Author's note: This story belongs to me - please do not reproduce without my permission or claim it as your own work. Constructive feedback is always appreciated. :D

Orion Guardians, Inc. (Location classified) – 4067

"Agent Identified: Security clearance A1. Welcome, Agent Carina Ryder,” a mechanical voice intoned as the doors of the metallic turbolift slid open to reveal a young woman.

Carina (known as "Cara" to her friends) walked briskly out into the hall, nodding to various agents on her way to the large glass-walled office at the end of the glaringly bright hall.

"Good morning, Agent Ryder. Director Harkow is expecting you,” said the guard stationed just outside the office. The heavy glass doors slid smoothly open, and Cara went right in. She stood silently in front of the black marble desk and waited for the chair to turn around.

Harkow turned and smiled at his favorite agent. “Cara, my dear, thank you for responding so quickly.”

“What can I do for you, Director?”

He held up a hand to quiet her. “Not here. Follow me to the conference room. The others are waiting.” With that, he stood up, and gestured toward the impenetrable door behind his desk. He punched in his security code and his DNA was scanned and confirmed. The door opened silently, and he went through.

Cara followed, confused but not allowing it to show on her face. It had taken many years of practice, but now her face was as unreadable as a whitewashed wall.

When they entered the secure room, she was a little surprised to see two others sitting there. A young man sat nervously, fidgeting and darting glances at the female android across from him. As for the android, she sat still with her eyes closed.

Harkow cleared his throat, prompting the android to open her eyes and turn her head towards them. She stood up, prompting the young man to follow her example though with more nervousness.

“Please, everyone,” Harkow said as pleasantly as he could manage, “Sit down. Our fourth member will be arriving later. He’s…a special case, so he is going through his own private briefing session before joining us.”

Once everyone had seated themselves and Harkow had activated the visual projection display on the wall, he began to speak.

“Now for the introductions – I am Director Harkow, your liaison with Orion Guardians. Any and all comments and questions will be directed through me during the term of your employment in this sector. The android on the left is known as Historical Archivist Droid R531A. You may call her ‘Tori’ and her function is self-explanatory. The young man across from her is our youngest employee Aidan Winters. He will be this team’s technical scientist. And the young woman sitting at the end of the table is Agent Cara Ryder. She will act as team leader.”

Aiden tentatively raised his hand. “Um, Harkow, sir, um, exactly what is this about? These agents came to my dorm last night, packed up all of my stuff, and drove me here without telling me what was going on." He turned a bit peevish. "And they confiscated my computer.”

Harkow smiled a little at the teen. “Aiden, no need to worry - you will be getting a new computer with the most advanced technology available, as well as the best lab we have to offer. And I apologize for the agents. As this was a Security Level 1 meeting, they were told not to say anything to anyone." He then addressed the others. "As for why you are all here…Orion Guardians has decided to create an off-the-books division known as OI-3 that will handle all incoming intel regarding Brekken movements.”

Tori tilted her head, “I do not understand. Is that not illegal? Under the Reformed Galactic Alliance Charter of 3452, Section 54, Paragraph C2, Subdivision D, all information should be made available to the public and there shall be no formation of any sort of organization that -”

“Yes, yes, yes… however, desperate times call for drastic measures. And these are desperate times,” Harkow interrupted. “If any of you have any problems with this, please say so now before we go any further. ”

When he was met with silence, he continued, “I’m sure all of you are wondering what circumstances led to the creation of this division. I will explain later. For now, all you need to know is that any information you hear or see from this point onward is highly confidential. If you reveal anything to anyone not previously authorized or without the proper security clearance, punishment will be swift. Also be aware that if captured by the Brekkens or discovered while undercover, the agency will not acknowledge your employment or the existence of this division. When you leave these walls, you’re on your own.”

He pressed a button under the conference table, activating the mini-screens on the table surface. “As you can see, we have recently received some intel from one of our informants in the Brekken military base on Terra V that the Brekkens are attempting to open a sort of time portal. Copied documentation from their headquarters seem to indicate a possibility that it will be used to go back in time to alter the history of the various species in the Galactic Alliance. As their current tactics to engineer a take-over of the known worlds are meeting with a stalemate, they seem to be trying more, shall we say, insidious tactics.”

Cara looked up from her screen. “Has this information been confirmed?”

“Confirming this information will actually be your first mission as the Core Four. You will be briefed regarding the mission specifics once our fourth member arrives.”

“Core Four? Sounds like one of the old Earth comic superheroes,” said Aiden, smirking a little. A glare from Harkow quickly wiped off that expression.

“Yes, well, that will be your team code name. As for your individual code names – Aiden is ‘Doc,’ Tori is ‘Blue jay,’ Cara is ‘Phoenix,’ and Helios will be ‘Arrowhead.’ Ah, speaking of Helios…”

Everyone turned in unison when the door beeped loudly and slid open. A tall, muscular man walked into the room. Normally, no one would have paid much attention – most men in the agency were well-built as it was a job requirement – but their gazes were immediately drawn to his golden eyes, non-uniform clothes, and the Rokkas band on his upper right arm.

“A Brekken?! Our fourth member is a Brekken?!” yelled Cara. She stood up, knocking her chair to the ground, and pulled out her laser gun, pointing it at the newcomer.