Season 5, Episode 3: In Plain Sight
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Fast and Furious Franchise. Only my own ideas and original characters. Also, please excuse any minor grammar/punctuation errors.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Los Angeles CA
Hobbs sighed in defeat as he made his way down the familiar corridor of LA County Prison. The DSS officer didn't want to do this...But, he was desperate, to say the least. Cipher was still a danger to the entire world. Without her caught, there could be another cyberattack planned at any given moment. Hobbs also couldn't share what he was about to do with The Toretto Crew, as they would have his head on a silver platter. Could he blame them, though? Not at all. If the roles were reversed, he'd probably do the same. But, as he told himself multiple times during self-talk to himself. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Hobbs then found himself standing outside the cell of no other than Deckard Shaw. The older British male was taken aback at the revelation of a visitor. As he was put in an isolation containment center for better observation.
"If it isn't, Lucas Hobbs. To what do I owe for this surprise visit?" Deckard prompted with a cocky smirk
"I have a proposal for you," Hobbs stated simply.
This causes Deckard's brows to rise in suspicion. "Oh, really? What more could you possibly want? I'm already in a self-isolation prison cell, losing my mind! Even though we're enemies, It's nice to actually some human interaction."
"Which is why I'm sure you'd be interested in this proposal."
Hobbs places the holder in his hand through the small Plexi box opening, to which Deckard grabs as he begins to read the contents.
"Hacker by the name of Cipher nearly started a cyber, nuclear war," Hobbs began before taking a short breath. "Even though the Toretto Crew and I were able to prevent said war from happening. She managed to escape and is believed to be hiding out in Athens, planning on unleashing another attack shortly. She turned Dom against us and brainwashed Brian into killing Elena Torres…"
Before Hobbs could continue, Deckard interrupted him abruptly.
"I'm gonna stop you right there. Why ask me to help take down this cyber-terrorist? This seems like something you'd ask The Toretto Crew for assistance on"
Hobbs began to open his mouth to respond but couldn't formulate any words. Deckard pieced together the clues and, while doing so, caused his eyes to light up deviously.
"They don't know that you're here," He concluded.
"Exactly. They have their hands full trying to find Brian, who went missing after these events."
"Oh? Man, Being locked up makes you miss all the drama" Deckard chuckled darkly.
Hobbs gives him a stern look while also letting out a stressed sigh.
"Look... I'm desperate, alright? You're one of the only people that could hold their own against me in a battle, which doesn't happen often. Help me take down Cipher, and I can make things happen in your favor.
"You flatter me. But I'm curious. What's it in for me?"
"The chance to gain your freedom back."
"Wow! You really are desperate to be siding with a criminal. You make a compelling bargain, But how do you know I won't go, rogue, once you release me?"
"I already got that covered"
Hobbs fishes into his jacket pocket and pulls out a dull gray microchip.
"You wanna embed a tracking device in me? Like a canine?" Deckard prompted in an unfazed manner.
"Oh, it's not just a tracking chip. This will also allow me to set off the detonate component if you try any funny business."
"I'm impressed! Didn't know you had it in ya, twinkle toes."
"Got to do what I have to do to keep this world safe. This chip, however, will remain embedded in your neck even after the Athens trip. If you maintain good behavior, We consider putting you on parole with ongoing supervision. Also, this will give you the chance to redeem yourself in even the slightest way…
"Right cause criminals love changing their way of life," Deckard said sarcastically.
"Just think about, alright?"
"No need. I'll help you. I want this Cipher chick taken care of too. There's only room for two big and bad criminals, and that's Owen and me."
"Right…" Hobbs trailed off with uncertainty. "Well then, let's get this show on the road!"
"With pleasure. I look forward to our partnership," Deckard replied with optimism.
"I, unfortunately, can't say the same," Hobbs says dryly.
"I'm definitely gonna regret this," Hobbs thought to himself.
~The Fast & Furious Family Chronicles~
Silver Fox High School
12:30 pm
Darryl's POV
Today's the day I officially ask Alyssa out on a date. After thinking over my friend's advice, what harm could one date be? Was I giving into peer pressure? A little bit. Then again, I've known Alyssa for about two years now. The history is there, which should make things more comfortable in the long run, right? Maybe I'm getting in over my head, and this entire thing is a bad idea. No, Darryl! You've been confident all day! There's no backing out at the last minute.
But how could I not? Both of us are walking back to our locker after lunch in preparation for our 5th-hour class.
Darryl, this is the perfect time to ask her! Stop being a wuss and just go for it!
"You alright, O'Conner?" Alyssa prompted me. Causing me to break out of my thought trance
"Huh?"
Then my brain catches me up to speed on what's happening.
"Yeah. I'm planning on asking out this girl, but my anxiety is telling me otherwise."
"Aww, you've got the hots for someone? Sometimes you just gotta treat it like a band-aid. Rip it off and just go for it! Cause the longer you wait, the more your anxiety is gonna convince you to not ask them out," Alyssa explained.
"That's true. Alyssa, I have a question for you."
"Yeah?'
"Will you go out on a date with me?"
Alyssa freezes in her track and quickly turns to face her best friend with astounded eyes.
"Wait... I'm the girl you were referring to?"
I nod in agreement as my mouth seems to be glued shut.
"Oh. Not gonna lie, this definitely caught me off guard…"
Alyssa pauses to find the right words to say. She twirls her hair in the slightest motion to calm her shaky palms.
"But...Sure! Are you free tonight?"
"Yes. I thought I'd pick you up around 6?"
"It's a date!"
The warning bell rings throughout the school, signaling the five-minute timer till class starts.
"I better get to class; see ya tonight!" Alyssa said as she began walking further down the hallway.
I waved farewell and let out a much needed, relieved breath.
I can't believe I just did that! One step down, and now it's time to wait for the main event.
~The Fast & Furious Family Chronicles~
The O'Conner Household
Meanwhile, Brian has finally arrived in Los Angeles after a tedious journey across the country. His first instinct was to simply walk through the front door of his home and hug Mia and Jack. Yet, when he found himself just mere feet away from doing so, He quickly hesitates and realizes his actions' severity. Yes, at the moment, it felt right to escape from it all, but in the grand scheme of things...Brian abandoned his family for six months! That's not something you can just bounce back from instantly. The Crew would be more than ecstatic to know the older blond wasn't dead, but they will also more than likely be furious, especially Dom. Nobody messes with his baby sister and gets away with it. But, Brian was willing to pay the price for it.
As Brian peeked inside the downstairs window, Mia and Jack came into view. Jack is playing with one of his toys while Mia cradles him slightly in her arms. Brian smiles radiantly at the revelation making his heart melt.
Oh, how he missed being with his family.
"She said, yes! Can you believe that?" A familiar voice spoke
Brian turned to see Darryl in the nearby distance approaching the house. The older blond then quickly jumps into a nearby bush for cover. He totally forgot it already late afternoon.
"I'm picking her up at 6. We're gonna go to this fancy restaurant near the water plaza downtown. I think it's called 75 and Above? Has a great view of the skyline from balcony seating!"
Brian peeves his head a little out of the bush to get an image of Darryl, who was indeed talking on the phone with a friend. His little brother was growing up too fast and looked more and more like him as the years progressed. He then hears him unlocking the door to the house and stepping inside soon after.
"I have to go to that restaurant tonight! I don't wanna miss out on Darryl's first big date!' Brian thought out loud, "But if I'm gonna do that, I'll need a disguise."
~The Fast & Furious Family Chronicles~
Athens, Greece
Even though Hobbs and Shaw traveled to Athens intending to take down Cipher, An even bigger surprise greeted them in the heart of the capital city. Not only was tracking down the cyber-terrorist a top priority, now they were faced with Brixton Lorr and his army. Lorr is a cyber genetically enhanced soldier who possesses superhuman strength, with an agenda to take Hattie Shaw, Deckard's younger sister. The reason? Well, Hattie is an MI6 agent tasked to secure project Snowflake, a deadly virus capable of wiping out half of the human race. However, the mission didn't go as planned, which leads to the arrival of Hobbs and Shaw during the middle of all the mayhem.
Currently, the trio found themselves on a high-speed pursuit to obtain Snowflake from the van in front of them, as some of Lorr's army fired shots at them.
"You never fail to stay out of trouble, do you, sis?" Deckard questioned as he peeved his head outside the window to fire a few rounds.
Hattie shrugs as she is also firing shots at the group ahead.
"What can I say? Trouble always seems to find me. Besides…"
Hattie pauses as she dodges a bullet that goes flying past her head. "It's not like you and Owen are any better. I'm under the impression that our family lives for danger and excitement."
"You aren't wrong."
Hobbs lets out an annoyed grunt. "Look, I'm all for a sibling reunion. But can it wait till we've obtained snowflake?! We've been on this chase for over 10 minutes and have accomplished nothing!"
"Well, maybe if you weren't driving like a jackass, Hattie and I would have more of a perfect aim!" Deckard argued back
"Don't blame this on me! I'm avoiding these landmines, so we don't get blown the fuck up!"
On cue, a landmine thrown in front of them goes off, causing an explosive firework display and for Hobbs to aggressively swerve to the right.
"You're welcome!" Hobbs says sarcastically
"Just get focused on the road, twinkle toes! Hattie and I got the front lines covered."
Hobbs doesn't verbally respond but shakes his head in disbelief. He really was working side by side with Deckard Shaw of all people.
He was definitely regretting his decision.
"Alright, boys! No more fighting. We've got a mission to finish." Hattie prompted
"Agreed, sis. Let's get these bastards."
As the pursuit continued on, the large van carrying Snowflake approached a blocked-off bridge under construction. Still, of course, this didn't stop them as they sped right through the barriers and proceeded forward at an even faster rate. Hobbs, Deckard, and Hattie were still reasonably close to their tail.
"A part of me really hoped they would have stopped," Hobbs stated
"In a fantasy world. Haven't you learned anything about chasing criminals?" Deckard questioned in annoyance
"Now's not the time, Deckard!"
"I beg to differ. Look ahead"
Hobbs does indeed look ahead and notice a plethora of landmines being dropped out of the van's back hatchet, and, one by one, they are activated, taking every part of the bridge down with it. Hobbs picks up the pace to outrun the collapsing structure. Just when the other side seems so close in reach, the final part of the bridge collapses under them, causing their vehicle to plump it downward towards the water.
"O-O-O-H-S-H-H-I-IT!" The trio cursed
They were so close to the other side. Now, it was time for plan b.
Meanwhile, Lorr's men laughed maliciously at a job well done.
"Nice job, boys!" One of them complimented the group, "Now it's time to bring the viles to the boss!"
An eruption of cheers let loose in the van as their commute continued onward in Athens.
~The Fast & Furious Family Chronicles~
75 & Above
Downtown Los Angeles, CA
7:35 pm
Darryl's POV
Alyssa and I arrive at 75 & Above shortly after 6:30. Even though this was my idea to ask her out, I was already having doubts. What if she said just to be nice? Cause it seemed like ever since we arrived at the restaurant, things have been too awkward and tense. Usually, I never want our outings to end. But now, I couldn't wait till this date was over. This was a mistake. Maybe I was giving into peer pressure and thought I had all my feelings sorted out. Who am I kidding? I'm only 16.
"I'm sorry, Alyssa," I blurted out suddenly.
She then looks up from her plate with confusion.
"Why are you, sorry?" She questioned curiously
"This date. I put you on the spot when I asked out and felt bad about it. Let's be honest; things have been awkward since we walked into the restaurant. Usually, by now, we're in the depth of interesting conversations. But now, we've hardly even said 10 sentences to each other"
Alyssa lets out a sad sigh as she covers her face in embarrassment.
"It's not your fault. I thought this is what I wanted. But now I'm not so sure. I care about you so much and don't want to ruin our friendship. What if I hurt you? I couldn't live with myself if I did."
Alyssa then uncovers her face and takes notice of my tranquil expression.
"I understand and feel the same way. Maybe we let our friends peer pressure us a little too much."
"For real, though. The girls have been hounding me to ask you out. But it looks like you beat me to it," Alyssa said sheepishly.
"Same goes for the guys. I think we should take time figuring stuff out."
"Agreed. We don't want to jump into anything too quickly."
"Exactly...Wait…"
I pause mid-sentence as I notice a familiar figure sitting a few tables down from us in disguise. Alyssa turns her head to look in my direction, and she instantly knows why upon future inspection.
"No way. Is that…"
"Brian?!" I prompted
The man in question turns to look at Alyssa, and I like a deer in highlights. Which was enough of an indicator for me.
My brother was finally home.
To be continued…