CHAPTER-2
(Jace POV)
They found Jon in the conference room waiting for them, sitting on the chair facing the door. But he didn't see them enter. He seemed to be lost deep in his thoughts. "Earth to Jon." Jace called out to him. He didn't flinch or jump from his seat like a normal person would, just looked directly at Jace. Well of course he knew they had entered. He was one of the best. "Come on in everyone. Congratulations on getting your first mission," he said excitedly. " You guys are finally going to take the stage away from those high and mighty agents in the real field, I know it." Jace just wanted to ask him why it wasn't 'we' instead of just 'you guys' but he didn't get the chance as Jon just started on their mission's details. The air at the centre of the table suddenly lit up displaying the words 'The Circle.' What does that mean?
"Alright. So," he drawled out. "Have any of you heard of the Circle?" They all shook their heads except Helen. Of course. Helen knows everything. You need some particular place, any rumour going around, any person doing any kind of work, Helen was the one to ask to. Helen was nodding her head. Jace could see the gears turning in her head. "Yes, sometime back, it used to some famous group. Mhm yes assassins. That's it. It was an assassins' group." Jon nodded, "The Circle was the most dangerous assassin group of all times. It was a small but elite group of assassins. It functioned as a group where decisions were probably taken not by one but by the group as a whole because we have no information of a leader among them whatsoever. If the money was big, and the reason was just, your work would surely be done. It had the world's best assassins. The Agency could never catch them, not a single one." "Wait what?!" Jordon interrupted, "like no one in the agency?" "Nah, no one," Jon replied, a smile gracing his lips. "What's with the smile?" Izzy asked. "Nothing," he replied, shaking his head, as if to clear his head. "No one was able to catch them because they were highly skilled and also had the same level of technology as ours. 'Assassins' might seem a little archaic but they were actually the most advanced group that the agency had ever encountered." A few gasps were heard in the room. The agency took pride in its highly advanced technology. Almost no one had the technology close to theirs.
"Clear about this now? You need to be careful about anything related to them because they have the same level equipage as us. Like your parents say," he said, looking at Jace and the Lightwood siblings, "you shouldn't depend on the agency's equipage too much. Use your own wit to overpower the enemy. Now no more questions during background history," he said sternly, acting every bit of the leader he was. "So I was talking about the members. Now as time went by, some members of the Circle started leaving it for some unknown reason. We never found those people, them having changed their appearances and identities. But we did get some intel regarding the ones that remained." He tapped on the pad in front of him and the virtual display changed. It now displayed a 3D image of a middle-aged man with graying hair. "Now to your case." He continued. "This is Hodge Starkweather, former Circle member. He has been spotted recently after him being inactive for about seventeen years. There was no threat but you can't know for sure with ex-assassins," Jon said with a grin. "He has been seen with some teenage boys, which we assumed means that he is looking for 'recruits'."
"You think he is recreating the Circle?" Alec asked with a shocked face. "Well I can't think of any other reason for coming out of hiding after so long. No sure proof. And that is where you people come." Jon said while clicking on the pad again. The display changed again, now showing a relatively young boy with midnight black hair and black bottomless pits for eyes. No Jace was not imagining it. His eyes were eerie. "On Friday, he was seen with this guy, Sebastian Verlac." "Is it just me or his eyes seem eerily sinister?" Jace interrupted. Izzy snorted but coughed to hide it and quietened down. Otherwise everyone ignored him. Typical of them. Jace was used to it. It had happened too many times to count. As Jace wallowed in self pity, Jon continued. "Soon after this, Sebastian was reported to move from his place. We still have access to his location and we don't want to lose it. So you all are going to get in his inner circle, win his trust. Blah blah. You know it. We need information for now. This man, Hodge is a not an person you can underestimate. If he has come out of hiding, there is something big going on. That's what we are here for. Any questions about the background?"
"We get our first mission and it is just a damn intel mission." Izzy sighed. "Any information about the other members? We might need it," Helen asked. Jon nodded quickly," Of course...those." He exhaled slowly. "I was just gonna tell you about all those I have an intel about. First let's get over the dead ones. Anson Pangborn and Charles Freeman have been reported dead. Other than those, the members we have info about are Hodge, Emil Pangborn, Jeremy Pontmercy and Samuel Blackwell." Jon paused, waiting for them to react.
"Wait, that's it?" Simon asked, confused. Jon shook his head, "You have to understand. Many left the group and we don't have details of the minor members. Also, more importantly, we don't have any intel about the undercover people they had in places." "You mean to say they had people working for them in the agency, here in the institute?!"Izzy cried. "Yes, and other places also," Jon nodded, "So you have to be really careful. The 'information from Sebastian' part could have been given to any smaller group of agents, but this case is bigger than it seems, you all need to keep your eyes open. Take notice of everything around you. Get all the information. Formulate-" Jace cut Jon in between, "Formulate a plan. Concentrate. Remember your training. We know it Jon." To Jace's surprise, Jon didn't comment on his interruption like he always does, just nodded his head. Something was not right. He seemed distracted. "Each of your cover story details will be with Helen. She will explain them to you. Helen will co-ordinate the mission from the institute. Alec, officially you are the leader of the mission. But you know the protocol. Listen to your respective team fellows before making a decision unless it needs immediate action. Izzy, see the cover stories and if you need some new clothes, equipment, whatever, contact Bane. Jace and Jordon go check out whatever 'toys' you need after Helen is through with you. Again, Bane is your man." Jon commanded each of them like the natural leader he was. He had always been the one who was charge of their team, with Alec second. What was so important that he couldn't come with them on their first mission? The time was going so slow. Jace needed to talk to Jon alone. "Now off you go. Get to work. I need a perfect first mission," he said, dismissing them. Alec met Jace's eye. Jace could see that he also thought something was wrong. He tilted his head towards Jon imperceptibly. Jace nodded and they came to a silent agreement. He had always been better than Alec in talking.
Here goes nothing. Jace was about to confront Jon but as it happens he didn't need to. Jon got hold of his arm as everyone was leaving and stopped him. "Jace listen to me. This is a very important case." Jace raised an eyebrow questioningly. All of them knew that of course, Jon had explained that already. "To me," he added. "Don't ask me anything right now. I can see that stupid mind of yours working. Trust me, I can't tell you much now but it is necessary that you don't mess it up. Promise me that you will try your best Jace." His voice held an emotion Jace couldn't identify. He could see in his eyes that Jon was serious. He was only that serious when something was related to...oh that wouldn't be good. Jace hoped that's not the case. How could this be related to them? Whatever, if it's as important as he says, Jace made a gesture to cross his heart. "Promise." Then he remembered what he had to ask him. "Why-"
.o0o.
(Jon POV)
Jon cut Jace before he could speak. He knew Jace would ask this. "Luke wants me to go on another case." He gave a pause, not for the dramatic effect, but because he wasn't sure what to say. "Jace, it might help you in your case. Think of me as going to the sidekick espionage for you, which could be very important for this case. I wasn't even supposed to say that to you." Jon said, frustrated at himself. He needed to get Jace out of here before he babbled out the whole thing to him. Just one more thing needs to be done though. "Jace I need to go, I will be late. But I need you," he said shaking Jace's shoulders "to talk to your mother, about this case." "Why-," he started but Jon interrupted him again. "As always, too many questions. I would have answered every single of your questions if I could. But this isn't the time for questions Jace. Just talk to her when she is back from her holidays." He then looked into Jace's golden eyes. He was definitely confused, but was still nodding. That's a good sign. "I have to leave soon. Good luck brother. Show them who you are." He paused and then said something that he never thought he would say to Jace again. "May the fates favour you." Jace suddenly jerked his head up, his eyes full of shock, beginning to moisten. But Jon knew he needed that. This mission was not going to be easy. "You too," he choked out. Jon's last thoughts as he walked out of the door were that somehow fates do favour them and all goes well. He needed to talk to her.
.o0o.
(Jace POV)
As Jace was walking towards their team's room, he was still pretty much in shock. Jon never mentioned this since then. Jace didn't know what to think of it. They never talked about it, then why suddenly- but whatever Jon wanted to do, he was successful. It had filled Jace with some strange sort of energy. He couldn't really describe it. It's been too long since he had heard someone say that. Oh angels, he needed to clear his head. He had a mission to complete. He squeezed his eyes shut trying to control his mind which had jumped upon the irrevocable task of venturing into those beautiful but painful memories. "Jace!" He knew it was Izzy from the shrill voice coming from behind him. He turned around and raised an eyebrow waiting for her to continue. She suddenly grabbed his wrist and began dragging him to the room. "What are you daydreaming about idiot? Helen wants to go about with our cover stories. Finally I am going to get some action. You know how long it's been since I worked on disguises and outfits?! More than three weeks! Almost a month!" He glanced amusedly at Izzy as she gushed on about herself and her 'action'.
The reached a door with a sign saying 'Nephilim'. It had been there since the first time Jace saw this room when he was four and came here with his mother. When he had asked his mother what it meant, she had told him that it had been there even when she joined the agency and it meant humans having some secretive special power. At that time, Jace had been mystified and enchanted with the idea of the existence of such people. He remembered it clearly, how he had looked up to his mom with widened eyes and a face full of glee as she told him that. He was suddenly snapped out of his memory when Helen entered the room, carrying a bunch of files and hard drives, her heels making a clicking sound as she walked.
"So everyone's here. I just talked to the undercover agent we have, working in the inner circle of Sebastian's friends and family. I will keep that part for the last. Now, as I see it, we are a total of six agents. I will be operating from here, working with the undercover person and keeping all of you in contact with each other. Out of the remaining five agents, we need three agents near him all time, and two from a little far away, keeping track of other things. Simon, you along with Jordon keep watch on things from afar. Simon, your computer skills are in need here. This mission is formerly to get intel. This is Sebastian's apartment, and here is yours." She said pointing to a point on the map displayed on the screen, " Here are your keys. Jordon in the meanwhile, you scout the area and get back to me. Also arrange the comms, will you?" "Aye aye captain," they both said together, then looked at each other and grinned. Helen just shook her head grinning at the dorks and continued. "Sebastian lives with another boy Raphael Santiago, who is generally never home or he doesn't come out of house. They live on the first floor. You both," she said pointing to Alec and me, "are taking the ground floor as it is just our luck that the ground floor is for rent. I will just now make the arrangements. Isabelle, you are going to stay in the adjoining apartment, with a girl who has also just shifted in. And also, I am told you are due a visit from Mr. Bane. I will arrange that. You will all be using your respective code names, I don't need to remind you that. Now onto the last thing, Sebastian. His daily routine is pretty normal. He goes to some café nearby the apartment for coffee. Idris has only so many cafés, so you will know which one I am talking about. He does odd jobs like food delivery and working at bars for money. Then he is in a basketball group thing. In the evening he is usually there. Who can play basketball well?" Jordon and Jace raised their hands. "You two in basketball group then. Lastly, he sometimes goes to the club nearby. He was also seen in the hotel Dumont. I was told that Raphael has some connection to it, though the connection is not clear. Any questions?"
"Who's the undercover agent?" Alec asked. "We don't know," she replied. Jace frowned. "What does that mean?" Jordon asked. Helen sighed, "You might not yet know this, but when the Circle was active, it had some spies in the Agency. We don't know if they are still here, if they are still working for the Circle." "So you don't think any of us are the spy, do you? Why hide information from us?," Jace asked. Helen shook her vigorously. "It isn't like that. Firstly even I, at this point, don't know who it is. Maybe I will get to know later but for now, I don't know anything about him/her. Secondly, you should know better than that Jace. If there are spies in the system and they have stayed under radar while conveying information to the Circle, then they are obviously good. And if they are that good, what guarantee do you have that they are not listening to this conversation that we are having? Almost everyone in the agency would by now know that we have been given the Circle's case." She had a point. Jace nodded mutedly. "Anything else? If not then you are off to work." she said.
Simon raised his hand. Helen nodded for him to speak. "Uh, is there any good restaurant near the apartment? Jordon and I don't know how to cook." Jace snorted. Leave it to rat-face to divert the topic from evil spies to food. Helen smiled. "That is for me to know and you to find out. On your own! I am not your map. Ask Google, dead brain." "Hey! I have more brains than all of you combined," Simon protested. This time everyone started laughing. Even Alec was grinning amusedly. "Come here idiot. We will find you a restaurant," Izzy said, strangling him with her arm and dragging him towards the door. This was Jace's team and he was proud to be a member of it. "Watch out! Beware of the monster ahead." Simon shouted almost in panic, pointing at Church, the not-so-stray cat of the agency.
Maybe a little embarrassed.
A/N: Hey guys! Hope you liked this chapter. I wanna make some things clear. So I know Jace and the Lightwoods lived in New York, but this story is completely based in Idris. Also here, Idris and Allicante will be two different cities, with the main headquarters of the clave being in Allicante. And I wanted your opinion on how the length of the chapter is. This chapter was about 2900 words. I was originally making it in about 4800s but I thought that would have been too lengthy. So I cut it in half. Please do tell me how you would prefer it. Shorter? Longer? Or is the length right now fine? Also those who commented, followed and favourited my story. THANKYOU SO MUCH GUYS. You don't know how happy I was when I saw those emails in my inbox.
Individual reply to comments:
Deblanchard34: Thankyou so much for reading and reviewing. And yes TMI secret agent AU is like something else. That thrill and suspense, just can't get enough. I'll try my best to make this story a worthy read. Here is the update. Hope you enjoy:)
atchleykera38: I am so glad you liked it. Please do keep and reviewing. I'll try my best to make the story interesting:)
Kirito5: Thank you so much. Here is more. Hope you like it:)
Guest: Really glad you liked it. And yes I know its obviously Clary but tell you what, the others don't have a single clue. I won't tell any further or the suspense will break. Here is the further story. Please read and review:)
PS. This chapter might seem a little boring with just the mission details and everything but be ready. Next chapter, Magnus appears:)
~S