Martini & Salsa

Cynthia opened her car door as well and frowned as she looked around. Where were all the workmen that they'd seen before they got to this section of the dock. It was deserted and Cynthia just couldn't shake the feeling this wasn't normal.

"This isn't right," she muttered loud enough for Martini to hear. She closed the door cautiously.

Meanwhile the sniper got word that the woman was not on file and hence of no worth. That meant that he could use his discretion on her. That was fine by him, he understood the need for keeping the male agent around, but the woman was going to find herself no longer breathing.

With Salsa in sight he started to pull the trigger.
 
Martini scanned the lot as Salsa exited the car then he froze, as she muttered a flash of light caught his eye. It came from the window of a small sedan, and now that he looked closely he say the outline on one of the dock cranes reflected as well, then the flash came again.

"GET DOWN!" he yelled diving over the BMW landing heavily on Salsa bearing her to the ground in a shower of safety glass at the shot missed. A split second later the sound of a shot reached them as Martini's sunglasses clattered across the ground, he did not waste time picking them up.

For a second he looked into her eyes studying them, it was clear she had never been shot at before. Rolling off of her he sprang to his feet with more agility than it seemed his suit should allow pulling Salsa behind an SUV. In his head he pictured the layout of the docks, out in the lot they were sitting ducks, if thy could have if to the offices then through them to the warehouses they would be out of sight of the crane.

Reaching inside his suit he pulled out a disposable lighter.

"What are you doing?" Salsa asked in dissbelief "We're being shot at, its no time for a smoke!"

Before she had finishes speaking he had broken it in half and a large cloud of white smoke enveloped them. He grabbed her arm and set off at a sprint across the access road kicking the door in and pulling Salsa inside.
 
The Cardinal cursed as he not only lost the target but gave away his position with the shot. No, the agent had already seen him, or he wouldn't have dived for his partner. Damn clumsy thing to do, he almost got the bullet instead. As the spiky haired man tracked the two agents, and frowned as the male agent was still in the way. If he'd just move a little... YES! And then there was the smoke screen. More cursing was muttered as the Cardinal looked to see where they would be heading. Really only one direction, the warehouse buildings.

The setup was not ideal, but the sniper was sure once he got the opportunity, he'd have little problem picking off the woman. Once that was done, capturing the male agent would be easier.

He saw them go into the office building, but he didn't have time to get a clear shot in. That was it, his position was of no use. It was time to get to the warehouse. "We've got two rats going for the golden egg. Keep the white one for the lab, over."

Meanwhile in the office, Salsa was trying to catch her breath. "I haven't... had to run.... like that... since... high school... tennis...." her lungs were actually burning, but she stood up straight and tried to think instead of react. "Now what?"

Of course she had no idea what to even think right now. It looked like they were in some sort of office. There were computers and phones and fax machines, desks and printers. All very very normal, except of course it was dark inside since the office was closed.

Mentally she started ticking off the things that the nice doctor had given to her before she was pushed into this mission.
 
Finally with time to breathe Martini Reached into his jacked and pulled a black semi-automatic from a shoulder holster and a smaller revolver strapped to his shin handing the second to Salsa.

“Just try not to shoot anyone, especially me.” he said completely seriously, the last thing they needed was civilian casualties or potential interrogation subjects wasted. Though he couldn’t in good conscience leave her unarmed.

While Salsa took the weapon he got his bearings silently cursing the fact that he had to look after an untrained civie. “This way.” he instructed using the grip of his pistol to break out a window and climbing out stopping only to help Salsa through. There was a quiet beeping sound from his watch but he ignored it. He wasn’t leaving until the job was done.

He set off at a fast jog, shoulders hunched to keep his profile as low as possible taking shelter behind a warehouse, the one thy were meant to be getting into.

“Last chance to get out of here, the sniper won’t be alone and is probably moving to a better position.” He tone make it clear that despite this, no matter what Salsa said he’d be going ahead with the plan.
 
Cynthia tried to mimic Martini's posture as they ran to the warehouse from the office building. This was a horrible mistake. She couldn't imagine why the spy-boss lady sent her out here. Were they really that undermanned they'd take any Jane off the street?

It was the type of thing that made her wonder what her survival odds were. At least she already knew how to use a gun, though from the way Martini had spoke to her moments earlier she was sure he doubted she even knew that. As bad as it was for her, she wondered if he was actually doing much better with her here.

When he spoke next she remembered that he seemed a little too good at his job. "You were not the one being shot at," which might have not been the response he was expecting from her. She wasn't completely clueless though, he had saved her, and she had been the one that bullet was meant for. Which was puzzling, if they were trying to kill the agents coming here, shouldn't they have gone for the driver first in the event that she'd been able to hide before being targeted herself?

Silently she gave him a nod, if they were going to go in and finish this they didn't need to be wasting time talking.
 
"Take a picture." it was an odd sentence in context, but the camera Salsa carried wasn't Ordinary either and with it they could see if there was anyone waiting on the other side of the door. And after seeing it was clear the door itself was solved by a shot of acid to the lock reducing it to a sickly puddle in seconds and the door opening with a gentle push. In the center stood a crate with a tarp over it, it, unlike the rest of the contents wasn't covered in dust and it was for then that Martini headed for kicking up dust to check for laser tripwires as he did so.

"Well lets find out thats in this before getting rid of it.
 
"Maple Leaf in position."

"Aces Wild in position."

"Drop Point ready."

The Cardinal knew where they were going, as did the men. Now it was a matter of just capturing their agent. Since the two were already in the warehouse, they might as well see the little gift that was left for them. From what he understood, it had NOT been easy to retrieve at all.

Half expecting Martini to use the camera again, she only stalled for a fraction of a moment before taking the other end of the tarp and pulling it back with him. What he noticed, or what he might have said, Cynthia did not process.

Blank eyes looked up from the tarp right at them. Eyes Cynthia knew very well. She'd seen them on a smiling face just this morning as they headed to the airport.

Lena was dead!
 
Martini raised the camera again and fiddled with the settings to take a normal spectrum picture.

"You got this?"

He wasn't looking at Salsa when he spoke.

"Q 417? You mean THIS is Q 417?"

He want abruptly silent though beads of sweat started appearing on his forehead. They were well withing the trap and chances were it was already sprung.

From inside his jacket he pulled out a block of C4 and placed it against the crate next to the body pushing in a detonator as Salsa stared at the body.

"Spy's burial." he muttered darkly putting another block on the other side of the crate and arming it.

The other two blocks went on each of the doors.

"Salsa, meet Salsa."
 
While the others were waiting for his signal, the Cardinal paused and waited. He was not disappointed with the reaction from the spies, but something wasn't right. No, they were not interacting how he would expect two government lackies.

"No you idiot!" Cynthia hissed at the spy as she looked up at him, tears she dared not shed in her eyes. "That's my friend! That's Lena!" She then took a step back, covering her mouth with one hand. Too much was happening, she couldn't take much more.

That's when she saw movement in the shadows not that far from them. "And you're going to get us killed as well, arn't you?" She said in a deadly whisper. Cynthia would cry later, right now she was angry. Angry with the world, and wait, did Martini put explosives on the crate? "The object!"
 
Martini handed the camera back to salsa. "That next to the crate is Agent Q 417. The person I has meant to get at the airport, and the person whose bag you had." His voice had a sight change in pitch, it wouldn't be noticeable if every other sentence he had said had been in the same pitch and tone. It seemed something in the warehouse had gotten to him where even being almost shot by a sniper hadn't.

It wasn't that every sense and ounce of training was telling his to get out, that coming here had been suicide.

"They never train you for this." he said before taking a deep breath. We have one shot left, lets find out whats in the crate."
 
Cynthia was going to pay for this later. She pushed back all her emotions. Everything. Painfully aware that she saw something, that likely was a someone skulking around, she lifted the camera and looked inside the crate. Had she not already put the iron gate on her emotions she might have reacted more, but instead she pocketed the camera and looked at the agent.

"We can't blow it up. I don't think we should try to destroy it." She didn't care what sort of reaction he had from her statement. She was right and that's all that mattered. "It's radioactive."

That's when the first gunshot was fired. The Cardinal had give the signal to separate the two agents, so that they could capture the man. He was not displeased to see the woman roll and duck. They would be able to pick her off more easily now.
 
The two side doors burst open and firing on the move what seemed like and endless stream on men came through each one. In an instant Martini was behind the crate semi-automatic turning to bear on the first through the closest door. Accurate fire sent the men to the ground in a spray of blood as the rest scattered to take cover. But with more men coming in behind him Martini has forced to make a break for the back of the warehouse covering Salsa's retreat ever as he shouted at her to make for the main doors more of the goons falling as they tried to surround them. Thats when one of the windows exploded. I high caliber sniper round pulverized the glass and instantly passed through Martini's leg with such force it knocked his feet out from under him. Slowed down it would have been possible to see the shock of the impact rippling through wish blood increasing his blood pressure far beyond human endurance for a spit second. He was unconscious even before he hit the ground.
 
This wasn't working out at all. The professional was already taken out, and Salsa didn't know if Martini was wounded or dead. Hiding between crates she tried to creep along without stumbling or any other way giving away her position. At the same time she needed to think of a plan. She not only had to get Martini and herself out of there, but the object as well, which was looking a lot more dangerous then she hoped the Spy Boss Lady realized. If she knew and yet sent Cynthia, then she was foolish and possibly cruel!

It was then, feeling she had despite the gizmos given to her, no real advantage that she saw it. Of course the warehouse had a forklift. Likely it had several. Hearing scurrying feet, that she doubted was mice she crossed a path that had no crates and hence did not hide her if anyone was looking in that direction. Fortune, luck or speed was on her side for she was not shot at before she got to the vehicle. Salsa looked at if for a few minutes. It was nice to see that it wasn't going to be difficult to operate.

The Cardinal had just signal his men to grab the spy when a large engine sound startled him. To his amazement a forklift was rolling straight for the spy. Well, it wouldn't be too difficult to take out the driver, or so he thought until he tried to get a good lock on her. With all the crates and poor lighting it wasn't going to be easy, if possible.

He was surprised at how the woman got it to swivel around the other spy and then get under the crate with the woman and the item that needed to be retrieved. When the forklift stopped, the Cardinal thought he finally had his chance, but the damn woman had another trick up her sleeve!

Using the gun she shot it at one of the light fixtures, causing a small explosion. It gave her time to get the forklift to pick up the crate. As he tried to once more get a lock on the woman, she swiveled the forklift again and shooting a power panel this time, causing another explosion she dragged the man's body onto the forklift, and started backing into one of the large garage doors. It made a horrible crunching sound as it bent and broke as the forklift went through it.
 
"Just what IS going on over there?" Daddy insisted as the bright flashes on muzzle flashes continued to flash on the screen.

"Well, he were zantosed. It was a trap."

"Obviously... And Martini isn't responding."

"Hes been out of coms since they arrived."

"Ok give some good news, who do we have for a rescue?"

There was no answer.

"well looks like I'll be filing another MIA. Unless anyone has reason for me to make it a KIA."

"We can't see whats going on in the ware... waoh! I have movement."

good old Martini knew.... wait is that him bleeding all over the back of the forklift, then whose driving it?

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At the warehouse though a haze of pain and the pounding of his head Martini saw the receding warehouse and ruined main door. He raised his hand and held up the remote before pushing the buttons for the two charges on the side doors causing the building to erupt on either end. The was as far as he got before blood loss started taking its toll and with a few murmured words about Father he closed his eyes.
 
The explosion was only a momentary startlement for Salsa. Everything was now in tunnel vision. She stopped the forklift near the car and swung off the vehicle, going infront of Martini. A moment later she had the car keys and she opened the door. The gun still in her free hand. So far no one was coming out shooting at her. This was good. They were vulnerable out here.

Unlatching the trunk, Salsa went back over to the forklift and looked at the crate, trying very hard not to look at anything in detail. She then went up to it, and reached down, grabbing the box inside. She considered taking the real package out of the box, but that could be done later. So much trouble for something so small, and so dangerous. She placed it in the trunk, and slammed it shut. Her last trip over to the forklift she grabbed one of Martini's arms and draped it over her shoulder. Damn he was heavy, and she was out of shape. Now if ever would be the time to take them both out, but still no one shot at them.

Salsa heaved a sigh of relief once she got the agent in the car and closed the passenger side door. Finally she went over to the drivers side and started the engine. She had not rout in mind, no destination. She was just going to get them the hell out of here.
 
By the time the coordinator looked up from reporting that Salsa was making her escape Daddy was already walking to the garage buckling up her form fitting armoured vest while her trademark mahogany handled .45 hung from her hip.

"Maltinis going to kill me for this." She muttered. But she knew who the sniper was and the cardinal was sloppy, but still dangerous. From Martini's ear there was a loud buzz, loud enough for Salsa to hear.

"Salsa two blocks east is an abandoned theater, take Martini there I'm on my way."
 
Salsa didn't bother asking any questions. She recognized the spy boss' voice, and started heading to the theater. On the way there, she kept a good eye on her rear view mirror. If anyone was following them, they were far too skilled for her to catch on.

Driving into the alley behind the theater, Salsa finally stopped the car. She looked over at Martini. They needed to stop the blood lost, and hope that an artery hadn't been hit. If that were the case, more desperate actions would need to be taken.

Then there was the thing in the trunk.

Salsa waited, one hand casually on the steering wheel, the other gripping the pistol.
 
The back door of the theater flew open and gun leading Daddy rounded the corner her eyes flashing to Salsa. She holstered her gun running to the car and opening the back door seeming to have little trouble lifting Martini's large frame.

"Follow me Cynthia." she said using her name for the first time. Once we get Martini back we can debrief you." She, with the help of another agent carried Martini back into the building where part of the stage had opened. "You've done well, sorry for everything, I heard you knew agent Salsa?"
 
"Don't call her that!" Cynthia snapped. By the time she was in the theater Cynthia was shaking. All the emotions she buried while she and Martini were in danger were bubbling the the surface and all at once. "Her name is Lena. She's not suppose to be here! She... she was getting on a plane and..." Cynthia started sobbing.

Cynthia never found out what happened to Martini once the other agents got him inside. In fact she recalled later very little of what happened. Daddy gave her some instructions, which Cynthia was able to at least sum up as, get back to her own life, and was soon taken home.

The next day she called in sick to work, and honestly she felt sick though it was no illness. The following day her bosses were unsure if she should even be at work since she still didn't look well, but she got through the day and the next. Eventually she started to let herself pass off that night as a bad dream. Except she knew Lena was dead, and it seemed like she was the only one.

~End of Chapter One~
 
[size=+2]Chapter 2: The Game[/size]

Weeks passed, it looked like life for Cynthia had returned to normal. There were no calls, no cars parked outside her house, it was almost as if the incident had never happened, except that Lena was gone. That is until there was the ring of her two-tone doorbell. On her doorstep stood a man, in a suit remarkably like the one Martini wore though thinner and notably less well kept with long flowing hair and a gold chain around his neck that disappeared into his shirt but a gold crucifix hung out of one of the gaps between him buttons.

He stood patiently just to the side of the door hands clasped in front of him bowing slightly as she opened the door with a smile. "Good morning, I believe you know who I'm from."