John Doe: Inter-dimensional Soldier

Fifth Mission: Sal Raven

Valeesa took over for Zakreever today, for it was his off day. Valeesa would often work as a substitute for Zakreever or Meezala whenever they were off duty. She was skilled enough on both fields to do satisfactory work. It wasn't long until she found a new target.
"General," she reported. "I've found an enemy. He's been manipulating his powers to become rich. This target is also in the first dimension, and he's currently throwing a large party. It appears that he does this often, and with many bodyguards."
"Is his party open to the public?"
"I believe so."
"Then we'll send John in as a guest. He'll find his way to this enemy and capture him alive. What is the target's name?"
"Sal Raven."
"Alright." General turned on his intercom to John's room. "John Doe, report to the command center immediately. We're sending you on a mission."
John entered the command center shortly after, and was briefed on his mission.
"This'll be your first time capturing someone alive, so be sure not to use lethal force." General turned around. "Meezala, give him his weapon."
Meezala stood up and walked over to John. "I've loaded your pistol with non-lethal ammo. Anyone hit by it will be put to sleep instantly, and won't wake up for two hours, no matter what. Keep your gun concealed while you are in the crowd. Don't let anyone know your goal, just ask around for Raven's location."
"Understood, ma'am."
"Oh, and since you're going to a party, your usual armor won't do. I've prepared a suit for you that is more suitable for the occasion."
John got changed into his provided outfit, then entered the teleporter.
"I've arrived outside the building. Awaiting orders."
"Request entry," General ordered.
"Yes, sir." John walked up to the two guards standing at the entrance. "May I enter?"
"We're going to have to pat you down first."
Meezala, watching this on her screen, panicked. She hurriedly transported the gun back to base, with just a few button presses. She was just fast enough. When they patted him down, the gun was gone. John entered the building, and his gun was returned to his sleeve.
John was not used to the large crowd. He didn't know who to talk to. Preferably not the guards holding guns. Their ammo would have no big effect on him, of course, but if people saw him getting shot and not bleeding, his cover would be blown. Fortunately, he had been supplied fake blood to use, and was instructed to play dead if anything went wrong.
Since Valeesa was on intelligence duty, John contacted her. "Who should I talk to to find Raven?"
"I'll check. Wait a little while, I'll report to you when I'm done."
John wandered around, observing the behaviors of the people around him.
"Hey."
John turned towards the speaker. A woman had approached him.
"I don't think I've seen you before. I'm Lauren, what's your name?"
"John."
"Nice to meet you. You don't look like the type of man to hang around at a fancy party like this."
"I've never done something like this before, you're right. What are you here for?"
"Well, my boyfriend had a few friends coming here, so he dragged me along with him. He's drinking over there, see?"
"I see. Do you know Sal Raven?"
"Not personally. I doubt many people here do, except for the rich."
"Where might I find them? I need to speak with Raven."
"Good luck with that! Raven's never seeing anybody. You'd have to be invited by him."
"Then, how may I acquire an invitation?"
"Ha ha, I have no idea!"
"It is urgent that I see him. I guess I'll have to ask someone else."
"Yeah, I don't know much about it."
"Hey, who's this guy?" Lauren's boyfriend walked towards them, with an irritated face.
"I am John."
"I wasn't asking you, John," he said in a mocking tone.
"Relax, he's just some guy who was standing here on his own. He's very polite, you don't have to worry about him."
"Yeah, well I just don't like the look about him."
"Come on, you always get jealous if I even look in someone's direction."
"That's not true. I really just don't trust this guy. He looks real shady."
"There's no reason to be so insecure. Why don't you just talk to him? He's fine."
"Sir," John said. "I mean no harm. Truly."
"Yeah, well I still don't trust you. Go away, find someone else to bother."
"I didn't know I was bothering anybody."
"You tryin' to pick a fight!?"
"Oh my gosh," Lauren sighed. "He didn't do anything. You're being rude. And embarrassing."
"Sir," John added once again. "I do not intend to fight you. It would be best for your own health to avoid conflict with me."
"I'm sick of your shit!" He threw a punch, and John immediately caught it.
"I'll let you off with a warning. I currently have no plans to harm you."
Lauren stormed off in the middle of the confrontation. The man tried to attack once more, but John stopped that attack too.
"Fine." John twisted the man's arm and flung him down on the ground. He screamed out in pain, and several guards gathered over.
     "You," one said, pointing at John. "Get out."
     "What for?"
     "Causing a scene. Out."
     "I can't leave until I speak with Raven."
     "Not happening. Out."
     John looked around at his enemies. "If I defeat you all, would you take me to him?"
     "Stop talking crazy. Get out of here already."
     "Some guards you are. Such cowards. You can't even handle a fight against one man with 5 of you against me. I guess the only thing that makes you tough is your gun."
     Valeesa watched this scene unfold, quite surprised. "Where did he learn to say such things?"
     "His persuasion function," General explained. "He's an expert at psychological warfare as well, see?"
     The guards were angered. They took the bait. "Fine. Raven is upstairs, top floor. You'll reach a hallway. He's in the last room. Beat us, and you can go. If you lose, you'll never come back here."
     "It's a deal. Come at me." John didn't bother striking a pose. The guards thought this would be easy, and charged all at once. John ducked down and swiftly kicked all of them in the gut. 4 of them passed out. He planned his attack strength on each guard to have this effect. The one conscious guard left looked up trying not to show his fear.
     "Will you show me the way?" John asked.
     "The stairs are over there." John walked off. "That idiot." The guard reached for his communications device. "All guards on alert. Protect the way to Raven with your lives."
     As John stepped up, guards suddenly started firing at him. He quickly took cover, narrowly avoiding all shots.
     "John!" General chimed in. "We can't let them know you aren't human! Remember! Avoid all bullets, like we told you!"
     "Yes sir!" John peeked out and shot them with the tranquilizer. Once it was clear he moved on.
     The pattern continued for many floors. They fired, he took cover, he fired back. Eventually, he was on the top floor.
     There was a closed door that led to the hallway he was told of. When he opened, he was attacked. The enemy disarmed him, so John punched him in the jaw. The gun fell down stairs. "Meezala, can you recover that gun?"
     "Yes, but my system will have to recharge after. If you think you can finish the mission without it, I'll take it back."
     "I can handle it."
     "All right."
     John continued down the hallway. There were no surprises along the way. Raven was behind this door. He opened it, and began the confrontation.
     "Freeze."
     Raven, sitting at a desk watching the party on monitors, lifted his head and turned.
     "I'm John Doe of dimensional patrol. You've violated inter-dimensional law. I'm putting you under arrest for your crimes."
"Oh, so this is what they warned me about."
"Who warned you?"
"The very man who gifts us these powers. He discovered them after many experiments, and a select few people have been granted these powers. You mean to tell me that your people haven't even figured this much out?"
"Our information is none of your business. Does this man have a name?"
"He would have been found ages ago if he gave away his name! Are you an idiot?"
"Maybe, but at least I'm smart enough to obey the law."
"Real funny, John. Anyways, there are no traces that lead back to the man who granted us our power, so your investigations are meaningless."
"At the very least, we can stop those who use their power for evil. Stand down and put your hands over your head before this gets messy."
"Right, right." Raven slowly kneeled down. Then, he swiftly pulled out a gun and fired at John. John followed his instructions as the fake blood gushed out, and he played dead. Raven laughed to himself and approached John. Once he was close enough, John leapt at him and put him in cuffs in a flash.
"Did you really think I'd be so weak?"
"I...guess I did."
"General, I've secured the target. Send me back now."
"Good work, John," General commented. "This new info is valuable. We'll get more out of him in time."
John was warped back with Raven, who was then locked up.
General and Valeesa took Raven away, leaving Meezala and John in the command center.
"That was very eventful, wasn't it?" she said.
"Yes. It was fun."
"Fun?"
"Yes."
"You know what fun is?"
"Of course."
"And you had fun in that dangerous mission?"
"Yes, in all of my missions, I've had fun."
"It isn't supposed to be fun, John."
"What is, then?"
"I don't know, listening to music, watching a movie, something relaxing. Not putting your life on the line on a mission."
"I apologize. I did not have fun."
"You're only saying that." Meezala was concerned. She feared that if violence was fun to him, he could do something unexpected. General told her countless times to not fear this, but she was still unsure. But why should she be worried about him in the first place. He wasn't human. He was an artificial intelligence given a humanoid shell. Still, she couldn't help herself.
"Tomorrow's my off day. Would you like to spend time with me?" she offered.
"If I don't have a mission, then yes. I'd be glad to. Do you plan to teach me your definition of fun?"
"Well, yeah, I suppose. I'll see you tomorrow. Good bye."
"Farewell."