MANIA: The Rusted Sun

The Lion's Den

{Midnight}

~Kabul~

In Kabul, C-Platoon, the Taliban's Supreme Leader, and other higher-ups are hosting a gathering at the Supreme Leader's vineyard, where the basement level boasts a "special vault", containing Darryl's journal and other valuables. Fortunately, Jeremy has a plan to retrieve the journal.

~Supreme Leader Vineyard~

Jeremy: *Donning a tuxedo* How do I look?

SpongeBob (Over the comms): Nifty. You really should wear a tux more often.

Jeremy: I'm fine with my usual attire. *Puts a scarf on*

SpongeBob (Over the comms): If you decide to ditch it, keep the tie.

Maya (Over the comms): So, he can look like you?

SpongeBob (Over the comms): Very funny.

Mario (Over the comms): I'm sure he'll find other ways to use it.

SpongeBob (Over the comms): Already got a couple of ideas.

Jeremy: I can still hear you. *Pulls out a cloth and wipes the inside of a nearby car's exhaust pipe*

Victor (Over the comms): What are you doing?

Jeremy: Just gathering some soot. Back in the radio room, I heard some radio chatter about a "print scanner" of sorts here in the Supreme Leader's vineyard. We're gonna need a fingerprint to access that safe.

Lewis (Over the comms): So, does it bother anyone else that we don't know exactly what's in that safe?

Darryl (Over the comms): Not me. I'm 100% sure that my journal is in there.

Barton (Over the comms): Hundred bucks says it's still intact. Those maniacs would've decided to burn it out of spite.

Jeremy: Look, can we not take bets on anything right now?

Barton (Over the comms): Oh, relax. It couldn't be worse than what happened the other day.

Kathy (Over the comms): Can we not talk about that? What happened in Kandahar stays in Kandahar.

Daniella (Over the comms): She's right. Kandahar is off limits, except for my therapist.

Jeremy: *?* You see a therapist?

Daniella (Over the comms): Physical therapist, but she's a good listener.

SpongeBob (Over the comms): Okay, you got 30 minutes. After that, we're all crashing the party to help you.

Jeremy: ... See you in half an hour. *Approaches the front door*

Guard: *Stops him* Sir, one moment please. Do you mind?

Jeremy: Go ahead.

Guard: *Scans him for a moment* Okay. You seem clean. Enjoy the party.

Jeremy: *Enters*

~Inside~

Maya (Over the comms): I just spotted some familiar faces in there. Three on the FBI's Most Wanted, two on Interpol's, and there's one guy who's linked to like four terror networks.

Partygoer: You should really take the tour. The art here is magnificent.

Jeremy: ... Oh, I certainly will. *Spots some familiar faces* (Adversaries detected.) Now, where's the vault?

SpongeBob (Over the comms): The door's behind you.

Jeremy: *Spots the door in question... with a guard in front* (I was hoping you weren't gonna say that.)