#4561

[Text to be added. Rewrite in progress.]

#4564   Penthesilea
     
Madridoor -- The Palace

     *Kodiak made a quick stop at his apartment to change and arm himself more extensively than he had for a night of clubbing. A flak jacket, for instance, was not usually considered proper attire! It wasn't considered proper for a visit to the Palace either but if he was going to have to pull his lady out of a nest of vampires with her unarmed and in an evening dress -- or less! -- he wanted to be ready. He strapped on his twin swords and added several other weapons that vampires would find unpleasant. Then he added an extra short ninja sword that he could pass to Penthesilea should the situation require it. Unlike most of the women he had associated with in his life, Penthesilea was not a helpless maiden. This was both good and bad. He liked rescuing the damsel in distress... but it was also a relief to know that this lady was skilled enough to stay alive until he got there! He smiled at the thought of his feisty little lady, focused on her and "stepped" out of his apartment.*

#4566  Penthesilea
     
     *Kodiak had to climb to the fourth floor before he found an unsecured window. He opened it, slipped in and closed it behind him. Then, using the awareness of Penthesilea that the bloodbond gave him, he began to track her.....

#4568  Penthesilea
     
Winterhaven

     *MoonCat was beginning to get discouraged and she knew that the others were feeling the same way. They'd skied. They'd shopped. They'd partied. All well and good. But they hadn't made a dent in their primary mission -- to obtain Black Lotus for study. They had about decided to pull up stakes and head further east. Maybe they'd have more luck in Imperial City..*

#4570  Penthesilea
     
Kodiak's Madridoor Apartment

     *Kodiak realized that Penthesilea was shaking violently as soon as he put his arm around her. Once he had them safely in his apartment, he disarmed the crossbow and tossed it aside. He took his sword from her hand and put it aside as well. Then he pulled her into his embrace and held her. She pressed her face into his flak jacket and shook.*

Penthesilea: When she came after me, I remembered.... I remembered what happened in the Club...

Kodiak: Shhhh... *He remembered as well. He could still see the terrible injuries that she had suffered, most of which only the two of them were aware of.* I have you, you're safe. No one will ever hurt you like that again. I promise. *She looked up at him, fear still in her eyes, and very gently he kissed her.* (inspeaking) I promise.

#4572  Salanthos

Quote:
Originally Posted by Penthesilea
*With that, Kodiak took Penthesilea with him as he "stepped" from the palace and they were gone....*


     Sal stepped onto the palace grounds shortly before Penth and Kodiak vanished. In less than a minute, she had picked up exactly what had happened during Penth's visit. Sal briefly turned around, considering. Perhaps tonight was not the best time to talk to the Prince and his Lady. They would hardly be pleased by this turn in their plans. It might be wise to approach them when they were a bit more rational...

But no. The B Lotus was supposed to be arriving within the next couple of days, and they had to be warned well in advance. Besides, failing to force loyalty on Penth would make them less likely to try it on anyone else, for a while at least.

Getting into the palace was easy. It was no more than a moment's work to scale the wall, slipping through the same window Kodiak had used. Sal paused a moment to lock the window behind her - there was no sense getting some servant in trouble, and she herself could leave by alternative methods.

Sal stole through the halls, but they were empty. No-one was around to notice her wandering past. She knew where the study was from sensing the confrontation there, and she soon stood next to the door. It was wide open, and she could hear the Prince and Angelique softly conversing within.

#4574   Salanthos

Sal: Call me Sal. *With a wry twist of her mouth, she continued* I'm here to lend you a hand.

Prince Palamedes: What do you mean? *He looked warily at her.*

Sal: You're looking for information about Black Lotus. *The prince looked surprised. Angelique quickly took a half-step forward.* I have some information, and I will undoubtedly find out more. As head of the government, you should know about it.

Prince Palamedes: What information?

Sal: You already know the name of the one responsible, do you not? Keil. I know something of his plans. He may gain much wealth and power from selling B Lotus, but he wishes to rule, and he cannot count on gaining enough support this way. Instead, he will blackmail his way into power, using lives to bargain with. He has discovered a method to addict innocent people without their knowledge.

Angelique: How? *she broke into Sal's explanation* How can anyone be addicted without knowing it?

Sal: By hiding it in another product, one used daily. Few people would realize what was happening. Within a few days, though, the BL would break down - it does not stay preserved for very long. The person would die from lack of BL, still not knowing what was happening. Keil could then negotiate with you, threatening you with more deaths if you did not step down and appoint him your successor.

Prince Palamedes: And what if I refused him? I probably would not have believed, at first.

Sal: If you resisted, he planned to try spreading rumors that you were responsible, and leading a revolt. People will believe anything, especially if there is something that seems to back it up.

Prince Palamedes: Gods, that could work... but what of you? Why tell us? What do you get out of all this?

#4575  Salanthos

Sal: You are not the only ones who would not like to see BL come to Madridoor.

Angelique: How do we know you're telling the truth? *She was eyeing Sal speculatively*

Sal: You can't. You either believe me or you don't. *stares hard at Angelique. It is easy to know what she's thinking.* Trying to force loyalty that way is very unwise. You were lucky earlier, to get off with so little damage. Try that on me and I'll level half the city.

*Angelique looks startled, both that Sal knew what she was considering, and what had happened earlier. The prince looks slightly disbelieving. He cannot imagine how Sal could possibly do that much damage*

Prince Palamedes: Perhaps I should invest in new security. It seems just a bit too easy to get in unnoticed.

Sal: There's other ways of traveling. The security you have now would suffice for most, though. Anyway, Prince, I'll be in touch. *The prince nodded*

*With a slight gesture, Sal stepped briefly between the worlds, coming out in the room she'd rented. She staggered - travel that way was draining - but it was temporary weakness.*

Interesting, *she said thoughtfully, considering what had happened* Very interesting how those two acted.

#4577    Penthesilea
     
Kodiak's Madridoor Apartment

     *Kodiak roused a bit at dawn and heard Penthesilea singing softly to Apollo. He drifted back to sleep when she returned to bed. When he woke again she was gone but a very interesting smell was drifting past his nose. Breakfast? He pulled on his pants and went to investigate. He found her in his kitchen wearing one of his robes that was too big for her but did protect her from the hazards of cooking. I'm going to have to get her clothes moved here, he thought. She'd told him about her new apartment but he intended that she spend very little time there. The minute she locked her door behind her, he or one of her Divine relatives was going to bring her here -- where no one could easily find her. Apollo and Athena had agreed with him and it was settled. As he watched, she turned off the stove and began filling two plates.

Kodiak: What are you doing? *She gave him a wry look in response to his obvious question.*

Penthesilea: I'm making breakfast. I'm hungry and we can't very well go out. We aren't even supposed to know each other. If we want to have a meal together, I have to cook. Or you do. *She handed him his plate and headed for the table.*

Kodiak: How did you know what I like for breakfast? *The plate held his favorite breakfast. He followed her to the table. The smell reminded him that he was hungry too.*

Penthesilea: You obviously don't remember all those times we were the first ones to hit the Castle's breakfast buffet line. I paid attention to your choices and remembered what you liked. *Kodiak did remember those times. Mornings after long nights when they had kept each other company when neither of them could sleep.*

Kodiak: I remember those all nighters. *He took a bite, discovered that his lady could cook in addition to her other talents and proceeded to clean his plate in record time. Penthesilea gave strict attention to her food as well. Pushing the empty plate aside, he looked at her.* Why did you pay attention to what I ate? Not that I'm complaining. *Penthesilea looked down and Kodiak thought he saw a trace of a blush on her face. Penthesilea blushing?*

Penthesilea: I didn't think that I would ever get to spend the night with you but I thought, maybe someday, I might get to cook for you and I wanted to know what you liked to eat. *He reached over and lifted her chin so he could see her eyes.*

Kodiak: Even then, my dear?

Penthesilea: Even then. *Kodiak leaned over and kissed her.*

Kodiak: We have a couple of hours before I have to report for duty.

Penthesilea: That's really not enough time.

Kodiak: We will have all our lives, my lady. *Hand in hand, he led her back to the bedroom...*

#4579  Penthesilea

Quote:
Originally Posted by Penthesilea
*MoonCat was beginning to get discouraged and she knew that the others were feeling the same way. They'd skied. They'd shopped. They'd partied. All well and good. But they hadn't made a dent in their primary mission -- to obtain Black Lotus for study. They had about decided to pull up stakes and head further east. Maybe they'd have more luck in Imperial City..*

     *MoonCat, SpiritFire and Michael sat at a small table to one side of the dining room finishing their lunch and trying to decide whether to take the train to Imperial City and try their luck there. Suddenly, Michael's attention was drawn to a man that he hadn't seen before who was talking to one of their casual acquaintances. As he watched, he saw the man hand over a small envelope and get another one in return. His interest was piqued.....*

#4583  Penthesilea
     
Winterhaven

     *It didn't take long with MoonCat, SpiritFire and Michael all observing to determine that the unknown man was a dealer. It took a bit longer to find out what he was dealing and where he was staying. He had set up shop in a rented house in a middle class section of the town. Once they knew that, MoonCat and SpiritFire began laying plans to raid the place, much to Michael's distress.....*

#4585  Penthesilea
     
Winterhaven

*After a day of careful planning and observation, Michael, MoonCat and SpiritFire begin their move on the drug house... *

#4587  Penthesilea

Quote:
Originally Posted by Penthesilea
*Two hours was not enough but the lovers made the most of the time that they had. Kodiak left at the last minute by "stepping" so he wouldn't have to waste time traveling. Since she still had some time before she had to be at The Ages, Penthesilea cleaned up the mess in the kitchen, singing under her breath as she did so. Athena then came to take her to her apartment where she took a quick bath and changed clothes. She briefed Athena on the meeting with the Prince and his lady and then the Goddess took them both discreetly to The Ages, appearing just outside the stage door. As they walked toward her dressing room, Penthesilea noticed the assistant manager watching her....*

Penthesilea: (inspeaking) We are going to need to keep an eye on the assistant manager. He needs to kidnap me for Keil.

Athena: (inspeaking) Don't worry. He won't grab you until and unless we want him too.

Penthesilea: (inspeaking) What if he has Divine help?*Athena was silent for a moment.*

Athena: (inspeaking) Then we could have a problem.

Penthesilea: (inspeaking) That's what I thought.

     *Penthesilea goes through the day watching the assistant manager watching her. The only thing that gets her through the nerve wracking day is the physical presence of her aunt and uncle and the mental presence of Kodiak in her head.....*

#4591  Penthesilea

Winterhaven

Quote:
Originally Posted by Penthesilea
     *It didn't take long with MoonCat, SpiritFire and Michael all observing to determine that the unknown man was a dealer. It took a bit longer to find out what he was dealing and where he was staying. He had set up shop in a rented house in a middle class section of the town. Once they knew that, MoonCat and SpiritFire began laying plans to raid the place, much to Michael's distress.....*

     *The team has considered and discarded several plans, including a frontal assault, before deciding on their course of action. The various odds and ends of technology that they had brought with them were Tech Level 14 while Winterhaven was Tech Level 10 -- so they decided that stealth was best.
     Michael was adamant that he accompany the girls so it was fortunate that they carried spares of the most vital equipment. They waited until four a. m. local time to make their move. They approached the house from the rear, slipping through backyards and over fences. The dealer was renting the house and had not made any modifications to the security system. It took MoonCat all of twenty seconds to disarm the motion sensors and they slipped silently up to the outside wall. Then they turned on their "ghostbelts" and walked through the wall. Intangible but still visible they split up once inside the house, looking for the room where the drugs were kept. Since their observations had told them that the dealer was selling more than just Black Lotus -- lots more and that meant that his supplies could not be easily hidden. The search of the downstairs turned up nothing but a couple of inattentive guards. They gathered at the bottom of the stairs and looked upward. The drugs were undoubtedly upstairs and so was the dealer and any other guards. Michael pulled a large handgun from his side and began the ascent with MoonCat behind him and SpiritFire in the rear.
     The first two rooms they checked were unoccupied sleeping rooms. The third was occupied but the people within were too busy to notice anyone slipping down the hallway! Finally, they found what they were looking for. Michael went first. A guard sitting with his back to the door dozed in a chair. Michael took him out without a sound and lowered the body to the floor so its falling would make no sound. MoonCat and SpiritFire went immediately to work and found the man's cache of Black Lotus.*

MoonCat: He has enough here to addict half the town! How much should we take?

SpiritFire: I'd like to take it all but we don't dare. If he's supplying established addicts they will die without it. *She did some quick calculations.* Half a pound should give us enough. *They quickly measured out the drug while Michael kept watch. They had just finished packing it up when all hell broke loose downstairs. Michael turned toward the girls, closing the door.*

Michael: It's the police! We've got to get out of here! *They could hear the police pounding up the stairs. Without hesitation, they bolted for the outside wall, passed through it and found themselves in midair over the backyard. They cut the power to the ghostbelts and dropped to the ground. They landed and ran, flipping on the belts as they ran through the neighborhood's fences. They finally reached their rented vehicle and climbed inside with their objective -- the half pound of Black Lotus that lay in MoonCat's lap.

     They returned to their lodging without incident for which Michael was quite grateful. The girls immediately set to work doing their preliminary analysis. Once that was done, the three of them packed up and checked out, pausing only long enough to check the news reports about a huge drug bust that had occurred that morning. Once they were in a suitable spot, they signaled the Castle for retrieval and were on their way home....*

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