Recap: The story to this point

In Episodes 1 through 10, Alexi Jackov returned after being absent for over 200 years. He first reveals himself to Luke Warm, long-time custodian of an ancient Memorial Obelisk on the planet Belli, then calls for his fellow Demon Prince, H. T. Murgatroid, to join him from the planet Id. Jackov then reveals to both an odd device he calls a minic; a brilliant crystal, one of five unique ones he seeks to find; and an enigmatic message that supposedly explains how it all ties together. He also says he has returned because of the Griffons, a radical Shrike-like tribe with a continuing mission to destroy the Human Expanse.   

The Griffons have discovered that their cloid capabilities can be used to control creatures of feeble thought, specifically the Illians on Trilar. And, as the Illians spread through the Expanse, they become unwitting confederates in the Griffon plan of aggression. The Griffons also know of and seek the same five unique crystals, because they can be used in combination to amplify their control. But the strike team sent to retrieve the crystal on Belli is surprisingly destroyed to the last Griffon. The Griffon leader, Domina Alia Lahidan, is outraged by the failure and lashes out at her staff, killing one of her most promising lieutenants. She then orders her officers to destroy Belli, destroy all of the Demon Princes, and find the crystals!

The year is 1884

Cast and Terms:

Bruce Banner the Greyeye- Ruler of the duchy of Haven. Former Privateer.

Catherine O'Bealthe Jackle Co-ruler of  Haven and a former pirate.

Carob Kylar- Greyeyes second wife. A Hun from a powerful family and tribe within Haven.  Her father is Warmaster of Haven. She is a member of the Privy council and Prime minister.

Privy Council The rough equivalent of the cabinet. It includeas the Duchess, the Duke, The Prime minister, The Warmaster and two other officials. It is an advisory body as the Duke makes all decisions,

            Argyle paced back and forth on the bridge of his flagship the Claymore.  He was edgy, irritable, and just plain nasty.  His crew left him alone with his thoughts. Smart.  The death of Magnus left him shaken.  Just the reminder of mortality he didn’t need, he thought.  He wondered what really happened.  Not that he would find out any time soon he mused.  The note in his hands was even more disturbing.  H.T. really knew how to get a message across.

            That was the problem.  He message was totally unlike H.T. in all but one respect, love of gain and glory.  “Come Bruce, I need you.  I’ll forget about Sirius if you’ll just come.”  The rest was full of enticements, promise of adventure and riches.  That was vintage H.T.  “Forget about Sirius,” muttered Argyle aloud?  Never, he thought, unless-----. His train of thought was broken by the meowing of a cat coming  through the hatch from the main passageway.

White was a color for garbage scows and passenger liners.  Blue was for rich men’s yachts. Red was best for the peripatetic bordellos that prowled both the depths of depravity and well-heeled systems throughout the Expanse. Green was a political statement.  Only black would do, thought Argyle.  A deep, glossy, obsidian black.  That was the proper color for a scout ship.  Black as night; black as Mergatroid’s heart; black as his mood as he considered how far behind schedule he was.

Nothing had gone well for Bruce of Argyle and his companions. 

A trip wasted, time spent, frustration.  No end of frustration. 

First the P drive began to give him headaches because some fool technician had calibrated the new model drive for the use of regular adepts.  Argyle and company were far more powerful than “normal” adepts and this resulted in dangerous disorientation for everyone who used it.  Short was able to repair the error, but this put him in bad sorts with the others as he continually griped about the lack of technical aptitude of his companions. 

Chapter 1

            Sirius sat back in his luxurious recliner.  He shivered for a moment unsure whether or not it was because of the cool office temperature or because of his narrow escape from disaster.  He hadn’t foreseen this, not this way at least. He got up and opened up a scotch, a good one then sat back down again.  “God,”   he muttered softly, “Don’t let this happen again. He sat, drank, and after awhile, stopped shivering.  The scotch was taking effect and his mind wandered back to when this began. 

            He had been station master for almost fifteen years, here in the far north, watching the cargo come in and go out.  Not a bad job mused Sirius, not bad at all.  The money was good and the bribes from the Trilar were utterly fantastic.  Too bad he had to pass on so much of it to the board of directors. Oh well, they let him steal a little too.  Not much, but it sure helped his bank account, his secret one that is, the one on Tristar.

Following is an experiment of several types for some of the NCV participators. It is an alternative version of a possible battle between the North and the South during America's Civil War. The two sides are drawn up and do battle on a large tabletop using miniature soldiers and equipment. Strict rules governing what was possible using the technologies, strategies, and tactics of the times are employed. The encounter is recorded in writing and photographs. And now we present it here on the Internet for your enjoyment and possible comments. Its also just another way of having some fun with modern toys.