Wednesday, June 4, 2008

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............

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

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.






Monday, June 2, 2008

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."

Sunday, June 1, 2008

I do love Redheads



There are those who prefer blondes or brunettes but give me a redhead any day. The spark of a redhead hits me like a cask strength single malt to the head.