Final exams, work, and house work…….none of these are conducive to keeping up with story writing. Eeeenyway, this promises to be a fun chapter. Hope you all like it. Also this one is on the long side you ya might want to have some time to kill before you sit down to read this. And many thanks go out to everyone who reviewed; Sizzlin-Starry-Night-Sky, Cartoonfire, Skyler-A-Teloiv, Realfanficts, Tennisgal456, BonitaChickia. Thanks as always! Enjoy!
Chapter Six
America's Playground
She placed the card into the ATM and followed its instructions up until the password was needed. Marika comically slapped herself. "Silly me, sorry here's the pin." She gave Kory the PIN number and printed a receipt with the amount on the card. Upon taking a good look at the tiny paper, Kory's eyes bulged and her mouth sank to the center of the earth. The paper in her hands read, Available Funds: $500,000.
"Thi-this….this is….uhhh." The poor alien could only stutter.
"Don't worry about spending it all, it gets replenished every three months. Now to business, right?" She opened a pair of double doors behind her and a stretch limo stood waiting for them. "Girls welcome back, Kory…..Welcome to Las Vegas." Kory then felt two of them hook their arms around both of hers and they carried her into the limo. From a distance, Richard and the gang watched as their red head was carried away into the brightly lit ocean of frivolity. Shannon could only shake her head.
"They're so gonna doll her up."
"Super," muttered Rachael, her tongue dripping with derision.
"I'm sure she'll be just adorable," mused Richard. Logan could only look skyward with a grin, his mind going over the many ways Richard would find her adorable.
"Now what?" asked Rachael.
"Now we keep an eye on her," said Richard. "Then at the right time we'll make ourselves known."
"We will?" said Logan. Richard nodded offhandedly.
"Well, I will anyway. It'll be more mysterious if it's just me."
"Uh huh, and what're the rest of us supposed to do?" asked Shannon with folded arms.
Richard shrugged. "Its Vegas, do whatever you want. TAXI!" He hailed an oncoming cab and only when it was stopped and Richard opened the door did he look back at them. He saw Shannon's un-amused glare and rolled his eyes. "Oh come on sour patch, it was joke. Get in." Logan walked past Shannon, muttering;
"Hee hee, sour patch…"
"You shut up!" She bellowed and then reluctantly followed.
SOMWHERE IN THE ALTANTIC……………………
Komand'r was certainly not the sentimental type, nor was she one to dwell much on the past. Those qualities and more made it easy for her to leave the base in total devastation and be on her merry way. She flew over the vast ocean, not knowing where she was going only that her focus was to find any kind of civilization. Her species was gifted with an immense vitality and it allowed her to fly a great distance unhindered. Unfortunately for the dark haired alien, being cooped up in her prison for so long and then engaging in such boisterous activity was beginning to leave her weak. As she glided through the air her vision grew blurry and her muscles began to ache. Her head sagged down and through the wispy clouds she saw faint points of light.
H.M.S. St. Albans, Captain James Pike commanding…….
It was the dead of night while the British frigate slowly cruised along the ocean's surface. The water was clear with only a meager amount of flog floating above. A lone sailor stood at his post, his eyes skimming across the darkened horizon and a pair of binoculars in his gloved hands. He glanced down at his watch and upon sighing a cloud of fog escaped his mouth.
"2:43 and all is well," he whispered. Behind him, a metal door opened and another sailor stepped out into the cold. They glanced at each other and nodded. "Dave.."
"Chuck," the other answered. They stood beside each other for a moment. Dave then produced a thermos and two collapsible cups. From the thermos he poured some hot tea and handed it to Chuck.
"Thanks mate."
"Yeah." The sailor poured himself a cup then set the thermos on the deck. "Yer shift ends in a few minutes." His friend nodded, having been keeping careful track of the time. Chuck drew a photo showing a young boy. Dave snuck a glance and smiled. "Your boy?"
"Yeah."
"He notice any girls yet?"
"He's years old, Dave." His shipmate chuckled. Chuck began stuffing the photo away when the two of them heard a thud. The two of them leaned away from the railing, trying to see through the darkness. "Gimmie that light." Chuck took a flashlight off a hook and handed it off to his friend. With the bright beam of light leading the way, the two sailors moved along the deck until Kormand'r's lying form was discovered. Both men stood awestruck at the sight.
Chuck's eyebrows rose. "Well there's something you don't see everyday."
"Where the hell did she come from? Get the doc and the Captain-" Kormand'r uttered a tired moan, stopping his speech dead in its tracks. After waiting a short moment, Chuck knelt down and, gently taking her shoulder, turned Kormand'r unto her back. "You okay there?" Koma's hand suddenly grabbed his arm. "AH! Bloody hell…." She turned her eyes to him and swallowed.
"I…..I need….sustenance…" Chuck turned a mystified look up to Dave and shrugged.
"She wants food."
VEGAS…………………
Within the limo, Kory found there was more than enough space for her and her new companions to lounge. However, as the long vehicle traversed the streets of Las Vegas strip, Kory sat rather stiffly. The girls all talked excitedly and to the alien most intelligibly. They all babbled ceaselessly about their classmates in various other sororities and how they were easily inferior in many ways. Rumors and stories about dramas between couples buzzed through the air as easily as a plague. Timidly, she rubbed her arm and tried to remain invisible.
"Kory!" She snapped out of her revere with a start.
"Y-Yes?!" Marika smiled and chuckled.
"Don't be so quiet. We're here to have fun, remember?"
"Oh….yes," replied Kory. One of the girls popped open a bottle of champagne and began pouring glasses. Inevitably a glass was passed to Kory. "I…was not aware we were allowed to consume alcohol." This statement earned several giggles among the others. Marika almost fell against her.
"Kory, I think you'll make an excellent Geisha! Listen, in this town you can be whoever you want….whatever age you want. The only thing that holds you back is your imagination." It was far too early in the mission to blow her cover, so Kory took the glass and offered her thanks. Marika clanged her glass against Kory's and sat back within her own space. She sipped her drink and addressed their new member. "So Kory, what're you majoring in?"
"Diplomacy," answered Kory. On Tamaran, Kory dreamt of taking up a position similar to the one these earthen schools taught. Since her sister was older than her, it was more likely that she would inherit the throne. The girls all appeared to be impressed by Kory's answered, some raising their glasses.
"An unusual choice," said Marika. "And we do like 'unusual'." Kory merely let her glass rest easily in her hands. "So! I'll bet you're excited."
"Indeed," replied Kory. She then frowned. "For what?"
"Well….you're going to meet our most revered Geisha, you're going to meet Moira." Kory's mouth parted somewhat. It was obvious, just by looking at them, that the girls all held this opportunity with high regard. "She's so busy and important that we rarely get to see her."
"Is…Is she easy to speak to?" asked Kory.
"Oh yes!" exclaimed Marika. "You don't have anything to worry about; you'll never meet a more gregarious person." It was now Kory's turn to control the conversation. She cleared her throat and addressed the whole group.
"So, I understand that we are performing tonight. What manner of entertainment are we providing?" Martha wound an arm over Kory's shoulders.
"That's something you don't have to worry about this time around."
"I do not?"
"Nope. First of all, you need to go through all the rites and take a Geisha name. Second, a new Geisha learns for weeks before she performs." Kory's deep green eyes rotated back to Marika.
"Perform…what?"
"A dance," replied the lead Geisha. "There are other things; playing music, serving food, providing company-at dinner," she said quickly. Kory nodded with a smile. "You will run into many a misguided fool who will tell you geishas were no more than prostitutes, and nothing could be further from the truth."
Another random Geisha said, "They were trained to be living breathing works of art, in just about every sense of the word." They all seemed incredibly eager to share they're way of life with her.
"And Kory," said Marika. She passed her libation off to someone sitting next to her. She leaned forward and Kory did the same so as to better hear her. "Graduating as part of our sisterhood also carries with it enormous credential. You get the grades, and live by our rules, and by the time you graduate any position in the world will be open to you." Kory's eyes fluttered down to the contents of her tall glass. "Amazing things can happen from the inside. You can have anything you want."
"Anything….."
"Anything," said Marika definitively. The second condition appeared a bit demanding to Kory, yet at the same time it also seemed to be a small price to pay. The lead Geisha's eyes drifted to a window and she squealed in delight. "Oh! We're here." A quick signal to the driver let him know to stop and stop they did. Kory turned back to Martha.
"We have arrived?"
"Well not at the hotel, no." Kory arched a brow. They began stepping out of the limo one at a time. "Mama San Moira's show is pretty upper crust dress-wise, so we're picking out a few things for you." It was then Kory realized where they had stopped. The limo was parked outside of a large clothing store labeled, Jinx's Closet." The red head's mouth dropped. Months ago she, Rachael, and Shannon had been chatting and the subject of clothes came up. Rachael was more passive on the matter but Shannon had spoken non stop about a place called "Jinx's Closet"; a place which easily gained renown for its line of very expensive apparel. Marika, smiling broadly at Kory's reaction, stepped beside her.
"You know the place then?"
"I….I think I may need a second bank card." Marika, Martha, and several others giggled. For the umpteenth time that night, Kory felt herself being dragged forward.
"Like I said Kory," said Marika. "Amazing things can happen from the inside."
CAESER'S PALACE…………….
Richard led the way into a very large and quite luxurious room in the casino/hotel of Caesar's Palace. Logan, Rachael, and Shannon all wandered in behind aimlessly and stood slack jawed. Their living quarters included a very spacious living area, fully stocked bar, a bathroom so white it was hard not to go blind upon entering, and for the proverbial cherry on top there appeared to be a second floor for an extra bedroom.
"You asked why we couldn't get a nicer plane ride," said Richard. They all slowly look at him and he shrugged. "Spent it all on the room."
"Yes, that I can see," said Rachael with a dumbfounded nod.
"We can't rest just yet though," said Richard.
"What's up?" asked Shannon.
"We, and I actually mean you three, have shopping to do." His companions looked at one another.
"Shopping?" said Rachael grimly. "For what?'
"Really really spiffy clothes. This……Moira the Enchantress loves to go all out for her evening shows. After her performance she hosts a dinner gala at the Tangiers Casino for everyone who bought a stage seat and especially…." He paused with a grin. "….For all the VIP's and celebutards."
"And we got one of those seats?" asked Logan hopefully. He earned a look from Rachael. "What?! You gotta know they serve top notch food and hooch at these things. Dick tell me……please tell me you got us stage seats." Shannon, who had taken a seat on the rather comfy couch, trained her eyes back to Richard. Richard gulped two pills and nodded.
"I got us stage seats."
"YES!" exclaimed Logan. He quickly draped an arm around Rachael. "See?! Now we get to see the show up close and then get eats and drink afterward."
"Sounds fun," was her dry reply. "When is this thing?"
"Curtain goes up at nine," said Richard. "Which means we have some time to kill don't we?"
"How?"
"We have a whole a casino downstairs with our names written all over it," said Richard quietly. "This casino is one of the great castles our esteemed Moira is said to own. So let's mingle."
Not long after they managed to settle into their rooms, the entire group found themselves in the casino's entertainment room. Richard's enigmatic friend, Bruce Wayne, provided them all with the means of acquiring dress formal and appropriate enough for the atmosphere. Both Richard and Logan wore tuxedoes fit for the Prince of Wales and Rachael and Shannon both looked most stunning to the male eye. Both Rachael and Shannon's hair donned a variant style which included very ornate chop sticks placed in their hair. The two joined Richard and Logan at a table just as an announcer made his appearance on the stage before the large crowd. He paused as a technician walked out and began giving last minute instructions. Rachael did a double take as she realized Logan was staring unwaveringly at her with his chin in his hands.
Her cheeks flushed "W-Would you like to stop staring at me?" He awkwardly shook his head.
"Uhhh…nnnooo, no..no….I'm good."
"Thank you for coming, ladies and gentlemen. And now, for your listening pleasure, here he is; Mr. Frank Sinatra Jr.!" And just like that, the man of hour walked out on stage with his microphone in hand. A cascade of applause accompanied Mr. Sinatra's entrance. He welcomed all present and began his act with a slow romantic song.
"Never saw the sun, shinning so bright!.....Never saw things…going so right, noticing the days hurrying by….when you're in love my HOW THEY FLY! Oh! Blue skies….smiling at meeeeeeee, nothing blue skies…..do I seeeeee…." Many a smiling faces gazed relaxed and contented at the famous singer.
"He's not nearly as good as his father," commented Rachael.
"What's the difference?" asked Logan. Rachael's eyes narrowed and she slowly shook her head. "I mean, they sound the same."
"Okay…..help a psycho killer, over that. Make fun of my profession, I can put up with that. But this…….I don't know you." Logan rolled his eyes. He turned his attention back to Richard.
"You see Kory anywhere?" He expected Richard's answer within seconds, thus he turned back to their team leader when he didn't receive one. Instead, he found Richard's gaze wholly captivated by a far off sight. They searched for what he was looking at and it wasn't long before they found it. With her new companions on either side, Kory entered the ballroom turning many heads and actually facilitating one onlooker to fall off his stool. The grins of his teammates went unnoticed to Richard, and truthfully, he would've hardly cared. Kory moved easily along the floor dressed in a deep peach silk dress with a cream sash draped around her waist. Her vibrant hair had also been curled in some places. Her fellow Geishas were also just as stunning. For some it seemed business as usual, as though this particular group routinely made such entrances. Logan exchanged amused glances with Rachael and Shannon. "I'll take that as a 'yes'."
Richard smiled and quietly mumbled, "Oh yeah, me likey." After a moment he took up his cane and got to his feet. "Time to pretend I'm social."
"No! Richard!" Shouted Shannon. She looked to Rachael and the dark haired woman hurried up to him and caught Richard by the arm.
"I thought were trying to distance ourselves from Kory for the moment. You know, that 'cover' thing?"
"They know me; they don't know that Kory knows me. Now we make ourselves known and see how they react." He began to move away but Rachael held him back. "What?" he asked annoyed.
"Not yet," protested Rachael. "I know you well enough, and right now you're eyes are bigger than your brains." Richard merely arched a brow. It was not too far fetched to suggest that upon looking at Kory he suffered a bedazzled brain freeze. He nodded in defeat and allowed himself to be led back to their table. However, as soon as he laid eyes on the table he found one of them was missing.
"Where's Shannon?" Rachael glanced at him then noticed that their friend and teammate was indeed gone. They quickly walked up to Logan, who had been watching the show on stage, and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Where'd Shannon go?" He looked around curiously.
"Go? I dunno." Richard looked back at Kory's group nervously.
"Find her." And so the three of them fanned out in search of Shannon. Richard didn't necessarily think any of the Geishas took her; they were far too busy smothering Kory. The disadvantage they found themselves met with was the fact that casinos were built like intricate labyrinths for the simple purpose of keeping customers/chumps inside. A tight crowd around a craps table forced Richard to brush by a couple. The man's date sneaked a peak at him an interested smile painted on her lips. He smiled back but this didn't go unnoticed by her companion. He flashed Richard a particularly murderous glare, to which the crippled FBI agent replied, "Don't blame me, chicks dig the cane." Richard carefully displayed his badge and the guy returned to his game. Richard continued looking for his lost subordinate. That fact that Shannon was a little short hardly aided in Richard's efforts to see her over so many taller people. Finally he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and he fished it out. Upon opening it he heard Logan's voice.
"Found her, table seven. You're not gonna believe this." Without saying a word, Richard slapped his phone shut and made his way to the designated coordinates. He found Logan leaning against a slot machine and looking at what he guessed was table seven. Logan nodded upon seeing Richard approach him then jerked his head over at the table.
"Check it out." Richard nearly chuckled. There sat Shannon before a blackjack dealer and a mountainous stack of chips close by. "Little Mrs. Industrious…" Richard studied her closely and noticed that her eyes never strayed from the cards before her. "Some people and their luck."
"She's gonna pass this time," said Richard.
Logan between him and table. "How do you-" He stopped when indeed he saw Shannon wave her hand at the dealer, telling him not to give her another card. The dealer drew for himself a face card and lost. Logan snorted and gave Richard a marveling smirk. "Okay, spill."
"She's counting," replied Richard simply. He left Logan with an open mouth and a whirlwind of confusion. Not long after Richard left Logan's presence, Rachael walked up to the bomb expert.
"Find her?"
"Eyes to the table," mumbled Logan. Rachael's mouth sagged open as she saw Shannon's smiling teeth bite her lower lip.
"No…way…"
"Uhhhh…..yeah way."
Richard slowly walked up behind Shannon just in time to her say "Hit me." The dealer placed a queen of hearts in front of her. Shannon's eyes moved along the various other cards on the table. Her mind quickly calculated the proper course of action and she opened her mouth to speak.
"Hit her," said Richard. Shannon's head snapped to her right. Lo and behold, there stood Richard. The dealer shifted his eyes from Richard to the actual player. Shannon, swallowing hard, turned back to her game.
"Uhh…uh yeah, hit me." The dealer did as he was told and Shannon won herself yet another hand. She had her chips arranged on small racks and stepped away from the table. "Look I-"
"Counter," whispered Richard. Shannon bit her lower lip nervously. "Funny thing about people like you; you have a gambling problem but you have the brain power to beat the house at its own game."
"I try to stay away from this town," defended Shannon. Her arms took a firmer hold of her loot. "I seem to be cursed with an ability to turn a bad unpredictable situation into a sure thing."
"If you see it as a curse," replied Richard. He could see she was afraid he would have her return or disperse her winnings. Even his yearly salary wasn't that great. "Go cash in, then find your way back to the table." She sent him a grateful nod and disappeared amongst the crowds. Rachael stepped up beside Richard and folded her arms.
"You're just going to let her do that?"
"Someone ever ask you the same thing when you watched me pop a few?" Richard than "re-highed" himself with two doses. Rachael's face housed displeasure at his act but it was fleeting. He checked his watched. "Oooh, twenty minutes to curtain." Richard shot a nod over at Logan, telling him to follow them out the door.
H.M.S. St. Albans………………….
A crowd of sailors and a few security personnel stood in the mess hall while its lone customer consumed an entire day's worth of food. Koma sat at a table silently eating all that was placed in front of her without pause. The captain, his X.O., and another lieutenant stood side by side on the other side of Koma's table. The captain stole a quick glance at his X.O., the lower officer could only shrug as their guest took more than her fill. The alien finally paused in her meal and looked up at the captain, looking a squirrel that just filled its cheeks for winter. She silently chuckled and swallowed the food in her mouth.
"It is not precisely what I am used to, but it'll do."
"Who are you?" asked the captain.
"Where is the nearest civilized continent?" asked Koma, totally ignoring the question.
"You haven't answered me."
"I did not feel a need to," said Koma. She placed her utensils down on either side of her plate. "You see…..I am entitled."
"To what?'
"To what I am owed after what seemed like a lifetime of darkness."
"How did you get on my ship?" demanded the captain. "I've showed you some hospitality because you were in need, but now I think I deserve some answers." Koma chewed her last bite while she stared up at him and swallowed. "Who are you?"
"No one you need concern yourself with…….yet." Two sailors looked at one another in back ground. The captain stepped forward and leaned forward on the table. He and Koma now shared a staring contest.
"This is a frigate of her Majesty's Navy, and I am her captain. We don't bow down to terrorists. If you have something to say you can say it to me." Koma smiled. The guards all around her stayed ever vigilant. Her eyes wandered down to a spoon by her left hand. She took the spoon into her hands and began playing with it.
"Let me tell you a little something about the way I think." The circle around her closed slightly. "I believe that the powerful govern only by divine right, and that the lesser people are chosen to follow by destiny. When they refuse to submit because of either bravado or arrogance….." She then enveloped the spoon into her hand like a piece of paper. "They cease to be subjects, and are expendable." A barely noticeable ambiance of purple light emitted trough the cracks between her fingers. The captain narrowed his eyes.
"You should know, I have faced my share of threats."
"Have you?"
"Yes, and I usually win."
Koma opened her hand, and the spoon had been neatly reduced to a perfect sphere of stainless steel. "This…I can see." Then, without a second's hesitation, Koma threw the metal ball threw his head and out through the metal hull of the ship. The captain fell backward like a falling tree. The security on hand drew their weapons like grease lightening. Koma could only smile, classifying their actions as nothing more than 'cute'. She shifted her eyes to each of the sailors now guarding her. It was clear to them, even before the sudden death of their captain that she was not of a peaceful nature. To their growing apprehension a soft purple glow appeared from within her eyes. A few wary sailors backed away slightly, especially when a similar glow began to surround her hands.
Had a far off onlooker been observing the slowly moving ship, they would have seen a bright purple flash suddenly fill the windows.
Inside the mess hall dozens of fallen sailors lay sprawled on the floor, smoke rising from their charred corpses. Scorch marks and ruined furnishings littered the entire room. Koma and everything immediately around her remained completely untouched. She picked up a napkin and delicately dabbed her lips.
"That was most delicious, thank you."
RAINBOW GARDENS HALL………………….
The entire building was booked solid for the performance of the evening. Half an hour before the curtain was to go up people had begun filling into the main hall. The whole room, large as it was, was a buzz of chatter and chitchat. Richard, Logan, Rachael, and Logan filled into their seats which were about six rows away from the stage. Most of the hall was nearly full by the time the "guests of honor" finally made their appearance. Not surprising, the Geishas claimed the front row seats specially reserved for them. Kory, as surreptitiously as she could, twisted her head around until she found where Richard was sitting. He smiled at her and gave her a quick wink. Kory smiled back but it was a beam of nervousness. Rachael, Logan, and Shannon sent her encouraging looks and hand signals. Kory's eyes wandered skyward when the lights began dimming signaling to all that the show was beginning. Two large spotlights moved over the seated crowd and rested on the curtain. After a moment the burgundy curtain parted down the middle, allowing passage for a single individual. Ever so slowly, Moira the Enchantress made her onto the stage. She wore a deep red kimono and held a relaxed smile. No applause greeted her entrance but that did not point to a lack of interest or respect. Shannon, not wanting to think of her brief time among the Geishas, shied away from looking up at Moira. The magician stopped barely a foot from the edge of the stage and smirked.
"Greetings." She laced her fingers together behind her back and paced the stage. "You all made it, I'm so thrilled. Tonight's performance will surely be everything you hoped it would." Her eyes roamed over the line of Geishas sitting before her until they rested on Kory. They stared at each other for a moment. "Centuries ago………man feared magic. It is only natural for us to fear what we don't understand." She returned her gaze to the general audience. "Am I in possession of super natural powers?" A crooked grin played over her face. "Well….I suppose that will be for you to decide. So!" She clapped her hands together and kept them thus. "Sit back, relax, and don't let your eyes stray away from me. There is magic to behold." She released her hands and threw them forward. At once two pure white doves sprung her hands and flew up into the rafters. A wave of applause erupted at the simple gesture. Richard looked around at the easily pleased crowd. Moira smiled broadly.
"Well then, let's begin!" Moira began as most magicians do, with minor tricks involving making things disappear and then reappear. She somehow transported items in people's pockets far across the room. Once or twice she performed a marvelous feat involving a volunteer. At the beginning of another trick an assistant wheeled a table on to the stage. Moira opened a case upon the table and drew an old gun. She held it up to the audience.
"This, ladies and gentlemen, is a civil war flintlock pistol. It was ideal for self defense and dueling. Now I don't know about the rest of you but when it comes to dueling I am much more partial to rubber bands." Bouts of laughter cascaded over the audience. Moira nodded and pointed to Logan. "You sir!" He looked to his left and right and then behind him. "Yes, you……come join me if you please." Hesitantly, Logan rose from his seat and walked up on stage. The beautiful magician played with the weapon as he approached. She smiled sensually at him. "So, have you ever shot anyone before?"
"Uhh….ac-actually I have." Moira arched a brow. Curious chatter erupted among the crowds. Moira, now looking impressed, circled.
"Really? Have you now? What do you do for a living?"
"I'm an FBI agent."
"Well that is just fabulous; we have a man in uniform ladies and gentlemen!" She then held out the pistol to him. "I have some news for you, special agent. You….are going to shoot me." Logan's eyes shifted about uneasily.
"Say what now?"
"You've shot someone before; doing it again shouldn't be too hard for you."
"IIIIII uhhh….I really don't think I can," said Logan. He held the old pistol in his hands.
"Oh it's quite easy; you simply ready the hammer and then pull the trigger." Logan, looking down at the weapon and with his mouth ajar, shook his head. "Come on Garfield…" Logan looked at her, astounded. Rachael and Richard exchanged looks. "Are you or are you not man enough."
"How do you know my name?"
"I'm magic, now shoot me." Logan narrowed his eyes at her. Her smile, almost an evil one widened. "Shoot me…" Logan found himself staring into her bright blue eyes. "Shoot me, Garfield." His finger pulled back the hammer. "Shoooooot meeeeee…" Her silken voice flowed like a Christmas jingle. Logan pointed the gun at her, aligning the sight wither head. His finger teetered on the trigger only applying a slightly amount of pressure.
"SHOOT ME!" Logan pulled the trigger; a loud pop filled the room causing everyone to flinch madly. Moira staggered back so violently that she hit the floor. Logan dropped the pistol and rushed to her side. Moira's head hung limp for a moment. Then she looked up at him and smiled. Between her teeth was the bullet. She spit it out like a wad of chewing gum. "Good shot." A massive resonance of clapping filled the hall as Logan helped the magician to her feet. "Thank you Special Agent Logan, you are a man among men." Logan gladly left the stage as fast as he could. As soon as he happily planted himself back in his seat Richard cleared his throat and leaned over.
"Need a change of underwear?"
"Shut up."
"For my next trick, my friends, I will require yet another volunteer." She trekked around the stage, looking at the people closest to her. She finally chose someone appealing to her and she pointed at him. "You, what is your name?"
"Tad."
"Tad? What kind of a name is that?" she asked with a giggle. Tad shifted uneasily. No doubt this was not the first time he received some type of ridicule for his unusual name. She waved a hand at him, beckoning him to come up on stage. Logan already felt sorry for the guy. Moira shook his hand, giving him a warm welcome. "So, Tad, have you ever been hypnotized before?" He laughed raucously at her ridiculous question.
"Oh come on, you're joking right?"
"I never joke about my work, 007."
"Okay fine, the answer is 'no'." Moira's assistant brought two chairs which quickly became occupied.
"Well, my good Tad," said Moira dusting herself as she sat. "Believe it or not, you enter trance on a daily basis without even realizing it. Every time you, quote, 'space out', you're just staring off into space without having a single linear thought. Whenever you stare out the window in a car while the trees just pass by….it happens without you even realizing it." Richard kept a careful eye on her. Kory also remained attentive of their main suspect. "You don't think of it as odd because it's simply a natural state the mind shifts in and out everyday."
"Look, I don't really believe this stuff."
"Oh that's perfect," exclaimed Moira. "The skeptics always make the best subjects. But before we begin I just want to get to know you better." A few scattered chuckles echoed throughout the hall. Tad appeared unsure. "It'll help things move along easier."
"If you say so."
"You live here?" she asked politely.
"Uhh yeah, have for years now."
"You like it?"
He shrugged. "The heat kind of gets to me sometimes. Other than that I like it a lot actually."
"And you know Hawaii's not too far away either," said Moira casually. He grinned and nodded.
"Yeah, been there done that." Moira laughed also.
"Are you a Bond fan?" Tad nodded offhandedly. "You quirked a smile when I made that 007 joke a moment ago, so I guess I can take you for a fan who has much reverence."
"You can say that?"
Moira nodded. "Very well, then here's a question that's been nagging me for quite some time now: who is the better Bond, Sean Connery or Daniel Craig?" Tad's brow furrowed seriously.
"That's a good question. I don't know, I think-"
"Sleep!" At once his eyes rolled back and his head slumped forward. Various audience members glanced at one another wondrously. Moira, smirking quite maniacally, rose to her feet.
"Now, my friends, was that magic?" She pushed his limp head back against the seat. "Of course it was; the magic of mind over matter. My eager volunteer here is not necessarily in state deep enough for extreme entertainment, but it'll do." She knelt down beside him. "Oh Taaaad, anybody home?" He mumbled inanely. "So Tad, I figured since you don't seem to be too busy at the moment, maybe you and I could provide our audience with some amusement."
Logan shook his head and whispered. "You talk about creepy. Not enough bars of gold in Knox to let her inside my head."
"This stage stuff is a little different than the real thing," said Rachael quietly.
"But still so delightful," chimed Richard. Moira had her poor captive perform all manner of humiliating acts and death defying feats. Her sticking a large needle straight through his hand left some of the light hearted fainting. When she finally did wake him he cast a perplexed look around the hall and found that he was missing a shoe, no doubt a detailing concerning his last act.
"Here, you might want this," said Moira handing him his shoe. Tad took it casting a confused frown at the piece of footwear. Finally he put two and two together and the man, being a good sport, began chuckling and nodding. Moira stood aside and afforded him the proceeding round of applause. Once he took his seat and the clapping had calmed back to silence, Moira looked down at him. "You're a man among men; you really can't put a price on bravery." She turned away and at her beckoning her assistance wheeled out a tall box and a covered rack.
While never allowing her eyes to stray from the stage, Kory leaned over to Martha. "What is she doing now?"
"Just watch, she doesn't do it often but it's her favorite trick."
Moira stood between the two props and took on a most serious look. "Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight you've watched me perform the impossible……..but are you prepared to sit back and watch me perform the unthinkable?" She shifted her narrowing eyes around the nearest audience members. "Well, you're about to. You see, I enjoy sharing the experience with my audience as can be noted by the number of volunteers tonight. My last illusion is no exception-And!....." She added quite suddenly. "I should warn any of you who are bounding to shoot their hands into the air, with this illusion your very lives are at stake." Despite Moira's warning, a flurry of hands extended into the air. She comically paced about the stage looking around at her sea of willing and eager assistants. Finally she pointed to the Geisha sitting beside Kory. Martha might have squealed at the top of her lungs and hugged Kory had the realization that she'd been picked not totally paralyzed her. With the assistance of her friends and even Kory she found herself on her feet and soon up on the stage. She and Moira warmly greeted each other though Martha looked more flushed than anything.
"Welcome, Martha, I'm glad to see you're enjoying yourself." Richard, resting his chin on the top of his cane narrowed his eyes. "Are you ready?" Martha nodded eagerly. Moira smiled and opened the tall box. "Very well, then step inside." Martha trotted into the box and Moira promptly closed the door. "I know what you're all thinking; 'oh here we go, she's gonna make her disappear then reappear big whoop'." Moira placed a hand upon the covered rack. "Maybe I'm exaggerating your thoughts, maybe I'm not. If I'm not, then you have another thing coming." She threw off the cover and the audience saw the rack contained an intimidating arsenal of medieval weaponry. Moira took up a long dagger and walked in front of the box. She craned her neck around to the dead silent audience and smirked. "I bet the rest of you are glad you didn't raise your hand." Without a second thought Moira plunged the long knife into the box. A few people, excluding Richard, flinched at the sound it made. Even Rachael's hand reflexively jumped on top of Logan's.
"Don't get me wrong, it's not like I look forward to putting someone's life in jeopardy. Truth is…." Now Moira selected a broad sword from the rack. She flashed the more horrified onlookers a wink. "I couldn't hurt a fly." Whirling around, Moira forced the tip of the sword through one side of the container and out the other. By this time the color in Kory's face was nearly drained.
Moira giggled like a school girl as she reached for another sword. "Ohhhhh I can hear the water cooler chit chat already; 'Moira, doesn't she have a heart'?" She walked around behind the box. "Of course I do." Like a jump scene in a horror movie the sharp point of the sword suddenly sprang out the front. A smiling Moira peered around the side of the box. "Question is……does she still have one?" Rachael turned her gaze to Richard. He slowly met hers then just as gradually turned back to the spectacle before them. Moira's eyes now trained to the last weapon at her disposal; an enormous and extremely sharp looking double headed axe.
"Any of you considering calling security yet?" She let the gargantuan weapon rest atop her shoulder. "You probably should." With a mighty heave Moira swung the axe around, slicing through the box completely and landing upon the stage. A resounding clang filled the hall as the edge of the axe stuck firmly in the stage. Smoothly, the top half of the box slid off the bottom along the downward diagonal cut. When the minor amount of dust cleared, many astounded eyes saw that the box was empty. She opened what was left of the door to show that her volunteer wasn't simply lying at the bottom in a pool of blood.
"Well would you look at that," mused the illusionist. "I made her disappear!" She looked around the crowd then stopped and gestured to someone at the very back. "Martha!" Eight hundred pairs of eyes simultaneously swiveled around to find none other than Martha, unharmed and beaming. "When'd you get here?" Richard remained seated during the resulting standing ovation and thunderous applause. Moira took a deep bow then melodramatically shot up with her hands high in the air. Kory, feeling the contagious nature of the crowd's jubilance, clapped just as happily.
Minutes later, Moira sat in her dressing room changing out of her performing attire and back into regular clothes. She removed a bit of her make up then reapplied it in some areas. She heard a series of delicate knocks on her door. She smiled as she knew precisely who it was.
"Come in." The door opened and in stepped Kory. Moira turned in her chair and smiled at her. "Well hello there."
"Hello," returned Kory. "Marika informed me that you wanted to speak with me."
"Yes." She could see that one of Kory's feet remained within the door's threshold. "Well come on in then, don't be shy." Kory took the final steps inside and closed the door behind her. Moira looked about then quickly retrieved a folding chair from under a pile of discarded costumes. "Sorry, I don't normally have visitors in here."
"Oh, think nothing of it," replied Kory. She took the seat Moira provided. "I am curious though, why did you wish to see me?"
"I heard the Geishas were close to accepting another into our sisterhood. Marika has simply been gushing about you." Kory's eyebrows rose. "Oh yeah, she's only known you for a little while but you have truly grown on her."
Kory shook her head. "I…have only acted as I normally do."
"And that's what makes you so endearing," said Moira with a wink. "I wanted to see if she was right about your polite speech, your humility, and your bright green eyes. And you didn't disappoint." Kory could only smile. Moira kept her silence, wanting to hear more from the red heard.
"That is very nice of you to say. When the Geishas came to my attention, I was very interested in finding out more."
"And now you're one of us," said Moira. "Welllll, almost one of us."
"Yes, Marika mentioned the….'proper initiations'. I suppose you cannot tell me what they entail." Moira grinned and shook her head.
"Wish I could help, but that would spoil the fun. You'll hear this constantly before it happens, but I went through the same set of trials myself. Trust me; none of them involve dressing in a hotdog suit." Kory would have chuckled except that the documentary on hotdogs she recently viewed suddenly became fresh in her mind. Moira then stood up. "Come with me, I want to show you something."
---AAA---
Soon after leaving her dressing room, Moira led Kory out on to the stage of the hall. Kory's round eyes roamed over the seemingly endless sea of empty seats. Moira stood more or less in the same spot as when she gave her performance earlier that evening.
"Intimidating isn't it?"
Kory nodded in agreement. "The perspective is certainly different."
"I guess entering the university life and joining our ranks can have the same effect." Kory folded her arms and turned in place.
"Moira, I have been flooded with nothing but luxury and sweet words. You are one of the wealthiest people in the world and I am only a freshman who has not yet even been formally inducted into the Geishas. Please, tell me the real reason you wished to see me." Moira's lower lip twitched slightly. "If there is nothing more then I will ask for your leave."
"Kory, I asked to see you because I believe there is potential in you to one day take Marika's place." Kory's expression grew puzzled.
"Her place……you mean her position?"
"All in good time, now as for you and me…" She placed a hand on Kory's shoulder. At the same time Moira's other hand covertly left her pocket and found its way behind her back. Her fingers opened and a tear shaped pendant dangled between them. "I just want us to get to know each other."
Just as the invitation promised, for everyone who managed a stage seat, a dinner gala awaited after the performance. A team of classical musicians provided the mood and music for the large gathering. Richard loaded a plate full of orderves and returned to the table Rachael, Shannon, and Logan were sitting at. They looked away from their modest helpings to Richard's small feast.
"Little snack?"
"Being bored out of my skull makes me hungry."
"Oh come on," said Shannon. "I thought that last one was pretty damn good."
"Trapdoor trick," mumbled Richard. "Textbook case is what it is."
"Yeah well, there aren't any on that stage." Richard stopped eating and looked up at her. She raised her eyebrows as though saying, "Figure that one out". He merely shrugged and swallowed his food.
"She definitely arrogant and loves the spotlight on her," said Rachael. "But does she really have anything to do with the Geishas? Other than that she used to be one?" Logan nodded agreeably.
"When Martha went up on stage she didn't have to introduce herself," said Richard. "Moira already knew who she was, which means…….." He paused. They all waited for him to finish his point. He shrugged. "It means something important; I'll give you a ring when I think of it."
"We should contact Kory, see what she's learned," said Shannon.
"Good idea," said Richard. "I'll get right on it." For the second time that night, Richard stood up and began walking, or rather quickly limping, over to where Kory and the other Geishas were sitting. Rachael made no effort to stop him this time, deciding that he was going to make himself known sooner or later. Richard, like a heat seeking missile, homed in on the round table at which they sat. A waiter carrying a tray of full champagne glasses would eventually find that he lost one en route. The determined agent quickly drained the glass of its contents then let it fall into the dirty dishes bin being wheeled around. Kory was the first to spot him as he approached and her heart came to a sudden and screeching halt.
"Hi!" The chatter at the table ceased. Those who had met Richard before found their social smiles quickly fading away. Marika set her silverware down and cleared her throat.
"Agent Grayson, this is…….unexpected."
"Frequent flyer miles kicked in. I had the choice of either Vegas or claiming a fifty-two inch HD flat screen. Already missed the big game so I decided to come here," said the caustic agent.
"Well how…lucky..for you," replied Marika uneasily. "We've already answered your questions so I have to wonder if there's an alternate reason for you interrupting our meal."
He nodded. "As a matter of fact there is, I'd like to talk to Kory for a moment." Kory's eyes closed in dread. She hoped beyond all capacity for hope that this was part of some intricate plan and not just another in a long list of selfish acts. Martha glanced at Kory then turned a raised brow at Richard.
"How do you know Kory?" Indeed many of the Geishas, Marika especially, wished to know the answer to that question.
"Old friends," he said quickly. "Her old boyfriend's second cousin's roommate used to have this accountant that I rented a movie with once." A strained and highly awkward silence washed over the table. "Then I had to arrest her for growing pot in her basement-"
"Very well!" Said Kory rising to her feet. She sent Richard and her company a weak smile. "I will speak with you."
"You know you don't have to," said Martha. Kory was well of that.
"I know, I return shortly." Kory soon left in Richard's company.
Marika stared after him but also spoke to Martha. "What's he doing here?"
"I don't know."
The head Geisha bobbed her head irritably. "Find out will you."
---AAA---
The pair finally stopped when they came to a bar. Kory rapidly ordered a sparkling water which to her relief arrived very promptly. She took a huge gulp of the bubbling liquid and turned an irked look at Richard.
"Please tell me that served a purpose and was not just for your own amusement."
"Come on, does that sound like something I would do?" Kory's expression remained unchanged. "Okay, it does. Sorry. But I needed to talk to you before I made my next move."
"Which is?"
"Gonna speak with Moira."
Kory nodded while staring off into space. "I see, well I wish you luck."
"What did she want to see you about?" asked Richard. Kory was about to take another sip but halted. "I saw you go back stage; right after Marika whispered something to you." Kory set the glass down, defeated. "So what happened?"
"She…..only wished to meet me and get to know me, as she put it."
"Really?" asked Richard, giving her a semi-suspicious grin. Kory now looked him in the eye and nodded.
"Yes, that is all I promise you." There was no doubt she was telling the truth, although Victor tended to be a better person to person lie detector. Kory drew her new bank card from a small purse slung over her shoulder. "They also seem to have extraordinary financial connections. Even when all that I am wearing has been purchased there is still a substantial amount remaining on that card." Richard quickly jotted the number of card down on a napkin then stowed it away.
"I'll have a 'computer' friend look into this." He jerked his head back at her table. "Better get back, you're new pals may get even more suspicious." Kory turned away and began returning but she stopped and looked back at him.
"How much longer must I keep this up?"
"As long as it takes," replied Richard. "But…" Kory's eyes perked up. "If you really can't stand it….if you really want out, we can get you out." The alien red head considered his offer for a tense moment. When she came to a decision she shook her head.
"Thank you, Richard. I shall remain at my post for the time being." She made certain that there wasn't a single Geisha in sight then after quickly pecking him on the cheek ran back to her table. Richard stood balancing on his cane with a smile.
"The luckiest and unluckiest person on earth."
Like many other things in life, Moira elected to dine alone most of the time. She sat at a table within the confines of a penthouse suit high above everyone else. She silently consumed her lamb while her eyes roamed over a raving review complimenting her show. She had almost finished the article entirely when a knock broke her concentration and a voice on the other side said;
"Room service." The magician placed her initialed napkin on the table and strutted over to the door. She opened it and immediately turned away.
"You're late," she said curtly. She sat back down and turned the page of her periodical. "An artist can hardly be expected to live off an appetizer alone." He took away her empty plate, replaced it with a covered platter, and she blindly slipped him a hundred dollar tip. "Don't thank me, you probably need it." She lifted away the silver dome cover but instead of finding her main course she saw the only thing on the clean platter was a shiny FBI badge. She picked the symbol of authority up in her slender fingers then finally looked Richard square in the eye. He gladly pocketed her tip.
"Thanks, my paycheck sucks."
She handed the badge back to him. "Yours I assume."
"Good guess," said Richard as he took it. He juggled it in the air for a moment before returning it to its home in his breast pocket. "I need to ask you about something." Moira snickered while taking a sip of wine.
"I'll bet." She looked up at him again and with a cat grin narrowed her eyes. Slowly she pointed a finger at him. "You were at my show tonight; row seven, seat thirty-two."
"Yup?"
"Enjoy it?'
"I've seen better," said Richard, looking around her room. Moira ignored his comment as banter. Richard was a person of annoying persistence and it was clear that Moira would not get a moment's peace until she indulged him the slightest bit. With an aggravated sigh, she turned in her chair and crossed her legs.
"So, what do you wish to speak with me about agent….."
"Richard Grayson, and it's about a cute little college student who set off a bomb in a mall cafeteria." Moira folded her arms. "She killed herself and almost took a friend of mine with her."
"And this means what to me?" asked Moira.
"This girl, Emily Regan, was a member of your super sorority. In fact she was more than just a member, she was the poster child: excellent grades, tons of school spirit, a knockout, and probably a heart of silver and gold."
"I knew that one of our sisters had tragically passed away, I didn't know the circumstances," said Moira quietly. Richard placed his cane under arm in order to access his capsule of pills. While he searched for them, a delivery boy entered the room and placed a clipboard before Moira. She signed it and gladly accepted the package he'd brought with him. Richard watched him leave, making sure he was out of earshot before he began.
"You know, in my experience…" He administered his correct dosage. "I find that magicians are a lot like actors, in that they're trained liars. The lie they present isn't the bad type, it's contrary to who they really are; it's all an act and it's all a joke. But it does make it easier to pull off the other kind of deceit." Moira smirked. "And that really get's on my nerves." Moira let her eyes fall away from him for a moment. She then snapped her fingers and began rummaging around in her purse. "What're you doing?" When Moira's hand came back into view, it was holding a full deck of cards. She stood up, fanned the cards out before him and waited.
"Well?"
"Well what?" said Richard.
"Take a card."
He rolled his eyes most noticeably. "Are you serious?"
"Do I look like someone whose not?" Her voice reached that soft silken pitch again. Richard snatched a card out of the bunch and studied it. It was an eight of spades. Moira gave him a generous amount of time to absorb the card in his mind then took it away from him. She placed the deck back on the table and walked toward a waste basket.
"This where you magically guess what I picked?"
Moira smiled back at him. "Not exactly." She held the card over a lighter and set the card aflame. Before the flickering fire could reach her fingers she dropped it in the waste basket and dusted her hands. "Oh well….guess we'll never know, will we?" She stepped behind a foldable stall and began throwing off her daytime clothes. When she reemerged she wore a deep red bathrobe and calmly sat back down at her table. "I'm sorry to say you won't find much in the way of answers here, agent Grayson. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. And my sisters are fall to delicate to stand the likes of you."
Richard checked the time. "They've got another day here, so do I. I'll find out something. Maybe it'll be how you keep them believing the Peter Pan delirium of staying giddy for the rest of your life and that fuzzy kittens and puppy dogs make the world go round." He turned his back on her and made his way to the door. Moira waited for just the right moment then in a clear voice said;
"St. Augustine Cemetery, Gotham City." Richard slowly twisted his head around at her. "That's where your wife and son are buried." Richard's mouth parted unnoticeably and his hand slipped off the door knob. Moira opened the package the delivery boy had brought her and from it drew a crisp eight of spades.
"This your card?"
The holidays are around so hopefully that means more time to update…….If I'm not too lazy that is. XD Seriously, I'll try to get the next one out faster than this. If ever there was a chapter to jump start the plot it was this one so tell me what you think. Laters!