The Search for Malaclypse

[Ophiuchi]

Reggie "Pops" Waverly sat silently in his old rocker, surveying the agrobots working busily in the plantation's fields.

However, the pungent smells of juniper, roasting coffee beans, and the Church's own exclusive strain of cannabis canaria did not provide the peace he sought, nor had it done so for months.

Mal was still missing.

Messages had been transmitted. Rewards had been offerred. Every lead and rumor had been exhausted.

Reggie sighed wearily, and patted at his vest pockets for his faithful Kyushu ivory meerschaum and pouch of Grenoble long shag. He paused pensively for a moment before tamping and lighting the strong Gallian tobacco.

Perhaps it was time to call in reinforcements. He knew that John Henry was still perturbed by Mal's abrupt departure. Doc had duties aplenty already.. his medical practice, his Ambassadorship for the TAZ, and a wife and toddler to cherish (and worry about). Reggie knew that the added burden of leading the TAZ had almost been too much for John; but a concerted effort was the only option he had left for finding his old friend and business partner.

Sighing again, Reggie tapped his temple with a finger, and began to dictate subvocally:

-------------

To: John Henry, Ambassador's Office, Shasta
From: Reggie, V.I., Port Canaria

John,

I am at wit's end, my old friend.

I have tried every approach to finding our "lost" Episkopos. Even those crafty Mandalores have not been able to pick up a scent. I fervently hope that you will be willing to put aside your "pique", and bring the full weight of the TAZ to bear.

Mal may be unpredictable, grumpy, and eccentric; but, he was my best friend and partner for almost a decade. I cannot rest soundly until I know his whereabouts, or his fate. Please. For me.

Awaiting your reply,
Reg

-------------

It was done. Tapping his temple again, he rose slowly, and gazed into the distance. Perhaps a visit to Alan's dolphins would raise his spirits. He was about to step off the porch when tow arms circled his waist from behind, and a warm check nuzzled his neck.

"Needin' some comp'ny, luv?" said Moira.

"Let's take a walk." he replied

---

<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>

[Doc Holliday]

John Holliday was tending to his stable, giving his cabalos(1) some long, needed groomings. One of his estate hands called him from just outside and came in the open door of the stable.

"Mr. Holliday," he said holding an envelope, "this came for you." He handed him the letter, turned and left.
He opened the envelope, unfolded the letter and began reading. As he read, a smile crossed his face.

"Well I'll be damned," he said, "Reggie Waverly." He finished the letter, put it back in the envelope and slid it in his pocket to finish tending to his livestock.

He later dropped a message to the Waverly's.

It's good to hear from you and Moira again, Reggie. I'm here at Tombstone taking some time for family as I've been away. Drop in if you want anytime.
As to the whereabouts of Mal, well, I have no clue. When he wants to be alone, you and I both know that he's better than most at it. I'm sure when the time is right for him, he'll show again. Let's be patient. If one of us should hear from him, let the other know.

In case your wondering, I'm not upset in any way with him. I even kept his office cleaned at Shasta. He'll be welcomed back should he opt to show.

Hail Eris,
Doc

He then continued with his day's work.

---

[MFE]Med Force One | Tales of Recovery|Med Force Enterprises

[Joggin]

Mad John Rackham, as usual, was at the cockpit of his shoddy old Whale. Another Deut run, eyes red with lack of sleep when the message came through on the blinkernet from Doc about Reggie wanting to contact Mal.

"Jeez, Reggie wants to find Mal eh? Fat chance of grabbin' the old bugger unless he wants to be grabbed. But I'll let him know what I can....."

Sweeping the empty coffee cups from the "tactical command" table at the rear of the badly lit cockpit, Rackham grabbed an old fashioned pencil and chewed the end... "I ain't good at this stuff..."

"Dear Reggie,

About Mal... We thought he was dead mate...honest... but I reckon I seen him on Gran Canaria and Freeport 9 and later in some strange dreams. He looked tired and jaded with vacant, dull eyes, and when I approahed him he muttered about being in deep Chaos, something beyond the disordinary TAZ experience. A strange pendant hung around his neck and he mentioned a dislike of Starbucks and someone called Tim Horton, but he said that all depended on meditation and balance of Chao.

I believe I can help find him physically.... But maybe it needs someone like yerself to make real, inner contact to shake him out of it.

All best regards,

MJ"

---

[Ophiuchi]

To: Sector-Wide Open Channel
Cc: All Sirius Media Outlets
Comm ID: Waverlys, Port Canaria

Have you seen this man??
Reward!!!



Malaclypse, Episkopos Prime, Church of Eris Esoteric

Genus: Semi-domesticated Primate
Height: 1.8 meters
Weight: Varies
Hair: Some
Eyes: Two, sometimes a third.
Distinguishing features: May sometimes levitate, glow from within, or speak with invisible beings.

Past aliases:

"Gone' Fishin'"
"Fishin' Fool"
"Chijin" (friend/fool)
"Nazonazo" (enigma)
"Tawakemono" (fool)

Past IFF's/Affiliations:
[ELF], [~V~], [KNF], [TAZ]

Waverly LLC will pay the sum of 23 Million Sirius Credits for confirmed information as to the whereabouts and/or fate of Malaclypse.

[color=#FF99FF](Note: For purposes of collecting the reward, "confirmed" shall mean a "black box" recording of either comms logs or visual confirmation of sighting.)

This is NOT a Bounty!

This man is a dear old friend and former business partner, gone missing for the past year.

He should be considered "mostly harmless".

Please respond here or c/o The Waverlys, Port Canaria.
Thank you,
Reginald & Moira K. Waverly

---

<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>

[Lightfoot]

So.

Your feeble goddess has lost her pet "shaman".

C'est tres droll!

Nevertheless, he did prove to be a reasonably worthy adversary in theosophical debates. I shall alert the Brothers to watch for him.

Perhaps the All-Seeing Eye of Privas can shed some Light on the matter.

In Arcadia Ego,
Cagliostro

---

<span style="font-family:Trebuchet Ms">Brotherhood of Light ~ Grenoble ~ Belfast



LVX|Cagliostro ~ LVX|Eye.of.Privas</span>

[Cmdr. Blaine Chara]

The aging warrior sat in his Freeport 6 office. As with so many bits of information around Sirius, the message finally reached him about the search for his old friend Mal. Taking his last bite of his meal, he wiped his mouth and sent a message.

Greetings, Reggie,

It's quiet per usual out here in the Taus. We see maybe two dozen trade ships a day pass here so it is easy to watch for him. I guess this gives me reason to take a ride in the Vor'cha and see what I find. If I see him, I will send word.

Matok

With that, he stood up and went to check on the rest of the base.

---

[Ophiuchi]

"Fit like min, Luv?" said Moira. (She tends to revert to Scots brogue when worried..)

"Not so good, my Quine. Still nothing concrete. If alive, he's well-hidden, or on the move."

"Double the purse, Reg. We can afford it. I'll also speak wi' wee Midori to bend John's ear a bit. We'll find the bas!"

"Good idea, Moira. Something I'm in short supply of right now. Done. 20 Million it is. I'll take it out of the old geezer's hide, if he still has one."

---

<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>

[Dancing Bears]

Lev got back up to his office and started recording a message immediately......well, after he finished his joint.

To: Reggie Waverly
From: Lev Shestov
Re: Spotted an old friend

Howdy there Reggie,

Dont think we ever formally met, but I have heard alot about you from our mutual not so missing friend. Heard you were looking for him, and I though you might want to take a look at this piece of video. It was recorded in my bar not an hour ago.

*The video come up, showing the inside of the Bear's Cave on Freeport 14. A tall man with a hooded robe walks into the bar, speaks for a moment with the bartender, grabs a case of booze and leaves."

Reggie, I am pretty sure that is our friend. By the time I got down there, I could find neither hide nor hair of him, gone again like a ghost. Hopefully you can use this as a start to finding him. Good to know he aint dead though, I'll tell you that.

Let me know if you need any help tracking him down, I think I owe him at least that much.

Lev

Lev sent off the message, then lit another joint. "I knew I was going to run into the old man again." he thought to himself.

---

Living life as a Zoner? Sure, on my Eagle, Kingfisher, Conference, Fearless, Corvo, Aquilon and/or Juggernaut perhaps. Not on an Advanced Train or Zoner Whale.

[Ophiuchi]

Comm ID: Reginald Waverly, Port Canaria

To: Mad John:

Greetings sir. Yours has not been the only report of "dreams" concerning the Episkopos. This may be coincidence, or some sort of "shared" reality.. I do not know. "A dream is a wish your heart makes", as the old ballad goes. Regards, Pops.

To: "Cagliostro":

I doubt my friend would be so bold as to hide in Gallic space, but your "concern" is noted. And yes, he could trump you in a debate any day of the week. Waverly.

To: Lev Shestov:

Sir, I do recall Mal having you as a "guest" for awhile at Ravenhurst Tower. Your security footage is the closest thing to "confirmation" I have yet to receive. I have spoken to the Administrator at Freeport 14, and the lease on your "establishment" has been paid for a year.
My gratitude, Reg.

To: Sirius Sector-wide Comms:

The reward has now been increased to 23 Million Sirius credits. (We may as well enlist the Goddess in the search..); and "confirmed information" has been defined and clarified. Thank you, and good hunting.

---

<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>

[Ophiuchi]

To: Sector-wide Distribution
Comm ID: [TAZ]Veranda.Vixen

I am delighted to announce that Malaclypse's whereabouts have been confirmed... over drinks no less.

The reward shall be paid to the Mandalorian Mercenaries. Mandalore Bishop himself was instrumental in locating our Episkopos, and is escorting him to Baffin as we speak.

Thank you all for your efforts,
Moira & Reg Waverly

---

<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>