Steel and the Mummy
#1 of Paranormal Detective Agency
A man known as Steel, owner and operator of the Paranormal Detective Agency, takes on jobs most would call ridiculous. His trademarks are a large tan overcoat, various tools and tricks hidden in pockets, and his trusty .357 magnum revolver. He receives calls from all over the world, most of which are not paranormal, but a select few are. With his strange informants and a lack of fear, he takes on any job he can just to pay rent.
Recently, a strange man had offered to meet Steel personally to discuss details regarding a job offer that paid three times the normal rate, but he wanted to meet at his estate, "Fancy place, no wonder you were willing to offer so much."
The man crossed his legs in his elaborate, antique chair, "I wish to discuss a matter most dire. I was part of an expedition to examine the pyramids, but we had stumbled upon a secret burial chamber in the desert. Whether this was luck or not, I cannot tell. We recovered countless artifacts, all of which were in pristine condition. Not even dust could enter the chamber."
"Uh, I'm not a dust guy, neither am I a researcher."
"I understand, please allow me to continue. The chamber belonged to a woman, mummified of course, but from the hieroglyphics we determined that during her life she had been involved in every form of government possible. Even stranger, she was alive for approximately 120 years, yet the walls had said that she hadn't aged a day past 20. I believe this is paranormal enough for someone in your line of work. Are you interested in the job I am offering?"
Steel nodded, "Of course, it sounds kinda fun. So tell me, what exactly am I going to be investigating for you?"
The man lit a pipe and took a few puffs. There was an awkward silence between the two men, "Her mummified remains, along with her sarcophagus were placed in a museum near here. However, as of two days ago both are missing. The operator of the museum is a good friend of mine, so he handed me the security tapes. Please watch." He picked up a remote and turned on the tape. The screen was apparently a framed painting on the wall when off.
Steel observed closely as the lid of the sarcophagus opened. Just as the man described, a mummified woman slowly crawled out. She had to break the glass which was housing her of course, but she stood up after that task and examined her surroundings with her hands on her hips. After centuries of supposed immobility Steel noticed that her movements were very fluid. She walked over to a few displays which held artifacts from her tomb, then simply took them. A section of her perfectly white wrapping tied itself around the sarcophagus, and then she walked out the front door as though nothing had happened.
"Well then... that seems to be paranormal. The wrappings look fresh, is there any chance someone broke in and... nope that sounds stupid. I'll take the job."
"Very good, I wish you nothing but success. If you could keep it quiet though, I would appreciate it. I need you to subdue or eliminate this mummified woman and return the sarcophagus to me, with or without her."
Steel thought for a moment, "I have a contact I'd like to talk with. She knows all about this sort of thing, and she's very discreet. Other than that, I won't whisper a word to anyone."
The man looked concerned, but gave in, "Very well. I will have to trust you and your contact."
"Mind if I use your phone?" The man gestured for him to do so, then left the room. Steel's contact was a bit different though, "I know you're listening. Meet me in the abandoned farmhouse just West of my position." He hung up without dialing a thing.
He left and headed towards a farmhouse. The inside was empty, a faint amber glow lit everything though. Steel looked around for a minute, then drew his gun and held it above his head just as something heavy made contact, "That's no fun."
"Can't you think of a nicer way to greet me?" He holstered his gun and turned around, "I know you're the Grim Reaper and all, but you don't have to try and reap my soul every time."
She waved the scythe away, "Very well. You have a question then?" She was wearing black robes, just as the typical Grim Reaper is pictured, but Steel knew that there wasn't a skeleton underneath.
He nodded, "Mummy chick. You control death, so I know that you know everything about her already."
She paced back and forth, "Ah yes, the latest disturbance in my realm of expertise. I do not know what she calls herself, but she has gained some popularity among the cultists of the area. An arrogant woman, more of a girl really. She defied my laws for quite some time though. In fact, she has never fallen completely into death, she has been conscious since she was mummified."
"Alright, this seems more like the stuff I deal with on a daily basis. So where is she, and what should I expect?"
The Grim Reaper stopped and looked right into Steel's eyes, "What's in it for me?"
He sighed, "Right, nothing is truly free in this world. What do you want?"
She was immediate in her answer, "I want the souls of the cultists. At least six of them."
"Fine."
"Good. She resides in a mansion overlooking the forest in this area. It's on a hill naturally, the only one of its kind. I believe it is due North of here. You may know that a mummy is strong but slow, and they have access to various magical powers. She is only a partial mummy though. Her influence is greatest with her charisma. That being said, in a fist fight she would win. Her cultists are numerous, about 30 in number, and they vary in training and experience. Their devotion to their leader is second to none though, and they will gladly die for her." She held out her hand, "Take these, to collect their souls." Steel let the bullets fall into his hand, "Other than that, you are on your own again."
"Thanks." Steel pocketed the bullets, "You'll get your souls, no worries."
The Grim Reaper smiled, "I know I can count on you. Besides, if you don't give me the souls you know what will happen." She walked into a shaded area before vanishing.
Steel shrugged, then began his long march to the mansion on the hill. There was a good breeze, so he didn't mind the walk, and the few clouds in the sky blocked the sun, making it even more pleasant, "I bet I would enjoy this more with a car. Figures I'd pick an obscure job with relatively low pay per step." He walked for a few minutes, "I think I just insulted my boss, which is also me, so I insulted myself... that can't be a good sign."
Just as the Grim Reaper said, he recognized the house immediately. A modern mansion, yet the word "mansion" didn't do it justice. It was larger than anything Steel had seen before. However, he expected a mummy used to royalty would want the biggest and best, so it wasn't entirely unexpected.
The winding driveway was long, but not unmanageable. The front door was antique brass and iron with some sort of gargoyles carved into the metal. Rather than use the large knockers held in the gargoyles mouths, he pulled open the door and walked in. The foyer was large, but despite the modern exterior the interior was decorated just like a typical old mansion owned by nobility in the Victorian era, "Fancy. Everything is pretty fancy around here, isn't it..." There was chanting just beyond a door at the far end, "Oh, this will be interesting." He took out his .357 and loaded the special ammunition.
With one powerful kick he opened the door, "Intruder! Stop the intruder!" There were cultists, about 30 just as he was told, all wearing crimson robes. This was the ballroom, and at the head of the room sat a very elaborate throne, upon which the mummy woman was sitting in a relaxed pose. Some of the pristine white wrappings had fallen off, revealing that all of her fur was gone. Her midsection, a few areas on her arms and legs, around her eyes, mouth, and fingers all had a light blue smooth skin. Her eyes were a bright yellow, but other than that she was a stereotypical mummy.
Six of the cultists dashed at him, and he quickly fired and killed them. He reloaded one by one, "Thanks for that. I don't like killing innocents, and that fulfills my end. Now, if we can talk?" He held his gun to his side, "Well? I'm not being paid to let you wander around aimlessly."
She did sound young, "Ah, a new admirer? How fascinating."
"Listen, I need you to stop whatever it is you're doing here, and I need at least the fancy gold coffin. If we could work something out, that would make my job simpler. Although... if you take your time I can make more money. So... talk slow please."
The mummy stood up and her hips waved back and forth as she walked, "Tell me stranger, do you know what it's like to be trapped in a tomb for all eternity? I finally have freedom, I have people following my every word, and I can truly enjoy myself. Why would I want to stop?"
Steel scratched his head, "Because... you're a nice mummy and don't want me to go homeless?" She stared at him, but he could see the curiosity in her eyes, "Right, introductions. I was rudely interrupted by your people. They call me Steel, owner and operator of Paranormal Detective Agency. I get paid to deal with paranormal stuff, though it seems I don't do much detecting..."
The mummy smiled, "I am Cleopatra, former behind the scenes ruler of Egypt. I was betrayed at some point, in which I was poisoned and mummified. My followers interjected, so my organs were spared. Please tell me what you do for a living in more detail."
"Woah, a nice person that could tear me into pieces. How rare. Well, I deal with the paranormal. Ghosts, goblins, that sort of thing. Usually my client wants something removed, or to check a house before buying. Either way, I do what's asked and I get paid. Most people think what I do is a scam, but... well you're living, er... unliving proof what I do has merit."
Cleopatra was very interested in Steel's work, "So, if I spent time around your organization I could learn more about this... paranormal field. You're also an attractive male, so I wouldn't mind spending time around you. I would like to propose a solution to your problem."
"Okay... but could you tell your followers to stop looking at me like that? It's kinda creepy." There were quite upset that an outsider could get their leader's attention so quickly.
She raised a hand, "Very well. Please avert your gazes my people." They did so, "Allow me to... what is the word... you there, what is the word for supporting a business?"
One of the cultists stepped forward, "Invest, my master." Then he stepped back.
"Thank you. Allow me to invest in your business, and I shall turn over my sarcophagus. In return, I wish to have permission to aid in your search for the paranormal, obtaining contracts, and assisting from behind the scenes."
Steel put away his gun, "Alright, you seem peaceful enough. Besides, I don't have the resources to turn down an offer like that." Cleopatra snapped her fingers and a few of her cultists carried the golden sarcophagus from another room, "I wouldn't be good at my job if I didn't ask, is there anything special about that?"
"Other than holding my glorious self, I imagine not. So we have a deal then. I shall have my people escort the sarcophagus to the museum within 24 hours. Please leave your business' address for... that man. I will see you soon Steel."
He wrote down his address as the cultists made preparations for the move, "Not the first time I've made a deal that I may regret later." He turned to Cleopatra, who was once again comfortable in her seat, "Just... don't move too much around. I have a system. Also, I only rent the first floor, don't bother the other people."
By the time he made it back to the client's house, the sun was mostly down. Steel walked right into the house and past the butler, "Ah, the detective returns. I was hoping to meet your contact, but judging but the time you've been missing, I assume you are finished."
"You'll meet my contact someday, everyone does." He laughed once, "But yeah, all is done. The sarcophagus will be delivered to the museum by tomorrow at this time. The mummy won't be returning, but I don't think that will pose much of a problem for a sealed coffin, right?"
"Impressive. The mummy would have been nice, but I realize that the undead rarely stay that way. Another incident like this might have gone public, and that would have been a horrible thing for me and my colleagues." He snapped his fingers, and a maid entered with a covered silver platter, "Your rate is $1,000 an hour, and at three times the rate and 6 hours, that comes to $18,000. I also give you a bonus, making it an even $20,000 for the discreet work."
Steel's jaw dropped. He had never seen that much money, nor has he ever been paid that much at once, "That's... that's good. Okay, I think I need a drink."
The man nodded with a smile, "Of course. Butler, please bring a glass of white wine for my friend here." Within moments, the butler brought two glasses and handed one to Steel, "Drink up, it should ease your shock."
"Thanks a lot." He downed the drink in one go, "Alright, I should head on out soon, thanks for the flight also." They said their goodbyes, and a short flight later Steel finally made his way back home. After the taxi ride, he was a bit concerned when he saw his landlord outside.
"Ah! Steel, a pleasure to see you!"
Steel raised an eyebrow, "I paid my rent, you shouldn't be that happy."
"Nonsense! Your generous offer to purchase the entire building has made me a very happy man, not to mention made me more money than people renting could pay me in ten years! Enjoy your purchase!" The man ran off.
Steel was concerned, "Investing, eh?" He used his key on the door to his office on the first floor, only to find that it no longer fit, "Uh..." There was a note taped to the door:
"Please come up to the third floor, your new office awaits."
"I said not to move anything..." He used the stairs rather than the elevator, and walked into the open door, "Hello?"
The mummy walked out from the back room, "Why hello business partner! As you may have noticed, I have upgraded your surroundings. This floor is much nicer. In addition, I have also purchased a vehicle, as I imagine it can be difficult relying on rented transportation. A van, just in case. The first floor is dedicated to storage, the second floor sleeping quarters, and this floor will be the main office for the Paranormal Detective Agency. My people are actively looking for additional contracts."
"How... did you afford this again?"
She giggled, "I have untold riches, remember? This was but a drop in the bucket for me."
Steel examined his office. The walls were clean, the desk was new, there was a file cabinet for easy access, and two back rooms. One was another office like area, but smaller, and the other had a safe and a few racks for weapons. Then he noticed the various guns on the wall, "This can't be legal."