Chapter 2 [Next Day
[Yamanuchi—Sensei's Office
Sensei reclined in his office chair still trying to work out the tension from the Smallville near-debacle. After I tell my students not to rush into combat, I nearly did so with Stoppable San and Yori Chan. How could I have been so foolish? Since the 'peace summit' at the Luthor Mansion, he'd chastised himself for being a bad example. He tapped his desk expectantly.
A knock came from the door.
"Enter."
Martin Kogimoto entered the chamber and bowed to the master. "Sensei, I am here as per your summons. How may I serve you?"
The elderly man narrowed his eyebrows. "Take a seat please." He motioned to the chair across from himself. He weighed his words carefully, considering a proper metaphor. "In a hive, the queen expects her workers to carry out orders and communicate clearly."
"Communicate…?"
"I needed you to communicate with Miranda Dubois not her uncle. You involved him," Sensei pointed out. "The mission failed because of that."
Kogimoto flushed but said nothing. "With due respect…"
"I do not want excuses! Because of you, we almost had a debacle on our hands. We had to reveal the existence of this school to more outsiders! I give you orders for a reason, Kogimoto San. We should be grateful that Miri Chan was able to negotiate an understanding. Think on this situation and apply it to the future. That is all," Sensei lectured before dismissing the former student.
"Hai, Sensei Sama," Kogimoto concluded before bowing and departing the room.
Let us hope that Miranda's allies can work with us, Sensei mused before going back to planning the afternoon session. As he did so, a telepathic tickle brushed across his consciousness. He turned, noting that everything seemed in order.
However, the shadows—or rather, something in them—had moved.
Sensei rubbed his forehead, guessing at the cause. For the moment, he continued with his plans but would keep watch.
[Western Kansas Technical University—Dodge City, KS
Even as Sensei mused about the shadows, Dave Dubois lectured about Japanese culture to his "World Civilizations" class in Mandor Hall's auditorium. In between students' interest and surprisingly adept questions about the material, he managed to keep himself alert enough to get through the lecture.
Given the sitch with Team Possible on the previous evening and then filling in his wife afterwards, he'd been lucky to get three hours of sleep.
In addition, he felt listless and almost floating: a sign that a certain alter ego was off on reconnaissance.
Terrific. He sipped on his coffee and pointed to the next hand to jet up into the air. "Richard, you're next? What's up?"
The lanky young man with a dark charcoal sweater stood up and fidgeted with his glasses. "Thanks, Professor. My family's taking a trip next week to see something related to this. I was wondering if you might know something?"
"I might," Dave agreed while rubbing his chin. "This wouldn't happen to be in Denver, would it?"
"Exactly. Then you know about the statue?" Richard asked.
"The Karoshi Iguana. Not only do I know, Richard, I've seen it. It's fascinating. It was made from jade and meteor fragments supposedly. Legend says it has mystical properties." Dave smirked before fixing his own glasses on his face. "Maybe you might tell us something more when you come back? I'd be interested in getting your opinion. Just a quickie insight—not an oral report or anything."
"Okay. That'd be cool. Thanks, Professor Dubois," Richard concluded.
Hearing the bell go off, Dave smiled. "You're welcome. Thanks, guys, for being so attentive and asking great questions. Remember the assignment for next time in the syllabus. Have a great weekend."
The students rushed out of the room.
Richard's question made the medievalist hesitate before following their path. Given the Ming T 'sai's goal to steal the piece, he knew the standoff between Team Possible and the Chinese cartel would endanger bystanders. Even if Miranda's sensei wants them to handle it themselves, I'll be keeping watch on them. He opened his cell phone and dialed.
"Agent Petersen," Steve answered.
"Steve, it's Dave. Anything yet?" Dave wondered.
"Dubie, you know I can't discuss that. Word has it though that you ran into Rick Trouseau and the rest of Team Possible," the agent noted.
"The Protector did. Nobody got hurt though. We brokered an arrangement of sorts," Dave replied.
"So Global Justice told the Bureau. Oh we know about the field trip tomorrow. Any chance of another one from Dodge for kicks?" Steve cracked.
"One of my students will be there next week. The rest won't make the drive. Just remember if anything goes ultra-weird, we're here."
"Maybe the kids might be ready in case of trouble given that the statue's here and your new friends too?" Steve suggested.
"I'll talk to the legion tonight. Hang in there, Steve. Meantime, remind Garth to call Karen. She's been without a call for two days and you know what that means," Dave indicated.
"Yeah I do," Steve agreed sheepishly. "I'll remind him." With that, he hung up.
This just keeps getting better. Dave clicked his cell shut and stuffed it in his pocket. Feeling a familiar presence, he turned to see Heloise walking toward him. "I suppose you have some information?"
"Of course, Dubois," she indicated almost flatly. "Your instincts serve you well."
"What does Nai-Jin say?" he asked.
"She has foreseen the very struggle you know is coming. Tomorrow at the museum to be precise," she reported.
"So the Ming T 'sai is on the move," he realized.
"Along with their leader. For you and the children on both sides, it will be a turning point," she predicted. "All of the children."
"Meaning the Protector, I gather?" he supposed. "He's off doing something. Wish I could have you pop me over to the other universe to talk with Dave about these things."
"This is your mission, not his. Just be ready for tomorrow," she told him before disappearing in a poof of mist.
This just keeps getting better and better! He crammed his books and papers into his satchel. After that, he rushed out of the room toward his office. Office hours would have to wait.
He needed to get back to Smallville ASAP.