As they walked toward the exit, Nasrin whispered to Atticus, "They now think I believe their nonsense. That drive- it's a trap." Atticus' stride paused imperceptibly, then continued. "it contains a tracking device. Go to Tay and I'll get the real device." Atticus should have known Nasrin was no fool. She veered toward the ladies' room as he made for the exit where Tay awaited them. "We were followed, but I have taken care of him" she reported and gestured toward the slumbering Obi Wan. He slipped the data drive into Obi Wan's pocket.

Nasrin entered the first stall, locked the door, and felt behind the cold porcelain tank. Taped there, in the narrow crevice between it and the wall, her fingers found a data drive, extracted it carefully, and slipped it into her back pocket. She flushed, then walked toward the mirror. A cluster of chattering showgirls suddenly entered, blocking her exit. She became momentarily tangled in a mass of feathers, cheap perfume, and Russian gossip.

Tay stood near the entrance of the Restaurant Tatianna wondering why it was taking Atticus and Nasrin so long. Meanwhile back in the restaurant, Atticus was being kissed by Nadya, a show girl. Nadya rubbed Atticus’ head and petted him like a dog. “You are so cute, I could just eat you up,” purred Nadya. Atticus looked to Nasrin for help him but she was talking to Natasha, a waitress. A booming Russian voice sprang up behind him. “Vat are you doing vith my vife?” Atticus jumped at the sound and turned to see the Russian who he had initially spoken with. “I-I-I…” “Oh Dahhhling,” purred Nadya, “Isn’t he just adorable? I wish we had one.” Atticus stood there in disbelief. Nadya was talking about him as if he were a pet or a piece of furniture. “Please Nadya. Not now. We’ve been over this. Please leave this boy alone and get ready for your performance tonight.” The Russian put a flash drive in Atticus’ hand and walked away with his wife. Atticus sighed with relief and looked for Nasrin. “Atticus, Natasha said she can see into the future. She’s been reading my palm.” “Really? And what has she been telling you, this almighty sage?” Natasha turned to Atticus, “Ah, I see ve have a disbeliever. That is okay. But please hear me out…there is trouble awaiting you in the near future. I see a man who is greasy and smells of diesel. I vould stay avay from this man. He is no good.” Atticus looked at Natasha like a parent trying to placate a small child. “Yeah, yeah, very good. Thank you, but we really must be going.” Atticus pulled Nasrin’s arm and headed towards the entrance. “Atticus wait….” “No, Nasrin. Now.”

"Why is the smelly evil one here?" thought Fiel, and glanced at el Sombre, their eyes meeting then aiming up at Tay. "I knew I'd seen him before! We must corner him." El Sombre trotted toward the courtyard entrance, then slipped behind the hedge and circled silently back toward their target. Tay and Fiel sauntered casually in the opposite direction. Tay reached into her small bag and located a tiny, powder-filled package, which she pulled noiselessly between her fingers and into the palm of her hand. She loosened the string with one hand and closed in on the target. He sat, strumming the guitar, pretending not to stare. Fiel emerged from the hedge and began suddenly barking loudly at him, baring her teeth. The diversion gave Tay cover to open the package and empty its contents of fine-grained dust toward his face and disappear back into the courtyard, and toward the club entrance, both Fiel and el Sombre at her heels. In a matter of seconds the powder did the trick. He sat fast asleep, guitar in his lap.

Tay let her dogs and herself out into the little courtyard that served as a beer garden in the summer months. Fiel led her brother in exploring every corner of the oblong area. Tay watched three tall, willowy women who cheerfully returned the dog greeting sniffs with giggles and excited peels of Russian exclamation. The xolos politely accepted pets and caresses. Tay smiled as the show girls walked past her. It was then she saw the bent little man with his guitar sitting on the boardwalk by the gate to the beer garden staring at her with eyes like coals. His hair was matted and greasy, his skin was wrinkled and tan. El Sombre sensed her fear and padded to the edge of the courtyard, Fiel watched him and returned to Tayanna's side. The man smiled at Tay and whistled in a burst. El Sombre knelt on the ground and Fiel began to whine. The wind changed and Tayanna smelled diesel fuel and cigarettes.

In the noise and heat of the dining room Atticus cleared his throat. Nasrin had struck up a conversation with a waitress while she prepared her station for the dinner crowd. Atticus was annoyed, the conversation was in Russian. He looked up at the staircase where the tattooed man had climbed after instructing the pair to wait. Tay was outside and Nasrin started to follow the waitress around. He wanted his team together. The restaurant began to fill with performers, staff and customers, all hugging and shouting at each other, in Russian. Just as he decided to follow Nasrin into the dining-room a striking blond, dressed in a skin tight suit barbed with feathers and sequins blocked his way. The showgirl smiled at him and put her arm around his shoulders and started to whisper Russian nothings into his ear. Atticus felt his face redden as she kissed his cheek. He wanted to fade into the wallpaper.

The three students and the two Xolos landed on Restaurant Tatianna and descended down the iron fire escape. They got to the alley and walked around to the front door. As they walked inside, the smell of vodka and Borscht filled the air. As their eyes adjusted to the dimness of the restaurant, they realized they were inside a gold and amber entombed room. There were sconces on the wall that held candles, and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling were so dimly lit, that the candles gave off more light. The restaurant was empty except one man sitting in a back booth against the wall. He was tall with light brown, just starting to gray, hair. It was slicked back to show his slightly receding hairline. He was slightly built, but muscular. He was wearing a light blue dress shirt, unbuttoned, that showed Russian prison tattoos covered his chest, hands, and neck. The man looked at them as the three walked further into the restaurant. “No Dogs allowed,” said the man with a thick Russian accent. Tay looked at him and replied, “Where I go, the dogs go.” “Then you vill have to vait outside.” Tay shrugged her shoulders, looked at the other two, and sauntered outside with her Xolos. Nasrin and Atticus started to get a little uncomfortable. Nasrin spoke to the man. “We are here to pick up a data drive. Courtney Love sent us.” As Nasrin and Atticus were inside getting what they came for, Tay was running into a bit of trouble on the outside.

As Love created another diversion, the trio and two hounds slipped unnoticed to the exit and climbed the stairs to the roof and into the awaiting Sikorsky. They headed south over the Manhattan skyline toward Brooklyn, past the Williamsburg Bank tower. Atticus sliced open the envelope. "It's encrypted. Wait- let me translate it." He pulled a slim, hand-held device from his inside jacket pocket and scanned the message with the push of one button. "It says we're going to grab a data drive- in Brighton Beach?" Nasrin's eyes flashed and a smile played around her lips. Atticus glanced at up at her. "Ah- how's your Russian?" he joked. The copter flew due south and a tawny strip of beach came into view. "It says we're to head toward a place called Restaurant Tatianna" he added as they touched down.

Before the elevator doors were completely closed Courtney turned to the Tayanna and said, "Your xolos are tremendously adaptive, it seems. El Sombre seems to have healed from his wounds quickly. Using you as inspiration we have begun a training program using hunting and shepherd breeds as operatives and pairing them with agents. I would like you to consult on the program direction after you have finished your first semester. Atticus, as you know I spoke to Knight about this mission moving forward with more lateral depth. This depth is Tayanna and, as we are finding, the astute Nasrin. Atticus, use your experience to help your team. Nasrin you have propensity with all types of technical data, don't you? Utilize that whenever you can. Tay, your link with the xolos and your skills for reconnaissance you are the teams eyes and ears. Atticus, keep the team focused and moving. After the first leg of the mission you will be using your own where-with-all, you own creativity, your own methods, to complete the delivery of..." Courtney paused to open the penthouse door. Tayanna realized that in the few seconds they had been together Courtney had identified and recognized specific talents of each of the students then not only complimented their strengths but she also motivated students to use them. Courtney opened the door, reached inside and handed Atticus an envelope. "Back to the elevator" During their descent to the lobby Courtney explained that they would open envelope once back in the Sikorsky. The doors opened into the hotel lobby and the waiting paparazzi. Courtney leaned down and hugged El Sombre. She kissed the dog on the mouth, then stumbled out into the center of the flashing cameras. "That is one cool doggy, lady."

The helicopter made its way east to New York and flew over Manhattan’s Time Square heading towards the rooftops. They landed on the rooftop of the Gansevoort Hotel. Tayanna, the dogs, Nasrin, and Atticus all climbed out of the helicopter still a little discombobulated from the flight. They located the stairwell and climbed the stairs down to the first floor of the hotel. As they exited the staircase, people who were in the lobby became nervous and scared around the two giant dogs who were with the three young spies. However, there was another spectacle that diverted their attention. Courtney Love, president of MASK, was dressed in a slinky, red sequined dress that barely touched her mid-thigh. The spaghetti straps that seemed to hold the dress up were falling off of her bare shoulders as she was being dragged out of the lounge by two security guards who resembled linebackers from a pro football team. As they held her up, she drunkenly slurred, “Lemme go! Don’t you know who I am?” As the two guards dropped her off in the lobby, she called them a few choice expletives and tried to stand and straighten her ripped fishnets. She stopped to pose and give the paparazzi a sloppy grin. As she teetered on her six inch stilettos, she glimpsed the three novice spies. She signaled for them to follow her to the elevator. As the elevator doors closed Courtney’s demeanor immediately changed. She straightened up and said in a perfectly sober voice, “Playing the drunk is always fun especially when the paparazzi are there snapping photos. Any publicity is good publicity.” The three spies headed up to Courtney’s penthouse still in awe of the spectacle they had just witnessed.

The Chicago Loop high-rises sank over the horizon behind them. Tay knew they were flying east. As the helicopter roared low over Lake Michigan Atticus and Tay looked at each other growing unease. Nasrin sat quietly, studying the inside of cabin. She leaned forward, hands on the panel in front of the helicopter controls. "I hope you know what you are doing, Nasrin." Atticus warned. "This is the new Sikorsky X2, it is the fastest long-range helicopter in the world. I have studied the cockpit layout of other Sikorskys, they are not dissimilar. All I am doing is checking our course." Just then the monitor above the empty pilot's seat came to life. Knight's face appeared. "Students, please listen carefully. You are being entrusted with an important task for the President of MASK herself..."

The van screeched to a sudden halt. Rook jumped out of the passenger side and whipped the sliding side door open. A sleek copter, blade circling lazily against the cloudless blue sky awaited 15 feet away. "Climb in!" shouted Rook. The dogs showed no fear nor reluctance, following Tay and her classmates into the cockpit. To their surprise, Rook closed the door behind them then trotted back to the van, leaving the copter's pilot seat unoccupied. "What the...!" gasped Atticus, as the copter engines revved up and they lifted from the ground. The trio watched, amazed, as the controls responded automatically. They wove between the city's skyscrapers then suddenly found themselves over the vast blue-ness of the lake. Tay watched whitecaps whip up on the azure surface, as the wind buffeted their helicopter.

As the three novice spies sat down, the driver hit the gas and they charged out of the underground lair. The bus moved in and out of traffic at top speed, even though it looked as though the bus could barely crawl on its dilapidated wheels. As they headed south down State street towards 533 Polk, where the helipad was, Tay, Atticus and Nasrin got a better look at their driver. He had greasy uncut hair which gathered in clumps over his forehead and into his eyes. His black leather coat was cracked and worn and looked as if it had been dragged through mud and left to dry and cake into the creases of the arms. His faded black pants were threadbare and his combat boots were covered in a grime so thick, that it was no longer apparent what the original color of them were. The three sat silent as they hurdled down the street. Tay finally mustered up the courage to ask the bus driver his name. He replied with a grunt, “Obi Wan.” The xolos growled at the sound of his voice. “Who are you?” “A retired MASK spy.”

Rook led them through a maze of little used hallways in the bowels of the Monadnock. They passed the division between the older north end of the building to the newer south end. Tay knew this because she saw steel girders amid the century old brick as they climbed flight after flight of stairs. Rook stopped at a dead end by a small steel door and waited until Nasrin and Atticus climbed the last stair and mounted the cramped landing with Tayanna and her xolos. Rook held his index finger to his lips. He slid what looked like a credit card into a seam in the rusted, riveted steel door. It slid open soundlessly, revealing the gleaming steel tracks on which the door traveled. Tayanna saw another weathered steel surface painted with the logo of the CTA in green and gold immediately in front of them. She heard the busy sounds of the teeming, mid-day city, smelled diesel fumes, and saw that the steel surface was vibrating. Rook knocked on the CTA logo, watching paint clips fall to the asphalt beyond the gleaming track. As they waited at the door Tay saw the wall in front of them was curved slightly, bending away from them but not reaching the ground. She saw light reflecting off oily macadam at their feet. The steel wall opened in. In front of the quartet were two steps up into a dark room with seats facing to the right. Rook stepped in and said "C'mon!" Tay stepped up and noticed the xolos were not following. She turned and Rook had noticed too. "Get them up or we will leave you here." Tay whistled and the dogs paused, then gingerly stepped up. The diesel fumes were thick around them when Rook told the three students to sit down. Tay saw that they were on a city bus, but the windows were covered with sheet metal and grime. She looked to the driver's seat and there she saw the dirtiest man she had ever seen. "Where?" he croaked. The xolos growled.

As she neared the school's central lounge area, she saw Atticus, duffle slung over his left shoulder, standing with Nasrin, the Afghan student, also bag in hand. She smiled to herself, glad Nasrin was going too. They were quickly becoming friends. Nasrin's eyes glanced sidelong towards Tay, and she smiled slightly. She could hear the echoed shouts coming from hand-to-hand class in the gym, where the other students were learning krav maga pressure points. "Are we all set?" asked Rook. "Let's roll!"

She heard a quiet, quick gait outside in the hall. This was an agile man. El Sombre was nowhere to be seen. Tayanna zipped her bag with her back to her dorm-room door. Fiel spread herself on the bed, belly up. Tay smiled and scratched her behind the ears and laughed as Fiel's hind leg twitched. "Well, isn't this a picture of domestic bliss? Hey, where is..." Rook turned toward the door in time to see a shadowy gray streak flying through the air. His right forearm shot up too late, El Sombre's full 60lbs struck Rook high in the chest as he felt his legs submarined by a slightly lighter toned grey streak, Fiel. He landed on his back and before he could raise his head two wet tongues found his face. He laughed and looked up at Tayanna, her arms folded, her eyes narrow. Rook, smiled in spite of himself, "I should have smelled that ambush from a mile away. They look happy, Tay. They seem to like to here in the big city." "They have adjusted more quickly than I. I still feel the cold wind all the way through to my bones." The dogs let Rook stand, "Get your stuff, let's get going!" Tay offered him a rare smile as she shouldered her duffle. "You look good too, Tay. Are you learning anything?"

Tayanna and Atticus saw the Monadnock building appear before them as they walked west down Van Buren Street. They entered through the north building. The north building is supported only by bricks, which makes it a rarity in Chicago architecture. The walls are six feet thick on the first floor. However, in the spy school deep underground, the walls are 6 feet thick, thereby emitting no sound or light from the outside or from the inside. Tayanna and Atticus took the elevator hidden behind the marble and iron staircase deep down below the Chicago streets’ surface. Once down in the spy school, Tayanna and her two dogs made their way to her room. While she was packing and wondering why she was being sent to DC, Fiel’s ears pricked up alerting Tay to someone approaching her room.