Agent in the Dark (The Agents for Good) (3 page)

Chantry just smiled at my hedonistic request, but I heard the girl gasp and my brother’s teeth grind some more.

“You are a disgrace on our parents name John!” Flint exclaimed angrily.

“I guess I’ll have to take your word on that James, as I can’t remember them enough to say anything to the contr
ary.”

For just one moment the anger in Flint’s eyes dimmed, but then it was back in full force, “And to think mother named you for John the Baptist!”

Smoothly I quoted, “What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A man clothed in soft raiment?”

Flint looked like he wanted to break something and I smiled charmingly digging it in even further. He turned away to stalk over to a window and I turned back to see a specul
ative look in Chantry’s eyes. That look didn’t bode well. What did he have up his sleeve?

“I think we may have hit on something here John.
A means of inducement, if you will, to engage you to do our bidding.”

I waited him out not saying anything.

“Would you like a woman John?”

Now that I had not been expecting to come from him.
He truly must be desperate to offer such a thing. He pulled a picture from an inside coat pocket and scooted it across the table to me. I glanced down at the picture and was arrested instantly by what I saw. I glanced up from the picture to study Chantry carefully.

“She is your mission John, if you choose to accept it.”

I glanced down to the picture as Chantry continued. “She is of mixed parentage, as you might have imagined from her exotic features. Her mother was of Albanian d
escent and her father was Japanese. Her mother met her father through an escort service, while he was on a business trip. The father took such a liking to her mother that he paid for exclusive rights to her. The two eventually married and the result you see lying before you. She is quite stunning isn’t she John. Her father was the CEO of a rather important Cybertek firm. When she was three a kidnapping attempt was made. She was spirited away by a trusted bodyguard, but they managed to nab the mother. Whatever the kidnapper’s request were we’re not sure, but we do know that the father refused to grant them. The kidnapping was never made aware to the public. A month after negotiation fell through pieces of the mother were mailed to her husband. After that the girl’s father became paranoid over ensuring the safety of his daughter. He raised her in virtual isolation from the outside world that existed beyond the corporate tower complex of his corporation’s headquarters in Tokyo. We don’t know much about her early years other than, even as a child she possessed a genius like intellect and aptitude for technology, even more so than her father had been gifted with. She was given her own research and development wing at the age of 14. Her father insisted on exposing her to some outside influence, in preparation for her one day takeover of the corporation. He sent her to college in New York City, where she attended classes for four years, with a private security detail equal to what a president would receive. We know that there were several attempts made on her life during that time period, but none were successful. She returned to Japan and essentially took over the entire research division of her father’s company. He still served as CEO and was an active part, but it was her that set the tempo of the entire company. Seven years of unparalleled success went by, until the day the company was seized in a hostile takeover. The girl disappeared and her father committed suicide under suspicious circumstances. An EM pulse struck the world and there was global chaos. It is thought that the global recovery would have gone much smoother and less dangerously, if her company had been at the helm of the recovery effort, but the company was virtually shut down following the hostile takeover. We presumed the girl was lost for two long years, as the Code’s grip tightened down on the world, until four days ago. A hacker managed to somehow break into the Code’s operating data field. We don’t know any more than that. Following the breach the Code shut down most of the ability to interact with it worldwide, which has caused the hopes of many to rise in anticipation that there may yet be a chance of breaking the Code and regaining independence. Coinciding with the breach there was the largest ever to date bounty placed on the head of our girl here. The Code’s masters, at least seem, to believe that she is still alive. We’ve been unable to find a trace of her Japanese name, but Temple was able to discover the presence and activity of one Asia Smith on the Code’s mainframe. Asia Smith is the name of an obscure online gaming ID login that we believe was created by our girl here some time in her youth for a brief period of time before she went to college. We think that may be the name that she’s going by now. She may very well be the key or have the key to breaking the Code. The breach occurred in New York City and judging from the hell that the city has become it’s doubtful that she will be able to escape from it on her own, if she’s even trying in the first place. She is in grave peril and needs to be rescued as quickly as possible!”

“So let me get this right, you want me to make my way
across a nation gone nuts to the biggest nut house of them all, where there probably already eating each other, if things are as bad as you say they are. Once there somehow, in the ruins of the city, I’m too find one little Asian chick hacker, who knows how to hide and bring her back to you? I have to admit Chantry that there is a heck of a complement in there for whatever abilities you believe I might possess, but the fact of the matter is that I’m not God and there’s still nothing in it for me. So no deal!”

Chantry was unfazed, “After you rescue her I want you to bring her here and I want you to keep her here safe, while she works on breaking the Code up to a year’s time from now.”

You could’ve heard a pin drop in the room.

“You really think I’m going to be able to keep my hands off of a hot chick like her for an entire year?” I asked disb
elievingly.

Chantry’s gaze didn’t waver, “Given your track record with women I very much doubt you’ll last longer than a few days without putting your hands on her. All that I ask is that you be as gentle with her as you can be and that you keep her safe, while she works on the Code, until I can come for her.”

I had to admit that Chantry had surprised me with this one. “You’re actually serious about all this aren’t you.” I said wonderingly.

“I’m afraid I am.” Chantry stated resignedly.

I glanced off to the side at the Maria girl, as an old bitterness welled up inside of me that made me see red, which caused the headache I was suffering from to pound with earnest intensity. Maria’s jaw had fallen open in complete incredibility, as she stared at Chantry, as if she’d never known the man.

“This!” I said speaking directly to her, “Is what being hung out to dry and burned looks like! Remember it well and if you take my advice you’ll run from the Agency before some bean counter decides that you’re expendable to!”

Maria regained control of her face only to respond questioningly, “Is that what happened to you?”

Everything came back to me in an instance from the past and I couldn’t control the old hatreds that overwhelmed my sense of control. I looked at Chantry. I would kill him now! I started up, but was halted by my brother’s strong arms su
rrounding me tightly. He hadn’t had to do that. He could have just shot me, as my attention hadn’t been on him.

“No John!” He spoke directly into my ear.

I could break his hold, as even though I was the younger of the two of us I was the stronger. I was stronger than anyone I knew, but some modicum of respect for not just killing me and grappling with me instead bade me to respond.

“Let go before I hurt you!” Flint’s arms released me and I stood up and walked away to a window putting my back to them.

“Despite how I know it must seem I did not abandon you willingly John.” Chantry said softly.

Words was
all it was, just words. I turned from the window with a mask of control firmly in place. “Despite how tempting your stock offer is Chantry I feel that I must turn it down. If I get desperate I’ll sail northward and pick up a few Eskimo chicks at far less peril than your Asian one. Now get out! I won’t say it again!” I said pointing towards the door.

Chantry stood up stiffly, with the use of his cane and a hand pushing off on the table. He walked to the door before tur
ning back to me.

“There is another reason that I came seeking help from you.” He said.

I regarded him contemptuously having known all along that there must be some other reason behind his visit. “It was never like you to act on just one motivation. Well what is it?” I asked harshly.

“I asked him to come here.” Temple said speaking for the first time.

I had wondered at his presence here, but why he would ask such a thing, especially in concern to me I could not fathom.

He stepped toward me, “I’ve found evidence linking the people behind the Code with the people who captured you
and Lori. I want to save the world, but even more than that I want revenge!”

I glanced down at his shaking hands. Here was a man that lived for only one purpose. It was a lifestyle I was familiar with.

“If you want revenge Temple, all you have to do is pull the trigger. I told you that years ago and the offer stands.”

Temple nodded, “I know and part of me wants to kill you, but I know enough to know how someone can be twis
ted into doing something that they wouldn’t have done by reason of their own choice. I can live with what you did knowing that, but I still want revenge against who brought it all about in the first place. This Asia Smith, she’s better than I am with technology. She can break the Code. If we find out who’s behind the Code not only will we save countless lives and restore balance to the world, but we both will have vengeance. I want you to do as Chantry says John, on the blood of my dead sister I ask it!”

I stared at him
miserably, there had already been so much sacrifice and now this!

“Okay I’ll do it.” I responded gruffly.

Temple nodded and set a folder down on the table, “Everything you’ll need to know.” He said before leaving the room.

Chantry spoke, “I’m sorry more than you know for ha
ving to pull that card out on you John. For the duration of the mission your agent status has been reaffirmed. You are once more agent Logan Sackett.” He turned to go, but my words stopped him.

“Why a year Chantry?”

He hesitated in telling me, “You didn’t talk the first time so I doubt you will if you’re caught again so why not tell you I suppose. We need a year to prepare a coordinated strike with armed forces we are in communication with the world around. The extra time will also hopefully make them go to sleep over this breach so they won’t be expecting us when we strike. That’s why I need a year. If I haven’t come back by then assume the worst and take care of yourself and Asia. Temple is unloading the equipment that she’ll need to break the Code. Godspeed Logan.” Chantry left the room followed by Maria and I was left alone with my brother.

“Thank you John for honoring Temple’s request.” Flint said.

I nodded flatly not wanting any further conversation on the topic.

“About the mission I……”

“If you’re going to give me a big long spiel about how I shouldn’t freely enjoy humanity’s last hope then forget it! You heard Chantry she’s mine to do with as I please for a year.”

Flint’s jaw worked powerfully in anger, but he didn’t say anything. He stormed out of the house, anger in every movement of his long stride. That was good. As long, as he was angry, he would have no inclination to think. Moments later Maria stepped back inside the room.

I had been headed for my bed and her reappearance was unappreciated, as at this moment the throbbing pain in my head wouldn’t even allow a momentary thought of desire to enter my mind.

She looked nervous, as she held something out to me, “Chantry told me to give you these with his apologies for the last two years.”

“Thank you.” I said gratefully taking the bottle.

She looked at me a little surprised and before she could ask any questions I said, “Now go and rejoin the herd before the big bad predator ties you up to his bed.”

She backed away quickly and I soon heard the chopper take off and leave the island. I opened the bottle and chucked two of the blue pills back into my mouth. I set the precious bottle of pills down on the table and collapsed on my bed rubbing at my temples with both hands profoundly grateful for the pills that would take away the brunt of the pain and shorten the duration of the episode. I didn’t know for sure what was in the pills, but they always worked.

For the first three years of my stay on the island a plane had made a once a year flyover dropping a care package, which among other things had contained a bottle of these pills. The flyovers hadn’t happened the past two years and I had just assumed it was a sign of Chantry cutting off all ties. Li
ttle had I known that the world was falling apart outside.

I was a fool to let myself be manipulated like this. People would die. It sounded like they already were though. I’d brought the folder with me and I opened it. The picture fell
out of it and I picked it up. Asia Smith was a very beautiful woman. Right now she was running for her life and in peril of being captured at any moment, but all I could think about was how much I wanted to kiss her and much more.