"So what are we going to do?" asked Clover, as she paced up and down on the carpet of the spies' penthouse lounge, where the girls had reconvened to discuss what action they had to take if Trent really did have the magic lamp. "Just walk up to Trent and say 'Hey Trent, fancy you becoming a millionaire! By the way, is your girlfriend a genie?' He's hardly likely to admit to any of that!"
"Well, he needs to be told of the danger he might be in," pointed out Sam. "If Dash Dawson realises that Trent has the lamp, he's bound to come after it again."
"And if Dawson gets that lamp, we'll be in serious trouble!" added Alex.
"Hey chill out, you three!" said Daphne calmly. "The important thing is we know where the lamp is. If we perhaps explain to Trent that it was stolen and should be returned..."
"Something tells me it won't be as simple as that, Daph," said Clover. "Things rarely are in this job."
Just then, Sam's compowder began buzzing and as she opened up the gadget, the holographic projection of Jerry's face appeared, with an uncertain expression on his face.
"Girls, we just received an anonymous phone call from someone claiming to have seen Dash Dawson. Apparently he's hiding out at an abandoned chemical factory on the outskirts of L.A."
"Hey, that sounds promising," said Alex elatedly. "We should check this place out fast..."
"Hey, hold on a moment, Alex," said Sam, before turning back to Jerry's hologram. "Jerr, just how 'anonymous' is this source?"
"Very anonymous," said Jerry seriously. "He gave no name or details at all. I'm a bit worried that this could be some kind of diversion or trap."
"Just what I'm thinking," agreed Sam. "And if we're busy chasing down this lead, who'll be watching Trent? We've got good reason to suspect he has Mr Freeman's lamp."
"But if we don't chase up this tip, we may lose any chance of nabbing Dawson for good!" pointed out Clover.
"I've a suggestion," piped in Daphne. "Why don't Sam and I check out the factory, while you two keep an eye on Trent? That way we can cover both targets."
"Good thinking, Daphne," said Sam. "Okay then, Clover, you and Alex keep watch on Trent, while Daphne and I check out this factory."
"Fine," said Alex. "But just be careful out there, okay?"
"Yeah, first sign of trouble, you call us straight away. Agreed?" said Clover.
"Sounds fair to me," said Daphne. "Let's just hope our 'mysterious caller' is on the level. I'd hate to think we'll be go to some grotty factory for no good reason!"
A short time later, Sam and Daphne flew over to the old factory on their Jetpack Backpacks, glided through a hole in the ceiling, and landed gracefully on the dusty floor inside the building. The whole structure was showing its age with crumbling brickwork and cobwebs all over the place. Around the two girls were large tanks and rusty walkways in various states of disrepair, while from one corner, a family of frightened mice ran out, shooting past the spies.
"This place has seen better days," muttered Sam. "I could see why Dawson might pick this place as a hideout. It's pretty shadowy."
"I find it kinda spooky," said Daphne with a slight shiver. "You're still not convinced this place is Dawson's lair, are you?"
"I don't know," said Sam. "This whole setup doesn't feel right to me..."
As if on cue, an anonymous shadow passed over the two girls, and as they looked up, they could see Dash Dawson on a steel walkway above them, an evil grin on his face.
"Looking for me, ladies?" he smirked, leaping down to ground before them.
"Wait, you knew we were coming?" realised Daphne. "Then Sam was right, this is a trap!"
"Indeed," said Dawson. "And now ladies, it's time to blast the pair of you into oblivion!"
Suddenly pulling out a laser pistol from beneath his cloak, Dawson fired a series of blasts at the girls. However, Sam, moving like lightning, pulled out the 'Compact Collapsible Teflon Coated Armored Umbrella', a long pole-like gadget that unfolded a large disc-shaped shield at the end, to protect its users from attack. Sam quickly moved the shield so that it went between the two spies and the laser bolts, which bounced harmlessly off the metal plating, failing to strike the two girls sheltering behind.
In frustration, Dawson kept firing, until the gun ran out of charge, then he broke into a sprint for the exit, tossing aside his useless weapon. However, the girls were faster than he was, and as they leapt out from behind their shield, Daphne quickly caught up with Dawson, tackling him to the ground.
"Nice try, Dawson," smirked Sam as she joined her teammate who had Dawson pinned to the floor, "but that was a pretty lame and obvious trap to set there."
"Oh that?" said Dawson innocently. "That was just the distraction. The real trap occurs... NOW!"
Before Sam and Daphne knew what was happening, they each felt a sudden prick on their arms, and as they looked down, they saw with alarm that they each been hit by a tranquilliser dart!
"Oh, that's so not fair..." Daphne managed to say, before stars appeared in front of her eyes and she and Sam both passed out, just as a black-clad figure with a rifle climbed down the ladder and walked over to help Dawson to his feet.
"All's fair in love and war, my dear," chuckled Dawson to the unconscious girls, before turning to his comrade. "Nice job there, Bellet. Caron wasn't kidding when he said you were the best marksman in his outfit."
"You are too kind, Monsieur Dawson," said the henchmen in a thick french accent, as he packed away his rifle. "May I ask what you intend to do with these dames?"
"Something pretty nasty," chuckled Dawson. "Get these two tied and gagged, then bring them to the top of that tank. These ladies are going to have a small dip... in sulphuric acid."
Back at the dorm in Mali-U, Alex and Clover walked a little anxiously up to the door for Trent's room, deciding that they ought to at least talk to him and find out what was happening with him.
"I'm not sure this is such a good idea," said Clover. "I mean, what will we say?"
"We'll think of something," said Alex as she knocked on the door. A few seconds later, it opened and Trent appeared, a little surprised at seeing the two girls.
"Clover? Alex? What are you two doing here?"
"Hi, Trent," said Alex with a friendly wave. "We, uh, heard that Mandy's given you the boot, so we found we'd come and see how you're holding up."
"Oh, that's nice," said Trent. "But I'm doing great. I've, err, come into some money and, um..."
As Trent stammered, the girl he had been seen with came into view and stood by him.
"Hello there," she said with a warm smile. "I'm Jenny. And you are?"
"Hi, I'm Clover, and this is Alex," said Clover, returning the friendly smile. "Say, I don't think we've seen you around here before, have I?"
"Um, no, you see, uh, Jenny's just started term here and, uh..." Trent tried desperately to think of some excuse, but stopped when Jenny put a gentle hand on his shoulder and softly shook her head.
"Don't bother, Trent. They already know."
"Excuse me?" said Alex, as she and Clover were taken a little aback.
Jenny gave them a reassuring smile. "I noticed the way you and your friends were looking at me in that cafe. You know what I am, don't you? I can see it in your eyes."
"Uh, yeah, you see, our friend Sam was doing some history research into the ancient kingdom of Suruka," said Clover. "And she got this crazy idea, that you might be a... a genie."
"Your friend is highly intelligent," complimented Jenny. "You better let them in, Trent. I think we have a great deal to talk about."
Outside the dorm building, Caron de Verley was sitting on a bench, eavesdropping on the conversation, courtesy of a listening device he had planted on the side of the window overlooking Trent's room without the boy and the genie noticing.
"Splendid," he said as he listened in via his audio receiver, disguised as an ordinary mobile phone. "They're all confined to one area. Now to take action!"