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Beep beep beep beep---

The sound of her cell phone ringing sent small tremors into the madam's brain and nestled deep into her subconscious to wake her. First one hazel eye slowly opened like a small puppy in need of sleep. What Maryke saw was a world of grog and haze before she let its counterpart open until they both were at their fullest. Waking was a terrible thing for her. For in waking it meant that she would have to return to the life she had, the world she existed in now. Despite the glitz and glam of it all, there was a darker edge. Something sinister and fierce. If you thought surface level looked bad, then if you went deep enough you could very well drown. But, Maryke was a pro. She knew the ropes better then anyone. And instantly she had pushed the dream and restlful sleep out of her mind. So fast so, that she had trouble remembering what it even entailed. Only that it had been pleasant this time, unlike so many of her others.

The phone. After her mind stopped lagging she realized that it was still ringing. Didn't people have tact anymore? After the first four rings couldn't they get the hint that SHE WASN'T AROUND. Annoyed, she peered down at the face plate, groaning instantly when she saw who it was. The very people she was running away from. The FBI was baring down on her, rattling her about coming in to testify. And for what? All because Maryke started hanging around an infamous drug lord, Mark Winters. It wasn't her fault. Not really. She had developed a nasty habit in the form of nose candy and anything that took away Maryke's inner confliction, no matter how short or long, was completely fine in her book. She just didn't want to deal with the consequences of what came after. Not today, or tomorrow, or the day after. But, she knew there was no rest for the wicked. Which meant run from your problems or, like she was for most of her pre-madame life, you would be hurt.

Which brought her here in this.....what was this? She didn't know other then it had been a 'black something'. Her mind was too weary at the moment to remember the difference between helicopters and jets.....or maybe this was a small plane? Did she even care? No she really didn't. Caring meant control, and matter how small the incident was she preferred to be the one in control. Besides, knowing the carrier didn't change the cargo nor did it change the fact that they would reach the destination point. Whether or not it would be in one piece was still up in the air, but they would still get to they were going regardless. Which led to the question, where was she going?

The specifics weren't too clear. She should have got some, but at the moment she was desperate for an escape and the prospect of getting out of danger so quickly seemed good. Though the offer seemed outlandish (offering a stay on a private island abosolutely free?) the brunette was used to such things so she paid it no heed. Maryke was more concerned about whether or not this place would hold up to her lavish lifestyle. From the brief conversation she was given, it would. But, of course she'd have to see for herself. Her other concern was if she could leave 'business' at home as well. In a way she wanted to view this as a vacation of sorts. Far far away from the sex, and drugs (though she is starting to become dependent) and all the troubles that comes with her line of work. And quite honestly, the next person that asked for a 'quickie' was liable to have a pair of immacutely cut french manicures gouged in their eyes.

Sighing heavily and after stretching a bit, Maryke contented herself with staring lifelessly out the window, head finally clearing after her last fix. She mentally promised herself that it would be the last time. Clean again. For herself. For those that she had lost. Those that would have wanted her out of the game, like her older (and very dead) sister for instance. But, of course she knew how her story would end. Something she really didn't want to think about right now.

"Christ," she muttered all onto herself, "Could this trip be any slower..."

Sabin, meanwhile, was doing pick-up duty. He had driven the jeep out to the helipad and was glancing over the files of the two new arrivals. Rather drastically different individuals, and Sabin was already curious to see how they'd add to the dynamic on the island. Espeically now that he was starting to have more flex time, he was able to pay more attention to the subject interrelations (that he and some of the other techs who got moniter duty started calling their "soaps" - trading information and gossip about the subjects over lunch like a group of old biddies).

He looked to the skies as he heard the whirring rotors of the helicopter, marking its arrival on time and slipped his hands into the pockets of his bright beach-shorts. His orange hawaiin shirt was buttoned halfway, shades perched up on his head to assist in keeping his white hair out of his eyes.

FINALLY! No more flying, no more being crowded up in a tiny space with unfamiliar people. He hoped that they'd have some sort of decent plumbing so he could take a shower. He let the woman exit the helicopter first, watching her a** with a raised eyebrow of approval. Just because he was dedicated to someone else didn't mean he couldn't LOOK.

He grabbed his bags and tossed them out the open hatch when the American woman had gotten out of the way. He paused a moment, and then shrugged, picking up her bags and suitcases and tossed them, albeit more gently, out. He took the last two and hopped out onto solid ground, hunching over instinctivly as the blades whirred above his head, and placed them on the ground beside her with a grin.

A man was standing beside a jeep, the one who would take them to the town or village or whatever thing they'd be working at. He straightened and headed over, holding out a hand. "Hero, preased meet you." He fumbled a little, his voice heavy with accent. He held up a finger and reached into his pocket to pull out a small translation device. He spent a few moments tapping in a message and then looked up with a smile, pronouncing as best anyone reading a foreign language without any practice. "My name is the Taro of Hirohito."

He looked up expectantly, holding out his translator slightly to the man. "No Engrish... prease use?"

Maryke gave the Japanese man a little half smile as he got her bags for her. Not that she wasn't expecting it, but the way he fumbled around was enduring. Maybe she wouldn't turn on the b***h switch with this guy just yet. Unless he continued to think her face was in alignment with her chest. Then they would have a real problem.

After the bags were set down and she smoothed down her tank a little she turned her attention towards the man who was greeting them. Noting the white hair despite the younger looking face. Interesting. She couldn't tell whether that was a do or don't in her fashion book, but whatever. She was too heady to worry about fashion faux pas right now. The other thing that quickly took hold of her mind was the word, obligatory vaccinations. The ********? She inwardly cringed at the thought of getting hit up with a needle. THAT was a step she had yet to take. In the playing field of the drug use she was only on first base, running to second. Naturally she was feeling reluctant. So much so that whatever else he said wasn't connecting very well.

"Vaccinations?" She asked, trying to keep her expression cool and collected behind her Versace sunglasses. "For like.....SARS or something?"

Jesus, if this place had some kind of wierd island bird flu crazy a** thing running around then what choice did she have.

"Something like that..." Sabin responded to Maryke. "It's called Dengue fever. Not a very pleasant little virus - and unfortunately a common occurrence in the tropics. But fortunately, there's vaccinations. Won't take but a few minutes."

He held the door open for her and then gave a puzzled look to Taro. "Ah... well... just hop in..." He gestured ot the door. "And I'll take you to get your injection." He made a squeezing - as if a syringe - motion to his arm and then down the path.

Taro huffed a little - there was absolutely no understanding between them. For once he regretted having skipped classes, English would be a bit helpful about now. He sighed and hopped into the jeep.. literally. He placed his hand on the side of the door and vaulted over, landing quite clumsily half on the seat half on the floor. He quickly slid down to cover up the mistake.

It was boring not understanding half of what was being said, though. He pulled out this translator and began tapping in a few things, apparently studying them hard before speaking directly to the woman.

"Being able to meet, it is possible to you call me Taro-kun. Is your name what?" He leaned forward slightly so his arm was resting across the back of the front seat.

When Taro moved towards the front the madam instantly made a face, not that he could probably catch it. She so wasn't in the mood to turn down offers right now, besides......what the ******** did this guy just say? She didn't understand a word of it. She knew only two languages, English and Spanish, which didn't include whatever just spouted from his mouth. It wasn't until the Sabin guy spoke did it finally click to her. Oh, right, well of course Taro'd be wanting names. She wondered what the right phrase for 'piss off' was in Japanese. Calmly slightly, she had to inwardly remind herself that she should keep her claws in check.

"Hem-en-ez," Maryke said, leaning only slightly to get a look at Taro. "Mary-ki Hem-en-ez," she repeated, making sure she let every syllable roll of her tongue for them both to catch, "That's my name..." After she did she turned her attention to 'Dr. Duvert', eyeing him a few times. Something about him, the jeep, and the creepy jungle noises irked her. Some deep forboding knotted up and twisted in her stomach. But, once again she kept herself in check. Telling herself it was just the after effects from the flight.

It wasn't long before the massive gates with the Feral Labs logo swung open, admitting the jeep and the ignition was cut, Sabin got out of the car and opened the door for the two of them.

"You can leave your things in the jeep, I'll drive you to where you'll be staying after the injections. So... just follow me and I'll try to get this over with quickly so that you two can relax."

He led them into the building, through a plush lobby that looked like a doctor's waiting area if it had the funding of a large cooperation, and then through a doorway and down a sterile hallway... finally to an elevator, which slid open as they approached.

"Floor 8" He spoke clearly, the doors closing behind the trip as the machine lurched upwards.