Sloane Ranger
Cadet
Previously on Alias – Jigsaw Puzzle
“Vaughn is a criminal?” asked Nadia.
“His profile isn’t on file but analysis of Mitochondrial DNA shows that he is closely related to Tony Vanchetti, the nephew of Don Carlo Vanchetti, the Mafia boss. Vanchetti and the man we know as Vaughn share a grandmother.”
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“This plan to kidnap Nadia and myself,” Sydney said, “It’s an opportunity. If our fathers have taken Bell, and Purcell’s caller wants leverage against them, then the Trust is involved in Vaughn’s disappearance. If I allow myself to be captured, you can track me to their base. With any luck Vaughn will be held there. At worse, we’ll have prisoners to question.”
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Vaughn saw Montague’s arm come round the door and, with a graceful sweep toss something onto the floor. He looked down and recognised the object at once. It was the engagement ring he’d given Sydney.
<span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>
Chapter 9</span>
Vaughn’s heart lurched as he looked down at the small, jewel encrusted object.
“I’ve just taken that off the finger of the young woman to whom you gave it.” Montague’s voice came through the door, “Ms Bristow, say hello to your fiancé.”
There was silence and, for a moment, Vaughn hoped, irrationally, that it had been a gigantic bluff. Then there was the sound of a fist hitting flesh and bone and Sydney’s familiar and unmistakeable voice.
“Burn in hell,” she snarled.
Montague spoke again. “Dismantle the barricade Ulysses, leave the gun inside and come out with your hands up. I’m sure I don’t have to make the usual melodramatic threats about what will happen to your beloved if you don’t comply.”
Vaughn felt as if he wanted to be sick. It was over. All the planning and effort had been in vain. Once he left the room, he and Sydney would be whisked off to a new location. Unless the cavalry arrived soon they would find the place empty. Montague would use Sydney and himself as collateral for the good behaviour of the other. The best hope of escape was gone.
“Alright, I’m coming out!” he yelled.
He placed Lee’s gun on the sink unit and began removing the barricade on the door. Once it could be opened wide enough for him to exit, he slowly extended his arms into the corridor, palms up to show that he was unarmed, and stepped out. He was grabbed from behind and roughly searched. He ignored them, looking instead at Sydney. He noted her injuries, the plastered leg, the partially healed cuts and bruises and the evidence of more recent violence marring her face and he had to fight to keep his anger in check. He remembered the last time he had seen her and told her he had something to confess …
“Are you a bad guy?” Syd had asked.
”Well that depends on who you ask.” he’d responded. “It's from a long time ago. From before we met. Actually, it's the reason we met. It's no accident that I was the one you came to when you walked into the CIA with your story about SD-6 …and my name isn’t Michael Vaughn…” …
The timing couldn’t have been worse if the Trust had planned it that way, he thought, God knows what she’s been imagining about me since then. He smiled at her, trying to convey the truthfulness of his love. Sydney’s face was impassive, reminding him, at that moment, very much of Jack, but their close bond and long working partnership allowed him to read the message in her eyes and his heart leapt. Syd’s up to something. She’s got a plan!
Just then Montague’s radio bleeped. As Montague listened his face became thunderous, he pulled his gun.
“The perimeter guards have been taken down.” he announced. “Hunter, search the woman, Orecho, check inside the room. Either Bristow’s been tracked or our friend here has been able to send out a message.”
Before they could carry out his order, there was the sound of gunfire nearby. Both Vaughn and Sydney reacted immediately, Sydney gave Hunter a two fisted punch in the stomach, then, as he bent double, karate chopped him in the neck. At the same time Vaughn grabbed Orecho by the arm and swung him into Montague. They staggered back under the impact. Orecho recovered and came at Vaughn. He side stepped and caught Orecho in a strangle hold, feeling the man’s consciousness slipping away. As Vaughn released the body there was a shot, Vaughn looked round, Montague stood there, his gun pointed at him. Then he fell to the floor, revealing Sydney sitting in her wheelchair, a semi-automatic in her hand.
Before he could speak there was the sound of running footsteps and armed people appeared from around the corners at both ends of the corridor. Vaughn saw the familiar figures of Weiss, Dixon, Nadia and Marshall. He recognised only one member of the other party, but that was enough.
“Don’t shoot!” he shouted, stepping out into the middle of the corridor to emphasise his warning.
There was a tense silence as the two groups stared at each other over gun barrels.
“They’re on our side.” Vaughn added, indicating both groups, hoping that he retained enough credibility to be listened to.
The man Vaughn recognised slowly lowered his weapon. At this sign, his companions and APO followed his lead.
The man strolled towards Vaughn. He glanced down at the dead and unconscious men in the corridor and saw Dr. Lee’s body through the open door of the room.
“Well, Mikey,” he said, “there were some who thought those pretty boy looks and the old man’s investment in an Ivy League education meant you were goanna turn out a punk, but I always knew from the way you used to beat the felgercarb out of me when we were kids, that you had what it takes.”
“Vaughn took a deep breath, he’s hoped to break the news gently to Sydney but now there was no choice.
“Syd, Nadia, gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to my cousin, Tony Vanchetti.” Best to bite the bullet and get it all out in the open he thought, “My real name is Michael Vanchetti. Tony and these others work for my father, my real father … Carlo Vanchetti.”
“Yeah, nice to meet you, whoever the hell you are.”
“Please tell my father I’m grateful for his help, Tony. We’ll be going now.”
“You disappear off the face of the earth, then call the old man out of the blue after over 15 years and think it it’ll just end there Mikey? No way! He wants to see you …in fact, he insists on it.”
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Sydney looked out of the window of the car, barely registering the scenery. Vaughn …Vanchetti she reminded herself, had argued, but his cousin had been firm. As they had the advantage of numbers, he had eventually given in. They had all been taken to a small airfield where a plane had been waiting for them. Although the mood during the flight had been tense, she and the others had been treated courteously and, even more positively, no effort had been made to take their weapons off them. Now they were in a convoy of cars rolling through the Illinois countryside.
Of all the explanations I came up with for what he said , she thought, the idea that he is the son of one of the mid-west’s most notorious mobsters isn’t one I’d considered. Thank goodness Marshall decided to check his DNA. At least it hasn’t come as a complete shock!
Although he was seated next to her, she and he had barely spoken since being reunited. She had seen him looking at her during the flight but he had made no effort to approach. Sydney assumed he was waiting for her to make the first move and she was glad. What she wanted to discuss with him required both time and privacy and there had been no opportunity for either as yet.
The convoy turned off the roadway and approached a set of gates set in a high wall. These opened in response to a signal from the driver and the cars passed through, under the watchful eyes of a number of armed sentries. They continued up the driveway until a house came into sight. It was a large, well maintained, red-brick building with a green roof surrounded by well tended flower gardens.
Better taste than I’d have expected of a gangster. Sydney thought, On the other hand, my normal interactions with criminals like Vanchetti doesn’t often allow me the luxury of appreciating their preferences in homes and gardens.
The cars pulled to a halt and they got out, “Vaughn” and his cousin assisting Sydney into her wheelchair. Sydney checked and was relieved to see that everyone was there. Nadia, Dixon and Weiss were alert, ready for trouble. Marshall was talking, quickly and nervously to two of Vanchetti’s men. It was clear from their reaction that they couldn’t make him out.
Come on Marshall, she thought with wry amusement, you’ve withstood torture, killed a man, taken his eye out with a spork and worked for a criminal organisation that makes these people look like a mom and pop operation!
The group slowly entered the house and walked down the hallway into what looked like a study. A man was standing in front of the fireplace, talking to two others sitting comfortably and at ease in armchairs. Although his greying hair had originally been black, his resemblance to “Vaughn”, not just in looks but in facial expressions and body language was obvious. He broke off when he saw them and moved forward, holding out his hand to Sydney.
“Ms. Bristow, I’ve just been hearing rather a lot about you. I’m Carlo Vanchetti. Welcome to my home. I understand that you are about to marry into my family and I want to say how pleased I am with this news.”
Sydney took the proffered hand and shook it, somewhat distractedly. Her attention was on the other two men who now stood up and faced her. Well, she reflected, like I was thinking earlier, SD6 was a criminal organisation so I shouldn’t be shocked to find that they know Vanchetti. I shouldn’t even be surprised to find them here, now. After all, they have been looking for Vaughn.
“Hey, Dad,” she said, conversationally, “Hey, Sloane.”
Next Chapter
Explanations and exposition all round, (it has to be done). Plus, if there’s space - some SV private moments (otherwise deferred to the chapter after.)
“Vaughn is a criminal?” asked Nadia.
“His profile isn’t on file but analysis of Mitochondrial DNA shows that he is closely related to Tony Vanchetti, the nephew of Don Carlo Vanchetti, the Mafia boss. Vanchetti and the man we know as Vaughn share a grandmother.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“This plan to kidnap Nadia and myself,” Sydney said, “It’s an opportunity. If our fathers have taken Bell, and Purcell’s caller wants leverage against them, then the Trust is involved in Vaughn’s disappearance. If I allow myself to be captured, you can track me to their base. With any luck Vaughn will be held there. At worse, we’ll have prisoners to question.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vaughn saw Montague’s arm come round the door and, with a graceful sweep toss something onto the floor. He looked down and recognised the object at once. It was the engagement ring he’d given Sydney.
<span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>
Chapter 9</span>
Vaughn’s heart lurched as he looked down at the small, jewel encrusted object.
“I’ve just taken that off the finger of the young woman to whom you gave it.” Montague’s voice came through the door, “Ms Bristow, say hello to your fiancé.”
There was silence and, for a moment, Vaughn hoped, irrationally, that it had been a gigantic bluff. Then there was the sound of a fist hitting flesh and bone and Sydney’s familiar and unmistakeable voice.
“Burn in hell,” she snarled.
Montague spoke again. “Dismantle the barricade Ulysses, leave the gun inside and come out with your hands up. I’m sure I don’t have to make the usual melodramatic threats about what will happen to your beloved if you don’t comply.”
Vaughn felt as if he wanted to be sick. It was over. All the planning and effort had been in vain. Once he left the room, he and Sydney would be whisked off to a new location. Unless the cavalry arrived soon they would find the place empty. Montague would use Sydney and himself as collateral for the good behaviour of the other. The best hope of escape was gone.
“Alright, I’m coming out!” he yelled.
He placed Lee’s gun on the sink unit and began removing the barricade on the door. Once it could be opened wide enough for him to exit, he slowly extended his arms into the corridor, palms up to show that he was unarmed, and stepped out. He was grabbed from behind and roughly searched. He ignored them, looking instead at Sydney. He noted her injuries, the plastered leg, the partially healed cuts and bruises and the evidence of more recent violence marring her face and he had to fight to keep his anger in check. He remembered the last time he had seen her and told her he had something to confess …
“Are you a bad guy?” Syd had asked.
”Well that depends on who you ask.” he’d responded. “It's from a long time ago. From before we met. Actually, it's the reason we met. It's no accident that I was the one you came to when you walked into the CIA with your story about SD-6 …and my name isn’t Michael Vaughn…” …
The timing couldn’t have been worse if the Trust had planned it that way, he thought, God knows what she’s been imagining about me since then. He smiled at her, trying to convey the truthfulness of his love. Sydney’s face was impassive, reminding him, at that moment, very much of Jack, but their close bond and long working partnership allowed him to read the message in her eyes and his heart leapt. Syd’s up to something. She’s got a plan!
Just then Montague’s radio bleeped. As Montague listened his face became thunderous, he pulled his gun.
“The perimeter guards have been taken down.” he announced. “Hunter, search the woman, Orecho, check inside the room. Either Bristow’s been tracked or our friend here has been able to send out a message.”
Before they could carry out his order, there was the sound of gunfire nearby. Both Vaughn and Sydney reacted immediately, Sydney gave Hunter a two fisted punch in the stomach, then, as he bent double, karate chopped him in the neck. At the same time Vaughn grabbed Orecho by the arm and swung him into Montague. They staggered back under the impact. Orecho recovered and came at Vaughn. He side stepped and caught Orecho in a strangle hold, feeling the man’s consciousness slipping away. As Vaughn released the body there was a shot, Vaughn looked round, Montague stood there, his gun pointed at him. Then he fell to the floor, revealing Sydney sitting in her wheelchair, a semi-automatic in her hand.
Before he could speak there was the sound of running footsteps and armed people appeared from around the corners at both ends of the corridor. Vaughn saw the familiar figures of Weiss, Dixon, Nadia and Marshall. He recognised only one member of the other party, but that was enough.
“Don’t shoot!” he shouted, stepping out into the middle of the corridor to emphasise his warning.
There was a tense silence as the two groups stared at each other over gun barrels.
“They’re on our side.” Vaughn added, indicating both groups, hoping that he retained enough credibility to be listened to.
The man Vaughn recognised slowly lowered his weapon. At this sign, his companions and APO followed his lead.
The man strolled towards Vaughn. He glanced down at the dead and unconscious men in the corridor and saw Dr. Lee’s body through the open door of the room.
“Well, Mikey,” he said, “there were some who thought those pretty boy looks and the old man’s investment in an Ivy League education meant you were goanna turn out a punk, but I always knew from the way you used to beat the felgercarb out of me when we were kids, that you had what it takes.”
“Vaughn took a deep breath, he’s hoped to break the news gently to Sydney but now there was no choice.
“Syd, Nadia, gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to my cousin, Tony Vanchetti.” Best to bite the bullet and get it all out in the open he thought, “My real name is Michael Vanchetti. Tony and these others work for my father, my real father … Carlo Vanchetti.”
“Yeah, nice to meet you, whoever the hell you are.”
“Please tell my father I’m grateful for his help, Tony. We’ll be going now.”
“You disappear off the face of the earth, then call the old man out of the blue after over 15 years and think it it’ll just end there Mikey? No way! He wants to see you …in fact, he insists on it.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sydney looked out of the window of the car, barely registering the scenery. Vaughn …Vanchetti she reminded herself, had argued, but his cousin had been firm. As they had the advantage of numbers, he had eventually given in. They had all been taken to a small airfield where a plane had been waiting for them. Although the mood during the flight had been tense, she and the others had been treated courteously and, even more positively, no effort had been made to take their weapons off them. Now they were in a convoy of cars rolling through the Illinois countryside.
Of all the explanations I came up with for what he said , she thought, the idea that he is the son of one of the mid-west’s most notorious mobsters isn’t one I’d considered. Thank goodness Marshall decided to check his DNA. At least it hasn’t come as a complete shock!
Although he was seated next to her, she and he had barely spoken since being reunited. She had seen him looking at her during the flight but he had made no effort to approach. Sydney assumed he was waiting for her to make the first move and she was glad. What she wanted to discuss with him required both time and privacy and there had been no opportunity for either as yet.
The convoy turned off the roadway and approached a set of gates set in a high wall. These opened in response to a signal from the driver and the cars passed through, under the watchful eyes of a number of armed sentries. They continued up the driveway until a house came into sight. It was a large, well maintained, red-brick building with a green roof surrounded by well tended flower gardens.
Better taste than I’d have expected of a gangster. Sydney thought, On the other hand, my normal interactions with criminals like Vanchetti doesn’t often allow me the luxury of appreciating their preferences in homes and gardens.
The cars pulled to a halt and they got out, “Vaughn” and his cousin assisting Sydney into her wheelchair. Sydney checked and was relieved to see that everyone was there. Nadia, Dixon and Weiss were alert, ready for trouble. Marshall was talking, quickly and nervously to two of Vanchetti’s men. It was clear from their reaction that they couldn’t make him out.
Come on Marshall, she thought with wry amusement, you’ve withstood torture, killed a man, taken his eye out with a spork and worked for a criminal organisation that makes these people look like a mom and pop operation!
The group slowly entered the house and walked down the hallway into what looked like a study. A man was standing in front of the fireplace, talking to two others sitting comfortably and at ease in armchairs. Although his greying hair had originally been black, his resemblance to “Vaughn”, not just in looks but in facial expressions and body language was obvious. He broke off when he saw them and moved forward, holding out his hand to Sydney.
“Ms. Bristow, I’ve just been hearing rather a lot about you. I’m Carlo Vanchetti. Welcome to my home. I understand that you are about to marry into my family and I want to say how pleased I am with this news.”
Sydney took the proffered hand and shook it, somewhat distractedly. Her attention was on the other two men who now stood up and faced her. Well, she reflected, like I was thinking earlier, SD6 was a criminal organisation so I shouldn’t be shocked to find that they know Vanchetti. I shouldn’t even be surprised to find them here, now. After all, they have been looking for Vaughn.
“Hey, Dad,” she said, conversationally, “Hey, Sloane.”
Next Chapter
Explanations and exposition all round, (it has to be done). Plus, if there’s space - some SV private moments (otherwise deferred to the chapter after.)
