Chapter 3: The Red Test(s)
The whole team was down at Castle awaiting orders from Beckmann. Stark was incredibly nervous, because this would be his actual first mission. Once more he remembered his training in Prague. He had to turn off his emotions, which was especially hard at that particular moment, when he found himself in a secret base with the spy he idolized, not to mention the rest of the team, who also had an incredible history of mission achievements. And on top of all that, the prospect of a first mission wasn't soothing at all. Just as he was calming down, the screen came on, and seeing Beckmann made his nervousness double.
"Good morning team. Today I have an important assignment… but it is only for you, Mr. Stark."
"You mean to say I'll be acting alone?"
"That is exactly what I mean to say Stark; aren't you a spy?"
"It was a rhetorical question, General." retorted James without thinking.
Excuse me, agent Stark?" said Beckmann in a menacing tone.
"I'm sorry General, I'm just a bit nervous, quite a bit actually."
"Well pull it together Stark. I can't afford any mistakes tonight. This is going to be your red test and it is a rather special one. I'll be sending you a picture shortly. You will flash on him to acquire all the necessary information on the target. You will then proceed to take him out."
The screen went black, so James took the opportunity to talk to Chuck for a while. As they talked, the photo appeared on the screen. It was a balding man in his fifties, with bushy eyebrows, dark eyes and a skin so white it made him seem ill.
Stark had his back to the screen, but when he saw Chuck squint as though he'd seen a really bright light and twist his mouth as though he'd tasted something really sour, he knew the photo had come in. Chuck looked at James with concern and said, pointing at the screen and trying to sound casual. "Come on, have a flash"
And so Stark looked at the screen. Sure enough, the image of the balding man triggered the flash. A flood of information invaded his mind. He could see documents, dates, associates. And at the top of the first page it read: The Arab.
He looked at Chuck, now understanding his concerned look. The Arab was extremely dangerous. No one knew his real name or where his safe house was. He never stayed in one place for too long. James didn't quite understand why the General had chosen this target for his red test. This was a mission for a full spy team.
"Don't worry" said Chuck "we'll be with you every step of the way. You'll be wearing an inconspicuous ear piece linked directly to Castle in case you need help. But try not to get caught, because we won't actually be there physically, at least not in time to save you, depending on the situation."
Stark looked like he was going to throw up. "But that is a totally worst case scenario, I'm sure you'll be fine." added Chuck after seeing the look on James' face.
After calming down, Stark knew everything he needed for the mission. The Arab was known to have constant dealings with Middle Eastern terrorist groups, hence the name. But lately he had been doing business with mercenaries in the US, for which the reason was unknown. James was supposed to impersonate the leader of a mercenary group offering his services to The Arab. From his flash, he saw that he had checked in to The Madison, a luxurious hotel used for many gala events. In this case, an annual fundraiser. He had to lure The Arab away from the party and take him put as fast as possible.
James felt ready. "Even without the Intersect I'm a pretty decent spy. I should be fine." He picked up his tuxedo so he could start getting ready. It was still late afternoon and the mission was to take place at 22:00h. Still, he wanted to make sure everything was perfect. He even tried rehearsing a few lines with Chuck for when he would have to talk to The Arab. After a few minutes, James gave up on the idea. Somehow, having pre meditated lines made him more nervous in case he had to improvise. Seeing as he had always been good at it, he decided he would improvise the whole conversation.
So at 21:45 James Stark was ready and fully equipped. He looked at The Governor on his wrist, still ticking dutifully. He put on his earpiece and linked it to Castle.
"All good, can you hear me?" asked Morgan for the sound check.
"Yeah, I can hear you perfectly." replied James.
He turned around and looked at Chuck, Sarah and Casey. They just couldn't hide the concern from their faces. But Stark was confident nonetheless. He had a good feeling about this mission. He got in his car, a brand 'new' black 1967 Mustang GT, and drove off to The Madison for his first actual mission. On the way he wondered why Beckmann wanted The Arab dead. "Wouldn't it be better to capture him alive and question him?"
As he arrived, the building genuinely impressed him. Sure he'd gone by it several time before, but never when it had been prepared for a gala. It was a mighty building with classical architecture and a beige color that brought out the red of the decorative drapes that ran down from the pillars on each side of the doors. Many people were already inside, but there were still quite a few guests talking outside, maybe having encountered an acquaintance or whatnot.
All the men were wearing tuxedos and the women wore long and intricate dresses, most likely custom made for the event. James parked his car next to a Camaro and made his way to the entrance. The receptionist, a lady of no more than thirty, accepted Stark's invitation and threw him a look he knew all too well. Despite his awkward pre-teen years, James Stark had become quite handsome as an adult. But he had a mission, so he politely ignored her – if there is such a thing – and moved on alongside the other gusts that were going inside.
The hotel was no less impressive on the inside. It was almost entirely made of marble. Stairs on both sides led down to the ballroom itself, where the light of an enormous chandelier reflected beautifully on the marble, giving the room an elegant golden glow. Waiters walked around in white, serving wine, champagne and appetizers. There was a huge bar at the far end of the room. Behind its massive wooden counter it had an endless number of glass shelves from top to bottom, where infinite bottles of various drinks sat, waiting to be ordered. Stark began looking around for his target. And then he saw the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was tall, thin, with a perfect nose, attractive bluish-green eyes and long black hair that descended in a wavelike manner upon her back. Yet such a description still fell short of her true beauty. Stark felt like he was back in grade school. He just couldn't stop looking at her; a spy, trained in the art of seduction, was simply mindlessly staring at a woman he didn't even know. She was going to the restroom area. "Well, I guess I need to go to the bathroom!" Thought Stark. The funny thing was that he actually did have to go.
Just as he was coming out, he was pushed against the wall and thrown into the janitor's closet, which was just at the beginning of the corridor that ran next to the bathrooms. James flashed at once; yet again knowledge flooded his brain, and a tingly sensation spread briefly to his muscles. He knew exactly what moves he had to use and when to use them. Stark turned around, ready for a fight; but it was her, the woman he had just childishly followed. She had a gun pointed directly at his chest.
"Wow, I have to say this is the first time a woman approaches me like this. I guess I like it." said Stark with a charmingly sarcastic smile.
"Okay, what's the deal? You've been looking at me since you got here. What do you know, who do you work for?"
"I'm sorry for staring, it was indeed a bit childish of me. I guess I just couldn't resist."
"That's enough!" shouted the woman "who do you work for, why are you after me?" She had a scared look on her face, so Stark answered at once when he saw her unlock the gun.
"I'm with the IOF, okay? Just relax. I'm not here to harm you. As a matter of fact, you're not part of my mission at all. I really just thought you were beautiful." said James honestly.
"Alright, enough with the flattering. I'm NSA. What are you doing here and what the hell is the IOF?" she asked, putting the gun down.
"I'm here for my red test. As for what the IOF is… well, all I'm allowed to say is that it is a covert operations force within the NSA. Why are you here, and can I have a name?"
"I'm Katrina Nilsson. I'm here for my red test too. All I was given was a photo of the target, code name The Arab." Said Katrina.
"Then we have a problem agent Nilsson, or a solution. I'm here for The Arab as well, but I have a little more Intel than you. So, if you want, we can work together. And if you don't think that's a good idea, I'm sure you'll change your mind after you hear the Intel." replied Stark.
"The Arab is a highly dangerous individual who has been involved with various middle-eastern terrorist groups and is now dealing with north American mercenaries, the reason for which is still unknown." Explained James. "I still don't know why he was assigned as my red test, or furthermore, why he was assigned to you as well, which is why I think working together would be the smartest decision for us. So, what do you say, agent Nilsson? Are you with me?" asked James, putting his hand forward.
"I guess so. What did you have in mind?" She asked while shaking Stark's hand.
"I had intended to act as the leader of a mercenary group offering my services to The Arab. But now that you're here, I have a better idea, although it's going to require a bit of seduction on your part."
"Fine, let's hear it." Said Katrina.
"Okay, I was thinking we use your more than average looks to lure him over to the bar, where I'll be disguised as a bartender. I will then spike his drink with a little something extra, you see." Said Stark. "I know poison is usually a woman's choice for killing, but I really don't think I have a chance of flirting with him." He added sarcastically.
"You do know that saying is meant for women who aren't trained assassins like myself, right? Just because this is my red test doesn't' mean I haven't been trained. I know how to kill a guy without poison. But your seduction plan is OK, so I'll let go of pride this time and I won't kick your ass. Get to the bar. I'll find The Arab and get him there."
Katrina Nilsson was fierce and determined. Even though she had not yet killed, James had no doubts as to her abilities. So he discretely made his way to the bar. He got in through the back and trancked one of the bartenders. He picked up a spare uniform from a small closet in the back of the bar and put it on. After he was all set, Stark looked around for Katrina. It was pretty hard to miss her and, sure enough, there she was, crossing the ballroom headed for the bar. Except she wasn't alone; a balding, fifty something year old man with pale skin was with her. From the picture he had flashed on, James couldn't have predicted The Arab would be quite so big. Despite his age and frail looking face, he was surprisingly fit. Broad shoulders, big arms, 6'1 tall and with great posture, The Arab was certainly someone not to be meddled with.
Katrina came toward Stark with a look of acknowledgment on her face. She was still talking to The Arab.
"I'm thirsty. I think I'm going to get a drink." Said Katrina, sounding convincingly innocent.
"No please, let me." Said The Arab. "What is it that you desire?" He asked with a deep and rather melodic voice.
"Oh I don't know, surprise me." Replied Katrina with a giggle.
"Very well. Bartender, we'll have two martinis please. Extra olives." Said The Arab to Stark.
As James prepared the drinks behind the counter, he slipped cyanide into one of them. He then cautiously served the drinks, making sure The Arab took the one with the poison. As soon as they drank, Stark knew something had gone wrong. For a brief moment, he noticed a scared and angry look on The Arab's face. He looked at Stark and then turned to Katrina. "I'm terribly sorry dear, but it seems I'm not feeling too well. I'll retire to my room now. Thank you for your delightful company." He said, before kissing Katrina gently on the upper part of her hand.
"He knows he's been poisoned." Stark told Katrina as soon as The Arab left. "If he identified it was cyanide by the taste, he might have the antidote in his room. If he gets his hands on Hydroxycobalamin he'll be just fine and this will all have been in vain. Come on, get up there, I'll be right behind you."
Agent Nilsson turned around and ran to the reception. Knowing The Arab's alias from Stark's intel, she tracked down the room he had checked into and went up quickly.
She knocked. "Hello, is there anyone there?"
"Who is it?" asked The Arab.
"It's me, Maggie." Replied Nilsson, using the same fake name she'd given him earlier that night. "You left so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to say goodbye." She added.
Katrina heard the door being unlocked. It was The Arab all right, but he wasn't looking so friendly. "Do you really think I'm that stupid?" He asked with a gun pointed directly at her. "Come on in, 'Maggie'." Wondering where the hell Stark was, she went in.
The Arab tied her to a chair with incredibly tight fishing knots. "Shall we begin?" he asked sadistically. "You're going to tell me everything; who you work for, why you're here, who your partner is, and I'm sure I'll think of more questions." He picked up a toothpick from a table on the far side of the room. "How about we start with a classic? Despite being a bit overused, it always yields positive results." Said The Arab, grabbing Katrina's hand. He then slowly inserted the toothpick underneath her fingernail. She shrieked in agony. "That was just the appetizer. So, who do you wor…" but before he could finish, Katrina saw his eyes go wide and blood start drenching his shirt. It was Stark. He had descended onto the room's balcony from the floor above and shot The Arab. How he had done that was beyond her, but she was thankful nonetheless.
"I was going to wait for the right moment, but when I heard you scream like that I decided to just shoot him in the back." Said James.
"You mean you've been there this whole time! Why didn't you do something before he stuck a damned toothpick under my nail?" She asked, looking at him in anger.
"Sorry, I thought he would give out some information or something. You know, the classic bad guy speech, where he reveals his intentions and all. Guess that didn't happen."
"You don't say?" replied Nilsson sarcastically.
"Okay, it was wrong of me to do that. It won't happen again, I promise." Said James apologetically.
"Again? What do you mean, 'again'?" she asked incredulously.
"After the events of tonight I have to take you in for debriefing. It's obvious there's something wrong with this whole situation."
"Sorry, special agent James Stark, if that really is your name, but there is no way I'm going with you."
"The once again I am obliged to ask for you forgiveness." James said while pulling out a tranq gun.
Two tranquilizer darts later and Katrina Nilsson was in the passenger's seat of Stark's Mustang, headed for Castle.
When Stark arrived carrying an unconscious woman, it's needless to say everyone was more than confused. He put Agent Nilsson in one of Castle's transparent holding cells and went on to explain the whole situation to the team.
"So you were both assigned the same target. It's almost as if someone wanted you to run into each other." Said Chuck.
"That is exactly what I wanted." Said General Beckmann as she popped up on the screen. "Agent Nilsson has just completed her training. She is a couple of years younger than you, Stark. And much like you, she has shown herself to be suitable for the Intersect. You were taken to Prague right after you had completed your training because the IOF was still in the works. Lots of paperwork and bureaucracy to sit through, so we had no other choice but to train you in Prague. However, the IOF is now fully operational and the Intersect training program in Prague has been discontinued due to its elevated costs. But I should think that a spy team such as this one, with two Intersects, will be more than capable of training agent Nilsson once she is uploaded with the Intersect. This mission served for me to see if you two could function together." Explained the General.
"Wouldn't it have been easier to have told us beforehand, General? And is it really prudent to have yet another Intersect running around? I've had two years of Intersect training, but I still don't have any field experience." Said Stark
"Did you think you were special Stark? Well indeed you are, but you're not the only one. The purpose of the IOF is to have all suitable agents uploaded with the Intersect. She is suitable, so get over it. You will help her learn how to make the Intersect work." Replied Beckmann.
"Then why would you discontinue the training program in Prague, General? If there are going to be so many agents, this team will end up being an Intersect training program itself, won't it? Asked James
"Precisely Stark. The Intersect was developed so agents could be fully independent. Once an agent's training with your team is complete, they'll be on their way. And don't worry, it's not like we'll be sending a new agent every week. It is not that easy to find people who can handle the Intersect."
"Then why am I still here General? I've already completed my training."
"Well, you will be an Instructor, a handler; call it what you will. You will be assigned important missions. Let's just call the fact that you will be 'teaching someone the ropes' as an added challenge." Said the General
"But couldn't Chuck do that?" asked James. Even though he idolized Chuck, he didn't want to be an instructor for the rest of his career. At least not until he had a better record, like Chuck's. He took down Fulcrum, The Ring and tons of other bad guys.
"That is a matter you will discuss with agent Bartowski directly. That'll be all". Finished the General.
After the screen faded, Chuck turned to Stark. "Look, James, I'm sorry. I know you want to build a career. Just keep in mind that being a handler won't stop you from doing that. It's just that ever since Sarah got her memory back, we've been thinking about retiring from the field. We want to build a family, have a real life. And we aren't getting any younger." Said Chuck.
James felt so incredibly selfish after hearing those words that he wanted to hide somewhere. "Chuck, I… I didn't know. I'm sorry for being so self-centered. I'd do anything for this team."
"Hey, it's alright, don't sweat it." Said Chuck with a smile, lifting Stark's mood.
"Can I ask you something Chuck?"
"Yeah, sure. Ask away!" said Chuck.
"Why didn't I flash on Nilsson as soon as I saw her?
"I don't know. Emotions do get in the way of flashing. How did you react when you saw her, lover boy?" said Chuck with a smirk
"What, me? I… well…" Stark looked down, wordless.
"I'm just kidding James. All agents suitable for the Intersect upload are removed from its database. Things are safer that way." Explained Chuck.
"Right, yeah, I get it. It's probably for the best." Said Stark, a bit disappointed.
"You know, if you want to find out more about me, you could just ask." Said Katrina as she came into the room. "Beckmann just told me everything." She added after seeing the look on Stark' face, like someone who didn't know what she was talking about.
"Then now do you believe I thought you were beautiful?" asked Stark, managing to recompose himself a bit.
She laughed and their eyes met for just a second, but it was one of those lingering seconds that seem to last a lifetime. "Yeah, I guess I do believe you now." Replied Katrina while brushing her hair over her ears and looking down. "I'm sorry I said I was going to kick your ass. That was unprofessional of me." She said, looking at Stark without breaking eye contact this time.
"No, I'm the one who's sorry. I was totally staring at you. I probably deserved an ass kicking so I wouldn't act so stupid." He replied as he continued gazing into those gorgeous bluish-green eyes.
"So what's your real name?"
"What? What do you mean real name? It's James Stark. That is my real name." He replied nervously
"Is it? Because I saw you tense up when I doubted it, just before you trancked me."
She wasn't angry. It seemed like she really did want to know his name. But he couldn't say. They had given him the alias in Prague, right after he'd been uploaded with the Intersect, under strict orders not to reveal his real name. But Katrina Just kept looking at him.
"To hell with it. It's Eugene. Eugene Erskine is my real name." It sounded so strange after so long. He hadn't been called that in two ears.
"Eugene Erskine, huh? Now that sounds more like you. I like it."
Eugene was lost for words. He didn't know why, but he knew what came next: crickets.
"So, The Intersect. Pretty cool stuff, eh? Said Morgan, ending the palpable awkward silence that had ensued between Erskine and Nilsson.
Eugene had totally forgotten they were all there. He had been so caught up in talking to Katrina that had had disconnected himself from the rest of the world. But he sure was thankful to Morgan for having saved him from the soundless abyss his conversation had become. His heart was racing, he was sweating and his ears were hot. What was it about this woman that made him act and feel like the nerdy kid he'd been in school? He barely even knew her yet.
And so it was that Katrina Nilsson joined the IOF.
Still, much was about to happen…
