The TALONS Files: the chronicles of telepathic agent Ryan Dart

Untitled Part 72

The hour and a half drive to Milwaukee went by pretty fast. Ryan operated the SUV manually, even if it could drive itself. That way, if the director saw him, it wouldn't be cause for more reprimands.

They checked into the Hyatt, as a brunette lady suspiciously eyed him and Mai. Apparently, teenaged kids didn't usually get rooms to themselves.

"Oh, there's a note here." She said, trying to be as polite as she could. "It says that you are to report to room 1415."

Her suspicion melted and turned to a genuine smile, as she took a closer look at Ryan's clothes, 'He looks so much like Cody!' "My son wears a black hoodie all the time too." She said, almost a bit condescendingly. "He's such a good looking kid. He'd be able to get a pretty girl if he just wore something nicer."

Ryan beamed, "You wouldn't believe it by looking at it, but this thing can work wonders."

Ryan imagined a winter paradise, as both he and Mai headed towards, and walked into, one of two glass elevators. "Hey this is kind of fun!" Ryan marveled, as the elevator started upwards and he watched the people in the giant lobby become little dots.

"Ryan focus." Mai scolded, holding a gym bag to her chest. Ryan, despite only being required to stay one night, had brought a large suitcase. The Asian girl eyed the monstrous luggage. "The director's going to check that you know."

Ryan smiled. "I hope he does."

The elevator reached the fourteenth floor and they made their way to room 1415, as their rooms, according to the lady at the counter, were on the next floor up; level 15."

Even if his luggage was fairly heavy, and lugging it around was a necessary pain, Ryan couldn't contain his excitement. A large grin he couldn't suppress was plastered across his face.

Mai looked at him suspiciously, "Why are you smiling?" She said as she pointed three doors down. "It's that one... seriously Ryan," She said, a little put off by Ryan's glowing face, "What are you up to?"

"You'll see." Ryan said, stopping at the correct door.

Mai rapped on the door lightly. It immediately swung open, and they were face to face with Dick Johnson, "Ah...Lotus and Psycho, right on time," The director said, as he checked his watch, "Come in."

The two agents timidly inched into a large room with a king sized bed. A small desk and a plush chair were situated in the far corners, under some pretty large windows. The windows, starting about halfway up the wall, provided a view of the city. Ryan was disappointed as he looked at the windows. He wished they were a bit bigger. Still, he couldn't help a broader grin, 'this is still going to work.'

The director studied him. "Kid, I don't know about you. I think Declan made the wrong choice when he said you were the future of TALONS." He then eyed the suitcase. "Throw the bag on the bed."

"Jerrod and chase are hotel security, they'll be placed outside your rooms. I want to ensure you two try nothing funny tonight. The security of our nation, and the world, depend on you two not screwing it up. "

Ryan was still grinning, "Yes sir."

Mai, on the other hand, couldn't contain her thoughts. 'we'll never get out.'

The director raised his brow, "That's the point."

"What's in his bag gentlemen?"

The bigger security man shrugged, "An X-Box, two pair of shoes, clothes, toiletries and nothing else."

The director frowned towards Ryan. "I guess you grin for no good reason."

"I'm just looking forward to a quiet night, when Mai and I can play X-Box together. Usually we're under stressful conditions, I just want to relax."

"Right.." The the plump director studied him. 'Your partner has other notions."

"Yeah, she thinks we have things to do tonight."

'We do' Mai couldn't help the thought.

"And what might that be?"

"We wanted to watch a brewers game." Ryan said with a grin.

The large guard interjected. "That's more like the truth. Kid's got a ball cap and jersey in here."

Shaking his head, the director studied Ryan, "That's not going to happen, you two can play X-box until ten. Then, you head off to bed."

"Sure," Ryan said, "After all, it is a school night."

"I hope, after all the commotion, you have the disk I sent you for."

Ryan reached into his jean pocket and pulled out a small plastic bag. The bag contained the SD card retrieved in Mackinac Island, "Here, have it, destroy the world with it, if you must."

'We're screwed and Ryan doesn't seem to care.' Mai thought.

The director scowled at Mai. "Don't worry Lotus. When this night is over, we'll find you a more competent partner. Somebody who has respect for the rules and the rest of humanity."

Ryan's face turned to one of anger, for a brief second he almost let go of his silent mind. Then he resumed control.

"Get out of here, you two. Better agents have the spotlight tonight. And frankly, I don't want to deal with a couple of adolescent brats."

Mai couldn't help the next thought from escaping her mind. 'We're better TALONS agents than you.'

"Uhh...Lotus." The director said. "I've made a living in this business for thirty five years. Not once have I been punished or reprimanded. You two didn't make it through half of your first assignment. I had better see an attitude shift from you."

"Don't worry, you'll see a shift tonight, director." Ryan boldly hinted a warning, as they headed out the door.