Test 3
River Heights, IL
"So, what made you decide to spend the beginning of your break here in River Heights?" Nancy asked the Hardys as the three biked along Riverside Trail. It was an unusually warm December day, and the three were taking full advantage of it. That morning, they'd set out to ride the grueling, ten-mile trail alongside the DuPage River. At the moment, they were biking in single file along a narrow section of the trail that overlooked the river. A few inches from the right side of the trail was a steep, almost vertical slope to the riverbank. On the left side the steep incline continued upwards for several more feet. She felt a slight twinge of worry about the fact that there was no guardrail in this area, but pushed it aside. For such a rough trail, there were only a small number of accidents reported each year.
"Well, Nan, someone has to keep you out of trouble."
Nancy laughed. "Oh, and you're the ones to do it?"
"Of course. The Hardy brothers are by far the best bodyguards and mystery solvers. Therefore, we can easily solve any of your cases, thereby keeping you out of trouble. And," Joe winked, "we'll look cute doing it."
"M-hmmm." Nancy said, thoughtfully. "The best, eh? All right, Joe – care to make a little wager? You two keep me "out of trouble" from now until I go with you to Bayport for the rest of break, and let's see…."
"You introduce me to one of your famous model friends?" Joe asked hopefully.
"Now, Joe," Frank began, but he stopped talking as another bicyclist came into view. Whoever the cyclist was, he or she was riding a black speed bike on the left side of the trail and was racing toward them. As the cyclist drew nearer, Frank realized they had no intention of pulling over to let the Hardys and Nancy pass. "Quick," he cried, as he himself swerved over as far as he could, and then braked. "Move over!"
The cyclist sped past Frank and Joe, who had also managed to veer over in time. Nancy, however, wasn't able to move over in time. In desperation, she pitched herself off the bike as the other rider whooshed past. Nancy and her bike thudded into the ground, and before Nancy could stop herself, she rolled even further to the right – right over the edge!
Network Building, Chicago, IL
Agent Johnson prided himself on a job well done. And, in his opinion, this particular assignment was going extremely well. A certain underling of his, however, Agent Carter, seemed to believe otherwise.
"Sir, we can't just keep testing these three like this! The Hardys have proven themselves multiple times, and they've already worked a number of missions for us." The young man protested after Johnson ordered him to contact Agent Gray. The Hardy's contact agent would need to be ready and waiting to greet the Hardys and Miss Drew, and congratulate on passing the third test – if they passed. Secretly, Johnson doubted their luck would hold for much longer, though he wisely chose to keep this to himself at the moment.
"Yes, but we've had little opportunity to evaluate the Hardys and Miss Drew as a team, or to evaluate Miss Drew, for that matter. Besides, all future Network agents go through a testing procedure."
"That's how you got Gray to agree to this, I know…even if he finds the Hardys methods unconventional and slightly rash, he still acknowledges they get the job done. But that can't be your real reason."
"And why not?"
"Because you've been dead-set against the Hardys ever working with this agency from the beginning."
"So what if I have? A man can have a change of heart, Carter."
"You?" The other operative snorted. "Not likely."
"Fine. You're right. I don't want the Hardys any more involved than they are, and I definitely don't want Miss Drew involved, if I can prevent it. They're nothing but kids. Meddling, nosy, impulsive kids. They have no place in the intelligence business, or even playing detective. It's work better left to the professionals."
"Then why test them at all?"
Johnson displayed a thin, cruel smile. "To prove that the errand boys, and their little friend, do not belong here. All of their previous exploits were successful because of luck and, on occasion, outside help. Luck doesn't hold, forever, Carter, especially not when you work for this agency. If the Hardys have any real skill, which I doubt, then it will emerge during these tests."
He heaved a sigh. "Not to mention the higher-ups demand it. They seem to believe the kids have "potential." Now, Carter, why don't you go to tell Gray to see if his little protégés survived their latest exam?"
"Yes, sir…but why did he fly here from New York for this anyway? He'll only be going back as soon as he's given them the news."
"If I had a choice, he wouldn't be here. But the higher-ups feel that Gray needs to show up and deliver the Network's opinion of each test because the kids are familiar with him. They're more likely to believe what the Network says if it's coming from the mouth of an agent they know."
River Heights, IL
"Nancy!" The other cyclist forgotten, the Hardys immediately rushed over to the edge. They both heaved a sigh of relief when they realized their friend had managed to stop her fall down the slope by grabbing at a rock jutting from the side of the incline. Her grip appeared tenuous, though, as her fingers slipped a tiny bit even as they watched.
"Hang on, Nancy," Frank said, his heart pounding in his ears. "We'll have you back up here a moment."
"I sure hope so," she gasped painfully, as her fingers slipped again and she adjusted her grip. "I really don't want to roll down this hill and into that river."
"Gotta love this girl," Joe told his brother as he lay down against the ground to reach over the edge. Frank moved behind Joe to anchor him. "Even in a dangerous situation, she's still making cracks."
"Yeah, well-" Nancy began to reply, but instead let out a frightened gasp her grasp on the rock slipped even more and she slid an inch or two further down the slope. She glanced up at Joe, and all thoughts of joking fled his mind at her expression.
"Grab my wrist," he commanded, reaching toward her. Nancy reached up, and closed her fingers around his wrist. "Good. Now the other arm."
Nancy took a deep breath. Come on, Drew, you've done this before…it'll work. She let go of the rock rapidly, and flung her arm up to him. Had Joe not predicted Nancy would slip a little further once she let go of the rock and not stretched out his arm as much as possible, Nancy would not have managed to grab his wrist. As it was, he winced as she grabbed and her nails dug painfully into the skin.
"Okay, Frank," he grunted. "Time for you to help a little." He wriggled backwards, Frank keeping him steady, until Nancy's chest was level with the edge. Then Frank came forward, and grasped one of her arms, and both boys assisted Nancy back onto the trail. Frank couldn't stop himself from wrapping Nancy in a crushing hug.
"Are you okay?" he asked as he released her, a flush spreading across his face. She nodded weakly.
"You know," she said, wincing as she looking at her scraped fingers, and felt her arm muscles twinge, "as many times as that's happened to me, it never gets any less scary….or painful."
"I don't doubt it…" Joe laughed weakly. "Nan, I don't think I'll be taking you up on that bet of yours now."
She echoed his weak laugh. "I don't blame you, Joe." As she righted her bike, she glanced at the brothers. "Do you mind if we walk for a bit? I still feel a little shaky."
"Sure, Nan."
River Heights, IL
The three walked about a quarter of a mile further along the trail, when they spied a figure standing just ahead of them. They hesitated momentarily, exchanging uncertain glances before moving forward to greet the person.
"You again," Joe spat as they came within earshot.
"Yes," the Gray Man responded. "And may I just say, that was excellent teamwork...however..." He paused. "Nancy is the lightest of the three of you. Consider what might have occurred if, for instance, Frank had gone over the edge instead."
"We would've saved him, just like he and I saved Nancy. We've done it before, we'll do it again." Joe growled. "And these games are getting on my nerves."
"Yes," said Frank, stepping forward. "The Network is beginning to act like the criminals we fight, not the anti-criminal organization we know. And this time, Nancy could have been seriously hurt or killed!"
"You've tested us three times now," Nancy said quietly, rubbing her arm and wincing. "But you still haven't told us why, or when these tests will stop...or how dangerous they'll become."
The Grey Man sighed. "I realize you three must be frustrated."
"I think 'pissed off' might be a more accurate description," Joe grumbled. The Grey Man offered a strained smile.
"Perhaps," he agreed quietly. "Until next time..."
"What, you mean you're just going to walk off again, no answers, no explanation, just a 'this could've been more dangerous, but congrats nonetheless?'' Joe exploded.
"Hi, honey. You're in grave danger. I'll see you next month." Nancy muttered under her breath. Somehow, the Buffy quote seemed rather applicable in their situation.
The Gray Man said nothing, but instead walked past them. Frank tried to stop him by grabbing his arm, but the elder Hardy was left sitting in the dirt, staring after the Network agent. "So much for that," he muttered, picking himself up.
"Well," Joe said wearily. "We'd better get moving and finish this trail. You up to riding again, Nan?"
She nodded, and the three set off, each lost in his or her own thoughts of what the Network might throw at them next….and when.
Network Building, Chicago, IL
Logan scowled as Carter entered his office. "What is it?" he snapped.
Carter kept his voice calm and even as he spoke. "It seems Agent Gray missed his return flight back to New York…He claims that talking with Miss Drew and the Hardys took him longer than expected."
"When is he leaving, then?"
Carter shrugged. "Agent Gray has decided to remain here for an indeterminate period of time, although he provided me with an estimate."
"How long?"
"Until the next test has already begun."
"Doesn't he have work to do in New York?"
"Nothing that cannot be relegated to another agent, apparently."
"Fine. Then you will need to go out to New York on the next flight you can catch."
"Sir?" Carter asked, shock evident in his voice.
"If Gray has decided he wants to stick around, I can't prevent him from doing so. However, I can send you out to New York. That way, at least someone will be around to make sure things run smoothly. The next test begins soon, and I want to make sure it's done right."
"In other words, you want the Hardys and Miss Drew to fail."
"I don't believe I said that, Carter….but I suppose you might interpret it that way. Regardless, you will go to New York and oversee things from there."
A/N: Yes, it is possible to send Nancy over an edge like that – some areas of Northern IL are quite hilly thanks to glaciers and stuff in the past.