Chapter Two

Carly checked herself one last time in the mirror. Purpley dress, check. Makeup, check. Integrated taser, check. Computer-readout contacts, not check. "Base connect engage," she spoke. The contacts blipped to life, a readout scrawled over her vision. She would never see the engagement team, working in a van blocks away. They would text messages into her eyes, and she could whisper into her sleeve or tap certain spots on her palm to reply.

Off to the Capitol. She walked down the stairs, her mom at the bottom clasping her hands, eyes full of pride. Or fear. She adjusted Carly's dress.

"Your first assignment," she said, voice full of emotion. "Your dad would have been proud."

Mom might as well have kicked a knife into her gut. Dad disappeared one day, no note, nothing. Carly hated the rumors, the ones that said terrible things about him, like he'd betrayed them. Bullpox. No, if he was alive, he'd have found a way, something subtle, a strange envelope in the mail, a gift at Xmas. Anything. No, he was either dead or in some deep hole. He'd missed all her best years at the Secret Academy, besting all the other cadets, always with top marks.

Not that top marks were something to be proud of. It meant you outwitted and tricked your classmates, stabbed them in the back, and found ways to threaten the instructors. Cheating was awarded, treachery applauded. For graduation, she set off smoke bombs that cleared the ceremony, her crowning achievement. She'd hated every minute of it, and knew every one of her fellow cadets would try to screw her over some day. Well, let them try. Besides, she'd worn a mask the whole time. Good luck trying to find her real identity.

Carly pushed Mom away. "I've got to go." So echoed her driver through her eyeball.

As she reached for the door, it rang. She glanced at Mom. Mom nodded and drew her gun, backing up a step. Totally not protocol, coming to the door. Carly was never to make direct contact with the driver.

Carly tapped the monitor and viewed her porch through the camera. A giant pair of lips greeted her, coming from a face surrounded with frizzy yellow hair. "Becky?"

Dammit. How did Becky always choose the worst times to come over?

"It's me!" said the tinny voice and prominent lips through the monitor.

"Get off the chair and stop smooching our camera."

Becky pouted but scooted off. "Fine. Let me in. I have 'new-ews'." She said the word like she was dangling a chocolate double truffle. Carly knew it meant juicy gossip about someone in high school. But not now, not with a car waiting and a van full of agents texting 'get rid of her.'

Carly opened the door a crack. "Hey Becky. I can't really—

Becky barged in like she saw cake. "OMGerd. Look at you. Who's picking you up? Where are you going? You look so awesy."

Carly sighed. Becky—she wasn't an 'assignment' like the one tonight, but Becky was a special task. Mission: turn Becky into an asset. Carly understood it as 'sidekick'. Wasn't a pretty thing, though. It meant Becky would be the fall guy (girl) for Carly's nefarious plans. First goal: corruption. Turn Becky into a criminal. But damn if that wasn't impossible. Tried to get her to shoplift. Becky just laughed as if it were a game, even returned some of Carly's goods. Tried to get her involved with guys. Becky just held their hands. Hacking? Wound up fixing the grades that Carly had messed with, thinking the teacher had just entered it wrong. WTF. No matter how much Carly tried to mess with Becky's head, the girl just laughed it off. Curses.

"Well?" Becky stood there, hands on hips.

Carly looked back. Mom stowed the gun and rolled her eyes, then slunk away. Mom didn't like Becky, thought she was a goody, not a great influence on a future evildoer.

Carly sighed. "Fine. I scored some tickets to the Governor's Ball."

"What?! No…ways! Who are you taking? Tell me please please please."

Becky was an excellent groveler. Another sigh escaped. "No one. Wasn't time. I just got these today."

"Wha?" Becky looked stricken. "You're going stag? To the biggest party in forevs? What have I done? Where have I failed?"

Great. Melodrama. Last thing Carly needed. But a seed of an idea took shape, the evilness in her mind taking over, just like an evil mastermind's mind should. Becky could be unwitting wingman to an evil plot. And then, if Becky found out what Carly'd done…it might be enough to break her. "Say, it would be a shame to let this extra ticket go to waste."

"I already have my phone out, seeing who's free tonight. I won't let you down."

Carly put a hand on Becky's phone. "I meant you, silly. A couple girls out on the town, dancing under the Governor's nose—"

"Eaiiiaaa! I heart you I heart you I heart you."

Becky jumped into Carly's arms, arms stronger than they should be thanks to the secret serum. Carly wasn't Captain America or Hulk strong, maybe just man-strong. She didn't want to become a freak. Her organization thrived in the shadows…for now.

Becky stopped and slid down, her face a mess. "But I have nothing to wear!"