In The Archipelago's Secret Service

22: The Most Wanted Man in the Archipelago

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Most Wanted Man in the Archipelago

Eret listened gravely as Astrid, Fishlegs and the twins explained everything that had happened since he had been captured by Alvin and had decided to infiltrate the Outcast First Minister's operation. He shook his head a few times and frowned a lot but finally he sat quietly in the limousine and absently drummed his fingers on his knee.

"I can't believe it," he murmured. "Hiccup Haddock? What in Thor's name has happened to the world? And Heather...damn..." Astrid folded her arms and glared at him, irritated beyond words that he was still undervaluing her friend.

"Well, you sent your emergency call to Hiccup, not the Commander, because you're so arrogant that you input by hand rather than use the speed-dial function built into your phone. You were impossible to find because you're such an ass you never use your tracker. And why did you leave Snotlout on his own? You know he's a total idiot!" Her tone was incredibly sharp. There was a definite look of triumph in her eyes as his thick black brows dipped in a scowl.

"How..."

"And then of course Heather dismissed the message...when anyone would at least check it out," she pointed out. "And because the Commander naturally assumes his son is always wrong, he believed Heather's assessment. Hiccup was really abused for pushing to investigate. In the end, he went himself-and found the remains of your tech. But he couldn't show anyone because he would be dismissed for pursuing it even when told not to..." At that, Eret suddenly looked embarrassed, knowing he was as guilty as everyone else in mistreating the young agent. Hiccup had just done what any good agent would have: followed a lead doggedly until he got to the truth of the matter, despite the treachery of one of the senior officers and the prejudice of the rest.

"And you tell me that you have proof of what happened to AI6?" he repeated and Fishlegs nodded.

"Fish is in support-a freelancer," Ruff added as Eret gave a disbelieving look.

"What kind of name is Fish?" he asked.

"Um...a popstar one?" Tuff suggested with a wry grin. "Lead singer of Marillion, anyone?"

"Anyway, who're you to talk-Eret?" Ruff sneered. "My beefcake," she added with a grin. Surprisingly, the agent shuddered at her leer and edged away from her so he was almost sitting in Astrid's lap-which earned him a very harsh elbow in the side.

"And of Heather meeting Dagur-including recordings of what they said," Astrid continued determinedly. "We have the information she managed to suppress-that she is the daughter of Oswald 'the Agreeable' and sister of Dagur DeRange, the assassin!"

"And you really infiltrated the Casino off your own back?" Eret checked.

"Well...after we escaped from Hunter's Isle," the girl admitted. "We were kidnapped and they questioned us...well, mainly Hiccup. He was pretty badly hurt but he didn't say anything! And we broke out and he flew us to Bog..."

"Ooh-have you told him about the shoot-out with Dagur...and the bus ride?" Tuff asked eagerly. "Because that was awesome..." Eret raised his hands.

'Okay-so I may have underestimated him," he admitted. "And hugely overestimated Snotlout...which is quite a feat since my opinion of him was microscopic to start with."

"We need you to help us to explain this to the Commander," Cami said calmly. "My mother and I witnessed the blatant treason in Asgard and we could not stand by and allow the President to be assassinated by Forraeder and DeRange. My mother is going to shout at Stoick for his stupidity but evidence would be helpful in persuading him...as well as your testimony-agent VA1." Eret's eyes widened and he stared at her.