* June 2009 *

Deep within the dense forest region of the Gangwon Province in South Korea, two Global Justice agents parachuted under the cover of night to the top secret Research and Development facility of Haksoo Industries.

"Alright, Wade, we're here," Ken Trepid relayed on his wrist communicator while stuffing his parachute back into his backpack.

"Did you and Stoney run into any problems getting there?"

"Nah, we're good. Just point us in the right direction and we'll take it from there."

"How is the view from where you stand?"

"Well it's dark. Quiet. I think the power's cut off."

"I guess it is a good thing that I sent my new night vision goggles along then," Wade said.

Ken just grunted and pulled his goggles from his pack, while motioning for Stoney to follow suit.

"Okay, according to my schematics, there should be an air vent that you can use to enter the facility about a hundred yards ahead of your location."

Stoney turned back from the edge of the building she had just peeked around. "Um, Trep, how about we just go through there?" Stoney suggested while pointing around the corner.

Ken silently made his way to the corner and took a quick look at a large, smoldering hole blasted in the side of the building. "Yeah, hold up on that Wade. Stoney's found a more direct route into the place."

"Odd, there shouldn't be any opening close to you."

"Let's just say someone did a little DIY project," Trepid answered as the duo stalked towards the giant hole. "Make that a big DIY project."

"Okay, then be careful and be ready for anything."

"Would I do it any other way?" he asked before the two agents proceeded carefully toward the hole.

"One last hurrah before school starts back up, eh, Stoney?"

"Oh yeah," Stoney replied with a sarcastic lack of enthusiasm. "The fall semester starts next week and I'm not even packed. Why are these places always in the middle of nowhere? Why can't they be like in Cancun or Hawaii instead of BFE, South Korea?"

"Because top secret research facilities tend to be bad for tourism. Especially if they go boom, Stoney."

Stoney just let out a long sigh. "Still with Stoney? Come on Trep, that's a dorky call sign. I want something cool like Mockingbird or Black Widow. You know, something as kick-ass as I am."

Ken gave a low laugh as he led the pair through the hole and behind the cover provided by a piece of electrical gear. "Stoney, Mockingbird and Black Widow are already taken. Besides, you know the deal. You can pick out a new one once you become an L2."

"But we're like … the only two Global Justice agents left."

"Not true, there's Wade," Ken said stepping over a few toppled containers and glanced around the far side of the equipment bank they were behind.

"Fine, THREE agents left," Stoney whispered harshly.

"We stick to the protocol, whether there's three of us or three thousand of us. It's what Betty would have wanted. Now, head in the game."

"Ugh, whatever. I can't see why I can't just use my r-" Stoney's reply was cut short by a surprised gasp. "What IS that?!" Stoney shrieked.

With a sharp look at his partner Ken stepped from behind their cover and glanced at the mess. "Well, I guess that explains what happened to the security guards. And unless you want to end up looking like that you need to quit messing around."

Stoney blanched and gave a firm nod.

"Wade, we found the facility's guards … well, what's left of them."

"Okay, obviously this situation is a lot more dangerous than we thought. According to protocol threat response level has just been upgraded. Use extreme caution."

"Alright, I can finally use my boom stick," Ken said with a slightly wicked grin.

"Yes, but only as a last resort," Wade said.

"Of course," Trepid sarcastically remarked as he pulled a container off of his hip which after pressing a button transformed into a plasma rifle.

Looking at what was left of the guard Stoney asked, "Can I get one of those?"

"You've got a weapon already," Ken said as he tested out the sights on his new toy.

"No, I have a hair dryer with a grappling hook inside of it."

"Global Justice protocol states that agents are not issued firearms of any kind until they reach at least an L3 status. Not my rules. Besides, your predecessor didn't have an issue using that."

"Whatever," Stoney replied airily. "I just don't think you trust me with a gun."

"I don't," Ken answered while making his way through the doors that the guards had apparently been guarding. "Well, looks like we found the main part of the lab." Ken held up his wrist as he scanned the area and said, "Alright, we're here, Wade."

"What do you see Trep?"

"Lots of debris and some smoldering file cabinets. The place is tossed pretty good."

"Can you get a visual on the asset?"

Trepid and Stoney cased the room, weaving in and out of toppled canisters, crates and work stations before coming to a row of containment units.

Ken signalled Stoney to watch their rear and spoke into his wrist communicator again. "We've got a bunch of storage bays here. They're all numbered."

"Great! It should be stored in bay 034."

Ken made his way down the unit mumbling to himself. "Hmm, let's see … 004, 014, 024 … here we go."

"What do you see?"

"It's gone. It's obvious they knew what they were going for."

"Just like in Montreal, Doha and Helsinki. Can we confirm that it's the same guy?"

"Hey, Trep, look at this," Stoney said while picking a few strands of long dark hair caught in the remains of a wooden crate..

"Oh yeah," Ken said looking at the hair, "it's him."

"Are you sure?"

Ken let the hair fall to the ground and glared at it. "Positive."

-END-