Blood and Water
Chapter 8
by Lisa Leonard.

Illustrations by Hytac



VENOM headquarters was completely silent, except for the pounding of Roxanne's fists against a punching bag hanging from the ceiling. The weights room was actually deserted for once, so she had it all to herself. No guys running around bragging about how much they could lift, and the room was practically stench-free.

Of course, nobody in their right mind would get up at 4am to train and work out. Roxanne felt it important to get in shape and be ready for anything. On the other hand, the other agents were slightly slacking off, Vanessa and Mayhem being the exceptions. They had no worries about the upcoming final confrontation between MASK and VENOM. They all felt so strongly about an instant victory, they wanted to celebrate. As long as that laser was up and running they could just grab a bowl of popcorn, sit back, and have a good laugh.

Roxanne felt differently about the entire situation and did not believe in an instant victory. She learned from all her mistakes of overconfidence, during her first mission, and since this was the first time VENOM has ever made it this far into the game, anything could go wrong. Roxanne figured that somehow fate would find away to screw this up.

She stopped hitting the punching bag and grabbed her bottle of water. As she sat down on a nearby weights bench, she wondered if Mayhem was keeping his so-called promise. Roxanne wanted so badly to be a part of this upcoming battle. She had so much anger towards MASK and Matt Trakker. She clenched her fist as his name ran through her thoughts. What they did to her was inexcusable and she wanted revenge. Every ten minutes, she'd daydream about getting her own vehicle and mask and giving them something they would never forget. A few times at night she dreamt of pulling her gun trigger at Matt's head.

She closed her eyes and sighs. Of course, every time she had that dream she had to face Scott. There was far too much pain involved from shooting him, she didn't think she could hurt him again. He loved his father, how could she take that away from him. She says softly to herself, "Haven't I caused him enough pain already?"

After calling Scott last week, she still felt miserable. She regretted slamming the phone down on him. Maybe if she had waited just a little bit longer he would have told her that he forgave her. She shook her head, "That's ridiculous. Forgive me after everything I did to him? He knows I'm going to come back for his old man. I'm sooo.." She walks over to the punching bag and slams her fist into it extremely hard, "frustrated!" Her eyes began to play tricks on her as she stared at the punching bag. She saw Matt's face etched onto that bag. She slammed her fist repeatedly into the bag with haste, "This is all your fault!"

Vanessa stood by the door yawning, "What in the blazes are you doing up this late?"

She stopped pounding and rubbed her fist, as they felt as if they were on fire. She grabbed her water bottle and took a long sip, "Oh just working out, I couldn't sleep."

Vanessa moves closer to her, "Still having those nightmares?"

Roxanne shrugged, "Well sort of. I just have too much on my mind at the moment." For the first time she couldn't talk to Vanessa about her problems. Sure she apologized for her outburst and everybody forgot it ever happened. Or more like Mayhem told them to forget it. She couldn't explain it, but she felt that it was too personal for anyone to know. She decided to change the subject in hope that Vanessa would drop it. " Did I wake you? Cause I could have sworn your room was 3 levels above me."

Vanessa hands her a towel, "Well after getting up for a light snack in the kitchen, I had no choice but to see where all this pounding and grunting was coming from. For a second there, I thought one of the boys was beating up on the professor again. The last thing we need is another set back."

Vanessa put her arm around her seeing that Roxanne looked down. She wished Roxanne would tell her, being the only other female on the base she was the only one to have a rational conversation with. "Come on I know what will cheer ya up, " Vanessa leaded her out of the room. Finally Vanessa stopped in front of Mayhem office and opens the door.

Roxanne crossed her arms, "What are we going to do? Steal from Mayhem's private liquor cabinet?"

Vanessa laughed softly, "Another night kiddo." Vanessa opened the door and walked behind Mayhem's desk. She grabbed a bundle of rolled-up papers and laid them out on the desk, "I'm not supposed to show you this."

Roxanne moved closer and glanced it over with her face glowing, "This is really gong to be mine?"

Vanessa smiles, "Yeah we were going to start on it this weekend. Mayhem wants it done by the time the laser is completed. So by the end of the month is what we estimated." Vanessa rolled it up and put it back, "But you’re going to have to be surprised when you see it."

She looked up at Vanessa with a huge smile, "That's not going to be a problem."

Vanessa lead Roxanne out of the room, "OK then you've seen enough now off to bed."

******

Brad sat on a stool in the middle of the music studio. He plucked his fingers against his guitar and looked down on it deeply in thought. His band and manager all left him alone in the studio. They figured Brad was trying to put together another hit song to go on his next CD, but Brad wasn't concentrating on his music. He had his teammates, VENOM, and Vanessa on his mind.

Usually he'd complain about how much MASK had ruined his music career, each year he lost more and more fans. Mostly because of his constant leaving in a middle of a concert to perform MASK duties. Some fans thought Brad was a big shot and didn't think about anybody but himself, and others just made fun of him. If he could only tell them what his other job was, they would have treated him differently. Having his teammates and Condor around made him forget his troubles. At the moment, he had nothing to cheer him up and was uncertain what course of action he should take next.

Just then a knock was heard on the door, and Brad lifted his head up, "Come in."

Dusty walked in with a welcoming smile on his face, "Brad." Brad looked at Dusty a bit surprised. He wished he could give him a warm friendly smile back in return, but he was in no mood for it. He had made an agreement with Matt when he was discharged. No contact with any associates with MASK or the PNA.

Brad said bluntly, "Dusty what are you doing here?"

Dusty replies, "I came to see how you were doing." Brad stands up and sets his guitar against the stool. "I'm fine. You shouldn't be here… if anyone finds out, you'll probably be kicked out as well. Better yet you could get me arrested for even being in the same room with you. So I suggest you’d better leave."

Dusty shrugged and disregarded what Brad just said, " Who's going to find out? Personally me and Gloria think Matt isn't thinking clearly at the moment. He's too hard-headed, after everything that has happened over the last few months. We don't think you'd give information away like that. We've been friends and teammates for several years now, I know you well enough to know you’re no traitor. So maybe we can work on a plan to get you back into MASK."

Brad stopped him from talking any further and looked straight in his eyes, "Dusty maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do."

Dusty was confused, "What do you mean?"

Brad face looked darker then usual, " I am a traitor, Dusty."

Dusty shook his head, disagreeing.

Brad grabbed his leather jacket and his shades, "Believe what you want, but I'm never going to be allowed back in MASK. I suggest you stay away from me, if ya know what's good for ya. I definitely don't a more severe punishment then the one given to me either." Brad took off and didn't bother to say good-bye.

Dusty walked out behind him slowly. He couldn't comprehend it. Was Brad really a traitor or was he pulling his leg? He stopped and watched Brad from the window. Brad hopped onto his motorcycle. Dusty wanted answers, but didn't know who to turn too.



Brad drove his motorcycle speedily down the highway. The sun had finally set before he realized he had been driving all day. After his little scene with Buddy, he’d just got lost in his own thoughts. He was trying to figure out all his problems or was he running away from them? Brad was too wrapped up in his own emotions to bother checking where he was heading. He continued to drive down the deserted highway hoping to soon come across a gas station or a town to rest up and ask directions. He could have turned around and gone back the way he came at anytime, but at the moment he felt there was nothing behind him worth going back to.

The fact he was running low on gas also troubled him. He hated it when he ignored the gas gage. He should have gotten gas before he set foot out in the desert, but he had been too hot headed to do so. Brad couldn't help but stare at the gas light as it came on more then the road. Brad said repeatedly to himself, "Just a bit further come on, don't go on me yet."

Finally Brad saw a light, in the darkness, up the road. He felt relief to some extent as he parked his bike out front of a bar. Of course, his wasn't the only bike. He figured a few bikers shouldn't be a problem, they might be willing to help him out. Two other vehicles were also parked next to the building. Brad couldn't make them out very well, but something about them made him ponder. Brad was just about to move towards the two vehicles, when he realized it would be best to ask for gas, before he decided to snoop around in the dark. For all he knew, he might need a fast getaway.

Brad opened the door and stepped into the dark noisy bar. The place was jammed packed with several motorcycle gangs and roughriders. Everywhere he glanced he saw a biker in black leather and tattooed up in one way or another. The juke box was blaring loud heavy metal music and people constantly raised their voices to be heard over it. Brad just stood there in his leather jacket and shades.

He removed his shades and stuck them in his pocket. He couldn't help but get the feeling that all eyes were staring at him. Plus the way he looked sort of pointed out that he was out of place. Brad made his way to the bar, at the same time he was trying not to eye anyone specifically.

Once he made it to the bar he felt even uneasier; he recognized a couple faces he had seen off of America's Most Wanted. At this point, Brad figured he'd never let Alex put that show on ever again. Brad was nervous and tried to hide it. He didn't want to do anything to draw attention. The bar keeper dressed in open sleeve white shirt and jeans approached him. He seemed to be friendlier looking, even though he looked slightly dirty and over weight.

He said in a semi-friendly voice, "What can I do for you?" Brad snapped out of this thoughts, "Oh I seem to be out of gas. I was wondering if you have a pump I could use."

The tender smiled, "Yeah I got one in the back, you look like ya need a beer."

Brad was feeling much better, "Yeah been driving out to nowhere all day."

Bartender hands him a beer, "Ah well this ain't no Cheers. This is the perfect place where nobody knows anybody. This is where everybody goes to get lost."

Brad was about to mention about all the criminals hanging out at his joint, but the tender stopped him. The tender leans closer to Brad, "I got one word of advice for ya though, choose your words wisely."

Brad nodded and the tender said, "Well I got customers to attend. Let me know when you ready and I'll unlock the gas pump for ya." Brad then looked to his far left and he couldn't believe who he saw. Sly Rax, Bruno, Cliff Dagger, and Floyd Malloy were standing around a pool table. Brad said to himself, "I thought that was Piranha and Jackhammer out front. That must mean the VENOM hideout is somewhere around this area."

Brad stood up and moved closer to the group. He sat at a table right next to the pool table to listen in on their conversation.

Floyd grabbed his beer and raised it to his fellow agents, "Cheers to a soon defeated MASK."

Each one of them raised their beers, "Cheers!" Sly takes a sip, "well if that professor would hurry his ass up, we'd be partying and stinking rich by now."

Bruno grabbed a pool stick, "Yeah well I tried to beat some sense into him, but apparently Mayhem didn't like my idea of persuasion."

Cliff Dagger laughed, "Hey we know you meant well."

After Bruno breaks the balls on the table, Sly Rax grabs his stick, "Too bad it didn't work. Then things might have lightened up on base. I'm sick'n tired of all that yelling coming from the boss and Vanessa. Do this, do that, don't go out. Well confinement sucks, man."

Floyd laughed, "Well Vanessa and Mayhem are going to be mighty pissed when they find out we left base."

Sly shook his head with a sly smile, "No they won't. I told Bruno to tell Vanessa we were going to test some new features on our vehicles."

Bruno looked confused, "I thought you told her."

Just then Sly's beeper went off. He glanced at the number." I bet you this is the Misses right now," Sly walked over to the corner of the room and pulled out his cell phone. Vanessa sounded extremely angry on the other line.

"Rax, where on earth are you?"

Sly sounded cool and calm about the situation, "Well it's kind of hard to hear ya Vanessa could you repeat that."

Vanessa threw a fit, " You guys are hanging out at that bar again, ain't you? Why can't you follow orders for once Rax. Did it occur to you that there is a reason why you guys have to stay on base? MASK can be anywhere or anyone.

Sly Rax laughed, "What MASK agent in his right mind would come to this bar full of throat-slitting bikers?"

Brad couldn't help but spit his beer out a bit as he drank it. Brad thought, "If only you knew."

Sly started to makes some lame sound effects of a breaking signal, "I'm sorry Vanessa I'm loosing the signal."

Vanessa started to say in a loud tone, "I'm going to drag your sorry asses back here and..."

Sly then turned his phone and beeper off, "That should keep her quiet." He returned back to his group, "Well guys I got good news and bad news. The good news is we can probably get away with 3 more hours of fun. The bad news is Mayhem going to have our heads on a silver platter."

Each of them grumbled at the idea. Sly picked up his pool stick, "Well lets not think about all that unnecessary labor he's going to have us doing and enjoy ourselves."

Brad just couldn't help but laugh. If he knew Vanessa well enough, she wasn't going to let Sly Rax get away with anything. He actually thought this whole situation was far too amusing and just made his day.

Sly Rax turned and looked toward the young stranger, "Hey what's so funny? Are you drunk?"

Floyd also turned and looked at the stranger, "I doubt it one beer in 20 minutes can make anyone close to drunk, unless this guy’s some sort of psycho."

Brad recovered himself, "I just couldn't help myself but laugh at the way you," he tried to think of a word replacing Vanessa," cut off your wife."

Bruno looked at Sly, confused, "You have a wife?"

Floyd hit Bruno in the shoulder, "I think you've had too much to drink Bruno"

Sly felt a bit insulted at that idea, it just didn't fit his cool image. Sly Rax stood towering over Brad, "What are you doing listening over other people conversations? Didn't your mother ever teach ya some manners."

Brad thought back and pondered that question, "No, she just taught me to have a good time."

Sly smirks, "Don't get smart with me boy. You don't know who you’re dealing with." Cliff Dagger cracked his knuckles as though he was ready for a fight.

Brad figured he should back off, " You’re right I don't. You guys look like smart individuals. Sorry, I should learn to keep my ears and mouth closed." Brad mumbled something under his breath as he walked back over to the bar. Cliff Dagger and Bruno exchanged a glance of hate toward the stranger.

Sly calmed them down and said in a low tone facing them, "Don't worry we’ll teach him a little lesson before we head back."

Brad walked back up to the bar to get the keys to the gas pump. Brad wasted no time grabbing his bike and bringing it around the back. He walked his bike over towards the red gas pump. There was only one light in the back of the bar and it constantly kept flickering on and off. Brad unlocked the pump and stuck the keys on top. He wanted to fill up in a hurry. The sooner he got out of sight the easier it would be to follow Rax and his buddies back to their hideout.

He glanced over to Jackhammer and Piranha, as he pumped gas into his motorcycle. Brad wondered if he should look through their vehicles. Rax did say they were planning to stay at the bar another 3 hours or so. He might find something useful that could reveal their hideout. Brad walked away from the pump and headed over to Jackhammer. Brad glanced around several times, he felt his entire body shaking as he stood inches away from Cliff Dagger's car. If he walked out and saw him, he wouldn't waste his time pounding into his face. Brad tested the handle, he silently hoped it would be locked. He closed his eyes as he pulled up on the handle. The door opened and Brad just stood there a second glancing at the inside.

Well… he was definitely wrong about them being smart individuals, what kind of idiot would leave his car unlocked at a place like this? Brad stepped into Jackhammer and made his way to the glove compartment. As soon as he opened it loads of junk and papers came flying out. He dug through the piles. Most of it were old assignments given from Mayhem and cutouts from some old playboy magazines.

Brad talked to himself, "Well I guess I'm just going to have to follow them."

He grabbed the pile off the floor of Jackhammer and crammed it all back into the glove compartment. Just as he closed the door to Jackhammer, the four VENOM agents walked out the door.

Cliff Dagger noticed Brad standing next to his car. Cliff Dagger shouted, "What are you doing? Get away from my car!"

Brad stepped back, "Sorry I was just admiring it." Cliff Dagger growled, "I bet you that's highly unlikely."

Brad kept taking steps back towards his bike. Cliff Dagger opened his car door, "The door is open. You were in my car weren't you? You were trying to steal it!"

Brad smirked as he thought, "Gee how stupid are you." Brad replied with an innocent smile, "You must have left it open, pal."

Sly Rax checked out Piranha. After seeing everything was in place he said, "I say our new friend here needs to be taught a lesson about respecting other people's property."

Bruno and Cliff Dagger ran towards Brad. Brad picked up the pace and tried to make it to his bike. Just as he was going to get on his bike, Bruno grabbed him by his jacket and yanked him off. Cliff Dagger slammed his fist into Brad stomach, "Nobody touches my car inside or out!"

Brad fell to his knees, "OK! I'm sorry!"

Cliff Dagger spat into Brad face, "Sorry- not good enough!" Bruno grabbed Brad by the arms and stood him up on his feet. Brad struggled to get free, but Cliff landed a good hard punch into his gut. Brad winced at the feeling.

Floyd approached them, "Oh this looks like fun. Let me have a shot."

Cliff Dagger smiled, "Be my guest Floyd." Floyd hopped around a bit, as thought he was ready for a boxing match. Floyd then slammed his fist forward into Brad jaw. Brad turned his head to spit out some blood, while Floyd was shaking his hand off. Floyd rubbed his hand, "That hurts."

Bruno laughed, "You need to work out in the gym more often Floyd." Bruno put Brad's head into a head lock under his arms. His muscles squeezed violently against Brad neck. Brad continued to squirm attempting anything to break free, to catch his breath.

Sly Rax pulled out his knife from his jacket," I think a little face remodeling will wipe those smiles off his face."

Just as Sly Rax was about to run the blade of his knife against Brad's cheek, a car approached them. The headlights were too bright to make out who it was, so most of them shaded their eyes with their hands for a second.

Vanessa stepped out of Manta with her arms crossed. She hadn't wanted to fly all the way out there, but she knew she had no choice. Vanessa approached the guys, "I though I told you to come back to base!"

Sly Rax put his knife away, "Well we were until we caught somebody snooping around our vehicles."

Vanessa looked at the guy Bruno had in a head lock. A small smile appeared on her face. It was the one person she hadn't expected to see for another month. Vanessa's smile disappeared, "Drop him Bruno!"

Bruno did what she ordered him to. Brad stayed up on his knees rubbing his throat and holding his stomach. He glanced up at Vanessa slightly. Vanessa turned towards her teammates, "You’re all ordered to go straight back to base! If you’re not there by the time I get there, you’re all doing cleaning duties. Is that clear?!"

Each of them responded understanding her orders. She was practically second in command next to Mayhem. Even thought Sly Rax enjoyed overstepping his rank in the group, he knew she could beat the crap out of him. The four of them scrambled towards Jackhammer and Piranha and took off.

Vanessa waited until they drove off, before offering a hand to Brad. Brad took her hand and stood up grunting slightly, "You went easy on them."

Vanessa smiled, "Naa when they get back to base, I have a little surprise in store for them. You know, there are better ways to get my attention."

Brad rubbed his stomach, "You’re right, but this was the best I could come up with."

Vanessa walked over to Manta and leaned on it, "What would you have done, if I hadn’t showed up?"

Brad walked over towards her, "Probably take out Bruno and hop on my bike."

Vanessa laughed, "Somehow I can't imagine you doing that. Besides if you did escape on your bike. Rax might have blown you off the highway." Brad just smiled and rubbed his jaw. Vanessa looked at him and said seriously, "What are you doing out here?"

Brad looked over to his bike, "Just going for a joy ride."

Vanessa didn't believe him, "Really and getting Cliff, Rax, Bruno, and Floyd to butcher you to death is part of it?"

Brad shrugged, "You caught me. I was hoping I could find out where you were hiding. After that lovely kiss you gave me, I couldn't help but think about you all the time."

Vanessa smiled slightly, "You really expect me to believe that?"

Brad looked at her and said in a doubtful tone, "No... After what you did to me, my entire life’s been turned upside down."

Vanessa looked at him, crossing her arms, "Well I have been known for ruining men's lives."

Brad stood up and looked Manta over, "They kicked me out."

Vanessa raised a brow, "Why?" Brad looked up at the night sky, "They thought I was a double agent and I have you to thank for that."

Vanessa giggled slightly, "I hate to tell you this Brad, but technically you were. Those flirting matches of yours sure helped me squeeze valuable information off of you."

Brad nodded, "I realized that now. Since they took Condor away, I just seem to have lost all inspiration in my work and music. I was actually hoping you could help me get it back."

Vanessa looked at him oddly, "The boy and his bike, how touching."

Brad grabbed Vanessa's hand, "You are the only person who can help me. They are going to train somebody to take my place. Since you are building that laser it's the perfect opportunity for me to get it back."

Vanessa rested a hand against Brad’s forehead, "Are you ill or just plain mad?"

Brad stared at her silently, yet his face looked dead serious. Vanessa walked away from him, "You expect me to let you walk into VENOM headquarters and have me explain to Mayhem that my ex-double ex-MASK agent wants his bike back?" Vanessa shook her head in disbelief the more she looked back at Brad.

Brad spoke up," No you wouldn't have to tell Mayhem that. Just tell him an ex-PNA agent is looking for refuge from the government. In exchange I'll give him valuable information."

She knew she was taking a risk, but she didn't mind spicing up her life if it was for a good cause, "What am I going to get out of this, if I agree?"

Brad offers, "3/4 of the profit off my next album."

Vanessa rolled her eyes, "What if only two people buy it Brad? You have to think of something more reasonable." Brad nodded, "I know how to get my hands on the Trakker fortune."

Vanessa nodded, "That is an interesting offer, but how do you propose to offer it?"

Brad moved closer, "Blackmailing of course. There is so much that goes behind that good image of MASK that nobody knows about."

Vanessa walks over to Brad, "I'm intrigued by your offer. We'll see how it works out."

Brad’s sprits lifted, "So you'll help?"

Vanessa walked over to Manta and opened the door, "At the moment, you better keep up with me if you want my finally answer." Vanessa sat inside Manta and drove off. Brad rushed over to his bike and drove off after her.

******

After an hour of driving, they stopped inside an abandoned air hanger. Vanessa drove Manta into the elevator and Brad parked beside her. In some ways Brad thought this was exciting, he was actually getting a chance to check out VENOM's base. Vanessa hopped out of Manta and hit the bottom floor on elevator panel.

Brad had to wonder, "How do you get Switch Blade in here?"

Vanessa laughed, "We don't. The bottom level has a tunnel that exists out someplace in the middle of the desert. I guess the military wanted a back door out of the base. The fact that nobody lives out here stops us from being discovered." As soon as the elevator reached the bottom, Vanessa drove Manta into her private parking spot. Brad walked out with his bike. He couldn't believe how similar their garage was to Boulder Hill’s.

Brad parked his bike and walked over to Vanessa. Brad stood by Vanessa still admiring the garage, "This feels kind of odd being around all these VENOM vehicles."

Vanessa smiled, "Well I guess telling you there's another one on the way isn't going to make ya feel any better. Come on- the sooner we get this over with, the better we'll both feel."

Vanessa lead Brad back to the elevator. Vanessa watched Brad as she waited in the elevator. He seemed to be more calm about the situation then she was. After all this was her job and her reputation on the line. As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, they both could hear Mayhem's booming voice. Apparently he wasn't overjoyed with his agents sneaking off the base. Mayhem was shouting his lungs out.

"IF I EVER CATCH YOU GUYS DISOBEYING MY ORDERS AGAIN YOU WON'T SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY EVER AGAIN!"

Sly Rax, Floyd Malloy, Cliff Dagger, and Bruno all looked down like disappointed children. Neither of them spoke up, otherwise Mayhem's yelling spree would never end.

Just then Sly looked up and saw Brad coming towards them, "Hey what's he doing here?!"

Mayhem turned around to look at the stranger standing besides Vanessa. Cliff Dagger was furious as well, "That's the hot shot who was digging through my car!"

Mayhem looked to Vanessa for an answer, "If that's true why did you bring him here Vanessa?" Vanessa sounded so sure of herself, "My contact wants to make a proposition with you Mayhem. I thought it was too big to pass up."

Sly Rax narrowed his eyes at Brad, "Contact? More like an old boyfriend." Rax then turns to Mayhem arguing, "You tell us not to go out and have fun. Well now here's your second in command bringing back her boy toy- Who's probably a spy!"

Vanessa clenched her fist tightly in anger. Mayhem knew Rax had a legitimate argument, "Boys leave, I'll deal with this, but don't go far. Our uninvited guest might not be staying long."

The four men walked out of Mayhem office closing the door behind them. They stood their waiting in hope to throw the stranger out. Vanessa spoke up, "This is Brad Turner one of my contacts. He is an ex-PNA agent, and he's just been accused of treason. I told him that you would refuse to help him, but he insisted that he has information that could prove useful to you, sir."

Mayhem sat on the corner of his desk, "Brad Turner, eh, isn't he some famous musician or am I thinking of someone else?"

Brad nodded, "Yes I am. The PNA prefers to have agents in numerous occupations. My job allows me to move freely through countries that have problems with our government, yet want to entertain it's people. As Vanessa said they learned of my other dealings and now they are after me. I know I've started on the wrong foot with your other agents, but I assure you I was just trying to get hold of my VENOM contact."

Mayhem looked at him suspiciously, "So basically what your saying is you'll offer me useful information in exchange for a place to stay?"

Brad nodded again," I'd stay out of the way, unless you need my expertise to help."

Mayhem looked at him reasonable, "Since I know and trust Vanessa I'll hear this out. So what information are you offering, singer?"

Brad moved closer to him, "I know how to get into MASK headquarters."

Mayhem laughed, "Now, how am I supposed to believe that? I blew it to smithereens! I saw it burning in rubble."

Brad smiled, " I'm afraid you were fooled. MASK has the technology of illusion, something they have used to fool you countless number of times. With my information, I'll get you past the illusions and the armory of the base." Brad started to sound more like a gambler, "The PNA is well aware that you're soon to be completed with that laser. They also know it's going to be difficult to move something of that size. With Boulder Hill's defenses down, you can destroy it in a matter of seconds. Without a base MASK won't be able to repair their mask or vehicle, after they've sustained damage by your laser."

Mayhem pondered for a moment, "You drive a hard bargain, why not throw in the names of the agents as well? It sounds as though you hate MASK just as much."

Brad shook his head, "I will not give their names. To do so would endanger their families. I do not wish to destroy innocent lives. Especially after one family has already been destroyed."

Vanessa laughed a bit, "If your talking about Roxy that was a family issue nothing to do with VENOM."

Brad says in a serious tone, " Still let's keep it to a professional level."

Mayhem laughed for a moment, "All right you have deal, but you must realize your stay here will be restricted. Vanessa, I'm holding you personally responsible for him."

Vanessa smiles, "Of course." Mayhem waved for them to leave, "Give him that extra room across from Roxy . I expect to hear more from you tomorrow, Mr. Turner."

Brad smiles and lies through his teeth, "I'll be looking forward to it." As both of them exited the room the four VENOM agents looked at them confused.

Bruno whispered, "How come Mayhem didn't asked us to knock him out?" Vanessa smiled and rubbed it into their faces, "Cause he's a guest now, and I expect ya to treat him as one."

Cliff Dagger narrowed his eyes, "Of course, We'll treat him like one of the guys."

Vanessa led Brad towards the elevator, "See, they're starting to warm up to you already."

Brad smirks, "Something tells me he didn't mean that in a nice way."

They got off the elevator on the 16th floor. This floor was practically a prison floor. Security cameras and several motion detectors were everywhere. Vanessa spoke up as Brad admired the security, "This is pretty much where we keep our prisoners or the Brig to some people." Vanessa looked at Brad and led him down a long corridor, "It's extremely quiet down here, but we ran out of rooms up-stairs. Too many Contraworld employees running around here. Contraworld is backing Mayhem with 75% of their resources to see to it his plan succeeds. The rest of the rooms aren't habitable. This base is far to big to clean every room."

Brad felt a shiver down his spine as he looked around, "It's far too quiet down here." Vanessa laughs, "It won't be when Roxy wakes up."

Brad gives her a questioning look," Why is Roxanne on this floor?"

Vanessa stopped, "Well as I said no room, plus this is one of the few floors that Mayhem prefers to monitor. He's paranoid about his hostages escaping, and he doesn't exactly trust everybody he works with. Especially Roxy. Mayhem wasn't sure what to make of her at first site. She knows the reason why Mayhem stuck her on this floor, and she doesn't bother asking for another one because it's her room. Although she does occasionally seem to enjoy grabbing the attention of the security cameras."

They continued to walk, until they stopped at the end of the hall. Vanessa opened the door, "Well here's your room. Nothing special, but it's livable."

As Vanessa was showing Brad around his room, Sly Rax came on the speaker demanding to see Vanessa. Sly Rax spoke with rage, "VANESSA, what did you do to my stereo system!?"

Vanessa smiled, "As I said earlier I left him a surprise, excuse me while I go chew his head off." Brad laughed softly. Vanessa added, "I'll give ya a tour tomorrow, you look like you need the rest." Vanessa walked off towards the elevator.

******

Right after Sly Rax turned the speaker phone off, Roxanne woke up. She had a hard enough time getting some decent sleep around there, the last thing she needed was to be woken up. She opened her door grumbling, "For crying out loud can't those two just get along?"

She figured she’d go and see what was going on, after all she was up anyways. As she stepped out of her room in her T-shirt and boxer shorts, she couldn't help but notice the room next door to her was open and the light was on.

She knew something was wrong. She knew there were supposed to be only two people on this floor- her and the locked up professor. Either he escaped, somebody got kicked out of their room, or a spy was lurking around. She crept over to the other door softly. She pressed her ear against it, wondering if somebody was in there.

At the same time, Brad figured he'd go asked Vanessa for an icepack before he hit the sack. His entire body was sore after having his little encounter.

Brad walked over to the door and yanked it open hastily.

Roxanne fell forward as the door opened and she let out a soft scream. She smiled slightly, but when she realized who it was her smile disappeared. She said bluntly, "What the hell are you doing here?"

Brad hadn't anticipated that she would remember him after a few months, "I live here now." She rested her shoulder against his door and crosses her arms, "Not if I have something to say about it. I remember you....you’re friends with Matt Trakker."

Brad shook his head, "I'm afraid not little miss."

She gets into his face, "You can deny it all you want, but I saw you that night at the fund-raiser. You ran towards me trying to stop me from jumping out the window."

Brad sat on the bed realizing he couldn't avoid the subject, "You know, now that you mentioned it I do remember you too. Spunky little girl you were. Of course I didn't try to stop you from jumping out the window, I was just trying to restrain a thief."

Roxy had an ugly look on her face," I'm going to march right into Mayhem’s office..."

Brad said in a cool and calm voice, "Tell him what?"

She moved closer to him," You’re a spy. No… worse- I think you have some sort of connection to MASK."

Brad reached out and grabbed her arm and pulled her closer, "And you have no proof. It's going your word against Vanessa."

Roxy stopped her bickering. She couldn't believe it Vanessa was the one who let him in here. What had she hoped to gain by doing that? Roxy pointed her finger in his face, "I got my eye on you. When you screw up, I'll have your grave already dug for ya."

Roxy walked out of his room, pouting slightly. She knew she'd have to dig up some dirt on this guy. The only problem was if she did Vanessa's career at VENOM could be destroyed.

No, she didn't want that, she was going to have to deal with this guy with her own ways.

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