“I GUESS WE’LL HAVE TO TEACH HIM HOW TO RESTRAIN HIMSELF.” STEVE SIGHED. I JUST CANT’ BELIEVE IT.”

“YEA I KNOW.” JAIME AGREED. “YOU KNOW I WAS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING HAVING ANOTHER BABY. A GIRL BUT IF SHE’S GOING TO BE LIKE JAMES…”

“YEA I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.” STEVE PULLED INTO THE DRIVE.

RUDY STEPPED INTO HIS OFFICE AS USUAL DAN WAS BENT OVER THE COMPUTER. “WHAT ARE YOU UP TO THIS TIME DAN?” RUDY ASKED.

“I THINK I HAVE AWAY TO PREVENT THIS IN THE FUTURE. I MEAN SHOULD JAIME AND STEVE CHOOSE TO HAVE ANOTHER BABY.”

RUDY LOOKED AT WHAT DAN WAS WORKING ON. “YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT ISOLATING THAT PART OF THE GENE AND REMOVING IT?”

“THAT’S THE IDEA.” DAN SMILED.

“IT COULD WORK.” RUDY AGREED.

UPON RECEIVING THIS INFORMATION STEVE AND JAIME ONCE AGAIN DECIDED TO TAKE THE PLUNGE SO TO SPEAK. AND HAVE A SECOND CHILD, THIS TIME A GIRL.

NINE MONTHS LATER EVERYTHING WENT GREAT STEVE AND JAIME HAD A PERFECT LITTLE GIRL THEY NAMED JENNIFER.

“YOU KNOW YOU TWO.” RUDY HEDGED WHEN JENNIFER WAS ALMOST A YEAR OLD. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE ANOTHER BABY?”

I DON’T KNOW RUDY” STEVE REPLIED. “I THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH KIDS WHAT WITH MARC, JAMES AND JENNIFER.”

“I REALZE THAT.” RUDY AGREED. “BUT IN VIEW OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH JAMES I’M MOST CURIOUS TO SEE IF DAN …

“YOU MEAN YOU WANT ME TO HAVE DAN’S CLONE?” JAIME LOOKED AT HIM.

“EXACTLY” RUDY STATED.

“WELL I SUPPOSE WE COULD TRY IT.” THEY BOTH AGREED.

“BY THE WAY HOW IS MARC GETTING ALONG?” RUDY ASKED.

“HE’S GREAT. HE NEVER FOLLOWS ME ON MISSIONS ANYMORE. IN FACT OSCAR HAS SENT HIM ON A COUPLE.”

“THAT’S GOOD.” RUDY WENT BACK TO WORK. “JUST LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU’RE READY.”

“WE WILL.” THEY LEFT AND HEADED BACK HOME.

THAT NIGHT AT DINNER THEY TOLD MARC OF THEIR PLANS.

“THAT’S GREAT.” MARC SMILED. “I HAVE A LITTLE PLAN OF MY OWN I MEAN NOW THAT JAMES IS GETTING OLDER AND IF YOU’RE CONSIDERING EXPANDING YOUR FAMILY MORE.”

FEARING MARC WAS GOING TO SAY HE WANTED TO MOVE BACK HOME THEY WERE SHOCKED BY HIS QUESTION.

“I WAS WONDERING IF YOU AND MOM WOULD ADOPT ME.” MARC GLANCED AT THE TWO OF THEM.

“SAY WHAT?’ STEVE COULDN’T BELIEE WHAT HE HAD JUST HEARD.

“I FIGURED THAT WHEN THE KIDS GET OLDER THEY WILL WONDER WHY I’M GOLDMAN AND THEIR AUSTIN, BUT I CALL YOU MOM AND DAD.”

“HE HAS A POINT STEVE.” JAIME SMILED.

“I KNOW HE DOES, BUT WILL OSCAR GO FOR IT?”

“ACTUYALY I’VE SEEN IT COMING.” OSCAR SIGHED WHEN STEVE FINALLY BROUGHT THE SUBJECT UP. “I’LL CALL MY LAWYER AND ARRANGE IT.”

“THANKS OSCAR. I KNOW HOW HARD THIS IS FOR YOU…”

THREE YEARS AND 3 MONTHS LATER
MARCH 1980

“Over here.” Marc called as he and little James trudged through the snow in their back yard.

They crept around the side of the garage and on to the driveway. “Dad will be here soon.” Marc whispered “I see his car now.”

“We hide.” Three-year-old James chuckled.

“Yea over here I’ll show you how to make really good snowballs.” Marc quickly made a pile of snowballs and when Steve pulled up in the drive, they were ready.

Little did Steve know, as he stepped out of the car he was about to walk into an ambush.

“Ok Now!” Marc cried. The minute Steve closed the car door. Marc and James pelted him with snowballs.

“What the?” Steve cried. Then he saw his son smiling. “I got you daddy!” James cried.

“Oh I see that’s how the game is played huh?” Steve quickly made up his own batch of snowballs and threw them in the direction of his sons.

“Hey you three” Jaime called from the porch. “Dinner is ready.”

“We’ll be right there.” Steve called.

He turned to Marc and James. “Come on guys mom has dinner ready.”

“No eat yet.” James cried as he raced down the sidewalk.

“Not again!” Steve cried. “Marc quick go the other direction see if we can hold him off.”

“Sure dad.” Marc called as he raced off to help catch his ‘brother’ who by now had disappeared around the corner.

By the time Steve got around the block Marc had already caught up to James who was headed in Marc’s direction.

“James. You can’t do that.” Steve sighed as he reached down and lifted the boy onto his shoulders.

“I sorry daddy” James squealed.

They started up the steps as Jaime stepped out onto the porch.

“I said dinner was ready.”

“We’re coming.” Steve called. “I had to chase our son around the corner again. This time I had Marc head him off at the pass.” Steve informed her as they entered the house.

Seeing everyone was safe in the house, Jaime headed for the kitchen.

“That was fun daddy.” James squealed.

“It sure was.” Steve set him down and removed his snowsuit. “Come on. Mommy is waiting for us.”

They headed into the kitchen. “So do you think you’ll get along ok while I’m gone?” Jaime asked after they were set at the table.

“We’ll be fine. You know, you can leave Jennifer as well.” Steve offered.

“No my friends really want to see her. They want to see James too, but I don’t think he’s quite ready for that.”

“You’re right. He still has a long way to go in holding back. He doesn’t mean to, it just sort of happens.”

“Yea I know.” Jaime smiled.

“What time is your flight?” Steve asked.

“It’s at eight.” Jaime told him.

“I’m not sure if I like the idea of my pregnant wife going off with our ten month old daughter…”

“Steve. Margaret and Addie are picking us up. You don’t need to worry. Besides It’s three hours earlier in California. I’ll be landing about this time there. And I’ll be gone just over the weekend.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Steve responded. “Anyway we three bachelors will get along just fine. Won’t we Marc?”

“We sure will dad.” Marc chimed. “Don’t worry mom. I’ll help dad with everything. “

“Well I feel a little better about leaving now and as for you.” She turned to James. “You be a good boy for daddy.”

“Ok Mommy.” James replied. As he lifted his glass of milk the glass shattered. “Ow” James cried and the glass cut his finger.

“I’ll get a bandage Steve you get a towel and start cleaning that up.” Jaime lifted James out of his chair and carried him to the bathroom. “Are you ok honey?”

“It hurts mommy!” James continued to cry.

“I know it does sweetie…”

“Is he ok?” Steve asked from the doorway.

“I think so. It doesn’t look to deep. Steve what are we going to do? This is the third time in a week he’s broke a glass.”

“I know. Marc and I are trying to teach him to hold back. He just doesn’t know his own strength yet.”

Well we better do something before he has one of these accidents in public if you know what I mean?”

“I know what you saying Jaime, It’s just that…

“Just that what?” Jaime wondered. “Steve this is something he’s not going to grow out of He will more than likely get stronger as his muscles develop.”

“I suppose your right. Marc and I will work with him some more.” Steve assured.

“I’d appreciate that honey.” Jaime smiled at her son as she bandaged his hand. “There now all better.”

“Hey tiger” Steve picked him up. “You have to be careful how you pick up glass things.”

“I know daddy. I’ll try.” James sniffled.

“You said he ran around the block again?” Jaime looked back up at Steve.

Steve nodded

“Steve what if one of the neighbors had seen, maybe Oscar’s right. Maybe we should move to the country.

“I don’t think we need to do that.” Steve argued. “I kind of like it here.” “Well we are more than likely going to have to move after the new baby comes.” Jaime surmised.

In an old garage that housed a junkyard two men sat talking. They were thinking of the best way to get even with Col. Steve Austin for sending them to prison.

“I know the best way.” Dr. Franklin started.

“What would that be?” John Dine wondered.

“We or I suppose I should say you commit several petty crimes that he will be accused of.” Franklin smiled.

“That sounds like a great idea.” John started laughing. “Let Mr. High and Mighty see what the inside of a prison is like.”

“That is the idea.” Franklin laughed. He had been the one to call the two of them together and had made himself the boss so to speak. He had also broke Dine and out of prison.

“Of course Dine you still look just like Steve. Lucky I was able to break you out before they had time to reverse the surgery.” Franklin continued. “

“That’s true.” Dine admitted. “I have one thing. I heard Goldman has three kids. I say we grab one of them for starters. We make it look like Austin took the kid that will pit Goldman against Austin from the beginning.”

“That will be perfect.” Franklin agreed. “No matter what you do as Austin, Goldman will back him. I think to turn those two against each other. We arrange it for it tonight. You will break into Goldman’s home, which ever kid you get first.”

Dine nodded.

“Something else” Franklin smiled. “Why not steal Austin’s car first, that way his car will be seen in the area too.”

“Excellent idea” Dine agreed. “You know.” Dine continued. I think I can really pull this off. I’ll even go visit Goldman at his house, that way I can get the lay of the land so to speak.”

“Wonderful!” Franklin almost shouted. “This is getting better all the time.”

“Good then I’ll plan to visit Goldman this evening, and then later at night. I’ll learn the kid’s names, and where they sleep.”

“Perfect.” Franklin agreed.

Dine watched from across the street as Steve pulled away with Jaime, Marc, James and Jennifer in Jaime’s car. He opened Steve’s garage and got in his car and drove off.

At 7:00 Dine pulled up into Oscar’s driveway “evening Col Austin.” The gate guard stated.

“Hi. I just need to see Oscar for a couple of minutes.”

“Sure go on up. I don’t believe he was expecting you.” The guard looked at his chart.

“No. He wasn’t. I just needed to talk to him about something.” Dine smiled.

“Fine I’ll tell him you’re here.” The guard picked up the phone that went directly to the house. “Col. Austin is here to see you sir.” The guard spoke.

“Send him up.” Oscar responded.

He greeted Dine at the door. “Hey Steve” Oscar craned his neck. “You know Matt was hoping you would bring Marc by after you dropped Jaime and Jennifer off.” He was still searching. “Where is he?”

“Huh?” Dine wondered just what in the world this man was talking about.

“My son Marc he lives with you. His twin brother Matt lives with me.” Oscar was joking but Dine was glad for the information.

“I’m sorry Oscar. I left him with a neighbor when I took um uh Jaime to the airport.”

“Oh I see.” Oscar had trouble concealing his disappointment. “What did you want then?”

Dine thought for several minutes. “I just wanted to let you know Jaime got off just fine.”

“Well that’s good.” Oscar was beginning to wonder about his friend. This meeting was very strange. It made Oscar feel very uncomfortable.

“So what are the other kids up to?” Dine wondered.

“Matt is doing homework, Joey is in bed and Dan is in his room working on something.”

“Mind if I go up and say hi?” Dine asked.

“Not at all” Oscar watched him walk up the steps. He came close to calling Steve’s house just to see if he was there but changed his mind.

Dine crept up the steps and went into Dan’s room first. “Hi.” Dine smiled.

“Hi Steve” Dan was bent over his computer. “How are you?”

“Oh I’m just fine.” Dine quickly opened one of Dan’s notebooks he glanced quickly at the name. “Dan.” Dine finished.

“Well that’s good. Look I have a lot of work to do…”

“Didn’t mean to interrupt I’ll see you later.” Dine left and headed back down stairs.

“That was a quick visit.” Oscar noted.

“Yea well I better get back to the other kids.” Dine opened the front door and headed out. On his way out of the gate he waved to the guard. “I might be back tonight.” He informed him.’

“Yea sure Col. Austin I’ll see you later.

After dropping Jaime and Jennifer off at the airport it was late. So Steve thought it best to just take James and Marc home. In fact he thought it would be easier to leave Jaime’s car in the drive. He had to carry a sleeping James into the house.

“Ok Marc.” Steve began. “I suppose you better head on up to bed.”

He carried James into his room and laid him down in his ‘big boy’ bed “now. You go right back to sleep.” He soothed the boy who had woke just a bit and started to miss his mother. “Daddy will be right across the hall.”

James closed his eyes and was once again snoring before Steve closed the door.

Later that night Dine went back to Oscar’s house. He stopped at the guardhouse. “I forgot something. Don’t bother Oscar. I’ll just slip in and get it.”

“Yea sure Col. Austin” The guard let Dine through without question.

Dine crept back into the house an into Danny’s room he quickly woke the boy.

“Steve! What is it? Is something wrong?”

“I need you to come with me Dan.”

Danny followed Dine out of the house and out to his car.

“Where are we going?” Dan asked.

“Just get in the car Dan.” Dine opened the back door. “I want you to lie on the floor and cover up with this.” He threw Dan his coat.

“Why?” Dan wondered.

Dine didn’t like questions. But quickly came up with a plausible response. “There is a security break. Your father asked me to get you out of here.”

“What about Matt and Joey?” Dan wondered

“They are with another agent. Your father felt it was best you were separate.”

Fearing something was seriously wrong Dan did as he was told.

At about the same moment Oscar woke up. He had a very uneasy feeling and wanted to check the kids. He first looked in on Matt and Joey. They were both fast asleep in their rooms. Then he opened the door to Dan’s room. Dan was nowhere to be seen.

He quickly searched all of the rooms in the house. No Dan.

Oscar then called the gate guard. “Did anyone come in here?” Oscar’s voice was shaky.

“Just Col Austin sir” the guard replied.

“That was earlier.” Oscar sounded nervous.

“No sir Col Austin was just here, in fact I just let him out the gate. Is there a problem?”

“Yes Dan is missing. Why would Steve kidnap Danny?”…

Oscar headed for the phone and dialed Steve’s number. “Yes?” Steve answered. He had just started to drift to sleep on the couch.

“Steve, its Oscar I need to see you at my place right away.”

“What is it Oscar.” Steve was waking up more.

“I have a feeling you know the answer to that one already pal.” Oscar spat out.

“What are you talking about?” Steve wondered.

“Just stay up! I’m on my way over there instead!!!” Oscar sounded furious.

“Ok Oscar I’ll be awake Want to clue me in on what the trouble is.” Steve wondered.

“You know exactly what the trouble is!! I’ll be there in ten minutes!!”

Oscar gathered up Joey and Matt and headed for Steve’s.

On his way back to the warehouse Dine decided to make one stop for good measure. He stopped at an all night liquor store.

With Danny tucked safely in the trunk of Steve’s car Dine got out it was 10:00 when he entered the store. He walked up to the cashier and pulled out a gun. “Give me all of the money!” Dine ordered.

The man behind the counter quickly handed Dine all of the money, then as he had been taught jotted down the tag number of the car as it drove away. He called the police

“Now do you want to tell me what this is all about.” Steve wanted to shout after Oscar came into the house. And Matt and Joey had run upstairs to see their brother.

“Where’s Danny?” Oscar seethed.

“Danny? He’s not with you?” Steve stated at him.

“Of course not you took him out of my place an hour ago.” Oscar continued.

“I did what?” Steve asked.

“You heard me, now come on Steve the game is over…”

“Oscar I have not been out to you place for two days.” Steve began.

“I don’t want to hear your lies. Give me back my son!!!” Oscar screeched.

“Oscar just calm down” Steve tried to soothe him.

“I won’t calm down. You already have one of my kids. You have two of your own and one on the way. Why would you take Danny?”

“Oscar I didn’t take Dan. But if Dan is missing, I’ll find him. You can count on that.”

After robbing the liquor store, Dine went back to the warehouse. He lifted Danny out of the trunk and forced him inside.

“Steve. I don’t know what’s going on.” Dan stated. “But I don’t think I like it very well.”

“Shut up and get inside Dan.” Dine pushed him.

Dine led Dan into the garage; he then took him into a storage room where he forced him into a drainpipe. “Now you stay there till I tell you to come out!!”

Terrified Dan obeyed.

“So that’s what your plan is huh. What? You kidnap my kids one by one then you’re the one who rescues them?”

“Oh come on Oscar that doesn’t even make any sense.” Steve chided.

As they spoke the doorbell rang. Steve went to answer it. Oscar was right behind him.

“Now who in the world could that be this time of night? It’s almost 11:00” Steve grumbled as he headed for the door.

“More than likely the person holding Danny” Oscar wondered.

“Very funny Oscar but as you can see I’m not laughing.” He opened the door. “Yes officer?” Steve asked.

“Col Austin? where were you at around 10:00 this evening?” The officer asked.

“Why?” Steve wondered

Oscar stood watching the exchange.

“The liquor store on ninth was robbed. A man answering your description and driving your car was seen in the area.”

“I’ve been here all night.” Steve responded. “I took my wife to the airport earlier, but…”

“I’m afraid you going to have to come with us. We need the cashier to make an ID.” The officer stated.

At this point Marc who had listened to the conversation came running down the stairs. “He was here all night.” Marc cried.

He turned to Oscar “Dad what’s going on?”

“Hang on officers something is going on here and I want answers first!” He identified himself and they agreed to wait on the line up for just a bit.

“Let’s all sit down here.” Oscar indicated the chairs in the living room. Every one took a seat.

“Now at 7:00 PM Steve was at my place…”

Oscar at 7:00 PM I was on my way to Dulles with Jaime and Jennifer.” Steve explained. We took Jaime’s car. It’s still in the drive.”

“I saw that when I pulled up.” Oscar had calmed down quit a bit. “You were again seen at my place around 9:30.”

Like I told you earlier Oscar I haven’t been out to your place for two days. The last time we got Matt and Marc together. By the way, did I have Marc with me?”

Oscar shook his head. “No you didn’t I thought that was rather odd.”

“Oscar you know I would never come out without Marc, unless it were an emergency of some sort.”

“Yea I suppose you’re right.” Oscar noted.

“Now if I recall it was around 10:05 when you called me. If the liquor store on ninth was robbed at ten, there is no way I would have time to get back here in five minutes.”

“You’re right.” Oscar figured.

“I think I have a theory. Steve stood and headed for the garage “My car is gone.” He spoke.

“You still have Austin’s car?” Franklin asked Dine.

Dine nodded. “I’m so anxious to see how this works out.” He smiled. “I robbed a liquor store on the way back.”

“Excellent!” Franklin rubbed his hands together. “By the way, where did you put the boy?”

“In that store room there was an open drain pipe I made him get in it then sealed it up.”

“You are brilliant.” Franklin smiled.

“Coming from you Franklin…” Dine smiled.

Before anyone could say anything else there was another knock at the door. “What is this Grand Central Station?” Steve asked as he again headed for the door.

“Russ what do you want?” Steve asked.

“Steve? Is Oscar here?” Russ pushed his way in. “I went out to his place the guard said he was over here. He also said Danny missing?”

“Yea Russ Join the group. I seem to be quite popular tonight.” Steve chuckled

“Well I just might have the answer to that. Oscar I was over at the OSI. Dr. Wells was working late and asked if I’d stay with him.”

“Yes Russ. Go on.” Oscar pressed.

“Anyway we were just getting ready to leave when this report came in.”

Oscar took the file from Russ. He quickly read through it “When did this happen?” Oscar demanded.

“I’m sorry.” The officer broke in. “But we really need Col Austin to come with us.”

“No way gentlemen” Oscar voice became very authoritative “Col Austin is not going anywhere.”

“But sir we…”

“I don’t care!” He turned to Steve. “Steve. John Dine escaped from prison two days ago.”

“What?” Steve was astonished. “Well that sure explains a lot.” Steve sighed…

“So what do we do about it?” Steve wondered.

“Let me handle the police first.” Oscar suggested.

“I’m afraid there has been a misunderstanding here. Steve works as an agent for my agency.” He showed the officer his OSI ID. “About five years ago a man by the name of John Dine had plastic surgery to look like Steve…”

“What ever for?” the first officer scoffed.

“To infiltrate a top secret project” Oscar lowered his voice. “Now this man has escaped from prison.” Again he turned to Steve “along with Dr. Franklin.”

“Oh that’s great, him too?” Steve sounded shocked.

“Yea” again he turned to the officer. “My sixteen year old son is missing. I’m sure Dine has him. By the way as you may have perceived from our conversation earlier, at the time of the liquor store robbery Steve and I were on the phone.”

The officer’s left without another word they were in an area they knew was best left up to the Feds.

“Come on Steve.” Oscar called as he headed out the door.

“Oscar I can’t just pick up and leave. Marc’s here, James is here. I need someone to watch them.”

“Of course Matt and Joey are here too. I’ll call Linda; see if she can sit for us.”

“Good idea.” Steve agreed

Oscar placed the call and within minutes Linda arrived and Steve and Oscar took off.

“I have a bone to pick with you pal.” Steve started when they were in the car.

“Yea what’s that?” Oscar wondered as he maneuvered the car toward the OSI.

“A little while ago you were accusing me of the unthinkable.” Steve mentioned

“Yes Steve and for that I am sorry.” Oscar responded. “I was just upset that Dan was missing…”

“That’s it Oscar.” Steve snapped his fingers.

“What’s it?” Oscar wondered.

“That’s why Dine took Dan. He wants you to think I took him, and then when all of these other incidents take place, you won’t back me up.”

“You have a point there.” Oscar reached for his car phone. “Rudy glad you’re still at the lab. You know that theory Dan has been working on?”

“He’s working on several, which one.” Rudy wondered. After he and Russ received the report that Dine and Franklin were on the loose, Rudy chose to stay at the lab.

“The one with the chemical stuff to …”

“Yea now I know what you’re talking about. Why?” Rudy wondered

“Is it ready?” Oscar asked. He glanced over at Steve who wondered what in the world he was talking about.

“Yea it’s ready to go. Dan was going to use it when Jaime got back.”

“With Dine on the loose I think its imperative we do it tonight at least to Steve that is.”

“Are you sure Steve is the one with you?” Rudy wondered.

“You can test that one out at the lab.” Oscar hung up and turned to Steve. “Dan has a new invention.”

“I gathered that.” Steve smiled. “What has he come up with now?”

“I’ll let Rudy explain it. Dan came up with the idea after the Alexi incident. He’s just now perfected it.”

Steve sat back and wondered just what the boy genius had come up with this time. He was about to find out. They pulled into the parking lot at OSI.

Back at the garage and car salvage yard Franklin and Dine sat listening to the radio. “The police have issued an all points bulletin for Dr. Franklin and John Dine. Dine is suspected of robbing the Mann Liquor Store this evening…”

“Their on to us” Franklin slammed his hand down on the table. “No matter what you do now, the police will never believe its Austin.”

“Yea…Wait I have a better idea. If you want my opinion I’d rather see Austin dead anyway.”

“I like your way of thinking Dine.” Franklin smiled once again.

“Now we have to think of a way to get him here.” Dine pondered.

“I’ve got it. We use the boy. We send a note saying where we are…”

“No Franklin that may seem to obvious let’s do it this way. We sort of give ourselves away.”

“That’s better yet!” Franklin agreed. “Austin may sense a trap, and worse yet Goldman could send someone else. Ok.” Franklin stated and then took over again. “Here’s what you do. You let yourself be seen by Austin, he’ll follow you back here.”

“Just what I was thinking” Dine grinned. “I can’t wait to kill him.”

So what’s this project of Dan’s?” Steve asked when he and Oscar were seated in Rudy’s office.

“It’s this.” Rudy held up what looked like a clear liquid.

“What’s that?” Steve asked.

“It’s a chemical Dan designed. We write your name or series of numbers on you bionic arm or leg. It can be seen only under ultra violet light or with your bionic eye.” Rudy explained. “He’s been trying to perfect it for a couple of years now.” He added.

“I see. Then if Dine, or Alexi, or even that Gallaway gal shows up…”

“We will be able to identify you without your divulging your bionics.” Rudy finished.

Rudy began to apply the substance using the ultra violet light to see what he was writing. He clearly wrote Steve’s birth date on the upper part of Steve’s arm.”

“How can we be sure he’s Steve?” Oscar wondered.

“If he weren’t Steve, he would have screamed the instant I applied it.” Rudy explained. “The chemical is pure acid.”

“I see it would have burned a normal person’s skin.” Oscar surmised.

“Exactly” Rudy stated.

Steve and Oscar left Rudy’s office and headed for Steve’s house. ”Now” Steve began. “We have to find Dan.”

”Why don’t we get a few hours shuteye? Then we can start fresh in the ‘morning.’ How does that sound?” Oscar suggested

“That sounds fine to me. Why don’t you just stay at my place? I’ll set a cot up in the baby’s room.” Steve offered.

“Great idea I’ll tell Linda to come back later on this morning.” Oscar said as they entered Steve’s house.

Later that morning, after leaving the kids with Linda, Steve, Oscar and Rudy were ready to set out on a desperate search for Danny. “If both Dine and Franklin have him…” Steve began.

“Yea I know. We really need to find him.” Oscar finished. “And fast!!” They jumped into Oscar’s car and started their search.

“If you don’t mind Steve would you drive?” Oscar asked.

“Not at all” Steve started driving. “It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.” He admitted. “They could have Danny any number of places in the City. Or out of the City for that matter.” He added.

Let’s start by searching all the vacant buildings in the area.” Oscar suggested. “I’ll call Russ have him get us a list.” He reached for his car phone.

“Good idea. Tell him we’ll be at the OSI in less than ten minutes.” Steve headed in the direction of the OSI building.

“Are we all set?” Franklin asked.

“Yea I’m getting ready to step out on to the street. I figured they would start looking for the kid any time now.”

“Great! What is the plan?” Franklin pressed.

“I’ll show you” Dine led Franklin down the steps. “I don’t understand why this is here, but it will serve our purpose very well. That is if what you’re telling me is true.”

“If what’s true?” Franklin wondered.

“You were telling me about his bionics, and how they were powerless in the cold.”

Franklin nodded. “Why?”

“It’s what I found. A big walk in freezer I really don’t know what business like this would do with one, but there is one downstairs and it works.”

“That is great.” Franklin smiled. “You’re sure it works?”

“I tested it myself.” Dine grinned back.

...Continued