The TALONS Files: the chronicles of telepathic agent Ryan Dart

Ryan Finally Meets Scam Likely

Instead of heading down to the sheltered part of the ferry, Ryan and Mai decided to endure the cold and take in the view.

As they did, Ryan could sense a series of briskly moving thoughts propelling from his partner's mind.  The Asian girl finally said, "There might be someone waiting for us at the docks."  Her gaze was fixed towards a lighthouse.

"I know."  Ryan answered, a hint of a smile coursing his face, "I've got a plan if that happens."

The Asian girl, pulling her eyes from the view, eyed her partner. "What's your plan?"

Ryan considered telling her, it wouldn't hurt, but something stopped him.  "You wouldn't like it."

"Ryan,"  Mai moaned, her whole body exhaling as she said his name. The cold wind tore through her hair as she rigidly slumped.  "Sometimes you're a great partner.  And I'm not just saying that.  Knowing where the disk would be and figuring out how to escape are all great.  Plus, your telepathic abilities are a lot better than mine.  But, you don't tell me everything, and I'm your partner, we need better communication."

"I tell you everything."  Ryan frowned, as he fought the shivers.

"Okay then, how did you know the senator was dirty?"  Mai's wind reddened face asked, or maybe it was red from anger.

"Just a hunch."

'I know he's lying.'

"Look, just have a little faith."  Ryan's stomach was twisting, as his body was enveloped by the hostile winds. He knew he shouldn't be lying to his partner.  Yet, he also knew that Esmeralda was counting on him.  And Esmeralda had been right about so many things.  Plus, Ryan knew, from reading her thoughts on the drive to Mackinaw city, that Mai considered that he was meeting Esmeralda in secret.

The rest of the ride chilled Ryan to the bone, as he could sense Mai's angry thoughts. Ryan fought his own musings, fearing deep down inside that this might be his only TALONS mission.  He was breaking rule four, and his partner suspected it.

However, at the end of the trip, Ryan's mind was rudely shaken from his dilemma.  When the ferry approached the Docks, Ryan could see Mai's heart plummet.  'We're Dead!'  The thought was distinctly that of his partner.  She was staring at the end of the pier, exactly where the passengers would exit. 

There, stood two men. Ryan recognized both easily.  The first was Louie Reghetti.  The second, and even more frightening, was the man who he saw in his dreams last night.  Scam Likely.

Ryan sighed.  "This day keeps getting worse."

Mai brought her eyes from the dock.  "I thought you had a plan."

"Yes, but these two, I definitely don't want to tick off."

"Great, this sounds like a solid plan."  'And he's not telling me again...'

*   *   *

As the Ferry parked, the crew flooded the top deck, eyeing the two shivering teenagers.  Ryan was alarmed, apparently the crew was surrounding them-ensuring the couple didn't leave.  "You two stay here."  A muscular man in his mid twenties pointed towards Ryan. 

The two agents stayed seated, Ryan being in the center aisle chair.  They were three rows from the bow, with the staircase behind them.

"You can't keep us here."  Ryan scolded.

The young man responded with a heavy and guilty face.  "Look, these guys, the ones that want you to stay on this boat,  are really Persuasive." 'I die or these kids die...and I pulled off a 3.75 last semester.  It's a shame...but I can't get killed now.

Ryan could feel a tightening in his chest.  This was not what he anticipated.  Finally,as the last person left the boat, Scam and Louie climbed the stairs to the top deck.  The crew headed towards the lower deck, as they regarded the two teenagers with horrified and apologetic expressions, their thoughts were even more disturbing.

"Thanks boys."  Scam's raspy voice was easily recognizable, being no different than in Ryan's dreams. It sent a chill through Ryan, as the teenager turned in his seat.  The crime boss'  thoughts were even more intimidating.  'This punk is going to get what he deserves.'  The villian kneeded his hands as he assessed Ryan, his tattooed head cocked to one side. 'Not what I was expecting, scrawny little loser.' 

Scam then strolled, in a sarcastic happy-go-lucky matter, towards the two agents.  Yet, his face told a different story.  Ryan could sense a vicious sneer wanting to escape the man, although he tried unsuccessfully to hold a poker face.

The boat hummed to life, as the motor started.  As it did, Ryan suddenly remembered his dream from last night.  Scam was laughing crazily, talking about making Ryan a permanent resident of the lake. 

Ryan could sense the driver's thoughts. They were weak, but along with the maritime navigating, Ryan realized whose words they were, This is something I'm carrying to my grave!' 

Scam's poker face turned to a sneer, and he produced a pistol, as Louie, who almost looked sympathetic towards Ryan, lingered a few strides behind and said,  "I told you that you'd pay for that kid."

Scam laughed, the Vengeance tattoo distorting with the creases of his forehead.  "Yes, so what is it kid?"  Are you out to impress this Asian cutie?"  He asked, dusting off his yellow suit with his firearm.

"You don't talk about me like that!"  Mai said, as Ryan felt the boat start to move.

"Where's the Disk?"  Scam asked.

"What disk?'  Ryan tried to play dumb.

It didn't work.

The Villian bent down, grabbing a fistful of hooded sweatshirt.  He yanked Ryan towards him forcefully, pointing the gun at the boy's temple.  Ryan's butt came six inches off his seat, as he leaned back with all his strength.

The teenaged boy shook his head, growling through gritted teeth.  "Look, I'd like to stay and chat.  Really I would, but I've got plans and they don't involve you."  He made sure he was aiming at the villain's crotch.  As Ryan reached for his trembling wrist, half trembling from the cold, and half trembling from fear, he prayed he would push the right button. 

As his shaky finger hit the button, he fired a tranquilizer dart right in the Scam's feels.  Immediately, the grip on Ryan's shirt loosened, as the man wore a very surprised expression of pain.  He then crumbled to the floor in a heap. 

Louie watched Scam hit the floor.  In a tone that was almost in admiration, the shocked tattooed man said, "That takes balls!" Then he went for his gun.

Before Louie could unsheath his the weapon, Ryan stood and fired at the greaseball.  The small dart hit the New Yorker's neck.  He dropped harmlessly next to his boss. 

Mai was breathless, but smiling all the same.  "Let me guess, Damon?"  She asked, as she hurriedly grabbed Scam's weapon.

Ryan's head was swirling with adrenaline, "Yeah," he said, cautiously studying the bad guys' lifeless bodies.

"You have an awesome friend."  Mai bubbled.  "How long will they be out for?"

"About fifteen minutes."  Ryan said.

Mai quickly flew down the steps.  In thirty seconds, the Ferry was repositioning itself back at the dock.  Ryan grabbed Louie's pistol, fearing the villain would wake too soon.