~ Chapel Perilous ~

[Malaclypse 666]

Sharon "Boomer" Valerii had been walking the streets of Port Canaria for hours. She had spoken with many of the residents, who were bustling about the port city preparing for some local festival.

The people she had spoken to had all been polite and friendly; but none of them seemed to know anything about the sighting of a strange craft, or a striking, tall blonde woman.

Sharon had grown weary, and was about to return to the Bed & Breakfast where she was staying to rest. She had gotten a bit lost when she turned up a small side street off the main square. She was about to reverse her path and return to the square when she noticed what appeared to be a chapel.

The chapel was in an area of nondescript flats and small shops; but it was obvious that it had some religious signifigance. Above the doorway was a spinning holographic symbol, which she recalled was associated with the local Goddess, Eris. Etched in the stone above the doorway was the disturbing motto: "Enter at Your Peril!"

The frame around the heavy wooden doors was decorated in some agrarian motif. Vines, gilded yellow apples, and what appeared to be cannabis leaves were intertwined profusely in the design.

Five broad steps led up to the doorway; and, on the top step lay a small dog, his small pointed nose lying morosely on his paws. The dog seemed to be staring intently at her. Sharon walked slowly up to the third step, and sat down near the small pooch.

She felt a brief tingling in the center of her forehead; and then seemed to hear:

@She is not here, you know.@

Startled, Sharon drew back for a second. She stared back at the dog, and finally spoke. "Who is not here?"

@The one you seek. The "thing" that visited the Memorial Plaza. She left. I know. I can sense her presence for great distances.@

Sharon was amazed. This little dog was speaking telepathically to her, in perfect Galactic Standard. And, he knew what her mission was. This time, she did not speak, but thought, 'You can sense these entities, the Cylons?'

@I know now that is what you call them. But no, I can only sense this one. Because she is.. not truly a Cylon. At least, not completely.@

'I don't understand,' Sharon thought. 'You know who I seek, so you must know what she looks like, and why I seek her...'

Fnordie rose from his haunches, shook himself, and then descended to sit next to Sharon.

@Yes, Sharon. The form is the same. The one you call number 6. But.. the entity inside the body.. that is different. That entity was once my partner.. my friend. She was once a free cyber sentient, an ELF "Fnordette". Her name is.. was.. Kitty.@

Sharon detected a wave of sadness rushing over the small dog's mind. Her own mind was filled with a vision of two ships in space. Fnordie was somehow piloting one of the ships; and, it was being attacked by another fighter. She sensed the shock to Fnordie when he realized that it was his own former partner and friend who was attacking him. And then she felt darkness envelop Fnordie as his ship was destroyed.. as he floated unconscious in his escape pod.

Sharon's mind reeled from the intense emotion of the vision; of the great loss and sense of confusion and betrayal this amazing animal had experienced. 'I am so sorry, Fnordie! And now, your "friend", this Kitty, has returned. Do you know why?'

@No. I could not read the thoughts of Kitty/Caprica 23. I can sense Kitty, but this new machine I can not communicate with through my Pineal. I know that you must tell your leaders of this Sharon. But, I beg you to let me help you search. I need to know why Kitty tried to kill me. I need to know why she has turned away from the other Fnordettes. Mama Discordia and Sophie still try to contact here via Fnordnet, but she does not respond. Tell your leaders we must work together to find this "Cylon", Sharon.@

'I understand, Fnordie. But you must understand what this may mean to my people. Kitty/Caprica may be very dangerous to us. She may be only the "tip of the iceberg." There may be other Cylons nearby. I will tell our leaders of your offer to help; but I cannot promise anything.'

@Thank you, Sharon. There are others who will help as well. My good friend Rick Deckard is here on Canaria. The TAZ men, Malaclypse and Reggie, and the Fnordettes. All are concerned for Kitty, and wish to know what has happened to her. If she is a danger, then we must know that as well.@

Fnordie rose to his four feet, and his tail wagged weakly. @Our minds have touched. Now you can call Fnordie at any time with your mind, if you concentrate. Tell your leaders, and then think of me, and let me know what we must do.@

Sharon looked sadly at the small dog. Impulsively she reached out and hugged the small pooch tightly for a moment. The she rose slowly, and began walking back towards the town square of Port Canaria.

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