Time stood still as Agent X's eyes burned with fury, glazing at the man who snuffed out Hugo. His jaw tightened. Casey froze pointing a gun at Agent X. She clenched her teeth with the weight of uncertainty. Marco grinned as his finger nestled against the trigger. Agent X's heart pounded, wanting to rid the world of another evil.

     “When death smiles at us all.”

     Agent X squinted his eyes. “All we can do is smile back. Marcus Aurelius.”

     Marco raised an eyebrow. “Someone has been studying Philosophy.”

    Casey pulled her gun back and moved close to Agent X.“Don't kill him.”

    Agent X's eyes never left Marco's. His finger inched closer to the trigger. Flashes of Hugo's final moments caved in his mind. “He needs to die.”

    “Is that what Hugo wants?” Casey asked.

    “You don't get to say his name after you left him for dead.” Agent X kept his eye on Marco.

      Both of them never relented their weapons. 

Marco's eyes narrowed. “What's it gonna be? You kill me and the sleepers come for you and Casey, or we team up to take care of the sleepers and finish our duel.”

       Agent X sighed and pulled his gun back as Macro lowered his weapon.

        “When this is over, you die,” Agent X said, looking at Marco dead in his eyes. 
        

        Agent X glanced at Casey. “What's the plan?”

           “We will take a plane trip out of Washington and make our move on them before they hit us," Casey said.

        Guns blazed the house as Agent X, Casey, and Marco took cover under the table. Glass scattered around them, hitting the floor.

        “They found us.” Marco said as he fired his gun through the opening of the window and pulled back.

         
           “You're still alive in there old timer.” More guns were fired penetrating walls and furniture as feathers flew up in the air. 

           “Who was that?” Agent X glanced to his side and pulled back as a gun was fired in his direction. Agent X took a breath and fired back with his gun as he moved to the side avoiding the bullets ripping through the walls. One bullet graced Agent X's shoulder. 

           “Mason Davis, a real sharp shooter,” Marco said. 

“Marco?” Manson fired more shots at the front glass. 

            “Just great, “ Casey said as she kept her head low.

             
             “Okay, you cover for me and I go and talk to him,” Marco said.

               “Don't come crying to me when you get shot,” Agent X said as he stayed close to the wall dashing up the stairs.

                “Don't go,” Casey said.

    Marco turned to Casey, holding her hand. “It will be fine.”

                 “I’m coming out to talk.”  Marco had his hands out.

                Manson watched as the door opened and closed in front of the house when Marco paced on the gray steps. 

Manson waved his hand to stop. “Take out your gun and kick it to the side.”

       Agent X got in position to cover him from the top window. Agent X angled his gun, locking his sight on Manson's head for a clear shot. “I got a clear shot.” 

             Marco took out his gun and placed it on the floor and rolled it away from the corner. He got back up. 

              
            "It took awhile to find you. All this time I thought you were dead. Do you remember our last mission?”

“Where you left me for dead marooned in some Island.”

Manson smirked. “I honestly thought you would die there.How is your daughter doing these days?”

Marco glared at him, balling his fist until his knuckles cracked. “What do you want?"

Manson smirked. "I want the old team back together just like the old days. You have two choices. You come back with me and join your brothers and sisters in arms."
     
           "And if I refuse?"

           Manson raised his gun and pulled it back. "We both know how this ends." Since I'm feeling generous, I will give two days to decide. It is good seeing you again." Manson marched off the property weaving his hand as he entered his black car and drove off. Agent X lowered his weapon.

             “I'll clip him soon enough.” Agent X jolted down stairs noticing Casey and Marco began to pack their weapons and items in a big black bag.

             “What game are you playing?” Agent X crossed his arms.

             “I have to make a choice.” 

      Agent X placed an extra gun into his hoster. “So, it is decided. You are going back with the Sleepers.” 

      Casey faced Marco with a frown. “That's your plan?”

          Marco nodded his head. “You got a better one?  It's simple. I gather as much intel from them as possible. You and Agent X will be in position to take them out one by one."
            
            “I have no problem clipping the Sleepers.” Agent X strode out of the room.  
          
           Casey left the room in pursuit of Agent X. 

           “Can we talk?”

           Agent X sighed. 

           “Look, what happened to Hugo. I didn't have a hand in his death. That was Marco. I wasn't there and I had no idea what he was doing.” 

            Agent X stared deep into her eyes. “I was with Hugo in his final moments. I made a promise to him. Marco will die when this is all over.”

           “Hugo meant a lot to me as well.”

           Casey reached for his hand. “He's my father.”

           Agent X pulled back his hand. “It doesn't change anything.”

 
       Agent X strode away toward the house. Casey followed behind as Agent X opened the door, heading toward the hallway. Marco stared at white map marking red circles with a marker. Agent X glared at Marco stretching out his hand.

    “Good, you returned. I have a perfect plan to shake up the Sleepers and hit them where it hurts.”

    Agent X sighed. “Get on with it.”

     “While I enter the Sleepers Domain, Agent X will be positioned here at the main helm.” Marco pointed at the two dots. 

     “Do we know how many Sleepers will be present?” Agent X asked.       
             
       “Ten and all will be in place. We leave tomorrow.” Marco rolled the map. “Get some rest. You will need it.”

          Agent X watched Marco leave the room as he closed the door behind him.

         “Go rest. I will keep watch.” Agent X locked the door and peaked at the window. 
         
          Casey went toward the bed. “X?”

          Agent X glanced at Casey. “Yeah.”

            “Do you ever think about having a life?”
             “What do you mean?”

              “Nevermind. Good night.” Casey pulled the blanket close to her and turns to the side.”
            
              

            
                         
                                * * *   

                A private plane landed on the outskirts of Washington. Agent X and Casey unbuckled their seatbelts and exited through the opening going down the steps. 

             
   
               
                  Agent X arrived at the large loft surrounded by guards and personnel. He took a seat in the back row with seven people watching a mixed martial arts event while they placed bets between two contenders. Agent X pulled out his gun and walked up the stairs, taking his time to take notice of his surroundings.

           Agent X pressed his bluetooth  earbud.

   “I’m in position,” Agent X said in a whisper.

    “Good, wait until further instructions,” Marco said.

            “Screw that,” Agent X said to himself.

         Before he made a move, a gun was pressed at the back of his head.
           
              “Drop the gun nice and slow.”

            Agent X placed the gun on the ground.   “Who are you?” 

                    “Kick the gun away.”
             
                Agent X kicked the gun forward.

           The man smirked. “Bryan Fulton. You must be Agent X. I thought you would be taller.” 

           “Let me guess? You are one of the sleeper agents.” Agent X clicked something in his palm.

           “Very smart. Too bad you will be dead and I get my reward.”
  
            “I wouldn’t be so sure of myself.” Agent X spun to the right, grab hold of Bryan’s gun, and kneed him in the abs.

         Bryan head butted Agent X. Agent X punched Bryan’s face followed by a kick to the chest.
         
          Agent X fired two shots as Bryan rolled out of the way of gun fire.

          “You won’t go down without a fight.” Agent X fired more rounds as Bryan charged at Agent X, pushing him close to the wall. 

He forced the gun out of Agent X’s hand. Agent X elbowed Bryan hard and flipped him to the ground. He got on top and started beating Bryan with heavy blows. Bryan countered as he reached for a brick and smashed it at Agent X’s head.

They both laid opposite of each other breathing hard. Bryan crawled toward the gun on the floor. Agent X pulled his knee only to get kicked in the face.

      
             “Only one of us is walking out here alive,” Bryan said.

           “I don’t think so,” Agent X said, pulling his feet back and twisted Bryan’s ankle.  He got on top of him and started pouncing on his face several times until Bryan lost consciousness. Agent X stopped with his bloody knuckles.

        “Looks like I won.”

    Agent X heard foot steps as he got up. Many people walked in with guns flashed at Agent X.

           
     “And the party's not over.”