San Paraíso

The ship known as the Eagle flew above the dark night sky over the Caribbean island country San Paraíso. On the inside, the ship was a comfortable mid-sized air vehicle that could carry the team while having room the spare. The time for comfort was about to end, they had a job to do.

"It's so beautiful." Aera said. "I wish it wasn't such a dangerous place."

"Yeah, that's true for many places." Phantom said. "But we'll hopefully make it better."

"We got a job to do, let's get it done with." Night Spider said.

Phantom nodded. "Initiate stealth mode."

The ship turned invisible, blending in with the night's sky as they continued forward. Anyone who would look at its position would see nothing more than the night itself, the cloaking technology being that powerful. Soon the island's trees were beneath them, and the time to land was now.

Slowly yet steadily the Eagle made its landing in the middle of the grass. Kid Mega, Blazewing, and Origami were in their quarters at the time, but that was the unofficial signal to join the others in the control room. The room was large, and was at the front of the ship, appearing as a sleek white room with lights displayed on the panel where the buttons were.

A hologram projected in the middle of the room. Green Gadget was about to brief them on their mission before undertaking the task. Everyone stood side by side, paying close attention to what he had to say.

"The factory is located at the northeastern end of the island." Green Gadget said. "It'll take roughly an hour to reach by foot from where you've parked. The Black Mark has the area under surveillance, so be careful."

"Understood." Phantom said.

"If the situation appears too dangerous, retreat. The Protectors can deal with them if what they're doing is too much for the Young Protectors."

"Um, thanks?" Phantom said. "But I think we got this under control."

"Report the results of the mission when it is done. Good luck on the field."

The transmission ended. Phantom crossed his arms, he didn't like what Green Gadget said about retreating. The Young Protectors always were treated as though they couldn't handle tasks that their older counterparts could do, which he felt was far from the truth. Nonetheless, they still had a mission to complete, and he would prefer it to be done as fast as possible.

Phantom stepped forward and faced the members of his team, prepared to speak about their task. He cleared his throat before he started talking.

"Alright, team. We got a task at hand, and we're going to give it our all. The Black Mark thinks that they can get away with manufacturing narcotics at the expense of San Paraíso's people. We'll change that."

"Sounds good to me." Kid Mega said. "Never was a fan of the drug business."

"Yeah, let's get this done with." Night Spider said. "Kinda don't want to be here any longer than I have to."

"We'll be here as long as we need." Aera said. "Black Mark isn't going to let up, so why should we?"

"She's right, they're not going to give us the benefit of an easy win. Be ready."

The ship's main hatch descended to the ground, and it was time for the team to execute their mission. Phantom and Aera went out first, everyone else followed. The smells of the tropical environment were pleasant, the sky was clear of clouds, allowing the lights to be seen to their fullest extent. Aera looked to the sky in amazement.

"It's so beautiful."

"Yeah, it is." Phantom said. "Think you can see your planet from here?"

"I doubt it."

They continued forward. With the press of a button on Phantom's wrist device, the ship deployed a silver-gray dune buggy. The vehicle dropped and landed on its wheels, Phantom smiled. It will be perfect for traversing the roads, at least for those who can't fly.

"Not all of us can take to the skies, so Blazewing, Night Spider, and I will ride the buggy."

"Shotgun." Night Spider said.

The buggy drove off. Aera had natural flight, Kid Mega utilized the thrusters from his suit, while Origami lifted herself from the paper she could manipulate. The trip took an hour on foot, but it would only be twenty minutes before they would reach the compound.

Phantom drove the buggy, and during the way over, Night Spider took the opportunity to speak.

"So, these Black Mark guys are just selling drugs? Is there anything we should know about them that's so important for us to shut them down?"

"These people are manufacturing a special kind of drug called Override. Basically an injected liquid that takes control, or 'overrides' your free will temporarily. Very useful for criminals out there to take advantage of, which is why we're going to stop them."

"Wish they would've told us that. You realize if we get caught, they'll probably use it on us right?"

"It's only temporary. But still, let's not get captured while we're here."

The journey was silent until their destination came into view. The factory was on an island adjacent to the northeast, connected to the land by a large bridge. The lights of the stronghold flashed in the sky. At the end of a cliff, the six of them stood examining the location.

"The six of us are going to shut that factory down?" Origami said.

"If we can." Phantom said. "We don't exactly want Override to become a mainstream drug."

"Sounds nasty to me." Kid Mega said. "Let's shut 'em down."

"Well, what's the plan, Phantom?" Blazewing asked.

Aera turned to Blazewing, noticing that he was consulting Phantom exclusively, not him and her. She didn't speak, but frowned as Phantom stepped forward and spoke to the team.

"Everyone, the factory must have an automated system that produces the drug. We're going to shut it down. All we need is to get to the center, and find the computer system. I can take care of the rest, but we're going to have to work together on this."

"And how do we get inside?" Origami said. "I don't think we're invited guests."

Before Phantom could speak, Aera stepped forward. She wanted the chance to weigh in on the plan as one of the Young Protectors' leaders. Everyone looked at her curiously, and the young purple-skinned alien spoke.

"I could provide a distraction while the rest of you get inside, it'll be easier if the attention is drawn on me. We'll meet up once you're all in."

Phantom placed his fingers on his chin, and smiled.

"Yeah... that could work. We'll depart in twenty minutes."

Aera nervously grinned. The others nodded before taking their seats on the grass, quietly awaiting the next part of the mission, the part where the real missions begins. Phantom sat by the cliff, looking off into the distance until Aera approached him. She wanted to talk to him.

"Can we speak somewhere in private?"

"Yeah, sure."

She led him away from everyone else, where she could speak to him without alerting the other members. Phantom looked at her, wondering what she had to say. It took a brief moment before she spoke.

"They all answer to you." Aera said.

"Well, it's because they see me as the leader. But you're also the leader..."

"Nobody can remember that. It's that they all see you as a great leader, which you are. But I have the responsibility to also look out for them. It's just not easy for me, you make it look so effortless and natural, but I'm not even from this world..."

"Aera, it's nothing against you. I think you have to remember that we're a team, and we're all of equal value. Your input is just as valuable."

"Thank you, Jason."

She leaned in and kissed him. Aera held tightly around him, and would've continued had it not been for Night Spider interrupting at just the right time.

"Hey lovebirds, we got a mission here."

Phantom broke away, attempting to look as professional as he could in this situation. Night Spider crossed his arms, of course they would kiss at any opportune time. It took a moment for Phantom to clear this throat, and then he approached the other Young Protector.

"Yes, it's time for the mission to begin. Let's make sure everyone is ready."

Night Spider kept his arms crossed as Phantom walked past him. Though one couldn't tell behind his skin-concealing flexible black armored suit, he looked displeased that their two leaders Aera and Phantom would be making out in what was supposed to be an important mission.

A few moments later, the team was gathered together, looking over the island-based factory. They were going to end the production of Override, one way or another. Phantom turned around and spoke.

"We all know what our job is. We'll make it quick, and be out as soon as possible."

They nodded. Phantom also signaled Aera, she knew what she was going to do. This was the time for action, and everyone would have to play their part for the success of the mission.

"Keep your communicators on, it's imperative that we remain in contact as we're split up. We'll meet in the center, and attack as one."

"Got it." Kid Mega said.

"The mission begins now!"

Everyone split up from there. Phantom and Night Spider ran to the buggy, and began driving it on the road to the factory. Kid Mega flew in the air towards the west while holding on to Blazewing with an appendage. Aera flew upwards above the bridge, ready to strike when the time was right. Origami flew to the east, and all the preparations were made for the attack.

"When I give the order, that's when Aera is going to start attacking. Which will be our cue to infiltrate." Phantom said.

The buggy drove down the road. It was quite a long way over, as the roads were winding. On the drive, they didn't come across any guards. Which was fine with Phantom, as he didn't wish to fight until the time arose. They made a sharp turn left and the bridge to the island factory was visible.

This was the time to attack.

"Now, Aera!"

In the distance were purple beams of energy being fired on the compound. She flew in the air, dodging shots as returned fire. The sound of an alarm went off, and fires lit up the sky.

The mission officially began.

Phantom drove the buggy down the bridge, which was a long way to say the least. He looked at Night Spider, who nodded at him. He was just as ready as him. Once they got to where the action was, the buggy came to a halt, and they jumped out of the vehicle, prepared for action.

With the guards ready to fire upon them, Night Spider shot a web from his wrist device and propelled himself upwards above the armed criminals as he dodged their fire and dropped a smokescreen pellet on top of them. The guards blinded, this gave Phantom an opening to easily dispatch them, as he moved through the smoke and took them out with quick, successive strikes from eskrimas. One-by-one they fell, as Phantom jumped from one guard to the next.

Aera descended downwards towards Phantom, and Night Spider glided down through his web gliders. They nodded at each other, knowing what was next. Aera shots an energy blast at the door, it exploded, giving them an easy entrance. She then grabbed Phantom, lifting him with ease as they flew inside the factory. Night Spider shot a web, lunging himself forward inside.

"All workers, we're being attacked! This is not a drill!" A voice on the intercom yelled.

"Looks like our presence is known." Aera said.

She let go of Phantom, as they were deep enough inside the factory to find the control room. Phantom spoke through his communicator, to signal the other members.

"Team, it's time we meet up in the center."

"Got it." Kid Mega said.

"Acknowledged." Origami said.

The factory on inside appeared as an industrial network of machines that processed the drugs. Dark gray, they were drab and indistinct from one and other. They needed to find the source of where all of this was being made. In a moment, the other three arrived, bursting in the side passages.

"I'd say we crashed the party." Kid Mega said.

"Where's the control room?" Origami asked.

"It must be somewhere nearby. The control room would likely be at the top. I'll search there."

Just then, the southern corridor opened, and several mechs came through opening fire. They were tall, black, and had mounted guns on their arms. The six of them took cover behind the shipment cargo, hastily running behind the protection of the metal. Now they had to plan their next move.

"It's over, surrender now!" One of the pilots yelled.

"Guess these guys must take this seriously." Kid Mega said.

Kid Mega, Night Spider, Origami, and Blazewing were taking cover behind the left, while Phantom and Aera were behind the right. Quickly thinking of his next move, Phantom spoke to Aera, turning to her with his plan.

"How's about we do that secret move?"

"Right now? It seems like a strange time for making love, but I'm open to your ideas."

"Wait, what?!"

"The secret move, correct? Rather bold, but I like what you're saying."

Phantom smiled, barely containing a chuckle. "No, not that secret move. The combat move, please."

"Well, you should've specified that."

Aera grabbed Phantom and flew upwards towards the mechs. She then threw him at the mech in the center, landing atop of it. Phantom opened the hatched, just as the pilot learned something was wrong, Phantom knocked him out in a single punch. He then took the control and shot down the mech closest to him. For the team, that was the time to attack.

Blazewing lunged forward with his demonically-enhanced sword, slicing the arm off a mech with ease. Kid Mega finished the task with a blast from an arm cannon. Origami would take out another mech using her paper as steel-hardened razor-sharp projectiles to take out the pilot.

Only one remained. Night Spider dispatched it by throwing an explosive web bomb to destroy the machine. With that done, it was time to shut down the factory. The six assembled together, and moved through the corridor.

Phantom looked upwards, to the right there was what appeared to be the command center for the factory's systems. It was a room on the ceiling that overlooked the plant. He knew that's where he had to reach.

"Aera and I will go up there, you hold the others off."

They nodded. Aera grabbed Phantom and flew up the stairs to the control room. It was locked behind an impenetrable steel door. Not for long. Phantom began working on the computer, hacking into its mainframe while Aera stood guard. A few tries, and it was complete. The door opened, and the control room was accessed.

"I'll be on the lookout." Aera said.

"Got it."

It took a few moments for Phantom to find the controls to shut down the factory. When he did, it was a simple matter of pressing a few buttons on the panel to turn the factory into a giant dud. A sudden loud noise came as the machines stopped working. Phantom smiled.

"Now to make sure it stays down."

He took out a device from his utility belt. It was a small jammer that he forced into the panel. It was going to cause a reaction that would make the factory explode. Phantom spoke to the other members of the team through his communicator.

"The place is going to blow in an hour, we best be heading out."

It only seemed sporting that the enemies got a warning to retreat. He activated the intercom.

"Attention to all Black Mark personnel, you have one hour to vacate the premises before the building explodes. This is your first and only warning."

The other four were fighting off Black Mark soldiers as the message was broadcast. With the building set for detonation, the operatives began their retreat. Hastily they ran, abandoning the fight and fleeing for their lives. Phantom and Aera returned, and without a word everyone vacated the building by exiting the same way they came in.

The outside became visible, and the buggy was parked just where they left it. Phantom, Night Spider, and Blazewing drove off in the buggy while the others flew off. They were headed to the ship. It was time to return home.

"Well, I'd this was a job well done." Phantom said.

"Yeah, let's go home." Night Spider said.

It wasn't long until they made it back to the Eagle, parked just where they left it. The buggy was loaded onto the ship, and soon enough they took off into the skies. The team rested as the island nation shrunk in the distance. With the Override producing factory gone, they've went a long way to ensure the drug doesn't fall in the wrong hands.

"We'll be home soon." Phantom said. "Rest up, we've earned this victory. I'll file the mission report tomorrow."

The Eagle flew into the sky, headed for New York. The trip would take several hours. It felt gratifying that the Young Protectors could score a victory, proving they're more than just "discount Protectors" like some people treat them.