by Roaming Tigress
Chapter Eleven:
Getting Back on Track
Javert was twenty-one by the time he was released from prison on good behavior. Those six long years behind bars hadn't the least changed his mind about leading a life of crime. If anything it intensified him, and the strict boot camp-style training the jail had proved to be useless. A few guards that were foolish enough to manhandle him were placed on his hit list to be taken care of sooner than later.
There was nothing that could stop Javert, for he had gone too far into the realm of F.O.W.L to become anything more than a menace to society.
Going through puberty had been kind to the murderer. Standing in at an impressive six feet, Javert had grown out of his teenage weediness and weighed in at a sinewy 165 pounds. He now resembled a leggy Darkwing Duck with similar facial features, but the similarity ended there. He was as closely related to the crime fighting buffoon as much as Launchpad was related to Grizlikoff.
Shortly after he was released from his confinement, Javert headed on over to F.O.W.L Headquarters to check up on what he had missed over the years. Looking around he had noticed the place had been completely renovated to the point he couldn't recognize the place, and the Eggman who were out and about were wearing new silver and black uniforms.
Many of the agents he had passed in the hallway were not at all familiar to him, and one agent in particular caught his eye.
The agent was a short, squat raccoon who looked more like a school teacher than someone who worked for a criminal organization. Her hair was short and brown, and she appeared to be in her mid forties. Her name was Allie, and had been working with F.O.W.L for a number of years. He approached her calmly and authoritatively, shoulders back, head held high. He was here for answers, and not to have casual chit-chat with his mother's subordinates.
I'll skip ze name exchange, get right down to ze questions . . .
"My, what a handsome chap you've turned out to be!" She exclaimed with a wink, looking up at him. "Still after that Steelbeak, are you? He returned to St. Canard about two years ago, thought I'd let you know. He is such an overrated agent."
Javert looked down at her coldly, and spoke in a robotic monotone. "Yes, yes I am still after him. Word has it that he has a family now. I might kill two birds with one stone. Or should I say, one bullet?"
"Yes, he married that Victoria," Allie replied, filing her nails. "You know, that black-haired broad who lost her cousin at the Duckburg HQ? Medium height, nice built, brown eyes . . . Apparently her and Steelbeak had a daughter and named her Tatiana. "
The name and description of Victoria wasn't at all familiar to Javert, nor did he recall hearing about any major explosion in Duckburg.
"When was zis explosion? Ze only explosion I heard about was at some cement plant by ze jail I was unfortunate enough to be locked away in."
"It happend a year ago," she shrugged, handing him a newspaper article of the event. "I'm surprised you haven't heard of it. Negaduck was involved in it for some reason or another. I don't know what his involvement was in it, didn't pay much attention to that detail. He was apparently killed in the explosion, but I saw him the other day robbing a bank without a problem. Not bad for a dead duck who got shot in the heart. I wouldn't have cared either way if he lived or died. He's like Steelbeak, always in the news, and way overrated."
What is she babbling about? The information about the infamous Lord of The Negaverse's survival was all very interesting, but irrelevant for Javert. Nonetheless, he was curious. Maybe Steelbeka has some connections with that, he thought. He took the paper and read through the article before handing it back. There was not even a mention of the rooster's involvement.
"Zat's nice . . . When did Steelbeak and zat Victoria get married?"
"Sometime during the same year," Allie replied, wondering if Javert was really just catching up on the old times or playing a game of Twenty Questions. "I've seen them talking in the halls a few times, caught them kissing while out on a mission and the next moment, they were hitched. "
"Interesting . . . " Javert mused, plucking a stray feather off his cheek. "Anything else happen between ze rooster and ze organization? Criminally inquiring minds want to know."
By now Allie felt intimidated by Javert's presence and stepped back from him. "Well, shortly before the wedding bells they nearly killed your mother and took over the spot of High Command. It was quite a battle, surprised no one was killed. Word has it that Steelbeak was literally foaming at the mouth in rage when the matriach pulled a knife out at his girl. "
"HOW . . . DARE HE!" Javert growled, punching Allie right between the eyes in a bout of uncontrolled anger. "I will kill the bastard!"
Words couldn't describe how Javert felt about his mother's life being nearly taken away. Not to mention, her being fored out of her rightful place. He curled his beak in a snarl, but ever slowly he smiled. He couldn't think of a better way to break Steelbeak's heart than to take away the person he loved the most. In his grief he would be in a weakened state, giving Javert an easy target.
"Thank you . . . Whoever your name is!" He laughed, stepping over the half-conscious raccoon as he made his way out the building.
"Just call me Allie," the raccoon groggily answered, watching him turn around the corner. "Good luck on committing suicide, Jav."