Fall To Dark (Carmen Sandiego 2019)

Chapter 3

It was midnight, and a Japanese girl wearing neon green short jackets on was humming at a high pitch tune as she walked through the darkness of a building, striding carefreely. "La... La...La, La, La..." The girl looked around smirkingly as she eyed the space around her as she searched for her target cautiously, walking past the exhibits around her. "Hmm~' Now where is it..." Paperstar mumbled in a singsong tone as she flung paper shurikens at the security cameras that were nearby before they could get a glimpse of the girl, destroying them. It wasn't long before Paperstar came across the thing she was looking for, a diamond gem.

The Japanese girl quickly took the copy out of the pouch she was carrying, swiftly replacing the real gem with the fake that V.I.L.E. manufactured with ease. Right as Paperstar turned to leave the scene, a person was walking up to her from behind pointing a gun at her. "Put the artifact down!" the man said firmly, presumably the guard of the museum.

Despite being caught, Paperstar wasn't scared or intimidated as a sly and sadistic smile spread across her face as she placed the gem in her pouch and swiftly drew out her infamous origami shurikens and threw them right at the man, them hitting the man square in his chest, piercing his front in multiple places before he could react. It didn't take long before the security guard slumped down on the ground as blood tainted his clothed.

"Hmph... weak," Paperstar scoffed as she walked past the motionless body as she walked towards the back of the museum, opening the locked door as she used an origami blade to pry the door open, there was already a van outside, seemingly waiting for her. The Japanese quickly looked around just in case someone was watching then ran into the rain. As she got in, she sat down and pressed a button on the screen in front of her. And Maelstrom appeared on it.

"Mission accomplished, "Paperstar was triumphantly in front of the screen, holding up the gem in her hand for the man to see.

"Well done, Paperstar," Gunnar said smiling. "Hand the gem over to the Cleaners, they will ensure its safe delivery."

Paperstar nodded as she moved forward and handed the gem towards the shorter Cleaner before seating on the seat casually. "So, what trinkets do you want me to steal next?" asked Paperstar, her tone relaxed, though eager to get into action once more.

"Of course. I'm sure you're familiar with the Magna Carta," said Maelstrom, making the girl raised an eyebrow.

"You mean those useless documents?" asked Paperstar dryly. "The ones that you sent me to steal like years ago?"

"They aren't useless, and yes," Gunnar said frowningly.

"Great. Where am I headed?" asked the girl, wearing a twisted smile.

"You will be flying to Washington, to aid one of the Faculty on the hunt for it," Gunnar informed.

"Who? You?" asked Paperstar curiously, expecting to be paired up with her mentor.

"Not me. Carmen Sandiego," Gunnar answered. "I do hope you remember what she remembers and what she doesn't."

"Carmen Sandiego hmmm? That ought to be fun," Paperstar said as her mouth twisted into a smile. "Oh, don't worry, I know what to do," Paperstar said smiling evilly as she sat back, leaning against the seat.

----

Graham, who was once known as Crackle walked down the hallway before turning a corner and knocking on a door, waiting outside the room, tapping his feet impatiently as he waited for the person inside to tell him to enter the room.

"You may come in," the voice said.

Gray quickly opened the door and rushed in, closing the door behind him before walking forward towards the center of the room, where Chief stood, and in front of her were two other familiar-looking people. He has seen both of them before, during their latest attempt to bring Carmen's memories back.