Tuesday, June 28, 1988
Camp Tandy – Girl’s Campsite 2
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
Entering the Bathhouse Sylvia kicks off her muddy sneakers. She can’t remember the last time she felt so dirty or felt so good about it. Sliding her wet, muddy, grass stained shorts down her legs she thinks what a great time she had playing soccer with Steve again. Removing her top and underwear she steps into the shower to turn it on. Hopefully this time of the evening there will be plenty of hot water. Untying her ponytail she rinses her long black hair under the water then she moves to soap her arms when the door opens.
“So did you have a good time?” Ava asks, sitting down on a bench along the wall. Sylvia turns her head to look at the Field Hockey coach who has an uncharacteristic smile.
“It was your idea that I needed to do something to take my mind off of Lori,” Sylvia replies.
“So playing soccer with Steve was that thing?” Ava quizzes.
It is Sylvia who smiles now under the spray of the shower. “It was kind of a rematch from the first time we were here together at camp.”
“So you are going to admit now that you knew him from before this stay?” Ava questions.
“Yes, we first met as kids here at camp, we were both fifteen and things were so different then,” Sylvia tells Ava.
“Did you cheat then too, using your powers?” Ava asks.
Sylvia turns to put her hands on the side of the stall and rest her head over it. “Shit, you saw that?” “Do you think he saw it?”
“No, he was too busy looking at your boobs,” Ava jokes. “I’ve been watching the two of you with each other, what exactly is the problem?”
“Are you trying to play matchmaker?” Sylvia asks turning off the water to reach for a towel. “I have plenty of those in my life back home, so thanks but no thanks.” She wraps herself in the towel to step out of the shower. “I think you should stick to coaching kids Field Hockey.
“Then I will just say, you will never find a good thing if you don’t take a risk once in a while,” Ava suggests. “I went against everything I was ever taught to take a risk at a good thing.” “It turned out to be the best thing in my life even though it was destined to end too soon.”
Sylvia returns to her tent and slips on her flannel nightgown to climb into her sleeping bag. Denise is nowhere to be found as usual. Clearly she had found someone to entertain her nights other than Steve. She can’t help to imagine what it would be like if she had the same kind of freedom as Denise. Tossing and turning on the small cot her mind wanders back to Lori Striker and what has truly become of her.
Perhaps Diana does not have to wait until she returns home to find Lori. Using her own powers to get home and back in the night would drain her far too much. As much as she hates the idea there is another way to speed up the trip to New York and back. Shanna gave her necklace the power to travel to Magic Island instantly without even using her own energy. From there Mist could send her home in secret. It would mean admitting that she still needs Shanna and Mist.
Mist’s Palace
The World Charts room
Magic Island
The Bermuda Triangle
Miracle Maiden arrives on Magic Island the same place she always does when using the charm given her by Shanna. The World Charts room is a strange place with its domed ceiling that replicates the starry night sky on its surface, even in the daytime. At the center of the floor a globe turns with the rotation of the Earth. Or is it the room that turns around the globe? She could never be sure which was correct. The room is dimly lit signaling to Miracle Maiden that she is on the night side of the room. Looking to the globe as it slowly moves she can see that where she stands is directly in line with New Jersey.
Miracle Maiden has watched Mist and Shanna activate the teleportation aspect of this globe and this room in previous visits. She wonders if she just reaches out to touch New York City on the globe if she will be sent there without Mist or Shanna even knowing she was here tonight. As she moves to reach out to touch the island of Manhattan on the globe she is startled.
“I am afraid my daughter is not here this evening,” Mist says entering the room from the day side that exists below the floor on which Miracle Maiden stands.
Pulling her hand back, Miracle Maiden turns to greet the guardian of Magic Island. “Good Evening Mist, I was not here to see Shanna in particular.” “Perhaps you can help me just as easily.” “I am worried about a young girl I met who was referred to as a Dreamer.”
“Oh, I do understand your concern,” Mist replies stepping forward toward the globe as it turns away from daytime. “A Dreamer could be quite a challenge for you.”
“I have been away from home and I was hoping you could help me get home quicker than I could on my own,” Miracle Maiden asks politely.
The somber man smiles slightly. “Was that what you were attempting to do when I entered?” Miracle Maiden nods slightly. “It is good I entered when I did, even with your special talents you might have become lost without magic to guide you.” He steps up to the globe next to her taking hold of her hand. “Now where is it you would like to go?” “Your Condo?”
“That would be perfect, I could use a change of clothes,” Miracle Maiden replies.
“When you are ready to return here simply touch your necklace as you did to come here earlier.” Mist tells her as he reaches out his left index finger for lower Manhattan. Instantly Miracle Maiden is gone from Magic Island. “It is good that her trust is returning,” he smiles as Shana enters the Chart room.
“I know she is still angry with me, I thought it best if you dealt with her tonight,” Shana says approaching the globe. “Once she builds a better rapport with you, her anger with me will fade.”
“When I held her hand I could feel that her heart was softening in many ways,” Mist adds. “It will not be long now until it melts completely.”
Nathan Prussia’s apartment
Apt. 5K
1632 102nd Ave
New York, NY
Detective Sgt. Prussia is alone in the spare bedroom of this apartment. He stands in front of a board studying the photos and news clippings posted on it. He has spent years putting together every fact he can find involving the mystery woman, Diana Carter and Miracle Maiden. Recent events in New Jersey have made it clear how all the pieces fit together. There is not longer any question that what he has suspected for the past year is true, Diana Carter is Miracle Maiden.
Detective Prussia was always suspicious of the Carters since Diana disappeared with no trace after her graduation from High School. He had even visited William Carter after he was released from the hospital with a broken jaw. Eighteen year old girls running away from home usually don’t give their abusive fathers a broken face before leaving. But when he looked back through the old photos of Diana, he was sure she was the girl from the Midnight Bar. Even when she denied it he knew it was true, but he had no real proof. That night at the bar as a rookie cop Prussia felt attacked and assaulted. It was something he had a hard time letting go of in the years to follow. Now knowing what he knows about her father and the way Diana was treated, she was most likely just a teenage girl rebelling that lost control.
It must have been a big burden for her to have that much power at such a young age. Looking back over the news articles and the police reports about the mystery woman from a few years back he can see the trail of growth. He can also understand the connections between the people she went after and William Carter. Clearly she was only trying to bring down dangerous people not unlike what she and her friends did with Boss Jordan over in Jersey. Yes, he is now certain Jordan’s claims were true although Prussia will never let that cat out of the bag. Boss Jordan is right where he belongs, in prison.
Detective Prussia can ever pinpoint what caused the creation of Miracle Maiden from the items on his board. It was soon after Master Warrior’s first appearance in New York City. Having built something of a rapport with Miracle Maiden he is sure she would never admit to that either. Her disdain for Master Warrior appears rather hypocritical to him.
Moving down the board to review the articles about Miracle Maiden written by a reporter named Martin Harper it is clear that once Diana had the disguise to hide behind she became more actively involved with helping people beyond her own plans. Most of the stories have to do with events she came upon by chance; muggings, possible sexual assaults and car accidents. But a few were clearly personal like the abduction of her friend Tracey Woodlawn some time back. Keeping her secret from that woman must be the hardest thing she has done since becoming Miracle Maiden.
Detective Prussia’s real mystery is now where does he go from here? Does he approach Diana or Miracle Maiden about what he has discovered or just go on with business as usual. What happened at that Saw Mill makes him think it would be best not to acknowledge her secret out right, at least not yet. Lying about Sylvia Banks’ location was a clear signal that he is on her side, if she wants him to be or not. Looking at Martin Harper’s articles, Prussia has to wonder about the reporter’s focus. Perhaps he should investigate Harper a bit to see if he is a kindred soul or if he has other motivations for his obsession.
Carter Industries
The Simpson Building
Fifth floor
303 7th Avenue
New York City, NY
Having stopped at her apartment to change her clothes Diana stands in her office looking out the windows. It reminds her of the night Wes Berkley got shot at Hewitt and Shapiro. The thought that someone has been watching her from across the street for who knows how long is disturbing. Her Uncle’s office is on this side of the building too. She has to believe that if the General was going to put a sniper over there he would have already done it. Thank god her condo was on the other side of the building.
But that is not why she is here tonight. Finding out what Captain Mathess has been up to across the street will have to wait for now. She needs to find the passcodes and key in her safe to access the computer room. For the past few months she has been using the new computer system to access public records and hopes that she can use it tonight to learn more about Lori Striker and her father than the girl revealed at camp.
Opening her wall safe and retrieving the pouch with the key and small booklet inside, Diana heads for the computer room. Computers are still a rather new piece of office equipment in 1988. The size of Carter Industries had made the computer upgrade rather modest in comparison to the fortune five hundred companies that have a terminal in every office. But living in the building with the offices has made it easier for Diana to sneak in after hours. As far as security goes her Uncle Zac is aware of her nocturnal research, but no one else needs to be.
Diana precedes down the hall to the computer lab. She has memorized most of the codes from the book. The door access code is one. This time of night everyone has gone home and the computer lab is empty, making it easy for her undercover investigations. Diana takes a seat at one of the three computer terminals. She uses the dummy username and password she set up to gain access that keeps her use of the system secret. Opening the links that she has established on previous visits to the system. To Diana’s surprise she finds her path to those research sites blocked.
“Miss Carter, what are you doing here?” Andre Morales the lead computer tech says as he arrives back in the computer lab with a cup of coffee. “I thought you were on vacation.”
Diana spins around, startled by the unexpected arrival. “Oh. Andre I thought everyone had gone for the night?” “I was just trying to do some research.” “I appear to be having some problem getting access to the web.”
“When I told your Uncle that there had been some late night unauthorized use of the computer system, he told me to not bother with it,” Andre explains. “I never guessed it was you.” “I put up some firewalls to plug those holes you made.”
“In that case could you give me a hand getting through your ‘firewalls’?” Diana asks, leaning back in her chair.
“If you can explain to me what you have been up to here, perhaps,” Andre replies, sitting down at one of the other terminals.
Diana contemplates her answer for several minutes. Up until now her activities at Carter Industries have gone unquestioned. She must choose her words carefully, not get this guy involved in her world. “Some of the cases I work I need to do research off the books to not have it traced back to the company.” “Right now I’m hoping to find a missing twelve year old girl.”
“Well that should be easy,” Andre says, spinning his chair to face the computer terminal. “What did you say her name is?” “And her father too.”
“Lori and Robert Striker,” Diana says. “I think it is really Lorelei Elizabeth Striker.” Andre types the names into the computer as Diana stands to watch over his shoulder. “What site are you on?” she asks looking at the unfamiliar screen.
“A little site I put together to link into every known records database,” Andre explains. “That I can legally access of course.” “I think I have found something.” “Lorelei Elizabeth Striker, daughter of Robert Allen Striker.” “The father is something of an oil tycoon, it would appear.” “He has homes all over the country, no way to tell where they are currently living.”
“Lori told me they lived in Newark,” Diana tells the tech.
“998 Broad St, Newark, New Jersey is one of the known addresses,” Andre confirms. “But I found a Real Estate listing for it just placed yesterday.” “There are a few photos.” “Looks like the place is cleaned out.”
“How is that possible?” Diana exclaims. “She just went missing yesterday.”
“Maybe the old man had a plan to leave before that,” Andre suggests. “Wait, here is something.” “A nanny who worked for them, she has a mother that lives here in Queens.”
Robert is sounding more and more like her own father William, Diana thinks to herself. She hated coming home from camp to be informed that they were moving from the only home she had ever known. “If Lori and her father are gone, maybe the nanny is still here,” Diana suggests.” “Can you find a phone number for this mother in Queens?”
Linden Hill
Queens, NY
It is around 9:30 pm when Diana arrives on the street of the address where Maki Toya lives. She spoke to the older woman on the phone, who explained that her daughter had gone out for a late dinner with friends but still should be home by 10 pm. Diana didn’t want to intrude at such a late hour but the older woman insisted she come by to keep her company until her daughter returned home.
As Diana approaches the address she is met with something unexpected. There are several police cars out in front of the building with their blue and red lights still flashing. Stopping a block away she scans the area ahead to see if she can figure out what is going on. Whatever the problem is at Maki Toya’s building, perhaps it is best if she is not the one asking questions. Diana steps into a nearby alley to reach for the invisible necklace around her throat.
Several seconds later, Miracle Maiden approaches the scene to spot a police officer standing under a street light. “Officer, what is happening, can I be of help?” she asks him. When he turns to face her for a moment she thinks it is Steve Roberts. He has a similar build, hair color and even in this lighting she can see his blue eyes. As she draws closer she can see that the cop must be ten years older than Steve. It does make her wonder how he looked in his police uniform.
Walking up to the uniformed officer she reads the name tag on his chest, Officer Flanagan. Probably half Irish, just like Steve too. “Has something happened here that I could be of assistance with?” She really doesn’t know if this cop even has any idea why she is dressed like this, but it is worth a try.
“You’re Miracle Maiden aren’t you?” Officer Flanagan asks. “I guess I could tell you what I know, which isn’t much.” “An old woman was attacked, beaten pretty badly.” “She was home alone, her daughter came home to find her.”
This story doesn’t sound at all good to Miracle Maiden. What are the chances that the mother and daughter are Maki and Suki Toya? “Were they taken to the Hospital?” she questions as she looks up at the face of the five story brownstone walk up. On the fourth floor she can see other cops milling around inside through a window.
“Yeah, Flushing Hospital Medical Center,” Officer Flanagan answers. “Left about five minutes before you arrived.”
She has no time to get wrapped up in some case tonight, that is not why she is here, Miracle Maiden thinks. Let the cops handle it. All she wants to do is talk to Suki Toya to find out if Lori is alright. The apartment number given to her by Suki’s mother was on the fourth floor. Going to the hospital first is the logical move. “Thank you, Officer Flanagan,” she says before teleporting away.
Just as Miracle Maiden vanishes Detective Sgt Prussia arrives in a car. He catches only a glimpse of the woman but he is sure it was Miracle Maiden. “Officer!” he calls out at Flanigan as he gets out of his car. “Were you just talking to Miracle Maiden?”
The uniformed cop is surprised at the Detective’s arrival and a little nervous too. “Yes sir, it was,” Flanigan answers.
“What was she talking to you about?” Prussia asks.
“She was wondering what was happening here, sir,” Flanagan replies.
“What did you tell her?” Prussia inquires.
“Not much sir, I don’t know much,” the Officer tells the Detective.
Detective Sgt. Prussia takes a business card from inside his jacket to hand it to the officer. “If you see her again, give me a call on my mobile line.”
“Yes sir,” Officer Flanagan replies, taking the card that reads; Detective Sgt. N Prussia, NYPD – Special Task Force. The beat cop has never heard of this Special Task Force, but he knows Detective Prussia by reputation alone. Prussia then heads into the Brownstone showing his badge at the door.
Flushing Hospital Medical Center
4500 Parsons Blvd
Queens, NY
Miracle Maiden arrives outside the emergency room of the Hospital after three teleports. She decided it would not be best if Miracle Maiden came marching into this Hospital to see a patient. Switching back to her street clothes she enters the Emergency waiting room. As luck would have it there is only one woman of Asian descent sitting there alone. The young woman is clearly upset and has some blood on her clothing. On the other side of the room a teenage girl sits with her mother. Diana walks over to sit down next to the Asian woman.
“Are you alright?” Diana asks the stranger. Drawing the attention of the teen girl who whispers to her mother.
The Asian woman appears distraught with tears running down her smooth cheeks. “My mother was attacked.”
“Then why are you not with her?” Diana asks. “What are you doing out here?”
“It is best this way,” the woman replies. “I think she was attacked because of me.”
This is odd, Diana thinks. “Why would you think that?” she asks.
“The man I work for is very powerful, that is all I can say?” Suki whispers. “You should go, he will probably send someone else after me here when he finds out.”
“Find out what?” Diana asks. If this is Suki, she works for Robert Striker, Lori’s father. He is a businessman not a mobster.
“I’ve said too much already, put everyone at risk, you should leave now while you still can!”
“Don’t be silly, no one is coming after you,” Diana tells Suki. “Why would they?”
“I saw things on his computer that I should not have seen,” Suki weeps. “I told him I didn’t see anything, I thought he believed me.” “But now,” Suki begins to cry again.
As Diana comforts the young woman a tall imposing man enters the Emergency Room. He wears sunglasses even though the sun has gone down hours ago. Jacob Rigoletto takes a seat across from them, his right hand wrapped on a bloodied towel. Diana gives him the once over. His face looks like he has been in many fights, clearly his nose has been broken more than once. His injury even looks like it is fight related. He catches her looking at him but makes no effort to talk to her. “I believe you need to check in at the window if you want to be treated,” Diana tells him.
Rigoletto gives her a menacing look, is he trying to frighten her or is he just a jerk? Diana wonders. “I don’t need to check in, this is not my blood,” he tells her.
Suki looks up at the man to recognize the bloody towel he holds in his hand. “That is my mother’s dish towel,” she whispers, as she trembles next to Diana. The large man stands back up to his full six foot, three inches height.
“Get away from the girl and you won’t get hurt sweetheart,” Rigoletto says, dropping the dish towel on the floor. “I don’t like messing up a pretty face.”
Diana responds by standing up in his path. Diana has told no one in the room her name and most of them have paid little attention to her since her arrival. “I don’t think so,” she says, reaching for her throat. “I suggest everyone get out of here, in case this gets messy.” Miracle Maiden announced to the people in the waiting room.
Jacob Rigoletto only smiles at Miracle Maiden’s transformation. “Is that supposed to scare me?” he grins. “I’ve been eager to meet one of you people.” “Let’s see how super you really are.” As he begins to charge at Miracle Maiden several people get up to quietly leave the waiting room, while the mother struggles to lift her daughter who remains to watch in awl.
Miracle Maiden is caught off guard by the force behind the man’s attack causing her to stumble back over the chairs and onto a glass top table. The shards of glass fly over the mother and daughter in the waiting room. Rigoletto pays no mind to the chaos he incites in the room as he lunges forward. He pins Miracle Maiden down to the floor as he punches her in the face. At full density his fist can’t so much as scratch her cheek. He draws back his hand that drips blood. Miracle Maiden smiles up at him. “Good thing we are in an Emergency room, because that is your blood this time!” she comments.
Rigoletto is infuriated at the sight of his bleeding knuckles. He draws his arm back to land another blow. This time his fist only hits the floor as Miracle Maiden phases through his body to stand up behind him. She looks at the people still in the waiting room watching the scene. It is time she ended this, she thinks.
When Rigoletto spins around to stand up, Miracle Maiden strikes him down with a Bio-energy eye blast that lays him out on the floor. “Show’s over,” Miracle Maiden tells everyone as the security guards arrive. She retrieves the bloodied dish towel that Rigoletto arrived with telling one of the guards, “I believe this blood will be a match to Maki Toya who is in surgery.”
Miracle Maiden turns to spot Suki watching the events that played out in the waiting room through a window from outside. Miracle Maiden moves to phase through the wall of the hospital to join the frightened woman standing in the garden outside. “Are you alright?” she asks as the sirens of the arriving police sound. “I don’t think he will be coming after you again.”
“Yes, yes, that was incredible,” Suki exclaims.
“What you saw on Mr. Striker’s computer, did it have to do with his daughter?” Miracle Maiden asks.
“You mean Lori,” Suki says confused how this Superhero knows about the girl she cares for as a Nanny. “No, Lori is his pride and joy.”
“Then what was so bad to make you think he sent this man after you?” Miracle Maiden asks, as they watch the police enter the Emergency room.
“It was a video,” Suki whispers. “It showed him transforming his body into liquid.” “He is like you.” “He told me it was just movie special effects and I believed him.” “I did feel it was odd when he informed me that I could take a vacation while Lori was at summer camp.” “He had never sent his daughter to summer camp before.” “He always wanted to keep her close at home in the summer.” “But when I found my mother…” “I knew…..”
Miracle Maiden puts her arm around the young woman. “You are going to be alright,” she tells Suki. “I’ll make sure you and your mother are safe.” Miracle Maiden notices the arrival of an unmarked car that she has seen many times before tonight. “Come with me,” she tells Suki, leading her back around to the Emergency room entrance.
A tall, muscular middle-aged black man with a badge hanging on a lanyard around his neck approaches them. “I thought you were on vacation,” Detective Sgt. Prussia comments.
Miracle Maiden knows exactly what he is implying but she ignores it for now. “This is Suki Toya.” “It was her mother who was attacked in Queens by the man being taken away.” “She and her mother are going to need some protection in case whoever hired that guy sends someone else.” None of this is at all what Diana expected to find when she came back to the city.
“It was a good thing you were on patrol tonight,” Prussia comments with a smirk. “Are you doing that now?”
“No, not at all, it was all by chance,” Miracle Maiden replies. “I’m sure Suki and her mother can explain everything to you once she is out of surgery.” “But right now I need to be going.”
“No please, don’t go, it still isn’t safe,” Suki begs.
“I have complete faith that Detective Sgt. Prussia will be able to make sure nothing else happens to you.” Then Miracle Maiden touches her necklace to vanish back to Magic Island.
Wednesday, June 29, 1988
Tracey and Fox Woodlawn’s apartment
Apt. 3-f
76 Clinton Avenue
New York, NY
Since meeting Miracle Maiden, Tracey Woodlawn had become something of a fan. For the past few months she has clipped every article from newspapers and magazines about Miracle Maiden that she has come across.
“Are you at it again?” her husband Fox asks, walking into the kitchen. He leans down to give her a good morning kiss.
“I just find her interesting,” Tracey responds. “I find it neat the way she affects cameras and photos.” “I mean look at this, everyone else’s face in this photo is fine, accept hers.” “Completely blurry is a trick that should only be done in the dark room during development.”
“Maybe she has the same Agent as this guy?” Fox suggested moving a copy of the Philadelphia Bulletin in front of her with an article about Master Warrior with his photo blurred in the same way.
Tracey holds up the paper saying, “How are they doing that?” “You think they pay off the photographer?”
“Looking for a new side hustle, babe?” Fox suggests sitting down at the table with a bowl of cereal and cup of coffee. “Looking to be Miracle Maiden’s official photographer?”
“It really is weird the distortion is practically identical,” Tracey observes. “I wonder if they are related?” “Brother and sister maybe?”
“I don’t think they are brother and sister,” Fox comments.
“What makes you say that?” she asks.
Fox finishes up his cereal and gets up to go to the paper bin. He retrieves a magazine, a week old National Inquirer. “Look at this,” he says, handing her the old paper. “Look at how close he is walking to her.” “His hand looks like he wants to reach out and take hers and not the way a brother would.”
Tracey looks at the photo of Master Warrior and Miracle Maiden walking to the end of a dock with the Montauk lighthouse in the distance. “Say this photo was taken back in February by a local that didn’t know who they were at the time.” “I don’t see what you are saying though.” “Looks to me like she can’t stand him.”
“That doesn’t mean he can’t have the hots for her,” Fox grins. “Look at you and me.” “It was years before you even knew I was alive.”
“That isn’t true I came to every one of your basketball games,” Tracey insists.
“With a different guy each time,” Fox replies, washing his bowl to put it in the drain rack. “Diana saw how I felt even if you didn’t.” “Save that photo, ask her what she thinks.”
“I love Diana dearly but that was just luck, she has no clue about finding love,” Tracey grins. “Shouldn’t you be at work by now?”
“My Dad has cut my hours back, so I don’t have to be in until 2 pm today,” Fox responds. “He says that it is slow at the clinic this time of year.”
Tracey gives him a look, “That sounds weird.”
“I thought so too, but with this new guy there it is even weirder,” Fox says.
“What new guy?” Tracey quizzes.
“Some guy from Veterans oversight,” Fox answers. “Frankly, he strikes me as a big dumb grunt.” “I kinda feel like my Dad doesn’t want me in the office alone when he is there.”
“What makes you think that?” Tracey asks curiously.
“I used to open the clinic alone in the morning and now my Dad is doing it with this guy,” Fox answers. “And the fact that the last patient is seen at 2 pm and that is when Barber, that’s his name, leaves for the day.”
“That is weird, not like your Dad at all,” Tracey responds. “I mean your Dad has always seemed overprotective of you since he came home, but that sounds different somehow.”
Detective Sgt. Prussia and Special Agent Lei’s office
Third floor
New York City Hall
City Hall Park
New York, NY
Detective Sgt. Prussia arrives late to find Agent Lei already hard at work. “Nice of you to show up.”
“I assume you were able to take care of the Toyas,” Prussia asks.
“The Marshall service wouldn’t touch them with no proof behind her accusations against Striker,” Agent Lei replies. “I had to just do a private relocation to an FBI safehouse with a medical facility.” “It will take a little more to get them new identities without the US Marshall.” “Unless they are willing to leave the country.”
“I don’t know about that, but I spent half the night trying to find where Striker and his daughter have relocated.” “I came up with nothing.” “His company owns at least a dozen homes all over the world and there is no way to be sure where they moved.”
Just then the phone rings on Prussia’s desk. He answers, “Prussia.” “How did that happen?” “Great, just great, are there any witnesses left?” “Any leads at all?” “Then keep me informed!” The Detective Sgt. slams the phone down.
“What was that about?” Agent Lei asks.
“Some idiot public defender over in Jersey got a court order to wake up Malice Maid from her drug induced coma,” Prussia explains. “That will be his last mistake.” “Before escaping she killed everyone in the room.” “Not a good turn of events for a Wednesday morning I must admit.”
“Do you intend on telling your friend?” Agent Lei queries.
“She is not my friend, she is a necessary assistant at times, but she is not my friend,” Detective Prussia insists. “And no, not yet.” “I still have this other matter to attend to today.”
Camp Tandy – the Lodge
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
Sylvia overslept to arrive at breakfast just as Steve and Ava had finished up their meal.
“Rough night?” Ava asks with a raised eyebrow.
“Just have a lot on my mind,” Sylvia replies sitting down.
Coach Deeds walks over to the table to address Sylvia, “You have a call on the payphone outside.” “You know you aren’t supposed to give out that number.”
“I don’t even know what that number is,” Sylvia says, getting up from the table. “Watch my breakfast, I’ll be right back.” Sylvia crosses the dining room with the eyes of the other counselors that Mr. Hansen sits with watching her every step.
“Well that looks uncomfortable,” Steve comments to Ava. “Wonder what that it is about?”
“The truth might pleasantly surprise you,” Ava comments, gathering up the tray to leave.
When Sylvia arrives outside the lodge, Mr. Phillips stands holding the receiver. “Don’t make this a habit,” he tells her, handing her the phone. It would appear that suddenly she is some kind of pariah around here.
“Hello, who is this?” She says placing the phone receiver to her ear.
“So glad to see you are still there, Ms Banks,” Detective Sgt. Prussia says on the other end of the call. She recognizes his voice immediately. “I ran into your friend last night,” he said, a sarcastic tone in his voice. “I was hoping you could let her know I have new information on what we talked about.” “Perhaps you could let her know I would like to talk to her about it in person, not over the phone.” “The usual place at around nine-thirty.”
Maybe Prussia knowing her secret isn’t such a bad thing after all, she thinks. “I’ll let her know, but I can not be sure if she can get away again so soon.” “Thank you for calling, but please don’t call this number again, it is not for personal use by staff.”
“I understand,” Prussia replies as he hangs up the phone.
Sylvia hangs up the receiver to find Steve standing nearby. “Is everything alright?” he asks, concerned. “There isn’t a problem at home or anything?”
“No, of course not,” she answers. “Just business that couldn’t wait until I got home.” “No big deal.” “I’ll see you at lunch then?”
“I hope so, I managed to save you this,” Steve tells her, reaching out his hand with a breakfast sandwich. “Dining room clean up waits for no man or woman.”
“Thanks, you are a sweetheart,” Sylvia says, taking the sandwich, restraining herself from kissing him, per their agreement.
Steve walks back into the lodge to help finish with the after breakfast clean up. These new rules with Diana might be harder to maintain than he expected, but in the end he has to believe it is for the best. Entering the large open room his sharp eyes spot a familiar face emerging from Mr. Tennyson’s office. It is a face he has seen before and it is out of place at Camp Tandy. Crossing the room he approaches the tall broad shouldered man to greet him. “Nicholas Shaw, it’s a surprise to see you here,” Steve says, reaching out his hand to shake.
“Excuse me, have we met?” the man with cropped light brown hair asks, hesitant to shake the stranger’s hand.
“Sorry, Steve Roberts, you gave a talk about State Police service when I was at the Philly Police Academy a few years back,” Steve replies, being completely honest about his past for the first time at camp.
Nicholas Shaw shakes Steve’s hand pulling him close, “Let’s keep that under our hats for now.” “I’m here on undercover business.” “But by chance Mr. Tennyson told me you are the man to see to get me settled?”
“Settled?” Steve questions.
“Tennyson told me you have room in your tent,” Shaw explains, giving Steve pause. “I just need to get my duffle bag out of my car.”
“I’ll give you a hand,” Steve says, following the man toward the door facing the parking lot. Shaw’s car is a dark green Chevy Cavalier. He opens the trunk to retrieve a small duffle bag. “Is that all you have?
“Yes, I don’t intend on being here more than a few days,” Shaw replies.
Steve puts his hand to Shaw’s shoulder to pause him before he closes his trunk. “I expect that you are here about the recent events.” “You should know that Mr. Tennyson was involved in what has been happening here for the past five decades, I am not sure to what extent.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Shaw replies, closing his car truck.
The New York Bulletin
4501 Rockefeller Center
New York City, NY
The newsroom is not at all what Detective Sgt. Prussia expected when he arrived. It takes up probably half of the fourth floor of the building. Offices surround the sides of the large space where the center is filled with cubicles at which many people work at typewriters. It seems rather antiquated now that he is in an office with a state of the art computer. It doesn’t take the Detective long to find his way to Martin Harper’s cubical. “Excuse me, Martin Harper,” He says, showing the man his badge. “Detective Sgt. Prussia, NYPD.” “I was wondering if you could spare some time to talk.”
Harper gets a look of excitement in his eyes as he pushes aside his lunch to stand to greet the cop. “Of course, Detective, please have a seat, to what do I owe this visit?”
Prussia steps into the small cubicle that does have another chair at the front of the desk. “This will not take long, I prefer to stand,” Detective Prussia says, stepping to the front side of Harper’s desk as the reporter sits back down. “I understand you are on the unusual crime beat, you might say I am as well.”
Martin Harper raises an eyebrow thinking he is about to get the scoop of the century, “What can I help you with Detective.” “My files are an open book to you.”
“I don’t think I have ever heard a reporter tell me that before,” Prussia retorts. “Is that way it worked for you in San Diego?”
Harper is confused for a moment. His time in San Diego is like a dream more than a memory so he is surprised that this Detective would bring it up. “My work in San Diego speaks for itself,” he replies.
“So it does,” Prussia replies. “More personal interest stories than crime reporting.” “Moving to New York, you really found your niche, it would appear.” “I have taken notice of the amount of stories that you have done on Miracle Maiden and wondered if there is any information about her that was not fit to print?”
Harper rocks back in his chair wondering what this Detective is looking to learn for him that he already doesn’t know. “Not long ago I was on the trail of a lead to find out who she really is,” Harper reveals, getting no reaction from the stone-faced Detective. “Unfortunately it fell apart when my suspicions were proved wrong with the appearance of both women at once.” “It was impossible unless I admitted I was completely off base with my story.”
“Was there a chance she was somehow covering up the truth?” Detective Prussia asks. “Miracle Maiden does have some very extraordinary abilities.”
“Not one that could explain what I witnessed first hand,” Harper says. “She would need to have an identical twin.” “I’ve done my research and the woman I believed to be Miracle Maiden has no twin.” “The whole fiasco put me in deep with my Editor so I’ve been trying to scale back my Miracle Maiden reporting.”
Thomas Paine Park
Lafayette St &, Worth St
New York, NY
Dr. Woodlawn has been known to take his lunch break in the park so it incites no suspicion from the General’s people who watch over him. Which is a good thing because today he is here to meet with the Colonel. It has been months now since the Colonel, Miracle Maiden and he had begun the plan to get him out from under the General’s control. Dr. Woodlawn had continued to play his part as if nothing had changed and nothing seemed to until this week. It has been far too long since he had any word from the Colonel. Sitting on a park bench eating a sandwich his wife made him at home he waits.
Colonel Roberts enters the park from the south side. This will be the last time he will make face to face contact with Dr. Woodlawn before catching up with Miracle Maiden. He had hoped to clear up this issue faster, but he of all people knows the General too well and how illusive he can be. Bringing down such a powerful military operative is never easy. Colonel Roberts had also hoped his retirement would have been more restful than this has become. If not for the debt he owes Dr. Woodlawn he would be on the beach in Miami right now. Miracle Maiden becoming entangled in all of this has been plus, it avoids the involvement of his son.
The Colonel spots Dr. Woodlawn sitting on a bench under a tree away from the main path. He walks by Woodlawn on the main path to loop around behind him. Leaving the path to approach the man eating lunch from behind he steps around the park bench to take a seat. “I am afraid these meetings are getting too risky,” the Colonel says softly. “There is chatter at the Pentagon that the General is becoming more paranoid than usual.”
“I’ve learned that too,” Dr. Woodlawn replies in the same low tones. “He has assigned a second operative, Anthony Barber to the clinic.” “He may have been a medic at some point, but he comes off as an enforcer.” “He is clearly double-checking the test results I have been sending to the General.” “I have been forced to start sending real Zeni-test results to the General.” “I am only secure in the safety of my family when Barber is in my sight.” “Which has led me to cut back my son, Francis’ hours.” “I fear that by trying to keep him safe I am putting our renewed relationship at risk.”
“This Anthony Barbar, 6-2, blonde, got a tattoo, SHAME on the back of his left bicep?” the Colonel asks with concern.
“Yes, that is him,” Dr. Woodlawn replies in surprise. “Do you know him?”
“If it is the man I think, you are right to be concerned,” the Colonel explains. “Keep as much distance between him and your family as possible.” “I’ll be checking up on Miracle Maiden and the lead I put her on soon, until then hang tight,” the Colonel instructed. “I’ll see what else I can find out about Anthony Barber.” “It is more than just the General we are taking down here, it is an entire secret branch of the Military.” “We have to take it slow and do it right the first time or someone else will just take his place.” “We have to dismantle the operation piece by piece and I think Barber might be just what we need to do that.”
“What do you mean?” Dr. Woodlawn quizzes.
“If he is who I think he is, it might be possible to discredit him enough to begin to undermine the whole of Unit-55,” the Colonel reveals.
Camp Tandy – Girl’s Campsite 2
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
Sylvia arrives back at her tent to find Denise sitting on her cot. “Sneaking out again tonight?” Denise asks accusingly.
Sylvia glares at the young woman who has a lot of nerve to say anything about sneaking out. “You are one to talk about sneaking out,” she replies as she starts to get ready for bed. “When was the last time you spent the night here?”
“I always make it on time to breakfast,” Denise challenges “And never receive phone calls from men on the payphone.” “You on the other hand were not here when I came back to the tent last night.” “So I went to see if you were over at Steve’s tent, since he has no tentmate now.” “Do you know what I found?”
“Honestly I don’t even care,” Sylvia replies, slipping into her cot for the night. “You must have come back while I was at the bathhouse taking a shower.”
“I found that poor lonely stud beating off all alone,” Denise says with a big grin. “So I slipped inside the tent to lend him a hand…and mouth.” “My guess is you must have been meeting up with whoever that was on the phone.”
Sylvia knows there is no way Denise is telling the truth, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t going to be a problem for her sneaking out again to meet Prussia. “I have no question that you have given a lot of men here blowjobs.” “I have to wonder what would your grandfather have to say about what you have been up to though.” Sylvia comments.
“How do you know about my grandfather?” Denise shouts jumping up from her cot.
“Same way I know you have been messing around with Mr. Hansen,” Sylvia replies sitting up in her cot. “I pay attention!” “I’m sure Mrs. Hansen wouldn’t be pleased to learn about those secret meetings at the waterfall.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” Denise shouts.
“Time for bed Denise,” Sylvia says, firing a strong invisible bio-eye blast at the girl. The young woman falls back onto her cot. Sylvia gets up to tuck Denise into her sleeping bag. “That should keep you out for at least eight hours.” “See you in the morning.” Sylvia stands back up to switch to Miracle Maiden. Seconds later she is gone, headed back to Magic Island.
McDonald’s
2549 Broadway
New York, NY
Diana Carter enters the McDonald’s she knows to be the usual place that Detective Prussia meets his informants. She spots the Detective sitting in a booth in the corner, drinking a large coffee. Diana walks to the counter to order a hot fudge sundae and an apple pie. Taking her food she walks over to take a seat at the booth across from Prussia.
“Ms. Carter, how surprising to see you this evening,” Detective Prussia addresses her while taking a sip of his coffee.
“I didn’t think ‘my friend’ walking in here would be very discrete,” Diana replies, taking a spoon full of her sundae.
“You are quite a way from Camp Tandy for a one night round trip,” Prussia comments.
“Enough of this game,” Diana says bluntly. “Don’t think I won’t try to find a way to make you forget what you’ve learned.”
“If that is a threat of some kind, you might consider that I am less of a problem for you than before I knew,” Detective Prussia suggests. “I spent so many years trying to find out who you were after that night at the club.” “It became an obsession, the more others denied it the more I needed to know the truth.” “Now that obsession is gone, now I can focus on my job.” “Moreover, you have proven to me that you are worthy of my help.” “The world is changing, getting stranger and stranger everyday.”
“How have you helped me?” Diana asks, finishing her sundae.
“First of all I got the Toya’s into protective custody,” Detective Prussia begins. “I could not manage the US Marshals but the FBI will get them new identities just the same, somewhere they can not be found.”
“What about the Strikers?” Diana asks. “I am concerned for the girl’s well being.”
“I understand that the daughter, Lori, was a Camp Tandy until a few days ago,” Prussia responds. “Thing is Robert Striker owns homes all over the world and a private plane making it impossible to know where they have moved.” “Unfortunately, Suki Toya’s story and claims are not enough proof to take any legal action against Striker.” “That is why the US Marshals would not intervene.”
“Why would Robert Striker run?” Diana proposes. “What is he hiding?”
“There are only Suki’s words to answer that question, but we have no way of knowing if that story is even true,” Detective Sgt. Prussia explains. “All I have the power to do is put a patch on this situation.” Diana looks at her apple pie on the table. She is not happy with this answer. “But I have worse news, the woman captured at the Saw Mill has escaped.” “I believe she calls herself Malace Maid.”
Diana looks up at the cop calmly saying, “How?” “Where?”
“A public defender that was assigned to her, didn’t believe what was in her file,” Detective Sgt. Prussia explains. “He insisted on waking her before her hearing.” “The only good thing was it took place in a secure hospital ward.” “She murdered everyone in the room.” “There were only four victims, the Public Defender, a legal aide, a doctor and nurse.”
“Where is she now?” Diana asks.
“Unknown,” Prussia tells her. “After her escape she just vanished.”
“Apparently she is good at that,” Diana responds. “It is me she is after, but I don’t think she will return to Camp Tandy.” “She will look for someone to steal more power from first.” Diana opens her apple pie. “Maybe the boyfriend she talked about.” “Master Warrior said someone took her boyfriend, I would guess she would go looking for him.”
“What does that mean, someone took him?” Prussia asks.
“Hell if I know that Showboat is a mystery to me,” she replies. Diana begins to eat her apple pie watching Prussia as he drinks the last of his large coffee. “Just the same I will stay on the lookout for Malice Maid.”
“I would think you and Master Warrior have a lot in common,” Prussia comments. “Seems everytime you go undercover you cross paths with a man like that.”
“What would you know about the men in my life?” Diana queries.
“That former cop from Philly, I picked you up with last year,” Prussia comments. “It appears you and he have more history than I thought.” “I did some research on Camp Tandy too.” “Appears he is there too.”
Finishing her apple pie Diana questions, “So I can trust you with what you learned?”
“I’ve given it much thought,” Prussia replies, sitting his empty cup on the table. “Originally I just wanted to catch you to make you pay for the embarrassment you caused me.” “Then I wanted to prove you were real.” “Then I realized it was my own fear about what happened that night feuling all of that.” “You were probably as afraid about what happened as me.” “Now I understand what you have become with what you can do, I realize you are on my side.” “I am willing to be on your side.”
“Let’s just see how it goes,” Diana replies, gathering her trash to leave.
Diana Carter’s Condo
The Simpson Building
Ninth floor
303 7th Avenue
New York City, NY
Returning home Diana sat on the couch in her living room not even bothering to turn on a light. Thinking over what she discussed with Detective Sgt. Prussia, she contemplates if she can trust him. She has made a mess of this whole double identity game. How many people have figured her out and how many more will? If not for Robin that reporter, Martin Harper would have published it in the paper for the world to see! Is any of this even worth it?
Then she thinks of his Uncle Zac and his family. All of the danger they could still be in because of her father William. As much as she hates it, Miracle Maiden has a job to do, but the best thing she can do tonight is to get back to camp.
Thursday, June 30, 1988
Camp Tandy – Girl’s Campsite 2
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
Sylvia wakes up after only a few hours of sleep. She had hoped to use the resources of Magic Island to track Malice Maid or Lisa but it was just her luck that task was beyond what Mist and Shanna are capable of doing. At least Shana did manage to cast a spell to act as an early warning alarm if Malice Maid should return to close proximity to Camp Tandy.
Trusting Detective Prussia might be a good thing. Using him as a resource might lighten her load a little. She can’t help but wonder if it might be a good idea to trust Steve a little more. Their relationship has grown so much in the past weeks but she still keeps him at a distance. Now that they have come to a clearer understanding maybe she can ask his opinion on some of these work things. After all, he is a former cop and private detective.
Sylvia looks over to her tentmate still asleep on her cot. Another good thing is she managed to knock Denise for the night. The last thing she needs now is this girl causing her problems. With everything going on, Sylvia begins to wonder if this trip to Camp Tandy was a wise decision. In a way she is beginning to feel like it was selfish that will do little to help Dr. Woodlawn or put a stop to the General.
Suddenly Denise sits straight up in her cot, an expression of surprise on her face as she gazes at Sylvia. “What did you do to me?” she shouts. Jumping up from her sleeping bag into the center of the tent still wearing her clothes from the previous day.
“I’m sure I have no idea what you are talking about,” Sylvia replies, rolling onto her side. “Looks to me like you had too much to drink last night.”
“Aggghhhh!” Denise fumes as she grabs up a change of clothing and her shower gear. The younger woman storms out the tent flap to leave Sylvia alone.
Camp Tandy – the Lodge Kitchen
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
It is early when Sylvia arrives to help with breakfast set up. Being late like yesterday is not something she needs to repeat. No sign of Denise or the Hansens. She does spot Steve’s tight little ass helping to move around some of the tables in the dining room. Sylvia pulls her attention away from watching Steve to ask Ms Evans where she can help out. Mixing up several boxes of pancake batter feels like a joy after the past couple of nights she has been having.
“Hey there Cookie, see you made it out of bed this morning,” Steve comments coming up behind Sylvia. “Glad to see it, neither one of us has been earning too many brownie points around here of late.”
“Who knew being a camp counselor would be so hard?” Sylvia snipes. “I’d love to bounce some thoughts off of you today if you get some free time.” “I know how busy you have been picking up the slack for the loss of Coach Denmark.”
“This return to Camp Tandy has not turned out anything like I expected,” Steve replies as he lifts a 50 lbs. sack of potatoes onto the prep-table. “I thought it would be a great vacation reminiscing over good times as a kid here.”
“It hasn’t been all bad has it?” Sylvia asks.
“Okay I will admit there has been one high point, a very high point in fact,” Steve smiles at her. He takes a potato from the bag, holding it up in his fist he crushes it as if it were a ripe tomato. “I learned how to make mashed potatoes!”
At first Sylvia is surprised by the show of strength, then she gets the joke. “Very funny, how did you do that?”
“Find the most close to rotten one in the center of the bag,” Steve replies, cleaning off his hand with a towel. “They’re all getting pretty soft at this point.” Steve starts unloading the potatoes into the sink for peeling.
After putting the eight pitchers of pancake batter that she has mixed in the refrigerator, Sylvia returns to the sink to watch Steve’s nibble hands peel potatoes. “You’re really good at that,” she comments.
“Ms Evans says I’m the best peeler she has ever seen,” Steve replies jokingly. “I think it is just because I don’t cut my fingers like everyone else seems to do.”
“Do you cook a lot at home?” Sylvia asks.
“Not really, I don’t get that much free time usually,” Steve answers. “It’s not that I’m a bad cook per say, just not home a lot.” “Too bad I never got to have you over for dinner.”
Sylvia smiles, “That might have been nice.” “Especially if you wore that suit from Wayne’s wedding.”
Steve looks up at her surprised, “What is that about?”
“I’ve been looking at you for weeks and all I can think about is you in that suit,” Sylvia replies. “Maybe it’s my way of keeping clothes on you in my mind.”
“That wouldn’t help me, the dress you wore that night was beyond sexy,” Steve laughs finishing up the potato peiling.
“So why don’t we meet at the usual place after lunch,” Sylvia suggests.
“Sounds good, see ya then,” Steve replies, going to work cleaning up the peils.
Detective Sgt. Prussia and Special Agent Lei’s office
Third floor
New York City Hall
City Hall Park
New York, NY
Detective Sgt. Prussia sits at his desk trying to focus on the case at hand, but still distracted by the case Miracle Maiden has dumped in his lap. So far she is the only Zeni-human connection to the case making it too mondaine for his purview.
Special Agent Lei arrives an hour after Prussia as usual. The FBI agent usually makes a stop at the New York FBI offices on his way to the office to pick any special files they may have requested. “Got some file research you requested for that side case,” Lei announces, dropping a sealed legal sized envelope on the desk in front of Prussia. “I got the impression Financial was not pleased to hand it over.”
“Which means?” Prussia asks to pick up the envelope to break the seal.
“Which means, that division has been looking at the Financials for something suspicious but can not find anything,” Lei explains. “Yet.” “These files were not handed over easily.”
“I can see why,” Prussia responds, scanning the first page of the file. “Striker’s corporation has a very strange business plan.” “He invests in some impossible drill sites and still somehow manages to pull oil out of them.” “Sounds like he has some kind of unfair advantage.”
Special Agent Lei sits behind his desk sipping at his morning coffee. “I would assume that those dopes at Financial searched all the wrong avenues to find that advantage.”
“If you mean normal avenues that would be right,” Prussia says, looking through the many pages of the file. “This job has made me think beyond those avenues for sometime now.” “If the FBI can’t find anything ordinary, it is up to us to find extraordinary.” “One of these drill sights is in upstate.” “About 3 hours drive from here.” “Feel like a day trip?”
Camp Tandy – off the beaten path
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
There is a chill in the air along the stream at the base of the waterfall as Sylvia arrives. She watches the water flow over the rock, wondering if he misunderstood her cryptic location. Then he arrives, “I’m glad you wanted to talk,” Steve says, stepping from the trees.
“I’m just glad you came,” she replies, turning to face him. From the look on his face she can tell that he got the place right but not the reason. “Let me start by saying I wanted your advice on a business situation.” Steve instantly gets a look of relief on his face. “When I returned home from college to learn my father had died, I also learned he was worse than I knew.” “He had secret dealings behind everyone’s back.” “His death put my uncle and his family at risk.” “I found files in my father’s safe that listed all of the people with whom he had dealings.” “I took it upon myself to right those wrongs.” “For months I tracked down those people one by one to bring them to justice.” “That was until they began to vanish.”
“Vanish?” Steve quizzes.
“It was then that I learned that someone else had taken my father’s place,” Sylvia reveals. “I discovered the existence of the woman calling herself the Owl.” “With the help of Miracle Maiden, I was able to take her down as well.” “Unfortunately that is when I learned of the bigger picture.” “My father and the Owl were not free agents, there was someone over them.” “A man know only as the General.”
“The General?” Steve questions. “Is he some kind of military operative?” This General sounds like someone that my father could help with, Steve thinks.
“You see my problem,” Sylvia replies. “Recently I have found others who want to knock the General off his perch.” “They have helped me to learn that one of the General’s men has a daughter at Camp Tandy.
“So that is why you are here,” Steve concludes. “Did you learn what you needed from her?”
“Yes, but I am concerned about what to do with that information,” Sylvia explains. “I had hoped I could take advantage of some of your expertease on that subject.”
Steve is thrilled that Diana trusts him like this, but he can’t help but to think she has put herself in too much danger. “Have you considered just taking what you have found to the police or FBI?” Steve suggests. “I can understand your reluctance in doing that, but it might be safer for you in the long run.”
Sylvia is a little disappointed in Steve’s suggestion but not surprised by it. Clearly he is worried about her safety. He has no idea that she is not as helpless as she appears. She needs to give him an answer that will relieve his concern without revealing her secret. “One of the people that has been helping me does have a connection to the Military, but I am concerned now because of this child’s involvement.” “There is a bigger picture now, I don’t want to tear a family apart just because a man is doing his job.” “I’m asking you if you know a work around?”
Steve has a better understanding now of what she is asking. Maybe giving her an answer that is more mondaine, less frontal assault can help her and put his mind at ease. “I know there is no way you can talk a good Military man into disobeying orders, but perhaps you can do something to get him reassigned to a post that will put his family at less risk,” Steve suggests.
“You mean to discredit him?” Sylvia replies.
“Something short of criminal and discharge from the service,” Steve adds.
“That I think I can do,” Sylvia says, moving to give Steve a hug. They stand there by the waterfall in a tight embrace for just a little too long before parting, their cheeks brushing together. Both feel the urge to kiss but then uncomfortably pull away from each other. “Ahh, thank you, you have been a big help,” she says, stepping back from him.
“Glad I could help,” Steve says looking down at their shoes. “This is pretty weird, huh?”
“Yeah,” she replies. “We should just head back to camp.”
Cromoore Drilling Co.
off Rte 9
Newburgh, NY
Detective Sgt. Prussia and Special Agent Lei arrive outside of a barbed wire topped fence. The gate is chained and locked with several “No Trespassing” signs on it. The two men step out of the car onto the gravel driveway. Looking around the area no one has come or gone from the place in a while. The lack of tire marks in the loose gravel makes that clear to them. Not even so much as a footprint.
“Appears abandoned,” Prussia comments.
“We both know how appearances can be deceiving.” Agent Lei replies. Lei spots a camera atop the gatehouse that has no attendant, it appears to still be active. Taking out his badge he holds it up to the camera, “We would like to have a look around,” Lei announces. “Could someone come out here?” The men stand quietly at the gate for several minutes to no responses. Agent Lei looks back into the camera lens to say, “We have a warrant that justifies us coming in if you give permission or not.”
At that statement the sounds of the lock on the gate open can be heard and the gate swings open inward. Each of them takes a specially designed weapon from a holster under their left arms. “You realize this is a bad idea, right?” Detective Prussia suggests as they cautiously enter the property.
“Only if we don’t prove our suspicions,” Agent Lei replies, gripping the high powered taser tightly, his finger at the trigger. “Besides we have your back up plan if things go really bad.”
Diana Carter’s Condo
The Simpson Building
Ninth floor
303 7th Avenue
New York City, NY
Returning home after putting Denise to bed for the night, Diana checks her answering machine. She is not sure if having heard nothing from Detective Prussia is a good thing or a bad. There are a few more messages from Tracey, mostly silly stuff about things she is afraid she will forget to ask Diana after she gets home. Then there is a cryptic message from Detective Prussia, “Got a lead on your thing; Cromoore Drilling Co. off Rte 9 Newburgh, NY.” “Lei and I are taking a ride over there, if you don’t hear back, you know what to do.” “Message left at July, second, at 8:22 am.”
Diana looks to the clock on the wall that reads, 9:56 pm. “Great! now I’m their back up plan!” She will need some help getting there. “MIST,” Diana calls out to the empty room and she is gone, returning to Magic Island to take a short-cut to Newburgh.
Cromoore Drilling Co.
off Rte 9
Newburgh, NY
Miracle Maiden arrives outside the gate of the Drilling Co. There are several flood lights illuminating the ground in front of the gatehouse. Tire tracks on the gravel show that there has been a recent visitor to the property, Prussia and Lei no doubt. She looks around the area that is lit by the floodlights on the fence. The tracks pull up to the gate but there are no tracks to show that the car pulled through the gate or backed up to turn around to leave. Not normal at all! There are two sets of footprints over to the gatehouse camera and then to the front of the gate. There are two worn tracks under the gate where they have slid open.
Eyeing the fence, Miracle Maiden remembers the last time she tried to walk through an electric fence and has no desire to risk that again. A ten foot fence is an easy jump for her to clear. Landing inside the fence, Miracle Maiden’s footprints are the only ones on this side of the gate. It looks as if Prussia and Lei never entered this side of the gate. Beginning to walk toward the building she transitions to full density as the gravel crunches under her boots. The lighting on the property is clearly for security only, but it is enough to let Miracle Maiden spot a single set of footprints that begin several yards from the gate. Following the trail across the property it is clearly off, keeping her on guard for things out of the norm. If this does have something to do with Robert Striker there could be super-human involvement.
Caustously Miracle Maiden continues to follow the footprints toward a secured door on the tall metal bunker. All is quiet as she approaches the door until she reaches for the handle. Instantly Miracle Maiden finds herself pinned against the fence that she now knows is clearly electrified.
At full density the electricity crackles over her body causing a mild tingle. But she takes this time to scan the area to perhaps identify what just happened. The grounds and few windows in the building appear dark and abandoned. Then she spots shadowy figures on the rooftop. Clearly that is the person responsible for her current situation and her target. Stepping forward to free herself from the fence she instantly teleports to the rooftop.
Before the figure can flee, Miracle Maiden is behind him. “Somewhere to be?” Miracle Maiden questions blocking his path. The large man towers over the smaller red clad woman. Dressed in a guard’s uniform with a name tag reading Samuel. His facial hair is closely trimmed and a mohawk haircut makes him appear more threatening than a security guard. To her surprise he does not move aggressively toward her as most thugs do. Instead he reaches out his left hand in her direction.
“You have come to the wrong place, girl!” Samuel tells the brightly clad woman.
Fully braced for a physical attack, Miracle Maiden feels a slight push against her body. She takes several steps back to brace herself against a very different kind of attack. Whatever he is doing is making it impossible to move toward him. Samuel may be able to stop her body with some invisible force but not her mind. Instantly she is gone. Reappearing several feet away, behind him. Grabbing him by the throat from behind she attempts to put him in a choke hold around his thick neck.
Even at her increased strength level the man is able to slip free of Miracle Maiden’s grasp. Equally swift Samuel sends another mental attack that blasts Miracle Maiden from the rooftop. Full of himself he strides to the edge of the roof expecting to find a mess he will have to clean up.
Peering over the ledge Samuel is struck from behind by a Bio-blast. Every muscle and nerve in his body vibrates with Miracle Maiden’s paralytic power, but still he remains standing and conscious. Miracle Maiden stands on the roof behind him continuing to feed her power into him as he resists succumbing to it. Then Samuel does something she believed up until now to be impossible, he turns to face her. Slowly, he struggles to raise his arm in her direction.
Before Samuel Krammer can activate his defense against Miracle Maiden the lumbering guard is struck by two electrical beams. The defiant guard drops to the ground falling unconscious at last. Miracle Maiden turns to spot Detective Sgt. Prussia and Agent Lei standing to her right and left, respectively. “So, I see you are here.” she comments.
“This guy caught us off guard,” Prussia explains.
“Looks like he did the same to you,” Lei comments, stepping over to handcuff the unconscious man. “He appears to have telekinesis and some other talents from the looks of it.”
Ignoring Lei, Miracle Maiden turns back to the man she trusts, Detective Prussia, “What happened here?” she asks him.
“That is a very good question,” Prussia responds. “Robert Striker and his company found oil on this property.” “Now every last drop is gone.” “Place is completely abandoned, except for this guy.”
“How does that help me find Lori?” Miracle Maiden asks.
“What is she talking about?” Lei exclaims after searching the unconscious guard. “The real question is, why is a dry oil well guarded by someone with this much power?” “There may be no oil to be found here but there must be something else!” “Something worth hiding like all of these Zenis do!”
“We have a warrant to turn this place upside down and now we have good reason to do that,” Detective Sgt. Prussia explains. “If there is anything here that explains where the Strikers have gone here, you will be the third to know.”