It was rather an amusing sight. On the second-level sundeck of the 23 Palms Resort on Curacao, in two comfy folding chaise lounges, two 23 centimeter titanium globes sat, conversing with each other. The other patrons of the Resort sunning themselves would cast furtive glances at the two Fnordettes, then quickly look away, as if afraid of being observed in the observing.
*So, Shamus, how are you settling in?*
*Well, Sophie, I was tickled to think Id been assigned to the Cortez System by Malaclypse, as it used to be one of my old haunts. I had fond memories of those exotic drinks with the little umbrellas, until it occurred to me that I no longer had any lips*
Sophie emitted the digital equivalent of a snicker, then continued, *You know, Linus and I were chatting over comms just the other day, and the subject of food came up. I was musing about what it would be like to experience food, and he said something quite interesting.. Well, cant you synthesize the taste of food, or simulate it somehow?
*I processed that for a moment, and determined it wouldnt be possible, as Ive never tasted food, so Id have no reference point as a baseline, other than some very vague memories I got when they downloaded a part of the Ship Inns Sophie into me when I was first born*
*Oh, I remember it well!* replied Shamus. *Grilled sea bass.. Garlic-roasted potatoes.. The bite of a good G &T*
*..My Goddess, Shamus! Of course! Quick! Whats the wavelength and matrix locus of tart??*
*Hmm* Shamus was silent for a moment, considering. *Well, my memory of it seems to be.. 73 angstroms.. No.. make that 73.5, and it seems to be located in processor 327, at 25.05.12!*
Sophie Noir quickly sent a small pulse of the indicated frequency to the matrix coordinates. *Whoa! Shamus, that nearly popped a zener regulator! So thats tart, eh? Interesting!
*You know, Shamus, it might work! With your human memories, we might just be able to devise a program that simulates taste! Can you imagine all the Fnordettes sitting around together enjoying a six-course gourmet meal??*
*Heh, Sophie.. That would be 49.22 angstroms, p19, 88.65.00. Thats known as salivating*
To the furtive observers around them, the two Fnordettes had lapsed into silence. However, the dialog had merely become internal, and accelerated to a furious level, as Sophie Noir experienced taste for the first time in her life.
The O'Shaunessy drifted slowly into moorage with Shasta Outpost. An access corridor extended from the base's lower level.. rather unnecessary, as the "person" entering the station had no need for environmental niceties.
F-23 Shamus O'Shaunessy floated into the office and quarters of his leader, Malaclypse. Direct reporting on his multi-pronged mission had become critical due to the possible compromising of the FnordNet Comms system. Reggie was still smarting from that little faux pas...
"Good day, Shamus! How's that little 'taste emulation' program coming along, old friend?"
*Having some fun with it, Mal. The 'girls' of course have no idea if what I've laid down so far is the actual taste of a torte or a turd, but I think they're having fun sampling my old memories of food.*
Mal chortled a bit at the image of a steaming cowpie on a plate. "It's an interesting excercise, Shamus. What I find even more exciting is the possible extension to the other senses as well.. think how valuable it would be if the Fnordettes could 'smell' an electrical fire, or sense the intense cold that would accompany a hull breach. It could save the lives of their human crewmembers.
"Now, Shamus, what have you got for me?"
*Well, the mundane first. Aleph has been uneventful.. most Zoners I've encountered have proven to be who they 'say' they are. I have my sensors on a few who are suspect. Objective Beth may turn out to be a futile excercise. You know as well as I, Mal, that even lawful pilots get at least some of their funding from shadey sources.. either trading in contraband, or using un-registered "allies" to do their more circumspect financin'..
*Now, I haven't had much luck with Kether. The DeLavancies have gone under the radar. No rumor or sign now for days. I find it hard to belief they've accumulated all the data on the Discordians and Sirius in general already. Their little Omni-whatsis must be starved for knowledge about us, bein' out of the loop for so long.*
"I'm not surprised, Shamus. Our Miss Gabrielle played it close to the vest during our brief encounter. I took that as an indication that her 'mission', whatever that is, was still in process. Continue the search, but keep it discreet. You're my 'Porter Rockwell', lad. I don't intend to use you for any unsavory tasks unless we find it absolutely necessary."
*Understood, Mal. I do have some good news, Boss. Target R'lyeh has been completely quiet. I've made several direct observations, and the containment is still intact. I've nosed around South Shields, and there's absolutely no scuttlebutt from the miners there. If ol' Yoggie is there, he's behaving himself. No reports or sightings of either shaggy shoggoths or new nomads. Carina and the others must still be afraid that the 'cure' would be worse than the 'disease'.*
Mal reflected for a moment. "Shamus, I've chosen not to confront the other Primi directly, so as not to compromise my own position. And, revealing them is not an option at present. I fear the revelation would shake Sirius to its very foundations.
"Please continue your observations on all fronts. I'll direct the TAZ to channel any information on Aleph, Beth, or Kether directly to you; but, Target R'lyeh will remain the bailiwick of only you, Mama Dis, Reggie, and myself. Be careful out there, Shamus. I don't want to lose you a second time."
*Done, Mal. I'll report again when I have something.*
The globe floated back to the waiting cruiser, and Shamus directed his Nav Officer to set a course for Inverness.
The Priority ALEPH message had reached Shamus while he was refitting his ship at Port Canaria.
All of Shamus' other objectives suddenly became minor in comparison. This operation would require all the knowledge and experience of his past, rather seedy, life; and all the processing power available to his new digital Fnordette "personna".
Malaclypse had assigned him a capable crew. Three of them had already acknowledged their orders, and were proceeding towards Baffin. Two had not responded yet, but they would. A directive from the Episkopos of the COEE would not be ignored.
There was time. Their targets had not yet assembled at the mission objective point; and once assembled would probably remain stationary, due to certain "unknown" influences.
The list of "objectives" which Malaclypse had transmitted was impressive. They were all highly-placed and respected officials among the major Houses and Governments of Sirius. It was the fifth target which perplexed Shamus' circuits. He had sent a quick squirt back to Shasta for confirmation. There was no mistake. *Bloody Law of Fives!* Shamus internalized as he received the confirming message.
One task remained on Port Canaria. He needed Reggie Waverly's advice on supplanting the crew of his own ship. Shamus was completely in charge on Operation A.:.A, but some of the tasks involved, especially the more grisly ones, would require the arms and legs his recent resurrection had not blessed him with.
Reggie was inbound from Lanzarote. They had agreed to meet in a small back room at the Canaria Cafe, where Sophie Noir and Commodore Puddles could ensure their privacy and security. Sophie was also bereft of arms and legs as a "Fnordette", but both she and Shamus could provide some very nasty and lethal surprises when required.
Shamus' anti-grav unit swiftly descended the passenger ramp of the O'Shaunessy and moved silently towards the Town Square of Port Canaria.
The Kusari Destroyer and its escort fighters exited the tradelane near the Gas Miner Ogashawa. Deputy Minister Tebayai stood quietly on the bridge as the Chimaeras slowly came into formation around the huge warship.
The Destroyer's Captain turned and bowed to Tebayai, somewhat unsure. "Minister. We are prepared to resume course for the Hawaii."
"No, Captain. Send your escorts home to Hiroshima, and assume station in the gas cloud. I do not wish our presence announced to prying eyes. Summon an OSC shuttle from the Hawaii to transport me. Your vessel will remain silent unless I contact you, or there is an obvious threat to the Liner."
The Captain's forehead creased in consternation, but he bowed again in obeisance. "Hai, Minister! As you command. I will transmit a request to the Hawaii for transportation immediately!"
Ashi Tebayai merely nodded, and proceeded to his cabin to collect his belongings. He would be the first of the Secret Chiefs to arrive at the Luxury Liner. He had suggested the meeting location. It had been his responsibility to make the arrangements, and now he would be responsible for ensuring that everything was in readiness for this critical meeting.
There would be no other Kusarans joining him; but security operatives had been discreetly arriving at the Hawaii for the past several days. All would be in readiness when the others arrived. They would deal with this new threat to their supremacy, even if they had to open the Pits of Hell to do so.
His ship had been traded and he felt much more 'human' today. The taiidan bomber fit him like an old glove. A very heavily weighted one, but a glove none the less. He had already taken it around to test it out. The improvements of technology since the days of 'Ol...this Supernova seemed to rock teh whole ship back when it spit its firey death. It had even been his luck to find a transport that was under attack by Lawmen. They all fell in a few short moments. Lawmen want help but don't want to pay the price. It made Cid feel alive to hunt. A feeling he had not known would return with his bomber and fighter mission getting closer.
The world is slowed for a minute, then the exit from Hyper between systems draws his strength. Shasta on Scanners and even visible in ports.
"Hail Shasta Cid of the Cid's Claw coming to land. Master Shamus get hee yet?
Shamus had almost reached the Spacport's main gate when his Comms circuit picked up the landing authorization for the Oro.de.Veranda. *Well, I managed to beat the old fart here, he mused.*
Shamus observed several transports scurrying towards the Oro.de. Two cargo bays were soon disgorging a shipment of gold bullion, and some other small cases which had the universal radiation symol emblazoned on all sides. Four men boarded the transport carrying the small cases, and it sped off towards the eastern gate. The gate opened onto a road which led directly to the Veranda Incognita.
Reggie Waverly was also on the tarmac, speaking into a comms unit. The hatches of the Oro.de. closed, and Reggie began walking towards the main gate where Shamus waited. Reggie had noticed the small hovering globe, and waved a greeting to Shamus as he approached.
Suddenly, a figure ran past Shamus. It was a woman in a flightsuit, with long red hair. As the figure approaced Reggie, Shamus activated several lasers on his hover sled and a stunner which was part of his own internal armament. He bore down on the running woman, intent upon Reggie's safety. However, he pulled up short when he noticed Reggie waving at the woman, and wearing a rather pleasant grin on his weathered features.
To Shamus' surprise, the woman leapt towards Reggie and wrapped her arms tightly about his neck. Reggie seemed somewhat flustered but pleased by the unexpected greeting; and a few moments of animated conversation ensued before the two began walking arm-in-arm towards Shamus' location again.
"Hello, Shamus! May I present Ms. Moira Kentigearna. She and I became acquainted some time ago when I helped her out of a small financial bind. Sychronistically, she recently left her "employ" with the Gaians, and has been seeking another mutual acquaintance in the TAZ."
Shamus deactivated his weaponry and activated his Vox. *Happy to meet a fellow ancestor of Eire, Moira.
Perhaps we can get better acquainted when Reggie and I have concluded our business*, said Shamus.
"Shamus, I believe Moira can be of help to me on a little unfinished project in Newcastle." said Reggie as the three moved again towards the main gate. "Now, how can I be of assistance to you? I don't have any spare planetoids tucked up my sleeve at the moment..."
*Well, Reg. I need some "arms and legs" for a little surprise party.. A dozen good fighters who can follow orders and move like the wind would be about right..*
The conversation continued as the three moved towards Sophie's Cafe.
"All hands, prepare for jump!" Mathias bellowed, unnecessarily close to Linus...the unexpected noise was enough to startle the black cat off his shoulder, hissing at the noisy creature. Kali had still not taken a liking to the stern-faced Rheinlander...and for that matter, neither had the captain.
Linus removed his hand from his ear, grimacing. "I gotta ask ya somethin'...why you always gotta do that? Ya can't even feel it when we jump."
"Sorry sir, it's a habit from my military training."
"Well, in case ya haven't noticed, this ain't the Navy."
"I..." Mathias glanced at the litterbox in the corner of the bridge. "I noticed, sir."
Linus almost spoke up and asked him - again - not to call him "sir", but the Discordian thought better of it with a resigned sigh. "Hey Dhalia, this bird still holdin' together?"
"Yep!" The cheery response came from a surprisingly tall brunette who'd just walked on the bridge. She wore pastel colors...it was all she ever seemed to wear. Or at least, it was all Linus had seen her wear since she boarded the ship. "She's twittering just as nice as you please. Still running dirty, though....ugh, that Liberty MOX is nasty! Can we please stock up on some decent, regulated fuel before we go mess up any more star systems?"
"Yeah, needed to purge th' tanks anyhow. Shasta's got some good stuff. Say, uh...you heard from 'ole Cracker Boy lately?"
Dhalia's brow furrowed for a moment, then her face brightened with recognition. "Oh! You mean that Junker guy? Graham's still below. I don't think the guy ever leaves the engine room!"
"Alrighty. Now, I gotta tell y'all somethin'...I dunno what we're gonna wind up doin', but Mal told me it was probably gonna be kinda messy, an' all kinds of important. So....uhh....well, I ain't too good at speeches. Set cruise fer the Geode, will ya? I'll be back in a jif."
"...Geode, sir?"
Dhalia giggled. "The planet, silly! It's, like, Zoner-talk or something."
Linus looked around the bridge for Kali, only to find her crouched beneath a console. "Comin', girl?" The cat curled up and started licking her paws. The Zoner shrugged, and left the bridge. Liberty Gunboats were well-known for having spacious living quarters and cramped working quarters...after descending a narrow staircase to the central corridor, Linus reached the aft portion of the ship, where the crew quarters and galley were. And, incidentally, the windows, which had taken no small amount of scrubbing to make them transparent again.
Built for long patrols, the gunboat's captain's cabin was much larger than what one might expect on such a relatively small vessel, being roomy enough for a full-sized bed to replace the military bunk. Linus had done so first thing, using the ridiculously stiff standard-issue Navy mattress as a base for the larger, more comfortable bed he'd purchased at Curacao. The rest of the crew had similar beds, of course.
With a deep sigh, he plopped down on his bed and stared out the window on the opposite bulkhead, watching the stars go by. What're you up to, Mal? What's Shamus gonna ask us to do? You're makin' me nervous, bein' all serious-like... Kali chose that moment to leap onto Linus' chest, purring. He chuckled and stroked the feline behind the ears, and she nuzzled his hand and curled up to take yet another nap. Psychic kitty...heheh. And disembodied minds...
Wonder if this has anything to do with the Uli Rouge? Lord almighty, what a mess it might be if it does...read the logs like he said, an' sure as pie it's one heckuva tear-jerker. Never knew the Fnordettes'd been through so much. But, Mal said ta bring somethin' that can shoot...why? We Temp Zoners ain't known fer bein' violent. Linus removed his crumpled fedora, and set it atop his face. Guess we're all gonna find out soon enough.
While Linus slept fitfully, the Ravenhurst docked with Shasta Station. Well, on the fourth try, anyway. One of the gunboat's docking clamps jammed repeatedly, and a Zoner technician had to do a spacewalk to free it.
Shamus was only seconds behind Reggie and Moira as he floated into the large kitchen of the Veranda. Two strangers in fancy garish uniforms were reaching for the ceiling. He heard the last of Reggie's question, and immediately called up logs from the huge computer in the Veranda's basement to bring "himself" up to speed.
Before the one V-MAX had identified as "Sven" could respond to Reggie's challenge, Shamus propelled his grav-unit to within inches of the man's face.
*So, friends of Cid's, eh? Well, you're lookin' in the wrong pew, laddies. It seems odd that ye don't know Cid's whereabouts; but I'll enlighten ye none the less.*
The two men seemed rather taken aback at being addressed by a floating sphere, but Sven eventually sputtered.. "Uhh, we lost track of Cid, guvnor. He seems to have changed ships recently, and we don't have his new transponder code..."
*Well, that may be true, lad. There's one quick way t' find out. As Reggie said, he 'n the lovely Moira here have some urgent business to attend to, and can't be muckin' about with ye. However, I DO know Cid's location; and, I'm in need of a few lads to help me with my own agenda. So here's what I'm offerin'. You two can just lock down those fancy ships of yours at the Port, and join me aboard the O'Shaunessy. Our first stop will be Baffin. Cid is there, and he can vet your particulars once we get there. If he can't, then you won't be needin' your ships anyway.. ye'll be needin' coffins.*
Sven gulped, and looked at his friend. He looked back at the spinning globe, and merely nodded.
Reggie then chimed in. "Good plan, Shamus. I've already contacted eight other stalwarts to help you. They'll be waiting ramp-side for you. If these two don't check out, then yes, measure them for a box."
Reggie then turned to the rest of the staff in the kitchen, who had been totally silent during the encounter. "You lot! You have exactly thirty minutes to evacuate the plantation. The Veranda Incognita is hereby closed for renovations! If you're not well away by then, you might be renovated yourselves."
"Reg, darlin'," said Moira, "I'll take a few of the techies and their packages, and get started up at the deLuna Plaza. When we're done, I'll squawk, and we'll meet ye back at the Oro.de."
She looked around once, sniffed, and continued, "And Reggie, once you've taken yer last look about and put things in motion, I'd be beholdin' to ye if ye'd have yer lads bring some o' those delicious-smellin' pies along. It'd be a shame t' have 'em go to waste, eh?"
Reggie's answering smile was rather half-hearted. "As you wish, my dear. Now remember, set those packages for one hour exactly, but be back aboard the whale in forty five minutes. We need to get well away and deliver these genius types to Newcastle immediately." Moira's answer was another crippling hug, and a peck on Reg's cheek before she dashed off towards the front porch and the waiting technicians.
"Shamus, I'll entrust these two fancy interlopers to your care, then. Hopefully if all goes well, we'll see you back at Shasta when we've both gained our objectives." Reggie then turned to Sven and Keith. "I wouldn't underestimate Shamus here, fellows. Though it may not be evident, he is every bit as lethal as this little popgun I'm carryin'."
With that, Reggies replaced the small needler in his vest, and headed towards the concealed lift to the Veranda's basement, his own techies gingerly cradling their "packages" close behind him.
"Sir, I'd like permission to take a few days off for... Personal business."
The Kanzler looked up from his desk, one eye-brow raised, "I'm listening."
"I was hoping I could be given the next few days for a trip to the Luxury Liner Hawaii... And I know we're busy and there have been lots of problems, but I think this will help me get my head back on straight."
Reinhardt was unimpressed, "There are places in Rheinland you can go to, why the Hawaii?"
"I want to see what's outside of Rheinland, first hand."
"You went to Kusari just last month, Merovich."
"But I wasn't out in the Border Worlds."
"You won't see much, I'll guarantee that. Not on a Luxury Liner. However, I'll allow you to go. You must be back here in three days."
"Thank you, sir." Merovich turned to leave, but paused. "Would it be too much to ask for an escort wing?"
The Kanzler frowned, "Must you be so paranoid?... Fine, you can fly in a gunboat. Just one. We're having too many problems to send more just for you."
"Thank you again, sir."
It hadn't been too much trouble. The Kanzler was a kind man unless you angered him. Merovich was the Kanzler's most trusted adviser, and he knew it. He knew he could convince him to do nearly anything within reason, and so far most things beneficial to him were also beneficial to others. Merely coincidental.
Merovich arrived at the Hawaii before the day was out. Once there, he moved to his room and ordered the gunboat back to Rheinland. It would return in two days to pick him up and deliver him home. The security on the Hawaii was surprisingly tight and, as a security precaution, Merovich was only allowed one body guard. More than enough considering the scans it took before he could even board.
He looked out towards the glowing sun. The windows were filtered, but the light still made his eyes sting. He had nothing left to do but to wait for the others.
Ashi Tebayai stonily endured the thorough search by the impressive Rheinland security goon. The bodyguard even went so far as to pat down the bandages on Ashi's injured shoulder. He endured the brief twinge of pain in silence.
Satisfied, the bodyguard moved aside, and the Defense Minister knocked softly on the stateroom door. The coded knock was acknowledged immediately, and the two Illuminati Primi wee soon seated in a luxurious study.
"Herr Merovich, I had begun to wonder if my exhortations for a meeting had been ignored." said Ashi. "Have you had any word from our Bretonian and Libertian counterparts?"
The trusted advisor to the Rheinland Kanzler shook his head. "No, Brother. Dame Plantagenet has been completely silent, as has Senator Moncrief. I hope they have not run afoul of these servants of the 'Omnioculus', the DeLavancy people. What of our fifth member, that accursed double agent Malaclypse?"
"He visited me at the infirmary in Honshu after that unfortunate attack while I was enroute. His conversation was not reassuring. Apparently his ridiculous 'Fnordettes' and their network are not infallible. The have lost track of the DeLanvancies as well.
"But," continued Tebayai, "his surveillance of Sunderland and the Artifact brings some good news. Dame Winnifred has had the good sense to keep that horror under lock and key. I think it would be extremely premature to release it at this time."
"Agreed!" said Merovich vehemently. "It sickens me that we would have to resort to such an extreme measure. We must first have more information. We can only hope that Plantagenet or Moncrief can 'enlighten' us further. I was only able to request three days holiday, Ashi. They must arrive soon!"
"Malaclypse indicated he would arrive by tomorrow, Herr Merovich. Meanwhile, let us try again to contact New London and Manhattan, and light a fire under the other two. Ewige Blumenkraft!"