A/N: Here's the second chapter, haha. This is where you meet my main OC. Enjoy!
"This morning, an explosion occurred at a Dinoco oil platform. Sources have not yet confirmed the cause of the explosion…"
Agent Xavier Hale listened to the radio broadcast recording carefully. This was the third accident involving Dinoco in the past month. He looked up at his colleague. "So I'm guessing they want me to investigate the oil platforms?"
His colleague, Agent Oliver Edmunds, shook his head. "No, you're already scheduled to meet with the British agents in Texas tomorrow." Edmunds shut off the tape. "The British have not been informed about the connections between the Dinoco issues and the activities on the island they discovered in the Celtic Sea. We're counting on you to relay that information."
"Connections?" Agent Hale asked. "And what island?"
"There's a small island in the middle of the Celtic Sea with suspicious activity," Edmunds explained. "Planes have been going to and from there. It's been reported that the planes have been heading to various places in the United States, but the exact locations are unknown."
Hale raised an eyebrow. "What does this have to do with Dinoco?"
"They sent a few pictures," Edmunds said, handing over some photographs to Hale. "In the first picture, there's a man who is undoubtedly Charles Trad, an old business partner of Tex Dinoco. The man's served time in federal prison for crimes against the Dinoco company. British agents have been sent to the headquarters in the Celtic Sea for that investigation."
"You think he's seeking revenge?" Hale inquired.
"We know he's involved with a plot against Dinoco," Edmunds clarified. "Again."
Agent Hale nodded. "Okay, so I just get to Texas, explain the connections, show the picture, all that good stuff. What happens after that?"
"We have a lead that one of the landing spots for the planes is in Florida. You, along with the British agents you'll meet with in Texas, will head over to Florida to dig up as much information you can."
"If we're going to Florida, why are we meeting in Texas?" Hale asked, knitting his eyebrows.
"Tex Dinoco is having a press conference tomorrow to talk about the issue with the oil platforms. Security purposes. We'll send more agents later that day so you can leave early after meeting the other spies."
"They're suspecting a direct attack on Tex?"
"Anything's possible."
"Okay," Hale said. "So basically, I get to Texas, meet the other agents, pass on information, head to Florida, and try to get even more information without being killed."
"Pretty much," Edmunds replied, nodding.
"Sounds like fun."
On Route 66, Lightning McQueen and Sally Carrera were driving back into town after having lunch at Wheel Well. The day was perfect for staying outdoors: comfortable temperature and not a cloud in the sky. McQueen couldn't relish it though, because something else was on his mind.
"Hey, Stickers," said Sally. "You okay?"
"Huh?" Lightning glanced at Sally, then back at the road, recollecting his thoughts. "Oh—oh, yeah, I'm fine."
Sally sighed and put a hand on his shoulder. "Still worried about the Dinoco incidents?"
Tex Dinoco was a good friend of Lightning's, and he was well-liked among the residents of Radiator Springs, so they all shared the same concerns for Tex and his company.
"Yeah," Lightning admitted. "You know, I just feel bad."
"We all do," Sally told him. "Don't worry; I'm sure everything will be fine."
"I hope so. Three times this month…"
When Sally and Lightning arrived back in Radiator Springs, Mater approached them excitedly. "Hey bud," he said to McQueen, "Mr. and Mrs. The King are here to see ya!"
"What?" Lightning asked, surprised.
Mater nodded. "Mhmm, waiting at Flo's."
Lightning and Sally followed Mater into Flo's Café. Sure enough, Strip and Lynda Weathers were sitting at a table. When they spotted Lightning, The King got up and shook hands with him, Lynda following close behind.
"Hey there, Lightning," The King said with a smile. "How've you been?"
"I've been great, Mr. The King, thank you," Lightning replied. "If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing in Radiator Springs?"
The old retired racer chuckled. "I suppose it is a surprise, ain't it? Well, why don't ya'll come with me outside and we'll talk."
"Okay." Lightning turned to his girlfriend. "I'll catch up with you later Sally."
The King and Lightning went out to the streets of Radiator Springs. As they walked, people bustled by on the sidewalks, and business seems to be going great for the town. Despite the feeling Lightning had that something bad was happening, the scene before them begged to differ.
"So," Lightning began, "what's going on?"
The King sighed. "Now I'm sure you've heard about the problems Dinoco has been having lately."
"Yeah, okay," Lightning prompted.
"Tex has been scheduled for a press conference soon about those problems. Tomorrow actually. Friends are invited to attend." The King's tone was careful. "We were hoping you'd be able to come because, well, Tex has had a lot to shoulder at the moment and he could use all the support we can give him." He looked at Lightning hopefully.
"Sure, I'll go," Lightning said enthusiastically. "Are we leaving tonight?"
The King nodded. "Don't worry, it's just for tomorrow. Soon as the conference is done and over with, you head right on back home."
"All right, cool," Lightning agreed. "I'll tell the town I'm leaving."
"Whatever you need to do, kid."
The next day, Mr. and Mrs. The King brought Lightning with them to the press conference. They saw Tex greeting a few reporters. He kept his composure, but they could still tell that he was a little nervous. Tex spotted the three of them and waved them over, bidding goodbye to the crowd of reporters.
"Hey Lightning, King, Lynda," he addressed each one of them. "Glad ya'll could make it over."
"Aw, it was nothing," Lightning insisted.
"You doing all right, Tex?" The King asked.
Tex gave a weary smile. "Yeah, dealing with bad publicity is rough, and now many of the employees are resigning because they fear for their safety."
Everyone nodded sympathetically. Someone came up to bring Tex in front of the press. The King, Lynda, and Lightning went to go wait in the back. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone that made him do a double take. Is that…Finn McMissile? Before he could get a better look, the person had gone, and Lightning had to pay attention to the press conference.
Meanwhile, Agent Shiftwell had gone in to confirm whether or not Agent Hale was had arrived yet. After Hale had given the proper response to the passphrase, she brought him over to meet with Finn outside the press conference room.
"Excellent work, Agent Shiftwell," Finn complimented. He shook Agent Hale's hand. "Finn McMissile, British intelligence. You must be Agent Hale."
"You can call me X," Hale said. "Agent Xavier Hale."
Holley raised an eyebrow. "X? Like, Agent X? Not exactly an outstanding alias."
"We're spies, why would we want to stand out?" Hale retorted cleverly. "Of course, Agent Hale works too. I got the name because it was a code we used on a mission, but that's a story for another day." He shrugged and checked their surroundings in the hallway before pulling out the files. "All right, this place is safe; no one's here and the doors to the building are locked and guarded. I was hoping for a more exclusive spot, but this will do. In any case, I'm supposed to stay around here for security purposes."
"Security purposes?" asked Finn.
"Oh, right, that's what I'm going to explain," Hale explained. "In that press conference they're having here is Tex Dinoco, owner of the largest oil empire in the world. That island with suspicious activity—the one your spies have found in the Celtic Sea—is involved with the attacks on Dinoco's oil platforms and such."
Hale handed the files to Holley. She looked through them carefully. "Charles Trad?" she asked.
"Let me have a look at that, Ms. Shiftwell," Finn said, and Holley handed him the papers. "Old business partner of Tex Dinoco?"
Agent Hale nodded. "The man's been arrested for crimes against the company. I guess he's been at it again, and this time he's using that hidden island as a headquarters."
"Interesting," Finn commented.
"The planes coming from that headquarters land in different spots along the east coast of the US," Hale continued. "By later today, tonight at the latest, we should be heading to Florida somehow, since that's our best lead."
"Somehow?" Holley asked. "You mean, you haven't prepared? You haven't planned it out?"
"Of course I prepared," Agent Hale replied, acting like he was offended. "You just never know what could happen, so I plan for different scenarios. Plus, following a strict plan isn't really my style." He laughed lightly.
"Oh really?" Holley crossed her arms over her chest. "Then may I ask what your style is exactly?"
"Well, rookie," Hale began, taking Holley aback, "if you haven't noticed by now, I'm more go-with-the-flow. You know, unless the flow takes me down a waterfall with sharp protruding rocks at the bottom." Suddenly there was a ringing sound and Hale pulled a phone out of his pocket. "Oh, hold on, I need to take this." He walked down the hall and out of earshot.
Finn chuckled at Agent Hale's humor. "Brilliant."
On the contrary, Holley was not amused. "How could he tell I was a rookie spy?"
"Well, Ms. Shiftwell," Finn replied, "it shows in your mannerisms, I would say."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Holley glared at Finn.
"Don't worry, it's nothing to be ashamed of," Finn assured her.
Holley rolled her eyes. "I think Agent Hale plays around too much. It's hardly a professional attitude."
"Really?" Finn looked back at Agent Hale, who seemed to be having an animated conversation on his phone. "I find it rather refreshing. He's only trying to lighten the mood, Holley. You don't have to take everything seriously."
"Yes, yes, I understand," Holley agreed in exasperation. "But honestly, he's taking this funny business a little too far."
"Don't you remember when we worked on that mission with Mater?" Finn asked, raising his eyebrows. "I recall you weren't very comfortable with his frivolous personality either, but it still worked out well."
"You can't use that as an example, Finn," Holley argued. "Mater wasn't even a spy to begin with, so it makes sense. But Agent Hale—"
"Ms. Shiftwell," Finn cut in. "We're talking about an old partner of Rod Redline, who was regarded as the greatest American spy. Give it some time; I'm sure you'll find that Agent Hale has redeeming qualities."
Holley sighed. "I hope you're right, Finn."
Just then, Hale had rejoined them. "Well, more agents have been sent over to take care of the security of the press conference," he told the two British spies. "I suppose we should get to Florida now. I've sent for a jet to take us, so it won't take long. You two ready?"
Finn and Holley looked at each other and shrugged. "Ready as we'll ever be," Holley said, nodding.
Agent Hale flashed a satisfied smile. "Now that's what I like to hear."
A/N: I hope this was a good follow-up. I've already worked out a plot for this story, actually. I just seem to have trouble writing it out. Some things may be out of place; hopefully it doesn't affect the story too much. Please review!
Oh, and what do you guys think of Agent Hale? Or "Agent X", ahaha. His alias seems a bit insignificant now, but it plays in the story.