Travis, I sent, I want to have dinner with the BlackWing bunch tonight. I really need to speak with Randl and Sabrina, but I need input from the rest of you, too. Ask Randl to have his list of agents for Zanfield ready, too, so I can make arrangements.
Will do, Travis replied. Want me to handle catering?
Please. Set it up for twenty-one bells—I should be available then.
"Want to have dinner with the pirates and me tonight?" I asked Jett aloud.
"Sure thing. I learn more when I talk to them than from talking to the entire list of CSD agents."
"Good. Let's visit with Karzac and our prisoner, then, to hear what the physician has to say about sexually transmitted obsessions."
Randl
Karzac didn't tell Kooper, but he'd asked to link with me while he explained his findings to Kooper and Jett. He'd been working on this problem since the first infected body had been delivered to him, and, with the assistance of med-bots, had reached some conclusions in the matter.
I could see Kooper and Jett through Karzac's eyes, as he welcomed them into a small office, connected to the sealed glass room where Shella's body was quarantined.
Through the glass wall, I could see that the med-bots had already proceeded with an autopsy, and were still working on Shella's body.
"What can you tell us?" Kooper asked.
"I believe I've discovered changes in the amygdala of other bodies, and I'm hoping to find something similar in this one," Karzac replied.
"That tiny part of the brain?" Jett asked.
"Yes. Those two small parts may be tiny, but they have a great effect on how we react to many things. It is tied to our emotions and memory, so it isn't a far stretch to imagine that an obsession would affect it in some way."
"Is there anything we can do about it?" Kooper asked.
"Removal of the amygdala is unpredictable, and I believe it is only a part of a greater problem. The infection, for lack of a better term, also seats itself in the organs of those affected, and will still infect another if someone comes in contact. Therefore, removing the amygdala of an infected individual may only prevent the obsession from activating, while leaving them fully capable of infecting another—through sex if nothing else."
"We're still left with a serious problem," Jett shook his head as he watched the med-bots work.
"Yes. Definitely a serious problem. It's too bad we didn't find Shella after she was first infected—it could give me an idea of how quickly the infection spreads after intercourse."
"Are you working on a possible cure, then?" Kooper asked.
"I have considered it, but for now, that could be far down the road. By the time a cure is developed and tested, too many people could be infected and it would be too late to administer a preventative. I'm unsure as to whether a cure can be found for anyone after they are infected, Director."
"If I didn't know better, I'd say this was connected to the God Wars," Jett grumbled.
"That has yet to be disproven," Karzac turned to him. "At this point, we can rule nothing out. The Prophet may be a servant of the dark ones, left behind to create chaos and destroy, in his masters' absence."
"You're not making me feel any better," Kooper snarled.
"You do not outrank me in the Hierarchy," Karzac snapped back. "Hold your anger back, Director, especially from those who are only attempting to help you and your cause."
"You're right," Kooper admitted, before pinching the bridge of his nose. "I've already barked at Randl, when I should have been listening to him instead."
"You have a very good team around you, Director. I suggest getting more sleep in the future, and allowing others to keep watch during that time. They will not let you down, I believe."
"Yeah. I'll work on that."
Mountain Retreat
Randl
"We have to present this to Zanfield in a way that he'll consider it sufficiently noteworthy," I said, handing a comp-vid to Kooper after dinner.
Travis and Trent had found a type of pot roast somewhere to feed all of us, and we were having after-dinner tea and coffee while I went over my list of choices for Zanfield.
"You want Dori to be the ocelot?" Kooper frowned at me.
"She will walk in at Zanfield's side. He'll be dressed as his favorite high-ranking ASD Director, but with a retinue worthy of his eccentricity. Travis and Trent, acting as his bodyguards, will follow, both dressed in ASD uniforms. Then comes David, as the favored shorter person. As for who will be walking beside David—and I'm still working on this, by the way—I've decided to have a female snake charmer, with Bekzi's lion snake wrapped around her shoulders and torso."
"Who comes after that?" Kooper asked.
"I do. The blind man dressed in black leathers with two Falchani blades strapped to his back. As I'm blind, who will think the blades dangerous?"
"How do you arrive? Have you thought of that? Zanfield always likes to make a statement when he exits a vehicle."
"I've borrowed something from Bekzi and his brothers," I grinned at Kooper.
"What's that?"
"A nineteen-twenty-five Rolls-Royce Phantom," I said. "It has been modified as a hover-car, so Zanfield will arrive in style."
"Who will be the snake charmer?" Jett asked.
"I was thinking either Jayna or Susan," I shrugged. "I don't know which one can be more comfortable wearing a snake around their neck. Neither are fond of snakes," I added, "so we may have to convince them."
"Sort it out," Kooper said. "I don't care which one ends up going; they're both competent. We'll go with your decision in that role and consider it the final list," Kooper tossed out a hand. "Randl, you're in charge of this."
"Thank you, Director," I dipped my head to him.
Kooper
I considered that Karzac was correct, and it was time to allow someone to hold the reins while I rested.
Two came to mind immediately—Kell and Opal. Opal held a place in the Hierarchy, and I figured Kell would get there soon enough.
I sent mindspeech while having a drink in Teeg's massive palace kitchen. Kell and Opal arrived seconds later.
"You'll be taking over for me when I'm unavailable," I announced before emptying my glass of bourbon.
"Good," Opal breathed a ragged sigh. "We thought you were trying to kill yourself by refusing to rest."
"Thanks for noticing," I said, my words dry. "I'd offer you a drink, but you're officially on duty now. Coordinate with Jett and his people, and we'll work out a schedule tomorrow. Don't wake me unless a bomb goes off or you see the Prophet in person."
"If we see the Prophet, we'll wake Randl first," Kell said, his words equally dry.
"Sounds good." I poured another glass. "Go forth and manage," I said. "I'm getting drunk."
Felarku, Wib'burne
Wyatt
"This is pure genius," Zanfield hooted as we let him watch the parade of images cooked up by Randl and Sabrina on my comp-vid. Sabrina had provided graphic images of what Zanfield's arrival and entrance to the casino would look like, and it was indistinguishable from the real thing.
"The ocelot and the snake are tame, aren't they?" Zanfield thought to ask.
"Both are shapeshifters," Randl informed him, "and both work for the ASD. They are agents, Master Staggs."
"Outstanding," Zanfield said. "I see you at the back, dressed as a Falchani," he told Randl, before restarting the images again. "I've never heard of a blind man working for the ASD."
"He's the first—an experiment," I said, attempting to divert any worries Zanfield could have.
"I do well enough," Randl agreed. "You'll see."
"I'm already booked at the Eclipse," Zanfield sighed. "I can't wait to arrive like this."
"It will be the spectacle of a lifetime, guaranteed," I said.
"Good. When will my uniform be delivered?"
"Today. We've had it tailored specifically for you, and it will be authentic, right down to the buttons and ribbons."
&nb
sp; "Excellent. I can't wait!"
Sandswept Casino
Randl
"This is the ballroom where the Conclave will be held," Wyatt took me on a tour of the facility after our meeting with Zanfield.
The massive ballroom, which would be covered in tables and chairs in only a few days, was currently empty and our footsteps echoed as we walked across marble tiles. Do you think Zanfield will cause us any trouble? He asked mentally.
I think Zanfield is too excited about being this close to actual ASD agents, and close enough to being one himself to mess it up too badly, I replied. He's as giddy as a schoolboy going on holiday.
I get the giddy part, Wyatt chuckled softly. That's Zanfield when he's excited about something. But Bekzi, he began.
Yeah. I understand about Bekzi and Zaria—that they're together. Bekzi told me himself, or I wouldn't have known it.
It's better for him if not many have that secret, Wyatt admitted. He's powerful enough, but what if he's targeted because of her? She doesn't want that, I don't think.
You're right.
And the same goes for the rest of her mates. Do you know who they are?
I saw them in someone else, not Zaria, I said. And those secrets I will keep.
"Here's the security area, where badges will be checked before the attendees enter," Wyatt said aloud. "This time, the Kings, Queens, Presidents and other rulers will come through first, instead of through a separate entrance, like the one on Pyrik."
We'd walked out of the ballroom and into a wide pergola, with exotic plants, trees and flowers spaced throughout.
This is where Sabrina's rainbow birds will fly, checking the crowds before they pass through security, Wyatt informed me.
There's plenty of room for them to operate, I acknowledged. The pergola was quite high and supported by carved columns resembling equatorial trees from many worlds.
Bel says he's even spelled the rainbow birds to land on one of the trees now and then, to complete the ruse. I think the most lavish parties from now on will be crying to get rainbow birds for their events.
It could be another moneymaker for Sabrina, I agreed. "Will everyone show up at once, or will they have assigned arrival times?" I asked aloud.
"There will be assigned arrival times," Wyatt said. "That way, nobody will be waiting overly-long to enter." You think someone's listening in, too, don't you? he asked.
Yes. I feel eyes on us, too. Very much like the occurrences on Pyrik and Jaledis.
I'll have Astralan and Stellan check it over for spells, Wyatt said, to see if they can detect anything.
Let me know what they say. I could do some checking of my own, but I worry that the eyes will see what I do, and that will identify me to someone I'd rather stay hidden from.
Understood. Want to go with me to visit Dad? I think he'll want to hear this.
Of course. I like your father.
I think he likes you, too.
"That's all of it," Wyatt said aloud. "How about a snack and a drink?"
"I like that idea," I replied.
When we were several feet away from the pergola, the buzzing sensation of someone watching us dropped away and I sighed in relief.
"How do you suppose they got in there to place a spell, or whatever this is?" Teeg San Gerxon asked. He and Dormas, his ancient vampire assistant, were the only ones in Teeg's study besides Wyatt and me.
"I don't know," I confessed. "I still don't know how they got into Sabrina's lab on Jaledis, either. I only felt the presence, if you can call it that, and called a halt to our entry. They still managed to get to her later, after we had her equipment moved."
"Who are they targeting, here?" Dormas asked. "Or is it the entire Conclave?"
"If your warlocks don't put them on notice by searching for the spell, it could be everybody," I said. "If the one who laid the spell doesn't retract it the moment he feels he's been discovered, then he'll be going against the norm, I think. If that's the case, and we can't get rid of it somehow, I suggest having a High Demon contingent available during Conclave."
"I'll certainly consider that," Teeg agreed. "I think we can borrow a few guards from my wife."
He meant Queen Reah of Kifirin, who ruled the High Demons.
I didn't mention Vik—it would be hard enough for him to see her again, although she wouldn't recognize him now.
Neither would Teeg, for that matter.
I felt bad for Vik—he was still being punished in some way, in my opinion. I hope you know what you're doing, I sent to Zaria.
I believe I do, she replied, surprising me with her response. Although nobody is ever one hundred percent accurate one hundred percent of the time, she added.
I felt the smile in her mental sending.
Then Vik may be our hidden asset in protecting the Conclave, I said.
Exactly my thoughts, she agreed.
"What do you think, Randl?" Teeg drew me away from my conversation with Zaria, to ask about beefing up security in addition to adding a few High Demons.
"I think you should discreetly position all the BlackWing crews either in the pergola or inside the ballroom," I said. "You have plenty of talent there, and adding them to the existing guards wouldn't hurt."
"A sound recommendation, and one I'd already considered taking to Kooper," Teeg nodded. "I'll present it to him and Jett tonight at dinner."
"That's great, Dad," Wyatt said. "Can I have a private dinner with Jayna, tonight?"
"Have a good time, Son," Teeg grinned.
I considered that I ought to have dinner with Dori—or at least ask if she wanted to have dinner with me. She could invite others if she wanted, but time alone sounded nice. I also considered that there was a long list of things I should attend to, and one of those things was the coin from Vogeffa II.
After my first experience with the object, I was reluctant to hold it again, and I couldn't define the misgivings I felt at those images.
As if I'd see something eventually I didn't want to see.
Vehicle is here, Bekzi sent.
I'll be right there, I replied. I really wanted to see the Phantom again, because it was a beautiful thing.
I'd never considered applying for a vehicle operator's license, and wondered how the Alliances would feel about a blind man driving anything.
Dori and a few others were outside the mountain retreat, admiring the car when I arrived. Without thinking, I went straight to her first, draped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed.
Dori's head dropped against my shoulder while she released a happy sigh. She'd been waiting for me to do this. It could create another rift between Kooper and me, but for the moment, I didn't really give a reptagator's ass if it did.
"Want to go to dinner with me after this?" I breathed against her hair before dropping a kiss there.
"Yes." An arm stole around my waist, and I was more than happy to have it there.
"This way, we can kill two birds with a single stone," Dori smiled at me across the small restaurant table.
We sat near a window, which gave us an uncluttered view of Greenever Mountain above the small village of Ba'Moru on Pyrik.
"Something about this place bothers you, too?" I asked.
"Yeah. I can't really say what it is, and I sure can't see what you can when you look at people, but it gets my tail in a knot every time I think about it."
"I worry that Caille was having sex with anyone who'd say yes," I voiced my concern. "He apparently didn't care whether the woman was engaged, so we could be looking at half the women in the village."
"Involuntary soldiers for you-know-who's army," Dori said. "He just doesn't know they signed up yet."
"And if he finds out, he could exert his power over them and send them running in his direction."
"He didn't send the others running, he pulled them out instead," Dori pointed her fork at me. We talked over salads and glasses of wine while waiting for our main courses to arrive.
"True—good point," I s
aid. "So, if he discovers them and pulls them away, we have no idea where he'll take them. Kooper's been looking for him for almost a year, and I—well, I've been looking longer than that."
"I can't believe he doesn't have ties to somebody in the logging industry. He keeps going back to that, you know. Otherwise, he wouldn't have placed more of his soldiers in their ranks and made arrangements to influence the location of their conference."
"We don't have proof that he did that, only strong suspicions," I said.
"Come on, you know he had a hand in this."
"Yes. I think you're right, we just don't have proof of it."
"Do you think it's because they're so easy to infiltrate—the logging industries?" Dori asked.
"That could be part of it, plus, I think pseudo-Phorde Gaster was unwittingly giving information to the Prophet about suitable places to set up his pirates and troops, or where he could bury those confounded concrete blocks that he uses to sacrifice people."
"And we still don't know whether that's just a sick fantasy or if there's a purpose behind it."
"Also true. I haven't had much time to do research lately, but I really want to get to the bottom of how the Prophet creates exact replicas of other people. The original Phorde Gaster is dead, and was replaced by a replica. He did the same thing with those who worked for the logging industry—it's why we're going into the Eclipse with Zanfield Staggs—to watch them and what they do."
"Any theories on that?" Dori smiled at me before sipping her wine.
"One or two have suggested the Lyristolyi drug, and I have information that Queen Lissa sent to me, but there's been no time to absorb any of it."
"Sounds about right, although they'd have to modify the drug to get it to do this—in the past, only someone who could survive the drug to begin with could be cloned—by giving their blood to another person with the same blood type. Whatever metamorphosis the drug went through in their system was then able to create an exact replica of the original survivor. That happened with Vardil Cayetes," Dori said.
"Well, you seem to know a lot about this," I said. "Tell me more."
"Vardil contracted the disease that affected so many worlds after Siriaa was destroyed, sending that planet's deadly affliction into space and eventually dropping onto other planets. It made the planet and its people sick."
MindMage: BlackWing Pirates, Book 2 Page 14
