Chapter 10
The soldiers started cheering and dealing with the injured while the transport APC Tenchi and Kylie were in, pulled alongside the Clockwork train as they jumped on board. Oscar greeted them on landing and said, “Doing that was highly dangerous mind you, and quite ill-advised! Also currently the others are in the Parlor room awaiting news of your mission. Tenchi and Kylie went to the Parlor room and presented Hans with the music box. Though they had to tread carefully over all the things that were bought at Mid Market mammoth or otherwise. An overjoyed Hans took the music box and held it dearly in his hands. He exclaimed, “Finally you have been returned to me, may you never be stolen again!”
Hans then explained the converter was placed inside the music box a long time ago by his ancestor Herman Voralberg, and Hans never really cared about that part since it couldn’t make a living mammoth without a sample from a living mammoth. “Sigh, Quite unfortunate really but that is the truth of this converter it only gives you what you already have,” Hans said while breathing out in disappointment at the lack of understanding most had for the converter. Now Hans would disassemble the box and remove the converter to have it studied by scientists and then put it in a secured location. Hans then said, “The idiots of the world will always continue to see the converter as something that creates instead of copies and no amount of reasoning will change their minds. But the converter can only make one copy of a sample it is given without its primary power source. We can take heart knowing that the true power of the converter can’t be unleashed without it.”
Kylie who was happy to log another successful mission replied, “Well that’s a relief, can we tell Acme now? I want to enjoy the rest of our trip.” Kylie wasn’t the only one who wanted to give a progress report, Tenchi prided himself on his service record and couldn’t wait to open a channel to Headquarters. Kylie said while noting Tenchi’s upbeat mood, “You are really reckless sometimes and then you get happy about it, when are you going to learn your limits?” Tenchi closed his eyes and smiled while responding, “I learned my limits when I got a perfect two-hundred score on my last memory test.” Kylie unexpectedly getting her answer said, “Impressive.” Delores phoned in and told them she established a secure connection through Mobile Command with Eddie.
Eddie came on to test the audiovisual feed and started going through the comm diagnostics while Delores said, “We're reading you Eddie and Tenchi secure link is online all encryption is passing through Home 01 command and Mobile Command. Putting you through to Crimenet now.” The screen switched over to Chief Justice Magruder who was quick to berate the two detectives while giving their new orders. “Agents Tenchi and Kylie I trust you studied the assignment so as soon as you arrive turn over the converter to Captain Tristan and his men. They will then be extracted and sent back to America for a top-secret operation. The converter is the only one found that works and we are counting on you to succeed.” Tenchi responded to the Chief Justice saying, “we're aware of that ma’am which is why we're coming to the rendezvous point as fast as we can.”
The Chief Justice returning to her classical berating form returned, “Which is why you are running nearly twenty minutes late correct Tenchi?” Tenchi quickly countered, “Well time flies when you're having fun.” Kylie also added, “What agent Tenchi means is we have the converter en route to the extraction point.” Chief Magruder then asked, “Then why are you 17 miles away from the rendezvous point instead of having arrived already?” Tenchi optimistically said, “Well it sounds bad when you say it like that so how about we're nine minutes away instead?” Chief Magruder not having any plans to lose this war of words ended things by stating, “I’ll inform Chief Quincy your behind schedule and pass on your apology.” Tenchi then finished saying, “Thank you for being so kind ma’am.” And with that, the war of words was won by kindness.
When the call was done, Tatyana then took the time to inform Tenchi of the message that was sent for him by his Uncle and to pick up the “package” at the Kazan post office. Tatyana couldn’t stop giggling about this news for some reason, and Tenchi decided to go pick up his Uncle's package at the post office. Tenchi had his smart glasses make a map leading to the location and upon arriving introduced himself in Russian and stood in the dusty office waiting for the delivery. But all he saw was a little girl just standing there. She had very red shoulder-length hair, blue eyes, a black leather bomber jacket that proudly said “Law Abiding Citizen”, an American flag-themed shirt, black fingerless gloves, blue shorts, and black sneakers. She stared at Tenchi as he was the only one in the room, like a cat. Tenchi wanting to be friendly spoke to the girl saying, “Hello and who are you?”
Of course, he did this without thinking in English and decided since he got no response to try again in Russian, “Privet a ty to?” Still, he got nothing, and then his phone rang. When he answered, he saw a video of his Uncle and heard his Uncle's voice saying, “Hello Tenchi, meet your new Acme Jr. Detective student Polly Tix. She’s from America and needs to get experience in the field.”
Tenchi highly shocked by this news yelled at the holo-screen, “What! But no one asked me!” Tenchi’s uncle responded back saying in an understanding tone, “We did not want to trouble you.” So with that Tenchi suddenly found himself with a new mini partner as he couldn’t send her back in their current situation. The perky student did start to follow Tenchi wherever he went in the room and using that knowledge to his advantage made his way back to the tour group. On the way, he registered her identity in his smart glasses and reviewed her file from the academy. “So she’s advanced for her age in the field and application of American law. Maybe I can keep her out of the way with a very thick book about George Washington?”
As Tenchi tried to no avail to figure out a way to keep Polly out of the way he did feel the need to tell her though they were now on vacation technically, it was still dangerous to wander about. Polly still saying not even a peep followed and observed Tenchi, like a duckling following its mother. This would have been cute on its own but Tenchi had to get back to the others where he hoped he could put her in a room on the train for the rest of the trip. But as usual, fate sends Tenchi wandering into a bad situation. Near a park, he heard all too familiar voices, who were semi-arguing with each other. Upon getting a better look Tenchi’s fears were confirmed, they were enforcers for the Dark Hand; Finn, Ratso, and Chow.
Finn had an Irish background. His main outfit consisted of a 70's white disco suit over a pink long-sleeved button-up shirt, and blue-black shoes. He had pale greyish skin and red hair, which he wears with old-fashioned sideburns. He wears a gold pendant around his neck. Being of Chinese descent, Chow had black spiky hair and dark brown eyes and is the shortest of the Enforces. His trademark is a pair of orange sunglasses. His sunglasses also functioned as eyeglasses; as he was near-sighted without them. Ratso was above average in height and had greyish-green skin and short spiky black hair. His most iconic feature is the bandage that he wore over his nose as a fashion statement. His main outfit consisted of a long-sleeved collared white shirt under a black dress coat, with a light red tie. He also wears black slacks and black dress shoes.
Tenchi figured he could record their babbling for any possible tip-off to crimes about to be committed and then be on his way. But his little associate had other plans. Finn could be heard yelling, “You know why Valmont sent us here! Now get the plan going already. We gotta look for this converter whatever and what the boss wants he gets!” Chow was basically the only one arguing back with Ratso giving small comments here and there and trying his best to keep up with the speed of the conversation. Chow snarked back, “Oh yeah Finn it's just so easy now let's go find the converter!
Oh, wait it isn’t easy we're going off crappy intel brought to us by spies in the American government! We don’t know what it looks like, or where even to start! Other than Shendu hissing, “GO TO SIBERIA YOU FOOLS!” We wouldn’t have even gotten this far!” And what do we find out when we get here? ALL the Golden Lords know about it now not just our boss Valmont! They all sent teams to find out more information all over the Siberian region! Now it’s a race between our gang different divisions for something that is a MYTH!”
Finn retorted, “Myths are based on TRUTH you moron! And if we're lucky the other teams sent think that way! And if so they aren’t even going to be trying that hard to find it like we are!” The three decided at the least it would be a good vacation, after all since they didn’t know where to look how could they be blamed for not finding it before it was transferred to the American government? They would just leisurely stroll around seeing the sights and “investigating” the various tourist hotspots. And if they found a lead they would simply follow it, but what they found instead was Polly.
She had decided now was a great time to wander off and caught the eye of the trio. They figured what's the harm of asking the little brat what she knew. Finn said, “Hey red know anything about a converter?” Chow added, “Yeah kid the Golden Lords pay informants well, heh heh.” Polly still wasn’t speaking and Tenchi decided to make his presence known. Hearing what they were saying and forwarding it back to Kylie Tatyana and Mobile Command Acme now knew the Dark Hand was looking for the converter and at the behest of collaborators in the American government. But Tenchi knew this organization well having all but diplomatic immunity courtesy of corrupt government officials willing to look the other way; they were a little sloppy in their approach.
Where normal criminals would keep a low profile; the Golden Lords escalated things drastically when confronted or accused since they knew there would be almost no chance of jail time for any important criminal members. This was to their advantage most of the time, but not against Tenchi who had foiled their plans more times than they could count. As a result Tenchi directly confronted the three enforcers as he had done numerous times before. Tenchi staring directly at them stated in an authorities tone, “Leave her alone you goons. You can ask me what I know the converter, however.” The three enforcers were shocked and Finn quickly and nervously shouted, “Masaki! How did you get here!?” The enforces quickly took attack positions and lunged at Tenchi.
Tenchi easily avoided their attacks and used the surrounding environment to his advantage as usual. The enforcers would quickly rely on their technology such as their tried and true electric batons. Unfortunately, they weren’t very effective as Tenchi evaded and countered their attacks knocking them down and tripping them up. Having had enough of being made fools of Finn angrily shouted, “We’ll let you go this time Masaki! We got way more important deals going down! Count yourself lucky our busy schedules don’t give us the time to drop you like a bad disco track!” Chow rubbing some bruises screamed, “Yeah Tenchi, you know I’m better at martial arts than you! Your form was so weak! Better practice for the next time, cause I’m not holding back!”
Ratso gritting his teeth added, “Yeah Tenchi I’ll still you into dust next time! You win this round but the next will be ours!” Causing Finn to yell, “You idiot! I had us going out on a sore winner note and you admit we lost!” Ratso said back, “But… we did lose.” Having enough of Ratso’s stupidity Finn ordered, “Just turn around and run away, now!” And off they went back to their boss Valmont who would not be happy to hear of their defeat. They ran and hopped into a van with the telltale signs of another boss that was not Valmont; then the thugs closed the door and then sped off.
Tenchi noting this small detail courtesy of prior experience with the Golden Lords chose to focus on Polly. She of course after running under a bear-shaped playground dome, had witnessed the whole fight scene. She excitedly ran out from under the bear and over to Tenchi. She darted right up to Tenchi and said, “Oh my god that was so cool! You were flipping, and kicking, and punching! Then you did a one-armed handstand after flipping over two of them, Ahhh!” Needless to say, Polly was impressed with the martial performance and now unlike before could not stop talking.
Tenchi commented, “You speak English why didn’t you say anything?” Polly answered, “You didn’t ask me to. Now, let's go beat up more bad guys!” Tenchi decided lectures were in order and more discipline wouldn’t hurt either. Tenchi told Polly Acme doesn’t attack they defend the law and the people who obey it. Polly heard, “Blah, blah, blah,… moral values… blah, blah,… patience… blah, blah… think before you… blah.” In short in one ear and out the other, but Polly had no problem asking Tenchi questions one after the other. Of course, Tenchi was focused on processing the possible reasons for the Golden Lords converging on the area and figured he should wait to brainstorm with Tatyana and Kylie. Meanwhile, on the way back to the train Polly was asking questions and excitedly jumping up and down to try to get Tenchi’s attention.
Tenchi was informing Delores and Eddie of the situation while Polly kept asking away, “Are you a good cop!? Can you arrest that guy for jaywalking!? Where’s Ivy!? What’s Pocky!? Why does Zack have a rubber chicken!? Where in Siberia is Carmen Sandiego!? Where are we going!? Can I have a sword!? Does your train get good gas mileage!?” Tenchi and Polly had reached the train and Polly was placed into a room much to her protest. “Now stay here in your room you hear me? I have to go meet Kylie and Tatyana.” After meeting them Tenchi asked Tatyana, “This was not funny to me, why is this happening?” Tenchi as well as Tatyana and Kylie knew the reason all too well, younger detectives needed mentoring. And the older detectives would assess their abilities to see if they qualified for special training.
If so they would be presented to the masters to determine whether they would receive gun kata, iron body, or energy training. But from what he had seen, Polly needed training just to behave. And on that note knew why they sent her to him, to learn focus and patience. Whether she would be deemed worthy of higher training was up to her. Now it was back to taking advantage of their situation mission-wise as they had found the converter already they just needed to have it turned over to the American government. What that meant was free time concerning the mission to find Kate since she was accompanying Hans to look for Syberia Island. They would have to follow them since they were still in her employ until she decided to return to America.