'What are you doing here, Vanessa?'
Jason was the first to ask.
'I should be asking you the same thing. You are removed from your mission, why are you here?'
Jason had no answer.
'Guess tourism isn't going to cut it.'
Alex brought her attention to him.
'I'm impressed that you two made it this far without using WS authority. Let me guess where you were going. Is it Chiba?'
Vanessa walked closer to them. She was 1 step ahead of them. She didn't need to wait for a reply. She knew what they were thinking.
'I know where you're going and don't bother. I had hacked Mitchel's laptop and had checked the place where you were about to go a week ago. There's nothing there.'
'Is it me, or is she better than you, Jason?'
Now wasn't the time for Alex to say this.
'Of course, I am. Jason, do yourself a favor and stay out of this.'
Jason couldn't just stay out of this after what he's been through. He dressed like a girl for this. No way he was going to drop out.
'Vanessa, listen to me. This is a level 3 mission. You cannot do this alone, let me join.'
Missions in WS are measured in levels. They start at 5 and end at 1, with 5 being the lowest level of difficulty and 1 being the highest. Duel partnership is highly recommended if the level is 3, and the one assigned to it is a C rank agent.
The highest rank is S, and only three people are there. Vanessa's official status is C, although her talent and ability beg to differ. She expected Jason to act like this.
'I knew you would say this.'
She whispered to herself.
'Empty your pockets, both of you.'
Vanessa ordered.
'What?'
'Don't make me say it twice. Do it right now.'
'You cannot force us.'
Jason took a step back. He felt his phone and wallet in his jeans to make sure they do not get easily snatched.
'Can't I?'
Vanessa pulled out her gun and pointed it straight at Jason.
'Vanessa, we are in public, Point it down.'
'Does it look like I care?'
Vanessa wasn't playing around. Jason knew that all too well. She has shot him before, and she could do it again. He looked at Alex, and he nodded.
They both took out everything they had and placed it on the floor, taking three steps back.
Vanessa inspected all of the items. She took all of the money they had, Jason's phone, all of their cards, the tickets. She took everything, placing them in her bag.
'I am taking these with me.'
She threw their empty wallets, Jason's gun, their ID card and passports on the floor.
'Don't worry, I won't take these. I also used my "Absolute Authority" to strip your WS privileges, Jason.'
Jason was surprised at how determined she was to stop him.
'I also blocked all of your bank accounts. Yours too, Alex. I didn't ban you on airlines, so you still will be able to fly if you could afford it.'
Her job was done, and she turned around to go back.
'Knowing you two. You will probably gather enough money to come back in a month. By the time you return, this will all be over. Bye.'
She waved her hand. Not looking back, she kept walking until she faded from their sight. And just like that, Alex and Jason became two broke people without a penny.
Thankfully, Vanessa didn't see Felix, who was near a bench around some people. Alex had put him there while they were buying the tickets.
'So, now what?'
Jason thought about what could be done. What Jason had gathered was concrete proof that the building in Chiba had something. Even if Vanessa said there isn't, there was a strong possibility that she was lying.
Jason profoundly thought, and his eyes landed on Felix, who was still there in his cage.
--That bird cost 50K, somebody might buy it for 40k.
'Alex, we need money quickly.'
Alex was thinking the same thing.
'I know, but I don't have any ideas on how.'
'Sell the bird.'
'I am not setting Felix.'
Jason was frustrated by his answer. Alex was acting like a child.
'Alex, we need money.'
'No.'
'Alex sell the bird, or I am going to eat it.'
Alex fell quiet. He inhaled deeply and picked up the cage. Jason was glad that he finally understood.
'I am not selling Felix.'
Alex sprinted away.
'Alex!!'
Jason ran to catch Alex.
In a mall in the famous city of Las Vegas, there was a fountain that spewed water. Near that fountain were two Young Adults sitting on a bench, critically thinking about an issue. A conversation took place.
'Okay, so how about this? We are amidst the concrete jungle.'
'Yes.'
'We might not but bringeth forth our behovelful apparatus.'
'Go on.'
'We then summon thyself on to the earth...'
Alex became silent.
'Then?'
Jason began to show interest in Alex's plan.
'We wilt then asketh for alms.'
'That might not be bad ide– Wait that is begging.'
'Tch-, he realized.'
Such was the conversation of two people sitting on a bench near a fountain.