Chapter Twenty-Three: Plan B for Berk

Toothless stared at the rigid shape of Hiccup, his beautiful and expressive emerald eyes blank and staring as he mouthed the mantra they had branded onto his resisting brain, subjugating his stubborn will under layers of drugs, hypnosis and sheer pain. The process wasn't long, but the fugitive dragon knew it was brutal and potentially immensely damaging. Hiccup had resisted bravely and it was clear the programming hadn't been completed when Toothless had interrupted-but hearing the pleasant, slightly nasal voice so flat and toneless was chilling. Especially as Oswald 'the Agreeable' Oswaldson's words hung in the air.

"You prevent him being triggered by blinding him. You deprogramme him using the machine that programmed him...or, for the good of all, you can kill him."

"Get me another option," Toothless growled, his tanned hand reaching out and resting on Hiccup's rigid shoulder. The young agent's skin was paler than usual, his few faint freckles more obvious and his lean shape breathing hard, as if he was still fighting. Which he probably was, the dragon realised.

"I belong to the Queen, I am her subject. Nothing else matters. Not family, not friends, not Berk. Only the Queen's will counts. Kill Forraeder. Kill Commander Haddock. Kill the President. The Queen will take all. The Queen will rule all."

"And you see, that there is the problem," Oswald pointed out, reaching for his whiskey and draining the cut-glass tumbler. "Drink?"

"You are the Archipelago's premier fixer," Toothless growled as the man casually poured himself a generous slug of a ten-year oak-aged single malt. "So fix this."

"I've given you the options," Oswald said. "Bet you destroyed the device they had him hooked to." The silence that ensued answered his question eloquently. "So you blind him or kill him."

"Unacceptable. He's my friend," Toothless growled, feeling the flames begin to rise in his blood. His nails bit into his palms as he forced his own control back. "Try harder."

"Lock him up for good? That would stop him harming anyone," Oswald smirked, settling back on his couch and reaching for the remote. The mirror on the far wall transformed to a flatscreen and the channel menu flashed up. "Hmm...looks like the Football season has started..." Toothless rose and walked slowly over to the man, then lifted the remote and crushed it. His acid green eyes flashed.

"I bargained for a solution, not an abdication of duty," Toothless snapped. "I know there is a pharmacological means to hold back to programming...at least in the short term. Give that to me-and transport to Berk." Oswald gave a small chuckle, his pallid green eyes-the mirror of his son, Dagur-filled with grim amusement.

"And I assume this is some new version of logic that I am not aware of," he smirked. "The boy wants to kill the President-so you take him to his prey..." There was an awkward pause as Toothless turned to his friend, still and pale.

"I trust Hiccup," he said. "Get me the damned drug." Oswald glanced up and smiled coldly.

"Dihydrochlorofluoronexaline is an incredibly powerful agent," he smirked. "It may cause him to hallucinate-or break his mind altogether." For a long moment, the dragon stiffened, his acid green eyes narrowed and locked on the smug man sitting opposite him.

"If that happens, I guarantee I'll be seeing you again," he growled.

"And I am not impressed-even if you are the last Night Fury," Oswald sighed theatrically. "However, there are other means to snap him out of the trance. Pain is one...but I guess you don't want to torture your little friend. Finding the memory that allowed him to fight may do it...possibly the person..."

"And in the meantime?" Toothless asked, already guessing the answer. Oswald rose and walked over to the young man, hauling him up by the hair and backhanding him hard. Hiccup went down like an unstrung puppet, slamming across the couch and sliding to his hands and knees. Instinctively, Toothless shoved the older man back and crouched by his friend, seeing Hiccup blinking, the confusion in his face clearing even as the red mark bloomed on his cheek.

"Oww..." he protested. "Why is it always hitting me? Why not someone else? Or a wall? Or maybe just a quiet discussion and a game of scrabble?"

"Welcome back," the dragon said, failing to keep the relief from his voice at the familiar tone and sass before he extended his hand to Oswald. The man handed over a device like a large plastic pen.

"This contains ten metered doses," the fixer admitted. "Try not to lose it. Another would cost...well, more than you are willing to pay, I guess."

"And our ride?" Toothless demanded, hauling Hiccup to his feet. The young agent staggered and Toothless steadied him automatically. "I'll fill you in later," he murmured out of the corner of his mouth and Hiccup gave the slightest of nods in acknowledgement as Oswald rolled his eyes and sat back in his seat, touching the discreet com button built into the arm.

"Could you please summon Johann? He has four passengers for Berk-express delivery."

oOo

"And this is your plan?" Fishlegs asked incredulously as they looked round from the back of the Viking Heritage and Research Centre. "I mean this is twins-dumb. No offence..."

"Lots taken!" Tuff muttered. "No one appreciates our Loki-given talents..."

"I do," Astrid reassured them, peeking around the corner once more. "Look, no one will bat an eyelid. This is the perfect disguise." Fishlegs stood back and gestured in irritation at himself.

"Perfect?" he snapped. "Astrid-we're all dressed like Vikings!"

"Awesome!" the twins whooped and head-butted each other...though thankfully, they were wearing identical Viking helmets, along with greenish tunics, pale brown long vests, leggings and boots. Both staggered backwards even as the clang was still echoing around the little niche behind the bins. Fishlegs almost exploded with irritation.

"Will you stop that?" he hissed. He was in a short-sleeved brown tunic with a furry vest and brown leggings. A wide leather belt strained around his thick waist while a leather satchel over his shoulder carried his laptop and tablet. His helmet had small wings and perched atop his blonde pudding cut.

"Look-half the guests have dressed in Viking outfits," Astrid soothed the irritated hacker, pointing to the swathes of men in long, sumptuous blue and deep red knee-length tunics, long leather boots and fine cloaks and women in long fine gowns, soft slippers and fur- and silk-lined cloaks. The weak sun gleamed off copper and silver cloak brooches, amber beads and a few fine gold chains and earrings. The remainder of the honoured guests were all looking extremely underdressed in morning suits and smart dresses, awaiting the President. Security was stationed liberally on all vantage points and the Commander of AI6, Deputy and Q were all seated on the dais with the guests of honour-mainly the First Ministers of the various islands.

"Oh, that makes me feel so much better," Fishlegs grumbled and fished out his tablet, swiping through the security cameras, which he had already hacked.

"The only problem is that Dagur is likely to be dressed as a Viking as well-and there are lots of ways he could smuggle a high powered rifle into the event as an axe or mace..." Astrid murmured, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the crowd. Quietly, she brought out the mini-binoculars that Hiccup had in his bag and had brought with him all the way from Berk. In fact, she had demanded Fishlegs hand over all Hiccup's possessions and had them on her-including the little Night Fury key fob.

"Says the woman with an axe slung across her back!" Ruff replied, though there was a hint of admiration in her voice. Astrid looked every inch the Viking warrior, her athletic shape in a azure sleeveless tunic, leather panelled above knee panelled skirt, skull-motif belt, woad-blue leggings, leather boots, arm bindings and a studded leather headband. There was a knife strapped to her arm, another in a sheath in the small of her back and a small Svendson and Larson mini-automatic strapped in a holster to her thigh under her skirt. Astrid grinned, flicking her golden braid over her left shoulder.

"Actually, it's a cultural weapon that my Dad made sure I could use," she replied nostalgically.

"Whoa...you mean you're actually qualified to use it?" Tuff asked in shock. Astrid nodded.

"I can hit a fleeing Viking at forty paces and fight a battle with it!" she confirmed. "I was accredited through the old Cultural Heritage Programme."

"Young lady-your ass is equally as bad as Hiccup's," Ruff commented. "Now we need to get you two together and have some epic bad-assery" There was a pause and Astrid's face fell.

"I wish we could get him back," she said quietly. "And Thor, I wish I could tell him that...that he is awesome and amazing and brave and inventive and...and I wish he knew I was his friend and I..." There was a pause and the twins shared a look before Tuff rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"You know, Astrid-I think he knows," he admitted. "We can see he...well, he's yours, if you want him. And if there is any way at all, he'll be here..."

"He is," Ruff murmured.

"Of course, in spirit, he will always with us, especially on a mission like this, where we will be risking all for the safety of the Archipelago," Tuff continued in a portentous voice.

"No, he's here," Ruff repeated, her eyes fixed on the far side of the arena, past the red and brown Viking banners and red, black and green pennants. The others stared in the direction she was pointing and saw there were two shapes in the black slacks, pale blue shirt and black peaked cap of security, both moving with apparent ease around the perimeter. The more powerfully built man was deeply tanned with jet hair and an easy, loping gait while the tall, lean shape beside him clearly had pale skin with slightly messy auburn hair sticking out from under the cap. Both men kept their heads down as they moved with purpose. Astrid took a sharp breath.

"Hiccup!" she breathed and raced off in his direction. The twins stared after her, both wearing identical frowns.

"Can I ask a stupid question?" Tuff asked. His sister gave him a long-suffering look.

"Yes, you can," she said. "Better than anyone else I know." He snorted.

"If Hiccup and Toothless are here, does that mean they've escaped and are coming to help-or that Hiccup is still under the control of the Red Queen and our blonde Shield Maiden is running into trouble?"

"Who are you and what have you done with my brother?" Ruff growled.

"That's a really good point!" Fishlegs squeaked and sped off after Astrid with the twins in hot pursuit.

oOo

Hiccup slowed as they approached the real security officers and nodded, mirroring the salutes that were aimed at them. One truth about being undercover was people rarely challenged you if you looked as if you knew what your were doing and as they walked purposefully round the perimeter, the other men paid them no heed.

"Any sign?" he asked in low voice. Toothless peered from under his cap and his acid green eyes twinkled as he grinned.

"'Fraid not," he admitted. "Nadders look very obvious in uniform but they just look like normal Vikings without. All blond and blue-eyed..."

"Oh, well that narrows it down," Hiccup noted sarcastically, casting his glance across the crowd, more than half of whom were blond. "Well, this should be wrapped up in about five minutes then..."

"Unless you go gonzo on us and assassinate Larson yourself," Toothless pointed out lightly, seeing his friend's shoulders slump. Hiccup sighed, walking slowly along the ornamental wall, as if patrolling.

"You should have done what Oswald suggested," he murmured. "Thor, I can't betray you all like that." He stared at his friend. "Just promise me-if I lose it, you'll stop me killing anyone. By whatever means are necessary..."

"It won't come to that," Toothless said, feeling the weight of the Svendsen and Larson Pistol in the holster on his hip. They had knocked out the security guards and taken their uniforms though finding the right size for the other two had been...problematic.

"But if it does...promise me," Hiccup said intensely. "I don't want to be used like that to jeopardise everyone...especially if it helps the Red Queen. I wouldn't want anyone to suffer under her rule."

"You and me both, buddy," Toothless said with feeling. "But I..."

"HICCUP!"

Both men stiffened as the young agent was hit by a blonde shape in Viking dress and wearing an axe. Hiccup only had time to open his mouth and form the word 'Astrid' before her arms wrapped around him and her lips slammed into his. His emerald eyes widened and then closed as he desperately kissed her back. She was real and warm and somehow...kissing him? If he was hallucinating, he really didn't want it to stop. Finally, she pulled back with a smile, inspecting his face urgently.

"Are you alright, babe?" she asked him worriedly and he managed his lopsided grin.

"Um...I should be asking you that," he told her gently. "Did Dagur...?" She smiled.

"Didn't stand a chance... but he did get away, unfortunately," she reported. "Ruff helped."

"Is Fish OK?" he added quickly and she nodded.

"You didn't answer me," she pointedly out sternly and he sighed.

"Actually not okay," he admitted. "Astrid-the Red Queen wants to use me to assassinate Alvin, Dad and the President if Dagur fails...or even if he succeeds. She has troops here to capture the other First Ministers and take the Archipelago by force. They...hypnotise me, programmed me...and I have no idea what the trigger will be. If you see me trying to shoot anyone, you have to stop me because..." Sighing, she pressed a finger to his lips.

"Hiccup," she said sternly. "You are the most stubborn single-minded irrepressible individual I have ever met! You have stuck with AI6 when anyone else would have given up and quit. And if you can get through the completely awful treatment you got at AI6, you can overcome some mangy old bitch who thinks she can tell my Hiccup what to do!"

"Okay, I am definitely hallucinating-and I didn't even have some of that drug you got from Oswald!" Hiccup grinned at the dragon. "Astrid Hofferson being nice to me? And dressed as the most beautiful Valkyrie and...oh Thor...did I just call you beautiful? Sorry, sorry, sorry...." She took his face between her hands and kissed him again.

"I'll let it slide-just this once," she reassured him. "But don't let it happen again!"

"Duly noted," he replied with a hint of relief, though his eyes were lit with a definite hint of pride at the fact she had voluntarily kissed him again.

"H! Dude-looking...official..." Tuff greeted him as the twins panted up, followed by a bright red and sweating Fishlegs.

"Um...did I miss the memo saying 'Viking Dress Mandatory?'" Hiccup asked suspiciously.

"Didn't leave a forwarding address," Ruff reminded him. "You okay?"

"Well as can be expected," he said, brushing their concerns aside. "Anyone seen Dagur-or Heather?"

"Not a sign...but they have to be here," Toothless commented. "And we're looking for the Queen's people as well."

"Dagur will be somewhere high with an unimpeded view of the stage," Hiccup said thoughtfully, lifting his head and shielding his eyes with his hand. His emerald gaze locked on the main stand, directly opposite the stage. "That's gotta be it..."

"On it!" Toothless said.

"Is there a dress code?" Hookfang grumbled as he walked up, trying not to breathe too deeply. The man they had stolen his uniform off had definitely been a size smaller and the shirt strained desperately across his powerful shape, buttons gaping and seams stretched to the limits. "Yours looks so much more comfortable..." Meatlug stood quietly beside him, her shirt struggling just as much-especially with the differences in shape.

"Heather is very dangerous and must be apprehended," Hiccup added.

"That's got 'twins' written all over it!" Tuff offered.

"Stupidly dangerous and reckless-I'm in!" Ruff confirmed and high-fived her brother.

"I'll find a spot to check the surveillance cameras and see what I can do to help," Fishlegs panted.

"Meatlug and I will see if we can spot any familiar faces," Hookfang volunteered.

"Can't trust a Nadder," the husky woman grumbled. "They're all treacherous..." She looked up, her brown eyes determined. "We won't fail you."

"Leaving you and I to watch the stage, Milady...but if I start acting weird, please disarm me or stop me..." Hiccup said, taking her hands. "Very serious..." She squeezed them gently.

"I promise-as long as you listen to me and fight whatever they put in your head..." she told him. Toothless turned and handed her the plastic device.

"The chemical in here should either interrupt the control...to scramble his brain..." he told her as she closed her hand on the injector. "Last resort." She nodded, her gaze trailing over the device before tucking it into her belt.

"Okay-has everyone got their assignments?" Hiccup asked and they nodded. "Good luck!" he said as they all surged off in different directions. "Should we, Milady?" he asked and she smiled at him.

"I thought you'd never ask!"

oOo

Images flashed across the laptop screen as Fishlegs flipped through the various security cameras. He had subdivided the screen into six because that was as many different images he could effectively scan while still picking up differences and locating what he was looking for. He had been jostled three times and several visitors from other islands and the mainland had come up to him and asked him to be in selfies and he had recalled what the others had told him about being undercover and accepted as graciously as he could. He had always felt horribly self conscious because of his size-he was tall and heavily built-the results of genetics, not helped by a relatively sedentary lifestyle-but he was astonished to find that his size was currently an asset as everyone was thinking that he looked like an absolute fine figure of a Viking warrior. So he stood a little taller and grinned happily-or scowled as requested-for the tourists.

Sitting back down, he flipped the laptop open-and started. In the central image was the slender but athletic jet-haired shape of Heather, moving confidently through the arena. Like them, she was dressed in Viking garb, an armoured skirt, arm-guards and shoulder pads over dark tunic, leggings and boots. Her hair was in a loose braid over her left shoulder and there was a rucksack slung over her shoulder as she headed towards the new Viking Heritage Centre. Deftly, he tracked her progress as headed into the Centre and he flipped the discreet com on.

"Can anyone hear me?" he murmured. "I've got Heather heading into the Centre. And she has a large rucksack."

"On it!" Tuff volunteered.

"And me!" Ruff added as Fishlegs saw the pair turn and race towards the Centre. Then he saw the motorcade sweep up the approach and under the wooden arch that marked the entrance to the site.

"Hiccup?" Fishlegs murmured. "President's here." The young agent glance up to the stand.

"Anyone found Dagur yet?" he murmured.

"Nothing so far," Fishlegs replied. "I'll keep looking..." Hiccup glanced over to Astrid, who was walking at his side, head up and eyes stern. He fell into step beside her, his head slightly dipped since he was technically a wanted man himself. Astrid smiled at him.

"You know people keep looking at us," she told him.

"Pretty sure they're looking at you, Milady," he murmured. "I mean, you are a stunning Valkyrie and look like you could have stepped right out of Berk's Viking past." He paused and took a breath. "And with the President on the way and things certain to all go to Helheim, I just wanted to take this chance to tell you-because I may never get the opportunity again-that the times we have been together, since HQ exploded, have been the absolute best of my life. And sure, I've been hit a lot and shot at and drugged and woken up in a variety of bad situations but because I got to spend it with you, I wouldn't have had it any other way."

She stopped and stared up into his sparkling emerald eyes, the honesty there making her throat thicken slightly. She smiled.

"You know, I couldn't have wished for a better partner...or friend..." she told him gently. "And I want you to know that you have been far better than any agent I have ever worked with...including that ass, Eret!" He smiled.

"You really deserve to be an agent," he murmured. "You are fierce, brave, inventive and daring. You saved me and were the best damned partner I could want."

"And you, agent boy," she murmured. "Now, I need you to focus. We will be covering the President and Dagur will be coming for him."

"And possibly me," Hiccup added, staring carefully into her face. "Please watch me. I think they mentioned a visual trigger and I have no idea what that is. I know the Red Queen's people are here and they will want me in play so there is a chance I may end up trying to kill people..." They stopped by the side of the stage, huddled back almost out of sight.

"Listen to me, Hiccup," Astrid said quietly. "I have absolute confidence in you. I know you can fight this. I know you won't let them use you." She paused and then fished in the little leather pouch attached to her belt. "Here. I made sure this was safe." And she handed over his precious Night Fury key fob. "I know this is precious to you...in fact, I've never seen you without it..." His eyes widened and a genuinely happy smile lifted his lips.

"Oh, thank Thor!" he murmured, his hand closing around the little shape and lifting it to his mouth almost to kiss it before he looked up, suddenly looking self conscious. He rubbed the back his neck with his other hand. "Um...now looking weird, I guess...but this is the last thing my Mom gave me. She knew I was obsessed by dragons as a kid and especially Night Furies...so she gave me something with a Night Fury on every birthday...until she vanished on that mission." She laid a hand on his fist and smiled.

"It's not weird," she said softly. "It's something very precious-a memory of someone you have lost. I'm glad I could hand it back! Now...focus on me and on the mission, Hiccup. We..."

"Has anyone told you that you look amazing, babe? Because you do!" Astrid stiffened and Hiccup glanced away as the self-confident stocky shape of Snotlout walked forward, clothed in typical Viking garb of grey tunic, black leather vest, brown leggings and boots and a metal horned Viking helmet. The girl took a long-suffering breath.

"Snotlout," she said, turning to face him, a forced smile on her lips. "You do realise that we are supposed to be working?"

"Well, I am," Snotlout said superiorly. "I'm a proper agent after all!" Then his face fell. "Though Eret treats me like an idiot...and Thuggory as well...and even Dad won't stop going on abut that unlocked cell..." He paused and stared at the blonde woman. "Do you think I am a mutton-head?" Astrid stared at him in shock.

"Is that a trick question?" she hissed. "You ruined my shot at the interviews-and Hiccup's-because you were so determined to cheat your way to victory that you disabled the power and safeties in the assault course, leading to an overload and an almost fatal explosion. Hiccup heard the power buildup and realised the problem and he sacrificed his chances to undo what you did!"

"Oh, come on..." Snotlout protested but suddenly, Astrid's axe was in her hand and she pressed the edge deep into his neck.

"Now listen here you dim-witted mutton-headed self-centred utterly impossible and completely incompetent...troll!" Astrid growled. "Just for once, can you face up to what is, not what you imagine in your tiny deluded little brain? You are not fit to be an agent and everyone knows it-even your father who broke every rule to promote you far beyond your abilities! This is serious! People have died. Hundreds of our agents have died! People have tried to kill us-and they are planning to kill the President and the senior staff and...and..."

"And then take over the entire Archipelago!" Hiccup said, turning to face his cousin, his eyes sparkling with anger. "Both our fathers and Gobber are in danger, Snot. Just for once, can you forget your own self-interest and act like an agent of AI6?"

There was a pause and Snotlout stared at his cousin-then nodded.

"You know, Hicc-even Eret says you have done a great job," he said reluctantly, looking as if he was sucking a lemon. "And the twins and Astrid and that fat guy...they all said you were in charge and you uncovered all of this when Eret couldn't and..." He sighed. "And Gobber and Dad and Uncle Stoick all had a massive shouting match. I think Gobber won..." And then he nodded. "What do you want me to do?" Hiccup smiled and leaned close.

"Watch the front row," he said. "There will be someone who is buff and probably blonde and will leap up and try to storm the stage and kill everyone." Snotlout gave a hopeful grin.

"Really?" he asked. "Someone I can stop?" Astrid leaned forward.

"Someone we all have to stop!" she said.

oOo

"She went in there!" Ruff noted as the twins ducked through the main door into the Viking Heritage Centre and then they slowed, realising they were exposed. Tuffnut dived behind a waxwork of Erick the Red and peeked out, eyes darting back and forth.

"Sis?" he called.

"Yeah?" yelled Ruff from behind a display of swords.

"Have you wondered-if this many people are trying to kill President Larson, maybe we shouldn't vote for the dude next time?" Ruff poked her head out in shock.

"If we fail, there won't be a next time and anyway, you never vote!" she shouted back.

"That's okay then," Tuff said happily and emerged to sprint off after Heather. His twin rolled her eyes and ran after him.

"He's gonna get killed," she muttered to herself as she raced after him...and then screeched to a halt as they reached the auditorium where they would give lectures to students in the Heritage Programme. Heather was smirking as she covered then with her service revolver.

"That's close enough," she said briskly. "Now, you could try to follow me and get shot...or you could try to stop the bomb that will blow this Centre to Helheim." She gestured. "Hidden somewhere in this room."

"Heather...there are hundreds of innocent people out there," Ruff pointed out. The traitor gave a small smile.

"No one is innocent," she sneered and vanished through the fire exit. The twins shared a shocked look, then instantly played rock-scissors-paper.

"Scissors cut paper!" she yelled as Tuff groaned theatrically. "You go after Heather-I look for the bomb." Tuff offered his fist and she fist-bumped automatically. "Try not to get killed," she told her twin. He grinned.

"And you try not to get blown to atoms," he warned her. "Because though that would be awesome, it would be weird."

"Ditto," she replied and turned away, peering between the banks of seats as he raced after the treacherous former agent. It took her a few minutes of running back and forth until she found the rucksack...and then she approached it, cautiously lifting the flap and staring at the explosive.

"Oh Loki...we're in trouble now," she murmured.