Shinji Steel 63
Disclaimer; I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or Max Steel. Wish I did, though.
(UN Headquarters; same time)
As they walk along the building's hallway, the two fiends pass by the Security Officers they'd silently slain while infiltrating the facility. Only to pause at seeing the sign for directing people to the Secretary-General's office on the wall. Both look at each other before the man speaks.
"It would do us well to have an extra bargaining chip. The Secretary-General has considerable clout. Perhaps we can use that clout to speed the process."
"Perhaps. But I saw the news when it was reported she'd been shot and killed. Only for her to have actually survived thanks to a robotic body double."
"Your point being…"
"Just how do we know we'll be grabbing the right one, not a robot?"
"Very true. But we can't exactly afford to ask. Let's grab her."
"Right." As they head to the office, the feminine form speaks again. "Just for the record, what we're doing right now when it comes to the Secretary-General screams 'bad idea'. We should just leave her in her office to die."
"Just for the record, it's not and that idea of leaving her in here does have appeal." When they reach the Secretary-General's office, they see the door is closed. Trying the knob, the man chortles at it being locked. "I just love it when they play hard to get." Drawing a handgun, he aims it at the lock and pulls the trigger. As the door crawls open, the man sees Rachel sitting behind her desk. Frown on her face.
"You can expect the repairs will be billed to you."
"I think not, Madam Secretary-General." Angling his gun at her, he adds, "You'll be paying the ultimate price for what your organization's done. Get up from behind the desk as you'll be executed alongside the Pilots once, or should, they arrive. Or, if you prefer, you can remain in here and live until one of the N-2s my associate and I have stolen and placed in your basement blows in the next hour."
'So it was an "Empty Quiver" and not a "Broken Arrow" as initially reported. Only now it has the potential to become a "NUCFLASH". This sucks! I hope Berto's getting all this.' Maintaining her composure, Rachel asks, "How long do you expect me to buy that rubbish? Even the fastest plane in the world can't fly from Japan to here that fast. The Pilots won't get here in an hour, you dolt!"
"I realize that. Which is why I'd be more satisfied to make it clear we mean business. By allowing the N-2 to detonate in this building, it'll dissuade the Evangelion Pilots from destroying the Final Emissary."
(Old Osaka; N-Tek; same time)
"Aw shit! We've got a potential 'NUCFLASH' in the works, guys!"
"How's the disarm coming, Berto?"
"Not good, Jefferson. I can't interface with it remotely. Someone has to be there to disarm it."
(New York City; ten blocks from the UN Headquarters)
Driving in his Patrol Cruiser, United Nations Police-New York Officer Danny O'Malley looks from side to side out of the corners of his eyes. Watching for any occurrence needing Police scrutiny. Next thing the Caucasian Officer knows, his radio squawks.
"Attention, any Unit in vicinity of the UN Headquarters, a bomb threat has been reported. The nature of the threat is unknown, as is type of ordnance. A communiqué is currently airing on the news. Please respond Code 2."
"If it's not one thing, it's another." Picking up his mike, Danny calls in. "This is UNP-NY 5585, what about ESU and EOD?"
"UNP-NY 5585, be advised ESU and State Police EOD Teams are en route. ETA is twenty minutes. Crowd Control required."
"10-4. 5585 responding Code 2." That said, Danny ups the speed slightly. Knowing that an incident this big can quickly get out of hand. The quicker he arrives and gets to work at crowd control, the better.
"10-4, 5585. Any other units, please respond Code 2."
"This is UNP-NY 6657, responding Code 2." Danny can't help but grin at the voice. Even though he and Lisa Kinsey worry about each other, they're able to concentrate on their jobs. They even find time to banter playfully with each other. All of a sudden, Lisa's voice comes back.
"6657 arriving on site. Three people standing outside the building. One of them is the SECGEN." Lisa's voice takes on a tone Danny knows all too well. Along with the shots of gunfire. "Shots fired! Shots fired! SECGEN's a hostage! Ahh! I'm hit and returning fire!"
"Lisa, hang on! I'm almost there!"
"Hurry, Danny!"
"I'm moving, Lisa. I'm moving. How's the SECGEN?"
"Far as I can tell, she's okay. But one of them has a gun aimed at her head."
"Copy. I'm almost there." Meanwhile, the radio in Danny's cruiser squawks out.
"Any Unit in the vicinity of the UN Headquarters, shots fired. Officer down. Hostage situation involving the UN SECGEN. Responding Units respond Code 3."
As a flurry as responses come through, Danny turns on his lights and siren before flooring his accelerator. Within five minutes, Danny's eyes pick up three forms standing at the scene as he draws near. Lisa's cruiser pockmarked with bullet holes. Lisa hunkering down behind her door.
"This is 5585. I'm arriving on-site and have three people standing on the sidewalk. Two holding guns and firing on 6657. Third is SECGEN."
"10-4, 5585. Status of 6657 and SECGEN?" Before he can reply, Lisa's voice comes back. Filled with pain, causing Danny to narrow his eyes angrily at how hurt she is.
"This is 6657. I'm okay. My right shoulder's hit. SECGEN's alright still."
"10-4, 6657." As Danny's cruiser comes to a stop, and Danny exits, the two figures turn to face him, one holding Rachel solidly. Danny exits his unit and draws his weapon. A Beretta 92 modified to emit high-frequency pulses instead of firing the standard 9mm hollow-points.
"United Nations Police! Release your hostage, drop your weapons and put your hands up!" Only they decide to race off on foot. Rachel in tow. "Suspects rabbitting on foot. SECGEN in tow. Pursuing on foot."
"10-4, 5585." As Danny races after them, he calls out while aiming on the run.
"FREEZE!"
One of them turns back toward him and aims a Heckler and Koch pistol at him. Without thinking, he fires. A barely audible THUMP emits from the gun, causing the suspects and Rachel to stagger, the former dropping the weapons. Along with inadvertently letting Rachel loose in the process. Before Danny can even move, however, the suspects recover and move again. Prompting Danny to touch off another pulse. Only the high-frequency pulse shatters the glass, but causes the first suspect to stagger again. With the second suspect assisting the first's movement, they move away, leaving a stunned Rachel behind.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Touching off pulse after pulse, Danny starts after them. "This is 5585, suspects are still fleeing on foot. SECGEN's free and I'm still pursuing." Only to hear another voice calling for him.
"5585, listen very carefully. There's a bigger threat inside the building."
"Who is this? Be advised you're on a restricted channel and are subject to arrest should you be found." At the same time, Rachel's recovered her wits enough to clamber onto a nearby bench. Seemingly mumbling to herself.
"Sorry, but you've bigger problems to worry about than my being on a restricted channel."
"I'm listening."
"Are you familiar with the concept of suitcase nukes?"
"Yeah, somewhat. Is that the kind of ordnance involved?"
"Negative. The ordnance is a compact N-2 prototype. It's active as of ten minutes ago. With a maximum time limit of one hour."
"Non-nuclear? Compact prototype? One hour, max?"
"That's right,5585. Right now, you're the closest to the site and the clock is ticking." Danny can't help but roll his eyes incredulously.
"Oh great, and I left my 'N-2 Defusing For Dummies' at home."
"No need to worry, 5585. I'll walk you through it."
"10-4." Before he makes his way back, though, he holsters his sidearm and checks on Rachel before spotting the gun. Looking around, and seeing no sign of the suspects, he marks the spot for Forensics to recover the gun. Starting back to the scene, Danny says, "SECGEN's okay. Need to work on improving the ultra-sound pulses. I buzzed those two I don't know how many times, but they were somehow able to remain on foot. Can't say the same for SECGEN though."
"Oh? Those sound interesting. How come I've never heard of them?" As Danny walks back, he grins softly.
"Thanks. They're in the prototype stage still. They worked pretty good on the perps in the past, but those two were somehow able to stay mobile. Next time I see them, though, they're getting Level 2. Maybe 3 if needed."
"I don't think I want to know what Levels 2 or 3 entail. Uh oh. Bad news." The mysterious voice comes back with, "ESU ETA is now 50 minutes due to an accident en route. Same with EOD. You're our best chance, 5585." Danny can't help but frown at that.
"The timing for those accidents happening is too perfect. The accidents had to have been staged. Even more, how did the perps gain access to the UN Building, anyway?"
"I'm checking the security logs now, 5585. Just get in, find the compact N-2 and I'll walk you through disabling it." Danny sighs at that before responding.
"Copy that. I'm on my way to see about disabling the device."
"You won't 'see' about it, 5585. You will disable the device."
"I guess we'll see. One thing I'd like to know, though."
"Go ahead."
"What kind of pot are you smoking and where can I get some?" Right at that moment, Danny gets to Lisa's side. The young African-American woman looking up at him, blood seeping through her fingers.
"Hey Lisa, how are you holding up?"
"I've been better, Danny. Now what's this I hear about you wanting to know about pot and where to get some?"
"No time to talk now. Hold on and I'll patch you up before I go in."
"Going in? Where the bomb is? Are you nuts, boy? Let EOD take care of it. You're not trained for it."
"Would if I could, but by the time they get here, that sucker will have blown."
"What's that supposed to mean?" When Danny cinches a field bandage tightly onto her shoulder, Lisa yelps out, "OW! Danny!"
"Sorry. ESU and EOD both have been delayed in accidents. Staged would be my guess. They'll take fifty minutes to get here." Finishing up, he adds, "Besides, some guy on my radio's gonna be walking me through it."
"Nuh-uh. Us. You go, I go." Getting up, Lisa goes to the trunk of her cruiser, pops it open and pulls out her Police-issue rifle. "Might be more nut-jobs in there and I ain't about to let you face 'em alone." Lisa winces in pain as the butt-stock impacts her freshly bandaged shoulder. Danny rolls his eyes before taking the rifle from her and shaking his head.
"No. If I die, I won't be having you die with me."
"Okay. I'll put it to you another way. You go in and die and then I'm a dead girl. The Mayor will see to that."
"No, he won't. Don't be so dramatic."
"I'll show you dramatic. SECGEN?"
"She's safe. Stunned, but safe."
"I can attest to that." Rachel's voice behind Danny gets him to turn around in time to see a sternly frowning Rachel behind him. "You and I need to talk about what you did when I was held captive by those hoodlums."
"Way I see it, better buzzed than plugged." Lisa's eyes bulge out before she slaps Danny on the arm.
"You 'buzzed' SECGEN? Boy, you are certifiably crazy! The Commish will have your ass!" Shaking her head, Lisa adds, "We'll discuss this later. If we live. Now let's go." Lisa then tugs him along with her good arm, saying, "Get your new buddy on the horn. I wanna talk to him while we're going in."
"You'll never change, will you?" Shaking his head, Danny does so. "This is 5585, going into the UN Building with 6657 and SECGEN. Will the guy that said he'll walk me through please respond?"
"I'm here, 5585. Go ahead." Before Danny can reply, Lisa does so. By grabbing Danny's radio mike with her left hand and keying it. Not seeing Rachel muffle a snicker, Lisa speaks.
"Okay, first off, if you're gonna talk to us, it's Danny and Lisa. Got it?"
"Got it. I'm guessing you're Lisa."
"You'd be guessing right, buster. Now spill. What kind of bomb are we dealing with?"
"A pair of compact N-2 prototypes was stolen the other day. It was initially believed to be a 'Broken Arrow', only for it to turn out being an 'Empty Quiver'. One of them is located in the basement of the UN Headquarters. According to the tracking beacon, it's on."
"An 'Empty Quiver'? With a pair of compact N-2 prototypes? As in Non-Nuclear?"
"That's right, Lisa."
"Aw damn. Too bad about the NEST being dismantled. This kind of thing is their turf."
"While that'd be true, the NEST only dealt with regular nukes. SECGEN knows of a group that handles emergencies like that."
"So what is this 'group' called?"
"It's called UNNIC."
"What's UNNIC stand for?" Before the voice can reply, Rachel takes it.
"It stands for 'United Nations Nuclear Incident Command', Lisa. The NEST wasn't exactly dismantled, however. It was absorbed into the UN given the development and introduction of the N-2."
"Catchy name. Along with plausible explanation. So, what's the 20 on it?"
"According to the telemetry from the tracker inside it, it's in the basement."
"It took you this long to find it? Why so long?"
"The power has to be on in order for the beacon to activate, Danny. If we're lucky enough, the thieves skipped a step or two without even knowing it."
"How can they skip a step or two if they don't know about it?"
"The creator of them intentionally left a few details on the arming of them for the sake of security in case they were stolen, Lisa. A long shot occurrence to be certain, but at least the creator prepared accordingly and as best as possible."
"Yeah, that's true." Turning back toward Rachel, Danny asks, "Why'd those two grab you anyway, Madam Secretary-General?"
"They wanted to execute me with the Evangelion Pilots upon their arrival. But I think that they either don't quite understand aeronautical physics and current aircraft technology. Or they had this place targeted all the way to make a point."
"That being, Ma'am?"
"I wish I knew, dear boy. I wish I knew." Waving them inside, she asks, "Shall we?" They both nod, yet Danny can't help but be curious about Rachel's demeanor.
'She's not acting like someone that had just been taken captive and threatened with death before getting free. If anything, it's almost as if she's faced these kinds of situations before.' Danny shakes the thought out of his head, hastily adding, 'Nah. She's just putting up a brave front, waiting until she's alone before she cracks like a walnut.' Lisa, however…
'What was I thinking coming down here in this condition? If there are more nuts down here, we're done for!' She then hears Rachel speaking. Not having stopped their progress into the basement.
"You two get along quite well. Almost to the point of intimacy, in fact." Their faces heating in a blush, having gotten Rachel's drift, Danny and Lisa both shake their heads to clear their minds before Lisa takes it.
"Now's not a good time, Ma'am. I mean, we'd banter every now and then, but we'd never do that on duty hours."
"Oh? You two look cute together."
"Thank you, Ma'am, but she's got a point." His blush deepening, he adds, "When we couldn't find dates for our senior prom, we went stag with each other and danced."
"I see. Did you two have a good time at least?"
"We did, Ma'am." Lisa's lips are in a fond smile before she sighs. "But we can't go into it now." Before Rachel can speak, the voice comes up again.
"Okay, Danny, according to the telemetry I'm getting from your radio and the beacon, you're about three feet away from it."
"10-4." Coming up to a large space, all three pairs of eyes see an open case. "I think we found it."
"You think right, Danny." Danny, Lisa and Rachel make their way to the case and look it over. Wanting to know how to go about disarming it, Lisa keys Danny's mike.
"Okay, stranger. What's first?"
"You should be seeing a toggle switch on the lower left hand corner, with an LED at the top."
"We see it."
"Is the LED lit or dim, Danny?" Danny looks at the LED before giving his reply.
(New Hiroshima; two hours later)
"So, this is where 'Bobo' 2 lives, huh?" Looking around, Brian then groans. "Maybe 'lived' is a better descriptor."
"What do you mean, Brian?" As Brian indicates what he meant, Nikita looks. Only to blanch at the sight of the man they'd come to see impaled on five rebar posts. "Mother of God." At that point in time, members of the New Hiroshima Police arrive.
"Can you folks explain what happened to the victim?"
"Would if we could, Officer, but my boyfriend and I just got here ourselves. The man was like that when we got here."
"I see. Any particular reason as to why you're here?"
"Yeah. We were here to talk to the guy on the rebar regarding a case in the States we're trying to solve." While Brian's talking, Nikita marks off the name, adding 'DUOA' to the space.
"I see. Well, I'm afraid you'll have to fill out a statement, give me your names, where you'll be staying. All that good stuff." Brian and Nikita both look at each other, thinking the same thing.
'It's going to be a long day!'
(Tokyo-2; Lotus Inn; Room 2287; four hours later)
"Ugh. That was a wash." Brian rolls his head around his neck before sitting on the bed he's intending to sleep on. Nikita goes behind him and starts massaging his shoulders, soft smile on her face. "Mmm, that feels good, Nik."
"Thanks. I took on giving shoulder rubs as a hobby of sorts in high school." Softly kissing his cheek, Nikita murmurs, "Sorry that Andrei didn't pan out as well as Vasily."
"Not your fault. The guy was dead before we even got to him. At least the NHPD doesn't think we had anything to do with his death."
"Yeah. What could have made him commit suicide like that, anyway? His neighbors said he always had a smile, but no more than that."
"Just wish I knew if he'd still had that weapon. Which leaves 'Bobo' 3. Which we'll check out tomorrow."
"Sounds like a plan." Nuzzling into Brian before resuming the shoulder rub, she suddenly stops and remembers what Madeline said earlier. She then decides it's time she seduces him and moves to in front of him. Perplexing Brian to no end.
"Nik?"
Without warning, Nikita strips herself naked. Removing her light blue blazer, she reveals that she has her Makarov in a hip holster on her right hip right at her dark blue skirt. Removing the holster, she takes the skirt off, revealing the lack of panties. She then takes off her white shirt, revealing the lack of a bra. Allowing Brian to see her fully. D-cup breasts, slender torso and waist, and proof that she's indeed a blond.
"Nik?"
"Don't be afraid." Going to her knees, Nikita gently rubs the crotch of his trousers and smiles at the reaction she's feeling. "Well now, Brian, either you've a crotch gun or you like what you see." Unzipping his trousers, she reaches in and lightly titters. "I never knew you went 'Commando'." Brian can only nod numbly as she brings his member out and starts sucking on him.
As he looks down at the blond-haired vixen, he gently runs his fingers through her long blond locks. Causing her to look up at him and wink before going back to her oral ministrations. As she sucks on him, Brian takes off his blazer, holsters and shirt. Nikita stops sucking on him just to help him get his shoes and trousers off him fully before going back to sucking on him. It's not long before Brian feels his pressure growing.
"Nik… Nik…"
Getting the gist of what Brian's saying, Nikita releases his member with a 'pop' from her mouth before standing eye level to him and impaling herself onto his shaft. Glad for an accident in gym class in high school, she starts pumping on him straight away while gently pressing his face into her breasts. Only to feel her body move until feeling the bed against her back. Smiling up at him, she brings him down for a passionate kiss. Brian, however, feels his pressure growing even more.
"Nik… I gotta pull out."
"Nope." Wrapping her legs around his hips snugly, Nikita adds, "I want you to release inside me, Brian. I'm very fertile today. C'mon. Make me pregnant with your baby."
Brian can't help but lose his control before letting his load flow into her. As she feels his essence flow into her, she wraps his lips in a passionate kiss. Only for their tongues to start dueling with each other. As their tongues duel, Nikita holds Brian closely before his pumping stops. Looking down into her eyes, he can see she has tears in them.
"Are you okay, Nik?" Withdrawing from her channel, Brian gently kisses her tears away.
"I am." Nikita's giggles as Brian kissing her tears away can't help but cause Brian to smile softly.
"Wanna get married?" Nikita can only giggle a little more before sighing happily as he moves to her side to cuddle with her.
"Oh yes. But only when after Mother's out of the gulag so she can attend." Feeling Brian running his fingers through her hair, Nikita smirks up at him. "You like my hair?"
"I do. I can just imagine our kids with your hair."
"Funny. I was imagining them with your hair." When she doesn't hear him reply, she checks and grins at what she finds. 'Sleeping like a baby.' Feeling tired herself, she holds Brian closely to her before going to sleep herself.
(New York; UNP-NY Office; Watch Commander's Office; same time)
"And that's the end of that report."
"While that's true, Officer O'Malley, you wanna explain why you 'buzzed' the SECGEN of the United Nations? Even more, why yourself and Officer Kinsey went into the UN Headquarters with the SECGEN to defuse an explosive device? When ESU and EOD were en route, no less?"
"Sergeant Getraer, I had gotten information that the bomb was a stolen compact N-2 prototype. With a time limit of one hour. We were lucky enough that the device had an automatic self-deactivation sequence if two or more steps were not followed."
"I see. And was it self-deactivated when you got to it?"
"It was, Sergeant. All I had to do was shut the power off."
"Very well. Your report matches that of Officer Kinsey's. Even though, of course, there are rumors circulating about you two."
"Sarge, you're not insinuating…"
"I admit that's the last thing I'd want to do. But you won't believe how many people in this department are hoping you two will wind up together at the altar and have children before the year's out." Smirking, Getraer adds, "And I'm one of them." Danny can't help but groan before Getraer goes serious again. "Where's the device now?"
"It's in property lock-up until the UN can send someone to come pick it up for return to the creator as it is still a prototype."
"What? Are they not aware it's evidence in a criminal action?"
"They are. However, they did say that because it shut off on its own because the bombers missed a step or two without knowing it…"
"Right. No boom, no holding for evidence without UN approval. But, what about prosecution of the fiends? How'll that come about?"
"I guess time will tell, Sarge."
"I guess so, O'Malley." Before Danny can even move away, Getraer asks, "How's the ultra-sound research coming along? I'm quite eager to get it past prototype stage and on the streets full-time straight away."
"Preliminary results are promising, but I need some way to adjust the force of the pulse. Preferably an adjustment means on the gun itself instead of leveled weapons themselves. I'll work on it in my shop tonight. But I'll tell you one thing for sure."
"That is?"
"Next time I see those turkeys, I'm giving them Level 2. Maybe 3 if need be." Sergeant Grace Getraer can only nod as her subordinate exits her office and closes the door. Shaking her head, she sighs.
'That was far too close for comfort. That thing would've made Second Impact look like a hurricane if it didn't shut itself off.' Frowning in thought, Getraer mentally asks, 'Just how were the suspects able to stay standing on Level 1 force? Could it have been their distance from O'Malley or something else?'
(An abandoned warehouse; six hours later)
An angered yell bellows out before a crash.
"Dammit to Hell! How could the device have failed to detonate?" The man's angered voice causes his female accomplice to cringe before holding her head.
"Will you please stop yelling? You've been screaming about it for the past ten hours now and I've such a headache." Rubbing her temples, she adds, "I know not, Brother, but we still have the other one. Perhaps we'll have better results with it."
"It wasn't you, my Siblings." At the female voice, they turn toward the source and see a shadowy form. "I'd have been here sooner, but it's kinda hard to get time alone at the office." Keeping her voice soft, to ward off the advent of another headache, the first female form greets the new arrival.
"Sister! Oh, it's good to hear and see you're well!"
"Likewise, Sister."
"If you consider having a migraine from what that cop used on us well, that is." Before any more pleasantries can be exchanged, the still irate man speaks.
"What do you mean by it wasn't us, Sister? We followed the instructions and figured the staged accidents would've prevented the technicians from getting to the UN Headquarters!"
"Yes, you did, and more. But I found out something about the good Doctor's notes. They're incomplete."
"INCOMPLETE?" Their united shout, along with their holding their heads in pain, tempts the shadowy form to snicker, yet she represses it enough to speak.
"That's correct. As a security precaution of sorts, Professor Kirishima deliberately left out key protocols in activating the devices from his notes."
"Why that dirty, no good, rotten…" Seething softly, the man regains his composure before smirking. "In that case, then, we should go pay him a visit. Persuade him to show us to arm the device."
"You'd better make it fast." The new voice is male, with a guttural accent. "Your little stunt with the plane was hard enough to conceal. Yet there seems to be an investigation group that's even more proficient than Interpol is. Even though, of course, Interpol's proficient in its own right." The man nods before holding his head in pain again. "Are you alright?"
"We're fine. That fuckin' flatfoot of a beat cop used some kind of high-frequency weapon on us."
(Same time; Lotus Inn; Room 2287)
Opening her eyes, Nikita smiles softly before looking over at Brian. Seeing that he's still asleep, Nikita softly pecks his cheek before getting up from bed. Not minding she's nude, she goes toward the bathroom. Only to stop when she sees one of the dresser drawers is open.
'How'd we miss this?' Going back to his side, Nikita says, "Brian, wake up."
"Nnnggghhh." Blearily blinking his eyes open, Brian grins at seeing his girlfriend's nude body. "Ready for another round already, Nik?"
"As fun as that sounds, I'm afraid not. I think we had a visitor, Brian."
"How so, Nik?"
Nikita points toward the room's dresser, one of its drawers slightly open. Not sure what to make of it, Brian gets up from the bed, Nikita behind him, and goes to the dresser. Pulling the drawer all the way open, he sees a CD player with a speaker on it. Along with a case. Bringing out both items, Brian hands Nikita the CD player before opening the case. Inside is a bolt-action pistol and a microcassette recorder. Brian brings the pistol out, hoping to find the type and model it is. He then sees the information he seeks.
"An M.A.B. Silhouette target pistol with a silencer attached. Also known as the pistol version of the Omark-44. Chambered in 7.62x51mm. "
Pulling the bolt back, he blinks at the sight within the weapon. Going back to his trousers and bringing out a small utility knife, he puts it into the chamber and pulls back. A small sleeve pops out of the chamber and Brian examines it.
"A caliber conversion sleeve in 5.56x45mm." Looking into the case again, he starts shaking before reaching in and bringing out a box of 5.56x45mm ammunition. On the box is a note saying, 'I'm so sorry'.
"Brian?" Turning toward Nikita, Brian can see she's worried about him as he's shaking. "You okay?"
"Not by a long shot, Nik." Indicating the player, he says, "Let's go ahead and hear what's on it."
"Okay." Pressing 'play' on the player, Nikita puts it down before going to his side. Just as she reaches him, the same voice as before reaches their ears.
"Hello again, Agent Dyson and Miss Kamenev. Sorry for my lack of presence, as I'd dearly wanted to meet you both face-to-face, but I do hope, Agent Dyson, you'll appreciate the consolation prizes I left for you." Brian's eyes go back to the microcassette recorder, M.A.B. and the box of ammunition just as the voice goes on.
"And in case you're wondering, the answer is 'yes'. It is indeed the weapon and ammunition I'd used to kill your Father. I hadn't used it in fifteen years out of self-hatred for what had happened. The microcassette recorder was your Father's. Now, what I'm about to tell you will undoubtedly shock you. The man that hired me to kill your Father was named…"
Brian and Nikita both are stunned in disbelief at that and Brian starts shaking in anger again before the voice goes on.
"As for why he'd hired me to kill your Father, I have absolutely no clue at all. But I've been pondering that extensively and I think I know why. It involves the case your Father was working on and is on the microcassette within the recorder. Only the case goes even further than that one." Shakily pausing the CD, Brian asks the question on both their minds.
"Does he mean what I think he means?" Resuming the CD, they hear the man's voice go on.
"Which means not only were children being killed in the States, it was also worldwide. Now why that was, I have no clue. You'll have to puzzle it out for yourself, my boy. Of course, from what I could tell about your Father before I killed him, he was very perceptive, loyal and brave. He died protecting an innocent, homeless little girl that was in danger from 'that man'. He even went so far as to call her his daughter." Brian can't help but be stunned by that tidbit. Neither can Nikita.
"But enough of that on this disc. If you want details, they're on the opposite side of the microcassette. By now, however, you should be down to one name, having spoken to the other two Russians on the list. Nikita, tell your Mother Vladimir Karpovskiva said 'hello'. I only wish… never mind. I think I'd have done a lousy job, anyway."
Vladimir's voice emits a rueful chuckle before it adds, "In any case, I aim to fix my error. Once it's fixed, I will surrender myself to your whims. I think I can live without kneecaps, given what you'd done to the cultist that badmouthed your Father. You'd shown more restraint than I would have that day, for certain. Of course, you'd also grown into a fearsome opponent." Chuckling once more, Vladimir finishes.
"I both dread and eagerly anticipate the day we finally meet one another. Good fortune to you and your lady, my boy. Go have some kids. Of course, if she's anything like Anastasia, she'll be quite vocal." With that, the CD ends and a blushing Nikita looks over at Brian and quickly looks away before tittering.
"That guy is a major nut." Brian shakes his head before going on. "But why would… he didn't strike me as someone that would… do what he did."
"You'll have to ask him about it. If you get the chance, that is."
"You're right. If we can get him, we get Vladimir at the same time. Maybe get some answers as to how he knows about you." Sighing, he mutters, "Talk about your figurative cold shower."
"I know." Softly kissing Brian, Nikita murmurs, "At least we've a potential lead now. And we now know you have an adoptive sister somewhere." Brian nods before laying back down on the bed after putting the gun back into the case. Nuzzling into Brian, Nikita grins. Hoping to cheer Brian up. "How many do you want, Brian?"
"How many what, Nik?"
"Children." Upon feeling him kissing her head, Nikita sighs happily.
"I dunno. But I hope I'll be as good a Father as... ours was." Concerned for his adoptive sister, he adds, "I hope that whoever and wherever she is, she's safe."
"Oh, you will be, Brian. And I'm sure she is." Getting on top of him, Nikita reaches down and slides his member into her. As she begins pumping on him, Nikita feels Brian's hands caressing her breasts. "I have every bit of faith you'll be as good a Father as yours was. I just wish I had the chance to meet him."
"You and Captain Sychola both."
"I don't think I'll ever get used to that, even if it's true. To me, Psycho will always be Psycho. Not the man he'd turned out to be. I mean…"
"Yeah. I know what you mean." Curious, he then asks, "How did you two meet, anyway? I've been kinda curious about that of late."
"Later. First we fuck some more, then I'll tell you how we met."
"Okay. Then we'll listen to Dad's microcassette. I want to learn what I can about her."
(UNP-NY; ten hours later)
"I'm Agent Steel and this is Agent Ryan. UNNIC. We're here for the prototype compact N-2 that was intended to destroy the UN Headquarters today."
"Okay. I need to see some ID, if you both please." As both UNNIC Agents produce their IDs, Danny nods and says, "Right this way, Agents."
"Lead on if you please, Officer." Nodding, Danny does so. Passing Lisa working at her computer station.
"How's the search coming, Lisa?"
"Same as usual. Walls everywhere and no way to scale them."
"Don't give up, okay? You're bound to find a lead."
"Oh, I won't, Danny. You can bet on that." As he leads them out of the Squad Room to the Storage Room, Danny lightly grins.
"I gotta admit, you got here quicker than I expected. Usually, for cases like this, other bunches drag their feet in getting a move on by a month or two. But not you guys. It took you like half a day to get here."
"We figured that the sooner we get the one you'd recovered back to the creator, the sooner it can be refined with better security measures."
"You kidding me, Agent Ryan? If all the bombs in the world shut themselves off after a certain amount of time, that'd save countless lives."
"Yes it would save lives, but thanks to the omission of two steps in the notes about the arming sequence, you got really lucky."
"I don't doubt that. Much like I'd hate to be in the creator's shoes once they figure out they'd been had."
"Crap." Agent Steel's face takes on a pale hue before he turns to Agent Ryan. "Agent Ryan, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"If you're thinking, 'Aw crap. They'll go after the creator next', then yes. I am." Agent Ryan turns to Danny, asking, "Did the hostile parties say anything when you encountered them?"
"Not a thing. They just ran off after I buzzed them." His eyes go wide before he adds, "Both of them did have some trouble walking, causing them to support one another while they ran off."
"You 'buzzed' the suspects? How did you 'buzz' them? I thought the Officers in UNP-NY didn't have capability to 'buzz' for violent crimes."
"I modified my duty weapon with Sergeant Getraer and the Mayor's blessing and instruction, Agent Steel. It's still in the prototype stage, of course. Level 1 does work, but only for close range it seems. Levels 2 and 3 would have been more ideal for further distances." Seeing them blink, he hastily adds, "I'll give you a written version before you leave."
"No need to worry. We get the gist of it. It sounds impressive."
"Yeah, well, it would have been more impressive if I'd been able to collar them, Agent Ryan. Holding SECGEN hostage, shooting Lisa in her shoulder… oh, it makes me want to hurt 'em something fierce."
"Just goes to show a woman's place is in the home, O'Malley." The new male voice gets them to turn around in time to see a tall African-American male. Slender with a cocky smirk on his face. "Of course, Kinsey's welcome at my home any time." Looking at Agent Ryan, he adds, "You too, sweet cheeks."
"Pass. I'm engaged to a good man and I'm not going to betray him."
"Oh come on, girl. It ain't betrayin' if he don't know about it."
"Oh, he'll know as I'll tell him about how you tried to get me to betray him. So, unless you want a beef for SH against an Agent for the UN, I strongly suggest you back off. Or I'll turn you into a eunuch."
"While that has some appeal, Agent Ryan, I've something better in mind." Drawing his gun, Danny grins sadistically. "Thanks for volunteering, Andrews."
"Huh?" At seeing the gun in Danny's hand coming up level to him, Andrews only has one thing to say. "Aw snap. Not again." THUMP
As Andrews falls to the floor unconscious, Agents Steel and Ryan see Danny put his weapon back into its holster.
"That, Agents Steel and Ryan, was Level 1 force for the ultra-sound tech. As you can see, it works quite well at from point-blank range to about 300 yards. Give or take about 20."
"How far away were they when you 'buzzed' them?"
"300 yards, Agent Ryan. With SECGEN being somewhat closer to me, she seemingly got the brunt of it while the other two seemingly got the outer edge of the pulse."
"Impressive. We know we've got to see Levels 2 and 3." Agent Ryan nods her agreement with Agent Steel, smirk on her face.
"Gonna have to wait until Andrews wakes back up, Agent Steel. He's my unofficial test subject/demonstration model. Of course, it's usually last minute. As in when I 'buzz' the jerk." Agents Steel and Ryan both give Danny a wry smirk before Agent Ryan speaks.
"I know one or two operatives that would love to meet you. They have the same kind of sense of humor of sorts as you do."
"If it's anything like Danny's, I'll believe it." Lisa's voice behind them gets them to turn around, allowing them to see her with a smirk on her face. "Let me guess, Danny. Andrews pulled the 'woman's place' crap again."
"That he did. He even propositioned Agent Ryan. In turn, he graciously 'volunteered' for the demonstration of the ultra-sound."
"Ah." Looking down at Andrews, Lisa shrugs and says, "At least no one important got hurt." However, Lisa can't help but wince in pain. As the shrug aggravated her shoulder wound. "Dammit. How could I forget?"
"Good question. How'd your search go?"
"It's still going slowly. So I thought I'd take a break, stretch out a bit."
"When I get done with the Agents, I'll check you over and we'll search together. Okay?" His face has a hint of blushing, Lisa shyly smiling at it. Knowing he'd seen her without a shirt on many times in the past and was always respectful of her. Along with very appreciative of her body.
"You're so sweet to care for me, Danny."
"Why wouldn't I care for you? Oh, and I'm not sweet. It's just the way I am."
"Oh sure. Just keep telling yourself that." Lisa's shy smile becomes a soft smirk as she adds, "You may not think you are, or see yourself that way, but you are sweet. And the girl that landed you is the luckiest girl in the whole world." Turning to Agent Ryan, she asks, "Can you help me, Agent Ryan? I think it'll be better if another woman saw me without a shirt on this time around."
"Yeah, sure. Agent Steel?"
"Go ahead. Officer O'Malley and I'll get it and we'll meet you up front."
"Sounds like a plan. Shall we, Officer Kinsey?"
Lisa gives a nod as they go to the women's locker room, leaving Agent Steel and Danny behind. Once they're in, Lisa starts taking off her uniform top. Only to hiss in pain.
"Dammit! Agent Ryan…" Getting the gist of it, the Agent nods.
"Hold on." Getting behind her, she adds, "Since it's just the two of us now, you can call me Kat, Officer Kinsey."
"Then you can call me Lisa, Kat." Kat nods, getting a grin from Lisa, as the uniform top comes off. Revealing why Lisa wanted a woman's help this time. "Sorry about the lack of a bra. I normally wear a jog top as a bra. But with what'd happened today…"
"I understand and do the same thing." Smirking, Kat asks, "Is that why you asked me to help you? Because you didn't want Danny to see your rack?"
"What rack? I'm practically flat-chested. My jog top's padded, anyway. Comes in handy when my 'monthly visitor' comes along."
"I see. Are you wanting to snare him?"
"Is everyone in the world trying to get me and Danny together? Although we're already together? Even those I barely know? SECGEN included?"
"You can't deny it." Blinking, she asks, "Already? As in…" At Lisa's nod, Kat grins and says, "I've seen how you look at him. You love him, don't you?"
"Yes, I do. I love that galoot."
"Yeah. I can tell." Looking over Lisa's bandages and peering under them, Kat nods, saying, "Your wound hasn't reopened, but you may want to go on home after we're done here. Give yourself a chance to heal up."
"Right." Shrugging her way, gingerly, back into her uniform top, Lisa looks over at Kat. "What's your fiancé like, Kat?"
"He's sweet in his own, unique way."
"Danny's the same way, as you just saw. If anything, I want people to at least see him as the sweetie he is." Gritting her teeth, she adds, "I just wish people would stop asking us when the wedding is. Or how many children we plan to have. And don't get me started on those trying to play 'Matchmaker', either."
"That bad?"
"You better believe it. They even got a pool going on as to which of us is going to pop the question on the other! So far, according to scuttlebutt, I'm in the lead to pop the question on him."
"Huh? Why's that?"
"First off, they don't know. Secondly, they say it's because he's too meek and mild-mannered." Her face lighting in a smile, Lisa adds, "But I know differently about him. He's just reserved, almost to the point of a Zen-like state. But if he's riled up enough, oh boy, the gloves are coming off!"
"Did they ever come off?"
"One time, three months ago. It was a near thing. We'd just gotten off-duty when Andrews walked up to me and slapped me on my ass. Danny flipped and flipped Andrews over his shoulder and onto the ground. Hard. And the ground was asphalt. He warned Andrews that he only gives one warning, and that was it. He does it anymore and Danny will not be held responsible for what happens then."
"Why didn't you report him to the Watch Commander? Or Internal Affairs?"
"Danny wanted to, as did I, but unfortunately however, a Tribunal would be involved. On the Tribunal is the United Nations Police Commissioner, the Watch Commander that was on duty at the time of the incident and the Mayor of New York City. If we were to go that way, Danny would feel very uncomfortable given the Mayor's presence. And thus the Tribunal would be tainted."
"Why's that?"
(Squad Room; five minutes later)
"Hard to believe such a small case could cause so much destruction if gotten right."
"I know, Officer O'Malley."
"I think it's safe enough for us to be informal now, Agent Steel."
"Okay, Danny. Max." Danny gives Max a nod just as the door to the Squad Room opens. Danny turns around and smiles at seeing Roland Jenkins.
"What's up, Jenk?"
"The Mayor's here to see you, Mal. Sarge's Office." Jenkins grins wryly as he adds, "I think he's here to ask you when you're planning to finally propose to Kinsey."
"Grr. Dammit. Would you please give it a rest?"
"Why do you ask when you already know the answer?"
"Alright, on my way. Max, I'll be back soon." Max gives Danny a nod as he exits the Squad Room and makes his way to the Watch Commander's office. Upon arrival, he knocks on the door and says, "Officer O'Malley reporting as ordered, Mr Mayor."
"Come on in."
Opening the door, he sees the Mayor's form sitting in the chair. Facing away from the door. Closing the door, Danny closes the blinds for the room and hears the Mayor chuckling.
"I'll never stop chuckling when you do that, Danny. I don't even know why you do it. Especially when everyone knows of our connection to one another."
"I can't help it, sir. I can't expect to get anywhere if I don't stand on my own two feet."
"You've been standing on your own two feet for a good while now, son." The Mayor turns around to face Danny, a wry grin on his face. Getting up from the chair, he then hugs Danny. "And I can't be any prouder of you, my boy."
"Dad." His face in a blush, he returns the hug and quickly shakes it off. Ending the hug, reluctantly, he asks, "How're Mom and Julie doing?"
"They're doing fine and they send their love. Julie's even asking when you'll bring Lisa around for a family dinner. She misses seeing her sister-in-law at dinner." Danny can't help but groan at that.
"Dad, you all know that we're keeping it under wraps until after your tenure as Mayor's over with."
"I know, son." At another groan from Danny, his Father's face goes serious before going on. "I heard about what happened today at the UN Headquarters. How badly was Lisa hurt?"
"She got nailed in the shoulder. Minor wound." His fist shaking, he adds, "I used the prototype at Level 1 and both of them were able to keep moving somewhat. Also 'buzzed' the SECGEN inadvertently. Had I known what was going to happen, I'd have brought Level 2 or Level 3 instead of Level 1."
"Hey, hey now. There was no way you could've known what was going to happen. You're not psychic after all. As for SECGEN, well, at least she's unharmed."
"I know. It's just… if anything had happened to Lisa… if she'd died…" Danny feels his Father's arms wrapping around him again before being rocked gently back and forth. Danny can't help but roll his eyes and grin. "Dad, I'm not twelve anymore."
"I know. I know. I just don't like seeing you in distress, son." Keeping up the rocking, he murmurs, "I don't like any member of my family in distress. That includes Lisa."
"Dad…" Daniel O'Malley just chuckles at Danny's protest before ending the hug.
"I know, son. I know. But you also know full well she's family already. Why not do what SECGEN did several months back and bring it out into the open? You need to settle down a bit and have children. I can safely say your children will be beautiful." Danny gives a chuckle of his own before sighing.
"While I don't doubt that Dad, there's simply no way it can happen yet. We're barely keeping it together as it is. Emphasis on barely. We were lucky enough to keep our personal lives separate from our professional lives. Even after…"
"I know, son. I know. You won't believe how many times Julie would go to bed, crying, because you two kept your nuptials secret. She was so looking forward to being a bridesmaid for your wedding, with it being big."
"More like she was so fixated on us going to the altar, our elopement shattered her dream."
"That's true. Much like this is. If those other girls didn't stick their noses in your business, you'd both be raising beautiful children together by now. With no fear or hatred in their hearts at all. If anyone's to blame, it's them."
(Women's Locker Room; same time)
"Wow. You two were seriously nuts for each other, huh?"
"We were, Kat. But then the biggest bitches in school decided that we should 'respect the order', that I should have stayed with the 'street rats'. If you get my drift."
"I think I do. Quite well. I was a 'street rat' once, too." Blinking, Kat asks, "You were homeless?"
"Yes. Along with orphaned."
"Did it happen in Second Impact?"
"Yeah. When they found out I was homeless and orphaned, those bitches were worse than cockroaches." Rolling her eyes, Lisa adds, "Danny and I even toyed with the idea of eloping and having a small, private ceremony. With only our friends and family in attendance."
"Why didn't you?"
"What makes you think we didn't?" Reaching into her trouser's right pocket, she brings out a gold chain with a gold wedding band on it. Soft, yet wide, smile on her face. "You wouldn't believe how many times we'd considered coming out into the open. Three times a week, we'd be in the car together, looking toward the Courthouse, thinking of just going for it and getting our marriage recorded publicly. Whether those racist bitches like it or not."
"You go, girl! Show them dumbass bitches!"
"Oh, that sounds like such fun." Smiling softly still, Lisa adds, "Danny would bring up his cell phone, as if he was ready to make the call that we're going for it. I would tense myself, as if ready to nod. Even if I was blushing so hard, I felt I'd go ablaze if I went hot enough."
"You really want to, don't you?" At Lisa's nod and shaky sob, Kat hugs the young woman. "Then ask him. Ask him to take a chance."
"Okay." Looking Kat in the eye, she asks, "Can you please be with me when I do, Kat? I don't think I can do it by myself."
"Yes. And yes you can." Lisa nods shakily while blushing still. "Lisa?"
"Sorry, it's just that two weeks ago, we found time for each other. He was so soft and gentle, as always, I felt I was ready for a baby from him. I even told him I want a baby. He told me he loved me and he wants one too."
"Well, if you're ready, now's a good time to announce you're together. How long ago did you two marry, anyway?"
"Four years ago." Next thing they know, yelling can be heard outside the locker room. "Now what?"
"Good question."
(Squad Room; same time)
"WHERE THE HELL IS THE IMBECILE THAT STUNNED THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL?" The feminine voice is irate as it goes on. "I KNOW IT WAS YOU, O'MALLEY! SO COME ON OUT HERE AND FACE ME!"
"No need to yell, Commissioner Percy. I can hear you just fine. I think the whole city can. Although…" Danny exits the Watch Commander's office, rolling his eyes as he adds, "If you're up to it, I don't think they heard you on the Space Station. Go ahead and go for it."
"You watch yourself, O'Malley. You can't hide behind the Mayor's influence anymore."
"No. You watch yourself." Danny's visage takes on a scowl as he adds, "I don't know why you think that, but know this. My decision to join the UNP was mine, with no influence whatsoever. I graduated from the Academy on my own merits, no one else's. I asked for no favors and made my own way. So shut your slandering mouth or I'll 'buzz' you!"
"Is that a threat? Are you threatening a Superior Officer?"
"You? An Officer? Since when? You're just a paper pusher. You never went into the Academy. You never went out into the field. You never even shot, qualified on or carried a gun. You know nothing about Law Enforcement."
"Officer O'Malley, you have just guaranteed…"
"No, Ms Percy." Rachel's voice as she walks into the Squad room gets Mayor O'Malley's attention as he exits the Watch Commander's office. Intent on sticking up for his son. "It's you that's just guaranteed the end of your career."
"What? You can't just fire me, Madam Secretary-General!"
"I believe I just did, Ms Percy. He's got a point. You know nothing about Law Enforcement. I don't know why or how you were hired on as Police Commissioner for the United Nations Police, nor do I want to. But just because you have an MBA in Business Administration does not mean you can manage a Police Force."
"Regardless, Officer O'Malley did 'buzz' you with unproven technology! Technology that hasn't even been approved by me for trials and testing!"
"While that may be true, he did save my life and the lives of everyone in the city. Far as I'm concerned, he gets a pass."
"I concur, Madam Secretary-General." Looking toward Danny, Mayor O'Malley grins widely. "In my opinion, my boy's a hero."
"My opinion is that you're covering up for your son's stupidity with that statement!"
"My son's not stupid! If he was stupid, he wouldn't have come up with the tech that saved the SECGEN's life today! If he was stupid, he wouldn't have figured out the accidents that delayed ESU and EOD were staged!" Seething in rage, Mayor O'Malley asks, "Just what have you done for the UNP, Ms Rebecca Percy? Name one thing that makes you worthy of being Police Commissioner!"
"I made the UNP more efficient by dumping unneeded personnel."
"Unneeded personnel? Bullshit! Those were Cops, bitch!" Lisa's voice cuts through the mass of people, getting all eyes toward her.
"Did I just hear…"
"You heard me, bitch!"
"I don't think I like the tone of your voice, Officer Kinsey."
"Too bad, bitch. Do you know how many of us bought it in the last 10 years alone? Do you even care?"
"I'm sure it's only a small number."
"10,550! 10,550 of our brothers and sisters are dead because of your purging the UNP of good, decent Officers! You call that a small number? I don't! The year before the purge? 150. 150 Officers dead before you became UNP Commissioner and purged Officers. That's an uptick of about 120% of Officers KIA! Face facts bitch, you're the imbecile!"
"Stifle your tongue, Officer Kinsey."
"Hell no, bitch! If you hadn't been hired, those 10,550 Officers would probably still be alive right now! Wanna know why? I'll tell you why! Because the ones you dismissed from duty would have been the difference between life and death for those 10,550 Officers!"
"You have no evidence to support that claim, Kinsey!"
"Are you on drugs or are you that stupid? Half of the purged Officers were trained medics and the other half were ESU personnel! How can they have been unneeded if they're that qualified? Answer, they weren't 'unneeded'. They were needed more than you ever were! That's the evidence right there!" Commissioner Percy's about to yell at Lisa, only to be stopped by Kat's voice.
"Just out of curiosity, Lisa, how many Officers were dismissed altogether?" Kat's voice gets Lisa's attention, along with slightly cooling her temper. Yet Lisa's still angry as she gives her reply.
"4,500 Officers dismissed because the bitch there thought they were 'unneeded', Kat. In turn, she effectively decided that 10,550 good Law Enforcement Officers dead was acceptable in her book."
"How dare you, Officer Kinsey! The dismissed Officers were taking up valuable resources. The UNP literally couldn't afford them!"
"So you decided, inadvertently, to condemn Officers to death. Not only are you a bean counter, you're also an incompetent one! Kat, you want a rundown of stats per country per year of Officers KIA or should we just stick with the count?"
"I think we'll stick with the count, Lisa. What became of the Officers purged?"
"She put a 'burn notice' on every single one of them, making up some kind of BS story that makes them unqualified to be Police, Kat. Luckily enough, however, they were able to find work not related to Law Enforcement. However, they're also awaiting the call back to duty once someone with some kind of common sense makes it."
"That will never happen. 'Once dismissed, you stay dismissed'. My personal policy." Having heard enough, Rachel speaks up. Ice-cold steel in her tone.
"In that case then, I'm having their 'burn notices', and your policy, rescinded. Mayor O'Malley, would you care to assist in a mass recall of UNP Officers here in the States while I get the ball rolling on recalling the others to active duty?"
"Gladly, Madam Secretary-General. Danny, Lisa?"
"Yes, sir." As the three go to a row of computers, the now former UNP Commissioner can only gape before bursting in anger.
"You can't do that! A 'burn notice' is absolutely irreversible! A death knell to a career!"
"Interesting irony, if not poetic justice, Ms Percy. Your 'burn notices' against the Officers you'd dismissed are hereby invalidated and you can consider this your 'burn notice'. I expect your desk and office to be cleared out by tomorrow morning. I also expect you to surrender your security pass to the Security post at the UN Headquarters on your way out. Am I clear?"
"How're you going to find a new Commissioner at such short notice? Especially one with my qualifications?"
"What qualifications? I believe Officer O'Malley put it quite succinctly. You are nowhere near qualified to be a Police Commissioner. Far as I'm concerned, the one criteria that can qualify an individual for the position has to be a Certified Law Enforcement Officer. That is non-negotiable. And I do believe I have a person in mind for the position."
Upon seeing the woman she'd just 'burned' still standing there, she asks, "Why are you standing around still, Ms Percy? Get to clearing out. Now." Her eyes narrowing in hatred, Percy only has one thing to say.
"You will pay for this, Madam Secretary-General." Unable to resist, Rachel takes a page out of her future daughter-in-law's book. By getting in a literal dig while suppressing a wide smile. Keeping her face deadpan, Rachel speaks.
"Do you happen to take plastic? I don't really carry cash very often these days." With that, Percy storms away, muttering dark curses with every step.
'I will show her! I will show her that my approach was right! So what if I was never a Cop?' Once the former UNP Commissioner's out of sight, Rachel brings up a palm-top computer. Max and Kat coming up to beside her.
"What're you doing now, Madam Secretary-General?"
"Why, Agent Steel, I'm finding a candidate to fill in until I can appoint a more qualified individual for the position recently vacated. And… hmm. This one shows promise. What do you two think?"
Turning the palm-top toward Max and Kat, she awaits their verdict. Looking to each other, they nod and, in unison, give Rachel their vote.
"Go for it, Ma'am."
(Interpol Office; Tokyo-2; same time)
Striding into the building intently, Brian and Nikita can't help but be impressed with the amount of hustle and bustle.
"Guess Martin got the hard-line back up again."
"Indeed, Agent Dyson." Martin's voice at their side gets them to turn in time to see him twitching spastically. Yet with a happy grin on his face.
"Granted, I took about 1.21 gigawatts in the process, and might have seen the world pre-Second Impact, but as you can see…"
"Right." Not seeing Cochrane, Brian frowns. "Where's Cochrane at?"
"He left about an hour after you did. He should have been here three hours ago, though. Why do you ask?"
"Makes what we came to do a lot less troublesome. We need you to pull up a case history on international child killings as criteria. If any, please."
"I'll get on it right now, Ms Kamenev." Going to the computer, Martin asks, "Could this have to do with what happened with your Dad, Agent Dyson?"
"It could very well have. Director Simms in?"
"In her office." Nikita smiles widely before heading toward Madeline's office. "Ms Kamenev?"
"I'm going to brief Director Simms on our progress so far. In the meantime, I'll leave you two boys to look up any case files with that criteria." Smirking playfully, she adds, "Play nicely now."
"Always, Nik." Smirking as the blond bombshell goes to the Director's Office, Brian can't help but wonder how he got to be so lucky. Neither can Martin.
"You lucky devil."
"You have no idea, Martin. No idea whatsoever." Curious, he then asks, "How much do you think you saw, Martin?"
"Enough to consider it beautiful when the world was with all of the seasons." Grinning madly now, Martin asks, "Would you happen to know where I can get a DeLorean and a flux capacitor?" Before Brian can answer, however…
"WHY THAT NO GOOD, ROTTEN RAT BASTARD!" Madeline's enraged voice gets everyone to gulp audibly as she goes on. "WHY? WHY WOULD HE DO SUCH A THING?" Her diatribe lowers somewhat until it comes back up.
"I WANT HIS FUCKING HEAD ON MY FUCKING WALL AS A FUCKING TROPHY, NIKITA! I WANT TO WEAR HIS BALLS, EVEN IF THEY'RE AS SMALL AS A MOUSE'S BALLS, AS EARRINGS! OH I'LL GET INTERNAL AFFAIRS RIGHT ON THIS, I PROMISE YOU THAT! THEN, THEN I'LL HAVE HIM DECAPITATED AND CASTRATED! DAMN RIGHT IT'S FAIR ENOUGH!" Martin looks uneasily up at Brian before gulping.
"I think I just figured out why Chief Inspector Cochrane didn't show up for work." Getting a nod from Brian, Martin then asks, "How'd the search for 'Bobo' go yesterday?"
"Found two. One alive, one dead upon our… Martin, does Cochrane's car have a locator on it?"
"But of course. Why do you ask?"
"Any chance you can access the location data for yesterday? About the time Nikita and I left and go on from there?"
"Yeah, sure." Opening a feed screen, Martin's fingers fly over the keyboard and smirks. "Computer hackers. They're nothing. Like gnats on an elephant's butt. Satellite hacking, that's where true skill is found. It's not just getting in, but getting in and out. Yeah. Hello."
"What'd you find?"
"According to the tracking module in his car, he was in New Hiroshima." His face paling, Brian shakes his head.
"Can you bring up the address and the time stamp, Martin?"
"Even better. I'll show you both of them." Switching the system to visual view, Martin nods and says, "There you have it."
"Mother of God. Cochrane killed him." The picture on the monitor is the address where he and Nikita had gone to speak with 'Bobo' 2. "Do the tracking satellites have video capability?"
"No. But the module indicates he was there for only ten minutes before going on to the airport that serves New Hiroshima."
"Airport?" Martin nods before Brian asks, "Can you search passenger manifests with his name on them?"
"Why are you looking for passenger manifests with that bastard's name on them, Agent Dyson?" Madeline's query is wary, yet somehow knowing, before Brian turns toward her. "He fugitized, didn't he? He realized we were onto him."
"More like I think he suspected we were about to. It's not a slam dunk, but it looks like it was Cochrane. I take it Nikita played the CD."
"She did. Question is what are you going to do?"
"First order of business, meet with Anastasia, Nik's Mom. See if I can get some insight on Vladimir. What his vices are, if any, what to expect…"
"I see. What about the other matter regarding your adoptive sibling, though?"
"I'll see if we can find her. But it'd be like trying to find a needle in a haystack, though." Sighing, he adds, "I just hope she's safe."
"Um, Agent Dyson?"
"Yeah, Martin?"
"Got that data you wanted. It's a cold case in Interpol's files. Multiple murder, with children as the victims. It's also tied in to the murder of…"
"FBI Agent Tom Dyson." Curious, yet already suspecting he knows, Brian asks, "Who was the lead investigator and who classified it as a cold case?"
"Inspector Frederick Earl Cochrane." All of a sudden, the phone rings. Martin picks up the receiver and answers. "Interpol, Tokyo-2. Yes, Ma'am. She's right here." Passing the receiver toward his Superior, he says, "UN SECGEN Leeds-Nez, Director."
"Thank you, Martin." Accepting the receiver, Madeline clears her throat. "Hello, Madam Secretary-General. It's been a while."
"Indeed it has." Concerned, Rachel's voice asks, "Is everything alright, Maddie? You sound rather distressed."
"There's no fooling my old college roomie, is there, Rachel?" Sighing in defeat, Madeline goes on. "I've just learned our Chief Inspector's suspected of being a murderer. It also seems that he'd ordered a hit on an FBI Agent days after Second Impact."
"You don't mean…"
"I do, Rachel. I've the Agent's son here, along with the son's paramour. Of course, an IA investigation into him is now underway." Smiling softly now, Madeline goes on. "But I'm sure you called for more than just to check up on me, Rachel."
"Indeed. I've need of a qualified hand as Commissioner of the UNP seeing as the previous Commissioner was in no way qualified to be a Commissioner. You're the first name on my list."
"You want me to be the new Commish for the UNP, and we were college roommates once. Doesn't your call constitute a 'conflict of interests' or smell of favoritism?"
"Under ordinary circumstances, yes. But you're the most qualified person that I can determine. Besides, it's just until I find a suitable replacement. Ergo…"
"Right." Sighing, Madeline grins and says, "Looks like I'm getting kicked upstairs for a time, then."
"Splendid. Since you're willing to assist in this crisis, I can see if I can allocate some assistance for you." Rachel's tone goes velvety steel as she asks, "What's the name of the miscreant you're searching for?"
"His name is Frederick Earl Cochrane. I'm sending you a copy of his dossier, along with the case file he was working on with the slain Agent." Giving Martin a nod, she adds, "My head tech's sending now. Oh, and Rachel?"
"Yes, Maddie?"
"Should you find him, and it turns out he's guilty, please hold him in a cell until I get there. I've to collect some articles from him."
"Oh dear. I know that tone all too well. And all I can say is he'd better hope he dies before we ascertain for certain his guilt."
"Oh he's guilty alright. It all fits together. The packet get to you yet?"
"It's just arrived. Maddie, the case file's a cold case. With his sign-off rendering it as such. Who authorized him to do that?"
"Dunno, Rachel. It was before my time though, I'll tell you that. Like my Dad said, 'There's no such thing as a cold case'."
"I agree. Might I speak with him, please?"
"Sure." Passing the phone to Brian, Madeline smiles widely. "SECGEN wants to talk to you, Agent Dyson." Nikita can barely suppress a squeal of joy at her man speaking with the SECGEN.
"Good day, Madam Secretary-General."
(UNP-NY; same time)
"Hello, Agent Dyson." Lisa's ears prickle up at the last name, yet Rachel doesn't notice it as she goes on. "I knew your Father. He was a good man." Mentally adding, 'He was even being considered for recruitment into "N-Tek" at the time of his death.'
"How… how did you know him, Ma'am?"
"I met him through my college roommate, Madeline."
"Ah… did you ever meet my Mother? Before she died?" Rachel's smile is so wide, yet sad.
'The poor dear doesn't even know his Mother's there with him, it seems. Well, I'm not going to be the one that tells him.' Sighing, she verbally replies, "I had, in fact. She and your Father were very much in love with each other and very happy. When they found out about you and told me the news, I was quite ecstatic."
"Do you have any pictures of her? I've never even seen what she looks like. My Aunt Cassandra didn't even know her, it seems, because she'd always sidestep any time I'd asked."
"Of course she knew her."
"Then why would she sidestep any time I asked about…"
"I'm afraid I can't answer that as I'm baffled myself. As for pictures of your Mother. I do have them. But I'm afraid you'll have to come to New York to get them as I'm in the final stages of my tenure here."
"I guess that'll work, Ma'am. Nikita and I are going to visit her Mom in Russia to get some background on a lead then we'll go over to NY."
"Splendid. I'll ask for a volunteer to greet you upon arrival at JFK Airport. Just be sure to let me know when you're en route."
"We will, Ma'am. Good-bye."
"Good-bye, Brian." Not noticing Lisa's ears prickling up at the name, again, Rachel ends the call and sighs. "So that's the Section-2 Agent Captain Sychola was referring to."
"Excuse me, Madam Secretary-General?" Turning toward Lisa, Rachel can see she has a hopeful expression.
"Yes, Officer Kinsey?"
"Did I just hear the names 'Dyson' and 'Brian' just now?"
"Yes, you did." At seeing tears start to drip down, Rachel starts worrying. "Lisa, what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry, Ma'am… it's just that…" Feeling Danny's hand on her shoulder, she looks back at her husband and smiles thankfully. "I've been looking for Brian for the past thirteen years."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"He was intended to be my brother, by my pending adoption by FBI Agent Tom Dyson." Her smile fading, she goes on. "When I first met Ag… Dad, I was digging for scraps in the garbage after Second Impact. I was homeless, orphaned, nine years old and scared out of my wits. Yet I wanted to survive. By any means necessary. He was attached to the LA FBI Branch."
"How'd he come across you?"
"He just happened to look down the alleyway where I was digging for scraps, Agent Steel. I saw him and made to run, but he got the drop on me. I expected to be thrown into jail, seeing as he was a Federal Lawman. But, he surprised me. He took me to a restaurant and fed me. The servers there didn't even bat an eye or object to my being there."
"Okay. How'd the adoption plan come about?"
"At first, when he told me he was going to adopt me, seeing as I was orphaned, I thought he was joking. I even said as much. He just looked me right in the eyes and said, 'This is no joke, Lisa. I'm going to adopt you and you'll have a family again'. It was two weeks before… he died."
"You saw him die, didn't you?" Kat's query gets a headshake from Lisa before Max steps in.
"What did you see?" Lisa starts trembling, yet she steels herself.
(30 Sept 2000; LA; alleyway)
As Lisa frantically ran, she shoved items into the path of the man that pursued her. He had a large curved knife. Eying a dumpster, she pulled it into the man's path. Only for him to laugh and move past it.
"There's nowhere to run, street urchin! So give up now and I will make it quick! Just like I did all the others!"
"Go suck a dick, you prick!"
"How colorful! Just for that, I'll kill you nice and slowly!"
"Not today, sucker!" Hearing a whistle of a blade flying toward her, she barely dodged it. "Yipe! Talk about your close shaves! Were you ever a barber?"
"I would never subject myself to such a lowly occupation." Drawing near to her, the man yelled out, "Now die, brat! For the glory of the New World!"
BANG
"AAAGGGHHH!" Hissing in pain, the man chasing Lisa clutched his left shoulder before glaring balefully at the man that shot him. "Dyson."
"I must admit, I'm really quite surprised. You took an oath to uphold the law, yet here you are breaking it. By chasing my little girl and trying to kill her." Lisa's eyes flew wide open in joy as Tom Dyson looked toward her. "That's right, Lisa. I came to tell you the good news when I saw you being chased. You've a family again." Next thing they knew, however, Dyson fell to the ground in agony.
"Daddy! No!" Going to his side, Lisa frantically looked around for the one that hurt her new Daddy.
"Lisa, run. Go to your secret spot."
"Not without you!" She then heard the man chortling wickedly.
"This is marvelous! I get to kill your little girl in front of you before you die." Dyson brought his weapon back up and aimed it at the guy.
"Not while I'm alive, creep. Lisa run!" Touching off a round, he hit the creep in the other shoulder, all while calling out, "Run Lisa, run! Get help and to safety! I'll buy you as much time as I can!"
"Okay!"
Starting to run again, Lisa heard Dyson's gun firing repeatedly. Gaining three blocks, she ducked into an alleyway and spotted a payphone. Picking up the receiver, she dialed 911.
"911, what's your emergency?" The voice was male and as warm as Dyson's, getting Lisa to smile softly before giving her reply.
"My Daddy's been hurt, he's an FBI Agent. Someone's chasing me, trying to kill me and Daddy stopped him."
"Okay, honey. Is your Daddy there with you right now?"
"No, he's back in the alleyway the guy was trying to kill me at. He's trying to buy me time to get away and get help. I gotta go. Daddy's three blocks away from here."
"Honey, don't hang up the phone. Stay on the line." Lisa carefully set the receiver down onto the booth's surface and scampered off.
(Present day)
"That was the last time I saw Daddy alive." Feeling Danny's arms wrap around her, Lisa starts sobbing. "I'll never forget that face. So full of malicious hate."
"Lisa, this is very important. I've a picture of the one believed responsible for a rash of child killings that happened on an international level post Second Impact. Can you look at it for me?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Lisa looks at the picture and starts trembling in rage. "That's him. A little older, but that's the jerk that rendered me an orphan before I could even get home." Her eyes narrowing, she hisses out, "Frederick Earl Cochrane, huh? When he's found, I want to be on the team that arrests him. I want to look him in the eyes as he's Mirandized, telling him that he'd lost."
"I think we can arrange something for you on that, Lisa." Lisa smiles widely before biting her lower lip. Somehow, Rachel picks up on it. "You want to meet your brother and his betrothed, don't you?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I've waited years for this moment. I… I just hope he doesn't mind…"
"No need to worry, Lisa. From what I've gathered about your brother, he doesn't have a hateful bone in his body." Lisa gives a shaky nod and breathes deeply.
'I hope you're right, Ma'am.'