Work Text
Chapter 1 – Four Hours
[Location Unknown] — 8pm Western European Time (UTC +0)Niagara Falls, Ontario — 4pm Eastern Daylight Time (UTC -4) Player fidgeted at the table as he filled out the answers on his homework. Technically all his school work was homework, but that didn’t make it less frustrating. He was pretty certain his usual level of diligence was slacking, but what could he do? It was taking most of his concentration to keep from checking his phone every point two-five seconds. His best friend always called around this time, but the recent change to Eastern Daylight Time meant the call he usually got at three would be coming in at four instead. An hour earlier, he’d forgotten about the time shift and had been distracted waiting for the call. At three he was in his room pretending to work diligently on his homework.Of course, that would be when his mom decided to check on him and was—well, let’s just say—less than satisfied with his progress. Thus resulting in the change of locations. Bother.He darted anxious eyes at his mom where she worked at her computer in the living room. She was just as focused on her work as he was supposed to be on his. Muffling the desire to exhale loudly, he returned his focus to his school work. This was his last assignment, then he’d be homework free for the next ten days.Pulling up the browser on his computer, Player began sorting through facts on Switzerland. He was suppose to put together a report for his French class on a different French speaking country. Then give a presentation, in French. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach at the thought of giving an oral report. What was he suppose to do? Just share facts about Switzerland? Well, when it put it that way, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. He could just pretend he was talking to—“Much better, kiddo.”Player started as his mother placed a hand on his shoulder announcing her presence. Apparently, he’d gotten more drawn into his research than he expected. Who knew geography could be so interesting?She scanned over his report with a satisfied hum. “I know it’s a pain now, but you’ll enjoy our vacation so much more without this hanging over your head.”“Yes, mom.” He wasn’t entirely successful at keeping the exasperation out of his voice. Of course, she was right, but that didn’t help right now. He wanted to be in his room talking to his best friend, not doing homework under his mom’s all too observant eyes.His mom chuckled. “I know, I know, you think I’m an old fuddy duddy, but I remember what it was like to be your age. You wouldn’t believe the number of times I got in trouble for hiding a book under my desk so I could read instead of doing homework.”Player laughed. “Actually, I would.” His mom was an avid reader and had stacks of books and overflowing bookshelves scattered all over the house. Part of him wondered if his mom was disappointed that he didn’t enjoy reading nearly as much as she did. Though, if she did, she never complained. She fully supported him in his gaming and computer hobbies. Though, if she knew about the hacking….With a shake of his head, Player changed subjects. “Besides, you’re not old mom. You can’t be. I’m still too young to have old parents.”“Flatterer.” Mom ruffled his hair. Despite the light hearted banter, Player knew that his parents were older than most of his peers. Mom and Dad had been well into their forties before he’d been born.“Anyways,”—Mom tapped on his half completed assignment—“finish this off while I make dinner. Then you’re free to get back to whatever you’re so anxious to return to—after dinner.”He grinned. He really did have the best mom.As if on cue, as his mom disappeared into the kitchen, his phone buzzed. A picture of a black lamb flashed on his screen. Sparing only half a thought for his mom in the kitchen and none for his schoolwork, Player answered.“Player!” Black Sheep exclaimed. “You won’t believe what happened today.”“Hey Black Sheep,” he half-whispered as he balanced his phone between his shoulder and ear. It was really awkward and the phone kept slipping from its place. This is why he preferred using his headset when talking to Black Sheep. But, there was no way he could have smuggled that down with him.While he fumbled with the phone, he sensed more than heard as Black Sheep shifted from excited storyteller to concerned friend. “What’s wrong? Are you okay? Safe?”“Yes, I’m fine.” Frustrated with the phone and no way to calm down his friend while fighting with the device, he placed it on the table and turned on the speakerphone. If he kept the volume low, maybe mom wouldn’t notice. “I’m supposed to be doing my homework and not talking my phone right now. And, I’m not in my room ‘cause Mom thought I’d be more focused if I didn’t have all my computers to distract me.”“Ah.” Disappointment and something akin to longing leaked out in the single syllable. Player was always surprised by how much emotion she could put in a single word. He knew she lived at some kind of elite boarding school and that she was an orphan. She wouldn’t say much more about herself than that. “I can go…”“No,” he interrupted before she could hang up. He didn’t want her to go yet. “If you don’t mind me being a bit distracted, you can tell me about your day while I finish my homework.”Black Sheep hedged. “Are you certain? I don’t want you to get in trouble?”He shrugged before he remembered, she couldn’t actually see him. “Yeah, I’m certain. It’ll be fine. Mom might take my phone away for the evening, but I’ll survive. C’mon. It sounds like you have an awesome story to share and I need company as I finish up this report.”“Okay, okay. But, if you need to hang up so you don’t get in trouble, I’ll understand.” There was a shifting on the far end of the line as Black Sheep got comfortable. In the distance he could hear the squawk of gulls and the lap of water against the shore. While she didn't know the name of the nearest city or the country in which she lived, Black Sheep often described her home as a 'tropical paradise.' Most days he wouldn't change his home in Niagara Falls for her unknown paradise, although, after the winter they’d just experienced, he had to admit he was a bit jealous. “So, you know how I was telling you about the Countess and her attempts to—and I quote—‘curb your ridiculous behavior’?” With the quote, Black Sheep had perfectly mimicked the Countess.She never told him the names of her guardians. They were all titles—the Countess, the Professor, the Doctor, the Coach, and the Ninja—and over the top personalities.“Mmhmm. I’m guessing she's made no progress so far.” Player jotted down notes as he replied. “What did she have you do this time?”“Well…,” and Black Sheep was off. He made noises at all the right times and he couldn’t help but chuckle as she reached the climax of her story.“Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes.”“Ach!” Player panicked at the sound of his mom’s voice. Moving more by frantic instinct than actual thought, Player tossed his homework over his phone. The gesture did nothing to stop Black Sheep’s voice continuing from the speaker. In fact, it had the reverse effect of making him appear all the more guilty.His mom stood in the doorway drying her hands on a dish towel. “What’s so funny?”“Sorry, Mom.” He flushed knowing he’d been caught red handed. “I’m talking to a friend.”“Ah.”He shrank back in his seat and squirmed. She wasn’t angry at him, nor was she disappointed, but he still felt like he let her down.“Well, are you going to introduce me?” She placed her hand between his shoulder blades. The touch was gentle, comforting, just like his mom.“Um, right. Mom, this is Black Sheep. Black Sheep, this is my mom.” He gestured between his phone and his mom as if that would do anything. At least he managed to unbury his phone.“Hello Mrs. Player. It’s nice to meet you.” Black Sheep sounded mature and polite, and nothing like the girl who pantsed the school bully.“Hello, Black Sheep.” Mom said her codename like it was the most ordinary thing in the world. “I take it you and Player met on-line.”“Ye..ah.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. He had been on line when he had connected to her phone. Mom raised an eyebrow and fixed a gaze on him that he swore could see through his stories.Player swallowed the lump which had formed in his throat.“Please don’t punish him. It’s my fault. I called him. I know his education is very important and I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Black Sheep’s voice broke through the silence. Though she spoke with a confidence he wasn’t sure he could ever possess, he could hear the thread of trepidation which shadowed her words. Not for the first time, he wondered about the people who had raised her.His mom must have heard the fear too. When she replied, her tone was soft and soothing. “Don’t worry, dear, Player isn’t in trouble.”He released the breath he only half realized he was holding. If his mom said he wasn’t in trouble, then she wouldn’t change her mind later.“Oh.” Black Sheep sounded small. Thoughtful. He wished he could see her face. But, he might as well be wishing on satellites instead of stars. He knew her phone had camera capabilities, but she wouldn’t use it.“Normally it’s not a big deal for Player to chat with his friends, we’re just trying to get him to finish his homework before we head out on vacation.” Mom pulled up a chair beside him and began to sort through the papers he had scattered over the table. Like him, she rarely sat still. “I know a lot of homeschool families would make the trip part of their curriculum, but I think vacations should be a time for relaxation and family. So, no homework on vacation. Right, Player?”Player nodded. His mom was so strange sometimes. But, his parents were like that. It wasn’t the first time his mom started a conversation with one of his on-line friends and somehow ended up long-distance mothering them too. He didn’t know any other parents who did that. Of course, Black Sheep wouldn’t know this strayed from the norm.“I’ve never been on vacation. Where are you going?” The longing at the mention of vacation transformed to excitement as Black Sheep’s interest in geography was engaged.“DisneyWorld. The 'most magical place on earth,' or so they say..” His mom was nearly giddy with excitement.“Florida,” Black Sheep replied with the same energy.“That’s right.”Player automatically switched into fact mode like every time she found a new location. “Disney world is comprised of four main theme parks and several other attractions. It is located southwest of Orlando in central Florida. It covers nearly 25,000 acres and all four parks combined receive over 50 million people annually.”Black Sheep listened with rapt attention. “Wow. I can't imagine that many people. That sounds...overwhelming.”Ever since their first conversation, Player had been making a map of places she’s mentioned wanting to visit. Someday, when she finally left school, he’d help her get that world tour she longed for.“Hmm.” His mom wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “It sounds like someone has been doing some extra credit.”“Mo-om.”“All right, all right. I’ll let you to be, but you do need to clear the table before we eat.”“Yes, mom.” He rolled his eyes. Like it wasn’t his responsibility to set the table every night.His mom stood. “Black Sheep, it was nice to meet you. If you give Player your address he can send you a postcard. I know it’s not the same as being there, but…”Her words trailed off at the stricken look on Player’s face. Shoot. This wasn’t good. How was he going to tell his mom that Black Sheep didn’t know where she lived. 'Tropical paradise' didn't exactly limit the possibilities.“Thanks for the thought, Mrs. Player, but I’m afraid I can’t give out my address.” There was a half moment of hesitation that only Player could detect as Black Sheep came up with a legitimate sounding story on the fly. “My guardians are really strict about on-line security and privacy. I can’t give out any identifying information. They want me to be safe.”“That’s all right, dear, I understand. I do wish more people were cautious about what they put on-line about themselves.” She gripped the back of her chair. “If there is anything we can do for you. Anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask. You got that?”“Yes, ma’am. Thank you. I really appreciate the offer.”“Good. You two have fun. Bye.” Mom headed back to the living room. Instead of returning to work on her laptop, she picked up the book she’d been reading.Despite the awkwardness of being caught chatting when he was suppose to be doing his homework, Player was glad his mom finally met his best friend. “So, yeah, that’s my mom.”“She’s nice.” Black Sheep sounded solemn. “I wonder if my mom would have been anything like her.”“Well, until we can find out anything about your mom, you can share mine. That will make us…hmm… e-siblings.” Player created a new folder on his laptop. BlackSheepParents.Black Sheep laughed. Her laughter reminded him of sunshine and adventures. “I’d like that. I always wanted a little brother.”“Hey!” Player squawked. “How do you know you're older. Maybe you're the little sister.”“Bet I'm taller,” she teased.He exhaled a long suffering sigh and blew hair out of his eyes. “You're probably right about that.”When, oh when, was he going to hit a growth spurt.“No matter if I'm older or younger, I'd be an honor to be your sister.”“Good.”“Now, tell me more about this DisneyWorld.” If she wasn't on the beach, Player could imagine her sitting on the edge of her chair as she eagerly waited to learn more.So, Player began to regale her with everything he knew about the happiest place on earth. Course, the only way to actually make it the happiest place on earth would be for Black Sheep to join them on their vacation. Since that wasn’t possible at present, he added it to their places to visit list.Someday….
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Chapter 2 – Twelve Hours
Shanghai, China — 1pm China Standard Time (UTC +8)Niagara Falls, Ontario — 1am Eastern Daylight Time (UTC -4) “What a view,” Carmen said more to herself than to the listener on the other side of the world as she stared out at the vista below from the apex of the Ferris Wheel. It had to be after one in the morning for him, so part of her was hoping he was actually getting some sleep. After all, even for her, it had already been a long day which has started before dawn.It had taken quite a while for Player to figure out how VILE was using the Shanghai amusement park. For the longest time, it appeared as if the park was a legitimate enterprise. Which, certainly wasn’t how the pseudo-import/export organization worked. Finally, earlier in the week, Player had decoded the on-line chatter and determined VILE was using the amusement park as a means to launder their ill gotten gains. In the pre-dawn hours, she’d been able to intercept the money which had been earmarked for delivery later this evening. While she was more than half certain no one had spied her presence today, she had the sneaking suspicion that VILE was beginning to notice a pattern. If she wanted to stay off their radar, she really ought to lay low. But, she couldn’t help but interfere when she saw a crime in process. Apparently, VILE didn’t only use the amusement park as a means of cleaning their money, they also used it as a recruitment center. Aspiring pick pockets plied their trade with a level of finesse Carmen didn’t often see outside of her crime school classroom. True to her nature, she’d already stopped a half dozen pick pockets this morning.“The Ferris Wheel was designed by George Ferris Jr. for the 1893 World Fair in Chicago,” Player’s sleepy voice broke into her reverie with the non-sequitur. She was pretty certain he had dozed off sometime between her getting in line for the ride and now.Carmen smiled softly. “Hey Player, it’s okay. The mission is accomplished, we’re just taking some time to enjoy the sights.” That, and Zack and Ivy had really wanted to show off at bumper cars and on the go-kart track. After their third time through each, Carmen had decided to try out a few of the other rides. Like the Ferris Wheel. “You can log off now and get some sleep.”“Nah,” Player’s voice grew stronger, more alert. Even if the words were formed around a yawn. “Someone needs to keep you company. Besides. I’ve got a bunch of fun facts about Ferris Wheels to share.”“Do tell.” She leaned back as the Ferris wheel shifted forward to let off the next passenger car in line. There were still a dozen or so cars before it would be her turn to disembark.“The tallest Ferris Wheel in the world is the High Roller located in Los Vegas, Nevada. It comes in at a height of 550 feet.”“We should go there someday.” As much as Carmen appreciated having Player supporting her from behind the scenes, she longed for the day it was safe enough for them to finally travel together. Ivy and Zack were great, but they just weren’t Player. He would always be her best and oldest (even if he was technically the youngest of the team).“I’ll add it to the list.” The sound of fingers tapping on a keyboard echoed across the line. To her, it was honestly one of the most comforting sounds in the world. When she heard the proficient typing through the earpiece, she knew she wasn’t alone. “Did you know that the London Eye has become part of the iconic London skyline and is one of the biggest observations wheels in Europe?”“I do.” After leaving VILE Island and before starting her non-stop world tour of taking down VILE, she had spent several months simply traveling the world. London had been one of her first stops. Player had been by her side—well, her ear, every step of the way.“Right.” She could hear Player’s grin over the line. There's a moment before his tone turns sober. “So, has the world tour lived up to everything you expected it to be?”“Yes. It's just missing one thing.” Her best friend.Her view of the horizon changed as the ride moved forward, bringing her closer to the moment she would need to exit the ride.“I know,” Player’s voice trailed off into a distant silence, while the tapping of keys increased. His fingers had to be flying across the keyboard. Carmen knew what this meant. He’d found something important and she’d soon be visiting another part of the world.Carmen fell silent as her sharp gaze surveyed the view beneath her cart as she tried to pick out any familiar faces or suspicious behavior. Her muscles tensed, ready to spring into action as soon as she was given the word. She knew it was an impractical impulse at the moment. She was still too high to safely abandon her seat in a leap, while at the same time being too low for her glider to be of any practical use. Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself until she was as serene as Shadowsan. The thought of the teacher who failed her, who didn’t believe in her potential, left a bitter taste in her mouth.“What did you find?” The question came out sharper than she intended.“Red, do you remember the Eye of Vishnu?” Player said as the typing continued. In just a few minutes, they’d be looping Zack and Ivy into the call, but for now it was still just the two of them. Like the old days.“How could I forget.” The day she had first seen the gem had changed her life forever.“According to the chatter on the dark web, it’s shipped to a private residence in Poitiers, France. And, I bet you’ll never guess who the building is registered to.”“VILE.” The word slipped past her lips like a curse.“Got it in one.” A sharp crack of popping knuckles punctuated his replay.“It’s a trap.” Carmen felt more and more trapped as she waited for the ride to end.“I figured as much. Do you still want me to book you a flight?”“Yes. The best way to figure out what they’re up to is to spring the trap.”“I’m not certain I agree with your logic, but I’m not coming up with anything better…” Player yawned, once again reminding her of the twelve hour time difference.“You really ought to go back to bed. You need sleep.” Surely she’d be okay on her own until she met up with Ivy and Zack.“No. I’ll be fine. I can sleep when you’re on the plane,” Player insisted.Carmen grinned. She always breathed a bit easier with Player at her side. He was her best friend—her brother—and he would be loyal to the end of the road and beyond. Answering that phone was the best decision she made in her life. “Thanks Player, you’re the best.”Words were inadequate to express what she felt, yet, somehow, Player seemed to know exactly what she meant. “Of course. Zack and Ivy will meet you at the exit and there will be a town car waiting for you at the entrance of the park.”With that, Carmen stepped off the Ferris Wheel all by her lonesome, but by no means alone.