Options discussed and discarded

SID

"Well, Corbel, we have determined from the 'most reliable' of authorities that Bethalen Station 'does not and never existed. Period.'" Sid's sour look and tone suggested he was eating something distasteful against his will. He fixed Corbie with his eyes and remained silent for a moment or two to allow the old spy a chance to digest his statement. Then he raised his left eyebrow, "I believe you understand my meaning? Strictly 'never existed, period.' Not my idea of a good time. But then my opinion was not solicited."

Corbel's eyes narrowed as he stared at the Sid for a few minutes. His face was unreadable. "Most reliable of authorities, you say," he spoke as a statement.

"Yes. *Most* reliable."

A few more minutes of silence. "Then it would appear that our little venture is at and end, would it not?"

"Perhaps. Perhaps not."

"Perhaps...not?"

"Perhaps not. You are familiar with the fact that some preFall sea vessels relied on a source of power that did not rely on sail or oar?"

Cordel cocked his head in puzzlement at the change of topic. "While never numerous, I have heard of such vessels."

"Are you knowlegable as to the source of that power."

"Only in passing. That technology was always rather...restricted."

"There is rumor that such vessels sail again."

[a pause]

"I have heard that rumor. Pray continue."

"And what, would you say, might a salvageable supply of that power be worth today on the open market?"

Here the Bryant became most cautious. He replied carefully, "I would say that there exists no 'open market' for such technology today."

"Exactly. So what then would you adjudge the value of such a salvageable supply?"

Again, carefully, "Hard to say. Where would such a supply be found?"

"In the possession of the newly established ConEd Salvage Company," smiled the Sid, "Where else...?"

THE LEAD IN...

"Hmmmpf. Another goose chase? You are already two com charges and 100 gold in the hole from this latest venture," Corbel pointed out, leaning back in his leather chair.

Sid waved this off. "Compared to confirming a secret naval base 'never existed'? Cheap at thrice the price."

Corbel considered. "Truth," he grunted. "But why do I feel like I'm gonna be used here?"

"Because you are. And you are going to profit from it in more ways than one."

Corbel sighed resignedly and opened a drawer. He removed his leather binder containing legal grade parchment and reached for a quill. "The ConEd Salvage Company, you said? I offer the same terms as before."

"No. This time we go fifty-one/forty-nine."

"Oh we *do*, do we? Says *who* my young Lord guest?"

"Have you disposed of that information I passed to you last time?"

"You mean on Bradford? It's...still under...consideration, shall we say." Corbel drummed his fingers on the table. "Very well. Voter's majority to you. Assuming I like the proposition."

"Good. Let's get some glasses here. This will take some time. And we'll both have to put some more cards on the table."

"Why, whatever do you mean, Lordling Borgia?" replied Corbel ingenuously.

"Well, listen closely and you'll find out..."

THE PITCH...

"First, how much to you feel a used reactor core is really worth. Off hand, I can think of at least two bidders. Naturally, I have a bias towards one over the other, but it is some leverage."

"True. As you say, at least two. I can think of...mmmm...definitely a third and two maybes. The first two you refer to would be the major players, but perhaps alternative bidders might be able to put up more. One of those majors will definitely not be pleased if they find out they missed out, however."

"Granted. I take that into account. Would the core be worth, say, the promotion of a Major Hold to a Great Hold in the next election? The promotion of two holds?"

Corbel took out his pipe. He tapped it clean and contemplated as he packed the bowl and lit it from a candle with a taper. "Depends. The exact condition, accessibility...Depends. One hold? Possibly. Let's say probably. Two? That would depend," He paused, "But how definite is this 'reactor', it's pointless for me to speculate about a 'pig in a poke'"

"It's in the bag. Of course it's condition is speculative. We'll have to do some digging to find out how we might judge that before we put it up for sale. You'll have to use your contacts..."

Here Corbel looked innocent. Sid rolled his eyes slightly and continued.

"Now does Bryant Hold have the influence to have a representative speak before the High Council in open session, with the majority of the members in attendance?"

Corbel thought. "It would burn valuable favors, but, yes, theoretically. Why?"

"What would happen if say, an unimpeachable member of Bryant Hold, addressed the High Council speaking from a scroll that he had never read before. A scroll denouncing the Bradfords for threatening national security through the private use of a scrying device such I described to you previously?"

Corbel gave a short laugh, "I should imagine an uproar. Such an accusation against a sitting Great Hold? What proof? Why should the Council treat it as more than hearsay? Slander?"

"Because Bryant Hold presents the Council and/or the KNI with the reactor at the same time. On the side. Free and clear."

Corbel puffed on his pipe. Sid remained immobile.

"And what would you imagine would happen then, young Borgia?"

"I should imagine the Bradford's would explode, protesting their innocence. And I should imagine the Council would order the KNI to investigate immediately. I should imagine the KNI would *demand* to investigate immediately."

"And what would they find?"

"Do you think the Bradford's, even with good internal secrecy, could keep it hidden when the KNI knows exactly what to look for? When they are pissed it was kept from them? Even if a faction of the KNI is playing a side game, I would imagine they would simply fade into the shadows."

More smoke. Corbel gestured to a decanter of sherry on a sideboard. Sid rose, returned and poured two glasses.

"And then what?"

"The KNI will find the device," Sid avowed firmly, "And when they do they will gut the Bradfords like fish."

"And if they don't find it or deny finding it?"

"Of course the KNI will deny finding it. They'll want it for themselves. But every member of the Council will know how dangerous it will be to allow them to have it. They'll demand that they produce it and destroy it publicly. Or else. The KNI will produce. And destroy it. Publicly."

Corbel poured again for them both.

"They won't like that."

"They'll look like national heroes. And they'll have their notes on it. With Bryant hold to thank for the valuable information."

"Wouldn't they be unhappy that Bryant hadn't simply delivered the information to them directly in secret?"

"They would understand that Bryant had no choice but to do it this way. They would realize that the other Great Holds would destroy Bryant if it ever leaked out that Bryant simply handed the device over to the KNI. With the intact device secret in their hands, the balance of power would shift too much in their favor. The KNI will understand that. They will also understand that *they* will be the only ones with research scans of the device. And a new reactor core."

"And the rest of the Holds?"

"They won't believe that the KNI truly destroyed the device. But it will put everyone on the watch for evidence of it's use. Which would lessen the value of the device. Probably develop counter-measures. And they will all reexamine the last twenty years for any evidence that they were screwed directly or indirectly by the Bradford's through information that was gained with the device. They might even mistake some other holds perfidy as Bradford work. They'll collectively gut Bradford like a fish."

"And Bradford's allies?"

Sid snorted. "What can they do? If they're smart, they'll cover tracks crawl into the woodwork as fast as they can."

"And how does all this benefit Bryant Hold?"

"Bryant has delivered a valuable preFall reactor to the KNI and made the KNI public heroes in thwarting the Bradfords. The KNI could use that type of PR, given their usual reputation. Bryant will have exposed a dastardly selfish threat to national security. And defended the other holds in Arketh provence against the conniving predations of the Bradfords. With the blessings of the Council, the KNI and the Arketh holds, they're a shoe in for Great Hold in the next election. Probably for some time to come. As other holds 'discover' Bradford treachery, ever piece of dirty laundery for the last twenty years will be laid at Bradford feet. And all the holds will agree to believe it. Everyone with their nasty skeletons buried. Honor will be due Bryant from all concerned."

Corbel narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips. Hmmmmm...

Some minutes later.

"So what does Borgia want from this?"

Sid sat back and folded his hands in his lap.

"Nothing."

Corbel coughed smoke. "N-nothing?" coughing, "N-nothing?" He shook his head, something surely wrong here!

"Nothing. Borgia plays no part in this. At the proper time we bring forward evidence that the charges against my House in the Battle of Lepanto were trumped up by the Bradfords. That Borgia was innocent. Given the circumstances, the evidence need not be all much. It's been almost twenty years, after all. With Bradford flayed to the last manchild, our reputation restored, I am content."

He added,

"With the Bradfords gone, there will be some small change for us to be pick up, of course. Local trade contracts, temple contacts, that sort of thing. No. Nothing more. I am content with vengence, our reputation restored, and a period of peace in which to rebuild my Hold.

"I am a simple man, Sirrah Corbel."

Sid seemed to mean it.

Bryant burst out laughing, "HA-HO-HO! Simple? Simple? Not the word I would have used Lord Borgia, not the word at all!

He continued. "I see a few holes in the plan. One, the Lord Holder must know about this, and therefore the 'unimpeachable member of Bryant Hold' is somewhat pointless unless the Lord Holder was not there, and to level such accusations without being present would be... shall we say, politically incorrect? Second, from what little I know about devices like the core, they require some reasonable level of maintenance. The one you are speaking of is not likely to be in operable condition." Corbel held up his hand as El Sid began to protest. "That doesn't make it valueless, but certainly less valuable... much less. Some of the old drives still exist, you know, but have become unusable with age. This would be one more for the Caltech Cult to study, since there are no wizards of high enough level to restore the devices. An interesting curio, no more. Finally, you realize that I cannot authorize this myself. This must be approved of by my Lord Holder and Bryant's Inner Council, yes?" El Sid nodded.

A pause.

"And if we proceed, there are some persons I think you should meet, who will want to meet you."

"There is no way around that?"

"How, surely? This reactor I materialized from thin air? This scrying device? I've only your word for it! And Bryant doesn't lay in Arketh Provence."

"How you produce the reactor, I think your hold won't question. You're too sly a fox for them to question that. The scry device? I think that if the events surrounding the rise of Bradford in the last twenty years are closely examined with this knowledge in mind, the pattern should be made clear. I would prefer to remain anonymous...but I will meet with who I must."

Corbel nodded. "Yes, I understand your position. We'll see. We shall see, Lord Sid. But surely, Borgia, you must want *something* more! Have I misjudged you *so* completely?"

Sid looked uncomfortable, and then grinned sheepishly.

"Well...perhaps there is *one* small thing," and here he produced Capt. Zem Ural's diary from the Backbreaker and tapped it with his forefinger excitedly, "Now that we have ascertained the veracity of the information contained in here, let me acquaint you with some of the other things Ural says. And about a certain path from a village I know of. And correct an error I might have made to you concerning one Morgart and his 'Black Life', no pun intended..."

THE CONTINUING ADVENTURES OF THE BOYZ N BACK

This Episode: Your Daddy don't dance but your MAMMA sure rocks and rolls!

OR

Twisted Sister meets the Dead Meat Puppets

CORBEL

"So let me get this straight. You think this crystal contains some sort of impressed memory of Morgart of Tendut?" clarified Corbel.

"Exactly. It calls itself the Black Life and somehow amplifies a sort of mind control device."

"What about the village?"

"Could be either duped into worshipping it as a sort of ghod or they may even be co-opted at night to perform labor service without their knowledge."

Corbel allowed his distaste at the notion to show. "What about the salvage of the reactor core?"

"The Black Life seems to keep a low profile, use guile. It may be relatively weak right now and trying to keep itself secret. It's still Pranan territory, so the KNI will send in a disguised salvage ship. Probably call it the 'Glomar Explorer' or some such rot. They'll do a quick sail upriver from Cidan and do a snatch and run. I doubt the Black Life will mess with such a large contingent. You can also tell them that there may be some residual nastiness from the War left around there. Not uncommon and will keep them from exploring ashore. Oh, and remember to tell them that the river shallows out quickly just above the wreck. Wouldn't want them going aground and botch the whole thing."

"I assume you will have cleaned out anything else prior to that?"

"Right. We can use the diving suit and whatever magic and metal detection equipment you have. The river isn't very wide at that point. We should be able to scour it quickly."

"What about the Black Life?"

Sid gestured, "Figured you might be able to come up with an angle or two on how to protect ourselves from it. We needn't be there long for the initial salvage effort."

"And then?"

"I figure we also examine the river bank for old sewer entrances and the like. Whatever is left will be underground. Sneaking in the back door is always a plus."

"What about the path from the village?"

"Figure I do a little night surveillance assisted by some of your equipment to get the general lay, determine their schedules, etc. And, if you're not too opposed to the idea..."

"Yes?"

"We snatch one and put him or her to The Question. Problem with that?"

Corbel stared at Sid and answered slowly "yes, yes I do. There are circumstances under which such techniques, however distasteful, must be used. This does not sound like one of them, but instead a way to avoid the effort associated with sufficient surveillance to answer the question indirectly. Such... techniques... are to be used only in situations of extreme duress, or we do not have a deal. Am I being clear here?"

"Sorry, no offense intended. Just checking" backpedaled the Sid.

"So what do we expect to gain from all this?"

"Well, it was a weapons development center. As well as more mundane munitions left over from the garrison and the Urakai invasion force, could be some prototypes. Certainly some valuable manuscripts and data banks. Maybe a few shiny baubles."

"And the 'Demons'?"

"Probably the most intriguing part of the whole story. Seems they slew indiscriminately. Wiped out both sides. Lotta battle field loot left around. Who's to say what happened? A desperate spell gone awry? Maybe a deliberate attempt to take the Urakai down with them when the battle appeared lost? I've got some other thoughts but... they need a bit more fleshing out."

"Hmmph."

"And you want me to deal with the Crystal?"

"This is a partnership after all."

Corbel frowned. "We've discussed this before. I don't have leave to just up and wander off adventuring. I could probably get Bryant support for this activity, but it would have to be imported help. Take a couple of weeks."

Corbel paced a few minutes. "We'll definitely need more information. Here are my thoughts..."

Half an hour later, a preliminary battle plan had been sketched out. The two men agreed to call it quits for the evening. As Sid turned to leave the study, he asked,

"By the by, did you hear of the Urakai raid on Cherifyr a few weeks ago?"

"Of course. Supposed to have been a ship as big as an small island."

"Exactly. Any idea where it came from?"

"What do you mean? From the sea, of course!"

"No, I mean how did this 'floating island' get to Cherifyr from Urakai territory? Got a map?"

Corbel walked to a bureau and opened a draw. He riffed through papers for a minute and then selected a map. He unfolded it on the conference table. Sid leaned over.

"Hmmm...nice cartography," he examined the circled chop of the map maker and raised an eyebrow in query.

"Arcane Archives Association," Corbel supplied, "I'm a life member."

"Can I join?"

"Any of this works out, I'll sponsor you. Always nice to find someone who appreciates the value of a good map. But back to the Urakai?"

"Right. To the best of my knowledge, the Urakai lie north of Pranan here," gesturing. "West of Cherifyr, we have Evael, then Tawheim and Nol. A ship that size needs a considerable base to maintain it."

"Why not Tawheim then?"

"No port facilities that could deal with a ship that size."

"Kom?"

"Trolls"

"What about down the Oleg River?"

"Would have had to sail the entire length of Evael. In a river, a ship that size would have been a sitting duck for the Elves, on the way back up even if it managed to sneak down it. And it would have had to battle through the river booms at Oleg."

"I wouldn't be so sure about the Elves. They tend to avoid direct confrontations like that. But it would have been spotted at Oleg, wouldn't it? What about the Verukun-Maka River?"

"Flows through Nyquet, which given their... relationship with the Urakia seems an unlikely path.

"Ok, that pretty much leaves running one of the straights east or west of Orbaal."

"Exactly. And those straights are quite narrow. Even if this dreadnought managed to shoot the straights at night coming in, the Kethem Navy should have been able to send task forces to destroy it on the way out."

Corbel chewed his lip. "So what are you saying?"

"I'm just pointing out that a very large vessel of war, needing a large base of operations, somehow popped up off the coast of Pranan, raided Cherifyr to not much real effect other than to alarm the locals, was fought off with the help of a *conveniently* located Kethem squadron, and then disappeared again back into the Lanotalis Sea. And no one saw it get in or out past Orbaal. What purpose did the raid serve the Urakai other than to make the Kethem navy popular? Where did it come from? Where did it go? No other shipping in the entire sea reported spotting it. And supposedly it eluded the entire Kethem navy? If you say so.

"Look. What happens if these raids continue? At Cherifyr? At Cidan? At Tendut? Can the Pranans build a strong enough navy to repulse them?"

"'Course not. They couldn't cooperate closely enough to do so!"

"Right. So what will the coastal cities be forced to do?"

"Why.. I guess they'll ask the Kethem Navy for protection."

"Who will claim logistics this, response time that, etc. etc., a whole list of excuses. Then what?"

Corbel drew breathe, then reconsidered and thought.

"They'll have to allow Kethem to station squadrons in all the coastal Pranan cities..." he spoke softly. "I'm not sure I like what you are implying here, El Sid, it's twisted!"

"Twisted? To whom? It makes sense to me! Not that I'd do it that way. I'd do it the old fashion way. I'd just buy my way in. But let's say some bright boys in the Navy and the KNI think that they are much more clever than they really are. That they think they see a short cut to move up on the promotion roles. All they would have to do is convince a few key High Council members. Who might have side agendas of their own. Most members of the Council wouldn't even have to know, much less approve."

"But if they were caught...!!"

"That's why *I* wouldn't do it that way. If Pranan found out that the KNI was raiding them to convince them to accept a Kethem Navy presence, they'd go beserk. People died in that raid. More importantly, property was lost! I should imagine they'd impose a full trade embargo even if they couldn't get the interior cities to declare war! Not only would it set international relations with Kethem in the entire Lantolis Sea area back thirty years, the loss of trade revenue would plunge Kethem into a recession! Lots of lost taxes there. No, I didn't say it was *smart*, just plausible.

"Of course, a Hold newly elected to Great Hold status would want to check this out carefully. But even if they found evidence that the ship originated elsewhere, the mere *suggestion* coupled to the 'discovery' of a secret Kethem base on Pranan soil would be enough to convince many Pranans of Kethem's guilt. Especially the hot-headed nobles who lost money in the raids. Hell, a lot of members on the High Council itself might believe it. How could the KNI prove their innocence? Heads would roll..."

"A dangerous game you're talking here, a *very* dangerous game..."

"It's just a 'push come to shove' scenario for when some established powers try to bully a member newly come to the Council. Doesn't have to be true. How many things in politics are? And it is just the sort of game the involved 'parties' *would* foolishly play. That's what makes it credible."

Corbel thought, then shook his head, "No. NO! It's *too* twisted. I just can't countenance it." He paused, "Just *how old* did you say you were, Sid?"

Sid grinned and reparteed, "It's not the years, it's the mileage!" and turned to make his leave.

"I'll say this for you, Borgia, life is certainly more lively with you around"

Sid smiled and sketched a stage bow, hands wide,

"We aim to please, my lord, we aim to please" and closed the doors to the study.

Corbel continued standing and staring at the door.

"Here's hoping you don't get us all killed, Borgia," he breathed.

Corbel turned back to the spread map and studied it with old eyes, retracing the possible approach routes of a 'floating island.' "Here's hoping you don't get us all killed..."

October 27th

The wind blew with a biting chill, whispering echoes of the winter to come in the shrill whistle. Delrin estimated wind speed at twenty to twenty five knots. Gray, billowing clouds threatened rain or hail, but Krinn had assured them that they would face no more than occasional showers. Still, not an auspicious beginning to the journey. He shuddered, hoping it was a not foreshadowing their luck on the trip. They mounted quietly, each lost in their own thoughts. Krinn wasn't even arguing with herself. They set out, gravel scrunching under the Stallion's hooves. The left the gravel road at the edge of the forest, well before it met the road to Segris Crossing, and paralleled the great forest. Most of the trees were bare or had only a few dead, brown leaves hanging from branches.

The plan was to cross overland to the Chekun-Maka River, cross the bridge at night and follow the other bank up to the forest outside Chelto. There would be little chance of meeting anyone.

Delrin watched the Sid, the tall, aristocratic figure hunched over pensively, lost in thought. Dom, more complacently, riding nearby. Krinn, alternately gripping her reins as if she wanted to make the horse bolt forward and leaning back demure and ladylike. Glorm, somber and dark as always. Cookie, striding purposefully along. Fuji, quietly watching, eyes snaking left to right, looking for enemies in the shadows. A very different man since his brother died. Delrin sighed. The few days at Corbels had not been enough. They had been on the road a long time, been through a lot.

He felt more than saw Chronous out to the side. Rosebud was back on Johnny Rotten with the Sid; the cat had a hard time with the pace they could make while mounted. Still, the cat's perceptions were keen and were useful even when it was not out in front. A small, dainty animal. It was hard to remember how he had felt about it when they first left Kethem; a cat, the harbinger of death in many a Kethem story.

They made the bridge in the middle of the second day and had to wait for nightfall. The next three days were uneventful. That evening, El Sid received a call from Corbel on the comm amulet, which he had allowed them to keep. The Sid was happier after the call. "Bryant Hold is interested in helping with the excavation of Valen's Point" he explained. "They will provide support on our schedule."

They started off again the next day and made good time throughout the daylight hours. Near the time they would have stopped to break camp, Chronous warned him before they crossed a low hill in front of them, and at his signal, El Sid approached the hilltop cautiously. In the distance stood a small walled town along the side of the river.

They decided to break camp and have Fuji and Delrin approach the town in the morning, disguised as best they could. After moving beyond a second hill, Cookie lit a small campfire and began cooking. Most of the others were chatting, while Delrin looked in on the horses. He was the only one besides Sid who could get near the charger, and Sid felt that currying was beneath his station... While the rest of the group chatted about the weather, or nibbled on Cookies hours devours (sic), Glorm sat sharpening Darkheart. Since putting the two gems on the previously ordinary blade, he had made it a ritual to sharpen, polish and oil the blade each night. His dwarven fingers were nimble, and he had improved the settings of the two gems to more accurately mimic what they had seen in the image of the original sword. Glorm became lost in thought, in the ritual of polishing and sharpening. An hour later he heard Cookie bellow that dinner was ready. Glorm looked down, and much to his surprise, he noticed he had begun engraving elaborate scrollwork on the blade. He studied the pattern for a moment and slipped the sword into its sheath. Best not to alarm the others, he thought. So he belched loudly and went to see what Cookie had whipped up this time...