VIXEN - The Legend of the Five Totems

Chapter 7 - Dream Reachers

The lights of Zambawana poke out from the warm darkness of the Serengeti. The city is alone along the plains as a hub of human achievement. It is no London or Cairo, but neither of those cities borders the Serengeti, where the animals would not let humanity insert their roles too heavily into their lives. On the outskirts of the city, broad estates spread out like the underside of a lion's paw. Circular pads of property separate one abode from the next, creating expanses of tamed wilderness and lawns that would put many golf courses to shame. Around these private estates, a ten year old black limo wends its way through until it comes to a wrought iron gate stretched four meters in height. Flanking these gates is a tall wall that looks so conspicuously out of place in this neighborhood as to make a statement by its contrast.

Close observers looking at the compound would notice the extravagance of this place stretching even to the pillars, where a series of security cameras watch the surroundings for any trespassers or anyone hoping to explore the compound too closely. In addition to the electric extravagance, soldiers armed with a variety of automatic rifles make their appointed rounds.

The limo pulls up to the security gate and after a flash of credentials from the driver, the gate swings open, allowing the vehicle entry into the compound. It drives up a circuitous drive until it reaches the center of the compound: a white stone palace with six steps leading to a pillared terrace with massive teak double doors set back along the building's surface.

The limo driver emerges. He is dressed in a white formal jacket and trousers, and wears a driver's cap. Coming around to the right back door of the limo, he opens it. The male passenger steps out and presses the coat of his jacket. Somehow, the dark tuxedo that Guillermo Barrera is sporting makes him look even more thuggish than usual. Barrera lingers by the door as the driver takes the spotted hand of the other passenger. To compliment her dusky yellow and brown spotted fur, she has donned a long, close-fitting formal gown of the palest sapphire blue. The colors shimmer against each other, and glistening at the V of the dress's top is the diamond necklace that she liberated earlier. Barrera offers the lady his arm, which she takes with barely a nod of acknowledgement. Together, the pair ascend the stairs to the double doors. Two porters open the massive portals for them.

Stepping through, the pair are greeted by an athletic young African woman in a long sparkling silver dress. Her dark skin is beautifully complimented by her hooped silver earrings. Despite the elegance of her eveningwear, she holds herself with the formality of a soldier.

"Welcome, Ms. Minerva and Mr. Barrera. I am so glad you two found yourselves here. My father will be pleased that you have accepted his invitation."

"Agent Tabu. Where is your father? We would love to meet him," Minerva says, looking around the foyer. Fine marble built in the fashion of classical European style. Cushioned benches and only subtle nods to place's African heritage. She likes the location immediately. From down the hallway, past the fluid motion of a waiter carrying a silver tray of crystal goblets, she catches the distant humming of conversation.

"Just Tabu, please. We need not stand on formalities. Follow me and I will introduce you to him."

Tabu spins on her low heels and clicks her way down the foyer. At the end, she passes through a curtained doorway and into a ball room filled with dozens of individuals milling about in various states of revelry and communication.

As Minerva sweeps her eyes over the crowd, she recognizes a tall, sour-looking man who looks for all the world as if his very existence were a trial. Deadshot has never been the most gregarious of conversationalists and Ms. Minerva pointedly avoids making eye contact with him. The handsome aristocrat with the goatee, however, is too caught up in his own story to even notice her. But that was Vertigo for you, she thinks, always too involved with himself to care when the rest of the room catches its breath at an individual of truly striking beauty. There is a big woman that she doesn't recognize, with massive shoulders and thick arms. A hulking brute with a simian forehead and overly-long arms passes by, reeking of death and decay. There are also a number of military-types with their various shades of green and pomposity of medals and command badges. As Minerva and Barrera follow Tabu through the crowd, a servant offers champagne in glasses served from a tray.