Chapter II: Cruising

Professor Edward Lee has to slap his pale face as his eyes are glued to the revolver. It was just sold for a skyrocketing price. However, the amount of money does not concern him, but how the gun her family used to own was resurrected in life. He can't be wrong since the company that auctioned it is legitimate, and he never heard they ran into authentication.

He took a closer look at the overhead projector as people in the lobby started to pack up and leave. Organizers are busy taking notes of the sales since it will take days to ship the items to the bidders.

He rolled out one of the papers he is holding into a messy table. He cleared up the empty wine glasses and ashtrays. He reaches out for his blue hanky and wipes out the rectangular table. The paper bears the last photograph of the 1851 Colt Navy. He traces every inch of the gun with his right index finger, and back and forth, his head looks at the projector's display.

He's completely dumbfounded. Edward was a hundred percent sure it was their great-great grandfather's revolver. He gulps with his dry throat. He knew it would be good news for his family. But how is it possible?

Edward's mind roams back to his memories when he was in 7th Grade in Minnetonka, Minnesota. He was living on a farm with his family in an ancestral house. His father was Edward Lee Sr. and a great-great-grandson of Gen. Robert Lee. One fateful evening while their family was having dinner, unidentified men in a pick-up truck suddenly threw balls of gasoline in their front house. In a matter of seconds, the two-story ancestral home burnt into ashes. They all managed to escape, but all their property and wealth were destroyed without a trace.

Including his great-great grandfather's historic revolver.

Edward's blue eyes ended up scanning the leaving people, hoping to find a glimpse of the gun. He has to find an answer. Did the weapon survive the hellish flames? It can't be.

More questions pump into his head as he suddenly saw a familiar figure he just bumped into today. It was her. It was the woman who just shoved his hand in the elevator. She has the revolver encased in a clear, plexiglass box. She is walking upstairs, accompanied by the auction's emcee and another middle-aged woman.

Without hesitation, he sprung up, made his way to scattered red Victorian chairs. He maneuvers himself from the busy staff cleaning up the lobby. He was able to set foot on the staircase.

"Hey, wait!" he shouted.

Security of The Company is always quick. Three tall men with dark suits blocked Edward's vision. Two of them held him by the arms, and he felt the stone fingers almost crushing his bones.

"I need to speak to her!" he pleaded. But the men don't need to hear his bullshit. He has immediately shoved away. One of the men shows his Glock on his side. Edward, being a man of intelligence, knows it is the alternative to the phrase 'back-off.'

Maya and her company went through.

_______________________________________________

The start of December signals the coming of winter. The steel railings on the entrance of Gemini Auction Company are starting to get icy. The five-story building has been proudly standing for 34 years and cloaked herself as a prime auction company. Despite its age, the building is still a refutable establishment, competing against auction giants like American Auctioneers.

Large led monitors are flashing their latest features of artifacts the company has sold to hundreds of bidders. With modern sofa sets and tables, the expansive European-inspired patio serves as the guests' and employees' entertainment area. It displays huge photos of the founder and hall of fame auctioneers, including Maya's father, Arthur Johnson. Upon entering, the first thing to notice is the expressive reception counter. Its white walls are illuminated by soft blue lights and brown couches for waiting for people to sit.

Maya removes her Ray-Ban as she pushes the glass door. For three straight years now, company meeting has always bored her. Her steps are in a hurry as her stiletto hits the white floor tiles hard. It's only 8:15 in the morning, yet the reception is already jampacked with people. Many are bidders, looking for the long list of desirable artifacts to be auctioned soon.

Of course, after they salvage it from the past. Which is, none of them knew.

She puts her coffee on the white marble reception table. She reaches for her I.D. and swipes it on a biometrics scanner attached to the wall. It flashes her identification.

Maya Johnson. 26. Female. Auctioneer.

She turned to her left and smiled at a familiar face among the three receptionists.

"Are they starting now?" she asked as she points to the lobby that leads to the meeting room.

"No. The Dragon is still in her cage," one of them answered.

They all smirk at the same time, including Maya. She knew that the "dragon" is for Lindsay. She walks and passes several doors and reaches the long red one in the center of the aisle. She presses her slacks with her left hand, and takes a deep sigh, and walks in.

Familiar eyes look at her. Some friendly, some not. Kroeger is already there, waving his hand to her. She immediately made her way and took the empty seat near him. Other auctioneers are busy chatting. They are fifteen in the room.

It's been a while since Maya remembered they were that many in a board meeting. Usually, five to seven people are summoned and take missions. Today, there must be something special, she thought.

There is Mendez, the oldest among the group. He is about to retire this year at the age of 55. He is known as the 'beast incarnate' of auction. He rose to fame when he found Blackbeard's lost treasure. Blackbeard, the most famous pirate in the world, has hidden many treasures. He confessed in his last breath but never disclosed the locations. But Mendez was able to pinpoint one of the places in Blackbeard's timeline, and he snatched the hundred-year treasure uncontestably. With the feat, Mendez is highly revered by many auctioneers like her.

Other people who Maya knows just by name are also present. Quin, Leo, and Shane. These three are all her batchmates during the grand recruitment three years ago.

And among the people she counted in the room, the last person she wants to see is Sylvia.

Sylvia Baron, 28, is Maya's rival since day one. She has no idea why this blonde, European lady is so much annoyed by her presence. When recruitment day arrived, Maya felt she has been brutal to her. The tasks were supposed to be a team effort, yet Sylvia did an excellent job pointing her mistakes and weaknesses to the superiors. It was indeed a hell week, but surprisingly, Maya made the cut.

She doesn't like her either. She thinks she's very dominating and controlling; that's why she never dreams of having a joint mission with her.

"Settle down, everyone," said Lindsay as she passes along the men chatting by the door.

Her already intimidating presence is paired with a khaki business suit and blazer pants. She adjusted her glasses and scans at the people. She opened up her MacBook and connected it to the big white monitor in the room. Everyone gathered their seat,

"Thank you. I'm sure all of you have been informed of the urgency of this meeting."

Lindsay walks back and in front of the screen. She presses the small black control button, and the display swifts into the next page.

"On the 15th of December, the company is celebrating its 35th year. With this, we are preparing for a grand auction to be held in Miami. This means we have exactly 27 days left to fill out our request list."

She paused as she spotted a raised hand.

"Who are we expecting big this time?" asked Jason Lven, the 33-year-old Slovenian auctioneer.

Lindsay adjusted her glasses and looked straight at him.

"Foreign dignitaries, including Philippines' special envoy Charles San Bernandino."

The news produced low murmurs among the auctioneers. Kroeger whispers to Maya's ear.

"That dude is surely big. He buys antiques like candies", Kroeger said. Maya gave him a little nod as she looks at the client's image from the projector.

"San Bernandino, for your information, is one of our giant patrons since our company operated years ago," Lindsay continues. She then clicks the button and shows the groupings and objectives for the next mission for today. "Now, to meet our deadline, you will be divided into groups, except for Mendez."

Everyone gave Mendez a nod of approval.

"He will be staying in the control room with me to oversee your mission. He'll be mentoring you all from now on", Lindsay pointed out. She smiled towards the man, which is very genuine for Maya since the old Dragon rarely smiles at her and to anyone.

Mendez threw his hands in the air as the auctioneer applauded him. "Old dog can't bite no more, that's why, that's why," he jokingly said.

Kroeger leaned forward from his seat to see the names. He read five groups. Three members each. Maya's with her. But they are only two. He confusingly raised his hand.

"Who's our third wheel?"

Lindsay did not answer. Instead, she turned to the ajar door and signaled with her hand to a standing man outside. The man nervously walks in and awkwardly greeted everyone with a bow.

"Kroeger, Maya, this is the third man in your team," said Lindsay. "This is Akira Myers, a recruit. He topped the selection class for this year."

"Hi… nice to mee ---"

"Wait, I'm babysitting again?" Kroeger protested. He took Maya under his wing when she was a new recruit like this guy in front.

"Yes, and it's The Board's decision. Can't do anything about it", Lindsay firmly answered back.

Kroeger helplessly leans back to the swivel chair. He sheepishly smiled at Maya, who still in a poker face since the start of the meeting. "Oh well, The Board finally saw my worth. I taught Maya all the reasons she's second to old dog Mendez. Now they decided to reel in the new fish fo' me!". The auctioneers burst in a laugh, but not Maya. She gave Croeger a frown, though deep inside, she knew its partly true.

Lindsay cut the crap and redirected the meeting back to the serious tone. She handed every group a piece of paper for their mission specifications. Each member automatically formed a circle within their group and discussed their objectives. Akira, the rookie, made small quick steps and joined his.

Maya stood up and snatched theirs before Kroeger gets a hand on it. She scanned the paper and looked at her team.

"What?" Kroeger is puzzled by her reaction.

She flips the paper and let the two guys see it.

"Oh, Lord, we're going cruising," she replied and breathed heavily.