Disclaimer: The fact that there is a disclaimer kinda proves that the Gallagher Girls isn't mine…

Chapter 2

Grant and Jonas had shown up rather late, so we started to the Welcome-Back-Dinner right away. I had just eaten a few hours ago, but my stomach was already rumbling. I would have to work on controlling that – it could give me away during a mission.

The three of us walked up to the Grand Hall doorway, but knew better than to step right in. The open doorway was crisscrossed with invisible lasers that would slice right through our skin. Not a pretty picture. We not-so-patiently (hey, some of us hadn't eaten for hours) waited for the scanners to recognize our fingerprints and retinas. While we were standing there, I noticed a group of seventh graders staring at us. I wasn't that shocked. I mean, the three of us are a rather mismatched group. Jonas is small and weak looking (he really isn't that weak – and I've got the bruises to prove it), and on the Research track. He is a computer genius and can hack anything. When he was five, he got into the CIA's top secret files. Does that tell you how talented he is?

Grant is tall and muscular. He is blond, while both Jonas and I have dark hair. Grant looks like the guy who lifts weights for 10 hours a day. He doesn't seem that smart at first, but he does have his genius moments occasionally. Actually, in all honesty, Grant is the second best spy in our year.

I'm the first best, of course. Which explains why I knew something strange was going on as soon as I saw Dr. Steve's face. That, and he has the most expressive face ever.

As we stepped over the threshold, I whispered to my friends, "Hey guys, something's up. Look at Dr. Steve's face. By the way, do either of you know where Seth is?"

Grant and Jonas both glanced at Dr. Steve, then back at me. Jonas said, "Actually, I haven't heard from Seth since last semester. I hope he's okay."

Grant chimed in, "Judging by the look on his face, we get to do something fun today! Plus, listen to Mr. Solomon."

I swiftly glanced at Mr. Solomon, our Covert Operations, or CoveOps, teacher. He was talking quietly with my dad, Headmaster Goode. There was nothing strange about that except for the fact that he was switching languages every few words! They must have a pretty big secret to be that careful.

Just then, Mr. Solomon glanced up and our eyes met. He mouthed, "Get all the juniors outside. Pop quiz," and smiled. I looked at my friends and smirked. "Guess what, guys?"

Grant groaned. "We don't have time for your guessing games, Zach! What is it?"

"Yeah, Zach, come on. Hey, do you know where Seth is? Is that is?" Jonas was practically jumping up and down.

"Actually, I know what's going on. We've got a mission. And that mission is…" I trailed off mysteriously, completely enjoying myself. Grant and Jonas glared at me, then looked pointedly away. I continued, "That mission is to get all the juniors outside."

Once we had convinced everyone that yes, they really did need to leave their food and come with us and no, we didn't know if they would get to eat later, all the juniors gathered outside. Most of the group looked around excitedly, hoping to catch a glimpse of the vans that had always taken us on our missions last year. I, personally, didn't see any form of transportation, but that definitely didn't mean it wasn't there.

"Zach, I thought you said we had a mission! Where are our vans?" Paul whined. Sometimes I forgot he was a junior; he acted so young!

Paul started to speak again but his words were drowned out by a loud, mechanical noise. Our entire group automatically ducked and rolled out of the way of the helicopter hovering above us. The funny thing is, we managed to have conversations while doing so.

"Yes! We get to ride in a helicopter! Oh, this is awesome!" Grant yelled from 14 feet to my left.

"Wonder where we're going!" I shouted back.

Mr. Solomon stepped out from the helicopter door and gestured to us to come aboard. We gladly jumped up and climbed through the small doorway. However, our enthusiasm diminished when we saw inside; it was anything but spacious. We were sitting almost on each other's laps, which was awkward to say the least. Mr. Solomon started passing out files to us with covers in them. I scanned mine quickly, memorized it, and tore it up. It basically said that my name was Zach Sharons, I went to a fancy boarding school, and I was here for a field trip with my class. All at least close to the truth. Then Mr. Solomon said something that really shocked me. And it takes a lot to shock me.

"Gentlemen, your mission today is something new. You are going to tail spies that are as good as, or maybe better, than you. They will be employing every counter-surveillance method in the books. But, don't gloat if you win. You have the easier job." Then he stepped out of the helicopter and walked away.

Grant and I crawled to the door, shoulder to shoulder. We had a silent shoving match at the doorway to see who got to crawl out first. Suffice it to say, my shoulder is still sore.

Grant turned back towards me and said with surprise clearly written on his face, "It's the Mall!"

"Cool," our entire group chorused. Malls are an easy place to track people. But Grant burst our bubble by saying, "No, I mean the Mall in Washington, D.C."