Cat And Mouse: There's An Idol In The Jungle And A Mage Is In The Mist free porn video

Cat and Mouse: There's An Idol In The Jungle And A Mage Is In The Mist by Bluto WEEK 14 "Cat." "Huh?" "Cat, wake up, we're about to land." "Ahhh, why are you waking me just for that, Nightman?" "Cat, how many weeks has it been since you turned the Mouse into a baby?" "What?? Oh, I don't know.? What's today, Tuesday?? Oh, I guess it's been 14 weeks as of? today.? And I didn't change Mouse into a baby, Malato-Zu did!" "Forget about that.? Look at her, sleeping over there.? You told me Micki grows at the rate of one year for every week that passes, right?" "Yeah, that's how we figured it." "Did you also figure that she changes the most while she's asleep?" "Yes, that seems to be the case." "It's fascinating, Cat.? I've been watching her on and off all night, and I swear I can actually see her growing, kind of like a plant under time lapse photography.? It's real subtle and I can't tell if she's any taller, but her facial features have definitely changed, gotten more defined, more mature.? And her hair seems to be getting lighter, too." "Why you old devil you.? Here I think you and Gaby are finally starting a relationship and you're looking at younger women already!" "Arrrrgh." The private Protectors jet made a smooth landing at Aeropuerto Internacional de Maiquetia, 30 miles from Caracas, Venezuela's capital and largest city.? The waning afternoon sun dominated the clear blue sky and the temperature was still in the 80s.? A late-model American-made limousine met Nightman, Cat and Micki and transported them to the Caracas International Terminal for processing and photos.? While ID is required of all residents and visitors to the country, the Protectors were going to be allowed temporary passes in their costumed identities, courtesy of the Venezuelan government. "Hola, I am Simon Concepcion," said a small man with a black mustache in a white suit, who greeted them as they entered the car.? "As the official representative of President Hugo Chavez, I welcome you to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.? While the government you stand for may have ill feelings toward us, we want to assure you that you will have our full help and cooperation on your mission." "Gracias, Senior Concepcion," Nightman said, as he shook the diplomat's hand.? "We greatly appreciate your country's cooperation in this matter and we promise to try and handle this problem as swiftly as possible.? I understand there are others who will be joining us?" "Oh yes, you will be meeting them right away," the diplomat said.? "I think with all the heroes that are assembled for this job, your success is assured." A five minute walk through the terminal brought the Protectors to an area marked "Private - Airport Officials Only."? Once past the doors, which were guarded by two militia men, they heard a loud, familiar voice. "Oh, ho, ho, we meet again, yes?? It is good to see you are all recovered and ready for more action." There stood El Penduloso, as boastful and as well-hung as ever.? Next to him was Tetasina, with an uncharacteristic smile on her face and a warm hug for Cat.? There were also three new masked wrestlers Cat and Nightman hadn't met before. "You see before you the new Luchadores Maximos," Penduloso continued proudly.? "Myself and Tetasina you know.? Now let me introduce Rotundo, El Polverizer and El? Hombre Mono.? They are even better than the three whose places they take." "Well, good to see you men," Nightman said.? "And you, Penduloso, it's good to see you and Tetasina seem to have recovered from your injuries.? You know the Cat, of course.? Joining us for this mission will be the Little Wildcat.? Er, you might call her a junior member of our team." El Penduloso glanced at Micki with a look of disapproval and clicked his tongue at Nightman. "Tisk, tisk, tisk," he said.? "This is the daughter of the Cat that I have heard about, yes?? She is a beautiful child and I am sure she has her good points, but this mission is not for children, certainly not a female one such as her." Predictably, Cat exploded. "Why you white boot-wearing, chauvinistic jackass," she seethed.? "What makes you think you can say who does or doesn't have the right to go on this mission?" "Because he is the official head of this enterprise," Sr. Concepcion said.? "Venezuela has no superheroes.? El Penduloso represents the government of Mexico and, despite our differences over the Free Trade Area, Mexico remains our good friend.? At least Vicente Fox would not have allowed some televangelist to call for the assassination of our legally elected President.? Frankly, if Luchadores Maximos was not taking part in this matter, neither would you.? So, as long as you are in this country, what El Penduloso says goes." "That is so unfair," Nightman said.? "Tetasina is going and she's a female." "True, but she is a grown woman and she is as strong as two men," Penduloso said.? "I know what she can do, but this Little Wildcat is unknown to me." Micki looked up at the bare-chested wrestler and smiled. "OK, Mr. Penduloso," she finally said.? "I'll show you what I can do. Pick any two members of your group.? I'll fight them both at once and if I can beat them both I'm on the mission.? Pick your strongest two members, it won't make any difference.? And if you're chicken, I'll take on all five of you.? Agreed?" "Que?" Tetasina asked. "Ho, ho, oh, the little one is making a big boast, yes?" El Penduloso roared.? "The apple, it does not fall far from the tree, I see.? Our strongest two, eh?? That will be hard to decide.? I have never been defeated in the ring, El Hombre Mono looks like an ape and is as strong as an ape as well, but his friend, the handsome El Polverizer, may be even stronger.? Then there is Rotundo, who weighs as much as any two of us.? So you see, my child, there are many to choose from." "Well boys, are we going to fight or are you going to try to talk me to death?" Micki said, as she tapped her foot impatiently.? "Do you want me to tie one hand behind my back or something to make it more fair?" The broad smile on El Penduloso's face narrowed just a bit, as Nightman wondered what had gotten into the Little Wildcat. "The Mouse never talked like that," he whispered to Cat.? "She was always so gracious and humble.? What's going on here?" "Teenagers, I wish I knew," Cat said, but she had a pretty good idea. After huddling for a quick debate in Spanish with his teammates, El Penduloso turned to the Americans. "If the little girl wants to fight so badly, so be it," he said grandly.? "She will fight all three of our new members.? If she wins, she goes.? If not, she can stay in Caracas and see the sights while we head south." "Fine by moi," Micki said, as she stretched to warm up.? She had worn her yellow, spotted costume for the ID photo, so she was ready to go.? The Luchadores all wore color coordinated capes, which they flung off dramatically to reveal their red action tights. Then Rotundo dashed at Micki with speed belying his ponderous appearance.? The others felt that a splash from the 300+ pound wrestler would? quickly erase any desire the "little girl" may have to join the adults. "Don't worry, pretty one," he said, as he charged.? "I will try not to hurt you too much." But rather than trying to avoid the "Battling Buddha's" charge, Micki simply stood her ground.? In one blindingly fast move, she hooked her right arm under his and gave him a judo hip throw.? Rotundo flew through the air and landed on his back with such force the room actually shook, despite its concrete floor. El Hombre Mono let out an inhuman scream and rushed Micki while she was still turned away from him, but she simply back-flipped eight feet into the air and let him pass under her.? As she came down, she kicked him in the back and he sprawled to the floor next to Rotundo.? Then she switched legs and tried to kick El Polverizer, whom she had heard approaching, but he stopped short and the blow missed.? They went at each other with advanced karate and kung-fu techniques and Micki had to admit to herself that she was impressed. "Hmm," she thought.? "This is the dangerous one.? He fights like Nightman, only he's younger and stronger.? Well, I'm younger and stronger too, thanks to Cat.? Time to kick it up another gear." Micki deliberately allowed her opponent to hit her a glancing blow and staggered back convincingly.? But when he closed in to take advantage she let him have a double hit in the chest with the palms of both hands.? El Polverizer had to backpedal away, gasping for breath. "Que paso?" El Penduloso bellowed.? "Cons?ganle, idiotas!? Ella es apenas una muchacha! Demuestren el trabajo en equipo! With that, Hombre Mono grabbed Micki in a bear-hug, pinning her arms.? Rotundo butted into them like a sumo wrestler to take Micki off her feet and El Polverizer quickly joined the pile. "Hold her down, hold her down," he said.? "Give me a chance to deliver my nerve punch." "Er, do you think we should help her, Cat?" Nightman asked nervously. "Are you kidding?" Cat replied.? "She's just playing with them.? You know, she doesn't want to hurt their male egos by taking them out too fast.? You just wait and see." Indeed, although she was on the bottom of the pile, Micki was actually resting and considering her options. "I could end this right away with my teeth and claws, but I don't want to seriously hurt these guys," she thought.? "Think I'll show them some of MY nerve punches before El Polverizer has a chance to deliver his." With that, Micki spun like a top and shook the Luchadores off? like a dog shaking off some bothersome fleas.? She delivered a devastating nerve punch to each of her opponents in less than five seconds and just like that, her foes lay helpless at her feet. "Satisfied, oh great leader?" Micki asked, as she put one hand on her hip and did her best imitation of a Japanese anime character's smart-ass pout. A scowling El Penduloso was about to join the fray himself, when Tetasina grabbed his arm and shook her head.? Thinking better of it, the leader of the Lucadores smiled broadly and stretched out his arms. "Well, fair is fair, yes?" he said, as he embraced Micki.? "You will join us on this great adventure, little one.? You are almost as impressive a fighter as your mother." "Thanks and she ain't my mother," Micki said gruffly, as they headed for the private bus that would take them to the Radisson Caracas Hotel to spend the night. El Penduloso gave Cat a quizzical look and the lion-woman could only shrug her shoulders. *** "Hey, you, little girl, do you know where Tony Bass lives?" Following Micki's directions, Lola Bass and her three sons had made it to the Montana apartment building in the Morningside Heights area of Manhattan.? To be sure they were at the right location, Lola decided to ask the gawky-looking, bespeckeled? kid skipping rope by herself in front of the building. "Well, my mother always tells me not to talk to strangers, but you look like a nice lady and are those all your sons?? Ms. Toni lives on the second floor with that nice looking Diego boy, who has an even nicer looking younger cousin, but he's out of town now going to school, so I don't get to see much of him and isn't that a shame?? But his sister, Lupe, is living here now and we're about the same age and she's lots of fun and she even knows the Protectors, you have heard of the Protectors?? Boy oh boy, it would be so great to be a superhero, wouldn't it?" Lola Bass was starting to really regret asking Betsy Dodson for directions when Mrs. Andrette hobbled out on her cane to see what was going on.? To say she was nosey would be an understatement.? NOTHING happened in this apartment building that she didn't know about.? And, even if she didn't know, she was willing to give you an educated guess. "Hush, Betsy dear, you never stop talking," she said.? "Is there something I can help you folks with?" "We were just looking for Tony Bass, Ms.?" "My name is Mrs. Andrette, my dear." "Mrs. Andrette.? I'm Lola, Tony's ex and these rock-heads are his boys, Frankie, Deano and Tony Jr.? We haven't seen Tony in months an' we need to, like, talk over some things.? Is he here?" "Oh, there's a Toni Bass here, all right," Mrs. Andrette said, with a raised eyebrow while she rubbed her chin.? "But whether it's the Toni Bass you want or not I don't know.? But, that sure wouldn't be the strangest thing been happening around here the last few months, no sir.? Take them up to apartment 2B, Betsy.? Let them see Toni." "Dude, there are some strange people in these apartments, I'm telling ya," Tony Jr. whispered to his brothers as they walked up the stairs.? "First this whack-job kid and then that batty old woman." "Sho 'nuf, Bro," Frankie agreed. "That girl said this Lupe kid hangs out with the Protectors," Deano gushed. ? "You think we'll get to see some 'a them today?" Betsy heard that last comment, which occasioned another torrent of words. "You mean you boys haven't seen any superheros yet?? Ha, ha, we see them all the time.? I helped the Cat put a diaper on Micki when she was a baby, which is strange because she's older than me now.? Don't you think that's strange?? Lupe's brother can do magic, did you know that?? He learned it from his grandfather, but I think something really bad happened to the old guy, but Lupe doesn't want to talk about it.? It's kind of dangerous being in the superhero business, isn't it?? Oh, here we are, Apartment 2B." "Thanks for your help, Betsy," Lola said, in relief.? "Do you mind?? We'd kind of like to talk to Tony alone." "Uh?? Oh, sure," Betsy said.? "I get that a lot from people.? I'll leave you now, but if you need anything I live on the first floor, Apartment 1D, just come a knocking, ha, ha, well, bye, adios, arrivaderchi, ta ta." "Man, what an annoying kid," Tony Jr. said, as Betsy skipped back down the stairs.? "I didn't think she was ever going to leave." "Oh, she's probably just lonely," Lola Bass said.? "Looks like the poor thing doesn't have anybody to play with." "I wonder why," Frankie smirked, and all the boys laughed. "Alright, clam-up, I'm going to knock," Lola said, as she gave the door three good raps.? Hearing no immediate reply, she knocked again, a little harder and a little longer this time.? And, this time, there was a reply. "GOD DAMN SON OF A BITCH, WHO DA HELL IS IT AND WHAT DA HELL DO YOUS WANT?" "It's Dad alright," said Deano with a grin. "Tony, ya loud mouthed slob, it's me, Lola, and I'm here with your children!" "Lo, Lola?" Tony stammered.? "What the fuck are you doin' here?? Ain't there a restrainin' order?" "Don't talk ta me like that, ya overweight bastard.? Me and the boys haven't seen ya in months, ya know?? I'd have thought you was dead if the support payments hadn't started again.? And that restrainin' order expired a week ago." "So?? I'm all paid up now, ain't I?? What else do ya want?" "I don't want a damn thing from you, cazzo.? But the boys miss their daddy, lord knows why, an' they wanna see ya." "Yeah, Dad, let us in, we wanna see ya," Deano said. "I, I ain't dressed," Tony said.? "Come back later." "What the..." Lola sputtered.? "Your children came all this way to see you and you ain't even goin' ta open da door?? What kind of damn man are you?" "Geez, Lola, keep it down, the neighbors." "I don't give a rat's ass about your nutty neighbors, LET US IN!" "Awright, awright already," Tony said.? "At least let me put on a damn robe." The Basses could hear the sound of Tony padding away from the door, then there was silence for a few minutes.? Lola was about to start pounding again, when the locks were unfastened and the door swung open. The Bass boys ran laughingly into the apartment, followed by their mother, then they all stopped as abruptly as if they'd hit a plate glass window. "Hi kids," Tony Bass said.? "Yous will have to excuse how I look, I just got outa da shower." Tony was necked except for a generous terrycloth bathrobe and a plastic shower cap.? The robe was one of the few items Tony had kept from his former life, so it was familiar to his visitors.? What was unfamiliar was what was under the robe. "Oh my God!" Lola and the kids said in unison, as they gazed at the Playboy Playmate who had been their husband and father.? While the robe was bought for a much heavier person, Tony's impressive rack still put a genuine strain on it and created some breathtaking cleavage, while his beautiful face only gave the barest hint of the mug he was born with. "Tony," Lola gasped.? "I knew you'd lost your dick and balls before we broke up and Mama Graeo told me you were looking like a woman now, but, I had no idea!" "Dad lost his dick and balls?" Frankie repeated in astonishment. "Geez, Ma, when were you gonna tell the rest of us about it?" "Daddy is Toni, Daddy is Toni," 10-year-old Deano screamed in glee.? "Gee, Daddy, we've seen you on the television a couple 'a times.? Wow, those boobs are real!" Tony didn't know what to say.? He knew this day was coming eventually, but he had hoped to put it off a little while longer.? He had no idea how to proceed from this point. "Why don't yous all have a seat," he said, as he took off the wet shower cap, thus revealing his lustrous black mane and raising more whistles of astonishment from his visitors. "Is that really you, Dad?" Frankie asked.? "Jesus, you look like Pamela Anderson with black hair.? This has got to be some kind of joke or maybe plastic surgery gone wild." "No, son, no, it ain't no joke an' it ain't plastic surgery," Tony said, praying that he didn't start crying in front of his own children.? "It's me, your father, Tony Bass, former wise guy, now... I'm not sure just what the hell I am now." Tony couldn't help it.? The floodgates burst and he started bawling like a baby.? Lola forgot all the demeaning years she'd spent as Tony's wife; all the neglect and abuse, all the slights and the slaps, and embraced him in a firm hug.? The boys weren't sure what to do.? Deano made a move to join the hug, but a stern look from Frankie stopped him in his tracks.? Tony Jr. had his own thoughts. "There ain't nothin' worse than bein' a fag," he remembered his father lecturing them time after time.? "A man actin' like he was a bitch, suckin' other men's dicks, dat's the lowest thing on God's green eart'.? I swear, if I ever hear a one of yous becoming a cocksucker, I'll kill you wit' my own two hands dat same day.? I swear it!" Tony Jr. had lived all his life in fear of his namesake.? He did not doubt for a moment that his father meant what he said, and strove to be the manliest man possible to escape Tony Sr's wrath.? But he always suspected he was playing a game, that there was something not quite right about the macho role he was forced into as long as his father was around. And now, this. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Tony kept repeating, as he dried his tears on the collar of his robe.? "I'll tell yous all how dis happened to me, some day soon, but it's a bit much for me right now, OK?? How, how are yous kids doin'?? You look like you've all grown a little since I saw ya last." "Do you have a boyfriend?" Tony Jr. asked. "Do you get a period?" Frankie asked. "Do you pee sittin' down?" Deano asked. "NO, NO, AN' YES," Tony exploded.? "Damn it, I tol' yous kids I dint want to talk about dat stuff now.? I'm still your father, so show me some goddamned respect!" "Well, you sound like our Dad, but you sure don't look like him," Tony Jr. said, boldly.? "Dad hated fags, said he'd kill any of us who became a fag.? And now this?" "Little Tony, I know what I said," Tony answered.? "I ain't no fag.? Ya gotta understand, I dint ask for dis.? I swear to God, if there was any way I could go back ta what I was before, I'd do it in a minute." Just then, Diego came home and entered the apartment through the unlocked door. "Oh my God," Tony moaned.? "The absolute last person I needed to see at a time like dis." "What ho?" Diego asked jovially.? "Who's your company, Tony?? Is this a family get-together?" "Are you Dad's boyfriend?" Deano asked, impetuously.? "Whoops, I shoulda seen that one coming," Diego laughed.? "Aye, I'm only 17, little dude.? What would I want with an old broad like your Daddy?" "I swear, I will kill you, punk," Tony fumed.? "One a dese days, Pow, Zoom, to da moon!" "Not that I'm not enjoying the live sitcom, but who are you?" Lola Bass asked. "I am Diego Gomes, temporary roommate of the lovely Tony," he said, as he bowed and gallantly kissed Lola's hand.? "And, since you're obviously all related to the former Mr. Bass, I will tell you I am also known as, The Persuader, junior superhero and future member of the Protectors." Deano squealed and clapped his hands, while his brothers and mother were more restrained in their response. "Who?" "I never hearda you." "The Persuader?? That's a dumb name." "What?" Diego reacted in surprise and shock.? "Keep 'em busy, Tony, I'll be right back" Diego sprinted to his room and closed the door. "Oh shit, he's gonna put on his costume now," Tony said, with a sigh.? Then there was another knock on the front door. "Hey, Tony, Cat and Micki left for Venezuela and there isn't a drop of milk in the house," Lupe said sunnily.? "Do you have any, so I don't have to run off to the store?? Oh, hello, you have visitors.? Sorry to butt in." "Lupe, the ex and the kids," Tony said.? "Ex and kids, Lupe.? Believe it or not, she's Diego's cousin, but she's a lot nicer than dat putz." "Oooo, Lupe," Deano said dreamily.? Here was a cu age, as far as he could tell, who may be a superhero, too.? "Your cousin told us he was the Persuader.? Are you, like, a superperson as well?" "If I was I wouldn't tell any strangers," Lupe said cannily.? "My cousin has a big mouth." "One side, Animal Girl, the Persuader is here!" Diego stepped out of his room in full costume: top hat, tux, white gloves, cane and domino mask. "Haw, I never realized how silly dat get-up looks until I seen it in broad daylight," Tony hooted.? "Ya look like somethin' from a Fred Astaire movie." "Yes, the costume needs work, I told you that already," Diego said, through gritted teeth.? "I'm gonna get Nicole on the job making me a new costume right away. Satisfied? But, hey, everybody, take a look at Tony, isn't he starting to look like the Tony of old?? The mob hitman we all knew and loved?? He said he'd do anything to be a man again and here he is!" And, sure enough, Tony seemed to gradually transform from a beautiful woman wearing a robe, to a beetle-browed thug wearing a three-piece suit.? Lola and the boys were amazed. "I'll be damned," Lola said.? "It's really you, Tony.? I still kind of half-way thought this was all some sort of joke.? But now..." "It's no joke, Lola, but dis ain't me," Tony said sadly.? "It's all an illusion, courtesy of Mr. Diego.? That's why dey call him da Persuader.? He'll make ya believe dog shit is ice cream if ya let him." "Indelicately put, Tony, but to the point," Diego said.? "It's a power that was of great use to me while fighting the forces of the Destroyers last month." Just then the? phone rang and Tony answered. "Hello, what's dat?? Your family in Louisiana?? Well sure, Richard, who wouldn't?? Yeah, Diego an' Lupe are here.? OK, I'll tell 'em.? Good-bye, redneck, and good luck." Tony hung the phone up, took a deep breath and looked at Lupe and Diego. "Da Arrow just got woid dat his family home was wiped out by Hurricane Katrina.? They're hurtin' real bad down there and he's goin' ta help.? I tink he an' Bill Clinton are goin' together.? Nancy Miller has OKed yous two for temporary, full-active status wit' da Protectors, as of right now, charter be damned." "Far, blankin' out," Frankie said.? "The Arrow calls my Dad here, neat!? The Arrow's my favorite." "Dat ain't all, squirt," Tony added.? "Da Arrow said they're so short- handed, he recommended Nancy hire me on as temporary help, although what da hell I would do, I don't know." "But...Tony, your background," Lola said.? "How on earth could you pass a security check?" "Nancy an' da Arrow both know what I used ta be, sort of, an it's alright wit' dem," Tony said, as he happily looked in the star-struck eyes of his three sons.? "What do yous kids say?? Do you think old Tony should become a Protector?" Deano smiled so broadly his face was about to crack. "Cooool!" *** Since there were eight members of the idol hunting expedition, it took two of the small, prop airplanes to carry them all from Caracas to the Orinoco River, gateway to the wild southern part of Venezuela.? While almost half of that country's land mass is south of the Orinoco, only five percent of the population lives there, mostly local Indians known as the Warao.? The World Wildlife Federation recognizes the region as one of the most important reserves for diverse life forms on earth. "There is Angel Falls," the pilot told Cat, Nightman, Micki and Tetasina, who all shared his aircraft.? "See how dramatically it appears after we passed through the El Diablo canyon?? It is the world's highest waterfall at 3,230 feet.? There is an uninterrupted drop of close to 1,000 meters, er, I mean 2,647 feet, as well." "Whew, that's mighty impressive," Nightman said.? "Niagara Falls carries a much larger volume of water, but it's only a fraction of that height." "You're a real enthusiastic spokesperson for your country, Johan," Cat told the pilot.? "How much would this tour cost if we had to pay for it?" "Oh ho, counting transportation, it would be about $3,000 American, each," the pilot said.? "We will be landing on the river on the other side of the waterfall.?? Cleared land for landing strips is in short supply around here, which is why our airplanes are all equipped with pontoons." "I'm getting a strong feeling from the idol now," Cat told her companions as they prepared to land.? "I'm not sure how close it is, but I know what direction we need to go." After landing, all the two teams' baggage and equipment was transferred to a modest ferryboat for the trip south.? While that was being done, everyone took a short rest in a large, rough hewn jungle lodge that had been built for tourists, of which there were plenty. "While the Orinoco is the sixth longest river in the world, much of it will be too shallow for the? ferryboat, so it can only take us so far," El Penduloso said later, as he enjoyed a Kahlua and milk from the well-stocked bar.? "After that, we will transfer to several large Indian canoes - I think they call them curiara - which should be able to take us wherever the lovely Cat wishes." "The lovely Cat wishes she was back in Caracas in a tub full of hot water," Cat said, as she sipped from a large glass of straight bourbon.? "Hey, is that our tour guide headed this way?" He was a small, stocky fellow, a Piapoco Indian from Puerto Ayachucho.? He had clear brown eyes and a broad smile, and Cat took an instant liking to him. "Hola, I am Luis Rodriguez," he said.? "I speak the good English, so they make me your guide.? Anything you want, tell me.? I know region we are going to like back of hand." El Penduloso, perhaps a bit peeved that Rodriguez didn't address him first, jumped out of his seat to shake the guide's hand. "I am the leader of this expedition, so your command of English is unimportant," he said pompously.? "I will ask any questions that need to be asked, yes?" "Then I give you the free advice, senior," the guide said, as he eyed the wrestler's bare chest and legs.? "Bring a lot of mosquito repellent if you are going to dress like that.? You will need it." Within an hour, the ferryboat was loaded and ready for the southern journey.? Everyone was on board and Rodriguez gave the order to cast off.? He had been joined by his second-in-command, an unusually pale-skinned man who kept to himself and said little to anyone but the guide.? The mere sight of him made Cat's fur start to rise. "Who's that?" Cat asked Rodriguez. "Oh, that Carlos," Rodriguez said.? "Just Carlos.? I think he is a little slow, if you know what I mean, senora.? I found him in Nicayayoten, er, that is small city not far from border with Brazil.? I needed helper and he works cheap.? He real happy to get job and I have no complaints.? Why you ask, senora?" "I don't know," Cat said.? "I somehow have the feeling we've met before." *** Mr. Fix-it was being held incognito at an undisclosed location somewhere in New York State.? He had been under almost constant interrogation since his arrest, without benefit of council.? It was no more than he'd expected, given the current national atmosphere of alarm and fear, and he was somewhat surprised that he hadn't actually been tortured yet. "Must mean I haven't been taken outside the USA," he conjectured.? "Probably still in the hands of the FBI and not the CIA.? May be a little turf battle going on." Fix-it was kept in shackles even when he slept and, unless he was in bed or being fed, he had a black bag over his head at all times.? His interrogators never identified themselves. "Who is the Master?" they asked him time and time again.? "How long did you work for him?? Are there any other spies in the Protectors?" For the most part, Fix-it answered honestly.? He didn't know who the Master was and had never met him.? Their entire association had been over the Internet.? Fix-it had tried to trace the Master's e-mail address himself, but it was too carefully hidden to follow.? He suspected the FBI men would be no more successful when they tried to access his own computer records. Today he was led from his holding cell as usual, but he could tell he wasn't sitting in the regular interrogation room.? Rather than the faint odor of stale sweat and the echo of voices off bare concrete walls, there was a smell of deodorizer in the air and the muffled voices of women.? Fix- it concluded that he must be in someone's office.? Suddenly, his hood was removed and he was temporally blinded by sunlight. "Ned Potter, aka Mr. Fix-it, I'm Justin Blake," said a frowning bald man in a cheap brown suit who was seated behind a large desk.? "And you are one lucky sumbitch.? If it were up to me, you would have been sent to Afghanistan so the CIA could try out some of their new tricks on you.? As it stands, and for what reason I don't know, the word from Washington is to transfer you to the custody of the New York Department of Corrections and let you see a lawyer.? How'd you manage that, Potter?" "I'm an innocent man, Mr. Blake," Fix-it said calmly.? "You have no proof that I actually broke the law, except for the word of a couple of freaks like the Cat and her damned daughter.? I want my day in court, as is my right as an American citizen, and I dare those two to testify against me." "Whatever," the FBI man said wearily.? "Look, asshole, according to the USA Patriot Act, we don't have to do jack shit for you.? However, the paperwork will be ready in a couple hours and you will be transferred to the Arthur Kill Correctional Facility on Staten Island to talk to your lawyer.? After that you're going to Sing Sing." "Hey, that's maximum security," Fix-it protested. "Just be glad they didn't decide to send your pale ass to Attica.? Now, the information I have says your lawyer is one Darryl Isaacs, that still true?" "Yes, and Mr. Blake, please tell Darryl to bring my wife with him." "Your wife?" Blake asked.? "We found no trace of her when we raided your house.? Where has she been?" "In a safe place," Fix-it replied flatly.? "My lawyer will know where to find her and I demand to see her." "You aren't in any position to demand anything, scumbag," Blake said, raising his voice. "You can thank your lucky stars you're getting out of here at all, Fix-it, but don't think you're out of trouble, yet.? The government is going to nail your ass to a wall and when it happens, I hope I'm there to see it done right.? By the way, Potter, what's your wife's name?" "Coppelia." "Coppelia?? That's kind of an unusual name, isn't it?" Ned Potter just smiled. *** The Protectors and Luchadores Maximos traveled in the ferryboat until twilight, then spent the night in a tiny Warao village consisting of a score of primitive huts and less than 100 inhabitants.?? To say the locals were impressed by their visitors would be an understatement.? The size difference alone was notable, as the tallest of the villagers were barely taller than the 5'4" Micki. "Hey, Luis, these guys aren't headhunters are they?" Cat asked the guide as they prepared for the night.? "The way they keep staring at me, I can't help but think they're imagining my shrunken head on a pole." "Ha, ha, ha, no Ms. Cat, they not headhunters," Luis said, as he shook his head.? "They fascinated by your eyes; their size and unusual color.? I don't think they ever seen anything like you." "Nobody has," Micki added, with a sneer.? "Except maybe in a horror movie." Luis looked at Cat with questioning eyes, but she just shrugged her shoulders and said nothing. "That Micki, she has the big chip on her shoulder, yes?" El Penduloso observed.? "Is there something going on between the two of you that I should know about?" "Nothing that's going to jeopardize this mission, if that's what you're hinting at, Penduloso," Cat said.? "Micki will come through when we need her, I guarantee it." For her part, Micki quickly made friends with several of the village children, and she ran and played with them like she was five-weeks old again.? She astounded them by climbing to the top of an ancient Moriche palm tree that overshadowed the entire village.? It was more than 100 feet tall, but Micki reached the top in less than a minute, using her claws to practically run up the old tree.? Then she swung around the fronds like she was Herman Brix in "Tarzan and the Green Goddess." "She's actually beating her chest and giving the old Tarzan yell," Nightman commented in wonder.? "I hope she doesn't fall and break her neck." "Do you think such a fall would hurt her?" El Polverizer asked.? "I have heard that she is invulnerable, like her moth...like the Cat.? Is that so?" "Yes, she probably could survive a fall from even such a great height," Nightman said.? "But, boy, I'll bet she'd have a headache in the morning!" By nightfall everyone had settled in.? The men and the women would share separate huts, which the locals had set aside for visitors, and in the morning everything would be transferred from the ferry to two large curiara for the trip down the Orinoco River Delta. Before going to bed, the Protectors, the Luchadores, their guides and the villagers gathered around a large fire for a parilla, or barbecue, to eat roasted pig, drink a locally made alcoholic brew and swap stories.? Most of the stories were in Spanish and, as Micki and Cat were the only ones there not fluent in that language, El Polverizer translated for them. "So, El Polverizer, I see you have a lot of talents," Micki told the attractive, golden-skinned? wrestler.? "You say you speak five languages and have two doctoral degrees, in addition to fighting like a motherfucker (Micki, generally a teetotaler, had had several cups of the strong local brew).? And what the hell else can you do?" "Well, I am something of an inventor," Polverizer said modestly.? "With the way the superhero business is changing, I don't think we can simply depend on our wrestling skills anymore.? I have created several weapons for us to use and am working on an official Luchadores Maximos vehicle." "That's faaacinating, handsome," Micki beamed.? "We could use a new science wiz ourselves.? That bastard Fix-it was a damn turncoat, but we got him, thanks mostly to me!" "Wait a minute," Cat thought, "Micki is FLIRTING... WITH A MAN! What the fuck?" "It is very sad to think that a man who helped us fight the Whale so valiantly was a, how you say, snake-in-the-grass, yes?" El Penduloso interrupted.?? "And that brings us to a matter we heroes should discuss among ourselves.? My friends, it is close to midnight and we need to get an early start in the morning.? Before the bed, however, we need privacy.? Antes de que vayamos a dormir, necesitamos aislamiento." At that, the guides and the locals left the heroes alone. "Alright, Nightman, Cat, my team and I agreed to this mission because our government asked us to, after your government asked them to ask us," Penduloso said seriously.? "But in actual details, we have been told almost nothing.? You are looking for something in the jungle, that I know.? And it is supposed to be an item of great age and power, so dangerous that it cannot be allowed to fall into the wrong hands.? Am I correct so far?" "Yeah, that's the broad outline of it," Nightman said.? "It was agreed that information on this project will only be given out on a 'need to know' basis.? That's why I had nothing to say about it back in Caracas, there were too many ears around." "Well, senior, I need to know and I need to know now," Penduloso said firmly.? "What is this object?? What power does it contain?? Why are you so sure you can find it?? Eh?" "You do remember the Whale?" Cat asked. "Aiee, of course, how can I forget?? Tetasina and I still ache from fighting with that creature and he permanently disabled three members of my team.? I was unable to take part in the final battle, but I?saw him turn into a giant monster, rising out of the sea.? Not even the Army and the Navy together could stop him." "My friend, the Whale, was the direct result of an object just like the one we seek," Cat told her rapt audience.? "Fortunately for us, the Whale wasn't totally evil and I was eventually able to reason with him, but the next time we might not be so lucky." "Whew, I have seen the television news film of the Whale's attack," Polverizer said.? "How do these objects create such monsters?" "It's kind of a long story, but I'll give you the Reader's Digest version," Cat said.? "There were seven incredibly old idols scattered around the world after the Biblical Flood.? Each idol contained the spirit of a fallen angel who was condemned by God, forever.? However, these demons were given the ability to take over the bodies of humans and imbue them with incredible power, such as that possessed by the Whale.? Unfortunately, that power is obtained at a terrible cost.? If? an already evil person, or just a weak-willed person, finds the idol we're looking for before we do, they could do unbelievable harm.? On top of all that, an idol user we have fought before is looking for it too.? We CAN NOT let this man find it before we do!" The Luchadores looked at each other quizzically. "I'm not sure I would believe such a tale if I had not seen the Whale with my own eyes," Penduloso said.? "But tell me, Cat, why are you so sure you can find this object before the bad guys do, eh?" "Because those who are possessed by an idol demon are naturally attracted to the other idols," Cat said, without looking up.? "You wondered why I wasn't insulted when Micki said earlier that nobody had ever seen anything like me except in a horror movie.? How could I be insulted when she was only telling the truth?" For an awkward moment, nothing was heard but the sounds of the jungle at night. "Any more questions, Penduloso?" Nightman asked. "Yes, many, but now is not the time for them," the wrestler said.? "Good night Protectors, it is time for sleep." As the men and women of the expedition went to their separate huts, a shadow among the shadows moved.? Carlos, Luis Rodriguez' second-in-command, smiled knowingly. "The power of a god," he thought.? "Very interesting." *** "Awright, awright.? Yous would-be heroes can line up right here an' get a form ta fill out explainin' what ya can do and why da Protectors should be interested in hirin' your asses.? Don't nobody gets ta try out unless they fill out dis form first, capisce?? An' don't ask me for a pencil, what I look like, a damn secretary?" Tony Bass was now a temporary assistant at Protectors HQ.? His first assignment was to help Nancy Miller organize tryouts to fill the Protectors' depleted ranks.? He felt like the ringmaster at a three-ring circus. "Non mi scazzare I coglioni!? Where'd all dese bastards come from, Nancy?" "Out of the woodwork," Miller said.? "We ran a couple discrete ads, there was some mention on the internet and, I guess the rest found out from word- of-mouth." There were more than a score of superhero wannabes in the crowd.? Some of them were in costume, some were not.? Some looked athletic, some looked like complete nerds.? None of them looked very promising to Tony. "I wonder if any of them have real super powers," Nancy whispered to him.? "That's what I'm looking for." "Yeah, well, super powers don't grow on trees, do they?" Tony replied disdainfully.? "Aren't you bein' kind of picky?" "Maybe.? But I don't want to add someone to the team and they just turn out to be more cannon fodder, chewed up and spit out by some of the big guns the Protectors have had to fight lately. By the way, I'm glad you were able to spare some time from your research work to help us, Tony." "Aw, I don't really have dat much ta do, Nancy. I mostly just let them take blood and urine samples, an' my measurements, an' give me psyche tests. An' din I inneract wit' da other 'victims.'" "Other victims?" "Yeah, the bums we paid ta fuck the Cat. Like da other day, dey had five of 'em lined up. One had long hair, an' big eyes, an' big lips, but da body was completely male. Anudder had tits bigger din mine, but everything else was all dude. Din there's one we call J-Lo, huge ass an' hips, tiny dick, but da upper body is da same as before; I tink that one was raped a couple a times, da poor sap. Din dere's Marilyn; blonde hair, bedroom eyes, killer rack an' da lower body of Danny DeVito. But da strangest of 'em all is the one we call Weirdoid. This guy looks pure dude, from head to toe, got a beard wit flecks a gray an' everythin', but din he takes his pants off an' you can see he's got a pussy where his dick an' balls ought ta be. Nice lookin' one, too." "That's, that's fascinating, in an appalling sort of way," a somewhat flustered Nancy said. "The docs believe none a dem mugs is as far along as I am because I not only fucked the Cat the most, I also got a taste of her milk later." "Do those men realize you're the one who hired them? Seems to me they'd be kind of pissed off and blame you for what happened to them." "Well, yeah, they was told who I am," Tony said. "An' some of 'em are sore about it. But that's part of da whole deal. We get together to trade experiences and talk out da anger. When they see I got it worse din any of the rest a dem, most of dem kind of feel like I just got what I deserved, you know?" "It still amazes me that you don't hate Cat's guts for what happened to you." "Well, like I said before, if I wasn't in the rackets, none a dis would have happened to me. Since nobody seems to know how to bring the old Tony back, I'm just tryin' my best to make da best of da situation." At that point, Diego entered the gym in full Persuader gear.? Since he was now a temporary Defender, the generous stipend he earned made his market research job unnecessary, so he'd taken a leave of absence.? He'd also volunteered to pick Deano Bass up in New Jersey so he could attend the session as Tony's guest. "Ah wanna thank ya again for bringing my boy over, twerp," Tony said, with genuine gratitude.? "Me an' Nancy been so busy gittin' ready for dis bullshit I never coulda done it myself." Deano ran gleefully to his father and squeezed him around his slim waist. "Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy," he gushed.? "A real superhero tryout, a chance to see the next Captain Stars and Stripes or maybe the next Cat, right here.? Thanks Dad!" "Don't get too excited, kid, I doubt dere's anybody like dat here today," Tony said, with a smile.? This was something new.? Tony's boys had always feared him, perhaps even respected him, but they had never liked him.? But now, Deano was happy as a clam to be with him, and Tony found he liked that a lot.? Now if only the other two... "You know yer brothers coulda come too," Tony told Deano.? "I can only have one guest, but Nancy an' Diego don't have any today an' they coulda come as theirs." "I know, Dad, but Little Tony said he had to go to a football game with his buds and Frankie said he had a date, even though I know he don't have a girlfriend." "Ah, well, their loss, eh squirt?" "You said it, Dad!" Among those trying out today were a duo who called themselves Chauncy and Edgar. They claimed their brains were so advanced, they could outthink any supervillain, but they were somewhat confused. "That's something you don't see everyday, Chauncy." "What's that, Edgar?" "That little boy just call that good-looking woman 'Dad'." "Oh I don't know, Edgar, it must be a nickname.? Maybe her real name is Dandelion Girl or something." "Well, since the Medium and Animal Girl are both headed to the airport to greet their visitor from Egypt, I'm going to say: let the tryouts begin!" Nancy said, shouting the last five words to quiet the milling crowd.? "The three of us - Tony, the Persuader and I - can make preliminary decisions and anyone we decide has enough promise will be invited back for examination by a full quorum of our members.? Two or more thumbs-up and you pass, two or more thumbs-down and you fail. Everybody got that?" Both contestants and Protectors answered in the positive and the process began. First in line was a thin fellow who called himself Mr. Slight-of-hand.? He wore a swami's turban and a small mask, as well as a jacket with mystic symbols sewn on it. "I am Mr. Slight-of-hand," he said haughtily.? "I have astounding powers of magic and prestidigitation and my hands are so fast no one can see them at work.? Behold!" With that, he produced numerous decks of cards from his cape and proceeded to perform card tricks for several minutes.? Tony and Diego could barely contain their laughter, but Nancy managed to keep a straight face. "Very entertaining, Mr., er, hand," she said.? "I especially liked the one where you seemed to suspend a card in mid-air.? But we already have a magician who can do better than that.? Is there anything else you can do?" "Well, I can use my cards as weapons," he said.? "I was hoping I didn't have to today, because the effect is truly devastating, but, if you insist." With that, the magician whipped out two more decks of cards, one in each hand, and squeezed them so all the cards flew at Diego, who barely ducked out of their way. "What the, hey, man, you trin' to give me a paper cut?" Diego complained. "Here's what I think of your card tricks!" The skinny mage had rearmed himself with two more decks and was about to launch them at Diego, when the teenaged mystic made a familiar gesture.? At once, both decks burst into flame and Mr. Slight-of-hand ran howling to a water fountain to put them out. "Oh, so now I see yous has learned that flaming trick your family likes so much, too," Tony Bass noted. "Ah, I knew how to do it all along, Tony, but it's such a weak gag I didn't bother to use it 'til now." "Three thumbs-down," Nancy said.? "Next!" Next up was Over The Top, a self-proclaimed world arm wrestling champion.? He was a little man with a muscular upper body wearing a red bandana tied around his forehead and a loose-fitting leather jacket with "World's Greatest Arm Wrestler" embossed on the back. "Obviously, this guy has seen one too many Sylvester Stalone movies," Diego whispered to Tony, with a barely suppressed chuckle. Nancy Miller flashed her partners a dirty look and proceeded with the interview. "According to your resume, Mr. Top, you have been acting as a superhero in Philadelphia for the past three years, correct?" "Ay, yo, dat's right, lady," he replied, in a nasal voice.? "I broke up da Under Hill Gang in 2003 an' I beat Fat Tommy an' his boys in 2004, an' just dis yearh I captured da West Side Rapist.? Eh, he was a nasty one, yeah." "While I must admit I've never heard of you before, I'm sure it will be no problem to check your credentials with the Philly police.? Do you have any special abilities or talents that make you particularly suitable for our organization?" "Well, yeah, I'm like, really, really strong, see?? I never been beat at arm wrestling.? Ay, you pick anyone you want an' I'll arm wrestle 'im, no matter how big he is.? How about da dude in da top hat an' tails, eh?" "Naw, he's just a kid," Tony suddenly said.? "How about me?" "Uh?? But you a woman, I don't arm wrestle women." "I'm a foot taller than you, ya midget.? What's da matter, ya afraid of being beat by a girl?" "Ay, yo, dems fightin' words, lady.? OK, let's go!" Over The Top threw off his jacket.? He wore nothing underneath but a coating of baby oil, to make his muscles shine, and a layer of sweat.? He treated the female participants to a brief posing exhibition and kissed his own right biceps for good luck. A table was quickly arranged for the impromptu competition, with wooden blocks placed under Over The Top's elbow so he and Tony's hands could grasp evenly.? Top made faces at Tony, trying to unnerve him, while Tony just smiled sweetly. "One, two, three, GO!" Nancy shouted. Over The Top pushed against Tony with all his might, but the ex-wiseguy's hand didn't budge.? After about 10 seconds of this, Tony realized that his opponent WAS strong, very strong, but not nearly strong enough.? Tony flexed his arm muscles and in a matter of seconds the "World's Greatest Armwrestler" had been flattened. "Better luck next time, kiddo," Tony said, as he shook Top's hand.? "Try again next year." "Woo-hoo, way to go, Dad," Deano shouted in childish glee.? "Hey, that kid called that good looking and surprisingly strong woman 'Dad' again, Chauncy." "What the fuck is going on here, Edgar?" After giving it a lot of thought, Nancy had decided to allow the tryouts to be shown on C-Span once again.? The cable-cast of Cat and Mouse's tryout had gotten a tremendously positive response and she reasoned that the Protectors needed all the positive pub they could get.? What she didn't know was that this program would be available nationally, not just in the NYC area, and people all over the country could see the tryouts, both friends of the Protectors and foes. At a mansion on the outskirts of Lexington, KY, someone was watching the tryouts with great interest. "Poppa, did you know that that New York City superhero group, the Protectors, are looking for new members again?" "Why, no, Cecilia, I didn't.? And of what interest is that to you anyhow?" "Well, Poppa, I was thinking I'd go on up there to New York City and try out myself." "What!? Absolutely not, girl, you got better things to do than that foolishness.? There's college and a career and marriage and children... why on earth would you want to throw all that away to chase after some godawful supervillains?" "Poppa, I feel like I've been blessed with a gift.? I have abilities that most don't and I want to do something with them before I get too old.? You know they'd never let me join the army, because of the way I am, so being a superhero is the only way I can serve my country in this time of terrorism and dire need." The man had to chuckle to himself.? He remembered when he joined the Army at the height of the Vietnam War.? His friends thought he was crazy and his parents used the same argument he had just used on his daughter... and he had answered them in pretty much the same way his daughter had answered him. "I still don't like it, Cecilia.? I know you aren't a child anymore, but they'll treat you like a freak up there.? I've spent my whole life trying to protect you from that sort of thing, don't you know?" "I know, Poppa, but it'll be fine.? Besides, now that they've lost the Girl Goliath, I'd be the perfect replacement for her." "Huh, I can see the irony in that, for sure.? I just hope you don't wind up like her, my dear.? Promise me you'll be careful." *** The curiara were each 12 feet long and perfectly capable of carrying a total of ten people and their gear.? Luis took the lead position on one boat and Carlos did the same on the other.? With so many strong arms available, it was agreed that the Protectors and the Luchadores would help row.? They alternated oars - one left, one right - and stroked to the cadence set by Rodriguez.? They made very fast progress. "Hey, Luis, what's that loud, annoying noise I keep hearing?" Cat asked. "Oh, the loudest is the howler monkey.? It one of loudest animals in the world," Luis replied happily.? "And then there is the parrot and the toucan and the macaw and the egret and many other loud animals.? It is loud jungle, I think." "And what do you have in this water besides a hell of a lot of hyacinth plants?" "Oh, in the water there are many interesting things," Luis answered.? "The giant river otter and the fresh water dolphin and lots of piranha, too.? The dolphins, they eat them." "No crocodiles?" "Here in South America we mostly have cachirre or caiman, as you would call them," Luis said.? "They are here, but they are not so big.? Now, the Orinoco crocodile, that bastard, he can reach 20 feet long, but they very rare, not so many left.? But plenty of anaconda and boa constrictors.? They are good swimmers." "Damn, sounds like Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom," Nightman said.? "Too bad Lupe isn't here.? She'd get a blast out of all this." "She'd get a lot of ideas, that's for sure," Micki interjected. "Que?" "Lupe, Tetasina, another one of our junior members," Cat tried to explain.? "We call her Animal Girl because she can turn into different animals.? Well, into mammals, but they can't weigh any more than she weighs, get it?" The female wrestler still had a confused look on her mask, but Cat ignored it and went back to rowing. They rowed more than 30 miles that day and by dusk they had settled on a patch of relatively high ground to make camp. "The idol is close, very close," Cat announced to everyone before they set up camp.? "I'd say go for it now, but it's probably not a good idea to be stumbling around the jungle at night, so we'll wait until morning." She couldn't help but notice that Carlos was hanging on her every word. "Micki, I think we'd better keep an eye on that fellow," she said later, as they cleared brush for the camp.? "I keep getting a really bad vibe from him and I'm pretty sure he was watching us last night after Penduloso asked all the civilians to give us some privacy." "Oh, he was there, alright," Micki confirmed.? "The smell of that cheap cologne he uses never left the area.? And I also have the feeling I know him, or at least have seen him somewhere before." "I wonder what the deal is with him?" "Don't know, but didn't Gaby say Joe Santi was also after the idol?? Maybe this guy is one of his agents." "I don't get any hint of Santi's aura about him, besides, Santi impressed me as a bit of a loner, just like his Grizzly bear totem.? I can't see him using a 'mere human' as his agent." "But the Commander would." "Yes, he could be an agent for the Commander, but didn't you say he was wounded in East Harlem?" "True, but it was just a shoulder wound.? From what I understand, the old bastard has been wounded more times than anyone can count and yet he always seems to bounce right back.? It's weird." "Aye, are you senoritas going to help us make dinner?" Penduloso interrupted.? "We are going to have beans and tortillas." "No meat?" Cat asked. "Meat is hard to keep fresh in the jungle and cans are heavy.? We travel light my friend." Cat and Micki looked at each other, then looked at the rapidly darkening river.? They both smiled, then ran to the water's edge and jumped in. Half an hour later two dozen fat piranha were roasting over an open fire.? Cat had already eaten several fish raw, but Micki still preferred her food cooked. "Aiee, you two are amazing!" El Polverizer said admiringly.? "To think you captured all these fish with your bare hands." "Ha, you should have seen the one that got away," Cat said. "Hey, I'd have had that caiman, but he was a slippery rascal," Micki replied, as she ate her fill of the toothy piranha.? "I'm not sure how to skin an alligator, anyhow." Cat and Micki had dived into the river fully-clothed, so they'd removed their wet things and were roasting fish in their bras and panties while they dried.? Their tails swung lazily as they sat and ate together.? The Luchadores appreciated the show, and, being hot-blooded Latinos, they didn't try to hide their admiration. "Hieee, I am ready to take a swim myself," said Rotundo, with a big grin.? "Either of you ladies care to join me?? I make an excellent flotation device." "Aye, little one, let us go an' swing in the trees together, yes?" Hombre Mono suggested in his broken English.? "I don' haf a tail, but I'm a real good climber." "Simmer down, my friends," Nightman warned.? "I don't think you understand just what you're wanting to get involved with.? Cat, don't you think you and Micki are asking for trouble, walking around like that?" "Oh poo, it's only because you boys are here that we're wearing anything at all, right Little Wildcat?" "Sure, we're just two shameless exhibitionists," Micki snickered.?? "Hey, Tetasina, drop your top and join the party!" The lantern-jawed wrestler blushed and shook her head 'no'. "Aw, Micki, you embarrassed her.? Don't worry hon, she was only kidding." "You two... you are too beautiful," Tetasina said haltingly.? "I am ugly... to see me like that would spoil things." Cat walked over to Tetasina and gave her a big, sympathetic hug.? The female wrestler hugged her back and didn't seem in any great hurry to let go. *** Dinner at Tavern on the Green was elegant, as usual.? Although she had the money to eat here whenever she felt like it, Gaby Daltry saved the experience for special occasions, and today certainly counted as just that. "I wish you would let me help with the bill," said Ahmed Ibrahim as he enjoyed his rack of lamb.? "At least let me buy the drinks." "Keep your money in your pocket, my friend," Gaby said.? "Surely, you being from the Middle East, you know that the host must take care of? all expenses for her guest." "Yeah, but we aren't your guests," Monti Montana said, as he raised his glass of Chateau d'Yquem.? "We were in NYC to visit Micki and just by chance saw you and Ms. Lupe at the airport.? We're sure glad to see you again, but it's too bad we missed that granddaughter of ours." "Well, Cat had to go on a mission to South America and decided to take Micki along," Lupe said.? "Too bad your son is still out of town as well." "It is very strange, you know?" Magdalena Montana said.? "I have not gotten a letter or an e-mail from my Mickey in months, I hope he is alright." Lupe and Gaby glanced at each other nervously.? They had no idea how much to tell the Montanas about what was really going on.? Even though the Protectors had been briefed on the true relationship between Cat and Micki, they felt Mick's parents should get the news of his transformation into Micki from her directly, not from them second-hand. "Now, now dear, he isn't a child," Mr. Montana said.? "He can take care of himself.? Mr. Ibrahim, may I treat you to a glass of this excellent wine?? I hope that's not breaking any religious restrictions of yours, because I did notice you've already imbibed." "I am not Muslim, Mr. Montana," Ibrahim said.? "I am Coptic Christian and drinking is allowed in moderation." "Interesting, but now I'm wondering why you have a pentagram on your neck chain instead of a cross.? If I may be so bold, that isn't a Christian symbol." "You are quite correct, of course," Ibrahim replied graciously.? "I am a professor of antiquities and this is part of my work.? It is very old and very rare and I always keep it near me.? It is also very powerful, mystically speaking, but I do not worship it." "That is fascinating," Mrs. Montana said.? "I hear the Coptics of Egypt are one of the oldest Christian sects in the world.? How do you manage to survive in such a heavily Islamic region?" "It is difficult, that is a fact," Ibrahim said.? "We are considered the lowest of the low and must endure much discrimination simply because of our religion.? Even I, as a professor at the largest university in Egypt, must put up with daily insults from those who think the way of Islam is the only way.? But we have prevailed for thousands of years and they have not gotten rid of us yet." Gaby and Lupe were enchanted.? Ibrahim looked like Omar Sharif before all the wrinkles and he spoke English with a flawless British accent due to his years spent studying at Oxford. He had bright, intelligent eyes and a broad, unaffected smile. "You haven't mentioned a wife, Dr. Ibrahim," Lupe said boldly.? "Is there a Mrs. waiting for you back home?? Or a girlfriend?" Gaby gave Lupe a dirty look, but the Egyptian just laughed. "Ha, ha, no, Lupe, my life is devoted to my books and my research.? No woman would ever want to put up with that.? However, my research is the reason I am here now, in the company of the enchanting Montanas and two lovely females." Lupe and Gaby felt as if they were about to swoon, then Gaby started to swoon for real. "Gaby, Gaby, what is it?? Is it another vision?" Lupe asked. "Yes, yes, your grandfather, the Perfesser, he's trying to make contact with me, but it's harrrrd," Gaby said, as her eyes rolled back in her head. ? "Everybody, hold hands, please!" The Montanas weren't sure what to do, but they joined the circle anyhow.? The dining room seemed to grow dark, while all the other guests moved in slow motion and their voices sounded like 45rpm records played at 33-1/3.? Suddenly, Ibrahim's pentagram floated into the air on its chain and a beam of light from it projected the semi-solid-looking head of the Perfesser for all at the table to view. "Lupe, Gaby, so good to see you," he said.? "I knew you two would get Ahmed here for me. That pentagram of his is one of the few objects on earth with the power to allow me to talk to you without the use of a human medium, but our time is short, this connection can't last long." "Pop Pop, where are you?" Lupe asked plaintively.? "Are you still in the same place you were before with no food?" "I have moved to another location in limbo.? I just woke up a few days ago and noticed things were different.?? What passes for the sky here has changed, there's actually solid ground underneath me and I can walk about.? I think there might be other living things here, as well, but I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.? Anyhow, there still isn't any food that I can find." "Oh, Perfesser, you've been gone for weeks," Gaby said.? "You must be starving by now." "I am hungry, yes, but that day I fell into limbo I was carrying a ham sandwich, an apple, a cream danish and a bottle of water in my cloak.? Thank God for all these pockets.? I'm eating and drinking sparingly and I already had plenty of body fat to live on, haw." "Is there anything you need us to do, Luis?" Ibrahim asked. "You know what to do and you know how to do the calculations, my friend.? I leave it all in your capable hands.? Oh, I can feel myself fading away.? Lupe tell me something." "Anything, Pop Pop." "How is your grandmother doing?? I've been worried about her since I had no idea if she got away from the building safely." The question struck Lupe like a lightning bolt. "Uh, grandmaw?" she stammered.? "Well, she got away from the building, all right.? And she even helped Tony and the kids and Aunt Alabrecca get away from some