Zee sighed and shook her head.
I really thought you hated the Government, Randall..... that you wouldn't do this. But apparently, you want to live as a slave to the Government for the rest of your miserable life. You're a coward. Look at me, I'm terrified every minute of my life that I'll wake up and be back in that room, but do I back down? Never.

" Mr. Smith, " Zee's voice was cold and emotionless, her eyes became tired and dissapointed as she stared at Randall. " I think we both know that I came here of my own decision. Leave the others out of it. "

" And we also both know that no one sent you to come get me. I'd be tempted to say you that thought that up out of spite. " She added after a pause.

The goons came out of the alley, and Zee sighed. Was he going to back down, or was he going to use the agents? Duh. He was a Government cronie now, in there just like the rest of them to gain power. Pretend power, that is.

Zee looked over at Amaya and the other guy, her eyebrows raised in a question.
" Can you handle them? " Zee asked, even as the goons got closer.

So apparently the new girl, Zee, knew the new guy, Randall, who knew the other guy, Felix. And Mattox knew no one. He felt like the black sheep in a herd ... and he was still standing next to a purple girl with long ears. After hearing Randall speak to Zee, he could already tell how much he'd be able to stand him in the long run. Then men dressed similar to Randall appeared and Mattox's dislike for the man grew.

"Can you handle them?" Zee had asked.

Mattox looked around him, as if there was a big crowd of muscular karate-type guys behind he and the purple girl. He laughed, "what?" He backed off slightly, "do I look like someone who could handle them? I can't even handle a scalpel and I'm a surgeon."

Mattox rolled his head from irritation with himself, feeling as if he was letting her down and then said quietly, "I could try ... I guess."

"Well, it certainly seems that you haven't changed an iota, Zee. You're really going to use these two 'innocent' bystanders to assist in your escape?" Randall said mockingly, trying to coax some information to "accidentally" slip from her lips.

"I'm not the most respected Senior Intelligence Officer in the CIA for nothing, Zee. I can tell from looking at the expressions on their faces that these two hardly know you," he continued, brandishing a throwing knife and holding it flat against his thigh.

"My superiors have me investigating you, Zee. Why would that be, hm? Thinking of starting up old 'flames' again? Are these two possible 'candidates'?" Although Randall was grasping at straws, he was hoping that something he said struck at some truth.

He motioned to the five men now accompanying him and they began to form a circle around Zee and her companions. Each agent was holding a specially designed stun gun capable of discharging powerful jolts of electricty, all now pointed towards the center of the circle.

"Oh, and you two," Randall said venomously, eyeing Mattox and Amaya. "I have access to all the information in the CIA and FBI database. I can find your friends, your family," he taunted, now holding his knife in front of his face, turning it round with his fingers, "and make them disappear," he finished, making a slitting motion with his weapon across his neck. "So even if you manage to escape now, we'll still find you. Better just to turn yourselves in and get it over with, right? Besides, if you've done nothing wrong, we'll just let you go."

As the circle drew in closer, three more men approached Randall from behind. "Sir, what did you want us to do?"

"Go down that alley and into the door this one just came out of," Randall said, indicating Zee. "Find out who else is hiding in there. Don't let your guard down."

He turned back to Zee, a cold expression now on his face. His inner hatred for what had happened to him after the Rebellion was taking over, and it showed clearly in his eyes. "Now, Zee, this is your last chance. You can go back to the White House like a good girl, or things can get ugly. Your choice, fearless leader."

" You know, I thought you didn't want to become a slave to the Government for the rest of your miserable, wasted life. That was why you joined the old Rebellion, huh? But, this isn't the first time I've been wrong. "

Zee's eyes filled up with pure hatred, staring at Randall with disgust. She could see the anger in his eyes.
" You made your choice back then, Smith. You knew what would happen if w- I mean, they, were caught. I guess you just couldn't handle it.... " It felt strange, calling him by his surname. He had always been Randall to Zee. But he was different now. Now he was just Smith.

Zee sighed, mentally cursing herself. Why had she been so freaking stupid? Why couldn't she have stayed in the building like a good little girl and spared the others all this trouble? But the answer was already there; because she wasn't a good girl. The others would be found innocent, so that wasn't a problem.... they were fairly smart and could come up with a story for why they were there.

But not if Zee decided to be herself, which was to give these CIA cronies bloody noses and run off. That would really stir up trouble-- not only for herself, but for the others. Therefore, she would come quietly.

" But. I will go back. Since I don't want you launching an investigation that will turn up short, then end up getting in trouble because of the unnecessary measures taken. "
She wanted to scream at him, Why? Why are you doing this? Why can't you leave me be, let the Rebellion do it's job? I know you don't want any part of us anymore, but why would you take us down? I know you hate the Government too. So why sabotage the Rebellion and help them keep this stranglehold on what once was America, the land of the free, the place where dreams came true?

Zee was standing next to the boy, and she silently slipped a small square of paper into his loosely cupped hand. No one saw the exchange, as the CIA members and Randall were busy looking at her face. On that card was written her name and number.

Then Zee walked towards Randall, the picture of teen Rebellion.

"Actually I recall you being an ex-rebellion spy who is on a short leash for the CIA. And very admiral Ms. Zee."

Felix came in behind, from the way he pretended to leave from. He simply was hanging out on the corner listening. And he didn't like what he was hearing. So now he approached Smith and was grinning. "Hi everybody." Felix waved with a smile. And shrugged at Smith. "Oh, come now. I read people's bios before I prank them at bars. And oh boy, do you have a list of naughty things."

Felix peered at his watch, examining the numbers ticking down. When people mess with their cellphones in their pockets, they are usually up to something. "Hm... 12, 11, 10, 9-"

A loud screeching of tires as a type 3 armored Humvee braked in front of the alley. Four flood lights pointed into the alleyway, creating an odd glow around Felix while illuminating the area quite well. Felix raised his hand as four military personal stopped just before him. They were his most trusted personal, coming from the office no more than 2 minutes away. Two of them were armed with AA-12s. One of them was holding a small hand-held box. The last one, a female soldier, had a special action glock .45 in hand. Everyone was aiming into the crowd. Two more armored vehicles came rolling to a stop near the last one, with many more solders with AA-12s and MP8s came rushing out. This unit was apart of Felix's Blitz unit, used when taking out most of the nests of old rebellions. What they were doing in Washington was an interesting question indeed.

Felix checked his watch again. Making a comment with a grin. "Very good, your early." Felix turned to one of his men. "Special Sergeant Bocephus."

"Sup?"

"Please explain to them what happens to them if they move."

"Haha, with pleasure." A man with a rough looking black full beard came into view. He was tall and built outwardly. His hair was dark brown that was combed over to the left. He would be best compared to a bear. "This." Bocephus started by showing the gun to the group of men and women. "Is the AA-12 combat shotgun. It is a fully automatic, recoilless, long and short range shotgun that can spit out over 400 rounds per minute. It is equipped with anti-personal/armor rounds for making swiss cheese out of people and explosive frag-12s for making swiss cheese out of people... thru walls. Highly illegal in all 52 states."

"Well. To civilians like the CIA and FBI." Felix added with a grin. "Oh and if you haven't realized it, none of you electronic frequency devices should be working. We have a nice little jammer. Corporal."

"Huh? Oh! Yes sir!" Corporal Steve Aardwolf took up the plate. "The Viper II, replaces all frequencies in the area with dummy frequencies Effectively cutting off all cellphones, computers, and other devices from the outside world. It is a frequency jammer with out sending out all the alarms of a personals' frequency being cut off. Making it highly illegal..."

Felix cut him off, "Again to non-military personnel. Your superiors think your still active, but will have a hard time calling you. Or you calling them. Oh and goodbye to those little cheap twenty five cent walkie talkies you use, haha!" Felix pointed to the little secret service like devices in some of their ears.

Then Felix took a step close, hands behind his back. "Let me get to the point. I heard by a very reliable source that the next in line vice president was kidnapped. Actually his name is Randall Smith and I have it on recording. Saying how the president and vice president are on the top of my list of command, I have no choice but to act in this matter. This case falls under the military's jurisdiction."

Felix took in a deep breath while he walked an invisible line from side to side. "Saying how at the scene of the vice president's daughter being here. And the only armed personnel I see here is you unidentified peacocks, I can assume that you must be the kidnappers. I will only say this once, cause I hate negotiating with arrogant and nerdy pencil pushers. Let FVP Zee and her friends come safely across my DMZ... or." Felix rose his head to the sky, pondering for a second. Then he went back to looking at Agent Smith. "Actually, I'll let you imagine that part. Oh and please lower you little toy guns, don't want to see any of you get 'swiss cheesed,' heh."

"Oh and one more thing!" Felix said excitedly with his finger raised. "I told you CIA lie, she actually has three choices. You guys, however, only have one." A huge grin on his face. He liked to grin when he was winning... and losing too. Maybe he just liked grinning.

Mattox, for some reason unknown to himself, exhaled a sigh of relief, if only because he didn't have to get his hands 'dirty' and try to take down these CIA agents as he knew it'd most likely turn out with him being taken down.

He became confused with all the commotion that had been occuring so quickly. The agents had surrounded the three of them that were not on Randall's side, pointing guns into the center of the circle. Mattox had absolutely no idea what was happening. He started following the girls out of curiosity and now he was here. Well, curiosity did kill the cat and so far, it looked like Mattox could end up in the same situation as the poor kitty.

The girl, Zee, then agreed to go back, apparently for the sake of Randall's own ass. Mattox found that somewhat hard to believe; she had to be thinking of some sort of clever plan. She seemed like the type. Then, in all the commotion, Mattox felt a paper pushed into his hand. He had been in a 'moment' and was a little startled at the gesture. Of course, Mattox didn't dare look at the paper, nor did he move his hand other than to further hold onto the small paper.

Certainly, the whole situation got better as Felix's own men appeared ... with more guns. These people, however, were much more intimidating to Mattox, and their guns were a helluva lot more dangerous, even to someone who couldn't tell the difference from one gun to another to save his life.

The whole appearance of these others guys confused Mattox further and he was quite unsure of how to feel towards that Felix guy. That grin of his didn't help much either.

He looked at Zee, but kept his own mouth shut. Perhaps she would say something further that would save them. Or perhaps something that could ... destroy them. Of course, anything said by Mattox would only make matters worse, if that were possible.

Randall was at an absolute loss for words. Felix, that insufferable ignoramus, had done it again. As the soldiers emerged from their vehicles brandishing heavy weaponry, Randall turned slowly - and stiffly - towards Felix, inclining his head in a nod dripping with forced politeness.

"Felix, how nice of you to intervene... again," Randall said, clearly exasperated. He couldn't believe what was happening. What could have been a highly successful roundup of possibly dangerous Rebels turned into a complete and utter fiasco, at least in Randall's eyes. The veins on both of his temples were visibly pounding, the strain in his face quite clear.

"Alright, you win, Felix. I would not have you committing murder against your own. Yes, let me remind you for a moment that we are on the same side." Randall was angry now, and he was going to vent whether the situation was appropriate or not. "And let me also remind you, my dear Felix, that the 'bios' you read about this lot were compiled from information gathered from my department. Let me remind you that about three-quarters of the weaponry and 'gadgets' you currently possess is crafted from technology recovered from countries such as Japan and Russia by my department, seeing as the military research and development team is so abhorrently narrow minded..."

He then turned towards Felix and placed a hand softly on his shoulder. "And, finally, let me remind you that I'm not some 'nerd' you can bully around. I'll kill you in your sleep," he breathed jokingly into Felix's ear, though whether or not anyone else could perceive the joke besides Felix was unknown.

"You win this round, Felix," Randall said, signaling his men to drop their weapons and pull out. "As do you, Ms. Williams. I'll see you tomorrow morning, perhaps?"

After crossing the street and returning to his hotel, Randall stormed into his room and slammed his fist into the wall, creating a fairly large indentation. "That stupid fool! What the hell was he thinking? Computer, computer!"

"Yes, sir?"

"Get me headquarters. I don't care who, just get me someone!"

"Right away, Mr. Smith."

After a few moments, a drowsy voice came from his briefcase, sounding a bit annoyed to be disturbed at the late hour. "What? Who is this?"

"Richard, its me. I just got undermined by that slime ball Felix Maverick! Can you keep an eye on him and find out what the hell he's going to do with those people? They're potential suspects!"

"Alright, cool it, buddy. I'll get right on it. The boss is out on a reconnaissance mission, something about an uprising in Portland, Maine. Could be Rebellion related."

"Interesting," Randall said, his anger slightly abating. "Did she give us anything to do?"

"Not at the moment. I believe she's going to dispatch us both to the area after your little appointment at the White House. Oh, there's something else, Randall."

"What's that?"

"You've been given an assassination assignment."

Randall cocked his head slightly, not sure if he had heard right. "You're kidding. At the White House? That's insane."

"Well, it's a low-profile target, but someone that needs to be dealt with. A certain Herman Perreira, one of the groundskeepers."

"What kind of biff do we have with a janitor?" Randall said, smirking at the thought.

"Well, he has reported ties to a criminal syndicate trying to infiltrate the White House. They have their eyes set on the kidnapping and ransom of Zee Williams."

Randall's fists tightened at the mention of her name. "You mean I'm going to be protecting her?"

"Well, yes, you could look at it that way, buddy. You still sour about her, huh?"

"None of your business," Randall replied with a note of finality. "How am I supposed to kill this guy?"

"Headquarters has set up an elaborate explanation for his death. All you need to do is drop cyanide in his afternoon drink. Accidental poisoning," Richard said, the smile on his face obvious in his voice.

"Terrific. I'm guessing the cyanide will be delivered tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, by one of our guys. He'll be dressed up as a UPS delivery boy."

"Right, sorry to bother you. And when were you going to tell me about this mission, seeing as I apparently interrupted your sleep?"

"Well, I was trying to call you, but you weren't answering."

Randall inwardly cursed Felix again before ending the call. After taking one last look out of his hotel window at the White House, he laid down on his bed and drifted off to sleep...

Amaya's grip on the male doctor never wavered. She tried to keep up the act as the rain came down in heaps now. Hopefully the girls had escape about now...she could easily take care of herself and leave this joker doctor behind to rot, but the others? Amaya held the inward sigh. At the question of knowing his name, she faltered her act a little. "His name.." Her mind wracked with possible ideas. Dammit all to hell, why didn't she look on his bloody ID card?!

"His name is-" She was cut off by Zee's intrusion. That just made everything worse. And along with the new guy, later to be known as Randall, things were just getting better and better for the Hacker. Amaya never let up her charade pretending to be suddenly scared and clinging to the doctor. As he coughed out his name, her ears twitched trying to find some incline as to what they could be. Matt...something. Oh great, a name that could easily be in twenty million forms.

And then there were men with guns. Men with GUNS! Really BIG GUNS! Oh, happy day! She tried to keep her composure as he came out and took care of the situation. Her grip on.."Matt" loosened, but she stood close to him trying to play the "girlfriend." God she was a horrible actress and would probably get caught if she made one more slip up. Randall was just plain pissing her off with his know it all attitude, and Felix...well Felix was just ridiculous! She couldn't figure out the male to save her life!

Speaking of which, all this testosterone was just getting into her system. She hadn't been around this many males since...the orphanage. The anger came back to her as all the names she was called bubbled in her head. "Purple People Eater." "Monster." "Big-Eared, Purple Skinned Freak." "Mutant." Her eyes began to shone with unshed tears thankful for the rain. She tightened up her emotions bottling them up inside. As Zee began to walk back with them, she began to wonder where the third girl had gone. Apparently Zee knew Randall from the past...maybe the past Rebellion?

So, was Randall the traitor that everyone was speaking of? Did he really sell out his friends to become the Government's dog? So many questions were wracking within her head, but she couldn't get them answered. All she had to do was keep playing until everyone left her alone. Then, she would take the girl to the safe house..and leave "Matt" here. She wasn't going to be responsible for him at all. It was his fault that he got them into this mess. If he hadn't of followed her, the girls would have been fine.

Men just messed EVERYTHING up!

"Aw, well there goes my fun." Felix said as he watched Smith leave. "Okay everyone, shows over. Stand down the kids aren't the enemies."

The solders lowered there weapons and stood at attention, waiting on Felix. "At ease, etc, etc. We scared off the penguins. Go get some alcohol or something."

With that the men and women began talking and joking around. Kind of like a bunch of American football players after a game. Felix liked having troops he could trust and troops who could go easy around him. He wasn't a strict general, just a smart ass of one.

Felix turned to his most trusted men, the ones in his unit and office. "Hey Bo and Steve, isn't the AA-12 American? And the Viper II?"

Steve nodded as Bo responded. "Yeah, back in the 1970's they were designing this gun. But in 2000 man by the name of Jerry Baber revolutionized it. It has been in the military since, this one is a lot better... but it was American made. Blackwater, North Carolina. Private engineer."

Steve made a quick note as well. "Dr. Tucker, 2010. NASA Scientist."

Felix sighed. He looked to all the other kids and people with Zee. The rest of the men had started leaving, remaining only Felix's unit and them. "See? More lying."

"Anyway," Felix continued. "The CIA will leave you guys alone. Mr. Smith might not. Actually count on him harassing you. But the CIA will be told to stop all investigations on Ms. Williams, by 0800 tomorrow. Your father is seeing to that." Felix ended with a smile.

"So you guys can either come with me or walk off. Preferably if Ms. Williams allows it. Sorry Zee, I have to escort you back home. Also I would like to discuss something as well. No interrogations, I insure you." Felix said holding the umbrella over him and her.

" Yes, I suppose it might be bad for his career if his daughter had to have an investigation and uncover what little secrets that the Government doesn't know. Invade the last shreds of my privacy. Well, what little there was to begin with, " Zee said bitterly, crossing her arms over her chest and walking towards Felix.

" Alright, if you must escort me, but the others its entirely up to them. " She sighed, uncrossing the arms. When she got closer to Felix, she lowered her voice and spoke coldly.

" I know who you are, Blitz, and I'm not going to trust you just because you saved my butt. " Her voice was so low that Felix himself would barely hear it.

But then her expression went from cold to guarded, and it was clear that Zee would say no more unless she had to. She tugged up her gloves in self-concsiousness; Government officials always made her self-concsious. Felix especially. To her, he was Blitz-- the mass murderer who took out whole cities-full of Rebels. And never anything different.


But yet she walked under his umbrella, giving a parting glance to Mattox and Amaya and a teeny nod.

"Oh what's this? I haven't been called that so seriously for a little while." Felix spoke loud enough so that his troops near him could hear. Even possibly Zee's friends. "I believe I know you as well Lady Luck."

Felix ended with a smile. However Steve, Bo, and Marie took it differently. Actually they were quite surprised. Lady Luck was a military code name for a person who kept narrowly getting out of the military's grasps during the first rebellion. She was like a ghost. And it seems Felix had 'found' her.

"No way..." Whispered Steve. He caught himself, closing his mouth.

"Anyways." Felix said much louder, walking into the humvee. It was very big with the middle seats pointed to each other. Kind of like a limo of sorts. "I would rather we make leave. Come if you like friends of the Vice."

Felix said the word vice awkwardly, obviously referencing to the word itself. It could be short for Vice President, however how he said it made it seem more devious. Like he was referring to the literal meaning of vice. Vice being sin.

"Well my lady." He turned to her, ignoring everyone else. The remainder of the men were getting in. Bo driving. Steve in the passenger's seat. Marie near Felix. There was room for her two friends, if they so chose.

"You should keep better track of your stuff." Felix pointed to a laptop on the ground. Her laptop. "You see, the CIA invaded your room this morning after you left. My men took your laptop before they could leave."

Felix smiled again. "Smith will no doubt hear about it in the morning, as well as the canceling of his investigation. Actually, Steve?"

"Yes sir?"

"I want Mao Zintao to send a gift basket to Mr. Smith, make sure it has some lovely fruit in it and get it there by tomorrow morning. I want him to wake to it."

"Yes sir."

Mao Zintao is one of the revolutionaries in China, after the fall of the past communist like country. Now sort of an odd republic, China has still be in hostile terms with the USA and the new dictator. Mao has been one of the Chinese smugglers of weapons to rebels in California. Of course under the rug kind of thing, but the government knew. A gift basket from him will cause an incredible amount of chaos in the agency.

Felix ginned. "The CIA is not stupid, but they aren't smart either. It is an obvious setup, but with the recent rumors of a new rebellion, oh boy he will not be moving much tomorrow. Also should throw him off from what I want with you Zee."

Felix pondered for a second. "Well strongly suggest. As long as we are sort of friendly terms. And do speak freely, the jammer is still on."

Sophie stopped in her tracks and looked down the alley next to her apartment. She glared, obviously surprised and not quite understanding what was going on. Her gray eyes widened as she watched some other girls and quite a few men with guns. Her jaw dropped open and she walked slowly towards her car, her eyes eyes fixed on the people. An insatiable curiosity came across her but Sophie bit her lip, instead deciding to ignore it.

Sophie turned around warily, her back facing the alley. The rain beat down on Sophie's dark hair, straightening it down towards her legs. The soft curls unraveled slowly, cascading down her back. Sophie turned around again, walking backwards. She didn't trust any of the people to not accidentally shoot of guns or something like that.

Sophie's eyes widened as she fell backwards over the curb of the street. Her breath caught in her throat and she let out a yelp. She felt her right ankle twist between her as her petite body came crashing down onto the side of the street. Her gray eyes widened once before shutting, trying to ignore the pain. She bit her tongue, drawing blood but not before another yelp echoed through the almost empty street. Only she and the people confronting remained. Sophie's eyes remained shut tight as she lay on the pavement, trying to figure out where the waves of pain crashing through her body originated.

OOC: Argh, you partially derailed my plans with that post, Ponats, lol... It's okay though, I'll think of something. Oh, my post will take place "the next morning", but you guys can finish up what your characters are doing right now. I'll just hold off on posting until you're all caught up timeline-wise.

IC:

Randall awoke the next morning with the biggest headache he'd had in a long time. The unsettling nightmares consisting of blades, acid, blood, vinegar and salt were still at the forefront of his thoughts, causing him to rise with such a start that the pain in his head worsened from the sudden motion. Everything in the room seemed to be moving in a slow, nauseatingly circular motion, so he braced himself mentally before standing up, but it was no use. After sprinting to the bathroom and unloading the contents of his stomach into the toilet, he looked into the mirror at his abnormally pale face.

"Boy, what a horrible, horrible, horrible night," he said to himself, after which he washed the sour taste out of his mouth with warm water from the tap. "It's been a long time since I've had dreams about that..." As the visions returned sharply to his mind in a blur, he bent over the toilet and retched painfully once more.

"God, I'm pathetic..." he groaned, sliding down to the bathroom floor and leaning on the bathtub. "Damnit, what the hell came over me yesterday?"

"Sir, you have a new message," his computer called from the other room. Randall squeezed his eyes tight as the voice worsened the pain in his skull. After several attempts to stand up and one more round into the toilet, he gave up and called out, "Can you just read it to me in here, computer? I'm not feeling too well..."

"Yes, Mr. Smith. Shall I call for a medical-"

"No, don't do that, please," Randall replied quickly, his face turning a slight shade of sickly green at the thought of giving Felix something else to garrote him about.

[Randall, it's Richard. Patricia left an urgent message for me this morning regarding your orders. You are to suspend all activities regarding Ms. Zee Williams. We are no longer handling her investigation. Your appointment at the White House has been canceled, as well. Another government branch will be handling the assassination. Oh, and, um, I don't know how to say this buddy, but you're the subject of some controversy at headquarters. Bosses got wind that Mao Zintao sent you a thank you note regarding a recent cover-up for a weapons deal in Los Angeles. I hope, for your sake, that you weren't really involved in that. But, you know the drill, you can't leave your room until the investigators get there. OK, have a great day!]

Randall had thrown up three more times while listening to he message, and his face was nearly zombie-like as he stood up to stumble back to the bed. "Will somebody shoot me now?" he asked of the ceiling, lying down and trying to ignore the gurgling in his stomach.

Knock knock. Knock knock. "Mr. Smith? I have a delivery for you. It's a wonderful basket of fruit with a nice note. I'm going to leave it outside your door."

"No, don't do that! Just bring it inside. I can't really move right now, so just let yourself in, please."

The bellboy opened the door with his master key and walked into the room with the elaborate basket. He froze when he saw Randall's condition as he lay practically motionless on the bed. "Sir, you look like you need a doc-"

"No, that will be all, thank you," Randall said, fishing a crisp $20 bill out of his pocket and handing it to the young man, who was now beaming. "Just leave me be, please."

After the bellboy scurried out of the room with his tip, Randall managed to sit up just enough to pluck the gold and red card from amidst a bounty of fresh apples, oranges, bananas and other assorted fruits.

[Thank you for allowing me to do business in your country. Mao Zintao.]

Randall flopped back down on his back and ripped the card into pieces. "Great, just great. I'll bet Felix was involved in this somehow. I don't know how, but I have a gut feeling..."

Zee smiled a bit at the use of the military codename. But the smile dissappeared as she spoke, not loudly, but loud enough for many to hear.

" Yeah, well looks like Lady Luck didn't get so lucky last time, " she sighed, unusually reserved as she examined her fingerless gloves. She had countless pairs, and today the elbow-length garments were a navy to match the Government uniform.

No, Lady Luck is gone, gone with that stupid sense that no one could hurt me. Now, I am... Determination. No... I am Desperation. The depth of her own thoughts surprised Zee, and yet she did not voice that opinion.

She didn't comment about his calling her 'Vice'. Although she would've liked to point out that she would rather die than have a hand in running this poor, dilapidated country. Zee would be happier spending her adult life in the dark, cold, terrifying room, thank you very much. Except, it probably wouldn't feel that way if she actually did get caught again.

As Felix spoke about her laptop, though, Zee regained her voice.
" I wouldn't need to keep track of my stuff if I had any privacy in this hellhole of a country, " She spoke angrily, snatching up her laptop and quickly turning it on to make sure the information was safe. They had touched her stuff, like e-mail, diary entries (thank God she had given that up), and website history. She was thankful, though, that they hadn't had quite the intuition to hack as far as the communication code went. But then, that information wasn't stored on the computer. It was all in the mind.

When she heard about Randall's "surprise", her face went blank. Most would've expected Zee to be smug, elated-- and while she did experience those emotions, there was also worry and the feeling that she still knew him. Even though Randall had crossed over to the dark side. Such a childish way to put it, and yet it was the only fair comparison to make.

The last comments recieved a blank stare, though plain irritation showed if one looked close enough.
" And what, Felix, could you possibly want with me? "

"Bowling." Felix smiled.

The car door close and they started driving off. ((Go ahead and say your on or not.))

"We stand in a very interesting bowling league. All the pins are lining up and everyone is trying to get the best ball. Some will curve. Some will go straight. But either way we are all trying to knock over the most pins." He was being cryptic. Not meant to be heard literally.

"You see we are all on teams. All playing against each other. Well I feel like changing up some things. The bowling administration is annoying me. They won't let everyone play if they can't afford everything."

"Well, I found a free supplier of bowling shoes and bowling balls. Old friend."

Marie hands a piece of paper over to Zee. You can tell she has white cloth gloves on, obvious for fingerprints reasons. "Call this number, at your room. The CIA no doubt tapped your phone and someone will listen. Investigation canceling or not. Say odd things, they will think it some some of cryptic message and will be deciphering it for hours at no avail. Haha. It will just be a answering machine in the middle of nowhere." Felix said with a smile.

"Anyways, the real reason is this. Tomorrow you will be getting a personal body guard that will follow you around. You know, with the kidnapping and all. Don't worry it will be one of my guys, he can be trusted just like these people." Felix showed his hand to the three military people. "I want you to be at the super mall district in DC by noon tomorrow. I don't mean noon plus one, exactly noon. There will be a fancy clothing store, well. I want you to get two red dresses from coat rack B-2 and H-12. Bring them into the private clothing booth. Yes private, rich people go there." Felix cleared his throat. "Go into the changing room and take the out of order changing room. Instructions from a man inside will be there. You will have access to a very secure phone line. Like it goes into China and back the US secure, with a heavy encryption."

And finally Felix summed it up. Grinning. "And finally you will be able to buy some bowling balls."

Jason Veran was in a courtroom defending someone who had been charged with attempt at murder by spitting on someone trying to infect them aids. A cop that arrested him was on the bench and the prosecuter was asking questions.
"So the you issued a summons and he tore it up" the prosecuter asked.
"Yes" the man replied
"And then what happened"
"Then he got all angry and started flailing around and fighting me"
"And then you..."
"I did what we were taught. I put him to the ground and cuffed him. then i picked him up and he spit in my face and said I have aids i hope you die"
"No further questions" the prosecuter said walking away. Jason had already got his questions lined up in his head and waited for the judge to call him up for his turn.

" Hmm.... But, Felix, why would you want to give me a bowling ball, when you have so much more bowling experience? When you have.... trophies.... to prove your experience? " At this, Zee's voice became slightly bitter. No way was she going to let him off that easy. " Why betray your employers? I hear that the owner gets puh-retty mad if people cheat, " Zee was careful, speaking in riddles just as he was. Two could play at that game.

The riddle was obvious. Felix was offering firepower, ammunition. But why? He was one of the Government. But then, so was Randall, and Zee had always thought that he would stay the same..... Why did the world have to be so damned complicated? Why was everything so hard?

Because they were outnumbered ten-to-one. Because the Government had access to any files, any ammo, any resource they could possibly need, and Zee didn't. The Rebellion didn't.

" And besides that, " Zee added, voice perfectly level, and eyes gazing up with curiosity, "What's in it for you?"

That was the key. How did this benefit Felix? Zee would have a hard time imagining him doing it out of generosity. And she would know this before she caught her group up in any of this insane political banter.

Insane. What a word, what a word. A word to describe so many things. A word to describe the Government and America itself. A word to describe the President. A word to describe Felix, as it was appearing. A word to describe Zee. Had the whole world gone insane, or was it just her? Probably both.

"You see." Felix began. "If only one team wants to create a new league, then nothing will go. No, I don't want to create a new league. A better word is remodel it. Even if I had all the experience and trophies in the world. It matters not without the people. Trophies are just objects and experience means nothing without the game."

"Employers? Cheat? Don't you see. Without the teams, there is no league. They should be our employers. Not the other way around."

Felix sighed to the last comment. "Have you ever gone to a family and tell them there son or daughter died when they never wanted to be a solder in the first place? Did ever you do it when the parents were not on the side of the government?"

Felix seemed to be getting angrier as he spoke. He was mad. He was not smiling at all. "Have you ever ordered a solder to infiltrate a enemy rebellions base where there own family was in? Cause there sister, brother, father, mother were rebels?"

Felix clenched his fist. "I care about my troops. I care about their families." Felix paused. "They should of never had assigned jobs. What are my solders fighting for? They should fight for friends and family, not some bull shit."

Felix was done with his metaphors. He was being straight now.

Zee was silent for a minute, but spoke softly.
" I see. "

How could she not understand?

She had known the families that Felix spoke of, had seen the ways their eyes glazed over with pain remembering a son lost to fighting, or one who was being forced to fight. She had spoke to them, seen them, felt their pain.

Zee had watched, horrified, as these people threw away their lives, their freedom -- what little was left-- to fight with the Rebellion. Threw away their friends, their family, their homes even. Seen them as they died, believing that someday, they would all be free. But then, no one would ever be free if the Rebellion didn't have any help.

Freedom. A word that had been so twisted and warped by the Government, that it meant nothing to the people. Nothing. It was worse than being watched every minute; because they had all lost hope. Without hope, no one would stand against the Government.

" Felix, I see that you mean what you say as you say this. I think I may just take you up on that offer.... " Zee's voice was quiet, much unlike her usual self. Her hand tightened around the crumpled strip of paper, the strip that would be the ticket for the Rebellion, the way to fight.

Mattox was intrigued. This Felix fellow didn't seem all that bad after all and so Mattox followed of course, getting into the vehicle. He didn't want to be anymore out of the loop than he had been already. As he sat down and the doors were closed, Mattox heard a yelp of sorts -- he wasn't too sure where it came from but had an intense urge to get out of the vehicle. However, they began to move and Mattox felt too 'new' to say anything at all.

As the night's events had progressed, it was obvious that he was not a very on-the-spot, clever guy, but when Felix began talking about bowling, Mattox was sure that there was some deeper meaning. Felix didn't look like the bowling type. This feeling was shifted, if only slightly, when Zee made her reply, staying on the topic of bowling. Then again, she was the Vice President's daughter, so, seemingly on top of things. Mattox was about to ask about the whole bowling thing and what exactly they were trying to hide, but his question was answered when Felix became angrier with every word spoken and dropped the bowling cover-up.

It was about the government. Job assignments and such. That was something Mattox could understand. He may not be a soldier having to fight against his own will, but he understood. It was about weapons, and the Rebellion. He was more-than-interested in the darker side of the moon. Mattox leaned forward, propping his head up on his hand, hoping to hear more interesting tidbits of information.