Special Agent Russ was a very serious man for someone who made a living working with strange things. For more than two decades, Russ had worked for Uncle Sam in finding, securing, and secreting away the things the government didn't want you knowing about. For years he had fought a war against foes that could destroy America, and he knew without a doubt; he was losing.
Never had that been clearer than today. It had been only a few months since the deranged lunatic of Danville had openly declared himself a petty dictator, and the higher-ups had still not finished flipping their lids over it. The spin doctors were working overtime trying to cover that one up, the diplomats were going around making sure none of the other corporate lords were planning on blowing the top off the government's powerlessness too, and everyone else was running around like it was Pearl Harbor trying to figure out just how much of a threat this whackjob was.
A few days ago, a patrol squad had detected a small group exiting the Wasteland towards DEI territory. The infiltrators escaped and there was no hard proof to go off but going by the purple and green cloth left hanging from the barbed wire, it seemed pretty clear who was responsible. When the man himself called in to Washington offering to take on a government observer as some attempt at damage control, the FBI's brass leaped on the chance to get a seasoned agent in there, and Sub-Director Riddle was quick to volunteer him.
The practical result of all this was that Agent Russ was now looking forward to a foreseeable future as the Good Doctor's lapdog. He pinched the bridge of his nose beneath his slowly graying widow's peak. Any moment now, the doctor's chosen mad science stooge was going to show up and whisk him off to see how much information he could gather without getting himself killed.
There was a knock at the door.
"Time to raise the curtain." Russ said ruefully, adjusting his sunglasses and running a few fingers through his mustache. "Let's see who the Good Doctor has sent to collect me."
"Well howdy!" came the voice of one of the world's most famous toons, as his massive gloved hand enveloped Russ' in a vigorous shake. "I gotta say, you have a real nice office here! Everybody's so nice, your boss Mr. Riddle even laughed at all my jokes!"
"G-goofy?!?!" Russ exclaimed in a rare display of surprise.
"Yup! That's me!"
The agent seemed to be at a loss for words. "By Lady Liberty, what are you doing here?"
"Well, Dr. D sent me ta pick ya up, a course."
"You're working for Doofenshmirtz?"
"Uh huh. I'm his Head Janitor and uh, general stuff-doer, I guess."
"But… you're a star!"
Goofy's eternal smile dimmed a bit. "Well, uh. Yaknow, ever since uh, everything happened, jobs have been a bit harder ta come by."
"Oh." Russ coughed. "I… apologize. I didn't mean to bring up…"
"Aw, no harm done. It's all in the past now. Besides, Dr. D is a real swell guy, he treats ya right. Plenty a time off, and I hear there's a good benefits package in the works."
"Really."
"Yup! We got a real swell team goin'." Goofy continued as the two of them stepped out of the office. "C'mon, we're gonna have ta take a couple a' buses. Dr. D doesn't like me drivin' on office-ee-al busines, fer sum reason."
"No need." Russ replied succinctly. "I have my own ride."
"Oh?" Goofy asked. "Where is it?"
Agent Russ pulled out a keyfob and clicked a button. An engine roared to life seconds before a motorcycle turned the corner, apparently driverless. Sleekly curved, low to the ground, and gloss black, the vehicle purred to a halt directly next to Russ.
"It has a few after-market parts."
"Gawrsh. That's pretty neat." Goofy said as he gangled his way onto it. "Oh boy, you seem like fun! I can't wait to introduce you to the team!"
---
"Ah excellent. Agent Russ, my new government contact. How unexpected. And by unexpected, of course I mean COMPLETELY EXPECTED!"
Russ blinked.
"Ah heh… sorry." You said after a moment. "Old habits die hard you know how it is."
"Of… course. Good to meet you Doctor."
"And you as well!" You reply jovially. "Now Mr. Russ, let me show you around. This is my office, door is always open, just ring the intercom so I can disable the deathtraps. Over here are the main labs, there's Norm, my giant robot man- say hello Norm!"
"Hello, Mr. Government Spook!"
"Hey be nice!" You snap. "Sorry about him Mr. Russ, I'm still recalibrating his honorifics database."
"Under…standable." The agent said after a moment.
"And this is my chief tester and humorous productions manager, Wile E. Coyote! How goes the Norming?"
I'M INSTALLING SOME NEW JET THRUSTERS. Coyote's sign said happily, seconds before they ignited, sending the poor creature flailing all over the room.
"Thrusters can be used as: Improvised Weapons! Excellent data!" Norm cried happily. Coyote ran into a wall and collapsed. "Don't worry about him! This is the third time this has happened!"
"How many toons do you have working for you?!" Russ asked in a much less hostile tone than most of the other people who have asked you.
"Oh gosh I dunno, at least two." You reply after a moment. "Probably a lot more now that I bought ACME corp.
"You what." Russ said flatly.
"I said I bought ACME corp. Anyway, over there is where I headquarter the League of Villainous Evildoers Maniacally United for Frightening Investments In Naughtiness."
"We're L.O.V.EM.U.F.F.I.N. for short." Dr. Diminutive noted while passing by.
"You're gonna wanna avoid them." You whisper, before continuing in your more traditional ear-splitting voice. "And finally, here is the break room with my last new recruits. This is Major Monogram-
"Gotten another poor sod to rub your victory in the face of?" Francis asked.
"I think you two are gonna get along. And this is ancient warlord Genghis Khan! Say hi to our new coworker!"
"би таны үгийг ойлгохгүй байна, сул дорой боловч ухаалаг өв залгамжлагч."
"We're basically best friends. Also don't worry, we're getting him an English teacher next week."
"I think I need to sit down."
"Oh, let me show you your office! I had it soundproofed, I know you FBI types like your privacy. Just ask Janice if you need any supplies, she's the secretary. Your legally mandated smart phone is on the desk, password is 'Doofalicious' but you can always change it to 'Doofcredible' or 'Doofnamic' or something if you want. I'll have some early assignments for you soon, but for now just try to get settled in. Have a nice day!"
As the door swung shut behind you, the veteran secret agent sank slowly into his new chair. It was very ergonomic.
This was not going how Russ had expected things to go.
He couldn't decide yet if it was better or worse.
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Extreme Critical Success! Agent Russ has been unlocked as a hero unit! Significant Boost to government opinion! Agent Russ comes with his Spycycle! Agent Russ has a multitude of unlockable traits! Agent Russ is much better disposed to you than he might have been!