock. He never thought he would see Chang or Korris like this.

He sucked in his breath further when he saw that Korris' right arm was missing from his elbow down; cut clean off. Chang was missing an ear, and it looked like most of his left foot had been blown off. He struggled to not throw up.

Adam couldn’t imagine what it would take to make these two warriors be in this bad of a shape. He was jarred back to life as he got pushed out of the way by the medical team coming in. He was lost in a fog as he heard Gordan, the doctor that ran the hospital ward, scream out for more help. Chang’s pulse was fading fast, and he wasn’t breathing.

Adam heard the faint but steady pulse tone from the life pack that was just attached to Korris. "FLATLINE!!! Does anyone here know anything about Klingon Anatomy?!?!?"

Jason ran over and pushed the doctor to one side, and started hammering on Korris' chest in a strange, alien rhythm. The tone started to beep again, but it was erratic. "His heart is lower, and to the right," the Welsh boy sobbed as the doctor took over.

Jason collapsed back against Adam's legs and just cried as he saw Korris' eyes flicker. "Hang in there... please, blood-brother... hang in there... I can't lose you..."

Adam fell down to his knees next to Jason as he heard Logan’s frantic voice. "ARK! We need medical help here now! Can you teleport to your medbay?"

Adam heard Ark’s voice and could even hear the sorrow in it. <I am sorry, Logan, but because of what they are, I cannot help them. They are too far gone for anything I can do.> Adam only heard Logan sob in response to what Ark had said. Then he heard another voice join the mob. It was his mother’s.

Adam looked up with hope as he saw one of the kids get pushed aside as Janet came running in next to Chang. She also had tears in her eyes, but she couldn’t let one of her boys go without a fight. "Start CPR and get a med kit in here NOW!" He heard her say as she started to pump on the boy's chest. "Get me a Defibrillator, and all the damned Cardiac Drugs we have. I am not going to let him die!" She said the last part more to herself than to anyone else.

Juan and Koth arrived at this moment, winded from the hell for leather run they had made to get there.

"Kor..." Koth whispered as he slid to a stop before the horror in front of him.

"I... I can't keep his heart going," Doctor Gordan spat out in frustration and sorrow as he worked feverishly on Korris' prone form. "We're losing him!"

"CHANG! Don't you DARE die on me! Don't you fucking DARE!" Janet screamed at the same moment as the equipment hooked up to both boys started to register flat line again.

Koth was at Korris' head an instant later. Pushing the doctor away hard, he held open his brother's fast fading eyes and started to roar at the heavens.

He started the Call.

A presence appeared next to him. Austin. The teen knelt and also started to roar.

And so did Jason, although each roar was hitching in his chest with his sobs.

Juan was doing the same thing for Chang, holding his eyes open; he might not be Klingon, but he was bonded to one, and come hell or high water, Juan was going to make sure that Sto'Vo'Kor and Kahless knew of his warrior brother’s death. He threw his head back, and joined his crying roar in with Koth’s. Moments later, Adam joined in, then Logan, then the rest of Chang’s brothers. All crying, but all warning those in Sto'Vo'Kor that two warriors were coming.

Janet never stopped working. "Time... I just need more time. God DAMNIT I will not lose another!" she whispered to herself as she frantically kept trying. "WHERE'S THE GOD DAMNED DRUGS?!?!" She screamed out looking around; never once did she stop trying to save one of her sons. She couldn't.

A massive thrumming filled the air, and a blue Police Box filled the space near to the massed group of people. Curses of shock and surprise were drowned out in hopeful wonder as the Tardis appeared, and the doors opened to let out little Joel Short, the Doctor and Levi.

"Did someone say Ti... oh... oh no..." the Doctor whispered as he looked down at the two dying warriors.

Frantically, while the roars of the children continued, the Doctor pulled out a sonic device and started scanning. "I... noooo, it's too far. They've gone too far.... Levi?"

As the Doctor turned to the small Mikyvis, he saw that it was hopeless. Levi's eyes were running tears, and he was shaking his head. "I can't. I see them, Galli. They're leaving... they're leaving and I can't stop them..." the boy sobbed.

Joel fell to his knees. "I WILL NOT LOSE YOU!" he yelled, but nothing happened. Nothing. No tremor, no thrill up his spine... nothing.

"Destiny cannot be changed this time," the Doctor whispered as he, too, broke down in tears.

Koth stopped roaring as Korris' eyes went blank. Juan and the others stopped too, for Chang's eyes were the same.

Dead. Both dead.

"I... I cannot go on without you, brother... I can't live in Dishonor alone. Not even with my heart, my Juan," Koth wept as he reached for a broken piece of his brother's Bat'leth that was still clutched in his brother's unmarred good hand. As he took it into his hands, he raised his eyes to Juan and, through his tears, saw Juan nodding back at him.

"Sorry, Adam," Juan whispered as he too reached for the hanso sword that lay master less by Chang's hand. "I’m Sorry..."

Janet screamed "NO!!!" and tried to lunge for Juan, but she was not fast enough. As both boys plunged the blades into their own hearts, with everyone else watching in horror, a voice was heard.

"Kahless has Heard the Call - and Kahless now Answers the Call. I have come for these four True Warriors; the last two of my House and their two bonded. All four I claim as my own. For two are my children by right of Blood. And all four are now my Sons by right of Honor."

As both Koth and Juan toppled over dead to lie upon the cooling bodies of their dead brothers, everyone else moved back from the seven foot tall Klingon that had appeared in their midst, and who was walking towards the horror in the middle of them all. The grieving mother would not stop working, no matter what, though. Janet moved Juan off of Chang, and was frantically trying to save them both.

His armor shone as the dawn, and the ancient Mek'leth blades on his hips spat light back at everyone, as did the two D'k tahg knives strapped to his boots. The huge, old and wondrous Bat'leth in his hands sang as he twirled it through the air, and the two crossed Yan straight-blades rode high on his back.

"Kahless has come for his sons - for the Mighty Fallen in Battle, and the Mighty of Heart not willing to be parted," intoned the greatest Warrior-General to ever walk with mortal kind:

"I, Kahless the Unforgettable, am here..."

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Author's Notes:

I think it would be wisest if I neglected to put authors comments in here, and just got back to writing. Probably safer for me that way. LOL

Lord Roland

Co-Author's notes:

Evil? Us? Naaaaaaa!

Hehehehe....

Iluvantir

Editors Notes:

Ah Crap!!!! Another cliff hanger!!! I worked so hard to get to the end so I could find out what happened and now this!!! I am one upset Pupper Dog!!!!

Well, Roland has done it again. What a great chapter. We know a little more about Isamu and some idea that he has plans for or with the boys.

WOW, Daileass has an even better personality than I thought! He just got one heck of an upgrade too!!! I just wonder how many toys they did give him because I bet he really wants to show off now!!!

So, what in the heck happened over there at the base? How will we ever find out? What really happened to Chang and Korris? What will Adam do now? We just finished one funeral, now we are going to have to have another for these four boys. Damn, Juan just got himself together and got a boyfriend. This is just too much for one old Dog to handle. How about we all put Roland in the Dog House over this one!!!!

Thanks Roland and I can’t wait for the next chapter! SO SEND IT NOW!!!

Boxerdude

Darryl's Notes: I'm with Boxerdude, That was quite annoying, to say the least. We have lost so many people, and all of the people here have been through so much. This really sucks.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher