Not Completely Crazy

Chapter 11

Chapter 11: A Friend on the Outside

"You heard Hawk, stay within my line of sight at all times," Highlander said the next day at the convention.

"I heard. I'll try to contain my excitement," Haywire said with a dejected sigh. "But I better not hear any complaining from you," Haywire said as she narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at him.

"My lips are sealed...for the most part," Highlander said with a cheeky smile. Sighing and shaking her blonde head, she calmly walked over to a display that an eager creator was bragging at.

"This gun is so smart that all you have to do is give it a range and it will hit in the middle of that range everytime!" The enthusiastic creator explained to the couple of corporate heads that were gathered around.

"How can you be positive that it hits in the center of that particular range all the time?" Haywire asked as she crossed her arms over her modest navy blouse and popped her black slack clad hip out.

"Well I have done numerous tests with this weapon and it has never missed thus far," the creator said with an edge. Quirking an unimpressed eyebrow, Haywire took a couple steps closer to the weapon that was being displayed.

"And where exactly did you test this weapon?" Haywire asked as she closely examined the targeting system. Highlander stood back in shock at how calm and serious Haywire was acting.

Well when you're investigating weapons I guess there's no room for funny business. Highlander thought to himself.

"I tested it in a secure environment if you're concerned that I just fired it in any old place," the creator said in a clipped tone.

"Actually I was afraid that it was in a secure environment. Secure means that there's no air flow or obstacles. This weapon would be an excellent weapon in a building scenario, but in the outdoors is basically no different than any other gun," Haywire said as she straightened herself up to look the creator in the eyes.

"And why do you say that Ms..."the creator asked, leaving his sentence hanging.

"Rosenfield. And I say that because what if this weapon was being used in some place that has high winds such as Wyoming or Chicago? The bullet would still be forced off course by the winds. Unless you have factored in environmental complications, then you don't have a 'perfect' weapon," Haywire said before she turned on her heel and walked back to Highlander. "People are seriously ridiculous," she said as they walked over to a different display, ignoring the now fuming weapon creator. Haywire was far too interested in the weapons around her to notice that a woman was walking in the opposite direction and heading straight towards her. Their shoulder bumped and they turned to one another to apologize, but stopped short when they saw each other.

"Pardon me ma'am," the woman with dark brown hair said, her unusual violet eyes sparking in recognition of Haywire.

"Pardon me," Haywire replied, her blue eyes twinkling with barely concealed amusement. The two women ceased their staring contest and continued on their individual ways.

"What was that all about?" Highlander asked when Haywire finally caught up with him.

"Nothing, simply apologizing for bumping into her," Haywire said as she turned her head, throwing the woman a wink when she turned around herself. Highlander simply shrugged and continued to follow Haywire and she continued to question creators and their weapons.

Time passed quickly and soon lunch was being served to the members of the convention.

"It's about time they served lunch," Highlander said as he and Haywire stood in line at the buffet that the hotel set up for the guests.

"I am feeling a bit hungry myself," Haywire said as she looked around. She stopped looking when her eyes connected with a set of violet eyes. "I'm going to see what they have over there, I'll meet you at the table," Haywire said as she moved off to the area that the woman was at, not waiting for a reply from Highlander.

"It's good to see you again, Nightshade," Haywire said once she reached the woman.

"It's good to see you as well, Haywire. I trust this convention is fun for you?" Nightshade asked as she slowly placed some food on her plate.

"It would be more fun if I wasn't a possible target," Haywire said with an agitated tone.

"What do you mean, 'possible target'?" Nightshade asked in a cold tone.

"A couple of high class criminals managed to break out of Joe HQ and find their way here. I followed one of them to a hotel room where I heard them discuss sending a lackey to find out about me," Haywire explained briefly, knowing that her friend would get everything from it.

"I'll keep my eye on you, give me our signal when you recognize a possible threat," Nightshade said as her and Haywire paused in gathering food.

"Will do. Hey by the way, why are you here?" Haywire asked randomly.

"I work for the White House, when we hear about weapons we're there to make sure we're ready for anything," Nightshade answered before she walked away without further ado.

"Pardon me ma'am," A smooth male voice sounded behind Haywire and Highlander. Turning, Haywire had to hold back a gasp of shock when she became face to face with none other than Storm Shadow. Highlander bit the inside of his cheek to prevent himself from lashing out and moved his hands behind his back to prevent Storm Shadow from seeing his clenched fists. (I know the movie had Storm Shadow die but I find it screwed up that he died, so for this story he's alive. If you don't like it then I'm sorry but this is my story.)

"Yes?" Haywire said with a forced bored tone.

"Forgive me but I would like to ask you a few questions. You see, I'm not familiar with you or your corporation," Storm Shadow said smoothly, throwing in a charming smile in hopes of convincing her to say yes.

"And what questions do you have for me?" Haywire asked in a professional tone.

"Just a few about what your corporation does and how it became," Storm Shadow replied, "Shall we step outside for a bit so we do not block the flow of people?" he gestured to the double doors that led to the main lobby.

"I agree, but my guard is coming with us," Haywire replied as she took a few calculated steps forward. She looked around and caught Nightshade's attention. She moved some of her bangs behind her ear, moving her fingers in a come-hither motion towards the door. Nightshade gave a miniscule nod in reply and stalked slowly towards the lobby.

"I do not mind him. Someone who is marked as VIP should always have a guard with them," Storm Shadow said as he followed Haywire out towards the lobby. Once Haywire stepped over the threshold she realized that it was unusually empty and her heart rate sky rocketed.

"Now about these questions," Haywire began before a hand was clasped over her mouth and a concealed blade was pointed at her throat.

"The questions can wait. Now it's time that you cooperate to ensure not only your safety, but your guard's safety," Storm Shadow said as he turned her to see that Highlander was being held by two other lackeys of Cobra. "So do you agree to cooperate?" he asked the wide eyed woman he held captive. Haywire simply nodded once.