Mission Heartbreaker:2035

Morristown, New Jersey-June 1, 2035

Mission: Heartbreaker

By:

Trevor J Maguire

Morristown, NJ

June 1, 2035

The hot sun rose over the hazy sky of Morristown. The bustling old New Jersey city was slowly coming alive. It was a particularly hot morning as the temperature hit 95 degrees. It was going to be another intense summer day. A police patrol passed by the now ancient Vail Mansion that has since been converted into a private apartment complex.

In one of the third-floor apartments resided Kevin Graves. His alarm clock went off at precisely 6:30. He slammed his hand down on the buzzer to shut off the loud techno anthem music. He groaned and rolled out of bed. He straightened up his dark hair and washed off his face. He quickly showered and dressed as the morning sun’s rays permeated his bedroom. He slipped into a pair of dark jeans, black shoes, and muscle tee.

After that, he made his way into his living room where he snatched up a universal remote and fired up his 52-inch screen that was mounted to the far wall. He then went over by the window where a small sleek black desk was set up containing his laptop, a desk lamp as well as a file holder containing various memory sticks ranging in sizes from small to large. He fired up his laptop and opened his email browser. His eyes glancing over emails ranging from online deals to his personal finances. His eyes rested on one and clicked it. It was from KITE, a covert intelligence agency that's been around for over a decade and his employer. It was giving him details of an upcoming assignment that he was assigned to work on.

So far, between his last mission and the intel they were giving him, things were not looking good. A Rogue terrorist cell has been threatening several world leaders if their demands haven’t been met and so far, there’s been some pushback and resistance.

“This will not end well.” he said as he typed away at the keyboard.

He asked a few questions before opening a video message that KITE had intercepted from the Terrorist Cell. He clicked the play button as he began to run a translation program.

“What are you guys up to and what do you want?” he thought.

The video played as the program kicked in. Slowly but surely, the message was clear.

“To the Ambassador and the foreign donors that are having this conference in Florence. I urge you to stop or we will bring down hell on you!”

The last part of the message made Kevin gulp. He pondered for a moment before continuing his work. At one point in the morning, he looked over at a picture on his desk. It was of him and redhead with a gold heart locket around her neck. He exhaled deeply and picked it up.

“Erica, I don’t know what I’d do. I swear this will be the last time. I promise.” He said with a tear in his eye.

He fought hard to hold his tears back and turned away from the computer. He got up from the desk and went over and sat down on a small leather-bound couch. He started to reminisce on his past with Erica.

Just eight years prior, he was a member of the Marine Corp and served in the most earth-shaking war ever conceived in his lifetime. However, just months into his service, he was injured in an attack in the Pacific and was discharged from the service. However, KITE recruited him to join in their attempts to stop this war. After the success of his first mission, he took Erica on a vacation to the west coast but were attacked by assassins presumably from the same terror cell that is causing trouble overseas. Just before she died, he had given her a locket as a promise to marry her.

Kevin wiped the tears from his eyes and looked out the window giving him a view of the rural downtown part of Morristown. A noise from his computer signaled he got another email. He got up and went over to his computer. He didn’t need glasses to tell him that they were calling him to action, and he that was supposed to take the next flight to Florence. He responded back accepting the mission. He closed the laptop, gave another gaze out the window.

“Maybe a little fresh air will help me relax before I go.” Muttered Kevin.

He checked the time on the digital clock, it was not even 9. The time took him by surprise, as he had no idea how long he sat on the couch going through another depression episode. He grabbed his wallet and left the apartment. In less than five minutes, he had made his way down the elevator, through the quiet lobby and outside onto the main thoroughfare. He took a few quick glances around to make sure there were no signs of danger. Thankfully, there wasn’t but he was on guard.

The blazing sun was now almost overhead, Kevin reached into his pocket and found a visor. The only protective eyewear that was capable to hand extreme heat from the sun. He slipped it on and made his way down the street to the only coffee shop that was left in the green. As he gave his order to a young girl with lime green hair behind the counter, he quickly used his assigned company’s personal smartphone and started to find flights for his mission to Florence.

Suddenly, he heard a scream outside. He quickly turned towards the door to see a girl with auburn hair and dressed in a short-sleeved maroon shirt and matching shorts being attacked by someone. In fact, this was a mugging in broad daylight. Kevin quickly pushed open the door as the mugger, shrouded in a torn-up hood and dark pants, shoved the girl to the ground.

“Stop him! He took my bag!” she cried out.

Kevin glanced at her and then pulled out something from around his waist, a stunner pistol. He quickly took aim and fired. A ball of blue light exploded from the barrel at such a fast rate, the recoil almost staggered him. The blue projectile continued until it hit the mugger square in the back. He screamed as he convulsed with shock and then collapsed to the ground, dropping the bag he took.

Kevin smirked with amusement, walked over to the mugger, and snatched up the girl’s bag.

“Here you go, ma’am,” he said as he turned to her.

“Thank you!” she replied cheerfully until she eyed the odd weapon. “What is that you have?”

“This is a stun-max 300, it’s a weapon I was given as part of my job,” Kevin replied.

“Oh, what do you do?” she asked wearily.

Kevin hesitated for a moment and holstered his weapon.

“How about we can talk this over coffee?” asked Kevin.

She didn’t say anything at first, but then smiled and shouldered her bag.

“Yes. absolutely,” she said. “I’m Hannah by the way.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kevin.” he said as he led her back inside the coffee shop.

As they entered, the barista handed him his order as Hannah placed hers at the counter. After another minute or two, they sat down at an empty table.

“I want to say thank you again for everything.” she said as she straightened her hair.

As she did that, a heart shaped locket fell out from under her hair. Kevin noticed it at first before speaking up.

‘You’re welcome.” Kevin replied.

“So, what tell me, what do you do?” she asked.

“Normally, I wouldn’t tell anyone as it’s kind of a code I have to follow,” explained Kevin.

“Oh, what is it like a secret government agency stuff?” she asked.

“Yes, it is to be exact.” Kevin said.

Hannah gave him an incredulous look. Kevin blushed slightly as he leaned forward in his seat.

“No really? You’re a secret agent?” Hannah said. “Now I have more questions than answers.”

“It’s ok. I normally don’t interact with anyone outside the office.” Kevin said.

“Where is the office or is that classified?” Hannah joked.

Kevin chuckled as they each took a sip of their drinks.

“Yes, it’s classified but I mostly interact over email. I rarely ever go to the office.” Kevin explained. “I do have a mission coming up.”

“Oh, where to?” Hannah asked as she rested her head in her hands, still showing her excitement.

“Italy.” Kevin said after a moment.

He quickly pulled out his smartphone and plugged in a few commands.

“In fact, I’m supposed to leave on the next flight to Florence.” He said as he looked up from his phone.

“Oh wow! I wish you could take me, but I’d figure that would be dangerous.” She said.

“I’m sorry it’s against protocol,” Kevin replied before fixating on her locket. “That locket you’re wearing, I really that.”

Hannah glanced down at the locket around her neck.

“Thank you, it’s my most valuable possession,” she said as she took it off her neck and held it out. “My mother gave it to me as a gift.”

She handed to Kevin. Kevin carefully examined this precious locket. He felt a feeling of nostalgia as he ran his thumb over the golden locket. He smiled and handed it back to Hannah.

“It reminds me of the locket I gave to my wife.” Kevin said slowly.

“Wife?” Hannah asked.

“Well, she was going to be my wife until something terrible happened.” Kevin explained, almost choking up.

“Oh my, I’m sorry,” Hannah said. “I’d rather not ask.”

“It’s ok. It’s a memory I’m trying to block out, but I keep promising myself that the next mission will be my last. It’s like I think I’m out of the business, but I’m pulled back in.” Kevin said as he took another sip of his coffee.

Hannah gave him an empathic awe, reached across the table, and placed her hand on top of his. Kevin looked up at her and a smile slowly crept across his face. She returned it with a small giggle.

“I’m sorry, I have no idea what came over.” She said with a giggle after a moment.

Kevin just shrugged as a weird noise beeped from his phone. He quickly looked at it. A message appeared on the screen telling him the next available flight. His eyebrow shut up in surprise.

“Oh wow, the next available flight is soon.” He said as he did a double take at the time. “I’m sorry, I wish I could stay longer.”

“Oh right, Florence.” Hannah said as they got up from the table.

The two of them started for the door. Kevin stopped at the door and turned to her.

“Hey, do you think I’ll see you again? I mean when you get back.” she asked.

“Who knows?” shrugged Kevin. “Missions like this could get dangerous.”

“Well, I hope you’ll be ok. I do want to see you again.” Hannah said.

Kevin felt his heart jump, smiled, and turned back towards her. He rested his hand on her shoulder.

“This is the first time in a long time, someone has ever said that to me,” Kevin said. “I’m terrible on keeping promises but for you, I will do it or die trying.”

Hannah smiled and gave him a small peck on the cheek.

“Good luck,” she said.

Kevin held the door open for her and they walked out onto the sunny Morristown thoroughfare.