A cloud of dust billowed into the air as Squad 51 and Engine 51 made their way to the scene of their latest call. The call in question had taken the stationhouse through several sparsely populated back roads that reached their outermost jurisdiction. Fewer and fewer houses lined the roads the further the station traveled. Despite the beautiful day and clear weather there was no sign of other people in the area, which gave the call an unnaturally spooky vibe.

Inside the Squad dispatch called back over the radio. 'Station 51: cancel.'

Johnny Gage picked up their radio and responded to dispatch. "Station 51."

Roy DeSoto turned off the siren and slipped off his helmet. He could feel Johnny's annoyance. "Just go ahead and say it partner. I know you want to."

"Man, how do we end up driving for almost twenty minutes only to get a 'cancel' on a possible gas leak?"

"Maybe they found the leak and plugged it up." Roy playfully suggested.

"Funny." Johnny rubbed at his dark hair. "you know, I just got the weirdest feeling that today is going to be far more interesting than a cancelled call out in the middle of 'scenic nowhere'".

Captain Hank Stanley looked down at his watch noting the time of the day. "It's ten after four. There's no way that'll be the last call of the day."

Chet Kelley, who was sitting as per usual in the seat behind his captain chimed in with his own opinion on the matter. "And there's no way we won't be hearing about it from Johnny back at the station."

"You're probably right. So could you do us all a favor Chet?"

"What's that Cap?"

"Lay off him, will ya'?"

"I will, but I can't make any promises on behalf of 'The Phantom'." He answered with a mischievous grin.

"Well, if you see 'The Phantom' let him know I'd gladly put his name at the top of the list for latrine duty for the next six months."

"Sure Cap," Chet's grin disappeared. "I'll let him know."

Mike Stoker and Marco Lopez kept their silence despite their amusement, they didn't dare invite the wrath of 'The Phantom'.

Navigating the seldom driven back roads was a bit of a challenge for both Roy and Mike. The uneven and poorly maintained dirt roads made it cumbersome for the large vehicles. The thick overgrowth from the wild, unkempt brush that lined the roads obstructed the view making it virtually impossible to see anything or anyone traveling along the adjacent road.

As the Squad drove through the seemingly clear intersection, a large Cadillac, traveling at a dangerously high speed, suddenly barreled into the side of the Squad with brutal force.

From the Engine cab Captain Stanley could only watch helplessly as his paramedics, and friends, were forced off the road. The two vehicles came to a halt only because they slammed into the trunk of an incredibly large tree twenty feet from the road. Broken glass shattered all over the road and grassy field while the sound of crunching metal filled the air. The sound echoed painfully long even after the two vehicles finally came to a violent stop after impacting the tree.

"Oh God!" Stanley said what everyone else was already thinking as he instinctively grabbed the radio. "Dispatch this is Engine 51; report of a two vehicle collision at Oakhurst Road and Mulberry. Squad 51 is involved; request a second Squad to our location and an ambulance."

'Engine 51.'

...to be continued...