02/23/01

"The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn."-- - David Russell

115-1121.

Ian Kellerman: <coldly> "...What are you doing here? <seeing the man who just entered> Ah, good. <to Trevor> Mr. Cavernon, I understand that you were hired by Dr. Neil as his bodyguard. Knowing your past history, allow me to say that what is about to happen to Dr. Neil is not going to injure him." Mitchell: "Excuse me, sir. Would you be at all interested in discussing this prior to giving us drugs?" The Ephor ignores Mitchell. Dr. Neil shrugs resignedly. The bald man removes an auto-injector from his black bag and places it at Dr. Neil's neck. Dr. Neil looks a bit pasty for a few moments, then daubs his forehead daintily. Ian: "Well, I'm sure we all feel better now that's taken care of." Actually not, and just what exactly was just 'taken care of'? Ian: "I apologize for my bruskness. I know you must all be tired and hungry, so please join me for dinner." A member of the hotel staff enters. Ian: "Ah, excellent. If you'll please <he gestures> join me." Mitchell: "Please forgive my attire; I wasn't expecting dinner with the Ephor." Ian: "Oh, not at all. Don't give it a second thought."

Everyone goes into the dining room, which has exactly the correct number of seats. The guards stand. The meal is lovely, and includes a centerpiece of a large dead beast - a boar. Megan doesn't' really appreciate it, especially when the Ephor discusses the hunt. He winces slightly when he turns to the left. The "noble beast" got a good shot in, and Ian doesn't begrudge it to the creature. The conversation over dinner is very light, definitely non-'business' related, and reminds Gabrielle very much of home (Aquitaine having a very mannered way of doing things - saying exactly what you mean is considered vulgar.) Ian: "And how are you finding Sequoyah? Are you enjoying yourselves?" Trevor: "I think the protesters have dampened our tourist activities." Ian: "Ah yes. The locals are given to spontaneous outburst here. Protests, speeches, parades, demonstrations, whatever strikes their fancy. In their own way, they do embody something of the true Solomani ideal - the rugged individualist. I can't help but admire them. They just need to take their place alongside the other planets in establishing the true Solomani ideal throughout the confederation. They have a certain responsibility. Don't' you agree we all have a certain responsibility?" Trevor: "Yes." Not wanting to ignore Malcolm, Ian does bring up the current Imperial noble scandal, and the ridiculousness of taking orders from some one "just because of their birth, rather than personal accomplishments." Malcolm: "There are those that have both, and there are those who keep the tabloids busy." Ian: "Quite. May I suggest brandy and cigars on the terrace?"

The discreet servants cleverly bring Trevor (who's working) a snifter of juice the same color as brandy. The party adjourns to a stone-hewn room with a huge, polar-esque (only bigger) bear skin rug in it. (But with more legs than it should have.) There's an enormous crysteel window along one wall, and a rather spectacular storm brewing outside - winds well over 100 mph, lightning, snow and ice. Nice and warm inside, if not exactly comfortable.

Ian: <relaxing with his brandy> "I can't help observing that, particularly in your case Captain Taylor, you appear to be in a bit of trouble." Mitchell: "Trouble would be a good word for it. Although I must admit I sort of put myself into it." Ian: "Indeed. Whatever the cause, I don't doubt that I may be of some assistance to you. To all of you." Mitchell: "I've no doubt you could, but that might not make your aunt very happy." Ian: "Ah yes, my aunt. Well, my aunt does what my aunt chooses to do. One can't always control one's relatives, and it's not like I can slap her in irons or anything of that nature." Now that's an interesting comment. Mitchell: "I'm sure if you were to help me, you would want me to help you in return." Ian: "One hand washes the other." Mitchell: "Did you have something in mind?" Ian: "You are all very resourceful individuals. I'm always looking for people like that. You don't understand how rare people like you are. We both know that the majority of the population is, well, I wouldn't say sheep, but children, who need to be led." Mitchell: "Most of the citizenry live happy, stable lives, and they're content." Ian: "Exactly. They want their jobs, their grav-ball, their picket fences and two car garages." Mitchell: "I see nothing wrong with that." Ian: "Nor should you. But that is not for everyone. I've been called to higher office." Mitchell: "People like myself, that's what we're called to live and die for - so others can have their two car garages and their picket fences." Ian: "Quite. I'd be the first person to admit General Tadeoshi has gone beyound the pale." Malcolm: "She's gone right off on this revenge thing." Mitchell: "Tadeoshi is doing what I'm sure she thinks is right." Ian: "Tadeoshi is engaging in personal vengeance." Mitchell: "I wasn't going to say that." Ian: "What is the quote? Revenge is a luxury that statesmen can't afford." Mitchell: "True." Ian: "Well, consider it taken care of." Mitchell: "My biggest concern is the fact that the police were in the shoot first then identify yourselves later mode. They weren't interested in arresting me, and I don't know how much evidence has been manufactured." Ian: <to his senior officer> "Colonel? Thank you. <The Colonel nods and leaves.> We'll see what we can find out for you." Mitchell: "Thank you. Now what can I do for you?" Ian: "Now that you mention it..." Gabrielle decides to not hang around to hear more than she wants, again, and excuses herself to go to the ladies room. All the men stand when she gets up, including Dr. Neil, although unsteadily. When he sits back down he takes a large gulp of brandy.

Ian: "While we wait for the lovely Miss Vanek to return, let's have another log put on the fire, shall we?" Then he switches the conversation to grav-ball. (The bastard is going to wait for Gabrielle to come back, damn him.) The Ephor discusses grav-ball in general and the Polyphemus team in particular with Trevor. The latter is able to provide some good insight into strategy. The topic then turns to where they are, and how safe, or not it is. The Ephor obviously feels quite safe. Ian: "Aside from the tram, which doesn't run in this weather, about the only way to get here would be to climb the side of the mountain in 100 mph plus wind. Or a drop ship, but I'm not too worried about that, since the only troops in the immediate area are mine."

Gabrielle returns. Ian: <standing> "At the risk of repeating myself, I must say Miss Vanek that Aquitaine truly has a well-deserved reputation for beautiful women. I am a bit prejudiced of course." Gabrielle: "You are too kind." Ian: "Now, back to your question, Captain Taylor. Sequoyah is the subject of some rather delicate political situations right now. There are people who for their own selfish reasons are attempting to undermine the negotiations in which Marie and I have been involved. I speak in particular of a Mr. Benjamin Running Dog. He has made it his business to interfere are much as possible in these matters, and the best case would be for Mr. Running Dog to retire from politics. Given his hobbies, it's only a matter of time before he injures himself, perhaps fatally, in one of his encounters. He's a known duelist. Naturally, it would be somewhat awkward if something were to happen to Mr. Running Dog, and I or anyone associated with me were to be involved." Mitchell: "And you want Mr. Running Dog 'retired' sooner rather than later." Ian: "That would be the idea." Mitchell: "This is not exactly my area of expertise, as you're no doubt aware. Even if I were to agree..." Ian: "The suggestion was put before your entire party, since all of you incurred the wrath of General Tadeoshi." Mitchell: "Yes, but I'm the only one who's been hung out on a murder charge." Ian: "So far." Mitchell: "There are times when I really wish I hadn't been retired. <Like all the time.> Well..." Ian: "Think very carefully before you answer - remember you are answering for not only yourself, but your friends as well." Mitchell's friends are surprised to hear this. Mitchell: "Since that's the case, could we have some time to discuss the matter first?" Ian: "Of course." He and his guards leave.

Trevor goes over to Dr. Neil. Trevor: "What was it that he gave you?" Dr. Neil: "A drug of some kind." Trevor: "I figured that. Are you okay?" Dr. Neil: "I'm a bit...woozy, but I'll be all right." Trevor: "Is he a danger to you?" Dr. Neil: "No. Not even the Ephor would dare kill his half-brother unless he was sorely provoked." Trevor: "Have you done anything to provoke him?" Dr. Neil: "No. He's really not that bad. He really does believe himself to be an honorable man." Mitchell: "I'm sure he has other deniable sources. Why does he need us? Why go to all the effort to get us off, just to have us murder some one for him?" Trevor: "Well, his brother says he's an honest man, so he may really intend to do what he says." Mitchell: "I think there are other ways to resolve the current crisis I'm in than this. I don't know about the problems you all are in, but in my case, there has to be another way." Malcolm: "Maybe we can persuade Running Dog to back off." Trevor: "The problem with persuasion is he can always change his mind." Malcolm: "Yes, but if he can be made to commit to something in front of others..." Mitchell: "You realize that this conversation is being taped, examined, and who knows what?" Trevor: "You must think I'm stupid." Mitchell: "No."

Mitchell: "Wait a minute, he did say that Benjamin Running-dog needed to retire from politics, not that he had to be dead." Malcolm: "Where I come from the only way to truly get rid of a politician is with a stake through the heart." Trevor: "Good point. On the other hand, if we could discredit him, that might serve the same purpose." Malcolm: "I wonder if the Ephor has access to psychomemetrics." Mitchell: "You mean like Fear?" Malcolm: "That might work. If we challenged him to a duel and he backed down... But all this to what end?" Mitchell: "To get off the hook with Tadeoshi, and to tie us to the Ephor." Trevor: "Not necessarily. If he's interested in deniable people, then he won't want a connection to us after the fact either." Mitchell: "So, do you think we should try to discredit this Running Dog, kill him, or just turn down the job?" Malcolm: "By 'kill him', I'm going to guess you mean challenge him to a duel." Mitchell: "I don't mean to demean any one here, but I don't know that any of us is a trained duelist. I know the closest I've ever come is playing chicken with a 10,000 ton starship." Good point, and since there are no 10,000 ton starships at hand, the dueling will probably be a bit more up close and personal. Malcolm: "Another consideration is what our original patron would have us do. I don't want to get stuck between the Ephor and the Condor Legion." Trevor: "Capeletti's never been my patron. Besides, I don't think the plans of the Ephor necessarily are at odds with those of the Condor Legion." Mitchell: <to Dr. Neil> "What do you think?" Dr. Neil: "I'm really not in a position to offer an opinion, since I'm not really at risk. While Tadeoshi may be able to harm you, I think she'd find me a bitter pill. Tadeoshi is absolutely ruthless without anything even remotely like a sense of honor. My half-brother, while sometimes misguided, feels bound by his sense of honor, which is why he is careful about giving out his word." Mitchell: "I know how that makes me feel." Dr. Neil: "You always have a choice." Mitchell: "We might have an option as to how we do it, but not whether we do it." Malcolm: "There are places that even the Ephor can't reach." Mitchell: "And what would I do there?" Trevor: "Sun yourself under a tree?" Dr. Neil: "You do have a native guide." He nods to Malcolm. Mitchell is really not keen on that, at all. Mitchell: "I don't' think that's an option for me." Dr. Neil: "Or you could try to find an opponent to the Ephor, like this Running Dog person." Trevor: "We don't enough about Running Dog to make that kind of call." Dr. Neil: "From what I've read of him, he's charismatic, very isolationist, and independent. He believes in the Solomani cause, but he also believes very strongly in the individual." Trevor bemoans the lack of a megacorp waiting in the wings to log the hell out of the planet. Dr. Neil: "Running Dog is about 60 years old, but in extremely good condition." Trevor: "Well I guess his having a convenient heart attack is out o the question then. Is anything known about his dueling record?" Dr. Neil: "He's killed several people in duels, mostly with a knife, or barehanded." Trevor: "Well, barehanded I might stand a chance. Is he vain?" Dr. Neil: "Oh yes. And he considers himself quite the ladies man." Trevor: "Oh, there we are! All we need is for him to insult the wrong woman, and I can challenge him." Dr. Neil: "He is also very vocal about his dislike of the Ephor, and Queen Marie. He refers to her as the 'bitch of Aquitaine', or 'the Ephor's whore'." Trevor is starting to get into this - all he needs is for Running Dog to rise to the right sort of bait. And Trevor has figured out what to use on the hook. Trevor: <looking at Gabrielle> "So, some one from Aquitaine might be just what we need, and if Running Dog were to insult Gabrielle - a woman - then I'd have no choice but to challenge him." Mitchell and Malcolm agree this would work, if that's what they decide to do. Megan has been very quiet during all this, deferring to her peerless leader and great hero, Mitchell.

Malcolm: "If the Imperials started to invade the area, would Running Dog join up?" Dr. Neil: "Absolutely. But if the Confederation were to undertake an ill-advised adventure into Imperial space, he might speak against it." Running Dog is not actually part of the government, but he hangs around as an observer and acts as a spoiler any time some real progress is about to be made in a direction he disapproves of. If he were to drop over dead while drinking tea, people might suspect, but if he were to be killed in one of his duels, no one would think much of it. Trevor: "Did I ever tell you the story of how I got thrown out of the police force?" Mitchell: "No, did I tell you how I ended up retiring from the Navy?" Trevor gives the condensed version of the particular part of his past. Trevor: "An armed man had taken a hostage, and we managed to take him out without the hostage being injured, but one of my men was really seriously injured. All the way to the hospital, the prisoner kept going on and on and on about how his father was a Party member, and he was going to get his son off, and he did, but not until after I beat the crap out of the kid on the way to the station house." Trevor seems qualified in the beating up people area at least. Mitchell: <to Gabrielle> "Are you going to weigh in on this?" Gabrielle: <to Dr. Neil> "Dr. Neil, General Tadeoshi to one side how does your half-brother respond to being told no?" Dr. Neil: "I think that depends on who tells him no. He likes to get his own way, but he has an innate respect for the chain of command, if that helps." Not particularly. Trevor: "Did you come this planet to see Running Dog?" Dr. Neil: "I'd rather not say, I don't want to influence your decision. Let's just say the situation is fluid." Trevor finds this very entertaining. Malcolm just wants to find the man who recommended this trip to Solomani space and beat him with a big stick. Mitchell: "Well, what's the consensus? Trevor?" Trevor: "Yes." Malcolm: "No is not going to get us off the mountain." Mitchell: "We don't know that." Trevor: "There's no official directive involved here, anyone who's been here for a week is a citizen, so by the time we can do anything against Running Dog, we could at least be fellow citizens. That would give us some rights locally, and maybe make it easier for us if we do end up having to duel with him." Mitchell: "Gabrielle?" Gabrielle: "I'm willing to go along with the decision of the group." Mitchell: "No, I want to know what you think of this. You've pretty much been a passenger on this rollercoaster ride. It's time to make your own choice, especially since you'd play a significant part in it if we go ahead." Gabrielle: "I don't think there is a good choice." Mitchell: "What would you prefer?" Gabrielle: "To be honest, my preference would be no. But I don't know that this is practical." Trevor: "You need to remember that your association with Marco has to be considered - going against the Ephor might make trouble for him." Gabrielle: "I'm aware of that." Mitchell: "On the other hand, if she refuses, the Ephor could apply a different kind of pressure." Trevor: "What do you mean?" Malcolm: "She's from Aquitaine." Mitchell: "So?" Trevor: "So she has friends and family there who could be used as leverage, and Kellerman would know that." Mitchell: "But his brother describes him as an honorable man." Malcolm: "He's using leverage to get us to kill Running Dog for him and that doesn't seem to bother him." Mitchell: "Why don't we offer the Ephor an alternative to killing the man?" Trevor: "I wasn't going to offer to kill him. We need to find out what the conditions of the request are - if Running Dog were to be discredited, would that be enough? Besides, if we were to engage in personal combat, there's no guarantee that we'd win. It's more of a sporting thing than murder. It's not like we're going to get a lot of bad karma for this." Mitchell: "But it could upset the balance of power on Sequoyah, and in the entire area if Sequoyah allies with Polyphemus and Aquitaine." Trevor: "Why is it our responsibility to figure out what's best for Sequoyah, or Polyphemus, or Aquitaine?" Mitchell: "It's not, but the Ephor has asked us to do something that I personally do not want to do. We're not at war with Sequoyah. If we were, I wouldn't find this so dishonorable." It's decided to ask the Ephor to clarify the conditions of his request, since the party is willing to work on getting Running Dog off the Ephor's case, but not to agree to murder the man.

The guard outside is alerted, and the Ephor and his guards return. Mitchell: "We've discussed your offer, at length, and find it very generous. We'd like to counteroffer to not remove the man physically, but politically." Ian: "Don't you think I've tried that? I wouldn't have resorted to these extremes if it weren't necessary." Trevor: "Have you tried discrediting him?" Ian: "On a number of occasions. The man has very few vices, aside from his little peccadilloes and those can be viewed as in a plus on Sequoyah." Trevor: "Have you tried manufacturing evidence?" Ian: "Yes." Mitchell: "Can you give us the time to investigate?" Ian: "Time is running out." Trevor: "How much time do we have?" Ian: "That is something you don't need to know." Trevor: "How much time can you give us?" Ian: "One week. Two at the outside. But I need your decision." Mitchell: "I can't kill the man. Not unless we suddenly declare war on the planet, this is not something I can do." Ian: "So you're saying you can only kill helpless women?" Very awkward pause. Ian: "You're quite right Captain. If you can't do this favor for me, I understand." Mitchell: "You said you could give us a week or two." Ian: "It's time to fish or cut bait. I need an answer - yes or no? Come on Captain, you've had to make life or death decisions before. No 'maybe's, no 'if's. Yes, or no." Mitchell: "All right." Ian: "May I take that as a yes?" Mitchell: "Yes." The Ephor extends his hand to Mitchell, who takes it. Ian: "I will consider it done. Now I have other business to take care of, but please, stay here as my guests. I will expect to read something interesting in the paper in a week or two. <to Gabrielle> Miss Vanek, a pleasure." Gabrielle: "Sir." Ian: "I will mention your name to Marie." Oh, lovely. The Ephor leaves.

Mitchell is feeling like Dr. Neil looks. Mitch has become bitter in his retirement. Mitchell: "We have a week to come up with something. If it comes to personal combat, although it might not be the best idea, I should be the one to take it." It definitely wouldn't be the best idea, but it's an honor thing for Mitch. Everyone sits around and drinks tea and coffee, and gradually gets really tired. Gabrielle, who has not been drinking tea or coffee, doesn't get at all tired. Hmmm... Some of the Ephor's 'staff' escort the party to their rooms before they nod off. Almost all of them go straight to sleep.

Gabrielle on the other hand more wired than tired, and hears people in the hallway. It appears that the Ephor is packing up to leave. Well this is peculiar - why would he pack up in the middle of the night, during a storm? Gabrielle glances outside. Storm? What storm? It's gone now that the Ephor doesn't need it for the ambiance. The Ephor and the unpleasant bald man are walking down the hall, past Gabrielle's barely open door. Ian: "How long will the drug continue to have effect?" Klaus: "At least two or three more hours." Ian: "Excellent. It wouldn't do for Alfred to know what we're up to." Great.

After the hallway clears, Gabrielle goes up to the third floor, via the stairs, and watches the goings on in the lobby. Behind the counter, the desk clerk appears to have dozed off. In fact, there is no other conscious staff other than the Ephor's any where. Klaus is walking amongst the sleeping hotel staff, giving them injections. Some one else in the Ephor's livery is at the hotel's computer. No doubt erasing all evidence of the Ephor's ever having been there. When the Ephor's party has left, Gabrielle goes downstairs, uses a hotel pen, and checks the computer. Sure enough, no sign of the Ephor, or any of his people.

116-1121.

Everyone wakes up - that means it's a good day! The staff sends out apologies to the guests, many of whom (okay, all of whom) may have headaches, as there was an environmental problem. Gabrielle doesn't have a headache. She calls Dr. Neil's room. Gabrielle: "May I speak with you?" Dr. Neil: "Of course. Just let me put on a robe." She gives him a few minutes, then goes to his room, and is let in.

Gabrielle: "Are you feeling better today?" Dr. Neil: "Yes, I think I'll survive. I do have a headache though." Gabrielle: "You, Mitchell, Trevor, the others, the entire hotel staff. I think it was the coffee, or maybe the tea." Dr. Neil: "Not the air circulation system?" Gabrielle: "I suppose it could have been, but that would have effected me, your half-brother, and his staff." Dr. Neil: "I see. I take it that he's gone?" Gabrielle: "Yes. And according to the computer, he was never here." Dr. Neil: "Predictable, really." Gabrielle: "The Ephor and the man he called Klaus were outside my room last night, and I overheard them. The Ephor asked the other how long the drug would be effective, and was told another two or three hours. Your half-brother was very concerned about leaving 'before Alfred finds out what we're up to'." Dr. Neil: "Really? What else did he say?" Gabrielle: "Nothing that I heard." Dr. Neil: "Well. I think we should gather the others for breakfast. I'll need time to dress." Gabrielle: "Of course. Excuse me."

In spite of the groggy staff, the breakfast is very fine. The manager doesn't want the hotel's reputation to suffer. There is some ill will among the party during breakfast, as Trevor and Malcolm feel that Mitchell said yes to the Ephor after making them believe he was going to say no. Mitchell: "Look, I'm sorry if you got that impression, but I've already admitted that I'm over my head here, and I didn't see we had much in the way of options." Trevor: "There was another option. We could have asked the Ephor why he didn't just challenge Running Dog to a duel and take him out like a man, mano a mano." Mitchell: "I thought of that, especially after the comment about killing helpless women, but I decided to not rise to the insult." Trevor: "Well I didn't think of it, or I would have said something." The waiter inquires if the guests would like to take a turn in the garden, as they have nice weather scheduled for later. Oh. That explains the lack of storm during the Ephor's departure. The waiter provides the guests with a schedule for the day's weather. How incredibly...civilized.

The party decides to go for a walk outside, to clear their heads, but Trevor first checks out the rented grav-car that had been brought up per the party's request, during the nice weather. Right. The vehicle seems fine. Mitchell suggests "inviting Running Dog to visit the Ephor, on Polyphemus; if he's got the guts." It's a thought.

Mitchell: "Is there any reason we have to stay up here?" Trevor: "No." Mitchell wants to get off the mountain. Trevor wants Dr. Neil safely tucked away some where, but the doctor wants to stay with the group and help. Trevor: "And how could you assist us?" Dr. Neil: "I don't know. I'm usually pretty good at extemporaneous activities." Trevor: "You don't happen to have access to the psychomemetric Fear do you?" Dr. Neil: "Sorry, no."

Gabrielle informs the group about the reality behind the 'air circulation' problem and the Ephor's late night check-out, but she doesn't mention the Ephor's comment to Klaus about Alfred and the drug, so Dr. Neil isn't put in an awkward position. (Those damn Aquitaine manners again.) Malcolm: "Why the secrecy? I can understand the staff." Trevor: "He's trying to make sure he can't be connected to us." Malcolm: "And he was giving the staff shots?" Gabrielle: "Yes." Trevor: "Probably Memwipe. He checked in before we did, so this way the staff won't remember him."

Time for research. Running Dog is a sheep rancher, with a "modest" home on a few hundred acres. Thanks to modern technology, he can stay at home and still make an appearance during the parliamentary proceedings. Yes, there are cattle ranchers, and yes, there are range wars here, all the time. But it's not like the old West, more like counting coup with a rifle and shooting up each other's fences. Darn. They find lots of articles on Running Dog, even pictures of him and his favorite lever-action rifle of unspecified caliber. For the local fauna. He's an interesting character. His "farmhouse" is a multilevel, hewn log home; the inside looks like something out of Sunset Magazine. Mitchell: "Does anyone object to leaving here and going back to the ship? I'm not talking about leaving planet, but I really need to feel a deck under my feet." Dr. Neil has no objections, and Mitchell would feel much more secure. Trevor: "And how long are you going to stay on board your ship?" Mitchell: "Until I feel safer." Trevor: "There's feeling safe, and there's being safe." Mitchell just wants to pace a proper deck.

Trevor wants Dr. Neil to stay at the hotel so they don't have to contend with the identity crisis they had before. Dr. Neil: "But really, we don't look that much alike. The Ephor dresses in drab, ill-fitting military uniforms." Gabrielle looks up the local news, and the real Ephor is very much in the news, and has checked into [how amusing] the Mountain Spirit Lodge. That ought to confuse the staff. Gabrielle: "The Ephor hasn't left planet - he's just moved down to the city." Trevor: "How does that abrogate our problem?" Gabrielle: "The press and the protesters have an Ephor to follow. I shouldn't think they'd be looking for a second one." Dr. Neil: "May I suggest then that I stay on the ship? That would be the most secure." Trevor: "All right, I'll agree to certain options. This place is secure, the ship is secure, and the Mountain Spirit Lodge is secure." Dr. Neil: "I'd prefer not to stay at the same hotel." Trevor: "All right, whatever." Mitchell: "I want to go back to the ship. Dr. Neil wants to go back to the ship. You're his personal bodyguard, so I'm assuming you'll want to go to the ship. Does anyone else want to go?" Malcolm: "What's the nearest town to where Running Dog lives? There must be somewhere he goes to the bar, or socializes or whatever." Yes, there is a nearby town of 50,000 that Running Dog frequents. Mitchell doesn't think it would be a good idea for Malcolm to go off on his own without a secure means of communication between him and the party. Malcolm: "All I want to do is go there and take a look at the lay of the place, the hotels, that kind of thing." Mitchell: "And if something happens?" Malcolm: "Then Running Dog has a spy network." Mitchell: "That's not what I mean. What if you have a run in with the locals and get challenged to personal combat? I'm not saying you can't take care of yourself, but you might need some help." Malcolm: "I won't have a problem with the locals. I've dealt with Vargrs." Mitchell: "These aren't Vargrs." Malcolm:" I know that." Tempers are a bit frayed this morning. Okay, ship first, then plans.

Trevor suggests one more option - "We could go with Dr. Neil to see Running Dog, and tell him the Ephor tried to get us to kill him. It seems like a Mitchell kind of plan - go public with the Ephor's plan in such a way as to foil his plan and gain more personal enemies. It's not a plan I favor, but I thought I'd just toss it out there." No one likes that plan. Mitchell: "It was not my intention to make enemies in the first place." Malcolm: "I know, but the forces of evil take things personally." Mitchell really wishes he had access to a big ship and a fusion weapon. And to make matters worse, now Mitchell feels he's let Megan down.