Ep 25 - Black Butterfly

“I think I can help you with that.”

Everyone turned at once. Hands instinctively drifted toward the holsters. The woman just smiled faintly and said “Shalom.”

The whole room froze. Everyone stared at her like they’d just seen a ghost. Everyone except Michelle and Williams, who exchanged confused looks.

“Yael?” Trella whispered. “Is it really you?”

Michelle blinked. “Yael? Like Yael Ben-Ari? The Black Butterfly?”

“Yup,” the woman said cheerfully. “That’s me! And you must be Cipher. I heard impressive things. Nice to finally meet you.”

Talia leaned forward, incredulous. “How did you… I thought you wanted to settle down somewhere in the Amazon.”

“That is true,” Yael replied. “But something concerning happened. And it has to do with you, so I thought I’d pay you a visit.”

Trella’s voice sharpened. “What happened?”

“Someone attempted to do a moonflower harvest. And not on a small scale.”

Milena stiffened. “Moonflowers?!”

Michelle frowned. “What’s a moonflower?”

Milena turned to her. “A plant. A very rare one.They grow only in very few places on Earth, mostly Amazon. They are as poisonous as they are beautiful. The flowers don’t close during the night and when moonlight hits them, it is like a scene cut from fairy tales. That’s why the local tribes call them moonflowers.”

“And,” Yael added calmly, “they’re a key component of the supergirl serum.”

Milena’s expression darkened. “And one of the rarest. I also use that extract to make the supplement serums. So they are very important. Please don’t tell me they’re gone…”

“They tried,” Yael said. “A big part of the field is intact. I followed the survivors and found a hidden lab with heavy security. Going in alone would be suicide even for me, but—”

Aya ran in with urgency, and out of breath. “Guys, security- Yael??? Yaeeeeel!”

Aya ran to Yael and gave her a hug that almost made her eyes pop out of their sockets. “Aya… you’re… Let…”

“Sorry! I’m just-”

Wham! Yael gave Aya a big slap on her head. “I am not enhanced, you know! And not the youngest either! Dumbass!”

That gave Michelle a good laugh. Someone able to shut Aya up. That was rare. But her dad was not laughing. “If you found a lab, why come here instead of calling?”

“And miss those reactions? No way! And besides… I don’t know how it is in the US, but in the Amazon we don’t have phone booths with satellite telephones on every corner.”

That cracked up Michelle even more…

Dawson stepped in. “Glad you’re here. Right now we can use all the help we can get.”

After a rapid briefing, Yael walked to the map. “This sure is concerning. I hope I can help. The lab is located here. Thanatos used it in the past, but since his death it has been abandoned. Someone rebuilt it recently. I don’t know who is running it, but ain't anyone local. Couldn't get any solid information. I just know they were the ones after the moonflowers. And considering the location…”

Talia nodded grimly. “Yeah, they’re pretty much off grid. The rainforest is an excellent cover.”

“So we go in and shut it down,” Trella said.

“And while you’re there,” Milena added, “bring me a few petals. I am starting to run low on flower juice.”

Yael smiled. “I think I have that covered. I've jumped one of their supply cars. A little present.”

Milena beamed. “You are my favorite butterfly, Yael!”

Michelle raised a practical concern. “So… How do we get to Brazil with all our equipment? I don’t think regular airlines would let us take our armory and I pretty much doubt Briggs would lend us another cargo plane…”

“We have a small airplane here…” Yael said. “How do you think we used to move around the world in the old days?”

Trella shook her head. “We… had a plane. That piece of crap’s had it.”

Talia spotted something on the radar. “Well I may see a means of transportation. Three armored speedboats heading right towards us.“

Trella sighed. “Those pirate guys? Some people just don't know when to quit. Time?”

“Doesn’t look like they are advancing right now. But I wouldn’t give it more than half an hour.”

“Good. Send a message to Mama Gabriela. Tell her she should get the villagers to safety. In the meantime let's gear up and prepare them a warm welcome. Death comes to those who don’t listen.”

The girls moved quickly. Weapons and ammo were checked, the rope-dart coiled. Talia rigged a jammer and a micro-emitter to blind their comms for a few critical minutes. Liza prepped a small case of med supplies just in case.

They slipped down the paths into the abandoned village, the perfect ambush ground. Trella posted pairings, Aya took point on a low wall with her grenade launcher. Michelle and Dawson coordinated overwatch. Talia watched the drone feed as the three boats crawled nearer. They were armored, packed and not subtle. Trella and Maya were in position to greet the pirates inside the prepared killzone. Aiko and Mei-Ling hid on the shore where the boats anchored, preparing to hijack them.

Talia whispered over the comms. “Five minutes.”

The pirates came to the village. Trella and Maya were waiting for them on the far side of the village square. Their leader confronted the girls. “Pretty bold to face us like this. You caused us a lot of trouble. Time for you to pay for it. This island and everything on it belongs to us now!”

“Overconfident fool. I thought I gave you a big enough warning. Looks like some people never learn. This island is under our protection and we're not letting you walk away alive.”

“You dare to threaten me? You and what army?!”

Trella gave the signal and the Fangs opened fire from every angle. Pirates fell like flies one by one. They never stood a chance. One minute had passed and only the leader of the pirates was still alive, although lying on the ground and bleeding.

“Us and “this” army. We are the Black Fangs,” Trella replied coldly.

The leader of the pirates just realized who he foolishly faced. But it was too late. Maya pulled the trigger and the pirates were no more.

In the meantime Aiko and Mei-Ling entered the boats and finished off anyone still on board.

“Boats secured,” Aiko reported over the radio.

“Talia,” Mei-Ling added, “you should check out those boats! They are really something!”

“I’m already watching the feed,” Talia replied, barely containing herself. “Modern armored high speed torpedo boats! Can’t wait to get my hands on them!

Mei-Ling’s voice was flat. ”I think she’s having an orgasm.”

“Sounds about right,” Aiko said, smirking.

Trella signaled the girls to secure and sweep the perimeter. After they cleaned up the village, they gave Mama Gabriela the signal to return with the villagers. It was over. As the team prepared to bring the boats back to the Sanctuary, the island exhaled. For now, the peace was restored.

***

Talia was already halfway inside the nearest hull, head and shoulders buried in an open maintenance hatch, a grin spread like a sunrise. She ran a finger along the engine cowling as if it was a vintage sports car. “Oh, my God. Look at this layout. Twin V-drives, reinforced kevlar-lined hull, independent fuel bladders, integrated shock-mount seating… They didn’t just buy cheap clunkers. These are serious. Look at the cargo room… You could hide a whole pickup in here! And the mounts! They rigged two machine-gun turrets forward. Those pirates weren’t messing around.” She crawled back out, squealing like a kid on a carousel. “They’re comfy. Climate control, insulated bunks, real navigation suite, full GNSS, redundant comms. Whoever converted these, knew what he was doing.”

Trella watched from nearby, arms crossed, amused despite herself. ”So… Can we use them to get to Brazil?”

Talia straightened, suddenly all business, already sketching routes in the air. ”Yes and no. In their current configuration they’ll move fast, easily 30–35 knots cruising, but range is the problem. At cruise they’ll need refueling stops every so often. Realistically: a few days of transit with several short stops to top off fuel and do quick checks. Not stealthy, but doable.” She tapped a seam on the hull as if it’s a piano key. “But… if we remove the torpedo tubes and use that space for reserve fuel bladders, we can massively increase range. Swap the tubes for tanks and proper baffling, re-route auxiliary pumps, and we’re talking one planned stop on the way for fuel and fresh water. We’d lose the forward heavy-weapon capacity, but we’d gain operational freedom and range. For a mission like this? I’d take the tanks.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “Practical plan: modify two boats for fuel and cargo, keep one as the rapid-extraction boat with weapons. We hop-coast to a low-key refuel point — a fishing port or a discreet river estuary, do a quick top-up at night, then push on. If we keep cruising speeds moderate, it’s a fast, quiet coastal run. No headlines, no big wakes in the wrong places.”

Mei-Ling nodded. “Sounds good. And the bunks - we can rotate crews without killing anyone.”

“Exactly. We ride and sleep in shifts. The boats will feel like a cramped little hotel, but we’re mobile and armed. I’m already drooling just thinking about the wiring.”

Aya snorted a laugh. “God, you’re gross.”

“I’m an engineer,” Talia shot back proudly. “This is my porn.”

“Well, whatever gets you there… Send me a postcard. “

“No,” Trella cut in. “You’re coming with us.”

Aya froze. “Say that again and I’ll blow up all three boats.” ...and she left

Talia blinked. “I think we're gonna have to sedate her... “

“I’ll tell Milena,” Trella replied dryly. “Keep working.”

***

The Sanctuary lab smelled of solvent and boiling compounds. Milena hovered over her glassware, muttering furiously into the steam. “Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Can’t they do anything right?! This will take me weeks to clean up! Darn! Bunch of amateurs!”

Trella stood patiently in the doorway. “Mils?”

“What?! I’m busy!” Milena snapped.

“I just need some sedatives…”

“Sedatives?”

“Something strong enough to knock out an elephant.”

“An elephant…”

“We’re doing a two-day boat trip. We need Aya with us.”

Understanding dawned.

“Oh. So you want something that will keep Aya dozed for two days…” Milena slammed a beaker down and buried her face in her hands, then exhaled. “I don’t think a sedative that strong exists. But I can make something that’ll keep her unconscious for a stretch. It’ll make her groggy for a while after. I’ll need to test the dose on something first. No guarantees.”

Trella nodded seriously. “Do it. We’ll keep watch.”

“And bring me some fresh moonflower petals,” Milena added sharply. “The samples Yael brought are degraded garbage. Badly handled trash. They had the right idea, but the execution… To clean this up will take weeks. If I had the real flowers, the work would take half the time. To purify those samples will be a pain in the ass.”

“Can’t be helped,” Trella said. “Just make it strong enough.”

Milena sighed and reached for a fresh set of glassware. “Fine. But don’t expect miracles.”

***

Low light from monitors cast pale rectangles on tired faces. Williams held the phone in his hand, his eyes focused on the scrolling telemetry. Michelle worked at a console nearby, but he was on this call alone.

“I did what you asked,” Tucker said on the phone. “The NSA check was negative. No traces.”

“That’s good. I need to speak to the director. Can you get his attention?”

“I don’t know. But while I was poking around, somebody else noticed,” Tucker admitted.

Williams tensed. “Who?”

“Deputy Director Linda Lang. She found out. I had to spill.”

Williams inhaled sharply. “I’m amazed you survived that. That woman’s a three-foot-intimidation machine.”

A click, a brittle breath, then another voice, ice-edged and official, cut in on the line. “And that three-foot intimidation wants to speak to you in person, Mr. Williams.”

Williams almost had a heart attack. “D—D—Deputy Lang…?!”

“The materials Agent Tucker showed me are disturbing. She says you have more.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I want you in Fort Meade with everything ASAP. We have an internal lead that appears to tie into what you’ve unearthed. Bring Mr. Dawson with you.”

Williams glanced at Dawson across the room, who was watching him like a shark waiting for a scent.

“Ma’am, we’re not exactly on the grid. We left the country. Crossing borders will get us arrested.”

“You are a former CIA agent. You know how to pass borders unnoticed. Tell me where and when; we pick you up. Once you’re in our protective custody, other agencies can’t touch you.”

Williams swallowed. He drew a breath and looked at Michelle briefly. The weight of any move hit him. “One condition. I want you and Agent Tucker to run this investigation. No outside hands.”

“This is sensitive. Agreed. We have a deal.”

The line went quiet. Williams held the phone for a second, then put it down on the table like he'd set a live wire in the center of the room.

***

The sun hadn't fully burned off the mist yet, and the smell of saltwater mixed with oil and gunmetal. Talia looked like she had aged ten years overnight. Grease streaked across her cheek, eyes red but burning with excitement as she slammed a wrench into place on the last mount. “They’re ready. You can almost hear them begging for open water.”

Nearby, Mei-Ling and Liza argued over crates of ammo vs. medical kits, while Michelle double-checked her laptop and backup drives. At the edge of the dock, Williams and Dawson shouldered duffels, already half-loaded into a small boat. “North it is. New Mexico. Good thing those cartels had tunnels there.”

Dawson turned to Michelle, before boarding. “Stay sharp, Cipher. And don’t let Trella drag you into doing something insane.”

Michelle just smirked, but Trella rolled her eyes. “You know me. We only look insane.”

Back inside, Milena was stubbornly hovering over a crate with her notebooks and vials, refusing to touch her duffel. “If I stay, I can clean the moonflower mess. When you come back, I’ll have it purified and ready.”

But Trella stepped in. “No way. You’re coming. If that lab is what Yael says it is, we’ll need you there in person. End of discussion.”

Milena groaned and muttered about "wasting precious time", but started to cram glassware into protective foam anyway. Meanwhile, in the corner, Aya lounged on top of her unpacked bag, chewing on an apple like she’s got all the time in the world.

Trella barked at her. “Aya. Gear. Now.”

“Gear? I’m not even going. Haven’t you heard? I’ve got big plans to sit right here, blow up boats if necessary, and drink Mama Gabriela’s coffee.”

The others groaned in unison. Aya and Trella were nose-to-nose. “You’re going, Aya. End of story.”

Aya stood up. “Make me.”

“Gladly.”

Aya smirked haughtily and then suddenly blinked like her brain just blue-screened. “…weird… did the walls just—”

THUD. She faceplanted the floor. Everyone froze. Milena stepped into view, recapping a syringe with surgical precision. “Strong enough for an elephant.”

Talia was covering her mouth, trying not to laugh. “Ten seconds flat. New record.”

Trella grabbed Aya under the arms, heaved her up and staggered under her weight. “Somebody pack her stuff. I’ll carry her to the boat. Damn, is she heavy!”

And the journey to the south began.