Misfit Mercs Saga

Double Edged Blade

Part 2

Azure Skies, Azure Blades

By Nick Maro

Jetta shut her eyes tight. She had weapons pointed at her before but this time it felt different. The man holding the gun knew who she was and intended to shoot her in the desert sand. She wished that she could've told Roxy everything. Curiosity overcame her as she slowly opened one eye to peek at the man.

"Wait!" David yelled in panic. "Don't shoot her! You don't understand!"

The man pointing the gun slowly moved his finger off the trigger and looked at David. "Then explain it, David Ikari." He spoke with a pleasing Egyptian accent.

He knows my Japanese name. Who is this guy? David thought to himself. Whoever he is though, it can't be good. David cleared his dry throat. "You said False Blade that must mean you're a True Blade. Just explain what you meant before you kill her."

"You are right about me being a True Blade." The man now relaxed the hammer of the weapon, but kept it pointed at Jetta. "Now think about what that would mean."

"of course!" Jetta said quietly her eyes going wide with a sudden realization. "There are two factions! The Azure Blades here in Egypt and another Azure Blades in England. The False Blades are the ones from London. But why do you call them that?"

The man deeply laughed. "Very good, Ms. Burns! You do possess the genius I have read about." He finally lowered the gun and holstered it in his jacket. "They are known as the False Blades because they have strayed from what the Azure Blades were all about. When Eddie took over the London faction he made a mockery of what the Azure Blades truly are."

Jetta ran over to David and hugged him tightly, relieved that she was going to be safe. She and David then turned to face the man while wearing a face of confusion. "And what are they?"

The man sat in the sand and waved a hand in front of him. "Please, sit. I will explain all." Slowly, David and Jetta sat next to each other. The man cleared his throat and started explaining. "When you joined the Azure Blades, Sheila, it was under the leadership of Ka-aper. Yes he sold drugs had women sell their bodies and other illegal activities. What no one but he knew was that there was another activity. The most important of all: information collection. None of the drugs were real. There were women who slept with men but were paid in information. The gambling rackets, however, were real. That is how he generated a moderate income. But everything else in some way, shape or form was done in information.

"When Eddie killed Ka-aper that's when we cut ties from our London faction. They were now considered our mortal enemies. We still had informants inside, though. For example, the woman Stevie you were sleeping with. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Eddie forced the women to now sleep with men for money and distributed real narcotics once he learned they were fake. Here in Egypt we helped in our own way. We notified the authorities to various activities that they were conducting. This all happened mere days after Stevie and yourself fled London, Ms. Burns. You were very lucky but so was Eddie. The police were on his trail but he escaped with a little cash.

"Once we learned that you had left the False Blades we no longer considered you a threat. In fact we followed your progress to guarantee that you wouldn't go back to them." He pulled a water skin from behind his back took a drink.

"So why did you pull your gun on me and say I was goin' to die?"

The man wiped his mouth off and offered the skin to David and Jetta. "It was a test. I knew you were free from Eddie's influence. I knew about his death. But I needed to hear it from you. You see, the Azure Blades have been following you ever since you arrived in Cairo. Hell, we've been watching you and The Misfits for a longtime now. We know about the trouble you're in. We know how to help."

David handed the skin to Jetta. The cool water felt good going down his throat. "Don't you need a price to be paid, sir?" He asked in a polite but friendly tone.

The man took the water skin from Jetta when she was finished with it. "Ms. Burns already has done us a huge favor. She rid us of Eddie the leader of the False Blades."

"You know our names but what is yours, sir?"

The man stood up. David and Jetta followed his lead. He shook David's hand and kissed the back of Jetta's hand. "I am simply Radamun leader of the Azure Blades. It is an honor to finally meet the both of you." He started walking away from the stunned couple. "Come. Let us gather your friends. I'll take you to our headquarters. We can talk in more detail there." He led David and Jetta to a waiting car. They got in and drove to the motel.

"I don't know." Pizzazz paced her room. "Can we trust him, Sheila? I mean the guy points a gun at your head and then says it's all a test. What kind of test is scaring the shit out of you? How do you know he's not trying to round us all up and kill us that way?" She stopped and watched Jetta.

"Me gut tells me, Phyllis. He called Ka-aper by his real name. Only those in the Azure Blades knew it. We just have to trust him on this. For once we'll have to put our faith in a stranger. David watched for signs of him lyin' or tryin' to deceive us. As far as he can tell he's tellin' the truth. I trust him, Phyllis. There's just somethin' about him that I can't put into words." Jetta tried making a convincing argument to her band leader.

Pizzazz turned from her friend and looked at the night sky. The stars were shining bright in the clear skies. She looked at Jetta's reflection in the window and sighed. "Alright, since you and David both agree that he's harmless I guess we can trust him." She turned around and leaned on the window frame, wondering if this was a wise choice.

"You won't regret this, Phyllis." Jetta turned to head to the door. "And thank you for trustin' me instincts. It means a lot to me." She opened the door and Pizzazz followed her to the room Radamun waited with the rest of The Misfits.

Radamun stopped the story he was telling Clash and Eric. "I hope everything went well."

"Everythin' is fine. Pizzazz just needed to be reassured. The others are packing now we'll be ready to leave in a few moments." Jetta started repacking her bags. She met the others by the car she and David had arrived in. There was now another other car waiting to take the other Misfits to the Azure Blades headquarters.

David woke to Roxy shaking his shoulder. He had fallen asleep on the ride to the Azure Blades' headquarters. They were still traveling. He rubbed his eyes and looked around. Roxy was sitting to the right of him and Stormer to his left. David guessed that he fell asleep on Roxy's shoulder. In the front seat was Pizzazz. "How long was I asleep?" He asked Roxy.

"About an hour, Zahur says we should be there in about five minutes." She pointed to a sand dune. "The headquarters is in there. We have to pass through an underground passage first. Then several security checks." She smiled wryly at him. "I didn't want you to wake to a drooling guard dog sniffing your crotch."

Stormer made a disgusted sound. "Roxy, geez, do you have to be so gross?"

"Sorry Mary," Roxy said quietly. "I'm just tired and I've had to pee for last fifteen minutes."

Pizzazz turned around in her seat and looked at Roxy. "Should've went before we left."

"Yes Mom."

Zahur laughed as he drove into what looked to be a small sand dune. The passengers looked around nervously at first. The car passed through the dune and started down a steep incline which leveled out to small parking garage. Zahur pulled into an empty spot. Radamun parked his car next to theirs.

"I thought we were going to pass through security checks," David said handing each of The Misfits their bags.

"We did. They were embedded in the walls of the entryway." Zahur explained with a smile. "The scanners searched for hidden microphones, weapons, et cetera. For the record, Ms. Burns, we know about your guns and Techrat's equipment. Those pass."

Radamun waved to Jetta. "Ms. Burns, this way to your quarters." He started to lead them down a well lit passageway.

"Um, you can call me Jetta, y'know. I'm not used to bein' called Ms. Burns."

"Jetta it is then. Now my friends you may pick any room you wish." Radamun motioned to a row of doors. It reminded them of the quarters they had back in L.A. "These are the guest quarters. We don't have much use for them usually. Now get some rest and I'll be by later to wake you for breakfast and to answer any more questions you might have."

Each of The Misfits took a room and said their good nights to both Radamun and Zahur.

"I'm still confused by somethin' that happened last night." Jetta glanced at Radamun. "The men who were shootin' at us seemed to have vanished after you showed up. What happened to them?"

Radamun laughed to himself. "Don't worry about them. They're all right. But first there is someone I want you to meet." He led Jetta to a classroom that looked more advanced than any she'd ever seen. He put his head into the room yelled out a name. "Sheftu! Get your alleyrat butt over here. There's someone I want you to meet, someone important."

Jetta felt herself start to blush at being called important. "I'm not that import—" She caught herself when she saw who he was calling to. Sheftu looked to be about ten years old and had shoulder length black hair that covered the tattoo. "That's the boy who tried to knick me purse!"

"I'm not a boy!" Sheftu said firmly. "I'm a girl."

Radamun laughed loudly. "Sheftu here did indeed try to take your purse. But it was a test wasn't it, Alleyrat?"

"I really wish you wouldn't call me that, Uncle." She turned to Jetta. "I wanted to see if you really were the woman I was told you were. I asked to do that."

"Wh-what do you mean?"

"Sheftu is the granddaughter of Ka-aper. She was very young when her parents died so I watch over her. Ever since her grandfather was murdered she's wanted revenge. Then recently she was told that the man who killed her grandfather was killed by you. She wanted to meet the woman who served justice to her family.

"When she heard that The Misfits were in Cairo she wanted to see you. So she grabbed your purse to see how you'd react when you saw the Azure Blades symbol on her neck. It was just how she expected. You reacted in surprise and let her go." Radamun explained while showing Jetta around. Sheftu walked next to him. "It was just how she expected. Do you have something to say to her, Sheftu?"

Sheftu bowed deeply. "Thank you for avenging my grandfather's death."

Jetta was speechless. "I-I didn't mean t-. You're welcome." She saw the room they had just entered. The room was huge and full of sophisticated electronics. "cor!" She said very quietly and obviously impressed. "I never dreamed anythin' like this could exist!"

"You've got to be kidding me!" The familiar raspy voice of Techrat hit Jetta's ears. "I thought these computers were only in the design phase! How'd you get them?"

A young man smirked at Techrat. "Sex and drugs isn't the only thing we deal in, Techrat. We have sources in all types of business and industry. Having them in the computer and electronic fields does have its advantages. Why you should see the hol-."

"Emir!" Radamun snapped startling both Jetta and Techrat. "There are some secrets we can't share, Jetta. My deepest apologies."

"It's quite all right. Just what is this room?"

Radamun smiled proudly. "This is the nerve center and heart of the Azure Blades. All of the electronics and computers you see here are full of valuable secrets and information. This is where I can help you and your friends out, Jetta. But first I must show you around some more."

Techrat and Jetta followed Radamun and Sheftu out a door on the other side of the room.

Stormer rubbed her head at the temples. The pain was worse than first time she had felt it right before Roxy discovered the bomb. She lay in her bed and moaned for the pain to go away. Her door opened and David brought her two pain killers and a glass of water. "Here, Mary. These should help," he whispered softly.

She popped the two pills into her mouth and drank the water. "Thank you. I don't know what's wrong. One minute I'm fine, the next I get this unbearable headache. Felt like my head was ready to explode." Stormer sat up and put her shoes on again.

"It's probably just stress. I know I've had my fair share of them since we faked our deaths." He paused for a moment. "Aside from when I smacked my head on the concrete floor. Anyway, there was someplace I wanted to show you."

"Can't. Pizzazz and I have to talk a few things over with Clash. Thanks for the offer though." Stormer followed him out of her room. "Show me later?"

"Of course," David said trying to hide his initial disappointment. "I should go find Radamun. There are a few questions I have. Take care, Mary. Hope your head feels better." Stormer thanked him as David walked down the hall in search for Azure Blades' leader. He turned the corner to another hall and walked into Roxy, knocking each other down. "ow. You okay, Rox?"

Roxy rubbed her forehead. "I'll survive." She finally looked up at David. "I was actually just looking for you." She took David's hand when he offered it. "Thanks. There's someplace I want to show you." Roxy led David down the hall, opened a door and held it for him. The room was full of trees and flowers. "So what do you think? Isn't it great?"

David chuckled to himself. "I was going to show Mary this a few minutes ago. I found this room a couple of hours ago. Kyoko would love it."

"Yeah, she would." Roxy sat down next to David and leaned against him. "It's so nice in here." She hugged him gently.

"Roxy, please don't."

"Why? What's wrong? I thought you liked me."

David let out a breath and pushed Roxy away from his body. "I do like you, Roxy. I like you as a friend. Remember I said I that I needed to think about us? Well, I have. I love you, but I'm not in love with you. You're one of my best friends and I don't want that to ever change. What we were doing in L.A. was just an act for people. We were playing a role. I'm sorry if I led you on. I didn't mean to. I love Kimber with all my heart. I'm sorry."

He rose to leave when Roxy grabbed his arm. "David, wait." He stopped and sat back down. "I told you before that I am in love with you. That hasn't changed. It hurts to hear that you don't share the same feelings but I can't force you to fall in love with me. But I wanted you to know how I feel. I'll always be here for you no matter what."

Pulling her into a tight sympathetic hug, David let Roxy cry on his shoulder as he stroked her hair softly. "You're one of the sweetest women I've ever met. I just wish more people could see that. I'm so lucky to have you as one of my best friends." He sat with her until she couldn't cry anymore tears and just held her until she was ready to leave.

Jetta knocked on the open door getting Pizzazz and Stormer's attention. "Can I talk to you, Phyllis? Somethin' on me mind."

Stormer got up to leave. "This is starting to become a routine. Talk to you later, Phyllis. I'll go see what David wanted to show me."

"Seeya, Mary. Hope your head feels better." She turned back to Jetta. "So what's on your mind?"

"There's somethin' I never told you. It wasn't in my criminal record because they never knew about it." Jetta shifted uncomfortably in the chair. "I didn't start out workin' in money launderin'. I was trained by Ka-aper for somethin' else entirely. He trained me to become their assassin." Pizzazz stopped looking through her bag and looked at Jetta with eyes wide with shock. "I was a natural with a rifle. The Azure Blades in London needed an assassin to take care of informants who purposely gave us misleadin' information."

Jetta cleared her throat and ran her fingers through her hair. "The time came when I was needed. A spy had been discovered in our organization and I was called on to assassinate him. I was up in the buildin' window with the target in me sights. I put me finger on the trigger. Try as I might I couldn't squeeze the shot off. I had the talent but I don't have the killer instinct. When I shot the body double of Eric I had no problem because I knew it wasn't real." She tried again to find a comfortable spot in the chair.

"Why are you telling me this?" Pizzazz asked slowly and softly.

"Because I want you to know the truth now, I thought I could keep that part hidden. But with findin' out who the Azure Blades really are made me realize I needed to tell you the truth. I want to be honest with you." Jetta took out both of her contacts and looked at Pizzazz who stared at Jetta's jade green eyes. "These are me real eye color. I wore the contacts to hide from Eddie after I escaped. I continue to wear them because I like them." She put the lenses back in.

"I guess I can accept all this." Pizzazz sat on the bed across from her. "Just as long as you don't start telling us fake stories again. You know, about you knowing the Queen and all again."

Jetta let out a laugh at some private joke. "I wasn't lyin'. I do kinda know her." Pizzazz gave her a suspicious look. "I met her accidentally. I had to get into a Royal party in order to assassinate the spy. I had to be positioned in Buckingham Palace in order to get the right shot off. Not me fault that I walked down the hall she was shakin' hands. I may or may not have called her Lizzie." Pizzazz smirked and began laughing slowly with Jetta joining in.

"So what did you want to show me, Radamun?" David asked as they entered a darkened room.

"I know that you are curious as to how we stay hidden in a sand dune yet we still have sunlight shining through windows. What I'm going to show you, you can't tell anyone else about. It's a secret that you already keep so I'm not too worried." Radamun flipped on the light switch.

Standing before David was a machine that remembered fondly. "My God, it's Synergy," he said quietly. "How—Where? How did you get it?" He asked with confusion in his voice and on his face.

Radamun chuckled. "You forget the Azure Blades are information brokers. But sometimes we get information that cannot be shared. This is one of them. The sand dune around us is a hologram. It was described to your friends as an illusion of the sand." He turned the monitor of the holographic computer on. "As you can see, we have no artificial intelligence programmed into it. We chose not to give this machine sentience."

"What are you going to do with it?"

"That's another reason why I'm showing this to you. I want you to have it. This machine is too dangerous to leave here. Besides our headquarters doesn't need its protection now that the False Blades are without a leader. They're disorganized and sloppy. Almost all of them have been arrested or are dead." David followed Radamun out of the room.

"But how did you build it? It's Emmett Benton's design, isn't it?" David quickly caught up to the Egyptian man.

"We're information brokers. There's very little we don't know. We have spies virtually everywhere."

David smiled. "Then I'm glad to call you an ally."

Radamun looked at the people gathered in the conference room. "I hope everyone has enjoyed their stay here. But now it is time for you to move on in your quest. I know the name of the man you seek and I know of his location. What I don't know is what you can expect. The organization he is affiliated with is shrouded in secrecy. We've tried to penetrate his security many times and never heard from those agents who tried again.

"The man you're searching for is named Daisuke Matsuura. He has a stronghold just south-east of Kashihara in Japan." He pointed to a mark circled on a map. "You'll need to dress warmly. My advice is to buy supplies in one of the smaller towns as there's a less chance of people recognizing you."

David cleared his throat loudly to get everyone's attention. "I've heard of this Daisuke Matsuura. Hiroshi spoke of him only once. We have to be careful, guys. From what I've heard the Matsuura Clan is very dangerous. From what Hiroshi told me they're actual killers." David looked at Radamun. "Thank you again for all the information you have given us. We'll leave you in the morning." He shook the Azure Blades leader's hand. David felt that they were at last going to get all their questions answered. And none of them were going to like what they were told.

TO BE CONCLUDED IN "EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IS WRONG"

PART 1 OF PULL BACK THE CURTAIN