Title:
Covert Operations
Author: Darkfireblade aka
Hellsfire.scythe
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Adventure/Drama
Chapter:
1/?
Summary: Catch? There's always a catch. Giant not-so alien
robots from outer space just weren't the catch that anyone was
expecting.
Notes/Warnings: This starts from Heroes episode
"Fallout" and diverges from the series continuity. Will be AU.
Also, for Transformers, the story will diverge from the series before
the movie. Thanks to
mommimusprime aka beertree
and Kurohyou for betaing this chapter.
Six Months Ago
"Careful, steady there."
A black-clad security guard waved disdainfully at the trundling line of fork-lifts as the voice echoed once again from regularly placed loudspeakers. The queue went on, carrying its precious cargo, most drivers tuning out the instructions that they've been listening to for the past few weeks. The guard made no visible show of surprise when a hand clamped firmly down on his shoulder and drew him aside.
"Officer, do tell the workers to take more care with their shipments. If I find any sort of damage on the equipment, there will be more than your own job at risk. Understand?"
The guard pivoted sharply to see severe dark eyes glaring sharply at him. Long fingers tightened momentarily on his shoulder and he maintained a straight face as the other's eyes darted anxiously at the passing crates.
"Yes sir."
The scientist drew away and wiped his fingers distastefully against his pristine lab coat. With one more cursory glance towards the officer, he whirled around and strode away, loafers clipping softly against the stone floor. He stopped only to jerk a tarp back over a large metal protrusion. When the scientist disappeared, stiffly, the security guard resumed his post with a more watchful eye.
Manila folders scattered haphazardly over the meeting table, spilling papers and transparencies into laps and onto the floor. Shocked faces turned in unison to stare at the offender.
"Doctor, if you would please have your seat."
A scandalized hiss rang loudly in the silent room. "I will not! I do not care if you are board director, the idea you are proposing is ludicrous!"
"May I inquire why?"
"I have spent years dedicated to this project and you expect me to turn over our only specimen to the highest bidder? We are limited enough as it is with subjects. I refuse to barter our resources away in such a way."
"The matter is closed to your opinions. This project has gone over-budget too many times and the over-curious public is wondering where all their excess tax money has gone. We need the money now."
"And throw away years of research and work?"
"Your team has all the designs and the experience. Build another. Perhaps you will find a more efficient way of doing so this time. You are dismissed."
Coat-tails flapping behind him, the doctor left the room. As soon as he exited the building and ensconced himself within the bulletproof interior of his escort vehicle, the scientist paused to stare at the statement in his hands.
With a roll of his eyes, he flipped to the last few pages, this specimen's technical specifications that filled the first few pages were as well known to him as the back of his hand.
EXCHANGE/CONTAINMENT AREA: United States of America; Los Angeles International Airport; HotSpur Car Rental Garage
Dark eyes narrowed in consternation as the scientist scanned over their client's name. Lips pursed in frustration and resignation. This was definitely a client that no one wanted on their trail. Reluctantly, the doctor flipped back to the front and stared at a photo of the specimen.
No matter, with enough time and money, it would become obsolete. Let the high roller think that he got something good. After the team applied some finishing touches, specimen 81309 would have to go.
Present Time
click clack...click click click clack...click click cl-
A pillow hurtled across the room. The sound of its soft thud of impact was quickly followed up by a surprised and disgruntled yelp. Huddled miserably in the middle of the motel bed, a pair of dark eyes flashed blearily with annoyance before their owner retracted his arm back into the warmth of his blankets. "Hiro, just get to bed," this wasn't the first time those words were uttered in the past several hours.
Body haloed by the bright light of laptop screen, Hiro's previous tired slump quickly drew back up into a posture of determination. "I need to find that sword." That answer had also seen its many uses and the groan that reverberated back from the bed was filled with as much frustration towards the reply as it was to the speaker.
"It's two o'clock…in the morning," was plaintive answer as a hand groped around the bed searching for more projectiles. When unable to find any, the figure settled down to just pulling the thin blanket further down over his eyes. "Bed. Now."
Further away, another figure twisted in his sleep. Mr. Isaac Mendez looked as if he could sleep through anything, sprawled across the sagging couch of the motel room.
Hiro glanced back towards the glowing monitor of the laptop and then back at his companion. For a moment, his hand rested wearily on the lid as his mind debated. An amused smile crept back over Hiro's face and he hugged the laptop to his chest before jumping into the other bed. "Good night, Ando." In a flash, he pulled the covers over his head and a small beep was heard as the computer re-booted and began to run again.
Back in his own bed, Ando watched glumly as the light of the laptop screen filtered through the flimsy coverlets that the motel called blankets. Well, at least the clacking of the keyboard was slightly more muffled than before. Ando spared one last exhausted glare towards the other bed before curling back up in his own.
Damn stupid cheap motels and their uncontrollable air
conditioning.
What precious hours of sleep Ando was able to gain
were interrupted by a re-energized cheer that tore through the
silence of the motel. Just as Hiro flung off his blankets, beside
him, Ando tumbled off his own bed, limbs flailing as he fought to
untangle himself from his blankets. A curse and a thump could be
heard as an equally startled Mendez was dragged out of his slumber.
Hiro was at Ando's side in moments, laptop in hand and a
disgustingly wide smile on his face could be discerned in the pale
light of the morning.
"I found it! I found it!"
In his excitement, Hiro had relapsed back into Japanese as he jabbed a finger towards what Ando thought to be was an excessively bright screen. Eyes stinging with tears from the sudden light, Ando rubbed at them furiously before glancing back. A moment of silence passed, and with each progressing second, the expression on Ando's face fell.
"Hiro…this is a pawn broker's shop."
"Yes."
The view of the laptop screen disappeared as Mendez pushed his way into the huddle. Ando resisted the urge to glare at the artist and settled himself firmly at Hiro's side. Mendez took no notice of the action. Instead he studied the webpage further and glanced back up at Hiro.
"Almost two-thousand miles away."
Ando's mind kicked into gear as the quantity made itself clear to him. Two thousand miles. How much of their budget would be siphoned away now for gas prices? He looked askance to Hiro, hoping that the other would rethink his crazy idea of the sword and the cross-country drive.
His face fell as Hiro grinned eagerly towards Mendez and answered. "I know."
The two men stared at each other, one quizzical and the other with lackluster. Loud pounding on the door startled both of them out of their reverie and three heads turned towards the door as more pounding and cursing of loud stupid impolite idiots was made clearly to everyone through the thin walls of the motel. When the racket finally stopped and the area quieted down, Ando sighed and ran his fingers raggedly through his short-cropped hair. "Hiro, I don't see any sword."
Puzzled, Hiro pulled the laptop back and scrutinized the web page. His jubilant smile returned to his face and the laptop was placed back into Ando's hands. "See, it is right here."
Ando squinted at the small background picture of the poorly designed website. Right above where Hiro's finger was pointing, Ando could just barely make out the outline of a sword whose shape he had become so familiar with over the past few days (with Hiro waving the snapshot of Isaac's painting around in his cell phone all the time how could he not?). He glanced away from the image and back at Hiro. "Are you sure this is it?"
The smaller man drew himself upwards and crossed his arms resolutely across his chest, his glasses reflecting the early sun's light. "Positive."
"It's the best lead we've got," chimed in Mendez. At that, Ando couldn't help but see the pleased smile Hiro shot at the artist.
A resigned sigh passed through Ando's lips and he clambered onto his feet and clapped Hiro resoundingly on the shoulder. "Then off we go."
"To the West Coast," grinned Hiro.
"Yes, to the West Coast." Ando echoed back with a smile, ignoring the incessant tightening in his chest at the thought of the journey. It's just nerves, that's all, he told himself before following Hiro out of their room. After all, who would feel up to a 29 hour drive to Portland, Oregon?
The cross continental drive went by faster than expected, well, at least in Hiro's point of view. Two days of sitting in the back seat of the rental car were spent watching Isaac attempt to sketch something else from the future or pre-occupied by Ando's iPod. The latter of which was confiscated by an irate Ando at a rest stop when Hiro pointed out that it was running low on batteries.
But twenty hours of driving paid off (nine hours shaved off only because Ando sped). After directions were asked, several u-turns made, and passing some angry drivers, the trio finally found the small pawn shop in one of the suburbs around Portland, Oregon.
Hiro now sat impatiently in the front seat of the blue Nissan Versa, fidgeting as he watched Ando and Isaac disappear through the entrance to the shop.
"You stay here, Hiro."
"But Ando! Why?" Hiro crossed his arms resolutely as Ando heaved a frustrated sigh.
Isaac answered instead. "You're going to be a liability."
"It'll be too hard to get a good price on the weapon if the owner sees how eager you are for it," Ando quickly added in as a startled look passed over Hiro's face. "Just stay here and be quiet, okay?"
Hiro nodded slowly and hunkered deeper into his seat. Ando's hand squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "We'll get the sword, Hiro. Don't worry about it. I'm sure Mr. Mendez can put his other skills to work for us."
Anxiously, he glanced back at the clock. Only two minutes had passed since Ando and Isaac had passed through the dusty glass door of the shop. Hiro fidgeted in his seat, fighting the urge to just jump out of the car and make after the two. The flash of Ando's keys caught Hiro's eyes and he managed a small smile as he lifted the metal objects up. He turned the keys over in his hands a couple of times before quickly growing bored again.
Another car drove languidly down the road, blasting its radius with bone-shaking tunes as it passed on by.
The radio in their own Nissan Versa beckoned invitingly with its dials and buttons. A tiny nervous smile crossed Hiro's visage and he stared at the keys in his hand and then at the ignition of the car. Ando surely won't mind if he played around a little bit.
Cautiously, Hiro clambered into the driver's seat of the vehicle and settled himself down snuggly. The keys jangled merrily in their holder as Hiro examined them both in detail, wondering which one he had used to turn on the car the last time he had attempted to do something the Versa. He picked one and peered curiously around the wheel for the ignition.
Just before he reached to push the key into its slot, another key-hole caught his eyes. It was smaller and mostly undistinguishable from the black interior of the car, but it was there. Not to mention that it seemed to be just the right size for the other key in on the ring. Hiro's mind raced with possibilities. Maybe this was a super-secret compartment used for hiding away important documents? Or perhaps, this would turn on some really cool feature to the car that was meant to be hidden away? Like the Batmobile!
Previous plans of just playing with the radio thrown out of the door, Hiro inserted the small key into its matching lock and twisted…nothing happened. Nothing at all, no engine rumble, no flashing lights or opening compartments, not even a small beep. Disappointment flooded his system and Hiro grudgingly pulled the key out of its slot. Maybe he had better stick to the radio plan.
Before Hiro could make the change, rapid tapping on the window startled him from his thoughts. Outside the car door, Ando gestured rapidly and impatiently. Excitement back in a flash, Hiro unlocked the car and flung his door open, launching himself towards Ando's direction with a stream of unintelligible chatter trailing behind him.
The flurry of excitement turned quickly into despair as Ando relayed to him the news.
"It's not for sale?!"
Ando winced as Hiro's anguished wail pierced through the beat-up parking lot.
"The shop owner said that he was pretty unwilling to part with the item," murmured Mendez as he thrust his hands deep into jean pockets. "Something about it being a present from old friends."
"I'm sure you'll be fine without it," said Ando hesitantly, squeezing Hiro's shoulder in what was now a habitual gesture. "Who needs a silly sword anyways?"
Bad answer.
Hiro immediately wheeled away, pacing rapidly. "But…I need this sword to save the world. My powers, I need it to focus my powers. It's my destiny, I know it!" The smaller man stopped his movements to look hopefully at Mendez. "Isaac paints the future. He paints me with the sword. I need it to get more powerful. Right?" Hiro's words became more emphasized and staccato as he fought speak understandably in English.
Mendez blanched visibly. Ando frowned in surprise as the artist glanced over to him for aid. What were they supposed to say? Hiro would not take 'No' for an answer. But…
"Do you guys really want the sword that much?"
"Hai!"
Silence permeated the lot as Ando recognized the gruff voice that interrupted their discussion. Hiro had already dashed towards the speaker, his eyes eager and face full of yearning. His positive outburst still rang through the air. Ando reigned in a sigh as he took in the situation. They had shown their hand now and would have to take whatever prize that came their way. Hiro would not leave without the sword, Ando could not leave without Hiro, and Mendez just wouldn't leave.
Slowly, the man rubbed on calloused hand against a pair of worn jean overalls. Weary looking brown eyes regarded each of them thoughtfully before returning back to Hiro. The shop owner shrugged and walked a few paces back towards his store. Ando stared in utter fascination and felt a spike of fear stab into his conscience.
"Well, aren't you guys going to come inside? We have some things to discuss."
The store interior, surprisingly free of dust compared to its dingy exterior, was as eerily silent as it had been when Ando had first entered the store with Mendez. Hurriedly, the owner slipped behind his counter and beckoned for the rest of the group to follow quickly.
"What's the catch?" Mendez demanded immediately, arms crossed as he eyed the man across from him suspiciously.
"Catch?" grunted the owner. "What catch?"
"Doesn't matter what people sell. Dealers only call you back after rebuff if there's a catch that goes along with the goods," bit back Mendez with a dry sneer. Ando's eyes widened at the artist's blatant reference. The store owner just cocked an eyebrow.
"Perceptive fellow aren't you?" A smile lighted across the man's tanned features. "You're right; I got a job for you all. You finish it satisfactorily, you keep the sword. Simple."
"What's the job?"
"Will you do it?" There was a light click of metal against glass as the owner set the sword softly on top of the counter.
Silence stretched and Ando found that he was not the only one looking at Hiro in askance. The smaller man's eyes darted around anxiously as he glanced from the sword to the ground. A few seconds later with eyes squeezed shut, Hiro answered with a shaky nod. Mendez breathed an unreadable sigh and Ando felt his stomach sinking. The store owner raked his fingers through short-cropped brown hair as he offered a relieved smile.
"Good. Now here's the job. I have some deliveries that have to be made out in the Boring Lava Fields…"
"Lava fields?" Ando exclaimed.
"The volcanoes have been mostly dormant for thousands of years, you don't have to worry," replied the owner, not allaying Ando's worries at all. "Now, just drive out there with the crate I'm going to give you and my friends should pick it right on up. After you're done just spin back here with some proof and I'll give you the sword."
"Friends?" snorted Mendez. "What sort of friends? How do we know this isn't some sort of heist?"
The other man shrugged slightly. "You don't, but my friends will be civil to you if you're civil to them. Just give them the goods and everything will be fine…I'll let you keep the sword with you for safekeeping and one of you will stay behind with me."
"I'll go with Hiro then…" started Mendez.
"No, I'll go with Hiro. You stay here and make sure our friend won't try anything funny." Ando interrupted quickly as he grabbed hold of Hiro's arm. Mendez's gaze met squarely with Ando and the two sized each other up before the artist broke away with an annoyed sniff.
"Stay out of trouble then, I'll need a ride out here."
"No problem," muttered Ando. "Come on Hiro, let's get this over with."
Cautiously, Hiro stepped towards the counter, hand
outstretched. A minute later, Ando and Hiro's exit was marked by a
jangle of a bell deeper within the store, leaving Isaac alone with
the proprietor.
With a warning glance shot towards the other man,
Isaac set about browsing through the small shop, examining the small
items of little value scattered throughout the place. Behind him a
phone rang and he listened with half an ear as the owner picked
up.
"Hello? Oh hi, I'm kind of busy right now…I'll be home late tonight…I know, honey, but it's urgent…tell the little tyke that daddy loves him….love you too honey, goodnight."
Isaac reigned in a snicker as he set down a small porcelain figure. Family guy, yeah right. He dared a look back at the cash register and saw the owner's back disappearing behind a cloth separator between the store front and storage. Isaac walked closer to examine the relatively new business cards piled neatly on the class counter.
Spike Witwicky. What a stupid name.
"Don't play with the sword in the car. You're going to break something," hissed Ando.
Hiro could barely see his friend's expression in the surrounding darkness. The only light available was from the Nissan Versa's headlights, and even that only went so far. Sheepishly, he put down the sheathed weapon and stared out at the passing forest.
"Everything will be fine, Ando. We just drop off the crate, pick up Isaac, and head over to New York to stop the exploding man. No worries!" chirped Hiro, keen on breaking the fearful tension in the car. Ando just kept on driving in silence. "Ando? Do you hear me?"
"Yes I hear you, Hiro. Now be quiet, I need to concentrate on the road."
"Lack of road, Ando."
"Look, I don't ca—"
A loud crash in the forest ground the conversation and the car to a screeching halt. Hiro pushed himself off of front of the dashboard and looked around dazedly.
"Ando? Ando, what happened? Why did you stop?"
Hands waved frantically in Hiro's direction and he could hear Ando's loud shushing noises. Another crash sounded even closer to the Versa and Hiro looked through the windshield. A great hulking figure haloed by the overcast glow of moonlight through clouds was approaching them slowly.
Ando twisted the ignition wildly, and cursed. "The car's stalled!"
"What do we do now?"
Hiro watched as Ando leaned back in the driver's seat, eyes closed as he took a deep breath. Another crash sounded.
"Hiro, on the count of three, we open the car doors and make a break for it."
"We're going to run?"
"One…"
"But Ando!"
"Two…"
"What if—"
"Three!"
Hiro launched himself out of the car without a second thought, sword in hand. A bright light shined down on him, blinding him with its brilliance and freezing him to the spot. He could hear Ando's muffled cries nearby and the crashing growing louder and closer. Nerves steeled, Hiro brought up his sword, said a prayer to whatever gods were listening, and prepared to meet his enemy.
He just wasn't prepared to meet a metallic Tyrannosaurus Rex.
A/N: Whew, first chapter done! Just a warning to readers, as school is very much in session as well as track, the chapters will probably be slow in coming out. Thank you for your patience though. I hope you enjoy this as much or even more than I do
