That was why she was so thankful that her day had taken her to this spot. Oh, it had been relatively annoying when she had been hit on by those kids from one of the universities, but they were easily dealt with. If they had liked what they had seen, it was fine, but she didn't have time for little boys who didn't know how to think before speaking. Of course, she hadn't taken all that much from the other men who'd peeked over or stared at her, especially since she'd known there were likely plenty of women that they'd do that to.
No, it was just easier to stay leaning back on the bench and watching the ships glide by on the harbor. Doing so was calmer, and gave her the sort of peace that one didn't get from being an officer for Interpol. Here she could get a quick bit of relaxation, and enjoy the sight of the sun glistening on the water.
Even that light, the noise of the waves, or the scent of salt on the air stopped her from noticing the movement coming up behind her. "I've got a meat bun for you too."
"Courteous of you," came the dry British voice as Cammy White slid down to sit next to her. Stretching her own long legs out in front of her, the blonde took the offered bit of food and peered at it. "I didn't expect to be taken out to eat."
"True enough, but you have to try some local food when you visit. Besides, they're good," Chun Li drawled, and took a strong bite of her own bun.
"Thanks for the consideration. And thank you for meeting with me so readily."
"Why wouldn't I? It's not like we're on opposite sides."
Cammy looked down. "At least, not any more."
"Hey, I understand your problem. I mean, that guy seriously screwed with your head. All that illegal tech is bad news, and even slaves deserve more than that. For someone like him to even have it...."
"Exactly. What he has his men do warps you so much...."
"Hold on," the police officer grunted, and then looked over at her companion. "You remember what he did to you?"
"Not particularly. Most of that time is blank, and what I can... 'remember' doesn't come in anything more than nightmares. And even then I can't tell if they're real memories."
"You're free of him now. They went over you with a fine toothed comb, and according to every expert around, there's no way that he can control you. That's why you were given the option you were."
"Well, it was a choice of becoming a slave myself, or joining up with Delta Red," the blonde admitted, tugging a little at her uniform.
"You succeeded in saving yourself. Remember that. And not only did you help yourself, but you saved those other girls."
"As much as we can call that 'saving'. None of them has shown much of the ability to live on their own, have they?"
"Wish that I could deny that," Chun Li allowed with a sigh. "That was why they had to be processed into slaves. Without the system set up so that others could watch over them, they wouldn't have been able to function. You had been left some ability for independent action, but they hadn't gotten even that."
"And that makes me wonder how much they have really gotten from my 'help'."
"You know, even though I don't really know that much about what you went through, I'm pretty sure that it's a hell of a lot better for them this way."
"I wish that I could have your confidence," Cammy muttered.
"Why not?"
"I don't even know how they are doing now."
A knowing look lit the Chinese woman's eyes. "That's why you wanted to see me."
"Sorry if it's a bother, but I haven't seen what's happened to them once they were recovered. Not that I have any problem seeing you like this when I am just in town. But I don't know where they've gone."
"Neither do I."
"What?" asked the British woman.
"There's been a special order to make certain that I don't find out where they've been sent to."
"Why would they do something like that?"
"It's all part of the big plan, the one that is meant to protect them. Remember, I am one of the most visible figures in Shadoloo's eyes. So are you. The brass wants to minimize the number of people who know where those girls went," the brunette stated. "Especially those most likely to be targets for attacks themselves."
"I suppose that I can understand that much. Making them get attacked is the last think that I'd want to do."
"Understandable. But why this sudden interest in seeing them."
Cammy seemed to almost shiver for a moment. "I don't know why, but it feels almost like something... bad is going on. There's no proof. Not yet. But I get a sense that there's a storm on the horizon."
"I can relate. But are you sure?"
"As much as I can be."
"Then we may have a problem. There are still enough creeps out there to be a problem."
"And what about our... mutual friend? What do your bosses think of him?"
"According to the official file, he's 'missing, but presumed dead'," Chun Li reported in mock airy tones.
"And you don't really believe that."
"Neither do you."
"I think that we may wind up looking for them, whether we want to or not," the military woman sighed.
"Yeah, and I don't know if how they were spread out will be a help or a problem."
"At least we have the benefit of the fact that they won't be in the places that they'd be expect to be."
"True. But do you think that would be enough?" the police woman asked.
Rather than answering, Cammy looked down at her bun for a long moment before taking a large chomp out of it, and made an effort to enjoy chewing on the tasty snack, while:
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(Posted Mon, 08 Nov 2010 05:07)
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