Act XXIII
#24 of The Chess Master
This is the Chess Master novel, a work in progress. I've been working on this since March 16th, 2003. Unlike all of my other stories, I only added my name on the prologue. I even worked up a cover for the novel back then.
Warning: The Jansen Tanner parts of the novel are written in "first-person."
Act XXIII: Were-Sin City; Moon Phase Two
After getting my new uniform and signing out for my vacation, I used my new wolf magic to transport myself straight to Las Vegas where I appeared at the City Zoo, right outside of the wolf enclosure. I wasn't sure how that was going to work, but I was pleased that I had arrived on the walkway and not actually inside the enclosure.
"Thank you, Freke and Gere."
I then headed out of the zoo through the front gates. The security guard there almost tried to stop me, but I flashed my new badge, and he quietly let me pass without further incident.
Being a king evidently had some powerful clout. Being a king was almost like being the Chess Master. The only one who could veto my orders was Danath Gaul. But I didn't want to abuse my new rank. I was on vacation.
Or was I?
Is a Tanner _ever_ on vacation?
I was feeling pretty good about myself. I went to my favorite hotel and acquired the penthouse suite. Once I was settled down in my bean-bag seat, I picked up the phone and dialed up the Tanner Family Horse Farm.
She blinked her eyes.
"Oh no! You didn't... did you?"
After the phone rang a few times, a man's voice answered the phone. It wasn't a voice I knew.
"May I speak to Ms. Jocelyn Tanner, please?"
I immediately heard the guy try to hush me, then I heard Jo's voice growl.
"Did I just hear someone call me... that... horrible name?!"
The guy replied, quickly.
"I'm sure they didn't mean it, sugar-cakes!"
Jo growled again.
"Gimme that phone! Hello.... This is Jo Tanner speaking. Who is this?"
I expertly prevented myself from laughing.
"Miss Tanner. May I interest you in a lifetime membership in the Assassinating Vulcan fan club?"
Jo laughed out loud!
"Okay, who IS this? Did Sallee put you up to this? I'll kill her... Are you still there?"
I laughed too.
"If Sallee knew where I was, I wouldn't get any peace. And you can tell Leia that I didn't appreciate her sending Josh after me. That was a close call, but he didn't catch me."
Jo blinked her eyes!
"Jansen? But... Shane and I just saw you over at the mansion. What the Hell is wrong with you? If you wanted to pull a prank on me, you could've done it in person."
I stopped laughing, then got serious.
"Jo... it's obvious that Leia hasn't let you and Sallee in on this secret yet..."
Jo arched an eye, as she looked at her current steady man.
"What secret?"
I then opened the information flood gate and let Jo know 'everything'. Jo's facial expression slowly went into shock. I then exclaimed.
"I am currently in Las Vegas, Nevada, on vacation. The only reason I haven't been home is because one of the main rules in Chess is that I cannot make physical contact with my family members. I was actually surprised that Dominic wanted to settle down in Rocky Falls, Missouri, and even more shocked that he still claimed to be me. In effect, he's my magically created twin. But Leia sensed something amiss from the first day, and tried to find out some background on Dominic. Boy, that must have pissed Leia off. I remember when Danath and I tried to find info on Dominic. The records said he didn't exist. The only way I can officially come home will be if I can become the Chess Master of the organization. Until then, I am only allowed to call."
Jo finally found her voice.
"So... you and Dominic are twins... and he's not really you..."
I sighed.
"Jo, please don't be mad at Dominic. Danath and I had to lie to him, too. He really thinks he is Jansen Tanner. All I am asking you is to keep helping him when you can. It's important to me if you can keep his ass alive. He acts way too foolhardy."
Jo hummed.
"That explains all the discrepancies in Dominic's knowledges about you. He doesn't remember the exact events of your past. Don't you worry; I'll have a private talk with Damon Horse about Dominic. And it will be private. Trust me. Now... you're in Las Vegas and you didn't invite me?"
I laughed again.
"At least I called you and not the other sisters. You should feel privileged!"
Jo smirked.
"The only reason you didn't call them is because you don't know their phone numbers!"
I chuckled.
"This is true. But I made you laugh. If you want to join me out here in Las Vegas, I can send the Chess private jet to pick you up."
Jo grinned.
"I can be packed and ready to go in an hour. Shane and Richard owe me a favor, so I can cash in on that and have them watch the farm while I party in Las Vegas."
I laughed again and promised to make the flight arrangements for Jo. It was going to be good seeing her again. We both hung up our phones and I began making the flight arrangements that I had promised.
Within a few hours, I was at the private terminal watching Jo's arrival. I noticed that she was traveling with a male stranger. Tall, dark and handsome. Just the way Jo liked her men. I decided to present myself to Jo in working format, for effect.
"Jansen Tanner, Black King of Chess."
I flashed my badge, then I added to the statement...
"...On vacation. Welcome to Las Vegas, Jo. How was your flight?"
Jo belted me!
I hit the ground, HARD.
Jo growled with a grin.
"If you EVER pull the wool over my eyes again, my fist will be the LEAST of your worries!"
She laughed out loud!
"Go, Jo! Whoo-hoo!!"
I slowly got up and rubbed my sore chin.
"Ouch. I assume your flight was good, then. Come on... I'll take us back to the penthouse suite at the hotel, and let you unwind. Ouch..."
Jo's man knew to keep his mouth shut. He didn't want to incur that fist.
A while later, we were back at the suite, where I was holding an ice pack to my chin. Jo and her steady friend claimed one of the bedrooms. After a few minutes, Jo rejoined me on the terrace.
"I didn't hurt you too badly, did I?"
I smiled to Jo and hugged her.
"You're the first one to catch me off guard since I joined Chess! Danath will be rolling on the floor laughing, for sure."
Jo smiled, and hugged back.
"Danath Gaul is your employer, is he?"
I nodded my head.
"Yeah... he's the current Chess Master. He's fair and cares about his organization."
Jo released me, and gazed out over the city.
"You haven't hid any Australians from me, have you?"
I laughed a little.
"Only 'the rududu', himself. Locke Radson. I think you'd like him. And he's still single."
Jo turned to me and grinned.
"So, what do you have planned for your vacation?"
I smiled.
"Well, I need to go visit the Manhole. That's an all-male strip club. The owner and I need to discuss some business. Then, I was going to hit the Sanctuary for awhile. The Sanctuary is a private recovery center for 'special' subjects. Then, I was going to teleport over to San Francisco and visit some 'clan' friends of mine, and drop in on the Foo-Chings, again."
Jo grinned.
"An all-male strip club? Now, THAT I'd like to see! Do they serve dinner, too?"
I nodded my head.
"Yes, but I need to pre-warn you about the performers... they are ALL lycanthropes. It's a special kind of club. Those in the audience often don't know the truth."
Jo grinned again.
"Awesome! When can we go?"
An hour later, I led Jo and her mystery man into the Manhole. We took a table within view of the stage. I shot a wink at the handsome bartender, who, by now, I knew to be some sort of werebeast. You couldn't tell his beastly nature from his outward appearance. The three of us ordered our dinners, and not long after we were served, the first stage act began. I knew not to be too shocked and concentrated on my meal.
Jo and her friend were not so fortunate. I could hear them both cough as the music played. I just quietly chuckled. I knew Jo would hit me later for not warning her.
As I was finishing my meal, the owner of the Manhole, Sterling Hawk, in his human form, wearing only shorts and sandals, greeted us at our table.
"Jansen Tanner. I am pleased that you are gracing our atmosphere again. And who are your guests?"
I smiled, shaking Sterling's hand, which was dry, this time.
"Sterling Hawk. I am pleased to see you too. This lovely yet dangerous tongue of fire is my sister, Jo Tanner, the Tempest of Rocky Falls."
Jo grinned.
"You better be glad you said that, Jansen. And to my right is my current boyfriend."
Jo gave his name, and he shook Sterling's hand too.
Sterling smiled and kissed Jo's hand, and shook the man's hand.
"Pleased to meet you both. Please continue to enjoy the show. I need to borrow your brother for awhile. Because you are with Jansen, the meal and the rest of your drinks are on the house."
Sterling led me through the back curtain, and down the stairs on the right. It was the first time I had been deliberately led down the stairs that the bartender had once told me that I might see something I didn't want to see. Now, I was about to find out what was downstairs.
"I like your new uniform, Jansen. It pleases me that you were promoted. You make Chess look better than it had been in the past."
I arched an eye at that statement.
"I've always been kind of curious about the rumors of how bad Chess was. No one has ever told me what had gone on before I joined. And some of the reports I had gotten from the 'special' folk always suggested cruelty."
Sterling shifted forms as we walked, from his human form into his werehawk form.
"I figured they hadn't told you. Had you known, you probably would never have joined Chess. But... we are glad you did join them... the cruel acts have decreased since you joined. Most of the agents who conducted the cruel deeds are currently dead. Accidents in the line of duty. We had nothing to do with Jesse Vanyu's death... we were really sorry to hear that he had died. Jesse was a lot like you, Jansen. He had plans for changing Chess."
I choked and sighed upon remembering Jesse... even though I knew where he was in the World of Atlantis... it still hurt to talk about Jesse and Xim...
"Yeah... Jesse was one of a kind... he saved my life that day..."
Sterling hugged me, wrapping his feathers around me gently.
"Jesse chose you as his successor. I think he chose well."
Sterling released me and continued to lead me down the second stairwell into a sub corridor of doors, that lined both sides of the hallway.
"This is where the old Sanctuary was before I had the new Sanctuary built. A few true breeds and infected people still make use of this place. There is one resident who asked to speak with you. I want you to hear him out... just remember: keep your clothes on, and if he touches you, then wash the touched spot immediately. I don't want to see you infected."
I nodded my head and continued to follow Sterling down the hallway. When we reached the appropriate door, Sterling opened it and pushed me into the room, then closed the door behind me, without entering himself. I heard Sterling chuckle as he walked away. Then, I heard a male voice moan passionately, as it spoke from a dark corner of the room.
"I'll... be with... you... in a... moment..."
I was beginning to think that I had been pushed into another mating scene. The last time I saw a werebeast mating was with Sterling and that other younger werehawk. Then, I got to wondering what had ever happened to the other werehawk...
Then, I heard another soft male voice.
"He's... pretty cute... for a human..."
I umm'ed.
"Jansen Tanner, Black King of Chess. I was told by Sterling that one of you wanted to talk to me... If you're busy... I can come back later..."
There was no immediate response. Okay, I couldn't really see what they were doing, but I could guess. It was definitely a mating. I stayed beside the door. I remembered Sterling's warning. Then, after a few more moans, and a small gasp, I got a reply.
"I finally get to meet the guy who saved my life on that highway in Arizona."
I blinked my eyes.
"You're that werejackrabbit who had Linda Star grant me the moon door ability! Cool! I really don't deserve so great a gift, but I am happy to have it from a good friend."
His voice responded calmly.
"What I really wanted to give you was a full body hug and a kiss. You saved my life. Now that you are here... may I more properly reward you?"
I carefully worded my response.
"As long as you don't infect me, then yes."
It was quiet for a moment. Then, I heard a sigh.
"The only way I can grant you that would be if I shifted to human, or shifted to full bunny form. Full bunnies cannot full body hug you, let alone kiss you. I'm sorry if I am so selfish."
He was starting to make me feel bad because I chose to limit his effections.
"I am the one who is sorry. If I didn't have such a huge destiny in Chess that, even Sterling, is hoping to see me complete, then I would've thrown caution to the wind and just pounced you."
Suddenly, right in front of me, the werejackrabbit stepped forward out of the darkness. He was tall, and could look me in the eye. He smiled and very lightly pressed his nose to mine, and gently hugged me, being careful not to touch my skin anywhere else.
"You saved my life. Someday, I hope I can give you a more proper reward... a reward from my heart... Thank you for agreeing to see me. There is a bathroom to wash your nose off at the end of the hallway. Thank you, Jansen Tanner."
I nodded my head, and started to leave... then I stopped and asked...
"Did I interrupt a mating?"
The werejackrabbit grinned.
"Yes, but you can walk in on me anytime."
I smiled.
"Is there a werehawk living down here someplace? I don't mean Sterling Hawk, but another younger werehawk. I got to see him once a few years ago, and would like to see him again."
The werejackrabbit smiled.
"Not actually down 'here', but I can tell you were the stud lives, if you really want to go see him. He rather enjoys getting company."
I nodded my head. The werejackrabbit smiled and gave me directions to the other werehawk's home. It was then that I realized that the other werehawk had to live out at the Sanctuary. I was finally going to get to see the Sanctuary, first hand.
I bid my werejackrabbit friend a temporary goodbye with a promise to visit with him again before leaving Las Vegas, after the Sanctuary visit. I entered the bathroom at the end of the hallway and washed off my nose. While I was washing, a wereGermanShepherd entered the bathroom and took a healthy piss in the urinal. He looked over at me and grinned.
"You're with Chess. You must be Jansen Tanner. I'm Guilbert Fremont, though my friends call me Guilmont the Protector. I've always wanted to be a Chess agent... but they don't except the moon-touched in their ranks, so I am told..."
He hung his head, and I smiled over at Guilmont.
"Keep the dream alive, my friend, and I'll see about getting you into the team. Just be patient, Guilmont."
Guilmont smiled at me, licked my face, then ran out of the bathroom, cheerfully. I then had to rewash my face.
Weredoggy drool!
She laughed out loud again!
"So, you really told Jo where you were. And she belted you, but good! But who is that guy she's with in the history? He isn't around currently... must be some fool Jo dumped pretty quickly. But even so, where did Jo dump his body? Just kidding! And you must be a were-magnet! They all LOVE you!"
She ate some of her buttered popcorn.
"Speaking of weird were-love, Freeway seems to love dropping in on the Vanlyone mansion without warning... He certainly seems to do his best to not mess anything up. Unlike other raccoons, he is not a destructive pest. He's actually pretty sweet. Even Shane likes Freeway."
She took a long drink of her soda, then looked for her place to resume reading on Jansen's agent history.