The Tiger's Gaze

Captain James Sphinx angrily jerked his leather flying helmet from his head, his sandy brown hair plastered to his skull as he grit his teeth. He and the rest of his Misfit Squadron had just landed at the Shanghai aerodrome they’d called home for the past few weeks. 

Climbing out of the cockpit of his P6 Hawk, the young pilot stormed away barely acknowledging the ground crew as he met up with the rest of his men. He was hating this entire infiltration game he was playing with “The Tiger,” or “Mai,” whatever her actual name was. The smuggler queen of Shanghai, maybe even all of China.

He crossed to Webster who held his ever-unlit smoking pipe between his teeth. 

“You okay, Webster?” Sphinx asked. 

“Capital,” Webster replied. “However, I refuse to fly that lumbering trimotor ever again.”

“It’s more like a twin-motor now,” Tomas grumbled gesturing his thumb at the engine: riddled with bullet holes and dripping oil. 

 “I wasn’t expecting that.” Tex gasped as he jogged up to them. 

“To get caught in a battle between the Nationalists and Communists? Me Either. But we should have expected something working for The Tiger.” 

“Think she set us up?” Webster asked.        

Sphinx balled his fist. “I don’t know... but I’m going to have a word with her.” 

Tex held his hands up. “Might cost us our best lead in finding Yao.” 

Sphinx nodded as Webster spoke next. “Don’t forget she’s essentially a mobster. Might not take kindly to HR complaints.” 

Sphinx scoffed. “This is Shanghai, a gambler’s haven. I’ll roll the dice.”  

Tex chuckled. “You sound like a Bogart or Cagney character right now.” 

“Says the man out of a Western,” Sphinx replied.  

“Awright, that’s fair.” Tex shrugged.  

Tomas just leaned against the plane, “I don’t have any opinion. I’m just a gunner.”  

Sphinx smirked. “I’m off to the Phoenix club, who’s joining me?” 

That turned out to be Tex and Tomas who flanked Sphinx as he confronted Jun, the Tiger’s assistant. 

“Ah, you returned.” He looked around, slightly suspicious. “Where is the Englishman?” Jun stated. 

“He’s checking the damage done to our planes!” Sphinx growled.

“Unfortunate. Now then, next—” Jun started. 

Sphinx slammed his hand on the table. “I want to talk to your boss, I’m not dealing with a middleman right now!” 

Jun raised a brow. “That is not how we operate.” 

“I think you can make an exception for me.”  

Jun met his gaze. “Dangerous game you are playing boy. You may be in her good graces, but abuse that and you will feel her claws.” 

“Where is she?” Sphinx questioned.  

“Do not say I did not warn you,” Jun replied.

Sphinx stepped into the dim, smoky haze of the opium den, his boots thudding against the creaking wooden floor. The heavy scent of burning poppies hung in the air, clinging to his clothes and weighing on his lungs. The flickering light of red paper lanterns cast shifting shadows that danced across the walls, making the place feel even more surreal.

He could see figures sprawled on the floor and on cushions as soft twanging music played. He held his shirt to his nose against the miasma of opium smoke. His men were outside, and he hoped they were still alright. A few more turns and he found her.   

Mai The Tiger lounged on a silk divan, dressed in a shimmering black cheongsam embroidered with gold dragons, showcasing her long shapely legs. Her dark eyes flicked up from the long-stemmed pipe in her hand as Sphinx stormed toward her. She smirked and exhaled a stream of smoke that coiled upward like a serpent.

“Ah, Captain Sphinx," she said lazily. "You look like a man who's had a difficult morning.”

Sphinx stopped in front of her, his jaw tight. "You sent us into a war zone! Webster's plane barely made it back in one piece, and we had to dump your shipment in the middle of a battle."

She tilted her head. "And yet, here you are. Alive. My plane returned, your men returned. I'd call that a success.”

“We lost the cargo,” Sphinx reminded her.

Mai waved a hand dismissively. “Those rifles were already paid for. Whether they end up in the hands of Nationalists or Communists makes no difference to me. The warlords will find a way to arm themselves regardless. I win either way.” 

Sphinx wasn’t surprised that she was playing both sides. He leaned down, bringing his face closer to hers.

"You set us up," he hissed.

Mai’s smirk widened. "I wasn’t expecting that much firepower in the area, true. But you handled yourself better than most would.”  

Sphinx folded his arms. “You put me and my men all at risk.” 

Mai finally sat up, placing the pipe aside. Her expression turned sharp, her voice cutting through the haze. 

“And yet, you came back to me. Why is that, Captain? Because you know your job is one of risk already. We both know that. What I ask you to do is no different than any other job you would take. Or perhaps, deep down, you enjoyed it. The chaos, the danger. Maybe you belong in this world more than you’re willing to admit.” 

Sphinx opened his mouth to retort, but no words came out. She had a way of digging into his skin with her red painted nails, exposing the parts of himself he didn’t want to face. He stepped back, unwilling to give her the satisfaction of seeing how much her words rattled him.

She reminded him far too much of another dangerous woman he’d known and a misadventure that had ended with him getting a nice bullet scar for the rest of his life. How was this one going to end? 

“I suppose you might have a point. I’m not surprised you supply both sides. Ever run any guns to Yao the Dragon?”

Mai’s eyes narrowed. “Why the sudden interest in Yao?” 

Sphinx played it off. “What pilot hasn’t heard of the feared airpirate? It stands to reason you might supply him from time to time.” 

Mai looked thoughtful. “You know he used to live right here in Shanghai? A perfectly ordinary man with a family. Then he lost his family when the Japanese bombed us in thirty-two. He’s dug his two graves and set out for vengeance. How he became so skilled or dangerous is beyond even my knowledge.” 

Yao had indeed started out just targeting the Japanese, but his targets had expanded to others, and the early restraint he’d shown in collateral damage was gone. How many families had he destroyed trying to avenge his own?

“You still haven’t answered my question.” Sphinx noted. 

Mai chuckled. “Thinking of leaving me for him? Is that it? Think he’d be more upfront about things?” 

Sphinx smirked. “Jealous?” 

Mai laughed, “Hardly. You’re far better off with me: he's even less tolerant of Westerners than I.” She beckoned him close again. “Now sit beside me. You disturbed me, it’s only fair.” 

Sphinx drew closer still breathing shallowly. 

“You do not chase the dragon I see?” Mai giggled. 

Sphinx’s mind was wandering imagining a dragon breathing out the drug laced smoke that filled the room. “I’m surprised you sample your own product.” 

Mai shrugged. “It can be relaxing. You should try it, you’re awfully tense. All the time.” Mai reached for the pipe. “Here.” 

Sphinx sighed. “That stuff is addictive, you know that right?”

Mai raised a brow. “Hmm, so is tobacco.” 

“Tried it once,” Sphinx replied. “Didn’t like it.”

“You are most curious,” Mai chuckled. “Do you drink at least? Everyone has a vice.” 

Sphinx nodded. “A good bourbon.” 

“Try the Maesil-ju, at least.” Mai smiled as she rang a servant, her teeth seemingly far too sharp... or was the smoke finally getting to him?

A bottle and two glasses were brought before them before the servant vanished as quickly as they had come. Sphinx was not drinking anything from that bottle or glasses till she did the same. He knew that much: He hadn’t lived this long by being foolish. 

Mai poured the drinks. “You are young, brash, but not quite arrogant. I find that refreshing. You’ve already done well, I can help you go further.” 

He watched her carefully. 

Mai laughed. “You really should relax more! I’m not going to poison you: I’m not that merciful.” 

“Good to know,” Sphinx replied as they clinked the glasses together, and he sipped carefully, still watching her to see if she was faking taking a drink or not. Mai took a healthy sip, a smirk on her face.

Sphinx sighed, then took a sip himself. The flavor was interesting. 

If this is poison, at least it’s pleasant, he thought.

The world seemed to drift by and he had enough of his faculties to realize there was more than alcohol in that bottle. He blinked as the shadows deepened as the lights brightened. The room seemed to tilt and shift like a boat on rough seas.

“Whew,” he muttered. 

Mai chuckled as she put a hand to his chest and sat him down on the cushions. “Did I forget to mention the special ingredient here? Don’t fight it.”   

Sphinx lifted his eyes to Mai once more, and saw that she had changed. Her skin had transformed into lustrous orange and black fur, and new feline eyes glinted in the dark.

He groaned, eyes moving across the room to see a different shadowy figure, much like a kitsune - almost a familiar presence to Sphinx - watching with bright violet eyes. She seemed to shake her head in a ‘tut-tut’ manner. 

One thing was for sure, if he got out of this with all his faculties intact, it wasn’t something he wanted to repeat. Mai’s laughter echoed through Sphinx’s mind.

“Everything all right, dear?”

He didn’t have a witty retort in mind as he laid there questioning his life choices. 

“That... is a hell of a drink, miss Mai,” Sphinx whimpered.

“I had to make sure you could handle the kind of drinks you might be offered,” Mai said, running her bejeweled hands along a bottle that sparkled like midnight. “Drinks here are often far stronger than the ones where you hail from. If you are to run more... errands... for me, you had best be prepared,” she purred.

“No kidding they're stronger,” Sphinx muttered. 

“This particular drink is said to give powers of divination to those who have never had it before. Did you see anything interesting?”

“I’ll say. You look like an actual tigress.” 

Mai giggled, and Sphinx could swear she had a tail, whipping in the air. “Then the legend of the drink’s power continues.”

The room wobbled and changed as he held onto his seat, almost like he was about to fall off. That’s when he was grabbed from behind. Sphinx gasped.

“One more test, my dear,” she said as the arms grappling him tightened their grip.

Sphinx was already struggling with his faculties: having someone suddenly grab him was the last thing he needed. Still, even though the fog of that accursed drink, he knew how to react. Sphinx shifted his weight and brought his head back hitting his attacker in the face as he jabbed backwards with his bony elbow - It was enough to loosen the grip at least. Sphinx took the opportunity to drop his weight and execute a throw he had learned in his travels in the far East. 

Sphinx’s attacker landed on the floor and the young pilot stumbled and swayed: Under the influence, his attacker looked like some kind of demonic ape-like creature, complete with oily black fur and glowing red eyes. 

Sphinx tried to follow up his attack but his foe was on their feet in a flash and Sphinx found himself stumbling back from a kick to the torso. He hit the far wall, gasping for air and quickly let himself fall to the side as his opponent rushed him, their massive fist striking the wall he had just been, then crying out in a howl of pain.

The colors of the den - and the den itself - were swirling. Sphinx felt bile raise in his throat, but he had to keep his focus, even as his body betrayed him. His limbs felt like lead as he struggled to get into a fighting stance. A few more blows rocked his body before he managed to stick a punch in retaliation, but then promptly fell to the floor. A massive foot loomed above him and Sphinx quickly brought his hands up, catching the stomp meant for his head and staggering to his feet, sending his opponent teetering to the ground. 

Sphinx swayed on his feet, the drugs and blows taking their toll on him, he knew he needed to strike his opponent when they were down but his body wasn’t responding. 

He took a few more blows to the face and torso before there was a sharp cry from Mai as Sphinx’s opponent got to their feet. Words were exchanged and the demon ape - or more likely just a large guard - shambled from the room. 

“I’m impressed. Most wouldn’t have the gumption to put up a fight in your state,” Mai purred. “You are full of surprises aren’t you?” 

“I’ve had enough of your games.” Sphinx muttered as he tried to stagger from the room. 

Mai caught him. “Oh you will not be leaving so soon,” Mai said, grabbing Sphinx’s arm, “You’re in no condition to find your way out of here.”

Sphinx pulled against her. “I’m leaving... now!”

Mai’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think you will make it very far alone? I may have played you a bit, but this place is far worse than you can imagine.”

Sphinx blinked. “Worse than this? I can feel the colors in my head.”

“Keep walking and you’ll be in a den where they have more than just opium,” Mai said, pulling him back. 

He didn’t know how long the effects would last, and he didn’t have much choice but to let Mai drag him back to the cushions. His head was still spinning and the colors of the room swirling in front of his eyes. His stomach churned and his mouth went dry. The air around him seemed to vibrate with a strange energy, and he could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

He didn't know how much time had passed before the effects of the drink began to wear off. Slowly the room came back into focus, and his body no longer felt like it was made of lead.

Sphinx rubbed his temples. 

“I think I’d better stick to bourbon,” Sphinx grumbled. 

To his surprise Mai was still in the room offering him a coffee - thankfully she looked like a normal human woman again. 

“It will help. Don’t worry, nothing but caffeine in this one.”  

Grateful, Sphinx took a sip from the cup. 

“Your men were raising a ruckus earlier, best you go out to them before they do something brash. They are quite loyal to you.” Sphinx merely nodded as he made his way out of the room as Mai called after him. “I’ll be in touch for your next assignment. Should it prove challenging, do not come to me about it.” 

“Give me a risk assessment next time, and I’ll be in a better mood.” 

The two regarded one another in silence before Mai made her damned smirk again. Sphinx made his way out of the den, passing a large man nursing a hand wrapped in gauze and with a swollen eye. Very likely the ‘demon-ape’ Sphinx had fought earlier. The pilot stumbled into the light, blinking his eyes like a sewer rat caught in the sun, disheveled and with a swollen lip.

Tex gaped at him, and it seemed Tomas had swapped out with Webster at some point during the night. 

“Bloody hell! What happened?” Webster shouted. 

His wingmen were quick to get one of Sphinx’s arms over their shoulders. 

“You reek of that place,” Tex drawled. “Thought you were too smart to partake in that stuff.” 

Sphinx sighed. “I wasn’t smart enough to think about the drinks there being spiked with it.” 

Webster groaned. “Did you get any information out of this?”

Sphinx nodded. “Yeah. She definitely is one of Yao’s suppliers. I think I’m still in her good graces. We’re a step closer. Don’t worry, I’m not turning into a junky. I don’t want to repeat that experience ever again.” 

Webster shook his head. “We’re getting in too deep.”

Sphinx nodded. “Not much deeper, I hope.”