The drive to school was smooth, Arthur listened to music while GIL randomly broke into Arthur's alone time with a few sentences.
"Here we are". Bruce said as he pulled the car to a halt.
" Thanks for the ride Bruce".
"It's no problem bro".
Arthur stood facing the school, he was reluctant to go in.
" Great school, ranks 15th in the state". GIL said into his ears.
"Hey chill, my ear is starting to ache from your creepy computerized voice".
" Sorry". He apologized nonchalantly.
"You are not sorry".
" Let's go in". GIL urged.
"I don't know, I feel like loitering a bit".
" Is it because of your lack of social life?".
"Oh please!". Arthur blushed.
****************
CANDAI HQ:
" Good morning sir". Mattel's secretary greeted.
"Nothing is good about the morning". He was just returning from a meeting with the IPCA.
The IPCA is a non-profit government agency. The main goal of the establishment is to screen and scrutinize all gadgets and weapons with the States. The director, David Axelrod is Mattel's high school mentor. Mattel had always looked up to David who treated him like a son. The outcome of the meeting, however, could affect David's relationship with Mattel. The government was currently on David's neck and he, in turn, pressurized Mattel.
" Where is Achilles?". He asked as he walked towards his office.
"I....".
" Get him in my office in two minutes"
"Yes sir".
" Get me hot coffee too, black".
"Yes sir".
-------------------
" You have an explanation for yesterday's false alert?".
"Actually....".
" I need straightforward answers Achie". He cried out, banging his hands on the desk.
"I do not have an explanation sir".
" But how is that possible?".
"Well....".
" You have been doing a good job and now you have suddenly decided to mess things up for the company. I trusted you but you failed and this one silly negligence might cost us all our jobs". His voice was still very loud and scary.
"I am sorry sir".
" Where is the report on Roberto's movements?".
"I haven't had any tabs on him".
" Get out". Mattel had reached the limits of his anger and wanted to be alone. Archi realized this and didn't bother arguing further. He walked out of the office and closed the door behind him.
"Idiots ". Mattel sipped his coffee fuming silently. " Bunch of them".
A few minutes later, Mattel drove out of the CANDAI HQ. Ruth called.
"Hey, darling".
" Lunch at home?".
"I don't know.....".
" I have loads of information for you".
"Sure, will be there".
***************
Lunch break, Arthur's school:
"Hot". GIL said.
" The food?".
"No dummy, the girl over there".
" Avery?".
"You know her".
" Not actually, she's a smart kid. She answered most of the questions in Calculus".
"Avery Falconman, fifteen years old, five five four inches tall, blonde and an estimated IQ of 150".
" Wow, she's smart".
"And pretty". GIL completed.
" You should go sit with her".
"What? No way".
" Yes way, it's your first step towards an active social life".
"I do not want a social life, active or not. All I want is to help my parents".
" She's a genius, that's an advantage".
"Okay". Arthur was defeated. " But only if you promise to keep your mouth shut".
"I promise".
Arthur walked over to Avery Falconman.
" Hey, can I sit?".
"Sure, I don't own the cafeteria". She smiled at him.
" I am Avery Falconman".
"Arthur Skywalker is my name".
" Arthur Skywalker as in Mattel Skywalker of CANDAI?".
"You know my dad?".
" Yeah, I have always wanted to work at CANDAI".
"Oh". Arthur ate silently.
" GIL did you hear that? She loves my dad and what he does". He spoke in his mind.
"Yeah, I heard". GIL spoke into the earpiece.
" You think I could ask her for help?".
"I don't know, I already promised to help, didn't I".
" Yeah right".
Lunch was soon over and Arthur went back to class.
***************
"Are you sure GIL is with skywalker?".
" Affirmative sir".
"Do you have records of his whereabouts?".
" We have that covered, Angel provided us with the needed information".
"Go to Skywalker's house and bring me GIL, I want Mattel and Ruth too dead or alive".
" Will do as you say, sir".
*****************
The mafia invaded Skywalker's house.
"Mattel Skywalker, turn yourself in or things get bloody". The leader of the gang commanded.
Ruth and Mattel were talking over lunch when the mafia came. Mattel grabbed his gun and stood at alert.
" Go, Ruth, I will hold the grounds for you". Mattel made way for Ruth to escape through the window.
"Not so fast". Ruth kicked the gun out of Mattel's hands.
" What the hell are you doing?".
"Fighting crime baby".
" What?". Mattel was stunned.
"Come in boys". Ruth beckoned to the gang outside. She was surprised when she saw them come in.
" What? Who are you?". She asked in awe.
"The Mafia". The gang leader introduced.
Meanwhile, Mattel and Ruth had been tied to the kitchen chairs and the gang searched through the house.
" What? I can not believe you set me up". Mattel addressed Ruth.
"My work was at stake, the intelligence agency wanted GIL and you had him. All I had to do was turn GIL in".
" At the expense of my life and career?".
"My career was at stake, you have had your shine for too long". She cried.
" So you foiled the attack on WARPA?".
"No, I didn't". " All I wanted being for my bosses to get GIL and turn him in to the authority. The attack on WARPA was to my advantage too, there is no way I would foil it".
--------------------------
"We didn't find anything sir". One of the gang members reported to the leader.
" How is that possible, Angel said they had him".
"I think someone double-crossed us".
" Get them both to the den, I will search this place a little longer".
The Mafia took Ruth and Mattel away.