by Roaming Tigress and Shelley Inks, creator of Keleen Vanderchill
Chapter Sixteen:
The Interruption
It was midmorning when Keleen met up with Javert in F.O.W.L's cafeteria. The young male duck had a twist to his already evil idea -- if Keleen is to befriend Steelbeak, he'd have to have an idea behind it. After all, friends don't become friends for no reason. If they were to take over, and succeed, perhaps he can persuade the she-duck to take pity upon the rooster.
Rumour had it that the new High Commanders were on their way to make St. Canard their turf. If Javert had anything to do with it, now would be the time to get the rightful employers back on duty.
"My mother's been fretful lately," he said with a weary sigh, sitting down next to Keleen with a cranberry muffin and a cup of coffee. "Her health really hasn't been ze best, she's expected to undergo a second surgery for her back. I do hate seeing her mope. She is such a proud woman."
"Can you blame her? My father's hand still doesn't work right," Keleen growled, taking a sip out of her coffee. "I must admit I did feel a little sorry for that pitiful Steelbeak last night. He seemed so . . . I don't know, helpless. He was like a hurt child who fell from his bike."
"Very pathetic is a way to put it," Javert scoffed, tripping a passing agent with a trayful of food. "Did he cry and beg for his mommy?"
"Well, not quite, but I could tell he was afraid of me," she explained with a light chuckle, finishing off her drink. "Yet, he was friendly, almost sweet, at the same time. I can't quite describe it, but how can anyone be courteous with anyone who had just stabbed you in the back with a shard of ice?"
"He was being a sap is what he was being," Javert answered with arrogance, rolling his eyes. "A proper villain acts like a villain, all ze time. None of zis cuddly, sweet stuff. It just ruins ze reputation if any outside information got out! Very improper."
"I wouldn't be so quick to call him a sap, Jav . . ." Keleen told him warningly, not forgetting last night's drama. "If I hadn't' been there - - "
"Nonsense!" Javert laughed, slamming his coffee cup down onto the table. "He just happened to take hold of me when I least expected it. I would've got out of his grasp if I got hold of my pen knife."
"If you say so!" Keleen shook her head, chuckling inwardly. "Gives me another reason to like you. You're so confident, so sure of yourself, maybe a bit too much sometimes but you're very smart. Those are rare qualities, there."
Javert basked in the praise, holding his head up high as he stood up and started to walk out the cafeteria. Just before he headed out, he looked back at Keleen with a flirtative wink.
"Oui . . . whoever said Steelbeak is the only one around here who has both brains and brawn? I'm not sure about you, but I'm ready for a little action today. My mother and your father will be getting their jobs back if it is ze last thing I do!"
As endearing as she found his eagerness, Keleen was concerned for his safety. He nearly had his neck broken, what worse could happen next? She stood up as he marched out, and stepped out, blocking his path.
"Keleen, as much as I really like you - - "
"Y-You do?" Keleen asked nervously, a nervous catch to her voice. "You like me, more zen, er, then just another someone here?"
"Yes." Javert replied in a sincere tone, nodding once. "I like you more than just another agent. Now, I have got to take care of something . . . "
"I won't let you go at this whole revenge business alone, Javert," Keleen told him, still not letting him past. "It's just too dangerous. I'd hate you to be hurt, or worse . . . "
Javert raised an eyebrow, looking back at her direction. "Why not? I've killed before. This time I have my gun with me. Nothing could go wrong!"
"What about if they have backup? What about security?" Keleen asked, gripping hold of his sleeve. "I don't want to see you get killed."
Women sure are forceful at what zey want. With a groan, Javert gave into her persistence. "All right, all right. You can come along."
"I knew you'd give in eventually," she smirked, giving him a quick kiss on the bill. "When we're done with the slaughter, lets say we hit the bars. I know just the one to head to first."
"After a brief visit with the taxidermist!" Javert added, placing an arm around Keleen's waist. "A grim girl is hard to find zese days."
"I can imagine . . . " Keleen murmured, shutting her eyes at the feel of his hands around her lithe body. "All that censorship these days, it's amazing you can still see beer commercials!"
Not far away, behind closed doors of the High Command Chamber, Steelbeak and Victoria were preparing for an all-out terrorization on downtown St. Canard. The troops of Eggmen were already being sent out for scouting duties, and all that needed to be done was to give the agents their assignments. From there, it was only a matter of time until F.O.W.L was one step ahead of world domination.
"We're gonna hit de police and fire stations foist, den take care o' de governmental figures. If de FBI or Dipwing try ta intervene, our boys will 'it 'em so fast dat dey'll be blasting bullets outta deir butts!" Steelbeak crooned, throwing a dart at a target of Darkwing Duck.
Sitting on the rooster's lap was a most comfortable looking Victoria, resting her head against his chest. Both avians were sipping white wine, and both looked more than happy with themselves. After all, it's not every day that one can overthrow the mayor, destroy the proper authorities, and take over a metropolitan city.
"Sounds fab to me, I especially like the idea of destroying the fire station!" Victoria spoke out with great enthusiasm, enthralled with finally getting rid of the bane of her existence.
"I knew yas would love it! " Steelbeak smirked, pouring a little more wine into their glasses. "'ere's a toast to our success at de Fiendish Organization fer Woild Larceny!"
Down a dark hallway, Javert pulled out his handgun. There was no telling who or what was lurking about, and for him it was better to shoot and ask questions later. He took aim for a security camera, and shot the lens off. He kissed his gun and placed it back in his hip holster.
"Nice shot, handsome," Keleen said quietly, following him as he approached a heavy steel door. "I like a man who can handle his weapons well . . . "
"How could you not?" Javert asked, waggling an eyebrow at his companion's sauciness. "When we're done, zere is something I must tell you!"
On the door was a sign stating "No Trespassing Beyond This Point." Javert took one look at this sign and clicked his tongue against the roof of his bill.
"People zese days . . . "
With a snort, Keleen ripped the sign off the door and broke it with her knee. What was left of the sign was tossed over her right shoulder, accidentally hitting Javert in the head with one piece. "We're not doing any trespassing. We're just a couple of disgruntled F.O.W.L employees looking to get a few rightful jobs back!"
"When you throw things, you have better aim than my shot!" Javert whined, rubbing his forehead. "Zat hurt like somezing else!"
"Awww, I'm sorry, did I give you a boo-boo?" Keleen asked with mock concern, holding back a laugh. "Want me to kiss it better?"
With a smile, Javert placed a finger under Keleen's bill and looked her in the eye. "How about after our little take over? I think I'll really deserve one after zat!"
"Fine by me!" Keleen cheerfully responded, elbowing him in the ribs. "Anyway, are we going in or are we just going to stand here talking?"
Had Steelbeak and Victoria been not so involved in their plot, they might have heard the muffled voices of the two fellow F.O.W.L workers. They had given out orders to the agents, and were now busily following their progress.
"By crikey, I sure whipped those Eggman into shape!" Remarked Victoria, watching their action from a webcam that had been attached to one of their helmets.
"Dat youse 'ad, 'Tori!" Steelbeak beamed, giving her a quick noogie. "It's all about yer spirit, babe. All dey needed was proper leadership, and youse gave it to 'em."
Ever quietly, Javert opened the metal door and stepped inside. Keleen followed in closely, and both stood absolutely still as the High Commanders were busily typing in data on their laptops. They were still too heavily into their work that they didn't notice the audible squeak of the shoes or the footsteps of their boots.
Javert advanced slowly, pointing his gun in their direction. There was a cruel, twisted grin on his face, and he fired just above their heads. It was enough to startle them and to make them turn around in their swivel chairs.
"We hope we haven't interrupted anything important. I just hope you are enjoying your new positions!"
With a defiant stare, Steelbeak protectively stood in front of Victoria. He knew the reason why Javert was here, and he readied himself for the fight of his lifetime.
"I will not go down wit'out a fair fight."