Posts: 8,131
Threads: 731
Joined: Aug 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
Doc himself had never been involved with such a meeting. He largely sat silent, paying attention to the high priest and his counterpart as he enjoyed his drink. He was still trying to figure out just where he fit into this. As he sat, thoughts of children at the Port Jackson settlement crossed his mind. The thoughts brought him peace as they seemed to receive him well. It had been some time since he had made a personal presence and the thought troubled him. He failed miserably with Bretonian adults. He felt that the future of Bretonia was in it's youth.
He spoke up, "I have a question. Children. Where do they fit into this chao? I ask because I have found some of the most soothing mental moments with them. Bretonian refugee children at Port Jackson, so many of whom seem unspoiled by the war in Leeds. My own daughter, young and unknowing of the universe around her and my unborn twins...."
He paused a moment, realizing that he hadn't revealed that information to anyone. With the cat-out-of-the-bag, he finished, ".....what kind of universe will they be born into?"
"Congratulations, John Henry! I was wondering when you'd share news of the twins directly. Reggie told me in secret several weeks ago; but I've keep it under my beanie.
"As to children, Doc, they hold a special place in the eyes of Goddess. They are innocent, open to ideas, and unfettered by dogma. They first exist in a natural state of Chaos, receiving signals and 'imprints' from those around them.
"Most importantly, children bring out the best in those responsible for their protection and growth. As your question demonstrates, John, it is difficult to be around children and not exhibit love, compassion, and happiness. Being a father brings you blessings beyond measure."
The Episkopos turned to the young journalist, wondering just how much patience the fellow had. The problem was, Mal could write volumes on his relationship with the Ambassador; yet those volumes wouldn't begin to describe what Doc meant to him, and to the TAZ.
"I'm not sure where to begin, Gypsie. Some three years ago, rumors begain to circulate around the Omegas about a certain 'wild west lawman' who had somehow been given a second chance at life.
"Being a student of ancient Terran history, I was fascinated by the rumors, and determined to seek out and meet this legendary figure. As fortune would have it, the man turned up in our 'back yard', so to speak, on Gran Canaria. When I first met him, he was an Independent Zoner with a seat on the newly formed Council of Zoners. He still had a taste for cards and drink; but he also seemed curious about Eris and Discordianism.
"Our friendship grew quickly, and before long, I was priviledged to initiate John into the Church of Eris. Now, whether it was religion, his 'resurrection', or the love of a good woman, this rough, home-spun gambler cum lawman soon became a master at diplomacy, and earned the title of Ambassador to the TAZ.
"John's interest in medicine blossomed on its own, and the entire Sector has benefitted from his contributions as Doctor and owner of two mobile hospitals.
"But primarily, John has been there to lead the TAZ as Administrator during my various 'absences'. He has 'kept the Faith' and 'pursued the mission', perhaps even more dilligently than I myself have. And for that very reason, he continues to Administer the TAZ, while I have been directed by Eris to oversee Church matters.
Mal rose and wobbled over to the Doctor, crushing him in a great hug and looking him straight, but rather blearily in the eye.
"John, you and Reggie are my oldest, closest, and dearest friends. Without you both, the Church of Eris would not be what it is today; and the TAZ would be a ship without a rudder. Aces and Eights, sir. Aces and Eights."
It feels so good to see two people be such friends, I hope some day you become friends of mine as well. And it also feels good the quality and quantity of material I am mining here at this interview! Shall we continue? There are only two questions left...
Skripto then glimpsed at the beer crate and saw it was emtpy, so he stood up, went towards a cabinet he found in a lost corner of the room, and took from there three cristal cups. Giving one to Doc, and other to Mal, he took a rather small wine bottle from inside his backpack, together with some cheese and bread. Not really Gallic. It's mostly Economic.
Tell me oh Mal! Polyfather of Virginity in Gold, Episkopos Prime of the Goddess Eris and her Church in Sirius, what can you tell us about the balance of Chao, as for today?
And last but not least, Why havent we got special masses every 5th? I want to attend to a discordian mass on the 5ths, can I hold one? Near the geode and then touring thru Hodge n Podge too? Can I? No buns. I promise. Fnord.
"Well, friends, we timed it just right, didn't we? Out of suds, the grandfathers cooling, the mist clearing, and hopefully we've all learned something!"
The three servants of Goddess slowly collected themselves, changed clothing, and ascended the Kiva's ladder one final time into the central biodome above. They staggered to the top of a small knoll with a good viewpoint of the heavens.
"Eris lives here, in Baffin. I stake my eternal soul on that belief. She guided me here. She caused me to leave a mooring line deployed, thus discovering the Scrubbies. She prompted me to follow them there, (pointing to the Geode below), and to discover the magickal powers focused within it's hollow interior.
"We stand at the brink of a new cycle, Popes. We will face new challenges, meet new neighbors, and face new threats to our religious freedoms. The Sacred Chao spins anew, and hopefully, with our help, it will again seek and find the balance it requires."
The men stared in awe at the wonders of Baffin for a few moments longer. Finally, Mal was prepared to address Skripto's final question.
"Gypsie, before we hold any masses for those Discordians who might attend, we need to get the word out about this special place, and about Eris.
"We have been regarded as mystics, fanatics, kooks, clowns, recluses, and anarchists by the general public for some time now, and even other Zoners are beginning to believe we're somehow a 'liability' to their precious 'Zoner Way'. We may be all of those things, in fact, but it is time we dispelled the concept of 'no good shytes' associated with those terms.
"To that end, Skripto, and with Doc's concurrence, I'd like to appoint you our Chief Publicist, and Editor-in-Chief of whatever Periodical you think will suit our needs.. Daily, weekly, monthly, it's your 'rag'. All I ask is that you do your best to give the Temporary Autonomous Zoners and the Church of Eris Esoteric a more public, more accessible view of who we are and what we do.
"History changes, and so do we. It's time Discordians came out of the shadows, Gypsie. I trust your skills can make that happen, sir."
Mal, Doc, I am really, honestly, deeply honored by your pouroposal, and promise; no; I swear, I will do my best. He then vowed. I think this interview will be more than perfect for the first number. Yet, you must give me some time to plan this through. Again, thank you.
I think I know just the ship that can function as a mobile editorial/chapel for the sake of investigation, and such. Gentlemen, in no time you will soon thy Original.Snub, Democritus TAZ vessel, wandering through the nonesense of Sirius, to be the teapot to water it and make it blossom. I'll preach the Doctrine of the Original Snub to all who will want to hear, and also who dont! I swear it for the precious. Saying this last words, his eyes turned to the Geode.
Posts: 8,131
Threads: 731
Joined: Aug 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
Doc stood looking out the window over the Geode as he sipped his bock. He had a light smile on his face as he looked over it. He turned just a bit to do the same with the gas giant, Eris. He then took a deep breath as he thought.
"I remember our first meeting," he began, "I had no idea where I was or how I got here. I had only enough poker winnings for a Hawk fighter. I don't remember exactly how Mal and I met but he was the first person to treat me as a friend, not as a stranger. I'm as greatful now as I was then. I owe a lot of my success to him, after all, it was Mal that appointed me ambassador."
Doc turned to his friend, "I remember the incident that started it. It was when I clarified Zoner cargoes to Freeport 2 at the start of the Rheinland/Liberty war. That was when you said to me, 'You, Sir, are a diplomat."
He took a step towards Mal, "But do you know when it was that I realized our friendship more than any other? The time I lay dying in Canaria medical. Midori thought I was going to die. I thought I was. She cried for you when you were on sabbatical. THAT was when I knew how much of a friend you were to me....and to Midori."
He turned back for a moment, sipping his bock only to realize it was empty. Taking the bottle to fill it, he again spoke to Mal, "She's truly a jewel, isn't she?"
Doc smiled as he thought, "I remember.......meeting her at Naha back when we could purchase military vehicles there. She was a pencil pusher there and a damn fine cook. I often flew her home to Honshu."
He thought a moment of her. It had been two weeks since he was last home. He thought of the picture of them on his desk from their wedding day and then the picture of them holding Emiko shortly after her birth. He just beamed.
"Yes, a true jewel. I could say the same of Emiko but we'll see what type of jewel she becomes....that and the twins when they are born too."
He finally addressed Gypsy, "All that is but a scratch on the surface of our history. If you wish to print a publication, you have my blessing. I will ask that I be allowed to submit we'll say......a short editorial. You know, a section just to let everyone know anything of importance."
He thought for a moment, "We'll call it simply, Administrator's Minute."
With that, he turned back to the window and stared out at the Geode.
The three Discordians continued to stare at the heavens in a prolonged communal silence.
Well, Skripto emitted one thunderous belch, but otherwise...
There were huge cyclonic storms chasing each other around Eris' equator, turning the ruddy orange to a reddish hue where the storms pulled up cooler gases from the deeper troposphere.
The Hodge and the Podge continued to snipe at each other, no doubt pursuing their endless argument over which should prevail.
A school of curious Scrubbies peered in to the biodome as they passed, imitating those who stared outward. Finally, Mal broke the silence.
"What more could we ask, gentlemen? What more could we ask."
With that, he shook the hands of John Henry and Gypsie, gently touching their Pineals in salute, and walked off towards the tallest spire of Pueblo Bonito.
Posts: 8,131
Threads: 731
Joined: Aug 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
With his mind at ease and his soul refreshed, Doc again returned to his robes. Before he put on his final exterior robe, he placed his pistols in his belt in front of him. They were well hidden beneath that final exterior robe.
He then pulled his gold pocket watch from his foward pocket, the chain affixed to a button. He opened it, read the time and closed it. For it's age, it was mint. The date scribed into the back side of the cover read:
"1831 AD" Did either Mal or Gypsie notice?
He then shook hands with both men and made his way to the shuttle to where he would return to his Baffin office and then a trip to both Honshu and New Berlin.
A vessel emerged in the Barrier.
Slowly, its crew maneuvered the majestic vessel, heading out of the nebula.
"Ahh... Gentlefolks, isn't it good to be back home?" asked a somewhat aged man as he entered in the bridge.
Some of the people working there nodded sagely.
He headed to a quite little chair that was near the left wall and sat nonchalantly.
Filling up his pipe, he observed Eris wings as the vessel fended off the barrier.
"Hmmpff" he said, taking a puff from him pipe. "Please friends. Would you do me a favor? Let's moor first to Shasta, shall we? I would like to verify something."
The conference changed its course and soon arrived at Shasta Orbital Skyhook. Soon after, the crew engaged the mooring sequence with the venerable station. "Well, i won't be long" said the man as he was leaving the bridge.
Several hours passed...
Finally the man came back, looking worried.
A smirk suddenly appeared on his face and he raised an arm, pointing at the station knows as Pueblo Bonito they could see from their mooring spot. "Swiftly gentlemen! To the temple!"
+++++
Malaclypse was there since a while.
Assuming Zazen, we was meditating silently about when Verwirrung was to happen. And about what would characterize the new cycle...
He grabbed again sacred plants to fill his pipe. He was waiting two popes today.
Mal took a momentum to think about the underlying anti dogmatic message given by the lateness of the two men.
He then allowed himself to raise an eyebrow when he heard some noise coming from the entry of the chamber.
The Doctor Van Mojo was slowly going down, remembering too well what happened last time he came here with "the dill".
He finally put a foot on the ground and silently sighed of relief.
"E-Prime." He said, facing Mal "Good to see you." "Hmphh" replied Mal while giving him an inquisitive look and taking a puff from his pipe.
Van Mojo glanced around and finally sat in front of Mal.
He smirked "I see this place didn't change. Is that good or is that bad?"