Author's note:

Hi,

This story has been previously published under my name. Rereading it after a few months, it felt really cringy and needed a few extra touches. You can see it as a "director"'s cut, with added, longer scenes and better prose. For those who've read it already, they can skip certain passages if they want. Added scenes and lines will play a very important role further down the line.

JF2

Prologue:

"Don't worry. I won't let them!" "That's what I'm afraid of!" Steve stepped in his truck and closed the door. Why's he worried like hell? The truck started. The sound of the engine was roaring through the garage. The truck moved slowly, but steady. When the truck left, Ben closed the garage.

Steve turned the wheel and rode out of the garage. After a few miles driving, he saw a few cars on the road. Shit! I got to avoid them! Steve closed his eyes and turned the wheel. Trying to avoid the blockage, he heard shots. A loud explosion silenced all the singing birds. The wheel of the truck turned over, making it impossible to drive. Before he knew it, his truck drove against a wall. Crashing against the wall, the front window shattered, and he opened the door. He stepped out and saw a few men, holding a gun. "Move and you're dead!" A man came closer and punched him with the butt of the gun. "Now, I want ya to say something to Ben. He must remember that these roads are full of peril. We don't want anyone to get hurt, do we?" The man laughed and Ben felt the butt again. The man took the truck and started the engine. The other men stepped in. "Remember what I said, mate!"

The A-team:

Ben opened the door and entered a game shop. Soft music was playing, and Ben walked through the ranks, filled with games. The tired lights were shining, enlightening the room with a dim and white light. He saw a man standing at the desk. If mr. Lee is to be trusted; I've got to talk with him. Ben took a game and looked at the cover. "Total War: Three Kingdoms" was readable on the cover. Two samurais were fighting each other, on a grey background. Ben didn't have any experience with games, although Steve played Minecraft. He approached the desk, noticing an old man. "Hi. I want to buy this game for mr. Lee." The man looked up from his papers. He took the game from the Ben. He scanned the game and touched the computer a few times. " 'Total War: Three Kingdoms'. Good game, ye know. I've played it multiple times with my grandson. From where comes the need of this favor for mr Lee?" "He just asked it. Oh, before I forget. He also wanted me to see mr Winchester." The man's eyes turned into burning stars, glad to have attention. "It's your lucky day, lad! That's me!" "You're mr Winchester?" Ben didn't know what to say. Mr. Lee never said what to do now. "Yes, I surely am. How do ye know mr Lee?" Ben came closer and said: "I'm searching for the A-team. I visited mr. Lee recently. It's said that he has tight connections with them." Mr. Winchester laid the game on the desk and turned. "Where're you going?" The door was opened, and mr. Winchester disappeared. He looked around suspicious, seeking for any hidden cameras. Ben took the game, laid down 20 bucks and left the shop. He opened the DVD, to see the disc within. It's the only place where you can hide a hint. A small paper fell out of it. "Meet us at 2 a.m. in the Lanark Street. You've hired the A-team." Ben smiled.

At 2 a.m., Ben was ready to meet the A-team. He looked around but saw nothing. It wasn't hard, the darkness had eaten the street. A few stars hung in the darkness, lightening the sky. He heard a car approaching and abruptly stopping. A blond-haired man opened the door and stepped out of the car. "Are ye Ben?" "Yes." "FBI." The man showed his badge and went on. "Step into the car." Ben did as bid. His face filled with fear, for he knew why the FBI would come. The tires peeped when the man accelerated. The force of the acceleration pushed Ben against the leaning. The car stopped in front of a hangar. The hanging door opened, and the man parked inside the hangar. "You ain't from the FBI, are you?" "No, I'm not. Don't worry, we'll do nothing wrong with ya. Just step out of the car. Guys?" The hangar was divided in two rooms. The darkness was hunted by the little light present. Out of the darkness he heard a door screaming. He heard footsteps approaching. A black man entered the room, wearing a red shirt, and a lot of golden jewelry. Then, another man entered the room. He wore a white coat, and his hair was grey. The man had a cigar between his teeth. "Hi. I'm Hannibal. That's Face." Hannibal pointed at the blond-haired man. "That's B.A." He moved his finger to the black man. "Now, I've heard your story from mr. Lee. You can tell it now to B.A. and Face." Ben nodded and began his tale. "The government has made a vaccine against corona or COVID-19. You know that, do you?" "Yes." "They've asked me and Steve to transport them from the airport of Washington to the vaccine center. But, as you may know, the mafia wants them too. "Mad" Tom, as we call him there, delivers them to the mafia. When they're vaccinated, they sell it for a higher price on the black market." "It's a good tale. Now, say, what do we need to do?" "I want you to deal with Tom. Afterwards, we can distribute the vaccines to the others." "How much money do you have?" "50.000 dollars, now, and everyone can get vaccinated. When it's done, I can give more." Face looked questioning to Hannibal. Seemingly shocked by the low prize, he crossed his hands behind his back and said: "You know that we can't afford all the luxuries we have now at such prizes. You've got to ask more." "It's a deal, Ben. Face, better be vaccinated than not. Get Murdock out of the hospital." Hannibal looked pleased by the deal, and a little smile found its way on his stern face. Faceman looked to the ground, trying to find his words, and said: "That smile doesn't comfort me."

Face was walking through the corridors when he heard a "roar". The sound came from Murdock's cell. He knocked on the door, a hallow sound filled the corridors. Murdock opened the door. "Face! Nice to see you." Murdock looked behind him. "Rexy, put. I'm sorry, Rexy's misbehaving." A nurse came to Face. She wore her white coats and looked old. She had a stern face, only exaggerating the event. "You can't open the door of these cells." The veteran sighed, feeling very disturbed by this cliché. "Don't worry. I'm working for colonel Lynch. I need this patient." The nurse held her ground, only making her face look sterner by the minute. "You can't take him without my permission.", she snapped, holding her arm ready to close the door. "If you want to go to the court martial, I'll leave." Face emphasized that he left. The nurse panicked, not wanting to have a lawsuit. "I'll tell the others he's on a holiday. Just bring him back at time." "Good. Murdock, come with me." Murdock turned. "Rexy, come. We've got to go with the sergeant." Murdock walked out of his cell, but quickly stopped. He returned to his room, put his hand forward and said: "Beware your head!" Then, Face closed in, took him by his arm and walked out of the building. Murdock slowed down, when he saw B.A.'s car. He looked straight into his friend's face and begged: "You can't do that, Face! There won't be any room for Rexy!" Face opened the door of the car. "Look, there are 3 open spots. One for you, one for me. Can Rexy have one chair?" Murdock's face filled with joy and he let Rexy through. "Thank you, Faceman. I'll never forget it!"

Hannibal and Ben were waiting outside the hangar. They saw the black van with red stripes approaching them. It stopped in front of them, and Ben stepped in. Hannibal opened the passenger door and said: "Let's go, B.A.!" After some miles, Hannibal commanded B.A. to stop. B.A. looked puzzled at Hannibal, searching for the reason why they stopped. "You know, there's a good spot to picknick!" B.A. turned towards Hannibal. His face became angry, not liking the change of subject. "This ain't no good place!" Face came closer and put a needle in B.A.'s neck. "What ye doing?" B.A. turned to Face and tried to hit him. Before he could, he fell asleep. His face landed right on the horn.

Murdock stepped out, feeling the sunshine on his skin. He slowly walked over the landing strip, making sure that no planes were landing. He knocked on the door of the storage of planes. The door opened slowly, and a man put his face through it. The face was an old one, drawn with the signs of ageing and survival. "Hi, can I have a free plane, please?" The man looked suspicious at him, not liking the formed smile. "No." Murdock began backing off, as if making place for something. "You can give me a plane, or I'll let Rexy decide whom she eats, me or you." The man's face changed. His eyes became narrower, taking a good look at Murdock. Then, he widened the door opening. "Where's Rexy?" "A little closer." Murdock roared and hit the man in his face. "I'm sorry, man, but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do." He placed the man back inside and chose his favorite plane.

Hannibal drove the van, parked it on the strip and waited for Murdock. After half an hour, he heard a plane coming. He saw a grey spot growing bigger and bigger, until he knew what it was. An old airplane, mainly existing out of old rusted iron plates, came closer. The brakes were pushed, and the speed diminished. It stopped next to the van. The door fell and Murdock descended the stairs. "Look what I got here, colonel. This baby's big enough to have us and Rexy!" A roar came out of the plane. "See! Even Rexy agrees. Come, before Lynch comes." Hannibal and Face took B.A., dragged him into the plane and placed him into the plane. A siren filled the air. Hannibal commanded Murdock to wait, while Lynch rode on the strip. He gained speed and Hannibal waved from the stair. "Go, Murdock!" The airplane gained speed. Lynch closely chased them. Murdock began to rise, making the plane fly. Slowly but steady, Murdock got the airplane in the air.

"Whooooooooooooohooo!" Murdock was yelling when the plane took off. Hannibal and Face were sitting in chairs, while reading a magazine. Ben was watching them, trying to sleep. B.A. was laying in his chair, peacefully asleep.

"Why did you free us?", Jon asked. Colonel Decker walked through the corridors, leading towards his office. He opened the door, letting Jon and Leonard through. "Make yourself at home." The room had a window. Next to a table, there was an archive. Decker approached it and took out a file. He looked at it, and threw it on the table. "Ready to take revenge? I need a few more of your kind, so I can beat the A-team at their game. You've probably met Lynch. 10 years, he got and the A-team is still on the run. The government doesn't want me to replace him. I would go too far, they said." He grinned, disagreeing with the government. "Now, enough said. Enjoy the peace, have patience and your name will be cleared."

The plane landed and they drove a hired car. B.A. was finally awaking. Face turned and said: "How're you? You've been asleep for 2 days!" B.A. looked around, raising his eyebrows. "We've been on a plane, haven't we?!" B.A. moved and tried to hit anyone close by him. "Pay attention, B.A.! You'll hurt Rexy!" B.A. looked angry at Murdock. "There ain't no Rexy, you fool! Hannibal, this guy's crazy!" They arrived at Ben's house. Ben parked the car and they stepped out. He opened the door of his house, letting the A-team in. "Steve! Are you there?", he yelled. Searching through the house, he saw a few magazines laying on the table. When they arrived at the staircase, they heard: "Yes. You've hired the A-team?" Hannibal said: "At your service. Now, when will the next transport happen?" "This afternoon." Hannibal smiled. "I like to know the size of the bug before I step on them." "I know, Hannibal. You've said that before."

That afternoon, they prepared to leave the home. Murdock saw Steve and said: "Have you some food for Rexy? He likes meat." Steve nodded and went to the fridge. "Any preference?" "He prefers beef." "Okay, I'll cook it." "Oh no, you don't need to. He likes it raw." Steve gave Murdock the meat. Murdock thanked him. "Will Hannibal succeed?" Murdock looked up, while throwing the meat on the ground. "Hannibal always succeeds. Don't be afraid about that." When Rexy had "eaten" everything, Murdock left the kitchen. Then Steve ate his meal. After his meal, he entered the hangar. Hannibal was loading his automatic gun, while Face was talking with Ben. Close to Ben, stood a car, transformed to a ram. Iron plates had been added at both sides of the car, coming together in a sharp point. "What's your plan?" "We're going to knock on their front door." Hannibal took a cigar from his pocket and started the engine of the truck. "Face, step in!" He closed the door. "B.A., hold on to the door at my side. Murdock, do the same at Face's side." Murdock stepped on the truck. When it began moving, Murdock said: "Th-that's all folks!"

Hannibal saw the blockage in the distance. A few blocks of hay were stacked upon each other and behind it, there were 5 men with loaded guns. "Let's knock Face! Murdock, B.A. jump." Hannibal slowed down. They jumped off the car and Hannibal gained speed. The sun spread her light on the road. Tom saw the truck approaching and made himself ready to stop them. "They still haven't learnt their lesson." Tom took his gun and pointed it at the tires. Two ear cracking shots were heard. The car didn't slow down, in fact, it gained speed. "They're crazy!" The sharp point made the blockage fall apart. Several hay blocks flew to the side. The men jumped aside, making room for the car.

While the car was driving on the road, Murdock and B.A. were making their way through the bushes. The bushes had thorns, making it painful to walk through. B.A. looked at the road, searching for the blockage. "Hannibal said it should be around here." He walked towards the road, making himself visible. He heard men loading their guns. The blockage was half a mile away. The blocks of hay, which were stacked upon each other to make a firm wall, were blocking the road. B.A. crossed the road, hiding himself in the bushes of the other side. Murdock nodded and they all moved further along the bushes. A car jumped through the blockage, making a mixed cloud of hay and dust. Murdock gave B.A. a signal. "Rexy, I choose you!" Murdock took his gun and pointed it at Tom. B.A. came out of the bushes, shot a few bullets, and said: "Don't move and lay down your weapons." They laid down their weapons and didn't move. B.A. took his walkie-talkie and said: "We got them!" B.A. laid the walkie-talkie down and asked: "Who do you work for? Speak." "Or Rexy will attack you.", Murdock added. "We work for Michael." Murdock took a rope and bound them to nearby trees. A car, made ready at the side of the bushes, was waiting for Murdock and B.A. B.A. opened the door of the car, which was intact, and began starting the engine. "Wait! Rexy, here. Get in the car!" Murdock opened the door and closed it. "Well, after everything, I've got one thing to say. Bye!" Murdock waved.

When evening arrived, everyone was back at home. "If this follows the guidelines, they'll attack tomorrow. We'll make everything ready." The rest of the A-team nodded and began building.

When they were freed, Tom went to Michael. He knocked on the door, answered by an opening door. Michael opened it and let them through. They were in the kitchen, sitting on chairs. "We've got to teach them a lesson. They've hired mercenaries!" Michael turned his chair towards Tom. "Fine, I'll handle it myself. Tomorrow, we'll attack with full force."

"Face, make sure that there's an I phone with war sounds. Murdock, make some bombs with the ingredients that you find in the kitchen. B.A., make the weapons ready."

"Hannibal?" Murdock looked at Hannibal, hopeful for a positive answer. "Yes." Hannibal stopped with building, laying down his hammer. "Can Rexy fight with us?" B.A. growled. He took the t-shirt of Murdock and lifted him. "There ain't no Rexy!" "Relax, big guy!" B.A. loosened his grip and looked at Hannibal. "Everything's ready." He smiled. The bombs were ready, weapons loaded. The moon began diving, now they're waiting on the sun. "Let the game begin." He took, as always, a cigar.

The next day, cars were set around the house. "Steve and Ben! You've made us angry and will feel what face your punishment." "What will happen? You'll cry?" Hannibal was leaning against the wall, looking at Michael. "You must be one of the mercenaries." "You must be that slimeball." "Listen up, I'll pay you double, if you give Steve and Ben to us." "I don't care." Hannibal turned and went inside the house. He gave a signal to Face. Face ran towards the I phone, pushed the button. Shooting was heard. Michael and his men hid behind their cars, trying to avoid the bullets.

Murdock threw a few bombs right on top of a car. Several loud explosions were heard. Smoke covered the cars. Michael tried to escape, using his car. He drove as fast as he could. B.A., who saw this, shot on the tires of the car. This made the car uncontrollable. The front wheels hit a nearby car. This made the car flip and it landed on its roof. Face took his gun and opened the door. He threw a smoke bomb between the cars. Smoke arose from the spot where the bomb landed. Face ran and hit a guy with his left fist. A strong man came to him. He took the t-shirt of Face, ready to throw him. "B.A.!" Face was thrown on the car's front window, making the glass shatter. B.A. sneaked up the man. The man turned and B.A. hit him with his right fist. "Thanks B.A.!" Face turned, touching his back. "I'm getting too old for this.", Face sighed, feeling the pain in his back. The guys all stood against the wall. Hannibal helped Michael out of his car. He threw him against the wall and gave the gun to Ben. "Here you go." "Thanks Hannibal." "You're welcome." Hannibal turned and asked Face for his cigar. "I love it when a plan comes together!" In the background the car of Michael exploded.

In the distance they heard sirens. "B.A., make the van ready." B.A. drove his car on the street. Everyone stepped in, except Hannibal. Hannibal opened the two backdoors of the car. He waited until he saw the first car. He took his cigar and looked at it. When he was sure that Lynch was in earshot, he said: "Hey! Colonel Lynch, we're here!" "Wait until I say go B.A." Ben looked at Murdock, puzzled by this bold move, and said: "What's happening?" "Hannibal's on the jazz, Ben. That's what's happening." The car came closer and closer. When Hannibal could see every hair on the moustache of Lynch, he said: "Go, B.A.!" He waved towards colonel Lynch.

THE END

Epilogue:

Michael and Tom were pushed towards an interrogation room, each sitting on a chair. The room was built of brick walls, with a big window before them. A door was opened, and a man came through. He wore a green army suit, wearing a cap. "Call me colonel Decker." He offered them hands, which they didn't accept. He sat himself, opened the papers and looked at it. "Stealing of vaccines and turned in by the A-team. Right?" Michael and Tom looked at each other, not understanding what happened. "Yeah. So?" Decker clapped in his hand, leaning back into the chair. "You're not the first, ye know." His expression didn't change, he stared at Michael and Tom, as if they would be killed. "I can give you a second chance. Listen to this: if you help me capture the A-team, your name will be cleared."

Will be continued…..