//------------------------------// // Arc XXV Episode III: Target Located // Story: Family Begins With You // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// About a week had passed since Micro Chips started working at the local baseball stadium undercover. In his time there, it turns out that he had indeed uncovered exactly what he was looking for: Traces of the Zarin compound that could be used to silently and swiftly kill people before it left their bodies--leaving no trace of the chemical behind which could give any autopsy report a serious headache. Where exactly? Well, Micro Chips would make his report from the janitorial supply closet. “It’s hidden beneath the stadium itself,” Micro spoke into an electronic watch that he had on, “If my estimates are correct, they must have 100 gallons of it below ground.” On the other end of the call, Flash Sentry would respond, “Okay. That’s good to hear. But we still need photographic evidence before we can move forward. We don’t want them using any of that stuff on the people watching the ballgame there--or something even crazier than that.” “My nanomachines and I have taken all of the pictures you need for your evidence, Flash,” Micro replied as he connected a small, spider-like robot to the watch via a cable. “I’m sending you the information right n--” Chhhhhr! “What the…?” Micro muttered when he heard the static noice. “What’s wrong?” Flash asked. “Someone’s jamming the signal,” Micro replied, “Which shouldn’t be possible. All of my tech is running on its own wavelength away from any other phone or radio lines.” Flash put two and two together and raised his voice. “...Okay this may sound crazy, but this is bad. I think you’ve been made, Mike.” “...Are you certain?” Micro shuddered at the thought, “But how could they…?” “Doesn’t matter,” Flash continued, “You need to get outta there now. Make sure no one sees you leave.” Micro paused as he thought about the possibility of bailing before completing the mission. “...But what about my objective?” “Damn the objective, man--your life is more important,” Flash called out, “I’m not letting you die out there. I’m coming to get you myself. Meet me out in front of the stadium.” With a heavy heart, Micro knew that risking his own life would only make things worse for everyone involved. All he could do was agree. “...Alright. See you then.” The transmission was cut, and he proceeded to gather his supplies as normal. “Alright. Just need to get outta here…” Unfortunately, he was spotted the moment he left the closet. “Hey, new guy,” Tatsu’s raspy voice called out to him from down the hall, “You’ve been doing pretty well lately and my old man wants to talk to you.” Micro froze as a cold sweat ran down his spine. “...” With Flash… The young man ran out to his car while dialing Sunset’s number on his phone. “C’mon…pick up…” Thankfully, he wouldn’t have to wait for very long. “Flash? That you?” “Yeah, I think we have a problem, Sunny!” he replied in a panicked tone, “Are you at your computer?” Moments later, she’d reply with the same information that Flash had gotten from Micro not too long ago. “I can see everything. Everything except…” she replied while typing on the keyboard, “Dammit! Something’s messing with his signal and I can’t locate him anywhere in the stadium!” Flash grit his teeth as he tried to come up with another idea. “Shit…okay…think…is there anyone else we know at the stadium right now? Anyone at all?” On her end, Sunset tapped the side of her head as she racked her brain. “Hmmm…oh! I think Aria went there with Keiji today. I saw it on her PonyGram feed.” “Good. Okay, that works--they can help us out. There isn’t much time. If you see anything else going on down there, you let me know immediately. Got it?” “Don’t worry, Flash. I got you,” she groaned over the call, “Ugh--if only I had the skills of Twilight or Sandbar’s little sister. I’ll probably call them both just to be safe.” “Good idea. But I’m gonna hang up before I get there. We’ll be too easy to track if I stay on the line for too long. Good luck, Sunny,” Flash said before hanging up his phone and starting his car. “I’ve only got one shot at this. If things get bad, I’ll have to use the chopper…”