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Wave’s fingers curled into her palm. She cocked her head, humming as she squinted at the thin business card underneath the glass placed squarely on the center of the marble pedestal. A glossy hue coated it, causing the card to sparkle like a diamond under the fluorescent ceiling lights.
The hum of the lasers resounded around her. She had weaved her way through them to steal the rare gem. It was a Babylonian artifact on the level of the Arks of the Cosmos, and the Babylon Rogues had wanted to recover it as a means to understanding their ancestors.
But the card replacing the gem dumbfounded her. She knew she hadn’t made a mistake. She had thoroughly examined and memorized the layout of the museum before her infiltration. When she glanced at the plaque screwed on the pedestal, it stated what she already researched about the artifact.
She huffed and clenched her fist. Dragging her hand down the side of her beak, Wave groaned and narrowed her eyes. Suspicion gnawed at her, the truth already known in her subconscious, but she ignored it, her hunger for knowledge springing her forward.
She clutched the container and slowly lifted it, not wanting to activate another security trap. Breathing out a sigh of relief, she set it aside on the tiled floor. Wave pinched the corner of the card and flipped it over, scrutinizing the glitter now clinging to her glove.
Her eyes shot wide open as they darted across the card. She read each line carefully, letting the words sink into her brain. She trembled, her squeaking sneakers digging into the tiles, the sound echoing in the silent corridor.
Rouge’s insignia made her see red. The silhouette of the thief’s winking face in the bottom right corner of the card taunted her. Her cheeks darkened, embarrassment swelling within her at the realization that Rouge had swiped the gem right under her nose. It was as if Rouge had taken Wave’s pride and dignity with her as she had flown into the night, gemstone nestled to her chest.
“Oh, that bat girl!” she shouted, tossing her arms up. “How could she have known about this?”
“Because your database isn’t secure, honey.”
Wave flinched. She shook her head, quickly regaining her composure. Whirling around on her heels, she scowled at Rouge, who leaned into a stairwell, the glint of the vermillion jewel tantalizing Wave.
“If you’re wondering how I broke into your system, then thank G.U.N’s overriding protocols,” Rouge said, rubbing her thumb across the gem.
Wave smirked. “How cute to think you really one-upped when you couldn’t even crack my codes by yourself.”
Rouge grinned, one fang slipping over her lower lip. “You think I’m cute?”
Her nostrils flared. The card threatened to slip from her grasp. With a huff, she spat, “Oh, not on your life. Now, hand over-”
“Well, on second thought, you could’ve picked a better word. Attractive, beautiful, stunning, drop-dead gorgeous just some suggestions,” Rouge interjected, counting off her fingers. “That’s all I’m saying since you want to compliment me so badly.”
Wave choked back her sputter. Her heart skipped a beat, and a flush crossed her face. Rationality informed her that Rouge was playing her, soothing her agitation. She crumpled the card in her fist and stuffed it in her pocket, a ghost of a grin forming on her beak. She knew the bat was sharp; her ingenuity and tactical prowess earned Rouge the slightest bit of Wave’s respect.
“That gem is property of the Babylonians,” Wave stated, sliding her hand down her hip. She rested it on her belt, her fingers drumming the holster pressing into her thigh.
“And I thought it was the property of this museum,” Rouge replied with a sweet air of innocence. She chuckled behind her hand. “Although, I suppose it wouldn’t kill me to hand it over to you if it indeed belongs to you.” She clicked her tongue. “But sorry to say that I’ve already done my dirty work tonight. A jewel as lovely as this would be a great centerpiece for my dining table.”
Wave scoffed and flipped over the leathery patch covering her holster. “Oh, well, I’m sorry your guests won’t have anything to discuss now.”
Rouge grinned, her dimples deepening. “And why is that?”
“Because I’m going to take back what’s mine,” Wave sneered, and she snatched her wrench and flung herself at Rouge.
She somersaulted and flipped through the lasers. Any nick would have left her reeling in blistering pain, but she landed on her feet where she had laid her Extreme Gear. She jumped on it, the whirring as familiar as her own breathing. She thrust forward, clenching her wrench in both hands so tightly her knuckles ached, and she dashed at Rouge, who simply jiggled her foot.
Rouge launched into the air as the wrench collided with the wall. Debris broke off and scattered to the floor. Wave swerved after her, her blood pumping as she grinned, pulling down her sunglasses. She soared after Rouge, who dove to the ground, her wings stretching to their full extension, and Wave bellowed as she heaved her wrench at the bat.
But to her surprise, Rouge waited for the blow. She stood perfectly still, her hands situated on her hips. Panic flashed through Wave, skewering her confidence. Her brain screamed for Rouge to move, but the lump in her throat prevented any sound from escaping.
Rouge’s kick blinded Wave. The wrench spun in the air like a gray wheel. Her weapon crashed into the tiles and penetrated deep enough to hit the soil, hints of smoke emitting from it.
Wave froze. Rouge moved at a speed the swallow couldn’t comprehend. She prided herself on her logistics, but nothing rational could have explained how Rouge attacked with such incomprehensible precision.
“I’m a spy, sweetheart,” Rouge said, her voice breaking Wave out of her stupor. “I’ve kicked through my fair share of robots and laser-totting security cameras. Kicking away a wrench aimed for my head is like child’s play.”
And she had done it while holding the gem. Wave saw her bewildered reflection in the divots, wide eyes, dropped beak, appearing like a fool in front of a queen. The humming of her Extreme Gear filled her ears, and the light clacking of Rouge’s heels on the tiles dizzied her head.
“Still, not a bad try. You impressed me with those bold moves,” Wave said, holding the gem to her stomach. “But while I won’t give you the gem, I’ll make you an offer for it.”
She snapped to attention. Curiosity prompted her to ask, “And what could you possibly want?”
“You know I own a particular club, right? A pretty famous one, too, if I might add.”
Wave snorted, “You mean the one with your name plastered on it?”
“Exactly!” Rouge beamed, her ears flicking with delight. She lowered her voice, leaning forward and setting her finger to the underside of Wave’s beak, eliciting a shudder that Wave failed to suppress. “Come there tomorrow. If you treat me to a good enough time, I might consider handing over the gem.”
As Rouge snickered and pulled away, Wave’s hand shot to her beak. Her eyes bulged, and her cheeks took on a rosy hue. Her mind surged with objections and refutations, each of them more cutting than the last to shoot down Rouge’s proposal.
But Rouge was talented as a prolific swindler, secret agent, and businesswoman. If there was something she could learn from her, then the benefits outweighed her current blunder. The prospect of stealing Rouge’s tactics and using them to thwart her made Wave’s chest tingle with what she told herself was pride.
Wave donned her winning smirk, cocking her hip and matching Rouge’s poise. “If you insist, then I might as well go to your shabby establishment,” she replied, ticking a point in her favor when Rouge’s mouth twitched.
But as Rouge went to reply, sirens roared in the distance. Red and blue flashes coming from the tall windows caught Wave’s eye. They illuminated the wall, casting shadows across Rouge’s face. They contrasted with her pure white fur, enhancing her expression in a way that Wave couldn’t describe, and she was drawn to her all the same.
Rouge tightened her grip on the jewel. “Well, on that note, I’ll see you tomorrow evening at my place,” she said as she took off. Kissing her fingertips, she blew it to Wave, who swatted her affection away. “Bring your best clothes, okay? Try a suit or a gown. Either would work well on you.”
“Yeah, well, I’ll sweep you off your feet, so don’t worry about what I’ll wear!” Wave shouted, shaking her fist.
As Rouge laughed and escaped into the darkness of the ceiling, Wave tore her wrench out of the floor. It still simmered with heat, and she blew on it before shoving it into her holster. Pressing down hard on her Extreme Gear, Wave plotted for tomorrow, her exhilaration heightening as she wondered what to wear to impress Rouge.
I’ll make her swoon and take that gem before she hits the floor, Wave thought, flying off on her Extreme Gear to where her fellow Rogues waited, and when she told them her story, she resisted the urge to smack them when they laughed.