When sunlight glowed through the open window Feint grunted awake. As she groaned and pushed herself upward slightly she felt her hand against Phase’s chest. He was still asleep, lying against the bed. She looked down at him, his face peaceful and unconscious. She looked at his hair again and before getting up slowly.
Sometime during the night they had swapped positions and now she was against his chest, his arms around her tightly. Getting out of his grip she got out of bed and stretched. Roxie was still asleep at the foot of the bed, so she tried to be quiet. Going into the kitchen she started on making some cereal for herself. Cinnamon toast crunch with chopped up bananas.
She turned around and leaned against the counter sighing heavily. It was strange, doing something mundane again. Just making breakfast. She had worried about finding Phase for so long that having him here again would take some getting used to.
Taking the bowl, she began to eat slowly. It was good. Cinnamon, milk and banana all together. Tasty. Echo would be proud. Eating another spoonful she started to hum to herself. No tune in particular, just a random melody she felt fit her mood.
Shuffling out of the kitchen she went to the living room and laid on the couch, stretching her legs. Her bowl in her lap, she stared into the contents. The swirls of cinnamon, the starry centers of the bananas and the slowly changing colors of the milk. Maybe if she looked hard enough it would mean something.
“You’re up early.”
Peeking out over the edge of the couch she looked at Darren who, with a mess of bedhead, waved to her. Their eyes barely open they went into the kitchen and started to make some coffee.
“Not up early. It’s,” She turned on the TV long enough to see the time and then shut it off. “Alright it’s early.”
“Told you. Why’re you up so early?”
“I could ask the same thing.”
Darren was quiet as they continued and then laughed. “I sometimes get up early to brainstorm. Just because I’m smart doesn’t mean there isn’t some method to my madness.”
“So what, all of this has been your master plans since the beginning?”
“Something like that.”
She snorted, “Is there a new master plan in the works?”
“Could be. Information I need to check into.” They opened their mouth to elaborate when there was a loud thud from the roof. They looked up then turned toward the coffee maker, lifting the pot up and out. Going to the cupboard they found their mug and then placed it down.
“Is that the sound of Yumi getting her ass kicked?”
“Probably.” Feint walked in placing the bowl in the sink. “What’s this new lead of yours?”
“Not sure yet. But I can find out. Just need you guys to hit a location. An information raid.”
“We can do that. What’s the place?”
“A Vanguard hideout. With Rook dead the spot for leader is going to be up for grabs. At the same time, they’ll be stretched thinner then, they have been. Easy for us to get in, put a in little virus and get out.”
“A little virus huh?”
“Just a 24 hour bug.”
“What’re you looking for?”
“I think an invitation was sent out to the leader of the Vanguard. At least when they had one. It’s a location, a venue, and time. There’s a party being thrown and I want you guys to be there too.”
“Alright.” She nodded. “Once it’s dark we’ll be on the move.”
“Good, though be smart and careful. Because of everything that happened we’re down a mask. I can repair yours and Shade’s but Phase’s I’ll have to remake from scratch.”
“How soon for mine and Shade’s?”
“Before you guys go out tonight. Phase will be a few days.”
She nodded and then glanced toward the archway and then sighed. “I wonder if he’s awake yet.”
“Think he’s going to want to come with?”
She thought about it for a moment then nodded. “I know so.”
“So we need to get into the habit of not breaking our mask anymore.”
Sitting on the rooftop Phase touched the edge of the headset and then shook his head. “What’s wrong Phase? Don’t like the headset look? I’m sure it’s all the rage. Somewhere.”
“Shut up Yu. Now Since I can’t see anything more than my two eyes can grant what do we have?”
“Let’s see. Well out front you can see our lovely guarded doors. Two guys, guns on display. Automatics I think. Past them I can see bodies in the building. Lots of heat though so they got their heat running. I can guess their positions but not that easily.”
“Try on x-ray Yu. I count five on my end.”
Feint nodded. “Three over here. So that’s ten in total?”
“Think that’s a bit lack luster?”
“I wouldn’t call it that. But this is definitely not a major operation.” Feint said. “They wanted this not to be blown up.”
“Well considering the last time they did something big a chunk of them got taken in and their boss died.”
“A very good point. What’re Shadeow and the others doing?”
“Same thing we are. No guarantee that what we’re looking for will be here so they’re checking in another location.”
“Ever wonder how Wiz Kid gets all these tips.”
She leaned forward and then jumped, going into the trees and doing her best to stay hidden. “Ask them yourself when we get back.” Feint said as she jumped landed on the top of the building.
Phase leaned forward and then nodded. It was time to do this the old fashioned way. He hadn’t done this in quite a long time. No mask to give him the cheat sheet on where to go or where people were walking.
Going across the ground he watched the shadows. It took him a few long seconds but he was against the gate wall. He could see one of them keeping watch and he smiled. Taking a breath, he fizzled and stepped through the wall. Dashing forward across the courtyard and then jumping he scaled the building. Rolling to his feet he was on top.
“Am I safe to drop down?”
“Yeah.”
He nodded and did just that, slipping through the roof and landing on the ground. Glancing around he frowned. Everything was dark but his eyes adjusted as well as they could. They were in an old office building. With cubicles and everything.
“So where am I going and looking for?”
“Anything that looks like a computer. Use the IHD and get in the system. Look for invitations, Royals,” Darren sighed and shook their head. “or 1llum1nat1.”
Phase stopped mid step and glanced to the side. “The what now?”
“Yeah sounded like Wiz Kid said the Illuminati.”
“Yes the 1llum1nat1. It’s not really them. But the guys using the name are making a joke. They even spell it with a lot of 1s instead of an Is.”
“Why am I looking for this?”
“Just trust me.”
Phase shook his head but kept walking as he looked for a computer. It took him some time but he found what he was looking for in a corner cubicle. He sat down, spinning it around and booted up the computer. It took a second and almost coughed but he put in the IHD. It blue screened before starting up again.
He leaned back in the chair and nodded slowly as it did its thing. However he was glad for this. A simple mission to get back in the swing of his way of life. As he looked around he watched the computer load to a blank home screen and then raised his eyebrow. Dozens of files just flying open instantly.
It was like the computer was opening up for him. He stopped it with a mouse click and then started manually going through them for the keywords. It was taking him forever considering how fast he used to be able to do it. With a shake of his head he laughed softly. “I miss technology.”
“Your mask will be ready soon. I’m working on it as we speak but I’ll still need some parts.”
“Alright Darren. Until then the old-fashioned way on these newfangled machines.”
“I think I found something.” Feint said. “It’s an invitation. At least a .pdf of one. It came from an email address with 1llum1nat1 in the address.”
“What’s it say?” Darren asked.
“’You are cordially invited to a masquerade ball of your peers. Of the richest and the smartest, the clever and resourceful, the powerful and the survivors. Come to mingle, talk, trade secrets and make alliances. Don’t reveal your true face and your true intentions. This is a game after all. Those who play it well will find the most reward.’ The date is set for Christmas Day so tomorrow and is signed by the 1llum1nat1.”
Yumi paused. “Are these guys serious?”
“I think they are.”
“Yeah they are. They’re real name is Numbe3rs. They’re a hacking group that I’ a part of. For an expensive fee we can do anything. Though I’m not as close to them as I once was I still take jobs for them here and there.”
“Didn’t you get an invite Wiz Kid? Or are you being picked last?”
“I did get an invite Yumi. And I was going to ignore it until I thought of the applications it could have. Now that I know the Vanguard got one too, we should really go to it Get out for now, we’ll regroup at home.”
“Roger that.” Taking a few steps back he ran forward then jumped, hitting the edge of the cubicle and then leaping through the ceiling. Appearing on the roof he glanced around and watched as Feint appeared beside him, coming from the floor below.
The trio met up in the city and finally the others joined them. As the six thieves met up Darren took over between all of them. “Alright guys. So here’s the deal. Tomorrow there’s a ball being held at an Arnell Hotel. Everyone in the underworld is going to be there from the Vanguard to the Royals. The smaller gangs and even the secret organizations. You guys are going to be going as both my guest and my representatives.”
Rogue had to ask. “Do we get a say in the matter?”
“You get paid.” Darren said and shrugged. “Plus this’ll be a good chance to get answers.”
“How so?” Shade asked.
“It’s a masquerade ball. Meaning everyone’s faces will be hidden. So if we play it right we can talk to anyone and be anyone. With the right words and a few drinks, lips can be loosened.”
“Exactly my thoughts.” Darren agreed.
“If we’re going to a masquerade ball, we’re going to need new mask. And better clothes.” Echo said poking at Rogue and giving a pointed look at Phase. “I’m not letting you all go there dressed like that.”
“I take an offense to that.”
“She’s got a point Yu.”
“Come on Shadeow.”
She elbowed him before wrapping her arm around him. With a giggle she looked away from him and her face slightly turned red behind her mask.
“Where do you suggest we get proper clothes Echo?”
“Shopping of course. Tomorrow morning through afternoon.” There was a groan between a few members of the group but she just took that as agreement. “It’s settled. I’ll be seeing you all in the morning. Hopefully Yumi won’t be as grumpy as she’s thinking right now.”
“Stay out of my head Echo.”
“Your thoughts are very loud.”
They each shared a short laugh but stopped when a few flakes of snow started to make themselves known. Soon the few became many and it was a real flurry of white now. Rogue looked at it and shook his head. “Well I’ll be damned.”
“Let’s head back before it gets too bad out here.”
“Or before we run into a fat guy in a red suit.” Yumi said.
Feint giggled. “Don’t try to feed the reindeer. I hear they bite.”
Phase laughed and tuned into everyone’s frequency. “And one more thing. Merry Christmas team.”
The following day was nothing like they had ever been through. For one they had a wardrobe change. Echo got all of the guys fitted for suits and the girls measured for dresses. Despite most shops being closed on Christmas Day, money talked and no lock could keep them out. None of that process was enjoyed by the thieves. Least of all Yumi, who nearly set fire to an entire store. Nothing they ended up picking was too extravagant and everyone admitted that the trip was worth it.
As the sun went down they got dressed and gathered around in the living room of the house. Shade and Rogue were both wearing black suits and pants with red ties. Phase on the other hand had opted for a white suit, pants and black tie. He jokingly said it matched his hair.
Yumi was the first to enter the living room. Her hair had been curled and long enough to shroud her face. She clipped it behind her ear and smirked. She wore a strapless slitted red dress that ended at her ankles, matching heels, elbow length gloves and make up. Nothing fancy, eye shadow and red lipstick. At first she didn’t care for it but the look Shade gave her made her smirk.
“Like what you see Shadeow?” She did a little spin showing off the open back.
“Is that a trick question?”
“Hands off. I don’t want her getting wrinkled.”
Echo walked forward wearing a short white dress that ended a little below her knees. Her hair had been done up in bun but with far more flare than a normal one. The white of the dress and her natural paleness almost made it seem like a second skin. Unlike Yumi she was wearing flats.
“Echo this thing is stupidly tight.”
She shrugged. “Sorry. If your boobs were smaller it wouldn’t a problem.”
“Or I could have gotten a size bigger.”
“Would’ve been too big for you.”
She glared at her and folded her arms. “Since when have you cared about all of this stuff anyway?”
“Since always. But I was a street urchin. So when something like tonight happens I’m going to run with it.”
“As long as you can right?”
“That’s right Feint.”
Feint walked in and ran her fingers through her hair. They had straightened it and she was pulling her fingers through the glossy black hair. It was strange for it to be like this. She was wearing a cheongsam, a Chinese black sleeveless dress that hugged her torso up to her neck. There weren’t any decorations on it and it went to her ankles.
Phase looked at her and opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. Feint chuckled softly, pressing her fingers against his lips. “Close that or else the flies will make a home.”
He did as she said but rolled his eyes at her. “Yes, I’m sure I could attract them that easily. You look great.”
“And you look average.” She teased and he rolled his eyes but smiled nonetheless. She looked at each of them and then sighed shaking her head. “Wow, this is strange. We’re all classy and mask less.”
“Mask less for the time being.” Everyone turned their head and watched as Darren came forward, suited up like the rest but wearing a domino mask on their face and had a plastic bag in hand. It was black and they smirked at them. “Sorry I’m a little late. Had to finish getting dressed.”
Yumi whistled. “Wow, and here I thought we were just going to rep you at this thing.”
“You were but I figured I should break out of my cave and say hello to the world.”
“And you wanted to show off some new tech.”
“You read me like a book Feint.” Holding the bag out she took them and pulled out another mask. A black domino mask that only covered their eyes. “Think of this like mini versions of your mask. Not quite a swiss army knife of tools but you can communicate and change the range of vision you can see. Just tap the left side of the mask for communication and right side for dialing through vision. It’ll read your touch and know what to do.”
“And when did you cook these up?” Shade picked one up, placing it onto his face and smirked lightly. “I like it.”
“While you guys were getting gussied up.” they shrugged. “Besides, can’t go to a masquerade ball without mask. It is your trademark after all.”
“That it is Wiz Kid. So how’re we going to get there? I doubt I could really run in this.”
“Taken care of.” Darren looked at their phone and smiled. “There’s a limo waiting for us downstairs.”
“A limo? Never rode in one of those before.”
“Well first time for everything. Come on we’re going to be late.”
They moved forward they grabbed coats before entering the elevator together in an eager silence. This was another mission to gain information, maybe how to finally get to the guys who created them to begin with. They were close before and this was their chance to do it right.
As they entered the limo one by one Phase tapped the dividing glass for the driver. “Alright we’re all in. Let’s get this show on the road.”
The Harlequin Library 