(Ratigan is standing behind Veeken.)

Veeken: So, you're not still mad about the whole "letting the other villains get away with the gem" thing, are you?

(Ratigan swipes at Veeken, who ducks under the swipe, running into the room.)

Veeken: (cont) I take that as a 'yes'.

(They start circling.)

Ratigan: Who do you think you are, you insolent brat?

Veeken: I know you are, but what am I?

Ratigan: (smiles) I know what you're up to.

Veeken: You do?

Ratigan: Yes. You're trying to light a fire under my ego. Typical fight banter.

Veeken: (to herself) Darn.

(Ratigan stops for a moment, and appears to actually look at Veeken.)

Ratigan: Hmmm. You look familiar. Have I threatened you before?

Veeken: I make it a point to avoid familiarity with those I can't easily dispatch. And I don't mean the kind of familiarity you might be thinking of.

Ratigan: Ah. Well, if you know me, even though I don't know you, then you must know it isn't wise to cross blades with a criminal genius.

Veeken: (sighs; rolls her eyes) Let's just bring it, shall we?

Ratigan: Yes. Let's.

(Ratigan whips out a sword and starts swiping at Veeken, who leaps out of slicing distance, and hangs on a tapestry.)

Veeken: You're good. I take it you practice a lot?

Ratigan: I do.

Veeken: You need to find a girlfriend. Or perhaps you've already found one, and are otherwise incapable of telling her of your love for her.

(They continue to fight.)

Veeken: (smiles wickedly) She loves another, doesn't she?

(Ratigan is taken aback by this and backs off.)

Veeken: (cont) Ah, it appears I've struck the proverbial gold.

Ratigan: How do you know?

Veeken: How do I know? Let's just say I'm a very smart girl.

Ratigan: Well, if you're so smart, then you must know that I've killed people like you in the past.

(They continue to fight again, and start to circle.)

Veeken: Look, if you could guess what I was doing with the "lighting a fire under your ego" trick, then I can obviously guess what you're doing.

Ratigan: Then tell me. What am I doing?

Veeken: You're trying to save face. Obviously.

(Ratigan is shocked, but then-.)

Ratigan: Well, then, how do you know about-

(Ratigan pauses. Should he tell the truth, or be anonymous?)

Veeken: About Ms. Serantis?

(Ratigan's eyes widen: She knows.)

Ratigan: Well… (sighs; He's lost this battle) yes. But how? How did you-?

Veeken: How did I know? (chuckles) Let's just say I'm a very smart girl.

(Des is right behind Ratigan, though he doesn't know it. Suddenly, Ratigan gasps in pain, and clutches his shoulder, retrieving a hypodermic dart.)

Ratigan: What…?

Veeken: It's a sedative.

Ratigan: Oh…

(Ratigan collapses on the floor, unconscious.)

Veeken: (looks around a moment) Des?

(Des walks towards her, carrying what appears to be a dart rifle.)

Des: Yes?

Veeken: Okay, what is with the rifle?

Des: Well, he was going to attack you. Besides, he might, as any strict HJ agent says, "know too much". So, should we leave him here for the police?

(Veeken is now kneeling, feeling his forehead.)

Veeken: No, that would have a bad effect on the time stream. We gotta take him with us.

Des: But… Fine.

(Des puts on a watch that is reminiscent of the Chrono-watches in A Sitch In Time.)

Des: (cont) But don't expect him to be thrilled to be the captives of two semi-pre-teen girls.

Veeken: Don't worry. I won't.

(There is a flash of light, ala Time Squad, then Veeken, Des, and Ratigan are gone. Later, Basil and some other police officers are looking in the area where Killigan and Drakken accidentally bonked Shego.)

Basil: Two misplaced shields, and strange burn marks on the floor… Interesting…

To Be Continued…