Turned out "Loose Ends" still needed a bit of an epilogue. May be semi-pointless, so read at own risk. Thanks to AgentUrsa for reminding that soldering guitars is an excellent story element. Also, thanks to Manowar, Symphony X and Ghost for chapter song titles!
-ArmageddonClan
Chapter 1: Shell Shock
The smell of hot solder was another pleasant one. It possibly wasn't healthy to inhale for extended periods of time, but for rarely repeating operations, like changing the pickups on a guitar, it likely didn't matter.
"Some would think this as blasphemy," Jo said from behind the hot iron.
Only one day, and she was already customizing the guitar, by installing high-output but passive Invader pickups to replace the battery-powered EMG81 and 85, which were usually "the" pickups to use with the high-end ESP models. On a new guitar, the procedure needed care. You didn't want to forget a screw under the guitar, or let the pickups fall on it by accident, as both of those would surely result in a scratch on the paint.
To tell the truth, Ian already had it difficult to remember which fates the previous red guitars had met. At least one had been blown up as part of staging their death. This one would hopefully last for a bit longer time.
Ian also remembered the scene in the music store yesterday.
...
"Dad. I'm grown up now, I buy my own guitars. And what is this for, for getting you shot?"
But in the end, Jo didn't have any other choice but to yield. Russ was completely unbudging.
Later, back at the studio, Ian had to ask.
"Do you remember getting the previous one?"
Jo had to think for a moment.
"It was from you. But it's a bit like from another reality. I remember saying something ... cute. But it wasn't really a happy time."
A rather perfect summary. It also would be logical that some memories directly related to the artificial SCEPTRE personality would indeed be permanently faded or even lost. Now, at least, should be a much happier time. After getting their names cleared.
Ian possibly got lost into his thoughts for an extended time. Because he was only nudged back to present time by Jo actually squeezing his shoulders a bit.
"You OK? You're in this reality or another?"
Ian just had to smile in response, but then, he continued the trail of thought he had been lost on. The important keyword being, should.
It turned out that after an adventure like the last one, you could feel lost, in an insidious delayed manner. Ian knew he badly wanted to be back out there kicking ass. But the question was, when would he actually be capable? Jo wasn't exactly free from problems either; at least two times she had woken up to nightmares, possibly of being held in MSA captivity again.
Ian remembered the previous aftermath. The Yaris wreck. Back then they had been much more ready to give the world the finger. So why not now, again? But likely, it only required time. If this had been the last mission, then it would also be the last case of being shell-shocked.
...
"Do you think this is a good idea? You sure you actually want me to try it out?" Jo asked as she was sitting at the laptop.
It was a local band lacking a guitarist. Progressive power metal. As long as they still stayed at Antisound Studio, it was a perfect opportunity. A distraction. Nothing serious necessarily. Of course, if she actually got the gig, and it would turn out more exciting than AGENT, Ian would potentially be left out. But AGENT was still in a limbo, due to no contact from Erik, and Ian not knowing what to do with the old lyrics.
The name was a bit ominous. But it actually fit just perfectly too, to combat their potential demons head-on.
Black Flame of Sin.
Of course Ian had thought whether that actually referred to something SCEPTRE-inspired, if not only traditional or anti-cosmic Satanism. Well, then they could call on the remaining Agents to investigate.
"You've got the guitar, so it would be wasting it otherwise."
"Fine. Here goes nothing."
She started typing on the keyboard. There was a bell sound shortly after; the band apparently responded in near real-time. Ian considered: were they some weird adrenaline junkies that were online 24/7, or was that even more possible proof that they were SCEPTRE, actually jacked up on combat drugs?
Get a grip! he told himself. Unless you only mean that as a joke.
"They replied," Jo said. "They want me to learn a couple of Yngwie songs, and one of their own."
"Sounds like fun."
"Not so sure. Don't know which level of perfection they're expecting. But. I want to do something to say thanks. It was your idea."
Ian knew Jo had researched the official name for the couch incident, so he could use it.
"Glomp me."
He potentially regretted the words the instant they were out of his mouth. It was a bit like being out in the middle, when the vocalist gave the hand sign for a wall of death. Though, it was only Jo. Even in the worst case, she couldn't cause that much damage. And it felt good to forget his heavier thoughts at least for a moment.
Jo gathered force for a few seconds, and then came the impact.