The TALONS Files: the chronicles of telepathic agent Ryan Dart

Who Never Heard of a Spy With Gadgets?

23

When they resumed their walk, nerves frazzled, Damon smiled, "See, my inventions have practical purposes."

"What did you do to that dog?"

"An electronic pulse and tranquilizer. It paralyzes them for a couple of seconds, till the tranquilizer makes them unconscious. See, I could totally market this one."

"To who? Serial Killers?"

"Man, c'mon! I'm trying." Damon's face glowered in frustration.

"I know. Actually, I came to hang out for that very reason. I think I can use your inventions. I just didn't know how to say it."

"You can? How?

"Uh...I really can't say. My job involves fighting crime....sort of, and they don't allow guns. I was told we can carry personal Items though. Heck, a watch and a sweatshirt, nobody will care if I'm carrying those things."

"We could modify that cool four runner you drove up in!" Damon's eyes carried a crazed look of glee. Ryan imagined that if you told Damon that he had a top rate amusement park to himself, his face would appear about the same.

Ryan shrugged, "I don't see why not. Could you work your magic in a day?"

Damon scratched his head, "I'd have to think what I would do to it."

"It'll be in the main street parking garage on Sunday," Ryan said,"I'll be gone all day."

"Where are you going?"

"I can't say."

"Man, what is this job?" Damon studied Ryan's face. "What, are you like Jason Bourne or something?"

Ryan stammered. "No...not even close, why would you say...."

"Man I knew it! What? Do you need to take down the bad guys with a watch and tricked out cars?"

Damon could read Ryan like a book. It made Ryan wonder which one of the two boys could actually read minds. "Keep your voice down. If anybody knows, you, my parents, my sister...anybody, I'll get kicked out...or worse." Ryan's voice scolded, whispering harshly.

"What's your mission?" Damon said in an excited whisper.

"I'm in training right now. I can't tell you what the mission is. It would scare the pants off of you."

"That's okay, because I'm wearing shorts."

"Seriously, you know more than you should. It's between you and me and no one else."

"Got it. Your secret's safe." Damon's whole body indicated he was earnest.

Ryan shrugged, figuring the damage was done already. "Cool, you make me gadgets, I'll give you five hundred a gadget. Sound good?"

"Whoa...wait, these things are expensive to make. I need materials, research time, I need a thousand."

"I'll give you 800 dollars."

"Man, that's highway robbery."

"Look, if they work, my organization just might want to purchase them from you."

"Then I'd be rolling in the dough, and charging a lot more." Damon attempted to act cool, but Ryan could see that he was totally stoked about the Idea.

"Look, I don't want to get your hopes up," Ryan said, "I haven't been in the field yet. I have no Idea what I'll need. But your first few might come in handy."

"All right, eight hundred dollars is a deal."

"Ryan pulled out $1600 dollars, handing it to Damon. I'll take the watch and the Hoodie."

Damon's smile was electric, "Awesome! Here," He handed Ryan the watch. "It has both the laser and tranquilizer darts built into it. There's four more darts left. I'll give you another cartridge and show you how to install them. We'll have to get the hoodie too."

* * *

The boys hustled back to Damon's house. After Ryan was given the hoodie, Damon announced that dinner was on him. Ryan argued, claiming he could foot the bill, but Damon insisted. So, they dined in style and Ryan was in bed by ten.

When Ryan lied down, repeatedly retrieving himself from unconsciousness, he prayed he wouldn't see Scam Likely's apartment. The mental link had that effect on him. However, Ryan finally let go and fell sound asleep. He woke up at six, two hours before class.

It seemed unreal, but an eventful life was dancing in his mind. So much was new, plus, the way it sounded, he was actually going to save the world. About a week ago, he was hoping he would get more than a C on a research paper. Now, anything less than perfect would probably be unacceptable.