If We Go Down Then We Go Down Together (Talenny)

Penny - Chatting With Claw

-Monday-

I roll my eyes for like, the 100th time today. Kayla has been begging me to do an interview for her AgentCast ~ because it'd be a "killer story"

After half a day of 'Pleeeeeease!' I finally cave in.

'So, give us deets Pen!' She squeals into her mic after pausing in her intro. 'About how MAD kidnapped the President and Talon is in max!' Kayla practically shouts, and everyone in the picnic area turns to look at us in shock. I feel my cheeks flush in embarrassment and guilt as William looks at me sadly.

'So P, what actually happened that day?' She asks, passing me a microphone. I feel Will's eyes staring at me in disappointment so I don't make eye contact.

'I'm not 100% sure. I arrived, showed my official agent pass, got briefed on security protocol, and boarded the plane. 10 minutes after take-off I found Talon, but he knocked me out with chloroform.' I say vaguely. Like hell am I gonna tell you how he tricked me.

'I was told that he barged his way into the cockpit and got shot before knocking both pilots out too. From there, I don't know the details but he connected the MADmobile to the plane and transported the President away in there, but by then I'd re-gained consciousness and caught him before he could escape.' I finish, smiling a bit at Kayla's look of admiration.

'So he's in maximum security?' Kayla asks. I nod before remembering this is an audio broadcast. 'Yup, no chance of escape.' I confirm, my voice wavering when I see William's facial expression of betrayal and hurt.

'And before we end, what does Dr. Claw want with the President?' Kayla asks.

Rats, I was trying to avoid this question.

'I'm actually not sure.' I admit. 'But whatever it takes we won't let him get away with it.' I finish, smiling reassuringly. 'You go girl!' Kayla says, before unplugging my microphone and launching into her outro.

I rub my neck awkwardly as everyone in the picnic areas stares at us.

'I gotta go.' I say hastily as my Code-X rings.

I run from the picnic tables to a private area on the other side of campus and sit on a bench before answering the Face-Call.

'Penny, we have sent the Gadgetmobile for you. We have knowledge that Dr. Claw is going to make contact with us - and we need our top junior agent/agent who captured his nephew here too.' the Chief tells me. I nod and end the call.

After a short sprint I reach reception and sign myself out, along with my Agency and Reason. HQ, and urgent call from Chief of Agency.

I wave at the receptionist before running out to the Gadgetmobile. I open the door, jump in, slam the door shut and pull my seat belt on.

'Autogadget, take me to HQ.' I command. Unlike my cru- arch nemesis Talon I can'y fly.

Exactly 7 minutes later the Gadgetmobile lands on the HQ helipad. I get out and lock it before running into HQ and then into Chief Quimby's office just as Dr. Claw Face-Calls.

As the video connects, I straighten my HQ uniform and nervously flatten my hair. Time to see if he's as scary as Talon portrays him.

I zone out momentarily as Claw and the Chief argue, looking around at his background.  He's in a darkened purple room, and to the right behind me is a set of double doors with the MAD logo printed of. A large glass talk filled with water is beside him, filling about a quarter of the room. Claw obviously catches me peering at it, as he pulls out a biiiiig fish and throws it in over his shoulder. I see three- no four sharks swimming to catch it, and then an explosion of red in the water.

Yikes. I bet that's the famous (or infamous) shark-tank Talon's always groaning about.

I snap back to reality as Chief Quimby nudges me with his shoulder to get me to introduce myself.

I clear my throat nervously. 'Junior Agent Penny.' I say. He laughs, and it sends shivers down my spine.

'So Talon was arrested by a junior agent? I always knew he was a little shit.' Claw grins evilly, mocking Talon - and for some reason I feel really defensive.

'On the subject of Talon, what are you planning with the President?' Chief Quimby asks Dr. Claw with a steely glare.

Claw inspects his Claw unimpressed. 'Well, we were originally thinking ransom, but we have a much better plan now.' he tells us, stroking a purring MADcat.

'I trust your intel division and spies inside MAD will inform you as to what it is before they are terminated. But this plan will be the end of HQ!' he says, cackling and making me shudder again, before ending the Face-Call.

I stand there like a lemon for a bit. Yeah. He's as scary as Talon makes out.

'Penny, I'll get our undercover agents back to HQ before Claw finds them, Can you interrogate Talon on the plan?' The Chief asks me. I nod, and we both sprint in opposite directions.