Chapter 3:
It was early morning, the sun was just starting to rise. With her hair twisted up into an unkempt bun, wearing only a silky camisole as her 'uniform of the day', a rather stoic Isabella sat cross-legged upon her quilted queen-sized bed. It's padded surface was covered all around with papers and blueprint drawings from the stack of files she had been given the other day by her father. Since she had a deadline of 48 hours to read and report on everything, she thought it best to start the task early.
Currently in her lap, an open file sat before her, awaiting judgment. Isabella brows furrowed softly together in deep thought as her blue-green eyes carefully assessed the folder's contents. Once she was done, she picked up a notepad and pen lying beside her and decisively scribbled down her personal observations. When she had finished writing, she swiftly collected the folder together, dropping it on top of her nightstand-less than a foot away-before picking up another one and repeating the same process.
The stack on her nightstand had tripled by mid morning's end. All that remained for her to look over now were the folders in red. Reaching for the biggest file, she flipped the cover back with an almost lazy hand and retrieved the short summary report written specifically for the contents inside. Next, she pulled out some display sheets that charted model types and neatly laid them out in order in a half circle before her.
Starting at the top of the summary paper read the following bold words "Nanomite Technology". The foreign name itself instantly caught Isabella's attention. It's summary, as Isabella carried on reading, further discussed the technological idea of constructing a new era of warheads using these so called Nanomites-with the proper programming, their exceptional design can eat through any kind of material, but specifically, they can eat metal. Using one hand, the young woman trailed her fingers across the instructional lines and schematics, memorizing every possible detail being portrayed as she vigilantly studied the file with an untiring intensity.
Reading the report out loud, Isabella felt a soft scowl set in on her face-not out of confusion...but out of distaste. "A single warhead can obliterate an entire heavy-duty military tank in just minutes. Once the Nanomites hit their target, they won't stop until the Kill Switch has been deactivated, disarming the Nanomites and preventing further destruction…" Her voice faded out as she glanced back down at the drawn out model of what this warhead would look like.
"What ever happened to a fair fight?" she asked herself. With a disapproving sigh and a slight shake of her head, she reached down and picked up her notepad and pen once more.
"This is idea is far more dangerous and unstable than anything else I've ever been exposed to." The young woman carried on writing. "Though the progress that has been made with technology can be appreciated, I feel it would be most unwise to manufacture this as a type of weaponry. What would happen if..." Isabella's train of thought was soon interrupted when her phone, also lying on the nightstand beside the bed, went off.
The catchy jingle reached her ears, signaling that a text message had been received. After tucking her pen behind an ear, Isabelle leaned over and reached for her phone. As she hit the 'view' button on the phone, these words appeared on the screen,
"Enjoying your time off from work, Captain?" The number was listed as unknown, forcing the young woman to raise a single eyebrow up at the anonymous question.
Isabella turned her phone sideways and slid its keypad out before she swiftly typing back, "And who might this be?"
Seconds later her phone went off again, "That's a secret." her screen read.
Instinctively, Isabella's grew wary. "Do I know you?" she questioned.
Another moment passed by before she got a response, "No...but I do believe that after last night, you want to know me now..." her screen returned.
A frown gently pulled at her lips before Isabella shook her head and wrote back, "This is hardly the way to interrogate properly." She stated.
After a minute of silence her phone sounded off once more, "Oh, there will be plenty of time for interrogations later."
Isabella felt her entire body stiffen from head to toe. "Is that a threat?" She typed those words with aggressive fingertips.
The moment she felt her phone give its alert in her hand once more, she hit the button and viewed the message.
"Consider it an invitation."
Isabella's response was swift and curt. "Consider it denied."
Afterwards, her phone became uncomfortably quiet for a couple long minutes until finally, it played its brief jingle one more time. "Until we meet then.…" Following that last message, her phone entered a silence.
Isabella's hand closed tightly around her phone-then, with her other hand, she gathered up the scattered files on her bed and placed them in a neat pile at its foot. Getting to her feet a moment later, the young woman headed over to her dresser and hunted down a change of clothes.
She was going to have to go in and report this-her Senior Officers will be wanting to see in details the conversation that just took place. But as the young woman began to get dressed, something in the back of her mind began to deeply disturb Isabella the more she contemplated the recent contact:
Firstly, whoever had written her, was clearly involved with the break-in at the War College. How else could they have gotten a hold of her personal cell phone number?
Secondly...this person is aware that she's suppose to be laying low..which could only mean that someone is keeping tabs on her physical whereabouts.
And finally...but most importantly- they're planning a meeting.
(Somewhere inside the Cobra's hidden base..)
With a subtle and amused smirk on his face, a tall and built man with dark hair and eyes had just flipped his communicating device closed and slid it inside his pristine white pants pocket.
"Well Storm Shadow?" The Doctor's low and chilling voice asked impatiently.
Storm Shadow turned towards the man with a triumphant gleam behind his dark eyes. "She got the invitation." He informed. "Whether she wanted it or not."
The Doctor gave a soft chuckle, "Good….very good." The Doctor stated, feeling quite pleased that his plan was working. He then turned away from Storm Shadow to check up on a file that was lying on a table, "You know….originally I was going to test out newly created Viper to get this job done... but James McCullen insisted that you should be the one to handle the task."
"I've never failed in completing a mission." Storm Shadow calmly pointed out.
"Which is why we're sending you now... though I must admit….." The Doctor began as he looked up from his readings to glance over at where Storm Shadow stood, "….it will be quite interesting.. seeing how you'll take care of it." he stated.
"She won't be anything I can't handle I assure you." Storm Shadow guaranteed.
"Well I'd hope so." James McCullen's voice suddenly spoke up as he walked into the room with the other two men, "You have quite the winning streak going for you...how ironic it would be if you got bested by a young woman now." He stated with his heavy accented voice.
Storm Shadow turned his dark eyes upon McCullen, "Like I said before, it won't be anything I can't handle. It will be as simple as picking a flower off a bush." He coolly replied.
"Ah, but be mindful…..some flowers carry thorns." The Doctor quickly threw back with a quiet chuckle.
A small smirk pulled at Storm Shadow's mouth, "Well then..." he spoke as he reached into a white sleeve and brought out one of his many throwing stars, letting the blade spin suggestively about his fingertips, "…..I won't hesitate to dethorn the flower if necessary."
Both McCullen and The Doctor seemed satisfied with his response and gave a soft nod of approval, "Do what you must Storm Shadow." McCullen ordered, "Just be sure that whatever you do, it is concealed." James McCullen cautioned, "... this girl's father has some very powerful connections and if he discovers foul play being committed against his daughter before we are able to implement some control... that could arouse some trouble for us in many directions and we can't afford that." McCullen swiftly reminded him.
Storm Shadow gave a soft nod of his head in understanding, "It will be done." He agreed.
"One more thing Storm Shadow…." The Doctor quickly spoke up once more, "….I'd prefer any type of maiming to be kept to a bare minimum. She'll need to be in complete health for what will be coming towards her upon arrival here."
Once again, the white ninja nodded in understanding. "Of course." With his orders given, Storm Shadow's holographic figure then faded from scene.