Painted in Red Pt. 2

As the trio continued their stride, no shortage of eyes turned to awe at the presence of Simon Barley.

"Quite the celebrity, eh, Simon?" Loki chuckled. "Look at them breaking their necks to snatch a peek."

"It is more so fear rather than respect they harbor for this presence of mine," he replied. "After all, I am a man who can send them all home without a job to come back to."

"Dang, you have the authority to do all that?"

"Of course. If I wanted to, I could inflict much worse."

"Hah. Looks like we came for the right man. Now what the hell was a guy like you doing in the dirty backstreets of the undercity?"

"Loki," Holiday said. "We're on a mission."

"Ah, right, right. My bad."

Right as they reached the end of the depot, they were stopped by a squad of five. Compared to everyone else, their appearance was that of teenagers.

"Holly..." Loki whispered. "Look. Their eyes."

"I see them. Athenians."

While their choices in unsavory style were rather different, there was one thing they all had in common. Embedded within each of their eyes was a hollowed triangle, a symbol of their status as third-grade Athenians.

"Doctor Barley!" one of them greeted him with a cheerful grin. "Good to see you again."

"Yes... Quite so," Simon replied, though it was not nearly as enthusiastic.

"What brings you to Sector Zero? Can't assume that you're here just for sightseeing."

"An astute observation. I am here for a routine inspection. I'm afraid we'll have to cut our friendly exchange short, as I am pressed for time."

"Oh yeah. Don't let us keep you. Although..."

The boy's head turned to face the two guards standing behind Simon.

"Why don't we act as your bodyguards for today's visit? We know the place better, and I'm sure you'll feel a lot safer with us rather than these... regulars."

"Heh. A tempting offer," Simon chuckled. "However, I am comfortable with my current guards. Besides, there is no need for me to worry about danger while I'm here, now is there?"

"Ah, come on. Can't be too safe, right? And we for sure—"

Simon slammed the tip of his cane on the ground as he sternly said, "Enough."

A simple act was all it took for the Athenians to take a step back.

"Are you doubting the capabilities of those whom I personally chose?" Simon asked threateningly.

"N-not at all, sir! I just thought..."

"Stand aside. Unless it is an emergency, you will not be permitted to approach me for the duration of my inspection."

Shamefully, the squad made way for Simon to walk through, and the two guards followed. They finally made it out of the vehicle depot and to a secluded elevator. They stepped in, and Simon inputted the correct combination of numbers for the elevator to descend.

"You're strange, Doctor Barley," Holiday said. "You could've very easily evaded us by accepting their offer, yet you chose not to."

"Strange, perhaps, but I also like to think that I am quite intelligent. As you've reiterated a couple of times already, any efforts made to deviate from you would only result in a canvas painted in red. I fear that I would only join in as a mere stroke upon what foul masterpiece would surely come."

"Hey, you really are smart, Simon," Loki snickered. "Didn't think you had it in you."

"I... appreciate the compliment."

"But, this place better have what we're looking for. Otherwise, I'm gonna rip you apart and keep your head a souvenir."

"I expected you to have a little more faith in me, given our history."

"Well, times have changed."

The elevator doors opened, and they made their way to an empty office. Chairs were scattered around a long, oval table, as if a meeting had been interrupted. A series of paperwork were scattered along the surface, some having fallen to the floor.

Holiday pulled off her helmet and flailed her head around, letting her tangled hair loose.

"Minerva," she said.

"I'm here, Cap'n!"

"What's the situation?"

"Looks calm enough from the outside. Clouds are getting a bit dark, though. Hehe. Right on schedule."

"Good. Keep watch on the outside. Do not engage, even if the alarms go off."

"Got it, Cap'n."

"Holiday to Calypso, be advised, Loki and I saw a squad of Athenians here, third-grade. Be cautious and mindful. Remember our objective. Zephyr will search for the iron cell with Astrid. Minerva, you're on overwatch. Loki and I will recon. If our guess is correct, they're hiding something much more valuable than a simple iron heart. Clear?"

"Clear," they all said.

"Stay safe, Calypso. Holiday, out."

"Never thought I'd partake in an operation hosted by Calypso themselves..." Simon sighed. "What will you do now?"

The girls took off their body armor, revealing the tactical outfits they had always worn ever since they became Athenians. For now, all they had were the guns they had stuffed beneath the heavy armor.

"Well, not to steal your analogy or anything..." Loki smirked. "But this canvas is about to be painted in red."

"Dear me," he muttered. "And here I was thinking this would be a quiet, stealthy task. How could I have been such a fool to believe that Calypso would ever partake in a boring mission?"

"Hah! Good one, Simon. I'm glad you didn't run off with those Athenians earlier. Gave us this nice little bonding moment, eh?"

"If I recall correctly, was it not you who said that I would die by your hands if I tried anything of the sort?"

"Nah, I was joking. We wouldn't have killed you."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Despite our current circumstances, we haven't forgotten all that you've done for us back then, Doctor Barley," Holiday said.

"Am I to assume that you are finally letting me go?"

"That's right. You've done your part by bringing us here. If you wish, you may leave. Or you can go back to those Athenians and rat on us. It won't make a difference."

Simon pondered for a moment, before letting out a prolonged sigh.

"You madams truly haven't changed," he said. "Even if I may become an obstacle that could lead to your downfall, you would still cut me loose. Is this that 'honor' your late captain often preached about?"

"Call it what you will. Captain Nemesis would have spared you, so we will too."

"Is that so? Hah... Calypso has always been my one and only weakness. Go. I shan't say a word of your endeavors here."

Loki and Holiday exchanged looks and nodded to each other, before they ran out of the office room, their footsteps fading away. With yet another sigh, Simon sat down on a chair and relaxed his head against the back cushion.

"Oh, how they've grown," he chuckled. "It has been seven years since I've last seen them, and their eyes are still as fierce as the day they left. I believe they are in good hands now, don't you? Captain Nemesis."