Unhappy Reunion

[Blackrat]

I pick up the phone. Again. And I put it down. Again. This is something of a habit now - once a month or so, when I'm feeling shit and I think for whatever reason that speaking to Miz will actually make me feel better. Then halfway through dialling I remember how pointless it is, so I hang up and go and smoke myself into a stupor.

But not this time. This time it's life or death, Caroline. This time it isn't about you, it's about him. About saving him from the danger that you brought down on him.

Sighing, and resolutely ignoring the welling lump in my throat, I dial his number. And just about catch myself before I hang up.

[bravesirrobin]

"Well, well, well. I must say I weren't expecting this any time soon. Normally you hang up before the connection."

Miz raises his eyebrow, taunting his former captain with his knowledge of her habits.

"Did you hear of the work I've undertaken? Or is this just a social call?"

[Blackrat]

"Umm..." Fuck.

I'm horrified that Miz knows I've been (nearly) calling him. It takes me a moment before I collect myself and carry on. Sadly it's not the first time - Miz is alone in the 'Verse in having the ability to shake my self-assurance.

"Umm, yes - I mean no. No, it's not a social call. We're in trouble, Miz - Parliament are putting a hunting passport out on us. They know about the SNB, and they want us for 'research'.

"We've got to gather the others and hide. Now. Perhaps we can decoy Parliament or find them a sample or something, but the first objective is to get the team to safety."

I'm feeling a bit better now; I'm back where I belong, the place I understand - in danger, but in command. Breathe, Caroline, breathe.

[bravesirrobin]

"Go se! That ain't what I was hoping to hear.

So what's the plan cap? We get the band back together and fix ourselves to hide? They won't never stop coming after us if they think we're worth all that. We need a better plan.

This is all mighty inconvenient, just when I was taking up a proper caper as well."

[Blackrat]

"Well, I'm sorry to interrupt... And yes, we do need a better plan. But like I said, the first priority is getting everyone safe, so we can develop that better plan. And that will mean hiding - or at least running.

"I don't think we should discuss further over the phone. Get out of sight, now, and I'll meet you at the Halfway Point* in three days' time. I'll bring the others - they're nearer me. Unless you know where Cenuij is, in which case bring him."

[/li][li]

[bravesirrobin]

"Well I kept an eye on all of you when I could, some a mite closer than others. I ain't heard a sign of him for a while, but it won't take me long to sight him again. See you in three."

Miz hangs up. He sighs, and strolls over to the cabinet at the side of the room. He pauses his hand hovering over the bottles lined up. With a mirthless chuckle he reaches to the back of the cabinet withdrawing an unmarked bottle. He slowly and carefull pours himself a small measure.

He swirls the glass and takes a slow deep sniff of the contents. He brings the glass slowly to his lips, and inhaling deeply pours the contents luxuriously down his throat.

His indulgence completed Miz begins to move swiftly an efficiently. He quickly collects his liquid assets together and leaving his office tidy rapidly exits.

[Blackrat]

One down, three to go...

So now I need to find the others. Zefla and Dloan should be easy - they're living together in the countryside, not more than a half a day away. I've spoken to them on-and-off recently anyway.

I haven't heard from Cenuij in ages - not particularly surprising, but it does mean I've no idea where he might be. When the team split up, though, he was (rather foolishly) indulging in a torrid affair with my brat half-sister. Possibly she knows how to contact him. Amusingly, the dopey cow has, for reasons unknown, been imprisoned by the Sad Brothers - religious nutters with hell-knows what agenda. Given that they don't seem to be treating her too badly, it's actually pretty convenient that she's being kept out of my way. Also, as her closest relative, I'm the only visitor the Sad Brothers will allow. I must admit I haven't made much use of that privilege... but then I don't imagine she's too upset. Still, it might be time to pay her a call.

I think the first thing to do, though, is call Zef and Dloan. I'd rather make sure they're safe, given that finding Cenny could take a while and we really don't have time to lose. Also because half a day's travel could be too much. Judging by that lunatic in the robot suit, information is spreading a lot faster that I'd have expected...

I pick up the phone and dial Zefla's number.

[oneiros]

Half-buried under a stack of unmarked assignments, the phone began to buzz insistently, dislodging a few of the top-most leaves which floated gently off the table and onto the dust beneath. It didn't help as well that the sound was competing with that of ice cubes and the liberal splash of gin against glass.

Zefla finished adding a few drops of tonic as she sauntered back to her desk, scrabbling under the pile and retrieving the handset. Pausing to throw back a generous swig of the bitter drink, she pondered Student or friend?, before answering.

"Zefla Franck speaking."

Years of practice managed to keep the slurring to the barest minimum.

[Blackrat]

"Zef, it's Caroline. Trouble. Parliament have found out about the SNB and they're after us for 'research subjects'. They're fucking serious too; they've put out a hunting passport on us.

I'm so sorry to spring this on you. Miz is finding Cenny and meeting me at the Halfway Point in three days' time. Bring Dloan and meet us there - but start running now."

[oneiros]

"And a good afternoon to you too." She smiled into the raised glass, perturbed by the news, yet oh so buoyed by the blast from the past. Though now was not the time for reminiscences, it seemed. That could wait.

"I think the proper legal interjection here would be 'bastards'... don't worry about the timing, I'm only marking some woeful papers from these goram rich kids I have to teach.

"Dloan's out at the moment, but I'll get him back and meet you there as soon as I've packed a few b- ... things." She paused to consider the reason for Sharrow's haste. "Do I have time to do a bit of snooping on the passport, maybe call in a favour for some bureaucratic delay?"

[bravesirrobin]

[Blackrat]

"You could try, but be careful. I'm really sorry, Zef. See you soon."

I hang up the phone. I grit my teeth, and I start collecting my essential belongings. Starting with my gun...