This was getting tiresome. Not only had he spent hours ensuring that this would not happen, not only did it happen, but it happened thrice. Not that he feared it. It was merely a complication on the path to victory. If it had been too easy, it would not have been a worthy victory, surely. Therefore, the challenge was appreciated, if not expected and he was not without means to end this before it began.
It came from an odd source though. There was no one to threaten him, no one to spite his might, therefore, he needn't fear where this so-called threat came from. It was rather curious though, and he was a rather curious man. Sitting alone in his office, he saw no reason why he couldn't indulge in a little fun and since he had no superior, he saw no reason why he even questioned himself.
Starring intently at his screen, he waited for the opportune moment, passing the time correcting his wiki-page. Stunningly handsome. Unparalleled brilliance. Generous organizer of charity events. Born.. Well, ten years off his age wouldn't hurt. Making up some background story with poor parents and his rise to fame wasn't too difficult.
"Sir?"
He sighed heavily, as if the disturbance was yet another burden on his already heavy shoulders. He'd have to catch him as he came, not when he left. Not that he could leave with anything substantial. So far, the only thing that had been hacked had been his official business records. But it was enough to know that someone was checking up on him. He wanted to know which justice department would receive a gift this time.
Finally, he glanced up at the small man, standing in the doorway. "Yes?"
"Homeland Security is here to see you."
And Homeland Security it was.
"Oh?" he faked polite interest. "Best let them in now, eh Sam?"
"Yessir." The young man opened the door to its entirety and bowed his head as two men in heavy suits walked in. As per usual, they looked typical and boring with their grey suits, boring one colored ties and shoes with layers of grease to make them shine probably.
He, himself, wore his clothes casually, yet he did not wear casual clothes. A pearl-white, newly ironed shirt, black suit pants and sneakers. The suit jacket was pure quality, yet hung carelessly around the back of his chair. He didn't need a tie. His hair was freshly cut, giving him a hair due fit for a military unit and he was freshly shaven. Simply put, he looked good.
Standing up in his chair, he played his part and hurried around the table to great his guests.
"Oh my," he gushed, "Homeland Security? I don't understand… What can I do for you, Gentlemen?" he rambled, gesturing towards the two seats in front of his desk. The two agents shook their heads in unity.
"I'm afraid you're coming with us."
He shook his head as if regretting his next action before holding up his right hand casually, "Yes, I would fear that as well if I were you. And here I thought you might've come to ask for assistance. But that is so Homeland Security – pointing fingers." He made a fist with his hand and before the two agents had time for their second breath, they were unconscious on the floor, two black clad figures standing above them.
"Unfortunate," he tsk'ed. "Tell Sam to locate their headquarters and leave those," he pointed vaguely at the disregarded men,"at their doorstep. Perhaps a little creative this time. Getting a little too close for comfort, are they?" he winked playfully at the two ninjas, who bowed quickly and left.
That was interesting. Now he knew for certain that whoever was checking him out at the moment where pretty certain he was the bad guy and they worked alongside the police. That would have to cease, immediately. Perhaps a little chat wouldn't hurt.
"Now, come out and play," he mumbled quietly, as his slender fingers flew across the familiar keyboard. He worked for a few hours, his frustration climbing as he was evaded every time. Obviously, someone knew what they were doing. This was a new player.
But as he was about ready to smash his screen in with the rubber ball he kept in his drawer to relieve stress, he finally got some results.
"Oh, he's clever," he mused. "I can't track him. But I can connect to his server."
His stomach clenched in anticipation as his programs worked their pre-installed magic to turn on the web-cam. It would be beneficial to observe his new nemesis before making contact. But if this man truly was as good as he advertised through his evading security programs, he wouldn't fall for an old trick as that.
"Holy Shell!" Donnie burst and slid comically down his chair to the floor faster than anyone in the room could blink. From there, he worked the keypad furiously, ignoring the laughter that so obviously came from Mikey.
"Wha-" Mikey started asking, before gripping his sides and bending over in a vain attempt to stop laughing. "Whaddya doing, dude?" he choked out, watching his brother's frantic movements tone down and become still. "You fell down from the chair," he snickered.
Donnie pushed himself up and into the chair, warily pushing himself away from the computer. Mira had gone pale white and scooted away from the screen almost as fast. Leo and Raph joined them quickly, demanding an explanation.
"Well," Donnie began. "He wants to talk to us."
"Who?" Leo asked, worrying for his brother's health.
"Who do you think?" Mira snapped. "It's him. He even managed to turn on the web cam for a second before Don took back control."
"Did he see anything?"
"Did you miss his elegant evasion or would you like it repeated?" Mikey snickered, until Don glared at him.
"No, I doubt it, but he's still waiting to talk."
"Then put him through," Raph demanded, pushing his way through until he was standing in front of the screen. Mikey threw his arm around him,
"Yeah, let's show him this ugly face and he'll be so scared he'll never bother us again!"
"Shuttup, knucklehead!" Raph pushed him off of him and turned to Leo. "I'll tell 'im what's right!"
"Raph, calm down," Leo ordered, narrowing his eyes at the red banded turtle. He then turned to Donatello. "Fine. Let's talk to him."
"I'll go get Spencer," Mira hurried. "He'll want to be a part of this."
Leo reached out and gave Don's shoulder a telling squeeze. He wasn't about to wait for permission. Don looked back to confirm and after Leo gave a brief nod, he connected them.
The picture shimmered and settled down and allowed the man to get a clear view of… Well, give him a shell and call him a turtle, if it isn't…
"Greetings," he smiled politely, watching carefully, just as he was being watched, for clues of weakness or mistakes. Of course, his screen was filled to the brim with… people. Three turtles, if he was not mistaken. He gave himself a pad on the back for reading up on the Foot's earlier enemies. Anything else would have been foolish.
"Daniel Malvir," one of the turtle spoke. Fascinating in its own way, but he felt like he knew them. Video-recordings, pictures, reports and witness accounts had all been very helpful and kept him from losing face now.
"Yes, Leonardo," he tried to keep from squirming in delight when the turtle's eyes narrowed at its name. "I was ever so eager to meet you when I discovered you've been.. shall we say overstepping thy boundaries?"
He rested his elbows on the table and leaned closer to the screen.
"Ahh, but you're not the one who's been poking around, are you? Tell me, where is Donatello?"
He didn't need an answer. He read body language as well as spoken and the flickering of the other turtle's eyes to the turtle in the lower corner spoke louder than words. He settled his cold eyes on the purple-banded turtle.
"It truly is a pleasure," he acknowledged with a brief, respectful nod. "I assume you've read up about me."
From what he'd read about this Donatello, he wasn't one to take charge. He'd offer advice and a level head in a crisis, but he wasn't dominant. He rarely, if ever, even challenged authority. Which is why it came as quite the surprise when it narrowed it eyes at him and rattled off,
"Former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency. Fired, deleted and with no other option to leave the country, you flee to Japan, where you happen to get tangled in organized crime. Turns out, you've got quite an act for it. Climbing the ranks, some by rented force, you take over the Foot's Japan division and decide to relocate headquarters to here, New York, the perfect location to execute your little plan of revenge against the government."
Daniel leaned back in his chair, having expected leaks from his wiki-page and not such an accurate account of his immediate past. He ran a hand through his hair to gather himself before repositioning himself in front of the screen.
"Haven't we been mighty clever?" he commented. "But you've only seen the surface."
"That revenge isn't half your act?" the turtle captain, Leonardo, asked. "As if revenge is ever enough with you guys."
He took a little offense to that. You guys – as if he was a common breed.
"What? I'm teaching this country a lesson. You don't think I should get paid for my efforts?" he scoffed.
"Money is one thing, but power isn't anywhere on that wish-list of yours?"
"Well, let's see." Daniel placed a hand on his chin, pretending to think. "I teach the assholes that fired me a lesson, I get paid for doing it and I show everyone that my way of running the country would be marginally better? I see no problem here," he smirked, winking playfully at his audience. Then he grew serious. "Of course I want money. Of course I want power. And I won't make the same mistakes as my predecessors."
Leonardo leaned forward until he was the only thing on the screen.
"And killing off people to gain that?"
"A necessary means."
Suddenly the camera shook and Daniel lost his smile for a second. The whole screen continued to be a blur until it suddenly froze on two furious amber eyes covered in red.
"You asshole! I'll personally tear-"
The screen shifted again,
"-with a spoon-"
The camera got dropped to the ground,
"-your pointy ass-"
The camera got picked up and the sound off something breaking,
"-until people will stand in line-"
The screen went black.
"-full of whip cream, you son of-"
Sounds of another scuffle but this time, the camera was carefully picked up and Leonardo was shown. Daniel laughed happily.
"Having a hard time controlling your troops, Captain?" he joked.
"Stop this now, Daniel. This is your warning. We will find you and stop you if you intend to go through with this."
Daniel pretended to consider for a moment before shaking his head regretfully.
"You have no idea what you're up against. I called you to warn you. Back off."
Leonardo was already shaking his head, as Daniel held up a finger.
"Now wait a minute, you might be interested in this. This isn't your fight. I'll be willing to this – you back off and I'll leave your familie and friends alone. You stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours. I'll set you up for life. You'll get financial security and I won't lay a hand on you. Go back to your sewers…" he made a show of pretending to wash his hands, "and live in peace. That is my proposal."
He could see the turtle freeze for a moment, and watched as the weakness he had been waiting for emerge. Donatello cut in front of the screen.
"No. What you're doing is wrong and we will stop you," he stated firmly.
Then the screen turned black. No matter. He now knew exactly how to handle these new adversaries, should they prove more challenging than the average agent.
