Agent Gray, Red with Love

Paper Star Doesn't Read

Hayashi Ono walked through the halls of ACME HQ Europe back in Germany. She much preferred HQ Asia, though perhaps she was biased due to the fact that she and her sister were born in Kyoto.

But, she preferred the underground cavern aesthetic to the dreary, raw, chill air of a "janitor company" in Germany. But, this was where Tamara and Rodger were, and she now knew from unfortunate experience that whatever trauma Hawkins had gone through had to be addressed sooner rather than later. She also knew from unfortunate experience that her colleagues were much more qualified to deal with this situation. She was on the faculty for clear thinking, maturity, and ability to command respect. Not for emotions.

In fact, she was leaving the headquarters to visit the product at her last failed attempt at managing the emotions and the life problems of a human being. Her own niece.

As she prepared herself for whatever she was about to walk into, she thought back on how her colleagues had addressed the situation with Graham. Or Gray. Or Crackle, or whatever he went by. It was sort of hard to tell now, as not even he seemed totally sure.

...

A few hours earlier....

....

Graham/Gray/Cracke, because who the heck knew anymore, stood before the faculty like a small child before their school principal. They were all there in person, Hayashi Ono, Rodger Headroom, and even Chief, all waiting to hear about what could have possibly happened. He had no idea how they'd react. He might be arrested, he might be fired, they may keep him.... It was all up to fate now.

"So.... Agent Hawkins," Chief said from her seat, "Care to explain?"

Graham shifted on his feet uneasily, glancing at Zari, Devineaux, and Felix, who had all been invited to spectate the "interrogation". (Felix was there because he was friends with Graham, and he also was the one who would be tasked with imputing all the information he may or may not spill into the ACME database.)

Devineaux gave him an encouraging smile. Zari nodded, and Felix gave him a thumbs up.

With his friends behind him, it was time to face the music. "As it turns out," he said, trying to remain calm, "I worked for V.I.L.E."

Hayashi, who had sort of figured this out, remained stone face. Chief's eyes widened, having suspected this but never truly considering the prospect. Her gaze shifted between one of polite curiosity to upmost horror. She couldn't seem to decide.

Rodger had no reaction and didn't even stop fiddling with his Rubix cube, an apparent staple of his character. "What now? You used to work for a violin licensing company?" He asked obliviously.

"No, Rodger. He said he worked for V.I.L.E.," Chief corrected him, wanting to tear her eyeballs out for not having seen this sooner, or at least hit Rodger's head with a bat to knock some sense into him.

"Egad!" Rodger gasped, before going back to his Rubix cube. "I was hoping I'd get violin lessons."

"Rodger, would you please take this seriously!" Chief scolded, "And put away the Rubix cube for once!"

"I am taking this seriously, Tamara!" He retorted, "And keep my Rubix cube out of this!"

That bat option must've started to sound very appealing.

Chief was about to yell some more, but Graham interrupted, "Two, I can confirm there is a spy in ACME."

It was Rodger's turn to look offended. "Wait, Darja is a spy?"

"Well," Graham admitted, "I can't confirm that, only that they're somewhat close to me. But, apparently they don't consider themselves a V.I.L.E. spy."