5-August-2011-1830 hours- Location: Radiator Springs, CA
Rod was driving down the empty stretch of the mother road, just enjoying the view and the warm breeze blowing in his face and hair. It wasn't every day Rod did something like this. It had been two weeks since he was discharged from the hospital and adapting to life in his absence. Not a thing had changed. The C.I.A. was still corrupt and wary of him as ever. Upon returning to HQ on the 31st, following days after being discharged from the hospital, he had received mixed reactions. Some were overwhelmed with joy seeing that Rod was still alive, others looking like they had just seen a ghost, and the rest, looked at him like he was mad. Rod didn't care.
"Is...Is that him?"
"Well...I'll be damned!"
"Huh! That guy's crazy. He's digging a deeper grave for himself!"
"Rod Redline...he's returned!"
He simply didn't respond and continued walking down the pristine corridors of the HQ, not looking directly into the eyes of anyone who looked his way, feeling quite bad-ass. But he came back to deal with another matter.
31-July-2011-1947 hours- Location: Langley, Virginia- C.I.A. HQ Main Building
Being called up to the head of the C.I.A.'s office, many of his co-workers wished him luck. Talking about him (even casually) was like talking about joining Al-Qaeda. In other words, you just didn't. Very rarely would the CEO of the C.I.A. see anyone, let alone his 'minions', in person. Ironically enough, his initials were C.I.A., standing for Craig Ian Anderson; such a mediocre name. Even Michael-Angelo could do better. But he named villains. Was Craig a villain? Rod was one of the few agents that he'd seen in person. And if that was the case, it meant two things: that A) You were in for a promotion and B) You were one of the few agents he could actually trust, let alone count on. It amazed Rod how far the corruption had twisted.
And yet he demanded to be a part of it; The C.I.A., not the corruption. But if you were called up to his office, for you'd fitted any of the criteria for which he would call you up, then it meant you were entitled to more confidential, high tech missions and a higher status in their own ranks, but in other known forces too. But being entitled to these sorts of missions was being entitled to a compulsory death wish for some agents, some of which Rod had seen come and go. He was one of them...but being the persistent little bugger he was, he came back.
When he first heard of the news about his return, Craig had initially been impressed. He'd always known Rod for being 'as tough as nails', like many others would know him for...but not this tough. This was a high tech mission he'd given to his agent, one even he was wary about. So he hadn't been too surprised when the news came in that it was a 'Sir Tow Mater' that foiled the 'Allinol' scam, thanks to the help of those two C.H.R.O.M.E. agents, and the photo Rod took...took. He was mildly disappointed that one of his top agents had gone. It was his brains and brawn, toughness, master of disguises enhancing his acting abilities...even just the basics, such as handling a shot gun, physical and mental stamina that was expected of all agents that he seemed to excel in, that made him see Rod as a respectable, worthy figure.
His morals threw him off guard though. The fact that he was close with his family and was generally a good guy offset, not even using dirty tricks in his work and having a social life surprised him. Heck, even that fact that he was a legal guardian to a young girl, involved in one of the most controversial and secret attacks, his now 'high-rising' ranked C.I.A. agent who he'd soon call up, made him laugh. And ironically, the fact that his brother (who shared some key ionic traits of Rod's and was cockier than he was) chose to join the C.I.A. (during Rod's absence) amazed him. Yet, that's why he liked him so much.
But when he heard of Rod's ultimatum, that was when he and senior management chickened out. Never had he expected one of his own to turn on him in a blink of an eye. Perhaps he'd let Rod come too close. Hours were spent debating on how to handle the ex-agent. Let him back in and make him swear to the next level of ultimate secrecy, or find a subtle devious way to finish him off for certain, and make it seem like it was a tragic accident? Eventually, the decision was made to simply give the agent what he wanted...but with a price. A price which Rod was about to find out. But when he was with his boss, he seemed like a decent guy. But Rod couldn't be sure, since Craig was in charge of this agency. Was Craig a villain? Well, seemingly, he was a good guy...seemingly. Reaching the front of the metallic door, in the restricted (and deserted) part of the head-quarters, he entered a pin on the holographic lock and was quickly allowed in. Only to find his boss not greeting him, but sitting at his desk with a file labelled 'Highly-Confidential' in front him.
"Please Redline, take a seat".
Rod obeyed, leaning back in the swivel chair slightly. He wasn't scared. Why should he be?
"You wanted to see me, sir?"
Leaning closer, Craig inspected his agent with clarity. Especially looks wise, he hadn't changed.
"You look well, my boy. How are things?"
"...just trying to see if there aren't any more jackasses here".
Craig understood at what Rod was trying to get at, but he still laughed anyway.
"I'm afraid they still are".
"And what did they say?"
"...they said that the folder will speak for itself" Craig replied, pushing the folder into his fingers, gesturing Rod to open it.
"I assume you've seen the details of my assignment, sir? Will it involve more of being burnt alive?"
"No, it won't".
But upon opening the folder, Rod just found his background check, an analysis of the 'Allinol' scam and another folder labelled 'assignment clarifications'. He looked thoroughly through the folder, before looking up at his boss, quizzically raising an eyebrow in an unimpressed fashion.
"This...is my assignment?"
"Or some details that would be helpful to you".
"I...I don't understand. Clarification on that, sir?"
"You'll figure it out for yourself, Redline".
"...You weren't kidding when you labelled this 'Highly-Confidential'".
Craig laughed again at Rod's bewilderment.
"Are you telling me, that this is your fancy way of counter-acting my threat? By assigning me an assignment of which I'm not allowed, let alone given, the details of that assignment, sir?" Rod felt his hackles rise, an edge in his voice. Craig only laughed again, aware of his top agent's obvious displeasure. He lent in and sneered slightly, before stating:
"Now you know how it feels".
Rod's eyes narrowed in anger but held his breath, being careful not to accuse. He now realized Craig's little game and wasn't prepared to lose.
"You know, you think you know a guy. Till of course he betrays you, and then tries to make you look like a douche".
"Ha-ha...well..."
"It makes me wonder whether you thought how you may look if I do succeed, what you're gonna say".
"If...you did fail the last time".
"Maybe. But who's to say I won't succeed this time?"
"...Indeed. Should...re-claiming your title as America's greatest agent...and position of Chief Operations Officer do the trick?"
Rod's eyes widened, in astonishment. Chief Operations Officer of the C.I.A.? He's being serious about that?
"But it makes me wonder whether you've considered the consequences of if you fail", Craig finished.
"If I fail. And what other consequences are there, besides dying for doing my job and duty?"
"The loss of everything you care about, the stripping of your membership and a legal, unbreakable criminal record".
"Based on what?"
"Based on all release of background information regarding you and every mission you've ever carried out. I won't be responsible for who questions you for it. Either way, you'll be the most hated, most wanted man in the country, not me".
Rod sighed, knowing he'd tangled his own web, a spy who was now falling victim to his own trap. Craig had manipulated the trap well. But even if he exposed the C.I.A., it wouldn't be enough to foil some deviously realistic lie Craig and senior management could come up with.
"...Fine. But I don't want any dirty tricks or hidden surprises".
"...Redline...I hope you understand why I've resorted to these measures".
"Oh, yeah, I totally understand. I mean, I know I threatened you. But blackmailing your top agent to do job that he doesn't even know about, yeah that's really quite freakin' Pete!"
"We're a family, Rodney. I can't believe you were gonna...expose us like that".
Now it was Rod's turn to sneer at him up close.
"Yeah. True words were never spoken. And yet, you were gonna betray me by dropping me like that".
"Only to make sure it won't happen again and so we won't go through it again with others".
"Never seemed to stop you before".
"...We're a family, Rodney".
The fact that Craig kept bringing up the word 'family' really ticked Rod off. To be honest, Craig wasn't that much older than Rod, only by a decade and a bit. And sending everyone out of their way to do his work, all the goddamn time...yeah, just run the 'family' part past me again and I'll go back to continuing to not understand.
"...You don't think I'm legit about that, do you?"
"Not a damn word".
"What, and you...you think it's easy letting everyone go like that?"
"Well, I never said it was easy. But when was the last time you actually went out of your way to save, protect someone who was really your family? You know someone you love?"
"And who's to say the likes of your so called 'daughter' and brother ain't next?"
"I've gone out of my way to protect them from the dangers of this world, and what they don't need to know. And if they chose this path, then who am I to stop them? But no matter what, I'll always be there for them".
"Even when they're about to be shot be the enemy and you can't save them?"
Rod didn't know how to react to Craig's point. It was path they may have chosen, but...he didn't know what he'd do. Craig was right. And what surprised Rod even more was his next point.
"...It's the very reason why I don't ever go back out there, very rarely. Because I...I failed".
The two figures regarded the other silently, before Craig sighed and offered his hand.
"A deals a deal, eh Redline?"
"...Well? You wanted in, now you got in. Plus, your future as an agent and potential runaway criminal depends on it".
"...When do I ship out?"
"Next week, on the 7th".
"...Deal".
The two shook hands steadily, locked in a emotionless stare before Craig dismissed him, giving him the folder before he left past the door.
"Remember Redline, fail...and it's all over".
With furrowed features, he felt his eyes snap open and his sapphires flash instantly.
He quickly shook the memories of the debriefing out his head, and focused on the drive ahead of him. Today he was just enjoying one more day of freedom he had before leaving his assigned new mission the day after tomorrow (even though he had no idea what it was). He just felt happy to be alive and well again, not to mention the fact he was still able to continue with his spy work. Yep, it sure feels good to be alive, he thought. He was on his way to meet Finn at the Wheel Well, where a 'surprise' was waiting for him. Rod wasn't too pleased with this. He, like any other spy, hated surprises for all the obvious reasons. For now, he was admiring the forestry and the lake he was passing by while taking a series of turns and tight bends. When he went underneath the rock arch way, he was greeted by the sight and sound of a fifty-foot waterfall. It glistened underneath the sunset's rays; it was hard for anyone not to not admire its grace and beauty.
Two minutes later, Rod arrived at his destination, which he found deserted.
"OK guys, you can come out now", he called.
"SURPRISE!"
The place had decorated in streamers and banners like a party, a party for him. Rod at first was not amused but his annoyed expression to a modest smile.
"Aw, shucks you guys".
Within the hour, all of the Radiators Springs residents, the WGP racers and a dozen C.H.R.O.M.E. and C.I.A. agents were, laughing, sipping their drinks and were having a good time, often dancing to the music blasting through the speakers of the plasma TV. Rod reached out to get another drink but Holley stopped him. "Come on, lay off the drinks now. You've got a mission to go to after tomorrow".
Rod was more than annoyed, due to his 'tipsiness', and was about to complain when the news report interrupted the music playing. A news reporter appeared and seemed to be panicking uncontrollably. He then composed himself to announce the news.
"Just in! We have some late breaking news! The CEO of the C.I.A. has just announced declared war on a group of criminal convicts, known in society as 'lemons', whom have been suspected to have been involved in the 'Allinol' plot last year! They are believed to have kidnapped the President of the United States daughter for ransom!"
Gasps and 'oh no's' came from the crowd upon hearing the news. The presenter on the TV's commentary blurred into indistinct chatter for one person, one person in particular. Rod was finding this difficult to take in and not because he had a couple of drinks. He had no idea what his assignment was, and the C.I.A. had officially declared war on the mystery group of convicts and the President's daughter had been kidnapped for ransom? Could it be that…?
Rod turned and glared at Finn. "This is my assignment, isn't it?"
"You said you wanted in, so you're going to get in. And they said they'll have your head on a platter if you don't do it right, so…"
Rod took a deep breath and looked away with a death stare locked on his face, his gun at the ready. He held his breath for so long, a red tint began to form on his face.
"Why I oughta…you know what? Nope, no. I need a minute".
As he eyed the drink on the counter-top that Holley had prevented him from having earlier, he snatched it and downed it one go, before swiftly grabbing two shots and downing them too. Everyone looked at him astonished, except for Filmore, who had a scolding look upon his face.
"The alcohol is bad for you, man. What you really need is the sweet taste of my organic fuel. You don't wanna burn up again, dude".
"Is it me or was his face as red as my car's paint work?" Lightning McQueen commented as Rod was being ushered out by Filmore.
"Is that supposed to be a good thing?" asked his girlfriend, Sally Carrera in sarcasm.
"Hmm…well, at least he's living up to his name. And one thing's for sure, his head's not going to be the only one on a platter!" yelled Holley who had her eyes fixed on Finn, who was now officially drunk, alongside her boyfriend, Mater along with Ramone, Sarge, Luigi and Guido.
"Typical!" Sally, Holley and Ramone's wife, Flo, huffed and strode out of the wheel well.
As the night fell over the town, everyone's party attitude died down. The only one whose attitude didn't die down was Rod's. Come on, this is what I get? Now I have to defeat the guys that nearly killed me and save some spoilt brat at the same time? he thought in spite of himself. I should've listened to Holley about not having those drinks. I knew it; I'm drunk. I must be imagining all this. I'm gonna take some aspirin and go to bed, he thought sluggishly, and with a light headache pang, he flopped onto the bed in defeat. For now, he settled down for the night in his cone motel for the mission (and the worst time of his life) tomorrow. But before his sapphires were blocked from the rest of the world, another drunken remark had flown into his mind.
...She had better be good looking, I swear.