by Dante Doom
"Oh, uh, think nothing of it, man," Peter said. "I spare people's lives all the time; it's no big deal."
Van walked over to the handcuffs and examined them. O'Hara had showed him a nifty trick for popping them open and, after a few minutes of his fiddling with a paperclip, the cuffs clicked open.
"There," Van said, "now, getting out of here is going to be tricky, but we're going to be stealing one of the pods in a little bit. Your best bet would be to hide in the pod until we get outside, and then you can hoof it."
"Why are you doing this for me?" Peter asked.
"Because, man, I know you're not a bad guy like the rest of them," Van replied as he walked up to the door and looked outside, checking to see if there was anyone around. "So go on and get out of here while you have a chance. Once we get the pod loaded up and outdoors, you'll be free to go wherever you want. It's far better than ending up in jail for a crime you really didn't commit."
"Well, I'm not the kind of guy who looks a gift horse in the mouth, although with my recent track record of accepting free vacations, I might want to revisit that policy," Peter said. "So, thanks, my friend. I'd say I owe you one, but I guess we're even now."
"You bet," Van said. "Go hide in the pod. I've got someone else to talk to."
Van walked out into the hall and made his way to the maintenance area where Cindy was currently sitting on the ground. Her right arm was handcuffed to a radiator and she looked very uncomfortable.
"Back to levy empty threats against me?" Cindy asked, not looking up at Van. She was staring at the floor, and he could tell that she was in quite a lot of pain.
"They roughed you up pretty badly, didn't they?" Van asked as he sat down.
"Yeah, well, can you blame them? My name's all over this place. Hell, I'm the only one in this base who has a profile online that says 'Draco representative.' No wonder they beat the tar out of me."
"I'm sorry," Van said, "but they probably wanted information."
"Oh yeah, and they got a lot of it," Cindy said. "Everything they wanted, I told them. But… this one guy, a real deranged fella by the name of Neil, he tells me that he knows I'm keeping a secret. He handcuffs me here and leaves me to rot."
"Do you know a secret?" Van asked.
"Go to hell," Cindy said. "You're free, aren't you? You figured out some way to destroy Draco and now your buddies are here to save the day. Why the hell do you want to come and torment me?"
"I'm not here to torment you," Van said. "I'm here to offer you a chance at a better life."
"Ha, and how so?" Cindy asked as she sharply looked up at him. He could see she was very bruised and battered. It made him uncomfortable, to think how effortlessly they had interrogated her with violence, but then he remembered the crimes that she'd perpetrated against the world. Even so… Torture and ethics were definitely far beyond him, but something made him deeply uncomfortable when he saw people in positions of power taking advantage of those who were at a disadvantage.
"Things are changing for the CIA," Van said. "The mission is over and they want to quit while they're ahead. Earth is safe, and so there's no reason for them to keep fighting Draco."
"Makes sense," Cindy said.
"But Sang and I have a different plan. You see, we're not going to stop fighting against these evil lizards. On the contrary, the battle is just getting started."
Cindy snorted. "What's going on in that tiny little mind of yours?" she asked. "Do you have any idea just how big Draco is? Sure, their mothership got tanked, kudos to you, but you do realize that these guys span the entire universe?"
"Oh, I know that," Van said as he leaned in close to Cindy. "And I'm ready to take the fight to them."
"You're nuts," Cindy said as she shook her head. "You are an absolute madman if you think you can kill them all."
"We have the means to do it," Van said. "We've figured out a method, and we have the power to access the game that's used to corral the Xevov. But we need something."
"And what's that?" Cindy asked.
"We need access to more Draco tech. This place is belly-up, as you know. The CIA's gonna dismantle everything and make sure it doesn't ever get reported on by anyone. All of this precious tech is going into the hands of a government that intends on doing nothing with it."
"And you think I know where there's more Draco tech," Cindy said.
"I know you're holding out on us. Neil might be bonkers and a deeply terrifying man, but he's a smart one. If he thinks you're keeping a secret, then I know you have something for me. What is it?"
"Why should I tell you?" Cindy asked. "You're just gonna use it and leave me behind."
"Well, that's where an offer comes into play," Van said. "The government won't forgive you, and you know it. But they don't have to have you in their possession, do they? If you can lead us to more technology, if you can take us to the promised land, which I know you can, we'll let you go."
"Just like that?"
"Hey, as of today, I don't work for the government anymore."
Cindy slowly nodded at that. "Well, I suppose it's a better deal than whatever these CIA guys are going to try and offer me. I know for a fact that none of them will deliver on whatever promises they make. I figure, with you, I've got maybe a 50/50 chance of you keeping your word. Not great odds, but better than my guaranteed hanging. So… okay. Deal. If you help me out of here, I'll help you out."
Sang rushed back into the reception area to find Frederick Yuri walking into the base. Neil and O'Hara were nowhere to be found. Sang felt an iciness run through her veins the moment she saw Yuri, though.
"Agent Sang," Frederick said as he strolled up to her. "I hear you have some good things to report."
"Yes, sir," Sang said as she stepped slightly away from him.
"You seem a little nervous," Frederick said. "I hope Neil hasn't been filling your head with fiction about our plans for you."
"As deranged and cynical as he is, he's not a liar," Sang said. "You're firing us."
Frederick sighed. "I'm sorry, Sang. I fought for you guys tooth and nail, but the higher-ups have decided that the world just isn't ready to deal with the whole alien thing yet. We're going to be cleaning this whole thing up. The good news is that you're going to be retired with full honors, and you're getting what would be your pension up front and in cash, so you won't have to work if you don't want to. That's our thank you for your working so hard."
"And Van?" Sang asked. "What about him?"
Frederick shrugged. "He'll receive some compensation for his efforts, as well. While I am… concerned as to his stability, given the loss of his precious video game, I don't think he'll be a risk. We should have sufficient means to keep him quiet about all of this."
Sang growled a little. "I'm beyond pissed at you all."
"I know you are," he said. For what it was worth, there was a heaviness on his shoulders and he seemed to be somewhat depressed. "But there's not much I can do. You're in the deeper circles of the clandestine world. A lot of things are going on that you don't really understand. Half the time, I don't understand, either. We're grateful for what you've done and you will be rewarded, but your time with the CIA is coming to an end. We will also be writing up a history of mental instability and verifying it with a few people to ensure that, if you do start talking about aliens, you'll be discredited immediately."
"Gee, you know some places give their valuable employees a plaque on the wall that says Employee of the Month," Sang replied.
"I never want to hear your voice on any public forum," Frederick warned. "This is all going away. We're pushing the lid down tight and we're not going to open it back up until the time is right."
"And just like that, the world doesn't get to hear the truth?"
"The truth can be a very dangerous thing when it's applied carelessly," Frederick replied as he moved closer to Sang. She backed up against the wall. For a moment, she really felt a genuine fear. Not of him, but of his words.
"The truth
is bandied about as if it were the ultimate thing that mankind must pursue, but let's be real here: if people knew the actual truth about the nature of the world, it would be chaos."
"That's not for you to decide!" Sang shouted back.
"Of course, it's not, which is why I've been ordered to clean this whole affair up!" Frederick replied. "You don't understand, Sang, and maybe you never will, but there are powers that control things far more than you would like to think. They have deemed this kind of information to be too dangerous for the rest of the world. And what am I to say to them? No? Am I to tell them that my opinion matters more than theirs?"
"Who are these people in charge?" Sang asked.
Frederick sighed again. "The highest echelons of the government. The big boss called me into his office and told me exactly what I was to do. I was allowed to ask approximately zero questions, because in this kind of world, you don't really get to ask questions."
"I bet our bastard President was behind this," Sang said. "I knew he was a weasel."
"We can spend all day trying to figure out who to blame here," Frederick said, "but the truth is, there is nothing you can do. There is nothing that I can do. Everything has been organized this way for a reason, and that's that. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to move on and go home."
"I think you're a spineless weasel of a man if you're willing to just bury all of this."
"Weasel of a man!" Frederick thundered. "Who was the man who fought to keep you employed with the CIA when you were facing serious charges for dereliction of duty? Who was the man who tried everything in his power to keep this operation afloat? Who was the man who stood up and made sure that you, Neil, O'Hara, and the nerd didn't end up in prison for your extra-legal activities involving government property? You call me a weasel, but I have done far more for you than you could ever realize."
"I appreciate those things," Sang said, "I really do, but you can't throw this in my face as a rebuttal for choosing to let the truth be buried."
"Who's to say the truth is even a good thing for the world to know? I would trust the opinions of the higher-ups over whatever hippy, libertine opinion you might have rattling around in your head," Frederick said. "Make no mistake, Sang, my conscience is clean. I am doing the right thing by hiding this, and you… you should get out of here while you still have a chance."
"I don't want to walk away so angry with you," Sang said. "I recognize that you did some real good in my life, but at the same time… you're choosing to get rid of me and Neil for the crime of serving our country. How can that possibly be fair?"
"I don't know what to tell you, Sang," Frederick replied. "I will do whatever they tell me to do. Regardless of the personal cost, the discomfort and the suffering, I can trust them far more than I can trust my own instincts. The world is still spinning, isn't it? Who do you think told me to start this project to begin with?"
Sang frowned. "They told me you were poisoned. Was that true?"
Frederick shook his head. "I don't have to answer that. There's a car outside with enough money to compensate you for what you have done. Take Van and go home. Never speak of any of this again, to anyone, and live the rest of your life as best you can."
"So that's it, then?" Sang asked. "Just like that, you're going to throw me in the trash?"
"You saved the world; what did you think you'd get, a medal?" Frederick asked. "Be out of this place in ten minutes or I'll ask Neil to move you."
He turned and walked off to inspect a few file cabinets that were by the receptionist's desk. Sang felt her blood begin to boil. He'd probably known that things were going to end like this from the very beginning. Frederick has used her.
Sang rushed out from the secret base and into the hot sun. Neil and O'Hara were sitting on the hood of a blue Subaru station wagon.
"Hey," Neil said. "You ready to cash out and get the hell out of here?"
"Change of plans, guys," Sang said as she walked up to them. "There's still an adventure to be had."
"What are you talking about?" Neil asked. "Fredrick officially relieved me and O'Hara ten minutes ago."
"You should have heard all of the swear words I was finally allowed to use on that guy!" O'Hara said. "It was great!"
"There's a pod in there that contains the mind of our strongest ally, the Xevov named Jet," Sang said as she pointed to back where the base was.
"So?" Neil asked.
"So, we're gonna go back in there, steal it, and get the hell out of here," Sang said. "The Xevov are still enslaved. Just because we killed the Draco leader doesn't mean the war is over. It's just beginning. It's just no longer defense – it's an offensive operation."
"But what about being mercenaries in South America?" O'Hara asked as she crossed her arms.
"And the Swedish men!" Neil protested.
"Swedish men and living the rough-cut life of a mercenary can wait!" Sang replied. "We still have a shot at really making a difference."
"And you want our help?" Neil asked. "That is a shock. I'm guessing Van is in, too?'
"Damn straight, he is," Sang said. "Now, do you two chuckleheads want to jump in on the real action or do you want to retire early?"
Neil paused for a moment to consider her words. He glanced over at O'Hara. "What do you think, Red? Do we rip off the government and high-tail it to some country where they'll never find us?"
"How is that any different from what we were planning anyway?" O'Hara asked. "The way I look at it, the more we can learn about these aliens, the better. I sure as hell loved the X-Files and I want to keep living it out."
"Neil?" Sang asked.
Neil shifted a little as he leaned up off of the hood of the car. "All I've ever wanted to do was help people. I know I'm violent and angry, prone to intense outbursts of threats and savagery, but honestly, it's all for the goal of doing good. Do you really think we can help that race?"
"I can guarantee it," Sang said.
"And… will it be a violent way to help them?" Neil asked.
"Absolutely," Sang replied.
"Then count me in. Come on, let's go knock Frederick out, steal the pod, gut-punch Van, and then get the hell out of here."
"Um, we're only doing three of those things," Sang said as she followed after the frenzied Neil. She was hoping they would formulate some kind of a plan before just charging back into the base, but Neil seemed to know what he was doing. At least, she hoped he did.
Chapter Twenty
Van still couldn't believe what had happened. They were all crammed in a Subaru with a large silver pod sticking out of the back, driving frantically across the desert. Everything had moved so quickly. At first, he had been talking to Cindy and asking her to join him, and the next thing he had known, the world was in chaos. People were shouting, guns were being fired, and Van found himself reeling from an intense gut punch as Neil burst in, grabbed Cindy, and slugged Van in the stomach and told him to get to the car before someone got shot.
How they'd managed to load the pod into the vehicle and avoid the CIA guards would forever be a mystery to Van, but he was pretty sure that most of the guard detail was only pretending to chase after them. Even the cars that had given chase had stopped after a few miles of driving. Now they were all crammed into the car, heading to some undisclosed location.
"So, you're positive it's here?" Neil asked as he checked his map again.
"Yes," Cindy said. "The repository should be seven miles to the north."
"Ohhhh, man," Neil said, rubbing his hands together. "Things are just getting better and better."
"I'm still not following any of this," Van said. "And, Neil, why did you punch me?"
"Because I'm not a government man anymore, and your threats of complaints to my supervisor will no longer restrain my wanton urge for violence!" Neil replied. "And that was a congratulatory punch. You did a crazy-good job on saving the world, and I appreciate you."
"Why are you so insane?" Van asked.
"Because I'
d be boring as hell if I weren't!" Neil replied. "Now, listen up: Cindy here disclosed to me a few hours ago that there's some kind of place they call a repository. It was designed to be a safehouse in case things got really bad for the Draco representatives down here. This repository contains enough gear for us to make contact with the Draco mothership."
"Interesting," Sang said. "That mothership is full of dead Draco now."
"Exactly, so it's most likely going to be relatively easy to break into. Once we get in there, we can hook up the pod to the satellite thing and see what we need."
"What about the government?" Sang asked. "They're going to be looking for us."
"Underground tunnels!" Neil replied. "These suckers are connected all across America. The Draco really wanted to make sure they had their assets protected."
"The plan was simple," Cindy said. "We would stay in our bases if Plan A was executed, in which case a series of catastrophic events would cripple the American infrastructure and we'd watch everyone tear themselves apart. But if for some reason Plan A failed, the second plan was to unleash a hellstorm of nuclear missiles across every populated place and body of water. The bunkers were designed to be a shelter for those of us who were to remain."
"And you were perfectly okay with that?" Sang asked.
Cindy sighed. "I don't know what to tell you."
"Man, oh, man, you are so lucky you're so valuable to us," Neil said. "Cause I guarantee you'd be the one they'd pin all of this on."
"You think I don't know that?" Cindy replied. "I just want to pay back my debt to society and go home."
"Well, this is how it starts," O'Hara replied. "You do one good deed after another and then maybe you won't feel so guilty about betraying humanity."
"Oh, burn!" Neil said.