Alex walked down one of the ship's corridors after spending a lovely evening with Ken. They had watched the stars come out after their swim and she had just finished changing. Her hair was still wet and she was anxious to return to the room to dry it off. A note on the door caught her attention. She took it into her hands and read:
Meet me in room 333 for a late night rendezvous ASAP.
Signed,
Your Secret Admirer
She smiled and immediately assumed it was Ken. He had talked about wanting to make her an evening dinner yesterday. Walking to the stairwell she made her way to the floor and knocked on the door. Getting no answer she opened the door, "Ken?"
"Come inside and close the door behind you. You'll ruin the mood."
Alex tilted her head, Ken's voice sounded almost muffled. She closed the door and the room was filled with darkness. She shifted nervously and felt the wall for a light switch. Discovering the switch she turned on the light and nearly jumped when she saw that it was a red light that lit the room. Bloody shadows danced on the walls and she noticed multiple clotheslines across the room, with photographs strung on them. . .photographs of her.
There were developing trays on tables and chemicals everywhere. Alex's breathing increased as she examined the pictures. There were some of the Weiss boys, some of Kristi and Sarah, but there were a lot of pictures of her. Her eyes widened at some of the more private photos and she stared at them in horror, especially the ones with her and Ken. . .with Ken's picture blacked out.
She raced to the door and found it locked. Pounding on the door she screamed, "Let me out!"
No one can hear you Alex.
Alex looked around in horror; she had heard those words in her mind. "No, no no no no no."
Yes, yes yes yes yes yes. Did you miss me?
"I would never miss you!" She went to try the door again and she was promptly grabbed by the arm and had it twisted behind her. She winced and groaned softly in pain.
"I think you miss my dangerous side," Schuldich said. "I've been watching you Alex. I know you better than that Ken and better than you know yourself. I know what you like." He kissed her ear and savored her involuntary shiver.
"Don't you dare say that you know me!"
"Oh but I do and your friends as well," Schuldig said dragging her over to the photographs. "There you are with Ken, so very happy by the poolside, in that stunning two piece. Did you know Ken gets jealous when other men look at you? Believe me, he would not think twice about clawing their intestines out to defend your honor."
Alex growled at him, "he wouldn't kill over that."
"You haven't been in his mind," Schuldig said with a dark chuckle. "Ah here is a photograph of your friend Kristi. So very sad as she looks out to the ocean, but of course she hides that from you. And oh my, here's a picture of Sarah and Yohji. Doesn't she have the hidden wild side?"
"You stalker!"
Schuldig smirked. "I suppose you could say that. Now, won't you pose for some pictures in a private session?"
Alex swore at him and Schuldig laughed in delight.
"Well," he said, "I figured I could just try. Fürchten Sie sich nicht, I will not harm you or your friends, provided that you help us lure the men of Weiss into a trap."
"And if I don't?"
"Then you will have much to fear," Schuldig said darkly.
Sarah walked out of the private lounge room with a wide grin on her face. She was a winner in all games: poker, pool, chess, checkers, and yes even tic-tac-toe. With their combined minds, she and Yohji could come up with the most creative games.
She returned to the room and was surprised to see that Alex wasn't back yet. She usually arrived before Kristi. Looking to the phone in her room she noticed a message button blinking.
An automated voice played, "your presence is requested in the cargo hold to retrieve your luggage. If you do not retrieve the luggage by tonight, then you will not be able to retrieve it at all due to lack of staff and theft protection storage space."
Sarah raised an eyebrow, "that's weird and makes no sense. But oh well, I better go get Alex and Kristi's luggage." She wrote a note for them and headed below deck.
Farferello sat below decks, smiling eerily at the engines. He liked its loud noise and the heat it emanated. He twirled a dagger around in his hand and launched it at a pipe, taking pleasure in the way it caused a spark as it hit. His dagger floated back to him and he remembered the task at hand.
Nagi watched Farferello and felt like a babysitter. While Crawford and Schuldig were busy with the other two girls, he had to make sure that Farferello did his job properly and that Sarah cooperated. He didn't want to deal with Yohji, after seeing the effects Yohji had on the youngest member of Weiss.
Sarah entered the cargo hold, finding that the door was opened, however she did at least knock on the side of the doorway. "Hello? I got a message saying that my friends' luggage was here."
She waited for a few minutes hoping someone would show up, but alas there was no one so she searched through the luggage. After several minutes she was able to find Alex and Kristi's suitcases. "There, that wasn't too hard."
Luggage fell causing the suitcases she just found to be buried. "No! Crap!" She dug through the suitcases again, cursing her luck.
Farferello entered the room, dagger in hand. "I can help." He started tearing through suitcases to get to the ones Sarah was looking for.
Sarah nearly screamed, but she was able to downgrade it to an 'eek!' Nagi used his telekinesis to have the door lock in the room as he floated above the two. Sarah was two preoccupied with a dagger wielding Farferello to even notice a floating Nagi.
"Thank you," she said as he handed her the suitcases. She was relieved to note that only the straps had minor dagger damage, she was at a loss at how she was going to explain this to Kristi and Alex.
"I like daggers," Farferello said caressing the blade.
"Um, me too," Sarah said. Great, now I have to talk my way out of this.
Farferello looked to her thoughtfully and handed her the dagger.
Sarah blinked. "Oh no, I couldn't. It's yours."
Farferello motioned to the other suitcases lying on the ground. "You try."
Sarah took the dagger and with a nod from Farferello started stabbing the suitcases. "Okay, I'm doing it."
"More."
"Okay. . ." Sarah started hacking away at the suitcases, feeling sorry for the people who owned the luggage. But frankly it felt liberating to just destroy things.
Farferello clapped and then took the dagger back.
Nagi floated down behind Sarah who let out another 'eek!'
"Don't do that!"
Nagi smiled. "My apologies, but you're going to have to do what we say."
"Excuse me?"
"If you don't," Nagi said leaning close to whisper to her, "I'll tell Farferello that you don't like daggers."
Sarah visibly paused, "okay kid, talk."
The three returned to their room later that night and when their eyes met; they each knew that members of Schwarz had contacted them.
Kristi looked to the others, "what were you asked to do?"
Sarah was the first to respond. "The ship is planning a masquerade ball tomorrow night and I have to slip Yohji a sleeping draught. Apparently Schwarz thinks Weiss will go after the drug lord at that time."
Alex also nodded. "Schuldig mentioned the masquerade ball as well. I have to convince Ken to follow me into a room where he'll be detained so they can usher the drug lord to safety."
Kristi was quietly drifting off until Sarah and Alex stared at her. "Yeah, Crawford mentioned the masquerade as well. He wants Aya to attend and to be caught by the drug lord. He said he'd be watching me."
Sarah shook her head. "Oh yes, I got your suitcases for you guys." She shrugged sheepishly, "Nagi helped to 'carry' them back to the room after an interesting visit with Farferello." She described the 'dagger incident.'
"That's better than Schuldig stalking and taking pictures of you," Alex said glumly.
"That's just creepy," Sarah said.
Kristi nodded and yawned, pretending to lie down to sleep to avoid being asked about Crawford. She wasn't about to mention the kiss.
"Say Kristi what about your time with Crawford?" Alex looked to Kristi. "Kristi?" She poked her shoulder.
Sarah joined in with a grin and started poking Kristi's other shoulder.
"Guys!" Kristi gave them a mock glare. "I'm just tired."
Sarah asked with a sly grin. "Why are you tired?"
"I was reading all day and then Mr. Crawford the librarian paid me a little visit."
Alex exchanged a look with Sarah. "A little visit?"
Kristi rolled over on her side. "Good night guys."
"Kristi. . ." Alex and Sarah chimed simultaneously.
"Good night guys."
Translation:
Fürchten Sie sich nicht. - Do not fear.
Author's Note: Yes, I was smacked for that whole Schuldig scene…something about it being creepy. Mwhuahaha!