~Sophie's Canaria Cafe~

[Ophiuchi]

Reggie sat at the counter, sipping a cup of rich, dark coffee. The crop was good this year.. he could afford to open a few more markets.

Sophie had asked him to stop by. It seemed Shasta was out of pies. He savored the aromas wafting from the kitchen, wondering if just a small piece while he waited would destroy his waistline.

The datapad in his vest "chirped".. a message from the Vixen's Comms Officer.

"Pops, manifest is checked, and we're cleared for orbit. Looks like Ames this time. Oh, and there's an encoded message on the bridge for you.. want me to squirt it over?"

"Yes, please. These pies are almost ready. We'll lift in 15."

The datapad's screen filled with a hash of symbols. He discreetly entered a 5-digit code, and the jumble became legible:

To: [TAZ]Veranda.Vixen
Comm ID: Chapel.Perilous

My Dearest Moira and Reg:

I have behaved badly, and I wish to make amends.

I'm not in Baffin. I visited the Goddess, and She "spat me out", after a fashion.

Meet me tomorrow at Freeport 14 and I shall attempt to explain everything.

Please.

Yours in Eris,
Mal

"Bloody Thud! Has he been sundiving again??"

He punched his direct line to the Vixen. "Sparks, call Port Control and delay our departure an hour, please. I need to collect the Missus for this trip.

"Oh, and get our manifest changed to bloody Yukon. I've an appointment to keep."

---

<span style="color:#339999">Reg Waverly * Moira &quot;Kentigearan&quot; Waverly * Fnordette Sophie Noir</span>



<span style="color:#66CCCC">Sophie's on the Square * Veranda Incognita</span>