AN: This is a sequel to my existing Carmen Sandiego, 2019 story 'Time Makes a Difference'
Inspired by movie Red Notice and the three priceless golden eggs to Cleopatra from
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Never Lose Your EGG Again:
{Three eggs of Cleopatra}
According to the legend, there were three priceless golden eggs that were gifted to Cleopatra from Roman general Mark Antony on their wedding day. Two eggs were found during an archaeological dig, funded by Lotus Foundation. Secured and taken off sight to a privately airstrip to be shipped off. Just before the third eggwas extracted from it's resting place to becleaned, analyzed and faces of VILE in the form of their operatives showed up and stole the third egg. Left behind a mess on the sight by knocking out must of the staff and killing a single security guard. Become news in worst way for ACME and one Miss. Sandiego.
Confusing part was that she didn't have any leads of VILE planning a heist in Egypt after usual search. She was no where in Egypt when third egg was taken after first two were sent off by private carter in former of a plan. She was currently in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan attending a party that honored Isamu's younger brother, Kouji. He had just received a full Scholarship from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. He was of many applicates for that applied to be apart of Japanese Government Scholarship, Young Leaders' Program. How he was one of the handful of finalists was thrown out the window this night. Suhara household was celebrating within walls of local onsen as a private gathering.
"Wanting to follow in your Oji- san..." Cynthia tried to not to cry.
"She's just trying to say," Suhara comforted Cynthia while speaking further for her. "We're proud of you."
"Ooasan to otosan ni kansha shi masu." Kouji widely smiled.
Tsukiko ended up ambushing Kouji with a tightest embrace she ever done in the form of a surprise hug from behind. Rambling on about how she was going to make sure she wouldn't let him turn out like their Uncle Hideo. Which resulted in Finsch picking up the last of the meat buns to catching his sister's attention.
"Fetch!" He tossed in the direction of the other room.
In which she would released Kouji and ended up following what she called a waste of food like a hungry bunny. Catching the meat filled bun in the center of her hand with her mouth already drooling over doughy perfection. Which was quite a show for Isamu upon him entering the room with thump onto a sitting cushion with tired shoulders. He leaned back in his seat as he took the lotus sitting position with straighten back and yawn. He made sure to stretch his muscles as he moved around to loosen and relax his achy joints. Before out of the other room with her cellphone being placing the phone on atop of a cabinet on a wireless charger. Bringing up how he did in the latest kendo competition after participating as a last minute contestant.
"Gold medal in Men's Individual Division," Isamu yawned.
Before Hideo also shared in the congrats with Carmen over his eldest nephew newest achievement with pride. Cynthia's tears got louder and left Suhara to draw her into his arms to further sooth her happy cry. Which was caught by film by Finsch while he was working on the last of the Scallop Volcano Rolls. Way he handled his cellphone in one phone as the other held his chop sticks as he ate one piece of sushi at a time. Show his ability to multi- task without missing a single step when eating and snapping pictures away. Had missing when Carmen ended up taking a seat right next to Isamu to inform him about Player's latest update. One that vanish the appearance of drained energy from his eyes and stirred a familiar rage DEEP within. Attached to a series of memories that had him needing to keep his calm around Finsch, Kouji, and Tsukiko. He took a cleansing breath with his father's eyes on him and Carmen's presence close to him.
"Who did the thief?" He asked on edge.
"Tigress and Bobtail." Player's voice came form Carmen's ear piece.
"Countess Cleo!" Carmen and Isamu figured.
Carmen was the one that gave Isamu the usual rest up and she'll call him when she needs him speech followed by a kiss. Which had him squeezing her hand for a second before the two went their separated ways. Out of the shared room Carmen went to further speak with Player and make plans of her own to get egg back. Isamu needed help to get to his feet in order to make it to the hotspring for a long soak and relax. That came from Finsch since Kouji was getting a advice from Hideo about what to except when he starts college. Tsukiko was to busy bothering Cynthia and Suhara about playing pingpong or posing for more pictures.
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04:54:09 PM
Monday, November 5, 20XX
Huelva, Spain
Magelan Ship Yard
Billy was able to narrow down the place location the third egg was taken and where it was getting shipped out. Now finding where the actual thieves were hiding was spotty at best when she tried for a location. All she could give Carmen was a city in southwestern Spain with a digital congrats from Player for her work. Worked out either way since footwork done by Carmen to figure out who this Bobtail working with Tigress. As she stayed within a rental property with a town and municipality located in the southwestern Spanish province of Huelva. To keep a eye on the Port of Huelva for VILE activity in form of the egg being handed off. A pair of super vision binoculars was set up beside a window that large cushioned chair with a single blanket.
Where she mostly found herself when she wasn't making visits the local doc workers unions or offices to gather information. Asking around the neighborhood if their seen a blonde haired women with a young girl just hanging about. Got her not where while the nights become sleepless when she started having strange nightmares to boot. Images from when she was brainwashed started to resurface in a disturbing manner when her eyes closed. They revolved about a selfish desired her brainwashed self had about having her own V.I.L.E. operatives. Instead of time taken to recruit and train them for her selfish whims like VILE had been known for. Idea for her biological children made from loyalest V.I.L.E. operatives was where she was had started.
That was what currently scared her!
Started to interfere with her sleep cycle for the few days and bother Player when he checked in on her for usual safety reasons. This meant a quick phone call to Isamu with news that he was needed earlier then then planned. Words brainwashed and disturbing memories was all he needed to pack up that night with Tsukiko in tow. A 12 hour and 45 minute flight on Air France from Narita Airport in Narita, Chiba, Japan was booked for for two. One stop over in Paris before continuing on to Madrid, Spain before catching a train to to Huelva. Become a lesson in Stealth for Tsukiko in avoiding security cameras or a guard when walking through a crowd. Example was set by her farther when he used brim of his baseball cap and collar of his jacket, and bag. To block his face from being identified by someone as the heir to the Cassim Conglomerate and Lotus Foundation.
Got him all the way to the exit without being stopped to pose for a picture by some tourist or was recognized by someone. Left Tsukiko to take a breath as she placed her hands in her pockets after adjusting her bag's strap. Taking the same path her father took without showing signs of nervousness or drawing attention to herself. Just placing one foot in front of the other as a steady pace while going through the crowd. Keeping her eyes on her father without noticing how close she was getting to him when he entered her range of vision. That had her stopping right next to him to witness a rare smile form on his face when he lifted his hat's brim.
"Your grandfathers would be proud," He spoke of Dexter Wolfe and Suhara. "Ready for what's to come?"
"You had Billy or Player send a copy of the video footage to jiichan?" She asked looked at feet.
"He recorded you through fiber optic camera in the hat." Player's voice came from her Comm-Link Earrings.
Tsukiko screeched at her father before he ended up giving her one armed hug to cheer her up before leaving the airport. Going to the nearest bus stop to take a ride all the way to Sevilla stop and made their way to Inner- City Rail. Which would take them where they needed go for the rest of the way to where Carmen was staying. Code to the front door was entered by Isamu as he allowed his daughter to walk in before him. He shut and secured the the door behind himself when he followed her inside with his eyes searching. He dropped his bag with his coat and hat somewhere along the way as he further walked into the area. Stopping only once to acknowledge his daughter she fell on the sofa and fell asleep when her head hit the cushion.
He picked up his searched and found Carmen curled up with a blanket in the large cushioned chair in a fetal position. Her face twisted in some kind of anguish had him walking over to her quickly when her limbs started flailing. He sat on the armrest while gently calling her name with hand reaching out to her shoulder to wake her. Got her awake and almost punched him in the face by reflex when she first opened her eyes. To only apologize to him before wondering what he was doing here since she wasn't the one that called him in. He states that Player sent him out of concern for her mental health toward repressed memories surfaces. Triggered by this new VILE operative by a cat related code name working beside Tigress.
"You know something don't you?" Carmen yawned.
"Yes and has to do when you were brainwashed." Isamu warns her.
All he got was her wrapping herself back up the blanket he found in while her head leaned on him with jumbled mind. Which had him telling Player and Billy to be on stand by for the rest of the night until needed. Which they did while he removed his ear piece as she made sure her Comm-Link Earringswere on mute. Rest of the night was of Isamu telling her how her brainwashed self orchestrated a way to use Rohypnol on him, and treated him like a breeding tool.
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02:53:04 AM
Thursday, November 15, 20XX
London
Cassim's English estate
Carmen was all sorts of angry when informed of what she did to Isamu those years ago when brainwashed by VILE. Made her message Player and Billy for certain search perimeters for a few people around Tsukiko's age. Had a mixtures of certain traits that one would inherit from a unnamed father through out stages in their life. Wanting to them hit private birthing centers and hospitals specialize in IVF procedures and premature birthing. Sorting through all that data was going to take some time even with the right program. Which had Billy spinning around in her seat since she was a major challenge she loved taking on. Player was thanked for Carmen for bringing Isamu on this while she moved onto other bit of information on the egg. Disliking how she missed out the hand of the egg in Spain when having her nightmares. Here she was again to try to get the egg back since Countess Cleo was going to be picking up her prize.
"I never asked why those egg was so important to you?" Carmen wondered why they were important to Isamu.
"My godmother was a Egyptologist, that heavily researched the legend around three bejeweled eggs gifted to Cleopatra from Mark Antony as a wedding gift," He began his tale. "Made my godfather promise to find them someday and present them top the world when her health declined."
"..." Tsukiko was speechless.
Into the air the handle of a black and red Tsuka was lifted by him with the place the blade would be pointed outward. Careful craftsmanship that went into creating the Mekugi, Tsuka, Tsuba, Seppa, and Habaki with Traditional materials. Caught both women's curiosity about why he had such an item until he squeeze the handle. Out of that handle came a 60 cm length a curved, slender, single-edged blade with a polished shine. He lay down on the table's surface for it to be further admired and inspected by the girls after watching the sight.
"Aunt Billy and Uncle Player made this?" Tsukiko guessed.
"More like my mother was behind the design and creation." Isamu was handling a Wepwawet mask.
"New mask?" Carmen pointed his newest mask.
"Commissioned a Japanese artisan to create it for me," He moved it around in his fingers. "Called one of his last master pieces before going into hospice care."
Carmen didn't ask anymore questions before quietly making her way over to him when he put the mask beside the blade. Stopping him from walking off to change his clothing into what he usual wore when he wore his mask. Reaching up to a face she came to know after many years she spent tracing each line that appeared. Warmth of her skin barely touching his own when her eyes looked into his for a second in quiet passing.
"Going to need some help changing?" She asked.
"You can watch and join in anytime you want." He hinted.
"Come on!" Tsukiko covered her ears. "Can you two not flirt in front me."
"This is what lead to your siblings and your creation," Carmen released Isamu. "Let me tell you, best I ever had."
Isamu ended up bringing up the other person shared a one time physical relation for saving her from VILE. Since this person work with ACME in restoring her original memories after being arrested in Reykjavik. A form of joke that got a small smile from Carmen before she stood on her tiptoes to place a kiss beside his lips. Before pulling away from her to let him go and change what had always been his uniform when assisting her.
"Alright," Carmen turned to Tsukiko. "You have a change of attire?"
"A black shinobi outfit like Ojiisan would have worn when he did missions for you." Tsukiko pointed out.
"How are lessons are going?" Carmen wondered how her training was going.
"We're going over stealth after self defensive with Ojiisan."
Carmen knew about the training that Isamu and Suharahad put her through since she showed interest for executes capers. Just trying to get her prepared to be apart of these was harder since her training was late in life. Not that she was taking to each moment taught to her whenever she was brought along with Isamu.
"What are your guys on?" Carmen asked interested in her progress.
"Stealth basically," She sounded disappointed. "I've been told anything about improving or not."
"Don't count yourself out." Carmen assured her.
For the rest of that day while keeping a open channel with Player and Billy on Countess Cleo's movements from the airport. Carmen sat beside Tsukiko and told her stories of when she was a just student at ACME academy. Pranks she pulled once a year on the accountant that came ashore with latest numbers for VILE facility. Show off in each one of her classes to fellow students without a care of passing grade. Always being lectures of needing to behave properly by Suhara when he was still working with VILE before he defected. Got a laugh followed by a smile from Tsukiko when Carmen's talk with her came to a complete end.
"Feel better?" Carmen asked.
All she got was a shaken hand from her before Player came over a speaker that lay off to the side of the coffee table. On to her feet Carmen would go knowing this was him telling him that Countess Cleo had met with Bobtail and Tigress. A medium size crate on metal cart had been seen in their procession at a private hanger.
"Lets get ready?" Carmen nodded her head.
On to her feet Tsukiko bounced off the cushions of the sofa to make her way to room she had picked out. Just among the basic pieces of furniture was a little surprise she recalled wasn't they arrived that early morning. A zukin and a fukumen laid with her black shinobi outfit on the bed where she laid everything out. A note explaining this was worn by her Ojiisan during his missions he went on before retiring. Not it was being given to her by Isamu for her continue in her Ojiisan's footsteps as venturing on stealth operations. Had the girl falling to her knees and crying at the rare gift having to do with carrying on the family legacy. While putting her hopes into gear that she had won over Isamu with showing how she stealthilyachieved. Soon dismissed by her when she hurriedly changed her clothing while keeping in mind to second check. Making sure she was properly covered with her only her eyes peeking out of the opening that completely covered her face.
Had her exiting the room to find Isamu in a wine, polyester/ cotton blend, ribbed knit cuff, long-sleeve, zip front, members only style jacket. Classic style with shoulder epaulets and snap tab stand up collar. Lower slash inset pockets and left chest inset pocket with logo and ribbed knit waistline. Inside is lined with polyester and a graphic shirt underneath. Oni Denim brand jeans with usual foot wear. Everything else from the gloves and the way he wore his hair caught her attention.
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11:55:48 PM
Friday, Nov 25, 20XX
The Egyptian Museum
Cairo, Egypt
In a satin, kimono sleeve, maxi dress with paneled skirt and sash style belt in Navy. In these 1- inch heel flats with open toe and pinned up rustic black tresses. Tsukiko was found attending Egyptian museum opening night for their newest exhibit, three eggs of Cleopatra. They stood under glass display cases on top of wooden pedestals. Metallic plaques told of their history, what they were, and other important information. That anyone else could read when they leaned over the velvet rope.
"Having fun?" She was startled by her father.
"Odd sense of accomplishment," All she could do was stare. "… is it always like this?"
"Depends on the situation." Carmen took Isamu's arm.
One arm hooked onto one of his while other reached up to his tied. Making sure it was properly knotted and wolf tie clip was on clear display. To end up resting her head on his shoulder with a sigh escaping her lips. Taking in the quietness of the moment before a familiar voice chimed in.
"You picked a codename?" Player's voice came from Tsukiko' s earpiece.
"I thought we put off work for a few hours." Isamu had his armed tugged by Carmen.
"Black Bunny," Tsukiko's choice surprised Carmen. "If that is alright?"
Way she looked at her mother for a more clear answer had her on edge. Carmen blinked a few times as her hold on Isamu's arm tighten slightly. To only have one of his hands take hold of the one on his arm. As a form of calming her think with a clear mind and answer Tsukiko. Seem to work as Carmen ended up giving her a head nod, instead of a verbal answer.
"When I was facing Bobtail and couldn't stomach what she had to say. About the treasures of the world being hoarded away by greedy people," Tsukiko explained as best she could. "Made me decide to carry on your legacy."
"One is becoming a scholar and another follow in your footsteps," Isamu summed up the paths their children were following. "I feel old."
Carmen had to hip-check him in order to remind him he was still young. They had one more child that needed to figure out his path. Which had Isamu not worried as much he usually was. Since he wandered around in life for years until he met Carmen. That was when he found his purpose in life that very night they met.
"If he is anything like his father…" Carmen allowed Tsukiko to walk off. "He'll pick up a few things here and there."
"Origami tournaments, training under a Shaolin monk, and I've recently gotten into kendo." He listed a few of his activities.
He got a quiet hum from Carmen as a waitress passed them. She held a tray of glasses of sparkling wine in her hand. Two of them were nabbed by her as the waitress passed them. One was given to Isamu As she held to the other.
"To us." She made a toast to them.