It isn't much
Nov. 16th, 2004 11:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
maderrA very minor chapter, it will get heavy editing when I better figure out what I want to do with it exactly. Sixteen and seventeen will prove more interesting. And now I go sleepy - at some point I will catch up and stay caught up, I swear it *sigh*
Chapter fifteen
Planet 1185911-3554 (moon of kreska), private settlement
"So there's no pressure."
Sean made a face at him. "None at all. And you really aren't funny."
"So I've been told," Winter replied with a smiled. "All attempts at humor aside - my job would be a great deal easier if I had a better idea of what I'm looking for."'
"Believe me, I would tell you if I could. But we've lost all contact with Fall since her last letter to warn us they were getting too close to her."
The last of Winter's humor faded. "Yes, poor Fall. I hope she is faring well." He fell silent a moment, "I truly had no idea J was so entangled in everything. It makes no sense to me - he's so ambitious. Any ties to magics experimentation would ruin his career and prestige. The man is almost frighteningly meticulous about such things."
"We're as confused as you are, Winter. It seems we've just too many missing pieces to put the entire thing together."
They both sighed.
"Incoming call from Spring," Mendel said.
Jundel's face appeared on a screen above Sean's desk, and he started in horror at the image of her pale, shaken face. "Spring! What's wrong?" He felt more than heard as Mendel crossed the space between their desk to stand behind him.
"Mennie, Sean. I-I've got a letter for you." Jundel peered at them anxiously.
"What? Are you all right?" Mendel asked his mother concernedly.
She nodded slowly, and seemed to will herself to calm, though her voice remained somewhat unsteady. "It was hand delivered to me just a few minutes ago, in a plain envelope. It also had a sealed note attached - 'I'm sure you know how to reach them.' I don't like the letter at all."
"What does it say?" Sean requested quietly.
Jundel read it aloud:
To Whom It May Concern:
I am most interested in meeting with a certain Draconis and his mutant mate. Below I have listed a time and place for that meeting. See that the persons in question are there, on time.
Else a certain Blue will not be alive the following day.
Regards
~J
Sean paled. "Go get the others," he told Mendel.
Without a word, Mendel spun and left to go fetch the other three from the back room, where they'd been preparing - noisily - for their pending departure.
Barely a minute passed before the familiar long stride of Einn announced his crashing arrival, as he barely waited for the door to open before tumbling through it. "YOu can't be serious."
"I've sent you a copy of the letter," Jundel said quietly to Sean. "I assume you know who 'Blue' is then?"
"Yeah," Sean said quietly. "I know who Blue is."
Einn leaned over his shoulder, reading the letter for himself. "He can't be serious," he repeated. "Why does he call him Blue," he asked, almost as an afterthought.
Sean sat back in his chair, feeling tired. "'Cyan' is a shade of blue, though I couldn't tell you what kind of shade. It's something his parents used to call him."
"I can't believe Alexander would threaten to kill his own brother. He's got to be bluffing," Einn said firmly. "It's too sickening to think he might be serious."
"Oh, I think he's serious." Sean closed the window displaying the letter. He looked grim, "Cyan never talked about his brother, really. One or two comments. I always had this impression that Jade scares him. Though I don't know why. Cyan talked about a lot of things - but never about his family."
"Yeah," Einn said. "I think I get where that impression comes from." He touched the bruise on his cheek that he'd refused to heal, "He definitely seemed scared the one time I heard him really say much about him." He straightened, "So I guess now we know why he kidnapped Cyan - leverage. He wants the two of you, which definitely means this is all about that research you guys were going on about."
Unnoticed, Mendel had returned with Karmikel and Faller, who were quickly filled in on events.
"That is rather sickening," the forgotten Winter said with quiet anger. "I knew J was not to be trusted, but I am truly dumbfounded that he would stoop to such a measure." He looked pointedly at Mendel and Sean, "You two must not leave your hideout. Under no circumstances must you leave. It is a wonder they have not already found you, given that they were on Kreska. They must still be searching for you in that area; it makes no sense to abandon it. It is entirely possible that the missive is meant exclusively to draw you out. So no matter what - stay put."
Sean frowned, but was prevented from speaking when Mendel dropped a hand on his shoulder. Sean looked up at him, miserable. "So my best friend is in danger, my mother is sick - and I'm just supposed to stay here?"
"Your mother is ill?" Jundel asked. "Explain to me what exactly all of this is about. I hadn't realized I had fallen so far out of matters. Mendel, explain to me."
Mendel nodded and related to his mother what she had missed while locked up in Ministry meetings.
"Hmm…."Sean, I know it isn't easy for you to have to bide your time there…but really you have no choice. If you and Mendel are seen, you will at the very least be arrested. And I needn't mention what the worst outcome could be." She paused to think, pursing her lips. "Leave your mother to me. I will see that she is taken care of. All right? In the mean time, your friends should go immediately to rescue Cyan. With all due haste."
"We were getting ready to leave shortly anyway," Einn said. "But we still don't know exactly where he might be keeping Cyan."
"That one I can actually help you with," Winter said. "Jade trusts no one. He does not even maintain servants in his home, because he wants to maintain complete and total control over it. He would not trust others enough to keep a hostage elsewhere. I am almost certain that his brother would be at the Alexander Estate."
Einn nodded, "Fine. That's a good enough of a starting point for me. We're leaving. And you can quit glaring at me, Karmikel."
Karmikel didn't stop glaring, "We can't just leave, Mr. Lovesick. The Masters are still making checks to the system, unless you want to break down in the middle of the stars and miss retrieving your lover."
"If that ship," Einn looked over his shoulder to return Karmikel's glare, "Is so damned brilliant, why do its system checks take twice as long as that of a fucking star-hopper."
"The finer the machine, the more meticulous you have to be." Karmikel sniffed. "Just shut up and stand still and I'll tell you when we're ready to go."
"And I'm not Lovesick," Einn paused, "Mate.”
Karmikel stiffened, but he kept walking and left the room without saying a word. A second later, grumbling to himself, Einn left to go finish packing. As he and Faller had been dropped on Kreska with practically nothing, they'd had to scramble to purchase or otherwise obtain new supplies and additional clothing.
Faller sighed, and collapsed into an empty seat. "You are not making me travel alone with those two.”
"You're welcome to stay here."
For a moment, Faller looked sorely tempted. "Nah. Someone has to rescue Rehab while those two are busy bickering about it."
Sean coughed, and went back to his meeting with Winter and Jundel. Mendel laughed outright as he resumed his own seat.
"Be careful, Winter," Sean said several minutes later. "Its anyone's guess how much Jade might actually know, given how well he's confounded us so far."
"I will take care," Winter said. "Stay hidden."
Sean sighed heavily, and nodded. "I don't like it, but I will. It would be too selfish to do otherwise."
"Then I bid you all good day, and good luck." His screen went dark.
Planet 00000000 (zero), Palace of Eternity
Pyotr sat back in his seat, and rubbed his face with his hands, massaging his forehead in a vain attempt to sooth away the headache he could feel forming. "The easier something is to obtain, the more worthless it is." He sighed, "Jade, Jade, Jade - I never knew you were so capable of this." Mechanically he went through the motions of hiding any evidence of his connections with Sean and Mendel.
A knock at the door broke his reverie, "Come in." He unlocked the door
One of his various assistants poked her head in as it slid open, "Lord Li has arrived."
"Of course," Pyotr waved her way. "I will be right there."
"Yes, my lord."
Pyotr rose slowly to his feet and strode from his office, thoughts a mass of ideas, questions and anxieties. He shoved them all away, "Sylvius. As punctual as ever. What is this special meeting you called me about? Even you seldom sound so eager about something."
Sylvius winked, no doubt thinking he looked sly. "I cannot tell you, my dear Pyotr. You shall simply have to come with me and see. I've seen to it both our schedules are cleared for the afternoon."
"Won't you at least tell me where we're going?"
"I'm under strictest orders not to tell you a word." Sylvius said conspiratorially as they reached the private hallways reserved exclusively for the Chancellor's and their assistants, leading the way to the transport bays. "But do you recall what we were discussing the last time we had lunch together?"
Pyotr didn't know whether he should be crowing in delight that his efforts suddenly seemed to be paying off - or worried that he was walking into a trap. He'd been feeding stories and a quiet interest in magics to various ear for several months, with little success until Sylvius finally approached him. But the gangly Chancellor wasn't as gullible as one might initially think.
Now though, it appeared that his cautious efforts were slowly paying off. But was it a trap? The timing was too perfect. But really, it didn't matter - Sylvius was the only lead he had. He would simply have to take extra precautions.. "Mmm…yes. I do. How could I forget? Magics still weigh heavily on my mind, what with all the problems I've related to you lately. They're starting to get out of hand."
"Yes, yes," Sylvius interrupted him. "Well, I think we may be able to help you with that - but only maybe. That's what this is about today." He looked at Pyotr, "And I needn't remind you stay quiet."
"Of course," Pyotr murmured.
Nodding, convinced at least for the moment, Sylvius led him onto the first available transport and rapidly keyed in a number. But it wasn't fast enough, because even without watching him directly Pyotr picked out the numbers he punched in.
The Alexander Estate.
Chapter fifteen
Planet 1185911-3554 (moon of kreska), private settlement
"So there's no pressure."
Sean made a face at him. "None at all. And you really aren't funny."
"So I've been told," Winter replied with a smiled. "All attempts at humor aside - my job would be a great deal easier if I had a better idea of what I'm looking for."'
"Believe me, I would tell you if I could. But we've lost all contact with Fall since her last letter to warn us they were getting too close to her."
The last of Winter's humor faded. "Yes, poor Fall. I hope she is faring well." He fell silent a moment, "I truly had no idea J was so entangled in everything. It makes no sense to me - he's so ambitious. Any ties to magics experimentation would ruin his career and prestige. The man is almost frighteningly meticulous about such things."
"We're as confused as you are, Winter. It seems we've just too many missing pieces to put the entire thing together."
They both sighed.
"Incoming call from Spring," Mendel said.
Jundel's face appeared on a screen above Sean's desk, and he started in horror at the image of her pale, shaken face. "Spring! What's wrong?" He felt more than heard as Mendel crossed the space between their desk to stand behind him.
"Mennie, Sean. I-I've got a letter for you." Jundel peered at them anxiously.
"What? Are you all right?" Mendel asked his mother concernedly.
She nodded slowly, and seemed to will herself to calm, though her voice remained somewhat unsteady. "It was hand delivered to me just a few minutes ago, in a plain envelope. It also had a sealed note attached - 'I'm sure you know how to reach them.' I don't like the letter at all."
"What does it say?" Sean requested quietly.
Jundel read it aloud:
To Whom It May Concern:
I am most interested in meeting with a certain Draconis and his mutant mate. Below I have listed a time and place for that meeting. See that the persons in question are there, on time.
Else a certain Blue will not be alive the following day.
Regards
~J
Sean paled. "Go get the others," he told Mendel.
Without a word, Mendel spun and left to go fetch the other three from the back room, where they'd been preparing - noisily - for their pending departure.
Barely a minute passed before the familiar long stride of Einn announced his crashing arrival, as he barely waited for the door to open before tumbling through it. "YOu can't be serious."
"I've sent you a copy of the letter," Jundel said quietly to Sean. "I assume you know who 'Blue' is then?"
"Yeah," Sean said quietly. "I know who Blue is."
Einn leaned over his shoulder, reading the letter for himself. "He can't be serious," he repeated. "Why does he call him Blue," he asked, almost as an afterthought.
Sean sat back in his chair, feeling tired. "'Cyan' is a shade of blue, though I couldn't tell you what kind of shade. It's something his parents used to call him."
"I can't believe Alexander would threaten to kill his own brother. He's got to be bluffing," Einn said firmly. "It's too sickening to think he might be serious."
"Oh, I think he's serious." Sean closed the window displaying the letter. He looked grim, "Cyan never talked about his brother, really. One or two comments. I always had this impression that Jade scares him. Though I don't know why. Cyan talked about a lot of things - but never about his family."
"Yeah," Einn said. "I think I get where that impression comes from." He touched the bruise on his cheek that he'd refused to heal, "He definitely seemed scared the one time I heard him really say much about him." He straightened, "So I guess now we know why he kidnapped Cyan - leverage. He wants the two of you, which definitely means this is all about that research you guys were going on about."
Unnoticed, Mendel had returned with Karmikel and Faller, who were quickly filled in on events.
"That is rather sickening," the forgotten Winter said with quiet anger. "I knew J was not to be trusted, but I am truly dumbfounded that he would stoop to such a measure." He looked pointedly at Mendel and Sean, "You two must not leave your hideout. Under no circumstances must you leave. It is a wonder they have not already found you, given that they were on Kreska. They must still be searching for you in that area; it makes no sense to abandon it. It is entirely possible that the missive is meant exclusively to draw you out. So no matter what - stay put."
Sean frowned, but was prevented from speaking when Mendel dropped a hand on his shoulder. Sean looked up at him, miserable. "So my best friend is in danger, my mother is sick - and I'm just supposed to stay here?"
"Your mother is ill?" Jundel asked. "Explain to me what exactly all of this is about. I hadn't realized I had fallen so far out of matters. Mendel, explain to me."
Mendel nodded and related to his mother what she had missed while locked up in Ministry meetings.
"Hmm…."Sean, I know it isn't easy for you to have to bide your time there…but really you have no choice. If you and Mendel are seen, you will at the very least be arrested. And I needn't mention what the worst outcome could be." She paused to think, pursing her lips. "Leave your mother to me. I will see that she is taken care of. All right? In the mean time, your friends should go immediately to rescue Cyan. With all due haste."
"We were getting ready to leave shortly anyway," Einn said. "But we still don't know exactly where he might be keeping Cyan."
"That one I can actually help you with," Winter said. "Jade trusts no one. He does not even maintain servants in his home, because he wants to maintain complete and total control over it. He would not trust others enough to keep a hostage elsewhere. I am almost certain that his brother would be at the Alexander Estate."
Einn nodded, "Fine. That's a good enough of a starting point for me. We're leaving. And you can quit glaring at me, Karmikel."
Karmikel didn't stop glaring, "We can't just leave, Mr. Lovesick. The Masters are still making checks to the system, unless you want to break down in the middle of the stars and miss retrieving your lover."
"If that ship," Einn looked over his shoulder to return Karmikel's glare, "Is so damned brilliant, why do its system checks take twice as long as that of a fucking star-hopper."
"The finer the machine, the more meticulous you have to be." Karmikel sniffed. "Just shut up and stand still and I'll tell you when we're ready to go."
"And I'm not Lovesick," Einn paused, "Mate.”
Karmikel stiffened, but he kept walking and left the room without saying a word. A second later, grumbling to himself, Einn left to go finish packing. As he and Faller had been dropped on Kreska with practically nothing, they'd had to scramble to purchase or otherwise obtain new supplies and additional clothing.
Faller sighed, and collapsed into an empty seat. "You are not making me travel alone with those two.”
"You're welcome to stay here."
For a moment, Faller looked sorely tempted. "Nah. Someone has to rescue Rehab while those two are busy bickering about it."
Sean coughed, and went back to his meeting with Winter and Jundel. Mendel laughed outright as he resumed his own seat.
"Be careful, Winter," Sean said several minutes later. "Its anyone's guess how much Jade might actually know, given how well he's confounded us so far."
"I will take care," Winter said. "Stay hidden."
Sean sighed heavily, and nodded. "I don't like it, but I will. It would be too selfish to do otherwise."
"Then I bid you all good day, and good luck." His screen went dark.
Planet 00000000 (zero), Palace of Eternity
Pyotr sat back in his seat, and rubbed his face with his hands, massaging his forehead in a vain attempt to sooth away the headache he could feel forming. "The easier something is to obtain, the more worthless it is." He sighed, "Jade, Jade, Jade - I never knew you were so capable of this." Mechanically he went through the motions of hiding any evidence of his connections with Sean and Mendel.
A knock at the door broke his reverie, "Come in." He unlocked the door
One of his various assistants poked her head in as it slid open, "Lord Li has arrived."
"Of course," Pyotr waved her way. "I will be right there."
"Yes, my lord."
Pyotr rose slowly to his feet and strode from his office, thoughts a mass of ideas, questions and anxieties. He shoved them all away, "Sylvius. As punctual as ever. What is this special meeting you called me about? Even you seldom sound so eager about something."
Sylvius winked, no doubt thinking he looked sly. "I cannot tell you, my dear Pyotr. You shall simply have to come with me and see. I've seen to it both our schedules are cleared for the afternoon."
"Won't you at least tell me where we're going?"
"I'm under strictest orders not to tell you a word." Sylvius said conspiratorially as they reached the private hallways reserved exclusively for the Chancellor's and their assistants, leading the way to the transport bays. "But do you recall what we were discussing the last time we had lunch together?"
Pyotr didn't know whether he should be crowing in delight that his efforts suddenly seemed to be paying off - or worried that he was walking into a trap. He'd been feeding stories and a quiet interest in magics to various ear for several months, with little success until Sylvius finally approached him. But the gangly Chancellor wasn't as gullible as one might initially think.
Now though, it appeared that his cautious efforts were slowly paying off. But was it a trap? The timing was too perfect. But really, it didn't matter - Sylvius was the only lead he had. He would simply have to take extra precautions.. "Mmm…yes. I do. How could I forget? Magics still weigh heavily on my mind, what with all the problems I've related to you lately. They're starting to get out of hand."
"Yes, yes," Sylvius interrupted him. "Well, I think we may be able to help you with that - but only maybe. That's what this is about today." He looked at Pyotr, "And I needn't remind you stay quiet."
"Of course," Pyotr murmured.
Nodding, convinced at least for the moment, Sylvius led him onto the first available transport and rapidly keyed in a number. But it wasn't fast enough, because even without watching him directly Pyotr picked out the numbers he punched in.
The Alexander Estate.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-17 05:15 am (UTC)I love, love Winter. Even if he is a minor character, he's a fun minor character.
And Faller's line! *snickers* <<<333! Heehee! I love the rockiness of Einn and Karmikel's mating too. ^___^
Gyah. You rock. Even if you are still incredibly mean with the cliffies. ;3 *tackle glomps*
no subject
Date: 2004-11-17 05:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-17 06:29 am (UTC)I'll edit it all at once when the entire story is done, because I suspect it's demoralising to have people throw your typoes at you. ^^;;;
And nooooo, Cyan... ;_; Also, I see your note was ambiguous enough to be a certain plot-point? :P (You might want to delete this comment if you want to keep the suspense up.)
no subject
Date: 2004-11-17 06:47 am (UTC)Don't worry, Maderr, I won't tell *glomps* That makes me love you even more. You are the coolest author ever.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-17 06:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-17 11:58 am (UTC)^_^ Awesome - I had no idea anyone would become so fond of him. He won't be neglected.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-17 12:01 pm (UTC)I'd apologize for the cliffies, but I'm not sure it would sound terribly sincere...
*glomps back* Thankee, Sky!
no subject
Date: 2004-11-17 12:43 pm (UTC)Petya is just damned cool.
And Karmikel and Einn... well, they're cute in their own way.
Why must we always cut it off at the good points. merg, Meggie, merg
no subject
Date: 2004-11-17 01:04 pm (UTC)Hehe ^_^
And what can I say? I apparently have a cliff-hanger fetish. I don't mean to - I just stop where the chapters tell me to stop.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-17 02:53 pm (UTC)I am SO hoping I am wrong and it's NOT a trap, and that Pyotr won't be used as more leverage.
And I think I've changed my mind. I think it would be cool for Cyan to kill Jade and vice versa and they to go peace with their parents. Because Einn and Karmikel just go so well together.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-17 03:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-17 04:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-17 05:05 pm (UTC)And this is why the Draconis prefer the word "match" - it's less insinuating. XP
*skooshes angst bug*
Which reminds me - Cyan isn't going to be happy about it either.
*shuts up now*
no subject
Date: 2004-11-17 07:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-19 04:37 am (UTC)::sighs:: so many good characters, so much tugging with my feelings and emotions! it is wonderful! (i agree with those above who luved Winter - ::squees:: totally loving him!!)
T___T and a cliffhanger? so terribly mean....
no subject
Date: 2004-11-21 06:36 pm (UTC)*grins* Thanks!
Heh, sorry about the cliffies. I seem to have a penchant for those...