“Modern Ninja, Tail,” started Mother Earth, “I’m glad we’ve got the three of us here. There’s something that we can do together.”
“What about Near Absolute Hero?” asked Tail.
“He fought a fire all last night and is wiped out. Besides, I have a feeling he’ll be out of commission for what I have in mind.
“First of all, did you all hear about the escape of our three ninjas from Montreal?”
“Yes,” said Tail.
“Yes,” said Modern Ninja. “But certainly they aren’t causing such a hubbub in Montreal that we have to go back there?”
“I’d be tempted to leave them be, too. Except for last night they were robbing a mall in the Big Smoke itself.”
“Here? But they must know that things are more dangerous with us on the case, here. Without the Flame Tosser, they should be even easier to take down than in Montreal,” said Modern Ninja.
“Which is why I think they will wait till there’s a major fire to do their dirty work.”
“Which puts Near Absolute Hero out of the picture,” said Tail. “Smart.”
“What did they take from the mall?” asked Modern Ninja.
“They robbed all three jewellery stores that were there. They left the jewellery kiosk alone because it had lower value jewellery.”
“I hate thieves that are too good for similar but lower value wares,” stated Tail.
“I just hate thieves,” said Modern Ninja.
“There were cameras all over the mall so I can play you the entire robbery. Modern Ninja,” said Mother Earth, “I want you especially to take a close look at how this was done.”
The video evidence showed the three ninjas stealing from the three jewellery stores and going from point to point. The moves at the jewellery stores were expected. What was not expected was how the trio moved from point to point in the mall.
Two of the ninjas were on the edge of the mall halls moving parallel with each other. But they looked sideways so they were watching each other the whole time. The third ninja was ahead of the other pair in the middle of the hallway.
“What do you think of their formation, Modern Ninja?” asked Mother Earth.
“The only reason I can get two ninjas in a fight is because I can line up with the two I want, on the same straight line we three make but outside the two ninjas. That way I stay invisible for both of them. In the mall I can’t do that.”
“I can get one,” said Tail.
“Which still leaves us one short. So let’s see their weak point – outside.”
The askew ninja got to the door first and ran outside to the waiting SUV which he drove right up to the mall doors. Only then did the other two break their formation and go outside into the waiting SUV. They were away in seconds.
“There’s only one more mall big enough in town to have multiple jewellery stores, too,” informed Mother Earth.
“Fairway Mall,” said Tail. “Is there a way for one of us to take out two ninjas? There will only be us two with boots on the ground.”
“I think I can make up for my physical uselessness with planning,” said Mother Earth.
And so they planned.
