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Tsv-06-100 Empire America Chapter 1: Chapter 2: Chapter 3: Chapter 4: Chapter 5:	Empire America Chapter Six   12 hours later, around 11 pm, as the stars began to dominate the sky, with a few cloud wisps scattered about,  Madkro met Panders at an all-night diner.   They sat in the far corner from the bar-counter, ordered coffee, and spoke quietly.   “I need transportation,” Madkro said.   “What happened to the star-fire?” she said.   He explained how the thugs had tried to hit him, and how he lost them and ditched the vehicle.   “Tell me exactly where that car was left,” she said, “I’ll have it retrieved.”   He did so, and said, “But I need something else, tonight, if possible.”   “Well, this is short notice,” she admitted. “But I think we have something at the Notch. How goes the ops?”   “It’s on its way,” he said.   She looked over his shoulder, shortly examined 2 men and a girl that had just entered and took seats at the bar-counter. She checked her time-piece and looked at him, curiously.   “Have you seen Lisa?”   “Yes, and thankfully, she appears none the worst for wear,” he said, with some inspiration.   “Good,” the Lieutenant said, thinking about how she had helped reunite them in 98. “So, what’s the problem, Mak?”    “Oh, I guess I just can’t quite get over it,” he admitted. “I mean, not just this situation with Lisa, but the way this country has been changing, ever since the 9/11.”   “I know what you mean,” she agreed. “That’s why our work is so important. Sure you don’t want a partner? I could assign someone… to watch your back.”    “I appreciate the offer, Panders,” he said, “but any such person would just lose me on the way. This cloak and dagger stuff is just too unpredictable. I can manage, though. ASI has provided some good leads and some top-grade armor.”   “Good, glad to hear it,” she said, and finished her coffee. “Come on, let’s see if we can find you a vehicle.”   They drove to the notch, 30 miles north, in the mountains between towns. They turned up a dark road, drove through the forest for a few minutes,  and stopped on the side of the road just 50 meters from a stone face of mountains, dark and foreboding in the deep of the forest at night.   “So, are you going to tell me where you’re heading?” she said, as they waited for confirmation from the secret-base.   “NYC,” he said. “You know that CIA office in b-seven?”   “But Mak, that place has been demolished,” she said, with puzzlement.   “The office was reinforced with heavy-metals,” he explained, “and it survived, intact.”   She thought about that for about 10 seconds.    “So, you think there’s something there?” she said.    “I have reason to suspect it,” he admitted.    “Mak, the CIA is nobody to screw with…” she insisted.    “Yes, I know, but it’s the best lead I’ve got,” he said.    The confirmation signal came, and Panders drove the vehicle up the narrow dirt-road, through the dense forest, to the camouflaged entrance to the secret ASC base, and they drove through the tunnel into the cavern.    Minutes later, after reporting to Ops, Panders returned with a set of keys and showed Madkro to a gray Falcon.    “Okay, Mak, you’re all set,” she said, handed him the keys, and said, “Good luck. Report back here as soon as you return.”   He agreed with a nod, stepped into the vehicle, and was on the road 5 minutes later, heading south.   [Back]     [Next]