https://kotos.backorder.gr/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Board_Thread%3AGeneral_Discussion%2F%40comment-27324808-20160708020658%2F%40comment-27324808-20160817182252 2026-07-05T13:20:40Z Revision history for this page on the wiki MediaWiki 1.42.3 https://kotos.backorder.gr/index.php?title=Board_Thread:General_Discussion/@comment-27324808-20160708020658/@comment-27324808-20160817182252&diff=3379&oldid=prev 2016-08-17T18:22:52Z

<p>Created page with &quot; &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&#039;&#039;&#039;Part Five&lt;br /&gt;Butterflies and Cyclones&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&#039;&#039;Chapter Nineteen&#039;&#039;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;sp...&quot;</p> <p><b>New page</b></p><div><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&#039;&#039;&#039;Part Five&lt;br /&gt;Butterflies and Cyclones&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&#039;&#039;Chapter Nineteen&#039;&#039;&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;It took the rest of the afternoon through late evening and a decent amount of cash for the cleaning crews to return Leek Works to a state of repair. &lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt; &lt;/span&gt;A delegation of Nexus Republic commissaries arrived at 8:30 to take a report on the attack, when the computer room had been set up with new tables and consoles but the spiral hallway was still stained with Maelstrom residue.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“You can tell me ‘I told you so’,” Prime Minister Overbuild said sourly as he stood in the connector, next to Intrepid Fusion Eclipse, “then I’d like if we can plan our next move, to counter &#039;&#039;their&#039;&#039; next move.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;The younger man folded his arms.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“I have nothing else to say about the past, except that you mentioned protection.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“I did.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“I want it.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Overbuild quickly sent a message telepathically to his phone, and from there elsewhere.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“They will arrive in the hour.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Meanwhile, the council has called another deliberation on allocation of our defensive funding, 9 AM tomorrow morning.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Tell them to put it all on offensive weaponry and evacuation ships, equal distribution.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;It’s fight or flight, you just need to figure out who in the population is fighting, and who’s flying.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“We want you to be there.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Maybe.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I want to go to sleep.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;So Overbuild returned by personal transport to Republic Headquarters, while the 35 year old retreated to his office.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;At 9:00 the annoying whirr of the Maelstrom vacuums finally turned off, and Intrepid was able to focus better on the files on the desk in front of him.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Instead of sleeping he’d been reading, under the dimmed light of an old fashioned desk lamp, as he perused plaques, data pads, decade old papers, manuscripts…&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;An hour passed before his mind recalled a technique that Ryder had taught him.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;His eyes began to stop seeing the words in front of him, the print began to blur.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;A chilling sensation trickled up his spine, into his head, and then it felt warm.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;His neck stopped aching from being tilted down at his desk for so long.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;His breathing slowed.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;He could feel her presence.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Then his door slid open and the sensation stopped.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Intrepid blinked at the interruption, then he looked back at his book.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;He turned back a page, where had he been?&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Meanwhile, a shadow stretched across the floor, silhouetted against the lighted box from the hallway light through the doorframe in the otherwise dark room.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;He saw the head of the silhouette on the floor beside him.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;He knew who it was, and she was waiting.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Yes.” he said sharply.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Dad.” his daughter said.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Overbuild’s agents arrived.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;They’re in the entrance room.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Send them my regards.” Intrepid said.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“You’re not coming?” she questioned.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Not this time.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;They know what they’re here for.”&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Intrepid kept reading, but in the corner of his eye he saw that the shadow didn’t seem to move.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Was she still waiting?&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Red.” he addressed, softening his tone.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Is there anything more you want to tell me?”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;His daughter’s shadow shifted, as she dipped her head to look at the floor.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“I should have told you-” she started.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“No,” he cut her off. &lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt; &lt;/span&gt;“It’s actually… better that you didn’t.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Some things are better not knowing.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Oh.”&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;There was a pause for a second.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Okay.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Stepping out of the door and allowing it to close, Red looked up from her boots and sighed as the doors sealed her father away for the night with little more than a hiss.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Who knew if she’d even see him tomorrow?&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;And he’d found out after all, about what she did and who she’d brought, but he wasn’t in the mood to discuss it.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Perhaps he thought it was better, to clam up and hide away… well it wasn’t, not for her.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;She turned away and returned along the outer spiral to the entrance room, where the others were assembled.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;They were in the midst of a conversation when they entered, and considering the minifigures involved, Red could already figure out how it was going.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Because she knew these people, and a long time ago she’d asked the same questions.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“You’re &#039;&#039;twenty&#039;&#039; &#039;&#039;years old&#039;&#039;?” Intrepid asked, sounding most perplexed.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;The black haired fifteen year old stood at the same height and eye level as both the lean, youthful looking brown haired boy and the brown haired girl who stood across the table from him.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Yeah, you got a problem with that?” the girl responded with an eye roll.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;But she smiled at the question, being a person who enjoyed messing with the ignorant.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“And you’re also… older?” Intrepid asked the boy.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“We’re twins,” he responded, “Katie and I.”&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;He was still facing Intrepid, his back towards the doorway through which Red had entered, when he greeted her, like he had eyes on the back of his head.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Or pressure sensors.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Hi, Red.” Jay said.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“But you two don’t look older than, I’m going to guess, thirteen?” Intrepid continued, still flabbergasted.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Strange Odd Shadow, who sat in a newly added armchair, quipped, “Age and appearance are more independent than you’d think.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“We were thirteen, actually, when this happened.” Jay said.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Someone got a rogue process into our systems, which rewrote the process in charge of our outward appearance, and no one bothered to fix it.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Besides, looking like kids has lots of advantages.” Katie jumped in.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Like, no one ever suspects us of anything, and it’s more consistent with our inner personalities.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;We’re still kids at heart.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“&#039;&#039;You&#039;&#039; are.” Jay corrected.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Katie gave him a friendly shoulder punch.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Lighten up, bro.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Channel your inner child.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“No.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;The door to the armory slid open and Skilled Honored Ninja stepped out, decked out in his Rank 3 Space Ranger Gear.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“I’m suited up and ready to rock ‘n roll,” he reported, “while you- eight? &lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt; &lt;/span&gt;There are eight of you here now? – have been what?&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Dancing a waltz?&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;You couldn’t prepare any slower.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“If anything you’re over-prepared,” Shadow said.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“We’re not planning to fight a war.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“You can never be too prepared.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;And if there is a war, I intend to win it.” Skilled declared, fixing Shadow with a staunch gaze that prompted the Engineer to stand up.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“You don’t know me, so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt that you might not realize,” Shadow stated, “but I’m always combat ready.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Me too.” the Ninja Space Ranger said. &lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt; &lt;/span&gt;“I carry a &lt;span lang=&quot;EN&quot; style=&quot;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language:EN&quot;&gt;Broom-Mop-Sword-Zipgun-and Arrows Combo Katana Staff that was originally an Energy Spork.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;EN&quot; style=&quot;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“If you’d cut it out,” Kate interrupted, “we could move out now.”&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Strange Odd Shadow and Skilled Honored Ninja interrupted their staring contest to glance her way.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;She, Allison Ryder, and Ben Mercury stood at the door out, and Intrepid, Jay, Katie, and Red were headed that way as well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;EN&quot; style=&quot;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“This isn’t over.” Shadow whispered.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;EN&quot; style=&quot;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“It isn’t.” Skilled agreed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;EN&quot; style=&quot;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;So the two went to join the others, and they all exited into the snowy night.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;A light flurry had set over Nimbus Station in the past hour, and tiny snowflakes whizzed by, most visible in the glow of the streetlamps immediately outside the alleyway.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Red hunched inside her cloak and walked in front, leading the procession of ten towards the street.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;EN&quot; style=&quot;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Intrepid turned his head to count those around him again.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Ben and Allison were at the back.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;He slowed down, letting Jay and Katie walk past, so he could say something discreetly to the two Leek Works employees.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Are you sure you want to be involved?” he asked them again.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“This is risky business.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Your imagination sparks aren’t even unlocked, I doubt, so if you smash…”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in&quot;&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;EN&quot; style=&quot;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-ansi-language:EN&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“My dad can take care of himself.” Ben said stoically.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;EN&quot; style=&quot;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“He sure can.” Allison repeated.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“And you need our help.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;You need Ben’s expertise to work the Ring, and as for me, anything to do with the deceased is my territory… even if I don’t particularly like the job, but hey, I at least get a change in environment.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;This place is stuffy and I think I’ve caught a cold.”&lt;/span&gt;   She made a face at herself.  &quot;Sorry, what I mean is, I can help you find your family.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;EN&quot; style=&quot;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Okay.” Intrepid nodded.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“You’re in.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;EN&quot; style=&quot;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Meanwhile, Jay caught up to Red.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“I can’t help but think,” he posed, “but Overbuild told us we were here to defend the base from Maelstrom attack.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I don’t think he mentioned any transdimensional expeditions.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;EN&quot; style=&quot;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Yeah, he didn’t.” Katie said.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“Does Intr- &#039;&#039;your father&#039;&#039;, know what we’re doing?”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;EN&quot; style=&quot;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Red gave them each an over the shoulder glance, as they neared the end of the alleyway.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;She could hear a car engine idling around the corner, and in the time it took for them to reach it, she decided on her answer.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;It was hard to phrase in her head, but recalling her father’s words did make it easier to say.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;So she told them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;EN&quot; style=&quot;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“He doesn’t know what we’re doing.” Red said at last.&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;“But trust me, some things are better not knowing.”&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;````&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;The car was once an ancient black luxury sedan, but sometime in its 50 year life it&#039;d been graced with a 10 feet stretch.  Now with seats for 10 passengers and a driver, it sat parked in front of Leek Work’s façade, with the engine running, clouds billowing from the exhaust, and interior lights on.  Held down to the car’s roof with nylon straps, ropes, and other tie-down equipment was the Ring in its ten-diameter glory.  The car was already huge, but the Ring stuck out over its sides.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;As the group made their way to the car’s doors, Intrepid couldn’t help but stare at the Ring’s precarious perch.  Until someone hacked the personal transdimensional devices, it was their only way back home.  The Ring’s construction impeded backpack transportation, so Intrepid hoped the driver knew what he was doing as he walked along the car’s length to its front passenger seat.  He gripped the door’s chrome handle, almost freezing his fingers trying to open it, and only after he slid into its leather front seat was he able to identify the driver.&lt;/p&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;EN&quot; style=&quot;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-spacerun:yes&quot;&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“At your service, favorite nephew!” Tiberius said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</div>

FleetCaptainT