Sexuality and Violence Disclaimers: We’re dealing with an updated dark Xena through much of the first half, and an updated redeemed Xena through the second. There’s gonna be violence. There are gonna be naughty words. There are also descriptions of sexual activity in this work. There are allusions to heterosexual sex, but nothing graphic. There are some graphic (though I hope tasteful) scenes of sexual expression between women as well. That is how I see the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle, and that is how I will continue to write it.
And, finally, thanks: To, as always, the incomparable Mike. A better beta and a better friend one could never hope for. Thank you also, as always, to Mary D, who rescued this story from the refuse heap and begged me to keep going on it. If you hate it, blame her. <w> Grateful and heartfelt appreciation goes out to DJWP, for continuing to write stories that grab me somewhere above the liver and giving her kind permission to mention her story in these disclaimers. If you haven’t read her stories, please, do yourself a favor and do so. Finally, this story is dedicated to a group of people without whom I would most probably be living on the streets. Elizabeth, Rachel, Sulli, and the rest of the “Get Sue to Atlanta” crew, this one’s for you!
Feedback: As always is gratefully appreciated. If you wrote to me regarding “Redemption” during the month of September to early October and I haven’t responded, please allow me the honor of apologizing in public. It was then that I was at my lowest point and making ready to move to my new home. Your words of praise and encouragement for my writing kept me firmly out of the pit of depression I was falling into and I shall be forever grateful to each and every one of you who took the time out to feed this bard. And for those of you patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for Redemption’s sequel, fear not, for with the conclusion of this piece, that piece will be started. Any and all who wish to may write me at SwordnQuil@aol.com . I’ll continue to do my best to answer each and every email. An exploding mailbox is a good thing to have. Thanks again!
DESERT STORM
by: Sword’n’Quill (Susanne Beck)
Same Day. Hidden Room Deep in the Inner City. Chengdu, China.
Kael sat on a tattered sofa, eating from a slimy cardboard carton and trying to pay attention to the governmental drivel being spouted from the snowy television. Ming Dao remained silent through the whole ordeal, never taking his eyes off the tall woman who had taken him from his home. It was starting to get on the American’s nerves.
“You mute or something?” she growled, flicking a few pieces of rice at him with her chopsticks.
Though he made no move to remove the rice from his face and hair, Ming Dao shook his head slowly.
“Just not one for talkin’, huh?” Kael said around a mouthful of food. “I can relate.”
The boy continued to stare, unblinking, at her.
“Ya know, I could put your eyes out with these, if I wanted.” She jabbed the utensils toward the boy, snickering when she saw him flinch away from her. “That’s better.” She slumped back into the couch, patting her stomach, then folding her hands over it. “Your daddy’s a really mean guy, Ming Dao. But he has one weakness. Ya know what that is?”
Solemnly, the boy shook his head ‘no’.
Kael grinned. “You. Yup. Your old man loves ya. So much that he had your mother killed just so she couldn’t love ya too.” She laughed at Ming Lao’s wide-eyed expression of shock. “Didn’t know that, didja. It’s true, you know.” She drew a finger across her throat. “Just like that. Dead.” Her voice took on a sing-song quality. “He wanted you all to himself.” Her grin widened, becoming malicious. “It’s gonna be his undoing.”
She stretched luxuriously, then let out a contented belch. “When you grow up, assuming you ever do, remember one thing, little Ming. Love makes you weak. It gives your enemies a tool to use against you. And believe me, they’ll use it.” Her grin was self-satisfied. “Just like I did. Remember that.”
Ming Dao’s eyes were deadly serious as he nodded at her, absorbing the information deep into his soul.
*******
A short while later, a polite knock came to the door and Kael flew off the couch, peering through the peep-hole. Smiling, she swung the door open, allowing her visitors entrance. Two stocky, heavily armed men stepped into the room, followed by a petite woman in a flowing silk gown. Ushering her guests inside, Kael returned to the couch, sprawling her rangy body down over the lumpy cushions. “Well?”
One of the guards stepped closer, a smile on his face. “He received your message and accepts your terms.” His smile turned mocking as he set his gaze on Ming Lao. “His only concern is for his poor, dear boy.”
Kael returned the smile. “I’m sure it is.” She turned her attention to the other man. “You have the stuff.”
Nodding, the man handed a large bag over to the American, standing silent while she pawed through the contents. “Perfect,” she said finally, zipping up the duffel and laying it beside the couch. “Are we all set otherwise?”
The second man nodded. “Everything is in order.”
Kael nodded, crossing her arms over her chest and smiling. “Good. Go on back to the estate and keep your eyes open. Anything looks strange, notify me immediately, understand?”
“It shall be as you wish,” the man said, bowing deeply and turning to leave the room.
The American turned her icy gaze to the second man. “Take up a position outside. Contact me if anyone suspicious comes sniffing around.”
“As you wish,” the second man replied, bowing, then hefting his weapon as he let himself out of the rooms.
That left only the petite woman and the young boy. Looking at the woman, Kael’s smile deepened into one of seduction. Which, unfortunately, was ruined by a jaw-cracking yawn, reminding her that her last shot at sleep had been more than forty eight hours prior. She looked at the silken vision before her regretfully, pleased by the woman’s charming blush and downcast eyes. Kael sighed, then bent down and retrieved a semi-automatic weapon from the duffel she’d been given earlier. “Keep an eye on this little monster while I go in the back. If anyone knocks, come and get me. Don’t answer the door under any circumstances. Understand?”
The woman nodded silently, eyes still downcast as the tall woman moved to stand before her.
Kael hefted her weapon, pointing its lethal muzzle squarely between the staring almond eyes of Ming Lao. “Behave, little Ming,” she growled.
The boy nodded solemnly, never taking his eyes off hers.
Grinning, she lowered her weapon and made for the back room, slamming the door behind her and sinking blissfully into the soft down of the mattress, her weapon at her side.
*******
Kael woke from her deep sleep quickly, in the space between one heartbeat and the next, her senses fully extended, her being silent, even her breathing halted. The muffled sound of quiet voices was heard through the thin boundary of the room’s wall. It was difficult to pick up the words, but the tones were unmistakable. One speaker was her female companion, the other was …she strained still further …one of her guards, the one she had sent over to watch Ming Dao’s estate. Kael’s hand gripped convulsively around the gun at her side as her eyes narrowed, straining to hear the quietly murmured words, her body shouting out warnings of immediate danger.
Her eyes darted about the small, dark room, assessing her chances for escape, were one needed. They were very slim. Only a small, reinforced window sitting well above her bed gave her any hope. The sound of an almost silent knocking to the main door, and the further sound of that door quietly opening and closing, spurred the tall American into action. Quickly, soundlessly, she rolled from the bed, her weapon poised and ready in her hands. Almost without thought, she leapt on top of the tall, rickety dresser, knowing that if her betrayers burst in, they would aim for the bed first.