Madame Mayor - Chapter 6: The Teacups

[tirepanted3]

It was nearly three PM when twelve women in FEMME uniforms convened at the park exit.

“Good work, ladies,” the team leader, a tall blonde woman named Serena, addressed her associates. “I believe we’ve successfully gotten things under control. Another successful assignment for FEMME.”

Six of the women she addressed nodded and smiled in satisfaction of a job well done. The other five women nodded and smiled as well – but for more sinister reasons.

After all, these five women were not real FEMME agents at all, but a team of Russian militants who had successfully infiltrated FEMME’s ranks.

Katerina nodded furtively at Marta, Olga, Alisa, and Svetlana. So far, their disguises were working well. Though they did not all look precisely like the women whose clothes they had “borrowed,” FEMME’s ranks were broad enough that the real agents had not yet had the chance to memorize each other’s faces. That, and they felt reasonably confident that they were themselves too smart and capable to be mugged for their uniforms.

Five FEMME agents had been proven wrong in this regard today, of course. But their coworkers did not know that.

“We just received word of another uniform theft a few blocks northward,” Serena continued. “Two female construction workers were found bound and gagged in the back of their truck, wearing nothing but their underwear. They were discovered by their coworker, and have been giving information to the police. They say they were jumped this morning by a pair of Russian women who addressed each other as Oksana and Polina.”

At this, Katerina’s eyebrows raised. Already, their FEMME disguises were paying dividends – they had just gotten a lead on two of the women they were hunting down!

Serena turned to two of the FEMME agents standing closest to her. “Coral, Debra, you take this one. Interrogate these women once the cops are done with them.”

The two agents nodded. Without another word, they headed down the road.

“The rest of you, follow me,” Serena said, gesturing to the two large FEMME vans parked nearby. “We’re headed for the mayor’s mansion. Tonight is the night she pushes to make FEMME the centerpiece of her tenure in office – and she wants a team of FEMME agents on hand during the ceremony.”

Four of the other women followed Serena to her van. The Russian women walked a bit behind the others. Katerina motioned them to the second van.

Marta sidled up to Katerina, speaking in a low whisper. “Should we go after Oksana and Polina now? We may not get as good a chance to hunt them down…”

Katerina shook her head. “Those two agents will report everything they learn from the construction workers to their team – and to us. Meantime, we focus on the task at hand. Chandra and Sonja are at the mayor’s mansion. We won’t have a better opportunity to find them and finish them off. Once that’s done, we hunt down Oksana and Polina and do the same to them.”

Overhearing this, Olga grinned. “Knocking out American police agents, stealing the latest in armor and weaponry, hunting down traitors to the Motherland… We really are living the best lives.”

Katerina got behind the wheel of the van, while Olga, Marta, and Svetlana piled into the rear.

Katerina glanced around. “Where is Alisa?”

A moment later, Alisa jogged up to the van, hopping into the seat beside Katerina.

“Where were you?” the team leader inquired.

Alisa grinned. “Just engaging in a bit of sabotage. I secretly broke the fuel line on the other van… Those other FEMME agents will be delayed, and won’t be able to follow us. We’ll be free to concentrate on our targets without law enforcement interfering.”

“Excellent work,” Katerina smiled. “Your ability to think ahead never fails to impress me.”

She adjusted her sunglasses and turned the ignition. “The mayor’s mansion. That wouldn’t happen to be the one belonging to that Mayor Hargrove, who locked us away for the past few months?”

Alisa nodded. “I believe that’s her, yes. Very obsessed with punishing so-called ‘uniform thieves,’ it would appear.”

“Very interesting,” Katerina smiled as she pulled away from the curb. “’I’ve been meaning to pay her back for a while…”

****************

The Evergreen Gardening van approached the front gates of the mayor's mansion grounds.

Atsuko glanced at Carolyn, seated beside her. "Let me do the talking, okay?"

Carolyn nodded, staring straight ahead. However, Atsuko could still see the panicked look on her face.

"Hey." Atsuko said. "Look at me for a second."

Carolyn looked at her wife.

"You remember our first date?" Atsuko asked. "Back in college. You remember how scared I was when I realized I had fallen in love with you? I was so worried about what I would tell my mom - she expected me to come home with a handsome young man on my shoulder, and instead I had fallen in love with my sweet, gorgeous redheaded roommate."

Carolyn nodded, slowly. "I remember... I was scared too. Scared she wouldn't let us be together..."

"But eventually she came around to you," Atsuko continued. "Just like I knew she would. That's the first time I really learned how amazing you were. How you can charm anyone if you put your mind to it."

She held out her hand. "I believe you're stronger than you think, Carolyn. You're the strongest woman I know. And I know you're strong enough to infiltrate the mayor's mansion without getting caught."

Carolyn stared at Atsuko's hand for a moment. Then she held out her own and clasped it.

"You good?" Atsuko asked.

Carolyn nodded, and managed to smile.

"Great. Let's do this."

Atsuko pulled the van up to the front gate. She rolled down the window.

Two security guards were at the gate, both women. They were dressed in light blue button-down shirts, black pants, shiny black loafers, and dark blue peaked caps. One of the guards, a dark-skinned woman with black hair in a bowl cut, approached the vehicle. Her partner, a light-skinned woman with shoulder-length chestnut-brown hair, stood by the station booth.

"Can I help you?" asked the approaching guard, whose nametag read “Laurie.”

Atsuko smiled. "Hi there. We're here to trim the hedge gardens."

Laurie looked at her strangely. "There are no gardeners on the schedule today." She glanced at her partner. "Cynthia, do you know anything about this?"

The brown-haired guard shook her head with a frown.

Laurie turned back to Atsuko. "Afraid we can't let you in."

"But we made an appointment," Atsuko insisted. "Alice hired us to do gardening work at the mayor's mansion."

"Alice? Who's Alice?" Laurie looked puzzled.

"She said this was an important job. A lot of rich people are arriving at the mansion tonight, and the garden needs to look perfect. We drove two hours to get here."

"We should phone this in," the guard named Cynthia said. "Make sure it's legit."

"Right," Laurie nodded. "Who is this Alice you spoke to?"

"That lady on the mayor's party planning commission," Atsuko said, as though this were completely obvious. "She said her orders came directly from the mayor. And she said she cleared it with security."

"Well... I heard nothing of this," Laurie responded.

Atsuko sighed. "Sounds like someone forgot to relay the information. Stupid email probably got lost or something... Look, we were instructed not to go near the mansion. Just the front hedges and trees. We don't want to make a headache for you, but frankly..." She glanced out the front window towards the garden behind the gate. "...those trees could use a trimming."

Laurie had been thrown a bit by the whole conversation. Finally she spoke. "Okay... I can let you in the front garden, but no farther. You are not to enter the mansion."

Atsuko smiled. "Thank you. And you as well," she nodded at Cynthia.

She was about to start driving again when the guard named Cynthia spoke up. "Wait!"

She approached the van. "Open the rear doors."

Atsuko raised an eyebrow. "Pardon?"

"We need to search your vehicle," Cynthia said. "Make sure you're not carrying any weapons or explosives."

Atsuko and Carolyn exchanged a nervous glance.

"Open the rear doors, please," Cynthia repeated, now looking intently at Carolyn. "This will only take a minute."

Carolyn nodded. "Of... of course."

She stepped out of the vehicle and circled around to the rear of the van. Cynthia followed.

Carolyn unlocked the rear doors of the van and opened them. The guard glanced inside. Various gardening tools and implements lay about, including a leaf blower and a lawnmower.

There were also two large, bulky burlap sacks in the side of the van, their tops tied.

"What's in those?" Cynthia asked.

"...Fertilizer," Carolyn answered. "You know, to help the grass grow."

Cynthia's eyes narrowed.

Carolyn kept her face as neutral as possible. She tried not to look at the burlap sacks, which of course did not contain fertilizer - but rather, the two unconscious gardeners whose uniforms she and Atsuko currently sported.

Finally, Cynthia nodded. "All right, then. Go on in."

Carolyn nodded back. "Thank you, ma'am." She shut the door and headed back around to the front of the van.

Once Atsuko had pulled the van through the open gate, and they were out of earshot, Carolyn let out a sigh of relief.

"That... was too close."

"You were amazing, honey," Atsuko smiled. "Kept your cool, just like I knew you would."

"You were great too," Carolyn replied. "The way you talked us inside. How'd you learn how to do that?"

"I've been studying up on infiltration tactics," Atsuko explained. "Lots of people think it's as simple as just stealing another woman's clothes. But there's a lot more that goes into a successful infiltration than just disguises. You need to talk the talk, convince people to let you into places they'd otherwise not allow."

Carolyn nodded understandingly. Then she paused. "How... much have you studied? About infiltration?"

Atsuko grinned sheepishly. "I have a lot of free time during my lunch breaks..."

*****************

"Well, well," Cam grinned. "Isn't this a pleasant surprise."

She and Gwyneth were smiling down at the trussed-up figures of Chandra and Sonja. The two captives had been brought into the mayor's mansion and inside one of the laundry rooms, where they now lay on a large cot, flat on their stomachs, their arms and legs still handcuffed behind them.

Chandra and Sonja glared at their two captors. Though ungagged, both prisoners remained silent.

"What's the matter, girls? Cat got your tongue?" Gwyneth chuckled. "You look surprised to see us."

At this, Sonja's curiosity was piqued. "What are you two doing here, anyway? Didn't you work for Lucille just this morning?" She eyed the security uniforms the two women wore, questioningly.

"A lot's changed since this morning," Cam replied. "Lucille wasn't paying us what we were worth... So we dumped her sorry ass and got hired by Mayor Hargrove. She pays us good money, best salaries we've ever had."

Sonja's jaw dropped. "You're... working for the enemy?"

"As long as she pays us, she's no enemy of ours," Gwyneth replied.

"Have you ever mugged another woman for her clothes?" Sonja asked.

Gwyneth nodded. "Of course. Probably five or six times."

"Eight times for me," Cam added.

"Then Hargrove should be your enemy," Sonja asserted. "She wants to put an end to uniform stealing everywhere. Why on earth would you work for her? Support her awful agenda?"

Gwyneth gave her a strange look. "Um, because she pays us. Obviously. We gave up uniform stealing to work for her."

"Money!" Sonja spat. "You gave up uniform stealing for money! You idiots. The thrill of uniform stealing is worth more than all the money in the world! You absolute buffoons."

Cam rolled her eyes. "Whatever. You can call us all the names you want, but in the end, you're the ones who are tied up in your underwear."

"Women like you make me sick," Sonja growled. "Make me ashamed to be a woman myself..."

"Easy, Sonja," Chandra finally spoke. "There's no point trying to reason with these two."

Cam smiled. "Ah, the other prisoner finds her voice... Tell us, what do you know about 'reason'?"

Chandra glowered. "As soon as I get free of these bonds, I'm gonna kick your ass."

"Both your asses," Sonja added.

"Oh, will you?" Gwyneth smirked. "I suppose you'll steal our uniforms as well?"

"We will," Chandra nodded. "I'm sure that will send a good message to Hargrove."

Cam and Gwyneth both laughed.

"Keep dreaming, doll," Gwyneth said. "You ladies are stuck here till we say otherwise."

"Come on, Gwyn," Cam nodded. "Let's go grab a drink."

"See you soon," Gwyneth called as the two guards headed for the door. "And don't bother trying to call for help. No one in this mansion will care to rescue you."

The door closed behind them, leaving Chandra and Sonja tied up and alone.

"Those morons," Sonja growled. "It was bad enough when they were working for Lucille... but now they're working for a mayor who's trying to destroy my life's passion! I hate them so much..."

"I know," Chandra nodded. "But we can't waste time stewing in anger. We need to get out of here. If only we were bound with rope instead of metal handcuffs..."

Sonja glanced around, and her eyes alighted on the nearby table. A few safety pins lay there.
"I've got an idea."

She took a deep breath, then curled her legs up into a ball, pressing her knees into her chin. With some effort, she managed to bring her cuffed arms down from behind her body, so they were now in front of her.

"Okay... That should make this next part easier."

She grabbed a couple of safety pins from the dresser and began bending them into new shapes.

"What are you doing?" Chandra asked.

"Making lockpicks," Sonja explained. "I think I can pick our way out of these cuffs."

"You can do that?"

"I'm a former cop, remember?" Sonja smiled. "I learned my way around a pair of handcuffs."

"How long will it take?"

Sonja thought. "These cuffs look a bit more complicated than usual. Probably about... fifteen minutes?"

Chandra glanced at the clock on the wall. "Get a move on. We don't know when they're coming back."

*******************

The sleek black Porsche pulled up to the mansion gate.

Adelaide rolled down the window and smiled at the guard on duty, tipping her chauffeur’s cap.

“May I help you?” Laurie asked.

“I’m the driver for Malina LeRose,” Adelaide answered, gesturing to one of the women in the back seat. “I believe she’s on the list.”

Laurie glanced at the rear of the vehicle. Polina rolled down the back window.

“Hello, darling,” Polina smiled, doing her best to imitate Malina LeRose’s elegant drawl. “I’m here for the mayor’s lavish party. This is the right address, isn’t it?”

“It is.” Laurie glanced at Oksana. “Who’s this?”

“My bodyguard,” Polina explained. “You know how it is with us rich women… Someone always after our money. This fine girl offers me protection, day and night.”

She clapped Oksana on the shoulder. Oksana briefly considered smacking Polina in the face, but thought better of it. She nodded politely.

Laurie nodded, and glanced at her clipboard. “Well, you’re allowed into the mansion, but I’m afraid your bodyguard isn’t. Only authorized guests are allowed in.”

“But… I need her,” Polina protested. “She’s not only my bodyguard, she’s my best friend.”

Oksana rolled her eyes.

“I understand that, ma’am,” Laurie said. “But I assure you, Mayor Hargrove has the finest security that money can buy. You will be perfectly safe, even without your bodyguard around.”

“What am I supposed to do while she’s in the mansion?” Oksana asked, clearly irritated by this turn of events.

“Not to worry, ma’am. We have a guesthouse on the front grounds with several vacant rooms. You can relax and watch television for a few hours.”

Oksana was about to protest, but she didn’t want to raise any suspicion. She nodded. “All right then.”

“Your chauffeur can park the car in our front lot, but she will have to stay with the vehicle,” the guard continued. “I hope that’s not a problem, but we only have a limited number of guestrooms available.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Polina nodded.

Adelaide smiled as well. She needed a way to distance herself from Malina LeRose and her bodyguard – or whomever the two women in her passenger seat were – and this was just the excuse she was looking for.

“Just head down this road and park the car over there,” the guard said, pointing ahead past the gate. “You can head for the mansion with your invitation, Ms. LeRose. I’ll radio for one of the maids to escort your bodyguard to the guesthouse.”

Polina nodded again. “Thank you kindly.”

As Adelaide drove the vehicle through the gate and toward the parking lot, Polina turned to Oksana. “What now?” she whispered.

Oksana shrugged. “Guess I’ll have to improvise. Wouldn’t be the first time.”

******************

Sure enough, as Adelaide parked the vehicle in the lot, one of the mansion’s maids walked up to the car.

The maid was tall and slim, with tanned skin and dark hair that swept behind her back, though a few locks fell over her shoulder. She wore a dark blue tunic with a matching knee-length skirt, white tights, and sensible black slip-on shoes.

“Welcome,” she said as Oksana and Polina stepped out of the car. “I am Marcela. I believe one of you wishes to be taken to the guest rooms?”

“That would be me,” Oksana said. She quickly glanced at Polina and spoke in a whisper. “Get inside and start doing recon. I’ll join you soon… probably dressed as a maid.”

Polina nodded and smiled knowingly. She turned and headed for the pathway leading to the mansion.

“Follow me,” Marcella gestured to Oksana. “I’ll show you the scenic route.”

Marcella proved rather talkative, which Oksana – never one for long conversation – usually couldn’t stand. But in this case, she was glad to find someone she could ply for information about the mayor and the night’s event.

“Oh, the mayor just arrived home a few minutes ago,” Marcella said. “She’s got a busy evening planned, wants to make sure everything’s in order. Says it could be the most important night of her life!”

“Does she, though,” Oksana mused.

“Yes indeed… several law-enforcement agents will be present at tonight’s event, on top of our regular security… So everyone should be safe and secure. You don’t have to worry about a thing!”

Marcella stopped by the guest house and unlocked the door. “You’re the first bodyguard to arrive today. Several other guests will probably bring theirs as well. Apologies, but your services will be somewhat redundant tonight. Luckily for you, we have comfy beds and cable TV!”

She stopped by the door to one of the rooms and unlocked it. Inside was a queen-size bed and a television set.

“And what will you be doing tonight?” Oksana asked.

“Oh, just standard busywork,” Marcella replied. “Making sure everything is clean and neat and in proper order… Just blending into the background, so to speak.”

Oksana grinned. “Perfect.”

Before Marcella could inquire what she meant, Oksana shoved her into the guestroom.

“Hey, what…?” Marcella turned back to see Oksana quickly enter the room and close the door behind them.

The fight that followed was brief, even by Oksana’s usual standards. The maid was not a trained fighter, but considering that Oksana needed to save her strength for later in the evening, this suited her just fine.

Marcella’s uniform also suited Oksana just fine, once she had changed into it. The tights were a bit… well, tight, but she had fared worse. And the shoes would do for now.

Marcella lay on the bed, unconscious and stripped to her white seashell bra and sky-blue bikini panties. Oksana had torn up some of the pink and white bedsheets and used them to bind and gag the poor maid.

Oksana switched on the TV and flipped around till she found a channel showing an action movie. She turned the volume up high enough that it would muffle any cries when the maid woke up.

“Okay,” she said to herself, exiting the room and locking the door behind her with one of Marcella’s keys. “Time to blend into the background.”

********************

Atsuko parked the van in a corner of the mansion grounds, near the edge of the garden and as far from prying eyes as possible.

“Phase One complete,” she said with a smile, with the demeanor of a secret agent.

Carolyn gave her an odd look as they exited the vehicle. “I wish you’d take this a little more seriously… This place will soon be crawling with FEMME agents. If they catch us, they’ll lock us up for life.”

“Honey, you need to stop worrying,” Atsuko assured her. “They’re not going to catch us. We’ve done this a few times already. Infiltrated guarded mansions, military bases… We’re professionals at this sort of thing.”

“Maybe when Toshiko was around,” Carolyn murmured.

Almost immediately, she regretted the comment, catching the sad look on her wife’s face. Atsuko still missed her sister.

Carolyn put a comforting hand on her elbow. “It’s fine, okay? You’re right, we can do this.”

Atsuko nodded. “Let’s get some tools out of the van and head for the garden.”

She opened the rear doors of the van and began rummaging around. Carolyn caught sight of the two burlap sacks in which the real gardeners were contained.

“We should check on them,” she said. “Open the sacks, make sure they have enough air.”

“They’re fine,” Atsuko replied. “I didn’t fully seal them in.”

“Let’s check on them anyway,” Carolyn responded. Her voice sounded firmer than usual.

Atsuko nodded. “Of course.”

They stepped into the van and untied the burlap bags. Daisy and Jasmine were still fast asleep, their binds and gags undisturbed.

“These poor darlings,” Carolyn said sadly. “I still think we could have found another way inside here without mugging them…”

“I’ll just bet you could,” a voice interrupted from behind them.

Carolyn and Atsuko froze. They turned, slowly, to see a woman in security uniform behind them.

It was Cynthia, the guard from the booth.

“I knew there was something suspicious about you two,” she said. “Glad I followed you here.”

Atsuko impulsively reached for the pocket where she kept her chloroform pads, but Cynthia was faster. She drew her pistol and pointed it at the two women. “Don’t even think about it. Step out of the vehicle with your hands raised and lie facedown on the ground.”

Carolyn and Atsuko had no choice but to obey.

“Who are you?” Cynthia demanded. “Why are you masquerading as gardeners? Just what do you have planned?”

“We… don’t mean any harm,” Atsuko said slowly, staring at the grass. “We were just trying to learn about FEMME… We…”

“Well, you’re about to learn a lot about FEMME,” Cynthia replied. “They’re gonna throw your skinny asses in jail.”

She reached for her radio, never letting her eyes or her gun waver from her two captives.

“I’ll just call for backup while we wait for – uurrgghhh!”

Her eyes rolled back, and she pitched forward, slumping to the grass in front of Carolyn and Atsuko.

The two young women looked up to see another woman standing over them. A grinning lady dressed in a chauffeur uniform.

“Hi, gals. Long time no see.”

Carolyn’s mouth dropped open. “…Adelaide?”

*****************

The door to the laundry room opened once again, and Cam and Gwyneth stepped inside.

“Nothing like a refreshing cup of coffee,” Cam said

Gwyneth smiled down at Chandra and Sonja, who still lay on the cot, their hands behind their back, their feet covered by the blanket. “Sorry, girls… We would’ve brought you some, but I imagine it would be tough to drink with your arms cuffed behind your back.”

As she laughed at her own joke, her eyes caught something on the floor. A pair of handcuffs, peeking out from under the bed.

“What the…?”

“Now!” Chandra yelled.

She and Sonja leaped off the cot, pouncing on the two guards.

Before Gwyneth could scream, Chandra had clapped a hand over her mouth and wrapped an arm around her neck in a viselike grip. Sonja did the same with Cam.

“Let’s resume the conversation we had this morning, shall we, girls?” Chandra said, ramming a knee into Gwyneth’s backside. “Last we left off, you were tossing us into a pile of trash bags.”

“So now, why don’t we toss you both into the washer-dryers?” Sonja suggested. “You could both use a nice cleaning… especially now that the mayor has brainwashed you!”

Cam grunted and tried to break her grip. “Go to hell…”

“Hell, darling, is a world without uniform stealing,” Sonja said with a wicked grin. “I won’t let you take away one of the only things that still brings me joy in my life.”

At this, Cam started laughing.

Sonja scowled. “What’s so funny?”

“One of the only things that brings joy in your life… is mugging other women for their clothes?” Cam grunted, still trying to break free. “What a sad, hollow life you lead… You’re pathetic.”

She glanced at Gwyneth. “And I think we’ve tolerated women like you long enough.”

With that, she slammed her bootheel down on Sonja’s bare foot as hard as she could. Sonja let out a cry of pain and loosened her grip, letting Cam break free.

The guard quickly shoved Sonja to the ground, then pulled out her gun, pointing it at Chandra. “Let Gwyneth go, bitch.”

Chandra scowled, but removed her grip on Gwyneth and raised her hands.

Gwyneth turned and punched her in the stomach. Chandra groaned and slid to the floor.

“Bitch,” Gwyneth spat.

Both guards now stood over Chandra and Sonja, their weapons drawn.

Sonja glared at them, rubbing her bruised foot. “You girls fight dirty.”

“We do whatever it takes to win,” Cam replied with a triumphant smile.

“So what now?” Chandra asked. “You going to shoot us?”

“We were ordered to incapacitate you as necessary,” Cam replied. “But preferably not to kill you. The mayor understands that having her staff shooting unarmed women would not be good for her approval ratings.”

“But we will shoot you in the knees if you try pulling a stunt like that again,” Gwyneth added.

“Indeed,” Cam nodded. “Now get dressed.”

“Dressed in what?” Sonja frowned. “We were stripped of our stolen uniforms before we were arrested. And the only way we can get new clothes is to steal more uniforms, which we tried to—”

“My god, will you shut up already?” Cam said in exasperation. “It’s all you talk about.”

She gestured at the nearby laundry table, upon which lay two neatly folded and pressed sets of white clothes. Two pairs of plain white shoes stood beneath the table.

“Put those on.”

Chandra and Sonja looked at each other, then back at the guards.

“Put… those outfits on?” Chandra inquired. “You’re just giving us clean sets of clothes?”

“That’s what I said.”

“I prefer to wear stolen clothes,” Sonja replied. “You can’t make me wear what I don’t want.”

“As long as we have these guns, we sure as hell can,” Cam snapped. “Now get dressed. The mayor wants to meet with you, and she doesn’t care to meet with people in their underwear.”

“Meet with the mayor…” Chandra grew curious.

She nodded, then walked over to the table upon which sat the clothes.

After a moment’s hesitation, Sonja followed her.

They began to get dressed, under the watchful eyes and guns of their captors.

**********************

The reception room of the mansion was rather empty at this early hour, with only a few guests milling about.

Polina picked up a drink off a waiter’s passing tray as she moved around the room, trying to get a sense of the area.

As she passed by one of the security guards standing in the corner, she heard the woman speak into her radio. “That’s right, the mayor just arrived… She’s taking a meeting in her upstairs office, but she’ll join the guests within the hour.”

Polina took a sip from her drink. Urgh.

She wrinkled her nose and nearly spit it out. But that probably wouldn’t be conducive to her cover as a member of the city’s high society.

Slowly, her thoughts wandered to Lupe and Elena. Polina still couldn’t believe that Elena had willingly allowed herself to be taken hostage by Heather Smythe… and all out of love and loyalty to her cousin.

Now both their lives depended on her. She wouldn’t fail them. She couldn’t…

“Hey,” a voice whispered from behind her.

Polina gave a slight start, then turned to see Oksana. Her partner was dressed in a maid uniform.

“Oksy, you startled me…”

“Don’t look at me,” Oksana whispered, pretending to polish a mantelpiece. “Don’t let people know we’re together.”

“Oh, sorry,” Polina turned her back again, pretending to focus on the crowd.

“Did you find anything out yet?” Oksana asked.

“The mayor’s in her office upstairs now,” Polina quietly replied. “Guests are arriving… She’ll probably join when the room fills up.”

“I’d better get to her while she’s relatively alone,” Oksana mused. “Guess I’ll head upstairs. Stay alert in the meantime.”

“Oksana… what will you do?” Polina asked hesitantly.

Oksana drew a small white pill from her pocket. “I have a drug that I carry with me in cases of emergency, that the SVR provided to me years ago… It simulates death – very convincingly – for about an hour. I just need to get Hargrove to take the pill… Then convince Heather Smythe to let Lupe and Polina free before the mayor wakes up.”

“Sounds risky,” Polina whispered.

“You got a better plan?”

Polina did not.

“Trust me on this. Just keep looking around and beep me if you see anything suspicious.”

With that, Oksana continued onward.

She stepped out of the main reception room and walked down the hallway. Within a minute, she had located the stairwell to the second floor.

There were two guards stationed at the foot of the stairs. They gave Oksana a look.

“I was asked to change the upstairs beds…” Oksana began.

One of the guards shook her head. “No staff allowed upstairs, unless the mayor requests otherwise.”

Oksana hated being told “no,” but she kept her cool, nodded politely, and wordlessly walked away.

She continued down the hall for another minute, her thoughts buzzing. Eventually, she reached the kitchen and dining area, at which point an older female voice interrupted her thoughts.

“There you are, Gillian,” one of the chefs was saying to a woman standing by the door of the kitchen. “The mayor requests some tea and crackers be brought to her office. She has an important meeting and wants to make her guests feel welcome.”

“Of course, right away.” The woman addressed as Gillian was tall and svelte, with light skin and strawberry-blonde hair in a shoulder-length bob. She appeared to be a waitress, judging by her red vest and crisp white button-down shirt, black knee-length pencil skirt, black nylon tights and black heels.

Gillian took hold of the tea cart and began pushing it down the hall toward the service elevator. Oksana followed her.

Gillian reached the elevator and was about to use her keycard to activate it when she heard footsteps.

She turned to see a woman in a maid uniform standing behind her.

Gillian looked confused. “Can I help you?”

Oksana hit her at the side of the neck with a swift judo chop. The blonde groaned softly and pitched forward, directly into Oksana’s arms.

You’d think Mayor Hargrove would hire some tougher staff.

Oksana shrugged, and dragged the unconscious Gillian over to the nearest closet, shutting the door behind them.

********************

Adelaide helped Atsuko and Carolyn to their feet. “Boy, we sure do bump into each other a lot.”

“What are you doing here?” Carolyn demanded.

“I could ask you the same question,” Adelaide replied. “I’m starting to think you two are following me.”

She glanced into the rear of the van, and grinned at the sight of the two bound-and-gagged women in burlap sacks. “Wow! And you bought me some gift bags! I’m flattered.”

Carolyn frowned. “You treat everything as a joke.”

“I assure you, this is no joke,” Adelaide said. “I was hired by a woman to break into the mayor’s mansion and steal some incriminating evidence from her.”

“What are you talking about?” Atsuko asked.

“I’m here to ruin Delilah Hargrove’s reputation,” Adelaide explained. “I need to break into her mansion and find a tape recording of hers. Something that’ll put an end to her reign over the city.”

She brightened. “Say, would you girls like to help me? We’ve teamed up a couple of times in the past… I think we make a good team!”

Atsuko grinned. “Of course. It’d be a pleasure.”

“Hell no,” Carolyn interjected.

Atsuko turned to her. “Honey…”

“I won’t be part of any plan to ruin Mayor Hargrove,” Carolyn said stoically. “She’s a good woman. She cares about this city. And she’s fighting to rid the world of criminals who beat women up and steal their clothes.”

Adelaide chuckled. “Oh, don’t lecture me, babe. You’re wearing stolen clothes right now.” She eyed the gardening uniform. “How badly did you hurt the woman you mugged for them?”

Carolyn turned red. “I… I didn’t hurt anyone. I just…” She glanced at Atsuko, then back at Adelaide. “I’m not a criminal.”

“Call yourself what you want, Carol,” Adelaide shrugged. “But I’ve seen you steal a bunch of uniforms over our last few encounters. Mayor Hargrove considers you the bad guy, whether you believe it or not.”

Carolyn shook her head in frustration. “I don’t care. I won’t help you take her down.”

“Well, then… Maybe you’d want to help save her life?” Adelaide ventured.

At this, Atsuko perked up. “Eh?”

“I overheard one of the guests on my drive here,” Adelaide explained. “I think she’s planning to kill the mayor! She was discussing it with her bodyguard…”

“You’re lying,” Carolyn interrupted.

“I assure you I’m not,” Adelaide said. “Cards on the table, girls: I don’t like Mayor Hargrove, but I don’t want her to die. Especially since I probably won’t get paid if she’s dead.”

Carolyn rolled her eyes.

“Look, I know we don’t quite agree on everything,” Adelaide said cautiously. “But I’d rather not have you as an enemy, Carolyn. We parted on… decent terms last time. I think we work well together. And I know you’ve got a good heart… I know you won’t sit by if you think a woman’s life is in danger.”

Atsuko turned to Carolyn. “I think she’s telling us the truth, honey. I just… sense some danger about this place. If we have the chance to help, I think we need to take it.”

Carolyn glanced back and forth between Atsuko and Adelaide.

Then she sighed.

“Okay… fine. But only because the mayor may need our help.”

Atsuko kissed her. “You’re the best wife a gal could ask for.”

Carolyn felt her cheeks warm at her wife’s touch. Then she noticed Adelaide watching them and cleared her throat.

“Okay… what’s the plan?”

“Guess we’ll need new disguises,” Adelaide mused. She glanced down at the grass, where the unconscious security guard still lay. “Maybe good ol’ Cynthia can help us.”

She looked up at Carolyn. “Looks like you’re the closest to her in size.”

Carolyn groaned. She looked to Atsuko for support.

Atsuko offered her a weak grin. “I mean… you are about her size…”

*******************

“Move your ass,” Gwyneth instructed, giving Sonja a shove as they walked down the hall.

Sonja glared at her. “I bet you feel so tough, as long as you’ve got that gun pointed at me.”

“I do indeed,” Gwyneth grinned.

Cam and Chandra walked beside them, the former with her own gun trained on the latter’s back.

Finally, they reached an intricately carved mahogany door, upon which was a gold placard reading “MAYOR D. HARGROVE.”

Gwyneth buzzed the door.

“Enter,” a voice called on the intercom.

Chandra took note of the intercom – was this room soundproof?

Cam opened the door, then she and Gwyneth escorted the two captives inside the room.

Seated at her home office desk was Mayor Hargrove herself. The room around her was handsomely furnished, with a large bookshelf and several expensive-looking paintings on the wall.

“Thank you, Cam, Gwyneth… Please wait outside the door, and close it behind you.”

The two guards nodded. They exited the room and shut the door, leaving Chandra and Sonja alone with the mayor.

Hargrove gestured to a pair of chairs across from her desk. “Please, have a seat.”

Chandra and Sonja exchanged a glance.

“How do you know we won’t attack you?” Chandra asked. “We’re both quite a bit younger and stronger than you are.”

“I’m aware of that,” Hargrove nodded. “But I don’t think you’ll hurt me. I just want to talk, and I think you’ll want to listen.”

Chandra frowned. “Your FEMME thugs kidnapped us and brought us here. Why would we want to listen to you?”

“Because, Ms. Patel, I’ve been eager to meet you for a while. You too, Ms. Baranova.”

Sonja frowned. “Is that so?”

“Indeed it is. I believe I owe you two, so to speak. You were among the heroic women who thwarted that shuttle attack at NASA a few months ago. If that attack had occurred, on a day when I was in the vicinity, I would have looked foolish. I would probably never have been elected mayor.”

“What a tragedy that would be,” Chandra murmured.

Hargrove chuckled. “I can see you’re a smart woman, Ms. Patel. I suppose you’d have to be, considering your reputation as a brilliant computer hacker.”

She turned to Sonja. “And you, Ms. Baranova. A former police officer. Until you gave it up to work for Lucille Weldon-Grant.”

“How do you know so much about us?” Sonja demanded.

“Please, girls… Have a seat. I promise to explain everything.”

Sonja hesitated. Then with a glance at Chandra, she walked over to the desk and sat down. Chandra followed.

“That’s better,” Hargrove smiled. “Now, as I was saying… I’ve read both of your files… and my goodness, you’ve attracted quite a lot of interest from law enforcement. You’re both quite intelligent and resourceful young women, and have managed to evade capture multiple times. Until now, of course.”

Chandra rolled her eyes.

“Normally, I would have you both thrown in jail,” Hargrove continued. “You obviously have committed enough crimes – infiltrating several government facilities, including a women’s prison, an FBI building, and a few police stations. You’ve assaulted several good, hardworking women and stolen their clothes. My campaign as mayor has been built around fighting women like you.”

Sonja looked ready to respond on impulse, but Hargrove held up a hand to stop her.

“But I am a fair mayor,” she continued. “And I could use women like you on my side. I’m recruiting new agents for FEMME – strong and capable women able to hold their own in a fight. And I’m also trying to recruit former uniform thieves – women who understand the mindset of those who mug others for disguises, and thus know how to find them and fight back.

“To that end, I’m making you a once-in-a-lifetime offer: Leave your criminal ways behind, pledge never to mug another woman for her clothes or uniform again, and join FEMME. Help undo the damage that women like you have caused. Help me end the threat of uniform stealing forever.”

She allowed her words to wash over the room in silence.

Chandra and Sonja glanced at each other.

Then they both started laughing.

“Did I say something amusing?” Hargrove inquired.

Chandra chuckled and shook her head in disbelief. “You really are incredibly naïve.”

“No offense, ma’am… but it’s true,” Sonja added.

“You can’t put an end to uniform stealing,” Chandra explained. “It’s become part of our culture. Young women everywhere are growing up and discovering that this is the way the world works now. If you want to get ahead in life, you need to start mugging other women for their clothes.”

Hargrove scowled. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“But it’s true,” Sonja replied. “Besides, not to sound too self-centered, but I’ve turned uniform stealing into an art form. It’s become an indelible part of my life. You might as well ask me to give up breathing.”

Hargrove shook her head. “I thought you two would be a little more open-minded.”

“Sorry to disappoint,” Chandra replied.

“This is not a joke, young ladies,” Hargrove continued. “If you refuse my offer, I will have you both thrown in jail. I will ensure they make the strongest possible example of you two.”

“Do your worst,” Sonja replied.

“There’s nothing you can offer us to change our minds,” Chandra agreed.

Hargrove looked down at her desk for a moment. “I can help you destroy Lucille Weldon-Grant.”

Chandra and Sonja stopped smiling.

“How do you know about…?” Chandra began.

“I know all about her,” Hargrove answered. “And your relationship with her. Like I said, I’ve studied up on your files. I know you both devoted years of your life to helping her. And I know she threw you away like you were trash,”

The words stung. Chandra and Sonja kept silent.

“Lucille is my enemy as well,” Hargrove continued. “And I have the resources to destroy her… if you join me. If you join my side, we will make her pay. I swear it.”

Chandra and Sonja exchanged another glance. Neither was quite sure what to say.

“I’ll give you a few minutes to think,” Hargrove said. “Maybe some refreshments will help… I’ve asked the kitchen to provide some tea for us while we talk. They should be sending a cart up any minute now.”

********************

Atsuko straightened Carolyn’s tie, then stepped back and smiled. “There. Perfect!”

Carolyn shifted uncomfortably. Much as she hated to admit it, Cynthia’s uniform was in fact a good fit. It wasn’t too loose or too tight… yet she still felt uncomfortable wearing it.

Nearby, Adelaide was in the process of using some white nylon cords and a grey duct tape to truss up and gag the unconscious Cynthia. The luckless guard had been stripped to a navy blue sports bra and grey cotton hipsters.

“We… can still turn back,” Carolyn whispered to her wife. “Get out of here. Right?”

Atsuko shook her head. “We’ve come a little too far for that by now, I think… Besides, who would want to turn back? This is exciting. The danger, the adventure…” She gave a sultry smile as she sized Carolyn up. “And honey, I gotta say… You cut a fine figure in that uniform.”

Carolyn blushed. Despite her reservations, Atsuko’s smile always had a way of melting her heart.

“There we go,” Adelaide grinned as she dragged the slumbering Cynthia behind some bushes. “She’ll be nice and safe back there. All set?” she asked Carolyn.

Carolyn glanced back at Atsuko, who nodded.

“I… guess so,” Carolyn murmured.

“You look nervous,” Adelaide observed. “I suppose it’s been a while since you’ve done one of these infiltrations?”

Carolyn nodded. “Over six months since the last tim.”

Adelaide nodded. “Well, don’t worry about it… I’ve mugged dozens of women for their clothes in the past six months. You’ll get used to it again in no time.”

Carolyn was not comforted by these words – and she certainly didn’t want to get “used to it again” – but before she could voice her concerns, another woman’s voice called out from the distance.

“Cynthia, where are you?”

It was Laurie, the other guard from the gate. The dark-skinned, black-haired woman was wandering near the garden area, not far from where Adelaide, Atsuko, and Carolyn were concealed.

“Cynthia, come on… You know our shift’s over. You’re not sneaking cigarettes without me again, are you?”

Adelaide peeked through the bushes and sized Laurie up. Then she turned back and whispered to Atsuko. “Looks like that gate guard’s about to provide you a new change of clothes.”

Atsuko grinned. “How thoughtful of her.”

Adelaide nodded. “I’ll just pounce on her, knock her unconscious, and—”

“No,” Carolyn interrupted.

Atsuko and Adelaide looked at her in surprise.

“I don’t want you hurting that woman,” Carolyn said sternly. “I’ll take care of her. I can knock her out quickly and painlessly.”

Adelaide frowned, but Carolyn ignored her. She approached Atsuko.

“You have any more of that chloroform left?”

Surprised, Atsuko nodded. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a white cloth pad.

“You said it was harmless, right?” Carolyn asked.

Atsuko nodded again. “It’s top-quality stuff. Will put her right to sleep.”

“Good.” Carolyn took the cloth.

Adelaide rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Go ahead and spoil my fun…”

Carolyn glared at her, but simply shook her head. Then she turned back to Atsuko.

“I’ll be right back with your disguise.”

She disappeared through the bushes, leaving Atsuko impressed.

Carolyn approached Laurie, her hands behind her back, her cap tipped low over her face.

“Cynthia, where the hell are you?” The guard stopped calling when she saw what appeared to be one of her associates walking toward her. “Hey, have you seen Cynthia?”

Carolyn nodded and pointed over Laurie’s shoulder. “She went inside the mansion.”

A look of confusion crossed Laurie’s face as she looked behind her. “That’s odd… We were given strict orders not to enter the house unless absolutely necess… Hmmpphh??!”

She let out a startled but muffled cry as Carolyn quickly pressed the chloroform pad over her nose and mouth.

Carolyn also circled an arm around Laurie’s waist, pinning the woman’s arms to her sides.

“I’m sorry about this,” she whispered. “I’ll make this as quick as possible.”

But Laurie struggled mightily. Despite Carolyn’s advantage of surprise, she was clearly outmatched in the strength department, and found her grip loosening.

From the bushes, Adelaide watched with growing concern. “I knew it… She’s out of practice. Hasn’t mugged a woman for her clothes in forever. I need to help her.”

But Atsuko grabbed her wrist, holding her back.

“Trust Carolyn,” she whispered to Adelaide. “Let her do this herself. She needs this.”

Adelaide looked like she was about to argue. But she nodded.

Carolyn held on tight, determined not to let Laurie break free. The security guard’s struggles were weakening, but she was still putting up a fight.

“Everything will be okay,” Carolyn whispered into her ear. “I won’t hurt you, I promise. Just please… please go to sleep.”

The guard’s limbs had turned rubbery. Her reflexes were slowing down.

“You’ll be fine when you wake up,” Carolyn assured her.

Whether her words helped soothe the guard and help lull her into unconsciousness, Carolyn had no idea. But it was now beside the point – the guard’s head lolled to one side, her struggles ceased. She was fast asleep.

Carolyn took a moment to recollect herself, then dragged the unconscious security guard back and into the bushes. She lay her down on the grass.

Atsuko immediately hugged Carolyn. “That was amazing, babe. I knew you could do it.”

“You weren’t bad,” Adelaide acquiesced. “But you’re obviously out of practice. You need to mug women for their clothes more often if you want to stay in shape.”

Carolyn gave her a sour look. “I think I’ll pass.”

Atsuko glanced down at the unconscious guard and rubbed her hands together with anticipation. “Her uniform looks amazing. I can’t wait to wear it.” She turned to Carolyn. “Wanna help me strip her?”

Before Carolyn could answer, a rumbling sound from the distance alerted them.

Adelaide peeked through the underbrush surrounding the mansion and looked through the bars of the fence. A large black van with the word “FEMME” written on the side had pulled up to the main gate.

“What is it?” Atsuko asked her.

Adelaide’s eyes narrowed. “Trouble.”

********************

Getting past the gate was no issue. The new guard on duty simply looked at the “FEMME” lettering on the van and waved them through.

Katerina smiled as she steered the vehicle into the grounds, the mansion looming large in the distance.

“All according to plan, girls,” she mused to her team. “These uniforms and this vehicle have given us unfettered access to the most powerful building in the city.”

“Now all we need to do is find Sonja,” Marta said.

“And Chandra,” Svetlana quickly added.

Two young women in smart business attire stood at the side of the pathway. One of them was waving for the van to stop.

Katerina ground the van to a halt and rolled down the window.

“Hi there,” the woman said. “My name is Claudia. I’m the mayor’s Chief of Staff. This is Zephyr, the mayor’s Communications Director.”

“Charmed, I’m sure,” Zephyr nodded.

“Glad you could make it,” Claudia continued. “Are there more FEMME agents on the way?”

Katerina kept a straight and cool face. “They had some car trouble… I’m afraid the five of us are the only ones who can be here for the time being.”

Claudia nodded. “Well, I suppose we’ll make do. Step out of the van and follow us, please. We need to make sure you’re all set before tonight’s presentation.”

Katerina glanced at her crew, giving them a curt nod.

The five armored women exited the vehicle.

“Lead the way,” Katerina nodded at Claudia.

Claudia and Zephyr headed for a pathway leading to a side entrance to the mansion. The five disguised Russians followed them.

The women entered a private hall on the ground floor, then took the stairs to the basement.

“You’ll need to wait here until you’re called,” Claudia explained as they entered a quaint basement lounge. “The guests are starting to arrive any minute now, and the mayor will address them within the hour. That’s when you’ll make your appearance – a team of strong FEMME women, making the case to protect this city.”

“Where is the mayor now?” Katerina inquired.

“In a meeting,” Claudia replied. “FEMME captured a couple of uniform thieves today. Hargrove is speaking to them in her office now.”

Katerina nodded, discreetly smiling at her associates.

Claudia held up an electronic tablet. “We just need to verify your identities. Security protocols and all that, you understand. Please hand over your ID badges so I can scan them.”

At this, the Russian agents exchanged hesitant glances with one another.

“Something wrong?” Zephyr asked.

“Of… course not.” Katerina held up her badge. “Here you go.”

Claudia took the badge and pressed it against the tablet. She frowned as she looked at the screen, and the face of the woman who popped up.

“Ma’am, I don’t think this is your badge.”

“You don’t say,” Katerina chuckled.

Claudia and Zephyr looked up. The Russian agents had their guns drawn and were pointing them at the women.

“What the hell?” Zephyr frowned.

“I’m afraid your precious FEMME agents are indisposed,” Katerina explained. “But we’re making good use of their uniforms and weapons.”

She turned to Olga and Marta. “Bind and gag these two idiots.”

Zephyr scowled. “Who are you calling idiots?”

Claudia held up a hand. “Zeph, don’t antagonize the armored ladies with the guns.”

“Good advice,” Katerina chuckled as her associates moved forward to restrain the women. “You’ll both live to see tomorrow… unlike some other people.”

“Who are you?” Claudia demanded as Olga grabbed her wrists.

“We are a group of women on a mission,” Katerina replied. “And we’ve come too far to let anyone stand in our way. Sorry about this.”

The grin on her face, however, did not look especially sorry.

Regardless, Claudia and Zephyr had no room for protest. They were soon bound with zip-ties and gagged with white duct tape, and stuffed in a couple of large trash barrels. They glared angrily up at their captors, struggling helplessly.

“Have a trashy day, girls,” Olga smiled as she and Marta closed the lids on the barrels.

Marta looked at her oddly. “I swear, you have the worst quips ever.”

Olga stuck her tongue out. “You’re just jealous of my wit.”

“Enough,” Katerina silenced them both. “Let’s get back to business. Sonja and Chandra are upstairs, probably with the mayor now. Now keep in mind – all three of these women are our targets. Sonja is the most important, but we have personal reasons to take down Chandra and Hargrove as well.”

Svetlana opened her mouth to speak, and Katerina nodded in her direction.

“Yes, Chandra is all yours. The rest of you, focus on finding Sonja.”

“What about Hargrove?” Marta asked.

“That woman locked us in cold, dark prison cells for the past six months,” Katerina replied. “She’s not our top priority, but it seems only fair we put a bullet in her head.”

The other four women nodded. They all looked ready to go to work.

“Very well, then,” Katerina smiled and lowered the sunglasses over her eyes. “Let the hunt begin.”

*******************

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open.

Oksana exited onto the second floor, pushing the tea cart ahead of her. Dressed in Gillian’s waitress uniform, tights, and heels, she was not given a second glance by the guards stationed in the hallway leading to the mayor’s office.

She reached the door to the office, which was flanked by a pair of female guards.

“Tea for the mayor?” Oksana offered.

Cam and Gwyneth exchange a glance. Then Cam nodded at Oksana.

Oksana hid a smile as Gwyneth opened the door and allowed her to push the cart into the room.

The mayor had a pair of guests seated at her desk; their backs were turned to Oksana. The mayor interrupted her dialogue to nod at the woman she believed to be a waitress.

“Just pour a few cups for us, darling.”

Oksana nodded, and turned back to the cart. She lifted the kettle and poured the steaming drink into a trio of ornately designed teacups.

Then, from the folded sleeve-cuff of her stolen shirt, she procured a small white pill, and discreetly dropped it into one of the cups. The pellet bubbled for a moment, then disintegrated, leaving no visible trace in the drink.

Oksana smiled. All was going as planned.

She lifted a tray with the three cups on it and approached the desk where Hargrove faced her two guests.

One of the guests spoke up. “How do we know you’d keep your end of the bargain?”

Oksana’s smile immediately faded as she recognized the voice. Sonja!

And the woman beside her was unmistakably Chandra. What on earth were they doing here?

“I am a woman of my word,” Hargrove answered. “I pride myself on honesty, even with those who hate me. And to be clear… I don’t want you to hate me.”

She glanced up at Oksana. “Something the matter, dear?”

“Er… no, ma’am.” Oksana did her best to hide her accent. She lifted the tea tray to obscure as much of her face as she could as she approached the desk.

If either Chandra or Sonja saw through her disguise, the jig would be up…

She carefully set down the teacups, holding her breath. Luckily, Chandra and Sonja seemed intent in their focus on the mayor.

Hargrove lifted her cup and took a sip. Oksana smiled in satisfaction as she slowly backed away.

“Please, have a drink,” Hargrove gestured at Chandra and Sonja. “I am nothing if not hospitable.”

Chandra continued to glare at Hargrove, but Sonja shrugged and reached for another cup. “What the hell… Being tied up and held captive for several hours can sure make a girl thirsty…”

Oksana dawdled by the door, considering her next move. She would need to deal with Chandra and Sonja, somehow, once Hargrove collapsed from the effects of the pill. But how?

Hargrove turned to Chandra. “Well? Any interest in my offer?”

Chandra crossed her arms. “How can you expect us to join FEMME? We mugged some of their agents for their uniforms last year, back at Chrysalis Hall.”

“That was the old FEMME,” Hargrove shrugged. “The new FEMME is stronger, more capable. One way or another, we will win. And you girls should want to be on the side of the winners.”

Chandra was about to deliver a snide reply, when her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden groan from Sonja.

Chandra turned to her friend. “What was that? Are you—”

Sonja’s eyes rolled back. She dropped her teacup to the rug and slumped forward, her head thumping against the desk.

“What the hell?!” Chandra looked up at Hargrove, but the mayor looked just as surprised as she was.

Oksana’s eyes widened as she realized what had occurred. She had been distracted… Just for a moment, but the teacups…

Chandra whirled around, her eyes fixing on the woman in maid uniform by the door. Her eyes blazed in recognition of Oksana.

“You! What did you do?”

[meditions142]

Some really fun scenes here.

First off, love the Marcella. Great set up with her being tricked by Oksana's disguise but then her being talkative to the point that she provides helpful information. Then she is pulled into the room and knocked out. Fun it is left to our imagination but we know the knockout was quick and not really hard to Oksana.

Then loved the scene with Gillian and the way Oksana made quick work of her.

"Gillian looked confused. “Can I help you?”

Oksana hit her at the side of the neck with a swift judo chop. The blonde groaned softly and pitched forward, directly into Oksana’s arms.

You’d think Mayor Hargrove would hire some tougher staff.

Oksana shrugged, and dragged the unconscious Gillian over to the nearest closet, shutting the door behind them."

Love that Gillian could only get out "Can I help you?" before Oksana got her with a chop to that special spot in her neck. And love to the image of the woman falling into Oksana's arms and Oksana thinking to herself "You’d think Mayor Hargrove would hire some tougher staff."

Just two really great scenes there.

[tirepanted3]

Thanks for your thoughts, Meditions.

I was a bit worried when I started writing this chapter that it might be difficult to feature USB scenes, since most of the disguises for the mansion infiltration were acquired in the previous chapter. But I happily found some ways to include them.

Oksana is a tricky but rewarding character to write for, since she's very stoic and serious and doesn't usually make quips (like Polina does) when mugging women for their uniforms. So it's a little tougher to find the humor in writing for her. But I liked the scene with Marcella because it demonstrates how cool and calm Oksana is when stealing uniforms, particularly from a woman whose strength she clearly outmatches.

The scene with Gillian was originally supposed to be more ambiguous - it was going to end with Gillian asking “Can I help you?” and then cutting to Oksana exiting the elevator in her uniform. I like ambiguous uniform steals now and then (and I don't mind offscreen muggings), but I thought Oksana's little deadpan thought after knocking her out was worth including, so I added that part in.

[meditions142]

I was a bit worried when I started writing this chapter that it might be difficult to feature USB scenes, since most of the disguises for the mansion infiltration were acquired in the previous chapter. But I happily found some ways to include them.

Actually, I think carrying the uniforms over made it fun. We were able to get the great scene where Cynthia sees and even asks about the two burlap bags but never realizes there are two unconscious women in them.

Speaking of Cynthia, great series of scenes with her. I love how at first Atsuko and Carolyn are able to bluff past her. However, Cynthia is suspicious and ends up catching them and realizing they are infiltrators. But then Cynthia does the perfect "dumb guard" move of being so focused on Atsuko and Carolyn that she doesn't look behind her. Love the image of watching Cynthia's eyes roll back and then she collapses revealing Adelaide.

We are not told exactly what Adelaide to knock the brunette out but I am assuming a neck chop as that would make the most sense.

Then I love the idea of Adelaide, Atsuko and Carolyn having long and rather intense conversation while Cynthia lays unconscious at their feet. Then love Adelaide's comment: “Maybe good ol’ Cynthia can help us.”

And love too the touch that Cynthia was wearing more practical underwear in her sports bra and cotton hipsters. Adds a fun touch of realism in that practical underwear is probably what a guard would indeed wear. And let's face it, on the right woman even the more conservative undies can look damn sexy. I bet Cynthia looked pretty good in them.

Then loved the comment and description of Adelaide dragging Cynthia's tied up unconscious body off “There we go,” Adelaide grinned as she dragged the slumbering Cynthia behind some bushes. “She’ll be nice and safe back there. All set?” she asked Carolyn.

The Cynthia scene was indeed quite spectacular.

[tirepanted3]

The moment with the two burlap bags was indeed fun to write. Ad it's a callback to Carolyn's own guilt and sympathy, how she didn't want to leave those poor gardeners bound and gagged at the side of the road. Carolyn's sympathy to the victims of uniform stealing is a defining character trait of hers, and while it's quite noble, it does lead to risks and complications, as it did here with Cynthia.

I've been waiting a while to bring back the Carolyn/Atsuko/Adelaide dynamic, since I love how those three characters play off each other.

And yes, safe to say that Adelaide used a neck chop to put Cynthia down for the count.

Adelaide's attitude towards knockout victims like Cynthia is fun to write, particularly when Carolyn is around. Adelaide's mean streak, cracking jokes about Cynthia, plays off well against Carolyn's own discomforts about uniform stealing. And Atsuko makes a nice mediator between them, even as she grows increasingly excited by the thrill and danger that comes with mugging another woman for her clothes.