Vanguard Europe departed from the plane. Drake jumped out of the doorway before the airport team could get the stairs ready for him. It felt good to be standing around again. Adem ducked under the doorway and followed. Gaunt and Victor, each apparently trying to outdo the other in the 'bleak' department, marched forward.
There was a pause while the four Vanguard memebers waited for the rest. Icarus burst forth, like a rock star waiting for his teenage fans. Eyeglasses, headphones, pearl-white smile, and cocky eyebrows. He even posed a'la Top Gun. "Have no fear, Sidewinder's here! Keep your hands down, ladies..the party has finally begun!"
It was about that time when Lykopis planted her sharp heel into Icarus's backside. The pilot fell forward, spinning on the stairs until he rolled right at Drake's feet. "Do not worry about Ozzy -- ooomp -- it is not like I need help carrying him..."
Lykopis was walking backwards, carrying Ozzy by the shoulders, his feet dragging behind. Clunk, clunk, clunk went Ozzy's shoes as they hit the stairs. Once that was over, Lykopis simply released her grip on the boxer.
"Ooomp," came out of Ozzy's lungs when he hit the ground. He looked up at the Amazon. "Mommy?"
"We, that is the first time I was called that."
Ozzy blinked hard. Still lying flat on his back, he focused his eyes on Drake. The memory of the glass of milk was fresh in his head. "You poisoned me."
Drake nodded. "Guilty as charged."
"Mr. Marshall?"
Everyone in Vanguard turned around (except for Ozzy, who was slowing getting back on his feet). A short businessman with a clipboard was looking at them. He seemed rather surprised by the lunatics in front of him. At least, that was the impression Victor got, what with the man practically shaking in his polished shoes.
Just behind him was someone Vanguard found familar. It was Agent Alvarez. "Hello again gentlemen. I only arrived about twenty minutes before you. I hope your flight was nice enough. Let me introduce Ricardo Montez." Drake nodded politely. "He works for me, and will be shadowing you during this operation."
"Shadowing?" asked Adem.
"Y-y-y-yes," said Montez. "The Spanish government hired you for this case, and wants to take every precaution --"
"--that we leave the country intact," said Drake bitterly. He turned to Alvarez. "We're not use to having dead weight on our team."
"Oh I don't know," said Gaunt to Lykopis in a low tone. "We let Icarus on the team." Lykopis surpressed a chuckle, and then turned her attention back to Alverez.
"I understand, Mr. Marshall. However, we are worried about the damages you may cause, and would rather err on the side of caution. Besides," he said, grinning. "Mr. Paragon agreed to the terms."
"I do not know how," said Lykopis to Icarus. "But I am sure this is your fault."
"You weren't too collected at our public drinking party yourself."
"Hush, all of you," snapped Drake. He turned to Richardo Montez. The man was young, small-framed, and looked like one strong gust of wind would finish him off. This is what the Spanish send to us? Paragon, I hope you know what you got us into. Drake was tempted to refuse this 'aid', but his rational mind cooled him down. "Er...thanks for the help, Mr. Alverez. We'll get down to the bottom of this case." He turned to Montez. "Don't try to tell any jokes to Gaunt, and don't insult the Amazon. And just stay away from Icarus, and you'll be fine." He turned as if done speaking but then turned around, as if some new idea went off in his head. "Oh, and in case the monsters get you, we'll organize your eulogy."
"Merda," said Montez. How did he get stuck with this job?
