Tied Together 2
Thanks for the reviews! And the lovely suggestions. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
"Hello, again, Austin." The man says.
"And you are?" Ally looks up.
"My name is . And I need you to come with me." He looks at Austin. He a tall, muscular, African American man that overpowers even Austin.
"Now why would we do that, Mr. Colt?"
"'Cause I assume you find me imposing. Don't worry, be honest. I'm going for imposing."
"Mission accomplished." Austin says.
"Well, I'll tell you what. The people that hired me...give me the heebie-jeebies."
"You know, when you put it in context like that, I-I..."
"Let's go. We'll take care of the check." He says. Ally looks at Austin.
"Um, you know, are you sure?" Austin says. Ally slowly moves her hand towards the chop sticks. "The moo goo gai pan is very expensive here, so we could probably go Dutch or something. How much do bad guys normally tip?" Ally stands up and tries to stab him but he grabs her arm. She punched him but he grabs her neck. Ally yells in pain. "Ally."
"Move and she dies." Suddenly there is a beeping noise. "What is that?" Austin looks down at his tracking watch and it has a small beeping red light.
"It's a honing device." Ally says.
Everyone looks to see vehicle head lig
hts coming towards them. "Is that a Crown Victorian?" Austin asks.
"Move!" Ally grabs Austin's hand and they jump out of the way. The car comes crashing through the restaurant wall, glass flying everywhere.
Trish jumps out of the car, "Hey! Somebody order drive-thru?" Ally helps Austin up and run into the car. Trish turns around and notices a fist with a red ring on coming towards her. Colt punches her and she falls back inside her car. Trish hits the gas and drive away while the bad guys are shooting at them.
"Oh! Oh! Somebody order drive-thru, huh? Did you think that up as you were racing over to save us? 'Hey, maybe I'll say this after I crash into the restaurant!'" Austin says yelling at Trish.
"Trish, we have to go back and find out who they work for." Ally says.
"Too many of them, we can't." Trish says.
"Well, at least we still have the Cipher." Austin says.
"Yeah, about that... Looks like your still the Intersect, Austin."
"Ally..."
"Don't worry, Austin." Ally says. "We'll get it back."
Austin wakes up the following morning not feeling as jolly as he was yesterday. He goes to work and leans on his arm at the Nerd Hers desk for a while. "Yo, Austin." Dez says. "Got all the resumes together for you."
"What?"
"The assistant manager spot. You have to pick out boss, man."
Austin sighs, "You know what, Dez? I'm making my decision right now. I want you to be the assistant manager."
"Whoa, Austin, relax. Let's think about this. See, I have this perfect system for doing as little work as possible. It's a science, really, doing nothing. A promotion at this point would destroy all my hard work."
"You're telling me I have no choice."
"The die had been cast. But I'm gonna be here every step of the way."
"That's comforting."
"Okay, so the first interview up is... Anna Wu." Dez says.
Austin looks at Anna ca ross the table. "Um, okay, Anna, well, your resume has some really interesting items. Is it true that you're trained in the art of..."
"Tell him to leave." Anna says.
"What?"
"Tell Dez to leave." Dez shakes his head. Dez leaves anyway. "Oh, honey, would you close the door? Thanks, sugar. We're alone"
"Anna, what exactly are you doing?"
"Relax. I like making my boyfriend nervous." Anna puts her foot on his leg. Austin jumps and pushes her hand away. "What do you think he thinks is happening right now?"
"An interview, I hope."
Jeff's turn and he hands Austin a napkin? Austin says, "What is this? Is this trash? Am I supposed to throw this away?"
"It's my resume." Jeff says.
Austin opens the napkin up, "You-you've, uh, you've been working here since the store opened?" Austin looks down again. "Well, um, you know, that's actually something that never, ever wanted to know." Dez grabs two pencil and pick it up and throws the napkin in the garbage.
"What else can I tell you?"
"No, nothing. Austin, no more questions. This guy needs professional help." Dez says.
That's not, that's not called for." Austin says meaning towards Jeff who is trying to play footsie with Austin.
Leaders turn. Austin says, "Very detailed. Very thorough. I'm noticing here that you have a Wikipedia entry..."
"Bingo." Lester says.
"...of yourself."
"I have a certain following." No he doesn't. "I take care of my friends, Austin. I..." He imitates Cito Corleone, "I help those who help me." He starts coughing.
"Okay, here's the thing: We're at Techies and Technologies, and this is not the mafia."
"Interesting, interesting."
Suddenly Trish comes in holding a cloth to her cheek. "Whoa, Mr. Moon's conducting an interview." Dez goes up to Trish. She pushes him against the wall and opens the First Aid kit on the wall. Austin looks at the mark on his face and flashes on it.
"Okay, uh, Lester, could you excuse me for a second." Austin goes over to Trish. "Dez, I need to talk to Trish by myself, thanks. Lester great, interview." They leave. "Shut the door."
"What is it?" Trish asks.
"I know where they are"
"Who?"
"Who? What do you mean, who? Colt! The guy who smashed you in the face last night. Yeah, I flashed on your scar. It's the emblem for their organization. They have a secret hideout downtown. Warehouse 17 on 103rd Street. We'll hop in the Herder..."
"Cool your jets, hotshot. I'll call it in." Trish sits down.
"What do you mean call it in? There's no time! They could be on the move already."
"Relax. I'm not gonna rush us into a hideout situation until in absolutely certain we have the upper hand. We'll get the Cipher. Just might take some time." Trish finishes bandaging her cheek up.
"I can't take this anymore. Do you understand what I'm saying? I cannot do this anymore! I almost died twice in the period of one day. And when I'm looking at my life and what my future could be, I See that it doesn't completely suck. Your Intersect, your new Intersect is almost done. And when it is, I'm free, I'm cool, I'm clear, I'm out of here. I have a future and a life that I Want to live."
"Futures a dangerous thing, Austin. Doesn't always work out like you want it to."
"What happened to you? You were so close to being done with me and being a real spy again."
"What? You don't want me here to catch you when you fall?"
"No, as a matter of fact, Id rather have you flying jets and blowing things up."
"Wait here." Trish gets up. Austin leaves the break room and calls on her phone.
"You're in charge Dez. Austin leaves the break room and goes to the Orange Orange. "Hey. Hey, what's happening? You're going down there, aren't you?" Trish comes out from the back.
"We're in it, Austin." Ally says.
"What's back there?"
"Well, Like the sign says, yogurt and fun." Trish says.
"Let me come along. You got to bring Andrew Sage. You remember, debonair superspy, who also happens to have the Intersect in his head? You know, me? I can help you guys."
"Andrew Sags isn't your real name, Austin. You made him up. You're just Austin Moon, and you're not a real spy." Trish leaves the building.
"We have a tactical team meeting us at the location that you gave Trish." Ally says. "We'll take down Colt and find the Cipher, and you go back to work."
"Don't worry about T and T. I put Dez in charge of the job search." Ally leaves the building.
Austin gets back to the store and Big Mike calls after him. "Moon! Computer emergency."
"Hey, where is everybody?"
"Don't care. Just got a call for Nerd Herd help. They said they have a recommendation for you."
"Can I send someone else or sis they ask for me specifically."
"You know I hate taking calls. Get going!"
Trish, Ally and there team get to the building. They go up the elevator and get prepared with their weapons. They open it up and speak apart. "Austin was wrong." Trish says.
"Or he was right and we didn't move fast enough." Ally says.
...
"Techies and Technologies Nerd Herd. Hello." Austin knocks on the door and it opens. Colt.
"Hello, Austin. Come on in."
"Call Austin. I got a feeling." Trish says.
Ally calls him. "Nothing. I'll try Techies." She calls the store.
Dez answers, "Yo!"
"Dez, where's Austin?"
"So, uh, what-what, uh, seems to be the computer problem?" Austin says. Colts men surround Austin.
"Here's the problem, Austin. You saw my face and you heard my voice." Colt says.
"That's not a problem. That's not at all. I forget things all the time. Ask my sister, I forgot her birthday. I forget my social security number. Just anything, ask me, I'll forget it." Colt stretches. "What exactly are you doing?"
"I'm stretching, getting limber."
"Why are you doing that?"
"So I won't pull a muscle when I break your neck. Maybe you should get limber, too." Austin looks around and he sees the Cipher in a box but the box is open. Austin turns around and starts walking away slowly. "Where you going? There's nobody here to help you. Oh, your friends, that's right." Austin looks out the window. "They're next in my to do list. See, you walking into a trap, Austin...if that is your real name." Austin realizes something. He turns around smirking.
"My name is Andrew Sage. I'm a CIA agent, and this is my trap." He starts walking up to Colt. "I don't think you gentleman realize the gravity of the predicament that you're in. See, that phone call you made to Techies. Yeah, we traced that. Your compound is currently surrounded by 23 infantry troopers, 16 snipers, seven heavy gunners, four demolitions experts, and enough ammunition to orbit Arnlold Schwarzenegger. You're outmatched and you're outgunned. Those peashooters you're holding might as well be sharp sticks and strong language." The men look outside the window.
"Nothing there, boss." A man says. "Looks clear."
Colt starts laughing, "good try, Austin."
"Of course you don't see anyone." Austin says. "Who do you think we are-the FBI? The only thing you're going to see us a muzzle flash, followed by an e-ticket straight to Hell. So make the smart choice and...why don't you hand over the Cipher?" Colt was about to punch him. "Wait, wait, wait. I think that, uh, I think that you might want to hear this." Austin calls Dez.
"Hey, Austin." Dez says.
"Hey, Dez."
"Yeah, yeah, Austin."
"Dez, I'd like you to tell me the exact specs for the team surrounding the compound."
"The whole shebang?"
"The whole shebang."
"Yes, sir, we have 23 infantry troopers, 26 snipers, seven heavy gunners, and four demolitions experts. I should tell you I got a little impatient and we took out one if the sentries. Don't worry, it was a head shot. He couldn't warn his buddies. It was awesome man, you should have seen it. His head exploded like a watermelon."
"Thanks, Dez." Austin hangs up.
"They must have got Fritz." A guy says.
"I thought he was in the can." Another guy says.
"One more time." Austin says. "Give up."
Colt walks past him. "He's either lying, or he's crazy. Check everywhere. Don't let anything get past you." Austin starts running when they aren't looking. They turn around to find him gone. Along with the Cipher. The men start running. Austin jumps over a barrel and turns the corner. He turns around to see Colt.
"Don't move. Please, don't move." Colt pushes him and he flies through the window and Austin lands on the ground. Colt goes through the window and walks up to him. He grabs Austin and brings him to the top of the building. He grabs him by his legs and holds him over the edge.
"Give it over." Colt says.
"What happens if I don't?"
"To be honest, I'm gonna drop you."
"See, thi-this is what I'm talking about. We got to work on your negotiating skills. How about this? How about you pull me back up and we just discuss this like two rational adults?"
"You know what?"
"What?"
Suddenly a gun sound is loading from behind Colt, it's Ally. "Freeze!"
"It ain't worth it." Colt drops Austin and he falls over the edge of the building.
"Noooo!" Ally screams for dear life. Nothing like ever before.
"Your boyfriend's dead now. What you gonna do?" Colt kicks the gun out of her hand and Ally kicks his back. She punches him a couple times but he blocks them. She goes to kick him but he grabs ahold of her leg but Ally uses it to her advantage and kicks him in the face with her other foot. She hits him in the face hard. He picks her up by her neck but Ally kicks him in the face and he falls to the ground. Colt kicks her leg but she regains her balance and punches him but he blocks it. He grabs her and squishes her and then she goes limp and falls to the ground.
She kicks him multiple times in the leg. Trish comes up the wall from where Austin was dropped. "Enough with the foreplay. Step away from the girl."
"Ah, you know you got to put that gun down. Ain't nobody else here. Meet the rest of my men." The men surround them both.
Suddenly Austin comes walking through the doors on the roof. "Excuse me. Excuse me, hi. Sorry to, uh, sorry to interrupt." The whole gun team his with him. Ally moves the hair out of her face and squints her eyes to see if it really is Austin. "Whatever's going on here. Mr. Colt, I just wanted you to meet my team. Tell me down thing. Do you find them imposing? Go ahead, you can be honest. I was going for imposing."
"Austin." Ally says walking up to him.
"Sage. Agent Sage. Maybe you could go ahead and put your weapons down." The bag guys do so. "Oh, and then the hands up implies that your are empty.
Trish pulls Colts hands behind his back, "You're boss, Sage."
"What?" Trish says.
"He's good."
Ally walks up to Austin. Austin says, "Don't worry. I'm fine."
"What happened?" Ally asks.
Austin falls over the edge but all of a sudden Trish comes out of no where on the building stairs outside the building and catches him midair. "Oh, My God!"
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. I catch you when you fall, it's touching, really."
"Do you have the Cipher?" Ally asks. "Please tell me you have it."
Austin pulls it out, "of course In Have it. It's me." Ally sighs in relieve and pulls her hair back. Not only because he has the Cipher but also because Austin is alive.
Trish is sitting in her apartment when the TV turns on. Beckman clears her throat. "Agent Trish. Hope I'm. It interrupting."
"The new Intersect ready?"
"We're minutes away."
"Which means..."
"Your order remains the same. Austin Moon is to be eliminated." Trish sighs quietly. "What was that, Trish?"
"Nothing, General. It's just...Austin served his country with honour. Maybe he even has potential as an analyst for the organization."
"I unders..."
"Let me, General." Graham comes into the camera. "Agent De La Rosa, can you extract those secrets from Mr. Moon's head? Can you guarantee him safety from kidnapping, from torture?"
"No."
"Then it's clear. Austin Moon has served his country with honour. Now he'll die with honour to protect it." The video ends.
"Are you sure you can handle it?" Amanda asks Austin at their apartment in the kitchen.
Austin chuckles, "Yeah, yeah, I think I can do this, thank you. Plus, is wanted to cook dinner for Ally for a while, so..."
"You have many skills, Austin, but the kitchen is not one of them."
"Oh, but that's why they call it Hamburger Helper. Hello, does most of the heavy lifting for me. In making that chicken with balsamic glaze, the one thing Dad taught me how to make."
"But dad couldn't cook either."
"Babe, you're ready?" Matt walks in. "Mongolian BBQ beckons. Going for the record, Austin. Seven pounds, shredded beef. I've been fasting." He pats his stomach.
"Please, let me help you."
"The man has been in a hunger strike. Come on, go eat, I'll be fine."
"You sure about that?" Amanda smiles.
"Yeah. Yes, I'll be fine. Oh, hey, and I also had an idea for what I'm going to do. I was thinking, maybe, like, Eurorail through Europe, uh, you know, backpacking, that kind of thing."
"That sounds..."
"Awesome." Matt says. "Remind me to tell you about Amsterdam, my man." He laughs. He looks at Amanda. "Lots of city, lots of canals."
"It's a great idea, Austin, good luck tonight."
"You too." They walk out the door.
"All right."
INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INTERSECT ROOM
They load the computer up. They place the Cipher into the computer. It goes down. Six men stand in front and out dark shaded glass in. One of the men is Graham. He starts typing the code in. The computer days INTERSECT INITIALIZING. Graham outs on his glasses to keep him from getting the Intersect. The six men take off their glasses. The Intializing finishing and the last thing the computer says is FULCRUM THANKS YOU. The building blows up with Graham and everyone in it. The Intersect blew up.
Austin looks around to make sure everything on the table is set properly. Trish enters from Austin's room window holding her gun. He walks down the hallway aiming his gun at Austin from behind. Suddenly the bell rings and Austin answers it. Trish hides behind the wall. "Hey, Ally."
"Austin." Ally says nervous.
"What is it?"
"We have to call off the date. The Intersect was destroyed."
"What. But the Cipher..."
"It was a Trojan horse, a sabotage device. The moment it came online, it exploded."
Trish runs out of the apartment.
"But that means..."
"Your still the only Intersect. Im sorry." Austin sighs.
Austin sits at his desk the next day when Lester comes up. "Hey Austin."
"Hey."
"I'm the assistant manager. I have got several customer complaints about you."
"Oh, you have, have you?"
"Not specifically. But I have had any compliments, and in my book that's the same thing. Yeah? Good." He walks away.
Dez comes up to Austin, "What's up, buddy?"
"What's up? I just had a vision of the rest of my life. And you know what? It takes place in the same outfit, behind the same desk, in the same store."
"Got you. Talk to Dr. Dez. It's safe, go ahead."
"I just thought I'd be going somewhere. Not just metaphysically or spiritually- though that, too. But literally. I want out of Burbank to, to..."
"Glendale." Dez says. Austin laughs sarcastically. "All right, listen, look at me. In honesty, and I hope you know this, I've always been on mind that you are destined for great things. Whatever you want to do, you can do it. All right? Senator, president, emperor of the known universe, whatever you want to do. You understand?"
"Yeah."
"You're good. But before you go running off to change the world, I think that I should tell you that I'm currently on my way to securing 45 Twinkies. Now by which I mean 45 bags of Twinkies."
"Why would you do that?"
"Good question. Cause Jeff said he'd eat all of them in under three minutes. Now, he thinks he's eating 45, but technically speaking, he agreed to he 90."
Austin stands up, "90?"
"Yeah."
"Nobody can eat 90 Twinkies."
"That's what I Said, dude. He may die or at least go extreme damage to several major organs."
"This I have to see."