Muskateer loved driving this vehicle. He mashed on the accelerator and cut off a cabbie on his way. "I've always wanted to do that."
Just then, his communicator signal went off. "Muskateer here. It's your dime."
"Where are you, Muskateer?", Gwen's voice asked over the comlink. "I need you back at the Mansion."
"As a matter of fact, I'm on my way there now, Gwen." Muskateer continued to weave through traffic at fast speeds, his voice never once indicating the harrowing maneuvers he was performing. "What's up?"
"Something very odd just transpired," the Enchantress explained. (Editor's Note: As seen in Avengers #14)
"That's like saying they serve rice in a Chinese restaurant. Can you be more specific?"
"This is hardly the time for levity. I detected utilization of the Crystal's magic once more. This time inside the Mansion itself."
"Oh bloody hell. So what's going on there? What kind of magic was it?", Muskateer asked.
"Something appeared to be teleporting in," Gwen began. "I was successful in preventing the spell from being completed."
"Good girl," Muskateer responded. "So, you think it was some sort of attack?"
"That would be the most likely assumption."
"Can you tell if the Crystal was coming in or just its cronies, or what?"
"It all happened too quickly," Gwen replied. "I thought it better to act and save the questions for later."
"Seeing that you were alone in the Mansion, that's probably a good idea. While I wouldn't mind another crack at those guys, it's already been one heck of a busy day."
"That's what Black Diamond had mentioned earlier. How did everything work out?"
"Tell you what, Gwen," Muskateer answered, "I'm just a few blocks away. We can talk about it when I get there."
A short time later, Muskateer made his way into the Monitor room, carrying a couple of mugs filled with hot chocolate. "Taking this monitor duty thing a little overboard tonight, aren't we?", he said as he offered a cup the Enchantress. Normally, the Avengers' shifts lasted four hours. Gwen had been on duty since four. It was now well past eleven o'clock.
"This is a pleasant surprise," she answered, accepting the cup. "I thought it best to remain vigilant considering what had transpired earlier."
"Good point. With Jeeves off for the night, the Mansion would have been deserted." Muskateer removed his hat and flung it across the room. It landed perfectly on one of the full-size statuettes that decorated the room. "Never a dull moment when you're an Avenger."
"Indeed."
Taking a seat opposite the Enchantress at the monitoring station, Muskateer then removed his mask and sipped from his cup. "The only problem with full-face masks...", he finally said.
"I would imagine. Speaking of costumes, have you settled upon one for the ball?"
"Yeah, I think so. I got talked into buying this one particular outfit from Super Starz when I got the new cape," Muskateer explained. "At least that way, it'll get put to use. I can't see me wearing it in action."
"That unflattering?"
"Well, let's just say, it's not my typical style. It'll do for a day of dress-up, I guess."
"I see. I haven't completely decided on what I am going to wear yet. Do you have any suggestions?"
Steven looked up, slightly surprised. "That's an interesting question." He imagined a few possibilities, but thought better of sharing them with his teammate. He took another long sip from his hot chocolate. "I'm not exactly a fashion mogul. I would imagine you're looking for something elegant; something to make a statement."
"Yes, of course. I was thinking that perhaps we could coordinate our outfits."
Steve couldn't suppress a grin. "I doubt that a rakish outfit in black leather is the kind of statement you're looking to make."
"Oh, I don't know. I can be full of surprises. You'll have to model it for me, so that I can determine what might go with it."
"O- Kay," Steven said, hesitantly. He could see getting costumed for the party, but just playing dress-up was a bit of a difficult concept. "If you're going to try and coordinate with me then, I can see you going in two completely opposite directions."
"Such as?"
"Either doing the elegant renaissance princess look, or the adventuring vagabond. Your choice, really."
"I shall contemplate the alternatives," Gwen answered. "I could sit and chat for hours, but it is getting quite late. You must be exhausted after your eventful day."
"I have to admit I am close to veggie mode."
That got a strange look from Gwen. "I'm sorry...."
"I'm just agreeing with you about me being tired."
"I see. What an interesting euphemism." She stood up to leave. "Pleasant dreams, Steven. I'll see you in the morning."
"'Nite, Gwen." Steve watched as she exited the room. He remained in his chair for a moment, not quite sure what to think. Gwen was certainly an interesting woman. She was easy to talk to, despite some mannerisms which Muskateer found slightly odd. She was unquestionably beautiful. He shook his head, gathered his things and left the room a few moments later.
Tuesday evening, Muskateer sat in his quarters, his feet propped up on the computer table and operated the keyboard, while munching on some chips. On the table was a huge pile of printouts: a list of every opponent Black Diamond had encountered since her first appearance.
"This is like looking for a needle in a haystack," he said as he viewed the impressive stack. Muskateer was trying another angle at finding Artemis' identity. He shook his head and sighed. "Almost like a who's who of baddies."
"I have 'em in subsets of individual foes, techies, Avengers foes, whatever. There's gotta be a clue in here somewhere. We were getting hit from so many directions at one time, it's hard to tell what was related an' what wasn't." Muskateer ran a few more cross-references into the computer and waited. More paper spit out, adding to the prodigious pile. "I'll save these new angles to files, in case I want to tear them apart later."
Unlogging from the computer link, Muskateer stood up from the desk. He wandered over to the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of juice. "Dumping the Card Sharks little operation last night was a mild diversion, but it didn't get us any closer to the Hanged Man." (Editor's Note: As seen in Huntress #10) He took a long drink from the carton and then stopped to consider. "Hmmm, maybe that would work," he said simply.
A short time later, Muskateer stood atop a tenement rooftop in the Bronx in his civilian clothes. His sword was concealed under a long coat. He hardly seemed to notice the light rain that had been falling since afternoon. "There's something about heroes and rooftops that just seem to go together," he remarked to himself. "Plus, if you run into somebody up here, it's a good chance they're sneakin' around too."
"Helena won't like me goin' off on my own, but I like playin' my own hand sometimes. Maybe I'll get lucky." Black Diamond had scheduled a training session for the Huntress in the Combat Simulator this evening. (Editor's Note: As seen in Huntress #11) The two weren't planning to follow up on the Hanged Man lead until tomorrow, but Muskateer had to stay busy. "Maybe I should get a job or somethin'. 'Course, I just got done tellin' Helena that she should quit her job, but then I'm not that rich either."
Down on a deserted corner, Steven stood at a phone booth and dialed. After a few rings, a message answered. A gender neutral voice related the following, "You have reached a secured number. This is not a private residence. If you have made an error in dialing, please hang up the phone and try again."
"Well, that's different from the last time," Muskateer thought to himself as he listened to the rest of the recording.
"When instructed to do so," the voice on the phone continued, "please speak your first name, middle initial and last name. Please enunciate clearly. Do not use nicknames. Nicknames may result in the delay of your order. Please enter your name now and press star."
Muskateer slammed the phone receiver down quickly. "Damn. Wasn't quite prepared for that. I can't just give them my real name, now can I?" He thought for a few moments and then stepped back out into the rain.
Over an hour later, Muskateer was now in a section of Harlem. He once again dialed the number to the Hanged Man. This time he was more prepared.
The message played again as it had before. "This Hanged Man certainly has some high-tech toys. The phone musta switched lines earlier when it determined we were trying to trace the phone call."
When the message asked for a name, Muskateer said, "Timothy. J. Brown." He spoke into a voice alteration device. Muskateer then jabbed the * key with his index finger, wondering what would happen next. Mr. Timothy Brown was a lawyer, an ambulance chaser to be sure, but he had enough money to be legit for the obvious background check that would come.
"If you wish to place an order, please press '1'. If you are calling about delivery dates, please press '2'. If you are inquiring about special merchandise, please press '3'." The Avenger waited a moment to see if there were other choices. Hearing none, he pressed '3'.
"You have chosen Special Requests," the voice stated. "For special requests, enter the nature of your request after the beep."
"I wish to purchase an armored suit, with high-powered weaponry," Muskateer said slowly, still speaking into the voice alteration device.
After a few more minutes of questions and answers, the voice informed him that the cash payment needed to be made at a PO Box before the item would be delivered. No checks. No credit cards.
Muskateer hung up the telephone, apparently not much closer to his goal than when he started. "Obviously, I was connected to a computer program. I wonder if I could figure a way into the system. There wouldn't be much time during the order process, if it even was possible." Muskateer looked up into the night sky and pondered.
The next morning, Wednesday, Muskateer had just completed his second training session with Firestar. She had gone off to a well-deserved nap. Black Diamond altered her monitor duty schedule to be off days from their training schedule, rather than on the same day. Not much point to it if she couldn't stay awake through the shift.
"Cassie did better today than Monday," Muskateer said to himself. "The trick will be how she responds after the weekend. Oh well, a worry for another day. I wonder..."
Just then, Muskateer's reverie was interrupted by a com signal. "Yes, Jeeves. What is it?"
"Sir," Jeeves voice began, "the Scarlet Sabre has just arrived. She is here to run the last tests on the Combat Simulator and would like you to accompany her."
"On my way, Jeeves. Tell Red I'll meet her down there. Muskateer out."
Muskateer arrived down in the Combat Simulator a few moments after Scarlet Sabre. The scarlet clad heroine was busy at the control panel checking the readouts.
"Afternoon, Muskateer. I see you've been putting the Combat Simulator to good use."
"Yeah. Handy gizmo."
Scarlet busily recorded the results from the system check into a laptop. "That it is. Well, everything seems to be in order. Treat her right and she'll last you a long time."
"Sounds good, Red. You know you missed out on some serious action on Sunday."
"I heard. Pity. I was out of town for CII."
"I see. So, what's on your mind? You didn't need my help to run a checkup."
Scarlet looked up in mock surprise. "Why, Muskateer, are you getting paranoid?"
"Someone once told me: in this business, a little bit of paranoia is actually healthy. I take it you have an alternate agenda?"
"We discussed the idea of having a duel of swords a few weeks back. I thought it was high time to see who was the better swords-person." (Editor's Note: Way back in Muskateer #3)
Underneath his mask, Muskateer smiled. "You're on, Red." Muskateer gestured for Scarlet to lead the way into the Combat Simulator. "Ladies first." The heroine stored her laptop in a duffel bag first, then shouldered the bag and left the Observation area.
Once in the main practice area, Scarlet set her bag on one of the benches. The Scarlet Sabre operated the controls on her weapon and it flared to life. She stepped into the middle of the room and waited. "There's no getting out of it this time, Muskateer. You're all mine," she said with a smile.
Muskateer took up a position opposite hers. With a flourish, he flipped his cape up over his shoulder to free his sword arm and unsheathed his sword. "No problem, Red. I'm ready when you are."
"Then let's get into the swing of things!" Scarlet saluted with her weapon and Muskateer returned the sign. As she finished the salute, the Scarlet Sabre's lightsabre grew in length and latched onto a rod in the ceiling. She swung forward, quickly closing the distance between them. "En garde!"
As she approached, Muskateer spun out of the path of his opponent. "Bad one, eh?" Scarlet passed by without making contact. Hoping to surprise her, Muskateer continued into a move he had been practicing for this very type of maneuver. His sword flashed around as she passed, but failed to contact the fast-moving heroine. "Missed!"
Scarlet wasn't sure if his one word comment was taunting her or lamenting his unsuccessful counter-attack. "Not bad, Muskateer. You'll have to show me that one." She retracted her weapon and lowered the tip towards her opponent.
"Not to worry, Red," Muskateer responded. "I have a few other moves you may want to see as well." Muskateer crossed his weapon with hers for a moment and then stepped to the side. The two began to circle, each gauging the other.
Suddenly, the Scarlet Sabre became a flurry of movement. She slashed overhead, once from the right and again from the left. Muskateer parried the first blow and then stepped away from the second. He lunged forward with a low thrust, but Scarlet slid to her left, throwing her arms out to avoid the quick blow. The first exchange was merely a small test to gauge the mettle of the other.
They began to circle again. Muskateer swished the tip of his sword in a tight circle in a taunting gesture. He stared directly into Scarlet's eyes. She didn't meet his gaze for more than a second, instead preferring to concentrate on the Avenger's blade and arm.
"The problem with you, Muskateer, is that you're treating this like a game!" Suddenly, she struck again, slashing at his head and shoulders. However, Muskateer had noticed her muscles tense a moment before she struck. Though Scarlet's weapon was little more than a glowing blur, Muskateer easily turned the attack aside. He slashed back, as the two parried each other's attacks.
"But this is a game, isn't it?" Muskateer stepped back a few steps. "I mean, if we were really dueling, I couldn't do this!" He dropped to one knee and triggered a stud on the hilt of his sword. A blast of taser energy shot towards the scarlet heroine.
The Scarlet Sabre raised her energy sword in front of her to deflect the electrical discharge, but the wavering energy was too hard to follow. Even with her super-quick reflexes, she was unable to halt the attack. The taser struck her right thigh, causing it to nearly go numb. Scarlet let out a cry of pain. "That was not nice, nor very chivalrous."
"All's fair in love and war, milady." Muskateer moved in as she staggered from the attack. He wasn't about to give her a reprieve. She would have to earn it. "Besides, you wanted this fight."
"Oh, you wanted it as much as I did, rookie," she said in a condescending tone. "Besides, I think you just wanted to be alone with me."
"If you say so." He slashed at her repeatedly from his right side, forcing her to use her right leg to support her. The attacks weren't meant to connect, just keep her off balance. Sparks flew as their weapons embraced time and time again. "Frankly, I'd rather have a crowd around to watch me win this little shindig."
Muskateer struck again, his blade flashing in on a two-handed overhead strike. The Scarlet Sabre grunted as she deflected the powerful blow to the side. "I'll say one thing: You're a lot stronger than I thought you were."
"Don't even say it...!" Muskateer kept up the attacks. "Little lady, this sword can cut through cars!"
Scarlet gave ground. She gave it grudgingly, but he wouldn't let up and his blade kept coming. "Okay, so the next time I'm attacked by a car, I'll know who to call." The feeling in her thigh was beginning to return finally. Muskateer definitely wasn't going to give her back the advantage, not with all the things that weapon of hers could do.
"Ghostbusters?" Muskateer moved to his left and attacked in a combination strike. "Maybe that should be Carbusters."
"Just call your friendly neighborhood illegal chop-shot..." The Scarlet Sabre deftly avoided the first blow and caught the second on her sword.
The two closed together, their weapons locked, and stared at each other a moment. "So, Red, see any good movies lately."
"Have any recommendations? I've been too busy lately to have much of a social life." With a determined look on her face, Scarlet pushed Muskateer's weapon away and struck again with a wide sweep of her sword.
Muskateer's sword blocked the strike at the last moment. "Nice move. Too bad you telegraphed it."
The Sabre continued to push the attack. She had regained the momentum, she hoped, and wanted to continue to press him. "This was getting serious," she thought to herself. "Time to quit trying to taunt him and concentrate on the fight."
Now it was Muskateer's turn to give ground. The buzzing energy sword kept striking out at his body. At every turn he blocked its way; every strike was turned away. As she continued to press, Muskateer ducked under a blow and struck. Sabre was too fast and leaped over the swipe.
She moved effortlessly from dodge to attack and was swinging at him again before she even landed on the floor. He raised his sword to meet her descending attack. Again sparks flew as the weapons crossed.
"Smooth, Red, but now it's my turn again." Muskateer stepped back again, swishing his sword in front of him as he spoke. After a brief moment, the Avenger moved in again, swinging wildly. All he needed was one blow to connect and she was history, or so he thought.
The Scarlet Sabre deflected and avoided the attacks with a combination of gymnastics and swordplay. The two crossed the room, a pair of whirling dervishes. "Now we end this charming dance." Scarlet made a move to disarm her opponent, but Muskateer saw it coming and moved in. He thrust his arm under her armpit and flipped her over his head. She crashed to the floor, flat on her back, the breath being knocked out of her at the moment of impact.
Scarlet lay there a moment, collecting herself. Muskateer watched warily. They were both breathing heavily. He stepped closer but kept his sword pointed at her prone body.
"All right, I yield." She switched off her weapon and held up her other hand for assistance.
Muskateer grabbed it, half expecting some surprise attack, but it never came. He pulled her up to her feet. "Not bad, but I think you were trying too hard," he said.
"You might be right." The Scarlet Sabre moved over to a bench, retrieved a towel and took a long drink from her water bottle.
"Hey, it's me. I'm always right." Muskateer sheathed his sword and retrieved his hat, which had been dislodged during the duel.
"Modest too."
"Oh, you noticed." Muskateer moved alongside the scarlet-clad heroine. She had removed her scarf to dry her face and hair. "But seriously, now that the mandatory gloating is out of the way, you kept off-balancing yourself by pressing so hard."
"Really?" Scarlet looked distant for a moment, as if mentally replaying the battle in her mind. "I guess I picked up some bad habits over the years."
"Not surprising. We don't get to fight many villains with swords in this business. I find it very refreshing to just sword fight. Normally I can just whack them with this thing and nobody even knows the difference."
"So you've had formal training in sword fighting?", Scarlet asked.
"Oh yeah, my father started teaching me when I was six or seven. I learned all the different styles: sabre, epee, foil, kendo, you name it. I joined a fencing club while in college at MIT."
Scarlet looked up with interest. "You went to MIT, too? When did you graduate?"
"'84." Suddenly, Muskateer recognized his sparring partner. "Hey, I remember you."
"Well, I have made the news once in awhile," Scarlet said with a modest smile.
"And people call me a smart aleck. No, I mean from college. You had a guest lecture there on logic circuitry during my senior year. It's Jessica,... something." Muskateer snapped his fingers trying to remember the elusive name.
"Flynn?"
"Of course. I never was great with names, but I usually remember a face."
"Then I am guilty as charged." Scarlet held out her hand. "Jessica Flynn at your service, milord."
Muskateer shook her outstretched hand briefly. "From what I've read you've made quite the name for yourself. I used some of the advanced techniques you described in constructing my sword." He patted the weapon like a trusted friend. "Seems we have quite a bit in common."
"It looks that way," Scarlet responded, her spirits picking up. "I just had no idea how much in common. I haven't been able to find out much about you, although I can now narrow you down to one of the MIT students I lectured in 1984."
"Oh really?"
"I have to have a few secrets," Scarlet said, avoiding the question. "Still what a sad, sad day... My own technology came back to haunt me."
"Hey, I beat you fair and square," Muskateer taunted back. "We'll have to do this again sometime, Red."
"I think I'd like that. I myself, have had no actual training with the sword, primarily relying on my natural speed and agility. Tell you what, how about some lunch and we can talk shop?"
"Sounds good. You buyin'?"
"Seems like the least I can do. Let me get cleaned up, get a fresh set of clothes on, and then we can do lunch. Sound good?"
"Uhm, yeah, sounds like a plan."
"Great!" Scarlet stored her gear and shouldered her duffel bag once more. "I'll pick you up out front in an hour. I'll be the woman who looks like me driving a red RX-7." Scarlet began to walk off towards the elevator. "Oh, and wear something nice."
A short while later, Steven Harper was outside the Avengers Mansion, as Jessica Flynn drove up in her red sports car. "Hey, Red. Nice wheels."
"Thanks," she replied, rolling down the window to her vehicle. "Red's my favorite color and I've earned a few rewards."
"I never would have noticed."
"You are who I think you are?", Jessica asked.
"I are," Steven answered as he stepped around and entered the passenger side.
"Okay...", she answered, as she sped off. "Blind dates can be so awkward..." She paused for a moment. "But you earned your reward-- any preferences?"
"Well, I always was a bit on the carnivorous side, but I'm fairly new to NY eateries," Steven replied.
"I know the perfect place."
"Lead on." Muskateer sat back and tried to get comfortable. "So tell me, Jess, if you never learned to use a sword formally, what made you pick it as a motif for your superheroine identity anyway?"
"Good question... I quickly realized that I didn't have what it took to last in this business without some help. A multi-purpose weapon seemed the most practical way to go. Once I came about the idea for the Sabre it all just fell into place," Jessica responded. "And Eroll was a distant cousin too-- that might have something to do with it."
"Guess genealogy played a part, eh, Ms. Flynn?"
Jessica looked over and smiled. "And I was always fond of the romance of privateering, Mr-- Anderson?" Steven ignored her attempt to identify him. No point in giving her any more help than she needed. He just smiled back at her. "No, that's not right... Keep looking," she said, seemingly to herself.
"Tell you what, Ms. Flynn. I have a proposition for you."
"What might that be?" That seemed to pique her interest.
"I need another favor. Something right up your ally. Should be fun, too, if I judge you right."
"No, Benowitz is too tall," Jessica said, seemingly having a second conversation with herself. "Oh, do go on. I most certainly like having fun."
Steven ignored her odd behavior. Most likely she was communicating with Jaime. "I bet. I need you to hack into a computer system. In exchange, I'll help you with some formal training with that weapon. Not that you need it..."
"Thanks," Jess answered, "but I can't count on speed and agility all the time. To be honest, I don't know why I never pursued learning how to properly use the sword before."
"Well, like I said, in the super game, you don't get to just sword fight very often. I'd like to have someone to spar with myself."
"True-- it's handy to know how. Who has this high-tech system you're talking about?"
"I think we should keep it 'hush, hush' for now. Remember that javelin I brought when I stopped by CII?"
Jessica remembered the visit. "Oh, you want me to help you track the Hanged Man? I've tried it before."
"Something like that. I don't give a flyin' flip about him," Steve explained. "I want into the computer. Data files. Specifically, who bought the Artemis armor." He paused a moment to think. "He most likely won't tell me anything. Maybe if we paid enough, but I doubt it. The information has to be in there somewhere. Someone like that, I doubt he'd flush it."
"If you were to let Jaime access your data, she might find something," Jessica offered. "I've tried to track the Hanged Man before-- with little success. The problem is he's brilliant and on the cutting edge of technology."
Steve frowned. "It's not him I want though. Nor where the computer is, just some old-fashioned hacking."
"That's just it, Jessica responded, "the number you call does not directly link to the Gallows Computer itself."
"It has to be accessed by it, or upload to it, so there's a connection sometimes," Steven countered. "I seriously doubt he manually transfers the info."
"Obviously," Jessica conceded. "But that's where it gets tricky. I've called the numbers on his previous ordering sheets before, Steven. Jaime tracked the call to a sophisticated answering machine stored at an apartment. Bought and paid for under a phony name, of course. The trail ended at that point. The answering machine must have been connected to something else, but to what I could not determine. The Hanged Man further covered his tracks by melting the answering machine when I entered the apartment. All in all, traceless."
"Then perhaps it's time we redefined the word," Steve responded. "The answering machine had to be linked to something or accessed by it to receive the data, probably stored in a digital format."
"Most likely some sort of portable remote unit. My guess is that it left the location long before we arrived."
"That makes sense. All in all a very sophisticated system."
"These remotes then could uplink to the Gallows Computer. We have the same sort of thing at CII."
Steve thought back to the floating silver orb that greeted him on his arrival to CII. "Yeah," he said simply. "I remember those."
"The remotes would have the information or the access to the main system."
"So how do you catch one?", Steve asked.
"I haven't figured that one out yet. The Hanged Man's a very careful and brilliant opponent. If we could catch one of his probes, that would help immensely."
"That was my thinking." This would be harder than he originally thought, from the sounds of it. "So, we need to locate the location, but not through the answering machine?"
"You may have something there. I think I've been going at this from the wrong angle!", she said, excitedly. "The Hanged Man has one number you call at any one time, correct?"
"Far as I can tell." He wasn't quite sure where she was going with this.
"And yet, this one number is seemingly randomly re-routed to different answering locations."
"Seemingly."
"Something must be doing that. Perhaps some device in the NY Bell system itself," she explained. "All we need to do is find that device and what locations it sends signals to. Then we can capture a probe. Why didn't I think of that before?"
"You didn't have me helping you. Still easier said than done."
"Yeah-- and a very covert operation."
"I like covert operations," Steve said with a smile.
"All we have to do is make several dozen calls from random locations. Let Jaime track each one and find out that one point where each call intersects."
"Several dozen? That'll chew up an afternoon. Makes sense though."
"Yes, it would. Or you could order a weapon and confront the Hanged Man when he delivers," Jessica stated.
"Got that taken care of," Steve responded. "Already ordered something."
"The problem is that you have to pay first-- so you'll be throwing money away."
"Red, if I can locate Artemis, it'll be worth the price."
"Putting the Hanged Man out of business is an even greater goal," Jessica answered.
"Yeah, good luck."
"Hey, why plan small?" Jessica looked over at her companion. "This could get very deadly, you know," she cautioned.
"Yeah, I figured that. It's a good chance these probes will probably self-destruct or something." Steven wasn't about to let a little danger keep him from completing this plan. "So, you in, or what?"
"Oh, I'm in."
Steve smiled widely. "Just checkin'. I have the Huntress' help too. Between the three of us, we should be able to get the job done."
"I figured that Helena was in on this too."
"In your opinion, what is our next step?"
"You already made your meeting-- so we'll start with that," Jessica said. "We might need someone else, as well. Just in case."
"Who might that be?"
"It seems to me that if we try to capture a probe, they'll probably just depart by whatever method it uses or self-destruct."
"Agreed."
"So, we need someone who can't be traced and can fly who could follow one of these things back to their base."
Steven thought for a moment. Microwave came quickly to mind. She was fast, could fly and could get past most barriers. She was also well-known and the Hanged Man likely had a way to detect microwave transmissions. "Are you suggesting someone with arcane abilities?"
"Exactly. I'm sure he has defenses against every conceived technology. But what about those that can't be readily explained?", she asked rhetorically. "Here we are-- The Den... Best steaks on the Island. And it sounds like we have a plan."
"Good, I'm starved."
