I RESIGN
Chloe was sitting in the car and her heart was beating out of her chest. She was about to do something illegal or something like that but she made sure to get herself together before anyone notices. Jesse took a day off so Luke's regular driver, Greg, took his place. They weren't that close so the 20 minute drive was just long silence until her phone rang. She didn't really want to talk to any clients right now but it would be a good distraction.
"Hello?"
"Good day, Ms. Beale. It's Agent Rose from the Strategic Homelan-"
"I know. I'm sorry but Beca is busy at the moment."
"So I've heard. She hadn't been hiding for a while," Agent Rose said knowingly. "Well, maybe I can meet with you instead."
"What?" Chloe scoffed, "Why me? I don't know anything," She chuckled nervously.
"About what?"
Chloe realized that her reply might be suspicious. She knew she couldn't keep a secret. She quickly came up with a response, "About anything that you need to know about Beca. I mean, I may be her personal assistant but I don't know the stuff you need to know about her." She wanted to kick herself for sounding too nervous. There was a long pause between them and Chloe got even more nervous when Greg looked at her through the rear view mirror.
"Ms. Beale, is everything alright?" Agent Rose asked.
Chloe gained composure and laughed lightly, "Yes. I just get nervous whenever I talk to Federal Agents."
Agent Rose let out a chuckle, "Oh, I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable. By the way, I'm already at Stark Industries. Beca Mitchell had set a date last month apparently. I hope you don't mind."
Chloe's heart sank and started to panic. Damn it, Mitchell! "Uhm—" She tried to come up with a solid plan. "Sure, no problem. I'm headed to the office anyway."
She was too occupied with the phone call that she didn't notice they were already at Stark Industries Main Headquarters and the car pulled over the main entrance. "I'm already here. I'll let the receptionist know when you can come up."
"I'll be waiting here, Ms. Beale. Thank you and I'll see you soon," Agent Rose replied and Chloe hung up. The security guard assigned for the day opened the car door for Chloe and she strolled the Stark Industries building like a normal day. She smiled at familiar people so nobody will suspect that she's here to steal some confidential files from the company.
She saw Agent Rose sitting in the lobby reading the Time Magazine with Beca in the cover. The Agent made eye-contact with her and Chloe grinned at her, Agent Rose smiled in return and continued reading the magazine.
She went to the elevator and pressed the up button. Luckily, nobody was with her going up to the CEO Office. Once she reached the office, Luke's assistant greeted her with a smile and of course she smiled back and managed a small chat. She had always made the time for a small chat with Luke's assistant, Ronda. She asked if Luke was in and Ronda said that Luke had important matters to attend to at the moment. Chloe sighed in relief, thanked Ronda and entered the office. Thankfully, Ronda didn't ask what Chloe was doing in the CEO office.
Luke was rehearsing for his presentation that was about to start in a few minutes. He looked outside the tinted window and took a deep breath. He thought about how his plan is going and he is confident that he could convince the board about his project proposal. He didn't believe those rumors about Beca coming back because at this time, he knew Beca will be gone for good once he had impressed the board.
He was interrupted by his assistant, Ronda, who just poked her head inside the conference room, "The board is trying to connect, Sir."
"Ok, let's get this thing started," Luke said with a confident smile and the room was starting to dim slowly as the holographic versions of each board member appeared sitting on the table. Of course, Beca had created a more convenient way of video conferencing with the New York Office.
"Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen," Luke greeted.
"This better be good, Killian," Joe Marsden, one of six board members, said. "The company needs new ideas."
Luke chuckled, "I assure you, you will be blown away with my proposal."
Luke grabbed the small remote and pressed a button. He started his presentation and the center of the table started to project holographic images and texts about his Extremis project. All throughout his presentation, the board didn't say anything. A few of them nodded as he tried to make some points about the serum.
"So as you can see," Luke continued to explain and more holographic visual images appeared in front of him, "This is the cure the world is looking for. It cures cancer and even handicapped people. The Extremis can help recode one's DNA and it could regenerate a human body." A short animation of a leg regenerating played. Half of the board members sat there in amazement while the remaining three wasn't impressed by it.
"It sounds like a weapon to me," One of the board members, Linda Maxwell, interrupted.
Luke gave her a soft smile, "I can assure you that this is not the failed Super Soldier Serum. I have scientists to modify it. It's-"
"I've already heard about this Extremis project. I heard that it had lost its military funding due to certain circumstances. Human tests have failed and I'm not risking anything on something that's dangerous to the community. I don't trust this failed experiment, Mr. Killian." The bald gentleman added. "I'm one of the few people in this board who agrees with Ms. Mitchell that Stark Industries should no longer be part of the Weapons Industry."
Luke nodded in understanding but he was frustrated inside. He turned to Joe who was just sitting there in silence as he reread the files of his presentation.
The man scratched his head and finally looked at him. He took a deep breath before speaking, "How can we be so sure that you did change the formula of this Extremis? Have you conducted human tests?"
Luke stuttered but he had to be honest, "Well, not yet but-"
"Then I'm sorry, Killian. Stark Industries will not be developing this kind of product."
"But-"
"It's a no, Luke," Joe cut him off. Luke pursed his lips and nodded. He tried to contain his anger until the video conference ended. Once the board members had logged out, he screamed in frustration and threw the small remote somewhere. He took deep breaths and stormed out of the conference room.
When she was inside the office, Chloe immediately went to Luke's computer and thankfully it was only on Sleep mode. She knew the computer would be password protected and of course, Luke changed it. She plugged the flash drive that Beca gave her and she had a mini-heart attack when there was a dialog box that said Security Breach. After decoding the password, it changed to "Access Granted" and it immediately led her to the Ghost Drive. It showed the shipment documents that Beca asked for and Chloe skimmed through them one by one. Beca was right; Luke had been selling weapons to unknown buyers to Afghanistan. While she was scanning the documents, she came across a secret folder. Out of curiosity, she clicked it open and saw a video of masked terrorists. There was a woman sitting in the center but her head was covered with a small sack. One of the terrorists was speaking in their native language. She changed the settings of the video and selected Translate. The video played in a dubbed monotone English version due to the automated translation.
"Luke Killian, not only that you wanted Beca Mitchell to be held captive but also you want to kill her. The price had just gone up."
Chloe was shocked to say the least. One of the terrorists revealed the woman sitting on the center of the video and it was indeed Beca, beaten up. She had a black eye and her chest area was covered in bandages. Maybe that was the first arc reactor Beca was talking about. It broke her heart to see Beca like that. She was so helpless. She stopped the video and opened another folder. There was a folder that said Iron Monger. She opened it and saw a lot blue prints of a new suit. She frowned at the new information she was getting and had the instinct to copy everything, along with the shipment documents Beca had requested. The download was at 50% and she jumped in her seat when she heard Luke's voice echoing the room.
"Chloe! Didn't expect you to come by at this time," Luke flashed his charming smile. He stopped by the door and waited for Chloe's response. "And what are you doing with my computer?"
Chloe pulled herself together and gave him a cheeky smile. She hid the plugged flashdrive with a newspaper, "I hope you don't mind. Beca was asking for a favor, I wanted to wait but she needed it right away." She took quick glances at the monitor and it was only at 54%.
Luke waved a dismissive hand. "Don't worry about it. I mean, technically it is still Beca's computer." He closed the door behind him and fixed his blazer.
Chloe was freaking out and her hands were shaking but she tried her best to gain composure. She watched Luke slowly walking towards her but before he reached the desk, he took a detour at Beca's Scotch and Whiskey collection. He opened a bottle and poured himself a drink.
"Want a drink?" Luke raised a glass at the flustered redhead.
"No, Thanks. I'm good," Chloe rejected the offer politely and discreetly set the monitor to display the Screensaver. It showed a slow slideshow of Beca's favorite classic cars. And as predicted, Luke made his way to her and checked out her monitor. Chloe slightly felt relieved that she changed the settings of the monitor. She sat frozen as she watched Luke sit on the edge of the desk and took a sip of his drink.
She looked for possible weapons on the desk, just in case she got caught but there were none. She came up with a plan as Luke continued to speak. "I know what you're going through, Chloe."
"No, you don't." Chloe thought. She remained silent as she saw the blinking light in the flashdrive. It meant that the download had finished.
"The two of us—" Luke continued, "We know what this is like. I was so happy when she came home."
Chloe silently rolled her eyes but she just listened to Luke as he spoke even if it made her want to punch him.
"For a moment I thought she was really dead. Even if we don't see eye to eye, I was still upset with the news. But now I realize that Beca never really came home. She left a part of herself there and it really breaks my heart to see my cousin change like that."
Chloe just watched the light of the flash drive blink a few times. It was like it was having its own meltdown. She turned to Luke who was still staring at the view on the window. "We haven't spoken in weeks, Chloe. I don't know how she's doing." Luke tried to sound sympathetic but Chloe wasn't buying it.
She put on a fake smile and replied, "Y'know, Beca is going through a rough patch. She just needs time that's all." She stood up from her chair and discreetly took the newspaper while unplugging the flash drive.
"You're a rare woman, Beale."
Chloe froze when Luke turned to her direction as she was getting the newspaper. Luke just kept her eyes on her, "Beca doesn't know how lucky she is to have you in her life."
Chloe just gave him a smile and took her purse, "Thank you, Mr. Killian." She walked to the other direction and was halfway to the door. She slipped the flash drive in her bag while she was about to turn away from Luke. She held the newspaper in one hand.
"Is that today's paper?"
Chloe stopped her tracks and pursed her lips. She turned around and smiled to answer, "Yes."
"Do you mind?" Luke walked towards her with his charming smile and took the newspaper, "Sudoku."
Chloe gave him the newspaper and bid him goodbye. She checked her purse as she walked outside the office and took out her phone. But she was really checking for the flash drive and what a relief that it was still there and she had not failed her first James Bond mission.
Luke waited for Chloe to walk out the door before tossing the newspaper on the desk and made his way to the computer. He groaned in frustration when he saw the dialogue box that said Download from Ghost Drive complete. He pounded his fists on the table and let out a sharp breath. He knew he needed to act fast.
Chloe was walking down the lobby and she had the feeling that by this moment, Luke knew that she had copied something valuable and confidential to him. She saw Agent Rose who stood up and was ready to greet her politely but she quickly told her to come with her.
"What?" Agent Rose sounded confused.
"Walk with me, right now." Chloe ordered her silently.
"Are you okay?" Agent Rose started to follow her footsteps and tried to catch up. She was still confused as to what was happening.
"Agent Rose, you're about to have the meeting of your life," Chloe said with a firm voice. "Your office, right now."
Luke watched Chloe walk away with another woman in a pantsuit. He didn't recognize who it was but he doesn't care anymore. He took out his phone and made a phone call.
"It's a no go. Gather everything and I'll meet you soon. I just have to finish something here."
"Copy that, Killian," The person on the phone replied with a chuckle. Luke hung up and let out a sharp breath before making his way to Sector 16.
He scanned his finger print on the biometric device found by the huge metal door and entered another secret facility in which a handful of scientists were studying Beca's old armor. He approached Dr. Layton, one of the engineers, who was encoding something on his tablet as he studied the armor Beca had made. Layton looked tired but he was trying his best to focus.
"So how's the suit?" Luke asked as he stood beside the engineer.
"We have tried multiple prototypes but no technology can be able to power this thing," Layton gestured at the armor. "Your armor is ready but I'm not able to figure out the power source or any alternative for that matter."
Luke took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair. "I told you. Just miniaturize the arc reactor. You're free to observe it upstairs."
"What you're asking is impossible, Sir. The arc reactor is like a huge generator that can't be miniaturized. We have tried every possible way but they all failed and-"
Luke grunted and looked away from Layton. He pursed his lips and tried to suppress his anger. "BECA MITCHELL WAS ABLE TO BUILD THIS IN A CAVE! WITH A BUNCH OF SCRAPS!" He shouted. Everyone in the room stopped and stared at the scene. Layton was shivering in fear at the sudden outburst of his superior.
"But sir, I'm not Beca Mitchell," He simply replied in a small voice.
Luke continued to glare at Layton and took deep breaths. He tried to catch his breath and calmed down. He took a long look at the scared scientist and let out a grin, "You're right. There is in fact only one Beca Mitchell." He patted Layton's shoulders and fixed his lab coat. Dr. Layton was starting to feel a bit relaxed at the gesture. "I know you're doing your best, Dave. Y'know what? Go home. Get some rest. Your work here is done."
"Sir—"
Luke cut him off, "Shh. I've got this all figured out," He said in a calm voice, "Thank you for building the suit for me, Layton. Now, you can go home and take a rest. Good job." He patted the side of his arm and smiled at him one last time. Layton watched his superior walk away from the lab. He felt uncertain about Luke's sudden decision but nevertheless he really wanted to go home and take a rest.
Beca was working in her garage when Jarvis notified her about a visitor.
"It's Luke Killian, Ma'am," Jarvis announced. Beca rolled her eyes and took a good long look at the camera footage outside. It was Luke holding a box of donuts and a thermos, waiting for her to get the door. Beca sighed and thought that this might be the time to have a conversation with her cousin.
Beca went up and opened the door for him. Luke smiled at her and opened the box of donuts.
"Powdered donuts and coffee, your favorite," Luke said happily.
Beca just stared at him and took one. "What do you want?" She said before taking a huge bite.
"Consider this as a peace offering," Luke replied and Beca let him in the house. Once they settled in the living room, Luke handed her a long envelope. Beca narrowed her eyes at her cousin and opened it. She read the entire letter twice before turning to look at him.
"You're resigning?" Beca asked.
Luke just nodded, "I don't have the right to run this company. We may be related but Uncle Tony would've wanted you to run it. Not me."
"Miss Beale is calling," Jarvis interrupted them.
"It's Chloe, I need to get it," Beca said.
"Really? You can just call her later. You know this is more important," Luke said in a calm voice and gave her a soft smile.
Beca gulped and Jarvis announced that there was another call from Chloe. Sure this was important but she had a bad feeling about it. Nevertheless, she ordered Jarvis to direct Chloe's calls to voicemails. She looked at her cousin who simply smiled at her. She was about to say something when she suddenly felt a paralyzing pain. She couldn't move. She lay down on the couch slowly. It was like she was having a stroke and she found herself having a hard time breathing. She noticed that Luke's ears were filtered and she knew what device he was using.
"The Sonic Taser," Luke said with a demented smile and chuckled at the glare Beca was giving him. He clicked his tongue and continued, "This was one of my best designs but the board decided to turn it down. What a waste."
Beca wanted to strangle him and her heard her heavy breaths.
"Easy there. You'll be fine," Luke comforted her with a calm voice but Beca grew even more furious.
"I was really going to resign, just so you know. I was offered a better job at this weapons company. You've probably heard of them." He stood up from the couch and grabbed his thermos that transformed into a cylindrical container.
Beca just glared at him and was trying to watch what he was doing. Luke took out a pen-like device and once he clicked it open, four claws unfolded.
"Just because you have an idea, doesn't mean it belongs to you," Luke began. He prepped his device and continued with his speech. "I knew how you escaped that cave. Impressive suit, I must say."
He aimed for the arc reactor on Beca's chest and punched in his device as he used it to remove the arc reactor. Beca was screaming inside and wanted to defend herself but all she could do was gasp and gurgle as she remained frozen on the couch.
"I really felt bad that you didn't share this with me," Luke slowly pulled out the glowing arc reactor and Beca widened her eyes at the additional pain she was starting to feel.
"You made the greatest weapon in history, Becs. How could you be so selfish and not share it to the world?" Luke continued and detached the arc reactor from the socket. "This is the key to the future."
"Well, by the time you die, my prototype will be operational. Of course it's so much more awesome than what you created and bigger," Luke said proudly as he kept the arc reactor in the fake thermos.
"It was nice working with you, Beca," Luke said and patted her shoulder. As he was walking away, Beca's paralysis was gone and all she could feel was the pain in her chest. It was like having to consecutive heart attacks. But she had to stop him. She's not going to die this way. She rolled off the couch and basically crawled to the elevator going down to the garage.
Aubrey was driving back home after a long day and was enjoying her Ladies of the 80's playlist when her music was interrupted because Chloe was calling. Fortunately, she stopped once the light turned red and answered the call.
"Yes, Chloe?"
"Luke! He's creating a suit and he was the one responsible for what happened to Beca!" Chloe shouted through the car speakers.
"Calm down, Chloe. What do you mean he is building a new suit? And why would Luke do that?" Aubrey was still trying to absorb the new information.
"Y'know, Luke had always been jealous of Beca. He wants it all! He saw an opportunity and grabbed it!"
Aubrey knew something was off about Luke. She had met the guy and Beca told her all about him even what he did for the company recently. "Where's Beca now?" She asked and drove off when the light turned green.
"I don't know. I tried to call Beca but she's not answering her phone," Chloe said, taking deep breaths, "I'm with the Feds right now. We're about to arrest Luke. Can you go over there to check on her?"
Aubrey didn't even think twice in taking the next turn to Beca's mansion, "I'm already on my way. And Chloe, be careful."
"You too," Chloe hung up. Aubrey couldn't help but feel worried about her best friend. She hit the accelerator and drove even faster. She had a bad feeling about this and hoped that Beca was safe.
A/N: Thank you for being patient with the late updates. :)
