Match 21334 Black Jack Tarr vs. Captain John Patrick Mason

[JohnnyChany]

 

“Black” Jack Tarr entered a room that smelled of stale coffee, tea, and bureaucracy. It had been a long time since he had set foot in MI6 headquarters. He had all but left years ago to join the Freelance Restorations headed up by former MI6 top agent, Sir Denis Nayland Smith. That group, which also included the hero, Shang-Chi, had numerous run-ins with new MI6 director, Fah Lo Suee, Shang-Chi’s sister and the daughter of criminal mastermind, Zheng Zu. Now, Suee was gone, and MI6 was looking to mend relations with the splinter group. 

Still, it was odd to Jack that they would request his presence like this. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. He eyed the younger MI6 agents lined up against the wall like they were waiting for their turn in a firing squad. Across the mahogany desk in front of him, Acting Director Peter Langley folded his hands and fixed Tarr with an even gaze.

“I need your help on a retrieval,” Langley began.

"You're joking," Jack replied. "You have a whole squad of eager young lads at your disposal her, and you're calling on me for this?"

Langley sighed. He rubbed his temples. "This isn't a standard retrieval, Jack. We need someone with your experience. Someone who knows what it's like to chase ghosts of the past."

Tarr grunted. "Who's the ghost?"

Langley slid a folder across the desk. "John Patrick Mason."

The name alone changed the energy of the room. Jack knew the man a little. He was already a big shot when Jack was starting to ascend the ranks of the MI6. He was the SAS legend turned prisoner, the man who according to whispers had escaped Alcatraz, the operative who had danced between the cracks of intelligence agencies for decades.

"Bloody hell," Jack muttered. He flipped open the file. "You mean to tell me he actually helped the Yanks break into Alcatraz? Their own prison. Guess the stories about him are true."

 He scanned the documents and looked over the reports of Mason’s cooperation with the U.S. government and his subsequent disappearance.

Langley nodded. "And now he's gone to ground. The Americans aren't talking, and we don't know what he’s told them. Officially, he doesn’t exist, but we can’t take the risk that he’s leaking secrets. We need him back, Jack."

Jack exhaled. "And what makes you think I can bring him in?"

"Because you’re not just some wet-behind-the-ears operative. You know how to work outside all the new guidebooks these new agents are raised on. Mason is from a different generation. We need someone of that era to match his thought process. Mostly though, because you’re just stubborn enough to not let him slip away."

Jack grinned and shook his head. "Flattery won't mend all the fences between us. However, I am curious, and I like the challenge. Fine. I'll find him. But don’t expect me to bring him in wrapped in a bow."

The United States was a monstrous behemoth with too many shadows, but Jack had spent enough time in the field to know where to look. He had Mason’s file memorized by the time he stepped off the plane, the details rolled through his mind like a mantra. Former SAS, incarcerated since '67, escaped in '96, last seen aiding the Americans in a hostage situation. Every agency from the CIA to the Kremlin had a file on him, but no one could pin him down.

Jack started with the old reliables, a bar in Brooklyn frequented by ex-spooks, a bookstore in Washington D.C. that dealt in information more than novels. He followed whispers, a sighting here, a rumor there. Mason was a man who never left a trail, but even ghosts left echoes.

By the time he reached San Francisco, he knew Mason was aware of his presence and was toying with him. He had intercepted messages, ticket stubs left at hotels Tarr checked into, a glass of scotch delivered to his table with a note: 

You're a step behind, old chap.

The final clue came in the form of a single phone call. Jack stood on a pier, looking out over the Golden Gate when his phone buzzed. He answered without hesitation.

"Took you long enough," came the voice on the other end, calm, amused, unmistakably John Mason.

Tarr tightened his grip on the phone. "You’ve been leading me around like a damn bloodhound. Are you done playing games?"

Mason chuckled. "Jack, you and I both know this isn’t a game. But let’s not pretend you’ll ever catch me."

"You don’t have a choice, mate. The directive is clear."

"Directive?" Mason scoffed. "Come now, you’ve been around long enough to know how this works. I’m not going back, and you’re not the one who’ll bring me in."

"Don’t be so sure. I’ve spent the last several years of my life dealing with people whose power I would not think real. You’re good, Mason, but not untouchable."

There was a pause, then Mason’s voice softened. "You’re a fine agent, Jack Tarr. One of the last of the old guard. But I’ve spent so many years running, hiding, and outmaneuvering men who thought they had me cornered. You’re persistent, I’ll give you that…but I’m already gone."

The line went dead.

Tarr stared out at the water. He slipped the phone into his jean pocket and turned away from the bay. Mason thought he was dictating the chase, but Black Jack Tarr was only getting started. 

 

[Callisto]

Learn More About
Black Jack Tarr
Read more about Black Jack Tarr at Wikipedia
Official Site: Marvel Comics Links: Wikipedia Marvel Comics Database Comic Vine

Captain John Patrick Mason
Read more about Captain John Patrick Mason at Wikipedia
Official Site: Walt Disney Company Links: Wikipedia

[Boratz]

I definitely enjoyed this one and I like seeing Mason getting used.

[Pizza Guy]

Watched The Rock not too long ago, pretty great flick. I think Mason has this, Black Jack doesn’t have a lot of feats that come to mind.

[Callisto]

Match Final Results

Member Ratings:
4.80 - Pizza Guy
5.00 - Boratz

FPA Calculation:
2 Total Votes cast
9.80 Total Combined Score
9.80 / 2 = 4.90 Final Rating on the match

MATCH SCORE
Black Jack Tarr: 0
Captain John Patrick Mason: 4