Author's Note: Officially halfway done!
Betrayal
Silverstone stared at Artemus. "My head?" he repeated in a forcedly calm voice. "They want my head?"
"I'll be conferring with several of our senior agents, but for now, I suggest you remain in your quarters." Artemus looked sympathetic.
"Remain in my quarters?" Silverstone asked with a bark of laughter. "No way. I'm not just going to sit around while some whacked-out escapee from a mental hospital gives away Mission Omega Matrix's secrets."
"Besides, this could simply be a ploy to keep Silverstone from doing his job," Hawk pointed out. "Then villains like Rat and Dr. Hypnoto would be free to run amuck."
Artemus' fierce expression didn't change. "I have made my decision, and I expect you to follow orders. Hawkins, I expect you to make certain my orders are carried out."
She hesitated. "Artemus, are you sure this isn't a trick?" He nodded slowly. "Then I'll make sure Silverstone stays in his quarters."
Hawk didn't dare face Silverstone for a few hours. She left him alone in his quarters to cool off, and when she did eventually make her way in, he was throwing the Vortex Ball as hard as he could against the wall. When he realized she was there, he grabbed the ball and placed it back on its pedestal.
"Artemus has never been wrong before," Hawk said tentatively.
"There's a first time for everything," Silverstone pointed out. He shook his head. "Why he insists on trusting that woman…"
"Because he cares about her," Hawk told him, sitting down on his bed. "Besides, he's worried about you. I'm sorry you're stuck in here, but he wouldn't do it without good reason."
Silverstone sighed. "I think that's what bothers me the most- that Artemus is worried. Hey Hawk- do you think you could try to use your womanly charms to get the information from him?"
Hawk laughed. "I don't have any womanly charms, but I'll try to find out anyway." She patted him on the back. "I'll leave so you can go about beating up your quarters with that ball." She headed out and debated briefly whether she should go to Artemus' Lair and wait for him there or retire to her quarters until he called for her. Curiosity getting the better of her, she opted to go to the Lair, and was surprised that he was already there.
"Ah, Hawkins," Artemus said, glancing up from his monitor. "Is Silverstone in his quarters?"
"Yep," she said, coming over to stand behind him. "Any idea who's after him?"
Artemus shook his head. "We've already hauled in most of his enemies, and not a single one is the mastermind."
"Maybe you should try asking Sabyne DeWynter," Hawk suggested.
He shook his head. "She doesn't know, either." As Hawk opened her mouth, Artemus held up a hand. "And I'm absolutely certain that she wasn't lying."
"So tell her to find out."
"It isn't so simple," he said patiently. "She'll demand pay, and Mission Omega Matrix refuses to pay criminals for their service, however helpful."
"Maybe, since you know her so well, you could convince her to do the work for free." She raised an eyebrow, daring him to disagree, but before he could respond, the door to the Lair opened and Silverstone walked in.
"I thought you were under strict orders-"
"To stay in my quarters like a good boy," Silverstone growled. "I decided I didn't like that idea. I want to find out who wants me dead, and I have decided that I'm going to go out and hunt down Sabyne DeWynter if I have to."
"Silverstone-" Artemus began, but he was cut off again, this time by Hawk.
"Silverstone's right. Forget just sitting around, doing nothing. This is crazy."
"Hawkins-"
"Let's get out of here, Hawk," Silverstone said, turning to the exit.
"Stop," Artemus said, his voice commanding. "You don't have to 'hunt her down,' as you so callously put it. I know where to find her. Or at least, I think I do."
"Really?"
"The Shannon Hotel. It's big, it's aristocratic, it fits her style perfectly." Artemus sighed. "If you'll wait half an hour, I'll drive you there myself."
Considering the size of the hotel and the reputation of its occupants, it was relatively easy for them to find Sabyne's room. It was on the first floor, one of the bigger rooms, most expensive rooms. Artemus motioned for Silverstone to knock the door in, and he did with a single kick. Sabyne was sitting at a desk; she leapt to her feet as the door exploded inward, then relaxed as she saw who it was.
"What the devil do you think you are doing?" she cried. "I am going to have to pay for that!"
"Cut the chit-chat. We need answers," Silverstone growled, stalking into the room.
"Answers? And what are the riddles?" she asked.
"Who wants me dead?"
"I do not know the answer to that question."
"Either that or you're being paid not to answer," Silverstone snapped. Sabyne's eyes narrowed.
"I have always prided myself in being honest," she hissed. "Your accusation is a slander against me reputation, and it is beyond false. Further, it is an insult that you would think-"
"Hey DeWynter," a man called, stepping into the doorway. "I've got ten people headed to Mission Omega Matrix headquarters right now. The brat'll be dead in-" He froze as he realized that Silverstone was standing just inside the room. "Perhaps this was a bad time," he said weakly, then turned tail and fled. Sabyne stared at the doorway in horror, while Artemus turned to look at her.
"You'd never betray Mission Omega Matrix?" Artemus asked. "And for a minute, I actually believed you."
Sabyne shook her head. "Artemus, no, that is not true. I have no idea who that was, I have never seen him before in my life."
"See Artemus?" Silverstone asked. "I told you we couldn't trust her."
"It appears that your assessment was more correct than mine," Artemus agreed. He glared at Sabyne. "If you wish to leave, you had best do it before the rest of our field agents arrive. Which will be shortly."
He turned and walked from the room, with Silverstone following close behind. Hawk hesitated a few moments, then gave a weak smile and followed suit.
The man hurried up the staircase, running for the third floor where his master waited. The cloaked figure stood staring out the window as the man approached. "It has been done as you said, Master. Mission Omega Matrix…Artemus…now believes Sabyne DeWynter is responsible for the security breach."
"Excellent, Servant. Soon, her ruin will be complete, as will the ruin of the mighty Artemus. You have done well, Servant. And now we wait."
"Yes, Master," the man said, bowing. "I am eager for the day of their demise."
"As am I, Servant," the Master said coldly. "As am I."