NationStates Jolt Archive

One of the guards dialed up Jeff's internal cell phone, "Sir we're under attack!"

The next thing anyone heard was Katherine's scream.

Jeff had just picked up his internal cell and heard this resonating through his ears.

Oh shi... Kattie!

He dropped the briefcase and was out of the door before it hit the ground. Sprinting across the yard to the garage, he knew he had to get there fast, and ready for whatever was there.

The door to the garage flew open, creaking as the hinges strained against the force as Jeff bulled into the garage. He grabbed a pair of keys off of the rack and sprinted to the first car he saw...

-----

Moments later, the garage door was raising up to the sound of a V-12 screaming to life. A second after the door cleared the car's height, a royal blue Ferrari roared out of the garage. Not taking the time to stop, Jeff spun the wheel and the car slid around in a controlled skid before kicking the pebbles back up and flying down the road (hitting fourth gear before passing the gate).

-----

Antony looked at the flipped limo and started to pick up another pistol. Just one more thing to do before leaving Iansisle...

"Come on!" Dariana said, keeping him in the Humvee as she noticed the people's voices in the distance.

"Yeah, you're right."

The Humvee pulled away before the group arrived, and was gone just as a blue speedster pulled into the distance.

OOC: I knew I gave Jeff the Modena for a good reason....

The crowd of people had just enough time to get themselves in the way before Jeff jumped out of his car. They milled about in a generally disorganized mass.

The car slid and screetched to a stop, Jeff was out of the car before it had come to a stop.

"Oh God! Kattie come on," he said sprinting over to the limo. He knelt down and looked in, he saw Katherine bleeding and lying unconscious. He tried to reach in and feel for a pulse, but he just couldn't get to her.

"Watch out kid," he said quickly to Billy. "What happened??" he asked as he climbed on top of the side door.

He reached down and gripped around the broken window. He grunted as he pulled, the door frame groaned under the stress until the hinges shattered. He threw the door to the side and jumped in the car.

Looking down at Katherine, seeing the blood and the bullet pock-marks it was all he could do to keep from crying. He felt the other two guards for a pulse and checked the driver, nothing.

He picked her up in his arms and started to crawl back up out of the car's door and lowered her to the ground.

Katherine lay in Jeff's arms as he looked at her, he cradled her against him, "It's all right... you can't die on me..." he whispered.

He carried her back to the Ferrari, throwing open the passenger door he laid her back in the seat as far as he could. "Sorry to be so abrupt, but would everyone get out of the way?"

He sat back in the driver's seat and touched her cheek gently, "I'm gonna kill them...."

The Ferrari punched away from the scene, engine straining under the pressure Jeff was putting it under as it flew on the roadway.

Jeff dialed a number in his head quickly, the medical center at RSU, letting them know he was coming and to have the streets cleared...

Did the Duke of Williams just address me? thought Billy, his entire body glowing with pride at the honor. Naturally, his response wasn't too coherent; in fact, "Shooting - crash - tires - big car" probably wasn't going to win any investigative journalism awards.

Back at the RSU medical center, people weren't quite sure what to make of the call. Fortunately, the few Celebornian technical assistants on staff were able to organize the site into a decent trama center. However, the police proved woefully incapable of actually clearing traffic; the best Jeff got were the few traffic cops who could be alerted in time stopped cross-street traffic as the blue ferrari blasted through intersections.

"A big car?" Jeff asked as he closed the passenger door. "Big like this?" he pointed to the Ferrari, 'Or like that?" he pointed to the limo SUV.

-----

The Ferrari shot through the streets, Jeff kicked in his visual enhancements, keeping track of as much traffic and pedestrians as possible. Last thing he needed was to his someone else getting killed on his account.

A blue streak rocketed onto campus, cutting across the vacant rugby practice pitches to the hospital. The car screamed to a halt at the medical center and Jeff jumped out, slid across the car and got Katherine out of the passenger seat, carrying her into the hospital.

"Big like this," said Billy, holding his hand flat way over his head.

----

A stretcher was waiting for Jeff and Kate just outside the RSU medical center. (And, as usual, I'll defer to Lark on the medical stuff...since he actually knows what he's talking about ;))

"Gotcha. Thanks kid, I owe ya one," Jeff said, ruffling his hair a little while trying to not look too worried.

-----

The medics wheeled Katherine into the emergency room, which Jeff in tow. The Celebornian medics tried to convince Jeff to stay in the waiting area, but he wasn't going to hear any of if, pacing back and forth in the room as they worked on Katherine.

An couple of hours later they walked out with Jeff, "She's in a coma right now. Her internal injuries are serious, looks like her spleen and liver were damaged, and a kidney might not be salvagable. Most of the head injuries are superficial, but there's one spot that we're concerned about."

"What are we going to do next?" Jeff asked.

"We are going to take her to get a CAT Scan, you are going to wait out here until we tell you further," one medic said.

"No way," Jeff said. "I'm going with you."

"Don't make us sedate you," the medic said.

At Shadoran Airfield

Having ditched and burned the Humvee, Dariana and Antony found their way back to the airport, just in time to catch their flight to Kindred Masquerade.

"Mmmmm," she said kissing him, "This was such a wonderful vacation hon. Let's come here again when we get the time."

"Absolutely," he smiled, handing the tickets to the flight attendant. "We'll get to stay longer next time."

The flight attendant directed the two to first-class, where they sat as the plane began to pull away.

-----

In the air, leaving Iansislian Airspace

"I forgot!" Antony whispered to Dariana, "One loose thread to tie up."

He reached inside his jacket and pressed another button on the PDA.

-----

At Shadoran Airfield

The chartered jet was sitting in the hanger, the crew was looking at the cargo hold and stumbled along one bag that had been left behind.

"Lookit this," the pilot said. "Well, if they ain't coming back, then I reckon we can take what's in here."

He reached to open the bag just as the signal from the PDA reached it.

The fireball engulfed the crew and the plane, firecrews rushed over to stop the blaze from spreading.

Billy just about fainted with joy. The rest of the Iansisleans raised a 'hooray!' for the Duke and Duchess of Williams as they sped off, before wondering if there was anyone else still trapped in the limo.

(*crys a single tear for Katherine* :()

(ya know, Jeff's gonna be at the hospital a while.. :P )

The CAT Scan finally ended, and Katherine was wheeled into an intensive care room, where Jeff had been waiting for her.

"Sweetheart," Jeff whispered kissing her hands, "Come on. You can't die on me, I love you."

"She can't hear you, Your Grace," the nurse said, "She's still in a coma."

Jeff didn't seem to hear the nurse, sitting down in the seat next to Katherine's bed, holding one of her hands in his while he stroked her hair. "It'll be all right," Jeff told her, "I know it will."

The first night at the hospital, Jeff never left Katherine's room, never left her bedside unless necessary. Jeff sat at the bed, holding her hand, reciting her favorite stories he'd made sure to memorize, kissing her cheek.

Silently he was praying to whatever God was out there to bring his Kattie back to him.

She doesn't deserve this, god. She's so caring, sweet, wonderful.. she needs to be down here on Earth for a lot longer... Please, you can't take her away from me now. Not now, God, please. If you've gotta take someone, take me instead...

The cell implants had tried to ring through time and again, but Jeff had ignored them and sent them to the voice mail, when he'd be sure to check them when he started giving a damn again...

"Still no answer?" asked Christin, wrapping her hands around James from behind as he hung up the phone for the third time in five minutes.

"No." James' voice was low and husky; tragic events were always made so much the more tragic for a lack of information.

"Maybe you should just give up, love. We can grab a speedboat and be at RSU inside of thirty minutes. You know Jeff would want to see you."

"I -- I don't know," replied James with a shake of his head.

"What do you mean? Of course he would!"

"I was just thinking, Cris, of what I'd do if anything ever happened to you. I know I wouldn't want to see anyone, not even Jeff. I'd just want to hold your hand and pray for everything to be right." James was almost in tears on the last part.

"Calm down, dear. Nothing's going to happen to me and Kate's going to be just fine." Christin found herself stroking James' hair tenderly. "We should go over there, find out what's happening. If Jeff wants to see us so soon, he'll let the nurses know. If not, we can just wait there. O.k.?"

"All right," James agreed at last.

(And to throw in a wrinkle, cause yes I am an evil bastard :P and this fits in for the time frame after Jeff showed up at his funeral)

A knocking came from the door, and the doctor let himself in.

"E... Excuse me, your Grace?"

Jeff looked at the doctor angrily from behind tear-stained cheeks, "This'd better be good," he growled.

"Y.. Yes sir. Um..I have a question for you, about the Duchess. We just got our test results back from the duchess..."

He stopped as Jeff's glare got darker.

"I... umm.. sir, could you please tell me, how long has the Duchess been pregnant?"

Jeff's vision started to swirl, "what do you mean?"

"Well, our test results only reported that she was... " he looked at the file, "Less than a month pregnant."

(Antony did it! or her! or whatever :P!

This seems a rather appropriate time to bring it up; have I ever told you, by chance, that James has always had something of a crush on Katherine? (not that he'd ever get her pregnant, of course!))

James and Christin arrived at RSU. (sorry that's so short; I'm trying to do this, watch a movie, and type a story in another window; I promise they'll get better as my multi-tasks end ;))

(LOL, so James did it... er.. her.. in the bedroom.. with.. or without the protection! :P Actually, it's all good. I had to stop the post when Jeff and Kate were in Daezeman and were supposed to have triplets but lost one, so I don't think that'll happen here ;) )

Jeff was sitting on the bed 'reading' to Katherine when the nurses came into the room again.

"And then Mr. Toad said to Mole..." He looked up as they walked in. "Yes?" he asked.

"His Royal Majesty King James and the Queen are here, they want to know if you're up for seeing anyone?"

Jeff took a moment, "Yeah, I think we could use the company."

The nurses led James and Christin into the room, where they looked at Katherine's prone form. Someone had told them about Kate's condition, and they didn't want to upset Jeff by bringing it up again.

"Hey, Jeff," said James, a slight croak in the back of his voice. "How're you holding up?"

"I'm all right," Jeff said sadly while stroking Katherine's hair, "For a change, I'm the one who's all right. How're you two doing?"

James pulled up two chairs for himself and Cris, then sat down. "We're doing as well as we can," Christin answered for him as James couldn't think of anything to say. After that one comment, neither could she. They just sat and looked sadly at Kate with Jeff.

Jeff took Katherine's hand again, "Come on sweetheart, I know you can hear us.." he whispered. "You've got to come back to us," he got out before his voice started to crack.

After a few more minutes of silence, the incessant ringing started in Jeff's ears again. After a couple of redirects, he'd finally had enough. Whoever in the hell was calling was about to hear an earful. (Sorry Imi, this is a no-scan. ;) )

Who the f--- is this???

An old, but familiar voice rang up in Jeff's mind.

Mmmmmm, hello Jeffrey.

Dariana?

Of course it is, dearie. You expected anyone else? I see you got my message, did you appreciate my handiwork.

You bitch, you sick f---ing bitch. I'm going to kill you when I...

Ah ah ah, Jeffie. It wasn't just me I've got someone to talk with you...

I'll kill you, I'm going to kill you...

Another voice, sounding vaguely familiar, kinda like his, came on the line.

Good afternoon Jeffrey. How's the wife and kids?

Who... who is this?!?!?

It's me, your dear, beloved Antony.

Who?

Don't play games with me boy. You know....

Who in the f--- are you!!??

You really don't know, do you. Well, let me elucidate it for you. My name's Antony, Antony Williams. Sound familiar?

No.

Well let me expound on that. You and I are cut from the same cloth, the same side of the same coin. It is I, your long lost twin brother. No one ever told you did they? Not that bitch of a mother?? No one?

Jeff was silent, he didn't know what to think, he didn't notice that his grip had tightened around the steel arm of the bed, bending it.

Well Jeffie, we'll be in touch. You might want to keep an eye on those wonderful children of yours, you never know where I'll be. Except for now, I'll be where the grass is green, and the girls are pretty. Take that to bed with you tonight. Ta ta...

*click*

"Jeff?" said Christin about halfway through the phone conversation. His face had taken on a frightening expression. "Are you all right?" She sounded worried.

"Not yet," he said quietly, closing his eyes as a tear ran down his cheek, "That was the... partywho said they were responsible for this. They just wanted me to know they were out there. And someone claiming to be 'my dear beloved... Antony or Anthony or Cleopatra' or something.. said he was my brother...

"Just someone trying to f--- with me..."

"It was!?" said James fiercely before Jeff could finish. "With God as my witness, I'll hunt them from one end of the Shield to the other - I'll see their heads on pikes along Empire Street - I'll..." Christin put a hand on his arm to calm him down.

"An...Antony?" they both asked at the end, looking at one another in shock.

Jeff looked at James and Christin's expressions in turn.

"What? What do you two know? Please, for the love of god, tell me."

"I really.." started James.

"Well, it's really..." tried Christin.

Neither's efforts seemed terribly convincing. Jeff's expression made it clear that anything less than the truth, the whole truth, wouldn't be accepted.

"Back in Celeborne, when we were on vacation," said James slowly, "Dr Niven came across a secret file of some sort. It indicated that you have a twin brother - named Antony." He seemed terribly uncomforable.

The shock of James' statement hit Jeff like a sledgehammer. He sat back in the chair next to Katherine.

"That... nice," he said putting his head in his hands a moment. "What else did this file have to say?"

"Um." James had put much of the file's contents out of mind. "Well, there was a history of some things this Antony's done and...Jeff, you were in a bad way then. You didn't need more bad news."

"I remember," Jeff whispered. "What did it say about Antony's history?"

"That he's a psychopath," whispered James.

"I understand," Jeff said. Looking up at Katherine's bruised face, he wrapped his arms around his chest like he was suddenly cold and a sob convulsed out of him.

James looked over at Christin, his mouth flapping open. He wanted to say something - anything! - to make Jeff feel better, but nothing came to mind. Nothing could come to mind.

"The children are next," Jeff said with a broken voice, head finally resting on the bed, next to Katherine's, "He said to keep a close eye on them, cause I never know where he'll be."

"Where are the children?!" cried James, jumping up from his chair. It was clear he intended to rush off in whatever direction Jeff indicated and protect the kids by any mean he could.

"They're with dad in Celeborne," he replied, "he was going to take them for a week and give Kattie and I a 'romantic week' together."

"Oh, thank God," whispered James. "There's no way in hell, heaven, or Earth he'll be able to get at them once we let Dad know what's going on."

"Yeah," Jeff said standing up slowly, wobbling, like a marionette with the strings cut, "We should let him know what's going on."

Antony's voice still rang out in Jeff's head...

I'll be where the grass is green, and the girls are pretty. Take that to bed with you tonight...

It took him a moment to place the lyrics...

Take me down
To the paradise city
Where the grass is green
And the girls are pretty
Take me home

Home.... That bitch of a mother ... Golden Agate?

Paradise City.. Lyone had a Pleasure Paradise section of town... He was familiar with it..

"I'll call him right now," said Christin, getting up to find a telephone.

"What're you thinking about, Jeff?" asked James.

"Thanks Cris," Jeff said with a small smile.

He turned to James, "It doesn't matter what any file says, or any blood test... You're the only brother I've ever had, will have or ever wanted."

Jeff straightened himself up and took a deep breath, "Antony said something at the end of his call, it took me a minute to remember the lyrics, but I think I know where he's going to be."

James smiled. "Thanks, Jeff. That really means a lot to me." He was about to return the comment, but thoughts of Brian made him close his mouth again.

"You do? Great! Let's nail the son-of-a-bitch!" Then James thought about it. "Uh, no offense intended, of course!"

((heh, sorry. The mood was getting a little too heavy ;)))

(no kidding, that's just what the mood needed. ;) that and an authentic Celebornian Niven rant at what happened :P )

"None taken," Jeff said with a small smile, "I think he'll be in one of two places, either in Golden Agate, or in Lyone, depending. I could be totally wrong too..."

He looked down at Katherine, "Let's hope to god I'm not."

(and I think I'm out for the night, catch ya later! :) )

"I'll get in contact with President Kat-- Davis as soon as I can," said James definately. "And I'll do it myself; that was Inswick and those other asses can't mess it up. Then we can get in a Bankfield and be in Larkinia in no time flat!"

He tapped a finger on his chin. "I wonder if Dad still has that file."

((Gotcha; night, dude! I am going to finish this post for WoS' Empire Day, even if it takes me all night! ;)))

This seems a rather appropriate time to bring it up; have I ever told you, by chance, that James has always had something of a crush on Katherine?
OOC: Well, he called her the second most beautiful woman in the world, in 4B. Does that count?

Tag...

Jeff nodded, "Yeah. Although I think I can line up one of dad's transports. and I have to go back to the house to get some... things."

Jeff slipped his hand into Katherine's, "I don't know if I should go though..."

(Read-only tag. Note to Larkinian mothers: only have one son, the second brother is always a doozy!)

(LOL, you aren't kidding! I haven't forgotten the other thread, I'm working on the peace picnic response now, I just wanted to split the two lines up)

Jeff nodded, "Yeah. Although I think I can line up one of dad's transports. and I have to go back to the house to get some... things."

Jeff slipped his hand into Katherine's, "I don't know if I should go though..."

James scratched his chin. "How're the medical facilities on a Celeborne transport? Maybe we could take her with us - she'd be better treated for and protected in Celeborne."

That fact, as always, was painful, but one that simply couldn't be denied.

"The facilities are all right, I've got some experience on one, as you can guess," he said still looking down at her.

Jeff shook his head, "I'm not going to Celeborne," he said quietly. As he looked up the rage flickered in his eyes, "I'm going to kill that bastard."

(that's actually my bad..had a brain fart. ;))

"Right," whispered James. "Well, we still ought to see Katherine safe to Celeborne, at least." Maybe Dad could talk some sense into him.

"Jeff, I'm all for nailing this bastard - no offense intended, of course - too, but we can leave that to the people who are paid to do it: the Larkinian special forces and police."

"Yeah, dad can take care of Katherine," Jeff said, caressing her face again, "I'm so sorry sweetheart," he said to her, "I'm sorry about everything... every adventure I've ever been on," He kissed her hands, "I need you back," he said.

Jeff looked up at the rest of James' statement, "Yeah, I'm sure they can take care of that..."

"We'll get her back, Jeff," said James, laying a hand on Jeff's shoulder. "But we need to make sure that, when she comes back, she'll have you."

(Meanwhile, Niven would be mortified at what happened once Christin told him and would have the transfer orders to the doctor and his personal transport on the way... and preparing half of the Celebornian Army to go to war.. ;) )

"I know," he said, putting his hand on James' reassuringly, "Maybe it would have been better to die all those years ago. She wouldn't be in a coma now."

He's doing that self-loathing thing again, thought James. Now I've just got to talk him out of it...but not so well that he goes charging off into Larkinia's underground

"Jeff, this isn't your fault." What that lacks in eloquence, hopefully I've made up for in directness.

Christin walked back in. "Dad's sending his personal transport for Kate. He got the transfer papers signed and faxed -" she ignored James' confused look "- and she'll be transfered to Celeborne's most advanced medical center."

James didn't know much about Kate's current condition, but he did 'know' that Celebornian technology could fix anything.

Jeff nodded and tried to smile, "Thanks Cris," he said. "I'm sure dad was just as incensed at what happened."

Jeff had things already worked out, he'd see Kate was all right in Celeborne, stop by and check on the children, then rip this psychopath apart limb-by-limb.. what did Nietsche say?

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he doesn't become a monster... I'm gonna make that bastard look like a choir boy by the time I'm done..

"'Incensed'...that's a rather mild way of putting it," said Christin, shaking her head. She handed Jeff a small pile of papers. "The doctors here need you to sign these transfer documents, though."

"It'll sure be good to be able to see the kids," said James, trying to make sure Jeff wasn't planning on going any farther than Celeborne. "I'll bet they're really missing their daddy."

"They probably haven't been able to take their eyes off of the video games in Celeborne, and Conner is still telling dad the story of getting to ride on Sir Meow," Jeff smiled softly as he signed the transfer orders.

Jeff put the documents down as the children's faces flashed through his mind, "She's gotta pull through.. she's got to. The doctor told me just before you got here, she's pregnant again."

-----

The transport ripped through the skies over Ianapalis, requesting clearance to land just before hitting the landing pad.

Niven looked out over the lights of Ianapalis sadly, he'd patched up Jeff so many times, he never thought anyone would have the gall to hurt Katherine.

"I knew I should have killed him..."

"Another kid?" asked James. "That's ..." He wanted to say it was great news, which it was, but if the baby didn't make it through Kate's coma... "That's ..." He still couldn't find a word appropriate to the situation.

---

The entire population of Iansisle couldn't've stood between Niven and Kate, if they had even wanted to.

(I think I'm off to bed man...I'll see you tomorrow!)

Jeff nodded and was about to say something when the doors flew open. After a second of registering who it was and how fast it would take Jeff to kill them, he saw Niven charging into the room.

"Oh my God!" Niven said, looking at Katherine before directing the medics, "Come on people, let's get her on the transport."

He turned to look at Jeff, "are you all right? What happened?" he asked putting his arms around Jeff and James.

Jeff tried to explain what little he knew of the accident and relayed the phone call he'd received. Niven nodded as the group walked up to the landing pad and got on the transport.

"Well, thank god you called me!" Niven said as he put Katherine on the small medical bed in the transport, "Take us to my estate in Celeborne," he told the pilot. I've got a bit of work to do here...

As the transport took off, Jeff made a quick call of his own.

Williams Residence...

Jeeves.

Yes Master Jeffrey?

Why aren't you gone yet?

It would be out of place for me to just leave. Besides, I can't take any of your vehicles to leave. I was told to expect a transport to meet you at Master Niven's estate.

Before you leave Jeeves, I need you to bring my black ballistic bag, in the back of the vault.

Are you sure about that Master Jeffrey?

Yes I am Jeeves.

Very good sir.

"Maybe it would have been better to die all those years ago. She wouldn't be in a coma now."
OOC: No, she would have been killed by Imitoran bombings.

OOC: Oh yeah, good point.

OOC: Technically, she should have died in the bombings regardless considering everyone of Deazemani descent did die, according to Deazeman. However, even if Jeff did die so long ago, I believe Katherine would have been fine as, from what I've seen she would have been put up in Iansisle or something of the like.

And speaking of dad's, if it makes any difference, Christin's father can pull any and all strings (due to his service record) in the Imitoran military incase anything needs to be...made non existant. Also, Jeff will soon be getting a nice little present from our friendly INSA agent in Larkinia.

OOC: Yeah, that was a little bit of a loophole. It means there might be a few more out there like her though, in case you need to harass some ;)

And I think Jeff'll be looking forward to the little present.

IC: The transport kicked up some dust as it landed on the pads at Dr. Niven's estate. As soon as it touched down, the doors lowered and Niven brought Katherine down with the help of the medics.

"Take her to my examination room," Niven said as they wheeled her off. "Jeff, you and James are going to have to stay here for a little bit, while I examine her and find out what's really going on."

"No way," Jeff said, "I'm..."

"You'll stay in the estate, and that's that. Trust me Jeff, I know what I'm doing here."

"I do.. but..."

"But nothing, I'll be back soon with some news. The children are at Ann's house right now, I thought it would be better they didn't see this."

OOC: Actually, Daezeman himself was rather inconsistent about this. When the razings first happened, he claimed everybody except Katherine was dead. When he started his new country (some-or-other Islands), he originally claimed it to be populated by people from other nations and just happened to be on the same land - the people even sort of praised Imitora for clearing the way for a new country. In a later RP, however, he claimed the country had some citizens of Daezemani decendent which were really really angry with Imitora. That's about as far as I followed.

EDIT: Oh yeah...
However, even if Jeff did die so long ago, I believe Katherine would have been fine as, from what I've seen she would have been put up in Iansisle or something of the like.
Well, depends on how long ago. If Jeff died before marrying Katherine, then she would have returned to (or never left) Daezeman as King Icarus's sister, and gotten bombed right along with the rest. If he died after marrying but before getting kids, she would probably still return to her old family. After getting kids she would have a real new family in Iansisle and so might have decided to stay there, but I'm not sure. (Also of note may be that before the razing, she would still have had her psychic powers, and so may have foreshadowed that returning to Daezeman might not be the best course of action...)

OOC: After OP:BS, Deazeman never really consistenly follwed a story for his nation. I just liked the fact that I was always the first to find out about his new nations...

OOC: Hey Imitora - care to lend me some of your orbital bombers to nuke a triple post?

OOC: May god(mod) have mercy on the forum's soul when I'm finished with it...

OOC: I think Daezeman (the player) just didn't feel up to the complexities of RPing a realistic war, and maybe was getting somewhat tired of NationStates already (the blasphemy!), and so just decided to say "to hell with it, I don't need this country" and finish it there. Technically it was godmodding, though no one really cared to call him on it because it seemed to be in his own disadvantage. What would you call that - devilmodding?

And to think, all of this started because one guy didn't know how to use a lost-and-found box...

All he needed to do was file a formal complaint with the ICMC and WYCs PR department, and he woulda been set...

Oh, and by all means, feel free to borrow. Which class would you like? Northampton, Ormsby, Phikeia, Infinity, Exemplary, Halcyon, or Newport?

OOC: a) Where is Dr. Niven's estate...
b) I assume your not refering to my Ann or are you?

ooc: A) Celeborne (on the beach, if I remember correctly...or was that just a vacation house?)
B) Ann, Niven's daughter (though I can never remember which one's which ;))

ic: James put a hand on Jeff's shoulder. "Don't worry; Dad knows what he's doing. It'll be better if you're here anyway, so you can hear any news as quickly as possible."

OOC: I'm going to do a Milostein right now but...the King of Iansisle has just flown to a foreign nation?

(Well, yes. He does it quite often, and most often without the proper escort. James never has been the typical kingly figure; he's always trying to run away from his authority, and most often dreams of just leading a 'normal' life. This manifests itself as a constant disregard for his duties as nominal head of state. You could say that James has two different masks: High King James III Callahan and James Callahan, friend and adopted member of the Williams-Niven clan. And he'd much rather wear the latter.

Anyway, half the Commonwealth's government could be abducted by aliens, and we'd still slouch along without much appreciable difference. ;))

ooc: A) Celeborne (on the beach, if I remember correctly...or was that just a vacation house?)
B) Ann, Niven's daughter (though I can never remember which one's which ;))

ic: James put a hand on Jeff's shoulder. "Don't worry; Dad knows what he's doing. It'll be better if you're here anyway, so you can hear any news as quickly as possible."

(Ann's the youngest one, the one James and Jeff, et al. met the last time. And yeah A&H, James does run away from his authority, usually Jeff has something to do with it ;) )

"Yeah.. better if I'm here," Jeff said quietly before the group turned into a platter with martinis on it.

"Master Jeffrey, your majesties," Jeeves said, unflabably as ever. "Might I offer you something to help you relax in this stressful time?"

Jeff nodded to Jeeves, "Yes you can Jeeves. I trust everything made it here accordingly?"

"Yes Master Jeffrey."

"Very good Jeeves," Jeff said picking up a martini.

"Do I sense that you're not just talking about the drinks making it here?" asked James after selecting a martini.

"U... Yeah," Jeff said picking up a drink.

"Master Jeffrey," Jeeves says.

Jeff looked down, "I had Jeeves bring some things.. just in case..."

James crossed his arms and arched an eyebrow. He didn't like lecturing Jeff; besides, he was really bad at it.

"We won't be needing it, I'm sure."

Christin wandered in a moment later. "Needing what?"

"Nothing, nothing," James said quickly. "Care for a drink, darling?"

Christin looked at the martinis, then shook her head. "No, thank you. I really shouldn't." She raised her hand and quickly rubbed the tip of her nose, blinked once at James, looked at Jeff, and then back to her husband. "I don't suppose there's been any news yet?"

James crossed his arms and arched an eyebrow. He didn't like lecturing Jeff; besides, he was really bad at it.

"We won't be needing it, I'm sure."

Jeff looked down during the lecture, "It was nothing much... some extra changes of clothing.. mostly black, a razor... Assault rifle... just some things,,"

Christin wandered in a moment later. "Needing what?"

"Nothing, nothing," James said quickly. "Care for a drink, darling?"

Christin looked at the martinis, then shook her head. "No, thank you. I really shouldn't." She raised her hand and quickly rubbed the tip of her nose, blinked once at James, looked at Jeff, and then back to her husband. "I don't suppose there's been any news yet?"

(Ya know, she hasn't been drinking much lately.. is there something we all need to know about.. a new addition to the family? :P )

"Nothing yet, dad's in working on Katherine now," Jeff said.

Jeff looked down during the lecture, "It was nothing much... some extra changes of clothing.. mostly black, a razor... Assault rifle... just some things,,"

James nodded. "Just as I thought...we won't be needing them."

(Ya know, she hasn't been drinking much lately.. is there something we all need to know about.. a new addition to the family? :P )

"Nothing yet, dad's in working on Katherine now," Jeff said.

(Why, whatever gave you that impression? ;))

"Good," said Christin. "Good."

James indicated a nearby couch. "Well, there's no reason for us all to be standing about."

(*Peers at Iansisle... er... the computer screen like it was Iansisle*.. I thought so... But ya know, she might be showing a little :P )

"I... er.. right," Jeff said just before Christin walked in. But I'm still gonna kill him if I have to rip him apart...

Jeff sat down with James and Christin on the couch, Jeff just looked down into his drink, trying to find something to say.

-----

A little while later Niven walked into the room.

"She's stabilized," he said as Jeff stood up, "Sit back down, it'll be a while. She's still in her coma, I've had to replace some of her organs from the accident, but at least there she should pull through."

"What about the baby?" Jeff asked.

"That.. everything will be all right," Niven said.

(Just wondering; when would it become really obvious? One month? Drat my ignorance about anything vaugely medical!)

There really wasn't much that could be said in a situation like this. Every topic James could think of seemed trite and insignificant compared to what had happened to Kate. But he didn't want to talk about the accident for fear of upsetting Jeff.

It was a great relief, then, when Dr Niven walked back into the room. James couldn't help it; he stood at the doctor's enterance too. He really wanted to know what Dr Niven meant by 'there she'll pull through,' but this time was for Jeff, not him.

(Damn, pregnancies were my weak point in EMT school.. probably three months or so.)

Jeff nodded at the news from Niven, "Come on boy, you look like you could use some sleep," Niven said, putting his arm around him. "How long have you been up?"

"I don't remember," Jeff said quietly, with the accident and being in the hospital, he had already been up monitoring the election and assassination attempt.

"Let's go, doctor's orders," Niven said, leading Jeff through the house and to a room, "Get some sleep, I'll be back in a little bit to check in on you," he added.

Jeff closed the door to the room and looked around, this was the same room he and Katherine had been in when he'd woken up from the kidnapping...

"Gotta get some sleep," he said quietly as he opened the door to his closet, there it was, just what he needed. He pulled up the black duffle bag and zipped it open. He pulled out the few handguns, assault rifle, grenades, ammo, body armor.. in the bottom was a small Dopp bag. Opening it up he pulled out a vial of pills. "Just in case," he said repacking the bag and laying on the bed.

(Heh, your weakest area is still better than my strongest. ;) it's only been a month or two so far, so I guess she wouldn't be showing.)

James sat back down on the couch as unobtrusively as he could, so as not to distract Dr Niven from what really mattered. After Niven and Jeff walked out, Christin wrapped her arm around his stomach and kissed him on the cheek. James smiled and put his hand around her shoulders, then buried his nose in her hair and closed his eyes.

Niven walked back towards the living room, looking at the pictures in the hallway as he strolled. Pictures of all of the family, including Jeff and James, Katherine and Christin. He thought this had all be finished when he and Jeff had killed Grant...

He cleared his throat before walking back into the living room, to give James and Christin a chance to 'compose' themselves.

For one brief nanosecond, James thought an IanCorp reporter had gained access to the compound and was about to write a scandalous exposé...then the fact that he was in Celeborne, a country which didn’t seem to find physical contact, especially between husband and wife, roughly akin to devil worshipping broke through and suppressed his paranoid reaction. He looked up, quickly at first, and then in a more controlled manner.

Christin, on the other hand, simply turned her head from where it had been buried in James’ chest and tried to smile at Dr Niven; it was hard, given what had just happened.

Niven chuckled at James' response, "What? You think I'm one of those reporter pals of yours?" he asked with a small smile.

"If you two would prefer some privacy, I'll go check on our patient again," Niven said more somber.

"One can never be too sure; IanCorp works in mysterious ways," said Christin, jabbing James in the ribs.

"No, no," chuckled James. "Please, dad, join us. Unless you really need to check on.. the patient." The reminder about Katherine's state brought the joking tone that had been in his voice crashing down quickly. Christin squeezed him around the middle.

"Well it would take one hell of a time for IanCorp to get in here, then there'd be the little task of them getting out," Niven said sitting down.

"I'll go check on Katherine in a little bit," he added picking up a drink from Jeeves. "there's little more I can do right now."

"I understand," said James. He paused for a moment, then: "How is she, dad? Really?"

Niven looked at James and shook his head, "She's got a bit of internal organ damage. The... baby," Niven caught himself before he choked it out, "Didn't make it. Luckily the doctors were able to patch up the skull injury before any damage was done, now it'll take some time for the nanites to patch it up."

(stupid server..craps out on me the SECOND I see your post :x)

James could feel every muscle in his body clenching up with a blind, white hot rage. He could see why Dr Niven had kept the news from Jeff; hell, James was ready to fly to Golden Agate and murder the ass responsible himself.

Trying to kill Katherine was reason enough from him to die; actually killing her unborn child was ten times worse. In a nation with an infant mortality rate as high as Iansisle's, every baby and pregnant woman was seen as something special; something that was to be protected and cherished, no matter the circumstances.

With great effort and more than one deep breath, James roped his rage under control. "I...I see." His voice trembled just a little. "I see," he repeated.

James' feelings were clear on his face, Niven patted his knee, "I know you do," he said quietly. "I'll tell Jeff after he gets some rest, and more importantly, once Katherine is out of the woods with her injuries. It's just as important that she recover physically, becuase I hope that will help her come out of her coma."

"That's a good idea," said James, but his tone was still down in the Hoot-level coldness.

"When do you think we ought to go pick up the children?" asked Christin, changing the subject as quickly as possible.

Outside, the wail of a Yamaha R1 could be heard pulling up the driveway. A motorcycle messenger rang the doorbell, and handed the person who answered a package. "Special Delivery, to a," he looked down at his list, "Jeff Williams. Urgent."

The recipient, one of Nivens many buttlers, signed for the pacakage,gave the man a decent tip, and closed the door.

"Ann will bring them by tomorrow," Niven said. "It's better that they don't see Katherine like this. I hope she'll be up tomorrow, if she's ready."

Pridemore walked into the living room with a package, "A package for Master Jeffrey sir, the courier said it was urgent."

"I need to let him sleep a while longer," Niven said, standing up, "I need to, but I guess I'll see if he's even asleep yet."

Niven knocked on Jeff's door quietly.

"Yeah?" Jeff asked from the other side.

"Well that answered my question," Niven said opening the door, "whether you're awake or not."

"Yeah, I can't even try to sleep. Everytime I close my eyes I see Kate," Jeff said standing up. "So what's up?"

"There's some kind of package here for you, courier said it was important."

"Gotcha," Jeff said, walking down the hallway and into the living room with Niven.

A phone call is made to Dr. Niven's residence.

(Assuming it is answered by a servent...)
"Ah, hello this is Baroness Winton. I'm trying to get in contact with Dr. Niven and get an update on Kathrine Williams condition..."

"Of course madam," Pridemore said as he handed the phone to Niven after beckoning him into another room, "A Baroness Winton for you sir, about Duchess Katherine's condition?"

"Yes, hello again," Niven said. "I'm afraid I don't have much to tell you. She's in serious condition, bordering on critical, and is still in a coma."

The voice souded firm.."Well were getting conflicting reports. I've got everything from minor injuries to brain dead. My real question is how is Jeff holding up...My reports indicate a cordinated attack. I'm worried that Jeff may strike back while not being completely rational."

(But the question is, 'was Jeff ever really rational?' ;) )

"It was coordinated," Niven said, "Jeff received a phone call from the responsible party that night explaining it. As far as how Jeff's doing, he seems to be shifting his focus between Katherine and the people responsible.

"If you'd like, I'd appreciate another pair of eyes to keep on him."

"They called him" There were a few voices in the background. "This does not sound good." There was a silence for a breif time. "Damn, fine...I'll stop buy for a visit...Oh, and if Jeff want's to leave...don't try to directly stop him...say you'll make arangements for a flight to wherever for him or something. I think it would be fairly foolish for Jeff to leave, even more foolish to do so without backup...especially considering the phone call from the attackers. I suspect you know that but well...I'm an Alconian female."

"Yes, they called him. There's more to this that I'll tell you about once you reach Celeborne," Niven said. "And don't worry about Jeff leaving, he'll have to get out of the house first, and short of going to the beach for a swim, I think the combination of you, me, James, Christin and the children will be able to keep him here.

"I'll send you coordinates to my estate's private landing pad, unless you'd like me to set up your transportation for you?"

"Ah...yes. if your pad can handle a jet needing a 200 foot runway fine...Otherwise I'm going to have to try and hump it out in a naval Rotodyene..."
She didn't say much more, but somewhere behind her a pair of brown eyes was reading a notepad held over her shoulder.
Attack Coordinated Details Known Jeff may bolt via Sea. was written on the paper with a few odd symbols attached.

"I'll make you a deal, have your jet land at *whatever the main airport in Celeborne is* and I'll have a limo waiting for you," Niven said.

Meanwhile, Jeff opened the package (and it exploded on him :P ) from the courier and flipped through it.

The pacakge was the standard "Security Central", a private firm that was a front for INSA operations, goody box. However, it had been packed especially for Jeff. Inside were images of Antony Williams, an unconscious Worthington, and (if its ok with you) a picture showing a one Jenna Jameson, an employe of Harrison, with a bullet hole from a 5.7mm round in her face.

All the info that Hoot had (in other words will in the other thread) collected on Antony was also included, incluing the mention of the chemical formula given to him by Worthington. Attached was a note, hadwritten.

Hey bub, saw sat photos of the chase. Dirty bastards, can't mess with family. Go get the f*ck heads, and do it old school style. Don't be afraid to call me. I'll be doing some...swimming...in Golden Agate and Lyone. Have fun, and give them a nut check for me
-Hoot

Swimming, of course, was the INSA code for 'wet' operations, wet meaning very bloody...

Jeff looked at the files and read the note from Hoot.

Hoot.. I'll be damned! Just when you think someone's dead, Jeff thought. Is it Christmas time all ready?

What's this chemical compound... who the hell is this guy? and how does he know about me?

He sat the files down and closed the folder.

"Fine, I should be there in a few hours...at least life as a diplomat has it's advantages..."

"I'll have someone there waiting for you," Niven replied, "I think Jeff will be glad to see you. See you soon."

Niven ended the call and walked back out into the living room after Jeff closed the file, "Anything serious?"

"Just some news on the latest things, from a friend," Jeff nodded handing Niven the file.

It was a dark and stormy night, and the Saab 2000 (Aircraft) was taxing on the runway.

Two women sat in the passenger compartment...

"Why are you going to help this paraka? I mean what does he mean to you?"

"You will not use that phrase in reference to Jeff Williams or his extended family in my presence, or with anyone."

The woman swears in Vrakian...

"I still know my Vrakian sister, DO not cross me at the moment..."

"Just because the order has seen fit to..."

"Your job is to do as I say, when I say it...I'm not some pumped up little twit you can order around...I've had enough of those in my life already..."

"Yes your Excellency..."

(Now I just gave it away for the other thread... :? )

(Paraka? is that something akin to 'schmuck'? ;) )

A few hours later

A black limo is sitting at a private landing strip of the airport, he'd gotten his orders clearly, one woman and a tiger at least would be on this flight.

A tiger? A, for-real, live tiger?

He knew better than to ask, 'cause the answer wouldn't make any difference anyway.

(Vrakian doesn't translate well...remember I'm a State in a Federal Union of some 22 billion souls...with the major power being Vrak...)

The Saab landed with it's twin jet engines roaring. It taxied to a safe location and stopped. A gangway lowered with a man in a kaki uniform appearing at the door and holding it open. He saluted as two female figures exited the craft. Then the graceful lines of a Klatchian Tiger appeared in the doorway and sauntered down.

The Marine kept on saluting until the Tiger had passed.

Ann walked up to the car..."Baroness Winton and company, I assume your here to take us to the Niven Estate?"

(Ahh, gotcha)

The driver nodded, "Yes ma'am. Right this way," he said, opening the door for the two women and the tiger. He made sure to keep the car door wide-open for the tiger, and that Sir Meow had settled in before closing the door (and making sure no tails were sticking out).

The limo pulled out of the airport and quickly zipped down the highway en route to Dr. Niven's house.

Sir Meow really didn't take jet flying all that well. He just seemed to daze in and out.

(Originally I was going to leave the cat at home, but is RL doppleganger is looking at me funny so...)

( :lol: It wouldn't be the same without Sir Meow ;) )

The limo passed through the countryside, with the ocean to Ann's left, as it pulled up to an armed gate. The driver showed the guards his pass and the doors swung open, revealing a large, lush courtyard, with buildings to the sides and an enormous house backed against the seashore.

"Here we are, ma'am," the driver said as the car glode to the front door of the house. He jumped out and opened the door for them.

"You should feel right at home here..." was stated by the raven haired girl in grey. Ann seemed about ready to hurl the girl into the Ocean from here for that comment.
All Ann said in reply was..."I didn't grow up in the Winton Barony" She turned on her heels and walked to the front door of the main house.

The raven haired girl turned and looked at the driver. "You know these rich sobs...have more money and such to know what to do with."

She was almost knocked down by an unhappy Sir Meow who followed Ann to the door. Almost as if Sir Meow would have been happier clawing her to death then having to put up with the b***.

"Yes ma'am," the driver said before the woman got knocked down by Sir Meow. He helped her back up while Pridemore opened the door, "Baroness Winton? I believe they are expecting you in the living room, please follow me."

Pridemore led the three through the house until they entered a large light blue room, with a couple of sofas, vaulted ceilings and skylights. Christin and James were sitting at one sofa, Jeff was standing looking out the windows towards the ocean and Niven was sitting in an easy chair with a drink in one hand. "Baroness," Niven boomed standing up offering his hand, "Welcome to my humble home."

"Well I'm glad to be invited. Ah you know Sir Meow, but this is my...Ah...Aide...Sister Lavera. Who is going to be quiet for the remainder of the evening unless she wants to discuss things with a priestess tommorrow morning." She turns back to Niven. "How goes things on this front?"

Sir Meow seemed to sense things were wrong with Jeff. Well he soon had a head attempting to nuzzle him in the rear.

Niven smiled to Lavera, "It's nice to meet you," he said warmly. He turned back to Ann, "Things here are going as well as can be expected," he added, then glanced to Jeff and back to her, "considering."

"What the?" Jeff asked as the tiger nuzzled him, "Hey Meow," he said petting the tiger and scratching his ears gently, "How are you doing?" he asked, turning to Ann with tired eyes.

"Can't complain too much, although I'd say you need fourty winks..." She looked Jeff over.

God if he goes out like this he'll be in real trouble.

"Yeah," Jeff said with a sad smile, "I'll be able to rest better once I know Katherine's all right. Right now, I think that coffee and chocolate is what'll keep me running.

"And you," he said looking down at Meow, "All I hear from the children..." Jeff paused to compose himself, "Is how much they want to see you again."

Sir Meow seemed to like the praise but also had a bit of a worried look.

Ann said to Dr. Niven, "I'd like to take a look at Kathrine if I might. And get a full diagnosis of her condition from you..."

She turned to Jeff..."Ah keep an eye on Meow would you Jeff? He's a bit antsy being couped up on a jet for two hours."

She turned to Niven to lead her out of the room.

Sir Meow seemed to like the praise but also had a bit of a worried look.

Ann said to Dr. Niven, "I'd like to take a look at Kathrine if I might. And get a full diagnosis of her condition from you..."

"I.. Of course Baroness," Niven said as the two turned to leave.

"Hey, wait for m.." Jeff started.

She turned to Jeff..."Ah keep an eye on Meow would you Jeff? He's a bit antsy being couped up on a jet for two hours."

She turned to Niven to lead her out of the room.

"OK," Jeff nodded, looking at Meow then back up to the two of them leaving. He's a bit antsy? What the heck do I do with an antsy tiger? "Well... I can tell you a story," he said to the tiger.

"Now, where do you want me to begin," Niven asked Ann as the two walked to Niven's private operating theatre. "I've got her stablized right now."

"A report on the damage she's recieved and her chances at the moment would be good doctor. Then we can discuss who we have to thank for this little vision of hell before returning to Jeff and Meow."

***
Sir Meow sat down at the phrase 'story' and the woman in the back raised an eyebrow.

(*stumbles in umteen trillion pages later* Holy crap! Um, did I miss anything terribly important?)

OOC: Ah Imorta sent a pakage and Ann Gretchen arrived to keep Jeff...to herself **evil laugh**

He is mine and no one else shall have him...

No, nothing much...

(Ah, good ;). I need to jump back in this fray; where'd be a convinient place for James and/or Christin to show up?)

"A report on the damage she's recieved and her chances at the moment would be good doctor. Then we can discuss who we have to thank for this little vision of hell before returning to Jeff and Meow."

***
Sir Meow sat down at the phrase 'story' and the woman in the back raised an eyebrow.

Niven nodded, "She's in a coma right now. She's got some serious injury to her internal organs. She lost the child she was carrying, she's got a skull fracture. It's for the best that she is in a coma now, so she can heal in her own way."

(Everyone realizes I was joking about the 'he is mine thing' right..)

"Hmm, well the quetion then becomes who did this Dr. Nevin. Espcially with them calling him right after the attack..."

(You were? Drat...now where will I get my daily soap-opera fix? :P (of course I do ;))

"Well, it's a long story," Niven said. "A long time ago, there was some kind of project.. well it turned out... OK, Jeff's got a twin brother that he didn't know about, until last night. This twin is the polar opposite of Jeff, psycho, just pure evil. That's who is responsible for this."

Ann just seemed to go blank..."So this brother has Jeff's intelligence level and everything...then attacks Jeff indirectly...Does Jeff know where this brother is right now? I mean did whoever this is drop it in the telephone conversation?" She seemed to looking a bit like Jeff, but in reality she was looking at a fictional board full of little boxes and lines.

OOC: Lark, I'm planning on knocking of Jameson, want me to go ahead and take Harrison to, for ordering the assasination?

"Well, it's a little more complcated than that. Jeff and his brother were both... created, if that's the word you want to use, in a eugenics experiment. Jeff only found out about this in the last few years. From what I can tell, the two are identical, intelligence, looks, although now his brother has more scars from his life of.. criminal activity."

Jeff started telling his story to Meow and Sister Lavera, "Hack was a Merchandise Distribution Officer. This meant when Nike made up a bunch of posters, or caps, or beach towels, Hack had to send them to the right place. Also, if someone called up complaining about missing posters, or caps, or beach towels, Hack had to take the call. It wasn’t as exciting as it used to be..." ( :P )

"Well, it's a little more complcated than that. Jeff and his brother were both... created, if that's the word you want to use, in a eugenics experiment. Jeff only found out about this in the last few years. From what I can tell, the two are identical, intelligence, looks, although now his brother has more scars from his life of.. criminal activity."

She raised an eyebrow at that..."And in the process of life Jeff is more cyborg than anything else. I saw the hole in the chest doctor, I saw the blades out of the hand...Alcona is not completely backwards although," She raises her left hand up. "I have to thank the Var Lords for the regenerated hand."

She shakes her head..."All your saying is convincing me that the call was a man setting a trap. The mouse is Jeff and the cheese his anger about Kathrine. Or is that deviousness too much for this criminal type?"

(I-man, you can bring James and Christin in if you want, in case they were following or had a question or something ;) )

"Exactly," Niven said, "although the turning Jeff into a cyborg was really my part. It started when Jeff was in Imitora, to argue against a group of elves being executed. He was attacked by a bunch of anti-elf types and I had to patch him up. Then, time and again, I've had to add on to it. From the time he was kidnapped and tortured by the former dictator of Larkinia, to beng attacked by a group of vampires. It's a... side effect I wish he didn't have to deal with.

"I agree with you, I think he's setting a trap for Jeff, to use your example, like the cat waiting outside the mousehole for him. But, as you've seen, Jeff's not like any mouse Antony has ever seen before. And antony is... very sadistic..."

(More on antony can be seen here. http://www.geocities.com/larkinia/antony.htm )

"Ah, well so Anthony isn't a cyborg either. No, I'd say that this Anthony fellow is doing fairly well for himself right now. He might never have hunted someone like Jeff before, but he's got intel from someplace. Which says that this Antony fellow might well have a few tricks up his sleeve for Jeff."

She looks back at Niven..."I'd say the item on the top of the agenda is getting Jeff to sleep."

"Right, he does need his sleep," Niven said as they reached the door to his operating theatre. He pulled out a vial of pills, "I found these in Jeff's room. I don't think he's taken them, but one of these might be just what it takes to knock him out for about 12 hours or so."

He held the door open for Ann as she walked in. "Antony does have some sort of intel on Jeff, and I can only guess that the files this project was keeping records on was hacked into, or given to him."

"Hmm, well then I guess I have to be the bad girl, don't I. So, I'd say it's time to fix Jeff a nice cup of coffee. With added sleeping dose." She looks at Niven, "he's a protector type...trying to stop him from protecting is going to take supterfuge....and I might as well take the anger."

edit: Time for sleep...we need to work on the other thread also...

(Bad girl? Heh heh.. must.. behave... ;) )

"Yes he is," Niven said, "I think it's one thing we all love about him. It's one reason I decided to adopt him."

The door closed, and the soft beeping of the heart monitors and the hissing of the breathing tubes in Katherine's mouth and nose could be heard in the room. A nurse walked over, "Doctor, still no changes."

Niven nodded, "I understand. How is the fracture?"

"It's healing, the nanites are working. No bleeding into the brain, she's all right there."

"Dr Niven?" That was Christin. She still wasn't sure on the whole her-James-Jeff-Dr Niven relationship and, well, unlike Jeff and James, there still was a father figure in her life (I think...right, Imi?). She glanced at Ann; there was a glimmer of recognization and a friendly but distracted "hello."

"Sorry to bother you," Christin continued, fiddling with a lock of her hair. "I was just...wandering, and heard you out here.

She still wasn't sure on the whole her-James-Jeff-Dr Niven relationship ...

(Oh lord I have not had enough alcohol at this point.. too many smart ass comments coming to mind... :P )

"Not at all, come in Christin," Niven said. "We were just talking about Jeff and Kate."

(Oh lord I have not had enough alcohol at this point.. too many smart ass comments coming to mind... :P )

"Not at all, come in Christin," Niven said. "We were just talking about Jeff and Kate."

(Bad Larkinia! Bad! *tuts loudly* :P)

"She's doing a little better?" asked Christin hopefully.

(yeah yeah yeah.. that was an opening I could have driven a Mack truck through. And on a totally unrelated note, I've taken you/cele's/milostein/imitora's advice and contacted a publisher about a story idea. ;) )

"She's as well as I can hope right now," Niven said, patting Katherine's hand. "Some of it's up to her now."

(Really? About TPTB? Sweet!)

"She has a strong will," said Christin confidently, looking down at her friend. "Just like her husband."

She looked up. "I, uh, hope you don't mind, but I couldn't help overhearing what you were saying out in the hallway. Do you think there's anything James or I can do to help...well, protect Jeff from himself?"

(heh...protect Jeff from himself...and his dark alter ego! I smell a sitcom!)

(Well, it might be part TPTB, part something else, it depends on if they will even listen to me ( and since it's their world I want to base it in, I kinda have to convince them ;) you think James would be better suited as a mega corporate owner instead of a king? since they don't have kings in that world ;) )) and it'll have all the usual suspects in it, Niven (if I can get a hold of Cele), James, Christin, Katherine... unless she dies in the prologue, Robert and Hoot *crosses fingers* )

"Yeah, I think she does too," Niven says hopefully. "As for protecting Jeff, I think if we can keep him here, convince him he needs to stay and recover on his own. Given what happened to his biological parents, I could see him running off half-cocked with a death wish."

(I suppose he could be...what, Royal Mining and Manufacturing? :P

That sounds really cool! Is this for that cyber-punk thingamadoo you and Cele play?)

Christin blinked. "What do you mean, what happened to his parents? I thought...I thought they died in that terrorist attack." Her voice dropped to nearly a whisper over the last part, as if she were afraid to say it.

(Yeah, Cyberpunk 2020, you ought to check it out

http://www.talsorian.com/cpindex.shtml
and
http://www.cyberpunk.co.uk/

Ya know, James could inherit a mega corp from his father, and run it from the little space station in orbit ;) That means he'd have to get over his fear of flying faster than 45 mph :P )

"They did," Niven said, putting a hand on her shoulder, "But you've got to remember what effect that had on Jeff. He was already in the Academy when that happened, then he went off on patrol, blasting anything that came near. Remember his first court marshall, he was right, but still. I think he'd be ready to fly back to Larkinia right now and either kill Antony, or force Antony to kill him."

(I think I sort of did once, but then I lost the link. Except now I have it again! That's much more exciting at 4 am!

And anything having to do with a space station palace is cool, no matter what time it is! Even for James ;))

"That's right," said Christin. "I'm sorry; I forgot.

"Well, it's clear we can't let him do anything like that," she said firmly. "I don't suppose there's any chance of Larkinia catching Antony before Jeff can make up his mind to leave? Or do you think he'd still try and kill him, even in lieu of a proper trial?"

(LOL, at 4 am? I'll take your word for it ;) )

"There's a lot of life there to sift through," Niven winked to Christin, "No need to be sorry.

"We can hope the authorities in Larkinia can find him, but they haven't had any luck so far. As for whether he's made up his mind, I think he already has, we just have to figure out a way to stop him. Jeff would probably kill Antony instead of letting him have a proper trial. And like Ann said, Antony might have some tricks up his sleeve."

-----

Meanwhile...

*ring ring*

Yeah?

Sir, there's a message for you at the embassy. Someone dropped off a DVD for you.

Fine. Can you beam it to Dr. Niven's estate?

Yes sir.

*click*

Jeff turned on the Plasma screen, "This should be interesting," he said to James and the others.

"We can hope the authorities in Larkinia can find him, but they haven't had any luck so far. As for whether he's made up his mind, I think he already has, we just have to figure out a way to stop him. Jeff would probably kill Antony instead of letting him have a proper trial. And like Ann said, Antony might have some tricks up his sleeve."

(ooc: "If he's related to Jeff, I wouldn't be surprised if he had tricks up his sleeve, three rabbits in his hat, and a lucky horseshoe jammed up his ass.")

ic: "I had a feeling you'd say that," sighed Christin. "And I don't doubt that having Jeff come after him half-cocked is just what Antony wants."

-----

Jeff turned on the Plasma screen, "This should be interesting," he said to James and the others.

"Interesting?" asked James, looking up at the screen. "Should I be worried?"

The screen flashed on to a small warehouse. A man looking like Jeff, but bald and scarred walked onto the screen with a sadistic grin.

"Hiya Jeffie. I don't get it. You're still not here. I thought that I'd left enough clues the last time. I guess you're not as smart as the files said after all. Here, let me refresh your memory."

The small camera panned to a beat up car down the hallway, "As you remember, this was Katherine before I showed up," Antony's voice sneered from off-screen. The camera zoomed in to show a woman in the car, wearing a paper mask of Katherine's face, tied in the car.

"And this was after I showed up!"

Another car stared off-screen, and revved into the first car, T-Boning it, and crushing the woman inside.

"But you arrived before I could finish the job," Antony said walking back on-screen, pulling out a machine pistol. The camera followed him walking to the car and opening it to the moans of the woman. He put the barrel to her head, and winking at the camera he pulled the trigger.

"Now Jeffie, this isn't going to be a fun game if you don't play," Antony said, mock pouting. "Now I fully expect you to come out from the embassy and play, unless you want me to 'finish the job' on your darling wife."

The camera faded to black with the sounds of Antony and Dariana cackling.

James watched the cold-blooded murder in horror. Never in his life had he seen anyone kill with such callous disregard for human life. He turned towards Jeff, half afraid of what his expression would look like.

"Jeff, he can't get Katherine," said James. "She's safe here; he's bluffing."

Jeff nodded to himself, clenching and unclenching his fist, "Yeah, she's here. But he doesn't know that. He said it himself, I have to come out from the embassy and play," Jeff said quietly. "He thinks I'm still in Iansisle, which means, he's not there, or he'd know we left."

(ooc: "If he's related to Jeff, I wouldn't be surprised if he had tricks up his sleeve, three rabbits in his hat, and a lucky horseshoe jammed up his ass.")

ic: "I had a feeling you'd say that," sighed Christin. "And I don't doubt that having Jeff come after him half-cocked is just what Antony wants."

(ROFL!!! :lol: Touche, I like that!)

"Exactly, so we need to keep Jeff here," Niven said. "I don't know what to think about Antony. He's just.. cold. He's evil, personified. Without any spirit. He'd kill Jeff and not think twice about it."

-----

"Interesting?" asked James, looking up at the screen. "Should I be worried?"
"We'll see in a second." Jeff said. "This was delivered to the embassy."

((EDIT: and I see my old nemesis decided to bite me in the ass one last time...damn you, Mr Server!))

Jeff nodded to himself, clenching and unclenching his fist, "Yeah, she's here. But he doesn't know that. He said it himself, I have to come out from the embassy and play," Jeff said quietly. "He thinks I'm still in Iansisle, which means, he's not there, or he'd know we left."

(Rippin' flippin' ding-dong of a server! )

"Uh, right," said James cautiously. "And so there's no reason to play his game. No reason at all."

---

"Exactly, so we need to keep Jeff here," Niven said. "I don't know what to think about Antony. He's just.. cold. He's evil, personified. Without any spirit. He'd kill Jeff and not think twice about it."

"That's..terrible," whispered Christin. She really couldn't think of any more articulate way to express the feelings. "But why the vendetta against Jeff?"

(I think I'm off, man...that last bout with the server did me in.)

(I know, damn server, I'm out too after this)

"Uh, right," said James cautiously. "And so there's no reason to play his game. No reason at all."

"Right... No reason. Or every reason," Jeff said. Looking at James' expression he continued, "What happens when he decides to come after you, or Christin or Elizabeth and Ashley??"

---

"That's..terrible," whispered Christin. She really couldn't think of any more articulate way to express the feelings. "But why the vendetta against Jeff?"

"I don't know, either Jeff had something in life Antony didn't, or maybe he just doesn't care. He might just enjoy killing."

Ann had listened to Niven and realized something...

You don't understand Jeff that well...

"I'm going to be happy if we just mitigate things..." She spoke outloud

The Alconian woman knocked on the door and said quitely..."Ah, I think you should see this.."

Ann nodded and returned to the living room, whatever had happened fell into the 'non-good' catagory. She looked at Jeff with an odd expression, someone who was weighting several non-palitable options.

"Sister, please call the aircrew on the Saab and have them prepare the plane for a return flight to Larkina." Her eyes didn't leave Jeff.

"Yes your Excellancy..."

Ann had listened to Niven and realized something...

You don't understand Jeff that well...

"I'm going to be happy if we just mitigate things..." She spoke outloud

The Alconian woman knocked on the door and said quitely..."Ah, I think you should see this.."

Ann nodded and returned to the living room, whatever had happened fell into the 'non-good' catagory. She looked at Jeff with an odd expression, someone who was weighting several non-palitable options.

"Sister, please call the aircrew on the Saab and have them prepare the plane for a return flight to Larkina." Her eyes didn't leave Jeff.

"Yes your Excellancy..."

Ann had listened to Niven and realized something...

You don't understand Jeff that well...

"I'm going to be happy if we just mitigate things..." She spoke outloud

The Alconian woman knocked on the door and said quitely..."Ah, I think you should see this.."

Ann nodded and returned to the living room, whatever had happened fell into the 'non-good' catagory. She looked at Jeff with an odd expression, someone who was weighting several non-palitable options.

"Sister, please call the aircrew on the Saab and have them prepare the plane for a return flight to Larkina." Her eyes didn't leave Jeff.

"Yes your Excellancy..."

Ann had listened to Niven and realized something...

You don't understand Jeff that well...

"I'm going to be happy if we just mitigate things..." She spoke outloud

The Alconian woman knocked on the door and said quitely..."Ah, I think you should see this.."

Ann nodded and returned to the living room, whatever had happened fell into the 'non-good' catagory. She looked at Jeff with an odd expression, someone who was weighting several non-palitable options.

"Sister, please call the aircrew on the Saab and have them prepare the plane for a return flight to Larkina." Her eyes didn't leave Jeff.

"Yes your Excellancy..."

OOC: Iansisle-Yeah, Christin has a dad, still alive, former Commander of a battle fleet in the INF. And Lark-About Antony going after Christin...she's still my character, and I like my characters...so let him try. He may be able to survive a fight with Jeff...But I'd like to see him survive a Plasma thermite warhead up the ass...

OOC: Finally understands why you don't screw with Imortians...they tend to go into 'over kill' a bit qucikly...

Ann had listened to Niven and realized something...

You don't understand Jeff that well...

"I'm going to be happy if we just mitigate things..." She spoke outloud

The Alconian woman knocked on the door and said quitely..."Ah, I think you should see this.."

Ann nodded and returned to the living room, whatever had happened fell into the 'non-good' catagory. She looked at Jeff with an odd expression, someone who was weighting several non-palitable options.

"Sister, please call the aircrew on the Saab and have them prepare the plane for a return flight to Larkina." Her eyes didn't leave Jeff.

"Yes your Excellancy..."

"It'll be all right," Niven said to Ann, "He just needs time to deal with everything. 48 hours ago he didn't know Antony existed, now he knows about him and his wife is in intensive care."

Niven looked up and returned to the living room with the group. He watched the video and nodded to Pridemore, who had appeared in the living room with cups of coffee for them. He handed one mug to Ann, "If you could help me convince Master Jeffrey to finish his coffee," he said with a nod.

(And Antony wouldn't go after her, but you can see Jeff's mode of thinking right now Imi)

(*grumbles*)

"Right... No reason. Or every reason," Jeff said. Looking at James' expression he continued, "What happens when he decides to come after you, or Christin or Elizabeth and Ashley??"

"I..." started James, but he didn't really have a ready answer. Well, he thought, when in doubt, rehash old arguments.

"I'm sure Larkinian security will catch him soon enough," he said, trying to sound more confident than he was, "and then we'll not have to worry about it."

"Yeah, once they find him, " Jeff said, believing that as much as he thought James did as he took the coffee from Ann. "thank you," he said, his smile softening.

Jeff finished the coffee quickly. It tasted... different. Too sweet, masking another bitter taste. He looked down in the coffee mug, white granules were along the edge he'd drank from. He tasted them and winced at the bitterness.

He looked up at Niven in shock before fading.

"You... you... dru....gged.... me..." he quickly collapsed as Niven caught him.

"Come on you two," he said to Ann and James, "Give me a hand moving him into the bedroom.

(twice in a row!?)

"I can't say I approve of the methods," said James, grunting as he helped Dr Niven take up Jeff's torso, "but the end result is just fine with me."

(OOC: Just for future knowledge...Ann would have offered either the pill to sleep or the drugged coffee...))

Ann used her strength to haul Jeff into the bed room. Sir Meow followed...
She looked down at the sleeping Jeff and realized she'd be trying to explain this tommorrow morning.

"Alright, we seem to have that problem taken care of at least temporarily...Now what is next on the agenda? World Peace?"

"I can't say I approve of the methods," said James, grunting as he helped Dr Niven take up Jeff's torso, "but the end result is just fine with me."

(OOC: Gotcha A&H, my bad.)

Niven chuckled, "Sometimes the ends do justify the means," he said as the lowered Jeff on the bed.

"Sometimes, I think I shouldn't have put so much metal in him, he's like an ox to move around," Niven added.

"Alright, we seem to have that problem taken care of at least temporarily...Now what is next on the agenda? World Peace?"

"I'll just be happy with some peace of mind," Niven said. "Now we have this message of his to contend with. Jeff should be out until tomorrow sometime."

Ann nodded and looked at Sir Meow. "Besides hiring a couple of Klatchian Marshalls I'm not sure I know what to do. Well besides keep a weather eye out for anyone tall, bald with 'kill' tatooed on their Lip..."

She leaves the room and looks about for a moment. "Ah, has anyone seen where my aide went to?"

"I think I can keep some of my guards around to keep an eye on him," Niven said motioning with one hand. The door to Jeff's room opened and then closed on its own.

"Your aide? I'm not sure," he added as he called Pridemore over, "If you can locate the Baroness' aide, I'd appreciate it."

"Yes sir," Pridemore replied before walking over to one of the phones in the hallway and dialing the security center.

*grumble mumble grumble...forums...*

Ann looked at Niven..."You know, how much does having your own private security force cost?"

(T-gram sent)

( :shock: checked and replied to)

"Not as much as I'd think," Niven said. "My dear, I run several corporations in Celeborne. All of the work I've put into Jeff is my own work, you could say I'm the father of cybernetics in Celeborne. (I'm trying to remember everything about Niven from Cele.) and I've been payed very well for my creation."

Ann just shakes her head..."As someone said about me before, I'm just some poor sop of a Horatio Alger story...although not that intresting...."

Of course security seemed to have lost sight of her with the confusion around Jeff's drugging.

Being under Jeff's bed was an entirely unanticipated location. The woman slid back out and looked at the prone figure. The Dark Preistess had desired a male vampire hunter...and the recent close proximity of Ann Gretchen to Jeff Williams had offered an opportunity.

Her hand slid over the covers and towards Jeff's zipper...

(*cough cough* *hits fast-forward on thread* Move along here folks, nothing to see here... let's move to after the fact, I don't want to get fired, I kinda like my job ;) )

( :shock: My god what are you writting!!)

**Scene discription is Rated NC-24 which says that you really shouldn't be even thinking of what she did...or what you think she did...**

The woman closed the lid on the vial and chuckled..."Well Mr. Williams I can see why your wife is such a happy woman." The gloves went into a trash receptical and she twisted the outside of the vial. The outer part become warm while the inner contents were kept nice and happy at 97C.

She walked out the door, trying to avoid being spotted.

(check your TG's)

(read and replied...)

(Very interesting indeed... Just what the family needs :P

Nudges Iansisle, Isn't James or Christin around that doorway she just exited? ;) )

(um...*wakes up* Sorry, the forum was crapping out on me, so I took a break to watch a movie/pretend to do my latin)

Christin had taken to wandering the halls again. She didn't know her way around the Niven estate very well, but was always open to finding new passages.

She came around a corner and spotted Ann. "Hello, Baroness Winton," she smiled. "I didn't know you were her...honoring us with a visit."

(Actually, I think it's her aide that was acting... well doing.... anyway in the room. ;) *off on tangent* How's the studying going? :P )

(OOC: And weren't they just together in the infirmary talking to Dr. Niven? Latin, ah nothing like learning a dead lanquage used by the last absolute monarchy and Lawyers...)

The woman turned and said "Ah your Majesty, I'm afraid your quite mistaken of who I am, and were you not in discussion with Baroness Winton over the status of Kathrine not just a few hours ago?"

(crap...sorry! Um...*changes subject* all right, thanks for asking, Lark ;).)

"I'm sorry," replied Christin. "I'm wearing those stupid glasses - the ones with Baroness Winton painted on them that affect my short term memory - again." She paused. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

The woman in gray just looks at the Queen for a moment with a blank stare. "You....have....glasses....with....Baroness....Winton?...Oh, you people never cease to amaze me." She laughs a fake laugh.
"No, I was just checking on Duke Williams, I was going to report his status to the Baroness..."

"Oh!" exclaimed Christin. "I trust everything's going well? The plan worked?"

Another blank stare..."Your Majesty, pardon me but you have me at a disadvantage, what plan?"

Christin arched an eyebrow. "The plan - to get Jeff to take his rest. Weren't you just in checking on him?"

(sorry the response time is so long)

(No Prob just reading through Thesis edit #234)

"Oh, I'm sorry your Majesty, I hadn't realized there had been a plan per say. I though the Baroness had just drugged his coffee. If you'll pardon me I do have things to be doing..." She bowed and waited for dismissal.

"Perhaps the definition of 'plan' simply varies from country to country," shrugged Christin, but she waved her hand and resumed her wanderings.

(OOC: I find it intresting that only the Imotian knows how to behave as Royaltiy around here...)

IC: The young woman turned and thought...
If that's what's giving birth to the future Kings of the Sheild, I'd be surprised if their monarchy survives her brood.

She pulls out a phone and makes a call...

Amos and Andy Shipping, We deliver Anywhere, Anytime, Any Realtiy...

"Yes I have a biosample shipment to be sent immediatly to Torrhall, Hubris. I need a stable shipment container delivered for the pick up..."

Ah yes, that would be a 4,000 Kr minimum charge...

"Yes, I'm going to charge a numbered account, I accept the surcharge..."

.....

She sits down in the Living Room, quietly finishing aranging the shipment.

(OOC: I find it intresting that only the Imotian knows how to behave as Royaltiy around here...)

(OOC: Well Jeff wasn't born into royalty, and he just kinda stumbled into all of his titles and everything. At heart he's still the mischevious suburban-country boy combo he always was ;) )

OOC: Finally understands why you don't screw with Imortians...they tend to go into 'over kill' a bit qucikly...


OOC: You dont know how much that means to me...*tear of happines*

OOC: Realize that this comes from the most paranoid nation in NS. I mean we think that if someone looks at us cross eyed their going to invade and try to take our rich little islands away from us. Which might explain why we seem to have wayyyy to many neutron bombs...And an entire society militerized at one level or another.

OOC: Wow.. sounds just like Imitora :P

She sits down in the Living Room, quietly finishing aranging the shipment.

As she finished up, Niven, James and Ann walked back into the living room from the deck heading to the beach.

"And that's the short tour of the house, the living room to the beach," Niven said. "Oh hello ma'am, we were looking for you earlier."

OOC: Hmm, No I'd say their handling of situations is diffrent.

Alcona makes Peace, we act nice...try not to offend everyone. And sell them needed equipment/ supplies/ anything to make us indispensable to their ecconomy. At the same time we make everyone think that being at peace with us is a good thing by having every citizen own a loaded assult rifle, and a Marine force that can mount five heavy armored divisions, and a Navy that thinks cruisers are 'small' vessels.

Imortia seems more likely to point a plasma weapon at you if they think you even thought about looking at them cross eyed. And then just sit there like some Beligerent over armed badger with a hot poker stuck up his a**.

Of course the fact that A+H is in control of a 22 billion pop regions joint military (for all intents and purposes) doesn't hurt our feeling of calm, relaxed paranoia.

She sits down in the Living Room, quietly finishing aranging the shipment.

As she finished up, Niven, James and Ann walked back into the living room from the deck heading to the beach.

"And that's the short tour of the house, the living room to the beach," Niven said. "Oh hello ma'am, we were looking for you earlier."

"Hmm, Oh well I was just finishing up getting the Jet on standby incase we need to leave. Ah Baroness is this anything like Winton Hall...I've heard it stand over the ocean like this..."

Ann laughed..."No that is an 18th century manor house in a somewhat Georgian style. I mean I've go a sixty foot Long Gallery in one wing. And more antiqutes I feel I'm wandering about in a museum...No this is quite nice Dr. Niven, and fairly modern." Ann gets a strange look at the woman
What in the hell has gotten into her?

"Good lord, a gallery in one wing? That sounds like quite the impressive older house. I'd like to see pictures of it someday," Niven said before turning back, "Well, since we found you, can I get everyone something to drink?"

James stood around listening.

(translation: sorry I've been so busy lately; Lark, you can play ..um..me until I get back.)

(gotcha... James deeds Dun Adien to Sir Meow and his first litter... then moves with Christin to the mountains outside Kindred Masquerade, cause.. ya know, they like that Transylvanian ambiance... ;) )

"Ah if you'll excuse me Dr. Niven I need to sign for a delivery. Seems we had some gadget on the Saab fail inspection after we landed. I'll just wait for them at your gate to speed up the process and keep your secuirty from being distracted..."

Ann just continued to eye her aide as she walked towards the front door.

"That woman is proving to be a bane of my existance." she mumbled outload..."Ah, can I get a Burbon...neat please Doctor..." she stated in a dry voice. Still considering the other woman.

"Ummm, of course young lady," Niven said, "It's right through there."

After she left, Niven turned to Pridemore, "Have security keep a close eye on her, don't look suspicious, but I want her watched."

Niven then turned to Ann, "Of course," he said, walking to the bar and mixing some drinks. "Here you go," he said after a few moments.

(gotcha... James deeds Dun Adien to Sir Meow and his first litter... then moves with Christin to the mountains outside Kindred Masquerade, cause.. ya know, they like that Transylvanian ambiance... ;) )

(ooc: Damn it...I was afraid that was going to happen...might as well just let Jessica become Queen)

(gotcha... James deeds Dun Adien to Sir Meow and his first litter... then moves with Christin to the mountains outside Kindred Masquerade, cause.. ya know, they like that Transylvanian ambiance... ;) )

(Ah, that would mean that well the Var would wind up rulling Dun Adien...
like being rulled by Imortia but having them be eightfoot tall aliens...)

(LOL, it's an old joke, but what the hell, it needed some recycling. ;) Look at it this way, with Meow there, James'll never have to worry about giant rats in Dun Adien :P )

The Sister walked to the gate and waited. A few moments later a man on a odd looking motor scooter appeared. He had a box under his arm, she placed the vial inside and had it sealed. The man on the motor bike left, the words
Amos and Andy in red on his green jacket. She started walking back towards the house...although aware of someone on security watching her...

(Except there is only one source for a female Klatchian Tiger... :P )

Niven received the call from the guards as the Sister approached the house again, "She went out, signed something and appeared to drop something into a box with a motorcycle courier." he said. (If they couldn't see her drop the vial in, I'll change it)

Ann just looked at Niven for a moment. Then down at Sir Meow. "Meow, you sleep with Jeff, I only want the Doctor touching him...understood."

Meow rose off the carpet and walked off towards Jeff's bedroom. "Dr. Niven I think you should inspect Jeff and Kate immediatly. And prepare for a possible attack. Ah, where are the children?" she asks as her eyes become wide, a vision of a helpless Conner in her vision.

"Attack?? Here? How do you know?" Niven asked standing up suddenly. He waved his hand quickly and two guards uncloaked.

"Tell the guards to go do Threat Level Omega," Niven said to them before they walked out of the room. "Come with me you two," he said to James and Ann and started walking toward Jeff's room.

"The children are at my daughter's house, they were going to come back tomorrow morning, but I'll have them stay there a little while longer."

Meow eats a double post *Yum*

Ann looked serious..."We don't know what she has been up to for the last thirty or more minutes...And she just sent something off in a package...After lying about what the hell she was doing. The only people who can't protect themselves at the moment are Kate and Jeff...And we know this Anthony is in Larkina, where I've been...with my staff..."

Meow enters the bedroom and sits down in the corner, able to see both Jeff and the door.

The Sister continues to walk towards the house...

"Jeff, it's time to wake up," Niven said walking into the bedroom with his medical bag. He pulled out a syringe and a bottle.

"What's that?" James asked.

"A stim," Niven said. "We need Jeff to wake up and find out if anything's been done to him."

(man, I hope that was de-caf coffee we gave Jeff his sleeping pill in. ;))

(Yeah, no doubt, not to screw him up too much, yet... :twisted: )

Jeff flinched in his sleep as Niven slipped the needle into Jeff's arm. Jeff's eyes slowly opened and his pupils contracted and dialated as the stimulant and depressants started dueling in his blood stream.

Jeff put his head in his hands, "Oh god, I have the worst hangover... and I didn't even drink anything."

"Come on boy, snap out of it," Niven said. "Something's up with Ann's assistant. Do you remember anything before you faded out."

"Not really. I remember you guys drugging my coffee," Jeff said looking at the group. "We really need to talk about that later. Then... I had some sort of strange erotic dream. I don't know what in the hell that was, but the next time, can you give me something that doesn't give me the illusion of getting laid?"

Ann looked down at Jeff..."Sorry about the pill thing...but you needed rest...although I might take one of those pills if that's a common side effect..."

( :oops: well that might be all he's going to get for some time...)

The Sister was standing outside...she could feel the eyes on her...she was making another phone call...

"Mission Complete...but I'm comprimised..."

How do you know...

"Security is fairly good around here and followed me...saw the package drop and I don't have an explination...The Envoy has been doubting my credentials more and more..."

Understood, we will be sending a extraction team...

"When???"

A Lowboy manuver...I'd suggest you try to keep them guessing until we can remove you...

"I'll try...but...fine..."

To the Glory of the New Order

"Bye Hun, I love you too...yes we'll have lots of shagging when I get back.."

Rather than return to the house she goes down to the beach and sits on a dune, watching the water play along the shore.

(that's very true ;) )

Jeff smiled up at Ann, "It's all right. I know why you did it, hell I brought my own.. wherever the hell I put them."

Jeff pushed himself up slowly, "Come on," Niven said, "A quick examination and we'll be able to figure out what happened to you."

"Doctor," one of the guards said, "Looks like some already did." He stuck his rifle in the trash receptical and pulled out a glove with the barrel of his rifle.

"Interesting," Niven said. "Follow me." Niven led the group to another examination room.

"Now if you'll excuse us," Niven said, closing the door behind Jeff and him in the exam room.

-----

The guards kept a watch on the Sister as she went out to the beach.

"Keep an eye on her and any sea extraction that might materialize," one guard said to another.

Niven walked out of the exam room. "There's an alien probe joke in all of this somewhere," he said. "There are remains of seminal fluid, but the rest of it seemed to vanish. Nothing was found. Other than that, there were no marks on him, no signs of an attack or anything."

Ann raised an eyebrow..."Your saying Jeff was sexually molested? For his sperm?"

"I think so," Niven said, perplexed. "It doesn't make sense though."

Ann's eyes narrowed..."Tell me Doctor, could someone gain insight into the program that produced Jeff through his sperm. I know it contains half of his DNA but..."

Niven shrugged, "Possibly. If compared to other DNA, scientists might be able to pin down some of the strengths and weaknesses in his genetic makeup. And if someone tries to alter that DNA a second time, I don't know what the results would be."

"I love it when you guys talk about me in the third person, like I'm not in the next room," Jeff winked wearily as he walked into the waiting area.

Ann was looking like something was seriously wrong, "Well those B*** have a good explination for this. Breaking the treaty....after all we've done for them..." She turns to Doctor Niven again..."I need to borrow a handgun or a sword please..."

Niven looked at Ann, "What is wrong dear?"

Jeff looked as confused as ever, "Who are you going to war with? What's going on?"

Ann looked at Jeff..."I'm afraid that I have brought a viper into this house. I plan on dealing with her...and I'm not good at unarmed combat if it comes to it. So could someone give me a weapon please!"

(assuming he's in the room)

"I think it might be better to allow Dad to deal with the situation as he sees fit," said James icily. "Seeing as how we're on his estate in Celebornian national territory."

(yep he's there!)

"Please, both of you," Niven said as he dialed security on his own internal cell.

Pick up our... guest. Bring her to the examination room, we've got some questions for her.

-----

A group of guards approaches the woman as she watches the ocean, "Ma'am, we need you to come with us."

They lower their rifles at her.

"Now"

"Hmm, with a woman who has Diplomatic Immunity your majesty? Or have you forgotten that like me my staff also carries that? All Doctor Niven has the legal right to do is escort her off the estate and all the Celeborne government can do is demand she return to Alcona."

He hops on airplanes to escape his real duties and doesn't know a thing about diplomatic staff. No wonder Sir Roland thinks poorly of him...

"I'm afraid that pointing your guns at me is quite illegal." She pulls out her passport. I am a Diplomatic represenative of the Dual Duchy of Alcona and Hubris, your current weapon status is a direct violation of known international law. And could be considered an act of war. If Doctor Niven wishes for me to leave his property I will, but I am under no obligations to follow the orders of armed thugs."

One of the guards reported back to Niven what the Sister had just informed them of.

Christ... you drew your guns on her? Not to nit-pick, but that is a diplomatic offense... We'll be right there. *Click*

"Baroness, if you would come with me, my men found a way to make a bad thing worse," he said, turning to James and Jeff, "you two stay here!"

After the two left the building, Niven handed a handgun to Ann, "Just in case."

One of the guards reported back to Niven what the Sister had just informed them of.

Christ... you drew your guns on her? Not to nit-pick, but that is a diplomatic offense... We'll be right there. *Click*

"Baroness, if you would come with me, my men found a way to make a bad thing worse," he said, turning to James and Jeff, "you two stay here!"

After the two left the building, Niven handed a handgun to Ann, "Just in case."

Edit: All this happens after James and Ann have their discussion, that's too good to miss.

“Perhaps, Baroness, you’ve forgotten that you’re an Alconian ambassador to Iansisle? Or perhaps simply you’ve forgotten that we’re no longer in the national territory of your host country?”

He smiled bitterly. “Or perhaps you’re simply not aware that , even if we were in the Commonwealth, Iansisle, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on International Relations, reserves the right to detain for questioning any members of a diplomatic mission other than the Ambassador if suspected of espionage or other felonies?”

Ann looks at him with complete disbeleif. "I'm the Royal Envoy to the Grand Agate and the New Highlands Alliance...maybe if you actually did your bleeding duty and not spend half your f***ing time running about you'd remember details like that! Now excuse me I have to formally give orders allowing Doctor Niven to question that b***."


She turns on her heels and walks out of the room behind Dr. Niven.

***
She nods and places the handgun in the back of her waistband.

(Actually I think James is partially correct, however I think there is some loophole about Diplomats on temporary visits and in transit.)

Jeff watched the exchange between the two, "Now, James..." he stopped when he saw James' expression. "But Ann..." she had already spun on her heel and walked out of the room.

Great, things just went from worse to hell in a handbasket... Jeff was trying to think of how to get these two to reconcile.

-----

Niven led Ann to the beach where the guards and the Sister were still standing.

(Actually, unless she was the ambassador, she can be held under the rules for diplomatic immunity. she is subject to detention (reasonable) that would apply under emergency circumstances involving self-defense, public safety, or the prevention of serious criminal acts, such as an assault and battery, which this qualifies as.)

(perhaps he would have known that had the time line been better explained.

And, according to Section 29 of the previously mentioned Vienna Convention on International Relations, only diplomatic agents (members of the diplomatic mission holding diplomatic rank) are immune from arrest and detention. Trust me; I've done a good amount of research on this as per my role of host of most of our RPs ;))

"Then I would like to inform you, Baroness, that you are officially a persona non grata (see, I KNEW latin would be useful! ;)) in the Commonwealth, and I shall have inform the Alconian government of that at my next convenience,” he called after her.

“And I fully intend to have Mr Bradsworth give Iansisle’s recommendation at the next full Alliance meeting that such status be extended to you throughout the New Highlands.”

Ann walked up to the woman and said in an almost inhuman voice. "What was that package you sent? Where did you send it? Has the order decided to restart the Valkerie project?"

The Sister looked at Ann with cool eyes, "Hmm Why should I tell you anything. If the Order decides to restart it's path to the future of mankind, or should I say womankind it is no matter for a Militant Quaker to care about."

"I'm placing you under house arrest and stripping you of all Diplomatic Status...understood?"

"Of course, however I think I shall await for you to send me back to the Order..."

"My dear Wench, I"m sending you to Fort Hull, I'm sure ISS will enjoy getting to test their methods out on a member of the Order."

The woman looked a bit pale for a moment, and then smiled. "I know in my heart who shall lead us to victory."

Ann took a step back..."Doctor Niven, I am authorizing you to do whatever is legal and in your power to investigate this matter and detain this woman. I will be making arrangements for her to return to the Dual Duchy for questioning."

*Shoots double post*

(Just for quick reference: Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (http://www.un.org/law/ilc/texts/diplomat.htm) -- sections 29 and 40 are particuarly relevant)

(OOC: I'd agree Ann was in the wrong so James can lord over her...unfortunatly two things. Alcona and Hubris likely never signed those conventions...(being that we have some odd behavioral ticks...) Second, James need to learn how to discuss them with a tiger...quickly)

The sound of something licking can be heard in the room with Jeff and James. Sir Meow does not look pleased at James...He his standing on all four paws and moving quietly forward, as though considering James for a new chew toy (Obviously not, but he only has two catagories in life 'goodfurless' , 'bad furless' guess what James just got switched to..)

*whoops, sorry, I never saw A&H's post from before.*

-----

Niven looked at Ann, "What's the Valkerie project? If I can ask..."

"The Valkarie project was a plan to create superwomen. To allow the Order of Athena to take over Hubris from the socialist government. It was ended in the eighties when the socialist government collapsed and a treaty between the Duchy of Alcona and the Order forbade it, or any similar genetics project." (completely off blind here but hey intelligent people make mistakes...)

(No sweat, it looks all good to me :) )

"So then she was taking Jeff's DNA to ... get whatever they can from his DNA to assist them in this?"

Niven turns to the guards, "Take her away. Lock her in the detention cell, I want three guards watching her at all times."

The woman says nothing...

Ann on the other hand looks at Doctor Niven..."Yes, so I have several things to do...but first I need to say something to his Royal pain in the a**."

(the tiger can speak Latin? :P [/joke]

And actually, if you're not party to the agreement, then you have no legal diplomatic immunity, barring an agreement directly between our governments.)

James was fuming. He didn't give one flying fart what the tiger was up to, or if he was still in its good graces. He parted with Jeff in as friendly a way possible and went to find Christin.

"By that I'll guess you mean James," Niven said. "Of course, I'll walk back with you while I try and figure out what to do with your...former aide."