Part 22: The Final Mission
"Bob, What's going on?" Clover demanded, pulling away from Mandy and climbing to her feet quickly with a stunned look on her face.
"I told you I'd do some checking." Bob replied with a slight smirk. "Turns out you were right. There were huge pieces of data missing from the WOOHP files, but after digging through about three dozen different institutions' databases I found all the evidence I needed that something was crooked around there."
"So what are we going to do about it?" Clover approached him quickly, brushing herself off. Mandy stood up on her side of the bars, though Alex was still asleep in the dark night that still held sway outside.
"The U.C. is currently holding a peace summit. The queen intends to crash it and expose President Carter's plans in front of all the countries of the world." Bob replied. Clover whistled appreciatively.
"That's pretty gutsy for an old bat." Clover stated.
"Glad you approve." Bob smirked.
"So what do you want us to do exactly?" Clover asked.
"The queen would like you three to accompany her as official bodyguards and make sure nobody tries anything funny... temporarily, of course." Bob said.
Clover looked over at Mandy, who nodded her consent. She knew Alex would agree to it. Alex was as kind-hearted and righteous as anybody she'd ever known. She would do anything to keep the world safe. "Okay, we'll do it. Just point us in the right direction."
Preparations were swift. The meeting would only last so long, so they had to be there in very short order. Even so, they had to look the part; so all three girls got new wardrobes while they were under the employ of the Queen of England. Clover pulled on a bright red and blood red bodysuit with silver stitches running along the sides of her body, arms, and legs alike.
Alex received a similar bodysuit in dark yellow and gold, but she was also given back the gadgets they'd taken from her for the duration of their prison stay. So she also had her old heart-shaped backpack slung across her shoulders, making her look like her old WOOHP self with a slightly different color scheme. Plus she was wearing the Electro-Magnetic Bracelet on her wrist.
Mandy was given a black and dark silver bodysuit, with dark gold stitches running along her sides. When she emerged from the dressing rooms and Clover saw her, she was floored fairly quickly. The silver was of such a high quality it practically glowed when the lightning struck through the rain that had been pouring off and on for the last several days.
"Why do YOU get the fancy outfit?" Clover muttered.
"Hey, give the best suit to the best girl." Mandy smiled jokingly and flipped her hair back in a seductive manner. Clover smiled back slightly then took a step back, looking around at the new team she'd found herself a part of. They stared back with a bit of amusement, but mostly determination shining in their eyes.
"Remember girls. This is serious business. No more funny business, no more emotional distress, no more conflicts. If we fail here, the queen could die, and the world is screwed. So focus." Clover reminded them gravely, putting her hands on her hips.
"We got it Clover." Mandy smirked. "Now are we going to do this or not?" Alex smiled slightly and looked back at Clover, who shook her head in amazement at how much Mandy had changed. She knew it was best to keep her emotions from rising... but it was hard. Her old rival had become one of them... a spy, though not for WOOHP. And she'd become... something to Clover.
"Mandy..." Clover began.
"Nuh-uh. No emotions remember?" Mandy wiggled her finger at her reproachfully. "We'll talk after we bring down the bastard who put us through all this." Clover stared at her for a moment, then nodded. Alex watched the exchange with a confused look on her face, but didn't comment.
When they were ready, they turned to walk into the main hall where the queen and her entourage were already waiting for them.
"Are you girls ready for this? You have to keep a constant vigil against any threats." Bob reminded them.
"We know our job. Let's just do it." Clover turned to walk out into the pouring rain, ignoring the lightning that flashed ominously overhead. She could hear Mandy and Alex following behind her, all of them paying no mind as they got soaked to the bone within seconds. There was no more time for moping or powerful emotions. It was time to blow this all wide open, and hope that no desperate triggers were pulled in the process.
The rain continued unabated even as they neared the U.C. building in their jet, where all the leaders of the world gathered to discuss matters of war and politics. Clover clenched her fist, knowing Sam was down there somewhere, free while she was sure Clover was locked in some damn prison somewhere. She calmed slightly when she felt Mandy grab her shoulder. She looked over at her.
"Calm down... everything will be fine." Mandy assured her softly. Clover gulped and nodded, though she was hardly reassured.
The jet landed in front of the building, and everyone piled out. "We'll keep watch for anything suspicious from the roof." Clover stated. Bob and the Queen nodded as Alex pulled out her Eyelash Curler Catapults and set them on the ground. Each girl took a set and used them to spring up toward the top of the building through the rain.
They landed easily and walked across it to the glass dome, through which they could monitor all of the proceedings in the building. The rain was annoying, and they couldn't hear anything through the glass, but at least if anything really bad happened they could see it.
Clover's eyes scanned the crowd until she spotted Sam, Brittany and Madison sitting in the spectator's seats. Madison was sitting on Sam's lap, a sight that seemed to infuriate Mandy, but Clover reminded her with a touch that they had a job to do and she let it go. They went back to watching for anything suspicious right up until the queen barged in through the double doors at the front of the room.
They watched her march down the isle between the seats of all the leaders and representatives of the world, speaking surely and grandly. Several other leaders looked stunned, including the British Prime Minister. But for all the commotion that was erupting inside the building, they didn't see anything that looked threatening. Maybe they'd managed to catch Chambers completely off guard?
Clover growled as the President of the United States of America rose to his feet and started to speak, gesturing grandly to the gathered crowd. The others all watched him as he turned and walked toward the exit in the back of the room. Clover's eyes narrowed in distrust as he turned back to the others, raising his arms to his sides. He bowed deeply, bringing one arm across his stomach.
Suddenly a bomb detonated in the middle of the room, the flames searing through flesh and bone as if it was paper. Even the three spies on the roof were thrown off their feet as the skylight shattered, throwing sparkling glass shards through the air as lightning struck very close by, as if signaling the coming of the disaster.
"Shit!" Clover screamed and rushed to the edge of the broken skylight. Screams of fear and pain were erupting from below as panic set into the crowd. A huge section of the room was blackened and still burning, everything from desks to people. President Chambers seemed to have disappeared into the door he'd been inching toward before.
"Alex, we need to get down there now!" Clover shouted over the rain. Alex nodded and pulled out her Expandable Cable Bungee Belt, shooting it out to wrap around the steel beam that normally supported the skylight. Clover grabbed her around the waist and they swung down, descending rapidly into the chaos where they landed on one of the blackened desks.
"Alex, find President Chambers while I find the queen!" Clover shouted over the roar of the flames, the shouting of the crowd and the flash of thunder now pouring in from outside. Alex nodded and ran for the door in the back of the room while Clover jumped from desk to desk, looking everywhere she could for the queen.
"Clover!" Clover stopped suddenly, clenching her fists at her sides. "What the Hell do you think you're doing? Aren't you supposed to be in prison? Thought you'd come kill every leader the world has?" Sam growled, clenching her one remaining fist at her side. Clover turned fully toward her, narrowing her eyes dangerously. Sam was still wearing her green WOOHP uniform, despite the fact that a bandage replaced her right hand.
"I'm through trying to convince you of anything Sam." Clover growled, her eyes staring into Sam's. "If you want to try to fight me, then bring it on." She dropped into a crouch, holding her fists in front of her expertly. Sam smirked and walked toward her slowly. It was a deceptive move, Clover knew Sam was watching for her to make the first strike.
Suddenly Sam lunged, whirling and lashing out with one of her long legs. Clover jumped off the table she was standing on, sweeping one leg across it to take out Sam's legs, but she leapt straight into the air to avoid it, slamming her heel into Clover's forehead. Clover's back slammed into another desk, and she barely rolled out of the way to avoid another massive kick.
Clover whirled and aimed a punch for Sam's jaw, but she leaned back to avoid it, letting it sail by right in front of her face. She kicked her leg up, slamming it into Clover's nose and sending her stumbling back. Sam leapt forward with another kick, burying it into her stomach before slamming her heel into her face.
Clover rolled back across the desk she was leaning against, hitting the floor with a heavy thud. She pushed herself to her hands knees, shaking her head in disbelief. Even without both her hands, Sam was a damn good fighter. But she was still at a handicap, no matter how fast she was or how hard she trained.
Clover rolled to her feet as Sam jumped over the desk to reach her, lashing out with another sharp kick. Clover clasped her hands together and slammed them into her ankle like a club, knocking her leg out of the way and lunging forward. Her fists slammed into Sam's face, pushing her back until she was forced to bring her arms up to block.
Clover swung her fist in a wide arc, slamming it right into her severed wrist. Sam howled in pain and stumbled back against a desk. Clover had expected it to be a stunning blow, but Sam lunged back up instantly, her entire body charged with adrenaline. Her legs whirled with a speed and grace that would make Bruce Lee envious.
Clover ducked and weaved through her kicks, barely dodging each strike until she felt one of the many flames left by the bomb licking at her back. She ducked one more kick, lunging forward and slamming her shoulder into Sam's stomach. She ran with all her strength, carrying them both up against a far desk underneath the destroyed skylight, where glass and rain was glittering on the floor. They both flew over it as it collapsed, showing them both with splinters as they sprawled out on the floor. They climbed to their feet again, facing each other.
Sam lunged for her with a dark howl and Clover met the charge with one of her own, running as fast as she could. They both leapt into the air under the skylight as a lightning strike flashed through the hole in the roof. Clover brought her leg up, barely straightening herself out to avoid Sam's kick. Clover's foot slammed into Sam's face, knocking it back as she fell toward the ground.
Clover whirled and landed in a crouch while Sam slammed into the floor on her back, groaning as the glass shards cut into her back. Clover climbed to her feet, panting and staring down at her former friend. There was a strange satisfaction in this... but she didn't have time to dwell on that feeling. She had to find the queen and make sure she was alright. Everything here hinged on the queen revealing President Chamber's plan to the world.
"Your Highness!" Clover looked around desperately. It looked like the rest of the world leaders had already fled the building, leaving behind only the charred remains of those who had been too close to the blast to escape. Thankfully, none of them looked like the queen, so she must have escaped with the others.
"Ragh!" Sam leapt on her from behind, wrapping her right elbow around her throat and pulling it tight with her remaining hand. Clover stumbled back in surprise, being held against Sam's chest so she could keep her leverage. "Enough Clover... you've done enough damage..." Sam growled darkly.
"Sam..." Clover growled, clutching at the arm around her throat. "Didn't you listen... didn't you listen to what the Queen of England said?" Clover demanded. "I'm innocent!"
"Shut up!" There was a tinge of desperation and madness in Sam's voice. She wasn't going to listen... Captain Ahab had already painted her as the white whale in her mind. The truth no longer mattered, it seemed important to her sanity that Clover be thought of as guilty.
"Fine... to the finish then!" Clover gripped the stump of Sam's severed hand tightly in her own. A piercing scream erupted from Sam's throat as her grip loosened, allowing Clover to whirl and throw another punch right at her face.
TO BE CONTINUED
"Bob, What's going on?" Clover demanded, pulling away from Mandy and climbing to her feet quickly with a stunned look on her face.
"I told you I'd do some checking." Bob replied with a slight smirk. "Turns out you were right. There were huge pieces of data missing from the WOOHP files, but after digging through about three dozen different institutions' databases I found all the evidence I needed that something was crooked around there."
"So what are we going to do about it?" Clover approached him quickly, brushing herself off. Mandy stood up on her side of the bars, though Alex was still asleep in the dark night that still held sway outside.
"The U.C. is currently holding a peace summit. The queen intends to crash it and expose President Carter's plans in front of all the countries of the world." Bob replied. Clover whistled appreciatively.
"That's pretty gutsy for an old bat." Clover stated.
"Glad you approve." Bob smirked.
"So what do you want us to do exactly?" Clover asked.
"The queen would like you three to accompany her as official bodyguards and make sure nobody tries anything funny... temporarily, of course." Bob said.
Clover looked over at Mandy, who nodded her consent. She knew Alex would agree to it. Alex was as kind-hearted and righteous as anybody she'd ever known. She would do anything to keep the world safe. "Okay, we'll do it. Just point us in the right direction."
Preparations were swift. The meeting would only last so long, so they had to be there in very short order. Even so, they had to look the part; so all three girls got new wardrobes while they were under the employ of the Queen of England. Clover pulled on a bright red and blood red bodysuit with silver stitches running along the sides of her body, arms, and legs alike.
Alex received a similar bodysuit in dark yellow and gold, but she was also given back the gadgets they'd taken from her for the duration of their prison stay. So she also had her old heart-shaped backpack slung across her shoulders, making her look like her old WOOHP self with a slightly different color scheme. Plus she was wearing the Electro-Magnetic Bracelet on her wrist.
Mandy was given a black and dark silver bodysuit, with dark gold stitches running along her sides. When she emerged from the dressing rooms and Clover saw her, she was floored fairly quickly. The silver was of such a high quality it practically glowed when the lightning struck through the rain that had been pouring off and on for the last several days.
"Why do YOU get the fancy outfit?" Clover muttered.
"Hey, give the best suit to the best girl." Mandy smiled jokingly and flipped her hair back in a seductive manner. Clover smiled back slightly then took a step back, looking around at the new team she'd found herself a part of. They stared back with a bit of amusement, but mostly determination shining in their eyes.
"Remember girls. This is serious business. No more funny business, no more emotional distress, no more conflicts. If we fail here, the queen could die, and the world is screwed. So focus." Clover reminded them gravely, putting her hands on her hips.
"We got it Clover." Mandy smirked. "Now are we going to do this or not?" Alex smiled slightly and looked back at Clover, who shook her head in amazement at how much Mandy had changed. She knew it was best to keep her emotions from rising... but it was hard. Her old rival had become one of them... a spy, though not for WOOHP. And she'd become... something to Clover.
"Mandy..." Clover began.
"Nuh-uh. No emotions remember?" Mandy wiggled her finger at her reproachfully. "We'll talk after we bring down the bastard who put us through all this." Clover stared at her for a moment, then nodded. Alex watched the exchange with a confused look on her face, but didn't comment.
When they were ready, they turned to walk into the main hall where the queen and her entourage were already waiting for them.
"Are you girls ready for this? You have to keep a constant vigil against any threats." Bob reminded them.
"We know our job. Let's just do it." Clover turned to walk out into the pouring rain, ignoring the lightning that flashed ominously overhead. She could hear Mandy and Alex following behind her, all of them paying no mind as they got soaked to the bone within seconds. There was no more time for moping or powerful emotions. It was time to blow this all wide open, and hope that no desperate triggers were pulled in the process.
The rain continued unabated even as they neared the U.C. building in their jet, where all the leaders of the world gathered to discuss matters of war and politics. Clover clenched her fist, knowing Sam was down there somewhere, free while she was sure Clover was locked in some damn prison somewhere. She calmed slightly when she felt Mandy grab her shoulder. She looked over at her.
"Calm down... everything will be fine." Mandy assured her softly. Clover gulped and nodded, though she was hardly reassured.
The jet landed in front of the building, and everyone piled out. "We'll keep watch for anything suspicious from the roof." Clover stated. Bob and the Queen nodded as Alex pulled out her Eyelash Curler Catapults and set them on the ground. Each girl took a set and used them to spring up toward the top of the building through the rain.
They landed easily and walked across it to the glass dome, through which they could monitor all of the proceedings in the building. The rain was annoying, and they couldn't hear anything through the glass, but at least if anything really bad happened they could see it.
Clover's eyes scanned the crowd until she spotted Sam, Brittany and Madison sitting in the spectator's seats. Madison was sitting on Sam's lap, a sight that seemed to infuriate Mandy, but Clover reminded her with a touch that they had a job to do and she let it go. They went back to watching for anything suspicious right up until the queen barged in through the double doors at the front of the room.
They watched her march down the isle between the seats of all the leaders and representatives of the world, speaking surely and grandly. Several other leaders looked stunned, including the British Prime Minister. But for all the commotion that was erupting inside the building, they didn't see anything that looked threatening. Maybe they'd managed to catch Chambers completely off guard?
Clover growled as the President of the United States of America rose to his feet and started to speak, gesturing grandly to the gathered crowd. The others all watched him as he turned and walked toward the exit in the back of the room. Clover's eyes narrowed in distrust as he turned back to the others, raising his arms to his sides. He bowed deeply, bringing one arm across his stomach.
Suddenly a bomb detonated in the middle of the room, the flames searing through flesh and bone as if it was paper. Even the three spies on the roof were thrown off their feet as the skylight shattered, throwing sparkling glass shards through the air as lightning struck very close by, as if signaling the coming of the disaster.
"Shit!" Clover screamed and rushed to the edge of the broken skylight. Screams of fear and pain were erupting from below as panic set into the crowd. A huge section of the room was blackened and still burning, everything from desks to people. President Chambers seemed to have disappeared into the door he'd been inching toward before.
"Alex, we need to get down there now!" Clover shouted over the rain. Alex nodded and pulled out her Expandable Cable Bungee Belt, shooting it out to wrap around the steel beam that normally supported the skylight. Clover grabbed her around the waist and they swung down, descending rapidly into the chaos where they landed on one of the blackened desks.
"Alex, find President Chambers while I find the queen!" Clover shouted over the roar of the flames, the shouting of the crowd and the flash of thunder now pouring in from outside. Alex nodded and ran for the door in the back of the room while Clover jumped from desk to desk, looking everywhere she could for the queen.
"Clover!" Clover stopped suddenly, clenching her fists at her sides. "What the Hell do you think you're doing? Aren't you supposed to be in prison? Thought you'd come kill every leader the world has?" Sam growled, clenching her one remaining fist at her side. Clover turned fully toward her, narrowing her eyes dangerously. Sam was still wearing her green WOOHP uniform, despite the fact that a bandage replaced her right hand.
"I'm through trying to convince you of anything Sam." Clover growled, her eyes staring into Sam's. "If you want to try to fight me, then bring it on." She dropped into a crouch, holding her fists in front of her expertly. Sam smirked and walked toward her slowly. It was a deceptive move, Clover knew Sam was watching for her to make the first strike.
Suddenly Sam lunged, whirling and lashing out with one of her long legs. Clover jumped off the table she was standing on, sweeping one leg across it to take out Sam's legs, but she leapt straight into the air to avoid it, slamming her heel into Clover's forehead. Clover's back slammed into another desk, and she barely rolled out of the way to avoid another massive kick.
Clover whirled and aimed a punch for Sam's jaw, but she leaned back to avoid it, letting it sail by right in front of her face. She kicked her leg up, slamming it into Clover's nose and sending her stumbling back. Sam leapt forward with another kick, burying it into her stomach before slamming her heel into her face.
Clover rolled back across the desk she was leaning against, hitting the floor with a heavy thud. She pushed herself to her hands knees, shaking her head in disbelief. Even without both her hands, Sam was a damn good fighter. But she was still at a handicap, no matter how fast she was or how hard she trained.
Clover rolled to her feet as Sam jumped over the desk to reach her, lashing out with another sharp kick. Clover clasped her hands together and slammed them into her ankle like a club, knocking her leg out of the way and lunging forward. Her fists slammed into Sam's face, pushing her back until she was forced to bring her arms up to block.
Clover swung her fist in a wide arc, slamming it right into her severed wrist. Sam howled in pain and stumbled back against a desk. Clover had expected it to be a stunning blow, but Sam lunged back up instantly, her entire body charged with adrenaline. Her legs whirled with a speed and grace that would make Bruce Lee envious.
Clover ducked and weaved through her kicks, barely dodging each strike until she felt one of the many flames left by the bomb licking at her back. She ducked one more kick, lunging forward and slamming her shoulder into Sam's stomach. She ran with all her strength, carrying them both up against a far desk underneath the destroyed skylight, where glass and rain was glittering on the floor. They both flew over it as it collapsed, showing them both with splinters as they sprawled out on the floor. They climbed to their feet again, facing each other.
Sam lunged for her with a dark howl and Clover met the charge with one of her own, running as fast as she could. They both leapt into the air under the skylight as a lightning strike flashed through the hole in the roof. Clover brought her leg up, barely straightening herself out to avoid Sam's kick. Clover's foot slammed into Sam's face, knocking it back as she fell toward the ground.
Clover whirled and landed in a crouch while Sam slammed into the floor on her back, groaning as the glass shards cut into her back. Clover climbed to her feet, panting and staring down at her former friend. There was a strange satisfaction in this... but she didn't have time to dwell on that feeling. She had to find the queen and make sure she was alright. Everything here hinged on the queen revealing President Chamber's plan to the world.
"Your Highness!" Clover looked around desperately. It looked like the rest of the world leaders had already fled the building, leaving behind only the charred remains of those who had been too close to the blast to escape. Thankfully, none of them looked like the queen, so she must have escaped with the others.
"Ragh!" Sam leapt on her from behind, wrapping her right elbow around her throat and pulling it tight with her remaining hand. Clover stumbled back in surprise, being held against Sam's chest so she could keep her leverage. "Enough Clover... you've done enough damage..." Sam growled darkly.
"Sam..." Clover growled, clutching at the arm around her throat. "Didn't you listen... didn't you listen to what the Queen of England said?" Clover demanded. "I'm innocent!"
"Shut up!" There was a tinge of desperation and madness in Sam's voice. She wasn't going to listen... Captain Ahab had already painted her as the white whale in her mind. The truth no longer mattered, it seemed important to her sanity that Clover be thought of as guilty.
"Fine... to the finish then!" Clover gripped the stump of Sam's severed hand tightly in her own. A piercing scream erupted from Sam's throat as her grip loosened, allowing Clover to whirl and throw another punch right at her face.
TO BE CONTINUED