02/09/01
"Man is not the creature of circumstances. Circumstances are the creatures of men."-- - Benjamin Disraeli
107 - 1121.
Time passes post-Borloi roast. The Monitor has several write-ups about the wonderful job SolSec is doing, along with the usual horror stories about evil Imperial nobles and the like.
Trevor Cavernon is approached by a man looking for a bodyguard, some one who has proven themselves capable under fire. Dr. Neil (eep!) has business off-planet on Tarsus, and Sequoyah on the way. If Trevor crosses his fingers when he promises to protect him... Oh well, work is work, and at least Dr. Neil doesn't seem to be cheap. Dr. Neil: "Sequoyah especially is reputed to be a dangerous place for the unprepared. I know you can handle yourself in that sort of situation. You may decide you need a few bravos to go with you. I'll leave that decision to you. I'm sure you know some."
Malcolm Edwards discovers that the Silver Rainbow Casino mostly runs itself. Or rather, Phillippe mostly runs the place. He works on a percentage of profits, has expensive (but good) taste, and is not above using his own money to make an unbudgeted purchase (like a rare bottle of wine) for the club, figuring he'll make it up later. The Silver Rainbow makes a profit, and Malcolm can afford to get his own place on Rainbow so he doesn't have to live upstairs. Why Brizzk lived in the little tiny place is anyone's guess, but he had no taste, and not a lot of brains. Malcolm can also get a local ID/money card for convenience (and medical benefits as a resident alien), and so SolSec can track him more easily. Malcolm does keep some money in cash, just in case. He takes home around $1,000 Solars a week now, and can easily afford a much larger apartment than he needs or wants. He just wants a comfortable place to live, and a good bed; maybe he'll get lucky sometime, if the damn squid would just leave town.
Mitchell Taylor, as the casino's "front man", also takes home about the same amount of money, but he has expensive girlfriends, and has to actually entertain. After all, he's the schmoozer. And he's Navy - must have a view, thank you. His place is much more swank than Malcolm's. He'll be actually keeping a lot less money than Malcolm. Since he's using the apartment to generate business, Mitchell figures the casino should help pay for it. Malcolm tells him that he's willing to help pay for Mitchell's swinging bachelor pad if he turns in a detailed expense account whenever it's actually used for casino business. Good thing Mitchell has admin.
Mitchell had asked Admiral Tengatsu about meeting the new Prefect, and he gets an invitation to a little soirée - formal, and he should bring a date. It's tonight, kind of short notice - good thing Joplin's Clothiers already has his measurements. Time for a new civilian uniform, and a few hours polishing up the medals (no more lieutenant to do that sort of thing). The party will take place on Neuhausen Arcology; somewhere new for Mitchell to visit. It's one of the older, more established arcologies, and it has a reputation for being stolid, old-fashioned and non-controversial. Mitchell's formal wear can be delivered, and then all he has to do is decide which female to take. First he calls Tabitha Hauks to see if she's available (or if it's useful for her to know him this week). Since Mitchell does have the ear of the next Prefect, of course Tabitha will come. She is still in mourning for her husband, so she can wear something appropriate. Black underwear?
Mitchell rents a vehicle and a driver, and arrives promptly on time to pick up Tabitha. Tabitha is not ready yet. Of course; Mitchell expected this. She yells "Door's open!" and Mitchell enters to find her housekeeping style has expanded out of her bedroom and into the rest of the apartment. Clothing and electronic (numbered only) files all over the place. Mitchell fixes himself a drink and resists the urge to mess with the open high security briefcase overflowing with top secret files, a laptop, and a gun. He hears a noise and sees movement towards him, then back towards the bedroom, then drawers opening and closing, then movement towards him, then back towards the bedroom, then... Tabitha is mumbling to herself as she tries to decide on what to wear. "No, this one makes me look like a tramp...No, this one makes me look fat..." Finally, she emerges in a traditional little black dress. Tabitha: "Does this look okay? Do you think it makes me look fat?" Mitchell: "You look absolutely gorgeous." She picks up her tiny evening purse and decides she won't need her gun; won't fit any way.
General Marco Capeletti has also been invited to the party, but he can't go. Marco: <to Gabrielle> "I'm going to be busy, but I've already spoken to Dr. Neil, and he's free to take you." Gabrielle: "Of course." Argh. Good thing Naomi Fletcher has such good taste in clothing - Gabrielle has a closet full of things to wear, most of which she hasn't even looked at yet. It's formal, in more ways than one, so the attire will be less revealing than some of the other outfits. Not like she wants to get Dr. Neil all excited or anything.
The party should be quite something. Lots of the rich and famous, but all of them the right sort of people. Many limos pull up and disgorge well-dressed people in front of the Grand Hotel. It's actually fairly informal for a formal party - formal dress, but no receiving line or anything like that. Mitchell is greeted by Admiral Tengatsu, who's with a much younger blonde. Tengatsu: "Captain Taylor. Allow me to introduce you to my date. This is Candace. Candace, this is Captain Taylor." Candace: "Charmed." She's been heavily bio-sculpted, and is definitely eye-candy. Mitchell: "A pleasure." He introduces his date, Tabitha Hauks. Tabitha gives Candace the "Oh look, it's Action-Barbie" glance. Meow. Mitchell is squired around by the Admiral, and introduced to several people, including Commander Holloway. The latter is with his wife, apparently, and they project the image of two people who are tolerating each other; the marriage continues because of the political advantages. They're both actively scoping out members of the appropriate opposite sex. A woman in a SolSec uniform, that of a Brigadier General, approaches Mitchell and the Admiral. Tadeoshi: "Ah, Admiral. This must be Captain Taylor. I've been looking forward to meeting you." Formal pleasantries are exchanged. Tadeoshi: "I understand you're quite busy these days with a - what is it, a casino?" Mitchell: "That's correct." Tadeoshi: "What happened to Suzette?" Mitchell: "Suzette is her own woman." Tadeoshi: "Ah. Well, I have people to meet, but it's a pleasure to have met you. I hope we have the opportunity to spend some quiet time together." Mitchell: "I shall look forward to it." She shakes his hand, very firmly, and leaves. She's very athletic, and attractive in a velvet over steel kind of way. And she looks like the kind of person who doesn't forgive.
Tengatsu: "Ah, there she is." He takes Mitchell over to where General Françoise Aldemann (the Prefect presumptive) is asking a waiter about the canapés. Tengatsu: "Excuse me, Brigadier. I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine, Captain Mitchell Taylor." There's a brief moment of confusion as Aldemann redirects her attention from the buffet to Mitchell. Aldemann: "I hear very good things about you Captain. I'd say you have a promising future in the Navy." Err? A man whispers in her ear. Tadeoshi: "Oh. Well, whatever." The Admiral takes control, maneuvering Aldemann off to meet the appropriate people. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but perhaps she wants to project the image of bovine dullness.
Dr. Neil and Gabrielle have arrived in their limo, but Dr. Neil has the driver go around the block as he leafs through an art book (a real book), so they can arrive fashionably late, to the second. Gabrielle does admire some of his qualities. The social ones, that is. Dr. Neil manages to let Gabrielle enter just ahead of him to draw attention. Neil introduces Gabrielle to all the important people, and then chats with all the spouses. He knows the names of everyone's children and pets, and asks all the right questions; very astute. Gabrielle meets Aldemann, who circles the buffet table quite frequently, but is constantly asking people to re-identify the food. Then Dr. Neil introduces Gabrielle to General Tadeoshi. Tadeoshi: "Ah, you're Marco's....<really lengthy pause> friend." Gabrielle: <pleasantly> "Yes." Tadeoshi makes an "innocent" but catty remark about General Capeletti's "taste", which Gabrielle ignores. Tadeoshi: "And the indefatigable Dr. Neil. Your master couldn't join us tonight?" Dr. Neil: "No, I'm afraid the master is busy in the castle tonight." Tadeoshi looks confused. Dr. Neil: "I don't expect you to understand - <slowly> it's from a book." Ouch. Dr. Neil: <to Gabrielle> "General Tadeoshi is the deputy Prefect." He steps closer to Tadeoshi, and they move off to the side to exchange words in private. Tadeoshi smiles and nods, and wanders off. Dr. Neil: <to Gabrielle> "I'm not sure why, but the Deputy Prefect isn't fond of you and your friends. It's seems she blames you for her current situation. She appears to consider the prefecture as her God-given right, and not a privilege bestowed by the people." Nothing like a determined woman with a grudge. Gabrielle is not too thrilled to see Alexandra Kellerman and Mr. Soames attending the party. And there's a cadaverous looking man in the room. Dr. Neil: "Ah, there's General Steich!" He introduces the current Prefect to Gabrielle. Dr. Neil: "You're looking well." Compared to what? The Prefect is beyond caring what the hell other people think. He's drinking bourbon out of a water glass, and sharing more information than anyone cares to know about his bodily functions. There's a reason he's retiring - hey say he can't bear to give up the job, but he's lost his tact. Steich: <to Gabrielle> "You're a cute little filly though. In my younger day..." An aid approaches Steich. Aide: "General? Your drink is waiting for you." He leaves. Gabrielle is thinking "So that is one of the most powerful men on the planet." How interesting. Lots of drinking and mixing, and Mitchell and Gabrielle are on the receiving end of many extremely cold looks from Alexandra Kellerman and General Tadeoshi.
Speaking of Madame Kellerman, she and her little friend intercept Mitchell. Alexandra: "Ah, Captain Taylor. Interesting seeing you again. I must say, you do show up in the most interesting places. How are you finding Rainbow Arcology?" Mitchell: "It's very entertaining." Alexandra: "Well, you simply must come to see us on Polyphemus. I'd love to entertain you." Mitchell: "I'm sure the entertainment on Polyphemus is of an extraordinary quality. If I get the opportunity to visit there..." Alexandra: "I believe you will be visiting us on Polyphemus. Soon, in fact. I have a feeling. I'm rarely wrong about these things." How comforting.
Tadeoshi is over at the bar, by herself, drinking. There is some very subtle maneuvering and skewering going on; reminds Gabrielle of court on Aquitaine. The Holloways are seated on opposite sides at a table, and not looking at each other. Mitchell goes over to say hello; big mistake. Holloway: "Taylor. Charlotte, say hello to the nice Navy person." Charlotte: "Wha? Oh, hello. Hello! I don't believe we've met." Mitchell: "Mitchell Taylor." Holloway: "Keep her entertained for a moment, would you? I'm off to the head." He pats Mitchell on the shoulder and vanishes at speed. Charlotte: "Do sit down. <he does> What are you drinking?" Something not overly alcoholic. Drinks are fetched. Charlotte: "So, are you here alone?" Mitchell: "No, I have the pleasure of escorting the lovely Mrs. Hauks." Charlotte: "Ah yes, the poor widow. I hope you won't find an old hausfrau boring." Not bad for "an old hausfrau". She's in very good shape, and she's married. The latter is all Mitchell cares about - no married women. Ever. Period. (Maybe that can be Malcolm's 'in'?) Charlotte: "Well, Captain Taylor. I hear you have quite a reputation as a ladies' man." Mitchell: "So I'm told." Mitchell sees Commander Holloway across the room, talking to an adoring, younger female. Charlotte: "You know, this is a hotel. And you need a woman with some experience. You have no idea what it's like to be trapped in a loveless marriage. We haven't been together for years." Something touches Mitchell under the table and he leaps up and retreats rather quickly to Tabitha.
Gabrielle is observing all the realignments going on. It's quite interesting. Tadeoshi is decidedly out of favor. Dr. Neil is still kind of scary, and rather odd, but he is polite. And he listens a lot. Tabitha finds Mitchell's retreat rather amusing. Tabitha: "Mitchell, looks like you missed your chance. She looks absolutely desperate, poor woman." Mitchell: "I need another drink." He continues to schmooze, in a low-key fashion. At the bar, Tadeoshi has been doing a not so slow burn, and when she grips her glass too tightly it shatters, cutting her hand. Several people run over to fuss, ineffectually. Tadeoshi: "Get away from me you bastards - I'm not helpless!" She throws off the two people who came over, and Dr. Neil goes over and checks out her hand. He makes clucking noises, takes her over to a table, and has a waiter bring over the First Aid kit. Neil reminds Gabrielle of a man bandaging a little girl's knee. Neil is back in a few minutes. Dr. Neil: "I'm sorry, duty called." Gabrielle: "Of course." A good time is had by almost everybody. Mitchell misses out on a chance to check out the hotel's amenities. With the missing Commander Holloway's wife. Holloway seems to be off checking out those amenities.
Mitchell and his date come over to say hello to Gabrielle and Dr. Neil. Mitchell: "Good evening." Gabrielle: "Good evening." Oh, and he's with that deadly woman. Dr. Neil: "Captain Taylor, Major Hauks. You make a lovely couple." He smiles. Mitchell: "Enjoying the evening, Dr. Neil?" Dr. Neil: "I must say it's been very illuminating evening. General Aldemann seems to be having a good time. She hasn't left the buffet table." Aldemann isn't stupid, she's just not brilliant; she has average intelligence, and a good reputation - she works like a dog. She's stayed out of political fights that have torn other people apart. Not that she's scheming, she's just stayed out of trouble and done her job. She's risen to the top by outlasting her contemporaries, and no one really noticed. Now she's in a position where she has to be political, but she'd be the first person to admit she's not politically savvy. Unlike Admiral Tengatsu. The Admiral is outside SolSec, so he's a disinterested, nonpolitical advisor. Yeah, right. The Ephor was put into a very awkward position, having to question one of his favorites - Tadeoshi - in his capacity of head of the Party. But, if she had to be sacrificed for the greater good... oh well.
When Mitchell goes to refresh his and Tabitha's drinks, he runs into Alexandra's pet. Soames: "Ah, Captain Taylor. You do show up in the most interesting places. So now you're a player." Mitchell: "Not really." Soames: Don't be so modest! You've already inserted yourself into the game, don't tell me you're one of those people who back down once things get interesting?" Mitchell: "You should know better than that." Soames: "What do you think of your future Prefect? Did you get what you paid for?" Mitchell: "I think she'll do what she's supposed to do as Prefect of Vantage." Soames: "You mean as puppet of your admiral. I hope you're right. I hope nothing happens to her before her promotion. There are so many undesirable elements on Vantage now. It's dangerous, even for high-ranking officials. I see you've left your Imperial terrorist behind." Mitchell: "Truth be told, he's not mine." Soames: "That's not what I hear." Mitchell: "Do you believe everything you hear?" Soames: "Nothing I hear, and only half of what I see. The truth is what we decide it is." Mitchell: "Is it?" Soames: "Of course. Take yourself. To some you're a hero of the Confederation, to others a traitor of the worst stripe. Who do we believe? Do we trust the evidence? Evidence can be manufactured." Mitchell: "But the fundamental truth remains." Soames: "You're young yet, you'll learn. Perhaps we'll meet on the playing fields of Eton." He drifts off. Tabitha, who stayed well out of that last exchange, moves back to Mitchell. Mitchell: <to Tabitha> "Do you get the impression he doesn't like me?" The traitor thing bothers Mitchell, but he writes it off as the ravings of an embittered man who's just jealous because he's not getting any and Mitchell is.
When they leave, Mitchell makes a point to say good-bye to Tadeoshi. Tadeoshi: "Oh, don't say good-bye. I know we'll meet again. Soon." Boy is Mitchell's dance card filling up fast! Another firm handshake, and Mitchell has a bit of blood on his hand. Tadeoshi: "Oh look, you have my blood on your hands." Not that he's paranoid, but Mitchell goes to the men's room and washes his hands. Nice and sanitary, yes siree. He sees Tabitha home, then heads home himself and dismisses the driver.
108 - 1121.
It's fairly late when Mitchell gets in, and when he gets to his bedroom he finds it occupied. "I thought you'd never get here." It's not Suzette. It's Charlotte Holloway. Charlotte: "I borrowed my husband's passkey. I hope you don't mind, I've made myself comfortable." Translation: she's naked and in his bed. Mitchell: "I'm...deeply flattered, but this is something I can't do." Charlotte: "Oh, don't worry, if you have any trouble - I know a few things. I did hear about your injury." Mitchell: "No, it's not that. My injury has healed. It's that you're a married woman, and this is not something I can do with a married woman." Charlotte: "Oh don't worry about that. It's a marriage in name only. We haven't slept in the same bed for five years." Mitchell: "It's still a marriage." Charlotte: "Oh come on, don't tell me some one with your experience... You know what they say - a slice off a cut loaf...Who'll know?" Mitchell: "I'll know." Charlotte tries her best to change Mitchell's mind, but it's a no go. She doesn't take it well. Unfortunately, the driver has left, so Mitchell has no back up. Charlotte gets her clothes on and leaves, trailing a wave of frigid air. Not good - "woman scorned" and all. Mitchell checks the apartment for other surprises, of which there are none. He takes a shower and goes to bed.
At the Silver Rainbow, it's been a quiet night for Malcolm. People are quietly and seriously losing money. Malcolm is learning about the odd acoustics on the main floor, and how they let him pick up conversations from other sections of the floor. Female: "...I can't remember the last time my husband gave me an orgasm. If it weren't for good old number 5..." Then Malcolm hears some women discussing his package, how "savage" he looks, etc. Malcolm makes sure he wanders by and flirts, savagely. Just so they have something to fantasize about later. He's not desperate enough (yet) to mess with customers' wives.
Phillippe approaches Malcolm. Phillippe: "Excuse me sir, you have a phone call. The gentleman declined to leave his name, but said it was urgent." Malcolm takes the call, which has no picture and a computer-generated voice. Voice: "This is a warning from a friend. Warn your associate Captain Taylor that an arrest warrant will be issued for him and he'll be picked up by the police in the next hour." <click> Damn. Malcolm: "Phillippe?" Malcolm inquires after Phillippe's personal decorator, as they want to redo the place, much to Phillippe's delight. Malcolm: "Captain Taylor's apartment is near yours, isn't it?" Yes, and Phillippe is able to give Malcolm info on the quickest route there. Phillippe: "Out the back door, along the service corridor and down the stairs. You'll want to take a flashlight, it's very dark. There's an access panel behind your desk. Just pull on the right corner and it pivots out of the way." Malcolm: "Someday, Phillippe, I must really have your life's story." Phillippe: "You'd find it very boring, sir."
Before he takes off, Malcolm grabs his bolt/tool bag decides to call his contact for Capeletti, Gabrielle. She and Dr. Neil have arrived back at her flat, and the doctor has gone into the kitchen to make tea when the phone rings. As Gabrielle goes to answer, Dr. Neil comes out of the kitchen. Dr. Neil: "Do not answer that phone. I've received some rather disturbing news." Gabrielle follows Dr. Neil's directions, and lets the phone go unanswered. Dr. Neil: "Your friend Captain Taylor is about to be arrested." Gabrielle: "For what?" Dr. Neil: "The murder of Charlotte Holloway." Gabrielle: "Why would he have killed her?" Dr. Neil: "I don't know. I understand he left, she followed, they met at his place, some sort of argument ensued, and he strangled her in a fit of rage. That sequence of events does not match my own information. I suggest it might be a good idea that we get Captain Taylor somewhere safe. I believe this might be the beginning of Tadeoshi's revenge. We should be going as well. I think you might be safer somewhere Tadeoshi doesn't have that much of a reach. Use my phone, call your friends, tell them we're leaving now, and have them meet us at the shuttleport on Freemantle." Gabrielle rings Mitchell's number, waking him up. Mitchell: <mumbled> "Yes?" Gabrielle: "Mitchell?" Mitchell: "Yes." Gabrielle: "You need to get up now." Mitchell: "Why?" Gabrielle: "You need to get to the shuttleport on Freemantle right away." Mitchell: "Why?" Gabrielle: "Charlotte Holloway has been murdered, and the police are on the way to arrest you." He's awake now! Mitchell: "Right." Mitchell hangs up and gets out of bed.
Malcolm hears the police team getting ready, through the air vent. They're discussing the fact that "he's still inside", and that they consider him to be armed and dangerous. As Malcolm continues, he sees that some one has chalked the apartment numbers onto the wall by the access panels. Inside, Mitchell has thrown on a robe, put a pan of oil on the stove and set it on high, hoping to start a fire. All it does is set off the fire alarm and suppression unit. Damn these overprotective, high-tech rooms. Mitchell is bemoaning the lack of smoke as he notices the access panel in the kitchen being pushed inward. Malcolm sticks his cane through the access way first, and Mitchell recognizes it. As the front door is being broken down, Mitchell follows Malcolm out the access panel. Gunfire, swearing, "There he is! That access panel!!" Malcolm has spot welded the panel to slow them down, and then it's down the access way and look for somewhere to duck into. They do NOT duck into Phillippe's apartment; a good manager is very hard to find. They go down a few apartments and rip up the wallpaper as they go into the flat with all the strange music and odd smoke. But, that's the way out for Malcolm and Mitchell, who's wearing his shoes, a bathrobe, and a 5mm. It sticks out of his pocket, so he puts his hand in to cover it. Malcolm wraps a kitchen towel around Mitchell's head like a bandana, then they go out into the room. There's a badly dolled up human male in drag dancing with an Aslan, and several other couples laying around, at least one of them with a droud and wire set. Malcolm wants to go back to the bedroom to find clothing for Mitchell, who just wants to leave. Malcolm insists that Mitchell would stand out. They're moving through the kitchen toward the bedroom when the access panel is pushed in. Mitchell goes for the front room as Malcolm screams "Oh my God, it's the police!!" The people in the living room start to panic, and Mitchell turns on the lights as he leaves, adding to the confusion. The police burst in with gauss carbines firing on full auto. Mitchell and Malcolm are already all the way outside when they hear the screams. Inside, when the smoke clears, it's obvious they've missed their man, again. Cop: "Oh shit, we've shot the wrong people!" Cop #2: "Shut up. No we haven't. Taylor just became a multiple murderer." Mitchell asks Malcolm to go back to the casino for Mitchell's things, since among other stuff, he has that lovely pardon in the safe there.
The SWAT team emerges to speak to the man in charge of tonight's little operation. "Put a trace on his credit card, all his usual haunts. He works at the casino, so bring up the cameras between here and there. Lock this place down." It's a familiar voice - Detective Sergeant Gerard. The perfect man to put in charge of an assassination by police caper - a cop who's either willing to take a bribe, or is open to pressure.
Mitchell has joined the crowd outside, many of whom are also in robes or pajamas. Man: <to Mitchell> "What'd the guy do?" Mitchell: "I don't know. Who is it?" Man: "I don't know. Some guy who just moved in. He only comes out at night." the rumors starts, and Mitchell leaves. From an open door comes "Harold, get your ass in here!" Mitchell leaves and heads for the parking facility (the scene of many recent tragedies).
Malcolm is heading for the casino when he gets a call. Malcolm: "Hello." Gabrielle: "Malcolm?" Malcolm: "Yes, sugar?" Gabrielle: "You need to leave, now. Meet us at the shuttleport on Freemantle." Malcolm hangs up. He's in pursuit of a discreet ride off, so he heads up to where the Freebooters hang out.
Gabrielle calls Trevor next, but no one answers except his voice mail message saying he's gone on business for a couple of weeks. She hangs up and tells Dr. Neil. Dr. Neil: "I know. Trevor is already going to meet us." Gabrielle: "Oh." She gives him back his phone.
As Mitchell approaches the garage, he sees police and SolSec uniforms. Damn. High tech police methods are such a pain. Mitchell wants to use the nearby terminal, but that would mean using his card, which is in his pants any way. He goes in search of a terminal that's been adjusted by the locals, and the best place for that is up in the section the Freebooters hang out at. Mitchell: "Hey, boonie." About 15 people turn around. Man: "Nice rags man." Mitchell: "Hey man, I need to make a call." Man: "That's what the terminals are for." Mitchell: "I don't have my card, man, and I really need to make a call." The local uses an altered card with a blob of something on the edge, and after a few sparks and the smell of ozone, Mitchell calls Megan O'Hanlon. Megan: "Hello?" Mitchell: "Hello." Megan: <half asleep> "If this is an obscene phone call, I'm not into that." <click> Mitchell calls back. Megan: "Hello?" Mitchell: "Megan, it's Mitch." Megan: "Mitch? I don't know any Mitch." Mitchell: "Uncle Mitch." Megan: "Uncle Mitch? I don't have an uncle Mitch." Mitchell: "Yes, you do." Megan: "No, I don't." Mitchell: "Yes, you do. I gave you the bath beads for your birthday, remember?" Megan: "What? OH! Why is there no picture?" Mitchell: "I need your help. Don't ask. Get a vehicle and meet me on the upper level. Don't ask questions. And bring me a jumpsuit." Megan: "Yes sir!"
On the upper level the place is really jumping. There's some sort of Solstice celebration going on up there. Malcolm finds a young man who's been kicked out of a craps game for running out of money, and offers him a way to earn some by giving Malcolm a ride to Freemantle. The kid is willing, and has a grav-cycle, but it'll cost Malcolm $20 Solars. Malcolm: "Fuckin' A kid, it's the Solstice - make it 25." Kid: "I'm there, man!" He leads Malcolm over to his ride. It's the V-Max of grav-cycles. Wow. Kid: "Hop on, man. <he puts on his goggles, gloves, and bandanna> Watch out for the aero-plankton, it's really thick." Kind of icky and warm to fly through. Ewww. Just keep your mouth closed and covered. Sort of smells like a cross between chicken soup and fish. Just for a few seconds, as most of it is lower down. And it's only a 10 minute flight. Kid: "Where on Freemantle we goin'?" Malcolm: "I don't know - the shuttleport?" Kid: "Okay, man." He lands near some other slacker types, and there's much palm slapping and ritualistic handshakes. Malcolm counts out the money, thanking the guy for the righteous ride.
Malcolm calls Phillippe's message line, says "Continue with the orders, I'll be back in 20 minutes." Malcolm goes to the restroom to clean off the plankton around the edges. He has a salty, worn look, and smells kind of yeasty. There are twenty or thirty people in the large room, some using the full freshers (it is a shuttleport). Malcolm gets some disapproving looks from some of the more upper class types, but that's about all. Some of the locals are dressed a bit oddly too. The shuttleport is huge - it makes Regina's ports look like nits. He can pretty much buy whatever he wants on port, although it's really expensive. He buys a paper suit from a dispenser, and a polymer shopping bag made out of similar fabric. He slips the large-sized jumpsuit over his clothing, takes off the bandana, stuffs his other belongings into the bag, and moves out of the area.
Where Mitchell is, back on Rainbow, it's like a cross between a pagan solstice festival and Mardi Gras - complete with bead tossing. He takes all the beads he can get his hands on and sells them to some well-dressed tourists, who remark on how good his Galanglic is. He earns four, $5 Solar coins, and the tourists are happy. Then he goes off in search of Megan. This should be fun. He wanders one way, then back, sees the female tourist is now very happy and has earned her own beads (the traditional Mardi Gras way). There are some police officers on the level, not getting the cooperation of the crowd. Cop: "You there! Cover that up!!" That just encourages the blighters. Eventually Mitchell catches sight of a waifish female trying to beat back the rude men. Mitchell rushes up to her, arms thrown wide, in his beads and bathrobe. Megan: "Get back, you pervert!" She shoves Mitchell. Mitchell gets her in a bear hug, says "We've got to leave, now!", then they struggle in the direction Megan indicates. The crowd thins out as they get to the cars. Only grav-vehicles could be parked this tightly. They make it to Megan's small, economical, cute little grav-car. It's bright yellow, and not very fast. It's also stuck between two other cars, and the doors won't open. In through the sun roof!
Onward to Freemantle. Megan gives Mitchell the only thing she was able to find on short notice - one of her father's old Navy jumpsuits. Megan tries desperately to not look as Mitchell squirms into the suit. Mitchell asks that she take the vehicle off autopilot so it's not on the grid, and so she has something else to keep her eyes on.
While all the running around was taking place, Dr. Neil and Gabrielle enjoy a considerably more sedate escape. Dr. Neil: "Shall we?" Gabrielle goes with him. As they step outside, a car slides up, a SolSec driver hops out and slips on General Capeletti's red plate covers. Ah, that should help a bit. Into the car, and through the roadblock to a sharp salute. Dr. Neil waves through the tinted windows, then opens up the bar in the back of the car. Dr. Neil: "May I offer you a drink, Miss Vanek?" Gabrielle: "Yes. Thank you." Dr. Neil: "Now, what shall we have? I don't know, what does one drink when one is fleeing?" Gabrielle: "Whatever's handy?" Dr. Neil, of course, makes a perfectly apropos drink. Dr. Neil: "Here you are - a Shanghai Cocktail." The limo pulls up and slides onto one of the edged ("No Parking") decks so the driver can take off the insignias, so the car is now a standard limo. Okay, so it's a standard limo with heavy armor, firing ports, etc.
Mitchell: "Do you have some place you can go for a while?" Megan: "What do you mean, sir? My orders were to take care of you, sir." Mitchell: "I don't want to involve you in this." Megan: "It's not like I'm leaving anything behind sir. My orders were to watch your back and help you in any way I can, and that's what I'm going to do." They park in long term parking, and Megan uses her card to get Mitchell onto the local terminal, where Mitchell leaves a message on the board for Tabitha, something like "She's gone off on her vengeance kick, information is being put in place. Don't know if they'll come after you." Then Mitchell goes in search of Gabrielle, thinking to himself "The instructions 'Meet at the shuttleport', are a bit vague..." But they might as well start looking. Megan: "We could have them paged." Mitchell: "No." Megan: "Oh, right. What if you page some one they'd know, that isn't you? What was that Vargr's name?" Mitchell: "No!" They decide to page Phillippe, since he definitely won't be here. Phillippe Dubois is paged. One problem - Gabrielle doesn't know Phillippe's last name, and Dubois is a fairly common name where she comes from. Dr. Neil: "It seems some one is paging the manager of the casino on Rainbow. Of course, if I know that, others will as well. Your friends aren't terribly bright, are they? <He makes a call on his phone.> Yes? Patagonia 016227AA/5. Yes, locate please. Subject one, Taylor, ZZ/5. Subject two, Edwards, Malcolm, same file reference....Yes, I'll stand by... Right, very good. Back and erase that inquiry...My authorization. <click> <to Gabrielle> They're this way. Come. Now that we're in the more civilized part of the planet, there are cameras everywhere that can run facial recognition..." He has Gabrielle go up to Malcolm first when they get near him, just in case he's a bit touchy. Dr. Neil: "Mr. Edwards. Good of you to come." Malcolm: "Things were getting a bit too interesting on Rainbow, even without the Solstice celebrations." Dr. Neil: "Quickly. We need to locate Captain Taylor. <to Gabrielle> I'm afraid you'll be missing out on the fertility rites. Quite barbaric." Dr. Neil leads the way to the last area Mitchell was tracked in, which is within 50 yards. Dr. Neil: "He can't be too far away, since there's that small lieutenant." He points out Megan, and there's a leg visible behind her in the shadows. Dr. Neil's group heads that way. Dr. Neil: "Captain Taylor? Time is precious." Mitchell: "Yes, I'm anxious to be away." Malcolm: "Where are we going?" Dr. Neil: "This way, to the smaller ships. More discreet." Malcolm: "Yes - discretion." They head that way, over to a Far Trader where Trevor waits outside. Dr. Neil: "All aboard."
They enter the ship, and Dr. Neil goes up to the bridge. A few minutes later he emerges and motions to Mitchell and Malcolm. Dr. Neil: "Captain Taylor, Mr. Edwards. If you'd give me a hand here?" They go forward to find the captain of the ship slumped forward. He's apparently had an unfortunate heart attack. Or something. And he's not warm to the touch. (So just how long has he been dead??) From Mitchell and Malcolm's point of view, Dr. Neil just went up and killed the pilot like that. Dr. Neil has Mitchell and Malcolm take the body out of the cockpit. Dr. Neil: "You have piloting skill, I believe, Captain Taylor." Mitchell: "Yes. And you're lucky I have nav, as well." Dr. Neil: "You did bring along your lieutenant didn't you? <Megan has nav.> As I expected. And a good thing too, isn't that right Lieutenant? <looking at Megan> I don't believe that firearm would go through the security scanners." Megan opens her coat to reveal a 12mm. Egad! It was her dad's gun, and it's extremely illegal.
Neil hands Mitchell a set of coordinates. Mitchell: "Where are we going?" Neil: "To Tarsus, by way of Sequoyah. I have business there, and it's a location where they're less likely to ask questions. It is a bit wild, though." He looks out of the cockpit down the hall. Neil: "Ah, Trevor, good. Did you get the boxes from the car? Good." Trevor sets down a couple of black cases. Neil opens one up and takes out a black box. Neil: <passing the box to Mitchell> "If you would be so kind as to plug this in where your usual IFF would be? <taking out a small tool> I believe this tool will help with the removal." Such is done.
Megan: "We're going to Sequoyah? But this ship is bound for Polyphemus. <?!!!?> According to the flight plan, at any rate." Fake IFF, fake flight plan... Megan deals with Starport Authority, and yes, a plan has already been filed. STA rep: "Right, your flight window is in 11.6 minutes, on my mark. Mark." Megan handles all of this with the familiarity of some one who has done this many times before. She does the chatting while Mitchell pilots. It's been a long time since Mitchell has piloted anything this small, or anything at all personally. Normally he'd be planning and giving orders, and it's decided to let Megan pilot (more recent experience), but Mitchell can supervise.
During the time needed to maneuver out, Mitchell and Malcolm have a few questions for Dr. Neil. Mitchell: "What just happened?" Dr. Neil: "I would think that would be obvious for someone with your powers of observation. We have just escaped what in your case would have been a certain death at the hands of the police." Mitchell: "They weren't interested in arresting me, they came in shooting." Dr. Neil: "Precisely. They were not going to take any chances with such a dangerous, armed criminal." Mitchell: "How do we fix this problem?" Dr. Neil: "I'm working on it. <smiles> You'll have to trust me." Mitchell: "Like I have a choice." Dr. Neil: "Exactly. Or would you prefer that I smile in your face and lie to you?" Mitchell: "No. You know me better than that." Dr. Neil: "Good. We'll be stopping on Sequoyah en route to Tarsus. My business on Tarsus is not your concern." Mitchell: "I'm not asking about your business on Tarsus. As I said, I have no choice. I don't think they're going to be happy about missing me." Mitchell: "They'll get over it." Malcolm: "You've been yesterday's news before." Dr. Neil: "Now if you and Mr. Edwards could move Mr. Fish to the port side airlock?" (That would be the late captain of the vessel.) They do as Dr. Neil asks, and find the airlock already occupied. Malcolm: "Is that the engineer?" Dr. Neil: "I have no idea. <pause> Would it help you to know they were both unpleasant individuals?" Mitchell: "I don't really care." Malcolm: "I'm just moving bodies." But they do notice that both men have no visible signs of injuries, and both look like they died smiling. [Note to self- don't smile at Dr. Neil]
Mitchell returns to the cockpit after his little job. Megan: "Sir, what happened to that man? That man, that Dr. Neil murdered him, didn't he?" Mitchell: "Lieutenant, you don't know anything about that." Megan: "I know I'm not going to turn my back on that one." She checks her gun. Mitchell: "I know I can count on you to follow your orders." Megan: "I'll do my best, sir. I trust you - you'll think of something. It's a pleasure to be serving with you, sir. One thing, my father always said you brought your crew back." Not always alive, but he did bring them back.
Very smoothly into jump. Dr. Neil comes forward. Dr. Neil: "Captain, what happens to items that are lost from a ship while in jump?" Mitchell: "No one knows." Dr. Neil: "It could be awkward if those bodies were to show up in the wrong place." Mitchell: "Nothing has ever come back from jumpspace." Dr. Neil: "Good." He pushes the 'open port side airlock' button. Problem disposed of.
The ship is inspected while in jump. There are hidden compartments, and lots of personal effects, from lots of different people. Yup. Pirates. (Morally challenged merchants?) In one of the large cargo holds are the remains of female lingerie, in tatters. Dr. Neil: "I would suggest we dispose of that before either of the women come back here. I would not want to distress the lieutenant or Miss Vanek unnecessarily, but I think it's fair to say that the Confederation is a better place for those two gentlemen being gone." Got to agree with him there. Stock is taken of the weapons on board. The guns on the ship are not in great shape, but they are in working order, and Dr. Neil "took the liberty to borrow a few things from the General's closet." An LMG, a couple of gauss rifles, several pistols, several large knives, a flame rifle, ammo, grenades - all in foam cutouts. All nicely packed.
Dr. Neil: "Mr. Edwards, if you would give me a hand with that case? And the other bag you can take to the captain's cabin - we can settle Miss Vanek in there." Yes, Dr. Neil was good enough to have some things packed for Gabrielle. (Amazingly enough, all the correct size.) Dr. Neil first cleans up and inspects the captain's cabin and removes anything that could be upsetting to Gabrielle. Neil himself takes the smaller cabin right next door. All the others will be in cabins on the lower deck, but there are enough there so no one has to share a cabin unless they want to.
Safely away from Vantage, and a week in jump with Dr. Neil to Sequoyah, then another to Tarsus so he can take care of his 'business'. Successful escape, very smooth. A bit of ancillary damage, but nothing too dramatic, all things considered. And the crime rate on Rainbow Arcology should plummet with this group out of town.