~ Chapel Perilous ~

[Malaclypse 666]

Gran Canaria Medical Clinic:

Malaclypse sat in the small waiting room. He seemed overwhelmed by recent events. The news of Shamus tragic death had been delivered by his neighbor, Alan Kell. There was no way of even reaching the body to recover it as long as the Verandas inner defenses were still active. Without Reggie around to de-activate the systems, the problem seemed insurmountable.

Beau Coup had been sedated. His injuries were minor, but his mental condition was such that they had been able to gather no information whatsoever about events aboard the Ska Ralla immediately before its demise. Not that the information would be of any value now.

Miokis terribly mutilated body had been taken to the local equivalent of a morgue. How she had managed to survive even briefly inside the ghastly garbage pod was a mystery. Trauma and blood loss should have been fatal even before the pod was sighted by the Fnordettes.

Hovering next to Mal at head level on her anti-grav unit, Merci had been morbidly silent. Then..

*I dont know what to say to him, Boss. I think Im experiencing what you primates call guilt. If I had not been so upset over Beaus engagement, Dis would have never tried to kill them. And, perhaps they would not have attracted Dr. As attention. Im not even sure I can face him when he wakes up!*

Water under the bridge, my dear. said Mal. It is obvious that your feelings for Beau are still very strong, even after the way he treated you. But, there is nothing we can do about the past. You must help me try to communicate with Beau when he is able. We need every iota of information if we are to plan for the future.

*Understood. I just hope the big lug even remembers me. I thought we made a good team with the ELF. Oh, sure, we had our differences; but we also made a difference. I just couldnt compete when it came to the pleasures of the flesh, as you humans so quaintly put it.*

Ah, Merci. I sometimes envy you girls for not being subject to the impermanence and the travails of the flesh. You may be more fortunate than you realize

*All the same, if Id just been able to hug the big galoot once in awhile*

Merci and Mal lapsed into their own reveries once again, and waited.

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