“Word just came down,” Margaret said. “The boss jumped a SPA Agent. Left her for dead in the country. Things might get ugly. She wants us to make sure if things go down between us and SPA that there’s no help coming their way.”
“What’s the play?” asked Penguin. “Going after TYME?”
“No,” says Margaret. “Ms. Hastings is more concerned about STONE getting involved. Particularly the crown jewel of that place.”
“Her Majesty…” muttered Puffin.
“Bingo,” replied Margaret.
“So what, we’re taking on STONE all on our own?” Penguin asked.
“Not quite,” said Margaret. “Intimidation is the name of the game here.”
“But Her Majesty is cold as ice,” said Penguin. “Even if we somehow manage to beat her and her flunkies that’ll just make her more likely to come after us.”
“That’s why we’re not going after STONE,” said Margaret. “There are two SPA Agents in London. Agent Yellow, SPA’s liaison, and Agent Red, who is in town to check in with STONE. The idea is-”
“We get to them and show STONE what we’re capable of,” said Puffin.
“Bingo,” said Margaret. “Make a mess of the SPA girls and let Her Majesty know this is what her people have coming if they interfere with future affairs.”
“Genius,” said Puffin.
“Ms. Hastings didn’t get to where she is by being dumb,” said Margaret. “Now ready up. We’ll go over the brief on our way to London.”
Very rarely did STAX call in Margaret Hunt, aka “Yeti,” or her bodyguards Puffin and Penguin unless they needed someone killed. However, this was a special case. Tilda Hastings had jumped Agent Blue and left her for dead in the countryside. Tilda expected Blue to be quickly taken care of by Charlotte Brooks and her underlings, but somehow Blue had escaped. An annoying trait that the SPA Agent seemed to possess. The only other trait she had that was more annoying was her tenacity. Despite promising not to go after STAX anymore or else her girlfriend, Daisy, would be killed, Tilda had learned that Daisy betrayed Blue. Thus, there was no more motivation for Blue to stop her investigation into the STAX Corporation. She had already been sniffing around to almost discover something. Now with the full might of SPA behind her, it was either going to be a swift takedown of STAX or all-out war.
Tilda was prepping for war.
Her first target: Agents Red and Yellow. Two of SPA’s most veteran agents, taking them out of the picture early may dissuade further violence from SPA. At the very least, it would serve as a motivating tool for the UK based agency STONE to stay out of the STAX-SPA conflict. Tilda was good. Possibly the best fighter in the world. But the thought of having to fight Her Majesty as well as Agents Blue and Green seemed like a tall task. Maybe too much for her or anyone else at STAX to handle. So, the idea was an intimidation play. Much like the US did in WWII to the Russians. Drop the bomb, flex, and stare your potential adversary down. Breaking Agents Red and Yellow would serve as a warning at just how capable STAX is at handling their enemies without directly attacking STONE, which would definitely trigger a response.
The flight to London was all business. This wasn’t unlike Margaret before a mission. While the trash talk would certainly fly during the fight, before it Margaret always stayed focussed. She had nerves as cold as ice. Almost rattled her. But she could rattle anyone. Puffin and Penguin meanwhile were less experienced and skilled, however made up for it by having two of them. Together they felt as if they could challenge any agent.
“Here’s the plan,” said Margaret as she paced with a smartphone in one hand, a gin and tonic in the other. “Our intel says that Red and Yellow have just walked into the STONE building. That gives us an hour to get there, tail them to their living spaces, and jump them.”
“We don’t know where Yellow lives?” asked Puffin.
“Nope,” said Margaret. “Good old fashion leg-work for this one, girls. Now, these SPA types they like to keep their employees happy, but they’re a government agency too so they operate on a budget. Housing Yellow full time likely puts her in an affordable, but slightly secluded part of town. So don’t worry about bystanders. We track where she lives, break in and you two take Yellow. I’ve got Red. Now, you two have faced a SPA agent only once before… and it didn’t go well.”
“In our defense…” started Penguin.
“There was a TYME agent with her…”
“Doesn’t matter,” said Margaret. “I ended up spending time in prison for your failure. Taking down three agents at once makes a mission almost impossible. SO… you two better get Yellow down. I don’t want to be facing two veteran SPA girls at the same time.”
Margaret took a sip of her drink. She found one cocktail an hour before a fight made her the perfect combination of loose and numb. Her body moved easier and the hits didn’t sting as much. And she knew that against her opponent, Agent Red, that she’d have to be on the top of her game. Red and Margaret both shared reputations of elite strikers, though Margaret’s style was admittedly a bit more unorthodox. Red could put on a clinic, though. She could strike Margaret’s lights out if the assassin wasn’t careful. And she knew neither Puffin nor Penguin were ready to take on an agent of that caliber, not even together.
The plans were laid out. The fighting styles were talked over. Everything was done promptly and professionally. As soon as the trio had finalized their plan, the plane landed. Margaret looked back at them before departing the private jet.
“Now or never,” she said.
“I didn’t have time to make up the guest bed,” said Agent Yellow. “I’ll go do that now.”
Agent Yellow walked into the spare bedroom of her secluded London flat. She had found life here quiet. As a liaison to STONE, she very rarely found herself in combat anymore. Every once in a while she’d house Agent Tea or Agent Biscuit who needed some patching up or just a place to lie-low. And if Her Majesty ever called with a favor, Yellow would shirk procedure and help out. But most of her SPA missions were simply relaying intel back to the states. Sure, every now and then she’d have to spring into action and bring down some low-level cog in a fledgling criminal organization, but for the most part life had been quiet and simple.
“I can’t believe she let herself get captured AGAIN,” said Agent Red. “How many times do we have to clean up after Blue’s mess. Sneaking away to some two-bit fighting ring. And for what? You know The Boss never pressed her on that. Why did Tilda know she was there in the first place? Clearly somebody isn’t great at covering their tracks…”
Agent Red was wound up. She just had to go into the office of Her Majesty, one of the most serious women on the planet, and explain to her that despite the fact SPA’s “number 1 agent” just got bushwhacked by Tilda Hastings (again) that there’s no need to panic. SPA has the situation under control, blah, blah, blah. The truth was The Boss sent Red to try to see how receptive Her Majesty would be if things between SPA and STAX got worse. There were few women on the planet who struck fear into the hearts of SPA agents as Tilda Hastings. Putting Agent Blue down twice will do that. Not to mention the other assets at their disposal… there’s Lily Stax who apparently gave Blue all she could handle. Then there was their go-to assassin, Margaret Hunt, as well as her two sidekicks. Plus a few other shadowy assets that were currently unknown to SPA. The truth was, The Boss had no idea what they’d be up against if they had to go to war with STAX. So allies were necessary.
But you don’t exactly just ask a woman like Her Majesty for help. You have to present yourself as capable. If you’re going to convince her to get in bed with you, you better know what you’re doing. That’s why The Boss sent her, Red figured. While Yellow had a great relationship with the Brits, Red’s record spoke for itself. It was a show of strength. A reminder that even with Blue out for the time being, there were still plenty of other capable agents.
“She’s just so reckless,” continued Red. “And The Boss protects her. You know why? Because of Agent Green. The Boss’s favorite. Ugh. I’m so sick of the favoritism there sometimes, you know?”
“No, I don’t,” replied Yellow, whose hands were full of sheets and pillows she had pulled from the linen closet. “I’m not there, remember?”
“Right…” Red said.
“The Boss values you too, you know,” said Yellow from the bedroom. She flicked her wrists and the sheet snapped up then slowly drifted down over the bed. “You wouldn’t be here if she didn’t.”
“Yeah right,” said Red. “The only reason she didn't send Green is because she was already on assignment. Sometimes I think no matter what I do, I simply inherited a sh*t territory. I mean think about it, all I have in the midwest is Veronica Platt, and she’s an informant. I don’t bring in the splashy bad guys like Green and Blue. And another thing… if that Pink gets the Southwest assignment over Aqua, I’m going to lose it. She’s ten times protégé of Pink, but I just know that Blue will get into Green’s ear, who will get into The Boss’s…”
“Uh-huh,” said Yellow as she pounded a few pillows.
“Tell me if I’m crazy,” Red said, splaying out across Yellow’s couch. “What if I told The Boss I wanted to set up an office in France. I know you’re probably going to take Gold under your wing out here soon. There’s a lot of dirt going on in France right now. That Von Hargreaves is making a play out there. I’m thinking I recruit Agent Breeze to come full-time with us…”
“Red,” Yellow said walking back out into the living room. “You’re crazy.”
“What???” Red said, throwing up her hands.
There was a knock on the door. Yellow turned to walk to it.
“The Boss is never gonna let you galavant across Europe,” she said. “You’re too valuable state-side.”
Yellow opened the door. As she did she heard the sound of a window shattering behind her. She snapped her head around and saw Margaret Hunt climbing through the window of her living room. She went to move towards her, but had opened the door just enough to let Puffin slam it against her body.
The STAX girls had invaded the flat.
Agent Red popped to her feet, but Margaret moved quickly. She snapped a kick at the rising agent, sending her back down onto her seat. Right hook, left hook. Red’s face snapped side to side. She seemed utterly shocked. Margaret moved on top of her, straddling the dangerous agent. She fired off two more right hands that struck true. Red finally began to cover up when she processed what was happening. She blocked a few more of Margaret’s blows, then countered by spearing her hands into the assassin’s stomach. Yeti’s abs absorbed Red’s blow and the assassin brought her hands down in a synchronized chop on either side of the agent’s neck. Red’s arms instinctively spasmed as they shot up then dropped down to the couch.
Margaret advanced, allowing her legs to spread open, she grabbed the back of the couch and nestled her thigh gap between Red’s chin. The assassin showed off her incredible fitness as she held the position while squeezing her legs together. Her abs burned like hell, but it was worth it to see the bulging eyes of Agent Red, who now struggled to breathe. Margaret continued to press her body forward, putting more weight on Red’s thoat. She extended her legs so far that her toes made contact with the floor. The assassin continued to push forward and all of a sudden the couch under them began to topple. It crashed to the floor, but Margaret landed on her feet. Red’s throat was still trapped between her opponent’s legs, as her own legs went up with the couch. Red had been caught off-guard, but she knew she needed to formulate a plan.
So, the agent took her legs and rammed her knees into Margaret’s back. Then she chopped the back of the assassin’s knees, causing Yeti to drop. This widened up her hold around Red’s neck, which allowed a little more air to trickle in. Red let her back sink to the floor as she brought her legs up, straightening them out. She spread them wide, made sure Margaret’s head was in between them, then slammed them together. Her ankles cracked against the skull of Margaret Hunt on both sides and the assassin dropped to her side.
The door knocked Yellow off balance. As she turned back around she took a right fist courtesy of Puffin to the jaw. As she stumbled back, the Agent then saw the foot of Penguin high up in the air snap down onto her forehead. Yellow stumbled some more. Another right by Puffin. A left hook by Penguin. The two bodyguards landed blow after blow on the Agent until she finally found some space in the spare bedroom. There, Yellow was able to dodge a blow and counter with a few of her own.
But she hadn’t been in a fight like this in a long time. Two on one against two highly trained assassin’s bodyguards. She knew even her raw power might not be enough to save her. The only hope she had was to last long enough for Agent Red to come and even the odds. Until then, the plan was to dodge what she could, and counter when she could. Don’t get sloppy. Don’t give them free hits.
That was easier said than done.
The smaller assailant, Penguin, had fists so quick that Yellow could barely see them. Meanwhile Puffin was a tad slower, but definitely packed more pop. It wasn’t long before they had her cornered against the wall, teeing off on her once again while she just tried to cover up as best she could. The Agent felt her body pelted with blows and they began to take their toll. She started to slide down the wall as her knees failed her. Then, she felt a harsh tug on her hair and two arms slide under her own. Puffin’s hands rested on the back of Yellow’s neck as the bodyguard straightened up the agent. Penguin smiled and fired off a left-right combo that snapped Yellow’s head back and forth.
This was going to be painful.
Agent Red managed to roll away. She gripped her neck as she got to her feet, choking in as much air as she could. Margaret got to her feet and smirked. She raised her hands and then gestured Red to her.
“I heard you were good,” said Margaret. “Not impressed so far…”
“I’m the best,” replied Red. “I’ll be glad to show you why.”
The two women sprinted at each other. They traded blows. To the naked eye their fists and feet looked like blurs. Their strikes, their dodges, their counters, it was as if two bolts of lightning were trying to strike one another. Sometimes the occasional chop or jab landed, but it was clear that these ladies both had impeccable technique. So much so that the only way to gauge the winner would be to see who was retreating more often. At first it seemed Margaret was on her heels. However, a nice few high-kicks brushed Red off and put her on the defense. Margaret kept up the pace, but Red’s abs were tight enough to take a few shots and let the agent counter with a chop to the chest which put Margaret on her backfoot again. The two traded positions back and forth, neither one of them able to hold the advantage nor land any significant blows.
Then, a squeal emanated from the bedroom. Margaret ignored it. There were two of her girls in there, if one was hurt the other could handle it. Besides, some punishment was in order anyway after their recent failure. Red however was not as callous. She glanced over toward the room, taking her eyes off of her opponent for just a moment…
THWAM
A foot snapped Red’s head backwards. She stumbled and tried to put her guard back up, but it was too late. Margaret had found an opening. She snapped two uppercuts to Red’s right ribs then ducked an uncharacteristically desperate left hook. Margaret landed an uppercut. That made Red stumble backwards. She tried to fend Margaret off with a few more hooks. Now she was getting predictable… just like the intel said. Margaret ducked them both and shot a knee up to the agent’s right ribs. Red began to favor that side a bit. She threw a jab, but Margaret dodged it and grabbed Red’s wrists. She spun the agent around and slammed her against the wall. Red let out a gasp. Her eyes filled with fear.
Margaret Hunt had out-struck her. She was slowing down. Her ribs ached. And she felt her breathing start to get heavy. Meanwhile, Margaret swayed her hips from side to side a bit and gestured the agent back to her.
“Come on,” she said. “Thought you were the best.”
THWAP. THWAP. THWAP.
Yellow stumbled back and forth between the swinging fists of Penguin and Puffin. Each blow reversed her momentum and sent her right into the other one.
THWAP. THWAP. THWAP.
“You think boss needs any help?” asked Penguin, as her fist connected with Yellow’s jaw once again.
“Let me go see,” Puffin said, punching the agent back towards her partner.
Puffin walked out of the room and peaked her head around the corner. She watched as Margaret caught Red’s jab attempt and threw the agent into the wall. Puffin smirked. She retreated back into the bedroom.
“Boss has got her number…” she started before she realized something had gone horribly wrong.
Yellow’s arms were wrapped around Penguin’s body. The smaller girl grunting and groaning as her feet left the floor. Yellow snapped around so that she faced Puffin, but had Penguin’s lifted body as a barrier between them. Puffin tried to get around, but Yellow’s use of Penguin as a shield made it impossible. Meanwhile, the smaller bodyguard’s hands began to flail. Her fingers spread and retracted without any rhyme or reason. She began to make horrible gurgling noises until finally her body went limp in the agent’s arms. Yellow tossed Penguin down to the floor and looked at Puffin.
“You’re next,” she said.
Margaret Hunt destroyed Agent Red. Her strikes were quicker and more precise. Her defense was a cut above. And, she wasn’t nearly as tired as her counterpart. Red looked flabbergasted. She had no idea how this happened. She was considered by many to be the greatest striker in the world, if not number 2 after Her Majesty. Margaret had just blew that notion out of the water. She was better than Agent Red. Stronger and younger too. Her technique wasn’t quite as refined, but her physical ability trumped the agent’s just enough to give her the advantage.
A right hook took Red to her knees. She stood, but was then greeted with a round-house that sent her spinning wildly over the coffee table and to the floor. She began to push herself up, but Margaret grabbed a handful of her hair and brought her to her knees. Then, she shot her own knee into Red’s right side some more, finally cracking the pair of ribs she had been working on.
Red let out a horrified scream.
Margaret paced in front of her. She looked down at the agent, who was on her knees, cradling her stomach. She waited. She waited until Red slowly looked up at her. Then, the assassin smiled. She spun her body around, extending her leg as she did, putting the full force of her momentum behind it. Her foot cracked across Agent Red’s cheek. The brunette’s body dropped to the floor completely slack. Margaret walked over and looked down at her handiwork.
“Not a bad day at the office…” she said.
Margaret removed her bead-belt and slung it around Red’s wrists. That would have to do for now, just in case she got back up. She tied a knot and then let her curiosity get the best of her. With a passed out Red dragged behind her, Margaret began to saunter over to the spare bedroom…
With Penguin’s passed out body on the floor, Agent Yellow roared as she charged Puffin. She tried to tackle her smaller opponent, but Puffin dodged it just in time. Yellow ran head-first into the drywall, dropping to her knees as a result. Puffin worked quickly. She ran to the downed agent and leapt, planting her foot on the bigger girl’s back. Then, using that as a springboard, she spun around and brought her left foot down on the back of Yellow’s skull.
The impact instantly knocked the Agent out. For a moment Puffin wondered if she killed her. She rolled the agent over onto her back and saw her chest rising and falling. But her eyes were closed. Her body was limp. She was definitely out. Meanwhile, Penguin started to come to, clutching her head as she got to her feet.
“Guhhh,” she moaned. “Whaa…”
“Well well,” Margaret said in the doorway. “Look at this. Two agents, two snoozers.”
Margaret proudly showed off her victim, tossing her into the bedroom.
“Well,” Margaret said. “Penguin go find sometime better to tie these two up with. Then, we have a delivery to make.”
The following morning Her Majesty walked into her office. In it she saw the badly beaten and unconscious bodies of Agents Red and Yellow tied to chairs in front of her desk. Her Majesty walked over to them and plucked a post-it note from Red’s forehead. She looked over the words carefully, then read the message again. She took a deep breath, then made her way behind her desk. She pressed a little red button to the right of her computer. Moments later her most trusted Agent, Tea, came into her office.
“Yes ma'am,” Agent Tea said before seeing the two bound agents. “What the…”
“A message,” Her Majesty said, flashing the post-it to Tea. “From STAX. Letting us know that this is what will happen to any STONE agent who interferes with them moving forward.”
“Tilda Hastings?” Tea asked as she checked the pulse of Agent Yellow.
“Margaret Hunt,” Her Majesty said.
“No way…” Tea responded. “I thought our intel put Red above her…”
“It does,” Her Majesty said.
Agent Tea stood awkwardly next to her boss’s desk for a moment. They both were thinking the same thing, though Tea dare not say it outloud. If Margaret was better than Red… she could be better than Her Majesty herself.
“So,” Tea said. “What do we do?”
Her Majesty took a deep breath. She turned and looked outside of her office window. She took in the sights of London for a few moments and then turned back around to face her subordinate.
“We patch up these two,” she said, gesturing to Red and Yellow. “Then we send them on their way back to America, where this war stays. STONE will not be getting involved.”
