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Chapter Five: Letters in Transit

Sydney, Australia, Terra; AEST; 12:43pm Friday, 1st of March, 2013

“Roxanne?” Miranda asked as she walked into the office of the youngest industrialist in the commonwealth. Roxanne Indigo placed her Lightbolt bow in to it’s case as she turned to the only surviving intern of her 2011 recruitment. The others had not fared well after several incidents involving Hypnos, Gemini, and her late mentor’s betrayal. Roxanne examined the late teenager intently.

The first time Miranda walked though those doors, with the seven other interns, she was eager to work, to learn and to see the goings on of the company, so much so that she was turned into a totem, developed an inter-diminutional romance, and killed a number of intruders with one of the guard’s weapons. These days, she was more like Roxanne, who knows that the world is balanced on the edge and accepted that disaster can strike at any moment. She knows that no matter how well someone can hide the truth, it will always come out in the end. She knows that corruption and greed is the driving force of much of the commonwealth, what matters is what an individual does.

But no matter how much reality threw at her, Miranda stood as eager as the day Roxanne met her, taller but tired.

“Miranda. I need all hands on deck tonight. Berlin has reported problems with their Tacyonic Tesla Coils and...”

“Ma’am. There’s a Captain Shane Smith to see you.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Show him in.”

Blake Indigo

Manhattan, New York, (Timeline 31); Local time: 1:51pm, Thursday, 26th of May, 2016

I picked up a hard cover book that lied on the coffee table and looked at it intently. ‘Helga Henderson’s Adventures Though Time: The Tail of Two Dragons.’ There was a note tucked into the cover that said ‘Advance copy by request of the author.’ On the back of the note was something written in runic script. Odd, but my train of thoughts were interrupted by Carlos returning and throwing a can of beer at me. I caught it and pulled the tab.

“Think you can handle it?” Carlos asked. “It’s strong.”

“I’m australian remember. I’ll just throw it up later if I need to. Didn’t know you liked to read.” I answered.

“Don’t. Book just turned up one day.”

“Huh.” I took the first sip of the alcoholic beverage. It brought back memories of the American Civil War, the 10:15 to Arizona. Good times. “Anyway, I was wondering if you heard about the Miyo Group.”

“Can’t say that I had the pleasure. Another company about to get the full Blake Indigo experience.”

“Maybe.”

“God help them then. I still remember what you did to the alchemists over killing a young woman.”

“And trying to achieve their own selfish goals.”

“Are you ever going to release them from their living hell?”

“Maybe.”

“I’ll take that as a no.”

I could tell he was still sore about one particular subject. “Oh come on. Those hunters got everything they deserved. And I gave those ferals fair warning before going and biting someone out of sheer fun.”

“You call giving them a parachute a warning?”

“Too cryptic? It’s along way down to hell. Trust me. Satan threw me out the moment I got there.” I joked. “The fireworks I left in his bedroom might have something to do with it too.”

“You are psychotic.” He accused.

“Can you blame me? First day we meet, you were in a cage, I was shopping, and those darn loud speakers. Not to mention that crazy pink bird and that girl. And that lantern. Don’t get me started about the lantern.”

“I still don’t believe he told you to jump down a well.”

“It worked didn’t it. We got away from you. Thank the infinite void we landed in twenty first century Tokyo and not Berlin, cita 1940. I don’t think I could take another Nazi Regime after... Helga?”

Gears suddenly clicked. Helga Henderson was the alias of a spy who worked with the German Underground during the war. The spy was Doctor Sarah Jane Nightingale... my vampire god mother.

I took the book and the note that came with it.

“What?” Carlos asked me.

“Not sure. Ancient languages like anglo saxon runes, egyptian hieroglyphs and some traditional Chinese charatures that have fallen out of modern use don’t translate under global settings. But...”

I set the digi-Pilot to all scripts and waited...

“Incoming Call: Jamie Sw’et”

I picked up the phone. “Jamie. Not now.”

“But you need to see this.” She demanded. The phone beeped, signaling that the other end was switching to video phone. I pulled the device away from my ear and watched as her phone’s camera came into focus...

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei (Timeline 31); Local time: 4:02am, Friday, 27th of May, 2016

“Come on. Pick up!” Charlotte yelled into the phone. “Come on Mother. Just pick up the...”

“Wai?”

“You’re not Clair.” Charlotte immediately observed.

“Shenme?”

“Identify yourself now.”

“Wo jiao Shinku.”

Rising then dipping. Charlotte thought before opening her eyes wide. “Ta ma de! Great, now you’ve got me doing it. Where is Clair Weli’sol?!

Jan’ti Sw’et

London, United Kingdom (Timeline 31); Local time: 5:02pm, Thursday, 26th of May, 2016

“You know what did this?”

“I do. I’m just having trouble believing it.” Blake answered. “I heard legends. But nothing compares to this.”

“Jamie!” Zorath called out. “I hear someone talking.”

“Someone must have survived the slaughter.” I pointed out. “Or the perpetrator has come back to try to lay claim on our lives as well. Assuming my previous potion did not kill it.”

“Got another one of those potions?”

“No.” I said, readying a fireball spell. “Lead the way Flamecloak.”

“Yeah. Make me walk towards the blood sucking vampire. You’re the one with the fire spells.”

“You are the master of shadow and ice dragon. Bring glory to your species and act like one.”

He growled. I was basically calling him a coward. I would not blame him. The undead are not to be taken lightly. Zombies are very persistent and stupid, even those who have some coherence and intelligence are very thick headed. Mages who found their way to escape death though Lichdom retain their powerful magical abilities despite losing their traditional life-force. Vampires either act out of instinct or just satisfying their need or fulling an addiction and are stronger, and faster then most. But even Zombies decay, Liches’ jars can be smashed and vampires cannot stand in the Terran day.

Truth is, everyone has their weakness, wither it’s time, separation, or sunlight.

“Behind here.” Zorath warned me, pointing to a utility closet.

I stressed the spell, ready to fire. Zorath opened the door...