December 21, 1999
Lara Croft and Tomb Raider are creations of Adrian Smith for Core Design and Eidos Interactive, and Tomb Raider comics are published by Top Cow Productions, Inc.
Batman and related characters are creations of Bob Kane for Detective Comics, and published by DC Comics Inc.
The characters and incidents featured in this story are entirely fictional. Any similarities to persons living or dead are purely coincidental. To infringe or challenge the copyrights or trademarks of the above is not the intention of this author.
THE EXPOSITION - Part Seven
Lara was plopped on the cot of a small room within the ship. Wrapped in the blanket, she wiggled to a comfortable position. Tape still covered her mouth.
The men stood and watched.
"Do you think the demon will find us on the ship?" asked one.
"Shut up about your demon! You want to frighten us?"
"I know what I saw and I don't feel good about this."
Another spoke, "Maybe she conjured up the demon when we grabbed her. She has been giving us an evil eye."
"Don't be foolish, all of you! She has no special powers!" His face came close to hers. "She is just another weak woman."
Her eyes narrowed and stared.
Silence gripped the room.
The man backed away slowly.
Voldo entered. "Everyone, out of the room. Gregor is coming."
The men exited.
Gregor entered and grinned. "Voldo, my painting. Do you have it?"
"Inside an aluminum tube placed in your cabin."
"Did you give Mr. Slaughter his payment?"
"Yes, I did."
Gregor knelt next to the cot. "Lara, my dear, it is so good to see you again. How was your trip here? Oh, but where are my manners? Let me remove that from your lips." Gently he peeled the tape from her mouth.
"Gregor, what do you want from me?"
"What I have always wanted. You working for me."
"You have a strange way of recruiting people for employment. Do you realize this is kidnapping?"
"To you, it's kidnapping. To me, it's just an extension of our active recruitment policy."
"You wouldn't want me as an employee. I don't take orders very well... and haven't you heard. My demon is coming for me!"
"Oh please, Lara. Get serious. You've visited too many of your fans' websites. Demons, monsters, and witches, oh my." His eyes rolled. "If I believed all what they wrote about you, I'd guess you were Wonder Woman, Rambo, the Terminator, and a sex-starved nymphomaniac all rolled into one." He laughed.
She winced in pain. "Gregor, these bindings are cutting the circulation to my hands."
He looked at Voldo.
Voldo shook his head.
"My associate disagrees if I should allow you to roam freely aboard the ship. Maybe I can shackle you to the bed. That would ease your pain, and satisfy him." He unraveled the blanket and revealed Lara's bare top.
"Where are her clothes?" he screamed. "Voldo, why doesn't she have any clothes?"
Lara shook at the decibel level of his shouting.
Gregor's sudden fury made Voldo's jaw tense. He held up his hands. "I assure you, she has not been touched! Please, come outside and I will explain."
"You better have an excellent explanation for this!" Gregor stomped out of the room.
Voldo closed his eyes and closed the door.
Lara rested on her side and faced the wall. She struggled with the bindings but gained no relief.
A minute passed, and the door opened.
Steven hobbled into the room. "Lara, are you alright?"
She cried, "Steven! What have they done to you?"
"Please don't cry. Please. Don't cry." He limped to the cot and wiped a tear off her soft cheek.
"I was so worried about you! What happened to your leg?"
"Don't worry about me. You should be concerned about yourself." He grabbed his knee and exhaled. "Lara, I'm sorry I got you involved. Gregor is crazy. He wants me to convince you to work for him."
"He's certainly not gaining any points by his methods."
"Let me cover you up." With one hand he unbuttoned his sweat-stained shirt.
"Don't worry about that. Untie my wrists. The bindings hurt so much."
Steven covered her front and tugged at her wrists.
The door swung opened and banged against the wall.
"Get him!" Gregor ordered.
Voldo rushed in and snared Steven with a rope.
Lara bounced on the cot and yelled. "Leave him alone! Leave him alone!"
"Steven, what did I tell you if Miss Croft was involved in all this?" he shouted.
As Steven struggled with the rope around his neck, his face turned red. He sputtered, "Lara, save yourself!" He coughed, gasped for air, and then was dragged out of the room by Voldo.
"What do you want? What do you want in exchange for Steven's life?"
Gregor glared at her. "Fifteen million dollars!"
She froze and furrowed her brow. "Fifteen million? Why?"
"I've got supplies to deliver and no money to pay the supplier! I've got a financial mission that failed and four men from an elite group of an exiled general's army lost! Call it my bereavement settlement!"
Her eyes lowered. "What do you want from me? What do you want me to do? I'll pay you the money! Just tell me what work you want done!"
"Unless you have the money right now, there is nothing you can do!"
She shrieked, "Gregor, I'm giving myself to you! Whatever you want from me, I'm yours! Just let Steven live!" She sat on the edge of the cot; arms behind her, bound feet touched the floor, and chest expanded with each gulp of air. The stained shirt and blanket barely covered her form.
Gregor absorbed the view and paused. "Enticing... but too late."
The door closed behind him.
"You gain nothing by killing him! He is no threat to you! Let him live or I will get you, Gregor! I'll get you if it's the last thing I do!" Her screams rattled the door and shook the walls.
* * *
Adjoining Gregor's cabin was an office area of equal size. It had two small shelves of books and charts, three chairs, a table, and a desk.
Gregor sat at the table and drummed his fingers. A yellow legal pad, with doodles and scribbles, rested in front of him. The word 'ransom' appeared a few times, and one with capital letters was boxed in. Question marks dotted the pad. On the edge was a drawing of a wide-eyed female with braided hair.
Voldo entered, dropped a burlap sack on the table, and sat on the opposite side.
"What's in the bag?" Gregor asked, but looked at the legal pad.
"Golden artifacts from an exhibit room."
He peeked inside, wrote some numbers on the pad, and shook his head. "We need to find some money, fast."
"The captain said the General's submarine is approaching." Voldo folded his hands. "I see you have written 'ransom'. Will you be asking money for the woman?"
"The problem is from whom."
"What about her family?"
"She is independent of her family's fortune. I believe she was disowned or cut-off from their support."
"What about her sponsor for the exhibit, the Wayne Foundation?"
"No! I wouldn't give that jerk, Bruce Wayne, the gratification of sending a ransom for her!"
"Why are you so choosy? If he has the money, why not ask him?"
"You don't understand, Voldo! I want the money now! An electronic transfer to my account now, with verification! Calling someone for a ransom would delay the transfer! Time would be needed for them to collect the money, arrange a drop off point... and they may delay for more time for whatever reason they'd think of. Meanwhile, I have a customer, who is anxious to initiate a coup, waiting for his supplies to be delivered, and every hour there is a delay he looses his window of opportunity... And suppose I request an electronic transfer from them... well, guess what! They'll know whose account it is and who kidnapped Miss Lara Croft!"
Voldo opened his hands. "Who were you going to approach with the objects you had planned to obtain from the Galleria?"
"Members I know on the black market."
"Why not ask them? A woman with her fame must have a price on her head."
Gregor's eyes grew wide. "What a delicious idea! In fact, we could auction her off to the highest bidder! Let me get in touch with Pakistan and tell our connection what we have to offer... And you know what? I'll have him contact some of her enemies as well! This is getting exciting!" He danced to his laptop. "Assemble the satellite dish outside the window!"
"Porthole," Voldo snickered and exited.
* * *
Lara laid on her side and whimpered. Streaks of mascara marked the path of her tears.
Two black-hooded men entered the room. One stood by the door with his arms crossed. The other walked to the cot, untied her wrists, and dropped a white shirt and slacks next to her head.
"Get dressed!"
She sat up, covered her breasts with the white garments, and gazed at the man near the cot. "May I have some privacy?"
"Our orders are not to leave you alone."
She put the large shirt on, rubbed her wrists, and untied her ankles. To regain circulation she waved her feet and shook her hands. The feeling of 'pins and needles' subsided.
"Come on and hurry up. I got to put these things on you." He held out ankle-cuffs and handcuffs.
The slacks were slipped on and fitted perfectly. The drawstring was pulled and tied. She faced the man with the cuffs, looked at the doorway, and snarled. "Oh, hello Gregor."
The men turned and looked at an empty doorway.
A straight right fist was delivered to the head of 'cuffs' man.
He staggered backwards.
A sidekick rammed into his gut.
He flew into the man by the door, and they collapsed.
Her foot crunched the chin of one, and a judo chop crashed on the neck of the other. Their bodies were searched for weapons. A handgun was found.
She inched to the doorway and peered down the hallway.
A sailor appeared with an object in his hand.
The gun was drawn out and aimed.
He darted into a room.
In bare feet, she skipped up the hallway in the opposite direction. At a stairwell, she ascended cautiously to the top.
Footsteps were heard at the bottom of the stairwell.
She left the stairs, dashed down a hallway, and reached a door that led to the main deck. Gently the door was pushed open, and she peeked.
A small congregation of sailors stood twenty yards away.
She went to the opposite end of the hallway and reached another door. It led to a stairwell to the upper level and an outer door to the other side of the main deck. She opened the outer door and peeked.
Another sailor appeared with an object in his hand. The object had a flashing red light.
The gun was aimed.
He ran around a corner.
She closed the door and climbed the stairs. The stairs ended at a door to the ship's bridge. Through the glass she saw two men. One sat in the captain's chair. She burst into the room, and aimed at the man in the chair.
Startled, they stood still.
"Tell your mate to sit down!" she commanded.
He waved to the other man to sit on the floor.
With the barrel of the gun remaining on her target, she locked the door.
Her target seemed unconcerned.
The bridge was a long room with a fixed chair in the middle. A large window faced over the front of the ship. Below the window were the control panel of switches, knobs, gauges, and the ship's wheel. The other end of the bridge was another door leading to a stairwell to another upper level.
Lara stepped behind the man in the chair and grabbed his collar. "I gather you are the captain. Where's the radio room?"
"Next level up," he said in a matter-of-fact way.
"I want to send a distress signal, so let's go! Show me where it is!"
"I am sorry, Senorita, but I cannot do that."
She growled, "Listen, sport, I am not in the mood for any arguments! Now we can do this together, or you and your mate will become spots on the wall before I leave! What will it be?"
The captain replied, "I am so sorry but they will not allow me to do that." He pointed at the locked door.
Lara saw Gregor, Voldo, and 'cuffs' man behind the glass. Outside the bridge window stood a sailor with a camcorder. The blinking red light indicated it was filming her and the captain.
"What are you doing, Lara?" asked Gregor.
She shouted, "Don't come in! Stay where you are!"
"Oh please, Lara. We outnumber you. You can't escape." He snickered, "And where would you go? We are out at sea."
She pushed on the neck of the captain until he bent over his knees, and aimed at the door. "I know where you are going, Gregor! To hell!"
The gun fired.
Gregor folded his arms behind the unbroken glass. "Blanks, Lara. They are all blanks," he sneered. "I needed footage for your upcoming auction. A little teaser to show prospects I have the genuine article, and what better way than by videotaping you in action."
She fired two more times.
He laughed and shook his head. "Give it up, Lara. You're not going to win."
'Cuffs' man forced the door open and charged.
She pushed the captain to the floor and stood behind the chair. The gun was thrown at the charging assailant.
His forearm blocked his head and knocked down the gun. He reached over the chair and grabbed her shoulder.
Pivoting backwards, she pulled his arm and flipped him on his back.
Quickly he rolled over and placed his hands on the floor.
A kick on the chin caused him to crumble.
Lara whirled and lunged at Gregor.
Voldo snared her in mid-flight, yanked a rope around her neck, and kept her off balance.
With hands about the rope she struggled and stumbled.
Voldo tugged until she fell to the floor.
Her faced turned red, and she gasped for air.
"Don't hurt her! I need her alive and presentable," commanded Gregor.
Voldo took the handcuffs from 'cuffs' man's unconscious body. Her wrists were forced behind her back and cuffed. He lifted her up. "Don't try anything--."
A crescent kick landed on the side of his head.
Voldo tumbled sideways into the bridge's control panel.
A back kick popped into Gregor's groin.
Gregor doubled over and fell on his rear. He gulped for air.
Swiftly she moved over Gregor and raised a leg to stomp on him.
The captain tugged the rope.
Lara fell on her back.
The mate sat on her legs and the captain fastened the ankle-cuffs.
She wiggled and yelled, "I'll get you, Gregor! I'll get you!"
After she appeared to have settled the captain and mate stood and stepped away.
Voldo lifted her up and tightly held the rope around her neck, and whispered, "Try anything like that again, and you will follow your friend into the ocean."
Lara struggled for a moment until Gregor stood up. He was bent slightly forward.
"Did you get all that on tape?" he asked.
The sailor with the camcorder nodded.
"Good. Take her to my room," he groaned.
She was forced through the door and down the stairs.
Gregor leaned against the wall and looked at the captain. "Thanks for your help."
"Senor Gregor, I think she will be trouble for you."
"I love a challenge." He smiled and turned to leave.
"Senor, a party from the submarine has boarded, but another boat is approaching the ship."
"How big is it?"
"The size of a powerboat."
"Maybe the General's men have escaped and found a way to get here," Gregor wondered. "Captain, it could be nothing but have some of your men investigate it. I'll be in my room."
* * *
A tall, stout, dark man, with glittering ribbons and medals on his uniform, approached Gregor and extended his hand. His spectacles glinted the light from the hallway.
"Welcome aboard, General," Gregor shook his hand.
"Am I getting my weapons, Gregor?" he harrumphed.
"Wait until you see how you're going to purchase them." Gregor walked gingerly down the hall.
"What's wrong with your back?"
Gregor ignored the question and opened the door to his cabin.
The General entered and saw Lara on the bed.
She stood and greeted. "General Nyonga."
"And who may you be that requires these bracelets for restraining?"
"Lara Croft. I would have greeted in a manner you deserve had I not been restrained and tethered to the bedframe."
"From your tone I gather you are not a fan of mine."
"Not for a professional butcher. You were exiled from the Kingdom of Lesotho for your barbarianism, and you vowed to return in triumph."
"And that will happen! I plan to remove the monarchy, and his established government, renew the name Basutoland and control it as president-for-life."
"South Africa will not allow it! They consider you a villain and an enemy of the state! You will not be able to reach Lesotho without a confrontation with them!"
"There are factions in South Africa loyal to me. I am not worried about that." He turned to Gregor. "Why am I talking to this woman about these things?"
"General, this woman is the ticket to your weapon supplies, and more! She is a world famous archaeologist and adventurer. Because of her notoriety, she is worth a lot of money. I contacted a list of her enemies and plan to auction her off to the highest bidder. Come over to my office--."
"What happened to the original mission you had planned? The burglary of the exhibits at the Galleria?"
"Bottom line... it failed... but this is a better idea! Look over here. I've contacted my man in Pakistan." Gregor moved to the office and opened his laptop. "Ravi, how are we doing?"
A thin dark skinned man with short black hair appeared on the screen. "Stalled at twelve million. They are skeptical you actually have her in your possession. Did you send the movie clips?"
"Sent an e-mail with a list of attachments fifteen minutes ago. Who has the highest bid?"
"Sheik Marouk al-Khalid from Oman... but the kingdoms from Southeast Asia just got involved. They are waiting for proof you have her before they bid."
"What about Saddam, the wacky Iraqi?"
"He doesn't want to get involved. He can handle the United States attacking his country, but he wants no confrontation with Lara Croft. He said that would be the mother of all battles. However, he did forward his business card if we were interested in chemical weapons at a bargain price."
Gregor chuckled. "Ravi, let the potential buyers know if they want live pictures, I'll get it for them, but nothing kinky. Check back with you in thirty minutes."
General Nyonga gazed at Lara. "I fail to see how she could be worth that much. What about the original mission? And where are my men?"
"Like I said, the mission failed... and only two of your men are functional--."
The captain of the ship entered, "I need a cache of your weapons to give to my men!"
Puzzled, Gregor asked, "What's the problem?"
"Senor, three men investigated the approaching boat but did not report back. I directed two more men to find where they are. They do not respond to my page and have also disappeared. Now the rumor has spread among my men that this woman has conjured a demon and it is taking revenge on us. Half of them want to abandon ship."
"That's ridiculous! Whoever heard of a demon operating a boat?"
"It's not as strange as you may think, Gregor. I have encountered stranger things in my travels," needled Lara. She turned and looked through the porthole.
"Who started this rumor about a demon?" demanded General Nyonga.
"You better speak with your two men, General. I don't know the full story, but it is only a minor annoyance and will not interfere with our plans. With the captain's men armed, they will be able to flush out whatever it is on board." He spoke to the captain. "Arm half your men with handguns. The crates are in the first cargo hold. Tell them to be careful."
The captain nodded and exited.
"I want to have a briefing with my men."
"They should be in the mess hall on the next level down," Gregor replied.
"I will return to see how the auction is proceeding." The General exited.
Gregor gently closed the door and stepped towards Lara. "Finally, we are alone."
"Keep your distance," she snarled.
"Really, Lara, is that any way to treat your host? After all I have done for you?"
She roared, "What you have done for me? You kidnapped me! You murdered my friend! Now you are selling me like a slave to the highest bidder! I am supposed to be grateful for all that? You are completely mad!"
"You must understand that was all business and nothing personal. We can still have a relationship. Besides, I kept you alive. Why aren't you thankful for that?"
"You are daft! You are out of your mind! You had your opportunity! I offered myself for Steven's life! Now you think I can have a relationship with you? Get away from me!"
Gregor grabbed her shoulders. "You've got to understand! That was business! I still want you--."
Lara butted her head on his chin.
He winced in pain and staggered back. Blood dripped from his lower lip. He placed a handkerchief on his lip and saw the stain. His jaw tightened.
"Nothing personal!" she quipped.
He rushed towards her and pushed her on the bed.
Her legs were brought up and shoved him across the room.
He bounced off the wall and fell near the aluminum tube. When he stood the tube was in his hand and he began to swing.
She flinched and shielded her face with a shoulder.
In mid-swing he dropped the tube, grabbed her head, and forced a kiss on her lips. After he stopped, she spat on his face.
"Don't you ever touch me again!" she yelled.
He wiped the spittle from his face. "You are in no position to reject my advances."
"Go to hell!"
"Eventually you will see it my way, Lara. Your fate is in my hands, and that is something you will appreciate." He opened the door and looked down the hallway. "Voldo, watch her until I return."
After Gregor left, Voldo entered. He placed the aluminum tube in the office and stood by the bed. "Who did you give the tape cartridge to?" he asked.
She sat up and looked away.
"It doesn't really matter now. I just want to know who confounded our mission at the Galleria."
"You heard the rumor. It was a demon."
He glared at her. "Listen to me. I do not believe in demons or monsters. I deal with facts. Fact is you got away with the only evidence to stop us. Now, whomever you gave it to somehow deciphered it and acted. So... who did you give it to?"
Her eyes lost focus and her vision drifted to the floor. She appeared deep in thought. Then she glanced at Voldo, and looked out the porthole.
* * *
Two sailors stalked the hallways. One was armed with a gun, held up and ready. The other carried a crowbar and nervously looked ahead and behind. At a corner they turned towards the hallway that led to the engine room. They noticed smoke floating from a corner before the engine room door.
"Looks like a fire, Flaco. Go back and get the fire extinguisher."
Flaco dropped the crowbar, scurried around the corner they had turned, and lifted the extinguisher. He ran back, but found the hallway empty.
More smoke came towards him.
"Gordo? Where are you, man?" He peered into the smoke but the filtered light was getting more obscured. "Come on, Gordo. This is not funny, man." He took one step towards the smoke.
A dark shadow materialized.
"Gordo? Is that you?" When no answer came, he walked backwards.
The figured lurched at him from out of the smoke.
"Dios mio!" he screamed, dropped the extinguisher, and bolted for the corner.
A flying crowbar knocked him down.
The dark figure grabbed and dragged the bodies of Flaco and Gordo into the engine room.
* * *
"So, Ravi. What are the numbers now?" asked Gregor. Voldo and General Nyonga watched over his shoulders.
"A few moments ago it barely reached fourteen million, but with the movie clips the bid has been in a frenzy. The Sultan of Bruchei and Sheik Marouk have escalated the price to nineteen million."
They smiled at each other. The General patted Gregor's shoulders.
"Who offered nineteen million?"
"The Sultan... wait, wait! Sheik Marouk has offered twenty-two million!"
The General whispered, "We should close this now!"
"Couple more minutes. Let's see if the Sultan has a counter offer."
"Gregor, I'm waiting for the Sultan to respond... and it doesn't look... wait a minute! He has offered twenty-two and a half million!"
Gregor chuckled and rubbed his hands. Voldo peeked at Lara. She sat on the bed and looked at the floor.
"Ravi, tell them we are going to close the bidding--."
"Hold on, hold on... twenty-six million from Sheik Marouk!"
"Unbelievable!" Gregor grinned. "Any response from the Sultan?"
Ravi paused. "I think that's it for him... yes, he hasn't responded. That's it for him."
"Tell the Sheik to wire half the amount to my private account. The other half can be sent when we deliver. See you in a few days."
"Sheik Marouk wants to talk with you before he does all that."
"Tell him I will call in an hour."
General Nyonga praised, "Gregor, your innovation and quick thinking has astounded me! How did you know she would command such a price?"
He raised his hands and smiled. "What can I say? I'm Elias Gregor! I'm the best there is!"
They all laughed and shook hands.
Gregor motioned to the door. "Come on, gentlemen. Let's celebrate with a bottle of sherry."
The General looked at Lara. "Well, my dear, I may not know much about you, but one thing is for sure, I certainly am glad I met you."
"Better learn my name well, General Nyonga. This will not be the last time we meet," she said.
"Oh, Miss Croft, I already know enough to serve my purpose, and I am quite satisfied with that," he laughed.
Again they congratulated each other as they moved towards the door.
The power went out and the emergency lights illuminated the hallway.
"What's going on?"
Gregor looked about. "I don't know. Let's find out from the captain."
They closed the door and left Lara in the dark room.
* * *
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Lara Croft and Tomb Raider are creations of Adrian Smith for Core Design and Eidos Interactive, and Tomb Raider comics are published by Top Cow Productions, Inc.
Batman and related characters are creations of Bob Kane for Detective Comics, and published by DC Comics Inc.
The characters and incidents featured in this story are entirely fictional. Any similarities to persons living or dead are purely coincidental. To infringe or challenge the copyrights or trademarks of the above is not the intention of this author.
THE EXPOSITION - Part Seven
Lara was plopped on the cot of a small room within the ship. Wrapped in the blanket, she wiggled to a comfortable position. Tape still covered her mouth.
The men stood and watched.
"Do you think the demon will find us on the ship?" asked one.
"Shut up about your demon! You want to frighten us?"
"I know what I saw and I don't feel good about this."
Another spoke, "Maybe she conjured up the demon when we grabbed her. She has been giving us an evil eye."
"Don't be foolish, all of you! She has no special powers!" His face came close to hers. "She is just another weak woman."
Her eyes narrowed and stared.
Silence gripped the room.
The man backed away slowly.
Voldo entered. "Everyone, out of the room. Gregor is coming."
The men exited.
Gregor entered and grinned. "Voldo, my painting. Do you have it?"
"Inside an aluminum tube placed in your cabin."
"Did you give Mr. Slaughter his payment?"
"Yes, I did."
Gregor knelt next to the cot. "Lara, my dear, it is so good to see you again. How was your trip here? Oh, but where are my manners? Let me remove that from your lips." Gently he peeled the tape from her mouth.
"Gregor, what do you want from me?"
"What I have always wanted. You working for me."
"You have a strange way of recruiting people for employment. Do you realize this is kidnapping?"
"To you, it's kidnapping. To me, it's just an extension of our active recruitment policy."
"You wouldn't want me as an employee. I don't take orders very well... and haven't you heard. My demon is coming for me!"
"Oh please, Lara. Get serious. You've visited too many of your fans' websites. Demons, monsters, and witches, oh my." His eyes rolled. "If I believed all what they wrote about you, I'd guess you were Wonder Woman, Rambo, the Terminator, and a sex-starved nymphomaniac all rolled into one." He laughed.
She winced in pain. "Gregor, these bindings are cutting the circulation to my hands."
He looked at Voldo.
Voldo shook his head.
"My associate disagrees if I should allow you to roam freely aboard the ship. Maybe I can shackle you to the bed. That would ease your pain, and satisfy him." He unraveled the blanket and revealed Lara's bare top.
"Where are her clothes?" he screamed. "Voldo, why doesn't she have any clothes?"
Lara shook at the decibel level of his shouting.
Gregor's sudden fury made Voldo's jaw tense. He held up his hands. "I assure you, she has not been touched! Please, come outside and I will explain."
"You better have an excellent explanation for this!" Gregor stomped out of the room.
Voldo closed his eyes and closed the door.
Lara rested on her side and faced the wall. She struggled with the bindings but gained no relief.
A minute passed, and the door opened.
Steven hobbled into the room. "Lara, are you alright?"
She cried, "Steven! What have they done to you?"
"Please don't cry. Please. Don't cry." He limped to the cot and wiped a tear off her soft cheek.
"I was so worried about you! What happened to your leg?"
"Don't worry about me. You should be concerned about yourself." He grabbed his knee and exhaled. "Lara, I'm sorry I got you involved. Gregor is crazy. He wants me to convince you to work for him."
"He's certainly not gaining any points by his methods."
"Let me cover you up." With one hand he unbuttoned his sweat-stained shirt.
"Don't worry about that. Untie my wrists. The bindings hurt so much."
Steven covered her front and tugged at her wrists.
The door swung opened and banged against the wall.
"Get him!" Gregor ordered.
Voldo rushed in and snared Steven with a rope.
Lara bounced on the cot and yelled. "Leave him alone! Leave him alone!"
"Steven, what did I tell you if Miss Croft was involved in all this?" he shouted.
As Steven struggled with the rope around his neck, his face turned red. He sputtered, "Lara, save yourself!" He coughed, gasped for air, and then was dragged out of the room by Voldo.
"What do you want? What do you want in exchange for Steven's life?"
Gregor glared at her. "Fifteen million dollars!"
She froze and furrowed her brow. "Fifteen million? Why?"
"I've got supplies to deliver and no money to pay the supplier! I've got a financial mission that failed and four men from an elite group of an exiled general's army lost! Call it my bereavement settlement!"
Her eyes lowered. "What do you want from me? What do you want me to do? I'll pay you the money! Just tell me what work you want done!"
"Unless you have the money right now, there is nothing you can do!"
She shrieked, "Gregor, I'm giving myself to you! Whatever you want from me, I'm yours! Just let Steven live!" She sat on the edge of the cot; arms behind her, bound feet touched the floor, and chest expanded with each gulp of air. The stained shirt and blanket barely covered her form.
Gregor absorbed the view and paused. "Enticing... but too late."
The door closed behind him.
"You gain nothing by killing him! He is no threat to you! Let him live or I will get you, Gregor! I'll get you if it's the last thing I do!" Her screams rattled the door and shook the walls.
* * *
Adjoining Gregor's cabin was an office area of equal size. It had two small shelves of books and charts, three chairs, a table, and a desk.
Gregor sat at the table and drummed his fingers. A yellow legal pad, with doodles and scribbles, rested in front of him. The word 'ransom' appeared a few times, and one with capital letters was boxed in. Question marks dotted the pad. On the edge was a drawing of a wide-eyed female with braided hair.
Voldo entered, dropped a burlap sack on the table, and sat on the opposite side.
"What's in the bag?" Gregor asked, but looked at the legal pad.
"Golden artifacts from an exhibit room."
He peeked inside, wrote some numbers on the pad, and shook his head. "We need to find some money, fast."
"The captain said the General's submarine is approaching." Voldo folded his hands. "I see you have written 'ransom'. Will you be asking money for the woman?"
"The problem is from whom."
"What about her family?"
"She is independent of her family's fortune. I believe she was disowned or cut-off from their support."
"What about her sponsor for the exhibit, the Wayne Foundation?"
"No! I wouldn't give that jerk, Bruce Wayne, the gratification of sending a ransom for her!"
"Why are you so choosy? If he has the money, why not ask him?"
"You don't understand, Voldo! I want the money now! An electronic transfer to my account now, with verification! Calling someone for a ransom would delay the transfer! Time would be needed for them to collect the money, arrange a drop off point... and they may delay for more time for whatever reason they'd think of. Meanwhile, I have a customer, who is anxious to initiate a coup, waiting for his supplies to be delivered, and every hour there is a delay he looses his window of opportunity... And suppose I request an electronic transfer from them... well, guess what! They'll know whose account it is and who kidnapped Miss Lara Croft!"
Voldo opened his hands. "Who were you going to approach with the objects you had planned to obtain from the Galleria?"
"Members I know on the black market."
"Why not ask them? A woman with her fame must have a price on her head."
Gregor's eyes grew wide. "What a delicious idea! In fact, we could auction her off to the highest bidder! Let me get in touch with Pakistan and tell our connection what we have to offer... And you know what? I'll have him contact some of her enemies as well! This is getting exciting!" He danced to his laptop. "Assemble the satellite dish outside the window!"
"Porthole," Voldo snickered and exited.
* * *
Lara laid on her side and whimpered. Streaks of mascara marked the path of her tears.
Two black-hooded men entered the room. One stood by the door with his arms crossed. The other walked to the cot, untied her wrists, and dropped a white shirt and slacks next to her head.
"Get dressed!"
She sat up, covered her breasts with the white garments, and gazed at the man near the cot. "May I have some privacy?"
"Our orders are not to leave you alone."
She put the large shirt on, rubbed her wrists, and untied her ankles. To regain circulation she waved her feet and shook her hands. The feeling of 'pins and needles' subsided.
"Come on and hurry up. I got to put these things on you." He held out ankle-cuffs and handcuffs.
The slacks were slipped on and fitted perfectly. The drawstring was pulled and tied. She faced the man with the cuffs, looked at the doorway, and snarled. "Oh, hello Gregor."
The men turned and looked at an empty doorway.
A straight right fist was delivered to the head of 'cuffs' man.
He staggered backwards.
A sidekick rammed into his gut.
He flew into the man by the door, and they collapsed.
Her foot crunched the chin of one, and a judo chop crashed on the neck of the other. Their bodies were searched for weapons. A handgun was found.
She inched to the doorway and peered down the hallway.
A sailor appeared with an object in his hand.
The gun was drawn out and aimed.
He darted into a room.
In bare feet, she skipped up the hallway in the opposite direction. At a stairwell, she ascended cautiously to the top.
Footsteps were heard at the bottom of the stairwell.
She left the stairs, dashed down a hallway, and reached a door that led to the main deck. Gently the door was pushed open, and she peeked.
A small congregation of sailors stood twenty yards away.
She went to the opposite end of the hallway and reached another door. It led to a stairwell to the upper level and an outer door to the other side of the main deck. She opened the outer door and peeked.
Another sailor appeared with an object in his hand. The object had a flashing red light.
The gun was aimed.
He ran around a corner.
She closed the door and climbed the stairs. The stairs ended at a door to the ship's bridge. Through the glass she saw two men. One sat in the captain's chair. She burst into the room, and aimed at the man in the chair.
Startled, they stood still.
"Tell your mate to sit down!" she commanded.
He waved to the other man to sit on the floor.
With the barrel of the gun remaining on her target, she locked the door.
Her target seemed unconcerned.
The bridge was a long room with a fixed chair in the middle. A large window faced over the front of the ship. Below the window were the control panel of switches, knobs, gauges, and the ship's wheel. The other end of the bridge was another door leading to a stairwell to another upper level.
Lara stepped behind the man in the chair and grabbed his collar. "I gather you are the captain. Where's the radio room?"
"Next level up," he said in a matter-of-fact way.
"I want to send a distress signal, so let's go! Show me where it is!"
"I am sorry, Senorita, but I cannot do that."
She growled, "Listen, sport, I am not in the mood for any arguments! Now we can do this together, or you and your mate will become spots on the wall before I leave! What will it be?"
The captain replied, "I am so sorry but they will not allow me to do that." He pointed at the locked door.
Lara saw Gregor, Voldo, and 'cuffs' man behind the glass. Outside the bridge window stood a sailor with a camcorder. The blinking red light indicated it was filming her and the captain.
"What are you doing, Lara?" asked Gregor.
She shouted, "Don't come in! Stay where you are!"
"Oh please, Lara. We outnumber you. You can't escape." He snickered, "And where would you go? We are out at sea."
She pushed on the neck of the captain until he bent over his knees, and aimed at the door. "I know where you are going, Gregor! To hell!"
The gun fired.
Gregor folded his arms behind the unbroken glass. "Blanks, Lara. They are all blanks," he sneered. "I needed footage for your upcoming auction. A little teaser to show prospects I have the genuine article, and what better way than by videotaping you in action."
She fired two more times.
He laughed and shook his head. "Give it up, Lara. You're not going to win."
'Cuffs' man forced the door open and charged.
She pushed the captain to the floor and stood behind the chair. The gun was thrown at the charging assailant.
His forearm blocked his head and knocked down the gun. He reached over the chair and grabbed her shoulder.
Pivoting backwards, she pulled his arm and flipped him on his back.
Quickly he rolled over and placed his hands on the floor.
A kick on the chin caused him to crumble.
Lara whirled and lunged at Gregor.
Voldo snared her in mid-flight, yanked a rope around her neck, and kept her off balance.
With hands about the rope she struggled and stumbled.
Voldo tugged until she fell to the floor.
Her faced turned red, and she gasped for air.
"Don't hurt her! I need her alive and presentable," commanded Gregor.
Voldo took the handcuffs from 'cuffs' man's unconscious body. Her wrists were forced behind her back and cuffed. He lifted her up. "Don't try anything--."
A crescent kick landed on the side of his head.
Voldo tumbled sideways into the bridge's control panel.
A back kick popped into Gregor's groin.
Gregor doubled over and fell on his rear. He gulped for air.
Swiftly she moved over Gregor and raised a leg to stomp on him.
The captain tugged the rope.
Lara fell on her back.
The mate sat on her legs and the captain fastened the ankle-cuffs.
She wiggled and yelled, "I'll get you, Gregor! I'll get you!"
After she appeared to have settled the captain and mate stood and stepped away.
Voldo lifted her up and tightly held the rope around her neck, and whispered, "Try anything like that again, and you will follow your friend into the ocean."
Lara struggled for a moment until Gregor stood up. He was bent slightly forward.
"Did you get all that on tape?" he asked.
The sailor with the camcorder nodded.
"Good. Take her to my room," he groaned.
She was forced through the door and down the stairs.
Gregor leaned against the wall and looked at the captain. "Thanks for your help."
"Senor Gregor, I think she will be trouble for you."
"I love a challenge." He smiled and turned to leave.
"Senor, a party from the submarine has boarded, but another boat is approaching the ship."
"How big is it?"
"The size of a powerboat."
"Maybe the General's men have escaped and found a way to get here," Gregor wondered. "Captain, it could be nothing but have some of your men investigate it. I'll be in my room."
* * *
A tall, stout, dark man, with glittering ribbons and medals on his uniform, approached Gregor and extended his hand. His spectacles glinted the light from the hallway.
"Welcome aboard, General," Gregor shook his hand.
"Am I getting my weapons, Gregor?" he harrumphed.
"Wait until you see how you're going to purchase them." Gregor walked gingerly down the hall.
"What's wrong with your back?"
Gregor ignored the question and opened the door to his cabin.
The General entered and saw Lara on the bed.
She stood and greeted. "General Nyonga."
"And who may you be that requires these bracelets for restraining?"
"Lara Croft. I would have greeted in a manner you deserve had I not been restrained and tethered to the bedframe."
"From your tone I gather you are not a fan of mine."
"Not for a professional butcher. You were exiled from the Kingdom of Lesotho for your barbarianism, and you vowed to return in triumph."
"And that will happen! I plan to remove the monarchy, and his established government, renew the name Basutoland and control it as president-for-life."
"South Africa will not allow it! They consider you a villain and an enemy of the state! You will not be able to reach Lesotho without a confrontation with them!"
"There are factions in South Africa loyal to me. I am not worried about that." He turned to Gregor. "Why am I talking to this woman about these things?"
"General, this woman is the ticket to your weapon supplies, and more! She is a world famous archaeologist and adventurer. Because of her notoriety, she is worth a lot of money. I contacted a list of her enemies and plan to auction her off to the highest bidder. Come over to my office--."
"What happened to the original mission you had planned? The burglary of the exhibits at the Galleria?"
"Bottom line... it failed... but this is a better idea! Look over here. I've contacted my man in Pakistan." Gregor moved to the office and opened his laptop. "Ravi, how are we doing?"
A thin dark skinned man with short black hair appeared on the screen. "Stalled at twelve million. They are skeptical you actually have her in your possession. Did you send the movie clips?"
"Sent an e-mail with a list of attachments fifteen minutes ago. Who has the highest bid?"
"Sheik Marouk al-Khalid from Oman... but the kingdoms from Southeast Asia just got involved. They are waiting for proof you have her before they bid."
"What about Saddam, the wacky Iraqi?"
"He doesn't want to get involved. He can handle the United States attacking his country, but he wants no confrontation with Lara Croft. He said that would be the mother of all battles. However, he did forward his business card if we were interested in chemical weapons at a bargain price."
Gregor chuckled. "Ravi, let the potential buyers know if they want live pictures, I'll get it for them, but nothing kinky. Check back with you in thirty minutes."
General Nyonga gazed at Lara. "I fail to see how she could be worth that much. What about the original mission? And where are my men?"
"Like I said, the mission failed... and only two of your men are functional--."
The captain of the ship entered, "I need a cache of your weapons to give to my men!"
Puzzled, Gregor asked, "What's the problem?"
"Senor, three men investigated the approaching boat but did not report back. I directed two more men to find where they are. They do not respond to my page and have also disappeared. Now the rumor has spread among my men that this woman has conjured a demon and it is taking revenge on us. Half of them want to abandon ship."
"That's ridiculous! Whoever heard of a demon operating a boat?"
"It's not as strange as you may think, Gregor. I have encountered stranger things in my travels," needled Lara. She turned and looked through the porthole.
"Who started this rumor about a demon?" demanded General Nyonga.
"You better speak with your two men, General. I don't know the full story, but it is only a minor annoyance and will not interfere with our plans. With the captain's men armed, they will be able to flush out whatever it is on board." He spoke to the captain. "Arm half your men with handguns. The crates are in the first cargo hold. Tell them to be careful."
The captain nodded and exited.
"I want to have a briefing with my men."
"They should be in the mess hall on the next level down," Gregor replied.
"I will return to see how the auction is proceeding." The General exited.
Gregor gently closed the door and stepped towards Lara. "Finally, we are alone."
"Keep your distance," she snarled.
"Really, Lara, is that any way to treat your host? After all I have done for you?"
She roared, "What you have done for me? You kidnapped me! You murdered my friend! Now you are selling me like a slave to the highest bidder! I am supposed to be grateful for all that? You are completely mad!"
"You must understand that was all business and nothing personal. We can still have a relationship. Besides, I kept you alive. Why aren't you thankful for that?"
"You are daft! You are out of your mind! You had your opportunity! I offered myself for Steven's life! Now you think I can have a relationship with you? Get away from me!"
Gregor grabbed her shoulders. "You've got to understand! That was business! I still want you--."
Lara butted her head on his chin.
He winced in pain and staggered back. Blood dripped from his lower lip. He placed a handkerchief on his lip and saw the stain. His jaw tightened.
"Nothing personal!" she quipped.
He rushed towards her and pushed her on the bed.
Her legs were brought up and shoved him across the room.
He bounced off the wall and fell near the aluminum tube. When he stood the tube was in his hand and he began to swing.
She flinched and shielded her face with a shoulder.
In mid-swing he dropped the tube, grabbed her head, and forced a kiss on her lips. After he stopped, she spat on his face.
"Don't you ever touch me again!" she yelled.
He wiped the spittle from his face. "You are in no position to reject my advances."
"Go to hell!"
"Eventually you will see it my way, Lara. Your fate is in my hands, and that is something you will appreciate." He opened the door and looked down the hallway. "Voldo, watch her until I return."
After Gregor left, Voldo entered. He placed the aluminum tube in the office and stood by the bed. "Who did you give the tape cartridge to?" he asked.
She sat up and looked away.
"It doesn't really matter now. I just want to know who confounded our mission at the Galleria."
"You heard the rumor. It was a demon."
He glared at her. "Listen to me. I do not believe in demons or monsters. I deal with facts. Fact is you got away with the only evidence to stop us. Now, whomever you gave it to somehow deciphered it and acted. So... who did you give it to?"
Her eyes lost focus and her vision drifted to the floor. She appeared deep in thought. Then she glanced at Voldo, and looked out the porthole.
* * *
Two sailors stalked the hallways. One was armed with a gun, held up and ready. The other carried a crowbar and nervously looked ahead and behind. At a corner they turned towards the hallway that led to the engine room. They noticed smoke floating from a corner before the engine room door.
"Looks like a fire, Flaco. Go back and get the fire extinguisher."
Flaco dropped the crowbar, scurried around the corner they had turned, and lifted the extinguisher. He ran back, but found the hallway empty.
More smoke came towards him.
"Gordo? Where are you, man?" He peered into the smoke but the filtered light was getting more obscured. "Come on, Gordo. This is not funny, man." He took one step towards the smoke.
A dark shadow materialized.
"Gordo? Is that you?" When no answer came, he walked backwards.
The figured lurched at him from out of the smoke.
"Dios mio!" he screamed, dropped the extinguisher, and bolted for the corner.
A flying crowbar knocked him down.
The dark figure grabbed and dragged the bodies of Flaco and Gordo into the engine room.
* * *
"So, Ravi. What are the numbers now?" asked Gregor. Voldo and General Nyonga watched over his shoulders.
"A few moments ago it barely reached fourteen million, but with the movie clips the bid has been in a frenzy. The Sultan of Bruchei and Sheik Marouk have escalated the price to nineteen million."
They smiled at each other. The General patted Gregor's shoulders.
"Who offered nineteen million?"
"The Sultan... wait, wait! Sheik Marouk has offered twenty-two million!"
The General whispered, "We should close this now!"
"Couple more minutes. Let's see if the Sultan has a counter offer."
"Gregor, I'm waiting for the Sultan to respond... and it doesn't look... wait a minute! He has offered twenty-two and a half million!"
Gregor chuckled and rubbed his hands. Voldo peeked at Lara. She sat on the bed and looked at the floor.
"Ravi, tell them we are going to close the bidding--."
"Hold on, hold on... twenty-six million from Sheik Marouk!"
"Unbelievable!" Gregor grinned. "Any response from the Sultan?"
Ravi paused. "I think that's it for him... yes, he hasn't responded. That's it for him."
"Tell the Sheik to wire half the amount to my private account. The other half can be sent when we deliver. See you in a few days."
"Sheik Marouk wants to talk with you before he does all that."
"Tell him I will call in an hour."
General Nyonga praised, "Gregor, your innovation and quick thinking has astounded me! How did you know she would command such a price?"
He raised his hands and smiled. "What can I say? I'm Elias Gregor! I'm the best there is!"
They all laughed and shook hands.
Gregor motioned to the door. "Come on, gentlemen. Let's celebrate with a bottle of sherry."
The General looked at Lara. "Well, my dear, I may not know much about you, but one thing is for sure, I certainly am glad I met you."
"Better learn my name well, General Nyonga. This will not be the last time we meet," she said.
"Oh, Miss Croft, I already know enough to serve my purpose, and I am quite satisfied with that," he laughed.
Again they congratulated each other as they moved towards the door.
The power went out and the emergency lights illuminated the hallway.
"What's going on?"
Gregor looked about. "I don't know. Let's find out from the captain."
They closed the door and left Lara in the dark room.
* * *
(TO BE CONTINUED)