Chapter 4: The Judas Revealed
Several thoughts had run through Hun’s head in the past few days. The first was the fact that he lost a powerful sword to those goddamn freaks. He had no idea if they knew what the sword was able to do or if they were just doing a favor for little miss O’Neal, correction, for little Mrs. Jones and get it back for her little junk shop.
Those turtles pissed him off. He had to go find some place to let out some steam. Several of his Dragons were able to sense his anger and set up some stacks of blocks and a few tackle dummies for him to destroy. The turtles had to keep on appearing and screwing with his life. He wished he could find out where their new underground swamp hole was and get his revenge on them.
“Hey Boss,” Needles’s voice came in through the two-way. “He’s like a kid in the candy store.”
“Good,” Hun said as he removed his thoughts on his enemies and focused on the task at hand. The buyer, Garbaldi was in town and accepted his invite to look at the swords the Purple Dragons had stolen.
“Seven of these blades are a solid deal,” Needles continued. “And he has only looked at about a fourth of them.”
“That is what I like to hear,” Hun said as he leaned back in his chair and placed his feet on his desk.
“I’ll give you an update on when we get through half or if he wants to speak with you personally.”
“Sounds good,” Hun said.
He was glad he put Needles in charge of giving Garbaldi the tour. Needles had dressed himself in a dove gray Armani suit with a red silk tie and a gold tie pin in the shape of a dragon. He had forgone his sunglasses and displayed pure class and a honeyed tongue when he spoke with the billionaire.
The only thing that displeased Hun about Needles was where the heck was he two nights ago when the turtles attacked the lair. Kenny had explained he was in the garage underneath the building supervising some of the work. There was a radio that was playing music a little too loudly and had no idea what was going. Several men had confirmed this.
Hun wished Needles had told him. It set him at unease, making him think that his best-dressed man could possibly the mysterious Medakans. Hun didn’t even care that Needles asked Gabby if she wanted to go get a few drinks at his favorite club as Needles did have a reputation for being a bit of a player.
Although Gabby was playing the field when it came to some of the more proficient members of the Purple Dragons. Yesterday she invited some of the guys to go with her for a burger, get some coffee or just to the liquor store to replenish the Dragon’s booze supply. He didn’t care if she wanted to date some of the Dragons. Many members date and or marry non-members all the time.
“Bossman,” Needles spoke through the radio. “He just selected four more of the weapons and we are coming up on half, and he does want to speak with you.”
“Give him your radio,” Hun instructed. He waited from the exchange to be completed before he spoke. “Hello and good afternoon Senore Garbaldi.”
“Oh please Mr. Hun,” Garbaldi addressed him. The man had a silky smooth voice that was drenched in pure excitement. “You may call me Al.”
“Very well then, Al,” Hun said. “And with me it’s just simply Hun.”
“I am astonished at all that you have here,” Al said. “Such an extraordinary collection. Many of these are the authentic blades and not replicas.”
“I aim to please my customers,” Hun said. One of the few things he had learned from his old master was to try and be a good businessman. The majority of New Yorkers had no idea of who Oroko Sakai truly was and respected him.
“Several of these I must have at once,” Garbaldi said. “I’ve brought plenty of cash, but I hope that you may also accept written checks in case it’s not enough.”
“Written checks are fine,” Hun said and licked his lips at the thought of all the money that will be coming in.
“I only regret that I am not able to see you.”
‘Trust me that is not a regret,’ Hun thought. “Unfortunately I am a bit tied up with a several things at once. I have business conference online and I have a stack of paperwork that is taller than myself.”
“I understand quite well,” Garbaldi said. “Oh my this kris.” There was a muffling sound.
“Al?” Hun asked
“He handed it back,” Needles said.
There was a light knock at the door.
“Wait a minute,” Hun said and held up the radio. “Yes.”
“He got excited again,” Needles said.
“Good. Let me know when he is finished. I want to discuss payment with him.”
“I will let you know sir.”
Hun set down the radio. “You may come in.”
“Thank you sir,” Gabby said as she entered the office carrying both her cane and what looked like a leather laptop bag with her.
“What are you doing with that?” Hun asked as he pointed to the case. “You are not planning on going through the list of the rest of the Purple Dragons trying to figure out who to date next?”
“No,” she said and smiled. “Glad you also fell for that ruse.”
“Ruse?” Hun blinked. “What ruse?”
“The ruse where I let them believe that I want to go on a date or spend time with them,” Gabby said. “When I am mildly interrogating them instead.”
“Have you figured out which one might be Medakans?”
“Not exactly,” Gabby said as she sat down on the floor. “But I have a number one suspect. Needles.”
“Needles?” Hun raised a brow muscle.
“He seemed to be a bit nervous when the subject was on what happened a couple days ago. It looked like he was trying to hide something.”
Hun gritted his teeth. “I was also suspicious.”
“I also spoke with Mrs. April Jones in her shop,” Gabby said as she opened up her case. “I noticed one of the turtles in the shadows. The one with the swords and blue bandana.”
“Their leader,” Hun said. He had no idea why his informant went to the speak with the enemy, but he didn’t know what she was doing or thinking half the time and he did not want to break his brain trying to figure her out.
“The lead turtle sheathed his blades when he knew I just wanted to talk,” Gabby continued as she plugged in her laptop. “I told them that sword was too powerful and could not be sold and they told me they understood and are keeping it safe.”
“In their new home.”
“I was reassured when I knew the sword would not fall into the wrong hands and the leader asked me why I was with you then.”
“What did you tell them?” Hun asked. He did have to agree with his enemies. Gabby did have a bit of honor and nobility to her. She did not belong with the Purple Dragons.
“I told them I was your protector, and they were confused. That was when I left.” She turned on her laptop. “There are two other treasures similar to the sword and one of them is heading to New York.”
“Two others?” Hun blinked. “Are they also swords?”
Gabby shook her head. “One is the jewel of the Holy Bard. He along with the Enchanting Maiden traveled with the Legendary Hero.”
“What does this jewel do?”
“Protection against demons and their weapons,” Gabby explained. “It also gives the wearer insight and lets them see through the disguises a demon might use, or if a demon was possessing someone.”
“I’ve dealt with demons before,” Hun said. He remembered the demon version of his old master and what he had done to the city. Hun shuddered at that memory and an ice-cold feeingl slid down his spine. What if that particular Shredder was coming back? If it was he knew he wasn’t going to waste time by trying to pocket gold and jewels that would end up dissipating “Where is this jewel?”
“Somewhere in Europe,” Gabby said. “It should be coming here within one week, and maybe sooner. I am trying to see if it will arrive by air or sea.”
“What does it look like?”
“That I have no idea, not as of now anyway. I only know it is hanging on a golden chain like a pendant. I will be searching for more information, basically I’m looking for information on rare jewelry arriving in this city from across the Atlantic within the time period.”
Hun glared at her. “I’m getting tired of your cryptic messages. I want answers, real answers and I want them now.”
“I am only tell you what I know and I only know what my source knows.”
Hun clenched his fists. He had had it. “Like your source on the mysterious traitor?” He pushed himself from his desk and walked over to her. “Tell me who he is.”
“I’m afraid I do not have that information.”
“Too bad,” he glowered over her. “Get out.”
She sighed and turned off the computer. “I will further my research at the agency and inform you when-“
“No you won’t,” he watched her as she packed up her gear. “You are no longer welcome here.”
“My number one priority is to protect you.” Gabby said as she slung the strap over her shoulder.
“I do not need protection,” Hun said as he picked her up with one hand and grabbed her cane with the other. “Not from you and not from anyone else.” He kicked open the doors and dropped her and her cane.
She landed on her feet. “You are the most stubborn person I have ever had for a client.”
“I am no longer your client.” He slammed the door in her face and returned to her desk. Now he will have less confusion in his life, although he couldn’t shake the feeling that he will see her again.
“Boss?” Needles’s voice came through the Two Way. “We went through all of them. He chose twenty total.”
“That sounds good,” Hun said as he sat down. “Now lets discuss payment.
-
The past few days were a blur for Hun. He kept monitoring or had his Dragons monitor any shipping news about any fancy rare gem that might be coming over from Europe. So far there was no news on that subject.
The other thing he was looking out for was more potential buyers for the rest of the swords. Garbaldi bought over twenty of the blades and paid him in over a million dollars in a mix of loose cash and checks that were cashed. Hun had given plenty of cash awards to his Dragons and they indulged on a small celebration involving booze, cigars and food such as burgers, cheesecake and ice cream.
A few of the Dragons complained about the cheesecake though, bunch of ingrates, and they whined that Gabby would have baked better versions of it. Hun replied to them with a few good smacks and told them they were not going to get any more baked treats from Gabby and if they want home baked stuff then they are going to have make it themselves.
As for Gabby herself he hasn’t seen or heard much of her. Raz had told him he had seen her at the café across the street and a few Dragons were continuing with dates from her. Hun couldn’t believe she was still interrogating the members of his gang trying to find out who the traitor was. That meant that she really did believe her source or she was trying to make Hun think that she really believed her source.
Speaking of the traitor, or the possibility of the traitor, Hun had kept a close eye on Needles. He made sure the well-dressed gang member reported to him on his whereabouts and to try not to rouse any suspicion by singling out just Needles placed the same orders on the rest of his Dragons. He also tried to see if he could find out where Needles’s whereabouts during the attack from the turtles was from the rest of the gang.
He was getting frustrated with some of the details and decided to log on as the Elfinator to play a little Superquest. It will take his mind off what has been going on the past few days. He checked the mini quest board to see if there were any new adventures and he found just one new one.
“Steal a piece of treasure from Silver Griffin while it sleeps,” Hun read. That did seem easy enough. He typed in accept and nothing happened. “What?” He blinked and checked again. He made another damn typo. “Goddamn three fingered hands.” He corrected the mistake.
“Boss?” Kenny knocked on the door.
“Just a sec,” he turned off the volume and shrank the window. After he removed his headgear he turned around. “You can come in.”
“Hey boss,” Kenny greeted as he waltzed in. “I got some great info for you. You know how you been looking up rare and fancy gemstones coming overseas?”
“That I have,” Hun nodded.
“Apparently as I speak there is a bunch of expensive stuff being unloaded at the docks,” Kenny said. “Including jewelry and the boat came from France.”
“Hmm,” Hun rubbed the bottom of his chin. “Perhaps this jewel does exist. Where are they taking it?”
“They are taking it to one of those large multi layered warehouses on the pier,” Kenny answered.
“What do you mean by multi layered?” Hun asked.
“It’s not just one big room. They got at least two and some have two floors or more. This one in particular has two floors. The top floor has only two rooms, but the bottom floor has three.”
“We will investigate this place tonight,” Hun said with a smile. “You are dismissed.”
-
The so called layered warehouse did not appear to be any different from the other warehouses the Purple Dragons have broken into in the past. Granted it is a bit taller than the others but it was still the same length and width as the others.
“What’s the point of this whole layered thing?” Raz asked as she and several other Dragons climbed out of the van.
“Separation,” Kenny explained. “Sometimes different stores use the same warehouse and want to keep their stuff separated from the competitors.”
“Why not use different places?” Two Ton asked.
“Cheaper to share,” Kenny said.
“How many entrances are there?” Hun asked before he took a sip from his Gatorade jug. It tasted a little funny to him, but then it was a new flavor that he had yet to try. He wasn’t sure if he liked it or not.
“Three,” Kenny said as he held up three fingers. “One in the back, one in the front and one on the roof.”
“No one knows which section the items from the French ship are?” Hun asked. He waited for someone to answer him, but all he got was head shaking and shrugs. “We will divide into three teams. We will look for the whereabouts of this jewel. Any crate that looks like it is written in French we will look into. Pocket anything that grabs your eye.”
“I figure Raz and her team could try the front and Two Ton’s group can try the roof,” Kenny said.
“Why do we have to get up on the roof?” Two Ton asked.
“Cause you have a crow bar and Raz has her lock pick tools,” Kenny said. “I aint got nothing and was hoping to go with the boss since he can rip open the door. Sorry Boss, but I aint as strong as you even though I try the same exorcises.”
“You can stop the ass kissing,” Hun said. “And follow me.” He threw the empty container into the van and led his group towards the back. A few of the Dragons were set up as lookouts.
“I don’t see any one or any thing,” one of them said.
“Good,” Hun said as he cracked his knuckles. He grabbed onto the edge of the door and ripped it off. “Let’s go.”
He knew inside was going to be dark. He wasn’t expecting it to be creepy. Like they were not the only ones there. He removed the flashlight from his belt and turned it on.
“Someone get the l-“ the Dragon was silenced when something had struck him. Two more of the Dragons grunted out in pain.
“Found the lights,” Kenny said.
The lights came on, just as one of those damn turtles ran past Hun.
“Turtles,” Hun grunted and grabbed swiped the turtle from the ground. “Don’t think you are getting this treasure from me.”
“Treasure?” The turtle in his hands asked.
“I will take the jewel and the third treasure,” Hun said as he tossed the turtle across the room and had it collide with the one in red. “And I will get that sword.”
“We have no idea what you are talking about,” the lead turtle said as he side kicked one of the Dragons. “But if it is as powerful as the sword we will make sure it won’t fall into your hands.”
“You will not have much choice,” Hun said as he swiped for the brainy turtle and missed.
The brainy turtle used his staff to lift him up and deliver a few kicks to Hun’s chest, before Hun grabbed him by the leg.
“Once I have those treasures I will have my revenge,” Hun said he tried to punch the goofy turtle and felt a shove from behind.
“What the shell?” Raphael asked as Leonardo tried to tackle him. “Leo it’s me.”
That was odd, but it was the least of Hun’s concerns. He felt a little lightheaded but his urge to kill his enemies had not dwindled. He dropped the turtle in his hands.
“Raph?” Mikey asked as the angry one, was about to strike him with one of his sai’s.
“Back off,” Donatello growled and ran to attack the two feuding brothers when Leonardo attacked him with a fierce kick.
What the hell was going on? Hun kind of liked watching the four turtles fight each other, but if they killed each other then he will be robbed off his revenge. He ran towards them and picked two of them up before knocking them into each other.
He felt being pushed from behind into the turtles.
“Quit shoving,” Raph said and punched Hun in the chest and his brother in the nose.
Hun swiped at Raph. He was a fierce fighter and fierce competitor. In fact all four of them were, but they were not as strong as he was and they will not be the ones to win her. The female was his to breed---what the hell was he thinking?
“Stop,” Hun grabbed his head. “There is no female mutant turtle.”
“Huh?” Mikey asked as he stopped.
“Very astute boss,” Kenny said. “Too bad you realized too late.”
“Kenny?” Hun asked as he heard the sound of metal scraping against cement. He opened his eyes to watch as metal poles shot up from the floor and continued to rise until the reached the ceiling, trapping Hun and the turtles in the cage.
A beating sound came from the double doors on the far wall.
“What’s going on?” Raz asked from the other side. “Boss, Kenny, are you guys okay? I can’t break this lock.”
“You are not going to get any help from her or anyone else,” Kenny said. He was holding a fan in front of an open container.
“What is that?” The brainy turtle asked.
“The scent of an ovulating human,” Hun explained. He did not look at his enemies. All his anger, all his rage was directed at Kenny. “And a the pheromones of a female turtle in season.” Where the hell did Kenny get that.
“I know you are wondering about this,” Kenny said as held up the can and turned off the small handheld fan. Me and my boys swiped it from the good doctor.”
“So that is why were acting like that,” Raph said as he rubbed his head.
“Kenny you bastard,” Hun spat out the name. “You are Medakans?”
“I have no idea where you heard my other name,” Kenny said as he handed the canister and the fan to the Dragons that were standing next to him. “But it is an anagram of my real name, Ken Adams.”
“And you are working with the Night Falcons,” Hun said. He was a goddamn idiot. Gabby was right the name of the traitor and he threw her out. She was probably right about the jewel as well.
“Working with them?” Kenny chuckled. “I lead them. I ordered my Falcons to spread false lies about resurrecting the Shredder around town, hoping that the turtles will fall to the bait that a necessary ingredient was here.”
“And we fell for it,” Leonardo sighed.
“Of course we kept away from the Purple Dragon’s part of town, which will soon become part of the Night Falcon’s town.”
Hun said nothing. He just scowled at the traitor.
“And my dear cold blooded former human of a former boss,” Kenny continued in a smug tone. “You were easy to convince. You kept talking about this fancy jewel. You were way to easy.”
“This guy is kind of clever,” Mikey said.
“Not too clever,” the brainy one said. “These metal bars may hold just the four of us.”
“Yeah,” Raph seemed pleased. “We got the jolly green giant in here.”
“They are right,” Hun said. He grinned as he grabbed onto the bars and pulled. He felt tension on each of his muscles but the bars won’t bend.
“They must have kryptonite or something,” Mikey said before he was smacked by Raph.
“He’s strong,” the Donatello said. “But he’s not Superman.”
“I see the muscle relaxants I slipped into your Gatorade have finally kicked in,” Kenny said as he removed a gun from its holster. “And it appears those that are loyal too you have given up.”
“I know this is a bad time to ask,” Donatello said. “But why didn’t you shoot us while we were fighting, or just hoped we would take each other out.”
“Good question,” Kenny said. “Guns are practically useless when the bullets can’t hit their mark and trying to get them to hit you is near impossible, unless you are in a cage and I wasn’t sure if you would be able to tear each other apart
“I understand if you don’t want to serve a freak,” Hun said. “But to have you drug me because you are too much of a coward to actually face me.”
“You are not a freak,” Leonardo said.
“He doesn’t speak for the rest of us,” Raph said.
“Technically he is the same species as us,” Donatello said.
“Yeah,” Mikey nodded. “That’s like saying I’m a freak.”
“Naw,” Raph held up his hands. “Too easy.”
“Hun, if there is a way to turn you back we will find it,” Leonardo said.
“Huh?” Hun blinked. “Why would you do that?”
“We cannot call ourselves honorable if we don’t at least offer,” Leonardo said.
“Oh isn’t this touching?” Kenny asking. “Of course they are only being nice because they know all five of you reptiles are about to die.” He aimed the gun at Hun.
A wooden staff shot down from the sky, struck Kenny’s hand and knocked the gun out. Once the wooden weapon clattered on the floor they could all see that it was a wooden cane with the top carved into the shape of a trumpet.
Gabby followed with the tip of her boot striking Kenny in the chin. As soon as she landed she jumped and delivered two more kicks at his men.
“What is that?” Leonardo said in an amazed tone. “Those moves?”
“Well if it isn’t Sara Lee,” Kenny said as he stood up only to be hit from Gabby and forced to the ground and held in a lock.
“That looks like Jiu Jitsu,” Donatello said. “But not quite any we have learned.”
“Maybe it’s the Brazilian kind?” Mikey asked.
“You are one stupid bitch,” Kenny said. “There is only one of you and seven of us.”
“Then I better blow on my trumpet,” Gabby shouted.
The air vent above them opened up and Raz, and several other Dragons came sliding through, except for Two Ton, but hat was probably because the larger man couldn’t fit.
Kenny’s men were no match for the rest of the Dragons. They were defeated almost immediately defeated.
“Well look at this,” Raz said. “Appears we just got here in the nick of time. What does that make us?”
“I dunno,” the nearest Dragon said, causing her to sigh.
“I know, I know,” Mikey jumped up. “Big damn heroes.”
“The turtle gets it,” Raz said with a sigh.
“There has to be a switch or a button,” The brainy one said.
“Where is it?” Gabby said as she stood up with her foot on Kenny’s neck.
Kenny said something that would make a drunken sailor blush. Even Hun wasn’t sure if he should be impressed or appalled by such language.
“How about we blow his brains out?” Raz asked.
“Good idea,” Gabby said. “Then maybe one of these guys will know we mean business and-“
“Under the light switch,” One of the other traitors said.
Another Purple Dragon ran over and pressed the switch.
As soon as the bars had completely lowered Hun marched straight to where Kenny was and grabbed him the collar.
“What about the turtles?” Raz asked.
“Leave them,” Hun said. He wasn’t feeling any mercy for his enemy. His desire for revenge against them paled to his anger towards Kenny.
“So the Dragons want to be lead by a freaking turtle,” Kenny said.
“Dragons are reptiles,” Hun said. “And you are lower than an amoeba at least those things are alive.” With his other hand he tore Kenny’s throat out.
“What about the rest of this scum?” Raz asked.
“Do whatever you want,” Hun ordered. “Gabby, I want to see you in my office tomorrow.” Part of him wanted to apologize, another part wanted to thank her, but right now he wanted to get some rest.
-
“You don’t have to say anything,” Gabby said.
“I owe you my life,” Hun said. They were in his office. “I still don’t know how you managed to follow us, or why didn’t any one else think about using the ventilation system.”
“It was how I got in the building,” Gabby said. “I found your loyal members and we then we found you.”
“You have proven to be quite useful,” Hun said.
“I will protect you and we will find the other two treasures,” Gabby said. “I have to report to my boss now.”
Hun nodded. “You are dismissed.”
“Thank you sir,” Gabby nodded and left.
As soon as she was gone Needles stepped inside.
“I know you haven’t been truthful,” Hun said. “You have been avoiding my questions and I am not going to take any more chances.”
Needles sighed. “I know you are on edge about Kenny, but what really happened was kind of embarrassing.”
“No word will get out,” Hun said.
“I was reading children’s books to sick kids at the hospital.”
Hun blinked. “You expect me to believe that?”
“It’s the truth,” Needles explained. “I got caught speeding the other day. I was going too fast to opt for defensive driving, so to knock off some of the money I owe I promised to do some community service. I can show you the copy of the ticket and paper work.”
“Show me the paper work,” Hun said. “And remind me not to ride around with you. You are dismissed.”
“Thank you boss man,” Needles said and left the office.
Hun had a feeling Needles was right about that. It was kind of embarrassing and they all got reputations to keep, and speaking of activities that might ruin his rep, it was time to do a little gaming.