Holley woke up to the sound of rain pattering against the windowpane. She cracked her eyes open, and sure enough there was a storm brewing outside. The sky was cloudy and grey, the wind blew green and brown leaves by her window and the rain was falling in splats against the windowpane. Typical English weather, she thought as yawned and stretched, trying to wake herself up. She glanced at the clock, and was surprised to see that it was 7:30 AM. She had spent most of the previous day resting, only waking up from her slumber to have dinner and watch some television before drifting off to sleep at around 9 PM that night.
Sighing, she got up and headed out to the C.H.R.O.M.E. cafeteria for breakfast. She pulled up to the counter and ordered some scrambled eggs with sausage and a cup of tea. She parked at a nearby table while the forklift began cooking. By the time the waitress arrived with her tea she saw the lift doors open and Dr Carson drove out, looking very much exhausted. After ordering tea and French toast, he came and parked across from her at the table.
"Good morning," said Holley. "How are you doing?"
"Tired," replied Dr Carson, shutting his eyes and letting out a sigh. "Dr Morris and I have been up all night checking on McMissile."
"How is he?" asked Holley, looking at the Bentley worriedly.
Dr Carson sighed. "It's not looking too good," he said, "McMissile's still in critical condition. I'll know more when I get his X-rays later this afternoon."
"Was he ever conscious?" asked Holley as a white pitty arrived with their breakfast.
Dr Carson gulped down his tea. "He fluttered his eyes for a couple of seconds, then stopped. He hasn't moved since."
Holley sipped her tea as a pit of worry formed in her tank. "Poor Finn," she whispered.
Carson cleared his throat. "Miss Shiftwell, you and McMissile were on a mission in the Pacific Ocean oil rig, right?"
"Yes," said Holley, "Finn and I were sent to destroy the remaining Allinol fuel, in case the Lemons wanted to infiltrate it, which I fear they may have done already."
Dr Carson nodded. "We never did track down the likes of Acer and Grem. If they are still at the oil rig, we still might be able to nab them."
Holley scooped up the last of her egg. "Dr Carson, with Finn out of action, are there any other agents you can recruit to accompany me back to the oil district?" she asked.
Dr Carson shook his front. "I'm afraid not. They are all away on other assignments and I cannot permit you to go alone. We might have to postpone this mission until further notice."
Holley swallowed the last of her tea. "But if we don't act quickly and the Allinol is seized, we risk the possibility of it getting distributed into petrol stops around the world. Higher-ups, government officials, celebrities, racers, they will all be prime targets. There must be something we can do, someone whom we could get on this mission."
"Who else is there?" asked Dr Carson, "All of our best agents are out on assignment or wounded. I understand this is serious, Miss Shiftwell, but this whole operation could be compromised if we don't plan accordingly. Can you think of anyone who could help?"
"Well..." Holley thought for a moment. Then her face lit up. "Of course! Mater!" she exclaimed.
Dr Carson nearly spat out his tea. "Who?"
"Mater!" Holley said excitedly. "He's my boyfriend in the United States! He helped us successfully complete our last mission and I'm sure he can help us now! Finn always speaks so highly of him." She smiled at the thought of the rusty American tow truck, the one she and Finn had mistaken to be an American agent six months ago during the World Grand Prix scandal. Holley had been initially taken aback by the tow truck's outgoing and childlike behaviour–he had, after all, assumed she wanted to be his girlfriend when she told him to rendezvous–but during the course of their mission, she had grown to like him for his personality. Even though he kept insisting he wasn't an agent–and turned out not to be–Holley still admired his bravery in the face of danger. The chap had even promised her on a date one of these days…
She was jolted out of her thoughts at the sound of Dr Carson clearing his throat. She glanced up to see the Bentley with a slight frown. While the doctor had indeed heard of the tow truck who had helped out the agents on the World Grand Prix scandal six months ago, he also knew the tow truck wasn't an agent–let alone experienced–and henceforth wasn't keen on the idea. "I don't know Miss Shiftwell. I know he helped you and McMissile crack down on that World Grand Prix scandal, but he's less experienced than you are and a civilian. I don't think Mr Mason would be willing to take on an inexperienced civilian for such a task."
At this Holley felt a rush of disappointment flood through her, but she also knew that Dr Carson had a point. "I understand," she stated, "But someone has to go to the oil rigs and eliminate the rest of the fuel and any other cars still there. We have to act fast or the consequences could be disastrous. Just give us some time, some training, anything you can equip us with. We will find a way to make this work." She tried to sound confident and firm, but deep down inside she was also nervous, as she had never taken on such a task without Finn before. It was a dangerous idea for two novice agents to venture there, but both Holley and Dr Carson knew it wasn't much of an option.
Dr Carson sighed. He wasn't keen on the idea, but he knew there wasn't much of an option. "If you think so, then that's fine with me. I'll let Mr Mason know and we shall take it from there."
Holley nodded, offering a smile. "It will work out, Dr Carson. I've only been a field agent for six months now, but Finn has taught me everything he knows. I'm sure I can put what I've learnt to good use, somehow." Maybe now is my time to prove myself, she thought. I could show C.H.R.O.M.E. that I'm a good field agent after all!
Suddenly a female voice sounded over the P.A. system, jolting the two cars out of their thoughts. "Dr Carson, please report to the secretary's office. Dr Carson."
"Better go see what's up," said Dr Carson, driving away from the table.
"Wait, I'm coming too!" called Holley driving after him.
The two cars made their way down the hall to the secretary's office, where a teal blue Ginetta G33 was parked in front of a computer screen, looking distressed.
"What is it, Miss Ashton?" asked Dr Carson.
Elyse Ashton moved over so Dr Carson could see the computer screen. Pulled up was an online news report with the headline: PROFESSOR ZÜNDAPP ESCAPES PRISON.
"Professor Wolfgang Otto Zündapp, the German country doctor and notorious criminal mastermind, internationally wanted for weapon designing, murder and sabotage, escaped from prison three days ago, releasing most of the Pacer, Gremlin, Hugo, and Trunkov families with him," the Bentley read. "Although their whereabouts are unknown, they are believed to be headed for the failed oil district in the Pacific Ocean."
Holley gasped. "That's the place Finn and I were at last night! We've got to stop them!"
"Indeed," said Dr Carson. "You'd better call your friend and tell him to get on the fastest flight to London as soon as possible, Miss Shiftwell."
"Right sir," said Holley, driving over to the telephone. Frustratingly, she had not asked Mater for his telephone number, but she did copy down the number posted outside the door of a café she had seen. After a few rings, a lively, high-pitched Midwestern accent said, "Hi, this is Flo at Flo's V8 Café, servin' the finest fuel in fifty states, how may I help you?"
"Hello Miss Flo, this is Holley Shiftwell, calling from London, England, might I speak to Mater please?" she asked.
"Sure thing, Honey!" replied Flo. "Lemme run get 'em for ya!"
It was a couple of minutes before a lisp Southern-accented voice answered, "Howdy! Dis is Mater at Mater's Towing and Salvage, how may I help ya?"
Holley smiled at the sound of the tow truck's voice. "Mater, it's me, Holley."
"Dad-gum!" Mater exclaimed, "Miss Holley, I haven't heard from ya in the longest time! Do ya wanna have our date now?"
"No—I mean yes, of course, Mater, but not right now," said Holley, "I have something to tell you—but not over the phone. Please, get on the fastest flight to London as soon as you can, and I'll tell you more."
"Okey-dokey!" called Mater over the phone, "See ya! Bye!"
"Bye Mater," said Holley. Hanging up, she turned to Dr Carson. "He's on his way."
"Excellent," the old car replied. "Until then, let's see if we can find out any more information."
Holley had already activated her screen. "I'm on it." she said. "Now, let's see what we can find."
A bit of backstory about Dr Carson: He was a medical student before becoming a field agent, making him a great asset since he could not only fight, but he could serve as a medic if needed. An injury in the line of duty forced him to retire from field work, however he still works very closely with C.H.R.O.M.E.'s lead officials. Just felt I should add that in case anyone was a little confused at a doctor being so highly involved within a spy organisation!