iStory:The Agent/chapter 409 alternatives

This page notes the different possible versions of chapter 9 of The Agent.

All cases (I)

While Anna proceeds on to help a fugitive hiding in a circus with minimal knowledge from Rebel, Rachel Mills heads to Building 26 to meet with Danko. Rachel drives past Arlington Cemetery on her way, recalls always picturing herself ending up there, and wonders if that will still happen. She soon arrives in front of Building 26.

Once inside, Rachel finds Danko's assistant, Bob, slumped at his desk in front of Danko's office. She notices the door to the office is closed, and Bob tells Rachel that she is early. Rachel asks Bob if he knows what her meeting is about. Bob responds that he doesn't know what the meeting is about, but adds that it was called by Dan from Internal Affairs.

Rachel guesses Rebel must have missed something and considers staying to find out, but then changes her mind. However, just then, Danko walks past and Bob calls for him. Danko shakes his head and tells Bob that he can't be bothered now. Bob asks him about his meeting with Agent Mills and Internal Affairs, and Danko asks Rachel if she is Agent Mills.

When Rachel acknowledges that she is, Danko smiles and invites her into his office, acting as though they had never met. Proceeding inside, Danko reaches out a hand to guide her into a chair, then asks her how a girl like her wound up in a place like this. Rachel trips over the edge of the office's rug and misses Danko's hand, then tells him she just wanted to serve her country. Danko tells Rachel that of course she did, then asks her if she is busy tonight and if she would like to get a drink.

Options (I)

The player then gets to choose how Rachel responds.

Option 1A: Rachel ignores the question and asks Danko if she can call for Dan to join them.

Rachel thinks to herself that Danko is likely trying to rattle her or play good-cop to Dan's bad-cop. Then, Danko replies for her to call for Dan like she suggested and checks his watch. Rachel tells Bob to call Dan and he arrives with two big security guys who stare continuously at Rachel. Rachel figures that she will find out what they know and then port out. Dan drops a thick file on the corner of Danko's desk. Danko stares at it and then rests a hand on it without opening it. Next, Dan asks Rachel to tell them what really happened when Howie Kaplan escaped from her custody. Rachel thinks to herself about telling them what really happened, but instead says that she was knocked off the building during the fight and landed on a fire escape. She continues that when she got back to her feet, the suspect had disappeared, and notes that what she is saying is in her report. Dan laughs at that, then picks up the fat file, flips through it and asks her if her report left a few things out. He continues that the report didn't mention a witness who reported seeing Howie have a conversation with a female agent after the escape. As Dan asks her to start over, Rachel slowly reaches for her pistol that is tucked behind her back. However, Danko then asks them both to get out of his office and they look back at him surprised. Dan apologizes and asks Danko to repeat himself. Danko responds for Dan to stop picking on Rachel and to get out of his office, adding that he has somewhere to be. Dan then replies that they have discussed the substantial evidence, tapping on the thick file; but Danko points out that the file is just a bunch of old requisition forms. As Dan flushes that his bluff was called out, Danko asks them to excuse him as he has to see a man about a corpse and leaves. The office remains silent for a while, then Dan comments for Rachel to admit she is sleeping with Danko. However, Rachel ignores his comment, tells him to have a nice day, and begins to leave. Dan calls after Rachel, telling her that he is watching her. Back on the highway, Rebel sends a text message to Rachel's cell phone, asking her for a favor. He asks her to help him save a Building 26 prisoner, saying it is dangerous, and that the government is about to learn Rachel's secret. Rachel begins thumbing into her phone that it's time for her to cut and run for a while when Rebel sends her another text. Rebel texts that if she helps him, he will tell her the truth about her mother.

Option 1B: Rachel ignores the question and asks Danko if he is feeling okay.

Danko responds by smirking and asking if a man can't ask a beautiful woman out for a drink in this town. Rachel then says she has a confession, that she told Jason about how they burned Doyle's theater down even though Danko told her not to. Danko replies that he did, and that Rachel violated a direct order. Rachel then springs to her feet, draws her pistol and points it at his face. She says that he loses, noting that Jason was with them. Rachel continues that if he tells her who he is working for, she will let him go. The impostor says that is an interesting choice of words, then waves a hand causing Rachel's gun to fly out of her hands into the corner of the room. Next, Rachel herself slams into a wall of the office. Then, he stands and asks why Rachel would let him go, noting that isn't an agent-like thing to say. Before Rachel can respond, the impostor also asks what Rachel is hiding. Rachel replies that she is not an average bear, and teleports behind him. She kicks the back of his knees, sending him to the floor. As he falls, Rachel catches him in a headlock. However, instead of fighting to breathe, the impostor puts one of his hands on her arm. Then, he whispers around the choke hold that Rachel has been a very naughty girl. She responds that she has her bad days, and that he is about to experience one of them. The impostor then applies another wave of force that pulls her up into the air. Since Rachel doesn't let go, he flies up with her. Then, the force holding them both up suddenly stops and they land on the desk, him on top. The crash sends stuff from the desk flying around the room, and the door cracks open. Bob stares through the crack at them, his eyes wide open. The impostor then asks Bob for a little privacy and the door shuts. Next, the impostor comments as to where they were, and mentions Rachel's mommy issues. Rachel replies that maybe they can discuss them another time, and the player again gets to choose what Rachel does next. Option 1B.1: Rachel teleports to the door... ...and grabs the handle. However, before she can leave, the impostor comments that he thinks Angela Petrelli lied, that Rachel's mother didn't kill herself because she had an ability, but because her daughter did. His comments get Rachel to turn back and glance at him, giving him time enough to send a filing cabinet into her, knocking her out cold. For what actually happens, jump to Option 1A. Option 1B.2: Rachel decides to teleport to her gun... ...and begins by teleporting across the room. As the impostor begins spinning around, Rachel ports again, to where her gun was. However, the gun is missing and is now in one of the impostor's hands. He asks Rachel if she is looking for it, then tosses the gun to her as solid gold. He jokes about it being the perfect accessory for her, and Rachel replies that he is very funny for a psychopath. The impostor then asks if he is a psychopath for dropping her on a desk, because she has had it rougher. However, Rachel ignores the question and asks him who he really is. He replies that he is one of the evil mutants she signed up to kill, but here he is the card-carrying good guy and she is the traitor. Rachel adds that she is bored, and ports to a steel letter opener. Next, she ports again and forces the letter opener into his back. Rachel forces six inches of the opener inside him, to the point where she figures it has penetrated his heart. As the impostor droops a little, Rachel gives the handle an extra twist. He gasps that he thought they had something special, and Rachel responds that it was magical but now she wants a divorce. The impostor says that will be fine, and that she keeps the knife. Next, the letter opener forces itself out of the impostor's back and into Rachel's chest. She stares down at it as the wound on his back closes. The impostor turns toward her, noting with a smirk that she will always have a place in his heart. Then, his expression turns serious and he aims a finger at her forehead. For what actually happens, jump to Option 1A. Option 1B.3: Rachel decides she needs to slow him down... ...and ports to a steel letter opener. Next, she ports again and forces the letter opener into his back. Rachel forces six inches of the opener inside him, to the point where she figures it has penetrated his heart. As the impostor droops a little, Rachel gives the handle an extra twist. He gasps that he thought they had something special, and Rachel responds that it was magical but now she wants a divorce. The impostor says that will be fine, and that she keeps the knife. Next, the letter opener forces itself out of the impostor's back and into Rachel's chest. She stares down at it as the wound on his back closes. The impostor turns toward her, noting with a smirk that she will always have a place in his heart. Then, his expression turns serious and he aims a finger at her forehead. For what actually happens, jump to Option 1A.

Option 1C: Rachel tells Danko that would be great...

...and he laughs. Danko then adds that it's too bad he is busy tonight, and asks Rachel to run along. Rachel then reminds him about the meeting, and he tells her to wait outside. Next, Danko acts as though Rachel said no, and asks her to do him a favor by spreading the story around the super-agent cafeteria. Then, he adds that she shouldn't leave this part out and swats her on the butt as she turns to leave. Rachel turns around to see his expression become serious, and Danko grabs her arm as if reading something. He comments that Rachel has an ability, and she says she has no idea what he is talking about. Danko responds that Rachel is lying; and while still squeezing her arm, adds that Rachel thought he knew already and that was what the meeting was about. Rachel says that he is wrong, but he comments that it is okay since he has a power too. Then, he holds out a hand towards his desk, and a letter opener flies from the desk into his hand. As he smiles and asks if Rachel sees, she remains quiet. He then says they should go somewhere and talk, but Rachel notes that he is not Danko. The impostor then shape shifts, revealing himself to be Sylar. Next, he tells Rachel not to look at him like she is, saying she isn't exactly the class valedictorian. Sylar says she is a traitor, murderer, and freak. Rachel responds that she killed to save innocent people, but he killed for himself. He replies on how Rachel can be sure, that maybe he is Rebel, and that maybe he is friends with Anna. Sylar continues that he feels that Anna and him are going to be good friends. Rachel then tells him he will only feel disappointment and teleports back to the door. However, just then, Sylar sends a bolt of electricity at her and it slams through her. As the tingle of her port fades, Rachel finds that she can't move and is blind. She begins choking on dirt and realizes she is now underground. Rachel tries to scream, but just lets in more dirt. Then, as she starts to lose consciousness, she kicks upward and the dirt shifts over her knee. Seconds later, Rachel is kicking aside wet soil and sod as cool, damp air spills over her. She sits up and finds herself in Arlington Cemetery, the place she passed on the way to Building 26, miles away from Danko's office. Rachel senses something and spots a woman and three children staring at her open-mouthed a few white crosses away. She then thinks to herself that she has to find Anna and tell everyone what she learned. For what actually happens, jump to Option 1A.

Option 1D: Rachel tells Danko that she would rather not go out with him...

...and he comments that her saying no hurts. Next, Danko asks her to do him a favor by spreading the story around the super-agent cafeteria. Then, he adds that she shouldn't leave this part out and swats her on the butt as she turns to leave. Rachel turns around to see Danko's expression change from smiling to total serious, and he grabs her arm as if reading something. He comments that Rachel has an ability, and she says she has no idea what he is talking about. Danko responds that Rachel is lying; and while still squeezing her arm, adds that Rachel thought he knew already and that was what the meeting was about. Rachel says that he is wrong, but he comments that it is okay since he has a power too. Then, he holds out a hand towards his desk, and a letter opener flies from the desk into his hand. As he smiles and asks if Rachel sees, she remains quiet. He then says they should go somewhere and talk, but Rachel notes that he is not Danko. The impostor then shape shifts, revealing himself to be Sylar. Next, he tells Rachel not to look at him like she is, saying she isn't exactly the class valedictorian. Sylar says she is a traitor, murderer, and freak. Rachel responds that she killed to save innocent people, but he killed for himself. He replies on how Rachel can be sure, that maybe he is Rebel, and that maybe he is friends with Anna. Sylar continues that he feels that Anna and him are going to be good friends. Rachel then tells him he will only feel disappointment and teleports back to the door. However, just then, Sylar sends a bolt of electricity at her and it slams through her. As the tingle of her port fades, Rachel finds that she can't move and is blind. She begins choking on dirt and realizes she is now underground. Rachel tries to scream, but just lets in more dirt. Then, as she starts to lose consciousness, she kicks upward and the dirt shifts over her knee. Seconds later, Rachel is kicking aside wet soil and sod as cool, damp air spills over her. She sits up and finds herself in Arlington Cemetery, the place she passed on the way to Building 26, miles away from Danko's office. Rachel senses something and spots a woman and three children staring at her open-mouthed a few white crosses away. She then thinks to herself that she has to find Anna and tell everyone what she learned. For what actually happens, jump to Option 1A.

All cases (II)

Meanwhile, Anna has arrived at the circus, and now reflects on Rebel's last text. He wrote that agents are surrounding the place, and that Anna needs to find the man in the black hat. According to Rebel, the man will know what to do. Rebel also says that this one is especially important. Anna then reflects on what she never did as a kid. She never had a real, American-style birthday party (although she isn't really sure when her birthday is), been to Disneyland or World, never owned a bike, and never being to a circus, where she is now.

Anna notices she is open-mouthed like a kid, but that the magician's act is the least amazing thing she sees. While recalling having seen a lot of "magic tricks" while growing up, she notes the magician is having people pick cards and telling them what is on them. Anna thinks to herself that he must be a mind reader, and might already know why she is there. However, she decides that it would be a good idea not to talk with him about it until he has finished his act, so she heads back outside to watch the elephants.

After the act is done, Anna spots the man as he leaves the tent and introduces herself. He is startled to see Anna, but says hello and continues walking towards another tent in the back of the lot. Anna tells him she wants to help him, but he replies that they are not hiring and doesn't look back at her. She continues that their friend sent her, and he wants her to tell him that the men in black are here. However, the man just looks at Anna like she is crazy and tells her he is busy. Anna replies that she knows he can read minds; and he laughs, saying that is just a trick and asks her to go back out front. She counters that he asked their friend for help, and he angrily asks her to just go away.

The magician then turns and walks into the back tent, which has a sign that says "FREAK SHOW!" over the entrance. Anna grits her teeth and follows him inside. She finds the place dark and creepy, with many cages spread around the tent. Anna guesses none of the other visitors are left since it's closing time; but as her eyes adjust, she notices things are still happening in the tent. She hears water splash and spots a woman that looks like a fish from the waist down get out of a giant fish tank and begin unzipping something behind her back. Then, the woman sees Anna and shouts to someone named Doug, telling him that there is a kid in the tent. The man that Anna was talking with curses somewhere in the back, and more things begin moving around Anna.

Anna spots a man and a woman stuck together from the shoulder to hip, sharing a shirt and pants pass by her. Another man all tied up in chains, stares at her with a crazy grin. Then, she sees what appears to be a rotting body rising out of a coffin and screams. The woman who was stuck to the man's shoulder says it is okay and pats her shoulder. The clothes she was wearing hang off of her; and the man she was attached to now stands behind her in his underwear, with all his own limbs.

As Anna calms down, the woman says that Anna is kind of old to be scared by costumes. Anna replies that she is used to it being real, and not a costume. Next, Anna takes a deep breath and shouts toward the man in the tall hat. She tells him that they have to go, and that the government is surrounding the circus.

A silence then falls over the tent, and the man in the tall hat steps out. He is wearing a T-shirt now, and asks Anna what she knows about the government. Anna replies that she told him, that she was sent by their friend and they need leave. She adds that they will be coming for him as soon as all the escapes are cut off. The man replies that they will not; and Anna asks him to take her somewhere private so they can talk, saying she will prove it to him. He responds that he believes her now, but that the government agents are coming for everyone else there, not him.

Anna looks around and sees the girl who was in the fish costume cup her hands. The air inside turns to water, leaking through her fingers. The woman who was sharing clothes steps back into the man behind her, and their shoulders pass through each other. The chains around the man with the crazy grin suddenly melt, revealing jeans and a T-shirt, and he winks at Anna.

Anna then says for all of them to flee, but a raspy voice from the coffin says they can't. The voice is coming from the "thing" Anna screamed at earlier, which sits up again now. Its hollow eyes glance at Anna, then it reaches out a hand and grabs a chair. The man in the tall hat calls the thing in the coffin Linda, and tells her not to use his chair. However, Linda appears to ignore him and the chair begins to age, turning black and finally collapsing into dust. As this occurs, Linda becomes a young woman that Anna thinks looks familiar somehow. Next, Linda tells Anna that they can't leave until the twin is safe, or else Ellen and everything else they have worked for will be lost. Then, everyone looks at Anna.

Some time later, Anna has huddled everyone together in the dark while they wait. She checks her cell phone for the twentieth time, but Rebel has not sent any further instructions. As Anna wonders what is happening, she notices everyone freeze around her as they spot lots of people quietly moving around outside. She worries about having to take out so many agents at once, because that would mean at least some of them will be hurt for real and left in a condition worse than dead. Anna then thinks that she is even more worried that the government will realize who she is for sure and have to spend the rest of her life hiding in dark corners like the one she is in now. She guesses that Rachel would know what to do now, and asks in whisper where Rachel is.

Coming Soon on iStory Rachel begins her final mission as a Building 26 agent. If she survives, Rebel may be able to shed light on the darkest memory of Rachel's life: the death of her mother, Leona. Anna and the fugitives face off with an army of agents determined to learn the truth about "LAWR" and "Ellen."

Notes

Option 1A is confirmed by the story to be what actually happens, and also appears to be the optimal path where Rachel makes it through the meeting in one piece and without her secret being discovered.

Trivia

• In the original version of chapter 409, released April 7, 2009, the chapter ended with Rachel receiving a text from Rebel, and then the following prompt:

Coming Soon On Friday: Anna is in trouble. The man she has been sent to save denies that he has abilities and refuses to go with her. And Building 26 -- eager to learn the truth about LAWR -- is launching a massive operation to catch her. Where on earth is Rachel?

• On Friday, April 10, 2009, the prompt was removed and chapter 409 continued with Anna arriving at the circus.