Chapter 8- The Showdown:
Danny:
Another day another mission, I thought as I prowled in the shadows. At least it was a simple, fast, easy mission. One I didn't need help from Sam and Tucker for because it was supposed to be that simple… Trail one of our suspects, see what he does, and such. Child's play. I narrowed my eyes, however, when I spotted the guy talking to Vlad Masters. They exchanged some words and Vlad handed the guy what looked like drugs. My eyes narrowed- drugs. The guy looked twitchy and his eyes kept glancing all around as he handed Vlad a bag full of money- cash. Vlad gave a smug smile. I gritted my teeth.
Crazed up traitor… He's a fruitloop.
I hated him. I only fought him twice, three times top, and already I considered him my arch nemesis. I hated the guy. Mom told me stories about how he was her partner on the field and the uncomfortable advances he made on her. Dad told me how he considered 'Vladdy' a best friend. Then the guy just… He just… Betrayed them! How can someone do that?! Just switch loyalties, go against everything they had to have stood for at one time and expect my mother to do the same!?
"You must really work on your frustrated grunt, Daniel," Vlad taunted.
My eyes snapped up to him. The guy I had been trailing was long gone and I was so caught up in my thoughts I didn't even notice. Sloppy. Vlad was slowly walking closer to me, no weapons drawn, just taking long strides with that arrogant smirk of his.
He knew my secret identity. He found out when he made a comment that I had the same moves as my mother. Why he didn't tell anyone wasn't as big as a secret. He didn't want to tell anyone- yet- using it as leverage to try to get me on his side, using it to try to get into my mind… He won't.
I kept my gun steady and I aimed it at him.
"Don't make any sudden movements and put your hands on your head."
Vlad didn't seem intimidated as he just stopped walking and quirked an eyebrow.
"Please Daniel, can't we talk this out rationally? Surely there's no need for violence."
"Says the murderer," I quipped.
Vlad wasn't phased at my words. He slowly moved his hands up and placed them on his head. I eyed the small plastic bag that was sticking out his pocket.
"What's in the bag, Vladimir?"
"Oh please call me Vlad, everyone does," Vlad said calmly, "And what's in the bag is really none of your concern, young boy."
"Everything you do is my concern," I growled.
"Oh so you're still with that silly little agency then," Vlad taunted, "Shame really. You have plenty of potential to be more than just some goat for some government corrupted agency."
"It's not corrupted," I argued, "The only corrupted one I see here is you, Vlad!"
"Then you have much more to learn then, little badger," Vlad tsk'ed, "But if you join me, I'd be more than happy to teach you the things they won't and teach you everything they're hiding from you."
Hiding from me? They don't hide anything from me- I mean anything aside from the super confidential things but that's not really a bad thing… Is it? For a moment, I hesitated. What was Vlad getting at? Was he saying the Zone was corrupted? It couldn't be. The Director wouldn't allow it- he was a good guy. They were the good guys. I was one of the good guys. Vlad was the corrupted one.
There were noises from behind us and I was thankful I was in the Zone uniform as I spotted someone. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that it was Valerie (out of her uniform) on the sidelines. What was she doing here?
"Don't shoot him, or I'll shoot you," she said as she aimed her own gun.
We both stood there. My gun aiming at Vlad. Valerie's gun aimed at me. We were at a stand off and Vlad couldn't care less. Some part of me still couldn't believe that Valerie was working for the nutjob.
"He deserves to be brought to justice for his crimes," I said coldly.
With that, I fired. Vlad managed to dodge, only getting grazed in the shoulder by the bullet. Valerie fired at me and she managed to get my shoulder before I could completely move out of the way. I let out a small cry, but kept it together. I quickly kicked the gun out of her hands- I wouldn't be able to fight Vlad with her firing at me. I quickly turned to get Vlad, but he was gone. Damn it, I cursed.
"What, disappointed you didn't kill him," Valerie sneered as she sent a punch.
I grabbed her wrist and twisted it. Valerie could be a bit of a threat when she wanted to be, but she didn't have all the training I did. She cursed at me as it didn't take long before I managed to pin her down. I cuffed her wrists as I read her rights.
"I know my rights," Valerie snapped.
Two weeks after Valerie was arrested, Director Worth called me into his office. He was sitting down at his desk and gestured for me to take a seat. I hesitantly sat down. You only got called into his office if you screwed up and were being punished or if you were being promoted. After letting Vlad get away, I doubted it was for the later.
"Agent Daniel Fenton," Director Worth said firmly.
I prepared myself for what was about to happen. I thought of a million and one things I could say that may change his mind about suspending me from duty or worse.
"Congratulations."
"But sir I- wait what," I blabbered.
"-You're being promoted, boy," he had a twinkle in his eyes, "If you think you were here for a punishment then I'd be happy to give you one, but I don't think it would be wise to suspend a newly promoted agent."
"Promoted," I whispered in disbelief, "I… Why?"
"Despite the fact that Vladimir escaped, you were able to capture Miss Gray as well as prove that Vladimir is indeed involved with the local drug handlings. That combined with your impressive capture of Vortex has more than proved you are ready for a promotion. Agent Manson and Foley have been promoted up by one level for their part in the capture of Vortex, getting the blueprints, and destroying the weather device. Do you accept this promotion?"
"I… Yes, I accept, sir," I stood up and saluted.
Though some of things Vlad said about corruption floated in my mind… Was the Zone being spied on from the inside? Or were we really the bad guys?
