Online Mystery

All For One...And One For All!

August 2009

"Marcy, what's the report from boot camp?"  Phil asked as they stood behind a two way mirror overlooking the soon to be established Blackbourne team waiting for official word.

"The Blackbourne team performed exceptionally well in all areas tested.  They seem to have found their rhythm with each other's strengths and weaknesses.  There are still some trust issues with North Taylor, but he will continue to work with a psychologist.  Silas Korba seems to be adjusting, as expected, to a new culture and language, but his personal life came with baggage.  Sean and Owen have requested that they keep his brother under Academy supervision instead of turning him over to the state for reformation.  Dakota Lee has been picked to be the Lead while Owen Blackbourne will be the Liaison."

"And what of Sean Green?"  Phil raised his eyebrow in question.

"They have agreed as a team that he has enough responsibility on his plate to become a doctor, but he and Owen will be a joint sounding board, since this team is so large.  Kind of like Starsky and Hutch.  A little good cop/ bad cop with the younger boys, if you will."  Marcy giggled at her own analysis of the older two.  She thought to herself, 'If only they were 20 years older...'

Phil murmured, "Yes, a joint leadership might be just what they need."  He was rubbing his chin, lost in thought.

"Phil, do you want to tell them the news or shall I?"  Marcy asked while holding up the Blackbourne team file folder.  She subconsciously licked her lips as she appraised the older two boys.  'They might only be 14, but they will be heart breakers.'

"Thank you, Marcy.  But I would like to do the official honors, if you don't mind."  He ignored her obvious longing of the men they might become and gave her a crinkle eyed smile.  She couldn't help but to return the bright smile.  There is just something about Phil's smiles that seem to be contagious to those around him.  He took the file and proceeded to enter the room.  All nine boys stood at attention and waited for Phil to tell them to sit and relax.  Which they all did, except for Owen.  Phil let out a sigh, not knowing how to get this young man to learn to relax.

"I have some good news for you all.  Congratulations and welcome to the Academy, officially.  You nine will be a team.  Owen and Sean are co-heads but Owen will be the liaison, while Dakota will take Lead.  If there are ever issues, we expect you to try and work them out together as a team.  If assistance is required, will will bring in other members of the Academy to access the situation.  If one of you endangers the lives of others, without merit, we will have a trial for those responsible.  Remember the Academy rules and everything will work out as expected."  Phil got a little misty eyed and cleared his throat before continuing.  "I have been watching you boys, some since birth," he looked over at Sean, "and other since nine." he looked at Owen.  "I have been a big proponent to ensuring family relations," he looked between Lucian and North, "and making lifelong friendships seem more like family."  Phil looked at Victor, Gabriel, Nathan, Dakota and Lucian.  Then he glanced between Silas and North.  And finally settled back on Owen and Sean.  "I'm not here to explain how I have known you nine together would make the best team we have ever seen complete boot camp, but I will tell you I have known all along that you nine are to be a team.  The Blackbourne team.  Do whatever it takes to stick together.  There will be ups and downs.  As a team, as a family, you can get through anything."

Lucian acting silly, as always, threw his hand out in the middle, face down, yelling, "All for one..." And to Phil's surprise, the rest of the boys, including Sean and Owen, smiled and put their hands on top, like a soccer team huddle, and chanted together, "AND ONE FOR ALL!"

When Phil walked back to his office, still chuckling from their camaraderie, he couldn't help but feel like he was missing something.  He turned on his trusted old Apple computer, waking up the old dial-up and hoping to find something that will quash this unsurety he feels at the moment.

The screen was blue with the big AOL white letters before the Facebook page popped up.  He was looking at a picture of a blonde girl from behind.  He wondered how this was supposed to help him if he couldn't see what she actually looked like.  Being frustrated with the picture, Phil read the caption he wrote to see if he give himself a clue to this girl's identity.

"As the saying goes, 'Beside every good man is a good woman.'  In this case, the heart of a team lies with one ghost bird."

Phil exclaimed to the empty office, "A ghost bird?!?  That's impossible in today's day and age!"