NationStates Jolt Archive

"Ma'am," said James to Ann as they passed in the hall, perhaps a bit more cooly than he had before.

The sound of a scream made him break out into a run.

"Christ, Jeff!"

The scene wasn't quite what James had been expecting (or dreading, rather). He breathed a quick sigh of relief and slowed to a more dignified walk.

"Are you all right, Jeff?" he asked. People with gaping holes in their chests really shouldn't be walking around.

"Hello, Chris," smiled Christin.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" said James. "I hardly even noticed you there; it's good to see you again, Chris."

"Ma'am," said James to Ann as they passed in the hall, perhaps a bit more cooly than he had before.

The sound of a scream made him break out into a run.

"Christ, Jeff!"

The scene wasn't quite what James had been expecting (or dreading, rather). He breathed a quick sigh of relief and slowed to a more dignified walk.

"Are you all right, Jeff?" he asked. People with gaping holes in their chests really shouldn't be walking around.

"Hello, Chris," smiled Christin.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" said James. "I hardly even noticed you there; it's good to see you again, Chris."

"Hi, your majesties," Chris said with a smile, "It's good to see you both also. However the circumstances went from sad, to happiness to.. well.. concern."

Jeff was being partially held up by Chris when the group rushed over. He tried to chuckle as he recovered , "Yeah," he whispered, "I'm good, Chris just caught me unaware."

Katherine helped Chris to steady Jeff as he caught his bearings. "That does it," she turns to look at Niven, "we've got to take him to the hospital to check him out."

Niven nodded, "I'm afraid I have to insist," he said.

Jeff smiled at them, "Awwww, can't I say 'thank you' to the people who came today? I mean, they expected to see me dead.."

".. And 'walking dead' is close enough??" Chris asked.

"You do too much more without proper attention and they're bound to see you dead," snorted James.

However, a distant chant could be heard to start: "We want Williams! We want Williams!"

"And they can darn well wait," said James without glancing at the door. "You need proper medical attention, and I refuse to allow another delay."

Ann returned to the scene upon hearing the scream. It was obvious that the projectile that had made the wound was still in the wound.

She just shook her head, Theatrics over common sense...My god, I sound like a bleeding Admiral!

She turned to Kathrine and whispered, "I don't see Niven right this second so don't let them put him completely under...he likely has some risidual antidote in him." She gave Kathrine a smile and a squeeze on the shoulder...international woman for 'it's going to be okay.'

She turned to find a convienient side door without anyone outside to start asking questions.

Meow was unhappy because he wanted to play more.

She turned to Kathrine and whispered, "I don't see Niven right this second so don't let them put him completely under...he likely has some risidual antidote in him." She gave Kathrine a smile and a squeeze on the shoulder...international woman for 'it's going to be okay.'

(Hmmm... the antidote and additional anesthesia.. why am I having visions of Jack Nicholson in 'the hospital Something's Gotta Give' .. ;) )

Katherine nods and gives Ann a small smile, "I'll tell him that."

Jeff looked towards the door and heard the people outside, "Oh lord, we're not gonna be able to sneak out of here are we. We can't get one of dad's transports to drop on top here can we..."

Niven walked back into the hallway after getting his trusty doctor's bag. "Not now that people know you're not dead. It was going to be hard enough handling the crowd when they figured you were gone."

"What about calling an ambulance?" Katherine asked, "Do you think it would get through?"

Theatrics over common sense ...

(OOC: " *anything* over common sense..." Isn't that Jeff's motto? ;) )

Jeff looked towards the door and heard the people outside, "Oh lord, we're not gonna be able to sneak out of here are we. We can't get one of dad's transports to drop on top here can we..."

Niven walked back into the hallway after getting his trusty doctor's bag. "Not now that people know you're not dead. It was going to be hard enough handling the crowd when they figured you were gone."

"What about calling an ambulance?" Katherine asked, "Do you think it would get through?"

"An ambulance?" asked James in confusion. "It's a few miles to the RSU campus; we may want to get some sort of motor-car, instead."

(:P)

Chris nodded as he stripped off his dress jacket and gave it to Jeff to put on in place of the torn apart T-Shirt.

"Maybe a cab? although they'll be sure to talk to IanCorp," he said. "What about a private car? What did you arrive here in, your majesty?"

"The Royal Carriage," said James with a shrug. "Low on the inconspicuous value, but high on the IanCorp avoidance."

He looked over at Weathers. "Right?"

"But of course, Your Majesty!" replied the KIG man with a large smile.

Chris grinned, "I've always wondered what that looked like on the inside."

Jeff closed the buttons on the jacket and looked up, "I think we've got the makings of some kind of plan here," he said quietly.

"What about the children?" Katherine asked. "should we take them to Dun Adien?"

"Um," started James.

"I can take them there," said John confidently. "Liz and I." He chuckled. "Though we're going to have to spend the next three hours explaining to Ash why we can't have a tiger!"

"There we are, then!" smiled James. "Weathers, if you'd be so good as to lead us to the carriage?"

"But of course, Your Majesty!" he repeated, with a smile and an overexaggerated bow. "Right this way!"

Katherine hugs John, "Thanks John," she said with a smile.

Jeff winked at him and shook his hand warmly, "So sorry to ruin the funeral plans mate," he grinned. "I'll see y'all at Dun Adien."

Katherine put her arm around Jeff as she and Niven take Jeff with the rest of the group towards the waiting carriage.

"Getting through this crowd'll still be interesting," Chris said to James, "And that crowd'll be thrilled to find they missed him. I hope you have this place insured," he winked.

"Don't worry about it, man," replied John, returning the shake. "Just try and call ahead next time," he winked, "Noropia's helping to foot the bill for this!"

"Don't worry about it," smiled James to Chris. "There are certain perks to being King."

One of them, apparently, involved a group of KIG men clearing a path for the carriage through the crowd at all but bayonet point.

Behind them, the crowd reformed and started tramping after the carriage.

Ann had found a convient side door, actually near the altar. She turned on the street with Meow on his leash, although he really didn't need it.

She made her way back towards the Embassy....

"The bill?" Jeff said, "oh yeah! Just send it to my Visa company."

Chris chuckled and winked to James, "It's good to be the king.."

The group filed into the carriage as quickly as possible. Jeff sat down and wrapped his arm around Katherine, "God, I look like a mess," he said as the carriage started down the street.

"Yeah, but you're our mess," she said quietly.

"And like my father used to say," said James (perhaps not so) sagely, "'it's better to look a mess than not look at all.' Or maybe it was 'never eat anything larger than your head.' They're both good, really."

"Well their both good sayings," Jeff said as he looked out of the carriage's window at the passing building.

"You guys never did look so great to my eyes as you do right now," Jeff added.

"And whatever you look like, it's damn good to have you back," said James earnestly.

After a moment or so, he coughed slightly into his hand. "Um, Jeff, I don't mean to pry, but I don't imagine you got that bullet hole from a flyer crash..." James started to trail off, then his eyes flashed.

"Was it Dirwisham? Because if it was, I guarentee I'll see him in the gallows before the season's out!"

Jeff shook his head.

"You'd be right that it didn't come from the flyer crash. After we crashed in Gallaga, Fred (OOC: Is Fred in the carriage or did he run out when everyone else did?) and I ended up in a small village. There was a group of Iansislians in the village, and we found out later that they were busy involved in some kind of artifact raiding or something. One of them shot me. I wish I could say it was him, but it wasn't... that I know of."

(Fred, fred...um... I dunno; whatever you'd like, I suppose ;))

James arched an eyebrow. "Quite the adventure! I'd be careful relating it to IanCorp, though, or they may never leave you alone."

He grimiced. "They'd been all over us for biography material. I'm afraid I spoke to Mr. Halders himself rather harshly."

(and now for something completely different! Or, a map of the Great Shield! (http://www.villagephotos.com/viewpubimage.asp?id_=8357679) Um, I forgot to label the rivers - the western more one in the River Mans; the easternly one the Daldon.)

"Yeah, it was an interesting adventure. " Jeff went quiet as his mind flashed back to the young Gallagan man he'd shot. "Especially when the tiger walked right in front of Fred and I when we were in the jungle."

Jeff then chuckled, "Lord, I wonder what more they'd want about me. Wasn't "The Hunters Hunter" enough?

"As far as Mr. Halders being persistant, I'm sure Dirwisham will have more than enough to say about me now."

Jeff looked out as the carriage turned the corner and he saw the university medical center looming into view and the crowd surging behind them.

(and now for something completely different! Or, a map of the Great Shield! (http://www.villagephotos.com/viewpubimage.asp?id_=8357679) Um, I forgot to label the rivers - the western more one in the River Mans; the easternly one the Daldon.)

OOC: Ah quite helpful...and quite nice actually...

Baroness Winton made it back to the Embassy where she was meet by Major Bonds..."Baroness, I'm afraid their is an important video confrence that you must attend in the communications center...immediatly...

well here goes a firing. I wonder if they'll pay for me moving home?
She gave bonds her crooked smile. "Could you feed Meow? He hasn't had lunch yet..."

"Yes Baroness, chicken or Orc..."

"Hmm, he's been a very good boy, Orc"

"Yes..." He didn't sound pleased but that was the stench of pickled Orc.

James shrugged. "They were all over the map - prying into your childhood, military career; everything. I told them that we were quite content to mourn in peace, and to keep their big noses out of it."

He blushed. "Well, maybe not quite that diplomatically."

Royal Standard University rolled by outside the window. The crowd tramping after them plowed students from their quads and completely interrupted the entire day's schedule. Not to the disappointment of those who had tests, of course!

At last the carriage pulled up in front of a (relatively) new red brick building.

(afraid I'm off for a bit...hopefully, I'll be on later tonight!)

(Cool, catch ya later tonight. I'll be here.. I'm never leaving the office... :cry: )

Jeff smiled at James, "You weren't that diplomatic? I'd have loved to have seen that! Good lord, what kind of a biography were they planning to put together!? One of those 'I was born a very long time ago...' things?" The gears started turning, however.

He and Katherine smiled as they looked out on the campus, "Sorry about the inconvienience," He said to the students as the crowd ended classes for the day.

[quote="Larkinia"](Cool, catch ya later tonight. I'll be here.. I'm never leaving the office... :cry: )
[quote]

OOC: Horrid assignment?

OOC: Nah, March is always a rough month at the paper. I work in the sports department and between all the state high school basketball tournaments, spring training, the NIT and the NCAA tournament, it just drags on (which makes summer all the more sweeter, so I guess it balances out :wink: )

OOC: Ah...I see...

OOC: *jumps excitedly at desk* Does Ann get the axe?? Inquiring minds want to know ;)

The video screen was fairly large, of course it wasn't showing the Outer Minister it was showing the entire Grand Chamber. The voice of the Deputy of the Chamber's voice could be heard as Ann sat in almost petrified fear. Based on time zones this was a late night session..."Baroness Winton, the Grand Chamber has decided that only you as a represenative of the Government abroad, and a member of the College can..."

Later

Ann walked out of the video confrence room and looked at the communciations control station. No one looked back at her, or at least made eye contact. The staff hadn't been warm or cool towards her earlier but...well it was obvious they realized what the phrase "With Imediate consideration" ment. The staff were all marines in this part of the facility, and they gave an automatic, full salute.
She returned it, almost mimicking the higher staff back in her days in the Naval Acadamy.
"Well, damn she has the salute..." Said the young man at the control console as she stepped through the 12inch Tungstun door and left the secure area.
"Hell...she'd be commanding a cruiser by now if it hadn't been that bloody mess with ther fiancee..."
The young man nodded, and then swore..."Bastard...He used the over ride codes...how in the f*** did he get them?"

The Ambassador's office...
Lord Astbury may have sat down expecting to sip his Burbon in celibration. But now he was trying to drown out the sudden cold numbness he felt. The Wittlebachs had started this, he knew it. They were unhappy with the current government and were connected to the military. And the military had been peeved about Ann's posting...or powerful elements had been. The bloody peers were always sticking up for their postion, and well the Winton Matter was a classic case of the government trying to stop a Peer revolt...one that might well drive the oppostion into power and leave the current government facing an election. Damn... damage control...that's what was needed...damage control...put a black mark on her so vile...get her run out of Iansisle on a rail, yes...Oh, perfect... was the Ambassador's thought as he perused through the rolodex.

OOC:Now all I need to do is find the leader of the anti-Jeff camp...

OOC: working on a list... posting soon

OOC: Which one do you want to use? *Shuffles and deals the "Jeff Haters Card Deck* ;) Fire up your spreadsheet programs, there are a lot of groups involved here.. These are only a few of the ones I can think of.

Ace of Spades - Jeff's twin brother Antony. Jeff doesn't know about him and he's as evil as Jeff is good. (and who's planning on killing him anyway)

Queen of Hearts - Princess of Shadoran, Jessica Callahan. Was married to...

Joker - Andrew D'Analia, former Archduke of Sentry Island. Plotted to have James either killed or forced out of power (memory's fading me on this right now...). Jeff went after him, after the attempt was made to kill James. Jeff found out who did it, and James stripped them both of their titles and exiled them. Andrew eventually ended up working for...

King of Clubs (literally...) - Pater Ibrahaim, former leader of Effit, at last count in exile in Ryansisle. James was at a meeting in Effit, was injured after falling down a set of stairs and was in the castle infirmary. Jeff was with him in Effit, but was not in the castle when the event happened. Jeff was let into the infirmary and found D'Analia alone in the room with an unconscious James. Jeff got visibly 'upset' (and probably would have ripped him a new one) but Ibrahaim had guards sent into the room and pulled a gun on Jeff. Imitorian Marines had entered the castle at the same time and rescued Jeff and James. Jeff was blamed for this, and Imitora invaded Effit for a while.

Jack of Diamonds - Lance General Marcus Johnson, Larkinian Army. Johnson was part of the JAG team that tried Jeff on charges of desertion and dereliction of duty related to the Tharkold refugee and Embassy Staff evacuation. Johnson also has knowledge and is working with the members of Project Aeneas, Larkinia's secret eugenics program, which produced Jeff.

Jack of Clubs - Earl of Dirwisham. Can't stand Jeff, still working on more background....

Plus, whoever is the leader of Kindred Masquerade, a vampire nation who's already followed on three attempts on Jeff's life.

OOC: I Need someone who doesn't like Jeff and is concented to the government or a media outlet....wouldn't mind squatting Ann and splattering Jeff with the blood...

((hmm...there's a lot of my characters on that list ;)

If I remember correctly, Dr. Niven had Ibrahaim XVIII of Effit killed, but, quite unbeknownst to Jeff, there is an Ibrahaim XIX, by a Ryansislean consort while in exile. Still only a few years old, by regented for by one Earl D'Analia (as in the name, not the noble title), the son of Andrew D'Analia and Jessica, Princess of Shadoran.

As for Andrew himself, I'm planning to bring him back soon-ish...right now he's hiding in mid-river Gadsan after escaping the assualt on Veritas with one Sir Thomas Gurney, famed 'hero' of Salvador and presumed dead.))

Jeff smiled at James, "You weren't that diplomatic? I'd have loved to have seen that! Good lord, what kind of a biography were they planning to put together!? One of those 'I was born a very long time ago...' things?" The gears started turning, however.

He and Katherine smiled as they looked out on the campus, "Sorry about the inconvienience," He said to the students as the crowd ended classes for the day.

James shrugged. "I only hope it was something that innocent! It seems as if us Iansisleans can't get enough Jeff Williams right now. I just hope..." He pulled up short of saying 'they don't pry too deep.'

Jeff's apology was met by cheers applause, and a variety of requests.

"He is alive!"

"Holy mother of God! Your Grace, will you sign this for me?"

"Just shake my hand, please!"

"I love you, Jeff!"

"Um, maybe we'd better head for the hospital itself," said James nervously, gesturing at the building. He knew what happened when people were too respectful of Jeff.

James shrugged. "I only hope it was something that innocent! It seems as if us Iansisleans can't get enough Jeff Williams right now. I just hope..."

Jeff looked at James, he knew there was something there. "Hope what James?" he softly prodded.

Jeff smiled at the people in the crowd as they approached the carriage, trying to fill as many requests as he could.

"I'm sorry everyone, but I have to get checked up," he said, "Coming back from the dead takes a lot out of you," he added with a grin and a wink.

"I love you, Jeff!"

Katherine leaned out a little, "You and me both, sister," she winked.

hmm...there's a lot of my characters on that list :wink:

(No kidding! And I'm waiting for Andrew to throw something through his TV when he sees the news report of Jeff's un-demise.. ;) )

OOC: The only one who seems to be a reall canidate is the Earl of Dirwisham.

OOC: Yeah, either him or Tarriff, the head of Parliament, who would have gotten it from Dirwisham anyway.

IC: Katherine and Jeff stepped out of the carriage in time to be almost mugged by the crowd. Jeff tried to smile at them, but the crowd pushed him back against the carriage, and suddenly he was seeing stars again as his back hit the carriage. He kept from screaming this time by biting the inside of his cheek and clenching a handful of his thigh with the hand in his pocket.

OOC: Ah yes Tariff...

Lord Astbury picked up the phone..."Jackie, would you make an appointment with Earl Dirwisham...Ah tell him it is a matter we both have concern over...specifically the sudden un-funeral of Jeff Williams."

****
Thunderbay, Alcona
The Keys were suffling out of the Captiol building and back to their beds. Some grumbled about the whole buisness. They knew that pissing off the sitting Peers was a piss poor idea. And word had gotten around that a gentlemen's agreement between the government and a majority of the peers had been broken.

In the shadow of an upper window two men looked down on the clusters of poltico's returning home.

"Well Wittelbach seems to have his panties in a knot." Max Abram, Earl of Crench Harbor said with somewhat of a blank look.

The other man looked at the Sheriff and shook his head..."You forget that the Wittelbach's cultivate the idea that helping them will help you in the long run. Their not about to forget the woman who saved Jessica's a** out in the Gak Clan..."

"True, so Dean...how long till we vote?"
"Five days..."
"FIVE DAYS!!!...who the...why?"
"That Adel twerp they have in Iansisle isn't stupid. Well he is but cunning stupid. I don't want a mess on my hands in the vote. At the moment most people with either think this is a unworthy rescue operation, an attempt to patch up the government, or want to kick the government for breaking their word to them. That Adel is going to be trying to create a mess...quickly. That or forever bite his tounge, he has a reputation for calling Baroness Winton, base born b***."

"BASE BORN, that Adel peice of s*** calls a member of the House of Winton...the Only surviving member a base born b***. I hope he slips up and falls flat on his face..."

"Now that you mention it..."

((OOC: Sleep glorious sleep))

Lord Astbury picked up the phone..."Jackie, would you make an appointment with Earl Dirwisham...Ah tell him it is a matter we both have concern over...specifically the sudden un-funeral of Jeff Williams."

(OOC: I have the feeling there's gonna be some serious Hater-Aid being passed around at that meeting... the evil atomic red kind too... ;) )

((Just to clear up the ooc air on Dirwisham - yes, he does want Jeff dead, and he did arrange for the flyer to be sabotaged in Allahabad, but he's not simply malicious. He sees Jeff, who's immensely popular with the mob as a threat to himself and his position. He'll probably not try to waste everything on a single gamble. And Tarriff...well, he's just stupid and petty ;)

Quick side note: it is Tarriff, with two Rs. The A is long, so it's pronounced "TAR-riff" No problem; it is a cheap knockoff of tariff, but not too cheap. ;)))

After saying his good-byes, Jeff was quickly whisked into the hospital. It was large, clean, and fairly modern: the result of gradual changes made by RSU's Celebornian instructions.

---

The normal lines in Ianapalis, especially those commonly in use around Jameston, are exceedingly not to be trusted. IanCorp makes a habit out of tapping into government conversations - anything really important has to be said in person.

Dirwisham's secretary seemed very uncomfortable about the mention of Williams' return from the dead. She made some general comments about the Chancellor's workload, but that he was always pleased to meet with a foreign ambassador, and then said what a joy it was to know that His Grace was safe and sound.

(OOC: I have the feeling there's gonna be some serious Hater-Aid being passed around at that meeting... the evil atomic red kind too... ;) )

(*picks up watermelon* *looks at Lark* *looks at watermelon* *looks back at Lark*

*chucks watermelon*)

(I figured his fingers were involved with that engine going out. :P )

Jeff looked around the hospital as he was lead in. A familiar face was in the examination room with him.

"Doctor, I seem to have this sharp pain in my chest, and for the love of god I don't know what it is," Jeff said with a grin.

"Aw, you're probably just a hypochondriac," Niven chuckled. "Well, if I didn't know you better I'd say that."

Niven put Jeff on the exam table and started running through a battery of tests on him...

-----

A little while later, Niven walked out of the examination room with a concerned look on his face.

"I've got him sedated, don't worry dear, I remembered what Ann had you tell me and he's still awake. The bullet in question is still inside him," he told the group outside.

"How long will it take to get it out?" Katherine asked him.

"It's not that easy," Niven replied. "It's lodged in between his spine and his heart. I'm half tempted to leave it in him."

(OOC: I have the feeling there's gonna be some serious Hater-Aid being passed around at that meeting... the evil atomic red kind too... ;) )

(*picks up watermelon* *looks at Lark* *looks at watermelon* *looks back at Lark*

*chucks watermelon*)

(ROFL! Damn dude, that's got my co-workers looking at me like "What in the hell is he laughing about... ;) )

"Um," said James, scratching the back of his neck. His long assosiation with Jeff had taught him much in the ways of medical science, but he certainly wasn't an expert. "Isn't it pretty bad to leave it in? I mean, in case it gets infected or something."

"If it hasn't by now, I can't imagine it would once he's sewn up," said Christin, squeezing his arm.

"Well, whatever you think is best, dad," James concluded with a small shrug. "I wish I knew more about this sort of thing; it leaves me feeling so helpless every time he goes out and gets himself banged up!"

((Heh, I can imagine! I wonder how they'd look at you if you tried to explain the watermelon phenomena? ;)))

I'm half tempted to leave it in him.
OOC: He has so much metal in him already, no one would notice if there were just a little bit more...

(Milostein, I was just thinking that ;) Good call!)

Niven nodded, "I'll leave it in for now. because if I go a few millimeters one way, he'd be paraliyzed, and a few millimeters the other way and ... Well, what a little more metal in in anyway." :P "I'm going to try and dump some nanites down there, they might break the metal down in a little time. Let me go patch him up."

Niven walked back into the examination room and re-emerged a little while later, "all right, he should be OK. He can handle a few visitors, but he's a little loopy... ier than usual."

James smiled. "You're a miracle worker, dad." He stood up slowly and stretched slightly, then glanced over at Kate. "Shall we?"

Katherine nods and quickly stands up, "Yeah, let's go see how he's doing. Jesus... from the grave to alive and now to the hospital, that's been one hell of a day."

The group walked into the room and Jeff smiled at them from his bed. "Well, different hospital or not, this is a familiar sight, you guys standing there and me looking at you from a hospital bed."

(And speaking of miracle workers, I got a TG from Cele earlier this week, he predicted his return will be soon!)

OOC: And speaking of RPers coming back, does anyone know what happened to Yarrum? He just sort of got accepted (or maybe more like jinxed) into the ANH, made a short appearance in TPTB 4B (when will that series continue, anyway?), and was never seen again. Did we scare him away?

OOC: I'd heard from him a couple weeks ago, he said he hadn't vanished, but was really slammed with stuff and he wanted to just touch base.

As far as TPTB, I'm working on the next stage, since things have bumped up a few years, I'm reworking the timeline a little to move up for a few years (The election thread, pt. 5 is coming up, and everyone favorite evildoer is going to have a part to play coordinating an attack against katana and Katherine at the same time). I think I just needed a little time to step back and look at where I was taking it.

"He's been lucky," nodded James as they walked to the room. "And we have Dad to thank, mostly - if he weren't here, Jeff'd be just some unmarked grave in central Gallaga."

The memory reminded him to put a request to the East Gallaga Company for a full investigation of the event. They'd probably jump at the idea; any oppertunity to encroach on the Confederacy without upsetting the Clerks was, of course, a good one.

James shook his head sadly at Jeff's comment. This time, he couldn't even yell at Jeff for taking stupid risks - after all, it was his government that had ordered him to the Confederacy to start with. He couldn't quite think of anything to say.

((re: Celeborne -- hooray!

re: Yarrum -- I don't quite know :?. His nation's still about, but I haven't seen him on the forum. Maybe he's busy with school/work, and has a bit more willpower than us? ;)

edit: *sees Lark's post* There you have it! Good to know someone keeps track of all these things ;)))

Jeff coughed and chuckled a little, "Damn James, I haven't seen a face that long since..." Jeff thought for a moment, "Since the guy who shot me found out I wasn't dead." He winked at James, "Pull up a chair."

Katherine walked up to the head of the bed and sat down next to Jeff and kissed him. "You sure you're up to talking?"

"You bet I am," he smiled at them, "Nothing's keeping me from this."

Edit: (Well, I try to, there's still a few loose ends I can't find, but I like the way this timeline has developed, and Antony has no problem waiting to try and pull what he's gonna pull. Thank god for Iansisle's non-existant security. :twisted: )

James sat down in a nearby chair and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. "I - I just wanted to apologize to you Jeff," he said. "This is really all my fault."

Jeff cocked an eyebrow and smiled at James, "What? How can this be your fault? You weren't tinkering with the plane.. you weren't trying to steal some artifact from a village, you didn't shoot me in the chest and leave me for dead. There's nothing to apologize for."

The normal lines in Ianapalis, especially those commonly in use around Jameston, are exceedingly not to be trusted. IanCorp makes a habit out of tapping into government conversations - anything really important has to be said in person.

OOC: Hmm, well Astbury isn't very smart, cunning...but stupid cunning...


Dirwisham's secretary seemed very uncomfortable about the mention of Williams' return from the dead. She made some general comments about the Chancellor's workload, but that he was always pleased to meet with a foreign ambassador, and then said what a joy it was to know that His Grace was safe and sound.

Ambassador Astbury arrived at the Chancellor's office a few hours later. He knew he was pressed for time. Of course the Astbury could have been easily followed and he wouldn't have noticed unless they were using an armored vehicle.

***
Grand Fox Island
The night had settled down to be the we hours of the morn. The island lay in lake Patra quitely, surrounded by the wide shores of the lake and the briliant vault of heaven above. The sky almost seemed to be ablaze with stars...a few scattered lights illuminated parts of the island. One cottage had the glow of several lights on at this hour.

A young man could be seen attempting to quickly pack his bag. He was occasionally distracted by the sound of thumping from above. He was caught in mid pack by the deep voice..."Andrew, did you call the charter company?"
"Yes, Sir Roland...they should be at the dock in thirty minutes..."
"Good, well I'm packed...now what about you..."
"Ah...well not quite..."

A hunched figure appeared in the door. The aged skin and white hair surrounded a lean, hunched frame. The blue eyes seemed to take everything in, protected by two wire rim glasses. He walked with a cane, but held it more as a token of his years. The left hand's remaining three fingers and two stubs seemed to just hold it with ease.

Sir Roland turned and walked out onto the porch. He filled his lungs with cool night air as he looked up at the stars. He had always wanted to travel up there as a youth. But life, war, politics had led him around the globe...not off it. He smiled slightly as he walked down the steps and onto the path. Andrew his page was trying to deal with his bags and the knights. Well that's what pages were for...

Edit: (Well, I try to, there's still a few loose ends I can't find, but I like the way this timeline has developed, and Antony has no problem waiting to try and pull what he's gonna pull. Thank god for Iansisle's non-existant security. :twisted: )

((Well, just watch out for ..um.. certain future events. Iansisle might actually be developing some sort of internal security ;)))

Jeff cocked an eyebrow and smiled at James, "What? How can this be your fault? You weren't tinkering with the plane.. you weren't trying to steal some artifact from a village, you didn't shoot me in the chest and leave me for dead. There's nothing to apologize for."

"I - I know," said James. "It's really irrational...but..." He paused to think of words.

"Jeff, it seems as if Iansisle's caused everything bad that's ever happened to you -- I mean, from that Jarlsberger to D'Analia to Ibrahaim; and now this!" James lowered his eyes. "I wonder if you wouldn't have been better off staying a sub captain in Larkinia."

He looked up. "Especially since, in some ways, I am Iansisle."

(James is Iansisle.. this is another of those metaphysical moments isn't is.. :P )

Jeff mulled over James' words a few minutes.

"I think we had this conversation before, that one time at dad's house after the rescue from Grant's hands," he winked. "Don't forget, if I'd have never come to Iansisle I wouldn't have met you, or Dad, or Katherine," he said putting his hand on hers, "I'd have never been knighted, or gotten married and had three great kids, or felt like I have a real family again. I never thought I'd feel like that after my biological family died.

"So, since you are Iansisle, then I have you to thank for all the wonderful things that have happened in my life since I've been here," He finished with a smile.

(James is Iansisle.. this is another of those metaphysical moments isn't is.. :P )

Jeff mulled over James' words a few minutes.

"I think we had this conversation before, that one time at dad's house after the rescue from Grant's hands," he winked. "Don't forget, if I'd have never come to Iansisle I wouldn't have met you, or Dad, or Katherine," he said putting his hand on hers, "I'd have never been knighted, or gotten married and had three great kids, or felt like I have a real family again. I never thought I'd feel like that after my biological family died.

"So, since you are Iansisle, then I have you to thank for all the wonderful things that have happened in my life since I've been here," He finished with a smile.

Ambassador Astbury arrived at the Chancellor's office a few hours later. He knew he was pressed for time. Of course the Astbury could have been easily followed and he wouldn't have noticed unless they were using an armored vehicle.

IanCorp usually found it much easier simply to stake out certain offices and homes. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, as the second ranking member of the cabinet, was one such person. However, the coming of an official from Alcona and Hubris, which was still viewed as a 'fringe relation' by the exceedingly self-centered Iansislean people, wouldn't arouse too much suspicion. It simply wasn't a good news story - now if the Beth Gellern, Effitian, or German ambassador had been visiting Earl Dirwisham, there might be something!

Lord Astbury was conducted through the outer offices quickly. Soon, he found himself face to face with who was the de facto most powerful man in Iansisle.

"Good morning, m'lord," smiled Dirwisham. "I don't suppose I can offer you a cup of tea? Something stronger? How about a cigar?"

James smiled. "I remember. Like I said, that was really irrational of me."

He sat up more upright. "You were right back then, and you're right now," he said firmly, as though he were trying to convince himself. "I don't know what I - what we'd have done if you hadn't come. You've saved my life, Jeff, more times than I can count, and you've saved this country too."

"Good morning, m'lord," smiled Dirwisham. "I don't suppose I can offer you a cup of tea? Something stronger? How about a cigar?"


"Thank You, your Lordship," Astbury gave a short bow "I would enjoy a cup of tea at the moment. And I wouldn't mind a cigar if you are having one."

James smiled. "I remember. Like I said, that was really irrational of me."

He sat up more upright. "You were right back then, and you're right now," he said firmly, as though he were trying to convince himself. "I don't know what I - what we'd have done if you hadn't come. You've saved my life, Jeff, more times than I can count, and you've saved this country too."

"I just rack it up to being in the right place at the right times," Jeff smiled at Jamesm "And I'll do it again too if I have to.

"Now, James. We need to talk about Fred, he's the real reason I'm here. He helped to land the plane in Gallaga. That thing was falling apart and he helped bring it down."

"My pleasure," said Dirwisham, indicating to a servant that he should pour Astbury a glass of tea. He then offered a cigar across the table from a fine wooden box. Taking one himself, Dirwisham settled back in his chair and cut the end, then passed the device over to Astbury and lit up.

"Ah- these are made with the finest Gallagan tobbacco, from our friends in the Company," he said conversationally. "I take one whenever I need to do some heavy thinking."

"Fred?" muttered James in confusion at the first mention of the name. It was clear he'd forgotten all about him.

"Oh, that young man!" he said after Jeff explained it. “Yes - I’ll have to do something for him. Maybe an invitation to tonight’s dinner?”

Astbury was fairly deft with the cigar cutter. He returned it to the Earl before sitting back and lighting it. He took a few draws and then replied

"Yes, quite nice...Gallagan tabacco is quite fine." He considers the cigar for a moment. "I should note your Lordship that this conversation we are having, is not happening. I assume you and your staff can understand that sometimes men of distinction such as yourself, must make moves which would prove greatly unpopular with the mob or other such versions of humanity if generally known." His gaze returned to the Earl, "since what we need to discuss is currently, and I feel erronously labled a miracle, by the general populace."

"Tonight's dinner.... that's right!" Jeff said starting to sit up a little, "That sounds like it'll be fun." he looked down at his chest, "At least I won't look like a fountain when I drink something now.

"Oh, if we get back to Dun Adien, and there's a wrecked flyer on the other side of the castle. Don't be worried. That was our ride back to Iansisle."

"I understand completely," said the Earl, dismissing the servant with a quick nod. He wondered why Astbury should make any reference, no matter how vague, while he was still unsure about Dirwisham's servants' trustworthyness.

After the heavy oak doors had shut tightly, he took a long draw on his cigar.

"You refer, I assume, to the Williams funeral, m'lord?" he asked in a neutral tone.

"A wrecked flyer?" asked James with an arched eyebrow. "Somehow, I'm a shade less than surprised. What happened to this one?"

"This isn't my fault, I swear!" Jeff said, "I don't know what happened, we just kinda... " Jeff cleared his throat, ".. had a plane crash. Then Princeton showed up and told me what was going on."

"Yes, or more precisely the inteference of one of my staff in the timely demise of Mr. Jeff Williams. And the unfortuante alliance it may have produced. I'd like your take on the sudden arrival of the blond knight errant and her over-sized tabby. Did you find it as undignified and abhorent as I did?"

OOC: Technically a 'hard landing' or that's what the paperwork sent to the insurance company is going to say. I should note that they forgot the Gallagan Dart Bush...And the aircraft survived and is likely somewhere approaching a refueling and repair job..."

"This isn't my fault, I swear!" Jeff said, "I don't know what happened, we just kinda... " Jeff cleared his throat, ".. had a plane crash. Then Princeton showed up and told me what was going on."

"Oh, no, Jeff, I believe you!" laughed James with a wink. He checked his watch - which might seem somewhat familiar to Jeff (;)) - and then stood up. "Well, you'd better get your rest if you're going to make any sort of dinner tonight," he said, with an embarassed glance at Kate. James realized he'd probably taken up all the time she'd wanted to spend talking to her husband.

Katherine smiled at James, "thanks" she said.

"We'll be there with bells on," Jeff smiled.

"Come along friends, let us away," Niven said as he led the group out the door.

"Yes, or more precisely the inteference of one of my staff in the timely demise of Mr. Jeff Williams. And the unfortuante alliance it may have produced. I'd like your take on the sudden arrival of the blond knight errant and her over-sized tabby. Did you find it as undignified and abhorent as I did?"

Dirwisham blinked once or twice at the man. He was on his guard at once. After all, IanCorp had been known to do things like bribe government officials, and he didn't know enough about Alconian morals or standards to know if Astbury might be used by the media conglomerate as part of their 'Saint Jeff Williams' campaign.

The argument he'd heard Astbury and Winton having was real enough, certainly, but that didn't mean a thing. An internal squabble would be a good base with which to catch him unawares.

"Unfortunate alliance, Lord Astbury?" he asked, opting to skirt around the question before he was more sure of the person in front of him. "What do you mean?"

James followed Niven, although he seemed deep in thought.

And in fact he was: there was something about Jeff's story that just didn't feel right.

Niven looks over at James, "Penny for your thoughts, your majesty?"

"The unfortuate alliance that will likely develop between Baroness Winton and Jeff Williams...first they are both prone to heroics..." He begins hold up his fingers as he numerates shared similarieties. "they are both naval officers, or were...she saved his life and they are both orphans. Now, you may think that Baroness Winton is just some pretty skirted wog, who will matter little in your dealings with Mr. Williams...."

He sighs, " I wish that were the case, but I'm afraid that isn't so. She may well have direct access to the Klatchian Cabinet and Privy Council in the near future. As such she would prove to be potentially problematic for those who are against Mr. Williams and will likely turn me into an appitizer for her cat."

James looked up with the expression of a grade school kid called upon for part of the times table he doesn't know (random, I know, but I was just thinking of those tables I had to do back in fourth (or was it third?) grade - you know, the ones where you had to do sixty multiplication problems in sixty seconds..man, was I bad at those!).

After a couple seconds remembering just what a 'penny' was - his first thought was some woman he didn't remember, and certainly nothing to do with Abraham Lincoln - he smiled.

"Oh, I don't know. I was just thinking about what Jeff must have gone through."

(I... er.. was pretty good at those actually...)

Niven nodded, "Well, I can tell you those slashes on his arms were made by his own blades. And they went from his forearms into his back. Plus there were still rope burns and threads in the wounds. So it can't have been a been a very fun time.

"Jeff mumbled something about a.. disk, when he was partially sedated. You wouldn't know about it would you?"

Getting a good judge of Astbury's motives was harder than usual; after all, Dirwisham had an intimate knowledge of the Iansislean character, but none at all of the Alconian. He decided to say as little as possible for the time being; or, at the least, reveal as little of his own position as possible.

Even if he did find Astbury to be completely sincere, the amount of trust he could place in the Alconian was measured in the man's apparent foolishness. Ever hearsay showing him to be less than completely in favor of Jeff Williams was potentially career-threatening.

"Yes, well...His Grace has been somewhat contrary on the floor before," said Dirwisham. "I'm sure that more powerful extra-Commonwealth allies would only increase his backing in Jameston."

(I... er.. was pretty good at those actually...)

((oh...so you were the multiplication bully! :P No worries, man; I'm pretty terrible at math (even when it was just memorizing times tables :?), and I officially Forgive you for being good at it ;)))[/quote]

The idea of Jeff's own steel ripping through his flesh made James slightly queasy, but he quickly fought down the instinct.

"A...disk? No, I've never heard of anything like it," he said thoughtfully. "I'm going to call Executor Tedders in a moment," James continued, "and see if I can't enlist his help in a full, formal investigative expedition to the crash site and surroundings. I'll ask him about it, see if they can't find anything out."

((oh...so you were the multiplication bully! :P No worries, man; I'm pretty terrible at math (even when it was just memorizing times tables :?), and I officially Forgive you for being good at it ;)))

The idea of Jeff's own steel ripping through his flesh made James slightly queasy, but he quickly fought down the instinct.

"A...disk? No, I've never heard of anything like it," he said thoughtfully. "I'm going to call Executor Tedders in a moment," James continued, "and see if I can't enlist his help in a full, formal investigative expedition to the crash site and surroundings. I'll ask him about it, see if they can't find anything out."[/quote]

(Well, ya know.. someone had to be :P And thanks, I appreciate the forgiveness! :) )

Niven looked at James, "is that wise? I mean was he supposed to be snooping around their territory anyway?"

OOC: Yes, but he's just a normal over stuffed Adel twit...

IC: "Yes, but then ifone could remove that threat fairly easily and indirectly chasten Mr. Williams for his contrarian behavior. Illustrating Mr. Williams character flaws, well then should one take that action?"

Lord Astbury was trying to figure out what was wrong on the other side of the desk. Was the man this dense, or was security so lax around here they didn't screen for bugs. Damn fool... He pulled a small, black box out of his pocket and placed next to the tea cup. Hit hit a blue switch on the cover...

Any electronic listening devices would have suddenly given off static. As did all of the radios' within 100 feet of the box.

his contrarian behavior...

OOC: Actually, Jeff's always been more of a Unitarian. ;) (Oh yeah, like you guys really didn't see that one coming.. :P )

Niven looked at James, "is that wise? I mean was he supposed to be snooping around their territory anyway?"

"Asking the Company, you mean?" said James. "No, I don't they'll mind too much. Iansisle's maintained a presence in the Confederacy since...well, for quite some time, anyhow. And if I know Executor Tedders, he'll be roaring to get into Maratha and make sure there was no Calarcan intrigue going on."

((OOC: Decides to make Ann a militant Quaker...just for the fun of it))

"I have no qualms about exposing the truth," said Dirwisham with a shrug. Anyone - like Astbury, perhaps - not acquainted with the elaborate dance of Iansislean politics would doubtlessly think Dirwisham's evasive comments and behavior rather odd.

Bugs were not a serious threat: Jameston was never unguarded, and a sweep was conducted every morning, twice in the main hall. Still, in Iansisle, one could never be *quite* sure of how trustworthy one's underlings were - especially not with the amount of cash IanCorp, Royal, or any other major corporation could throw around.

Dirwisham looked at the device Astbury had produced with an arched eyebrow. He was instinctively distrustful of any sort of technology; the curious box was no exception.

"If it wouldn't trouble you too much, m'lord, may I ask what that contraption is?" he asked lightly.

OOC: Actually, Jeff's always been more of a Unitarian. (Oh yeah, like you guys really didn't see that one coming.. )

(And me fresh out of watermelons!)

"Asking the Company, you mean?" said James. "No, I don't they'll mind too much. Iansisle's maintained a presence in the Confederacy since...well, for quite some time, anyhow. And if I know Executor Tedders, he'll be roaring to get into Maratha and make sure there was no Calarcan intrigue going on."

"Ahh," Niven said, "Well I hope he finds out what happened. At least why Jeff was put on such a rickety plane. I knew I should have just put him on a transport..."

Niven looked out the windows of the hallway and looked at the people still standing there.

(And me fresh out of watermelons!)

(Nyah Nyah! :P )

James glanced out as well. "Good Lord. I don't think even Weathers and Princeton will be able to get us out of here."

"Have you ever wondered," he asked of Niven suddenly, "just what it's like to lead a normal life?"

"Oh, this...It's a multi-frequency jammer. Quite handy when you think your being listened in on by obtrusive bugs." He hands it to the Earl with a smile. "Really quite a simple little device, but effective...now perhaps we can talk in more comfort knowing that anyone outside attempting to listen in on us are now enjoying high decible static."

Astbury was a diplomat and dance he would, however he could at least make token jestures to move to a more 'solid' discussion of the matters.

James glanced out as well. "Good Lord. I don't think even Weathers and Princeton will be able to get us out of here."

"Have you ever wondered," he asked of Niven suddenly, "just what it's like to lead a normal life?"

"Well that depends on your definition of normal," Niven said. "I've always thought it was overrated. But a normal life includes a lot of struggle, scraping to survive.

"Where are you going with this?" he asked nervously.

"That is comforting," replied Dirwisham, handing the device back. He still wasn't sure about Astbury - paranoia was one of the most favorable traits in the Iansislean political version of natural selection - but was gradually coming to trust the man more and more.

"I trust you had a suggestion in mind for executing such a plan?" he asked.

---

"Don't worry, I'm not thinking about abdicating," smiled James. "No, I was mainly just curious."

He sighed. "You know I've been locked up in stuffy Dun Adien my entire life; I just wonder what it's like to live...like anyone else." He smiled at his wife. "Christin's given me a taste of that in Northampton, but I can't help being curious."

Niven would have coughed up his coffee if he'd had any at the moment, "Are you sure you'd like to live the kind of life that... say.. Jeff had," he winked, "He'd kill me if anything happened to you. Living a normal life can be OK, I guess. But if you can ever sneak out for a while to have a little excitement..." his eyes twinkled.

Astbury smiled a very wicked grin. "Tell me Mr. Chancellor how superstitious is your general population? How likely are they to beleive in sorcery and witchcraft...espcially of some foriegn woman from the mysterious Klatch."

James coughed into his hand. "Oh, I can just imagine what he'd do," he said, though not quite in such a humerous tone. James then lapsed into silence.

---

"There are still those who claim aero-flight is the work of the devil," replied Dirwisham.

"Or you could follow him on one of his adventures," Niven said, "That's one way to guarantee he'd not do anything too foolish.

"Shall I call for a transport to pick us up? It might be easier than trying to fight through the crowd."

"Yeah," said James. It wasn't clear if he meant about following Jeff or calling a transport.

Christin squeezed his arm and looked up at him with questioning eyes. James smiled back down.

"I think the transport would be a good idea; who knows when all these people'll clear out?"

Astbury just smiled, "Then it would not be impossible to have a picture of Mr. William's gaping wound both as he is ministered to by the good Baroness and then rising, phenox like from the grave induce fear and loathing. Especially, when the public is informed that said Baroness may be a member of an evil occult orginization known as The Order of Athena?. That by implication she is some preistess using black magic...and that she may have Jeff Williams under her control."

Niven nods and is silent for a few moments.

"Easy enough," he smiled. "So how has married life been treating you two?"

-----

A few minutes later the roar of the engines was heard above the crowd as the transport started to land.

Niven looked out at the landing area in front of the hospital, "I believe that's our ride."

"That would not be an impossible story to manufacture," Dirwisham said slowly. "But it'd have a hell of a time getting published; IanCorp wouldn't want to touch it."

He shook his head. "And, of course, the government simply can't be assosiated with any sort of, er, negative campaign against that man."

---

"Three years already!" exclaimed Christin with a smile.

"Feels like four," joked James, receiving a playful slap in the stomach.

"It's hard to believe it's been that long!" Christin continued, apparently pleased by the topic shift. "Time flies when you're having a good time, I suppose."

((I think I'm off for a while..I'll catch the two of you later!

By the way, A+H, I'm having a bit of a writer's block in the Dead Man's Chest thread. Just let me sort out where I'm going with the Mercil character - I really do want to finish it!))

"Three years already!" exclaimed Christin with a smile.

"Feels like four," joked James, receiving a playful slap in the stomach.

"It's hard to believe it's been that long!" Christin continued, apparently pleased by the topic shift. "Time flies when you're having a good time, I suppose."

"Yes, the time does fly," Niven says, "But you each should cherish your time together. Before you know it, you'll be old, with children and grandchildren and remember that first time you both met like it was yesterday."

"That would not be an impossible story to manufacture," Dirwisham said slowly. "But it'd have a hell of a time getting published; IanCorp wouldn't want to touch it."

He shook his head. "And, of course, the government simply can't be assosiated with any sort of, er, negative campaign against that man."

---

"Three years already!" exclaimed Christin with a smile.

"Feels like four," joked James, receiving a playful slap in the stomach.

"It's hard to believe it's been that long!" Christin continued, apparently pleased by the topic shift. "Time flies when you're having a good time, I suppose."

((I think I'm off for a while..I'll catch the two of you later!

By the way, A+H, I'm having a bit of a writer's block in the Dead Man's Chest thread. Just let me sort out where I'm going with the Mercil character - I really do want to finish it!))

OOC: most of my threads are currently D.O.A which is why I joined this one...

IC: "Ah, but there is news that can be ignored, and news which can not be ignored. Under most Parlimentary procedures their is allowance of the government being asked questions by members of Parliment. The nature of these rules vary from nation to nation." He regards his cigar again...

"I'm not sure what the Parlimentary rules for your government are, but I do know that if the press were present for a session of Parliment. One in which a member voiced his concerns about Mr. Williams' health and this sudden association with a woman of doubtable repuation. Would the story be buried in the back pages. No, the key here is not to attack your grand beloved hero. But concern with his association with the Baroness and her history."
He puffs on the cigar a bit more..."How can the government be faulted for protecting a national hero from the clutches of a woman who beheaded a man while engaged in a ritual? A woman who freely associates with a dangerous tiger and allows him to roam freely the streets of Ianapalis?"

(Oooooooooh! Sneaky!! I like it!)

(OOC: Of course...and knowing Jeff he may decide to tilt at the windmill...which will confirm some of the more 'outlandish rumors...)

(Yeah, that's a good point, he might.)

((OOC: Ah, but there is a joker in the deck....))

(Good night All...pleasent Machiavellian dreams...))

(I thought Jeff was the joker... ;) )

Dirwisham didn't look completely convinced. Maybe he still wasn't sold on the idea, but it might just be the persona he chose to wear right now. He'd never have a level of facial mastery akin to, say, Hiresh Dhawan, but he was still a formidable person to try and read.

"The main problem I can see, Lord Astbury," he mused, "is just who 'pops the question,' as it were. Obviously, it can't be any member of our coalition; there's still the chance of backfiring.

"Approaching the Neo-Royalists would leak the information straight back to Clancy of Whitman, and through him Royal and then IanCorp, so we'd have to go through either the Centrists or the Liberals." He shrugged. "And the Centrists and Liberals make up Williams' primary base of support."

------

Christin smiled at Dr. Niven, then looked up at James. "You have my word, I'll cherish every second of the time."

"And I as well," replied James.

Outside, the transport settled down in its berth. Building such had called in the exact wording of the 'unduplicatable foreign technology' clause of James' Tablet into question, but the Celebornian researchers firm insistance that Iansisle's largest, most modern medical center needed someplace for VTOL craft had pushed through the constitutional debate.

"Are we all going now?" asked James after a brief kiss. His eyes glanced back in the direction of Jeff's room.

((wow...I thought for sure this had double posted. 'Night, A+H!))

(Jeff has a base of support? :shock: )

Niven looked back at Jeff's room, "Oh yeah, we should probably go get them. After all, they might be expected to make an appearance."

The group walked back towards Jeff's room. Niven opened the door (to find the pair missing! :P ), and the group looked in to find Katherine sleeping, curled up on the bed around Jeff, her head on his shoulder and her arms wrapped tightly around Jeff, who's eyes were closed as he held on to her.

"I've been waiting to do this," Niven grins before going silent.

-----

*ring ring*

What the hell? Jeff blearily thought as the cell implants woke him up.

Eyes still closed, he answered the call.

Yeah?

Wake up sleepyhead. Niven's grin could be heard on the other end.

"Da... wha..?" Jeff asked dazed as his eyes fluttered slowly open. Looking at the group grinning at him, he just turned to Niven.

"Smart-ass," he muttered with a grin as he ended the call.

"It's better than being a dumb-ass," Niven winked back. "Come on, your ride is here."

(Um...has he pissed off Dhawan too bad? I remember he likes Javin (probably the only male in the entire world who does ;)), anyhow. I might just be forgetting something; that's a fairly common experiance for me.)

"Well, if you absolutely insist!" grinned James, walking back to Jeff's room.

---

What on Earth is going on? he wondered, watching Niven's grin, then flickering his eyes over to Jeff.

(sorry to abandon you again so soon, but I think my eyes are about to fall out...either I'm tired or seriously ill ;))

(I don't think he did, I was just surprised that people in Parliament actually follow him at times ;) )

Jeff smiled at James through tired eyes, "You all right?" he asked as he sat up and tried to pick Katherine up in his arms. A twinge from his chest reminded him that was a bad idea.

She slowly uncurled herself from him as she woke up. "What's going on?"

"Time to go sweetheart," Jeff said before kissing her. "Our flight is here."

"Not another Parliament Plane...." she said hopefully.

(gotcha, g'night dude! Hope it just you being tired.. maybe hungover? ;) )

Astbury was not finding the reluctance of the Chancellor very appealing. After all a man facing his own possible death quite soon would grasp at straws. Of course he was doing his best not to show the fact that his very life may be in danger.


"Let me see, you'd rather have Mr. Williams gain a powerful ally, then have the possiblity of the whole matter coming back and hitting you in the face." He knew exactly how that felt as he was trying to avoid a self-inflicted dual at the moment.

(OOC: Ignore this if the first plane was recovered...I didn't think it had been found. Astbury is going on a fishing expidition since he's in mortal danger)

"Of course one wonders about the lost aircraft, and the dead bodies...their not going to show and indications of being tampered with are they? If for instance, if Iancorp decides to investigate with outside technical assistance, it would be advantagous for any possible sabatours for that plane to vanish into the jungle forever."


He rolls the cigar in his mouth, "I'm surprised that the Liberals and Centrists are so uniform in their support for Duke Williams, that the law of self-intrest does not come into effect. So many men tend to lose all honor and character when large sums of money are involved..."

(hello all - I don't think I'll be able to post tonight. I'm really sorry for slowing the whole thing down, but I've got a major test tomorrow, and I really need to study. If I can, I'll jump on during breaks, but I'm not expecting too many of those :(

I'll catch y'all later!))

((OOC: Ah sorry to hear.....))

(no worries man, school comes first! Dear God did I actually say that?!? ;) Good luck on that test!)

Add: Yes, good luck on the test...

(and more on our latest evil doer... ;) )

"What?? What the hell is this???..." a voice roared from over the IanCorp newspaper he was reading.

In a warehouse near the Docks in Lyone...

The cover story was about Jeff arriving just in time to be the guest at his own funeral.

"God damn it! Why won't he just DIE!?!?!" he said again. "Jesus, this jackass has more lives than a cat!

Antony slammed the paper on the table, surprising the young woman who's head was in his lap at the moment. "Stop it," he said, just before standing up in the small loft.

"Hey, what about my promise? To talk to your movie friend?" she demanded after the shock wore off.

"Oh, don't worry, you'll get what you deserve." he replied as he zipped up and dialed a number on his cell phone. "Yeah, Dan. I want you to hack back into the Diablo archives again. ... yeah I read it... no I don't care... just do it."

(Antony's not into bumps, more like Todd Bertuzzi hockey muggings.. ;) )

Ann was throwing a metal frisbee to sir Meow...

((OOC: You know I just realized that that poor girl is going into 'adult' entertainment...))

-snip-

Ya know...I might have someone specifically able to take out Jeff if this guy is serious about it...

A&H - Actually, she was going to, but Antony's going to... umm.. well a missing person's report will be filed in three days time or so.. His profile is available at

http://www.geocities.com/larkinia/antony.htm

((Aww, we need to give him something to train that behavior out of him...say playing catch with a 40kg bomb or say decapitation?))

(Awww darn *kicks tin can* I like having my psychopath around.. ;) )

"Of course not Kate," smiled James. "Dad's been good enough to provide us with the fruit of Celebornian research; I tend to think it might be slightly more reliable."

---

"Let me see, you'd rather have Mr. Williams gain a powerful ally, then have the possibility of the whole matter coming back and hitting you in the face." He knew exactly how that felt as he was trying to avoid a self-inflicted dual at the moment.

"It is this government's experience that anything to do with His Grace hits back very hard," said Dirwisham flatly. "I will not hazard our position in the C.C.P. upon anything unless I am doubly positive that it will work."

"Of course one wonders about the lost aircraft, and the dead bodies...their not going to show and indications of being tampered with are they? If for instance, if Iancorp decides to investigate with outside technical assistance, it would be advantageous for any possible sabatours for that plane to vanish into the jungle forever."

"If the flyer had been sabotaged, I'm sure that keeping it unfound would be most advantageous for whoever would have been reckless enough to arrange its crash." Dirwisham had decided he didn't trust this man. His antipathy for that woman - Winton, or whatever her name was - came through clearly enough, but he seemed somewhat a loose cannon. There was no guarantee that, if Dirwisham put his cards on the table but the gambit failed, that this Astbury wouldn't torpedo Dirwisham - and with him, the Conservative government he'd worked so hard to build - to save himself.

He rolls the cigar in his mouth, "I'm surprised that the Liberals and Centrists are so uniform in their support for Duke Williams, that the law of self-interest does not come into effect. So many men tend to lose all honor and character when large sums of money are involved..."

"Some men do, in the Commonwealth more than other places," said Dirwisham frankly. "And I'm sure that you would be free to approach them." His tone indicated that the conversation was coming to a close.

(Awww darn *kicks tin can* I like having my psychopath around.. ;) )

(They are fun, aren't they? Just make sure the child-proof top is on :P)

(Awww darn *kicks tin can* I like having my psychopath around.. ;) )

(They are fun, aren't they? Just make sure the child-proof top is on :P)

(Actually the'll need the child-proofing on the children. Antony's next target.. :twisted: )

Katherine smiled at James, "Well that's more reassuring."

Jeff nodded as he stood up, "yeah, anything would be better than that damn plane," he said wincing as he stretched his chest to put the jacket back on.

(heh...child proofing children. must make it hard to play spin the bottle.)

"Here, let me help you," said James, coming forward and reaching for the jacket.

(Oh tell me you did not go there.. ;) )

"Thanks," jeff smiled as James helped him with the jacket. "Damn I must be getting old, my body's going out on me."

Katherine held the door for the group as they walked back into the hall. Jeff looked at the crowd through the window. "Kinda packed out there, aren't they," he said. "maybe if I had a party at the estate..."

(:P)

"Every year older is a year wiser - and another year to forget the last two's wisdom," quipped James.

"And if you had a party at the estate, Jeff," smiled Christin, "I don't think you'd have an estate left!"

They started to make their way to the transport dock.

Astbury realized that the whole thing was a mistake. Obviously this fool was not going to take action against the Baroness. So he would have to. He stands and says..."I'm sorry that you find this opportunity too risky, so be it. Good day.

Astbury stands and walks out of the room.

***
Ann stood looking in the mirror. She was somewhat in shock from the day's activities and events...

A knock...and a junior officer appeared at the door. "Williams what is it..."
"I wanted to confirm it before I said anything, but Lord Astbury hacked into to the video confrence."

"So he knows..."

"I'd worry about him...you never know..."

(You need to keep your physco's on a shorter leash....actually wait...my entire region is filled with pirates, Nazis, demons, talking walruses and murderous Oompa Loompa...not to mention the wild life...and then you didn't hear what my Heir said about doing to annoying five year old...Ah I think my entire population is physcotic for staying there.)

Jeff nodded "You're right, but there's got to be something I can do to show them how greatful I am besides taking out a full page ad in the trades.."

Katherine winked at him, "You could always shower them with gifts... no you need to shower me with gifts."

Jeff reached out with his good arm and opened the door, "After y'all" he said after kissing Katherine.

(A&H, true, I would but I like letting him loose on the populace at times.. ;) )

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Lord Astbury," replied Dirwisham, standing as his caller walked out. "Good day."

With any luck, thought Dirwisham as he returned to the report in front of him, he ought to know about the Neo-Royalist party. They're crazy enough to try anything.

The Neo-Royalists were a strictly Thortraia adventure, started by Clancy I Whitman thirty years ago as a vehicle to try and pry the High Kingship from House Callahan. In theory, any of the seven Great Houses of the Shield could rule from Ian's Island: the fact that the monarchs of Shadoran had clung to power for three hundred years didn't mean it could continue to do so in perpetuality.

Thortraia and the House of Whitman had only emerged as the leading candidate to replace Callahan in the past few decades; for long, it had been the most impoverished and weak of the seven kingdoms. However, her rich coal deposits and the iniative of Brian VI Whitman started the powerhouse that would be later be known as Royal Mining and Manufacturing; Clancy, his sixth son, rose to the throne of Thortraia after the death of his father and brothers, and shepherded Royal into the primer industrial corporation on the Shield. In Clancy's growing senility, the might of Royal was increasingly being brought to bear against the Callahanian throne.

----

James arched an eyebrow. "I'm sure they know how greatful you are Jeff. And if not, maybe an oppertunity will present itself in the future." [/blatant foreshadowing]

He then led the way up to the roof/landing pad. "Quinton ought to have quite the meal ready soon," he said, "though I ought to send someone over to Baroness Winton's house and let her know dinner will be served in a couple hours.

(Ooooooh, was that a plot hint you laid down for Astbury? :P )

"That'd be nice," Jeff said as he walked onto the roof with James. He looked over at the crowd and waved at them, blew kisses to a few of them.

"Come on, rock star," Chris said leading Jeff into the transport.

As the group strapped in, the transport slipped up and cloaked when they were out of view of the crowd, heading towards Dun Adien.

(Ooooooh, was that a plot hint you laid down for Astbury? :P )

(A nice subtle one ;))

As the transport streaked away, only to have to descend after a mere six miles, Lord Inswick was receiving a telegram from one of his field offices:

WILLIAMS SORRY I MISSED YOUR FUNERAL STOP I APPRECIATE ALL YOU DID FOR ME STOP HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON AND IN GOOD HEALTH STOP

BRADSWORTH

(ohhh, sneaky of them! Remind me to have Jeff kill them sometime soon...)

The transport touched down at Dun Adien castle after a few moments and the door platform dropped open.

"That was fast," Jeff commented, "The only way to fly."

As the group disembarked from the transports, Katherine looked toward the mainland, "Well, it'll take some time for them to get all the way out here."

(*looks about* Sneaky?)

"We really ought to invest in one of these," said Christin with her usual smile.

After the color returned to his face, James mentioned what an absolute shame it was that his hands were so tied with regards to modern technology.

"And if you'll excuse me please," he called over his shoulder while retiring quickly towards Dun Adien, "I'm afraid I have to adjorn quickly to the powder room!"

( :P )

Jeff watched James rush towards Dun Adien, "Ya know, if I take him to Gallaga for a few weeks, he'd come back a new man..."

Katherine slapped Jeff's arm gently, "Oh no you don't! You get in enough trouble!"

Jeff chuckled, "OK. Christin, does he have a fresh set of clothing and a shower in the powder room? Maybe another trip in an Eagle would do well for him..."

Niven shrugged and turned to the pilot "Please see if you can clean King James' seat. Preferably with disinfectant if you can."

Niven shrugged and turned to the pilot "Please see if you can clean King James' seat. Preferably with disinfectant if you can."

((Heh...you just made me wake up my roommate...I hope you're happy! ;)))

Jeff chuckled, "OK. Christin, does he have a fresh set of clothing and a shower in the powder room? Maybe another trip in an Eagle would do well for him..."

"I'm sure he'll be fine; he always is," she smiled. Quinton, hearing that they'd be taking a Celeborne transport home, undoubtably was already on his way to the nearest water closet. "You should have seen him on our first date, where I had to take him up in my jet. He was so cute! - in a scared rabbit sort of way."

(LOL, Success!!!! :lol: )

"I'm sure he did," Katherine winked. "Men seem to get that way around powerful women."

"Yeah, thank god I'm not married to one," Jeff winked before getting smacked on the arm by Katherine. "Geez, all this abuse. I feel so unloved."

Katherine reached over and pulled him down, kissing him for what seemed like an eternity.

"Feel better?" she asked finally.

"Yeah, I think I do." he said, putting his arm around her as they walked toward the castle.

Christin glanced away while Kate and Jeff were kissing. Not that she'd totally acclimated to Iansisle's stuffy sexual mores, of course, but just to give a couple of friends their privacy.

"I wonder if Baroness Winton got the invitation?" she wondered out loud as they walked towards the Honeycomb.

((in other words, I'm wondering if we ought to wait for A+H tomorrow before we go on. What do you think?))

(yeah we should wait, then the party can begin. Sooooooo, can Jeff expect Inswick and Tarriff to show up? Please oh Please???? )

(I suppose...if we absolutely must ;). As gate crashers or invited guests?

Dirwisham, meanwhile, will be keeping quiet for a while.)

(Gate crashers if I get the choice.. :twisted: And he's gonna stay quiet? damn! ;) )

(I know, sorry man :(

Well, as gate crashers, it'll probably just be Tarriff...because he's too thick to know he's not invited to a state dinner, and too arrogant to care if he did know ;))

(excellent... hey, how easy will it be to bribe a serving person at dun Adien?)

More difficult than you'd imagine (for Iansisle) but not impossible...I'd really reccomend blackmail over bribery (as per Maria slipping the arscenic pills to James to save her family).

Should I be worried by these questions? ;)

(gotcha.. not at all. I'm thinking of the best way for Antony to dispose of Katherine...)

D...dispose of Katherine? :(:(

(Well, ya know, he is the bad guy... )

(Oh yeah, I forgot :P. Well, in that case, blackmail would be the best option; m staff is your staff, so to speak ;)

I think I'm off...'night, man!)

(g'night dude!)

(Thanks...and if Astbury wasn't pissed off and not thinking clearly he might go to the Neo Royalists...Although you boys are very dangerous plotting like this...)

The Alconian Adel went to the nearest phone booth. There he dialed a long distance supplier using a prepaid phone card...then a second line which appeared to be rerouted several times.

Mary had a little Lamb was heard over the line

"Who's fleece was red with blood"

And Everywhere Mary went

"The wind would be heard in the hollow"

Is this line secure?

"No, but the Gretchen matter is a go...double if you do it in three days..."

Triple...

"Fine, but there is a five day time limit..."

Accepted, don't call again without a secure phone

The line went dead...

****
Ann and Sir Meow were now attempting to recover her personal watercraft. She had left it in a somewhat odd postion, ontop of another craft.

The Alconian Adel went to the nearest phone booth. There he dialed a long distance supplier using a prepaid phone card...
OOC: In Iansisle!? I don't think they've invented either phone booths or prepaid cards yet. Or button phones, for that matter.

OOC: Your right...although the phone booth wasn't invented? Iansisle is WWII tech so they should have them. And he called a "long distance supplier" not a 'direct' long distance phone call. (They use similar systems in parts of the world which are fairly poor and have unreliable long distance service...secondary companies that 'route' long distance calls through satalite links at high prices)

Although they might have to use a voice dialing system in Iansisle. I didn't just use a sat phone since it should be sort of hard to get a sat link using an standard sat phone. Ianapolis is so deep within Iansisle territory that your going to have a long line of sight for it to work, their being a lack of geosync satalites overhead.

(example of how this might work, since I did not make that post without thinking about it...)

"Yes Operator, please get me Bethsea 342..."
Welcome to Long Star, please state your card number...
"842-78670"
please state your pin
"7447"
Please state the number you wish to dial
****

(Thanks...and if Astbury wasn't pissed off and not thinking clearly he might go to the Neo Royalists...Although you boys are very dangerous plotting like this...)

(Well, everything's in flux still, so we'll see what happens. I think I know what I want Antony to do. I've got his actions in the election thread worked out... I think. Although I'm nervous about what Astbury's got in mind...)

(I think this is a tag, but I'm not sure. Sorry I couldn't make it sooner, but I just got your t-gram today, Lark. (I've been away too long!) If you don't mind, I need a quick summary.)

(Hey Yar! No worries. It's a few years later in the timeline, Jeff is a member of the Iansislian Parliment now. He was sent on a fact-finding mission to Gallaga. The person who masterminded sending him there made sure his plane was sabotaged on the way over, so it crashed. Then Jeff and one other survivor found their way to a village where a group of Iansislians were raiding artifacts. They stopped them, found their way to the Gallagan capital and bought passage back to Iansisle.

Meanwhile, there was a state funeral for Jeff being prepared in Iansisle. To make a long story short (too late :P ), Jeff was poisoned by a plant on the return flight when it landed kinda hard at Dun Adien, walked into his own funeral, then passed out cause of the poison and was rescued by a hottie from Alcona and Hubris ;) and just got out of the medical center and is at Dun Adien now. There's a party getting ready to start, so your timing's pretty good :) )

*Le snipped....*

The engines on the power boat roared as they propelled the wooden hull back across the water to Dun Adien. The cd player was thumping out some recent music...

...You think I go home at night. take off my clothes, turn out the light..

Ann was singing along, her voice in the right octave. Sir Meow's tail appeared to be dancing to the music. As though he were enjoying the music...although he didn't get a choice in musical selection. She was wearing a long red evening dress.

***
An ordinary looking man, with an ordinary looking package, paid to ship a box of 'textbooks' to a hotel address in Ianapalis. His brown hair, brown eyes, and unremarkable face seemed to just blend back into the crowd as he left paying for the next day delivery by cash.

The same man re-entered a cab waiting in the crowded streets of Port Olympus...."To the airport now..." the voice seemed to have little or no emotion.

"Hey, what do you think about the chances of an upset in the walrus ball tournament...I hear Nef's new power forward can really..."

The man nods and turns to look out the window...

The driver just let his voice carry on for a few more words then went quiet. Sometimes, it was best not to ask in Port Olympus.*

(*Port Olympus is a City State in the Klatch...sort of a shared 'puppet' of all Klatch members)
(I seem to have a thing for having hottie female characters...Oh well we grow them diffrently on the islands...)

Telephone for Mr. Williams

(cell phone, brought in on a platter by a waiter, no matter)

(Well, he's got that cell phone implant ;) )

The familiar tones rand in Jeff's head. (and he only listens to the voices in his head :P )

*ring ring*

Jeff quickly looked around the room for Niven to make sure this wasn't another of his jokes. Spotting him with Fowler he quickly closed his eyes and picked up the call.

Hello?

"Ah, it's good to hear your voice," a few familiar tones sighed. "Last I heard you were dead, Jeff. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I saw you walking in. Too bad I had to leave before I could give my condolences. I wondered if you had left heaven 'cuz it was boring, or hell had spat you back out!" A small laugh. "Uh, not that you'd go to hell, persay, I was just... You remember your ol' pal Yar, right?"

italiacs=in background
Sweetie, who're you talking to?
"Um, no one. Just a business call."
But you said you had a surprise for me! (With a fake spoiled whine) I want it NOW!
"It'll just be a second, I-"
(orgasmic sounds mixed with generic, "Oh, Mr. President!"-type moans)
"What're you doing? Stoppit!"
(Moans escalate into screams)
"Dammit, do you want Jeff Williams to hear you? Oh, crap..."
Soft thud
"Well, looks like I'll be going to a funeral after all... Why does this always happen when we get together? Looks like I'll have to cut this short, Jeff."

(For greater enjoyment, read that last part with H.W.C playing in the background... :lol: )

Jeff chuckled to himself.

No offense taken Yar, and of course I remember you. I figure hell wasn't ready for me yet, they hadn't soundproofed the rubber room they wanted to put me in.

Jeff heard the discussion in the background... Yar? is this a good time for you? You can always call me back you know. Well, OK then, give me a call when you are.. umm.. finished with the pressing business you have to take care of.

(Well, we do have phone booths, if not touch-tone. I mean, Superman's gotta have somewhere to change while he's in town. :P)

"Is he on the telephone?" whispered Christin to Kate, sneaking an occasional glance over at Jeff. "That's really weird!"

Across the courtyard, coming up from the more usual Southern Gate, there could be seen a rather strange character. He moved with the clear confidence of one who was completely welcome, at least insofar as his oncoming advanced age would allow him. A great mustache, died brown ever since his natural hair pigment gave out, billowed from his upper lip, helping to offset the general drooping appearance of his entire face. He was clad in the latest Agrigentian suit, and made a bee line for Jeff and Katherine at once.

( :P )

"Yeah he is," Katherine said to Christin, "It is quite strange, but you get used to it after a while. It comes with the territory, since he's more machine than man now..."

Jeff blinked as the call ended, "Well, that was nice."

"Who was it," Katherine asked.

"Yarrum. He wanted to say hi and that he's glad I'm not in hell anymore." Jeff grinned.

The grin turned a little downward when he saw Tarriff approaching. Jeff put back on his best smile and winked at Weathers (who's in on the plan)as the map approached.

"Mr. Prime Minister, how are you doing?"

Ann and Sir Meow pulled up to the formal dock near the South Gate. She waved...

Oh, God...I hope I"m in the right place...

"Quite well, my good man!" boomed Tarriff in his best friendly greeting voice. "I can't tell you how happy I am to know you're back with us, safe and sound!"

Meanwhile, Weathers was not only in on the plan, but down at the cove (don't ask, because I won't tell! :P). He waved Ann over, and a couple men tied down her boat.

"Baroness Winton, I presume?" he asked, bowing his head in greeting.

"Yes, and Sir Chairman Meow" She indicates the tiger, returning the short bow.

(Heh heh, god bless weathers ;) and how good is his best friendly voice? )

"I'm glad to be back," Jeff said. "I was wondering, there was something I needed to talk to you about regarding my trip, it's official but sensitive. Can I talk with you in one of the sitting rooms?" Jeff continued, leading Tarriff into a sitting room.

Jeff closed the door and poured Tarriff a drink, "There are some things that concern me about the going on in Gallaga," he said handing Tarriff his drink before picking up his own.

(back in a bit, heading home now! I man, check your TG for 'The Plan' ;) )

That the tiger had a name and Ann apparently expected him to be addressed as a human being didn't seem to faze Weathers overly much; one got used to these sort of things hanging about Dun Adien.

"Of course! How perfectly rude of me, Sir Meow. Er, I would offer to take your coat, but I think you'd prefer I didn't!" After the pun's doublessly lukewarm reception, Weathers suggested they get up to the castle and behind a wind break before they all caught their death of a chill.

---

(Better than most of his attributes; after all, he is one of the best politicians Iansisle has to offer [/feels dirty]. ;))

"There's one right in there, first door to the left" said Christin, pointing at the enterence to the Great Hall. "Do you know what that's about?" she asked Kate after Jeff and Tarriff vanished.

"Now, what's on your mind, Your Grace?" asked Tarriff. He seemed cool and collected, accepting his drink as if he were expecting nothing out of the ordinary.

(Got the TG, Lark, and I do....oops, oh crap! are we married now? :?)

(Married? Ah, oh well...I didn't know...where are you two registered? :P )

Ann laughs..."I don't think Sir Meow really notices. She follows Weathers and asks about the history of the place. She had been regulated to grunt work while on the Embassy staff. So she'd never been here before.

(I'm afraid you'd have to ask Lark that...I'm just the eye candy :P)

"Well, m'lady, Dun Adien was built by Ian the Great towards the end of the Time of Blood," said Weathers as they climbed. "It provided an executive center safe forever from the raids of the Foothillsmen, and allowed Ian the Great to organize the conquest of the Shield in near-absolute safety."

He shrugged. "As you can probably tell, Dun Adien wasn't really built to be in a battle; compared to her contemporaries, the walls are paper-thin. But then again, no powers been able to challenge His Majesty's Navy in Troobodia Bay for five hundred years!"

(OCC: Hmm, well I hope you get to at least chose the china pattern...)

The Baroness nodded. "Quite nice, I see that they did include what appears to be a gun battery. Most castles I grew up with were augmented 16th and 17th century fortresses with added housing complexes."

She just smiles about the power of the Iansisle Navy, she was one of the few people who had ever attempted to evaluate the effectiveness of the local navy. In her opinon the nepotism and politicial interference made it fairly weak in terms of it's command structure. Like the twits they had left running things in Noropia. Now there was a classic case of idiociy in unform.

( *blink blink* Wow.. I didn't think I was that drunk right now.. that''s one strong drink! :P )

Katherine looks at Christin, "I don't know."

Chris walked over to them, "Is Jeff in there with Tarriff?" he grinned.

-----

"I'm concerned about the rising tensions running through the area," Jeff said. "something I had seen when I was in the village... Oh, I was in a village after we crashed. Horrible crash, I have to tell you.

"The villagers were concerned about a reintroduction of hostilities in Gallaga between all of the nations vying for power there," Jeff continued. "They're worried about being used as pawns in a power struggle. And I think they might fight back."

Especially if some new player in the region wanted to arm them.

Weathers didn't seem to notice any slight to the RIN; the ingrained pride in their navy often left even servicemen of other branches with something of a blind eye.

"I'm afraid I'll have to leave you here," he said after delivering Baroness Winton to within sight of Kate and Christin. "Her Majesty and the Duchess of Williams are yonder; I'm sure they'd be delighted to see you."

"Um, yeah," said Christin to Chris (confused yet?) as Ann approached.

Tarriff billowed his mustache out with a puff of air as Jeff spoke. "Well, that's certainly concerning," he said without the slightest air of concern. His conception of Gallaga and the people who lived there was still one of great, decadant courts, a medieval technology base, and an undying gratitude to their western overlords - completely seperated from reality, as it were.

"They probably don't have anything to worry about," he continued. "So long as the Clerks don't move in, we don't harbor any long-term annexation plans for the Confederacy."

"Thank You..." She bows to Weathers again.

She walks towards the other two women. "Ah, good day your Majesty...your Grace...where is everyone else?" She is worried about the fact that it appears the only male around is Sir Meow.

"Good evening, Baroness," replied Christin with a small smile. She was still getting used to just the Iansislean peerage system; how many mistakes she'd make over the course of the night with the Alconian one was anyone's guess.

"I - I'm not sure," she said to Ann's next question. "J- Duke Williams met Prime Minister Tarriff, and they're off having some sort of 'official' discussion."

"Excellent" Chris grinned as Ann and the others started to join them. "Your majesty," he said to Christin, "you might want to flag down James, I think he'll enjoy this."

-----

[Blatant Babylon 5 Ripoff...]

Jeff quickly scans Tarriff for recording or transmitting devices and clicks a button to jam any, in his jacket as he scratched his shoulder.

"Well, I'm sure they'll be glad to hear that," Jeff nodded to Tarriff as he rose his glass, "to your health!"

Jeff watched Tarriff drain the glass as he finished his own.

"You know Mr. Prime Minister, we might have gotten off on the wrong foot before. I wish I knew why you and your allies see me as such a bad person. Maybe it's because I still have a bit of the old grizzled warrior flowing through my veins.

"That's interesting. Because when I was in Gallaga I got to see the village's warrior caste up close. They were quite amazing, I have to tell you. They were bonded close. The kinds of bonds only forged in the heat of battle. It's quite the same with myself and the people I served with. Those are ties that run deep..."

"Fascinating, Your Grace," Tarriff said showing his boredom and contempt, "But I don't see what this has to do with..."

"With nanotechnology?" Jeff asked. "I'm glad you asked. You've heard of it haven't you? Dr. Niven is a master with them. They've saved me time and again. They're small machines, smaller than the eye can see," Jeff paused and pointed at Tarriff's glass, "Like the one you just drank in that brandy."

Tarriff looked at the glass and set it down quickly and looked at Jeff.

"Yes... it should be firmly attached to your intestines now. It's a locater. Anyone with this signal will be able to track it," Jeff pulled out a small pen tracer and pointed it at Tarriff. The light flashed twice.

*beep beep*

"This is an outrage!" Tarriff fumed.

Jeff's expression turned hard and his voice crystalized as ice, "This is insurance. My friends, from those warrior days, have this frequency. If anything happens to me, my family or loved ones, they are going to hunt down the person on the other end of this, and..." Jeff shuddered, "You don't want to know.

"Now then," Jeff said pouring another drink, "The next time you drink to my health, I'll know you mean it. Or should you want to send me on a trip for the good of Iansisle, I'll know you're also thinking of what's best for me.

"I wouldn't tell Dirwisham or Inswick if I were you, because they'll probably just kill you."

Jeff led Tarriff back to the door and opened it...

-----

Chris was talking with Christin, Katherine, James and the group as the two walked out. He smiled at the two, "hiya Jeff! Hey, Prime Minister Tarriff," Chris called out before pointing at Tarriff's stomach. "Beep Beep!" [/blatant rip off]

Ann looks perplexed by the sudden "Beep Beep" at Tariff's expense. She just looks at everyone and then returns her gaze to Jeff.

Jeff smiles as he sees Ann, "Baroness Winton! So wonderful to see you again," he says as he bows. "I hope you and Sir Meow are having a nice evening! I must tell you the children have been talking about Sir Meow ever since you left!"

"Excellent" Chris grinned as Ann and the others started to join them. "Your majesty," he said to Christin, "you might want to flag down James, I think he'll enjoy this."

"Enjoy what?" asked James, coming up from behind them. "Oh - good evening, Baroness."

---

Tarriff was quite the little teapot of simmering rage. He pointed one long, decrepit finger at Dr. Niven. "You! I demand you fix this situation right this second!"

James arched an eyebrow. "Well, Chris, you certainly don't disappoint."

Niven looked at Tarriff, "I say good fellow, are you feeling all right? You look a little... scared..."

Jeff smiled at Tarriff, "He had nothing to do with it."

"Do with what?" Niven asked Jeff.

"Never mind dad," Jeff smiled.

"Well then I'll just beep beep myself to the bar for a drink," Niven said walking away.

"Good Evening Jeff, Your Majesty...I and Sir Meow just arrived." Meow seemed to perk up at the word 'kids'.

"That's good, I didn't want it to be too long before I had a chance to say hello, and thank you again for what you did," Jeff said. "Conner has especially been talking about Sir Meow. Everyone's jealous he got to ride, and they've been asking him about it in the nursery."

"I..." started Tarriff, then he clamped his mouth shut. "I came here on good faith, Your Grace. And I guarentee you that this isn't over." Then he turned and stalked off.

"So..." started James. "While that was one of the more enjoyable experiances of my life, I can't help but wonder what on the green hills of the Shield was going on. Jeff, would you care to start?"

"That's good, I didn't want it to be too long before I had a chance to say hello, and thank you again for what you did," Jeff said. "Conner has especially been talking about Sir Meow. Everyone's jealous he got to ride, and they've been asking him about it in the nursery."

"Ah, well the life of an overworked Diplomat is never done. Now I guess I can add international savior of high profile figures to my Resume. And I can just guess what Conner is going through. The problem is that tis the cat decides who rides...not me. Oh, and I'm curious about the beep, beep is that some new form of greeting or something?"

Before Tarriff leaves Jeff's blazing steel blue eyes locked with him again, "This is over. Don't. Just don't even," he said quietly, a shake of his head told Tarriff what Jeff would do.

He turned to Princeton, "Sir, I believe the Prime Minister is ready to leave."

Chris leaned over to Katherine, James, Christin and Ann, "Jeff... bugged the prime minster," he whispered as Jeff spoke with Tarriff. Looking at their confused faces, "He laced Tarriff's drink with a locator nanite. If anything happens to Jeff or you," he tapped his chest, "We know what to do." he winked.

Jeff walked back with a familar twinkle in his eye, "Tarriff should consider it incentive," he said with a grin as he heard the end of the statement, "to be a force for good. Or at least leave us alone."

A flippent wave over his back was the only acknowledgment Tarriff gave. Princeton hurried after him and redirected the Prime Minister towards the South Gate.

James seemed slightly worried by the entire concept. "I'm hardly the biggest Ed Tarriff fan in the universe," he admitted. "And I'd never want anything to happen to you if I could have done anything prevent it, but isn't that sort of - wrong? Like an invasion of privacy or something?"

Ann looked at Jeff with her best officers stare. "I'd say Jeff has made a brilliantly executed, and poorly thought out plan come to completion. Specifically, Jeff may have made himself an indirect way of removing Tarriff, and I don't see Tariff as the font of all problems for Jeff Williams, And the question remains, is Tariff powerful enough to block, or prevent by his own death, any future incidents?"

"You're right ma'am. If Tarriff is a good boy and takes the threat back to his masters."

The threat??

The look in Jeff's eyes gave away he wasn't putting all his cards on the table.

"As long as the threat is there, Tarriff would behave."

Chris nodded, "but the doctors here are Celebornian trained. What happens when they find it. He'll be looking to get even with you."

Jeff nods, "he would if he could find it."

"Well why won't he find it?" Katherine asked.

"Because there isn't one," Jeff tried to stifle his grin.

The group looked stunned, "What??" Chris asked.

"No. If there was a bug, eventually the scientists would find it. However, given dad's skills, if they don't find one..." Jeff shrugged innocently

"They'll keep looking." Chris replied.

"And looking," Jeff nodded.

"And probing," Katherine said.

"Yep," Jeff said. "I figure Tarriff's on the way to the proctologist now to get.. examined."

"You're an evil man sometimes," Chris grinned. "Remind me not to piss you off."

"Damn, Jeff," laughed James, "you've really outdone yourself this time." He glanced over his shoulder at Tarriff's retreating form.

"There are times when I feel sorry for him, God help me," said Christin, following James' glance. "He's really something of a tragic personality; a blown-up ego attached to a marionette's body."

"Then he should have stayed the hell out of Jameston," replied James with a sense of finality in his tone.

((and I'm off to bed. Night, all!)

Ann looked at Jeff for a moment..."Ah, well now I see...so in reality your just bluffing the fear into him. Your not going to rely on such a scheme for your own security. Brilliant Jeff, Brilliant."

((Goodnight...and I think I'll hit the hay myself...))

"Thank you Ann," Jeff smiled at her, "Tarriff's not the sharpest knife in the drawer. So the bluff should last quite a while, and during that time I'll keep my guard up, because he's like a wasp coming out of the hive after someone pokes it. He knows he's limited. And as long as he's on that leash, i'm OK with it. I know where I stand with him."

(And I make three.. g'night all!)

(Well, we do have phone booths, if not touch-tone. I mean, Superman's gotta have somewhere to change while he's in town. :P)
OOC: What, Jeff has a disguise?

Oh, and welcome back Yarrum. I wonder if it's coincidence you came back less than four days after I asked where you were... *hides a voodoo doll behind his back*

I figure hell wasn't ready for me yet, they hadn't soundproofed the rubber room they wanted to put me in.
OOC: Rubber doesn't stand up well to fire...

OOC: As demonstrated by Dante in his work The Divine Comedy not all hell is fire and brimstone...

CANTO XXXIII

line 22 At this I turned and saw in front of me, beneath my feet, a lake that, frozen fast, had lost the look of water and seemed glass....

line 31 So livid in the ice, up to the place where shame can show itself, were those sad shades whose teeth were chattering with notes like storks.

Of course this is refering to the ninth circle of hell...where traitors lay frozen in the ice.

:wink:

OOC: So now I have to stop saying "when hell freezes over"?

Next you'll be telling me that the cows booked a flying pig to come home.

OOC: :roll: That is a direct quote from Dante Alighieri's Inferno, first book of the Divine Comedy. I did not make it us as you just implied...If you don't beleive me go get a copy. I even gave you the line reference from my text!

Now, does the peanut gallery have any more bright quirps for those of us on stage? Oh, self appointed Rp critic...

OOC: Oh, I believe you that it's a direct quote from his book. I'm just saying that the book is wrong. I assume that I do not need to tell you, that the Divine Comedy was written over a millenium after the first mention of hell. And that he definitely didn't visit the place personally.

OOC: *makes a voodoo doll of the forum and sticks pins in it*

OOC: *condemns the forum to hell... nevermind which circle, square, or triangle*

"Yeah he is," Katherine said to Christin, "It is quite strange, but you get used to it after a while. It comes with the territory, since he's more machine than man now"
(He's Darth Vader!)

It is difficult to trot and still look dignified, but Yarrum II made a commendable attempt of it. His neatly brushed dark hair, his ceremonial gray suit, and his new hook, shining cheerfully, gave him an odd but formal appearance.

Taking a quick breath to calm himslef, he began.

"Hello Kathrine. Your Highnesses."

He saw Sir Meow, and seemed a bit put off for a split instant.
'If I can handle a Hell Bovinian,' he thought, 'A tiger should be easy.'

(He's Darth Vader!)

(Well, ya know once he gets done with Antony he might be ;) )

It is difficult to trot and still look dignified, but Yarrum II made a commendable attempt of it. His neatly brushed dark hair, his ceremonial gray suit, and his new hook, shining cheerfully, gave him an odd but formal appearance.

Taking a quick breath to calm himslef, he began.

"Hello Kathrine. Your Highnesses."

He saw Sir Meow, and seemed a bit put off for a split instant.
'If I can handle a Hell Bovinian,' he thought, 'A tiger should be easy.'

Katherine smiled at Yarrum as he walked up, "Hello Mr. Yarrum," she smiled "How are you this evening?"

(You can decide if this is while Jeff's in the room with Tarriff or afterwards)

Ann smiled at the newcommer, and Sir Meow just eyed him...

OOC: Getting back to the rest of the story...

"Well Jeff, other than making Tarrif spend a small fortune of foriegn proctologists, is there anything else on the itenerary for this evening?" She asks somewhat polietly...

Sir Meow appears to be intrested in something, or some smell.

(Ah, what happened to the tag lines under our name, I like Larkina's WTF Just stop posting now

(LOL, I was just looking at that ;) )

"Well, I felt I should do my part to contribute to the economy of Iansisle. And what better way than to help those who... um.. cover our asses so to speak?" He replied.

Katherine groaned, "You didn't just go there..."

"As for the party, I wish I knew. It was a surprise to me. But if Sir Meow gets bored, I know the kids are in the nursery here," Jeff said.

Ann looked down at Sir Meow. "You know he never really does well in even semi-formal occasions. God...that's how I..we wound up back in Iansisle. Meow and the buffet table..."
She shakes her head as she see's a man's head fall from his body in her memory.
"Maybe we should let him play with the kids...he really doesn't care for the complications of us human adults."

Meow just looks up with an attempt at puppy eyes, being that he is a Klatchian Tiger and has a red eye the effect is not attained. It more looks like a demon asking permission to go eat some poor lesser creature.

[hijack]Lark, there is someone ( :wink: ) who wants to meet Takeo and the other dude you sent to Cambodia in teh thread...[/hijack

Jeff and Katherine kinda bought Sir Meow's act. As much as they could.

"Well he did take good care of them before," Katherine said.

"Cool," Jeff said, "I'm sure Quinton would be able to direct him there."

((Just a random thought...where are the kids? :shock: ))

James wasn't too pleased to hear his country seemingly referenced as a punishement post. Even if that wasn't quite what Ann had meant, he'd already taken something of a dislike to her, and was willing to hear what he wished.

"It has been a while, Mr. Yarrum," he said with a small smile, extending a hand.

"It's a pleasure to see you again," added Christin with only the slightest indications of discomfort, before extending her hand to him.

(I think they're in Dun Adien, cause Elizabeth and John were going to take them there while Jeff went to the hospital.)

((Ah, Elizabeth room somewhere in Cathedral was the last place I saw refrenced...))

Ann of course was proving to be a poor diplomat. However as people introduced themselves she remarked, "Your Majesty, your family's acheivements in stone are quite striking here at Dun Adien. Quite lovely, not the harsh effect that Bar Castle on Herzog Island acheives."

edit: Drops walrus on double post...

(oh, ok! Just making sure we didn't leave 'em at RSU by mistake ;))

"Thank you," said James. He certainly have been colder, like when he spoke to Hoot, but his voice wasn't particuarly friendly.

Christin recognized the tone at once. "Why don't you take Sir Meow over to the nursery, James?" she asked quickly. "I'm sure you have a few neices and nephews who'd love to see him."

"I.." started James, but he recognized the look in Christin's eyes as quickly as she'd nailed his tone. "Yeah, of course." He grinned at his other guests. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be right back. This way...Sir Meow." James still felt rather stupid saying that.

John

Same John that is being held by a Cambodian terrorist group?

John

Same John that is being held by a Cambodian terrorist group?

(I think this is beforehand in the timeline, one of those wonderful 'Time Warp' effects...)

(I think this is beforehand in the timeline, one of those wonderful 'Time Warp' effects...)

(*points out the window at all the pretty busts*

ooh! aah! ;))

Sir Meow looked at Ann, then back at the King and followed him. Of course Meow seemed to have something on his mind, in reality he was looking for 'book place'. He could tell that the King didn't like Ann.


**
Ann was a bit taken aback at the the Queen ordering the King about on an errand...but then she had never been married, or present with Royalty except for three formal occasions.

"You know, I never could figure out why Meow likes children so much. I say it's their innocence. But there is so much I never have or will know about him. And of course he can't tell me."

James smiled as Sir Meow fell in to step right along with him. "You may be the smartest tiger I've ever encountered," he said sincerely, leading Sir Meow down one hall after another.

It would have been quicker to cut through King Brian's Study, but somehow James thought his companion wouldn't appreciate what that room used as a rug.

---

"He really is adorable," said Christin, watching James retreat with a silent sigh of relief, "in sort of a tiger-like way."

(Probably not a good idea to take Meow there ;) )

Jeff smiled at Ann, "It's too bad you two can't communicate. It'd be interesting to get his view on things, I'll bet there's somethings he'd like us to get right."

Katherine leaned over to Christin, "Are you talking about the tiger or James?"

Ann looked at Jeff..."Ah, trust me...you never want to hear even the purr of a full grown Klatchian Tiger...it's well demonic..."

Ann laughed at the adorable tiger joke, "you should have seen when I first met him, years ago. He was much more 'cute' then as a partially grown tiger cub." Ann became wistful..."with a heart of gold...."

She became somewhat terry eyed..."Ah where is the powder room?"

"Both, I think," replied Christin with a grin.

"Right back th..." she started to direct Ann, then thought better of it. "Down that hall," she said, pointing a different direction. "Third door on the left."

(Do we need to guess what kind of a stuffed head is in the lav? ;) )

"Come on, I'll show you the way," Katherine says, walking with Ann.

Ann nodded and hurried to the powderroom. She closed the door behind her and leand over the sink. Talking to no one in-particular she just said..."Damn it, I think of poor Meow completely torn away from what he should be...and then he saves my poor a**. F***, get it together girl."

She decides a touch-up on the mascera is in order. She opens her small handbag,...well not that small...and drops the contents out on the counter. between most of the items is a small, wrapped gift.

The red paper has no markings but a wax seal with a Griffen over a sword on it. She knows it's from the Marines, but what. Deciding to find out what she had on herself, she openend the package. She pulled out the item and stared at it in the mirror.

A Dillinger Pistol?...the tag says...go bag that A**hole. Well there is a vote of confidence. What the hell am I going to do with this, hold up a kids lemonade stand...

Ann returns a few minutes later all smiles.

***
Sir Meow just looks around the place with the decerining eye of a creature that doesn't really care about possessions.

At last, after going the long way round, James and Sir Meow entered into the nursery, where they found Elizabeth busy reading to the children.

Not, of course, that she held their attention for one second after the tiger walked in.

Meow seemed to almost spring into the room. His eyes bright, well...you know for a tiger. He singled out Conner for a nuzzle and turned towards looking at Elizabeth. Realizing that he was interupting something he sat down at attention, focusing attention...or at least trying bring it to back to Elizabeth and her book.

Conner and the twins run over to Sir Meow. Conner reaches him and gives him a kiss on the nose.

"Meow Meow!!" he said while the others started to pet the tiger.

Ashley tried to hold herself with a little more dignity, but the effort filled her to bursting at the seams. After a couple seconds of internal struggle between instinct and manners, she joined the general rush for Meow.

Elizabeth, meanwhile, closed the book with her forefinger marking the page and smiled at the children. As long as they were happy - and not being eaten - she was happy.

Meow ate the attention up, he seemed to revel in the company of these children. His small gold tag actually blinked a few times from within his fur where it normally lay buried.

Meow was looking about the room for something 'constructive' to do...like a ball or some other toy that was robust enough for a large kitty to use in entertaining the 'crowd.'

In reality Klatchian Tiger cubs were raised by the males. This behavior had been noted by a group of scientists and biologists working in the Eastern wilds of the Klatch. Unfortunatly, they had become Orc food on the same trip. Which might explain why Meow was happy with children, they were a fairly nice substitute for having his own cubs.

"It's been too long, Lizzie," smiled James, sitting down next to his sister and embracing her briefly.

"I know," she sighed wistfully. "The Assembly's been keeping poor John so busy -"

"Where is John?" asked James, glancing about.

"Out," Elizabeth said, with a touch of bitterness that surprised James. It wasn't directed so much at her husband as the world in general. "Quinton was in a couple minutes ago; they're having some sort of 'crisis' up in Noropia."

"Nothing too serious?" asked James, a hint of concern in his voice.

"I'm sure not," replied Elizabeth with a small shrug. On an interesting side note, the shrugging of the shoulders is actually not a gesture native to the Great Shield. It originated (in Tilsitia, at least) instead with the Noropians, but had proven so infectious that it soon spread to every part of the Iansislean world. "They really never are." She left the 'but he always has to take care of them himself,' unsaid.

((I'll leave the kids up to Lark; he's much better with that sort of thing than I am.))

Ann looked around at the rest of the guests and made a suggestion. "You know...maybe we should get ourselves...drinks..."

(OOC: hmm, well I hope your not refering to the pirate thread with that Noropian comment. Considering the victim is at a party... :shock:))

(Let's just leave Meow with the kids...keep them 'all' out of the adult's hair.)

((no, no ;). This is [x] years after that, don't worry!

John is the Duke of Chateau and the First Lord of the Noropian Assembly (or something like that...I forget the actual title and am too tired to look it up right now - things crop up for him to deal with.

One thing I have been thinking about recently is tsunamis. I'd never really thought about them before, but with all the seismic activity in nearby Japan, Iansisle has to receive one on its west coast every now and then. Ugh, I'll think about it more when I'm awake.)

Ann looked around at the rest of the guests and made a suggestion. "You know...maybe we should get ourselves...drinks..."

"That sounds like a great idea," said Christin, making a hand gesture towards the Honeycomb (which, mercifully, was free of previous generations' hunting trophies) and leading the way.

(afraid that's all I got...I'm so out of steam that I could...I dunno, eat a horse. Or sleep in my buttered bread. Or something.)

((OOC: Somehow everyone is dancing around Ann about hunting trophies. The huge gap between Gallagan and Klatchian Tigers is sort of the diffrence between a wolf hound and a wolf...))

IC: Ann looked at the honeycomb with increased intrest. It seemed very much at odds with the outside of the fortress. (I'm assuming that the room is decorated like 17th century islamic cealings...who's name I can't recall...))

"Drinks sound like a wonderful idea to me," Jeff said as they walked.

"Oh no they don't" Niven said. "You're on painkillers, boyo. No alcohol for you. Doctors orders, or I'm sticking my finger in that bullethole to remind you."

Jeff cleared his throat and winced, "Ummm, Weathers I'll have a glass of water and a glass of wine for Katherine."

(I'm a bit confused how this thread and the election thread mesh together time wise))

(Also good night...the screen is dancing a provocative dance...)

(this thread'll predate the election thread by about 6 months or so. Javin mentioned here that they were getting ready for the upcoming elections, like back on pg. 18 I think)

(Edit: And G'Night guys!)

(Ah, what happened to the tag lines under our name, I like Larkina's WTF Just stop posting now
OOC: It's an April Fool's joke. I think.

OOC: Thanks, your plotting that thread in this one threw me for a moment. Throws a nice fluffy white baby seal at Milostein...play with that for a bit will ya? On a more serious note, I'll likely be off line until Sunday, going down to da Bayou...))

Ann turned and ordered.."Burbon, neat please."

(Sorry about that A&H, Iansisle and I have the tendancy to plot out threads across a good... two or three at a time ;) Have a good weekend!)

Katherine smiled at Yarrum as he walked up, "Hello Mr. Yarrum," she smiled "How are you this evening?"

"Why hello Katherine," Yarrum almost looked like a chesire cat. "I am well. And you?"

Ann smiled at the newcommer, and Sir Meow just eyed him... Yarrum turned to Ann. "I don't believe we've been introduced, Miss," he showed her the same smile while trying not to notice Sir Meow.

"It has been a while, Mr. Yarrum," he said with a small smile, extending a hand.

"It's a pleasure to see you again," added Christin with only the slightest indications of discomfort, before extending her hand to him."It has been awhile. Too long, I think. And the pleasure is all mine, as they say." he shook their hands politely and amiably.

"Oh, Jeff!" Yarrum suddenly noticed him approach. "I almost didn't recognize you without... I mean, with the... it's just nice to see you," he almost gushed.

He searched the room casually before his brain registered what had just been suggested by Ann. "Drinks sound like a capital idea. What would go down nicely at a time like this..." he wondered to himself.

The Honeycomb was difficult to cast into a definite architectural category. There were no painting on the walls, floor or ceiling. Instead, the entire room was done in a honeycomb patter, protruding three or four inches, and sheeted in gold plating. The Honeycomb was the addition of High King Alexander, who had also ordered the library added off the Great Hall. Alexander was the son of Ian III and the brother of the first Toto, the second-to-last of the great despots before the reforms of James the Great.

Alexander, for all his magnificent additions to Dun Adien, would never be remembered as one of Iansisle’s most prolific monarchs. Hardly a year after taking the throne, and before any of his construction projects could be completed, Alexander fell off the North Ramparts, two hundred feet into Troobodia Bay. A polite debate still rages on whether he lost his balance or whether the liberal and rumored to be homosexual High King had a pushing hand behind him.

Whatever the facts behind the mysterious circumstances, Alexander’s younger brother succeeded him to the throne. Toto continued his father’s programs of aggressive imperial expansion; several of the key additions both in the modern-day Commonwealth and the Gallagan empire were his legacy. Toto also fought the first great Effitian war, hosted the first Calarcan and Walmingtonian diplomats, and nearly doubled the size of the Royal Iansislean Navy. However, Toto proved to be, if not cruel, certainly tyrannical. Several peasant revolts were his rewards; as the High King aged, his tolerance for such activities quickly grew less.

Toto sent his only son, James, away to study in Paris, where the Crown Prince...(holy crap...did you know it took me this long to realize I wasn’t writing about anything even remotely related to the subject anymore?)...

“Just water for me, too,” Christin requested after a moment of thought.

“Of course,” said Weathers after the last drink order had been filed. “I’ll be back in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”

(LOL, no worries I-man! It's always interesting to read about Iansislian History.. now if I could just major in it.. ;) )

Katherine smiled at Yarrum, "We're doing all right. You should see the children when you get a chance, they're growing so fast now."

Jeff grinned at Yarrum, "it's great to see you were able to... tear yourself away from that important work you were on top of to come to the castle. It's nice to see you too!"

Katherine smiled at Yarrum, "We're doing all right. You should see the children when you get a chance, they're growing so fast now."
"Oh, yeah," Yarrum broke eye contact. "Just love kids."

Jeff grinned at Yarrum, "it's great to see you were able to... tear yourself away from that important work you were on top of to come to the castle. It's nice to see you too!"
"Well, I was planning a romantic evening with Sara," Yarrum's cheeks were tinted pink, "... a night at the pizza joint where we first met... but when I let it slip that you were on the other line, I think she actually fainted from embarrassment. She should be okay by tomorrow."

"Jeff does tend to have that effect on people," put in Christin, wondering if she could beat out both Kate and Chris.

Back in the nursery, John ambled back in, an apologetic grin on his face. He flopped himself down next to Elizabeth and kissed her gently on the cheek with an embarrassed giggle for his reward.

“Please, John! The kids are right here!” she whispered, but her tone was anything but one of rebuke.

“And that means I can’t love little Lizzie?” he asked, the huge grin on his face contradicting his seemingly hurt voice. Elizabeth kissed him back.

“I just can’t imagine what Turnishire or Dawes would say if the knew you were raising a new Duchess of Chateau quite as scandalous as the pair of us.”

“Scandalous?” joked John. “Perhaps you, m’dear, but I’ll have you know that I am the most perfect incarnation of the chaste gentleman to hit Chateau since...since...”

“Sliced bread?” suggested Elizabeth.

“Yeah, that,” he agreed, before glancing over at James. “Howdy, Your Majesty. Didn’t see you sitting there. How’d things go at RSU?”

“Just fine, Chateau,” replied James, the left side of his mouth cocking in a half-smile. John made a face.

“Aw, come on, you know I hate being called by my title.” John looked slightly embarassed.

“But John’s so hard to remember!” laughed Elizabeth.

“And you know I hate being called ‘your Majesty’ by family members,” replied James with the same smile. “‘James’ is more than enough of a mouthful.”

“Then it’s a deal, James,” said John, all but sticking his tongue out. “Unless you’d prefer some of the pet names I’ve heard Her Majesty use?” James blushed a deep crimson.

“Uh, no that’s, ah, quite all right, thank you!”

“Really?” asked Elizabeth, looking curiously at her husband. “How scandalous are they?”

“Let’s just say there’s a couple that would make old man Dawes turn SO red, his grandmother would need sunblock!” Elizabeth laughed; James scratched the back of his neck and stood up.

“I’d better get back.”

“Aw, don’t let me scare you off,” said John, standing up too. “I promise - I’ll keep the lewdness to a minimum.”

“As delightful a surprise as that would be, I really do have to be going.” James made a face. “State occasion. You’re both more than welcome to come, if you’d like.”

“I feel for you, man,” replied John, “and thanks all the same, but I think I’ll stay here with Lizzie. Unless you’re willing to relinquish any bit of authority to the people Uncle James pays so much to keep here and look after the children?”

“Not on your life!” replied Elizabeth. “And especially not with a live tiger in the room. Besides, all three of us know you’ll find some other excuse to stay out of the diplomat’s grasp!”

“I’m not nearly as devious as you seem to give me credit for, honey,” grinned John, before going over to Sir Meow and the kids while James and Elizabeth said their farewells. “Have I ever told you guys about the time I was raised by a real, live tiger?”

“You were not,” laughed Ashley, all while still managing to broadcast that she was quite willing to listen to the story regardless.

“You think I’d make up something like that, princess?” replied John. “Now, let’s see - I couldn’t have been much older than you were now...”

James smiled down at the proud father before turning to make his way back to the Honeycomb. He was just outside when Quinton entered and cleared his throat.

“So there I was, all alone in the wilds of Gallaga, and only seven years old...” John was saying.

“I thought you grew up on a steam-paddler in Gadsan,” challenged Ashley.

“Well, this was just after that, Ash,” said John. “And remember, it’s not polite to interrupt your father.”

“Or mother,” put in Elizabeth.

Quinton cleared his throat again. “Your Grace?”

John made a face and looked up. “Yeah?”

“The Director of Weather Services on the line again, sir. He says its most urgent.”

“Oh, jeez,” sighed John. “Can I take a raincheck on this story, gang?”

(LOL, no worries I-man! It's always interesting to read about Iansislian History.. now if I could just major in it.. ;) )

(You mean they don't offer it at your school? Why, you ought to write the dean! That's an outrage - it's standard out here :P.

Seriously though, if my off-topic rambling ever gets too much, just let me know. A good smack upside the back of the head ought to do it ;))