Well, somehow I managed to integrate schoolwork and fanwork! Here's Chapter Three, where I introduce my guest character. He'll pop up every now and then throughout the story. But, for next time: Who's behind this fiendish plot? Crashing at Danny's house: Aang, Zuko, and Vlad? Stay tuned!
Four in the morning; the streets of Cartoon Network Studios were empty, lit only in patches by streetlamps. Taking advantage of the late hour, a figure clad in a long black jacket and holding an attaché case, darted from shadow to shadow, as if fearing some unseen enemy.
The figure pressed itself into the sliver of shadow on a street corner, then ducked and ran across the silent intersection, not stopping until it had opened the door of a small twenty-four-hour café and thrown itself inside.
There was one customer, resting his elbows on the polished marble bar. Dressed in a tightly buttoned tan trench coat with upturned collar, with a fedora jammed down to brow level and thick leather boots and gloves, he looked like some horrible parody of a pulp detective. There was no drink or food in front of him, and the single night-shift clerk seemed to be doing his best to stay away from the oddly-dressed character.
"Ah…you're h-here."
"As we arranged."
"Y-yes, splendid."
Seating himself, the figure from outside set his attaché case on the bar. Before he could muster enough breath to begin their conversation again, the coated man cut him off.
"You don't have to stutter out any explanations. I know why I'm here."
"Then…you heard?"
"A few rumors, but nothing substantial."
The nervous figure fumbled with the locks on his case, opening it with shaking hands.
He extracted one of the papers from inside it, drew a slow breath, and began to read in a considerably calmer tone.
"Since ten o'clock PM yesterday- that's six hours- broadcasts fromNickelodeon Studioshave ceased. All attempts to contact have failed. Total communication blackout suspected; cause or culprit unknown."
Stuffing the sheet back inside, he withdrew another.
"Two AM: Received anonymous tip. Source untraceable, but believe tip to be valid. CB Committeehas processed and approved immediate emergency measures-"
"That would be me, correct?" the coated man interrupted.
"Quite so. I've been…volunteered…to request your services. Right now, we just need a man in the field; st-strictly reconnaissance."
For the first time, the coated man turned to the jacketed emissary. Under the brim of his fedora, luminescent yellow eyes, slit by cat-like pupils, glared out with the force of twin lasers.
"And what if the situation goes critical?"
"You'll be im-mediately apprised of any new int-intelligence we have, and receive instructions accordingly."
"Don't play games with me, boy!" the coated man said, emphasizing the "don't" by
slamming his gloved fist into the attaché case. It bent in half under the sudden pressure.
"Of c-course not, s-sir. Believe me; we're in the dark as much as anyone! But, yes, if circumstances are accelerated beyond our control, you'll be authorized Double-Zero."
In the shadow of his hat, the coated man's eyes squinted; his approximation of a smile.
"Good talking with you, Eddward."
The smaller figure gave a sight of relief.
"W-welcome back…General."