Disclaimer: The show Victorious, its characters and others associated copyrights are property of someone else and not me.
Revenge of the wolf
Chapter 11 – Ship of fools.
For the start of the next chapter we wind the clock back to the previous night. After getting the information from Mr. Simm, the group stayed a while to enjoy the music, then departed, going their separate ways for the night. They of course had planned to meet at 7:00 Am the next morning to head to the abandoned army base.
We again flashback to the events of nearly 2 weeks previous and now very near finding out just what happened to Jade.
No One's Pov
The Taxi ride home was quiet, with Jade going over the events of the day in her head, while Tori blankly looked out the window.
Arriving at their hotel, the walked up to their room and immediately Tori lay down on the bed.
Jade who was excited by the prospect of putting big in a body bag, paced back and forth. "Just think Vega. By tomorrow Mr. Big will be dead and this will all be over."
"Yeah." Replied Tori in a lackluster voice, as she starred up at the ceiling.
Jade stopped and turned to Tori. "That's good, we can go home. I want to go home too you know. I miss Fiona and the twins just as much as you."
Tori didn't respond, causing Jade to sit down on the bed and take her hand. Only to have Tori pull it away.
"What gives Vega? I'd thought you'd be happy this is almost over."
The Latina sat up on the bed and glared back. "I'm not sure if we should be here at all."
"Why? We've done some good here."
"Yes, I know that Jade. But this with the guy at the drug lab. It all seems too….." Tori then let her voice trail off.
"Seems too what?"
"Easy Jade….Easy."
Suddenly getting defensive, Jade shot back. "No way! You think any of this was easy?"
"There you go again Jade, just dismissing me. It's bad enough I have to put up with Margo's kissing your ass all day or Valentina's constant bragging. But you just dismissing me….you've been doing a lot of that lately." Snapped Tori.
For a moment, Jade paused. "I love you Tori."
"This is not about Love Jade. This is not about sex. This is about respect. I'm your mate….not Margo….not….." Tori then sprung off the bed. "I don't want to fight with you Jade. I want to be at home. I want to be playing with the girls or sitting by the fireplace with a book. I don't like this Jade. I don't like any of this. I have a very bad feeling about this."
Jade, sensing the depth of Tori's anger and despair, softened her voice. "We're almost through this. I need you by my side. I know we need to talk things out and I promise we will. But please….back me up here. We're going to be fine."
After seeming to stare off into space for a moment, Tori walked up to Jade and briefly took her hand. "I'll be there for you; I'll always be there for you. I'm tired I don't' want to talk anymore. I want to go to bed."
The pair quickly made preparations for bed, with Tori getting there first. Once Jade was ready and slipped under the covers, she heard Tori whisper.
"Hold me. Make me feel safe, make me feel loved."
Jade quickly pressed her naked form against Tori's and pulled her in tight. Nothing more was said and both quickly drifted off into sleep.
The next morning they got up at 6:00 am and had started to get ready for the day. However Just as Jade turned on the shower at 6:14 am. The heard a pounding at the door.
"Jade, Tori, It's Margo."
Tori quickly opened the door so see, Margo, without makeup and looking like she dressed hastily.
"What's up."
"My father's friend was watching the base this morning. He just called to say a limo showed up at 6:00 Am. He didn't see where it went on the base but it came. I came as soon as I could. I think something's up."
Jade, who had heard the conversation from the bathroom, emerged. "The meeting's not until 9:00. That's a bit early."
Just then Tori's phone rang. She picked it up, said hello and listened for a few moments. Then she said thank you and hung up.
"That was Mr. Simm. He said he just got a text from Mr. Big. The meeting's been moved up to 7:30 sharp."
"Shit!" Cursed Jade.
"Jade, if I may." Suggested Margo. "I think we need to leave now!"
"What about Valentina and Julia."
Margo turned to Jade. "I tried calling them, but they must have been in the shower or getting ready. It will take at least half an hour to get to the base and we can't just rush in. We have to see if there are any other people about. We need to scout out the location before we go in. I know where it is, but I've never been there. If we wait until 7:00 to meet the others, we'll be rushing in blind and probably won't make it on time. We can't do that. I think we need to leave now!"
Jade, after considering it for a moment quickly agreed. It was hasty, but Jade wanted Mr. Big's hide so much she didn't want to do anything that would blow her chance. "We'll throw on some clothes and be ready in 5 minutes. Meet us downstairs."
"Great! I've got my car parked in front. It's piece of junk, but it will get us there." Said Margo, as she turned and left.
It wasn't until Margo had shut the door did Tori, express her displeasure. "Jade, we have no idea how powerful this person is. We need Valentina and Julia."
"I know, but Margo's right. We can't just charge in there. If were late, that the gig us up and our chance is gone."
"Margo's right! I'm sick of Margo." Hissed Tori. "Jade I don't like this. I don't like this at all. Why can't you see it or has your ego gotten so big, that you can't see your hand in front of your face. All your power and this stupid hero worship had gone to your head. Somedays I miss the old Jade, the human Jade. You know that!"
Jade however, was undeterred. "Vega! That was then, this is now. I'm the queen of all werewolves, a Fenrir, and the three of us can do it. I need you at my side. We don't have time to argue here. We need to move and Now!"
Tori huffed, but stepped back. "Fine, but when this is done, we will have that talk…About you about me and about US!"
Things resolved for the moment, the pair got dressed very quickly. However, Tori felt the need to write a quick note to Julia and Valentina. For some reason, she also decided to not tell Jade or Margo about the note.
When she got to the lobby, she told them to go ahead while she got a bottle of water from the little store in the lobby. She did, but left the note with the desk, for Julia and Valentina.
They hopped into the car and arrived at the base around 6:56 in the morning.
They parked in a stand of trees about 100 yards away from the army base and carefully, made their way towards the base, across a field. Along the way, Margo said it was one of the bases the Russian Troops were based at during the cold war. However this base was abandoned in the early 60's when a new base was built several miles away. One or two groups tried to make something of the buildings, but in each case
In short time, they reached the old fence which had fallen down in several places and hid in the bushes. All seemed quiet on the abandoned army base. They spotted a number of old cement buildings, most of which were covered in graffiti. They looked very old and several already appeared to be falling apart.
Off to the side, they spotted a very rusty, Soviet era, T-54 tank, sitting out in the open. It looked like it was being repaired when the base was abandoned and simply left behind.
Jade looked at the time on her phone, "We've got 25 minutes until the meeting. Let's circle the perimeter of the base and see if we can spot any lookouts or security."
It was at that very moment, many miles away at the house that Julia and Valentina where checking out, when Valentina realized that something was very wrong.
Valentina, a look of suspicion growing on her face, said. "I smell something."
"What do you smell?"
The blonde werewolf, quickly cursed something in Russian, "A RAT! We need to get in that house now!"
Valentina sprinted towards the back door of the house and using her superior werewolf strength kicked it open.
She entered, followed by Julia to find themselves in a rather modern looking kitchen, complete with Marble countertops.
However it was a leather Jacket, hanging on a hook, next to the doorway that caught her attention. "Julia, does this Jacket look familiar?"
Julia, brushed back a lose strand of hair and examined the Jacket. A second later her eyes went wide. "This jacket, Margo was wearing this the other night."
"That's what I smell. That rotten traitor….Margo. Her scent is all over this house and the yard. She lives here. How nice of her not to mention the fact, that she knows Mrs. Janda." Fumed Valentina, as she walked from the kitchen into the living room.
Julia followed and noted the living rooms furnishings. "Margo said she lived in a small apartment and worked at some sort of sandwich shop. Let's see, this room as very expensive furniture, a 70" flat screen TV, the latest model X-box with all the games. A high end stereo system. We've been conned! She's working for Mr. Big, she has to be!"
Valentina pulled out her phone and started to dial. "I need to warn Jade, then tear out and eat that traitor's heart."
Julia picked up a small box off a table and stopped Valentina. "Don't bother, it won't be of any use. Look"
Valentina looked to see it was the box for a portable cell phone jammer. It was a very small and expensive model which could fit into a pocket. Though it only had a very short range. She also noted the box was open and empty.
"Valentina, she's got that in her pocket. I'll bet if you call, you just get voice mail."
"I'll try anyway." Julia said as she pulled out her phone.
As Julia tried calling both Tori and Jade, to no avail. Valentina smelled the air again, with now a puzzled expression.
"You smell something else, Valentina?"
She nodded. "Yes, it's extremely faint. I can't quite make it out. Something else, something I don't like."
"What?"
Quickly Valentina began shed her clothes and as she did said. "I need to turn into a wolf. My sense of smell is much better. "
As soon as Valentina was naked, she transformed into a wolf and began to sniff around. Quickly Valentina growled in displeasure and seemed to follow the scent to a wall in the dining room.
Turning back into a human, Valentina pointed to the wall. Something's behind this. See if you can find a switch. I'll change back.
A quick search by Julia revealed panel on the wall that when pressed, caused the wall to open up. Beyond was a stairway going down.
Valentina, now dressed, soon returned and ran down the stairs. Julia could only wonder just what Valentina smelled and followed her down. She found herself in small basement room. To her right she saw a metal work bench with tools and some other items. Straight ahead were several storage containers, but it was a large metal door to her left which is what Valentina was standing in front of.
The werewolf quickly pulled it open and they were instantly greeted by the smell of death. Inside was a medium sized room with metal walls and cement floor. In one half of the room there was comfortable furniture, sitting on plush carpeting. They even spotted a photo album sitting open on a table. It appeared to contain pictures of Margo on vacation somewhere. It was what was on the other side of the room, that made them nearly wretch.
Along the wall were 3 dozen small alcoves. Each no more than a foot across and a foot wide and about 3/4ths of them contained a human skull. Mounted in front of each skull was what appeared to be an Id or drivers license for some person. Just to the right of the ghastly display was a pile of bones in the corner. They looked fresh, with some meat still on them and blood on the floor running into a drain nearby.
With a disgusted look, Julia picked one up, and examined it. The bone was an upper arm bone for a person and like the rest of the bones looked gnawed. As a child she had a dog and occasionally as a treat, her father would give it a steak bone. The dog of course would happily gnaw on the bone and these looked very much the same, once the dog was done with them.
"What the hell!" Exclaimed Julia, as she dropped the bone.
Valentina picked up a bone, looked at it and tossed it aside. "This is a fresh kill or in other words, Margo's breakfast."
"She's eating people?"
Valentina walked over to one of the skulls and looked at the ID mounted in front of it. She then put the name into her phone's search engine.
"Hans Schorst. Disappeared 2 years ago, Dussledorf, Germany. He was last seen walking home from a bar after a night of drinking."
The then did the same for one next to it.
"Kirsten Jerawlski. Disspeared 11 months ago. Kalisz, Poland. Car had broken down in the country side. Police think she had begun to walk to the nearest town but never made it."
"These are people from all over Europe. All missing person's I'd guess. She's….."
Valentina finished her sentence. "A renegade. We try to live in harmony with humans. But some of us go bad occasionally, revert to more primitive instincts. They think of humans as prey, lesser beings. Think they should be dominated, fattened and slaughtered."
"She's hunts people like you do?"
Immediately taking offence, Valentina got in Julia's face. "That traitorous bitch is nothing like me. Yes, I do enjoy the thrill of the hunt and I've eaten people, but I do it for God and country and only when I have to. I go after rapists, murders, terrorists, people that the law can't get at. I go after the scum of the earth. Believe me, if I go after you….you deserve just what's coming to you. I don't kill and eat random people I find walking home from bars, just for the hell of it. It's wrong, period. She's fucking psychotic. She prefers human flesh to normal food any day of the week. In fact she probably delights in eating people. I'll bet Janda wasn't sending all her victims to the Brothel. Some ended up in this slaughterhouse."
"I'm sorry."
Valentina backed off. "Apology accepted. Let's get out of this room. Nothing but death is here."
They walked out of the room and as Valetina shut the door, Julia spotted something on the work bench that caught her attention.
"Julia, we need to warn Tori and Jade now!"
"Wait a second." Said Julia, as she walked to the work bench. Sitting in the center of the work bench were 5 small vials, four of which were empty and a typed not in Czech.
Suddenly having a very bad feeling, Julia took the one vial that still had liquid in it and cast an incantation on it. The small vial quickly began to glow a bright red color.
"Oh my god!"
Valentina rushed up. "What?"
Julia held up the vial. This is Wilner extract, but unlike the stuff we found in the brothel, many, many times more concentrated and powerful."
Valentina picked up the note. "I can read it."
"Go ahead."
Valentina then began to read.
"Margo.
Unlike the last time, the Wilner extract is now exactly tailored for Jade. It is also more concentrated so it will take fewer doses. This time we will not fail. She will need at least 4 doses and they need to be at least 2 hours apart. Then all you need to do is slip that small talisman in her pocket and bring her to me. Once the work is done, with my control over Jade and with you at her side, we will greatly expand their numbers and put the werewolves where they should be. The top of the food chain."
Valentina put the note down. "It is not signed. But what do they mean by, unlike last time."
Julia snapped her fingers. "That's it. When Jade was kidnapped and replaced by an imposter. They must have been prepping her for this mind control spell. Of course the first person that would have to go was Tori. But Tori was warned and managed to defeat the demon imposter. They must be doing it again….."
"But how did Margo?"
"Think Valentina, what is the one thing that, helpful and eager to please Margo has done each and every time we've been out to a bar or a place to eat."
The blond suddenly paled. "She got drinks! She must have been slipping that stuff into Jade's drinks. At the meeting, Mr. Big is going to take control of Jade's mind. Tori's walking into a trap!"
Julia shuddered as thought formed in her head. "Worse, Jade is the trap!"
Realizing the urgency of the situation they both dashed upstairs and out of the house. Once outside, Julia looked in her bag and cursed. "Damn. I left the ingredients for my teleport spell at the hotel."
Valentina who had been looking up the location of the army base, on her phone suddenly smiled. "How long do we have before the meeting starts?"
"About 9 minutes."
"We may be in luck. That base is right next to that town where Beck is filming that movie. He could reach them before us."
Julia pulled out her phone. "I'll call him."
Beck was relaxing in his trailer, when his phone rang.
"Hello."
He suddenly heard the frantic voice of Julia on the other end. "Beck this is Julia. I need your help."
"What?"
"Are you located near that old military base?"
"Yes, it's about a mile and half down the road. Me and some of the film crew checked it out on the first day. You know they have…
Julia cut him off. "Tori, Jade and Margo were going there, where they were going to meet the head of the whole organization. We, thought we'd tricked Mr. Big into thinking they were meeting with one of their underlings. They were supposed to meet in the old motor pool building. They were going to ambush Big, but it's a trap!"
"What!"
"Margo's a traitor, not to mention a psychopath. She's been dosing Jade with that same crap from the brothel. When they get there Mr. Big will take control of Jade's mind. They're going to kill Tori!"
"Oh my god! What can I do?"
"Look you have about 8 minutes before their supposed to meet Big. If you can get there in time, you need to warn Tori and Jade. Tell them, to get the hell out of there."
Beck quickly looked out the window of his trailer for a vehicle he could use. "The prop guy just parked his car in front of my trailer. I'll be there in 5 minutes. Wish me luck!"
Not even bothering to say goodbye, Beck hung up the phone and dashed out of his trailer. A minute later he found the prop guy and have gotten the keys, was racing towards the military base.
Realizing Julia's hotel was closer than the army base, Valentina and Julia dashed to Julia's hotel so she could get the ingredients for her teleport spell, plus some other items she may need.
Meanwhile Jade, who had no clue she was leading Tori into a trap, smirked and said. "Ok, the coast looks clear. Let's slowly start to make our way to the building. It's ass kicking time."
Time: the present.
Jade's Pov
That was 13 days ago. I was so confident going in, so arrogant, so sure of victory, so utterly blind to the fact that Margo was a traitor.
How does the bible verse go? I'm not very religious but in this case, the verse is dead on.
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
Now look at me, I've fallen about as far as I can and still live. I can't even get out of bed; my bones, while healing, are still broken. My soul and spirit are just as broken. I had no idea I was walking my beloved Tori into a trap. Just the thought of it, makes me burst into tears. She was my mate, my love. Our bond was supposed to be unbreakable. Ever since I've awoken here in this world, I've cried myself to sleep every night. I miss her so much, her touch, her everything. I miss our children. They think I'm dead now. I might as well be dead.
Tori, I should have listened to you. Trusted you. I didn't. I was a fool. I'm sorry Baby! Please forgive me.
I cry out her name, begging her to come back, to forgive me. The guilt, the anguish the despair…I'm drowning in it.
But as much as I want her forgiveness, I can't forgive myself. For what I did, for what I allowed to happen and what I finally made Tori do….
The bible verse in question is Proverbs 16:18
The chapter title, "Ship of fools" Comes from the song of the same name by the British band, World Party. It's a song off their 1986 album, Private Revolution. The song kinds of represents, Tori's point of view.