Narchi walked with forced casualness into the small hangar on the rim of Floating City 64. He sighed, "Aw, man! I hope this isn't a trap." He saw the Scav designated as 64-25399 looking out over the sweeping vista beyond the end of the old personal hangar. As he turned around, Narchi exclaimed,"399! Thank god! A face I recognize that I don't want to shoot!" 399 grinned and shook his head, "God indeed! Hey you hobgoblin, why are you dressed up like a clown?" Thistledown, the large Cyclops machine-life being shimmered into visibility as he remarked,"Narchi is dressed as clown-like as ANY royalty for the same reason--to amuse the masses." 399 looked terrified at the huge machine-life creature, as Narchi growled,"You've been waiting all day to spring that one out, haven't you?" Thistledown chuckled and said slyly, "No, just twenty-three minutes since I thought of it! 399, you shouldn't worry over much. I'm...DETECTING INCOMING ALIEN PROJECTION! LOCATION HERE FROM CITY 32!" Thistledown had flung himself to one side and looked wary. An alien woman appeared without flash or shimmer in their midst. She said softly to 399, "399--I am Tyyee the White, of Nadda-Haltu. I am with Prince Kugar, son of Kruag, King of Shalmiraine. We are being held hostage on Flying City 32." Narchi whistled, "WOWEE! This is impressive technology! NO receiver...just a remote transmitter?" He waved his hand through Tyyee's hip as Thistledown poked through her shoulder with a hesitant finger. Tyyee looked irritatedly at Narchi and snapped, "Would you STOP THAT! Yes, I'm a projection, but you shouldn't be so rude as to poke grabby hands though my posterior or back!" Narchi jumped back with an exclamation of,"Holy SHIT! Ah--errrr, sorry about that. I'm Narchi...Prince of the Duergar-Trolli, and that robot...", Narchi saw the Cyclops clench his fists, and continued,"...IS NO robot, he's a male of the machine-life species, Cyclops, native to this planet. Errrrrrrrrmmmmm, you're the Measure's mother aren't you?" Tyyee looked shocked and exclaimed, "The Measure? HERE? What of Ta'ox'ic? Daughter of Chal'chi'laloq?" Narchi looked stricken. After a moment, Thistledown interjected,"There is NO easy way to say it, Narchi. Lady Tyyee--You daughter appears to have been turned to stone by the Four Sisters weapon system. She is NOT 'dead' in the classic sense, because my daughter, Bluebell has talked with her 'spirit'." Tyyee did something remarkable. She rolled her eyes and laughed, "Oh, that girl of mine! She'll be the death of me, yet. She must have refused her destiny and the system punished her creatively. Has the strata of the stone been identified, yet? it's a clue to something, you know." 399 growled, "Well, this shit must be awfully common where YOU come from, but WE are ALL freaked OUT! Alien bastards shot the holy SHIT out of this city! Toxic died and resurrected herself, and has disappeared! Most of my friends have been rounded up for execution." Thistledown interjected, "A Jongwe infiltrator attacked the city of Telegardia, Killing one of my daughters, and critically injuring another! The WHOLE city of Apharis is UNDER JONGWE CONTROL! What are your thoughts on this?" Narchi held up his arms and yelled,"EVERYONE! Shut UP! Give her a break. She just said, she IS a prisoner...TOO. Like most of our friends. Don't get pissed at someone as screwed as us! Alright?" Tyyee smiled at Narchi, "A voice of reason. We must compare our stories now. Quickly! I may be interrupted any moment." Narchi nodded and began. --TO BE CONTINUED!--