Her hand went to her gun and she pulled it out of its holster silently, getting ready to come out fighting. The wood wouldn't resist whatever they were using to open the crates. If they went any further, they would know something was up.

Just as she thought they were going to find her, the explosion Zephyr had warned her about intervened. The sound was muffled by the wood surrounding her, but the two people heard it loud and clear, judging by the cursing.

"What's going on out there?" a male voice shouted.

"Wave this one through," another guy yelled, a note of urgency in his tone. "And tell the other ones to come back tomorrow. The rebels are attacking."

More cursing, and then the footsteps receded.

Amanda let out a quiet breath of relief. They hadn't been discovered. Several minutes later, the truck's motor roared to life and they were moving again. She relaxed and holstered her gun.

Hours later, the truck came to a stop again, and a quiet tap told her it the coast was clear. She pushed the lid off and climbed out of the box. "Where are we?" she asked Zephyr.

"HQ. Follow me," Zephyr replied.

When Amanda hopped out of the truck, she realized they were surrounded by a forest of oak and walnut trees.

Fallen sticks and leaves created a blanket over the ground. Bushes lined a small path, and she could see berries growing on them. Squirrels ran around in the trees, and flowers, mostly blue and yellow, poked up from the underbrush, adding splashes of color to the scenery. Beams of sunlight shone through the treetops, illuminating the dust that floated through the air.

Ajax and Panther stood by an opening in the ground, talking to another guy.

"Come on, Phantom, the code is stupid. You know it's us," Ajax was saying. "Just let us through."

"Not until you tell me the password," Phantom answered, a wide grin on his face.

"And I'm not saying it," Panther added. "So have fun with that, Ajax."

Zephyr watched with a barely concealed smile on her face as Ajax considered his options. "Come on, Phantom, I'll give you my dessert rations for a week. Just let us through without it," he bargained.

Phantom shook his head. "Nope. Can't do that, sorry. Especially with the commander standing behind you. Just say the password and you can go inside. It's not that bad."

Ajax glared at him. "Fine. Sparkling purple unicorns are the best thing in the whole world. Happy?"

Amanda burst out laughing, and the others followed suit, until everyone was laughing at him. "I'll... be sure to... remember that," Panther managed between guffaws.

With another glare, this time directed at everyone, Ajax pushed past Phantom and disappeared in to the tunnel, his face red with embarrassment.

Phantom grinned. "I love messing with you guys," he said. "That wasn't even the password- I switched it out this morning."

Zephyr raised a brow. "Who let you into my office?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"I did. And it worked, didn't it?" he answered.

"You are insufferable. Can't you stick to pulling pranks on the new recruits?" Panther asked.

"I could, but it wouldn't be nearly as fun," Phantom said with a grin.

She shook her head. "Whatever. I'm going to take nap," she said, disappearing into the tunnel.

Zephyr glanced at Amanda. "Follow me," she said.

Phantom pushed a lid over the mouth of the tunnel as they climbed down, and lights blinked on all around them. Concrete surrounded them, gray and lifeless- a stark contrast to the forest above. Amanda bit her lip. Time to figure out what's going on.

~~~

A/N I admit, I already had this written but I waited to post it because I wanted to make you wait. >:)

Anyway, what do you think is going to happen next? I'd love to hear your opinions! :D