With a half hour to go, the girls finally woke up.

"Are we there?" Mayumi asked sleepily.

"Almost!" Sean called back.

"Mmm…I guess I better get my stuff…" Shiris wandered to the back.

Once all their bags had been unloaded, the girls looked around. It was Russia. The salt and peppershaker roofs were visible, since they were in Moscow, and all around them people were wearing fur coats and hats. Standing outside in the middle of winter in Russia with just sweaters on was not a good idea.

"Quick! Quick! Where's my coat?" Julie exclaimed, rummaging around in her bag. "Ah, there! Much better!" She snuggled up into an enormous tan faux fur coat that fell to mid-calf.

Shiris and Mayumi were also donning coats, Mayumi a white and tan one, and Shiris a black and tan one.

"Okay, here's your car number. Good luck girls!" Sean said, and gave a wave. Then he went back into the plane.

Waving back, the girls took their luggage and headed for the car park.

"A Volvo!?" Julie yelled when they got to their number.

"Someone is going to pay!!"

"Aw, man! I was hoping for a jaguar!" Shiris complained.

"This is the best the company could come up with?" Mayumi grumbled, throwing her stuff into the back next to the other's luggage.

"I'm driving," Shiris said, getting behind the wheel.

"Shotgun!" Julie shouted, but ran into a closed door as Mayumi grinned at her form inside.

"Mayumi!"

"Sorry, first come first serve"

"Argh!" Julie muttered and climbed into the back.

Shiris started the car and rolled out of the parking lot.

"So where are we staying?" Julie asked.

"The Ritz," 'Mayumi answered, looking on a map. " You'd think they would give us directions, but noooo…"

"It should be near here," Shiris contributed, but that didn't help.

"Where the hell is it?" Mayumi muttered, whipping the map every which way.

"Here, let me look," Julie said, grabbing the map.

"No, I got it"

"I'll help!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"
"Yes!"

"Shut up!"

They stopped. "Its right here," Shiris said, pointing down the street.

"So that why they didn't give us directions," Mayumi mumbled, sliding back into her seat. "It was right down the street."

Shiris pulled in and parked the car. With their luggage rolling behind them, they checked in and went up to their two-bedroom room. Since they were only staying there for one night, it didn't need to be fancy.

"Okay, lets get changed. We have… 1 hour until starts," Mayumi commanded. The other two nodded and pulled out their chosen dresses. Each was very excited and a little wary, as with every mission.

/I hope everything goes okay! / Julie thought.

/this shouldn't be too hard. I know exactly what I have to do/ Mayumi thought.

/this should be pretty basic; nothing should go wrong/ Shiris told herself as she slipped into the dress.

After forty-five, the three girls were made up and ready to go.

Mayumi had decided to put her hair up, since it would be out of the way. Julie's was up as well, with many ringlets hanging down. Shiris' was fluffed up and volumized, although the second she stepped outside she knew it would go flat again.

"Okay, before we leave, lets go over the plan," Mayumi said, picking up her dark green purse.

"First, equipment. Here's your ear thingies," Shiris said, handing them out. The girls put them in their ears.

"Once I press this button," Julie said, holding up what looked like a lipstick container, "they will be activated. Just so we don't get overwhelmed with noise, ill turn it on only when we get separated."

"Here are the trackers. I'll hold the tracking device." Mayumi gave them each a slip of paper, which they slid into the inner pocket of their purses.

"And here are PPK's. The laser targeting we'll leave in the car, since they wont fit nicely into a purse." Mayumi handed each a gun, which they added to the already full purses.

"Everyone got spandex?" Shiris checked, and then picked up a thin hunting knife form the weapons bag. "My dress is long enough that I can hide this." She wrapped a thin band around her upper thigh that had a slit in it. She slid the knife into the slit and lowered her dress.

"Okay, all set!"

"Lets roll!" Julie cried, opening the door.

Downstairs, everyone in the lobby gasped as the three girls entered the room. The goddesses of earth, water and fire descended into the room in shimmering colors. Every single man stared.

Jeez, Julie thought, they could at least wipe their mouths, but she actually liked the attention. If she were to die on this mission, at least she'd know she looked good.

"I'm driving this time," Julie stated, opening the driver's side door. Shiris ran to the other side as best she could ion her heels, leaving Mayumi to grumpily climb into the back.

"Okay, now we do need directions. His place is a half an hour outta the way," Mayumi commented, leaning back in her seat. She didn't have to worry about manning the maps, and only giggled when Shiris tried to find out where they were starting form.

"Thank god we can read Russian, otherwise this would be a lot harder," Shiris muttered. "Whoa! Julie, slow down!"

"Sorry! It wasn't my fault!"

"No, I guess it wasn't your fault that you ran a red light!"

"Yea, Julie, I'd like to get there in one piece!" Mayumi called, having been jerked to the side.

"Sorry, sorry! Shiris do you I take a right up here?"

"Uh…yea! No, wait…" a pause as the map ruffled.

"Hurry…"

"Wait, what street are we on?"

"Shiris…"

"Oh! Okay, turn…"

"Shiris"

"Hold on,"

"Shiris! Which way!"

"Left! Go left!"

Julie slammed the wheel to the left and Mayumi flew to the other side.

"Ouch! Julie!"

"Its not my fault that I had turn at the last second!"

"Okay, okay, it was my fault." Shiris admitted. "But at least our coats cushion us a little?"

After many more turns and one miss, they turned onto the street. Because of their dingy car, they were going to walk up to the mansion.

"Right, now remember, we slip away one by one, me first, then Julie, then Shiris." Mayumi whispered.

"Yes, yes, we know," the other two chorused, rolling their eyes.

Julie stopped the car a little ways from the mansion. As they stepped out it was hard not to gasp.

The mansion took up at lest 500 acres, with 100 of it being the actual mansion. It was four stories high with three wings. The drive way formed a circle in front of the house, and many limos were waiting outside. A fountain with three levels decorated the middle of the circle with rows of flowers encircling it. The metal gates to the driveway extended high above the girls heads as they approached them, and had spikes on the top.

"Wow…" Julie murmured. The three progressed up the long driveway, noting every so often the guards that patrolled the grounds.

"Klobbs and 57s," Mayumi whispered, mentally recording the type of gun each guard was carrying. Julie recorded the number of guards, and Shiris remembered where each of their routes was. Just in case.

Approaching the massive front doors that had 10 steps leading up to it, the girls tried to blend in. It would seem strange if they arrived on foot, so when a large group stepped out of limo, they fell into step behind them.

"May I have your tickets please?" The butler asked pleasantly.

"Certainly!" Shiris said brightly, and handed him their ticket. The butler nodded them in, all three smiling gaily.

Inside, they were overwhelmed with gold. Everything was made out of gold. The banister they held on to to descend to the party, the tables, the dinning table, the plates full of food, everything was gold.

"This is wonderful!" Shiris whispered, soaking in the sight. It wasn't often that they got to go to such a fancy place.

"I am definitely going to be a minister as my next job," Julie muttered, eyes wide.

Mayumi was busy scooping out the place for her target. She had looked at a picture of him just before they went in.

"Hey, do you think we can hang out a little before we start?" Shiris whispered, voice hardly above a murmur.

"Yea! We can spare half an hour!" Julie replied in the same whisper.

"I don't think so," Mayumi replied, "We need to-"

"Welcome!" A deep, rumbling voice interrupted Mayumi.

"Welcome to the party! And who might you lovely ladies be?"

They all looked up to see a very large, very round man with a beard standing in front of them and a jolly smile on his face.

"Vice foreign minister! What an honor it is to meet you!" Shiris gushed, hoping he wouldn't come any closer. He looked like he wanted to eat them.

"Ah, thank you! I assure you, the pleasure is all mine. And what might your names be?"

His English had a thick Russian accent. Too make her seem even more like she fit in, Shiris began speaking in Russian. The others let her handle it, since she was the one who could melt into any crowd like she belonged there.

"I am Kilinda, this is Ryoko," she said, pointing to Mayumi, "and this is Juliet."

"Pleased to meet you. May I-"

A tall, thin man in a black tuxedo came up to him and whispered something in his ear and then left.

While he was talking to the minister, Shiris turned to Julie.

"Give me a tracker!" she whispered, holding out her hand behind her.

Julie fished around discreetly in her purse and produced the slip of paper. Shiris palmed it as the minister turned back to them.

The minister's face had become stern and eyes black. "Ladies, you will have to excuse me. Business calls,"

"It was lovely to meet you!" Shiris said sweetly, batting her eyes and holding out her hand. As she had expected, he took her fingertips in his hand and kissed her them.

"You as well," he replied, giving them a last look over, sighing, and leaving. Unwittingly leading them to wherever he went.

"Ugh!" Julie muttered as soon as he was lost in the crowd.

"Wow. He is a pervert," Shiris agreed.

"Who was that man? And what did the minister have to do?" Mayumi wondered.

"I don't know, but I'm sure we can find out later. He's got a tracker stuck on his hand, and it ain't coming' off soon," Shiris replied, wiping her hand on her dress.

"Well, at least he made one good suggestion. Lets eat!" Julie exclaimed, heading for the buffet table. Mayumi looked sternly at Shiris.

"Well, we should eat before we go. I mean, it might take us awhile, and…" Shiris said hesitantly.

"Fine, we'll get something to eat." Mayumi sighed, following Shiris.

The buffet table was a feast. Foods from every country were heaped in piles. Meats, Vegetables, Fruits, rice, soups, and pies covered the table. Shiris picked up a gold plate.

"Hey, wait a minute! These aren't real gold!" She said quietly to Mayumi.

Since they had been trained to notice little details like that, Mayumi could see as well the signs of gold plating.

"Hmm…now why would he do that? Does he need money?" She wondered, more to herself than anyone.

Julie didn't care at all about the plates. She heaped a pile of food on the dish while the other two chose discreet amounts of food that could be eaten quickly. Julie, however, finished before both of them.

"Yum! I'm gonna get seconds!"

Mayumi grabbed her dress.

"I don't think so. Now we focus."

"Fine, fine," Julie grumbled, snatching her dress away.

Mayumi scanned the crowd.

"How am I supposed to find this guy? He could be anywhere!" she said in frustration.

"We'll help you. I'll turn on the talkies, and we'll split up." Julie suggested, reaching into her purse. A second later, they were bombarded with noise.

"Yep, I think they're working," Shiris said, rubbing her ear.

"Yea, I definitely thought you were right next to me when you said that!" Mayumi agreed, looking pleased. Her part of the mission would go much faster if the other two helped.

"It'll take the right, Julie, you take the center, and Shiris, and you take the left."

They nodded and separated.

Mayumi weaved her way thought the crowd, stopping every so often when she saw a possible target. Then she saw a very handsome man, about her age, leaning against the wall. His long, spiky bangs covered one emerald eye.

/hmmm…not so bad, but I don't have time right now…/

She went by him without a word.

Julie wasn't having any luck either. How she wished she could dance with someone! Watching the many couples waltzing on the dance floor, she suddenly saw another man, her age, standing a little off to the side. He had a head of thick, tousled brown hair and icy blue eyes. His face was set in a grimace, and he didn't move. /wow, he looks handsome but mean/ she thought, not daring to go near him. He might bite her head off.

Shiris sighed as her latest target turned around. It wasn't him. She went up to the wall and leaned against it.

"Hey, what's wrong?" a voice asked to her right. Startled, she straightened and looked. A boy her age with a long braid down his back and thick bangs greeted her vision. His face looked ready to split in two, he was smiling so wide, and bright blue eyes stared at her.

"Oh! Sorry, you startled me. Nothing is wrong!" She managed, smiling.

"What's wrong?" came a voice inside her head. It was Mayumi. She had forgotten the talkies were on!

"But thank you for asking," she added, hoping Mayumi would get the point.

Instead, Julie joined her. "Whom are you talking to? Julie asked excitedly.

"She can't answer you," Mayumi replied.

"Maybe she can! Its worth asking!" Julie retorted, miffed.

"Be quiet! She can hear us!"

"I'm not the one talking!"

Shiris was going to strangle them. It was very disconcerting having a conversation go on inside your head and trying to talk to someone at the same time.

"It was nice meeting you!" Shiris told the boy, and left. It was risky to talk to anyone, let alone a handsome boy her age. She could get distracted.

"Will you guys shut up?" she almost yelled after she went into the crowd.

"That's it. We are turning these things off as soon as we find him," Mayumi muttered as Julie starting making cheeping noises.

"I agree!" Shiris said.

A few minutes passed. Then, "I've got him!"

"Mayumi? Was that you?" Shiris asked hopefully.

"Yea! Now how do I get him alone?"

"Entice him!" Julie cried. A few people around her jumped, and the stoic boy looked in her direction. She immediately lowered her voice and turned the other way.

"Use your looks, lure him to a room, and whamo! He won't know what hit him, literally."

"Sounds good," Shiris concurred.

"Okay, I'm going for him. What are you two going to do?"

"I'll go out in a few minutes for the computers." Julie said.

"Then ill go get info," Shiris replied.

"Good. See ya," Mayumi said.

"Bye! Good luck!" Julie said.

"Be careful," Shiris warned.

Mayumi smiled and walked up to the man. Julie switched off the earphones.

"Hello," she said seductively. She was a little nervous. Shiris was usually the one doing this sort of thing!

"Why hello, who might you be?" the man asked in Russian. He was a little taller then Mayumi's 5 foot 4, with black hair and gray eyes. He looked about 42, and a little out of shape, but nothing like the minister. All in all, he wasn't that bad, which made Mayumi's job a lot easier.

"I'm Ryoko, and you are Charkovky, am I right?" she replied in Russian. Her accent was perfect.

"Yes, I am. How did you know?"

"I've seen you on TV many times. May I just say," she put her hand on his arm, "it is an honor and a thrill to finally meet you."

He smiled widely. Unmarried, he was always looking for excitement.

"Thank you, you are too kind. Would you care to dance?"

She thought quickly. Dancing would take too long and draw her into a conversation, which she might botch up. Easier to go for double or nothing and depended on male behavior.

"I was thinking we could go some place…quieter?" She looked up at him form under thick eyelashes, having moved closer to him. His eyes sparkled. "That sounds wonderful. Follow me, I know just the place."

Men, Mayumi thought, are so easy. She followed him out of the hall and into corridor, trying not to laugh.