02/10/01
"Alea iacia est." [The die is cast.] -- Julius Caesar, on crossing the Rubicon
108 to 114 - 1121.
Trevor, Mitchell, and Malcolm go through the obviously pilfered clothing stashed in one of the hidden cargo areas, to find clothing they can fit. Much of the clothing is very, very nice. Trevor finds a full set of white tie and tails (down to the spats and shoes), and a charcoal grey, pinstriped, double-breasted suits (worth around $2,000 Solars) that fits Trevor like it was made for him. Mitchell finds four suits that fit him fairly well, including a very nice white suit (well made, high tech material), a couple of off the rack suits, and a baby blue leisure suit (only in case of emergencies). There is nice luggage on board too. Malcolm finds several sets of high tech designer (black magic) jeans (fit well, and accentuate too!) and misc. other clothing. The only thing Megan can find to fit her look like Catholic school girls outfits. Malcolm is unable to find a sewing kit, but Dr. Neil can provide one; you never know when you might lose a button! Megan is a bit reluctant to let Malcolm play the tailor part (what with all that measuring), but accommodations are made.
Mitchell asks to speak with Dr. Neil, privately. Such can be arranged. Dr. Neil: "There's something you wish to discuss?" Mitchell: "Yes. The ID cards for the two people who left the ship?" Dr. Neil: "That went with them. There's nothing to indicate they were on this ship." Mitchell: "There's nothing to indicate I was on this ship either, or who I am. I have no ID at all." Dr. Neil: "We're going somewhere they won't be too concerned about your ID; we'll be able to acquire some there." On Sequoyah, who you want to be is up to you.
Malcolm: "Sequoyah sounds like a wide open kind of place - hey Mitch, ever wanted to run a casino?" Mitchell: "No, I never wanted to run the last one. Does anyone have gunnery skill?" Dead silence. Mitchell: "Just what I thought." There's a single, dual mount laser turret on the ship, and no one with the appropriate training. There are many vac suits, several in their shipping containers. Everyone gets a properly fitted vac suit, with help from the military personnel. The suits are very high tech and light, as well as being modular. Dr. Neil will spend most of the trip reading books (real books), including huge art books. Most of the other books are not in Galanglic, but a number of them are in French - Dr. Neil doesn't mind Gabrielle reading those. It's not like there's anything else to do.
The ship is fairly well stocked with stolen food and wine. This is good, since the food processor is old and incredibly unappetizing. Trevor volunteers to clean the unit, and Malcolm helps. While they do that, Dr. Neil takes care of dinner. When he announces dinner is served, the crew (such as it is) go to the common area to find candles, a linen tablecloth, fine wine, tinned pheasant, etc. - a feast. The food processor is about 65 years old, and hard to calibrate, but once it's done it will provide cafeteria style food that can be enhanced with the luxury goods.
Those with the appropriate skills spend time checking out the commo unit, engineering, etc. It's a miracle the previous owners survived with the way they didn't care for things. The only things they maintained are the guns, since they needed them on a regular basis. There is another hard point, but no weapon. The one turret probably cost all the owners' money, as it is military grade, and way overpowered for a ship this size. The civilians (Trevor, Gabrielle, and Dr. Neil) are given emergency, basic instructions on how to put on vac suits. Just in case. The vac suits are brand new, still in their cases, and property of the Solomani Navy. Vac suits for experts, and worth a lot of money if sold on a planet with a really low law level.
Everyone has a cabin for themselves, and all the cabins were obviously occupied by crew normally. Few of the former occupants were into cleanliness. A live steam line is run into the rooms to clean them out properly, as Dr. Neil only did his own room and Gabrielle's.
Mitchell asks to see Dr. Neil, privately. Again. Mitchell: "Do you think this whole thing was Tadeoshi's doing, or was she backed up by Alexandra Kellerman and Mr. Soames." Dr. Neil: "I wouldn't care to speculate." Mitchell: "Who is Mr. Soames?" Dr. Neil: "I don't understand the question. He's a hanger-on of Alexandra Kellerman." Mitchell: "He also has SolSec ID. He was flashing it around at the Borloi burn." Dr. Neil: "He could be SolSec from Polyphemus for all we know. I don't really know Mr. Soames that well; we've only met briefly." Mitchell: "And you haven't had a chance to have a nice quiet chat with him?" Dr. Neil: "Precisely.
Trevor has security concerns. Trevor: "We're assuming we've gotten away, but we might not have. For all we know there might be some one waiting on Sequoyah, or Tarsus. <to Dr. Neil> We've got one ballistic vest, and I suggest you wear that." Dr. Neil: "I'm already taken care of in that area. Besides, that one's Capeletti-sized." Trevor: "Well, even if they are hunting us, murder isn't condoned on the planet. <Trevor's been reading Dr. Neil's briefing material.> They might still just gun us down, but they're more likely to try to work within the mores of the planet, which does allow for personal combat. If some one tries to start a fight, don't rise to provocation." Dr. Neil strikes Trevor as a man who values his own safety, and is smart enough to follow the directions of the expert he's hired. Much better than many of Trevor's previous clients.
115-1121.
Mitchell insists, and Trevor backs him up, that people put on their vac suits before the ship jumps into system. After all, there might be some one unpleasant waiting for them. Megan and Mitchell will be on the bridge, Malcolm in engineering but ready to switch to gunner in short notice. The turret is highly tweaked, and very powerful.
Sequoyah is a very busy port, and there's a lot of traffic. As Megan has a lot more recent piloting experience, she takes the stick and Mitchell just gives orders. It's a lot different from jumping in while on your big Navy ship and going straight on through; this time it's just one of a hundred little ships. Sit and wait until clearance is received to land at the coordinates provided by Dr. Neil for the DownPort location.
Trevor: "Have you made hotel reservations yet?" Dr. Neil: "No, I haven't." Trevor: "Is there somewhere you usually stay?" Dr. Neil: "No, I've never been here before." Trevor: "Good. I'll make the reservations under my name." Security reasons. Dr. Neil is planning on being planet for at least a week (long enough to become a citizen on Sequoyah - what is he about?). The ship is given a parking bay, hooked up to local power and communication lines. Trevor makes reservations, and the local channels are checked out. Trevor suggests paying for a couple of weeks' docking and fuel, "in case we need to leave in a hurry." Dr. Neil gives Trevor a corporate card (Occult Corp) to use. Malcolm: <to Trevor> "What about weapons?" Trevor points out the window. Trevor: "Everyone's got 'em." Malcolm is thrilled; Gabrielle is very much not, since she's from a much more civilized place (from her point of view) - she thought Freemantle and Rainbow were bad! Malcolm suggests Gabrielle should carry a weapon, and she does still have the ornate little gauss pistol Dr. Neil gave her. Megan is happy just being out on an adventure with her hero! Malcolm takes a couple of the knives from Capeletti's travelling kit (knives are very popular here). Malcolm: <to Trevor> "What do you know about knives?" Trevor: "You shoot the other guy who has one." Good thought. Dr. Neil looks outside, then turns to Gabrielle and says <sotto vocce> "My goodness, it's more barbaric than I imagined!" Yes, on some level Gabrielle is bonding with Dr. Neil. Shudder. The weapons, handguns and long arms, are distributed among Mitchell, Malcolm, and Trevor. Dr. Neil looks at the travel brochure and tells Malcolm "You might be interested in this - apparently they have hunting here. I'm sure we can find you a stone axe or something." As far as Dr. Neil is concerned, all wild animals are cute and fluffy. He's watched too many cartoons.
Trevor suggests hiring a local security company to make sure the ship stays safe. Calls are made, and a man in a suit arrives, accompanied by a really mean looking guy with gnarly facial scars, in animal skins. Trevor makes sure all the party is identified to the security team so everyone has access to the ship. Then it's outside into the heat and humidity. A big cab with large tires is hailed, and the party (and their luggage) is loaded. How interesting; a cab with gun racks. Dr. Neil knew ahead of time what to wear, so he's looks very natty as he puts on his broad brimmed hat, steps outside, and lights up a Vegan cigar.
Trevor gives the driver an address near the hotel he's booked them in. Driver: "I can just drop you at the hotel, you know." Trevor: "What hotel?" Driver: "The Mountain Spirit Lodge." Trevor: "What makes you think we're staying there?" Driver: "You're obviously tourists, you just arrived on port, and you have luggage. First time here? Don't worry, you'll like it." After a rather macho drive, the car pulls up in front of a massive log structure. Dr. Neil: <to Malcolm> "This must remind you of home." Malcolm: "Yes, but I don't know why you keep cutting down the saplings here." Dr. Neil: "Why do I know this is going to involve penises at some point. <to Gabrielle> My apologies." Inside to check in, and get a large block of rooms with a common area. It's a rustic, but with all the high tech amenities. There's even a gun safe (not that anyone is going to lock up their guns).
The common area is very open, and has a large skylight that can be rolled back. There is also a fair sized tree growing in the middle of the living room, beside a large rock bubbling with water. Very nice, actually. Other than that, the usual stuff you find in a nice hotel: tourist information, menu (with large pictures of meat), maps, etc. Mitchell: "We're going to be here for a while. Do we know where we're going after this?" Dr. Neil: "At this point we don't need to get into that. We don't want to have any security issues." Mitchell: "If we're a merchant vessel, shouldn't we be 'merchanting'?" Malcolm: "We're a charter." Dr. Neil: "Exactly. We shouldn't need to explain beyond that." Gabrielle: <to Dr. Neil> "Is there any way I can be of assistance to you while we're here? I have nothing to do." Dr. Neil: "Enjoy yourself. Think of it as a vacation. I won't be meeting with my business associate for a week, so I suggest we find something entertaining to do." Trevor: "Will you be going out during the day, or the evening?" Dr. Neil: "Given the temperatures here, I'd think the evening." Trevor will acquire information on cultural sights in the area, and Dr. Neil will take a cool shower and then perhaps a nap, after room service brings up the pitcher of chilled gin and tonic. Dr. Neil: "I'm beginning to have some concerns about this whole journey." Now Gabrielle is really worried. Malcolm suggests using some of the copious amounts of clothing from the ship to sell or barter. Good thought. According to the tourist stuff, there are many large, informal markets. Mitchell: "Keep an eye out for a place to get rid of the vac suits." Malcolm: "That's a different market, but I'll keep an eye open."
On his way outside to check on the markets, Malcolm is stopped by a member of the hotel staff while still on his floor. Staff: "Is that really him?" Malcolm: "Is that really who?" Staff: "I understand if he's travelling incognito. I won't say anything, don't worry." Malcolm: "Thank you." Hmmm. Whoever does he mean? Malcolm finds a market where you can rent a table and sell whatever you like. You can also advertise your goods on the local web. Malcolm browses for a while, but the place is HUGE! It's very social, and again Malcolm notices many of the locals wearing different colors of ribbons in their hair - tribes? Tongs? Religious persuasions? Marital status?
Dr. Neil tells Trevor that it's all right for him to go out and reconnoiter, as Dr. Neil feels secure in the hotel. Trevor will consider doing that later, after he's done a bit more research in the room. While looking through the tourist stuff, Trevor is able to find information on what the colored ribbons mean - it's tribal. Some of the tribes are at least partially based on fantasy, and it's more voluntary rather than just being born into it. "The Spirit of the Warrior" is mentioned a lot. There is also a pill (TL E) that helps some one adapt to the local climate quickly and easily; Trevor calls room service and orders some sent up. It makes a big difference for him - he no longer feels like he's breathing soup.
Malcolm returns about an hour after he left, to tell everyone about the market, and about the "Is that really him?" incident. In between rounds of amateur grav-ball on tri-dee, Trevor has been flipping through the tourist information and making notes. The locals are really good players, and have some major rivalries going on. Mitchell takes Megan downstairs to the grill (literally) for a meal, and to trawl for a hint about who the "him" is. The menu is very meat heavy, and Megan has a few problems. She eventually ends up with a meat-free salad. It's a nice meal, but after a while Mitchell notices a crowd of people gathering outside the hotel, and taking placards out of cars. Oh-oh.
Upstairs, Trevor gets bored with the pre-game stuff and finds a local access channel that is showing people gathering outside the hotel. He looks outside, and sure enough - crowds unpacking signs. Trevor calls downstairs to the front desk. Clerk: "Front desk." Trevor asks about the crowd. Clerk: "Oh, it's probably a spontaneous rally." Trevor: "What are they rallying about?" Clerk: "Who knows? The people here are very...vocal about their opinions." Trevor gets out his binoculars and looks out of the window. The sign is upside down, but he can read: "Ephor go home!" ARGH!
The hotel security is keeping an eye on the protesters and counter-protesters as they set up. Mitchell takes Megan to the bar, to find good viewing seats. The bar is carved out of a single, huge tree; very impressive. Megan has a wine spritzer, Mitchell has a beer (after looking through the local brew list). Mitchell gets a handset and calls the room. Trevor: "Yes." Mitchell: "It's Mitch." Trevor: "Okay." Mitchell: "Just wanted to let you know we're in the lounge keeping an eye on things." Trevor: "Okay." They ring off.
In the bar, Mitchell and Megan see two of the local young bucks having some sort of disagreement. There is much posturing and chest puffing. Too much testosterone, too few braids. They end up taking it outside after a glance from the bartender, to settle things with their knife and club (respectively).
Malcolm goes back to the ship, loads up a trunk and takes it to the market. He'll do this a day at a time, selling off a trunk at a time of "forgotten luggage". It's different clothing for this planet, and he's selling the case too. Malcolm also gets to listen to the locals and chat. Malcolm makes about $150 Solars, and sells out everything down to the trunk. He tells people he'll be back tomorrow or the next day, and he wanders around for a while afterwards. His accent is interesting, and a conversation starter. He orders a sign made up by one of the artists.
By the time Malcolm returns to the hotel the protesters have gotten more organized and there are several hundred people in the group. There are pro and anti-Ephor groups. Trevor calls downstairs to ask what floor of the hotel the Ephor is staying on, and gets a rather confused man who doesn't understand why Trevor is asking about the Ephor when he's calling from the Ephor's room. What?
Trevor turns on the news, and finds the broadcast about the demonstrations. Trevor: <to the room in general> "You know what the next worst thing is to being co-located in the same hotel as the Ephor?" Gabrielle: "Is something wrong?" Trevor: "Apparently there is a striking resemblance between Dr. Neil and the Ephor of Polyphemus, and some staff member has let the cat out of the bag. We can either try to convince everyone that they're mistaken, or we can go with the flow and say we are with the Ephor of Polyphemus and demand planetary security." Gabrielle: "But, there's not that great a resemblance between Dr. Neil and the Ephor." Trevor: "If you had nine people out of ten look at Dr. Neil and ask who he reminded them of they'd say they didn't know. But if you told them he was the Ephor of Polyphemus, they'd think he was." Gabrielle: "Does Dr. Neil know?" Trevor: "No." Gabrielle: "Well, that is a bit awkward." Trevor: "The only thing more awkward would be if the Ephor of Polyphemus really were here." Gabrielle: "Shouldn't some one let Dr. Neil know what's happening?" Trevor: "Good idea; why don't you wake him?" Gabrielle knocks on Dr. Neil's door.
Dr. Neil: <opening the door> "Yes?" Gabrielle: "I'm sorry to bother you, but there's a bit of a problem." Dr. Neil: "Really? What is it?" Gabrielle: "I'm not certain why, but one of the hotel staff seems to believe you're the Ephor of Polyphemus, and word has gotten out." Dr. Neil seems some what amused by all this. He joins Trevor, who gives Dr. Neil one of the climate adapting pills, which the doctor takes. Dr. Neil: <to Trevor> "What do you recommend?" Trevor: "There are three choices, as I see it. One, we can disguise you and sneak out, which will cause a furor when they find out you're not here. Two, we can pretend that you are the Ephor of Polyphemus and demand the protection of the government." Dr. Neil: "You're assuming the planetary government has that much control over the population." Trevor: "I'm not assuming anything. Choice number three, we stay put and try to convince everyone that you really aren't the Ephor." Dr. Neil: "Perhaps this is my secret double identity? <smiles> Oh no, I'm satisfied with your first suggestion."
It seems that the rumors circulating are that the Ephor is on Sequoyah for some sort of secret negotiations. Over what exactly no one is specific. Trevor does call downstairs and gets the front desk to divert all calls for the suite to voicemail, and set it up so the list can be checked on the terminal. Eventually the one thing no one wants to think about is brought up. Malcolm: "You don't think the Ephor..." Dr. Neil: "Really is on planet? That would be my nightmare, yes." Mitchell: "You wouldn't be the only one with that nightmare." Dr. Neil: "I don't suppose we could slip away quietly to some secluded place with a large library?" Well...maybe. Trevor: "Let's check out the options and then decide what to do." Mitchell checks the scrolling list of calls sent up from downstairs. Quite the collection of nutballs, along with some serious inquiries. Trevor: "We might be able to through the protesters off track by actually scheduling meetings for the Ephor, and not showing up to any of them." Malcolm: "That won't keep them away for long." Mitchell: "No, but if the Ephor is here, it would probably piss him off." Trevor: "Is there some level we can piss him off up to that's above what we've done already?" Mitchell: "I don't know. He might catch fire." Trevor: "I can feel the flames already." Oh-oh, Trevor's starting to enjoy this. Trevor takes great glee in arranging a multitude of interviews, etc. - all in the guise of some one from the Ephor's staff. The bad news is, if the Ephor really is on planet, it will probably anger him. The good news is, it will probably help distract the rabble while the party relocates.
Malcolm finds information on a really private place up in the mountains where rich people go, and they have highly trained security to keep unpleasant, nosy people away. It's called Eagles' Nest. Trevor calls them and inquires about rooms. There are some available, once the card is scanned. Trevor checks to make sure no one else on the Ephor's team has already booked rooms, and the clerk's confusion seems genuine (it's not that he tells Trevor flat out the Ephor is not staying there - that would be a breach of security) when Trevor explains that he was just making sure one of the other "staff" hadn't already made the reservations. Looks good so far. Trevor: <to the group> "If we run into the Ephor of Polyphemus and his twenty-five stract, highly trained killer bodyguards, and we've recently pissed off the Ephor, it could be bad.
The local news has a story about the protest and counter-protest going on outside the lodge. The city officials are requesting that people remain civil while expressing their views, which prompts Dr. Neil to add "...and exercise some proper societal discipline. Not that this is likely here." Mitchell is considering going back to the ship with Megan, and returning to Vantage, where at least he doesn't have to worry about angry mobs. Well, probably not.
Interspersed with the news are ads for the programs now plugging "An intimate interview with the Ephor of Polyphemus"...."Cooking with the Ephor"....etc. Dr. Neil finds this all really amusing. Trevor's work here is done. And according to other stories on the news, it seems the Ephor of Polyphemus really is here on Sequoyah. Just another one of the universe's little jokes - at the party's expense.
Mitchell: "How are we going to get to Eagles' Nest? Especially now that we've confirmed that the Ephor is here?" Trevor suggests a limo out back, in the evening. There follows a lengthy discussion on how to get the Ephor, um, Dr. Neil and the party out of the Lodge and to the secluded spot. Mitchell wants false hotel reservations at several local hotels to draw off some protesters. Trevor: "We can try that. We can have security clear out a path, have some one in a trenchcoat go into the limo and drive off. The hotel is going to have security to keep the press and public back far enough to prevent the guests from being harassed." Malcolm: "So are we going to hire a double?" Trevor: "Why don't we just take Dr. Neil in the limo to Bel'Aria's, some of his 'staff' gets out and goes in, he and I stay in the limo and we'll take the ground car to the cable car and up to the Eagles' Nest. The rest of you can filter up separately." Malcolm: "I have one concern. While I'm sure most of the party is capable of taking care of themselves, I'm worried about Gabrielle. I'd feel better if she were to stay with Dr. Neil." Trevor: "Then she can go with him. The rest of you can follow however you like, but I don't want to move my principal more than once." The other concern is to identify the following staff to the Eagles' Nest security forces, but Trevor figures he can take care of that once he gets there. Time to pack up.
Trevor notices as he's getting ready that there's a preview on the tri-dee for a real life show about "...an aerostat race gone horribly wrong!" Yes, it's Mitchell's shining hour. It's being shown on the "Heroes" show, and they have Mitchell's Navy picture. Megan is even more impressed with Mitchell than before.
At 9:45 p.m., the plan is put into motion, and the ruse works perfectly. Malcolm will wear Dr. Neil's hat to misdirect the bad guys. Dr. Neil: "Take care of that hat, it's worth more than you are." Malcolm wears the hat out of Mountain Spirit, and Mitchell wears it into Bel'Aria's. No one pays attention to the limo when it leaves the swank hotel, since the important people have gotten out of it. Trevor hired a couple of hotel staff at the Lodge to get into the limo around back so the right number of people get out. The female staff member is more than willing, but she wants the Ephor's signature on the picture of him she has. Dr. Neil does a passable job of the signature. No one asks how, since he might tell them.
Hours later, the limo arrives at the base of the mountain, at the cable car spot, and pulls in amongst the other limos. Just in time to catch the next car up, too. One of the people on the cable car looks at Dr. Neil and whispers to another one "Didn't he just go up on the cable car ten minutes ago?" Trevor: <sotto vocce to Dr. Neil> "Listen, once you get there and get to your room, just go in and stay there. We'll bring in food or whatever you need." Great. Just great.
The cable car takes about 45 minutes to reach the top of the mountain. It's quite a spectacular ride, even in the dark. The Eagles' Nest is a huge upper-class lodge kind of place. Trevor, Gabrielle, and Dr. Neil go inside and the lobby is full of people - it's a beehive of activity. Lots of men with black uniforms that Gabrielle recognizes - unfortunately. Yup, it's Ephor central up here.
An officer in the black uniform approaches the party. Officer: "Dr. Neil isn't it? I'm sure there's some one who'd like to see you sir." Dr. Neil: "I suppose it's inevitable." Officer: <gesturing> "This way please." They're stopped at the entry to a large lodge room, and get the once over by a couple of large men in black. Trevor: "Look, I don't stomp on your spit-shined boots, I won't annoy your principal if you don't annoy mine. Think of it as professional courtesy." He's allowed to keep his weapon. Dr. Neil isn't carrying a weapon, and Gabrielle has forgotten she has one (in her purse). They're ushered into the room.
A Dr. Neil-esque person, only taller and more athletic, gets up from the table. Ian Kellerman: "Sit down, please, Alfred." Dr. Neil: "Ian." Ian goes over and gives Dr. Neil a friendly hug hello, which Neil tolerates. Just. Ian: "You must be Trevor. A pleasure." Hands are shaken, and Trevor takes a place behind Dr. Neil's chair. Ian: <turning to Gabrielle> "And this will be the lovely Miss Vanek. Enchanté. <he kisses her hand> I must say Aquitaine breeds lovely women, and I know something about this. Well this is fortuitous. What happened to the rest of your friends? Al, aren't you missing some of your party?" Dr. Neil: "Well, there was a disagreement and we decided to part company." Ian: "Oh come now Alfred, surely you could do better than that? <turns to his officer> Have them brought here. Politely. They're guests. <returning his attention to the party> Besides, you're friends of my half-brother. <pause for dramatic effect> Oh, didn't Alfred tell you?" Trevor: "I'm not his friend, I'm his employee." Ian: "Ah yes, the loyal bodyguard. How is the bodyguarding business?" Trevor: "Getting better." Ian: "Good, good. May I offer you a drink? Wine? A beer?" Trevor: "No thank you." Ian: "Oh, of course. You're working. Some coffee or tea perhaps?" Trevor: "Maybe later." Ian: "So, dare I ask what brings you to Sequoyah? It can't be a coincidence." Dr. Neil: "Well, we were just having a sort of time off, a vacation." Ian: "Off in the rustic outdoors? That doesn't sound like you." Trevor: <under his breath> "We weren't in the outdoors." Ian: "I had a note from Auntie about you, but she was her usual cryptic self, and I haven't quite figured out what she meant." Oh good.
Mitchell, Malcolm, and Megan take a grav-vehicle from the hotel, which is much faster than the limo, so they just miss the cable car that Trevor and the others took up. The rental grav-car is dropped off, and the three M's head for the coffee shop to wait the 90 minutes for the next car. There are a number of men here who are definitely not locals - black jumpsuits bloused into black boots, black berets, gauss carbines at a 45 degree angle, eyes flicking around, really short hair. Rank insignia, but nothing to indicate origin or unit. Mitchell would rather wait outside in the cold than stay in the coffee shop with these guys. And it's really cold outside. And windy. And Mitchell and Malcolm don't have parkas. Neither does Megan. The men in black move on by without killing anyone, so it's decided to stay indoors. It's nice and warm inside at least.
Waitress: "How are you three doing? Look, it's going to be a while before the next car, can I get you something to eat? We've got great pie." Malcolm: "What kind?" Waitress: "Marionberry, strawberry, chocolate cream, cherry, apple." Malcolm buys coffee for the group, but no one wants pie except Malcolm. Megan is "watching her girlish figure". She does take a taste of Malcolm's pie, repeatedly. (No calories if it's on some one else's plate.) The group huddles around their coffee and listen to wind howl outside. It should be safe up top at any rate, what with the weather and the sheer mountain. Yes, people have skied down this local equivalent of the Eiger. And some of them are able to live full, productive lives. Eventually. One could ski there, but one would have to be right nuts. After about 30 minutes of nice warm coffee, the men in black come back. A couple of them sit in the table to the left, a couple to the right, a couple over there... Yup, they've been bracketed. Mitchell goes to the restroom, but there's no window to sneak out of. Oh well, it's a long ride to the top any way. An officer in black comes in to the café, is handed a clipboard, looks at Mitchell and Malcolm's table, nods, and hands back the clipboard. Ah.
One of the NCO's strikes up a conversation. NCO: "Heading up the mountain?" Malcolm: "If that cable car doesn't freeze up." NCO: "Oh this is nothing. You're lucky you've come here in the spring. You don't want to be here in the winter." The look in his eyes says that he knows of whence he speaks. Lovely thought. Then the cable car shows up.
Amazingly enough, the car has just enough room for Mitchell, Malcolm, Megan, and a pack of men in uniforms - no other passengers. After a few minutes in silence, Mitchell speaks up. Mitchell: "Now that you gentlemen have us just where you want us, now what?" Officer: "Enjoy the ride. It'll take about 40 minutes." At least he didn't' say 20 minutes.
They arrive at the top, where there are more guards in black. A lot more. There are a few locals in staff livery (so to speak), but mostly the men in black. Officer: "Come with me. We'll help you with all that annoying paperwork." Mitchell, Malcolm, and Megan are escorted into the large room with the rest of the party, and the Ephor of Polyphemus. Ian and Dr. Neil stand when Megan enters. Ian: "Aren't you forgetting something, Colonel?" The colonel looks panicked briefly. Ian: "You have checked them for weapons?" Oops! Malcolm hands over his 12mm without being asked (hoping they'll not look for any more). Megan and Mitchell are divested of their weapons. The colonel glances at Trevor. Ian: "Mr. Cavernon may keep his weapon, Colonel. These are people who understand how to focus their aggression productively, I'm sure I'm not at risk. <to the newcomers> I must apologize for my men. They can be a bit focused. May I offer you something?" Mitchell: "A parka?" Ian: "Try this excellent brandy. Should warm you right up. Colonel, have another log put on the fire. The Captain looks cold. I'm feeling cold just looking at him." Mitchell: "We took the pills to acclimate ourselves to the weather. The warm weather." Ian: "Yes, I don't know how anyone can stand it. This is much more to my liking. More like home." The brandies are tipped back, and the ambiance is enjoyed (more or less) for several minutes in silence.
Ian: <looking at the whole group> "I do have one question." It's right about this time that a tall, bald man with wire-rimmed glasses, in a different black uniform steps into the room carrying some sort of high tech case. (Medical bag?) Ian: <his voice goes flat and dangerous> "What are you doing here?"