Agent Gray, Red with Love

Gray Ships RedCrackle

  Just as the phone clicked off, the two watched as Horácio made it to the beachside building, opened an unlocked the structure's window and discreetly slipped inside. It's not like anyone else was watching, the beach was crowded and everyone was consumed  with their own problems or activities.

  Including Graham and Carmen, as they now had a choice. A world altering, chilling, cruel choice. 

  On one side there was a robbery going on right in front of their faces. The thief was probably fairly skilled as V.I.L.E. had gone through the trouble to scout and recruit him. On the other hand, a confirmed operative of  V.I.L.E. was holding their friends hostage as well as threatening to destroy an entire favela village which would result in the deaths of hundreds if not thousands of innocent people. The only other problem was that they were demanding Graham and Carmen as a trade  and neither of them were particularly inclined to volunteer.

  "Well that's... unfortunate timing," Graham stated the obvious.

  "Terrible," Carmen agreed. 

  "Bad news, Red. She wasn't bluffing, Zack and Ivy are still at the favelas but they're not moving and they won't respond to me," Player reported.

 Graham looked sadly at the beachfront house one last time. "We know he has a girlfriend, so we could track him back down. But we need to save those people as well as our friends," he declared. 

  Carmen thought about it one last time, but then gave him a determined nod. "You're right." She looked up at the view. "But how to get there now?"

  "I've already booked you a taxi," Player answered for them, "And it should be pulling up right about..." a yellow cabbie pulled up by the side of the road. "Now, flag it down and it should get you back to the favela towns."

  "This guy is good," Graham told Carmen as they ran down the beach Hollywood style to catch their ride. As he and Carmen jumped into the vehicle, she agreed. "The best there is."

  "Para onde?" The driver asked, having said "where to?"

  In her flawless Portuguese, Carmen instructed him to take them back near the street produce shop stood at. It seemed a waste that they had gone through all the trouble to get there and now had to for right back, but oh well. More quality time with Carmen he supposed.

  They whizzed down the streets of Rio, bright eyed as they zipped past the sights of such a unique city. Rio was very different then the other places Graham had visited with ACME. Maybe it was the mountains or maybe it was the favelas. It was a tropical wonderland mixed with all the wonders of a big city. Kids played ball, sellers were selling, drivers were driving...Or maybe it reminded him a bit of V.I.L.E. Island, and of the good ol' days with Carmen. 

  He had to wonder, although he hated to admit it, what life would've been like had she not "failed" Shadowsan's exam. Would he still be a V.I.L.E. thief if he hadn't faced her on that train? Would she, having been totally prepared for Casablanca still betray them? If there was no other guarantees, they certainly would have had more time together.

  He hated himself to think of it, but one weird, deep part of him wished some days that she had passed. That he'd get to see her more. Not these random, occasional meet ups shrouded in secrecy and V.I.L.E.-ACME drama. Like their entire relationship would implode on itself if Chief ever found out— which it would. That was really a shame, as it should't be up to Chief who he did and did not talk to. 

  The truth was, Carmen meant a lot to him. He liked being around her.Carmen, BlackSheep, his best friend and possibly the only person with more nicknames than he had. Between her great personality, her wit, her smile, her eyes, and all the memories they had made together...