Project Mimic
By Time Guardian

Chapter One

"You know, it's your fault."

Eighteen year old Frank Hardy looked over at his brother who had made the declaration. They had just been extricated from the car that they had used to chase down a pair of blackmailers. The chase had been a perilous one, taking them through narrow stretches of road near a river. It had been a tight turn that was slick with the morning rain that caused the blackmailers to spin out and end up in the river. It had taken all of Frank's skill to avoid the same fate, only to end up with their car crumpled and flipped up on its side.

The only problem was that it was their father's car.

After nearly fifteen minutes and a 911 call from Frank's cell phone, the police and an ambulance came on the scene. The two were then quickly extricated and checked out by the EMTs, who determined that they lucked out with scrapes and bruises.

Frank shook his head gingerly, doing his best not to aggravate the headache that was trying to come on. "Me? Oh brother, I have to hear this. Joe, what part of this disaster was my fault?"

Seventeen year old Joe Hardy ran a hand through his blond hair and stated what he thought was obvious. "You were the one that witnessed the initial drop to the blackmailers in the first place, and then you go and spot them again coming out of Bayport mall. The only vehicle that was available was dads since we had borrowed it to run those errands we were on. They were leaving the area and at the time we had no other way to keep tabs on them."

Leaning against the ambulance door, Frank pushed aside a strand of his dark brown hair that had blown into his eyes, "Yeah, but if you remember, Dad told us that we were supposed to keep our distance so we wouldn't spook them. The police and Dad's client were hoping that the blackmailers would lead us to their base of operations. Dad's car is totaled after that chase we went on and we have little to show for it."

Two uniformed officers walked past them, escorting two drenched men in handcuffs. Joe pointed at them. "Well, they weren't seriously hurt. They can still lead us to their bosses."

Frank chuckled harshly. "You're pretty optimistic. Odds are they will grab a lawyer as soon as they get near a phone."

They both went silent for the next few minutes, staring at the efforts of a tow truck to pull their car back into an upright position.

Joe smiled. "Frank, remember when we were kids playing 'detective' and we used our tricycles to follow the neighborhood cat?"

Frank looked at him with a wry grin. He remembered it all too well. "As I remember, it wasn't a cat. I didn't think mom would let us back in the house after we cornered that skunk in the backyard."

"I think I lost three layers of skin after all the baths on that one," Joe replied. "Ah well. We'll have to face the music sooner or later. Maybe one of the cops here can give us a ride home."

Wincing, Frank looked back at the remains of their father's car. "Yeah, you're right I guess. We escaped with minor bumps and bruises, and the police have those two in custody. What's the worst that could happen?"

An hour later, they had their answer after they arrived back home. After a quick explanation at the door from the policeman who had dropped them off, Fenton Hardy ordered his sons into his study and had them sit on the sofa opposite his desk.

After spending the bulk of his career with the New York police force, he decided to turn private detective. It meant he could take the cases he wanted, be his own boss, and be around his sons more.

Frank and Joe exchanged nervous looks. The only time that their father had ever been this quiet was before a major punishment.

They sat there motionless as they watched their dad make a few phone calls along with printing something out from his computer. When he finally turned around, Joe noticed that their dad's face wasn't showing anger – instead it was disappointment.

"I am not mad about the car, boys," Fenton began, looking between the two of them, "but I have a feeling you need to be reminded about responsibility. I told you that we needed more evidence on those two and you two took a big risk. What if you had been killed? What if those guys had help? You didn't think this through. I thought I taught you two better than this. Being a detective means more than just 'nabbing the bad guy' – it means following the information and finding the truth."

Fenton sighed as he turned back to his desk. "Since our only leads are probably not going to talk, I will finish the follow through on this case. You two are going to be on guard duty in Los Angeles."

Guard duty? Joe groaned. "But dad, it is summer vacation."

"And? An old schoolmate of mine had called asking me for a favor. He's a scientist working on some hologram technology, and he wanted to meet a friend of his inLos Angelesto exchange ideas and research. I already committed to helping him but since I will be here cleaning this case up, you two will be going in my place."

Fenton turned back around, handing each of them an airline confirmation notice. "Your contact will be with Andrea West, a research assistant for Professor Jeremy Cantrell. She will pick you up at the airport and take you to where he is staying. I managed to make the arrangements last minute, so the seats are not the best. Your flight leaves in an hour, so get packing."

One day later-

Thirteen year old Jonny Quest was in an angry snit. He was sitting in the first class section of an airplane bound for Los Angeles, but the news his father had just given him just sank any potential plans for fun. He crossed his arms and glared at his father sitting beside him. "We are going to go to Los Angeles to be 'babysat' by two AMATEUR private detectives?"

Dr. Benton Quest winced at his son's outburst. "That's hardly fair. You had an opportunity to spend two weeks on an archeological dig with Jessie and Hadji. I specifically remember Jessie's mother inviting you. Race was even eager to go."

Jonny bit back an angry retort. Truth be told, the timing of his dad's trip coincided with one of the biggest gatherings of entertainment – the Electronic Entertainment Expo. Being surrounded by new and developing games and other technology surely trumped mucking about in some jungle looking for any vague hints of history.

"Anyway, you didn't let me finish," his father admonished him. "We are going there to meet up with one of my old research assistants, Professor Jeremy Cantrell. He is developing some extraordinary innovations involving holograms. We have been exchanging correspondence and he is interested in what I have done in developing Quest world. He suggested a meet-up to see if his research can benefit from it."

"But why are we going to have private detectives?" Jonny asked.

"Because Professor Cantrell has been and continues to develop technology for the government. This is a side project of his own, so he was going to come with them anyway. When I mentioned that Race would be out of town, Jeremy suggested that he call them in to secure the whole meeting so that our arrangements would be protected and private. This hologram project is a side project of sorts, but with the information he has, the black market and evil geniuses of the world would have a field day."

Jonny reluctantly nodded, and then finally decided to confess his thoughts. "Well dad, it was just that I was hoping we would be able to swing by E3 and check out the new game tech there. I mean after all, with your work with Quest world, surely they would consider you an industry professional and let us in, right?"

He thought his father would be mad. Instead Jonny was shocked to hear his father's laughter. "Ah-ha, so THAT's why you were eager to come with me. Want to hear a confession? Jeremy and I were planning to finish in about a day and a half. That leaves plenty of time to see the sights – or take in what's left of a certain entertainment expo."

Jonny grinned as he relaxed his arms and sat back in his seat. Maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad after all.

Here we go, my first mash-up. This idea has been brewing for a while, and mixes the Hardy Boys (casefiles series timeframe, circa 1987-1998) and the Real adventures of Jonny Quest. What do you think?