TKR: Force of Fear

Part 2

By: Deanna Jordon

Back at Sky One, Dante was carefully watching the time. He fully expected Trek to be late and was secretly looking forward to informing Kyle, his driver and the team's leader, of the fact. It was no secret that while Dante fully respected Trek's abilities, he did not approve of the young man's social behavior or lack thereof. He was not prepared however, for the complete loss of Plato's comlink signal. All of the vehicles were linked to one another so that each team member could be monitored and help sent if necessary. Quickly, he called Kyle.

"Try raising Plato again." Kyle said when he entered the garage moments later. He himself spoke into the comlink built into his and each team member's wrist watch. "Trek, this is Kyle. Where are you?" Silence answered him. He tried twice more before giving up. "Dante, where was Trek going?"

"He said he was going to the bookstore to pick up a new comic book. He left nineteen minutes ago." Dante managed to sound a trifle concerned.

Kyle ran a hand through his crew cut hair. "Notify everyone to meet me in the briefing room now."

Inside the small room, three other people sat in comfortable chairs around a circular table with inlaid computer screens at each station. The first to speak was Jenny Andrews, a very slim brunette who could outfight half a Marine battalion. "What's going on Kyle? Why the urgency?"

Kyle paused a moment before speaking. "It may be nothing but we've lost touch with Trek and Plato."

"And this qualifies as an emergency?" The speaker was Erica West, a former hustler/con artist who now used her peculiar talents for FLAG. Though she had been with the team for nearly a year now, she still wasn't sure why she had joined when Kyle had offered her the job.

"Trek's a big boy. He can take care of himself. He and Plato are probably so deep into some sci-fi movie, they just can't hear us." Erica leaned back in her seat and ran both hands through her short blond hair. "Kat see if you can reach Plato. He usually listens to you."

"I can't reach him either Erica. It isn't like Plato to tune me out." Kat replied. The motorcycle and Erica were a good match for each other, believing firmly in fun before work.

"Duke, see if you and Attack Beast can find either of them. I think they were headed for the bookstore over on Williams. The owner is a friend of his." Kyle motioned towards the door with a nod of his head.

"I'll let you know what we find out." Duke answered as he left. A former Golden Glove boxer, the tall black man was partnered with Attack Beast. The partnership was far from smooth and the two frequently disagreed on everything from music to driving tactics. Beast was also completely in love with Jenny, a fact that often sparked a lively debate between the two. Duke had to agree that the two of them had one thing in common. Each saw themselves as bodyguards for the rest of the team.

Moments later the two pulled up to a confusing scene of police and civilians milling around the bookstore.

"There's Plato." Beast exclaimed. "He's still not responding to me."

"Call Kyle and tell him to get over here. Then run a scan on Plato and see what you find. I'm going to talk to Lieutenant Wiggins." Duke left Beast and walked over to the police officer. The two had worked together on other FLAG operations. Duke listened as the officer detailed what he knew.

"We believe your friend Trek Sanders was kidnapped just about 10 or 15 minutes ago. The owner saw two men put him into a van and drive off. The van didn't have any license plates but I went ahead and put out an APB. I was just about ready to call you people." He followed Duke over to Trek's motorcycle. "I thought your cars talked but he's shut down or something."

"Duke, Kyle's on his way. I finished my scan of Plato and there's a dampening field interfering with his functions. Turn off that black box someone left on his gas tank. It should shut down the field." Beast's voice sounded almost hopeful.

"It's worth a try." Duke agreed. He reached over and gently removed the box, turning off the switch in the process.

"Duke! Trek's gone. I called and called. Where is he?!" Plato's voice was full of worry and anxiety for his friend.

"Did you see what happened?"

"Yes. As Trek came out of the store he was stopped by a man calling himself Dave White who claimed he wanted to sell Trek some old comic books. They started towards a brown van then Trek was attacked from behind by a second man. He was unconscious when they loaded him into the van. The dampening field White activated prevented me from moving or calling for help. I could hear you but I couldn't answer." Plato's voice was high pitched in urgency.

"Kyle this is Duke. Trek was kidnapped about 15 minutes ago. He was carried off in a brown van, no known license plate." Duke's eyes matched the worry in his voice. "Plato thinks he may have been hurt." Quickly Duke filled Kyle in on all that he had found out. While he was talking, the bookstore owner came up to him.

"You one of Trek's partners?"

"Yes, my name's Duke. Did you see what happened?"

"I saw most of it. Those two no goods grabbed Trek and put him in that van. I thought they wanted to sell some old comic books. You know how Trek is, loves his comics." The old man ran a hand over his grizzled face. His dark skin seemed pale with worry and Duke swore he could see tears glistening in the old man's eyes.

"That boy means the world to me. Been coming in here since he was old enough to read his first word. Two years ago, I was going to have to sell out. My wife had died and I just couldn't pay her medical bills and keep the store. Trek found out and bought the place from me, on the condition I run it for him. Six weeks later I get a letter from my lawyer. Trek gave me full title to the place and set up a fund to pay the taxes for the next 20 years. He's never said word one about it." Now the man did wipe his eyes on his sweater sleeve. "You find him, Boy. You find him and catch those snakes what took him."

"Don't you worry sir. We'll get Trek back." Duke tried to reassure him. Seemingly satisfied with what he had heard, the bookstore owner turned and walked back into his store without another word.

As Duke stood thinking, Lt. Wiggins came up to him.

"My men found the van. It was abandoned ten blocks south of here at the old Young's convenience store. You wanna be there to help search?"

"Did you hear that Kyle?"

"Yes, I'm on my way over there now. You stay there and see what else you can find. Jenny is bringing Erica over to pick up Plato." Kyle broke the connection and drove over to where the police were going through the abandoned van. It was sitting in the parking lot of a closed down grocery store. The side door was open showing a bare metal interior.

"Find anything yet?" he asked the uniformed officer, showing his ID.

"Just this." The officer handed Kyle Trek's comlink. It was sealed inside a plastic evidence bag. "Does this belong to your friend?"

"Yes it does. Did you find anything else?" Upon receiving a negative answer, Kyle added, "Keep us informed of any other clues you find will ya?" Kyle clapped the officer on the shoulder and made his way back to Dante and Sky One.

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