NOTE TO READERS: The situation is soon to reach the critical stage, as the brave, the adventurous, and the fun-loving chatters of PC Online continue to line up taking their place in the ongoing effort to save Port Charles and its inhabitants from evil of one kind or another! Today's guest stars are Reds from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Alison from Reading Massachusetts, and Kell from Galloway, Ohio!

"We've got problems," Edward says to Ned as the lightning splits the evening sky over Port Charles. The older Quartermaine's face is set in a grimace of anger. "We just lost a bundle in an explosion in a factory in Mexico. Everything there is gone-wiped out completely."

He fixes his steely gaze on Ned who has suddenly blanched. "Everything?"

"Everything. And, since we were trying to be covert about our new operation.."

"Translate that you were running an illegal operation," comes a voice from the doorway, and in walks Tracy, a big smile on her face. "Daddy! Shame on you! And Ned, haven't you learned anything??"

Both men groan, wondering if things can get worse, which of course they do.

"Let me see," Tracy continues. "My sources tell me that there was an illegal drug manufacturing operation going on just across the border."

"Not exactly illegal, just not approved," Edward corrects, hastily. "There's a big difference there."

"Just enough of a difference that your insurance won't cover the losses," Tracy points out. "And the whole thing was just peculiar enough to warrant an investigation by both the Mexican government and ours. And, since it appears that Sonny holds stock in ELQ, and we all know what he does...."

"!@#$%^&*(())!!@#$%^&**((()!@#%^&" chorus both Edward and Ned in unison.

"Does RICO mean anything to you?" Tracy asks, sweetly. "Daddy, today you're in luck. I have been busy while I was gone, and I am making you an offer that will save ELQ."

"How's that?"

"You sign your shares of ELQ over to me, at a reasonable discount of course, --you can't afford to quibble and we both know it--and take an early retirement.-You can always start another company, something to keep you busy, and....out of trouble."

"Never!" Edward rages.

Ned thinks of touring in black leather pants. "Mother, you've got a deal!"

"Traitor!" Edward thunders as Ned signs on the dotted line of the papers that Tracy wields with a flourish.

"Smart boy," Tracy smiles. "And how do you plan to keep from being investigated?" Edward asks, craftily.

"I have friends in low places," Tracy answers. "Think about it, Daddy. Call your attorneys and you'll hear exactly what I told you. Either ELQ stays in the family with me at the helm, or it goes down in disgrace. You took one chance too many, Daddy. Your greed got the best of you!"

Minutes later, a shaken Edward hangs up the phone, and reaches for the papers. "I don't know how you did it, but rest assured, you haven't heard the last of this."

"Nor have you, Daddy dearest," Tracy smiles, stuffing the papers into her purse. "Now, lest you try to cause problems..." she pulls out a few legal documents and waves them under his face. "Mother has forgiven you a lot in the past....."

"Leave!!!" orders Edward, sinking down into a chair. "Just leave!"

"For now," Tracy says, waving good bye to her father and son. "It's been fun!" Hmmmmmm

"This is kind of interesting," Felicia remarks to Mac as the two of them skulk amiably along together in the catacombs. "You and me, stalking evildoers, together again."

"Yeah," Mac agrees. "Feels sort of right, doesn't it? Not that I'm all that crazy about having you in harm's way, especially if Ryan is really down here, but at least I know where you are and can keep an eye on you."

"Yeah! Just think-this time, I'm stalking him! This is fun! For the first time, I am beginning to understand the power trip behind the whole thing. I'm in control this time. He doesn't know that I know that he's down here, and coming after him. Of course, it would be more fun if he did, then he could squirm, but hey, I'll take what I can get."

"Just don't get any silly ideas that he isn't dangerous because the situation is reversed."

They walk on, only vaguely aware that the catacombs are slowly puddling with runoff rainwater.

Meanwhile, at one entrance of the catacombs, Marty stands, watching as a few more volunteers arrive to assist in this all out manhunt beneath the streets of Port Charles. A smile breaks her face as she recognizes two chatters from PC Online-Reds and Alison. "Glad you two could make it!! Now, listen carefully. Reds, you're going with The Masked Man, who'll be here in a couple of minutes with The Kid, and Alison, you're going with another agent, code name Crackerjax. This is a dangerous assignment, as we are after one man, possibly two, neither of whom shrink from killing. Complicating this whole thing is the fact that one man," and she hands them a picture, "is the identical twin of another man who is down here, we think, also tracking the first two."

"So how do we know who's who?" Reds asks, as she studies the snapshot.

"Don't worry about that," Marty tells her as The Masked Man emerges from the catacombs, into the dimly lit warehouse.

"Yo Boss-lady! What's up?"

Marty grins and says, "Getting into this, aren't you? Okay, I'm assigning Reds to accompany you and The Kid."

The auburn-haired young woman steps forward, clad in black as directed, her blue eyes alive with excitement. "Wow!! I get to work with The Masked Man!"

As they enter the catacombs, The Kid adds, "Me, too. That is, you get to work with me, too, The Kid, aka The Smoking Gun."

"Right," Reds nods, her eyes never leaving The Masked Man.

Just then, they are passed by Jax, reporting back to Marty in response to her call. "Crackerjax, I'm sending Alison with you. We've got a lot of territory to cover, and another set of eyes will come in handy."

"Right," agrees Alison, as the brown haired girl walks over to stand beside him, her blue eyes gazing directly into his. "Don't worry about me Marty knows my qualifications."

Marty nods, and says, "Now, take off and be careful! The water is rising." Hmmmmmm

Back at the PC grill, Brenda is anxiously tapping one fingertip against the tabletop, wondering what to do when her friend, Kell (whom we recognize as being from the chatline) walks in. She glances at her watch, and then takes a seat across the table from Brenda. Her entry has not gone unnoticed even though beautiful woman are common at the hotel. Her stunning figure and blond hair catch the eyes of all male patrons of the establishment, but she doesn't give them a second glance as she asks her friend, "What's wrong, Bren?"

"Kell, I'm so confused!! You know I haven't been married long, and before that I had a thing going with Sonny Corinthos who married Lily Rivera-long story, but you know all about it. Anyway, I'm wondering what to do."

"Girlfriend," Kell tells her, frankly, "I've seen Jax, and if you're wondering what to do, then something is definitely wrong. Why are you here, when you should be with him?"

"That's part of the problem. I was, when he got called out on business-so I went to a coffee house where I heard this poet, a guy from San Francisco, Andy. He composed a poem for me, on the spot, and I kissed him!"

"What???"

"I told you I was confused!!"

"Nuts is more like it," Kell says bluntly. "Brenda, we've got to have a talk about commitment, vows and promises made. Doesn't your word mean anything?"

Stunned, Brenda looks at Kell whose brown eyes are suddenly shadowed with concern. Kell continues. "Think about it. You made a vow before God and man to stick by that man, and here you are, waffling already. Jax is one fine man, and I can think of several other women, myself included, who would appreciate him. Either the man can depend on you, or he can't. Fair warning, Brenda," Kell tells her, and then stands up, walking away, every male eye in the place on her. Hmmmmmm

Stay tuned!! Has Tracy finally gotten what she wants-control of ELQ? Has Edward been thwarted at least?? Hoist with his own petard, so to speak? Will Felicia and Mac find Ryan? Will Reds and The Masked Man keep The Kid out of trouble? Has Brenda been shocked into sense by her friend Kell?? Hmmmmmmmm