Episode 3: Turmoil
Sara Pezzini walked into Joe Siri's office for what would probably be the last time. He was retiring today. Life around the department was going to change fast. Bruno Dante was being put in charge of Homicide. She hated Dante, with a passion. The man just irked her. And of course, who was standing in Joe's office but him.
"Pezzini," Dante said. "About time?"
Ignoring him, Sara looked at Joe, who was sitting at his desk. "You wanted to see me."
"Yes, Sara," Joe replied. "Its about the Boucher case."
Sara practically choked. She didn't even know there was a Boucher case. "Um, well, I heard she was dead and when I found evidence that connected her assistant to the Bronte case, I closed it. But I didn't know anyone was investigating Ms. Boucher death."
"Actually I am," Dante spoke up.
Sara turned towards him. "And this has what to do with me?"
"Witness saw you come out of the building with a man, who was carrying a woman."
"Really, you think I'd remember something like."
Ian Nottingham stood on a rooftop near Sara's building watching a man move through a crowd of people. The man ducked into an alley across the street. Ian headed towards the fire escape ladder. Quickly, he climbed down to the street and headed after the man. He knew exactly who he was, and where he was headed. Thankfully Sara wasn't home from work yet. He should have just enough time to slay him.
The man turned as he stepped over a pile of trash. He raised a gun with a silencer. Ian moved behind a dumpster, waiting for his adversary to advance. The man did quickly. A second before he reached the end of the dumpster Ian stepped out and wrenched the gun from his hand. He pointed it at the man's head and pulled the trigger once. There was a noise behind him. At the end of alley stood Cianna and a strange blonde haired man. The stranger turned and left the alley. Cianna started moving near him closing the distance in half before she stopped.
Lazar had explained to what Ian's assignment had been before he was to watch the Blade. He had also explained that the remaining three had come to NYC, sent by the Watchers, they were to do more then kill Irons. They were to also retake the Witchblade, killing Sara and anyone else connected to the Blade if necessary.
Cianna watched Ian walk towards him. The first time she had seen him outside the Midtown museum on the eleventh, she'd known she'd never fear him. Even after what she had just witnessed him do, she stilled didn't. However he seemed to think she did. He stopped about three feet in front of her, with his head lowered. So it had come to this. Cianna took one step towards him before speaking. "Look at me."
He did. His expression was blank, but his eyes were filled with sorrow. "I'm sorry you had to see that."
"I've seen combat and death before," she raised her chin slightly. "No reason to apologize."
"It wasn't that. I..." he looked away.
Cianna sighed. She watched him climb up a fire escape and out of view on the rood. She sighed again and turned back tracking her way around the trash piles and cardboard. He'd understand on of these days, hopefully.
After she'd walked several blocks, Ian stepped out of an alley and began walking just slightly behind her. She of course knee what he was doing. With two Black Dragons remaining Sara and she were still in danger. Sara was safe as long as she had the Witchblade, but while Cianna had lifetimes of training she carried no weapon to defend herself. Hence Ian sticking close to her.
Both of them started to speak at the same time. "Go ahead," Cianna said.
"I'm sorry," Ian replied.
"Stop that!"
"What?"
"Lazar told me about them. I know why you had to kill him," Cianna sighed. "You're following orders, I know that."
"But Irons could..."
"What? Decide to want me killed," she laughed slightly. "One, I don't think you would. Two, I don't think you could."
"He could decide to allow the Black Dragons kill you."
"And what would you do if he did?"
"I would die protecting you."
"As you would do for Sara."
Sara jumped when her phone rang. She looked around slightly. She'd fallen asleep on the couch right after she'd gotten home from work. She was so glad the next day was her day off. Finding the cordless unit under a nearby pillow, she yawned.
"Sara?" Cianna said. "Did I wake you up?"
"Yes, thanks," Sara replied. "I'd fallen asleep on the couch before I had a chance to eat dinner."
"Good," Cianna said. "Can you meet me somewhere?"
"Um, I guess," Sara sighed. "Where?"
Cianna named a restaurant near Sara's apartment. After agreeing to meet her there in an hour and a half, she took a quick shower and changed into some nicer cloths and headed out the door. It was a short walk. Cianna sat at a table in the back, her black hair flowing behind her when she turned to wave Sara over. Sara sat down and immediately grabbed the menu.
"So, what's good?" Sara asked.
"I don't know I've never eaten here. I just saw the place the other day."
"Oh, so what's the problem?" Sara said. "You sounded awful rushed on the phone. You and Gabe having a lovers quarrel?"
"Nothing that simple," Cianna remarked as the waitress made an appearance. "Um, nothing really jumps out at me. Suggestions?"
"The beef stew is good. So is the roast chicken," the woman replied.
"Roast chicken then," Cianna said. "Sara?"
"Same," Sara handing the woman her menu.
Cianna handed the waitress her menu, then waited for the woman to leave before continuing the conversation. "Do you know what Ian did before Irons had him start watching you?"
"Not a clue," Sara sighed. "Why?"
"Well, a lot of his training came from a military unit that Irons supplied drugs for. It also included some rather risky operations to their brains."
Sara, jaw agape, just stared at her.
Cianna sighed. "Please don't think any less of him. Actually he doesn't even know that I know. Anyway, the group was disbanded, and the members began dying off. Irons was having Ian kill them. There's only three left, well two now."
"The body found in the alley by my apartment today?"
Cianna gulped. "Yeah, I, um, saw Ian shot him. But it's not his fault, its Irons'. Well, anyway, the remaining two members are on a mission contracted by the Watchers."
"The group the Catholic church formed?"
"Yes, they are to retrieve the Witchblade using whatever means necessary."
"They'd try to kill me?"
"More then just you if it came to it, they would also kill Gabriel and myself. And just out of personal vendetta they'll go after Irons."
"Wow"
Late the next morning, Irons sighed as he sat down at his desk. He had called Cianna to ask her to come to the office and talk. Miraculously, she'd agreed. He turned his chair to face the wall. He wished to discuss the Watchers. Over the years he had had little contact with the group, and knew little about them. The girl seemed to know about everything concerning the Witchblade, she'd no doubt know about this as well. Of course, when it came to the remaining Black Dragon members, he had the upper hand. Not only did he know what kind of training they had had, he also had Ian. Speaking of Ian, he hadn't called in yet. Oh, well, Irons would check with him when the girl left it he hadn't returned.
The door to the office slid open. Ian stepped in the room followed by a girl in a gray skirt suit. The last time Irons had seen her, Kerry had had control of her body. Now, it was obvious the power Cianna held. Irons felt the interlocked circle scar on his hand burn slightly as he stood and walked around the desk.
The girl held out her hand. "I believe we have not been formally introduced. My name is Cianna Templar."
"Kenneth Irons," he replied taking her hand and raising it to his lips. But while he knew such an act would earn him a sneer from Sara, Cianna face remained completely blank. Powerful, indeed.
"You said you wish to discuss the Watchers, Mr. Irons."
"Please call me Kenneth. May I get you anything?"
"No thank you," Cianna replied moving towards a chair.
Irons pulled it out slightly so she could sit. He then rounded the desk and returned to his seat. He looked up Ian then nodded. His servant left the office. "Now about the Watchers."
Ian watched the exchange between Cianna and Irons with great interest on a closed circuit camera in a nearby room. He had seen a tape of Sara's first exchange with Irons and this conversation reminded him greatly of it. Of course, while Sara had been able to hold her own against Irons, it was clear that Cianna knew how to deal with men of Irons' position. Her expression had not changed when Irons had tried to rile her. Nor did she seem to be allowing him to dictate the conversation as greatly as he wished.
An hour later, Cianna stood and left the office. When Irons nodded at the camera Ian went into the office and took his normal post.
"She has far more self-discipline then Sara," Irons walked around his desk towards where Ian stood. "She will be hard to control, however with time I believe she can be manipulated."
"Possibly," Ian replied. "And if she cannot be?"
"If you are asking if you are to kill her, no," Irons said. "Lazar would be angered by such an act, and his anger often comes as a warning of the Witchblade's anger."
"The blade has that much use for her?"
"Presumably, why else would it have allowed her to control it when Sara was unconscious? I know you would rather be making sure she is safe. Go."
Cianna seethed as she walked down the street away from the wretched man's building. At least she had managed to surprise him, though it had taken all her self control to keep from slapping him. Or worse. She stopped suddenly wondering what Ian would do if she or Sara attacked Irons. Would he stand there and let them free him, or would he die defending a man who did not deserve his loyalty?
Distracted in her thoughts Cianna did not notice the man who came at her. She suddenly found herself being into an alley, a hand over her mouth. She struggled and managed to extract herself from her captures grip. She spun on her heel and caught the guy on the jaw with her fist. Finally able to see his face, she realized it was a Black Dragon member who had caught her. He cursed and spit out a tooth.
Cianna smiled at him. He glared at her for a moment before he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a gun. Her eyes widen as he leveled it at her. She leapt behind a garbage bin as he fired at her.
"All units, shots fired..."
Sara reached down and turned up the volume on the radio before returning her attention to the road. For once she'd decided to pull rank on Jake and drive. Now she turned the car down an alley and in a direction she didn't really want to go. Towards Cianna's home.
She and Jake reached the area minutes later. By now they could hear the gun fire. This was bad.
"Over there!" Jake pointed towards an alley farther down the road.
The sound of a bullet penetrating metal caused Sara to slam on the break.
"Nope I think right here," she said before she opened the door and rolled away from the car.
Cianna leapt behind another dumpster. This was getting old. He'd already shot up two, nothing was stopping him from doing the same to a third. And he'd already proven he had more then one clip on him. In that moment of desperation, she saw Sara roll away from a car. Yes! Finally, some help!
The gun on her attacker came into view. In an instant he could turn and she'd be a sitting duck. Then again Cianna would never make a good duck. She kicked the gun, sending it flying. When she stepped around the dumpster, he swung at her. She sidestepped out of the way before connecting her foot to his gut. He grabbed her around the waist when he recovered. She struggled as he spun around putting her between him and Sara's gun.
Cianna heard a noise overhead. She looked up to find Ian standing at the edge of the rooftop. He looked down at her expectedly. Alright, Ian, she thought. I guess if I want you to stop treating me like I child I'll just have to prove myself. Her capture had made the mistake of allowing her arms to be free. She reached up and placed a hand on either side of his head. Using the strength of an ancient warrior, she snapped his neck.
Sara stared as Cianna as her attackers body slid to the ground behind her.
"Wow," Jake said as he came around the car.
"Cianna," Sara ignored him and started walking towards the black haired girl. "Are you alright?"
"Quite," Cianna replied as she headed towards a nearby fire escape latter.
"Where are you going?" Jake asked.
"You two can take care of this," Cianna said as she pulled the ladder down. "I've someone I must speak to." With that she was gone.
"Interesting girl," Jake said.
Ian moved across the rooftop away from the scene. He had never meant for Cianna to be put in danger. His own failure could have cost her life.
"Ian wait!"
He turned to find Cianna running towards him. "What?" he replied his anger with himself putting an edge on his voice.
Cianna stopped dead in her tracks. Ian sighed. First he had put her danger, now he had frightened her. "I am sorry."
"I told you to stop that," Cianna replied. "And you can stop treating me like a child. I can take care of myself."
"Maybe, but it is my responsibility as a Guardian of the Witchblade to keep you safe."
"No, it is your responsibility to keep the Wielder safe, I am a Guardian just as you. And I can take care of myself."
Days later, Sara walked into the office after going for coffee to find Jake reading something on his computer. "What do you got?" handing him a mug of coffee.
Jake accepted the mug then turned back to the screen. "It's strange, but it comes from a good source. The attacker was in a special experimental warfare program where troops were used as guinea pigs. They were given psychotropic drugs and made to watch films designed to induce obedience and aggression."
Sara shook her head as she took a sip of her coffee. "Like South Park reruns?" she asked tried to lighten the mood.
"I'm serious," Jake replied. "It was an internationally recruited unit. They often went through extremely realistic and dangerous war games. The name of the unit was the Black Dragons.
"The guy found in the alley had a dragon tattoo on his neck."
"So you're thinking that's connected, me too," Jake took another sip of his coffee. "There were eleven men in the Black Dragon unit. The program was disbanded three years ago. As of today, only two of the eleven are still alive. The others have all died under mysterious circumstances in the past year. The two Black Dragons left alive are a guy named Hector Mobius, a.k.a. Moby, and a guy named Nottingham."
Sara looked at Jake suspiciously. "You got some fed. connections?"
"If only."
Ian followed Moby's van through the streets of New York. He glanced any from the road as he passed the 11th precinct. Pushing thoughts of Sara out of his head he returned his attention to the car he was tailing. Moby's car stopped in front of a diner. Ian slowed down as he passed, then turned into an ally farther down the street. From his vantage point he saw Moby get out and walk into the diner.
Ian opened the door and stepped out of his car. Closing the distance between the to vehicles in seconds, he pulled a lock pick out of his pocket. The door was easy enough to get unlocked. Pulling it opened he got inside. As he looked behind a curtain, lights flashed in a preprogrammed pattern. Ian's body went into seizures as he fell floor of the van.
Hector Mobius left the diner to return to his van. He opened the door to find Nottingham on the floor as he had expected. Pulling a needle and syringe out of his pocket. He stuck it into Nottingham's arm. Smiling to himself, he shoved his former comrade feet out of his way, then started the van.
Gabe stood checking some inventory in his storage area. He looked up to find Cianna smiling at him holding a shipping box. Taking the box, he put it on the table. He glanced at Cianna worriedly for a moment. She'd been acting funny ever since that ex-Black Dragon member had attacked her. He was worried of course, but he just keep reminding himself that she could keep his butt if she wanted, so he didn't have to worry about her as much.
"You know," Cianna coughed lightly. "You really need to clean this closet up."
"When do I have time," Gabe replied.
"I don't know," Cianna said.
Moments later Cianna's cell phone started ringing. She pulled it out of her pocket. "Hello."
"The roaring of lions, the howling of wolves, and the destructive sword are portions of eternity too great for the Iron Man."
"Hello, Mobius," Cianna replied coldly. "How are the Watchers doing these days?"
The only reply was the click of her being hung up on. Typical. She grabbed her coat and headed towards the door. "I've got to go, Gabe. We've got trouble."
"Ok, be careful."
"I will."
The Witchblade swirled madly on Sara's wrist. Worried that Jake might notice Sara found an excuse to leave. As she headed towards the Morgue to talk to Vicky Po, her cell phone rings.
"Yes," Sara said answering it.
"Get over to Irons' Mansion," Cianna replied. "Moby has Ian and Irons."
"Ok," Sara said. "I'll meet you at the gate.
Twenty minutes later, due to traffic, Sara pulled her bike to a stop next to Cianna's silver Saturn. An obviously worried Cianna came around to meet her. Sara looked from the mansion to her friend. "Plan?"
"Um," Cianna smiled weakly. "Not really. I'm sure they're in the study, though, and well, only way that Ian would be taken captive is if something happened to knock him out."
"Or if Moby just killed him."
"Let's not think about that," Cianna said. "Ok, they'll go in together, and once we can see what's going on, we'll come up with something else."
"After you," Sara said gently pushing Cianna towards the gate. She followed to the gate, then at Cianna's urging holds the Witchblade up to a control panel. The gate opened with a click, as it had when Ian had put his eye to it lens to allow them entrance when Kerry had needed to be stopped.
Together the two women headed put the drive. Before Sara was truly ready they were in the mansion, and heading towards study. They climbed up a set of stairs. Voices came to them from down the hall.
"If the lion were advised by the fox he would be cunning," Irons said
"The fox condemns the trap, not himself. Active evil is better than passive good," a man, obviously Mobius said.
"Ok," Cianna whispered when they reached the door to the study's balcony. "Stay here I'm going back down and going the other way."
"Excuse me?"
"Sara," Cianna insisted.
"Ok," Sara pulled the Witchblade off her wrist. "But you're taking this."
Cianna gulped as Sara slid the bracelet onto her wrist. Well, since she was basically making the Wielder sit her and twiddle her thumbs for her own protection, she'd humor her by wearing the Witchblade. Nodding to Sara she left her and headed back down the stairs. She listened to the confrontation inside the study as she went.
"It all makes sense. You are the dragon, he is your flame, and Sara Pezzini is the maiden. Only you have corrupted her somehow. So now she too will die."
Cianna rolled her eyes. This was all Irons' own fault. And if the Watcher's hadn't been involved she'd be more then happy to let Moby take him out. She reached the side door to the study.
"Now I am the dragon and you shall be licked by my flame," the sound of a flame thrower followed Moby's voice. "Now you perhaps know the fear my comrades felt as you hunted them down. Was it because you were afraid they would fly too high? Was it because you thought we were crazy? Dangerous? Was it because you couldn't control us? Or is it because you are a leach on a lesion? Full of lusts, greed and morbid curiosity. Does it surprise you that I choose this as your final memory?"
Cianna had heard enough. She stepped into the room. Irons was tied to a chair in front of the fireplace. Ian was tied up to a hand truck next to him. "Alright, Moby. This hardly constitutes as trying to retake the Witchblade."
Moby turned, surprised. "The Child, how fitting." He sent fire streaming across the room towards her.
She simply held up the Witchblade which remained in bracelet form. The flames spread out around her. Seeing she was unharmed, Moby shut the flame thrower off. Cianna closed the space between them quickly. The gauntlet formed on her wrist, and she clocked Moby in the jaw with it. He staggered slightly as she back flipped out of the way of his return blow. She landed in a crouch in front of Irons and Ian.
"Freeze," Sara's voice came down from over head.
Not waiting to see what happened, Cianna turned and cut Ian lose from the hand truck. He raced at Moby. Cianna turned to Irons, who seemed to expect to be cut lose also. Shaking her head, Cianna joined Sara, who had leapt down from the balcony.
"Took you long enough," Sara said.
"Sorry."
Soon Ian had Moby pinned down. Cianna stood over him, smiling. "This is what you get for working for the Watchers. Who's pulling the strings, now?"
"I know not," Moby mumbled.
"Well, they certainly left you well informed," Cianna shook her head. "Kill him."
"What?" Sara said.
"Sara, if we don't he'll come after you," Ian said.
"Untie me," Irons spoke up. "I believe I should have a say in this."
"No," Cianna said as she gave Sara the bracelet back. "You've caused enough trouble."
Sara turned away from Ian and Cianna. As much as she hated to, she had to untie Irons. Suddenly there was a scuffling behind her and she heard Cianna yell at her. Sara turned, the Gauntlet of the Witchblade appearing on her. Moby was coming at her. Without, thinking Sara stabbed the blade into his stomach. He didn't stop moving until up to the hilt of the blade was in him.
"You have got the wrong dragon.", he warned her.
The Witchblade retracted back to the bracelet. Moby fell in a heap at her feet. Ian was there quickly, moving the body away from her. Ian looked Sara in the eye for once, sending a chill through her. Cianna walked past her and untied Irons.
"Thank you, Ms. Templar," Irons said. "And you as well Sara. Well done." With that he left, Ian right behind him.
Sara looked down at Moby's body, before nodding at Cianna. Together they followed the men out of the room.
Sara Pezzini walked into Joe Siri's office for what would probably be the last time. He was retiring today. Life around the department was going to change fast. Bruno Dante was being put in charge of Homicide. She hated Dante, with a passion. The man just irked her. And of course, who was standing in Joe's office but him.
"Pezzini," Dante said. "About time?"
Ignoring him, Sara looked at Joe, who was sitting at his desk. "You wanted to see me."
"Yes, Sara," Joe replied. "Its about the Boucher case."
Sara practically choked. She didn't even know there was a Boucher case. "Um, well, I heard she was dead and when I found evidence that connected her assistant to the Bronte case, I closed it. But I didn't know anyone was investigating Ms. Boucher death."
"Actually I am," Dante spoke up.
Sara turned towards him. "And this has what to do with me?"
"Witness saw you come out of the building with a man, who was carrying a woman."
"Really, you think I'd remember something like."
Ian Nottingham stood on a rooftop near Sara's building watching a man move through a crowd of people. The man ducked into an alley across the street. Ian headed towards the fire escape ladder. Quickly, he climbed down to the street and headed after the man. He knew exactly who he was, and where he was headed. Thankfully Sara wasn't home from work yet. He should have just enough time to slay him.
The man turned as he stepped over a pile of trash. He raised a gun with a silencer. Ian moved behind a dumpster, waiting for his adversary to advance. The man did quickly. A second before he reached the end of the dumpster Ian stepped out and wrenched the gun from his hand. He pointed it at the man's head and pulled the trigger once. There was a noise behind him. At the end of alley stood Cianna and a strange blonde haired man. The stranger turned and left the alley. Cianna started moving near him closing the distance in half before she stopped.
Lazar had explained to what Ian's assignment had been before he was to watch the Blade. He had also explained that the remaining three had come to NYC, sent by the Watchers, they were to do more then kill Irons. They were to also retake the Witchblade, killing Sara and anyone else connected to the Blade if necessary.
Cianna watched Ian walk towards him. The first time she had seen him outside the Midtown museum on the eleventh, she'd known she'd never fear him. Even after what she had just witnessed him do, she stilled didn't. However he seemed to think she did. He stopped about three feet in front of her, with his head lowered. So it had come to this. Cianna took one step towards him before speaking. "Look at me."
He did. His expression was blank, but his eyes were filled with sorrow. "I'm sorry you had to see that."
"I've seen combat and death before," she raised her chin slightly. "No reason to apologize."
"It wasn't that. I..." he looked away.
Cianna sighed. She watched him climb up a fire escape and out of view on the rood. She sighed again and turned back tracking her way around the trash piles and cardboard. He'd understand on of these days, hopefully.
After she'd walked several blocks, Ian stepped out of an alley and began walking just slightly behind her. She of course knee what he was doing. With two Black Dragons remaining Sara and she were still in danger. Sara was safe as long as she had the Witchblade, but while Cianna had lifetimes of training she carried no weapon to defend herself. Hence Ian sticking close to her.
Both of them started to speak at the same time. "Go ahead," Cianna said.
"I'm sorry," Ian replied.
"Stop that!"
"What?"
"Lazar told me about them. I know why you had to kill him," Cianna sighed. "You're following orders, I know that."
"But Irons could..."
"What? Decide to want me killed," she laughed slightly. "One, I don't think you would. Two, I don't think you could."
"He could decide to allow the Black Dragons kill you."
"And what would you do if he did?"
"I would die protecting you."
"As you would do for Sara."
Sara jumped when her phone rang. She looked around slightly. She'd fallen asleep on the couch right after she'd gotten home from work. She was so glad the next day was her day off. Finding the cordless unit under a nearby pillow, she yawned.
"Sara?" Cianna said. "Did I wake you up?"
"Yes, thanks," Sara replied. "I'd fallen asleep on the couch before I had a chance to eat dinner."
"Good," Cianna said. "Can you meet me somewhere?"
"Um, I guess," Sara sighed. "Where?"
Cianna named a restaurant near Sara's apartment. After agreeing to meet her there in an hour and a half, she took a quick shower and changed into some nicer cloths and headed out the door. It was a short walk. Cianna sat at a table in the back, her black hair flowing behind her when she turned to wave Sara over. Sara sat down and immediately grabbed the menu.
"So, what's good?" Sara asked.
"I don't know I've never eaten here. I just saw the place the other day."
"Oh, so what's the problem?" Sara said. "You sounded awful rushed on the phone. You and Gabe having a lovers quarrel?"
"Nothing that simple," Cianna remarked as the waitress made an appearance. "Um, nothing really jumps out at me. Suggestions?"
"The beef stew is good. So is the roast chicken," the woman replied.
"Roast chicken then," Cianna said. "Sara?"
"Same," Sara handing the woman her menu.
Cianna handed the waitress her menu, then waited for the woman to leave before continuing the conversation. "Do you know what Ian did before Irons had him start watching you?"
"Not a clue," Sara sighed. "Why?"
"Well, a lot of his training came from a military unit that Irons supplied drugs for. It also included some rather risky operations to their brains."
Sara, jaw agape, just stared at her.
Cianna sighed. "Please don't think any less of him. Actually he doesn't even know that I know. Anyway, the group was disbanded, and the members began dying off. Irons was having Ian kill them. There's only three left, well two now."
"The body found in the alley by my apartment today?"
Cianna gulped. "Yeah, I, um, saw Ian shot him. But it's not his fault, its Irons'. Well, anyway, the remaining two members are on a mission contracted by the Watchers."
"The group the Catholic church formed?"
"Yes, they are to retrieve the Witchblade using whatever means necessary."
"They'd try to kill me?"
"More then just you if it came to it, they would also kill Gabriel and myself. And just out of personal vendetta they'll go after Irons."
"Wow"
Late the next morning, Irons sighed as he sat down at his desk. He had called Cianna to ask her to come to the office and talk. Miraculously, she'd agreed. He turned his chair to face the wall. He wished to discuss the Watchers. Over the years he had had little contact with the group, and knew little about them. The girl seemed to know about everything concerning the Witchblade, she'd no doubt know about this as well. Of course, when it came to the remaining Black Dragon members, he had the upper hand. Not only did he know what kind of training they had had, he also had Ian. Speaking of Ian, he hadn't called in yet. Oh, well, Irons would check with him when the girl left it he hadn't returned.
The door to the office slid open. Ian stepped in the room followed by a girl in a gray skirt suit. The last time Irons had seen her, Kerry had had control of her body. Now, it was obvious the power Cianna held. Irons felt the interlocked circle scar on his hand burn slightly as he stood and walked around the desk.
The girl held out her hand. "I believe we have not been formally introduced. My name is Cianna Templar."
"Kenneth Irons," he replied taking her hand and raising it to his lips. But while he knew such an act would earn him a sneer from Sara, Cianna face remained completely blank. Powerful, indeed.
"You said you wish to discuss the Watchers, Mr. Irons."
"Please call me Kenneth. May I get you anything?"
"No thank you," Cianna replied moving towards a chair.
Irons pulled it out slightly so she could sit. He then rounded the desk and returned to his seat. He looked up Ian then nodded. His servant left the office. "Now about the Watchers."
Ian watched the exchange between Cianna and Irons with great interest on a closed circuit camera in a nearby room. He had seen a tape of Sara's first exchange with Irons and this conversation reminded him greatly of it. Of course, while Sara had been able to hold her own against Irons, it was clear that Cianna knew how to deal with men of Irons' position. Her expression had not changed when Irons had tried to rile her. Nor did she seem to be allowing him to dictate the conversation as greatly as he wished.
An hour later, Cianna stood and left the office. When Irons nodded at the camera Ian went into the office and took his normal post.
"She has far more self-discipline then Sara," Irons walked around his desk towards where Ian stood. "She will be hard to control, however with time I believe she can be manipulated."
"Possibly," Ian replied. "And if she cannot be?"
"If you are asking if you are to kill her, no," Irons said. "Lazar would be angered by such an act, and his anger often comes as a warning of the Witchblade's anger."
"The blade has that much use for her?"
"Presumably, why else would it have allowed her to control it when Sara was unconscious? I know you would rather be making sure she is safe. Go."
Cianna seethed as she walked down the street away from the wretched man's building. At least she had managed to surprise him, though it had taken all her self control to keep from slapping him. Or worse. She stopped suddenly wondering what Ian would do if she or Sara attacked Irons. Would he stand there and let them free him, or would he die defending a man who did not deserve his loyalty?
Distracted in her thoughts Cianna did not notice the man who came at her. She suddenly found herself being into an alley, a hand over her mouth. She struggled and managed to extract herself from her captures grip. She spun on her heel and caught the guy on the jaw with her fist. Finally able to see his face, she realized it was a Black Dragon member who had caught her. He cursed and spit out a tooth.
Cianna smiled at him. He glared at her for a moment before he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a gun. Her eyes widen as he leveled it at her. She leapt behind a garbage bin as he fired at her.
"All units, shots fired..."
Sara reached down and turned up the volume on the radio before returning her attention to the road. For once she'd decided to pull rank on Jake and drive. Now she turned the car down an alley and in a direction she didn't really want to go. Towards Cianna's home.
She and Jake reached the area minutes later. By now they could hear the gun fire. This was bad.
"Over there!" Jake pointed towards an alley farther down the road.
The sound of a bullet penetrating metal caused Sara to slam on the break.
"Nope I think right here," she said before she opened the door and rolled away from the car.
Cianna leapt behind another dumpster. This was getting old. He'd already shot up two, nothing was stopping him from doing the same to a third. And he'd already proven he had more then one clip on him. In that moment of desperation, she saw Sara roll away from a car. Yes! Finally, some help!
The gun on her attacker came into view. In an instant he could turn and she'd be a sitting duck. Then again Cianna would never make a good duck. She kicked the gun, sending it flying. When she stepped around the dumpster, he swung at her. She sidestepped out of the way before connecting her foot to his gut. He grabbed her around the waist when he recovered. She struggled as he spun around putting her between him and Sara's gun.
Cianna heard a noise overhead. She looked up to find Ian standing at the edge of the rooftop. He looked down at her expectedly. Alright, Ian, she thought. I guess if I want you to stop treating me like I child I'll just have to prove myself. Her capture had made the mistake of allowing her arms to be free. She reached up and placed a hand on either side of his head. Using the strength of an ancient warrior, she snapped his neck.
Sara stared as Cianna as her attackers body slid to the ground behind her.
"Wow," Jake said as he came around the car.
"Cianna," Sara ignored him and started walking towards the black haired girl. "Are you alright?"
"Quite," Cianna replied as she headed towards a nearby fire escape latter.
"Where are you going?" Jake asked.
"You two can take care of this," Cianna said as she pulled the ladder down. "I've someone I must speak to." With that she was gone.
"Interesting girl," Jake said.
Ian moved across the rooftop away from the scene. He had never meant for Cianna to be put in danger. His own failure could have cost her life.
"Ian wait!"
He turned to find Cianna running towards him. "What?" he replied his anger with himself putting an edge on his voice.
Cianna stopped dead in her tracks. Ian sighed. First he had put her danger, now he had frightened her. "I am sorry."
"I told you to stop that," Cianna replied. "And you can stop treating me like a child. I can take care of myself."
"Maybe, but it is my responsibility as a Guardian of the Witchblade to keep you safe."
"No, it is your responsibility to keep the Wielder safe, I am a Guardian just as you. And I can take care of myself."
Days later, Sara walked into the office after going for coffee to find Jake reading something on his computer. "What do you got?" handing him a mug of coffee.
Jake accepted the mug then turned back to the screen. "It's strange, but it comes from a good source. The attacker was in a special experimental warfare program where troops were used as guinea pigs. They were given psychotropic drugs and made to watch films designed to induce obedience and aggression."
Sara shook her head as she took a sip of her coffee. "Like South Park reruns?" she asked tried to lighten the mood.
"I'm serious," Jake replied. "It was an internationally recruited unit. They often went through extremely realistic and dangerous war games. The name of the unit was the Black Dragons.
"The guy found in the alley had a dragon tattoo on his neck."
"So you're thinking that's connected, me too," Jake took another sip of his coffee. "There were eleven men in the Black Dragon unit. The program was disbanded three years ago. As of today, only two of the eleven are still alive. The others have all died under mysterious circumstances in the past year. The two Black Dragons left alive are a guy named Hector Mobius, a.k.a. Moby, and a guy named Nottingham."
Sara looked at Jake suspiciously. "You got some fed. connections?"
"If only."
Ian followed Moby's van through the streets of New York. He glanced any from the road as he passed the 11th precinct. Pushing thoughts of Sara out of his head he returned his attention to the car he was tailing. Moby's car stopped in front of a diner. Ian slowed down as he passed, then turned into an ally farther down the street. From his vantage point he saw Moby get out and walk into the diner.
Ian opened the door and stepped out of his car. Closing the distance between the to vehicles in seconds, he pulled a lock pick out of his pocket. The door was easy enough to get unlocked. Pulling it opened he got inside. As he looked behind a curtain, lights flashed in a preprogrammed pattern. Ian's body went into seizures as he fell floor of the van.
Hector Mobius left the diner to return to his van. He opened the door to find Nottingham on the floor as he had expected. Pulling a needle and syringe out of his pocket. He stuck it into Nottingham's arm. Smiling to himself, he shoved his former comrade feet out of his way, then started the van.
Gabe stood checking some inventory in his storage area. He looked up to find Cianna smiling at him holding a shipping box. Taking the box, he put it on the table. He glanced at Cianna worriedly for a moment. She'd been acting funny ever since that ex-Black Dragon member had attacked her. He was worried of course, but he just keep reminding himself that she could keep his butt if she wanted, so he didn't have to worry about her as much.
"You know," Cianna coughed lightly. "You really need to clean this closet up."
"When do I have time," Gabe replied.
"I don't know," Cianna said.
Moments later Cianna's cell phone started ringing. She pulled it out of her pocket. "Hello."
"The roaring of lions, the howling of wolves, and the destructive sword are portions of eternity too great for the Iron Man."
"Hello, Mobius," Cianna replied coldly. "How are the Watchers doing these days?"
The only reply was the click of her being hung up on. Typical. She grabbed her coat and headed towards the door. "I've got to go, Gabe. We've got trouble."
"Ok, be careful."
"I will."
The Witchblade swirled madly on Sara's wrist. Worried that Jake might notice Sara found an excuse to leave. As she headed towards the Morgue to talk to Vicky Po, her cell phone rings.
"Yes," Sara said answering it.
"Get over to Irons' Mansion," Cianna replied. "Moby has Ian and Irons."
"Ok," Sara said. "I'll meet you at the gate.
Twenty minutes later, due to traffic, Sara pulled her bike to a stop next to Cianna's silver Saturn. An obviously worried Cianna came around to meet her. Sara looked from the mansion to her friend. "Plan?"
"Um," Cianna smiled weakly. "Not really. I'm sure they're in the study, though, and well, only way that Ian would be taken captive is if something happened to knock him out."
"Or if Moby just killed him."
"Let's not think about that," Cianna said. "Ok, they'll go in together, and once we can see what's going on, we'll come up with something else."
"After you," Sara said gently pushing Cianna towards the gate. She followed to the gate, then at Cianna's urging holds the Witchblade up to a control panel. The gate opened with a click, as it had when Ian had put his eye to it lens to allow them entrance when Kerry had needed to be stopped.
Together the two women headed put the drive. Before Sara was truly ready they were in the mansion, and heading towards study. They climbed up a set of stairs. Voices came to them from down the hall.
"If the lion were advised by the fox he would be cunning," Irons said
"The fox condemns the trap, not himself. Active evil is better than passive good," a man, obviously Mobius said.
"Ok," Cianna whispered when they reached the door to the study's balcony. "Stay here I'm going back down and going the other way."
"Excuse me?"
"Sara," Cianna insisted.
"Ok," Sara pulled the Witchblade off her wrist. "But you're taking this."
Cianna gulped as Sara slid the bracelet onto her wrist. Well, since she was basically making the Wielder sit her and twiddle her thumbs for her own protection, she'd humor her by wearing the Witchblade. Nodding to Sara she left her and headed back down the stairs. She listened to the confrontation inside the study as she went.
"It all makes sense. You are the dragon, he is your flame, and Sara Pezzini is the maiden. Only you have corrupted her somehow. So now she too will die."
Cianna rolled her eyes. This was all Irons' own fault. And if the Watcher's hadn't been involved she'd be more then happy to let Moby take him out. She reached the side door to the study.
"Now I am the dragon and you shall be licked by my flame," the sound of a flame thrower followed Moby's voice. "Now you perhaps know the fear my comrades felt as you hunted them down. Was it because you were afraid they would fly too high? Was it because you thought we were crazy? Dangerous? Was it because you couldn't control us? Or is it because you are a leach on a lesion? Full of lusts, greed and morbid curiosity. Does it surprise you that I choose this as your final memory?"
Cianna had heard enough. She stepped into the room. Irons was tied to a chair in front of the fireplace. Ian was tied up to a hand truck next to him. "Alright, Moby. This hardly constitutes as trying to retake the Witchblade."
Moby turned, surprised. "The Child, how fitting." He sent fire streaming across the room towards her.
She simply held up the Witchblade which remained in bracelet form. The flames spread out around her. Seeing she was unharmed, Moby shut the flame thrower off. Cianna closed the space between them quickly. The gauntlet formed on her wrist, and she clocked Moby in the jaw with it. He staggered slightly as she back flipped out of the way of his return blow. She landed in a crouch in front of Irons and Ian.
"Freeze," Sara's voice came down from over head.
Not waiting to see what happened, Cianna turned and cut Ian lose from the hand truck. He raced at Moby. Cianna turned to Irons, who seemed to expect to be cut lose also. Shaking her head, Cianna joined Sara, who had leapt down from the balcony.
"Took you long enough," Sara said.
"Sorry."
Soon Ian had Moby pinned down. Cianna stood over him, smiling. "This is what you get for working for the Watchers. Who's pulling the strings, now?"
"I know not," Moby mumbled.
"Well, they certainly left you well informed," Cianna shook her head. "Kill him."
"What?" Sara said.
"Sara, if we don't he'll come after you," Ian said.
"Untie me," Irons spoke up. "I believe I should have a say in this."
"No," Cianna said as she gave Sara the bracelet back. "You've caused enough trouble."
Sara turned away from Ian and Cianna. As much as she hated to, she had to untie Irons. Suddenly there was a scuffling behind her and she heard Cianna yell at her. Sara turned, the Gauntlet of the Witchblade appearing on her. Moby was coming at her. Without, thinking Sara stabbed the blade into his stomach. He didn't stop moving until up to the hilt of the blade was in him.
"You have got the wrong dragon.", he warned her.
The Witchblade retracted back to the bracelet. Moby fell in a heap at her feet. Ian was there quickly, moving the body away from her. Ian looked Sara in the eye for once, sending a chill through her. Cianna walked past her and untied Irons.
"Thank you, Ms. Templar," Irons said. "And you as well Sara. Well done." With that he left, Ian right behind him.
Sara looked down at Moby's body, before nodding at Cianna. Together they followed the men out of the room.