A/N: Well, this ended up longer than expected. Welcome to Convention Chaos! XD
Chapter 7 ~ Coats, Cracks and Cutlasses
Carmen's stomach churned. Subconsciously, she knew she should've skipped breakfast, but she also knew the outcome said action would have resulted in. Zack at least would've mentioned it, doubling the already 11 in 10 chance of Shadowsan noticing the unusual behaviour. She already felt as though something was eating her stomach, and consuming food had only made the feeling more pronounced. She tried her best to ignore it, but her gut felt heavy from the added weight, and she only hoped that wasn't reflected in her face.
The morning had been mostly relaxed. They all got up early to get themselves organised (which proved most challenging for Zack, due to his copious amounts of merchandise), before Chase set out to secure parking near the convention, the majority of their baggage packed into the trunk. After breakfast, they retreated to their rooms to change, an exercise that took the longest for Carmen. It wasn't so much that her disguise was particularly complex – a simple, red handkerchief dress that she styled up with a corset belt, her usual black boots, and a dark burgundy trench coat – but too much time was spent standing in front of the mirror, overanalysing each golden accessory Julia had procured for her. Not that the others seemed to mind. They made use of the time by helping Julia tidy the hotel suite, as well as zip-tying Shadowsan's katana tightly within its sheath with convention zip-ties Zack and Ivy managed to sneak past staff the day before. They were out the door by 9:50am, leaving Julia to check them out, and by the end of their ten-minute walk from the hotel, it appeared as though the convention doors had only just been opened.
Zack and Ivy waited in the foyer as Carmen and Shadowsan received their wristbands, then the four made their way to Level 1, Hall C – "Get it? Hall 'Sea'," Zack once again reminded them. Being both a Sunday and the second day of the convention, the crowds were notably smaller than those present in Ivy's videos. Smaller, but not non-existent. Hundreds of people weaved through the stalls, ranging from the basic pirate-inspired t-shirts like those Zack and Ivy chose to wear to elaborate outfits scarcely seen outside of high-graphic video games. Within seconds, Carmen spotted at least a dozen notable characters (cosplayed with varying degrees of accuracy) from both the texts she'd learned in childhood and the movies she'd been introduced to in recent years. One woman bounded through the crowd like a real-life Captain Amelia, with a perfect costume to match, at once reminding Carmen of little Estrella back at the orphanage. Her nausea worsened, though she hid it well.
Ivy ducked behind Zack and Shadowsan, discreetly activating Red Drone for Player to sync with. The drone slipped by unnoticed, soon hovering amongst the colourful banners hung around the venue.
"Heads up, gang. Our pirate enthusiast just posted a new selfie."
They each took out their phones. They'd already memorised the numerous pieces of the doctor's costume from her social media page, right down to the woollen beanie and tattered red sash, but those work-in-progress images couldn't compare to seeing the look in its entirety. Her dirty blonde hair splayed outwards, pearls hanging from large hoop earrings. Her prized and oversized cobalt blue coat hung from her shoulders, framing her ruffled white blouse, baggy trousers and buckled boots. She truly looked the part of a wave-worn pirate, holding herself with a brooding – almost masculine – stance, complete with a plethora of fake weapons that had already been zip-tied as safe by staff.
Carmen zoomed in on the background of the photo and frowned. "She's in the building."
"Time is of the essence," Shadowsan stated. "Our enemy will not hesitate to begin combing the area."
Ivy struck her fist against her opposite palm. "Then we stick to the plan—"
"—fan out, regroup in the middle—"
"—and reel in our catch." Zack concluded, high fiving his sister.
With one final, unanimous nod, the group split up, Zack and Ivy veering off in their usual pair as Shadowsan vanished from view. Each of them had their own predetermined routes, the four parties set adrift to scour the vast hall. As such, Carmen made her way towards the back of the venue, averting her eyes from every individual she passed.
She reached for her tricorn hat, hiding – or rather trying to – her face behind the lavish feathers spilling over the side as she searched the crowds. It felt strange to be on the field again. She had certainly missed the challenge, but not the discomfort. It didn't help either that she was only just returning after two years out of the game; rounds of hide-and-seek at the orphanage and occasional sparing sessions with Shadowsan could only keep her so sharp.
Ivy spoke up over their intercoms. "Anyone spotted her yet?"
"Nothing from up here. It doesn't help that there's so much on offer."
"Could we use that?" Zack asked. "Like, target something specific?"
"Hard to say." Carmen skirted around a trio of Captain Hooks, the men laughing as they pointed at each other while a staff member photographed them. "It's probably too early for her to hit the food stands, but we don't know enough about her personality to know what she might prioritise…"
Shadowsan joined the conversation. "We know her interest expands beyond mere legends."
"They do have a small selection of medieval weaponry on display," Player interjected. "South wall, second-front quarter."
"Zack and I saw that yesterday. The guy running it said they're from the 'Golden Age' of piracy."
"Sounds like something that'd interest our doctor."
"I will check."
"Thanks, Dad."
Zack cut back in. "So, Carm, what's the plan for after we find her? On a grander scale, I mean. Obviously, we need to get her out the building, but the North Atlantic's still a big area to search."
"Jules is seeing about arranging a boat for us. With any luck, Doctor Ross will be able to use her knowledge to mathematically determine how far the chest could've travelled."
Ivy seemed to hesitate. "Is that even possible? Anything could've happened in the last twenty-four years."
"Well, we can probably rule out a lot of the African and American coastlines," Player reasoned. "Africa's would be too close to the original drop-zone and America's has probably been picked clean already."
Zack suddenly gasped, "Wouldn't it be great if it ended up in the Caribbean? The ultimate pirate adventure!"
Carmen chuckled a little. His enthusiasm was truly infectious sometimes, serving well to help settle her nerves. "Sorry, Zack, the Caribbean Sea isn't part of the North Atlantic circuit."
"Eh, no problem. We can still make an adventure out of it."
Shadowsan's voice returned. "I have located Ross. We are near the historical display."
Carmen sighed, the last of her tension washing away. "Heading your way now. See if you can convince her to leave on her own accord. Everyone else, be on the lookout for VILE."
"Way ahead of you, Red."
"You got it, Boss."
"Shout if you need us, Carm."
Carmen smiled to herself, silencing her intercom. Maybe she was just overreacting. She had her team behind her, they'd already found Doctor Ross less than ten minutes into the convention, and they still had hours of daylight left. Everything was running smoothly, just like she remembered in their heydays. No need to rock the boat with unnecessary self-deprecation… right?
She turned towards the south wall, then stopped. A flash of green passed through the crowds near the far end of the hall, and not the darker shades of the colour typical for pirate attire. It sailed through like a flagship, before disappearing as though only a glint on the waves.
Carmen reached for her earring, but she hesitated to activate it. The last time she received a shocking revelation about the past she thought she knew had been that long ago night in Poitiers, which was promptly followed by a week of seeing imaginary Shadowsans everywhere she looked. She knew she was off her game, and the stakes were lower back in Prague. Wouldn't Player have said something if it were anything other than her own imagination?
No, she decided, lowering her hand. She couldn't send the others on a wild goose chase. Not yet, not until she knew for sure…
The woman stood out in a crowd. Even without the prior knowledge of her costume, Doctor Ross was immediately recognisable from the photos on the Institute's website. She was easily his height – perhaps a little taller with the additional three-inch heels – manoeuvring the tight spaces and various display tables with an impressive amount of skill. It eased his mind that she could likely hold her own to a limited degree, but he saw it wiser not to take chances, especially having sensed a distinct unrest in Carmen those past few days.
Shadowsan tapped her on the shoulder. "Doctor Ross?"
She span on her heel, taking a long moment to glance over his less-than-typical pirate attire. Satisfied, she rested a hand on her hip. "The name be Captain Elfie. What can I do ye for on this jolly day?"
Right… 'Talk Like a Pirate'. It was an oversight on his part; an avid pirate enthusiast at a themed convention would most certainly be using the dialect. He supressed a huff, guiding her to one side. "Doctor Ross, I need to ask you to leave."
The woman reeled back in shock, promptly crossing her arms. "Stand down, sailor. I took a week off work to go on account."
"We have reason to believe your safety has been compromised."
She raised an eyebrow. "'We'?"
"My…" he searched for a publicly appropriate term, "crew, and I."
Elfie relaxed, her defensiveness falling away like unfurling sails. Perhaps his warnings had sunk in. True, the circumstances for delivering such news were less than ideal, but with any luck, she would see the severity of—
"Ah, ye be sayin' some rapscallions put a bounty to me name."
Shadowsan scowled at her impish grin. "That is not what I meant."
"Bah! Let the scurvy dogs bark! I'd like to see 'em tussle with the likes of Captain Elfie." She made a point of holding open one of the front panels of her coat, displaying her full 'weaponry'. Dual swords were strapped around her waist, a pirate's rifle hanging from her belt loop and numerous miniature daggers poking out of each pocket. An impressive arsenal by pretend-pirate standards, but utterly useless against VILE. "But worry not, sailor, I'll keep me deadlights open to be sure."
Shadowsan growled. "Doctor, please—"
She held up a hand to silence him. "Appreciate the shot across the bow, Old Salt, but I ain't just found me sea legs. Whatever danger be lurkin', I'll crush 'em barnacles."
With that, Elfie walked away, going back to browsing the relics on display. Shadowsan huffed. Carmen had more patience for such antics than he did, not to mention the experience of negotiating with the children beneath her mother's wings. She had said she was heading in their direction, so he would have her assistance soon enough.
"Shadowsan!"
Player's voice gave him pause. He had not often heard the boy quite so urgent, and he stepped away to respond. "Player, what is wrong?"
"I have eyes on Coach Brunt."
Shadowsan's chest tightened. "Where?"
The stage had been constructed in the north-east corner of the hall. According to Zack and Ivy, the setup had been used for most of the smaller events on the convention's program – from private panels to more public spectacles – thick, weighted curtains periodically closed and drawn throughout the previous day. A few more events were scheduled for that afternoon, but for now, the secluded area stood unguarded.
Carmen slipped through the barricade and wandered in. Thirty chairs sat parallel to the east wall in neat six-by-five formation, all facing the empty stage, the area separated from the busy concourse by the velvet curtains. She was certain she saw Brunt come this way (or rather a vision of her), but it really didn't surprise her not to find anyone. Her senses had been off before, her reason foggy. The colour she thought she saw didn't even match Brunt's hair, which had probably lost its dye by now anyway. She was overreacting. Looking for danger that wasn't there. She shook her head, ready to walk away.
"Ahoy there."
Carmen whipped around. The curtains rippled as Brunt pushed through. She mostly looked the same, wearing a tracksuit similar to her old one, but the years were evident in her deepened wrinkles, fresh scar through her eyebrow and poorly-dyed green hair. They hadn't come face-to-face since she departed Scotland; a memory Carmen didn't care to dwell on.
"Coach Brunt…" She backed away. She raised her hackles in attempts to hide her nerves. "Shouldn't you be in jail?"
"Is that what you wanted, lambkins?" Brunt scoffed. "To see your family behind bars?"
Carmen frowned and narrowed her eyes. "You're not my family."
"Oh, aren't we? We only fed you, clothed you, raised you—"
"Shadowsan raised me, and he's with Doctor Ross right now, so you might as well turn yourself in."
Brunt laughed – a full, unrestricted sound that turned Carmen's stomach. She'd heard Brunt laugh many times before – it was one of her favourites growing up – but time had distorted the melody. Actually, scratch that; it had revealed the true siren scream behind what she once thought of as a melody.
"Well then," Brunt cracked her shoulder joints, "lucky I didn't come for her."
She frantically looked around as Brunt approached. A forgotten toy sword lay discarded in the corner. Carmen made a break for it, dodging chairs, sliding across the floor. She snagged it, holding it over her head as she pushed herself to her knees. Brunt knocked it clean from her hands, plastic cracking as it struck the ground, then pounced.
Carmen managed to outmanoeuvre her attacks, Brunt stumbling over her own feet as the younger woman sprang off the wall. She landed on one of the chairs, then leapt into a backflip as Brunt hurled another towards her. It sent the surrounding ones flying, tipping around Carmen like bowling pins as she stuck the landing.
"You just don't know when to quit. Do you, little Black Sheep?"
"I didn't start this fight."
"No, I suppose you didn't." Brunt sauntered towards her, her hulking frame blocking out the overhead lights. "Your daddy started it when he up and walked out on us. Guess the green apple don't fall far from the tree…"
Carmen sucked in a breath. It's just talk, she told herself. Attempts to get in my head.
Recognition flashed in Brunt's eyes, and she lunged.
His grip tightened around his phone as Carmen narrowly dodged the attack. The excess of convention noise made hearing the comment impossible, but whatever Brunt had said visibly struck a nerve. Shadowsan watched on helplessly as Carmen – unaware of Red Drone's presence – made a desperate reach for her intercom, only to be forced to deflect another swing from Brunt. She fell back into the curtain, drawing it slightly as she swung to avoid another blow.
"Red won't be able to hold her off for long…"
"Shadowsan can take her though, right?"
"But bro, what about Ross?"
Shadowsan tensed. A petite woman edged through the crowd in full costume. Though clearly still a pirate, her attire had a distinctly futuristic design to it; she wore an old lab coat that had been hastily splotched with patches of neon paint, her 'weapons' fashioned from coiling tubes and what were likely battery-powered LED lights. Her face was masked with glowing makeup, her white hair frizzy around an alien headband, but her tinted goggles were an instant giveaway.
"Doctor Bellum… she's here."
Player sighed, then barked orders over the intercoms. "Zack, Ivy, go find Carmen. If we lose Ross, we lose the tiara."
"On it!"
"Shadowsan—"
"I will handle Bellum."
Deep down, he knew Player made the right call – the call Carmen would want – but it still tore at him. He promised Carlotta he would keep her safe, promised himself. Of the two, Brunt was the far greater threat, but they needed Doctor Ross to find the chest. Carmen would chase it to the ends of the Earth if given the chance, and he feared what said chance would entail. He could only hope Zack and Ivy were enough to buy him some time.
Shadowsan rushed for the doctor as Bellum approached her. Two youths walked past, carrying boxes of takeaway Chinese food; they momentarily threw him off, but he managed to pocket one of the chopsticks as they idly strolled away. Bellum reached a gloved hand into the woman's coat. He had to act. He rounded a quiet stall, briefly losing sight of them before aligning perfectly. He angled himself and threw the chopstick. It hurtled straight for his foe, striking her squarely on the wrist.
"Ay!" Bellum yelped, recoiling to rub the area. The sound caught Elfie's attention, the woman promptly backing away as Shadowsan positioned himself between them.
The scientist gritted her teeth, but she made no attempt to fight him. He lunged forward, catching her wrist before she could flee. He looked over his shoulder to address the other woman present. "Doctor, did she take anything?"
Elfie shook herself, retrieving a leather pouch tied to her hip. She briefly rummaged through it, then sighed in relief. "No, I'm good."
The glove went limp in his hand. Shadowsan turned, straightened, growled. He searched the shifting crowd for a good ten seconds, but Bellum was likely long gone. He must have loosened his grip. He should have known better than to take his eyes off her. It was a careless mistake; even in his early days, he was not prone to such egregious errors.
"This 'danger' isn't just pirate-talk, is it?"
She had dropped the maritime vernacular, and something in him relaxed.
"She did not come alone. Please, for my daughter's safety…"
Elfie nodded. "Okay. Lead the way."
"Stay close." Shadowsan took off, casting occasional glances back at Elfie as she followed close behind, then tapped his intercom. "Ross is secure. I am on my way."
"We have eyes on Carm. She's not looking so good."
Zack groaned in frustration, reverbing as both his and Ivy's microphones caught the sound. "She can't wait any longer, sis. She needs backup now!"
"How!?" Ivy stressed. "We're the only agents onsite, and we can't cause a panic!"
The intercoms went silent for a moment, then Zack's optimistic voice chimed in Shadowsan's ear.
"I know what to do."
Carmen made a break for the stage, leaping onto it in a flawless, desperate bound. She cocked her wrist, extracting her grappling hook. She searched the ceiling, then aimed for a metal beam.
A meaty hand grabbed her ankle. Carmen yelped; the device trigger forgotten as she hit the floor. Brunt hefted herself onto the stage. It shook beneath her, shaking Carmen to her senses. The jolt came too late, Brunt lifting Carmen over her head. "If I'm goin' down, I'm takin' you with me."
Carmen reached for the hand, trying to pry the large fingers from the collar of her trench coat. Her legs flailed, she tugged against the firm hold. Nothing worked. From the corner of her eye, she saw Brunt clench her free hand into a fist. She braced for impact, and waited…
"MUTINY!"
Carmen cracked an eye open. Some twenty feet away, Zack stood on an empty vendor table, holding a plastic cutlass in the air. Ivy was there too, a bewildered look clear across her face as members of the public abandoned their prior distractions, all turning to Zack.
"Avast, me mateys!" He lowered his arm, pointing the cutlass directly at the pair on-stage. "Turn ye mugs off me bowsprit. The Lady Red dares taketh the Green Menace!"
The crowd all followed his instructions, hundreds of eyes blinking at her as she struggled in Brunt's grip. A confused but curious hum settled over the convention hall.
"Arrgh, she be the fiercest scourge of the seven seas." Zack gave his sister a purposeful look, some unspoken plan written across his face. At last, Ivy caught on, trying to hype herself up as she cupped her hands around her mouth.
"A-aye, the Lady Red needs help!"
Excitement bubbled within the crowd, the dull hum rising as pirate enthusiasts muttered amongst themselves. Carmen's stomach dropped, the realisation carrying a wave of panic, and she muttered under her rapid breath. "Zack, what are you—"
Brunt sniggered at her, or maybe the situation. Carmen wasn't sure which, but she certainly didn't seem fazed. If anything, she seemed to enjoy the attention. "What'll it be, lambkins? You gonna bleat for help?"
Carmen glanced around. She couldn't see Shadowsan anywhere, not that he would've been able to do much in this scenario. The public was involved now – a breach of ACME's protocols and countless loose ends for VILE. Zack was smart to use the convention itself in the ruse, but Brunt wouldn't likely play along. Chase, Lupe Peligro, Shadowsan himself – all competent, all lucky to survive a fight against her.
"What say you, Lady Red?" Zack shouted over the stirring crowd. "Shall I give the order?"
Brunt whispered in her ear. "You ain't nothing but a sheep in wolf's clothing. Just like your daddy…"
"Carmen!"
Player… Who knew how long it had taken him to override her intercom, but his voice now rang in her ear. Red Drone hovered above, and she knew Player would be watching the feed from his room back at HQ. How many times had he listened as she almost died? How long afterwards did he remember those close calls? She couldn't put him through that again.
Reluctantly, Carmen looked back to Zack and bobbed her head. He nodded back, then swung his cutlass in a slashing motion. "Weigh anchor, mateys! Blow the woman down!"
"Aye aye!"
Zack jumped off the table, quickly cutting through the crowd as they rushed the stage. Moments before impact, Brunt threw her captive sideways like an obsolete ragdoll, her attention fixed on the shiny army of convention goers.
Carmen landed clumsily amongst the scattered chairs. They broke her fall to some extent, but something bit into her skin. She barely noted it, more concerned for the civilians tumbling around the stage. She got to her feet, only for a strong hand to drag her from the carnage. At last, Shadowsan emerged from the chaos with Doctor Ross in tow, a momentary flash of relief passing over his face.
Ivy shoved her towards the ninja. "You and Shadowsan go ahead. I'll stay here and help Zack."
"But—!"
"Carmen." Shadowsan interrupted, a sternness in his voice that she hadn't heard in years now. He motioned for her to follow, sparing a brief but emboldening nod to Ivy before she ran back into the throbbing centre of the brawl.
Carmen relented, letting him shepherd her away, but her gaze never left the fight. She couldn't see Zack or Ivy, but the top of Brunt's head remained visible, the crest of a mountain as wannabe pirates attempted to dog-pile her. Their efforts were met with constant, brutal resistance, until finally the swarm was hidden from view. She could only imagine what came after, however she wished not too.
"Chase is on the way. You're clear to head for the main entrance."
She sprinted through the venue, Elfie and Shadowsan hot on her heels. Chase pulled up from the north, drifting slightly along Convention Center Drive as he stopped in front of the entrance. He called out to them through the open window, "Julia has secured a boat for us. We can be there in ten minutes."
Carmen opened the back door for Elfie as Shadowsan ran for the front passenger door. "VILE's on-scene. We can't let them follow us."
"Leave that to me, Red."
Red Drone flew past her. Satisfied, she threw herself in the car. "Go!"
Chase slammed down the accelerator, straightening out as he sped onto an unnamed road. A flash of charcoal caught Carmen's eye, loitering just inside the Miami Beach Parking Garage as they passed, but it went by far too quickly for her to ponder what it might have been.
Elfie spoke up. "Ye wouldn't be a normal swashbuckler, aye lass?"
"Think of us as professional treasure hunters."
"What kind of treasure?"
"Uh…" Chase turned left onto Meridian Avenue, and Carmen struggled for a way to explain herself. "Well, the thing is—"
"Red! Shadowsan!" Player's voice cut in. "You've got a tail."
Shadowsan retrieved his phone from his belt. It connected to Red Drone, showing another car looming behind them. He zoomed in on the Toyota's driver, grimacing at the familiar face. "Maelstrom."
Carmen leaned forward in the seat. "Stay clear of Alton Road. We can't risk a car chase in such heavy traffic."
Chase smirked. "Let's see how he keeps up with my driving skills."
She turned back to Elfie. "You might want to hang on…"
The three passengers grabbed at the car's interior in subconscious fear as Chase turned sharply onto Lincoln Lane S, narrowly missing the cars parked in the adjacent lot. His next turns were smoother; right onto Euclid Avenue, left onto 16th Street, then right again onto Pennsylvania Avenue. Maelstrom followed close behind, stalking them down the picturesque passageways lined with parked cars and palm trees.
"Persistent son of a biscuit eater, isn't he?" Elfie commented. "What's all this about?"
"Thumbnail: my birth father stole something, and we need to find it before they—crowd. Crowd! CROWD!"
A large group dawdled through the junction of Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th Street, adults and a few children dressed in beach attire and carrying tote bags. Chase jumped, hitting his palm to the horn. The group raced across, shocked parents clutching their kids as they flew past, Maelstrom hot on their heels.
Shadowsan growled. "We cannot allow this to continue."
"Put me on speaker! I think I see a way for you to shake him."
Red Drone flew higher. The streets below were pencil-straight, criss-crossing each other like the lines of a misshapen chessboard. Cars inched along, mere ants around interconnecting picnics, safe for the two still hurtling down Pennsylvania. Without warning, the lead car angled right. It drifted seamlessly around the corner, disappearing down 14th Street as its tail shot straight through.
Maelstrom looked back with a burning vengeance, only noticing himself pulling on the steering wheel when he veered right, ploughing into a row of parked cars in the process. He groaned and backed out again, striking a garbage can. He tore down 14th Street. Ran a stop sign. Searched each turning in frantic passing glances, rapidly approaching Flamingo Park. He slammed on the break but still clipped the curb, sending him flying and landing passenger side to the iron gates. Heads turned across the grass, and Maelstrom slunk out of the wreck without so much as a scratch.
Two streets over, on the corner of 14th Street and Euclid Avenue, a custom Blanton-Webster sat stationary beneath a lush, overgrown tree, its dark blue paint almost perfectly hidden beneath the cover of shadow. Within, the occupants huddled to view the front passenger's phone, a voice speaking over the feed of a disgruntled Maelstrom walking away.
"Nice work, Chase. He'll have no chance of tracking you on foot."
Carmen fell back into her seat, sighing as her heartrate began to ease. "We can't stay here."
From the corner of her eye, she saw Elfie look her over. "Just tell me one thing. What's your plan for if you do find this treasure?"
She took her time to respond. "Look, I don't know exactly what's down there. But one of those items was the greatest discovery my grandfather ever made. He… died before I was born, but he'd want it back at the museum where it belongs. I owe him that."
"It really worth that much to you, lass?"
It means everything. Carmen held back on saying those exact words. "More than you know…"
Elfie nodded. "Alright, me hearty. It'd be an honour to join ye noble quest."
Shadowsan noticed a subtle mist forming in his daughter's eye, but he kept his focus on Ross. "Thank you, Doctor."
"We best get to our vessel." She made the gesture of tipping a hat to Chase. "Chart a course for the coast, coxswain."
Chase simply nodded, easing from the shadows and back into the lazy streets. Red Drone hovered close by, sinking beside the open back window for Carmen to catch.
The South Beach Loop trolley stopped beside Old City Hall, the beige museum standing proudly on the corner of Washington Avenue and 12th Street as the bright blue vehicle dipped towards the pavement, allowing a seemingly blind passenger to alight. The woman called a cheery word of thanks over her shoulder as she hobbled into the warm mid-day sun, but her back straightened as the trolley drove back into the fray, and she removed her $20 convenience-store sunglasses.
Doctor Bellum reaffixed her goggles into place, stuffing the sunglasses into her pocket as she continued back up the road. The Miami streets were surprisingly quiet for a September Sunday, but she concluded herself strategically sound to have worn civilian clothing under her convention costume. Maelstrom had changed his mind on rendezvous locations repeatedly over the past forty-eight hours, each proposed checkpoint feeling more outlandish than the next, but his final decision had each of them raising their eyebrows, minimally assured by his insistences of it being "the last place anyone would think to look".
She hurried across the 12th Street crossing, angling her face away from the Chase ATM building on the off chance of it having working surveillance cameras. A few doors down – and almost hidden by the dark green awning – hung a simple shop sign, its bold, colourful letters washing into each other from even a short distance. As Bellum approached, the jumbled mess of hues and smells began to separate into distinct flavours. Creamy scents of fruit and chocolate wafted out the open door of Miami 'N' Ice, vibrant menus and framed sundae portraits lining the walls.
"A most timely arrival, Doctor Bellum."
The scientist span on her heels. The cramped parlour only had a single table set up, but somehow Maelstrom still seemed to vanish into his seat by the window, his back facing the glare. He gestured across the table to an untouched sundae: delicate rolls of banana ice cream, topped with Nutella and hazelnut sticks. His own had been partially consumed – or perhaps just mutilated – the lopsided tubes of Skittle confection resembling some ungodly mix of bleeding food dye infested with sour worms.
"Your frozen treats were beginning to melt."
"Forgive my delay, Professor." Bellum sank into the plastic, orange chair, not taking her eyes off the man as she picked up her spoon.
"Shall I take your solo appearance as confirmation that Coach Brunt will not be joining us?"
She swallowed her mouthful, glancing between the two – and only two – desserts he had ordered prior to her arrival. "Carmen's cronies staged an intervention amongst the locals to orchestrate Brunt's arrest. She's probably in ACME's custody by now."
Maelstrom scoffed, waving a hand in front of himself as if he were only mildly inconvenienced. "She has always been a thorn in my side. But no matter. We should press on without her."
"Should we not discuss this with Cleo as well?"
"She is already in position, as planned." Bellum couldn't quite find the words to describe his response, but something in him changed, as though some sadistic piece of him had miraculously brightened. "Were we successful in our objective?"
A cunning smile crept across her face as she set aside her spoon. "We might have failed to capture Doctor Ross like we initially hoped, but our backup plan appears to have been successful."
Maelstrom watched – equally pleased – as she took out her phone and turned it towards him. A small green dot pulsed across the map, heading out to sea towards the Bimini Islands.
"I managed to slip my transponder into her pocket moments before Shadowsan intercepted me," Bellum explained. "After I snuck away, I was able to remotely hack into the doctor's phone. We will now have access to her precise coordinates wherever our foes take her."
"Then cheers, Doctor Bellum!" The professor held up his ice cream tub like a stemless wine glass, motioning towards her. "Let us celebrate the coming rebirth of our glorious institution."
A/N: Phew, finally done! This is probably the most complex thing I've written to date. Sorry for the later than usual upload; hopefully the added time has made this chapter worth the wait.
Fun fact: The car chase scene was put together entirely through Google Maps. I'm not kidding! I located a boat rental in the area, moved the suggested directions to form a convincing route, turned on Street View to "drive" down that same route and used what showed up on the stills as inspiration for potential obstacles. This – right here – is the length I will go to for accurate details.
Alright, for those who may have missed it, I will be on hiatus for the next month or so while I complete my final thesis for Honours. I do like to keep a back-log of chapters ready to go as I'm writing the later ones, but I should be posting Chapter 8 somewhere around late-July. Until then, I'd love to hear your thoughts and look forward to seeing you all back for the second half of this fanfic. Happy reading! :D
