Oh my god you guys! Thank you for all the support for this story, both on and on Ao3. With how this story seems to be going, I'm trying to post every Sunday but that might change depending on my schedule and if I get any (more) writers' blocks. This is the second longest chapter I've done for this story which is why I will be late for the following chapter; the next update will be closer to December 9th. December is a busy month for me, but I'm still hoping to finish this by the beginning of January, but again, that might change. I'll keep you updated on that as I write. I'm also still obsessed with Merlin, which likely won't go away for a while, which is also why I've been having a harder time writing. Oops?

I also realized a slight inconsistency in the Introduction, which I've fixed on Ao3 but haven't yet on . This story is taking place in DECEMBER, not January, which the intro says and contradicts what's in Chp 1. Eventually I'll get around to fixing that.

Thanks as always to Vodonn, especially with this chapter which was a serious pain to write!

I do not own Carmen Sandiego (Netflix). This story is a work of fiction that came from my own horrible brain because I have been searching for Player!whump and haven't found many fics like that.

…...

Player wasn't sure why VILE kept interrogating him after he'd revealed where Carmen was and that she'd always answer the phone if it was him calling. Probably because they were sadistic assholes, Player thought hysterically as he watched himself answer each question he was asked.

How long have you known Black Sheep?

I first met her when I was 12 years old.

If he'd had control over his mind and body, Player would have flinched at hearing Carmen's old name. It had amused him, at first, to hear the teenager insist he call her "Black Sheep", but it faded once he knew the truth about her childhood. "Black Sheep" was a weapon, not a person, and it was painful to even think of his best friend as that.

So you knew her before she became Carmen Sandiego?

Yes.

How did you meet Black Sheep?

I hacked into VILE and proceeded to contact her to inform her that VILE's security needed an upgrade.

The faculty's expressions told Player that they were not amused but the Troll's face sent a faint pulse of satisfaction through his body despite the truth extractor. Player doubted that the Troll had been the one in charge of VILE's cyber security when he'd first hacked it, but apparently he still took offense to Player's hacking.

Were you aware of what VILE is when you first hacked us?

No.

What did Black Sheep tell you when you first contacted her?

The call was more about your horrible security and me rather than Carmen.

The Troll's face was practically puce at Player's sass. Player quickly hissed as the pain ratcheted up, yanking what little control he'd managed out of reach once again.

How did the cellphone come into Carmen Sandiego's possession?

According to her, she stole it from the Captain of the ship which transported Miss Booker to the island when Coach Brunt punched him.

What did you and Black Sheep discuss before she betrayed us?

We became friends, sharing semi-regular phone calls depending on our schedules. We talked about our lives, but nothing overly specific.

There was something that felt vaguely like nostalgia, that settled on his shoulders. Even through the fog clouding his mind, a feeling of warmth hit him for the barest moment before vanishing.

What did she tell you about her classmates and us?

She told me about what you were like and what her relationships with you were like.

What would be an example of this?

She told me about her rivalry with Tigress and her friendship with Grey

Player grimaced, remembering the pang of jealousy that had raced through him when Carmen had told him she'd made a new friend. Carmen was his best and, at that time, only friend. He wasn't able to interact with her outside of phone calls and texts while her new friend had been interacting with her in person. (They didn't use video chats until Carmen had a laptop and was far away from VILE). Carmen hadn't been aware of his irrational jealousy at the time, and Player was fairly sure she knew about it now, but their continued conversations had soothed his ruffled feathers unknowingly. Those emotions were long gone, even before Crackle had been turned back into Grey.

What do you now know about VILE's agents, students, and faculty members?

Everything that Carmen knows about you.

Did you influence her decision to betray us?

Not exactly.

Explain.

I didn't know what VILE actually was initially, so I had no reason to encourage her to leave. When she stole her phone back from VILE, she told me that she was looking at a hard drive that contained information that would fuel VILE's schemes for the entire year. I did encourage her to steal the hard drive using the "wicked skills" she'd told me about.

He didn't even try to stop those words from escaping his mouth. Player was more than happy to watch the displeased looks eat away at any control the VILE faculty had once had.

What was your role in Black Sheep's betrayal?

Beyond encouraging her to steal the hard drive, I didn't do much until she was able to contact me from the yacht she'd taken out of the range of VILE's "lock-down" procedures which block any communication with the outside world. Then I was able to create any documentation she'd required to travel and live in the outside world.

What documentation did you create for Carmen Sandiego?

Player struggled a bit before he was forced to answer. He wasn't particularly interested in telling VILE any more about his skills then they already knew.

Passports, drivers licenses, a semi-fake file of background information which included a social security number which was later necessary for her to purchase her homebase.

That wasn't anything overly impressive when one considered he'd hacked into the VILE hard drives, but they were skills that were invaluable to Carmen.

Where does she store her monetary assets?

A series of bank accounts under a variety of names, but most are under her name.

Did you set up these accounts?

Yes.

Did you use the stolen hard drives to plan Carmen Sandiego's "capers"?

Yes.

When did you first start hacking?

I was between 8 and 9 years old.

Where did you learn how to hack?

At home by myself.

Are you self taught?

Yes.

Player distantly wondered if the Troll's head would explode if he continued to turn darker shades of red. Or what it was doing to the other hacker's blood pressure.

Why did you learn how to hack?

I was bored and needed a challenge.

I assume you were a white hat hacker originally. Am I correct?

That is correct.

Why?

I wanted to help people.

Player desperately wanted to say and because I have morals, but the pain overrode that desire.

How did you hack the VILE hard drives?

I broke through every level of encryption you had.

Brief and to the point, if a bit vague. Player wasn't quite sure how much the VILE faculty and agents knew about hacking, other than the Troll, but the question was vague enough for him to give such a short explanation.

How long did it take you to hack the VILE hard drives?

A week or two for the first one. Less than that for the second one.

Oh Player wished he had a camera (and could actually take pictures but that was beside the point). If he wasn't under the influence of the truth extractor and hadn't been tortured and kidnapped by VILE, each and every member of VILE present was priceless.

Why did Carmen Sandiego immediately begin her "capers" once you'd hacked the hard drives?

She wanted to see the world after being trapped on an island for most of her life.

Where did she explore before her first "caper"?

All over the globe.

Did you help her travel during that time?

Yes.

How did you help her travel?

I helped coordinate and schedule modes of transportation and booked lodgings for her.

How did the hard drives come into your possession?

Carmen delivered them to me.

Does Carmen Sandiego know where you live?

Yes.

How does Carmen Sandiego know where you live?

She delivered both hard drives to me in person.

Why did she deliver the hard drives in person?

We both thought it was too high a risk to mail them. It was a risk for her to visit me in person, but we wanted to meet face-to-face at least once.

Did Carmen Sandiego ever visit your house outside of the times she delivered the VILE hard drives to you?

No.

Seeing that your parents were unaware of your partnership with Carmen Sandiego, how was she able to deliver the hard drives to you in person?

They were on a business trip both times.

Okay, they were actually on top-secret ACME missions but it wasn't like I knew that prior to a few hours ago, Player thought.

How long have your parents' careers required them to leave you alone for extended periods of time?

Since I was 8 years old and started hacking. That was when they got new jobs at what I now know is ACME at, I assume, field agents.

How did you receive an education?

Online, virtual school.

Why not attend a public or private school?

I'm a certified genius well beyond what students my age are learning. My parents arranged for my education a year before they switched careers.

He was more than a little thankful that the truth extractor hadn't forced him to reveal the bullying he'd endured at a young age. This situation was violating enough and any privacy he could get, he'd gladly take.

Did your relationship with Carmen Sandiego influence your decision to pursue your education virtually?

Not initially, but when I became Carmen's "secret weapon", online learning became necessary.

Why?

Online learning, for me, doesn't work on a regular schedule at a consistent time. I go at my own pace rather than attend classes at a regular time. Due to the nature of Carmen's "capers", which occur all over the world, they are often in different time zones from my own. By having a flexible schedule for my education, I am able to help Carmen at any time with few exceptions which I alert her to in advance.

What was your role as Carmen Sandiego's "secret weapon" outside of hacking the VILE hard drives?

I am tech support, which includes hacking into other locations depending on the "caper", a navigator, conduct background research if needed, and any other task which might be required for a "caper" or event.

What is your relationship with Carmen Sandiego?

She's my best friend.

Just a friend?

Player wasn't sure if he was dumbfounded or disgusted by what Roundabout wasn't saying. Carmen was at least 4 years older than him!

She's practically my big sister.

Okay, he wished he hadn't said that...

What does she know about your parents?

She knows they aren't home most of the time and are workaholics.

What is her opinion of your parents?

She doesn't approve of their parenting skills.

What is her relationship with ACME?

Currently they are not on good terms. They are hunting her down now that I hacked into ACME's database.

Why did you hack into ACME for Carmen Sandiego?

For more information about her past.

What does she know about her past?

She knows Shadow-san didn't file a complete record of what happened to her father. Her father was murdered by Chief who is the founder and head of ACME, not Shadow-san. She knows a woman named "Vera Cruz", which we assume is a code name, is her mother and is presumed to still be alive.

Silence.

Player shut his eyes, not at all interested at the faculty's reaction to that piece of information. His head was killing him and the brief silence was welcomed.

How often do you talk, or text, with Carmen Sandiego?

Almost constantly. We text often but use phone calls, video chats, or calls over comm links more regularly. We contact each other at least every 24 hours even if it is a quick text which says we're busy and will get back to them later. That has only happened a handful of times and usually on my end but if that is the case, I normally text her within 12 hours rather than 24 hours. Carmen is the one who contacts me in the 24 hour range if she is unable to talk at the present moment.

What would her reaction be if you didn't contact her within your usual time frame?

She'd be concerned if I didn't contact her within 24 to 36 hours. Anything after 36 hours would worry her. If I am out of contact for more than 4 days, she'd visit my last known location in person.

Has that changed with you being on vacation?

No.

How would you initially contact her if you did not contact her within that time frame?

Text her informing her that either something has happened and further instructions regarding my situation or I'd ask if she'd be available to talk in a more immediate way which she'd somehow manage even if she wasn't actually available.

What would be your next form of communication?

A text telling her to contact me immediately.

When would that take place?

As soon as we were both free.

In your opinion, would you be one of Carmen Sandiego's weak spots?

Player hadn't fought against the truth extractor this much since the moment the damn thing was forced onto his head. He knew the answer; he'd always known the answer but he'd never verbalized it. Carmen had never verbalized it either. Player knew that neither of them had ever wanted to even think about someone finding out about his existence.

The pain was excruciating; it drilled into his temples, crashed against his skill like ocean waves during a hurricane. Spots danced across his vision and he knew that the faint screams he heard were his own.

...yes...

Player felt silent tears streak down his cheeks. He knew VILE had likely known the answer to that question before he'd even answered, but it still hurt and not only because of the truth extractor's effects.

What would she do to protect you from harm?

I am unsure as I have never been in a situation like this before.

Not a lie...

What do you think she would be willing to do to protect you from harm in this particular situation?

Fuck… Player bit his lip but couldn't stop himself.

Depending on what you're asking of her, likely a good deal of things. It would be similar to what happened when VILE kidnapped Zack and Ivy.

Based on your current state, what would her reaction be?

Furious. She'd rescue me and burn VILE to the ground.

Player wasn't sure if that was the truth, but he said them anyway. It was one possibility and Player clung to it. He didn't want Carmen to be within 50 miles of VILE's new headquarters, but the desire to see his best friend, his oldest friend, his sister, was overwhelming.

"Well, we wouldn't want to keep Carmen Sandiego from her "secret weapon" for much longer, now would we?" Roundabout smirked, turning towards his colleagues who wore equally chilling looks.

Dr. Bellum walked over to Player and removed her truth extractor with a harsh yank and shoved the chair around so his back was to the faculty. Player instantly slumped forward, as if he was a marionette whose strings were slashed. Shaky shuddering gasps escaped his lips, his entire body quivering with a whirlwind of emotions.

Relief: the pain was receding, leaving only phantom spasms in its wake.

Exhaustion: the mental and physical strain of the truth extractor were more extensive than he'd anticipated.

Panic: they'd soon be contacting Carmen.

Terror: Player wasn't sure what would happen next, but it wouldn't be good; not for him and not for Carmen.

Player's gasps were cut off as a piece of ducktape firmly silenced him, forcing him to quickly adjust to breathing through his nose. Dr. Bellum stalked back to the rest of the VILE faculty as the familiar ringing indicated his phone or his laptop were being used to call Carmen for a videochat. Obviously they had linked his phone to the gigantic monitor that now hung in front of the faculty with Player situated between the monitor and the villains.

His best friend's image blinked into existence; the only word floating around his mind was fuck...