Wow... I've never written a fanfiction past nineteen chapters and here I am at twenty-one and not sure when it will end yet. Sweet!
Just like I promised, I made sure to update sooner, especially since I received all of your lovely reviews. They honestly did motivate me. I even stayed up till 2 AM just to finish this chapter for you.
I hope you like it...
Chapter 21
NicoTech Division
Munich, Bavaria
9:48 AM
"Stop fidgeting with the wig." Casey whispered harshly to her stepbrother as they sat in their rented van outside of the tall glass building known as NicoTech Division.
"It itches." Derek grumbled as he scratched at the curly, black hairpiece on top of his head.
"Welcome to life of being a spy." Ben smirked as he adjusted his own black wig upon his head.
"Stop touching your wigs, boys, and let's go over the plan one more time." Casey instructed and stared down at the laptop sitting in front of her.
"Casey, we've already gone through it three times." Ben complained. "By the time we actually set the plan in action, Haldega will already have the device."
"I just want to make sure we didn't miss anything."
"Keener." Derek coughed into his hand.
Casey closed her laptop and glared at him, "Fine, we won't go over it again," both men and Karma let out a sighs of relief at the news. "But don't blame me if you mess up."
"We won't mess up. The plan will work and we'll have Haldega in our custody by the end of the day." Ben smiled reassuringly at her. "You need to stop worrying so much, Casey." He added with a pat on her shoulder.
She noticed Derek glance away with a scowl when Ben touched her and she quickly shifted her body so that her partner's hand fell away.
"Karma, are you ready?" Casey turned to the young woman who was sitting in the back seat staring out the window. She still hadn't been talking much and it was starting to worry Casey.
"Maybe you and Ben should go in together. I wouldn't want to break up your partnership." Karma replied, keeping her eyes on the passing cars outside.
"I don't mind either way." Ben shrugged.
Casey shook her head and sent a glare his way before addressing Karma once again, "No, Ben needs to stay here with Derek. It's time you started to learn the skill of working an Alias, so let's go." She said and adjusted the short blonde wig on her head then opened the passenger side door.
Karma sighed and knew there was no point in arguing further as she opened up the sliding door and stepped out alongside Casey.
"Can everyone hear me?" Casey asked as she touched her ear where the tiny communications device was embedded.
"Loud and clear, Bluebird." Ben gave her a thumbs up and the other two nodded as well.
Casey let out an anxious sigh as she stared up at the massive building before her. An odd feeling crept into her stomach like she knew something awful was going to happen but she shook it off and nodded to her trainee once the van door was closed.
"Ready?"
"Yes." Karma replied with a frown.
"Then let's do this."
(=)
9:59 AM
Casey and Karma entered NicoTech Division with strides of confidence as their high heels clacked against the black marble floor of the lobby area. They both wore slim fitting suit jackets over low cut blouses and knee high skirts. Casey's was a light grey and Karma's was black. Casey also adorned a pair of thin wire rimmed glasses over her eyes, which gave her the look of smart but sexy and Karma had her brown wig tied back in a loose pony tail. They both gave off the presence of professional women with a feisty side to them.
"Show me what you got." Casey whispered to the young spy next to her as they approached the wide oak receptionist desk in the middle of the room where an elderly woman sat typing on a computer and answering phones.
"Good morning," Karma spoke in a perfect German accent as she greeted the woman. "My associate and I were sent here from the Hans Foundation to inspect your building and staff. We were scheduled for later this afternoon but a turn of events has changed that."
The woman behind the desk stared up at them with scrutinizing eyes, "What are your names?"
"My name is Heidi Smitt and this is Gertrude Warran." Karma replied with a polite smile.
Thanks to Karma's hacking skills, she'd been able to access the NicoTech Division files and change some information.
The woman glanced down at her computer as she typed on the keyboard.
"I see the appointment but not your names."
"Yes, we were replaced last minute."
The woman narrowed her eyes at them, "I need to confirm that before I let you in."
"Of course." Karma nodded as the woman began dialling a number and put it on speaker phone.
The line rang a couple of times before the German accented voice of Benjamin answered, "Hello, this is the Hans Foundation, how can we assist you today?"
Both women inwardly sighed with relief at the sound of his voice. The plan was working smoothly already.
"Yes, this is Ina Sharb I am calling from NicoTech Division to confirm the employees you sent down here for an inspection."
"Ah, yes, sorry for the confusion, Ma'am. We had to send replacements in last minute due to private matters. I hope that doesn't cause any problems."
"Not at all, Sir. I just need the names of the employees you sent over before I can allow them access to the building."
"I understand. Let me just see here," He paused on the other end, probably pretending to search through files. "Here it is. Our company sent over two highly qualified women: Miss. Heidi Smitt and Miss. Gertrude Warran."
The receptionist looked up at them with a surprised expression as if she'd expected them to be imposters and then frowned back down at her computer as she spoke into the phone, "Thank you, Sir." She said and hung up the receiver.
"You may proceed into the building. The fifteenth and sixteenth floors are off limits to all personnel without a pass code. Here are the identification badges you will need to get past security." She said as she handed them two tags with the word Visitors written across the laminated paper.
Casey and Karma both smiled at the woman as they pinned the tags to their suit jackets.
"Thank you." Karma said and began walking in the direction of the elevators.
"Nice job." Casey complimented her as Karma pressed the up button and they waited for one of the three doors to open up for them.
Karma didn't reply as she stared down at the floor below them and bit her lip.
"Karma, would you please stop ignoring me? You're being ridiculous. If you don't want to be seen as a child then you need to stop acting like one." Casey finally breathed out as she turned the young woman to face her.
Karma let out a sigh and met Casey's gaze apologetically, "I'm sorry. You're right. I am acting childish."
"Why are you so angry with me?"
"I'm not angry with you, Casey." She said as guilt flashed in her eyes. "I'm angry with myself."
"How come?"
Karma glanced around their surroundings warily before gesturing to the comms device in her ear with a pointed look.
Casey realized what she was telling her and nodded in understanding. She didn't want Ben and Derek listening in on their "girl talk".
Casey grinned mischievously as she discretely removed the earpiece from her ear and pressed a tiny button on it before replacing it back to its home in the side of her head.
Karma raised an eyebrow at her in curiosity as one of the elevators dinged open and the two women stepped inside, grateful that it was empty.
Once the doors were closed and they pressed the number for the fourteenth floor, Casey quietly pulled the earpiece from her trainee's ear and pressed the same button before handing it back to her.
"Bluebird, Rainforest, why are you so quiet all of a sudden?" Ben's voice spoke in their ears. "You better not have done what I think you did!"
Casey grinned.
"What did you do to them?" Karma wondered with a smile while placing the small device back in her ear.
"I put them on mute. We can still hear them but they can't hear us."
"Turn your earpieces back on this instant!" Ben ordered but Casey ignored him.
"Isn't that dangerous? What if something happens?" Karma asked.
"We'll be quick. Now tell me what's going on before we hit our destination. Why are you angry with yourself?"
Karma let out a deep breath and started fidgeting with her hands, "I don't know... It's stupid..."
"You like Ben, don't you?" Casey got right to the point and judging by the deep shade of red that darkened Karma's face, Casey had guessed correctly.
"I guess I do a bit... But you don't have to worry. I'm not trying to steal him away from you or anything. It's just a silly crush. I'll get over it."
Casey's eyes widened, "What do you mean steal him? Ben and I are not together."
"But you might as well be. I see the way he looks at you. Even yesterday in the jet when he was trying to rile Derek up, I could tell he did it for himself as well. He enjoys being close to you."
Casey shook her head profusely, "No, no, no... Ben and I are just partners."
Karma scoffed, "I've noticed the way you look at him sometimes too, Casey, and don't deny it."
Casey let out a sigh as she stared at the young woman with a serious expression, "Look, Ben and I sort of... had a thing a long time ago..."
"By a 'thing', do you mean sex?" Karma raised a brow.
Casey choked with horrified eyes, "No! I just meant that I used to really like him and we sort of... kissed once..."
"You two kissed?" Casey could see the jealousy behind Karma's eyes and looked away from her in embarrassment.
"Well... technically he kissed me. It didn't really mean anything... at least I think..."
"So you used to like him?" Karma folded her arms against her chest with a disbelieving gaze.
"Yes." Casey shrugged. "After a while he became more of a friend to me and his attractiveness wasn't that big of a deal anymore."
"I find that hard to believe, Casey. I think that deep down you still have some sorts of feelings for him."
Casey wanted to object but instead she shook her head, "Honestly, Karma, my feelings haven't made sense to me for a long time. Maybe I do still like Ben...? But what about Derek?"
"What about Derek?" Karma's eyes sparkled with interest.
Casey immediately shut her mouth and averted her gaze.
Don't speak or even look at her because you're too emotional right now to keep your feelings in check, especially with what just happened between you and your stepbrother a few hours ago! You're liable to start telling her everything and that wouldn't be good. Casey scolded herself in her head.
"Casey? Did something happen between you and Derek?" Karma questioned as she grabbed Casey's forearm, trying to look into her eyes.
Just as Casey was about to open her mouth, the elevator dinged and the doors opened before them.
Casey let out the breath she'd been holding as the duo stepped out of the enclosed space into a carpeted hallway that was dimly lit by the lights above them.
"Bluebird, Rainforest...? You two better answer me right now!" Ben's voice hollered in their ears loudly, causing both women to flinch momentarily.
Casey quickly removed the comms device from her ear at the same time as Karma and they both turned the mute button off, and then placed them back in their ears.
"Sorry, Honey Pot, there must have been some interference in the elevator. We're out now and can hear you loud and clear." Casey spoke to her partner while Karma smirked from beside her.
"Interference, my ass." Ben snorted. "Don't put us on mute again. We have a mission here in case you don't remember."
"Whatever you say, Boss." Casey rolled her eyes as she and Karma began making their way down the hallway.
"I saw that eye roll." Ben chided. "Don't be getting sassy with me."
"I'm guessing you got in to their camera system?" Karma spoke with a chuckle.
"Yes, it wasn't easy but surprisingly Derek was a lot of help."
"I took a computer and video course in Uni." Derek's voice replied nonchalantly.
For a moment, Casey had forgotten he was there. Hearing the sound of his voice over the comms device was unsettling. She still did not like the idea of bringing her stepbrother along on their mission.
"So which way do you want us to go now?" Karma asked Ben as they reached a T-section in the hall.
"Go right. There are a couple of security guards coming your way. They have the access codes on their ID badges. Be quick though, we don't want to alert anyone."
Both women took the hall on the right and immediately spotted the two security guards walking towards them. They were both younger men; one was super tall with short light brown hair and a strong jaw bone, while the other was average height with a shaved head and big arms.
The men noticed them and looked them up and down before speaking in their German accents, "Hello, ladies. Do you have access to be up here?" The shorter man asked with a smile.
Casey flipped her hair back and gave him a seductive look, "We're actually lost, Sir. Could you point us in the direction to the stairs?"
His grin widened as he stared at her hungrily and nodded, "Of course, anything for such a beautiful woman."
She thought she heard Derek snort in amusement in her ear but chose to ignore him as she continued to flirt with the security guards.
"You're not so bad yourself." She winked at the shorter man.
"How about we assist you to your destination?" He asked as he offered her his arm to take.
"I have a better idea." Casey smiled as she whispered in his ear.
"Oh do you now?" He grinned at her as he let his hand rest on her lower back, just above her rear.
"Yes, we're taking your access codes." Casey said and before the man could react, Case had punched him in the stomach and then grabbed him by the shoulders and kneed him in the head, knocking him out instantly.
"A little rough, don't you think?" Ben chuckled in her ear.
"I don't like creepy men touching me." Casey shrugged with a smirk.
She turned to see that Karma was now engaged in a scuffle with the taller man but decided to stand back and see how she would handle it.
The man growled and grabbed Karma in a headlock. She managed to escape his hold however and twist his arm behind his back while pinching at a pressure point on the back of his neck and rendering him unconscious.
"Where did you learn to do that?" Casey stared at her astonishment.
Karma shrugged, "I saw it on TV once."
"You're going to have to teach me that later on."
"Enough of the chit chat, ladies. Let's grab the codes and hurry up." Ben spoke.
Casey rolled her eyes once again as she and Karma bent down and snatched the ID cards from the men's shirts.
"We should hide the bodies in case someone sees them." Casey said as she opened the nearest door to find an empty supply closet. "Perfect." She smiled.
Both women grunted as they worked together to drag the two security guards into the closet.
"You two need to build more muscle." Derek commented.
"Shut up. This isn't easy, you know." Casey retorted once they'd finished and closed the door behind them.
"That only took fifteen minutes." Ben snipped with sarcasm.
"Quit with the jokes and tell us where to go next."
"The stairs are just around the next corner through the door on the left. So far you're in the clear but I'd hurry it up."
"Is he always this bossy on missions?" Karma asked as the two of them jogged down the narrow hallway.
"He likes to think he's in charge but he's not." Casey's replied with a smirk.
"I heard that." Ben's voice whined.
Casey and Karma opened the door to the stairwell and began ascending the steps to the fifteenth floor. They stopped at the metal door with a key pad inserted at the side of it and Casey pulled out the access code she'd stolen from the German Security guard. With one swipe the door opened and she and Karma entered the forbidden level.
"Now where to?" Karma asked into the earpiece.
"There should be a room at the end of the first hall where they test all of the equipment. Nicolas Walls usually spend most of his time in there. You get to him, and you'll get to the device known as NicoTech. Just be on your guard because the place is highly restricted and security is doubled when the creator is around."
"Can you get a visual inside the room?" Casey asked.
Ben sighed, "Nope, the footage is blocked. I can try to hack into it but it may take a while."
"We don't have that long. We'll have to take the risk and go in blind."
"But what if there's like ten armed men in the room?" Derek's voice protested. "They could kill you in an instant!"
"We have no choice, Derek. Haldega is most likely on his way up here as we speak. We need to retrieve that device and get Nicolas Walls to safety now or who knows what will happen."
"Case, I just have a bad feeling about this."
So do I. Casey thought to herself.
"Maybe you should wait for me to come there as well..." Ben suggested.
"No," Casey shook her head. "We're going in. End of discussion. You two just keep watch on the other cameras in case you spot Haldega."
"You sure this is a good idea?" Karma whispered to her hesitantly.
No. Casey thought but ignored her conscience.
"We'll be fine. You ready?" She asked as she took out her tranquilizer gun from the back of her skirt and held it up.
Karma held out her own gun and nodded as both women crept towards the door.
Casey swiped the ID card into the key pad at the side and the door clicked open.
They were met by silence as they walked into the room which appeared to be a lab. Various amounts of equipment were set up around the place as well as fridges containing liquid samples of unknown substances.
"Do you see anything?" Ben's voice asked.
"Not yet. There doesn't appear to be anyone in here."
"Tell me where it is right now!" A voice suddenly shouted from the office attached to the lab.
Casey's eyes widened. She knew that voice.
"Haldega." She mouthed to Karma.
"Please, don't hurt me?" Another man's voice pleaded in a German accent.
Casey motioned to Karma and the young woman nodded as they both made their way towards the room with their guns held out in front of them.
The windows to the office were covered by drapes and they had no way of seeing inside as both agents stood on either side of the door and listened.
"Bluebird, what is going on?" Ben demanded to know.
Casey ignored her partner as the voices in the room became louder.
"I will not hesitate to put a bullet in your leg, Mr. Walls."
"What do you want with my device anyway?" Nicolas Walls asked desperately.
"Apparently I need it in order for the QT7 chip to work. Now hand it over. I am losing my patience."
"You're the one who murdered Reynolds?" The man gasped.
"Yes, and you will ne next."
"You might as well kill me. I know your intentions with my device are to do evil and I will not condone that. It is not what I created NicoTech for!"
"Uh-oh!" Ben's voice exclaimed into the earpieces. "Security found their fellow employees! They're going to put the pieces together! You guys need to get out of there now!"
Karma shot Casey a panicked look just before an alarm sounded throughout the building. Casey nodded at the spy in training as she grabbed the handle of the door and tried to twist it. It was locked. She then stepped back, lifted her foot and kicked the wooden frame as hard as she could.
"Don't move!" She and Karma yelled as the door fell open and they entered the room.
"Agent McDonald." Greggor Haldega sneered at her as he turned away from the man tied to a chair. "What a pleasant surprise."
"Drop your weapons! It's over for you, Haldega!" Casey ordered and pointed her gun at him and the two large men on either side of him, whom she recognized as none other than the men from the locker room in Boston.
"Did you just say Haldega?" Ben's voice shouted into her ear. "I'm on my way up, Bluebird!"
"Such a beautiful and naïve woman." Haldega tsked with a shake of his head.
"She's the witch that knocked us out in Boston!" One of the men growled with a fierce glare.
"Rainforest, take Walls and get out of here." Casey told Karma as she gestured towards the man in the chair.
"Did I say you could do that?" Haldega spoke as he lifted his gun and pointed it at Karma.
The alarms continued to blast around them as Karma froze in place. Without thinking, Casey kicked out her foot and knocked the weapon from Haldega's hands, sending it crashing to the other side of the room. She then rushed towards him and shoved him into the wall behind her, knocking his head against it.
His men advanced on her immediately in defence of their boss.
"You get Walls, I'll deal with them!" Casey shouted over the noise and Karma hurriedly began untying the creator of NicoTech.
Casey managed to punch the taller man in the face before the other one grabbed her from behind and held her in a vice grip, forcing her to drop her gun to the ground. She crushed her heel into his foot and he let out a yelp as his grip loosened on her. Once free, Casey spun around and kicked him in the face.
"You're not going to win this time, girly." The other man growled as he swung his fist and punched her in the jaw.
"Casey!" Karma cried. She'd just finished untying Nicolas and was getting ready to help in the fight but Casey shook her head.
"No, get him out of here!"
"I can't just leave you!"
"Go!" Casey screamed as the men continued to throw punches while she dodged them.
Karma gave her one last wary glance before she grabbed Nicolas Walls by the arm and dragged him out of the room.
Casey knew she couldn't take on these two forever and needed to come up with a plan or else they'd kill her. She jumped up on the chair that Nicolas had been tied to and did a back flip over it, narrowly missing another hit from their fists. Once on her feet, Casey picked up the chair and smashed it against the shorter man's head. He fell to the ground in a bloody mess and she quickly made a dash for the door.
Suddenly something pierced through her left shoulder and she let out a cry of pain when she realized she'd been shot. She grabbed at her wound and turned around to see Haldega aiming his gun at her.
"You're not going anywhere, Casey." The evil man sneered as he approached her.
"Casey? Case, are you alright?" Derek screamed into her earpiece. He must've heard her cry out.
Before Casey could react, Haldega lifted his gun and smashed the butt of it against her head. She groaned as she collapsed in his open arms.
"You're mine now." He said and everything went black.
Oh no! Another crazy cliff hanger! Sorry, but I couldn't help myself. ;)
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