Chapter 8

Jonny groaned as he blinked his eyes open. He frowned for a moment as he found himself handcuffed. Oh right. I got captured. Looking around, he spotted Jessie and Mei. "Damn. They got you guys too?"

Mei nodded. "Yeah. We were ambushed before we even knew they were there."

"You okay, hot shot?"

"Yeah. They sort of tazed me. How long have I been out?"

"It's hard to say." Jessie hedged. "We've been in this cell since we arrived."

"I'm gonna assume they took the map pieces from us."

"Yeah." Mei sighed. "I think my sisters now have all six of the map pieces now. It's the only reason I can think of for why we weren't given the locations for the rest of them."

Melana and Anaya entered. "Yes, we did have three pieces before. Now, thanks to you, we have the whole map."

Anaya smirked. "And, little sister, we're aware of the fact that you can read it. I'm sure you already know that's the only reason you were left alive this long."

Mei closed her eyes and growled. "I won't do it. You can go ahead and kill me."

Her sisters each pointed guns at Jonny and Jessie. "We won't kill you." Melana informed her. "If you don't translate the map, we'll kill them."

The girl stared at them before biting her lip and bowing her head. "All right. You win. I'll do it."

Jonny stared at her as he struggled with his handcuffs. "Mei, no! You can't help them."

"I don't have a choice." Mei looked up at him as her eyes began to fill with tears. "You two are the first friends I've ever had. I can't let them hurt you."

Their captors smiled before they pulled their sister to her feet. "Time to get to work then."

The other girl jerked away. "Before I do anything for you, release your hostages. They have nothing to do with this."

Without a word, her sisters escorted Mei out of the room. Anaya led the way down a long corridor. As she opened the door, Melana shoved Mei inside. After the door was shut and locked the sisters conversed.

"So, are we really going to meet her demands?"

Anaya chuckled. "We never said which hostages we were releasing. We'll let some of them go and keep one or two as insurance. Not only for our sister, either. Keeping Jonny and Jessie will ensure that their family doesn't report our actions to anyone."

~~~~~~~~~~JQ~~~~~~~~~~

Mei dusted herself off as she stood. Looking up she saw a puzzled looking man with red hair and dark eyes staring at her. "Oh, Dr. Quest I do apologize for startling you."

He gave her a suspicious look. "Since when did you care about that? If you're here to taunt me, please leave. I have yet to finish these translations you want."

The girl sighed. "I am sorry for my family's treatment of yours. My sisters are quite inexcusable. As is my father."

The man stared at her. "Who are you?"

"My name is Mei, sir. I'm the sane sister in the Zin family." She grinned as Dr. Quest let out a small laugh.

"If you're not siding with your sisters, what are you doing here?"

Mei frowned. "My sisters captured me, Jonny and Jessie. They threatened to kill them if I don't translate the map. Please, sir, when they release you, have Jonny and Jessie lead you to the temple. That way, maybe, my sisters can be stopped."

Before the conversation could continue, Anaya led Race and Hadji inside. Mei frowned. "Where are the other two?"

Melana entered and closed the door. "If you'll think back, dear sister, we never said which hostages we'd release. Jonny and Jessie will be staying to ensure your cooperation and their discretion. If you disobey us or they report us to anyone, those two die."

Mei glared at them. "You can't do that!"

Anaya smirked at her. "You seem to have forgotten that we're in charge here. You'll do as we say or you will regret it. Dearly."

Mei looked at the three men. "I'm sorry. I really wanted to get all of you out of here."

Melana and two zinja escorted the group out. Mei glared her hatred at her remaining sister. "Instead of staring at me, you should be looking at the map. We want those translations quickly."

She sighed heavily before approaching the table. The map pieces were laid out separately. The young woman arranged the map pieces correctly then read them. "We're to go to Mount Olympus."

"Mount Olympus? I find that difficult to believe."

Mei closed her eyes. "You wanted me to read the map, yes? It starts out in Delphi and leads up to the mountain. According to the map, the way to Atlantis is supposed to be there."

Anaya left the room to discuss the results with Melana. "She says the map leads to Mount Olympus. Do you think she's lying?"

"I doubt it. She won't endanger the other two. However, I do think we should take all three of them with us. To punish our sweet sister in the event that she is lying."

~~~~~~~~~~JQ~~~~~~~~~~

"So, you got any ideas, Benton?" Race inquired as they boarded the Questor.

Dr. Quest sighed. "Well, that girl mentioned a temple. However, without Jonny or Jessie I'm not sure we'll be able to find it. Of course, we also have the bug I stuck onto the bottom of the desk in that lab of theirs."

"I think I can help in finding the temple." Pasha announced as he came out from a cabin.

"Pasha?!" Hadji's jaw dropped. "What are you doing here, of all places?"

"Jonny called me. He said you were in trouble. They didn't return from checking out the area so I walked around until I spotted the Questor. Of course, it appears I missed whatever fight took place down in the galley."

Race thought about it. "Hadji, you think you can convince the temple folks that you're a friend there to warn them?"

"I should be able to at least make my way inside to deliver a message." The young man replied.

"In that case, we'll let you and Pasha handle that. Benton and I will listen to what his bug may have recorded."

Pasha went to the helm. "I'll have us there in no time."

Tune in to chapter 9 please. Hope everyone enjoyed :)