Yo ho yo ho, A Pirates Life For Me

The Wisdom of Conan

The Old Firm: A Steampunk Tale XIII

     John gasped and wiped his mouth. "Goodness, " he said his breath ragged in his lungs as he wobbled unsteadily on two legs as Rebecca and Maureen held him up. "That take away lunch disagreed with me something fierce." 

     Stefania turned from the hatch her face was pale. "They have torch's," she said as she lifted her skirts and hurried over to John and the lass'. The hiss of a cutting torch could be heard as sparks began to shower into the corridor. 

     Rebecca shoved John forward as the airship suddenly tipped sending loose bits and pieces sliding around. "We're going down," Rebecca growled her face set with a determination that would of made a weaker man flinch away.

     "I didn't feel any explosions," Maureen said looking around puzzled. 

     "No time to worry about that now," Rebecca gestured at Stefania. "We need to get off this airship now. Keep John moving, if he slows up, kick him in the arse hard." Stefania flinched at Rebecca's words as Maureen placed a calming hand on her shoulder.

     "It's ok," Maureen said to Stefania. "You can do it."

     John looked back to the hatch the wash of sparks growing in intensity. "Let's move," he growled as he pulled himself unsteadily along the corridor's wall. 

     Rebecca moved past him her skirts swirling about her solid boots barely glimpsed among the layers as she peered out the hatch at the end of the corridor. "Hurry up," she hissed, 'the way is clear."

*************************************************************************************

     "General, the pods are online and prepped." The General saluted and turned his gaze back to the low cloud cover. The roar of an airships engines were growing louder though it could not be seen. "Blasted Aberdeen weather," the General growled.

     'Sir! Contact!" came the cry just as the pods lined up at the far end of the runway exploded sending large jagged bits of riveted iron and clouds of burning steam skyward.

     "Damnit! Bring them down!" roared the General as a few pods responded their guns belching gouts of flame as they hurled explosives into the cloudy skies. "Where are they blast it!" the General bellowed as he scanned the sky swinging his glasses left and right rapidly.

     "They're coming in behind us!"came the cry. The General whirled about and his cigar fell to the cold granite ground as the airship loomed large out of the clouds its engines throttled wide coming in low its cannons belching gouts of explosives as it clipped the tower sending wooden shards raining down. 

     "Sir, we need to get you out of here!" hands tugged at the General's arms as he stared at the massive airship bearing down on him.

     To Be Continued.......

Lord help me I can't resist

The Old Firm: A SteamPunk Tale XII

     Rebecca cut loose with a string of curses causing Master M to tut tut over the the comm system. "Such language form such a refined lady of breeding,' he said over the crackle and hiss.

     

     "Oh shut it," she growled crossing her arms and moving behind John. 

     A cackling laugh filtered over the comm channel, sending shivers up the spine of his crew members. Maureen rolled her eyes and looked to John, then Stefania, and finally Rebecca. 

     "None of that now," a crewman said poking his air rifle at Maureen.

     "I wouldn't do that If  I were you," John warned.

     "Shove it old man," the business end of the air rifle swung towards John and poked at his waist.

    "Careful now," John said taking his finger and moving the air rifle away from him, "that's no toy there, someone could get hurt!"

    "Look you, shut up now or..!" the man's voice was cut off instantly as Rebecca garroted him crushing his windpipe with a knotted cord as Maureen disarmed her guard his shock still showing as he slid to his knee's his hands grasping his belly. Stefania had wrestled away her guards air pistol and she aimed it down the corridor squeezing off round after round until the hammer clicked on empty cartridges. John looked to her as he lowered the last guard his hand red with blood.

   

     "We need to get off this airship now," John hissed ignoring the long red wound running up his thigh and vanishing beneath his kilt. Stefania pointed to the ceiling and gasped. A loud hissing and a blue glass was venting into the corridor.

     "Through the hatch now!" John grabbed Stefani and manhandled through the hatch as the blue gas thickened and filled the corridor. He coughed and covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief as Maureen and Rebecca followed after Stefania. John lurched forward striking his knee against the hatch's seal his body swaying. Delicate hands reached out and grabbed his jacket pulling him through the hatch and shutting it behind him. 

     "Grab his shirt, I'll get his arms,' voices said as he looked about his vision blurry.

     "I'm gonna be sick," John mumbled and promptly threw up.

***********************************************************************************

     The General paced back and forth the North Sea winds whipping lightly about his legs the pleats of his kilt swaying gently back and forth. He looked to the south but the low lying cloud cover obscured even nearby buildings, the grey clouds blending with the local granite. An aide stopped and saluted, waiting.

     "Out with it," growled the General.

     "Sir! Our advance listening posts report the approach of a Airship of War from the south!" 

     The General nodded and bit off the end of a cigar and held a match to it. He puffed it into life and stood there smoking in silence. "Have the pods brought online," he said finally.

To Be Continued.......

Some election fun

The Old Firm: A Steampunk Tale XI

Master M shuffled from his bed the sheets crumpled as he went to the wall to answer the flashing comm unit, the flashing amber light casting strange shadows over the the cabin. A liver spotted hand reached out and a bony finger stabbed out bringing the screen to life.

"We are awaiting your arrival," the General's burr came over the tiny speakers. His full features flickered on the green tube, he was dressed in full uniform and Master M could make out the shadowy outlines of his fellow conspirators. 

"We land in one hour," snapped Master M. "Our itinerary has not changed. What is the purpose of this disturbance?" Master M leaned into the range of the video pickup letting the garish light cast his features into a demonic caricature.

"We require assurances," the general replied smoothly. "The incidents at the border have led to unwanted attention from agencies that we did not wish to be involved."

"Your concerns are nothing to me," Master M hissed. "If I allowed you to proceed as you desire, your entire operation would  of collapsed, being managed by the slow and incompetent. "

"Now you listen to us," howled an outraged gentleman from behind the General.  "You're a bloody hired hand and we dinnae sign you oop to run aboot like Jack Sprout! Do ye're damn job ye blasted numpty!"

"General restrain your companion," Master M said with an air of distain. "I'm already displeased with your snooping and leg dragging as it is."

The General turned and made a motion. The sound from the speakers hissed and crackled but no noise came over them. The General turned back and adjusted his jacket. "Shall we continue?"

*************

John peered around the corner as Stefania, Maureen, and Rebecca, gathered behind him. "All clear," he announced softly as he turned the corner and scooted down the hallway, the ladies following. Large Red Letters proclaiming  LANDING BAY blazed in the bright white hallway light. 

Rebecca turned to peer back down the way they had come. "It's too quiet John," she said as she raised her skirts a tad higher to keep them from swirling about her feet.

"Aye, but don't ever question good fortune," John replied as he stopped at a large sealed door. "Even the most skilled need the gods to smile down on them from time to time." He gripped the wheel centered on the door and his shoulders straining briefly before the wheel began to slowly turn releasing the pressure and the door opening with a pop!

"Now quickly ladies," John said. 'We must not be late for high tea."

"I'm afraid Mr. McBride that you will have to cancel your engagement," Master M's voice drifted scratchily over the airships comm system.

To Be Continued........ 

More Pirate Goodness

McCain gets Barrack roll'd!!!!!

This is totally awesome!

The Muse

Women in glasses

Three very good reasons to drink.

Just in case anyone gets a little too hotheaded

Who says Pirates are a bad thing?

Pulp Goodness

Sometimes you have to admire the balls of some publishers.

Republicans are amateurs compared to this guy!

Lucky Bastard!

Alice Cooper knows what it's all about.

The Old Firm: A Steampunk Tale X

John sat staring at the the elaborate locking mechanism of their door. Stefania and Rebecca were off in the corner cobbling together an electric lock pick under Maureen's direction from bits and pieces she had gathered together.

Maureen finally stood a tiny device connected by bare wire to the intercom system on the room. Rebecca had cut a strip off her skirt and as well as slit it and tied the halves about her legs. Stefania looked about nervously her hand gripping a sharp length of metal they had managed to pry loose.

John smiled at Maureen as she knelt at his side.  'All ready?"

"Of course, this will work, I just hope it doesn't short out the entire airship and send us plummeting to the ground." Maureen grinned.

Stefania shook her head and uttered prayers in Italian as she and Rebecca tensed. John chuckled and moved aside to allow Maureen room to work. "See where I exposed the electrical system?" he said pointing.  Maureen nodded as she connected one wire. "Stand back she told John as she moved to the side the last wire in hand.

John scooted back as Maureen connected the last wire. A shower of sparks, the reek of burning metal, and the lights went out. The door was still shut.

"Oh bugger," John muttered.

"Be patient John," Maureen said from her patch of darkness.

"OW!" Stefania cried out her hands over her ears. "That noise!"

An electric hum was vibrating throughout the room. Rebecca had stumbled clutching at John who had taken a knee his hands over his hands over his ears. A loud pop and a bass rumble and the door opened slowly grinding on its track. The door jammed, only partially open. Maureen swayed as she stood before it the corridors light layering itself into the room. John helped Rebecca to her feet as Stefania took hesitant steps towards the door.

Maureen turned sideways and slid past the stuck door the sound of ripping material loud in the room. 'Blast! I tore my skirt!" she hissed standing on full light and looking at the long tear  along her outer skirt. Stefania clutched her skirts tight to her as she passed by, followed by Rebecca and John.

"Find the airships lifeboats and get to safety," John ordered Maureen. I'm going to bring this thing down before it gets to its destination."

Rebecca glared. 'You're crazy to think you can do it on your own."

"No arguments, get to safety, contact the Old Man, let him know Master M is behind this."

"John, Rebecca's right, you can't do it alone. YOu saw the size of this airship ,the crew probably numbers in the hundreds." Maureen crossed her arms and stared him down.

"Now hold on, don't you all go and gang up on me now." John stammered. Stefania shook her head and joined Maureen and Rebecca ,all three with their arms crossed. 

"Face it John we're a team, and you are stuck with us," Rebecca grinned her eyes twinkling.

"Enough of this idle chatter, lets get off this boat!" Maureen said grinning.

To Be Continued........

Watchmen Fetish Posters

Snyder sure knows how to catch ones attention!

Our Founding Fathers were Smarter than We Give Them Credit For

Red Sonja

The above are two concept posters for the new Red Sonja movie from Sin City & Planet Terror director Robert Rodriguez.  I have mixed feelings concerning this movie, but we shall see.

Window's for those who don't like change

The Old Firm: A Steampunk Tale IX

     Master M sighed as he shut his eyes, the his and bubble of his equipment was faint against the steady drone of the airships engines.  His fingers trembled as he reached up and massaged his eyelids the bone weariness of the elixir fading rapidly, its effectiveness diminishing with each use.

     As he sat there resting, a console on the curvature began to blink, it's light begging for attention, tinkling louder and louder.

    "Blast it," muttered Master M as he gingerly rose and slowly shuffled over to the console his shaky fingers stabbing it into life.

     "Quite the show you put on today," the thick Highland burr poured out of the speakers mingling with the electronic hiss of the wireless.

     "I assured you and your confederates General that I take all my jobs seriously." Master M. kept his voice neutral.

     "Indeed, we have been most impressed."

 

     "Have you been able to acquire my "little request?"

     The General's brows furrowed. "We have been having some...difficulty, the only source at the moment is in Britannia, as you know, relationships are even more strained right now."

     "I don't want excuses! Get me the radiumarium and get it now or I will cease all operations!"

     "You don't understand......" began the General only to have Master M cut him short. 

     "No more delay's! I need that material or all your little plans will fail and you know  that means?" Master M grinned his skin stretching across his skull.

     "Now you listen here! We have kept our bargain!"

     "Silence!" Master M's voice rang in the chamber. "I am not some servant you may bully, I am a master! And I will not be denied! He glared at the General. "Our lans are best served by you supplying the radiumarium General. Or do I need to remind you that Holyrood would be most interested in seeing the footage I have."

     "You claimed it was destroyed!" cried the General is voice squeaky and high  pitched through the wireless' speakers.

    "A slip of the tongue dear general," Master M grinned.  "I will arrive in Aberdeen in six hours, I expect my needs to be met when I arrive." The screen went black and the audio cut out with a loud pop as Master M turned and shuffled back to his plain cot.

To Be Continued.........

Rethinking Disney

I don't remember Disneyland looking like this!  Sign me up!

The Truth about Barney

Barney

1) Start with the given: 
CUTE PURPLE DINOSAUR 

2) Change all U's to V's (which is proper latin anyway): 
CVTE PVRPLE DINOSAVR 

3) Extract all Roman Numerals: 
C V V L D I V 

4) Convert into Arabic values: 
100 5 5 50 500 1 5 

5) Add all the numbers: 
666 

Thus, Barney is Satan.

Carla Gugino Watchmen Pin Up art

  This is flat out plain yummy.

Election season is here

Gotta love the republican party.

The Old Firm: A Steampunk Tale

VIII

     Rebecca stirred her hair about her face her fingers delicately touching the bump upon the back of her head. She winced at the pain and carefully raised her head to look about. The room was dark, barely lit, electric lamps fizzing in their stands. Dark shapes were tossed about the floor. Rebecca peered closer, squinting in the dim light. 

     "John? Stefania? Maureen?" Rebecca's voice was soft and low, her every word making her head twinge.

     "A low groan emitted from the floor. Stefania stirred and began to rise only to collapse. Rebecca scrambled to her side and placed a hand beneath her head. 

     "Are you hurt bad?" Rebecca whispered cradling Stefania's head in her lap.

    

     "Ughhhh, my head it hurts," Stefania reached back to touch her head. 'Damn!" she exclaimed as her ribs spasmed. "I feel like i got ran over." Her voice was thick with pain.

     "A large shape loomed over Rebecca and Stefania, Rebecca flinching and letting out a gasp.

      "John?"

      "Aye, are we all here?"

      "Stefania and I are awake, not a peep out of Maureen." Rebecca tried to keep her voice steady.

       John grunted s he knelt by Maureen his hands moving about her. "She's breathing but still out." He rose once more his body creaking and popping. "Damn I took a tumble."

      "We all did, "Rebecca said. 

      "John went to the hatch barely illuminated in the sulfurous glow of the electric lamps and tried the wheel. His muscles strained but it did not move. "Blast!" he stepped away and began to move about the small cabin his hands roaming over seals and rivet's. 

     "Do not bother trying to escape," a cold sharp voice crackling with feedback echoed in the cabin. "You are my guests for now." Rebecca looked wildly about trying to locate the source of the electronic voice.

     John stood still listening his fists balled tight.

    

     "It's been a long time Master M," John said his voice firm. "Fancy support system you have here," John rapped the metal walls of the cabin. "A bit overkill don't you think?"

     A dark hard laugh cackled over the speaker followed by a harsh short cough and a click as the transmission was cut.

     John sighed and sat down next to Maureen.

     "What now?" Rebecca asked shifting to see John better.

   

     "I'm thinking," John looked over at Maureen and sighed again.

      To Be Continued............

Renegade: A Dune Tale

Stefania sat still between Angus and her mother. The Guild people about her made her nervous, they had a strangeness to them that made her skin crawl. One Guild representative in particular kept gazing upon her, his eyes barely blinking, his gaze never wavering. Stefania squirmed in her seat pressing against Angus who looked up at the Guild representative who met Angus' cold hard stare without wavering. Lady Tavdi glanced at Angus and Stefania and went back to her needlework.

"He scares me," Stefania said for all in the compartment to hear.

"Too much time in space has addled his brain is all," Angus replied. "All that time spent among machines and metal has taken away much of his humanity."

Stefania's eyes went wide and she leaned forward staring at the Guild representative with the intensity only one of her age could muster.

"He looks funny," she said letting out a slight girlish giggle and his a smile behind her hand.

"Stop that child, it's unbecoming of a lady of your postion ot behave like such a commoner," Lady Tavdi rebuked Stefania without looking up from her needle work.

"Sorry mother," Stefania smoothed her skirt and looked at the Guild representative. "I'm sorry for making fun of you."

The representative barely nodded his head in acknowledgement and turned his attention to something small in his lap. Stefania squirmed wanting to see what it was but kept silent.

Baron Tavdi listened without emotion as one by one the comm units in his command center went dead as the Imperial Sardakaur systematically over ran his house's meager forces. His aides remained silent as their death approached unabated.

"Is our surprise ready?" The Baron asked softly. A short nod of acknowledgement. "When they reach the Spice stores, overload the lasgun,"Baron Tavdi ordered in a firm voice.

All present knew of the Lasgun and shield set as a trap in place of the family atomics which had been spirited away with the the Baron's family. The Great Convention would matter little already dead.

"They approach my Baron," an aide said softly.

"Do it," he ordered.

The comm unit crackled as orders were given and acknowledged while those present waited for the explosion.

"My Baron! Something's wrong!"

Baron Tavdi sighed. "It was always a possibility, the Sardakaur had infiltrated my house troops." Baron Tavdi gripped his short sword. "Prepare for our last stand," he growled.

To Be Continued.....

Now that is a thing of beauty

What' was in your bottle?

  If I had been bottled fed this is what I wish would of been in it.

The Interwebs have spoken!

The Old Firm: A Steampunk Tale

VII

     The airship came to a hover just above the ground as portals dilated and solid black humanoid shapes tumbled to the ground and rapidly crossed the torn ground and surrounded the shattered rail car spewing steam and smoke from its shattered boilers. A figure immaculately dressed came to a halt among the dark figures. 

     "Find me McBride", hissed the voice thick and cold a thin cough blasting from the lips.

     "Yes Master M," came cold mechanical replies in unison. 

     Large chunks of metal shrieked as they were torn from their rivets and tossed aside gouging out chunks of grass and dirt. The thunder of Pod's guns shattered the windy shriek by the bridge and Master M turned back to peer across the river to see the Alba Pods approaching, lumbering forward on their stumpy metal legs.

     "Master M, we have found more than one subject." The cold metallic voice carried easily to Master M's ears.

     "Gather the women and board the airship," barked Master M his voice thin in the wind as he turned and began to hurry back as the Pods guns began to zero in on the wreckage their projectiles throwing up massive gouts of earth and vegetation. 

     The dark humanoids scurried past Master M, McBride and the the ladies unconscious in their arms. Master M was wheezing hard his chest heaving as he reached the airship.  Gloved hands reached down and pulled him aboard the portal dilating shut behind him as the airships engines revved higher their pitch overpowering the Pods projectiles as the frame of the airship shuddered as it began to rise into the air. Master M sighed wearily as he eased himself into his chair as his crew scurried about the airships turrets whirring as they came to bear on the approaching Pods.

     "The prisoners are secured Master M," a harsh voice tinkled over the wireless. 

     "Captain get us out of range," barked Master M his eyes closed his voice weak as he reached for a vial in his pocket.

To Be Continued....

One of the reasons I will never ever vote Republican

More at the link:  The Republican Party: The Party of the Ignorant

From the interwebs

From an interview with JG Ballard:

Ballard's conversation, like his writing, is regularly punctuated with inventories of the liberating spirit of technology. But with scarcely a twitch to indicate a change of direction, he explains that his most recent novel, Kingdom Come (2006), "posed the question: could consumerism turn into fascism? The underlying psychologies aren't all that far removed from one another. If you go into a huge shopping mall and you're looking down the parade, it's the same theatrical aspect: these disciplined ranks of merchandise, all glittering like fascist uniforms. When you enter a mall, you are taking part in a ceremony of affirmation, which you endorse just by your presence." Consumerism "has to a large extent replaced art and culture in this country. The principal entertainment industry nowadays is soccer which, with its marching supporters' groups, is not that far removed from fascism."

The Old Firm: A Steampunk Tale

VI

"That's not one of ours," Rebecca said the optics still glued to her face.

"Damnit," growled John, "get to the rail car." He grabbed Maureen and gave Stefania a push as the airship began to descend towards the border.

The thrum of the airships engines could clearly be heard now as the double balloon of the airship came into view beneath the heavy cloud cover, massive propellors whipped the air as the turrets of the airship hummed into position and opened fire on the Britannia side of the border.

"BLAST!" cried John over the steady thump of the guns. The rail car stood there waiting smoke roiling out of its stack as its oversized boilers bubbled at full capacity. John stood at the cars door grabbing each of the girls by the waist and lifting them up into the car. 

"Gets back across the bridge!" he ordered as he swung himself aboard and made his way to the back balcony of the car to watch airships attack. 

"The wire is going crazy!" called out Maureen as Stefania and Rebecca joined John. 

The rail car leapt forward with much grinding of metal on metal quickly picking up speed as the Engineer throttled her open sparks shooting out from its drivers as it barreled towards the Scotia Bridge looming larger and larger with every moment. 

Columns of thick black smoke filled the sky as the airship changed course aiming for the Scotia Bridge.  "More speed!" bellowed John into the comm tube. With a lurch the rail car gained more speed even as it began to climb the grade to the bridge. 

The airships forward turrets swiveled about and began to belch forth mighty flashes, their projectiles exploding closer and closer ot the rails and the approaching bridge. The rail car roared onto the bridge its stack billowing a column of smoke that stretched ten times its length as it flew across the rails its boilers throttled wide open. 

"Cheeky bastards," shouted Rebecca shaking her fist at the airship as one of its projectiles showered them with water. 

The airship dipped low dropping in altitude and cut loose with a broadside from its turrets.  "Hang on tight! barked John as the barrage tore up the rails just ahead and the rail car jumped the tracks slowly twisting over onto its side and plowing into the greenery all about the descending grade from the bridge.

To be Continued.....

The Old Firm: A Steampunk Tale

V

     Rebecca lifted her skirt in both hands as she made her way across the empty rails to join Maureen as she wrote in her notebook. The twisted border gates hung twisted and cracked from their rollers, the mighty gears that powered them broken and shattered, strewn about from the force of the blast. The wind whipped Maureen's brown hair about her face as she worked her skirts tight to her legs.

     "Definitely not the work of Welsh Separatists," Maureen said as she tucked her notebook into her purse.

     John was off on a hilltop his array of optics out as Stefania helped him assemble them.

     "I don't see why we were called in for this," Stefania said her accent more pronounced when she was concentrating on other tasks. "This is a job for the Blackguards."

     "Politics m'dear. Too many of the Blackguards have connections to the  Scotia Nostra. You've seen the broadsheets. Their pets in the High Command are screaming for blood while pressuring the more level headed staff. They even have their whipping boys in parliament brewing up a storm of hot air." John shook his head and raised his optics to his eyes peering over the border into Britannia.

     "Lots of nervous people down there," Rebecca said as she and Maureen topped the hill and joined John and Stefania. 

     John chuckled. "As long as no one gets a twitchy finger in a pod everything will be fine. he handed the optics over to Rebecca who began to scan the sky.

     "No Air Patrol's on either side I see," she said after a few moments.

 

     "Too risky, both governments pulled them back, all too easy to drift across a border and cause an incident." 

     "None of this makes any sense, " Stefania muttered. 'An empty train, no note taking responsibility, what type of organization does that?"

     "A smart one that's for sure,John said. "Makes our job that much harder." He squinted peering over the border. 

     Maureen looked about. 'Do you hear that?"

     "I don't hear anything," john and Stefania both said looking to Maureen Johns head cocked as he listened.

     "There," she pointed to a bank of cottony clouds towards Edinburgh. "Sounds like engines."

     "Rebecca swung the optics around and peered into them. 'I see something," she finally said. 'It's big whatever it is."

  To Be Continued............

Pulpy Goodness

Robert E. Howard wrote more than just Conan stories, he was a versatile writer of great skill who was butchered by later generations. It is only now that his work is being published as he wrote it minus all the changes made by other authors.

Wandering Star started off with some absolutely gorgeous volumes, of which I have all but the Solomon Kane.  Sales were not that spectacular I understand, the volumes ranged in price from $60-225$ US for the standard editions and Wandering star has not released further volumes, including the third Conan that would finish the set. The good news is Subterranean Press is picking up where Wandering Star left off starting with Kull followed by the third Conan volume. I can't wait to add to my collection.  Here is one of the interior color plates from the upcoming Kull book.

Renegade: A Dune Tale

"Your payment is satisfactory," the metallic voice hissed through the speaker. Baron Hamid of House Tavdi swallowed hard as he watched cannister after cannister of melange were swallowed by the landers massive cargo hold.

"You have a sanctuary picked out?" the Baron demanded.

"Your family will be safe, the Guild has never gone back on its word. No House that has turned renegade has ever been turned over to the Landsraad," hissed back the guild representative, his voice almost lost in the crackle of the speakers.

Baron Hamid turned away. His broad shoulders slumped. Events of the last several months had taken their toll on the Baron.

"I was too reckless," he thought. "Too greedy. Now Shaddam is making an example of House Tavdi to keep the Landsraad off balance."

Baron Hamid turned back to the guild representative. "I will send for my family."

"The offer is only good until the lander lifts off," spat the guild representative.

"They will be here." Baron Hamid tossed his cloak over his shoulder and stomped out of the office.

Baron Hamid sat and watched his daughter as she slept. Here within the sanctuary of her room, she at least had the illusion of safety. Baron Hamid wiped his tears as he stood and silently left his daughter to sleep.

Stefania kept her eyes closed as she listened to her father's footsteps fade away. She knew he was troubled, he use to not sit in her room and watch her as she slept.

Throwing back her covers, Stefania slid from her bed, her bare feet silent upon the floor as she krept from her room. The villa was quiet. Even the hum of generators was muted at this time of night.

Carefully Stefania slinked down the hallway, pausing by her parents suite of rooms. She could hear muffled voices from within as she strained to listen.

"It's been decided," Stefania heard her father say. "The guild's lander departs tomorrow and you and Stefania wil be on it."

"Must it be this way?"

"The Emperor is leaving me little choice." Baron Hamid sighed. Stefania looked about, peering down one end of the hall, then the other.

"Where are the guards?" Stefania whispered. A cold shiver ran down her spine.

Despite her desire to hear more of her parents discussion, Stefania slipped away from the suite, heading not back to her room but to her favorite place, her sanctuary.

The night air was cool and refreshing as Stefania wound her way through the lush garden. Water babbled and spalshed as she crossed over the stone bridge onto the small overgrown island.

Stefania pushed her way through the overgrown vegetation until she had reached her favorite spot. Untold generations of the Tavdi family had worn smooth the stone bench perched on the islands edge. Stefania dipped her feet into the cool water.

Her father had been acting strange ever since he had returned from from a summons to the Emperor Shaddam IV. Since that day, Swordmasters and Mentat's had been visiting the villa on a daily basis.

"You should be in bed asleep mistress."

Stefania nearly stumbled into the pool of swirling water. A callused hand reached out grabbing hold of her and effortlessly pulled her up and onto the islands bank.

"You scared me Angus," gasped Stefania as she looked at her massively scared guard.

"Not as much as not finding you in your bed where you belong miss," Angus replied his voice low and gruff.

Stefania sighed. She knew she couldn't argue with Angus. He had watched over her since she was a babe. She looked into his eyes, faint blue on blue. Stefania sniffed her nostrils flairing at the wiff of melange. Angus grinned his white teeth flashing. He dug into a pocket and pulled out a piece of spice candy.

Greedily Stefania tore the wrapper and stuffed the candy into her mouth. The flavors of spice exploded in her mouth as she chewed the delicacy.

"Come, let's get you back to bed before your parents find out you're missing."

"Our current stockpiles are adequate for our current levels of consumption," droned the guild apprentice.

Around the massive chamber several navigators floated in their tanks, clouds of melange gas swirling around their alien features. Their brains pulsing with activity.

"our needs grow, we require more spice," echoed several of the navigators. "We foresee," the navigators pause the flap of their mouths moving without sound for several moments. "We forsee interference with the flow of spice."

The apprentice grew pale and turned and looked behind him. A seam appeared in the wall and a lone man entered. He dismissed the apprentice with a careless wave of his hand and seats himself before the navigators.

"Our clear is this vision?" the man's voice is soft yet firm, a trace of Geidi Prime accent still present.

'It is not clear, yet it is strong," replied one navigator as his tank moved out of line to sit before the man. "We require more spice."

"We have been aquiring all the spice we can, even the black market. Supplies are tight. The Harkonnen's are not the only one's hoarding. The witch's have been as well and the Emperor has been cracking down on black market spice."l

"Demand higher tribute from the Fremen," hissed the navigator. "They will pay."

"That is a short term solution, we need a long term one," replied the man.

The navigators when silent once more, the clouds of gas in their tanks growing thicker and thicker.

"Not all is clear. We require more spice."

The man pursed his lips and leaned back in his chair. "I will report to the board and report back with their decision."

He stood and straightened his clothes and turned to leave.

"More spice," in sequence, each of the navigators repeated the demand. The man nodded and exited the room, the door silently sealing behind him.

"Have transport arrangements been made with the Guild?"

"Yes Bashar."

"Well, what is it? " demanded the Bashar of his aide.

"The witches took an interest in my negotiations with the Guild."

The Bashar frowned.

"Leave me."

The aide saluted and vanished from he command center. Bashar Grandar turned to his small desk in the corner covered in reports. Imperial Mentat's inundated him day after day with volumes of analytical information.

With a grim smile Bashar Grandar found what he was looking for and quckly glanced at it before ringing for an Imperial messenger.

Baron Hamid slipped from the bedroom he shared with his wife and padded towards his daughter's room.

"She sleep's Baron."

Startled The Barun spun around, thin blade in hand. Angus chuckled as he stood at ease within the partial shadow of the hallway.

"You're too damn quiet Angus," growled Baron Hamid.

Angus ignored his Baron's remark. "Have the arrangements been made?"

Baron Hamid sighed. Suddenly he aged several decades despite his spice consumption.

"They have. The Guild will take the three of you aboard as well as what house resource's we have managed to hide away. I will stay behind and give the Sardakaur a fight."

Angus scowled. "My Baron, House Tavdi is not one of the stronger military houses, is it wise to throw away your life as well as those who stay with you?"

"Do not dare lecture me Angus!" snapped Baron Hamid. "I have made my decision!"

Angus bowed. "Forgive me, I forgot my place."

"I do what I do so my daughter may have a future Angus," Baron Hamid said softly. "You're the only one I trust to actually be able to pull it off."

"I will not fail you my Baron."

Stefania looked at her mother and frowned. Her eyes were tinged with red despite the blue on blue of her spice addiction.

"Why you so upset mother?" she asked.

"It's nothing," her mother wiped her eyes and turned away.

Angus appeared and he smiled at Stefania. "We're going to the spaceport," he told her.

Stefania's eyes lit up. "is father coming with us?"

Angus shook his head. "No, he has business to deal with."

Stefania lowered her head in disappointment and tried not to pout.

"I'm coming with you dear," Stefania's mother said softly.

Stefania smiled but her mother was not her father, it was his attention she craved.

"Time to go," Angus announced.

The Reverand Mother looked over the report her face expressionless. "This report is troubling," she said finally.

"The daughter is the only child and the bloodline is of some use to us."

The Reverand Mother ignored the obvious remark.

"Send for the guild," the Reverand Mother ordered. The Reverand Mother sipped at her tea, the lone reminder of her homeworld.

"Yet another bloodline driven into exile," she murmured. "A message must be sent to Shaddam, his arrogance is tampering with our work."

Baron Hamid drained the last of his spice beer and looked about him. His men were grim, they knew the fate awaiting them yet only a few had fled.

"Everyone is in position Baron," reported a comm officer.

Baron Hamid nodded. "Now we wait," he whispered.

Shaddam paced as his Sardakaur Bashar's filed out of his chamber room. Despite his growing anger he maintained a calmness. The chamber was silent, he was alone, no listening devices, only the trusted huards at the doors and covering the hidden passages.

"Damn the witches," breathed Shaddam softly.

One of the chamber's many hidden doors silently slid open and out stepped his Bene Gesserit Truth Sayer. Shaddam bowed slightly, a gesture she acknowledged with the briefest of smiles.

"What is the need of the sisterhood?"

"We are concerned with the actions you are taking concerning House Tavdi."

Shaddam wrinkled his brow in thought. "House Tavdi? The name is familiar, but I do not recall specifics."

"It is a minor house, one that has been earmarked for destruction by your interests in the Landsraad and C.H.O.A.M."

"Ah yes, now I remember, a silly new House, it is of no interest of mine," stressed Shaddam.

"The sisterhood has need of House Tavdi. Bashar Handel is in charge of the House's destruction, we require you to postpone it."

Shaddam's face flushed with anger. "I will consider it, but I do not see any need ot alter any decisions."

"The sisterhood is adamant on this."

Shaddam stared at his Truthsayer. "I will have an answer for you on the morrow." With a sharp wave of his hand he dismissed his truthsayer. When she had vanished into the black of the hidden passage Shaddam let loose with a rage that left the chamber room shattered and torn. 
Stefania was curled up next to her mother, the sleeping agent Angus had added to her morning spice tea had done its job. LAdy Tavdi stroked her hair as she avoided meeting Angus' gaze.

"It must be this way," Angus said softly. "Baron Hamid has no desire to see either of you suffer at the hands of the Padishah Emperor."

Lady Tavdi raised her eyes and cast a stern glare upon Angus.

"My husband has no interest in me, its her he cares for," her tone softened. "I came to love him in my way."

"The Baron does what he must to ensure his house survives," Angus intoned without emotion.

Lady Tavdi sighed. "You know more of the machinations than I do, why he doesn't flee with us and take everything I don't understand," her eyes welled slightly with tears.

"Politics is never simple, like the sand chigger of Arrakis, one is rarely truly free of its bite."

"Always riddles with you Angus. So trusted yet so little known about you," Lady Tavdi leaned in closer to Angus. "Such a mystery."

Angus pulled away and looked out the smoked window. "You know I cannot."

Lady Tavdi nodded. "I don't trust you Angus."

"Your trust is of little importance to me, the Baron commanded me and I will obey."

"Such loyalty. Yet you flee, why?"

"My Baron commanded."

"Did he?"

Angus' cold glare made Lady Tavdi shiver. The muscles in his neck tensed briefly then relaxed. His palm rested lightly upon the his thigh close to his blade. "Guard your words my lady, if i must kill you to protect the Baron's daughter, I will not hesitate."

Lady Tavdi cooly looked at Angus, his fierce some ugliness an eyesore. "Guard yourself Angus, I am her mother."