Manhattan bar

[Malaclypse 666]

"Blast it, Lads!" The next ELF I see will be a sorry ELF!", Pops stormed into the bar gesticulating wildly. "That bloody fnorder thing absconded with my ship! Beware of Greeks bearing gifts indeed!"

"Took your shhiptht..?' Romer roused momentarily to babble..

"Bloody right! Just installed the thing. Sophie over there helped me with some data downloading out of the box, and next thing, "it" wants to be called Sophie too! sputtered Pops.

"...the ship, blatherskite!?" Jay stabs, in his CEO-fficious way.

"Sophie! a double g 'n t! Any rotgut will do. And blast your metal hide for aiding and abetting!" Pops finally focuses. "I had invited Patrick here down for drinks before leaving the Daddy W, but he had some systems to check. Next thing I know, he catches up with me, and informs me that my bloody ship has lifted! Something about a frock up in Fleet Street on NL! The blessed computer thing had decided to go shopping! In my ship!"

Pops glared and fumed as Sophie the first brought his juniper-shrouded drink. "If that's not bad enough, one of those Cylon toasters had picked the time to stake out the California jump gate. Sophie later said he was "moping with intent to gawk". Moping! At least the thing was bright enough to classify "moping" as hostile.. and stripped his shields just as she entered the jump gate and waggled her fanny.. its fanny.. Daddy's fanny!! Aaargh!"

Pops slumped, and drank deeply. "I know you lads don't understand my association with those nutters the ELF. And sometimes I don't myself. But I'm beginning to wonder if these marvelous "Fnordettes" are not some devious tactic to further their agenda.. what is it.. balancing the Chao?"

He buries his snout once again in the resiny tang of his gin. "Wonder if gifts carry warranties..."

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