Under Age and Undercover: A Hannah Clark Novel (under edit)

7. The Trip...(edited)

Before I let you read the chapter let me just say that the chapter title sucks, I know. Your input would be greatly appreciated! Comment your thoughts.

xoxo,

Cheerleeder

Quickly taking note of my tone and lack of patience, Michael dove right into explaining the whole situation to the best of his ability. After many "she saids" and "so I decideds” later, he was finally done. Instead of re-enacting his painfully long explanation I’ll only write a brief summary.  Basically, my mom has no idea I’m in California and neither does Monique’s parents.  Obviously. Both our parents are under the understanding that I am at Monique’s house for the week and Monique, consequentially, is at mine.  It worked out perfectly that we were on winter break at the time, and so neither Monique’s mom nor mine would think twice about a 168-hour sleep-over.  As long as the two of us made sure to call every night to check in, my mom wouldn’t even think to question where I really was.  As it were I practically lived at Monique’s anyway. From the information Michael collected and fed to our parents Monique and I had seven days until it was deemed necessary that we be home and “enjoy our time off.”

As for why Monique even needed a cover story- because as far as I knew before she showed up at my hotel room she was back home gossiping with some of our friends like a normal teenager- she was initiated into the FSS agency approximately 3 months ago.  I was unaware of this because I was so busy with my work at the capital that the execs decided it was better for me to find out later on, if ever. Friendships within the agency are few and far between, and knowing people well was something very rare and dangerous. That being said, it wasn’t top priority for anyone to tell me about Monique being an agent.  Monique was a last minute addition to the assignment when a believable cover story for my mom couldn’t be found (A week-long sleepover at my best friend’s house was a lot more believable than my leaving to California to visit my Aunt for a week.) Monique was conveniently in need of a shadow mission that required more observation than experience, and this particular operation was perfect for her finalizing training.  She had been recruited at the end of my 8th grade year, based on the background she and I share that had been related to HQ.  Apparently Michael deemed her agent material and after meeting her after basketball practice he decided that her personality fit the job description perfectly.  She began her training in August.

Based on the lack of paranoia or tears from anyone in the room, I can safely assume that I am the only one aware of Operation Sacrifice.  Granted I was very eager to talk about it and explain what I knew to my teammates, but I was cautious to broach the subject until Michael left.

"So I think that about covers it. You three are free to do as you please for the rest of today. I'll meet up with you in the east conference hall tomorrow at 11 am sharp." He closed the discussion by handing each of us a platinum visa, compliments of the U.S government. "Please don’t overindulge.” He warned. “Now I guess I'll let you get settled. ’Bye!" And with a wave, Michael was finally gone. The three of us immediately went about organizing sleeping arrangements and unpacking the necessary items and equipment to help us with our mission.  Sadly for me, the job description this time called for little heavy machinery and minimal protective arms.  It was decided that Monique and I room across from each other while Shane’s room would be across the living room from us; boys and girls separated.  I was still overwhelmed by the size of this place! I could definitely get used to this presidential treatment. As I put the last of my clothes in the provided closet, Monique came in wearing a troubled expression.

"Hey," I greeted her hesitantly; unsure of why she looked so worried all of a sudden.

"Hi," She replied. "So is this why you were freaking out at the mall yesterday?" she asked bluntly, “You got a call from Michael?” 

“Uh, yeah,” I admitted, “I did get a call from Michael. And it was concerning because I was supposed to be on a break from work for a while, so it was a bit of a curve ball. Anyway, how long have you been working for the FSS?” She gave me a 'quit changing the subject' glare, and replied: "We can talk about that later. There's something more going on here that you're not telling me." How the heck could she have figured that out? I was trained not to let my emotions be readable!

 "What makes you think that?" I ask evasively, avoiding her gaze.  She gave me a knowing smirk. “Please, Hannah.  I’m your best friend.  It doesn’t take extensive spy training for me to figure out when something is bothering you.  Now tell me what’s going on or I won’t go shopping with you.  And trust me girl, you and I both know you’re in serious need of some retail therapy.” Shane took the opportunity then to join in on this ganging up on me, and let himself into my room as well.

"Now seems a good time to explain your behavior on the plane." He said, agreeing with

Monique.

“What happened on the plane?” Monique asked in a harried voice, suddenly a whole lot more concerned than she was originally. I sighed in defeat. 

“Okay fine.  But pay attention, this gets pretty complicated.” I explained to them in detail what I read on the plane, adding in my own thoughts and hypothesis regarding the mission when applicable.  I also made a point in mentioning that I had no idea what this means for Monique as she was not mentioned in the original mission description.  Depending on her value to the FSS she may or may not stay on with the company or end up in the collateral damage from the planned explosion.

“If you’re to be dead and Monique somehow miraculously survives, where does that leave me?” Shane asked frustrated.  “It makes no sense to me that you, Hannah Clark, die and I live to receive all the glory for saving the president.”

“That’s the point, Shane.” I answer calmly “The entire explosion is a decoy for my death. I am the target.  The mission we’re on right now was either a set up to get me framed for presidential conspiracy, or a completely innocent assignment to ease me back into the swing of things after my vacation.  But you and I both know that the FSS is not known to do anything gradually or easily.  The explosion, your heroic savior, and my death all make perfect sense.”

“But what I’m saying is you are too valuable to the FSS for them to put you on a hit list.”  He contradicted.

“Well if that’s true,” I responded, “we may be looking at a different agency entirely.  One not dealing through the FSS, but with U.S government directly.  And that’s far more dangerous than any FSS operation. Any of us has been involved in.”

“What if the situation were reversed?” Shane asked with a thoughtful look on his face. “What if I saved you instead of the president? Wouldn’t that fix the whole situation and right the entire operation?”  I was surprised to see that he was completely serious in his reasoning.

            “Really Shane?” I said sarcastically.  “You and I both know that if we were actually put into that situation the president would take precedence, hands down.  Saving me would not only look completely unprofessional on your part, but also jeopardize your entire career.” Shane opened his mouth to make another comment but Monique cut him off.

“There’s definitely a lot we need to talk about.” She said, “But first, some shopping. You are in serious need of a new wardrobe, Hannah." I laugh, appreciating Monique’s obvious change of subject, and agree that it would probably be a good idea to take a break from our brainstorming for a while.  We were all exhausted from travelling as it is.  With a refreshed, energized attitude we talked Shane into driving us down to Old Town prepared to embark on a “cultural experience” in Southern California.