It was just another day in Detroit. The sun was shining over Lake St. Clair and the Troopers began to stir. Gambler wandered into the kitchen to see what he could whip up. The huge kitchen held two commercial refrigerators and a walk in freezer. The stainless steel appliance reflected the suns ray coming in off the water. Highly polished copper bottom pots hung over the center counter from a raw iron rack. The shelves were filled in a wide assortment of food, all fresh from the Eastern Market. The cook and other household staff were no where in sight, so he continued in gathering his breakfast together.
From the hallway Vixxxyn peered around the corner of the doorway at Gambler, “Looks de-lish!” Her eyes than fell to the food he prepared.
Dragon Kid bounced up the hallway behind her. Tibbits, the teams employment liaison followed in a hurried pace trying to keep up with the youth. The Kid was a big Candy apple red scaled, Winged creature. He carried a folded paper in hand and brightly asked Vixxxyn, “Is this the place for the pizza delivery job?
“WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?” sourly Vixxxyn spat.
Tibbits smiled, “Your team mate.”
“LIKE HELL! THERE IS NO WAY DO I WORK WITH ANOTHER F’ING THING WITH SCALES…”
Tibbits scowled, “You will hurt his feeling Vix.”
The Dragon Kid eyed Vixxxyn, unaffected by her comments. He took in her slender lines, sliver tinted skin and flowing red hair, even her metallic eyes did not escape his inventory. With a sparkle in his Green silted eyes, he slightly bowed, softly speaking, “Your carriage to the stars. Want a ride?” In the true nature of a teen he flapped his large bat like wings, opened his arms.
Vixxxyn eyed the boy re estimating his worth, “As long as he doesn’t try drooling on me like the goblin did.” Her voice went into a light lilt, “Hi there tall red and scaly..”
Dragon Kid broad grinned widened, “Not even on your toes?” he said indecorously.
“You’ll ruin my pumps and I’ll permanently clip them there wings…”
“You’ll have to take them off then.” The red blooded boy was showing through Dragon Kid scales as he mummers in addition, “It’ll be a start.”
“Hello Vixxxyn,” seeing his chance Caviler broke in the conversation, “So what’s going on?”
“Only in your wettest dreams lizard boy.” She was now bored with this new play thing and her eyes looked around the hall, “Where’s the hard ass? I mean iron cross.”
Caviler shrugged, “Not here. Iron cross isn’t here I don’t know where he’s at. Why do you want to know?”
“JEEVES…I NEED COFFEE…” Vixxxyn screamed than calming down to draw out her words in disappointment, “Damn, I was just starting to like working with him.”
Jeeves appeared from the doorway that she leaned up bearing a tray with cups, sugar, cream, coffee and donuts.
“Morning Jeeves,” Vixxxyn stepped a side to let him pass and than playfully smacked his ass.
Jeeves hide his grin. The phone was ringing and he set the try down to answer it. Down strolled Iron Cross from the stair case.
His form caught Vixxxyn eye in a moment. Her gaze held him as he descended each step till he reached the and she slithered up onto his shoulder, “Morning hard ass.”
Caviler lifted his visor, “There you are cross!”
“Excuse me. Mayors office on the line. “Jeeves cleared his voice. “Any one?”
Caviler shook his head, “Hello there Jeeves. What’s going on today?”
“Would care to take this call?” The butler offered the phone.
Dragon Kid sprung up from behind and grabbed the phone from Jeeves. In playful tones his voice sang across the wire. “Hi, guy. what’s up?”
“Who are you talking to?” Iron Cross asked.
Dragon Kid grinned, “I think we have to go the Records office. What’s the fastest way?”
Vixxxyn had perched her self onto a window sill, shaking her head, regretting over indulging in the fine wine cellar last night. “mmm coffee” she whispered as she let the hot brew reach her lips. Iron Cross picked up a cup from the tray.
“It was just the Mayor.” The kid stated, “Jeeves, what city was that from?”
Jeeves looked down his nose at the red scaled creature, indignity he expressed, “Grosse point of course.”
Caviler asked, “What does the mayor want?”
Dragon Kid screamed, ” The Mayor! The Mayor and the Mayor! He’s under attack. What is the fastest way to Grosse Point?”
Tibbits smiled, “Kid this house is in Grossepointe.”
“Ok. What is the fastest way to the Mayors office?” The Kid excitely spurted out.
Vixxxyn leaned back against the wall looking at her nails and slowly drew her words, “Eight mile to Mack head south to just past the tcby the hang a right.”
Caviler eyes the redhair beauty, “Lets head to the mayors house.”
Dragon Kid bounced up and down, “Fine, all I know is that it was the mayors office and the phone was destroyed before I got his mother’s maiden name. Can we go now?”
Tibbits shook his head, “To the Mayors house?? City Hall?? Municipal building??
“How many times do I have to say things around here?” Dragon Kid eyes narrowed as his temper rose, “I did not spend a half hour interviewing the guy he was being attacked. Let’s go.”
Tibbits frowned at the young boy, “Go where?”
“RECORED OFFICE! THE RECORED OFFICE!!!” The red one screamed out.
Tibbits nodded, ” Mack Ave the Municipal Building.”
Vixxxyn popped up stright, “Okay I’m goin. C U Later!” Her hips wiggled toward the garage but she pause and turned her head back, “By the way, thanks for the coffe jeeves.” She winked at the butler than ran for her harley. Her legs sliped over the smooth oiled saddle, with a sudden jump she kicked the beast till it purred for her. The full bodied roadster came to life under her. With a wicked smile she smoked the tires all the way down the driveway.
“I’ll fly to there,” commented Caviler as he head toward the front door, “You coming Iron?”
“YES!” Iron Cross moved quickly to the garage hopping on his combat Modified harley.
Defense and Gambler climbed in the van and crusied calmly after the others.
Dragon Kid starts to fly to the Municipal building. With the mighty power of his dragon wings he quickly excelerted to 80 mph and arrived firist on the scene. Moments later Caviler lands besides the boy as the bikes soon roar up.
Vixxxyn dismounted her machine and move bewteen the kid and Caviler, “Okay people lets dance!”
“So what’s the problem here?” Caviler asked see the quiet building
Vixxxyn began her approach to the door, “Thats what I’d like to know.
The van pulls up and parcks at the curb, the guys pile out and head after Vixxxyen. As they open the doors the hall way was empty, even the dinner was lacking people, not even a counter person or a security guard. The whole place was as quiet as a tomb.
The Gambler whispered to his teammates “Dis seem almost too quiet here “
Defense survived the foyer for any wounded
Vixxxyn shouted letting her voice carry in her bluff, “Hey you creeps I’m naked!”
The Gambler smiled ” So glad you notice cher .. I figured you wanted to defiantly surprise dem bad guys ” The Gambler took off his duster and handed it to Vixxxyen ” Dis might help some “
Dragon Kid’s head jerked around to look at Vixxxyn, the disappointed obviously when he saw that she was lying.
Vixxxyn smiled weakly at the gentleman’s offers, she was dressed in normal provocative style, wearing a pair of leather jeans, black 5″ pumps, and a very revealing corset. Her eye caught the kid’s head spin and in a slow draw of her words commented, “Sorry, you scaly thing, you!”
Dragon Kid grin spread from ear to ear, “You can make it up to me later.”
The Gambler asked, “Anyone know where dat office be ?”
“I’ll check the right side, everyone else take the Left.” Offered Dragon Kid, “If you want to see how a real hero does it you can follow me and take notes.”
“On what not to do ?” The Gambler jested as he became quite. Carefully he moved cautiously forward to check out the nearest windows.
Dragon Kid sounded, “I change me mind. I’ll take the left.”
Without a thought The Gambler spoke up, ” Keep changin it .. you might get one dat work ” he grinned wide. Cautiously he looked through the tinted window.
Vixxxyn called out, “Anybody want to play with me???”
The Gambler mumbled, ” Now der an offer I don’ hear everyday “
“Later my Cajun friend,” Vixxxyen winked.
Iron Cross piped in, “Sure when and where?”
“Save it hard ass!” Vixxxyn glared at Iron cross
Iron Cross gave his best innocent look, “Hey you asked.”
The Gambler chuckled. ” I tink she refer to dem one’s we lookin fer “
“Damn right that’s what I meant!” she turned in a huff.
Caviler moved up the wall, ready with his shied and sword. The Gambler headed for the first door on the right after the bathrooms. Defense looked about carefully.
Finding the wood door on the right locked Dragon Kid called out, “Hey guys Can I brake this door?”
Caviler inched down the wall a strange scent filing his sense. Soon all could smell the sulfur stench permeating from the office to the northwest.
The Gambler still working down the right, waved the air “Damn the dragon kid passed gas .. ” A stifled chuckle was heard from all.
Trooper and Caviler looked through glass door.
Dragon Kid is at the second door on the West side of the wall saying, “This door is locked. Should I brake in?”
Vixxxyn swayed to the music in her head. Casually she moved behind caviler. Vixxxyn sticks her tongue in caviler’s ear
Caviler coldly looked at the girl, “Not now were busy.”
“Damn I wanted to PLAY ROUGH!” she smirked.
“Maybe later.” Caviler added
Without missing a beat Iron Cross chimed, “I’ve a IRON STICK FOR YOU.”
“Promise?” Vixxxyn gleamed,”Oooooh how kinky!”
Dragon Kid getting upset screams one more time, “This door is locked. Should I brake in?”
Vixxxyn shrugs, “Sure, go for it ROOKIE!”
Caviler rolled his eyes, “Yeah we can just the start of the collateral damage now.”
Dragon Kid fist hits the door with the force of a battle ship round. Little splitters of wood fly all around as the door shatters into kindling. Screams of terror echoing the hall as the wood falls like rain to the floor. The team turned looking back at Dragon Kid.
A little girl blinks at the big dragon as he crashes the door down
“Who are you?” the kid spoke softly to the girl, “We heard that there where bad men here. Have you seen them?”
The Little Girl nodded
“Where?”
Meanwhile Iron, Cavalier and trooper entered the glass. Standing before them was this ugly green scaled demon . It removed something out of him mouth and saying menacing, “Mmm new nibbles.”
Trooper took one look at the flesh and teleported off. Iron Cross was shaken and head in a dead run from the building, to escape this creature, Caviler close on his heels.
“Hard ass is running like a dumb ass! where you going?” screamed Vixxxyn as she watches the fearless men run in terror.
Dragon Kid still intent on the chid asks, “Where are the bad men?”
The child looks into Dragon kid’s eyes and softly whispers, “Go molest that female behind you.”
Dragon Kid obeys turning around and grabs Vixxxyn’s ass, pulling her close, nestling to her breast. Vixxxyn knees dragon kid in groin.
Dragon Kid continues with his hugs and kisses not paying any attention to her feeble attempt to kick him.
The little girl looks to a space between to file cabinets and a short man stepped out to get a view of the embrace. He grinned as he took the hand of the child and made their way out the south door. Vixxxyn tried to get free of the lizard’s grip, find the boy far stronger than she had ever thought.
The fearless threesome pause outside the north end of the building to see two demons leaving the building behind them the fire alarms now sounding and screams from with in the building reaching their ears. The new danger over ridding the fear the one demon sent through them. Iron, Cavalier and trooper move to one demon in a sudden attack. The slice of Cavalier sword moving into the meat of the creature as Iron Cross came down on his head with a fearsome and Trooper blasting away. The demon still up and around spread it leathery wings and took to the air.
The fire alarms and human screams from the building drew the three attention away from the escaping demons. In a dead run they reentered the building to aid the innocent from certain death from the smoke fire that was rapidly filling the building.
Inside the building Vixxxyen still struggled to break free from the Kid’s passionate embrace. “Sorry lizzo y! this is gonna hurt.” As she summonsed up the power of flame the Dragon Kid shook his head realizing her, letting her tumble to the floor.
Dragon Kid let’s go and says, “Um… um… sorry Vixxxyn.” then mutters “Sort of.”
Vixxxyn stood and glared at him, “Listen here lizard, try that again and I’ll have a very nice pair of lizard skin pumps.”
Dragon Kid innocently asked, “Who would you sick on me?”
Vixxxyn huffed, “Any WARM-BLOODED male. Is it hot in here or is it just me?”
Gambler walked up behind Vix ” Both cher. But I think we need to get a move on. “
The office on the west side has been set a flame. Trooper teleported to the office first. To the very north west is a door that has been blocked by filing cabinets. Cavalier began searching for fire extinguished. Screams come from that door as the fire rages around.
Trooper move to the stack of metal boxes tossing the filing cabinets away from the door.
Cavalier shouted, “Tell people to back away and smash down door.”
Iron Cross smashes the door with sword. Inside packed liked sardines the people are burning alive they fight the smoke as some fall tot he round and the flames are licking the walls.
Trooper stares in as Iron fills the door. Cavalier finding a few extinguishers moves back to them as Dragon kid, Vix and Gambler round the bend.
Iron Cross yells, ” I’m going in.”
Gambler suggested, ” Iron Cross why not take out dat wall to speed things up no ? It also give dat fire department a faster way in too”
Vixxxyn goes to the front desk and calls the fire dept and gets put on hold….
One woman began screaming, “Where is my little girl? Where did they take her??”
Trooper grabs a fire extinguisher spraying the flames on the people. Iron Cross liking the idea smashes a large hole in the wall. Gambler started helping escort people out the new exit
“Did anyone see a little girl?” Cavalier called out.
“Good idea gambler.” Iron cross grinned.
“It sometime help to think on you feet ” Gambler keep his aid as he spoke.
The woman clung to Trooper, “Please help me. They took my baby girl.”
“Okay, We’ll help you. Any idea where she is?” Trooper asked. The woman shakes her head as grief over takes her. Room by boom Trooper began to check for the little girl.
The woman choking on the smoke and through her sobs continued her pleads for help to find her baby girl.
Cavalier barked, “You guys get the women out.”
Gambler soothingly speaks to the woman to help calm her down ” Now .. now .. easy der .. we a’ workin on it. Now den lets see what we can do no ?” With the soothing of his word the woman leans into his chest and rest in Gamblers arms still sobbing heavily.
Dragon Kid looks behind the secretary’s desk to find a dead man, not touching the man he lifts up the phone and dials 911. Dragon Kid yelled, “Is there any bad guys left?”
Trooper shouts back “Not that I can see.”
Iron Cross finished with pounding out the flames, the smoke is still thick.
Vixxxyn cursed, “Fuck me they got away.”
Gambler gently sets the woman down, “Rest cher we goin’ to see what we can do. ” Gambler radioed ” Trooper , Cavalier … any sign of anything?”
Trooper radioed back, “Unfortunately not. If only we could of stopped them”
Gambler radioed ” Did anyone check where they were found for anything?”
Trooper radioed “I checked every room in the place. I found nothing probably burned if there was anything.”
Gambler radioed “Makes sense to me .. I was hopin for a clue as to why they struck here or what they might have been doin “
Trooper radioed, “My guess is for that little girl. No trace of her”
Vixxxyn radioed, “This was a complete fucking waste of our time.”
Gambler radioed, “Got it .. I will see what I can find out from the mother ”
Dragon Kid kneeled besides the body and uses his detective skills to see what he can figure out. Trooper checks the computer at the desk as Iron cross joins the kid.
Iron Cross announced for the group, “This drivers license is 3 years expired.
“Three years! Is it really his?” exclaimed Dragon Kid
Iron Cross nodded, “It appears to be.”
Cavalier radioed, “Ask the women if she was with someone.”
Gambler gently spoke to the woman ” Have der been anything goin on strange near your place in de last few weeks ? Were you here wit anyone other dan you chile ?”
The soft sobs she answered, “Yes he took her from my arms when they put up in the room.
” Who took her from you cher ?” the Gambler stroked her hair.
“These two men with two demons.” Her tears choked her,” He pulled her from me. The tears overwhelming her again, “Can you please find my baby.”
Gambler cooed in his soothing southern draw, ” We will work on it .. I can no make any promises other than dat .. ? Can you describe dat mon for me ?”
A tall man with black hair, in blue with gold accent moved into the building looking around. Spotting the crowd forming around the woman, he called out, “Excuse me? Who’s in charge here.”
“Yes?” Iron Cross answered self appointing himself, “I am.”
“I was sent by Tibbets.” Psion looks around at the chaos.
The woman described the dead man, “He took her way and left the other 3 with us.”
Gambler asked, ” Other three ?”
“The demons and the large man, they gave my baby to the other,” she tried hard to pull back her tears, “and lock us in the room, than set the room on fire but my little girl” She burst into tears
Gambler “You out of de fire now .. and after lookin through you chile not burned so that is a start “
The woman wept into his arms, “What have they done to my baby.”
“Only time tell dat cher .. we gon see what we can do. Dat all I can promise you ” Gambler sighed, ” But it be better than nothin no?”
Psion joined gambler and sat next to the woman “Tell me about your little girl.”
Meanwhile the Dragon Kid get the computer to blink on. The screen flashes names and address of property. Cavalier watched over his shoulder and radioed the team.
Iron Cross radioed back, “Not yet were checking every thing out. Print the list.”
Cavalier looked to the red scaled boy, “Can we get a print out.”
Trooper and Vixxxyn make their way to the security office to see if any tapes survived of the ordeal.
The print out began to stream from a printer. Iron Cross began make extra copies on the copier.
Back at the main hall. The woman swiped at her tears, “She has bright blue eyes and long curly brown hair and she loves to ask questions”
Gambler radioed ” We are gettin some information that might prove useful. “
“How old is she?” Psion softly asked, “How old, please.”
“She’s only six.” Her voice cracked.
Gambler radioed “We are getting a description of the missing girl as well as what happened just prior to the fire “
“What’s her name?” Psion asked
“Anglica. ” The mother burst out into a new flow of tears.
Psion hugged the woman. “Please..the more you tell me..the easier it will be to find her. What’s her favorite toy?
“Her cabbage patch premie.”
Psion leaned his head against hers. “Can I look into your mind for her? Only for her..nothing else.”
Woman nodded.
Psion opened his mind, seeking Angela in her mother’s mind. The image of the sweet innocent child, happy and healthy played in his mind. He pulled his mind away from the woman. A perfect picture of the little girl now in his mind. Slowly he pulled away the physical contact with them the mother.
Vixxxyn stormed into the hall way, “Let me see the report.”
Gambler smiled, “In progress cher .. “
The fire truck finally showed up with police following and sirens blaring. Cavalier commented, “A little late I see.”
Vixxxyn nodded her head in agreement. “Well look who decided to show inexcusably late as usual for these preppie shit heads.”
Gambler asked, “You are surprised Cavalier ?”
Psion closed his eyes and concentrated on a mother’s image of her daughter, letting his mind scan the area for the girl. With a heavy sigh
Psion opened his eyes, reached out and touched the woman’s shoulder. “She is out of my range…. But I will look for her… Can I call someone for you…to help you get home? Or would you like to stay and wait for the police.”
Woman looked at Psion, “I want my husband.”
Psion asked the woman for a number to contact her husband and she gave it. Within moments, Psion had contacted the woman’s husband and asked that he get to the scene as soon as possible.
“How are my wife and daughter,” the man asked.
“We have a little problem,” Psion replied. “No one is hurt, but we need you here.”
Woman’s husband said, “I’ll be right there.”
“Thank you,” said Psion. “and be easy, okay?
Trooper had gone to the security room to view the tapes there he found one that showed man at the desk with child next to him. He was typing quickly on a computer then paused to smile down at the little girl. She returned the smile as the man slowly crumbled to the floor. From the man’s pocket the girl retrieved a syringe and injected the man in the heart then moved out of camera range.
“Hmm,” Trooper hummed.
“Stop the tape!” Vixxxyn snapped.
Trooper reached up and hit the stop button.
“Where’s the mother?” Vixxxyn asked.
“With me,” replied Psion. “And Gambler.”
“Ask her if the kid is diabetic,” Vixxxyn said.
“Is Angelica diabetic?” Psion asked the woman.
“My baby is as healthy and normal,” she replied. “Why?”
Psion looks at Vixxxyn, “Yeah, why?”
“The guard was stabbed on one of the tapes by the girl,” Vixxxyn told him.
“Not my baby!” the woman proclaimed. “She won’t hurt a fly. Your lying!”
“Shh . . . she didn’t do it,” Psion assured her. “I am sure of that.”
“Bring the mother here to the security room,” Vixxxyn demanded.
Trooper’s voice crackled on the radio, “I suspect that it was Control of mind.”
“She may have been Mind Controlled,” Psion argreed.
“Let her see for herself!” Vixxxyn said.
“NO!” Psion was adamant.
“Get her in here NOW!!!” Vixxxyn demanded.
Pressing the rewind, Vixxxyn backed the tape a little bit.
Psion raised an eyebrow in surprise at Vixxxyn’s demand.
Gambler radioed” She not doing so good right now, cher.. I not sure such a shock would be good for further information “
Woman broke into a fresh spate for tears for her lost child.
“I do not think it is wise for her to see this,” Trooper said.
“I have a picture of her from her mother’s mind..will I do?” Psion asked.
Kiss my ass, Trooper,” Vixxxyn snarled. “I’m in charge now!”
Trooper ejected the tape and takes the tape.
To Psion, Vixxxyn began to glow with the power of a Mind Control. She glared at Trooper.
“Hey Trooper, don’t fuck with a telepath!” Vixxxyn hissed.
“Vixxxyn, Trooper is part of the team.” Iron Cross warned. “Don’t mess with him!”
Trooper broadcast a warning over the radio. “Stop Vix! She is gonna try to send it to her mind.”
Vixxxyn walked over to the mother and activated telepathy
“Vixxxyn…” Psion growled.
Now, now children don’t fight,” Cavalier chided.
As Vixxxyn reached out with her mind Psion used his own powers to try to block her.
“Don’t fuck with a telepath…” He muttered to Vixxxyn.
Vixxxyn flashed the images of the last minute of the tape to the mother just as Psion reached out and grabbed the other mentalist by the throat. With ease, he lifted her off her feet and held her, toes barely touching the floor.
“Let her go now!” Iron Cross ordered.
“Dats down right unneighborly of you dare Psion .. You de new one here not her.” The Gambler observed.
Psion dropped Vixxxyn, disgusted and pissed beyond words.
“Laters,” Psion said, turning on his heel.
The woman held her head and passes out in a scream.
Gambler shrugged, “Your choice.”
Vixxxyn dropped the telepathic link to the mother.
Trooper walked out with a weeks worth of recent tapes and decided she can do nothing more.
“Good choice now lets all start acting like adults,” Iron Cross said to Psion’s back.
“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING PSION?” Vixxxyn shouted.
Iron Cross walked into the grouping and stood next to the woman.
“Ok guys the list is 49 pages long,” he said.
Gambler looked up. “What list?”
“Little long don’t you think?” Asked Trooper.
Vixxxyn said, “Give me the first 10 pages.”
“The phone/address list,” Iron Cross replied.
“I’ll read the second 10,” Trooper volunteered.
“Anything peculiar about any of the names?” Cavalier asked.
“No, this is something we’ll do at the house,” Iron Cross said.
Gambler asked, “Do we have anything for comparison anyhow?”
[Iron Cross]: “Make three copies,” said Iron Cross. “And not yet.”
“The drivers licences?” Trooper suggested.
“That’s why I said we’ll do this at the house,” Iron Cross repeated.
“What license?” Vixxxyn asked.
Trooper hooked a thumb at Iron Cross. “The one That He found”
“Who found it?” Vixxxyn asked.
“This is a bit open for such conversations, I tink?” Gambler said.
“Is the name on the license on the list and does the address match?” Iron Cross asked.
“Ok, are we done here?” Vixxxyn said impatiently.
Iron Cross shrugged, “I guess so.”
“Let’s go,” said Cavalier.
“Anybody hungry?” Vixxxyn’s stomach growled.
“Well, cher, we did not get that meal we was talkin’ �bout,” said Gambler with a chuckle. “But I think anythin’ here would be blackened.”
“Sorry my dear,” Vixxxyn purred. “I don’t want anything hot and spicy right now.”