Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Card Shark

     Victoria Thompson stood in front of her bedroom mirror stand dressed in a floral
patterned blue dress made of silk fabric and ribbons. She was powdering her face and applying rouge to her cheeks as she smirked at her reflection. "A swindler by any other name", she said to herself with a smug grin. Then she put on her hat, grabbed a folder full of paperwork ,and was on her way.

     Today was very important to her, because she was finally going to confront Morane and buy the Card Shack. She had done all her research on the old joint, and found all the documents she needed to present to him. There were other plans she also wanted to discuss, especially those considering the future of Maxwell Graham. Victoria was still very angry with him, and had meant it when she told him he was no longer her manager.

     At that same moment, Morane had just gotten back from his secret meeting, only to be greeted by a very torn up looking Maxwell as he headed to his desk. Maxwell Graham had been waiting for his return the entire time and stood before him with a sling over his right arm and his nose all bandaged up. Morane gave him an arrogant glance as he sat down in his chair. Then Maxwell limped over and dumped a bunch of papers on his desk. "What's all this?" Morane asked.
"My bloody medical bills", Maxwell snapped. "Your god forsaken robot did this to me!"
Morane wasn't the least bit surprised, but he was wondering why Maxwell wasn't dead. "Your bastard of an android attacked me, and all in favor of protecting that soldier!" Morane just gave him a quick nod of acknowledgement. "Now that I've made that much clear, you are going to pay for my suffering!"

     "Fine", Morane replied. "Anything else? Perhaps a pacifier to calm ya down?" Maxwell grumbled as he backed away. Just then Victoria had flung open the office doors and headed towards his desk with her head held high, carrying a folder under one arm. She also noticed Maxwell standing nearby, but persisted on ignoring his presence. "Mr. Morane", Victoria addressed as she stood before him. "Yes, doll?" he replied with a smug grin.
-"I've come before you with a proposition", she explained. "And what can I do ya for today?" he asked. She opened the folder and handed him the documents. "I would like to purchase this establishment from you", she answered. He took a moment to look over the paperwork before he spoke another word. "The Card Shack eh?" he muttered aloud. -"Yes", she replied.

     Maxwell just scoffed at her in the background, but she continued to pretend he wasn't there. "I am also willing to make you a great offer", she continued.
"I've done my research and found that the joint originally went for forty grand, but I am willing to offer you Fifty, plus Seventy percent of the weekly profits including those earned from poker games". Suddenly Maxwell interrupted her. "And where does that leave me?" She began to answer him when she was cut off by Morane's words. "I'll tell you what", he said. "I'll take you up on your offer, under one condition". -"Yes?" she wondered. "Graham here gets to keep his job", Morane replied. Her eyes grew wide with anger and she could hear Maxwell boasting in the background. "That's the only offer I'm willing to accept", Morane continued. "Take it or leave it, doll face".

     She let out a long agitated sigh as she accepted his deal, and waited for him to sign the papers over to her. "Glad to do business with you", he smiled. She snatched the papers from his hand and stuffed them back in the folder. "Thank you", she muttered as she turned around and headed out. Morane sat quietly until she had gone and then proceeded to talk to Maxwell.

"Thank you so kindly for allowing me to keep my position", Maxwell grinned. "I knew damned well she was going to try and get rid of me".
- "That reminds me", Morane interrupted him. "I've got an important job for you". Maxwell was suddenly very alert. "Oh, do tell", he replied.
"Since Stan Winston refuses to follow my orders I have no choice but to appoint you instead", Morane explained. Maxwell was stunned but a tad confused. "What exactly do you mean?" -"Well", Morane started to say. "He's already proven himself un loyal by refusing to kill that soldier, and so I have no other choice but to hand the position over to someone who would gladly do it.

     "Of course I would", Maxwell smirked. "I can't stand the man, killing him would surely bring a smile to my face". Morane was intrigued by Maxwell's psychotic babble. "I know", he replied. "But I'm not asking you to kill him just yet", Morane corrected. "You see, the reason I demanded her to let you keep your job is because I want you in close proximity when she and that young man are together. Your job is basically to act as a spy for me, to find out what she's telling him".

"I see", Maxwell nodded. "And if she does tell him anything?" -"Then you have my permission to kill him", Morane replied. "But of course, don't make it a public scene, kill him when there's no one around". -"Yes, Sir", Maxwell nodded. Suddenly Morane pulled out a medium sized metal box and opened it, revealing a nice sized revolver. "To make sure you do kill him, take this roscoe with you". As Maxwell took the gun into his hand, he already felt like a killer, and was itching to pull the trigger. "I can't wait to fill you full of lead", Maxwell thought to himself as he imagined what it would be like to give William Sterling the kiss off.

     Meanwhile, the two spies Khan and Ahtor had been wandering about one part of the city scrounging around for possible disguises. As they walked amongst the other people, they were getting a lot of odd looks. "Get a load at those uniforms", one man commented as he walked by. "Must be a new AMF design". Khan and Ahtor exchanged looks of confusion. "Why are those men wearing earrings? one of the women wondered. "They look absolutely silly". It hadn't been long when Khan and Ahtor started to realize they were drawing far too much attention to themselves, and against Bhor's wishes , and so it was crucial that they get rid of their uniforms and fast.

     Khan looked around and quickly noticed a nearby clothing outlet ,and then both of them headed straight for it. "There's lots of garments here", Ahtor commented as they walked through the doors. "Why, there's even a distinct section for men only, what luck!" Khan and Ahtor headed to the men's department and began looking through the assortment of clothing. "This will have to do", Khan said as he selected a faded orange collar shirt with dark brown slacks. Ahtor grabbed one of the shirts with a black vest and matching black slacks, and then both of them noticed the shoe department right across the section. Khan looked down at his boots and then over at Ahtor. "We'll have to get rid of these too" he suggested. "Our plan is to blend in with the humans, and I don't see any of them wearing boots like ours".

     "I believe you are right", Ahtor sighed. "But what about our gold? To remove them would mean disgrace to our people and our god, and we cannot take that chance". Khan hadn't thought of the earrings, but he knew that it was against their code of honor to remove them, so he agreed they would have to stay. "We'll keep them", he nodded.
Ahtor suddenly looked down at the clothing they had picked out and noticed something odd about it. "There are very strange attachments", he commented as he pointed out the tags. "I didn't see these on the clothes of the humans, did you?" Khan took a brief moment to think back on his first encounters not too long ago. "Come to think of it, no", he shook his head. "We'll have to remove them ".

Ahtor began ripping off the tags when he noticed there was a small fitting room area right in front of them. "I can't believe our luck", he exclaimed. "We've even got a place to change in private!" Khan was even amused. "It seems everything we need is right at our finger tips", he said. "This is surely a sign that we will be successful in our mission".

     Both of them stepped into the stalls, and only a few moments later, they stepped back out in their brand new attire. "This is actually very comfortable", Ahtor said. "Not to mention, we don't look half bad", Khan nodded as he and Ahtor admired themselves in the mirrors. Suddenly Khan placed the magnite into his pants pocket. "Now to find a storage unit for our uniforms", he noted. Suddenly Ahtor spoke up. "I believe I saw something we can use outside this complex". -"tjen?" Khan demanded. "Follow me", Ahtor ordered as he grabbed his uniform and began heading out the back exit of the building.

     They were now standing in a small alley way with a large dumpster right against the wall in back of the store. "There it is", Ahtor announced as he pointed it out. "There's the storage unit we can accommodate. Khan walked over and lifted up one side of the lid and peered down. "It's dark", he said. Then all of a sudden, he was taken surprise by a very foul odor, and began coughing and covering his nose. "This must be where they keep their dead", he exclaimed as he slammed the lid down. Ahtor had also gotten a whiff of his new smell and his eyes began watering. "I've made a terrible mistake then", he apologized as he covered his mouth and nose. Once Khan could breathe again, he noticed something about the alley they were standing in.

"You know,this is a secluded area", Khan said. "We could easily hide out here during our mission in this city, wouldn't you agree?" Ahtor had finally managed to breathe again as well and nodded back. "We can stay here, but that contraption must remain closed", he said. - "Agreed", Khan nodded.

--The Card Shack--

     Victoria Thompson dropped the folder of paperwork on the office desk as she let out an angry grumble, and then peered over her shoulder and saw Maxwell standing there. "Let's make one thing clear", she said in a snooty tone. "I am in charge now, and Morane may have let you keep your job, but I'm running the show now!". Maxwell propped himself up against the office wall and tried to light a cigar. "You're forgetting one thing only, my dear", he smirked. -"Oh yeah?" She remarked as she stood before him with her hands on her hips. "Well, spill it", she demanded. Maxwell's attempts to light the cigar had failed, and he dropped it. "Bollocks", he groaned. "Well? I'm waiting", Victoria snapped.

     "Oh, but of course", Maxwell grinned at her. "You're forgetting, that I know where most of your money came from. And it wasn't even yours to begin with". Victoria crossed her arms and glared at him. "You wouldn't dare", she growled. He looked back at her with the same devious smile, and nodded. "Most of your money came from your days of robbing banks my dear, and not just any bank, but the bank of Morane". She sighed as she hung her head low as her arms fell at her sides. "What is it you want?" -"Why, my reputation back of course", Maxwell replied. "It's something you've managed to tarnish ever since you met that bugger". Victoria just shrugged her shoulders at him. "Can't get back what you never had, honey".

     "What is this?" Maxwell remarked as he knelt down in attempt to pick up the cigar. "Perhaps payback? For all those times I've put you down?" She just glared at him again, and quickly turned away. "It's not about payback at all", she said. "I just don't want you getting in the way of my plans. I've wanted my own business for the longest time, and you are not going to ruin that for me". Suddenly she turned to face him once again, and with one foot, she stomped on his cigar. "Is that understood", she said in a fierce tone as she grabbed him by his vest and looked right into his eyes. Never before, had Maxwell seen her looking so determined, in fact he was even feeling intimidated by it. "It is understood", he muttered nervously.

     She released her grip and headed back over towards the desk. Maxwell sneered at her and then stuck his hand in his pants pocket and felt the revolver. "You can do whatever you want, Miss Thompson", he thought to himself. "But once you tell your precious lover boy your deepest secrets, it will all be over".

     At that moment, Brian Smith was headed out to search for and apologize to William Sterling. His recent conversation with Xxionia had finally made him realize he was wrong, and if he wanted to protect his home and friends, he would have to face his fears and join the military. Thoughts raced through his mind as he walked the streets. He even had a few flashbacks of the times when he and his brother were talking about their future plans. At that time he was only Nine years old, and his brother was the greatest influence, and a true role model by his standards. "So what do you want to be when you get older?" his brother had asked. "I want to be whatever you are", Brian told him. "Well in that case, someday I want to join the military", his brother said. -"Then I want to join too", Brian replied.

     Suddenly Brian felt the pressure in his chest tighten as he remembered those words. "Then I want to join too? Right then he felt like someone had grabbed him and threw him right into a brick wall. The pain was immense, and suddenly it began to feel all too real, and as he opened his eyes he saw Stan Winston looking right at him. Little did he know that his little trip down memory lane had caused him to zone out and he ran right into Stan. "You just cause problems everywhere you go", Stan sneered as he pushed Brian into the wall again. "I didn't mean to run into you", Brian cried out in anger. Stan looked down at him as he struggled to get back on his feet. "Sure you didn't", Stan remarked. "Just like I'm sure you didn't mean to drive your friends away with your incessant whining!"

     Brian finally got back up and looked Stan in the eye. "I didn't mean to cause anything", he snapped back. "I was just trying to find William so I could apologize!" Stan began scoffing at him and grabbed him once again. "He doesn't want anything to do with you any more", Stan smirked. "So, why don't you just run back into your little apartment and stay there for the rest of your days!"
Brian had been shocked to see the crowd of people gathering around to watch as Stan abused him. He was even more surprised to notice none of them had even bothered to help him. "I told you I don't like you", Stan continued. "And now , I am making myself clear". -"Stan what the hell?" came a voice from behind him.

     Stan took a brief moment to look , and saw William standing there not looking very happy at all. "Let him go", William ordered. -"As you wish", Stan replied as he dropped Brian on the ground.

"I wasn't sure if I was right when I said you had changed",
William told him. "But from what I've just witnessed, I've come to realize that I was right all along".
"He ran right into me", Stan explained. "Didn't bother to say he was sorry either". -"So your solution is to give him a beating for it?" William asked. "Just look at him, Stan", William said as he looked down at Brian. "You could of killed him", he exclaimed. "But I didn't", Stan muttered as he turned around and took off. "I want to talk to you about this later", William called after him. "And we are going to have a serious talk about your current behavior".

     Brian finally stood up and leaned against the wall as he noticed William coming towards him to apologize. "I'm sorry for what happened", William told him. "Are you okay?" Brian was a bit bruised up and his back was sore, but other than that he was fine. "I'm fine", Brian replied. "No real damage, just a bit sore". -"I should of been here to stop him", William said again. "It's fine", Brian replied. "At least you came before it was too late". -"Yeah", William sighed. "I don't know what's gotten into him lately, but I'm tempted to just say the hell with our friendship. If that's how he wants to be, then I'd rather not be associated with him at all".

     "If there's anyone who should be sorry, then it's me", Brian said. "If anything, that beating he gave me was a nice wake up call". -"Don't joke about that", William replied sternly. "He could of killed you, and he knows it". "I was an asshole to you earlier", Brian told him. "And for that I apologize".
-"Apology accepted", William replied. "Before I ran into Stan, I was actually going to try and find you, just so I could apologize. I've just had a lot on my mind, and I've been losing touch with reality".
-"Dreams again?" William asked. Brian was hesitant, but he nodded. "I know you're going to think I'm crazy, but they aren't dreams". "Then what are they?" William asked him. Brian was hesitant again, and he knew damned well that William wouldn't believe him. "Visions, I guess", Brian shrugged.

     William Sterling didn't know what was really happening with Brian. All he remembered was what Brian had told him about the nightmare involving the alien ship that had now lay over Atlantis City like a large black blanket. "There's more to this", Brian sighed. "And I really need to tell someone, I can't keep it inside any longer, it's driving me insane".
William was quiet and took a moment to think to himself, when he finally agreed he would listen.
"You can tell me", William told him. Brian felt instant relief, as if the weight had finally been lifted off his shoulders. "Thanks", Brian replied. "But not here, I'd rather go some place private".

     William Sterling fiddled around with an empty shot glass as he watched Brian light up a cigarette. "This isn't exactly what I had in mind", Brian remarked since William's idea of a private place was none other than the Card shack.
It was just the two of them now as the place had been pretty dead. "So, this is how it's going to work", William explained. "I'll ask the questions, and you tell me what you know, alright?" Brian nodded as he held his cigarette between his fingers. "What do you know about the alien visitors?" William asked. "You've told me they are our enemies, I know that much, but what else do you know?" Brian sighed deeply as he stared straight ahead. "They're after some kind of weapon system", Brian replied. "Called a Zergyx, I think".

     -"A Zergyx?" William repeated in an enthusiastic voice. "Where is it? Do you know?"
"I do", Brian uttered. "But you're not going like it" William leaned up against the padding of his seat, trying to get comfortable as he knew he was going to be here a while. "Tell me", William said.
"It's located beneath Atlantis", Brian told him. "It's that object your little expedition team discovered".

-"What else do you know about it?" William asked him. "Do you know how it works?" Brian took a moment to remember, and he suddenly heard Xxionia's voice. "The zergyx can only be activated through use of our power, through our blood ; my blood". "Xxionia", Brian said.
-"Who, or what is that?" William asked him. -"She's the one who's come to warn us, and she's done so through my dreams", Brian explained. "She told me, she is the key they need to activate it, and they are keeping her prisoner on their ship until they can get to it".

     Suddenly William blurted out something Brian would have never expected. "Give me a cigarette", he said. Brian was shocked. "But, I thought you don't smoke?"
-"No I don't", William told him. "But I need one for all of this". Puzzled, Brian pulled out one and handed it over to William and even lit it for him. Brian then sat back and watched as William took a puff and coughed a bit. "Not too bad", William commented. "Now continue your story". Brian sighed again before he spoke once more. "Xxionia told me they've also sent spies here".

-"Spies?" William repeated. "That's impossible, no one can get into Atlantis City, not without an access code. Besides, all of the old transportation cruisers that had access are no longer in use, just collecting dust underground". Brian just shrugged. "That's what she told me, she didn't say how or when either". -"Well, there's also not much they can do", William continued. "Atlantis City is heavily guarded by the dome that covers it, and no type of weapon, alien or not can penetrate that force field".

-"We're safe and sound, Brian", William told him. "The only way we will ever engage those aliens in battle, is if we go out there ourselves". Brian shrugged again. "I don't know", he sighed. "I had nightmares about Atlantis City under attack, and I kept seeing one of those aliens walking towards me with a type of sword. Xxionia also says the name of their leader is Zoal". -"I don't know what will happen to us", he continued. "But, whatever it is, I'm not going down without a fight".

-"You of all people", William said as his jaw nearly dropped.
"And to think you used to be so anti-military, why the sudden change?" Brian didn't really know what to say, but they both realized this evening was just chockfull of surprises. "I have no other choice", Brian explained. "I'm not doing it because it's what my brother would of wanted, nor am I doing it for you or anyone else. I'm doing it because it's the right thing". -"War is never right", William corrected him. "But no matter what, humans just can't seem to coexist with other races, hence why Atlantis City is located so far away from other worlds". -"And why the people here don't take kindly to hybrids", Brian added as he looked at William. -"Yeah", William nodded. Suddenly Brian noticed that he kind of offended William with those words. "I'm sorry", he said. "Didn't mean to remind you of that, but any ways, Xxionia has given up hope of ever being freed from them, which is why she is helping us".

     Suddenly William couldn't help but notice something, and he knew it wasn't the tobacco in his system behind it either. "Now it makes sense", he spoke up. -"Come again?" Brian asked.
"Xxionia being helpless, and your sudden change of heart", William explained. "You want to save her don't you?" Brian was silent, but he nodded. "It's alright though", William continued. "I'd want to save her too if I were you". -"I can't do it alone", Brian sighed. "Would you help me?" William could see how determined he was, and just knew if he told him no, it would crush him. "Yeah", William nodded. "I'll help you". "Thank you", Brian told him. "You don't know how much that means to me. "After all, you are my best friend and the only one I've ever had since the death of my brother".
William smiled a bit and then put out the cigarette in a nearby ash tray. "These are not for me", he remarked.

     "I'm still nervous about military camp", Brian said. "I know I'm willing to conquer my fears and all, but I'm still afraid".
-"It will go by like a breeze", William replied. "You'll just be learning basic combat skills, and simulation training until you're ready to fly the real thing". Suddenly Brian was very interested. "What is it like?" he asked. -"It's pretty exciting", William explained. "Kind of like an adrenaline rush even, just sitting in the cockpit amongst all those controls". "Do you think I'd enjoy it?" Brian asked. William nodded. "Brian, I've only known you for about a month, and I can already tell that you would love it too".

-"Could I see them?" Brian asked all of a sudden.
"Yes", William replied. "But only after you finish your week of military camp". Suddenly Brian was curious. "Why is it only for a week?" -"Because they want to be prepared", William replied. "The council even stated the AMF would only need a week to train the new recruits. A bunch of phonus balonus if you ask me".

     Which were Lynne William's exact thoughts as she had just finished giving the orientation for the men who had come to be drafted. "Why only a week?" she asked herself. "That isn't enough time to prepare for a battle, even if there was to be one". She sighed as she headed towards the elevator and waited till it took her back up to the airbase towers where her station was located. Lynne hadn't heard from Admiral Grant since he left to give his speech to the local networks for broadcasting, and she was worried about him. She didn't have much time to react when the doors opened and she stepped out only to find Lucy and Mipsy goofing around, smoking in the forbidden zone. "Girls", she exclaimed in anger. "You know the rules, put those out and return to your stations! That's an order!"

     "Yes commander Williams", they replied in unison as they gave her a quick salute. Then Lynne proceeded to check on the status of things. "Have you been watching the monitors?" She asked the girls. "Any suspicious activity at all?" -"Not from what we can tell", Alley informed her. "I've been watching for activity from the alien ship, but so far nothing's been picked up, they're just sittin pretty up there". -"you'd think they would leave already", Grace chimed in. "Really", added Lucy. "Day after day they just sit over our city, are they watching us or what?" Lynne looked at the visual of the alien saucer shaped craft on the monitor screen. "I don't know", she told them. "Maybe we should just all pretend they aren't even there, go on with our lives until they finally realize we aren't worth their time, and do leave".