Hunting Mink

by Niall Teasdale

  ‘I have a right,’ June said. ‘I have been waiting four years to do that.’

  ‘Persuaded her to stay Penny for it, huh?’

  ‘Persuaded,’ Penny said, pouring coffee. ‘I’m not sure I’d call it that, exactly. I think you might have called it seduction. She basically got started and wouldn’t let me switch forms. I’m not sorry.’

  ‘And neither am I,’ June added. ‘I have no idea what you were worried about, Penny. You were… mmm, dreamy.’

  Penny giggled. ‘I’ll accept technically competent. I didn’t mess anything up anyway.’

  June fixed her with a shrewd look. ‘Dreamy. I saw stars.’

  ‘Stars?’

  ‘Constellations.’

  ‘Oh. Well, it was a Hell of a way to start my birthday.’

  ~~~

  ‘I’m just saying,’ Andrea said, ‘that on my birthday, we’re doing less True Powers.’

  ‘You weren’t even here for all of it,’ June pointed out.

  ‘And I’ve run out,’ Penny added. ‘I’ll have to think of something else to watch tomorrow.’

  ‘You two didn’t sit here watching that stuff all day, did you?’ Andrea asked, frowning.

  ‘It was on,’ June said. ‘I didn’t let her get dressed until about half an hour before you got home and I’m very distracting.’

  ‘I can believe that.’

  ‘Remind me to wash the sofa covers,’ Penny said.

  ‘And I did not need to hear that.’ That produced a lot of giggling from Penny and June, which Andrea joined in. ‘But you enjoyed your birthday? With all that’s going on, I was a little worried.’

  ‘I don’t think it changed a thing. I think June’s kept my mind off the subject and maybe I’d have been more worried about things if I hadn’t spent half the day not really thinking at all.’

  Andrea smirked at her. ‘Early night then?’

  ‘We’re going to put some music on, and I’m going to change into Cygnus so I can dance without falling over, and you have to dance with me.’

  ‘Well, I guess it’s your birthday…’

  ‘And we’ll drink some more, and then I’ll take June to bed. But the soundproofing on the rooms is pretty good, don’t worry.’

  ‘Yeah, well, if Jacob doesn’t get his act together soon and call me, I’ll put my mask on and let Twi do what she’s been talking about since we split.’

  ‘You could call him,’ June suggested.

  ‘Nope. His choice. He pissed me off; he gets to make the call.’

  ‘Oh, well, true I guess.’

  ‘If you do decide to crawl into bed with us,’ Penny said, getting up to get changed, ‘give me a little warning. The top room has a California King. Much more room for a threesome, but the sheets probably need changing.’ Grinning, she headed off to her room.

  ‘I think she was joking,’ June said. ‘I mean, I don’t think Penny is quite ready for that yet. Cygnus, maybe… probably, but not Penny.’

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Andrea replied. ‘I think I was joking too.’

  19th August.

  ‘Yeah, it was all over ACPN’s one p.m. news broadcast,’ Penny said into the phone. ‘An unnamed source is saying that the UID are investigating us over “irregularities.” Absolutely no details. Well, they’re saying that we refused to be interviewed without UoU representation.’

  ‘Makes sense,’ Andrea replied. ‘That all makes it sound bad. The last thing they want is for anyone to hear what we’re actually being investigated over.’

  ‘Huh, like the drug bust is why they’re doing it.’

  ‘No, it’s political. Applying pressure to stop this becoming a precedent and expose the problems in DC, but if anyone makes the connection to the bust, it’ll make us look a lot better.’

  ‘You going to do anything about it?’

  ‘Not yet. They screwed up leaking this. Let’s see if they screw up some more.’

  Penny sighed. ‘Okay. I’m playing this by your book.’

  ‘It’s a good book. The protagonists are great. Cool under pressure, strong-willed, and let’s not forget sexy as Hell.’

  ‘I don’t think they’ll make a movie of it. Too much sitting around waiting.’

  ‘If sitting around waiting is all we have to worry about, I’ll be really happy.’

  ~~~

  June frowned and hit the mute button on the telephone. ‘It’s some reporter from ACPN. Wants to speak to Cygnus.’

  Penny’s eyebrows went up, but she held out her hand for the handset. ‘How did they get this number? Never mind. Here goes.’ She turned the mute off and said, ‘This is Cygnus.’ She listened for a few seconds and then, ‘I’m afraid I’m unable to comment on that.’ Pause. ‘Legal stipulation of the investigation, yes.’ Pause. ‘I can neither confirm nor deny any connection between that event and the investigation. Sorry. Could I ask how you got this number?’ Pause. ‘I see, thank you. Have a nice day.’ Then she hit disconnect and handed the phone back.

  ‘Well?’

  ‘They asked about the hit on the drug workshop, so someone over there is thinking. They got the number from the local UID office. Remind me to get it changed.’

  ‘Someone at the UID gave your personal number to a television news network?’

  ‘Remind me to add that to the list of complaints too.’

  The phone rang again. Rolling her eyes, June picked it up. ‘Hello… Oh, Bianca, hi. I take it you’ve seen the news? If there’s a prob–’ She stopped, apparently as Bianca broke in on her. ‘Well, no, I think she’s looking forward to it. It’s a chance to get out of town and now she’s not worried over missing a patrol.’ June looked across at Penny, who nodded in agreement. ‘Well then, we’ll be at the airport bright and early. See you in San Francisco.’

  ‘Checking we were still coming?’ Penny asked.

  ‘Uh-huh. She was worried you might have to cancel. Or that you’d prefer not to be out under the circumstances.’

  ‘Not at all concerned about me being investigated?’

  ‘Nope. Not in the least.’

  ‘Huh. She must really dislike Lament.’

  ~~~

  Andrea flicked the TV over to ACPN just as the opening music of the evening news was finishing. The anchor appeared, face serious, and Andrea said, ‘Let’s see how we’re doing.’

  ‘Details continue to be sketchy regarding the UID investigation of New Millennium City Ultras Cygnus and Twilight,’ the man on the wall said.

  ‘That’s vaguer than lunchtime,’ June commented.

  ‘News of the investigation was leaked to ACPN reporters late this morning. The UID were unavailable for comment, citing an ongoing investigation, and when Cygnus was contacted this afternoon, she would only confirm that she was also unable to comment. ACPN’s source has indicated that the Union of Ultrahumans is involved and that interviews are only being conducted under UoU supervision.’

  ‘So far,’ Penny said, ‘not much difference.’

  ‘Further investigation by ACPN suggests a connection between the breaking up of a drug distribution centre in the Washington, DC area with the suspension of the two heroes. Cygnus would not confirm or deny that the bust was the cause of the investigation, but the UID denied that there was any connection.’

  ‘Stupid,’ Andrea said. ‘That’ll come back to bite them.’

  ‘The distribution operation, hit late on the twelfth of August, was being used to cut and repackage cocaine for sale in the DC and Baltimore areas and, since the virtual elimination of other drug channels in New Millennium, it had become the major source of supply to that city. Our sources indicate that it was well established and had been operating in the same location for several years. Being within the federal reserve meant that no Ultras other than those on the presidential protection detail would have been able to uncover it and, apparently, none of them, nor any of the local police, had done so.’

  Andrea nodded and hit mute as the story changed. ‘Not bad. They did their homework, and th
ey didn’t lay the accusation on too thick. Just a nice coating of muck to muddy the waters.’

  ‘I’ve never liked muck-slinging,’ Penny said morosely.

  ‘They started it, and we haven’t had to do any ourselves.’

  ‘The press are going to be all over Bianca’s party…’

  ‘So? Stick to no comment. Act like you don’t care. You’re going to a birthday party. Have fun and forget about this as much as possible.’

  ‘We will,’ June said. ‘I’ll make sure of it.’

  San Francisco, CA, 20th August.

  ‘Exactly how is it that you know Bianca Fullerton?’

  When Damian had been summoned to his captain’s office, he had been expecting a dressing down of some sort, even if he could not imagine what he had done to deserve one. Captain Rolf’s question caught him entirely off guard.

  ‘You moving in social circles your average vice cop barely sniffs at, Inman?’ Rolf asked when he did not get an immediate answer.

  ‘Uh, running in ones anyone can, sir. Miss Fullerton takes runs in Golden Gate Park and… so do I. This is about the party invitation?’

  ‘This is about the party invitation. Though, frankly, I wanted to make sure you hadn’t morphed into a movie star or something while I wasn’t looking.’

  ‘If it’s a problem, I’m sure she’d accept–’

  ‘You’re going. The chief’s office got wind of it somehow, he’ll be there with his wife, and it was strongly suggested that we made sure you were able to attend.’

  ‘Uh…’

  ‘Fullerton Technologies practically outfitted the city’s SWAT unit, at cost. They have a programme assisting officers crippled in the line of duty. Miss Fullerton personally contributes heavily to the widows and orphans fund. So don’t make a fool of yourself. Don’t show up the department. You got a tux?’

  ‘I was going to hire one,’ Damian said, his voice flat. He imagined this was what it was like for soldiers in the trenches after a really heavy bombardment.

  ‘Black. Nothing turquoise or some other fancy colour.’

  ‘You can imagine me in a turquoise pimp suit, Captain?’

  Rolf’s lips curled a little. ‘No. Then again, I can’t imagine you in a tuxedo at all. Go home and get some sleep. And try to have a good time.’

  Yeah, because that was going to happen.

  ~~~

  ‘I do not understand how you could possibly be scared on that plane,’ June said as their limo swept them north from the airport. ‘It’s like riding in your own private flying hotel room. It had everything. And you can actually fly yourself.’

  ‘That’s the problem, I think,’ Cygnus replied. ‘It’s the lack of control. If it’s me doing the flying, then I’m in control of smashing into the ground.’

  June shook her head. ‘Weird. Bianca’s really laying it on though. Private jet. Limo from the airport. I feel like royalty.’

  ‘I think royalty involves more of an entourage. Armed guards. Stuff like that.’

  ‘We’ve got you. You might not be officially registered at the moment, but if someone attacked you, you could defend yourself.’

  This was true. Like any other citizen, Cygnus was still allowed to defend herself against attack. Right now, she could not go out looking for people to attack her, which was currently fine by her. ‘I’d rather not have to. Someone would decide to complicate things over it.’

  ‘Is there anyone gunning for you at the moment?’

  ‘Just the UID and the Secret Service.’

  ‘Probably not an issue then.’

  At some point they had swung off the freeway and into a built-up area, and soon they were turning east. ‘There’s a fairly large building up ahead,’ Cygnus said. ‘Looked pretty modern, but I didn’t catch a name or anything on it.’

  ‘Might be the hotel,’ June replied. ‘I didn’t get much of a chance to see the city, and I doubt I’d have seen much of this part if I had.’

  The car slowed, turned, and passed into shadow as it began to go down. ‘Looks like this is where we’re stopping.’ A few seconds later, they did, and the door was opened to allow Cygnus to step out.

  A man in some sort of livery was holding the door, and smiling a lot. ‘If you would proceed to the elevator, ma’am. Reception is marked on the panel. Your luggage will be taken directly to your room.’ Actually, the smile was kind of forced, like he wanted to drool and was holding it in. That just got worse when June stepped out.

  ‘Thank you,’ June said, flashing him a smile, and then she linked arms with Cygnus and they started off toward the elevators. ‘How old do you think he was? Nineteen?’

  ‘Physically,’ Cygnus replied. ‘Mentally he’s just hit puberty.’

  ‘Maybe you should have worn a longer skirt.’

  ‘Pot, kettle.’

  ‘Ah, but I’m a model. It’s expected. Nay! Required.’

  They stepped into an elevator car and Cygnus stabbed the button marked ‘Reception’ before looking around at June. ‘Well, right at the moment, I’m just a model too. I’ve just done the one calendar, but I wasn’t even wearing a skirt for most of the shots in that.’

  ‘You have a point.’

  The doors opened and they stepped out, and June smiled at the blonde woman who was standing there beaming at them. ‘Bianca!’ June exclaimed. ‘Happy birthday! You didn’t have to meet us personally.’

  ‘It’s my birthday,’ Bianca replied. ‘If I can’t do things I like doing, what’s the point?’

  Cygnus stepped forward, offering her hand. ‘Bianca, nice to finally meet you. And a happy birthday, obviously.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘And thank you for looking after June in May.’

  ‘Technically it was June in May and June,’ Bianca said, smirking. ‘But you must get jokes based on your name a lot, June.’

  ‘A couple,’ June said. ‘Thanks for the jet and the limo.’

  ‘Not a problem. Let’s get you up to your suite.’

  ‘Suite?’

  ‘The Shockley Suite. They’re all named after important names in electronics. I know you said you only needed the one bed, but… more space is always nice.’ She started for another elevator. ‘I got you checked in when I knew the car had arrived. You’re up at the top, overlooking the bay. And I’m on the opposite corner on that side, the Bose Suite.’ She stepped into a car, waited for them to enter, and hit the topmost button. ‘You’ll be joining me in there when we’ve kicked the more corporate guests out. I like to have at least a bit of time with friends at the end.’

  ‘Thank you for including us,’ Cygnus said.

  ‘Anyone special?’ June asked. ‘To you, I mean.’

  Bianca raised her eyes and tilted her head to the side a little. ‘There’s someone coming who… might be interesting. He’s not special yet, but we’ll see how this evening goes.’

  ‘What’s his name?’

  ‘Damian.’

  ‘Film star? Male model?’

  ‘Cop. Detective in the SFPD’s Narcotics and Vice Division. I met him in a park. We were both running the same route. Poor guy’s going to have to wear a tux.’

  Cygnus gave a shrug. ‘We have to wear heels. I think that kind of balances things out.’

  ~~~

  ‘Yeah, yeah,’ Damian grumbled as he headed for his buzzing intercom. ‘I’m coming.’ He pressed the button. ‘Yeah?’

  ‘Delivery for Damian Inman.’

  Damian frowned. He was not expecting anything. ‘Uh, be right down.’ Then he ran back to his bedroom, grabbed a robe and his pistol, and headed back to the elevator. It was basically a cage with a pair of collapsing doors. With it up at the top, it was a little like pulling up the drawbridge and he liked the security. At the bottom, the side door gave access to a more conventional door, which opened onto the alley at the side of the warehouse.

  Damian kept his SIG hidden behind the door, which was probably a good thing given that the kid in the brown uniform really was holding a
fairly large, flat box, and looked like a genuine courier.

  ‘Mister Inman?’

  ‘That’s me. I wasn’t expecting anything.’

  The kid shrugged. ‘I just get paid to deliver them. If you’d sign on the screen.’

  Damian signed, took delivery, and closed the doors wondering what he had just been handed. It was not light but not especially heavy. And he did not think anyone disliked him enough to blow him up. Still, when he got the box upstairs, he slit the packing tape carefully and checked under the flaps before opening it properly. There was no explosion, just an envelope sitting on top of a white box. He opened the envelope and found a handwritten note.

  Damian, I made an intuitive leap and figured you didn’t have a tux. Hope you don’t mind. This should fit, and I made sure there was room to hide a SIG-Sauer under the jacket. See you at the party, Bianca.

  Blinking, Damian opened the box. ‘Well… I won’t have to hire one, I guess.’

  ~~~

  The suite was huge. Lounge, two bedrooms, a small kitchen, and a bathroom with a huge shower and a whirlpool bath. The TV in the lounge did not quite rival the one back at their house, but neither Cygnus nor June had any intention of using it, and it was a close call. The lounge also had those over-stuffed sofas which hotel rooms seemed to buy on special order, but both king-size beds in the bedrooms were a nice balance of firm and comfortable.

  There was also the view. The legendary fog of San Francisco had decided it should take the afternoon off, and there was a fairly clear view out to Oakland.

  ‘You can’t see my place from here,’ Bianca said. ‘The city’s in the way for one thing. But you can see some of our glorious empire if you go out on the balcony and look left.’

  Cygnus flashed her a smile and slid open the balcony window. Then, because she could, she lifted into the air and floated out a couple of yards to look over Hunter’s Point. ‘There’s a lot of pretty clean-looking buildings,’ she said.

  ‘Show off,’ June commented as she joined Bianca on the actual balcony. ‘From what I can see, there are a few not so clean ones too.’

  ‘Those are mostly the dry dock facilities,’ Bianca said. ‘The cleaner ones are offices, labs, research and development facilities. We do still do some ship fitting and the like for the navy here.’ Cygnus floated back in and dropped lightly onto the balcony, and Bianca added, ‘It must be amazing to be able to do that.’