Chapter Text
Shadow-san sat next to Carmen. “What is it for today?” he asked the boy on the screen.
Since VILE’s headmasters destroyed the school and worked from God knows where, the assignments of the effective were saturated. So the team red could have more time to take a break, they were taking it easy and slow. Ivy and Zack quickly adapted to the pace, but Shadow-san wasn’t. He always demanded to Player 2 to 3 times a day if there was nothing new. Carmen found out that making Shadow-san do grocery shopping, training and planning new missions wasn’t enough to make him relax for even a minute. She was convinced that he was half sleeping.
But having an elder always looking up for everything was relaxing her shoulder from the worry she usually had.
“A plane from Europe will arrive in the airport of New York, apparently VILE is trying to reach for a rare ruby.” Player explained.
“They called their best gem seller.” Carmen looked at Shadow-san.
“The Williams… Which means Countess Cleo is making the deal.” He frowned.
As long as he remembered, the Williams had the greatest bond with Countess Cleo. Even as a normal effective, he never saw Cleo so relaxed than when she was with her friends the Williams. Mr Williams was always dressed the cleaned way possible, expensive suits made with the most soft materials Shadow-san ever touched. Even if Mr Williams was most of the time a rude and fierce man; he had a soft behavior when he was in a good day, which wasn’t often. Shadow-san never saw Mme Williams, he only heard about her. About how beautiful she was, how precious she was ect… Even if they seemed to be right persons, Shadow-san knew that they liked the danger of fraud; black market and manipulation.
Player searched more into the files he decrypted earlier, as Carmen looked at him do. Ivy and Zack arrived close to them and looked at the computer. The siblings approached the moments they heard about a rare gem.
Player huffed. “The ruby won’t be transported by a nobody but Williams’ daughter.”
Carmen looked at Shadow-san, the man sighed. “Lady K, she must be 18 now. As far as I remember her parents were never letting her alone and someone was babysitting her.”
“You think that’ll be the case this time?” Carmen asked.
“No idea.” He admitted. “She’s a terror, and I’m not sure if that changed…”
Lady K often was with her father, she liked Countess Cleo a lot. But not because the Countess was nice, no. Lady K grew up in a family that always used what they had to have more, she was always assigned a effective to take care of her. After only one night, the effective were so stressed that Cleo had to give them a week of vacation.
The teacher knew very well how Lady K was, but Shadow-san always assumed that she was amused to see how the child could drive crazy an other graduated. As for the Williams, they always insisted that their daughter was a crazy maniac that was imature and needed constant surveyance. Shadow-san tried multiple time with the other teacher to keep Lady K with them, and she always was an angel when they weren’t constantly on her back; which always ended up by Mr Williams yelling at them.
“Red, you can be at New York in 2 hours. The plane of Lady K will arrive at 4pm, which leave you time to build up a plan.”
Carmen nodded, already having an idea of what to do.
She smiled and stood up. This seemed like an easy mission. They arrive, localize the ruby, steal it from the child’s hands and quickly escape.
Quickly they were all in direction of the airport for their mission.
Carmen was looking at information PLayer sent about the ruby they had to steal.
Zack was currently playing with a little ball filled with sand, passing it hand to hand. Ivy sat down in front of him and they started playing in silence.
“So, what’s so important about that ruby anyway?” Zack asked.
“Yeah, ruby… That’s pretty common. Why would VILE find it necessary?” Ivy asked looking at Carmen. But this 2 second of inattention made the sand ball land on her cheek, Ivy let out a pain cry and threw the ball roughly at Zack.
The guy just protected his face with his arms and laughed.
Carmen smiled softly. “This ruby is particular. A ruby like this should be in a museum for its particular color and shape.” she explained.
The ruby was sure red like a common ruby, but under the light the color was shining from blue to orange, depending on the inclination. It was too, a perfect flat sphere, never was shaped by any human hands. It was only one of the few like this, VILE could easily sell it millions more than the price they bought it during Countess Cleo’s party.
Zack huffed, he didn’t want to participate at one of these parties anymore. He started listing everything he disliked the last time he had participated at one, which was obviously when he was called by the name of ‘Duke’. He listed that wearing a suit was uncomfortable, the fake mask he had to wear was terrible, the food could hardly be qualified at food…
“We know you didn’t enjoyed your time…” Carmen sighed still smiling. “But I told you to not open the door, Duke.”
Ivy laughed as Zack just grunted. “But guys, the worst was not that they literally served a million of egg fish in a bowl!” He made a face at the memory. “But it was that this guy was staring at me all the dawn time!”
Zack shivered remembering that guy just glaring at all he was doing during the dinner. Zack was extremely nervous about it, when he wasn't usually so caring about what other people could think of his behavior; the fact that Carmen was counting on him to succeed and that dude mocking him was truly uncomfortable for him! He hated being judged and mocked that way, and the passive aggressive tone that guy was using just made him very humiliated.
He was ashamed to think that, but Countess Cleo really saved his life on that. She was very sweet with him, and even if he quickly noticed that she was pushing the other guy to give Zack her patience, which didn’t help to make the dude much nicer; he could have ran away if she wasn’t here.
“Next time we say something, listen.” Ivy noted.
“Anyway, I ain’t doing that again!”
“No need to.” Shadow-san cut him. “The seller might be part of VILE, she’s only 18 and has no training of fighting.”
Carmen smiled. “It would be like stealing a lollipop out of a child’s mouth.”
“But the lollipop is a ruby!” Ivy winked at Zack.
The guy seemed to relax at this.
--
At 4pm, the whole team was ready. Carmen found a spot to spy on the people that will go out of the William’s plane after Player indicated her where it will land.
Shadow-san was with her, looking around for anyone that could bother them. Zack and Ivy were in position not far or backup.
A black limousine was parked where the plane should land, fancy. Carmen predicted that Countess Cleo was personally waiting for Lady K in this car, and maybe Dash Haber was with her.
“Now, we wait…” Carmen said.
After a good amount of minutes, a small plane landed exactly on the spot Player indicated. The plane looked like a private jet, it was entire white with some blue stripes on the back of teh machine. The doors of the limousine opened, revealing Dash Haber as he stepped outside. Countess Cleo didn’t seem to be with him.
Dash stepped quickly to the plane as the stairs were pushed to the door of the plane by some employee of VILE. Carmen put her binocular and informed the team to be ready. Dash seemed very stressed, he was chewing on his bottom lip and tapping the back of his right foot on the ground.
The door opened, a tall woman made her way down the stairs, followed by a smaller man. Both were looking neat and clean, their chin up. The woman had a white suit, with some shines on it; her eyes were almost close revealing a perfect natural make up. The man was wearing a similar suit but holding close an orange backpack, the handles both being on his left arm. Carmen noted that the backpack was looking very used and had some doodles on it.
“I though the parents weren’t present.” Player said surprised. Carmen agreed with him and looked at Shadow-san.
“It’s not them…” The elder groaned.
“They are going toward Dash… Player.” Carmen said, not needing to give proper instruction.
“On it!” The kid said and made the team listen closer to whatever Dash and the two adults will say.
Carmen made a sign to everyone to keep it down so they could hear. Zack and Ivy still approached the scene being very curious. Zack groaned as he noticed that Dash Haber was the guy that liked so much to stare at him.
The tall woman stepped closer to Dash Haber, and stopped 4 feet away from the younger man. “You are the assistant of the Countess?” She asked, looking down at him.
Dash answered by nodding firmly. “I will be personally escorting Lady K to her room and then to the selling place.” He said, having a fierce tone even if his body was showing the tension he had.
“I think we found the babysitter.” Ivy mocked.
Shadow-san smirked at this but kept focus.
The tall woman nodded and moved away from Dash, looking up the door as a small girl was making her way out. She had short brown hair and a very pale skin, she wasn’t wearing any fancy dress or suit but a way too big Hermes shirt with only two little wing in the back, and jeans. She was wearing big headset that she immediately put around her neck as she saw Dash. Lady K slowly made her was down huffing.
Haber tried a little smile at her, but she didn’t returned it and simply took the orange backpack from the man.
“Stop.” Carmen said. “Player, look at her necklace.” She zoomed on it with her binoculars.
“It’s the ruby!” Player said.
“If she’s having it on her, it will be more complicated.” Carmen bit her lips. “We will probably have to steal it when she and Dash are both asleep.”
Shadow-san took a time to think but was interrupted by the conversation between Dash Haber and the child.
“You can call me Dash Haber.” Dash said politely. “I will take care of you during the time of the selling.”
“I know, I know.” The girl said irritated. “My father still think I am too immature to take care of myself...” She sighed.
Dash looked around embarrassed. Carmen frowned, feeling what the girl meant. After all she knew the same situation.
“Hear me out.” Lady K said roughly. “You have to make sure all my desire comes true or no ruby.”
“Hum, I-” Dash bit his lip confused.
“The hat, I want it.” She said.
Carmen was surprised how rough the girl was being suddenly, blackmailing was common to her but never from a person looking so young and innocent. Shadow-san huffed softly as he was expecting it. He knew the girl wasn’t interested by having a hat, as she probably didn’t know that it wasn’t only part of Haber fashion.
“My hat?” Dash asked, not sure if he should give a weapon in her hands. Countess Cleo said that the girl could be dangerous if not handled well. She said things like maniac, kleptoman, unstable and others.
“Yes. Give it or I go back in the plane.” Lady K said seeming serious enough to make Dash more nervous.
Dash Haber wasn’t used of being stepped on by someone else than Countess Cleo. If he didn’t give the small child his hat he would have failed his assignment. He looked away, thinking for a good moment, before taking off his hat and giving it to Lady K. The girl smiled and put the hat on her head. The hat was of course too big for her, she was forced to pull it up so she could see where she was heading. Dash knew she would quickly get bored about it, but if she discovered it was a harmful weapon. Anyway, he could get it back when he wanted to.
Lady K went in the car, but then turned to Dash that was following her
“I know it’s your job and all but… I’m gonna make your life a living hell.” She smiled.
Dash and the red team frowned. The Countess’ assistant sighed stressely and entered the limousine. Soon the back car rolled away.
Carmen turned away and put her gadget back in her coat. “We know enough.” She said still disturbed by what she just heard and saw.
“So… If I understood well, Dash is the babysitter.” Player said. Carmen hummed to agree.
Zack sat up. “This girl is crazy! I kinda feel bad for him…”
Shadow-san groaned. “It’s the cost of working for VILE. Let’s just concentrate on the ruby.”
Player nodded “So what’s the plan, Red?”
Carmen sighed and sat up, trying to not think about the girl but about the mission. “Player, you find where they are going. Me and Shadow-san will steal the ruby from Lady K while she sleeps, and if Dash is awake we could take him.” She looked at Shadow-san that nodded in agreement. “Then we ran to the car and Zack drive us away, should be easy.”
“Okay, Red. I know where they are heading. A small hotel out of the big city, I send you the address.” Player said.
--
Carmen was looking at the screen of what the drone was showing her. The other member of the team could tell she was feeling off.
Carmen couldn’t stop comparing herself to Lady K, she grew up in a similar situation. Being without full liberty was something VILE taught her too well.
“That will be good, Carmen.” Shadow-san put a hand on her shoulder making Carmen smile.
“There, take that to release your stress.” Zack smiled offering the sand ball he was playing with earlier.
Carmen thanked him and played with the ball, noting that it was good to release a bit of stress and she would probably steal it. Zack just chuckled at that.
Dash sat down exhausted of the afternoon. Lady K was on his back all the time, making more and more requests. Even Countess Cleo wasn’t that rude with him. She was of course, but the girl was draining his ressources.
But he finally managed to satisfy her enough so she would leave him alone. She laid down in bed, saying she was asleep. Dash suggested for her to put some pajamas but she only replied with a groan, so he didn’t insist.
Dash took off his coat when he was feeling tired, he didn’t want to lay in bed because he had a bad feelings of being watched. Dash had a big paranoïa, that saved him more than once. But sometimes he didn’t need to feel this paranoïd, and it really was bothering him and the persons around him. But that often amused Countess Cleo to see how scared her henchman could get when a situation wasn’t 100 °/ under control.
Dash checked again outside the windows and then sat down in front of the Lady’s bed. She already turned off the light for the night, and Dash just sat here to rest.
He didn’t notice he fell asleep until a scream woke him up. He turned on the light and saw Lady K hugging her pillow close, she looked at him scared.
“She stole the ruby!” She yelled at him.
Dash Haber didn’t take long to understand that Carmen Sandiego was behind that. He grabbed his hat and went out the window and to the roof. He saw Carmen standing up with her red coat and hat. She wasn’t moving an inch, Dash growled seeing how she was mocking him. He quickly climbed on the roof of the hotel, taking care to say to the girl he was taking care of to not move and wait for him. The lady didn’t have more choice but nodding.
Dash was soon running toward Carmen, throwing his hat trimmed with sharp spikes. Sandiego easily avoided it and started running and jumping roof to roof. She knew that if Dash was a good runner, he wasn’t good to jump and climb. The jumps would quickly become too dangerous for him and he will give up the poursuit.
Dash Haber ran after her for a good moment, he often threw his hat at her without touching the woman. Carmen could thank her good reflex because this weapon was extremely dangerous, if the spikes where to touch her she could bleed to death.
“How are you doing, Red?” Player asked. “Shadow-san is already at the van with the ruby.”
“I’m still running, Dash really doesn’t wanna give up.” She groaned. “But don’t worry, even if he catch me I could beat him myself.”
This running game continued for longer than Carmen predicted. Dash probably had more training for this assignment. She cursed, trying to find a way to make him give up quickly.
“Why isn’t he done yet?!” She cursed to herself and jumped again. She turned to see Dash jumping two or three roofs away from her. The jump he made was particularly dangerous, even with this determination Haber couldn’t make it.
Or she would help him with that.
Carmen felt the sand ball Zack gave her earlier, and there came an idea. The ball sure will take the Dash stress away.
Haber jumped to her, he sure felt something wrong with the fact that she wasn’t moving. In half a second he felt a particular hard thing hit him right on the forehead. The knock made him fall down and hit the back of his head on the roof where he jumped. Dash ended up unconscious on the ground, in the back of the garden of some random person.
Carmen smiled satisfied until she realized something wrong. She jumped down and to him before realising that Dash Haber was bleeding from the skull.
She should save and heal him but it meant capturing Dash, meaning that he would have to stay with the team. Because VILE would erase his memory like they did to Gray. Even if she didn’t like him, no one deserved to forget a good amount of their life. Leaving him, even with some aid could only make his situation worst; he could even die from that. Carmen couldn’t leave him, she didn’t have any other choice!
“Red! Red!” Carmen looked up as she heard Player calling. “Lady K is coming to you! Go to the van.”
“I’m coming-” She said but Player could tell by her voice something was off, he wanted to say something but Carmen cut the communication.
She cut her coat a sleeve, it hurt her but she could buy herself a new one; when she couldn’t by another Dash Haber. After tying up his injury she grabbed him on he shoulders. The guy was lighter than she expected, but she wasn’t to complain. Zack drove to her area and stopped the car so she could catch up.
Ivy opened the back of the van. Carmen didn’t hesitated and jumped in with Dash. Shadow-san noticed Lady K running toward the van, yelling some things they couldn’t understand. He turned to Carmen and helped her lay Dash’s body on the floor.
“Carmen, what does that mean?” Shadow-san worried. He noticed her missing sleeve around Haber’s head and her freaked out expression.
“The ruby.” Carmen asked and sighed in release when Ivy showed it. “I’m sorry guys, I panicked because Haber was in death danger-” She said, feeling like crying.
“Why didn’t you leave him on the street?” Ivy asked trying to be gentle as how Carmen was behaving.
“I couldn’t! He could have died!” Carmen yelled.
“Okay… Okay, Carm calm down…” Ivy put a hand on her shoulder.
Carmen pulled her hat and coat off her, and sat on the back of the van before restore the communication with Player. Shadow-san located any tracer Dash might have on him and smashed them down in his fist. He looked at the younger thief sniffing softly.
Carmen hummed, pulling her arms around her. “Maybe, we could make him part of the team? He’s not that bad.” She smiled unsure.
“He’s arrogant.” Ivy sighed.
“Loyal to death to VILE.” Shadow-san replied.
“He’s a terrible guy!” Zack said.
“He wouldn’t hesitate one moment to betray us.” Shadow-san said.
“Guys, guys. Okay we cannot trust him… Yet!” She said soon getting back to normal. “All effective of VILE have a story, and believe me they don’t always have the choice of being with VILE. All of them can be good guys, and we can help them.” Carmen smiled. “For example, you Shadow-san. You work with us, and you were the last I was imagining joining. All of them made choice they can regret, and are now stuck.”
Shadow-san looked away.
“But, Carm-” Ivy started.
Shadow-san cut her. “Alright, we can try. And Lady K probably told the professor already. So we don’t have choice but keep him.”
Even if the red-hair siblings argued with them about that. The decision was already made. Carmen hugged Sadow-san, happy he agreed with her. The former teacher smiled softly and hugged back.
--
Back to San Francisco, Dash got the treatment he needed to recover. It wasn’t as big as Carmen expected so they didn’t need to go to a doctor. For now Haber was put in a room and locked here to rest. Often one of the member of the team was checking on him. At first only Carmen and Shadow-san where taking care of him, but with more discussion the red haired siblings started to feel more comfortable with Dash being here, especially Zack. Zack started to feel a bond with the sleeping guy, even if he was still complaining. Shadow-san soon noticed that Zack was doing cooking more than often, but he didn’t ask about it.
One day, all the team was resting in front of a movie. Carmen was feeling herself fall asleep when a scream of help came from upstairs. The team stopped the movie and immediately ran to Dash’s room. Shadow-san pushed the kids away and opened the door slowly.
They found Dash holding a lamp in his hands, looking scared shitless. The older man approached him calmly and opened his mouth to talk before he had to avoid a hit from Dash.
“WHERE AM I?!” He yelled.
“You are at our GHQ, put that down.” Shadow-san calmly said.
“Free me! Now! I won’t speak about anything!” Dash yelled again.
The older man sighed and attacked Dash. He quickly put the guy down and threw the lamp away from his hands, after days of sleep Dash had trouble getting on his full capacity. The older man pulled away to stand in front of the door so Dash couldn’t run away.
“Dash let us explain…” Carmen tried, walking to him, but Dash threw himself on her, she quickly avoided his fist and pushed him away without hurting him.
Dash huffed and before he could re-enter the fray, Shadow-san grabbed the young man by the collar and pulled him close, Dash had to pull his hands on his former teacher’s chest in an attempt to pull away.
“Listen now!” Shadow-san almost yelled, making everyone in the room froze. “You are captured. It means that even if you can go back to Countess Cleo, she will erase your memory and throw you away!” He was shaking the guy while speaking so his words were hitting. “VILE don’t care what you’ve done for them! They don’t care, and will erase everything from your mind!” Dash couldn’t move or speak, he just looked at Shadow-san eyes killing him inside. “If it wasn’t for Carmen, you would be dead in the back of a garden, all alone. We give you a chance to start a new life! Take it or die.” He said.
Carmen was used of Shadow-san being cold and distant, but that kind of speaking was really out of character for him. She could see he was meaning every words, and it scared her. She looked at Dash that lost some colour, his legs were slightly trembling. Shadow-san let go of him.
Haber stood on his feet for a moment before sitting down the ground. Shadow-san left the room, warning to not forget to close the door.
Carmen was still moved by what Shadow-san said and slowly reached to Dash, she put a hand on his shoulder but he slapped it away and growled some words.
Carmen pulled away from him and stepped back, she closed the door behind her. Leaving Dash shallow the situation he was in.