Bentley was drawing up plans on how to rescue Salim and Dahndi's pals as well as put the screws on Ms. Decibel and Le Paradox's operations.
OK. Apparently, Salim lost a small fortune betting on the camels a while back and had to pawn his thief outfit. If we can buy that outfit back for Salim, I'm sure we can gain his trust. The shopkeeper is a security freak. A real headcase! His place is a fortress and he never leaves! All business is conducted through a slot in the door! I think this is one time we're going to have to play it straight and pay the man what he wants."
"Kinda reminds me of our trip to India when we needed to sneak into Rajan's Palace," Ben said as Sly chuckled.
"As you might imagine, his price is pretty steep! The shopkeeper will only accept payment in the form of flawless gemstones. Three to be exact. The only gems of that quality around here, are the decorative stones embedded in the city walls. I've located the three largest specimens for you. All you have to do is remove them, avoid the guards and bring them to the shop. Just make sure those gems are still flawless when you get there."
"Relax, Bentley. The three of us; Me, Ben, and Neyla? We'll get those gems lickety-split." Sly reassured his friend as the Main Thief Trio went to do their job.
It was quite easy for the trio to steal the gems and bring them to where the Shopkeeper was hiding out.
"What do you want?!"
"Rude, much?" Neyla said with a frown.
"We're here to buy the Thief Outfit," Sly said, not letting the Shopkeeper's tone bother him.
"Sorry! I do not believe one such as yourself could meet my price! Good day!"
"Awww, that's too bad," Ben said in a fake disappointed tone. "I guess we'll just have to go bet these "gems" on the camel races.
That caught the Shopkeeper's attention. "Wait! You have gems? Let me see."
Neyla smirked as she decided to milk it. "Oh dear, these rocks are so heavy I can barely lift them~."
"You want the gems? We want the outfit. Do we have a deal?" Sly said with a smirk. That was enough for the Shopkeeper, who gave them the outfit in exchange for the gems.
"Good job, you guys. Although it seems we have another problem. Salim and Dahndi are saying that Miss Decibel is constantly changing the locations of the captured thieves. Which makes them almost impossible to track. it's going to be-" Bentley paused when he picked something up and gasped. "Sweet sunspots! Le Paradox is here! He's meeting with Miss Decibel right now!"
"Looks like we finally have our mastermind," Ben said as he, Sly, and Neyla found the Skunk and Elephant Beastkins in question and began trailing them, keeping out of the sight of the guards as they did so.
"Ugh, that guy reeks from here." Ben groaned, commenting on Le Paradox's skunk tail emitting a noxious scent typical of his species. Neyla nodded as she and Ben both put on gas masks, leaving Sly to pout in annoyance.
"Lucky..."
"Always plan ahead, Bro!"
"So, please tell me the operation is going according to plan?" Le Paradox said to Ms. Decibel.
"Of course. Everything is progressing splendidly. I have those raggedy little thieves completely under my control. I've never seen better forgeries. The documents they are producing are of the highest quality."
"Perfect. Once I get them back to the present day, and my royal lineage is "discovered", my wealth and power will be unstoppable."
"So that's his evil scheme..." Ben said as he unfolded a collapsible sniper rifle from his bionic arm and aimed the sights at Le Paradox, but Sly stopped him.
"Not right now, Ben. We don't want a manhunt on us."
"Well, there is one teensy little problem. We still need to feed our little worker bees, but our supplies are running low. The one who calls himself "The Panther" seems to work best when I feed him..." Ms. Decibel gagged. "Scorpion Claws. Disgusting!"
"Ah very well. I shall have some delivered immediately. Whatever it takes to keep these vermin working. Oh and one more thing, tell your guards if they don't capture Cooper, I will have them all fired and then executed."
"Times in Ancient Arabia were pretty tough, huh?" Ben said as Neyla shrugged her shoulders.
"Tell me, what do you think of this little sandpit?" Le Paradox asked Ms. Decibel as they resumed their walk.
"Well, this dry environment plays absolute havoc with my sinuses. My music practice has been atrocious lately. Would you like to hear–?"
"Not really!" Le Paradox urgently said. "But, I want you to hear me. Do not fail me like those other idiots, Cherie. I'd hate to see you stranded here...permanently."
Ms. Decibel flinched at the carefully laid threat. "Oh! I, uh, I'll make sure that doesn't happen!"
"Good. Because the others have failed me. Even Sir Raleigh, and he was the smart one… but now I have to turn my back on him. You understand."
"Yes, of course! Everything will go precisely as planned! Uh, although, I must trouble you for some Camel Cheese? Absolutely horrid stuff, but the thief called "The Tiger" seems to rely on it, and our reserves are almost depleted."
"Can't we just starve these filthy hoodlums into submission?" Le Paradox asked before sighing in resignation. "Fine! I will send a delivery boy."
"More deliveries? guys, are you thinking what I'm thinking? Camel Cheese? Eww!" Bentley gagged from the comms.
"It is actually much more delicious than it sounds," Dahndi said with a wisened chuckle.
"So, any more requests?" Le Paradox asked.
Miss Decibel shook her head. "No sweetums, I believe that's all. As soon as the documents are complete, I will deliver them personally."
Magnifique! Then I should have them very soon."
"Oh, wait!" Ms. Decibel said, catching herself. "There is one last itty bitty little thing, the one called "The Lion" seems to favor Cobra Tails. And you know how troublesome those are to obtain."
Le Paradox groaned. "Fine, you shall them! But I had better get those papers quickly."
"Boy, I'd hate to be the guy that has to collect the Cobra Tails." Penelope chuckled over the comms.
"Guys, I've got a crazy idea. Salim's old outfit may not work on the guards, but I bet outsiders like Le Paradox and Miss Decibel wouldn't know the difference. She's expecting deliveries for the thieves, right? One of you should try using the outfit to impersonate the delivery boy. If they buy it, we'll know where the thieves are being kept!" Bentley pointed out.
"Excellent idea, Bentley, and just to ensure it's foolproof, I'm gonna use my..."
Ben and Neyla frowned as they both covered their ears for what was to come next.
"...Italian Accent!"
"I said crazy, Sly, not suicidal!" Bentley said in annoyance over the comms as Brie could be heard giggling at her 'Uncle Sly'.
Sly managed to snag the delivery locations from Le Paradox and Ms. Decibel but not before he walked in on something they were doing that he really wished he could unsee.
"Ben, next time, you handle the dirty dealings. I need to scrub out my eyes..." Sly groaned as he went to the bathhouse in the Saferoom to do just that.
Next Time: Rug Rats!