I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW! I'm LATE! What we should take from this is that I shouldn't make guesses/promises as to when I will actually update. So here's an update on that. I thought this story would be completed by the end of 2020 but that won't be happening, for better or for worse. I'm posting this chapter on Sunday, the night before my bday. I'm planning on taking another 2 or so weeks off, or approximately until 2021 give or take. During that time I will work on finishing the story, or at least working out what the caper will look like. I was supposed to plan out the caper a few months ago, but got busy and so that hasn't happened… I don't want to post anything more until I have that all written up and am more or less happy with it. So we'll see what happens, but no matter what, the next chapter should be posted around January 1st unless something blows up, etc. Thank you for your patience and enjoy!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

Thanks as always to Vodonn!

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 knew Carmen.

He knew Carmen was sitting on her bed and, judging from the angle, had answered the call on her phone rather than her laptop. Carmen's hair was up in a messy bun; the few strands hanging down were tucked back behind her ears. She wore a black tank-top and though Player couldn't see the rest of her body, he knew she had on lounge pants of some sort. Carmen would wear something casual and comfy when she was bored, though that usually was because she was recovering from some injury.

Player didn't think it was an exaggeration to say he knew her better than anyone else. Sure, she was close to Zach and Ivy, and Shadow-san was a mix of a mentor and almost-parental-figure to her, but Player was different.

Player had always been and would always be different.

He'd met her long before Carmen donned a matching red fedora and trench coat, before she'd escaped from VILE and taken an actual name.

Player had known that Black Sheep was only a code name since he'd first called her and introduced himself by his hacker persona. Unlike Player's name, Black Sheep wasn't a real name, and the nickname "Lambkins" made him nauseous. Jacob had picked the alias of "Player" during his first phone call with Carmen and now felt like he identified more with that moniker than he did with his birth name. Unlike his new name, Black Sheep (and while it wasn't Carmen's birth name, it was really all they had to go on for now) was the name of a weapon, not a person, and no matter how many times he heard it, it cut Player to the core.

The gutted look on Carmen's face cut just as deep as guilt engulfed him.

"Player!" Carmen gasped, completely ignoring Coach Brunt.

Even if Player wasn't gagged, he wasn't sure what he would've said. He settled for trying to tell Carmen that he was okay with his eyes, even if they both knew that was complete bullshit.

"Come now Coach Brunt," Roundabout tisked. "This is a rather touching reunion after all."

Player figured that Coach Brunt hadn't taken Carmen's ignoring her very well, and unlike Roundabout (apparently), wasn't amused by her actions.

Carmen's wide eyes were scanning Player's slumped form at a rapid fire pace, barely resting on one part of him before jumping to the next. Player didn't need to be a genius (which he was) or any kind of medical practitioner (which he decidedly was not), to know that his current state was less than optimal. He also didn't need to be a psychic (something else he was not), to know that Carmen was furious.

"What do you want?" Carmen growled, keeping her eyes on Player who knew the fury in them wasn't directed at him.

"Not going to "tell" us to let your precious "secret weapon" go?" Coach Brunt sneered.

Carmen jerked her eyes away from Player and snarled at the faculty.

That's because Carmen's not an idiot and knows it isn't even worth asking for them to let me go, Player thought duly. Not only did Carmen know what VILE was like, the situation with Zach and Ivy had proven that asking that question was futile.

"As much as I'd like to know how you kidnapped Player, I find it much more important to know what you want," Carmen snapped.

"If you are unable to guess that, then my opinion of your intelligence has dropped significantly," Roundabout huffed.

"Me," Carmen answered through clenched teeth. "You want me."

"Very good Miss Sandiego," Roundabout drawled, "though you must admit that's a bit obvious."

"Then why did you ask?"

"You need to understand just what your position is right now," Professor Maelstrom replied.

"If I don't do what you order me to do, you hurt Player," Carmen snarled. "How original."

"Well Lambkins, really it's we would hurt him more," Coach Brunt smirked.

"Quite, especially because he is infuriatingly stubborn and annoying," Countess Cleo muttered.

"Though you'll be happy to know that he did try his best to fight my truth extractor, but alas, we all have our limits, don't we?" Dr. Bellum said; an evil grin Player couldn't see was obvious in her tone.

Carmen's eyes narrowed and her lips pursed, gaze flickering between Player and the villains behind him. Player could read the obvious concern and fear in her eyes but he didn't remove his gaze from her.

He didn't think he could if he tried.

"Tell us something, Carmen Sandiego," Roundabout said, "just what would you do to save young Jacob?"

Player flinched at the sound of his birth name.

Carmen's eyes flashed and her gaze hardened as she seemed to stare down the faculty. Then she focused on Player and her face softened incrementally.

"Whatever it takes," Carmen replied quietly

Player hung his head, looking away from Carmen for the first time since she'd appeared on the screen. On some level, he'd expected Carmen's reply, but hearing it hit him like a punch to the gut. He'd spent enough time with Coach Brunt to know exactly what that felt like.

Distantly he knew none of this was his fault. It was VILE who had beat him to a bloody pulp and violated his very mind; it was VILE who used him to manipulate his parents against his will. Player couldn't help the spark of anger that flared at the thought of his parents' and their secret careers. He didn't have much patience for even entertaining a single thought about ACME.

But guilt and self-reproach swamped his mind. If only he hadn't left his programs running when he'd put his laptop to sleep. If only he had listened to Carmen and not worked on any of Team Red's projects while on "vacation". If only he'd looked into what his parents' new careers were years ago, before he'd even met Carmen.

If only… If only… If only…

Player knew that "if only"'s did no good beyond adding to his present guilt but he couldn't help it. He was supposed to be a genius, and had proven that over and over again.

He forced his attention back to Carmen who was still focused on him rather than her former teachers.

As Player's attention was firmly on his oldest friend, he wasn't aware of Coach Brunt approaching him until the duct tape gag was painfully ripped from his lips. A cry of pain escaped him before Player could bite his lip to stem it.

I have a serious love-hate relationship with duct tape right now, Player thought somewhat hysterically to himself. It might be one of human-kind's greatest inventions next to indoor plumbing, air conditioning, and chocolate chip cookies, but it fucking hurt when it was ripped off of bare skin.

"Player…" Carmen trailed off, seemingly unsure of what to say. It was one of the few times Player had ever seen her so unsure of herself or of her situation.

"Hey Red," Player croaked with a grimace. He hadn't realized how dry his throat was until he'd opened his mouth.

Carmen pursed her lips together as her eyes flashed.

"I thought you were supposed to be getting some sun," Carmen said quietly, a faint note of forced humor rang out, "and maybe some extra sleep."

"You know me Red, I'm happy in my dark little cave back home," Player sent Carmen a slight grin, remembering her caper in Poitiers, France when she'd asked who would wall off an atrium.

From the matching grin on her face, Carmen remembered their conversation from back then too. She choked out a pained laugh.

"As sickeningly sweet as this is," Professor Maelstrom drawled, "let us get back to the matter at hand. I believe you know what this is?"

Carmen's reaction was enough for Player to tense. Her eyes were wide and any color drained from her face. A quiet gasp escaped from her lips and Player got the impression that she was resisting the urge to cover her mouth with her free hand.

Whatever VILE was showing Carmen that he couldn't see, she was familiar enough with it to know what it was and was disturbed by it.

"Disturbed" might be an understatement, Player mused to himself shakily.

The heavy footsteps of Coach Brunt alerted Player to the villain's movement towards him. Suddenly Player's chair was yanked so he could see both the VILE faculty and Carmen. Coach Brunt smirked at him before circling around to stand behind him, one massive meaty hand resting on each of his shoulders. Player's eyes drifted to the faculty table before halting on Dr. Bellum. He barely registered Professor Maelstrom gesturing at the object in Dr. Bellum's hands as his heart skipped a beat.

Player couldn't make out the details of the device from his distance, but what he could see wasn't encouraging. It was a ring of sorts with a square-shaped item attached to the back of it. Probably an inch wide, the metallic circle glinted in the unsettling lighting of the room. Judging by the diameter and circumference of the-

Oh.

He'd never been one for jewelry and Player had no desire to start wearing a choker necklace now. Especially one provided by VILE.

Nothing good ever came from VILE.

Except Carmen, but she didn't count. She was always the exception.

"It's a compliance collar," Carmen replied. Player could hear the fear in her voice he'd previously only seen behind her well sculpted mask.

Well that's not very encouraging, Player thought as his eyes flickered between the metal collar ring and Carmen's chalky colored face.

"Ah, good; you haven't forgotten everything we taught you," Professor Maelstrom purred.

She didn't forget any of it, Player mentally snapped, she just isn't a twisted sadistic psychopath like you people are. However tempted Player was to voice his thoughts, he was all too aware of Coach Brunt's hands pressed against his shoulders.

"Since young Jacob was not present for my demonstration and lecture on the use of this invention, why don't you educate Player to inform him about it and to refresh your memory," Dr. Bellum chuckled.

Carmen looked at Player but her eyes were glazed and he got the feeling she was trapped in a memory. It wasn't the first time he'd seen that expression on her face; Carmen was remembering something she'd never wanted to think about ever again.

"Dr. Bellum's first compliance collar was made out of titanium but over time she upgraded the metal to tungsten due to its higher melting point of 3422 degrees Celsius or 6142 degrees Fahrenheit. This improvement made it more durable and impossible to remove without the correct keys. There are two different keys required to remove the collar that must be turned at the same time; the locks are located on either side of the person's neck, underneath their ears. If an attempt is made to remove the collar incorrectly, the microscopic bombs implanted inside it will deonate, killing whoever is wearing it along with anyone within 10 feet of them. The square box at the back of the collar delivers an electric charge that is remote controlled. The voltage and length of time the electricity is on is also controlled by the collar. It-" Carmen's voice cracked for the first time and the glazed look in her eyes were now shattered windows.

Maybe it was the fear which numbed him, but Player thought that this was more painful for Carmen than it would be for him.

"It is tightly fitted against whoever is wearing the collar to ensure the electric charge is utterly effective. If the voltage is high enough and is used for prolonged periods of time, the collared person will gain electric burns; there is the possibility that the burns will scar depending on the injury and if they receive adequate treatment."

"That is an excellent summary Miss Sandiego," Roundabout leaned forward, "but you've neglected to tell us what the original use of the collar was and what the contemporary purpose is."

Carmen's eyes squeezed shut, as if to hold back tears, before continuing, "Dr. Bellum originally invented them to help train Countess Cleo's guard dogs, but the good Countess suggested a new use for them."

"And what would that be?" Countess Cleo leaned forward, eyes glinting.

"To use it as a form of torture by electrocuting the victim," Carmen's eyes sharpened and any evidence of tears was erased from her face. A growling snarl manifested across her lips.

Coach Brunt's hands tightened on Player's shoulders hard enough to bruise and forced a yelp of pain from him. Carmen's snarl vanished at Player's pained noise.

"Stop it! Please, just stop it!" Carmen cried out.

"Dr. Bellum? If you would equip young Jacob with his new accessory?" Professor Maelstrom drawled.

"It would be my pleasure," Dr. Bellum replied with a nod.

Dr. Bellum strode over to Player with the device in one hand and two keys in the other. The keys were metallic, presumably made from tungsten like the collar was, and looked like they'd come out of a Sci-Fi movie. Coach Brunt kept both hands on his shoulders, pressing down harder when he tried to struggle and escape the inevitable placement of the device. Dr. Bellum snapped the collar around his neck with an echoing click before passing one key to Coach Brunt once she'd removed her hands from Player's shoulders.

Another quick double-click and Player was trapped.

The collar was cold and tight enough to edge on uncomfortable but it didn't inhibit his breathing. While it wasn't heavy, its mere presence was like the weight of the sky that Atlus supposedly held up.

Coach Brunt and Dr. Bellum took their places back at the faculty table as all eyes fixed on Carmen.

"Now, Black Sheep, I believe it is time we discuss your mission. Oh, and welcome back to VILE," Professor Maelstrom grinned.

If Player hadn't known his new accessory was currently inactive, he'd blame the shudder that ran down his spine on the compliance collar.