"What do you mean you don't know where Donavan is at? He's one of our own field agents for crying out loud! Do we have to put tracers on our own men?" 
 His name is Colonel Chaffey. Right now, he's not the least bit pleased with the situation. And truth be told, he has no problem displaying that anger… much to the dismay of those around him. One of the other officers stepped forward, braving Fate. "Sir, I… realize you're a little upset…" 
 "A little? Son, you don't know how upset I am." 
 "Sorry, sir." He cleared his throat, looked back at the others, and was now questioning if taking a step forward was all that wise. 
Certainly didn't seem like it at the moment, staring up at the Colonel's flaring nostrils. Not a pleasant sight at all. "Ahem, yes, sir. As I was saying… if I may?" 
 "Well, you've already opened your big mouth, might as well spit out the rest of the babble you've got to offer, and see if we can't make some kind of valuable time, which is now being wasted." 
 "Yes sir. Ahem, as I was saying…" He looked back again at the others, than back at the Colonel. "Although Alpha Flight has disappeared*… perhaps we could use…?" 
 "I know you're not going to suggest what I think you're going to suggest?" 
 "And what is that sir?" 
 "Next Flight?" 
 "Actually…" 
 The Colonel flared red in his face. Surly, the officer thought, his head was going to explode. He had never seen such a deep, yet soft crimson before… Especially in someone's face. "Son, Next Flight isn't even close to being ready for any kind of battle! They lack training! They lack skills! They lack everything! They're nothing but a bunch of kids with these neat little super-powers, that they have no idea how to use! 
Might as well hand a machine gun to a baby!" 
 "You've obviously not visited the streets of Los Angles, have you sir?" 
 "What was that?" 
 "Nothing, sir." 
 Another officer stepped forward. "Sir… not to, um, interrupt, but…" 
 "Interrupting is what you're doing, so for whatever reason you're doing, you had best make it a damn good reason, son!" 
 "I was merely going to mention that New Generation, as they seem to be calling themselves these days, is wreaking havoc in the city… and it's a time, where Canada's own Alpha Flight has disappeared* and America's finest heroes have also vanished**… We don't have too much of a choice…" 
 The Colonel sighed. "All right, go summon up Next Flight…" He turned and walked out of the room. "God help us…" 
 

 "So what do we got?" he asked, pacing back and forth, not even daring to look into the exercise room. "I mean they can't be all that great. They can't compare to Department Alpha." 
 "Well of course not, sir," the officer replied. "Department Alpha has had years now experience on the field. Especially since they have all their original members. All of them." He stressed the word "all" and the general knew why. Snowbird had returned also. She was sighted with Alpha Flight. Their last report indicated that she had been deceased. "Well, we have Donovan taking care of Alpha Flight. We're going to need someone to head these …" He glanced into through the training room window. "These kids." 
 "I know how much you hate the idea that the Canadian Government would actually employ 'kids'… but under such circumstances as now, it's a good thing that we do, sir. We've lost track of Alpha Flight somehow, so we need a back up plan." 
 "Yeah, but kids? In a world where it seems like mutants are popping up all over the place, I realize we have no choice. Just wish it wasn't kids." He placed his hands behind his back and paced. "And mind you," he said coldly. "It's not because, if they die in battle, that I am going to feel sorry for them. I was a kid when I went to war… I just don't trust kids with that kind of power. Anyway, who do we have?" 
 The officer pressed a series of buttons and the computer began to print information, and a picture image of each person. General Chaffey looked over the print out: 

MINDSCAN 
Real Name: Thomas Wolfe 
Eyes: Brown 
Hair: Brown 
Sex: Male 
Powers: MINDSCAN is a telepathic with slight telekinetic ability. 

THERMAL 
Real Name: Stephanie Golden 
Eyes: Hazel 
Hair: Strawberry Blond 
Sex: Female 
Powers: THERMAL is capable of plasma blasts from her hands. 

TALONHAWK 
Real Name: Alex Saiz 
Eyes: Blue 
Hair: Black 
Powers: TALONHAWK is capable of flight. 

COLDFRONT 
Real Name: Samantha Doe 
Eyes: Blue 
Hair: Blond 
Powers: COLDFRONT controls ice, and can even create it, freezing the air around her. 

CATERWAUL 
Real Name: Adam Peters 
Eyes: Blue 
Hair: Brown (long) 
Powers: CATERWAUL is a feral human; basically a good mix between all the bad things of Sabretooth and Wolverine. He has a healing factor, and razor sharp talons and teeth, which he apparently has no problem using when he needs to… or wants to. 

 "I'm not liking the given profile we have on this Caterwaul character here," the General hissed. "He sounds too unstable. More of a risk than what's worth the effort." 
 "I said the same thing when they brought him in," the officer agreed. "But I've seen him in action sir, and all I can say is… Yes, he's one to be feared… but he's very, very impressive… and if you look there, he's taking a … liking, if you will, to Coldfront." 
 The General peered into the window and watched the training session. The one known as Caterwaul, used his razor sharp talons, which have thus far proven unbreakable, to free the one known as Coldfront from steel coils that had wrapped around her. He stood beside her, until she had regained her composure, and was steady on her feet again. His talons destroyed anything that came within any close proximity… 
 "What if a monster like that turns on us… Remember Gamma Flight and Omega Flight? That Wildchild character…" 
 "Wildchild is dead sir. And before his death, he turned to the good, and joined X-Factor." 
 "Turned to the good?" the General almost laughed. "Son, X-Factor also employed such people as Mystique and Sabretooth… Good is hardly the word I'd use for X-Factor. Not to mention, their own leader went nuts. 
That Havok fellow. They speculate that he's the one who killed Graydon Creed." 
 "So do we cut Caterwaul from the Program Next Flight?" 
 The General was silent. 
 "Didn't think so," the officer whispered. "Didn't think so…" 
 
 

 The general turned to the second officer who had been watching the entire time. "Calm Next Flight in here." 
 "We're going to send them after… them?" 
 "I do believe that is our plan, now will you call them in here or do I have to do it myself?" 
 "No sir." He turned to the intercom, and pressed a number of buttons. The practice session came to a sudden halt. Through the speaker, they could hear Next Flight below. 
 "Hey! What gives? I was just beginning to warm up?" Talonhawk shouted. 
 "Need someone to cool you down?" Coldfront smiled to the high-flying mutant. 
 "Last time I said 'Sure' you coated me in ice," Talonhawk swooped close to Coldfront, and picked her up into his arms. 
 Unnoticed, Caterwaul growled in the back of his throat. 
 "Enough clowning around," Mindscan shouted. "The drill is over." 
 "That's why we're having fun 'boss-man'," Talonhawk laughed, as he set Coldfront down. 
 "They want us inside. Stop clowning." 
 Talonhawk walked next to Coldfront. "I think our 'leader-man' needs a good cooling off…" 
 "He takes the whole thing so seriously," Coldfront laughed. 
"We've been with Operation: Alpha for six weeks now, and haven't done anything but these silly exercises. I thought we were going to train with the actual members of Alpha Flight?" 
 "We were," Thermal said, bringing up the rear. "From what I understand, Alpha Flight suddenly reformed, without the government's permission like a week or so ago. They set up a task force to take Alpha Flight in, but they halted that in mid-process and assigned some officer to penetrate Alpha Flight and gain their trust, or something. Someone named Donavon or something. Just as they sent this agent out, Alpha Flight up and disappeared in the North Pole area, or something like that." 
 "And just how do you know so much?" Talonhawk grinned. 
 Thermal winked. "I control heat. This body of mine can get quite hot… I know how to make things… and people… hot… you'd be amazed how easy people give out information if you flirt just enough with them…" 
 "I bet all you did was 'flirt'," Coldfront sneered. 
 Thermal only grinned… 

 "So what's the deal? Why were called up here now? Did we get a little toy for our pal here, Caterwaul?" Talonhawk laughed. 
 Caterwaul growled and leaped for Talonhawk, his razor sharp talons glistening in the light. Thermal and Coldfront knew what to do the moment they heard the growl, and saw Caterwaul spring forward. Unleashing their powers at the same time, Fire and Water collided into Caterwaul at an amazing force, becoming a spew of rushing water, knocking him backwards. 
 Mindscan stepped forward to ease Caterwaul's anger with his telepathy, momentarily forgetting that for reasons yet unknown, Caterwaul was completely immune to telepathic attacks and probes. It was like reaching for something, and encountering a glass casing. 
 Coldfront moved between Caterwaul and Talonhawk. "Calm down, Adam. He didn't mean it." She looked over her shoulder. "Our high flying mutant is ever graceful in the air, but his words are about as graceful as rock rolling down a hill." 
 They all knew that Caterwaul had a weak spot for Coldfront, but never knew its extent. When his eyes calmed, and he bowed his head, like a dog scorned, they all exchanged glances. 
 Mindscan grabbed Talonhawk's arm. "Will you cut that crap? What is your problem with him? What are you going to do if one of these times we aren't here to stop him when he attacks you?" 
 Talonhawk pulled his arm free. "Look, he's a beast. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't need any of you to 'save' me from him." 
 "One of these times," Caterwaul growled. "You're going to get under my skin real bad. And I am going to be a bad little kitty, and I am going to play mean with the little birdie, and rip his little wings and feathers out." 
 "How do you propose you'd catch me, when I can fly?" 
 "Where would you fly now, if they weren't here to stop you? 
You're in a room. You're caged." 
 Talonhawk's eyes widened, as he saw a cold stare return from Caterwaul. "Now you're catching my drift, eh, Bird-feather?" Caterwaul chuckled callously. 
 "That will be enough of that," Mindscan stepped in again. "We're a team damn it. We're in front of our superiors! It's about time we acted like a team, and not a bunch of little children in a playground! Save these little squabbles for your private time!" 
 "No problem," Caterwaul whispered. "No problem at all…" 

 "Here's what we're up against," the General barked. "I was hoping not to hear from these guys… ever again… But it looks like they've banded together, just as we feared they might… We wanted Alpha Flight to track and hunt them down… but now Alpha Flight has up and disappeared… If I could call your attention to VidCamOne." 
 All eyes shifted to video-camera-one. A woman tore apart a building with the movement of her bare hands. By making gestures with her hands, the steel and metal tied itself into a knot. "That's Magistrate. 
Her real name is Heather Corsi. She has, as you can see, the ability to control the magnetic spectrum, much like X-Men's archenemy, Magneto. She is not anywhere near as powerful, for she is not yet as trained or experienced, but she is deadly nonetheless. We believe, according to our intelligence, that she is leading this Rogue Force. She is not alone. 
There, over on VidCamTwo. That is Marquee. Her real name is Amy Dane. She is a telepath who is able to 'cover' her 'essence' from any sort of telepathic probing. We have learned, and have reason to believe, that these powers have expanded since our last… encounter. She can now also cover the 'essence' of others as well. Over on VidCamThree, we have Wipeout. His real name is Michael Hunter. He is perhaps one of their deadliest. He has the ability to 'wipe out' or temporarily cancel anyone's powers, whether they are mutant or otherwise. There one VidCamFour and Five, we have Spectra 'phasing' through a wall. Naturally, as you can see before you, she has the ability to pass through solid objects. Her real name is Christine Pierce. There, also on VidCamFive is Imagery. His real name is Phillip Lelland. He has the ability metamorphosize into anyone he sees. If he has an audio of the person, he can also mimic their voice. He is able to metamorphosize into people who he has a picture of, but he can not mimic their voice unless he hears it. 
On VidCamSix we have Compact. His real name is Derrick King. He has the ability to increase his or anyone else's mass. And finally, on VidCamSeven, we have Tremor. His real name is Shawn Kane. As you can see by the destruction before you, that he is able to manipulate the earth, and cause massive tremors." 
 "Who are these guys?" Mindscan quickly awed to ask. 
 "They were the Original Next Flight… however, back then they were called Operation Alpha. Now, they broke away after learning and stealing all they could from us, the Canadian Government, and now call themselves Rogue Force, formerly known as New Generation." 
 "Lemme guess," Caterwaul growled. "You want us to bring them in?" 
 "You've got it," the general agreed, without looking away from the videos. "One way or the other, I want them stopped. They have attacked Ontario numerous times, taking advantage of the fact that Canada has no heroes to defend it. We were training you all to take down Rogue Force. That was the whole reason you were all banded together. Then when we heard that Alpha Flight had suddenly reformed, we were ecstatic. We didn't want to send you kids in with little to no experience." 
 "Excuse me sir," Mindscan cut in. "We're not 'kids' anymore." 
 "Yes, that's all well and fine. You know what I mean. Rogue Force means business. They'll probably take down anyone who stands in their way, and show no mercy." 
 "We'll just have to show them the same courtesy," Caterwaul murmured under his breath. 
 "Alpha Flight is still missing… right now, you kids are Canada's only heroes. However, if you kids aren't ready… if you don't think you can do this… We understand." 
 "We're ready," Mindscan said coolly. 
 "Good," the general sighed. "We have a pilot ready to take you kids to the drop spot, close to where Rogue Force is currently attacking …" 
 "Let's go then," Mindscan sneered. He turned, just as everyone filed out the room. "And sir, we're not 'kids' anymore…" 
 The general nodded his head and waved his hand at Mindscan. "Yes, yes, well, you know what I mean." When Mindscan left the room, he turned to the officer. "Operation Delete is now in effect…"  

 The pilot brought the plane down for a landing, on a clear site. 
"Look," the pilot began. 
 "We know," Caterwaul cut in. "These are a bunch of creeps with a bit of experience under their belt, and they're probably going to play for keeps, and to watch our back right?" He didn't wait for an answer, and he leapt out of the helicopter. The others followed behind Caterwaul, save for Mindscan who stopped to apologize to the pilot. 
 "Look, he's … different. Has a chip on his shoulder. I apologize for his behavior." 
 "No," the pilot whispered. "It's all right. Just wanted you to all know, with all this anti-mutant hysteria going on… I know it's hard to deal with when 'regular' humans are claiming hatred for you… I just wanted you to know… I am not one of those people… I just wanted to wish you all luck…" 
 "Thanks," Mindscan whispered. "Nice to know someone's on our side…" 
 As Mindscan left the helicopter the pilot muttered under his breath. "I have to be, when my own kid is a mutant too…" 

 "Caterwaul, take front. See if your heightened senses can pick them up," Mindscan commanded. 
 Caterwaul turned his head and grinned, his teeth glittering, like a cat prowling - his pupils wide, his smile devilish. "No problem. 
Already one-step ahead of you. They're not trying to hide their scent. 
Boss, these people aren't scared. They're doing this because they're having fun." 
 "Well their fun is going to end tonight," Mindscan gritted between his teeth. 
 "One way or the other," Caterwaul muttered under his breath. 
 "Talonhawk, take to the skies, and see if you can spot them from an aerial view… But be careful." 
 "Sure thing, Leader-Guy," Talonhawk laughed as he took to the skies. 
 "Damn him," Mindscan muttered. "Does he realize this isn't a game? This isn't a practice session? This is real." 
 "He'll learn quick enough, as soon as he gets hurt," Caterwaul grinned. 
 "He is your team mate, it'd be nice if you covered his back, and showed a little more caring," Mindscan complained. 
 "Funny, same could be said about him, but you pick me to say this to, because I am the 'savage' one… the 'animal' who doesn't seem to care for much but himself, right? Our little flying friend, doesn't come across as your typical 'wolf in sheep's clothing' because he seems to care about everything and everyone else… or those that he chooses to like anyway," Caterwaul hissed, and leapt forward. "I got the front boss-man. 
I'll be the first that gets hurt here. It's how ye want it right?" 
 "That's not what I meant Caterwaul," Mindscan began. 
 "Save it for the masses," Caterwaul seemed to laugh, and took off around a corner. "They went this way," his voice could be heard coming from around the corner. 
 Mindscan, Thermal, and Coldfront rounded the corner after Caterwaul, and nearly collided into him, as he sat there crouched, like a cat waiting for a mouse to move just out of reach of it's hole. "Where are they?" Mindscan asked, looking around. 
 "Some place where our high flying friend won't be able to see them," Caterwaul laughed. "You might as well Psi-Link with our bird friend, and tell him to land and stop beating those feathers." 
 "Will you cut the patter? Where are they?" 
 "1st Bank, in there." 
 "They're in the bank?" 
 "Sure are. I can here some people screaming from inside." 
 "What are they doing in the bank?" Thermal asked. 
 "Probably robbing it," Caterwaul snickered. "They're making all kinds of threats… but no one seems to be in too much danger… They're doing it for a power kick… Just to prove they're better than 'regular' humans…" 
 "How do you know all this?" Coldfront asked. 
 "Because, I can hear every word they're saying," Caterwaul muttered. 
 "But they're like 30 feet away, and inside a building… You can hear them?" 
 "About as clearly as I can hear you." 
 "We wait till they exit the bank before we make our move," Mindscan whispered. "I want to make sure that the civilians are all out of danger." 
 "They'll never be out of danger," Caterwaul hissed. "Not so long as people like Rogue Force run free… and forgive me, but I got my own ideas…" 
 "No!" Mindscan tried to reach for him, but Caterwaul had already leapt clear out of his range. Mindscan then quickly forced his telepathic ability on Caterwaul, only to be quickly reminded yet again, that Caterwaul's mind was somehow shielded from any sort of telepathic assault. "He's going to get them killed! He's going to get himself killed!" 
 Quickly, Mindscan sent a telepathic message to Coldfront, Thermal, and Talonhawk. *Be ready for anything! Caterwaul has gone and made an unauthorized move! Be ready to move quickly. Our first priority is the civilians inside! Get them all to safety!* 

 Caterwaul kicked the door open. 
 Wipeout turned around. "Who the blazes?" 
 "Name's Caterwaul, and I'd like to make a withdrawal." 
 "Ye just wrote yer last check, mate," Wipeout sneered. 
 "Oh, how I doubt that!" Caterwaul laughed. With that he leapt forward and struck the first member of Rogue Force with his claws. A woman's scream tore through the air, and Magistrate was the first to fall. 
 "Heather!" one of the other members cried out. 
 "Ye'll pay dearly for that hero," Wipeout screamed. "Let's just see how tough ye are without those precious powers of yours!" 
 Caterwaul felt a cold chill shake through his body. Instantly, his heightened senses went away, and he knew his healing factor was probably out of commission now… but still he smiled. He leapt for the one he knew as Wipeout. "Anyone ever tell you, that you talk too much?" He covered ten feet in one spring, and raked his claws across Wipeout's chest, sending him screaming to the ground, clutching his chest. "How -?" 
 "My leaping is all strength, my claws are natural… these are things that are not powers," Caterwaul laughed, as fresh blood ran down his claws. 
 "Who the hell is this bloody maniac?" Spectra cried, as she cradled Magistrate bleeding body. 
 "Name's Caterwaul," he replied, running for the one known as Tremor. "And I am a means to your end… Government Approved nonetheless," the last words seemed to fall off his lips, in a mocking laughter. 
 Just before he reached the one known as Tremor, his intended victim panicked and raised his hands. The floor turned into solid waves, pushing him, and most of the bank right through the wall. The wall crumbled, solid waves of stone crumbled around him… but he had managed to do what he wanted… All the civilians had managed to escape during the chaos, running from fear. 

 Outside, Mindscan shook his head. "I don't believe this… Come on, the civilians are safe. We're taking down Rogue Force now."