The Uli Rouge

[Malaclypse 666]

As Reggie finished his story, recounting the sad and untimely death of Shamus at the hands of the Verandas defense systems, he glanced at the young girl Sylvia. She still seemed pensive and frightened. He was uncertain how best to calm her fears. His tale had merely served to postpone the inevitable need for action regarding her, and their present circumstances.

He mused to himself for the thousandth time about the paradoxes presented by the deLuna family. A family of headstrong, proud, and intelligent women; yet plagued by a seeming magnetism for calamitous events and enemies.

Perhaps the attraction could be blamed solely on their familial ties to the late Dr. Alexander deLuna. A man who endured tremendous hardships at the hands of self-serving, greedy people who wished to use his brilliance for their own evil purposes. Through all his strange tale of escape, flight, and eventual discovery of the ancient Jaktarans, Dr. deLuna had obviously loved his family beyond description. Yet now, reincarnated as Artificer by his fusion with the Jaktaran remnant, he had become a threat to the very family he loved; and to the entire sector as well.

How much of this did the young Sylvia know, in her guileless youth? How much had Fiona told her? He would have to have a very long talk with that dear lady very soon. But now?

He stood and walked to the young girl, and took her hand, gently pulling her to her feet. He then returned the hug she had given him in fear earlier. But this time, with the love of a father, comforting a restless child. As he released her he took both her small hands in his own grizzled paws.

Sylvia, it is time for you to perform your nano-magic. We can do nothing to assess and react to events as long as we are held here, out of communication with our many resources. Let us take our friends here to the elevator, and send them down to Alans lake. And then, as promised, I will accompany you back to the Uli Rouge and your mother.

That brief shockwave we felt was certainly not on the menu for the evening, Ill wager. We must find out what is transpiring. Remaining safely ensconced down here is no longer an option, and you know it. We must reunite with Fiona quickly, and assist her in whatever way is necessary. We both love her, you know; and together, we will do all in our power to help her.

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