Deep Slumber
The Vespa: Florence, Italy
Oliver had asked Steve to wait while he brought something around the block.
"Where did you get that Vespa?"
"One of the regents has a safe house around here."
"And the motorcycle jacket?"
"Came with the ride. Get on."
"Is it an artifact?"
"No."
"Lie."
"…"
"Whose it was?"
"I don't know. There was only this small card on top of it. It said 'prevents motorcycle accidents'. No other information. And, without knowing about its downside, I couldn't very well give it to you."
Steve got on the Vespa and Oliver set off to The Emperor's Gauntlet:
"So, let me get this straight. You stole an artifact from the regents and are wearing it, without knowing the downside, just so you can protect me?"
Oliver shrugged:
"Remember my locket's effect? Complete immunity from other artifacts downsides."
"I thought it gave you immortality."
"That's the downside. Seeing everyone I love die."
"Right. Sorry."
"No big. I've had a lot of time to adjust." – The Russian agent laughed.
"How are you still so happy?"
"You either laugh or you cry. And I'll be damned if I start crying at this point."
The Emperor's Gauntlet: Florence, Italy
The two agents were entering the building which housed the suspicious company.
At the desk closest to the door a blond woman was filing her nails until she saw the two men approaching:
"Bon pommerigio."
"Good evening."- Steve answered her.
"Oh, thank God! Someone who speaks English!" She said almost under her breath. – "What can I do for you two gentlemen?"
"We're looking for Mr. Samuel Blake."
"Names?"
Both showed her their badges:
"Agents Addams and Jinks."
"Oliver Addams?"
The Russian agent shared a look with the American agent that said 'I have good memory, and I don't know who the hell this woman is.'
"Yes."
"You may take the elevator, top floor. He's expecting you."
The Elevator: Florence, Italy
"Get your Tesla ready, this smells like a trap."
"I agree. Where's yours?"
Oliver patted his pockets and exhaled:
"I left it back at the B&B." – He found a small saber-handle-like-object in his back pocket. – "But apparently Claudia slipped me one of her inventions."
"Is that a Light Saber?"
"Only one way to find out."
Oliver pressed the button on the grip and almost instantly a blade dropped and the small object turned into a 24 inches rapier.
"Oh my God, I love her! I haven't used a rapier since Russia!"
Steve rolled his eyes and shook his head while gripping his ray gun.
The Entrapaneur: Florence, Italy
"Ah, Mister Addams, I was wondering when you'd show up."
The agents had hidden their weapons.
"Do I know you?"
"No. But someone told me lots of things about you."
"Who?"
"Not important. But he said one thing. 'Do I find you here, you old sinner! I have long sought you!' Whatever that means."
That was all he said before attacking Steve and throwing the agent's Tesla across the room. He then began to use the Spindle Fuse against Oliver's retractable rapier.
"This is going nowhere." – Oliver pulled a vintage microphone from his pocket and threw his Claudia Donovan original gadget to Steve. – "Cover me."
The Russian agent started to sing 'Dream a Little Dream' while the other two men in the room battled:
"Why try and kill those people?"
"They were going to withdraw their investment, I would've been broken."
Just before the last line of the song Samuel managed to prick Steve on the chest and the Warehouse agent collapsed as the Russian agent sang the last word.
The businessman also fell down; Oliver ran and bagged the Spindle Fuse. It sparkled but Steve didn't rouse from sleep. Frantic, he grabbed his Farnsworth and called Pete and Myka:
"Pete! I need your help! It's Steve!"