Bridge Carson, Secret Agent Extraordinaire
A.N: Thanks to all the people who reviewed last chapter! You guys are great as usual! After all that shooting last chapter, why not cool down with some kung-fu? This story will alternate quite a lot from gun fights, to kung-fu, to some more peaceful, reflective moments, to having a conspiracy within somewhere down the line, to a little romance, and (hopefully) plenty of humour sprinkled about very generously. Now let's hope I can achieve all that, alright? I hear everyone nodding? Good! Then it's decided. And I think I gave too much away with all that…then again, how many people actually read these? Now, after all that action, how about we return to our good old friends back at S.P.D. and Chimera? Compared to last chapter's action packed-ness, this chapter will be comparatively calmer. And again, it feels a bit rushed to me, but maybe you feel differently?
And one more thing: a recurring theme has been broken! Can you find it? I'll give you a hint (two, actually): it has something to do with Alternative Information, and it has to do with who comes in first. Good luck! ) Free electronic cookie or the next chapter's quote to the person who can find it! And if you say which one you want in your review! Laters, and review!
Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers
"Ah, MaxStar Casino…home to the lucky few, the unlucky many, more riches than a person can count in a lifetime, and many, many drunken politician assholes who try to seduce me."
Chimera Agent Katherine 'Kat' Manx, commenting on MaxStar Casino ten years after EyeNet Incident
Time: 1207 hours, galactic standard time / Location: Lobby of Castillo Frontier Headquarters
Silence filled the dust-choked air as everyone stared everyone down. The militia, caught in the middle, were the worst off, as the fact that allies were staring them straight in the face finally caught up with their minds.
"Agent Carson, I am glad to see that you have made it," Captain Hoise said as he walked up, hand extended.
Bridge reached out, and shook the captain's gloved hand. The captain patted him on the back a few times, before conversing with the sergeant. The rest of the militia were soon placed under arrest, and shoved into jeeps or APCs. A soldier was about to grab the twelve Bridge and the others had captured from the top of the tower, when Bridge stopped him.
"They stay for now," he said. "Thanks."
The soldier, confused slightly, nevertheless listened to Bridge and backed off. Word travelled fast, including the S.P.D. agent's ability to single-handedly kung-fu his way out of a bar brawl. None of the enlisted men wanted to mess with the man afterwards, for the fear that Bridge would come and kung-fu them into the next century. But the officers were generally the sceptics, not believing Bridge's outlandish tales until they had actually witnessed the said capabilities themselves. Then again, Bridge wasn't really about pleasing other people: he was here to do his job, not to elaborate on rumours. Besides, he had more things to worry about: there was a constant nagging at the back of his mind about his saviour once more.
Finally, Captain Hoise had finished speaking to the tired sergeant, and made his way back to a contemplative Bridge.
"Agent Carson, if there is something you need to get from the men you just captured, you had better do it quickly," the captain said, snapping Bridge out of his contemplative mood.
"Sorry? Say again please?"
The captain sighed. "You had better be quick when you are getting what you need from the captives. We need to take them away for something else as well," he repeated.
"I'll try to be quick: how fast I can get this done depends on how much they want to cooperate," Bridge answered.
"Well, in that case, you better get working: we need them back into our territory as soon as possible, which gives you…" Captain Hoise glanced at the digital clock within his helmet display. "Ten minutes."
"Ten minutes?! That's just barely enough time!" Bridge said.
"Sorry, but that is all the time we can spare." The captain walked away, back to the milling troops with an apologetic shrug to Bridge, who sighed in disappointment.
"Alright, then, let's get to work," Bridge mumbled, slightly mocking the captain's words.
He walked to the heavily guarded leaders, who were all grouped up with a pair of soldiers standing over them as guards, who were currently herding them into the room.
"Um," Bridge began as he approached the guards. "Would you mind if I talked to these fine gentlemen," he paused as he realised that being polite to the enemy wouldn't make him particularly popular with the soldiers for the last few hours he would stay here. "I mean…dirty scumbags for a minute alone?"
The guards stared at him, even as Kat slipped in through the broken and collapsed wall. She had to hear what the S.P.D. agent was doing and what the leaders had to reveal.
"I…guess so, agent," one of the guards said, confused. They walked away, leaving Bridge to talk to the leaders, and Kat hidden away to listen in.
"Alright, are you the leaders? Make it snappy: I've got an appointment with my commander within the next half hour, and he doesn't like it when I report in late," Bridge said, before pausing again. "Come to think of it…he doesn't like it when I report in early either. He actually hates it if we report in at any time other than the time specified."
"Yes we are the leaders…and no, we are not," one of the people said.
"How does that work? You're leader and not one at the same time?"
"Yes."
"Ooh, does that mean that you're like the de facto leader, but not really the leader, but like the representatives of the leader? Or are you just leaders, but only leaders of a part of the little terrorist group, like only the political leaders but not the leaders of the army or militia or whatever you have as your army…I'm rambling again, aren't I?"
They nodded as Kat nearly fell over from shock. How could someone like this become a secret agent? He talked far too much to be a proper agent. Then again, she thought, how could someone like Morgana become an agent as well? She was too violent for an agent: often unnecessarily slaughtering combat/security robots that were ever so popular these days instead of simply attempting to achieve the objectives with as much discretion as possible. Throwing all the thoughts that weren't mission-related out of her mind, Kat tried to concentrate on what the leaders were saying instead.
"Okay," Bridge said, starting to feel more than a little frustrated. "Let's try this again: are you the true leaders of this group? Is there anyone higher than you on the hierarchal ladder?"
"One person," one of them answered. "He is the true leader of the Castillo Frontier, which you have so effectively decapitated today with our capture and his departure."
"Ahah!" Bridge triumphantly declared. "So there is someone above you lot!"
"We never denied there was one."
"Now, if you're really nice and tell me who he is in the next ten seconds, I might just let you go," Bridge said.
The captives paused for a moment as they deliberated over Bridge's offer. They either remained true to their leader and therefore be incarcerated for the better portion of their lives, or they told the agent (and the other one hidden nearby, but they didn't know that) where their leader was and went free.
"We will tell you who he is," they finally said.
"Great! Let me get a pen first and I'll write his name down…" Bridge scrabbled around his vest and clothes to find a pen and a piece of paper, but after a quick search, had found nearly everything except the items he was looking for. "Ah, damn it. Oh well, just tell me his name."
Kat nearly held her breath. Finally, things were looking up a little. The only thing that didn't look appealing now was the fact that she had to sneak through an entire army to get off the planet without being noticed.
"His name is…"
Every breath in the room was held as the sentence fell into the dusty air.
"…Valda Kintopp."
A rather lengthy and pregnant pause filled the room.
"…I was actually expecting something more…" Bridge looked up at the roof, thinking and raking his mind in desperation for that ever so elusive word that kept slipping out whenever he was about to reach it, "…sinister," he settled for.
"Perhaps it is, maybe not. Now that we have fulfilled our end of the bargain, it is time for you to fulfil yours."
"Not yet! I still have another question," Bridge said.
The leaders sighed. "What is it now that you want from us?"
"I have some information that a data disc was supplied to you and/or your leader. I need to know what happened to it, before I can let you go."
"A data disc?" one asked, confused.
"Actually, I did see him with it, but he must have took it with him when he left," another said.
"Now, if you are done asking questions, then it is time for you to fulfil your end of the bargain."
"Alright," Bridge sighed. "Up you get."
Whilst his back was turned, Kat took the opportunity to quickly slip out of the door. She had everything she needed, and now it was time to report back to the Phoenix, which she was already dreading by the second. She was only really looking forward to seeing Felix again (the thought of buying him a drink had slipped out of her mind again).
While Kat was making her stealthy escape/departure from the room, Bridge had finally hauled all twelve of the pseudo-leaders from the ground, and was opening the door, when a pair of soldiers rushed in and instantly grabbed the leaders.
"What is this?!" one demanded.
"Hey, I said I was going to let you go, not them," Bridge answered. "Besides, it's not like you can really get away with terrorising a whole planet."
He left the room and the leaders, with the most valuable piece of information he had discovered in his whole journey here. Finally, the trip on the shuttle, to the miniature war on the planet was worth all the trouble he had endured. Now all he had to do was catch the next shuttle back to the nearest S.P.D. base, and from there, to S.P.D. Central HQ. He only hoped that the journey to Central HQ wouldn't be as eventful as the ride on the Star Traveller.
Time: 1542 hours, galactic standard time / Location: Commander Cruger's office S.P.D. Central HQ, at unknown location
"So Carson, I presume that you have good news to tell me?"
Commander Cruger's officer was still as neat and tidy as he remembered it (it had always been neat and tidy ever since he had first visited in any case). The Commander was (as always) sitting behind his desk, and once again, Sky was standing behind the commander, pouring over some reports from the recent losses of Outpost Gamma, Beta and Zeta.
"In a way," Bridge carefully stated.
"Go on."
"Where to begin, where to begin? Well, I did as you asked me to, and I did find the location of the Castillo Frontier," he began. "The ship that I took was also hijacked by the Frontier themselves, so really, I guess they found me first before I found them."
Sky frowned as he put down the report he had just been holding. "Was that the ship hijacking we heard about and received a distress call from?"
"I guess? Unless there was another hijacking happening around the same time?" Bridge hazarded.
"No, there weren't," Sky confirmed.
"Then it was mine," Bridge cheerfully answered.
"How did you successfully regain control of the ship?" asked Cruger.
"I didn't: someone else did."
Both Sky and Cruger simultaneously frowned.
"What do you mean?" Cruger asked carefully. Despite being Bridge's commanding officer there were still some places where he had to tread very carefully.
"I was actually one of the hostages. It was quite an enlightening experience actually. I now know how they feel like when someone rescues them," Bridge said. "And I suppose it was pretty great to be able to sit around and like do nothing for a long while. I mean, I did inspire a rebellion, which was pretty cool to watch mind you, but someone else managed to distract the guards long enough for that to actually happen. Ooh I remember something: I had a brilliant idea while I was held hostage for a new simulator course!"
"Later, Carson," Cruger groaned. "Keep going, but please cut it down a bit: we're all a bit pressed for time here."
"Yes sir," Bridge responded, giving the old-fashioned salute with his index finger. "After the ship landed after we were threatened to be blown to a million pieces by a pair of Soletuan Navy frigates, I talked to one of their captains and gained a rather good insight into the Soletuan military ego."
"We're not here to talk about their egos, even though I do remember something about it," Cruger growled.
"And then we were attacked by the Frontier again, and this time, we managed to repel them, even though one of the Soletuan's spider tanks was destroyed. It made a mighty good explosion, mind you," Bridge added, almost as an afterthought. "And then we found their main headquarters, and then promptly attacked it. Then we captured their leaders and I got a nice, juicy titbit of information. But one thing did bother me though."
"What?"
"We had planned to attack one of their facilities, an arms manufacturing plant," Bridge recalled, frowning. "But we couldn't do it, as they didn't have enough manpower to do so. But a few hours before our attack, the facility exploded, and I had nothing to do with it, I swear!"
"Sounds like Chimera to me," Sky said, tapping a few buttons on his personal datapad. "Wait a moment…here."
"Who?"
"Wait, let me check…yep, she's their top agent."
"She?" Bridge said, surprised.
"Yeah. One Agent Katherine Manx," Sky said, turning the datapad around so both Bridge and Cruger could see it.
"No photo?"
"For security reasons," Cruger automatically replied. "So no one knows what she looks like."
"So you're saying that she may have been behind all of it?" Bridge asked.
"Quite possibly, but it's just as likely that we'll never know," Sky said. "There's so little information about her on the already-limited profile they have to share with us."
"Back to the point," Cruger interrupted. "Bridge, you were saying?"
"Ah yes, their leader! They told me his name was 'Valda Kintopp', and also, they think he has the data disc we're looking for as well!"
"Where is he?"
Bridge shrugged. "That was the one thing that they didn't tell me."
"So we'll have to make due," Cruger sighed. "Alright Bridge, new assignment for you: find this Valda Kintopp, and recover that data disc, no matter what the cost. Except for the loss of your life or the spilling of S.P.D. secrets, but apart from that, do everything you need to do."
"Sure thing."
"Get some rest first and get a check up from Ms. Drew. You can leave tomorrow; no need to tire yourself out," Cruger said, already starting to scrounge around his desk for his bottle of aspirin. "Have either of you seen my aspirin?!"
Time: 1752 hours, galactic standard time / Location: Waiting Room leading to Beutat's office, Chimera Mobile HQ Phoenix, location unknown
Kat strolled into the waiting room, and was instantly greeted by the sights of a dozen other people also waiting for a meeting with Beutat. About half of them were dressed in the standard full combat uniform (completely black fatigues, armour, helmet, gloves and even boots) of a Black Ops soldier. The other half dozen or so was a mixture of scientists, who constantly researched better armour and weapons, medical officers who took care of the wounded and engineers and technicians who kept the massive ship running.
The second Kat entered, she received a hostile glare from three-quarters of the Black Ops soldiers, which she couldn't see, but could almost feel it radiating from them. The others regarded her with a mix of fear, awe and curiosity. All agents were virtually an enigma within their own organisation.
Another effect of her entering was the immediate contacting of Beutat, who instantly let her in whilst leaving the others who had been there first still waiting.
Walking into the room she dreaded the most, Kat stood at attention while Beutat dismissed the person he had been talking to, who quickly left with the doors closing behind him.
"Ah Kat! It's been far too long since you were last in here! Sit down, sit, sit!"
"I'm quite fine, thank you sir." No way was she sitting down after what happened with the coffee.
"In any case, we've all missed you while you were gone…"
No you haven't, Kat thought. You just missed looking at me.
"...but business is business, and so, it must be done!"
"Of course," Kat said. "I did find some information while I was gone as well."
"Really? What did you find?"
"The possible location of the data disc that S.P.D. apparently lost."
Beutat instantly perked up. "Where?"
"It's with the Castillo Frontier's true leader; a person called Valda Kintopp.
"Then you know what to do," Beutat said, with a sly grin.
Kat simply nodded.
"Let me organise something first, and then I can arrange something for you within the next few days…"
As Beutat drained away another cup of coffee, smacking his lips loudly before turning to the papers, Kat busied herself meandering around the very spacious room, glancing at the various photographs and newspaper articles. She noted with something akin to disgust that many of the photographs featured her while she was doing something: training, firearms practice, her sparring and then pinning Morgana to the ground…the list could've continued forever.
A quick glance back revealed that Beutat was still continuing to sneak glances at her.
Lecherous bastard, she thought to herself. It took all the willpower she could muster not to run over to his desk and deliver a fly kick to his face. But, as appealing as the thought was, she highly doubted that it would go down very well on her record.
Instead, another, far more devilish thought crossed her mind. It would almost kill her to do this, and there was no way that Felix would approve of it, but the thought of tormenting him with the very thing he desired was more than enough to balance it out.
For once actually glad she had to wear the skirt, Kat made very sure that she dropped her ID badge very audibly.
"Oops," she said, just loud enough for him to hear. "My bad."
Mustering up every bit of willpower she had, Kat made a show of slowly and deliberately bending over to pick up her 'accidentally' dropped badge. The quickest of glances revealed that she had in fact captivated him with her little 'show' and he was indeed staring at her, all paperwork forgotten.
And just like that, she stood up straight again, her badge clasped in her hand. "No offence sir, but I think I can find another means of transportation."
Without waiting to hear what he would say (he would be far too shocked with her performance to say anything anyway), she swept out of the room quickly, trying to contain her laughter.
Time: 2342 hours, galactic standard time / Location: Medical Wing of S.P.D. Central HQ
"Syd?" Bridge called out, looking for the ever-so-busy medical officer. "Are you here?"
"What do you want?" Syd grumbled from behind him, stepping out of her office with a yawn. "S-so-sorry. I'm just so tired," she apologised.
"It's alright. Cruger actually wants me to get a check up with you. He's not taking any chances with my health," Bridge explained as Syd yawned loudly.
"A-al-alright," she yawned (again). "Just come over here."
Syd led him past many sleeping patients to a spare bed.
"Tired? Busy day?" Bridge asked as he hopped onto the bed.
"What do you think Bridgey? It's always tiring and always busy," Syd said as she rubbed her eyes to stay awake. "How's Sky?"
"Hasn't he been to see you?"
"He's just as busy as me at times. I think the poor guy just collapsed in his bed the second he got there," Syd said as she pulled out several medical instruments. "Now hold still."
Bridge did as she ordered, stopping everything except breathing and even then, he was only taking small, short breaths.
"So what were you doing before?" Bridge asked as she continued her task.
"Sleeping in my office, actually," Syd admitted. "The medical histories and files were probably the last straw in causing me to fall asleep."
"When does someone relieve you?"
"In a few minutes, really. I'm really looking forward towards falling asleep in my bed: my desk isn't exactly the best place to fall asleep; far from it, really."
"I see."
A few minutes later, Syd had finally finished her check up of Bridge.
"Alright, you're all done Bridgey. Now go get some sleep: if anything, you deserve it more than any of us with your recent battle," Syd said.
"How did you know about that?"
"Sky told me," she giggled. "Now, off to bed mister!"
Time: 2125 hours, galactic standard time / Location: Medical Division MW-52, aboard Chimera Mobile HQ Phoenix
"You did what?!" Felix yelped.
Kat, standing in front of Felix with her arms folded across her chest, sighed. "See, I knew that you were going to do that."
"And for a very good reason too!" the male Sphinxian snapped back. "I still can't believe that you actually did that!"
"You're not my older brother, sister, father or mother, Felix," Kat reminded him. "If anything, I'm your older sister by all rights! But obviously we're not, and we're remaining as ex-boyfriend/girlfriend."
"Like you tell me every time you do something completely out-of-character and very questionably sane!" Felix shot back.
Kat sighed again. "How was that out-of-character for me?"
"So many ways, that I cannot describe it right now."
"What do you mean?"
"Seriously Kat, you deliberately bent over for him? That's insane! You know he has a serious infatuation with you, and if anything, this is going to prove that you have something in return for him!"
"Felix, calm down, and shut up. I'll tell you my reasons, when you are finally calm and can listen to reason instead of living in your own separate world where my reasons don't mean anything!"
"Fine. Enlighten me," Felix said, sitting down on a chair with his arms folded.
"I will," Kat answered, sitting down in front of him.
"Go on," Felix said.
"Like you said, he has a serious infatuation with me. I've seen him every time, and he looks at me every single time I walk into his office. Every single damned time. If it was anyone I knew, such as you, I wouldn't really mind, but it's him. You know as well as I do that he is a lecherous, scheming bastard."
"And not to mention, he's also our commanding officer at this time," Felix reminded her. "And I never did take advantage of you bending over."
"Still doesn't mean he can stare at me that way. If he likes me, he can say it to my face…so I can reject him and hopefully get this stupid thing out of the way. And I really doubt that you wouldn't take advantage," Kat said with a grin.
"Hey, have you ever caught me staring at you? Then again, you never really did bend over in my presence."
"Sure you didn't. Thanks for hearing me out anyway."
"No problem. Now hold still and stay where you are Kat; you need a check up."
"A physical?" Kat groaned.
"Don't be a cub, Kat. You're supposed to be our greatest agent, but you falter at the signs of a physical? Oh my, what is the world coming to?"
"Shut up," Kat growled.
"Okay, now hold still and this won't take a minute."
Within minutes, true to Felix's words, Kat's physical had been completed in record time.
"I know you want to go somewhere, but right now, on my authority as the chief medical officer aboard this ship, I am forbidding you from even approaching the docking bays," Felix firmly said. "Get at least six hours sleep first, then you can fly to your heart's content."
"As the doctor orders," Kat sighed, knowing Felix's words were true. "See ya later Felix."
Time: 0741 hours, galactic standard time, following day / Location: Newtech City, Earth
Despite it only being seven 'o clock in the morning, Newtech City was already a buzz with activity. People, alien or humans worried about keeping fit went for jogs around the city's various locations, while business men and women convened for an early morning breakfast. Granted that on Earth it was a Saturday, many other people were simply sleeping, after a hard night's work, partying or otherwise.
Kat strolled down the street, feeling a lot better after several hours of uninterrupted sleep. The crisp, chilly morning air blew into her face, catching her hair and allowing it to fly loosely. Wearing her standard uniform, even without the armoured vest would have drawn more than a few stares, so as always, she had changed into something a little more…inconspicuous. In this case, a T-shirt and a blue skirt that put together somewhat resembled her normal uniform.
A few joggers ran by her, one actually turning to stare at her, and that one ended up crashing into a tree, much to his humiliation and the amusement of his friends. She shook her head in both amusement and slight guilt. No one could seem to stare at her without something happening to them.
"You alright?" she asked, heading over and stooping down to help him up.
"I'm…fine, thanks," the injured jogger said, staggering slightly.
"Watch those trees: they can come from anywhere," Kat said with a tone of amusement.
The jogger nodded, and staggered over to his waiting friends.
With that slight debacle ended, Kat proceeded to head over to Jack and Z's place, before anything else happened.
"Anyone home?" Kat asked as she stepped through the door, into a darkened and empty Alternative Information.
Her senses kicked into overdrive, and she started stepping a great deal more carefully around the place. Training and instinct took over, as she slowly approached the counter, one hand on the handle of her pistol.
"Who's there?" a groggy voice suddenly said.
Kat instantly whipped around…to see a tired and decidedly undressed Jack step down the stairs.
"Oh, it's you," Kat said, slowing her hammering heart and releasing her grip on the pistol.
"Kat? What're you doing here so early?"
"I could ask the same thing of you," she shot back.
"Upstairs is our apartment," Jack yawned. "And how did you get in?"
"Door was unlocked," Kat said with a smirk. "And I'm part cat."
"Makes sen…sense," Jack said, still rubbing his eyes. "Did you want something?"
"I'd want to know what you were doing upstairs that could be so tiring to someone who regularly sleeps at ten," Kat grinned.
Jack paled and was instantly awake. "I, uh, was doing, umm, nothing…"
"Sure," Kat teased. "Can I come up to check?"
"Um, nope! Z's sleeping!"
"I'm as quiet as a…cat," she replied. "I won't wake her up."
"Yeah right Kat," Jack answered. "Come on, tell me the real reason you're here."
"I suppose nothing gets by you. Well, if you're prepared to, I need some more information."
"Sure thing," Jack said, moving to the desk while still underdressed. "Nice skirt."
"Thanks."
"So what is it that you need?"
"Information about Valda Kintopp," she answered.
"Vintopp?" Jack frowned. "Isn't he the ringleader of the Castillo Frontier?"
"Which was pretty much destroyed a few days back, but yes."
"Well, if anything, I know that he is a big gambler," Jack said, placing a big emphasis on 'big'.
"And?" asked Kat.
"His favourite gambling venue is the MaxStar Casino," Jack told her, turning on the computer. "I'd bet that you'd find him there five times out of seven if you checked every night."
Jack checked the computer, and did something.
"Is that all?" Kat asked.
"Yeah, sorry. I can tell you that Z doesn't know much about him though."
"Alright. Thanks and sorry for interrupting…whatever it was that you were doing," Kat said with a smirk. "Say 'hi' to her for me."
Before Jack could respond, Kat was already out the door.
"That girl," he sighed knowing fully well that Kat was old enough to be his grandmother.
Time: 1023 hours, galactic standard time / Location: Newtech City, Earth
Bridge Carson walked down the shining and now fully bustling streets of Newtech City.
Whereas Kat had walked through the streets while only the early birds and a limited number of other people were up, he was walking down them when everyone was fully awake and ready to tackle the day's problems. Cars blew past him on the roads, already threatening to jam the streets up again. After last time, Bridge had made a vow not to even go near a motorised vehicle when there would be a potential jam.
Now he was reaping the benefits of his wise decision: he reached Alternative Information in half the time it would've took him had he taken a car instead. Granted, he had taken the tram (which was coincidentally not obstructed by traffic jams) for a major part of the journey from the space port, but apart from that, all was well in Bridge-land. All he had to do now was to get the information he needed, get some toast for a snack, some lunch, and then he'd be off again, to S.P.D. Central HQ and then to wherever 'Valda Kintopp' was off at (he still couldn't get over how…un-sinister the name sounded). After that, whatever went, he'd go along with. And then after that, he'd grab more toast and hopefully a chance to take his long-overdue holiday. Being an agent often meant that he had accumulated a large number of days that he was entitled to.
He had the feeling that today was going to be a very good day.
Soon he started to reach familiar territory; this was the same road he had walked down all the times he had taken visits to Jack and Z's place. He passed the bars, vendors, stalls, corporation offices and even a few seedier places before he reached the place he was looking for.
"Hi!" he greeted as he walked into Alternative Information.
Once again Z was at the front desk and talking to a customer, with others gathering around the room, waiting for their turn to talk to either Jack or Z, the former who was on the phone talking to someone with another person sitting in front of him.
Jack waved at him in greeting.
"Hi," Z said, looking away from her customer. "Did you need something Bridge?"
"Well, you look kinda busy. Mind if I talk to Jack?"
"Go ahead," Z waved him forward, before turning back to whoever she was talking to.
"Hey Bridge!" Jack said, putting the phone down and hanging up and turning to his client. "Sorry, can you wait a bit?"
The person nodded before Jack drew Bridge to a much more discreet location.
"So, what can I do for you?" Jack asked.
"Any information on a guy named Valda Kintopp?" Bridge asked. "And preferably his whereabouts too."
"Valda Kintopp, eh?" Jack said, scratching his chin. "From what I've heard, he's a nasty character."
"That's not really surprising, given what he does for a living," Bridge said.
"Yes, isn't it? Though his name is a bit on the weak side. You'd think someone of his reputation and standing would have a far better name with a bit more 'oomph' to it," Jack commented.
"That was what I was thinking," Bridge nodded. "He doesn't even have a threatening nickname, like 'Death Dealer' or something like that. Does he?"
"I, ah, don't think so," Jack confirmed. "But if there is one thing that I do know about him, it's that he is a regular at the MaxStar Casino."
"Does he go there frequently?"
"Very frequently. Almost on a daily basis," Jack said.
"Alright then, I'm off!" Bridge said. "Thanks for the time."
"Not a problem," Jack answered.
Time: 2251 hours, galactic standard time / Location: MaxStar Space Casino, near Austrus III
Austrus III was widely regarded as a tourist planet. Its convenient location and its breath-taking landscapes drew in tourists from around the galaxy by the millions. But perhaps its best known feature was its varied and large range of nightlife entertainment. And the very pinnacle of that was the luxurious MaxStar Casino that was only several thousand kilometres away from the planet.
Bridge flew his own, customised shuttle (it was akin to a very expensive sport car) through the advanced airlock shield that encompassed the casino and a fairly large 'bubble' of space around it, allowing the people to actually stand in space (they couldn't float, with the artificial gravity generators and all) before heading inside to the ever-so luxurious MaxStar Casino, which was also a very expensive five-star hotel (unsurprisingly). The parking lot itself held a large variety of other shuttles, from one-person ones like his to longer limousine-esque shuttles.
A large number of lighted glass walkways crisscrossed the parking lot, leading to either the Casino or another part of the lot. Bridge found a space a bit further away from the Casino and the preferred lots, and stopped his shuttle in the anti-gravity parking bay. The door opened, and he stepped out, smoothing his suit out. He would've worn sunglasses, but considering that they were in space, and the area was lighted, and the fact that the glasses he had to wear were his reading glasses made wearing them redundant.
But one thing caught his attention as he started for the entrance: a trio of voices.
"I tell you, we've lost control of Soletu Zeta!" someone hidden behind the large number of high-class vehicles hissed. "Why else would he take us along with him?"
"Oh, I don't know: maybe paranoia?"
"Over what? A third voice interjected.
"You tell me!"
"So, he's paranoid about something. Does it make sense to panic?"
"Yes! He takes his entire bodyguard and half the designated bodyguards of the others as well!"
"…okay, so that maybe a bit suspicious. I still can't get why we were stuck with guarding his stupid ship while everyone else gets to go inside the casino…"
"Hey, it's not like you have any money to blow anyway!"
Uproarious laughter dominated as Bridge crept close enough to peek over the edge of a parked shuttle.
"Shut up!"
As the person had requested, the laughter suddenly stopped with a loud clang! The one wearing a metallic helmet stood still for a shock second as everyone whipped around, trying to locate the direction of the noise. Finally, the afflicted person's eyes rolled up, before he collapsed in a pile on the floor.
Bridge stood behind him, his pistol raised.
"Hello mate. Don't move," he warned.
The other two stopped moving, staring down Bridge's pistol. After a moments glance at each other, they disregarded Bridge's warning and charged at him, fully intent on knocking Bridge out/down.
"It's always the hard way," Bridge sighed, before whipping around with a kick that caught one of them in the stomach.
The person was propelled back into the other charging person, bowling him over and sending both of them tumbling backwards onto the walkway. Bridge sprinted over, and knocked the one just starting to recover back down again.
"Stay down," he advised, grabbing his handcuffs and attaching both of the remaining guards to one of the many bars dotting the walkways.
Dusting his hands, Bridge then proceeded to head to the main casino complex.
"Good day sir," the insect-like porter greeted as Bridge approached the glass, golden frame of the revolving door. "Enjoy your stay."
"Hello and thanks," Bridge returned as he walked through the revolving doors.
He was instantly greeted with the sight of a very brightly lit room down the wide and short corridor in which he was standing in, with hundreds of people in their best clothes everywhere: playing the machines, talking, eating, drinking…doing everything possible. The noise was deafening, and Bridge could only stare in shock for a moment.
Then his S.P.D. social training took over, and he composed himself, making very sure to close his mouth and straighten up his suit once more. You could never be too careful or too neat. After all, first impressions made lasting impressions. And there were definitely people around here to make impressions on.
Once he was sure that he was fully composed, and looked the neatest he could, Bridge strolled down the corridor that led to the actual casino. A few short seconds of casual strolling and a couple of steps down a pair of steps later, and he was inside the casino area of the most famous casino in the galaxy.
"Welcome," a woman wearing a short red skirt with a white shirt (the standard 'uniform' of the waiters/waitresses/croupiers/attendants) said. "Do you need any help?"
"No thanks, I'm fine," Bridge answered. "Just looking around for a while."
The woman nodded, and bowed her head politely. "Enjoy your evening sir."
"I'm sure I will," Bridge answered, before the woman turned and headed off.
Looking around the various machines, he began to mingle with the other people, as per the instructions that the social etiquette classes had given him.
"Always mingle! If you don't mingle you will stand out! If you stand out, you will be noticeable and different! And a noticeable agent is a dead agent!" the instructor had screamed virtually every lesson. In fact, the man had screamed it so many times that it was all but ingrained into Bridge's (and every single other agent who had been with Bridge in social etiquette/infiltration classes) mind.
Suffice to say, that social etiquette classes and infiltration classes were one and the same…and none of them were particularly enjoyable, Bridge had remembered.
Peering at a few card games going on, Bridge watched as people placed money chips on the table, watched people roll dice and play cards. There were all sorts of games to have been played, ranging from distinctly human ones he recognised, to alien games involving alien playing implements, to even human games that had been modified and 'spiced up' with alien rules/playing implements.
"Evening," Bridge greeted as he passed a pair; a rich and smug looking man with a woman attached to his arm. They both nodded in response.
Beyond the pair were the gaming machines, though the occasional tables were laid out. People sat at the machines, either staring with heart-stopping anticipation of the results they were hoping for and secretly dreading, or with dejected faces at the universal 'loser' noise the machines generated with three odd, un-matching symbols/pictures or with absolute thrill as the machines gave them the results they desperately craved and reaped the rewards. All in all, what Bridge saw was a typical for a casino, with very little out of place.
He mentally went through the checklist that he believed made up a normal casino. "Gamblers, check. Tables and machines, check. Winners and losers…"
A massively loud cheer came up from one of the tables in front of him as the winner leapt up onto the table, his fist pumped in the air. "YES!"
"…checkaroo. What's left?" Bridge wondered as he moved past the spectacle, moments before the person toppled to the floor with a yelp. "Oh yes, beautiful eye-catching women in very nice dresses…"
Then someone caught his eye. The woman was very easy on the eyes, with a glittery, dark blue dress that came to a rest before her knees. But what caused her to stand out was the pair of cat-like ears that perched atop her head and protruded out of her mane of dark hair. The cat-person looked his way, and bright green, emerald eyes met with his own for a brief second. Then the person looked away, and another person blocked his view.
"Damn…definite check," Bridge whistled, before the person finally got out of his way…to reveal that the person had disappeared. "Double damn."
With a sigh, Bridge started for that area. The cat-like person had evoked a sense of deja-vu; almost as if he had seen ears like that before…somewhere…he just couldn't remember where…
"Excuse me sir?"
"Huh? Wha?" Bridge stuttered as he spun around to see a group of three men behind him.
"Would you kindly come with us, Mr. Carson?"
"Ummm, sure? I guess so," Bridge said, scratching his head and following the strange, mysterious trio across the casino.
Not too far away, Kat Manx bit her lip as she watched the S.P.D. agent who she had locked eyes with minutes ago follow the strange men. Something didn't quite add up in her opinion: she had heard them, and from what she knew, those men had been hanging around the corner of the casino; they hadn't come in with the agent and there was no way that there were more S.P.D. agents hanging around.
Bottom line? Something very suspicious was up.
Conclusion? She had to follow them…discretely, of course.
And with that, Kat Manx slipped into the crowd once more, disappearing and following the suspicious people from a sizeable distance.
Time: 2311 hours, galactic standard time / Location: Back rooms, MaxStar Space Casino, near Austrus III
"Well, this isn't very hospitable," Bridge commented as the trio of men forced him into the room. Another pair stood guard, closing and locking the door behind them, sealing all of them from any sort of outside help. At least they didn't tie his hands to the chair, which in itself was a rather small relief.
"Well, well, if it isn't the infamous Bridge Carson," a sly voice began. "I was beginning to think that you wouldn't show."
"I'll show up alright…and who are you?"
"Oh my, excuse my poor manners!" the voice chuckled, as a person stepped into the light.
He wasn't a particularly tall person: as a matter of fact, Bridge thought he was actually kind of…short. He had a balding head and wore a purple suit with a black tie. There was nothing really imposing about the person who stood in front of him; only the fact that the guards on every side of him seemed to obey his every whim.
"My name is Valda Kintopp," he said. "I'm sure you know by now that I am indeed the ringleader of this little group here. If not…then perhaps you really aren't the super-famous agent everyone makes you out to be."
"Since when was I famous?"
"Your deeds are rather…infamous throughout the criminal underworlds," Valda said, starting to pace back and forth. "Shutting down numerous organisations and capturing their leaders are not easy tasks, yet there are always two rumours going on after each and every capture: one person, sometimes it's a male, sometimes female, but always alone, and levelling entire structures behind them."
"I don't level structures," Bridge said. "Well, maybe I do mark them, but technically, I didn't level it: it's the ship or whatever I may have used to partake in it."
"Either way, many of the organisations have been lost due to your meddling," Valda mused. "And I'm getting word that our entire operation on Soletu Zeta, where virtually all of our resources, men and equipment were based, has been a write-off. All of the evidence seems to point directly at you, Mr. Carson."
"How do you know my name?" Bridge asked.
Valda laughed. "You have much to learn: when you've got enough backing, you can learn everything that there is to learn!"
He continued to chuckle evilly.
"And now, imagine the praise and the rewards I would get for eliminating the most infamous Bridge Carson, the thorn in the underworld's side! And I think it's only fair…" he stopped and stooped to look Bridge in the eye. "…since you destroyed my entire life's work back on Soletu Zeta, don't you think?"
"…not really," Bridge said.
Valda Kintopp shrugged. "It won't matter any more: Soletu Zeta was just a small part of the plan," he said, before turning to leave. "It was nice knowing you Carson, but I think life will be better without you."
With that statement, and another evil chuckle, Valda left the room, the two other Castillo guards closing the door and standing outside it, leaving Bridge and three others inside to his and their fates.
Bridge instantly spun into action before the other three sprang towards him. He leapt up, and managed to knock away the knife that was speeding towards his face. The attacker was forced back when Bridge's foot buried itself in his chest, as he jumped back to avoid a fist.
"This isn't nice!" Bridge shouted, as he leapt over the chair and rolled just as the knife pierced into the chair.
He rolled to the other side of the chair, kicking it straight towards the other attacker on the opposite side. The chair slammed into the person's stomach, doubling him over in a world of pain. Bridge then proceeded to vault over the doubled over form, in the process sending the said person into the floor.
He landed in front of the third and final person, instantly launching into a routine of kicks and punches that forced the person to go on the defensive, desperately trying to block the agent's fast attack combos.
Outside the close-quarters pandemonium, one of the guards looked at the other.
"Shouldn't we help them?" he asked his compatriot.
"I don't want to get smashed up by an S.P.D. agent," his comrade returned. "You can go in if you want."
"Nah, I'm good."
They were silent, trying not to wince at the sounds of fighting inside, when Kat Manx appeared down the hall, unnoticed. Sneaking across the virtually barren hallway was the trademark and textbook definition of 'impossible', and as good as she was at sneaking around, there was no chance of her succeeding.
With that in mind, Kat straightened up, and sauntered down the hallway. The soft clicking of her heels against the floor was immediately noticeable, as the guards turned to see her walking towards them. They did their best to make standing against the wall on either side of a door natural as Kat stopped in front of them.
"Nice suit," she commented.
One was about to make some comment about Kat and the air of sensuality around her before she suddenly attacked.
She struck one across the neck, immediately rendering him unconscious, as his compatriot stared in shock, before he too fell unconscious, from a well-aimed blow to the head. With two unconscious bodies at her feet, Kat reached the locking mechanism, and started to tap the buttons on it, well aware of the sounds of fighting raging from within. A few moments later, and plenty of number combinations later, as well as a few hacks, the lock beeped, and signalled that it was open.
Not exactly wanting to be caught when she was supposed to be undercover and inconspicuous, Kat made a beeline for the end of the hall, stopping just short of the entrance to the casino area to tidy herself up and to smooth out any wrinkles on her dress (the same one she had worn to the Gruumm Armaments Inc. meeting). Looking the same as she had entered again, Kat stepped into the main area and headed for the bar.
She really needed a drink right now.
Bridge breathed loudly and slowly, trying to calm himself down after leaving the combat.
In the room where he had been ever so unwisely held as prisoner lay three unconscious bodies, one of which was draped over the chair. Straightening out the suit and tie, as well as smoothing over his hair, Bridge did his best to look very presentable as he went for the door.
You idiot, he thought to himself once he had reached it. Who in their right mind wouldn't lock the door?
With a resigned sigh, Bridge tried the handle anyway. To his surprise, the door actually opened.
"Lucky me," he commented, stepping out to see the two sleeping figures. "Oh sorry! Didn't see you."
Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the two were actually unconscious, with red marks indicating blows to their heads and neck.
"Oh."
With that, Bridge hastily headed for the bar area. That fight had left him really thirsty and in desperate (almost as desperate as Commander Cruger's desperation for his aspirin) need of a cool, refreshing and non-alcoholic drink.
Time: 2326 hours, galactic standard time / Location: Bar area, MaxStar Space Casino, near Austrus III
The soothing notes of a well-kept piano played floated lazily over the ears of the occupants of the bar area of the MaxStar Casino.
The bar area was kept separate from the noisiness of the gaming areas, with a clear, virtually sound-proof door keeping most of the noise out, allowing its occupants to drink a wide variety of drinks and eat a wide variety of good (if somewhat expensive) food to their heart's content without being disturbed by a monumental win…or loss.
A large bar stocked with all sorts of drinks sat at one end of the room, which wasn't as extravagantly lit as the gaming area. Inside were a few coloured lights, to add a sense of calmness to the room along with a multitude of standard lights. A counter sat at the other end, allowing people to order their food, with a mass of tables placed between the two bars.
"Thanks," Kat said as she accepted the small glass of quality Earth champagne. She had an affinity for the drink, though it was more of a guilty pleasure of sorts.
Seated on one of the stools at the drinks bar, Kat was taking some quality time to herself, having (temporarily at least) left behind the troubles and worries of having the burden of the entire galaxy's fate resting on her slender shoulders.
Naturally, once again, Morgana would've leapt at the opportunity to slander the hell out of her, stating things such as taking breaks and drinking alcoholic drinks when she was an agent. Kat could've argued that she was blending in with the environment (after all, how many people wandered around looking for people here?), but as hardly anybody paid any attention to Morgana's complaints, there really was no need for her to.
"Hey babe," a man slurred drunkenly as he flopped into the seat next to her. "How 'bout you and me go for some quality…"
"No. Get lost," Kat said without even turning around, before taking a sip from her glass.
She heard the man leave, muttering things under his breath.
One down, ninety nine to go, Kat thought to herself.
Less than a minute after the man had vacated the seat, she heard another person sit down.
"Just an ice water please," the man said.
That alone was enough to quirk Kat's curiosity as she turned to look at the newcomer who had ordered water.
Much to her surprise, she saw the S.P.D. agent sitting down, an interested look crossing his face as he glanced around the room, before his gaze settled on the Sphinxian next to him.
"Hi," he greeted.
"Hello," Kat responded, tilting her head in response.
"I'm Bridge…oh, thanks." The barman had interrupted their conversation, holding a glass of cold water as Bridge handed over a few notes in return. "Sorry, name's Bridge Carson," Bridge offered, holding out his (gloved) hand.
"I'm… you know what, just call me Renee," Kat lied, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you."
"You too."
For a moment, a brief, somewhat relaxed silence floated between them, only dispersed by the chords coming from the piano, and Bridge starting conversation anew.
"Do you come here often?" he asked.
"Me? No, not really. Only sometimes," 'Renee' answered.
"It's a nice place," he commented.
"There must've been a reason for it to be called the greatest casino in the galaxy," Kat/'Renee' shrugged, taking another sip.
"Yeah, but I doubt it's because of the bar," Bridge said, eliciting a small laugh from Kat.
"Yes, that's true. Still doesn't stop one from enjoying it, does it?"
"Nope."
The two continued to make friendly conversation, as the time slowly wore on. Kat found herself enjoying the kind of conversation with complete strangers that she rarely, if ever, had, despite having to watch what she was saying: one slip up, and her false name would be out the window faster than the air on a breached ship while Bridge too enjoyed making new friends. In his reasoning, the galaxy was a much better place when one had friends everywhere. Still, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he knew this Renee from somewhere, and finally he decided to ask her.
"Have we met before?" Bridge asked.
"I…don't think so," Kat said carefully.
"You just look a little similar to someone I saw once somewhere."
"I've got a few sisters around. Even close friends keep confusing us," Kat said with a laugh.
"Oh, like a twin?"
"Almost. We look very similar."
"I see," Bridge said, before he suddenly saw Valda Kintopp at one of the gaming tables in the other room. "I gotta go now. Something to do," he said.
"Oh. Alright," she said.
"It was nice knowing and talking to you," Bridge said, standing up and downing the last of his water.
"Same to you," Kat said, also standing up. Much to Bridge's surprise, she stood taller than him by half a head.
"Maybe I'll see you sometime again," Bridge said.
"Perhaps," Kat said.
Bridge gave her a final wave before turning and leaving the bar area. A blast of noise slipped through, amongst cheering and shouting before being cut off again.
"Or most likely will," Kat sighed as she sat back down. For her now, things had just gotten a hundred times more complicated with Bridge knowing about her (though hopefully not her real identity).
Time: 2359 hours, galactic standard time / Location: Table 19, gaming area, MaxStar Space Casino, near Austrus III
"You win," a person conceded as he handed over his chips to Valda with a sigh, a flick of a bony finger and a tap of his cigar.
Valda merely smiled. "Thank you so much. Perhaps next time you'll defeat me, but not this time."
The tall, lanky, bony alien nodded as he stood up, and left.
"Anybody in?" the dealer asked, while Valda waited for a new challenger.
Nobody wanted to challenge him, not after seeing him win against seven opponents straight without so much as sweating.
"What a shame," he sighed.
"I'm in," a new voice declared, as everybody around the table froze.
Valda did his best to contain his shock as the S.P.D. agent who he was sure was dead sat down and tossed a few hundred notes on the table.
"Five hundred," Bridge said, eyeing his arch-nemesis of sorts. There was no way that Valda was going to attempt to pull anything against him with every eye on them.
The dealer dealt the cards, and ten minutes later, it had boiled down to a single roll of the dice.
Valda glanced at his and Bridge's cards, and raised one eyebrow, but nodded.
"Your call." There was no way for this new person, even if he was an S.P.D. agent, to beat him.
Bridge took the pair of dice and started to shake them in his hand. He needed a seven to win the game and then…he'd follow Valda. First he had to knock the ringleader's confidence and ego down a major notch.
With a deep breath, Bridge released the pair of the dice, and hoped for the best.
