"Congratulations, Cyborgs," beams Cassandra. "You are now the official owners of Cyborgs HQ!" The cyborgs flash smiles at each other as excitement fills their stomachs. "I will continue to be in contact with you and act as your guide," she continues. "I will also alert you of any attacks and provide any assistance or information you may need on your missions. I'll leave you all to get acquainted, in the meantime I'll finalize your paperwork as an official cyborg crime fighting team." The hologram closes and the cyborgs are left with a lot to figure out. When they first entered this building, they were sworn enemies. Now they're allies. How quickly things have changed for the three of them. Raiden starts wondering if they're all cut out for this...
"Wow," says Raiden, turning to his new team mates. "That just happened.."
"Yeah.." Monsoon agrees as he tosses his white hair behind him.
Raiden paces around the room a bit. "So… looks like we're a team now, huh?" he says shyly.
"I guess so.." shrugs Jetstream. Yeah, it might take a while for the awkwardness to cease...
Monsoon turns to look behind him and spots a control panel for a training simulator. "Wow.. this equipment is exquisite!" he exclaims. "Not even Desperado has anything this high-tech!"
Jetstream turns to Monsoon, not really interested in the high-tech equipment. "Speaking of which," he starts, crossing his arms. "What are we gonna do about Armstrong?" If Monsoon's entire face was visible, it would be full of concern. He had forgotten all about Armstrong and it wouldn't be long before the senator would start looking for them.
Raiden steps up to them with a serious look in his eyes. "I'll tell you what we're gonna do," he starts. "We're gonna show him who's boss -- that he can't solve problems with war! Like Cassandra said, we are more powerful together! And we're more than capable of taking him down!"
"Woah-ho woah!" Jetstream interrupts. "Hold on... Who put you in charge?" he asks, pointing at Raiden.
Raiden looks at Jetstream with annoyance. "Nobody. I just answered your question.." he shrugs.
"He's right, Sam," Monsoon cuts in. "Nobody's in charge yet. Let's just try and focus on the task at hand."
"Thank you, Monsoon..." Raiden says, shooting Jetstream a glare. Raiden and Monsoon turn to explore some more while Jetstream crosses his arms and growls at them in irritation. This may be harder than any of them imagined.

Later, the cyborgs re-enter the main room after touring the rest of the building. Smiling and laughing, the cyborgs talk about all the cool features of their new home.. which is quite a contrast from earlier. Maybe this partnership is meant to be.
"That training room is intense," smiles Raiden. "Kinda reminds me of the one back at Maverick.."
"The kitchen was quite nice too," adds Monsoon. "I've actually considered getting into cooking and experimenting with some Japanese dishes."
Raiden shoots Monsoon an impressed look while Jetstream rolls his eyes with disinterest.
"Please," starts Jetstream. "The bedroom was the best part! I think I'll make it my new getaway place..." All the cyborgs pause and share a good laugh. Nothing could ruin this perfect mome--
"Cyborgs!" calls Cassandra as she suddenly appears on a hologram. The cyborgs immediately stop laughing and locate Cassandra's hologram. From the sound of her voice, it sounds like she bears bad news. They all rush over to the hologram in the center of the main room.
"What is it, Cassandra?" Raiden asks seriously.
"Armstrong is on the move!" alerts Cassandra. "And he's not alone!" Cassandra's hologram switches to show a live video of Armstrong in a large machine marching through the city of Denver.
Jetstream doesn't believe it. "What..?!" he gasps.
"Already..?!" asks Monsoon.
Raiden doesn't understand why they're just standing there. "Guys, we need to stop him!" he protests. "He's already destroyed half the city!"
"Raiden, we need a plan!" Monsoon argues. "We can't just go out there guns blazing!"
Raiden disagrees. "We have no time for a plan! Come on!" With no chance for further negotiation, he sprints out the building. Monsoon and Jetstream exchange glances before reluctantly chasing after him.

Within minutes, the Cyborgs arrive on the scene. Windows smashed, buildings destroyed, and cars flipped over. Armstrong has made a real mess of things. They skid to a stop as they come face to face with the senator himself. Armstrong is sitting at the controls of a large crab-like machine, with several more sitting behind him. Armstrong spots the three cyborgs. "Monsoon! Jetstream! What are you doing?!" he asks, obviously confused and angry. "I've been looking all over for you two..! And what is he doing here!?" Armstrong gives Raiden a long, cold glare. Raiden looks Armstrong right in the eyes and mirrors his ugly stare.
Jetstream takes a step forward. "We know what your game is, Armstrong! And we don't wanna play anymore!" he hollers.
Monsoon steps up too. "My eyes have been opened!" he says, emotion lacing his voice. "It's just like you to cast us aside after you get your way..! I refuse to play a part in your schemes!"
"Your plan ends here, Armstrong..!" says Raiden as he unsheathes his blade. "It's time to take you down once and for all!" Raiden points his blade at Armstrong. Monsoon and Jetstream follow his lead and unsheathe their weapons too.
Armstrong chuckles evilly. "You really think you can stop me..? TRAITORS!!" The senator presses a button and the machines behind him start marching towards the cyborgs.
The Cyborg's first battle as a team has begun. Raiden uses his lightning-fast speed to take out one machine after the other. Monsoon uses his electromagnetic powers to split his body apart and dodge all incoming attacks. No machine can land a hit on him! Finally, Jetstream just uses his powerful blade to stab the machines straight through the core. With most of the machines down, the cyborgs go after Armstrong...
"You're making a huge mistake..!" shouts Armstrong as he swings a robotic claw at Monsoon. Monsoon dodges the attack with ease.
"The only mistake we made.. was trusting you!!" roars Jetstream as he slashes through the machine's window shield. Armstrong shields his face as tiny shards of glass splatter at him.
Monsoon readies his Sai as he looks for an opening to attack the machine's legs. "After all this time.. I thought you were going to keep me by your side," he says depressingly. He starts charging at the machine. "They were all LIES!!" he yells as he slices its two front legs off. Armstrong lets out a yelp as he feels his machine struggle to stay upright.
"You will never be president!" says Raiden. "And I won't let you!!" He super jumps into the air and slams his blade onto the machine. Armstrong screams as the whole machine crashes into the ground. The cyborgs stand a distance away and stare at the crater the machine laid in.
Seconds later, Armstrong huffs and puffs as he weakly climbs out of the crater. "I'm impressed, Jack," says the senator. "You and your new friends do make a pretty good team..." The cyborgs exchange confused looks. Is he finally admitting defeat? Suddenly, the sound of a helicopter fills the air and dust clouds start stirring up again. The helicopter hovers over Armstrong as he stands from the crater. "But know this," the senator continues. "You haven't seen the last of me...! I will become president! And when I do, it'll be the end of all three of you..!"
Raiden begs to differ. "We're not done with you, Armstrong--!"  In the midst of Raiden's response, a smoke bomb falls out of the sky and explodes in the Cyborgs' faces. The trio cough and hack as they try to fan the suffocating smoke away.
Armstrong takes advantage of the distraction and grabs onto a ladder coming from the helicopter. "I'll be back for you..!" threatens Armstrong as the helicopter lifts him from the ground. "Just you wait...!" In no time at all, Armstrong disappears into the sky. The cyborgs finally clear the smoke away, but Armstrong is long gone.
"Great, he got away.." says a frustrated Raiden. Suddenly, Cassandra calls in and a holographic screen appears in front of Raiden.
"Cyborgs? What happened? Are you alright?" Cassandra asks.
Raiden shakes his head in disappointment. "No... he got away..."
"He'll be back though... to finish the job..." adds Monsoon.
"And he's not joking..!" says Jetstream. "He's seriously gonna kick our butts..."
"Sounds like you have some work to do," says Cassandra. "You should have plenty of time to prepare before he makes his next move.."
"Right. I guess we should get started..." says Raiden.
"Before you go," stalls Cassandra. "I was wondering if you all have decided on a leader.."
Raiden lifts an eyebrow. "A leader? No, why?" he asks.
"Every team needs a leader. Even if the team is small." smiles Cassandra.
Raiden looks away as he puts his hands on his hips. "Well, don't look at me..." he sighs.
Monsoon and Jetstream exchange looks before approaching Raiden. "Actually, I nominate Raiden," smiles Monsoon as he puts his hand on Raiden's shoulder. Raiden jumps at Monsoon's touch, quickly turning his head to face him.
"I second that," says Jetstream as he puts his hand on Raiden's other shoulder.
"Wait, really?" gasps Raiden as he scrunches his eyebrows in disbelief. "You think I should be the leader..?"
"You've been proving yourself worthy of such a title since we've teamed up," explains Monsoon. "I don't see things going any other way..."
"I envy you," Jetstream admits to Raiden. "But I agree with Monsoon, leadership is in your blood. Anyone could tell."
Raiden's mouth couldn't help but curl into a smile. "Thank you. Both of you," he gleams. "I won't let you down..... I won't let anyone down.."
"Well, now that you've settled that, you three should head back to Head Quarters," suggests Cassandra. "You have a lot of work ahead of you."
"Right. Let's go, guys." says Raiden as he strides off the robot-littered battlefield. Monsoon and Jetstream follow close behind.
Being officially nominated as a leader felt good to Raiden. He finally feels like he's where he wants to be in life... and ironically, he has his former enemies to thank.

End of chapter