David finished swimming the length of the heat Olympic sized indoor pool. Pulling himself onto the side, the sun-drenched courtyard with the fire pit and comfortable chairs could be seen through the open double doors. Tension knotted his shoulders while lack of sleep played with his orientation. Pushing to his feet, he padded over to the towel on a lounger. The sound of running feet had his enhanced reflexes kicking in, quickly turning to catch his sister launching herself into his arms.

"David," Tina hugged him tightly, "I haven't had the opportunity to say thank you for getting us out of that hell hole."

"I made a promise remember," he said, returning the hug, "I'm sorry you have been pulled into this whole mess."

"I was getting bored with my old life," she teased, "tell me about Breanna."

"Breanna," David cleared his throat as his lips twitched up, "a headstrong, beautiful, tenacious, complicated woman."

"You like her," Tina narrowed her eyes on him, "you like her a lot."

"Yes," his smile widened, "I'm not pushing anything, but I'm hoping. The way we met was not conventional nor a manner that would make her trust me easily."

"Promise me you will take the opportunity to tell her when it comes," Tina looked at him earnestly.

"I will," he kissed her cheek, his phone beeped, drawing his attention, "I have to go."

Tina watched him leave. She may not have abilities like the others, but she knew emotions. Turning toward the courtyard, Tina headed to the garden just beyond. She knew Breanna liked David, and the feeling was reciprocated. At least her brother wanted something from it. She wondered if perhaps she was the only one who saw the potential.

Wandering the paths, Tina finally sat under a large tree, leaning against the tall trunk. Looking up at the beauty around her, a pair of watchful grey eyes met her surprised gaze.

Craig.

Breanna's ever-watchful eldest brother, who always seemed to appear. The current world she lived in was nothing like the world Tina had been part of; she was not the same person she had been before her kidnapping and incarceration. Each day brought a new struggle to find meaningful space in this present world. A civilian and average human making her question if she would fit at all. Valencia seemed to think it was possible to adjust, but Tina was not convinced. Wandering back through the courtyard, she followed the passage through the ground level of the house, opening the front door preparing to step out and enjoy a leisurely stroll across the luxurious lawn to the lake. Suddenly a strong arm snaked around her waist, bringing her against the rock hard chest. Looking over her shoulder, she met the concerned grey eyes of the ever-present Craig.

"The motion sensors haven't been deactivated," he nodded to the side of the stone stairway, "you would have locked the whole place down."

Tina looked from the tiny red light of the motion sensor to where her foot hung in the air. A whisker of space between the two.

"Thank you," she whispered, "I seem to be doing everything wrong."

Gently Craig turned inside the house with her still held in his arm, lowering her to the floor before him, "You'll get used to it and find your space."

Tina stepped away, wrapping her arms around her waist. "This is not my world. I'm not a military type. I love to paint, cook, write, create beauty and space for everyone to find peace," she glanced at him.

"Who says you can't do that here?" he asked gently.

"In a base? Filled with people who shoot, fight and enjoy keeping the world safe," desperation rippled through her words, "I don't know where I can ... if I can," she finished in a whisper.

"We may be all those things you said, but we are human," Craig's gentle touch on her shoulder melted into her muscles and tingled along her nerves. "We need comfort as much as anyone else."

"Human ... sometimes it doesn't seem so, but I know you are, and I know you're right," she shook her head, "I'm just wondering where I can start."

"When you least expect it, you'll find a purpose in a perfect space and time. Then … move forward," Craig said.

"I'll think about it," Tina smiled back, "you're not as bad as you let everyone believe."

"Really? Don't let anyone else know," he chuckled, "oh wait ... perhaps tell Breanna, she is one difficult person to convince.

"You could convince her easily," Tina smiled, shifting as the incessant message rang in her head, clearing her throat; she spat the words out, "she needs you in the tech lab."

"You weren't going to tell me, were you?" Craig asked.

"You scare me," Tina said quietly, "I was going to find someone else to tell you."

"I'll try not to scare you in future," he said, gently extending his hand to her, "ready to join the uncivilised and unruly."

A smile broke across her lips as she nodded, shaking his hand, "Thank you, Craig."

Moving past him, Tina entered the hustle of the busy mansion. She looked around the vast entry hall; this place was her home. Craig was right. Able to make a choice was the only thing her own. Living with people nothing different from herself was something she had done her entire life. Did she stay or take up the life of a relocated refugee with her sisters. Envisaging her life without David... her thoughts stuttered to a halt ... no, that was not a choice.

Her sisters. She may not be enhanced, but her sisters were; they needed a place to fit in, be accepted and have a purpose. Besides, where else could she go? She had better get used to her present situation and find somewhere to fit.

"Does everyone know who needs to do what?" Breanna asked as the team checked and rechecked their equipment in the back of the mobile unit. An array of nods came from the focussed group.

"Craig and his team are going to take out the security systems," David said. "My team and I will head off the key players securing them and making sure that Darcia doesn't or hasn't gotten hold of them."

Breanna nodded, "Good. The backup will be here in case anyone needs an extraction or a helping hand," Breanna smiled at the glares, "just checking we're all on the same page."

"We'll all return and kick your butt," Reilly said quietly.

Chuckles and agreements filtered through the group easing the tension.

"Let's get this on the road and see if we can keep the world from dictator domination," Clio said, pushing her gun into her holster. "Even if it is for just another day."

A cheer rose as the teams moved into place.

"We're ready to go," Craig said, into the communications devise in his ear, "we have Iris in our mobile. She is plugged into Jonathan's ability for logistics."

Breanna nodded her understanding, "Tania, I want you to stand guard with Iris," Breanna whispered, "she has no survival skills. If necessary, she can plug into your skills to protect the others but only as a backup."

Tania nodded, moving to the secondary mobile unit parked down the block. Looking around at the others, Breanna acknowledged them with a nod. It was time.

Valencia sat at the comms unit looking like someone out of a CIA movie, headset on her head, communicating through earpieces that would not easily be seen or heard.

Putting on her headset, Breanna listened to what was happening out in the field. Craig and his team were in position; Breanna nodded. Valencia advised them to go ahead.

David's voice came quietly in Breanna's ear, "In position."

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"Acknowledge," Breanna said, "proceed to the location."

"Acknowledge. We have heat signatures ahead," David's voice trailed off, "Bre, we have a situation."

"Advise situation," Breanna said.

"The three key players are now four," David said, "we have located them. Kyle is sending the feed to you now."

Breanna nodded at Tina to open the link appearing on the screen. Breanna felt her breath freeze in her chest. Four unconscious people were strapped to exam chairs held in individual cells. The three key players and Michael.

"Fiona," Breanna said, her icy sensation melting into a boiling rage, "can you sense anything about them to tell us if the implants are inserted."

"I don't hear anything," Fiona whispered, "but from what I can see, they have been prepared for the procedure."

"Bre," Kyle whispered, "the meeting was brought forward without anyone knowing. This is no one's fault."

"I agree," Craig said, "let's get them out."

"What is the status of the security personnel and system?" Breanna said.

"Security personnel terminated," Craig said calmly, "all of them had devices implanted," he grunted, "security system is ..." he paused, "now immobilised."

"What about the power grid?" David asked, "these cells are wired, so even if the security system goes down, we have a problem getting in."

"We're on the way," Craig said, "Kelvin can help with that."

"How can Kelvin help?" Breanna asked.

"He can get through electrical currents and disable them," Craig grunted. "We'll be with you in a few minutes, David. We have an extra line of defence to get through, and ..." there was the sound of gunfire, "Jon, on your left."

More gunfire could be heard on the open communications line before silence hung; Breanna's heartbeat hard against her chest while waiting for an update.

"What is your team's status?" Breanna asked, waiting for a breath to be heard through her headset, "Craig. What is your status?"

"We're through," Craig said, "two flesh wounds, and we have David and his team insight."

Breanna released her pent up breathe, "Are we able to get to the prisoners?"

"Standby," Craig said, "Kelvin is assessing the situation."

Quiet fell as they waited; hushed conversation was heard. A grunt or two. Heavy breathing. Looking at the support team Breanna locked eyes with Cara, raising her eyebrows in a question.

Closing her eyes, Cara breathed in deeply.

"Tell Cara to get out of my head," Craig snarled, "I don't like it."

"Sorry," Cara muttered, "Oran standby."

"Do your thing, little sis," Oran muttered over the headset, "just don't immobilise me."

Cara smiled at her brother's words, continuing to breathe with closed eyes. She breathed out slowly before opening her glazed yet focused eyes.

"They need radio silence as they work. Michael is extracted," she said slowly. "Kelvin is working on the third cell while David and Oran are retrieving the prisoner from the chair in the second cell. I'll keep you updated as I can."

Rolling Cara away from her station, Breanna motioned for Daisy to take over, "Can you cover everything here?"

"I'll do my best," Daisy nodded, adjusting her chair.

Breanna noticed Tina smile a little before her attention was snagged by something on a monitor above her, "We have a problem."

Breanna stopped behind her, "Craig, David, you have the acting CEO heading toward your area now."

"Copy that," both muttered into the headset.

"Bre," Rose called, pointing at another monitor a little lower down; the acting CEO came into view with three black-clad fanatics behind him.

"Who are they?" Breanna asked.

"What is it?" Craig asked.

"We have CEO plus three," Breanna said, "from what we see, they are Darcia's fanatics."

A quick muttered conversation could be heard on the other side, "Breanna," Cara spoke, "they don't have a lot of options."

"Is there any clean exit?" Breanna asked, looking at the monitors to see the angles.

"Only one," Cara said, "but it may cost a life."

"Why?" Breanna spun toward her.

"Someone will have to hold off the small army heading their way," Cara said.

Breanna looked at the monitor Daisy indicated. Darcia wanted a clean sweep. She wanted her prisoners, Michael, Craig, Breanna and the team of people with the ability to stop her. Breanna couldn't let that happen.

"We had better make sure that army doesn't get there," Breanna said, thinking quickly. "Tania, bring Craig's mobile to interlink with ours; you're needed for extraction."

"Copy that," Tania said, "hook up will happen in five seconds."

"Hana," Breanna nodded, "make sure Iris is protected."

Nodding, Hana grabbed her gear heading to the docking area of the mobile command.

"Jarred, Reilly, Tania," Breanna said, taking off her headset, replacing it with an earpiece and preparing to go in with her evac team. "You'll be coming with me to get them out. Valencia, you have command here. Scott, you are to ensure the security of both mobile units. Hana ensures Iris's personal safety and will help with the injured when we get back. Is everyone clear?"

An affirmative came through the earpiece as the evac team replaced their headsets, pulled on bulletproof jackets, weapons and started to descend into the tunnels used by the first two teams.

Tania came back from Valencia's side, "Good to go. The route is in my head.

"Craig, David, what is your status?" Breanna asked, dropping to the floor of the tunnels under the building and street.

"We're nearly at the exit point," David said, "but we have a lot of people on our tail. This may get messy, not clean."

"It'll be clean," Breanna said, "we'll be with you in..." she glanced at Tania, who showed five fingers, "in five minutes."

Silently the team followed Tania, "You're getting close to the point now," Valencia said in Breanna's ear, "the tunnel splits. There is a lot of activity."

The team slowed, "Reilly," Breanna whispered, "block us out."

Breanna, Jarred, and Tania carefully attached silencers to their weapons as Reilly moved ahead of the group. Stepping out behind Reilly, the three took aim on the ten heavily armed men, dropping them where they stood. A group of Darcia fanatics rounded the corner of the tunnels but were dispensed of before retaliating.

"Keep your shield up," Breanna whispered, "let's move."

Following Tania's whispered directions, the team rounded a corner finding David's team engaging with a group of black-clad fanatics intent on reaching Craig's team carrying the four prisoners over their shoulders.

"They are heavily outnumbered," Jarred muttered.

"Let's get busy," Breanna said. "Jarred, find out what else they have planned. Reilly ... keep that shield up but see if you can get it to cover the others. Tania... do what you do best," the group moved forward, engaging the oncoming forces, "Craig, get your guys out with the packages."

"We can fight," he grunted.

"Move," she replied.

Noting of the condition of David's team against the offence. David looked strained, keeping his protective shield up while fighting off the incoming fire.

Kyle stood to one side, concentrating intently. Explosions further back in the group started going off. Either he was closing the tunnel or terminating oncoming forces. Clio stood behind David's shield, her energy rippling through the air. She breathed heavily as her power was shared between physically fighting and killing with thought, tiring her quickly. Between them, there was not much energy left.

"Jarred, get that info and let's fly," Breanna called, "Reilly get them covered and hurry. We need to get them out … now."

Breanna moved forward quickly, "David, Clio, Kyle, Fiona, Oran, fall back," she said, into the communications unit, "let us clean up."

Reilly breathed in. Standing still, he spread his hands to his side, palms facing forward. He exhaled evenly. The weapons of the oncoming assault suddenly stopped. Confusion rippled through the group as they looked around. Breanna signalled the teams to move out while raising her finger to her lips. Clio, Tania and Fiona unclipped grenades from their belts. Breanna moved in behind Reilly resting her hand on his shoulder, guiding him back while keeping the optical shield in place. The group followed them as though someone sensed them.

"Bre, there is a level five enhancement in the group following you," Valencia said in their ears, "you need to move and quickly."

Breanna signalled the grenades to be thrown as they came to the last stretch of the tunnel before their exit, estimating enough time for them to get out before the grenades exploded. Loading them into a launcher, Jeff handed it to a smiling Tania. Hefting it to her shoulder, aiming into the oncoming group and firing, causing chaos as they landed and rolled into the approaching group.

Tania, Fiona and Clio scrambled up the ladder behind David's team. Breanna grabbed Reilly's collar yanking him back into the alcove as the first grenade went off. He climbed the ladder, quickly disappearing into the mobile unit. Breanna started moving up the ladder as the first explosion shot past the alcove. The heat of the fire pulled a scream of pain from her. Suddenly she was out of the tunnels and lying, panting on the floor of the truck. Craig looking down at her.

"Close the manhole," Craig ordered, "get a burn blanket. Tina, get us out of here; it's like driving a double trailer truck."

"On it," Tina called, scrambling to the cockpit of the unit.

"Valencia … help her," Breanna gasped, "there is stuff there …. she … doesn't… know."

"Valencia," Craig called, "did you hear that."

"Way ahead of her," Valencia said, stepping over bodies and following Tina, "in other words, make us disappear."

"Yes," David and Craig said together.

Craig bent over Breanna holding her hand, "You're going to be okay little sis," he murmured, "you got a bit of the blast on your legs."

Nodding through the haze of pain, Breanna held on, "Is everyone... out … ?" she gasped against the searing heat on her skin.

"Everyone is okay," Craig smiled at her brushing her sweat-soaked hair from her forehead, "everyone is alive."

Nodding, Breanna sucked in a sharp breath as a needle pricked the singed skin below her waist.

"I'm giving you a painkiller," Hana said. "You have rather severe burns on your lower leg, and your combat boots took a hit," speaking while injecting Breanna's arm.

"What about the others?" Breanna hissed against the agony.

"Alive. The extraction went well," Hana said, meeting Breanna's pain-filled gaze, "they are still heavily sedated but alive."

Nodding, Breanna closed her eyes against the rocking of the vehicle, trying to manage the pain ripping through her body, sucking her into the crawling oblivion creeping across her vision.

"We did it," Craig whispered close to her ear as the painkiller kicked in, pulling her into wavering darkness, "we got them out before Darcia could succeed."

Darkness swam through her senses as the truck swayed and activity vibrated the air and space around her.