Heroes STRIKEs Back 3B Heroes/STRIKE Series'

5

**** Taec sat behind his desk, eyes glued to the computer screens. As part of his job Taec watched the cameras most every night. So far everything was normal. The stables were empty, fields clear, cabins dark, main house silent. He turned to the screen that showed the room to room layout of the main house, and Community Center.

He scoffed, Drina was finishing up some work at the Center, but that was it. Taec went back to the outside cameras, and began to search the grounds once again. No one was moving around outside, except the usual hands. That was until he caught sight of Ash walking down the dirt path.

Taec sat up a little straighter in the chair and zoomed in on his brother. "What are you up to?"

When Ash was right in front of the door he groaned. "Don't do it, don't do it." Then he heard the knock. Taec threw his hands up in frustration. "I just told him not to do that."

Taec lay his head back with a sigh. "I can't believe I have to work with this guy."

***

The brothers stood facing each other through the screen door. The tension between them was heavy, the very air buzzed with it.

With a sigh, Ash broke the silence. "Taec, we need to talk."

Taec lifted an arm and leaned against the door frame. "So talk."

Ash sighed, "Are you gonna invite me in?"

Taec was silent for a long moment as he studied his older brother. "No."

Ash sighed, "Taec, I know it's been a while, and we didn't really get off to a good start today. I really think we need to put our dislike of each other aside so that we can achieve a positive outcome on this, we can't be at odds like this. You know how this kind of stress can affect the best of teams. The welfare of those girls, and the kidnap victims take priority."

He looked his younger brother in the eyes while he spoke. Hoping that Taec would pick up on not only how seriously he was taking this, but on how sincere he was being.

Taec studied Ash for what seemed like an eternity. Ash could see the cogs turning as his brother seemed came to a decision, and pushed the door open.

"Want a beer?" He asked after closing the heavy wooden door.

Surprised, Ash nodded, "Thanks. I received word from the team. Their plane should be taking off soon. They'll be here by noon Monday...they asked about you."

Taec handed Ash a cold bottle and sat on the couch, "You didn't tell them anything, did you?"

Ash sat in the recliner opposite his brother, "Just that you'll be joining the team for this one case. They weren't too happy. They really miss you."

He took a swig of beer, "Taec, we really need to talk about the issue of the Blanton sisters' protection."

Taec looked at his brother, "You want to talk about the Blanton's."

Ash nodded, "That's only part of it. We need to talk about how we're gonna handle things, who will do what, when, where, and how."

"I'll tell you how we'll work this case." Taec took a swallow and leaned forward, pointing to himself. "I'm head of security here, and one of the deputies."