Alias Mars
By Michael Weyer
Part five: A Girl's Day Out
The image Veronica had in her mind was on the screen. A handsome man of European descent with blonde hair, handsome features and cool blue eyes. His face filled several of the screens in the briefing room as Sloane stood by them.
"His name is Julian Sark," he intoned. "He's a mercenary and murderer who has offered his services to the highest builder. He escaped from our custody some time ago and gone to ground since then. This is the first we've heard of him in months."
"So, um," Mac piped up. "Why is he in Neptune?"
"Obviously, he's the point man for Cell 17," Sydney stated. "As for his exact intentions, we don't know yet."
"But we will find out," Sloane said. "Sydney, I need you to go back to Neptune with Ms. Mars and her friend. I need you to start digging and find out if Sark has any connections in town."
"Sark knows who she is," Dixon argued.
"He knows who all of us are," Sloane pointed out. "We won't be able to go as deeply under the radar as I'd like but we do have to try. Get them settled and then head back to Neptune. Dismissed." He watched the main part of the group rise and start to walk out. To his lack of surprise, Sydney stayed behind. "I know what you're going to say, Sydney."
"She has no experience in this," the young woman said. "She's handled small investigations, nothing on a scale like this. She's already a target and you're putting her in more danger."
"She's also good at getting to the truth," Sloane said. "We will need that and her knowledge of Neptune. You can keep an eye on her if you want."
"More than one," Sydney said. She paused and when she spoke, it was with a very low and dangerous voice. "If she gets hurt because of this, I am putting it on your head."
Sloane simply returned her gaze. "Believe me, Sydney, I have no wish to add more guilt to my plate."
She simply glared at him before turning and leaving the briefing room.
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Veronica brushed at her jacket before pulling it on. "I still can't believe this. I can't believe I'm actually working with the CIA."
"Technically, you're not," Sydney said. "We're Black Ops."
"OOooh, like Splinter Cell," Mac said with a goofy smile.
Sydney smiled thinly. "We try to be a bit more advanced than that."
Veronica paused as she looked to Sydney. "So…you got my whole life on file like the conspiracy freaks say you do?"
"Not your whole life," Sydney said. "We do have a lot on the last year, including family stuff."
Veronica rolled her eyes. "Great. So you know about my Mom the lush who walked out on us, who I spent a whole year trying to find and who ended up checking out of the rehab, which I paid for with my college money, without finishing and who then stole a $50,000 check for me?"
Mac sniffed. "Hey, at least she was your real mom. Mine not only let herself be paid off after knowing I was the wrong kid they brought home but refused to even acknowledge it so I'm not the rich girl I could be. How's that for bad mothering?"
Sydney looked at them and pursed her lips. "My mother was a KGB agent who married my father as part of her cover, caused the deaths of several CIA agents, including Vaughn's father, came back to my life as the head of a criminal organization, betrayed my trust several times and later put out a contract on my life."
Mac and Veronica stared at her, then at each other. "She wins," Mac flatly stated.
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The phone was to Keith's ear almost as soon as it had rang. "Hello? Veronica?"
"Hey, dad," her daughter's voice came on.
Keith felt himself relaxing. "Honey, are you ok?"
"Oh, yeah, it's been a ride. Sort of like the one that takes you to Hogwarts."
"So, you're ok? You're fine? I'm not going to have to bust any government heads?"
"Aw, that's my crazy dad I love," Veronica teased. "No, no need to get Michael Moore on the phone. I'm okay and we're actually back in town now."
"Where?"
"Ah, kinda best if I don't say. As much for you as for me."
"Veronica…"
"Look, Dad, I just need to help out this nice government lady a bit and I'll be home before you know it."
"I'd prefer you to be home right now," Keith bit out.
A deep sigh came over the phone. "Dad…I have to do this. You know that."
"Yeah, I know, honey," Keith softly said. "Just…be careful, ok?"
"You know me."
"Hence the warning. I love you."
"I love you too. Just…don't get nuts, ok?" She hung up and Keith did as well, wishing to hell he was still in a position to help her out. Sometimes, having a child be old beyond her years was really annoying.
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Veronica pushed the glasses up on her nose as she walked into the office building. She was dressed in a prim black business suit and skirt with heels, her hair done up in a tight bun, the effect making her look a couple of years older than she was. Next to her was Sydney, the older woman dressed in a lighter outfit, her hair in a ponytail and also wearing glasses. "You sure this is going to work?" Veronica asked.
"Simple recon job," Sydney stated.
"Uh-huh," Veronica drawled. "And if memory serves, the last simple recon job you had a hand in ended up as a scene from a 50 Cent video."
"Just remember you're not a high school student," Sydney said as she handed her a clip-on ID badge. "You're an intern investigator for the IRS and this is a surprise inspection."
"Ooooh, IRS?" Veronica grinned as she clipped on the badge. "I get to belong to a scary agency!"
"Don't smile," Sydney softly said as they walked to the front desk. "IRS doesn't do that." She lifted up her wallet at the secretary. "Hello. Agent Fielding, this is Agent Alexander. We're here to conduct a quick search of your records."
The secretary started. "But, um….we don't have an appointment."
"We like to pop in unexpectedly," Veronica piped in. "The whole 'shock and awe' thing has gone through the whole government."
Sydney shot her a look to tone down the humor as the secretary licked her lips. "Maybe I should call…"
"Call whoever you like," Sydney snapped. "But if you don't let us go right now, you may be finding yourself audited very soon."
The secretary quickly buzzed them in, Sydney nodding as she led Veronica in. As soon as they were in the hallway, Veronica softly spoke. "So now are you going to tell me why we're checking out Goodman's former business offices? He hasn't worked here in years."
"Not officially," Sydney replied. "But we have reason to believe he still maintains connections with the company which makes this a good place to start the investigation."
Veronica rubbed her ear and softly spoke. "Mac? Are you reading me on this?"
"Roger, wilco," Mac's voice came through the tiny earpiece in Veronica's lobe. She was seated in a small room the street alongside Marshall, both staring at the monitors before them. It was an office building the group had temporarily commandeered as their headquarters for the assignment.
"CB radios died before we were born, Mac," Veronica said. She adjusted the glasses and one of the pictures on a screen shook with the mini-cam inside them. Marshall was glancing at a computer screen with had a map of the office on the screen. "Okay, take a left and go to the next office, it should be empty."
Sydney did, her hand rattling the locked knob. She took a look around as she removed a small device from her breast pocket. Veronica moved next to her, trying to keep her blocked as Sydney quickly unlocked the door. With a final look around, the two stole in, Sydney locking the door behind her.
Sydney headed to the small computer on the desk in the office, sliding a device the size of a small comb to its side. "Linking to you now," she stated.
As she spoke, Veronica moved to a large metal file cabinet, glancing over the letters. She opened the one marked "F----I" and quickly flipped through the folders marked with "G". "Hmm…nothing for Goodman here."
"Not surprised," Sydney stated as she began to transmit data from the laptop to Marshall's computer. "Are you getting this ok?"
"Another minute and we do," Marshall stated.
"Wow, this is so exciting!" Mac couldn't help squeal. "I feel so Hackers right now!"
"Oh, you liked that movie, too?" Marshall asked her.
"Oh yeah! Angelina was hot! I mean, I'm straight and all but…I mean, you know her in the outfits and at the keyboards, that was an influence for me." She shrugged. "Well, except for the good looks part of course."
"Ah, come on, you look really good!"
"I do?"
"Oh yeah! Just try not to go so pseudo-goth and such and you could really-----"
"Marshall," Sydney's voice cut in. "You're married, remember?"
Veronica couldn't help smiling as watched the data flow. "Okay, we almost done?"
"As soon as we got the data transmitted, we check the records room," Sydney stated. "We should be able to…"
The door suddenly burst open and Veronica and Sydney started as they saw a pair of men enter. One was heavyset and in a security outfit. Another was older with graying hair and a slight build. The third was in a uniform and was someone Veronica recognized all too well.
The man in the middle folded his arms. "I knew the IRS didn't make calls like this," he stated in a cool tone. "So maybe you ladies can tell us what you're doing here?"
"Excuse me!" Sydney said, trying to stall. "We are conduction a special audit and have every right to do what…"
"Save it, honey," the man in uniform said with a sneer in his voice. "I already know your partner isn't IRS." He looked to Veronica and smirked. "So, you gonna introduce us, Ronnie?"
Veronica's voice was flat and even. "Oh, right. Sydney, meet Don Lamb, the law enforcement of California's answer to Michael Brown."
Lamb just blinked as if he didn't understand the reference. Shaking it off, he crossed his arms. "So, ladies. How about we have a nice long talk downtown?"
Sydney and Veronica exchanged a look as they realized their simple trip had just hit a little snag.