*Jeremy's POV*
Three platoons.
I have taken on three platoons from that infamous group of Japanese nobles, the Crimson Elite.
The first, D-Platoon, met an honorable defeat.
The second, A-Platoon, was apprehended by Interpol.
The third, C-Platoon, had been dropped into the ocean.
All that remains is B-Platoon.
D-Platoon specializes in the fire element.
A-Platoon with wind.
C-Platoon with (white) water.
All I know about B-Platoon is that they specialize in the earth element.
And trust me when I say this: I really want nothing to do with them.
And yet, somehow, I always encounter the Crimson Elite.
Then again, an upside to this is that I get to encounter new friends along the way.
*Third Person POV*
~Interpol California Office, San Mateo~
Cartwright: *On the phone* I'm telling you, one of our guys has compromised our files, and I'm not too fond of it. *Listens* Yes, and as soon as you're finished, I want a full report on how security was breached in the first place. And while you're at it, check the files, and see if anything else is missing. *Listens* Okay. Bye. *Hangs up*
*Knocking at the door*
Cartwright: Come in!
*Door opens*
Amir: *Enters* I brought them, just like you requested.
*A couple of familiar faces enter*
Jeremy & SpongeBob: Hi.
Cartwright: Ah, you've come.
Jeremy: What's this about an AWOL officer of yours? Your details were pretty vague when you called us.
Cartwright: Well, since you're here, I might as well cut straight to the point. *Pulls out a photo of a young man*
SpongeBob: Who's he?
Cartwright: This is Gregory Thornton. To put it simply, he's a straight-A member of the force. Two letters of commendation from his commanding officer, me by the way; perfect evals; and he's on the shortlist for early promotion.
Jeremy: Sounds like he's working out okay.
Cartwright: Well, he was. He's been a model employee. Aside from fieldwork, he does an excellent job in the mailroom. *Pulls out a file* That is until this pops up. This is a confidential case file associated with the Worldwide Wildlife Fund. Now, 2 years ago, we established a reward, and we hired some of the best bounty hunters on Earth to find... *Pulls out photos of some familiar faces* ...these guys.
Jeremy: ... The Crimson Elite. *Notices a photo of Maya... and snatches it*
Amir: Yeah, I forgot to get rid of that one. Maya admitted that she used to be a "professional contraband pusher".
Jeremy: What kind?
Amir: Anything she got her hands on at the time. Firearms, antiquities, ancient relics, stolen vehicles...
Cartwright: Allegedly, they've been involved in the poaching trade in Africa for some time.
Jeremy: "Allegedly", which means there's no proof.
Cartwright: And recently, *Points to one photo* this girl, Honami Ichinose, is said to be heading over to Africa in person right now, most likely to ensure that a recent stockpile of "ill-gotten goods" gets shipped to who knows where. And another thing, there have been several poachers pushing several African species right to the brink of extinction, possibly under the orders of the Crimson Elite.
SpongeBob: Okay. What's the Crimson Elite got to do with Gregory?
Amir: Well, Greg hasn't been back here to work since last Monday. Naturally, we got concerned. In his locker, we found this file. *Pulls out an article* Along with this article of something that happened in Africa. *Reads it* "Rhino horn stockpile, stolen from Nabo Ranch".
Cartwright: Nabo Ranch is an animal preserve in Kambezi, run by the WWF.
Amir: *Shows a map* Greg even circled said ranch on the map.
Jeremy: So, you think Greg made some connection between my biggest rivals at the moment and the stolen horns?
Amir: Actually, we're suggesting more than that. We think he skipped out on a good steady job again for a crack at a $50,000 reward, and a chance to make the big score that the bounty hunters couldn't. We should have seen it coming.
Cartwright: He also booked a flight to Kambezi 2 days ago, and he used our travel agency, and he charged it to this office.
SpongeBob: What do you think caused him to behave like this?
Amir: ... Well, he once admitted that he's jealous of me.
Jeremy: *?* Why you?
Amir: We grew up together, Greg and I. Then, things got difficult for him after we graduated. While I'm out there chasing some of the world's biggest crooks, he's stuck working in the mail rooms most of the time. He considers the stuff he does outside as scarce. He really wants to high-class crooks himself.
Cartwright: Well, we think he's trying to prove something here that he's not ready to prove. He's still a rookie. But despite having that status, he's been doing all kinds of tricks to prevent being found. That's why I called you.
SpongeBob: To find the guy.
Amir: I have already sent a message to the WWF office in Kambezi, telling them that you are on the way.
Jeremy: But Africa? I can't just go to Africa.
Cartwright: Why not?
Jeremy: ...
Amir: Listen, this kid is chasing some ruthless characters. He is a loose cannon.
Cartwright: Besides, those ruthless characters are... your "biggest rivals". I mean, how can you not go? You have the most knowledge of them.
Jeremy: No, just three of the platoons. I've never taken on B-Platoon, let alone this Ichinose girl.
SpongeBob: It doesn't mean it wouldn't hurt to try. We'll go to Africa to find him. And maybe, we can stop the Crimson Elite's poaching business while we're at it.
Cartwright: Sounds like a plan.
Jeremy: ... *Sigh* Alright. I'll go. But I'll need my team for this.
Amir: Who do you want to bring?
YOU ARE READING
MANIA: Stuck Behind The Enemy Line
FanfictionJeremy is sent to Africa by Interpol to find an AWOL officer and a defector, both of whom have been attempting to take down a notorious poacher. Along the way, they have a run-in with some new allies.
