Stryche Manor:
Cindy followed the group up the steps of the mansion. There were two lion statues on the main posts of each stair railing that seemed to act as guardian sentinels. Cindy kept her eyes fixed on the one closest to her. In the moonlight she almost could swear she saw it move. She leapt back as it stretched and yawned."Its alive guys!" She shouted. The lion turned and stared, clearly annoyed at her outburst. "Don't bother them and they won't bother you." A voice said over a loudspeaker. They were later told that it was a security guard that monitors the property.
The main doors were solid oak with black cast iron fixtures. As they approached the doors swung openly revealing Eustace in the center of the doorway with his faithful servant Blix standing at his side. Cindy caught herself staring at him and felt a little guilty and foolish over it. That chowder head may be handsome but he's only acting nice until he can squeeze in another chance to hurt me. I won't fall for his crap again.
Eustace greeted them in a polite manner. "Greetings, I hope the lions haven't scared you to badly. They were daddy's idea. He thinks they make a great addition to the security of the place. Anyhow I'm really glad to see you my friends, especially you Cynthia." His eyes seemed to glow with the light of the moon as he fixed them on hers. He maintained eye contact as he allowed his grin to grow across his face. Cindy felt herself blush despite her resolve to not fall for his charm and broke eye contact. Eustace seemed pleased and said "Please come in, come in. Let me have the maid fetch you something to eat or at least to drink."
"Oh that's ok. We really don't have a lot of time." Cindy began to say but was cut off by Carl who said "Actually I would love to have a purple flurp and maybe some of those crackers with cheese. That is if it's not to much trouble. "
" It is no trouble at all my good man! Please follow me into the lounge." He turned and led them down a long corridor that was lined with portraits and statues. Everything here screamed expensive. Carl stopped to look at one of the portraits. It showed what appeared to be Eustace riding a horse on a fox hunt. "Hey Eustace, this is a really nice painting of you." Carl said.
"Actually Carl that painting is of my great great grandfather. Eustace Alexander Stryche. He loved spending his afternoons hunting foxes. He was rather good at it. There is a closet on the fourth floor that is completely filled with fox furs."
"Those poor foxes." Carl said saddly.
"I know how you feel Carl. But times were different then. It was considered to be a very popular sport. I think mainly because it helped keep chickens safe for the local farmers by lowering the population of the foxes. Now a days you would have animal rights activists all over your butts if you tried such a hunt. Anyhow the lounge is right through this next door we can sit and chat in there."
In the BTSO (Big Top Secret Organization) Headquarters:
Commander Baker paced back and forth. His men sat around the oval table in the planning room waiting for him to speak. The atmosphere in the room was tense and had been for some time. He kept glancing at his watch and seemed more anxious every time.
The steel doors opened with a whoosh and the Jet Fusion walked in. Commander Baker sighed with relief. "Agent X I'm glad you finally decided to join us in here." The sarcasm rolled off his tongue.
"Sorry chief. I came as fast as I could but that mission in Afghanistan was a little hairy. But I did save the President's daughter afterall." He grinned as flashed a piece of paper that had a phone number and a lipstick kiss on it. "She was rather grateful and I'll be working with her covertly for a while anyhow."
"Ahh yes. Well I'm glad that worked out for you. Anyhow please be seated and I'll begin the briefing."
Jet took his seat and threw his legs up on top of the table, settling in for the speech he knew was coming. Commander Baker stared coldly at him for a moment but must have decided it wasn't worth arguing over. So instead he started by saying "It's been almost a week now since we lost track of Agent Neutron."
"Hold up. The kid is missing?" Jet Fusion said as he rushed to his feet.
"I'm afraid so. We had detected an SOS that was being broadcast from within his underground lab. Agents were dispatched to his aid but when they arrived they found that the lab had sustained heavy damage, was without power, and there was no sign of Agent Neutron. Who ever did this took him with them."
"You must have an idea who took him or where he is, right?" Jet asked.
"We don't know who took him, but thanks to a tracking device we were able to trace his location to a small uncharted island in the south pacific. Our scouts tell me that Agent Neutron is being held within a large pyramid in the center of the island. It is heavily fortified and heavily guarded." Commander Baker said.
"He's my little buddy. Let me go in there and get him." Jet said
"I thought you might say something like that Agent X. Let me say that I'm glad we have your support. You won't be alone on this one. We have been given authorization from higher up to use any means necessary to retrieve Agent Neutron and return him to his family. This comes from the top Brass. It has been given an Alpha Omega priority, Jet. You will have every man we have at your disposal on this one. I was hoping you would lead the raid."
"Commander with all do respect, I don't think it's a good idea for us to rush in there, guns a blazing. If who ever is holding Jimmy, sees an army coming they might do something drastic. It could put his life in jeopardy." Jet said.
"Go on. I'm listening." Baker replied.
"Let me go in myself. If I fail then you can send in the calvary. But at least give me seventy two hours to infiltrate in and get the kid out of there." Jet said.
"Your on. But remember in seventy two hours we move in." Baker said.
"Deal." Jet said with a grin.
"Alright report to supply and gather any equipment you will need. Your seventy two hours just started Agent X." Commander Baker went back to monitoring his computer and ignored Jet Fusion as he exited the room. Baker sighed to himself and said a short prayer. "Please let Agent X be successful and please Let Agent Neutron be safe."
Neutron Home:
Hugh can you call Jimmy in from his lab? It's getting late and it's passed his bed time." Judy asked.
"Sure thing Butter Bonnet." Hugh replied as he headed out into the back yard.
A few minutes later Hugh came running into the house "Sugar Dumpling!" he shouted.
"What's wrong Hugh?" Judy called back as she came running down the stairs.
"Where's Jimmy?" she asked, the fear creeping through her.
"Jimbo isn't in the lab but its all destroyed and stuff. Quick come see." He grabbed her wrist and yanked her after him as he ran.
To be continued…..