The Magical Bat 3.5: Business Trip
#include stdDisclaimer.h: Batman, Catwoman, Alfred, Babs, Dick, Lucius Fox, and the others, are DC Comic's toys, as are John Stewart and the rest of the Lantern crew. Hogwarts, Albus, Minerva, the Weasleys and the others in the Potterverse belong to the fabulous JK Rowling. The Morton family is used with the permission of GITM. I'm just playing with their toys, and they'll be put back later. Everyone else, they're mine. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2006 Kara Anne Kalel karanne AT gmail DOT com. All rights reserved. No money is made, and no infringement is implied or intended.
This is a sequel to my stories: The Bat & the Cat, redux, The Magical Bat (I), Magical Bat: road trip (1.5), Magical Bat II, Magical Bat: Training Trip (2.5), and Magical Bat III.
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1: Prologue, 15-16 June, 2001
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Friday, June 15, 2001:
Hogwarts, Great Hall, Gryffindor table: 17:05
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"Wonder what McGonagall's talking to Yates about?" someone said, and Julie looked up to see Yates nod, stand and say something to her mates in Slytherin, then walk over to them as the Headmistress continued to the Head Table.
"Evening, everyone. May I join you?"
"We thought you were a Slythie," Julie said, and Yates shook her head. "I was sorted into Gryffindor in 2378," she explained, "I was really hoping to see a working TV, though. They're all in museums," she added, "Pass the potatoes, please."
"So, can you tell us..." someone started, and Yates held up her hand. "Money or fate?" She grinned, "The two most common questions of any time-traveler. Ooh, is that sweet corn? May I?" She spooned a helping onto her plate, "I'll tell you what I told 'em in the fourteenth century, and what Wayne told 'em. I know some of your fates, but not all of you." She cut a bite of steak, then chewed slowly, adding, "Beef is frackin' expensive, cows aren't very efficient beasts. Lots of chicken and rabbit, and goat's milk. Stations have a fairly vegetarian diet, y'know."
"Actually, we don't," Julie said. "We've only had three space stations; the current one's only half-built. Where were you born?"
"Mars station," Cassidy replied, concentrating on her meal. "Polar orbit because of Phobos, y'know." She looked up, "Oops."
"Got y' now," someone chortled, "Spill, lassie."
"Okay, financial advice," Cassidy said, and people leaned close. She looked about theatrically, while spearing another bite of steak, whispering, "Buy low, sell high," and popped the bite in her mouth as people sat back and groaned.
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Julie shushed people as the Headmistress stood, tapping her butter knife against her goblet. Conversation quieted down as she gazed about the Great Hall. When she was satisfied, she stated, "Another year draws to a close. For now, we bid farewell to some of our friends, once seventh-years, now graduates."
Someone whooped from farther down the table, and pandemonium erupted again. She waited patiently, and the noise died down once more. "Thank you," she said primly, adding, "We now come to the announcement of the Quidditch cup. Gryffindor," she winced, "with 130 points, Hufflepuff, with ..."
With a small pop of displaced air, a small blue figure popped into existence in front of the high table. He turned in midair, and Julie gasped as she recognized a Guardian. He intoned, "Green Lantern, you are needed." He waited a few seconds, then turned toward Slytherin, and repeated, "Green Lantern, you are needed."
"I said I'm busy, come back later," Wayne said as she stood, "There are three other Lanterns on this planet, and I have other commitments." Turning toward the high table, she apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't know he'd be coming. Please pardon the interruption."
"You are needed, Green Lantern. Come at once," the Guardian insisted.
Wayne glowered at the Guardian, totally unafraid, and demanded, "And what of my request? What do you plan to do about the galactic slave trade?"
Several people gasped in shock as the Guardian replied, "You will not dictate your morality or ethics upon others until you have resolved the problem on your own world. You are needed. Come."
Wayne snorted, "Letting billions of sentient creatures decide their own fate is a matter of my imposed ethics? I don't think so. As a matter of fact, I hereby resign from the Green Lantern Corps, not that I really wanted your silly Ring in the first place." Julie's jaw dropped as Wayne strode up to stand face to face with him. With a twist, she pulled the Ring off her finger, pulling out his hand and slapping it in his palm. "I quit," she told one of the most powerful beings in the galaxy, forcing a weapon that could shatter planets with a thought into his hand.
"You dare to touch my person?" he said, surprised.
"Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out," she said, turning her back to him. "You bet I dare." Wayne looked at the High Table, "Professor, shall I escort him out?"
"Who... who is that?" the Headmistress asked, forcing herself back under control.
"Ganthet, one of the Guardians of Oa, creator of the Green Lantern Corps, and billion-year old galactic busybody," Wayne replied, adding, "Out?"
"If you would, please," the Headmistress asked. Wayne reached for Ganthet's robes, and with a motion, she was thrown away, crashing against the Hufflepuff bench. Ganthet floated in midair, a green shell of energy surrounding him.
Wayne shook her head; stalking toward the Guardian as she started to mutter a spell under her breath. A white nimbus of energy surrounded her as a wind started to blow, globes of energy around her fists as she floated to face him, "I said, NO!" A swirl of magic built up around her, the wind picked up, flames flickering as the hundreds of floating candles went out, dropping from midair. The beams supporting the enchanted ceiling creaked, the spell flickering out revealing a plain slate roof, as an aura of magic started swirling around her as, for the first time in centuries, Hogwarts castle groaned.
Her brother called, "Yellow spells!" from Hufflepuff, drawing his wand and firing at the Guardian, secure behind his green shield. At the High Table, the faculty was firing spells at Ganthet, with the students firing a wide variety of curses and hexes. Wayne backed off, white energy circling her as the castle shook, small stones and dust falling from the walls. With a 'crash', a window blew out, a loud 'crack' sounding from the ceiling beams.
"You are still young," the Guardian said clearly over the howl of magic and the tortured cries of the building. "You channel the source energies of one planet; I control the energies of the universe. You have impressed me." With a wave of his hand, Wayne was thrown away, sliding down the Hufflepuff table with a wave of broken crockery. Two first-years kept her from sliding off.
Yates leapt the table, catching Wayne's arm, popping out her tan wand from Mattie's right sleeve as she lay unconscious. Julie heard her say as she started to fire spells at the Guardian, muttering, "Knock out MY Grandma, you deal with ME!" Julie shoved that interesting thought to the back of her mind as Yates' spells managed to knock Ganthet back, the barrage resuming.
Ganthet looked Yates over as he floated toward her, the twitch of a finger replacing the Ring on Wayne's unconscious finger. "Out of time? We shall correct that." With a wave of his hand, they both disappeared.
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Friday, June 15, 2390:
Earth, Gotham City, Wayne Manor: 18:11
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With a 'pop', Cassidy dropped about a meter to the soft ground, tan wand still in her hand. She shook her head, looking about, and muttering, "Gotham. The family graveyard, it could be worse." She strode over to a pair of headstones, crouching down and running her finger through the weathered engraving on one. "It was nice to finally meet you, Grandma. Thanks for saving my life."
Helena Martha Wayne
Born: 31 May 1988
Murdered: 15 March 2208
"The only way they could get you, Grandma, when you were too old to defend yourself. You still gave a good account of yourself, and you never took a life." She brushed back a tear, "Rest in peace, you too, Grandpa."
Arthur Donald Morton
Born: 19 February 1987
Murdered: 15 March 2208
Cassidy touched the headstone, "I never got the chance to apologize for fainting on you, Grandpa. Sorry about that. We took care of Luthor for both of you. He's a senile old brain floating in his tank in the weapons vault." Her hand dropped. "I'd better get home. I'm sorry I couldn't get to know you better. Rest in peace." She stood as a gentle rain began, walking up the gravel path toward the mausoleum.
As she walked away, the death dates on the two tombstones began to blur.
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Friday, June 15, 2001:
Hogwarts, Infirmary: 19:42
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"You WILL leave, Miss Tonks, and the rest of you also. Miss Wayne is suffering from magical exhaustion; there is no reason to wait for her." Madame Pomfrey glowered at the crowd of students, adding, "We will notify you when she wakes. Off with you, you have a long train ride tomorrow." Grumbling, the students left, as Minerva came up. Poppy held the door for her, asking, "How much damage?"
"Had it continued, the castle might very well have shaken to the ground," Minerva said. "How are the other injuries?"
"Treated and released," the mediwitch replied. "I haven't seen that much raw power since Harry's battle with You-Know-Who. What spell was she using?"
"I have no idea. Filius wants to talk to her, she'll be staying in England for summer school, you know. He's got the ceiling enchantment restored." She paused, "Albus owled me, the ... effect, if you will, was felt as far away as London. It broke glass in the Cauldron." Minerva sighed, "She survived a fight with a living god, as near I can tell. Not bad for a third-year."
"Indeed," Severus said, emerging from the shadows. "Albus did warn that Miss Wayne would be a challenge." He offered a vial, "Migraine potion?"
"Thank you, Severus," Minerva said, downing the potion. "How are your Slytherins?"
"Concerned, of course. If you will excuse me, I shall look in on them." He bowed, and with a swirl of black robes, departed.
"You should never have taught him that trick with the robes, Minnie," Poppy said.
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Minerva settled behind her desk, fresh cuppa in hand, and opened the 1380 Headmaster's Journal to June. She noticed a letter addressed to her, and broke the seal.
15 June, 1380
My dearest Minerva,
That was certainly an exciting school year! I do hope Miss Yates was revived successfully, and that Miss Malfoy was properly acquainted with a good rope! The casual way in which she killed still makes my blood boil!
On to business, I mentioned in April that I had a boon to ask. Miss Bundy was kind enough to designate a place on the Moon 'Port Oldridge' (and you were kind enough to show me maps!), and I would like to be reburied there. It does seem a bit odd to ask that when I feel whole and healthy, but the tomb is all our fates. I have enclosed a properly witnessed letter which should cover any legal issues, and set aside a few coins in a privy account for any costs. By the time you read this, it should have grown to a tidy sum. Any remaining balance, please apply to the Headmaster's discretionary fund.
I feel disappointed that we shall never meet again (although I retain hopes of Heaven!), and close, in gratitude,
Alberta Oldridge
Taking a contemplative sip of tea, she remained lost in thought, when her fire flared, and a head poked out, "Minerva!"
"Good evening, Sarah," she told the American witch. "What can I do for you?"
"We felt ... something ... earlier today, and our detectors pointed to you. May we come through, or is this a bad time?" the blonde replied in a Boston accent.
"Please, come," she replied, standing to conjure armchairs as the fire flared twice more after her. A dignified black woman with her hair in plaits, carrying a staff followed the American, and a small Mexican wizard wearing a muggle suit and a string tie followed her. Minerva bowed, "Madame Nyota, Senor Felipe, how wonderful to see you again." The tea set levitated about as people settled themselves; Sarah adding, "We were speaking earlier with the others, might I firecall them?"
"Please, feel free," Minerva said, and as the American witch busied herself at the floo, she asked, "How are things in New Orleans and Mexico?"
"Examinations," the head of the school of Voodoo replied, the Mexican nodding, "at Azteca also. We detected a disturbance a few hours ago, none of our spells would work, the student's practicals failed, and then suddenly, within a few minutes, things returned to normal."
"Our detectors pointed to Hogwarts, we would like to know what happened," the Voodoo priestess mentioned. "Our waterproofing spells failed, it was most disconcerting."
"One of my third-years," Minerva replied, when the floo flared again. She stood to greet the others, Yalena Popov from Moscow's Institute for the study of Magic, Tsien Fa-Gong from Beijing's Lion's Temple, Sheik Habibi from Cairo, Viktor from Durmstrang, and lastly, Madame Maxine from Beauxbatons.
After they all had been seated, and been properly supplied with tea or coffee, Minerva settled behind her desk, "I presume that you'd like to know what happened earlier today. We were just starting the Leaving Feast, when a Guardian popped in."
"Guardian? O' is theees Guardian?" Maxine asked, Yalena replying, "A Guardian of the Universe, I presume." Minerva nodded, and the Russian witch continued, "Interstellar aurors, as I understand it. Enough power to move stars about, or snuff them out like that;" and she snapped her fingers. "What was one doing in Hogwarts?"
"One of my third-years has acquired a Power Ring from them, she went to their training school last summer," Minerva replied. "The Guardian, whose name is Ganthet, popped in demanding she leave on a mission immediately. She declined, he insisted, she tried to return the Ring to him, and it degenerated from there." She took a fortifying sip of tea. "I requested she escort him out, and when she went to do so, he threw her across the Great Hall. She cast a completely unknown spell, the effects of which you felt. As I understand it, the spell channeled the planet's magical energy through her; however, Mr. Ganthet channels a galaxy's worth of energy. She was severely over-matched."
Sarah leaned forward, "You have a Lantern as a student, Minnie?"
"A reluctant one," she admitted. "She has never wanted the Ring; it was forced on her by well-meaning relatives concerned over her safety."
"Next you will tell us she plays Quidditch, too," Felipe said, half joking.
Minerva smiled slightly, "Seeker," she admitted. "She has never used the Ring in competition, though. Was there any damage to your schools?"
Glances flicked about, "Nothing 'reparo' couldn't fix," Nyota admitted. "Which brings up something we had discussed informally, I'd like to bring it up here. What do you think about reviving the International Academic Quidditch tournament?"
"We are still in possession of the trophy," Sheik Habibi replied, settling his robes. "Minerva, I believe Hogwarts was next scheduled to host when the competition was cancelled. Would this be acceptable to everyone?"
"It would," Tsien said. She yawned; "Excuse me, but it has been a very long day for me. Have the competition sometime in spring?"
"Perhaps our Easter break?" Minerva asked.
Tsien nodded, "If there is nothing else, my bed in Beijing awaits." She stood, bowing formally as the rest stood; taking her departure through the floo, shortly followed by the others.
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Saturday, June 16, 2001:
Hogwarts Express, southbound: 11:28
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"Well, THAT was certainly an interesting Leaving Feast," one of the twins said. "Any idea what spell Wayne was using?"
"No bloody idea," Charlie said. "Could you feel it? It was like she was sucking the magic out of the castle."
"'Twas not one of which I am aware," Anne said. "I shall inquire of her this summer." She turned, "I must congratulate Hufflepuff on a surprising win of the House Cup."
"Proving you don't need Quidditch to take it," Arthur said, and Sprink stuck out her tongue.
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Saturday, June 16, 2001:
London, Kings Cross Station: 15:57
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Julie watched Tomas speak to the Wayne staffer, then motion. The Yanks split off from their friends as they manhandled their trunks toward the car park.
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"This isn't the way to Gatwick," one of the twins said, the driver replying, "Bad smashup down that way, this is a roundabout way." He sneezed, fishing out a handkerchief and apologizing, "Sorry, I've a cold." He reached over to touch the air conditioning; there was a hiss, and Julie yawned and fell asleep.
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"Oh, my head..." Julie muttered, waking up. She came awake to find herself locked in a room with the other girls, wrists handcuffed behind her, wearing leg irons.
"Who?" Connie asked, when there was a click, and the door unlocked, the light coming on. "Oww..." she said, bending over to shield her eyes.
"Come along now," an oriental woman said, helping Connie to stand. "Down the hall and left, you'll be with the guys. Sorry about the jumpsuits, had to make sure you weren't concealing anything nasty. We haven't touched you otherwise."
"Where are we?" Connie asked.
"Still in London, we thought Wayne would be with you. We sent another team to fetch her." She hauled the last twin to her feet, "On with you, now."
"Then what?"
"Then we leave for the States, I turn you over to my employer, and get paid." She shrugged, "Nothing personal, just business." She waved, "On with you, there's food for you. Nothing fancy, just protein shakes."
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"Julie!" Arthur called, shuffling over to her as well as he could. He stopped, and they inspected each other, both wearing identical shackles and grey jumpsuits. "Do you know what's going on?"
"They're looking for Mattie," she replied. "They've sent another team for her. Otherwise, I'm fine. You?"
"All my toys are gone," he admitted. "Other than that, I'm OK. Know who that is?" Julie shook her head as the oriental woman clapped her hands. "Sorry about the handcuffs. We get paid more for you alive than dead, so please don't do anything stupid. We're also aware that you're wizards, so once you've had your shake, sit quietly against the wall."
"So who is that?" Julie asked, sliding her way down against the wall next to Arthur.
"Trouble. Big trouble. Ever hear Elena talk about someone called 'Paper Monkey'? That's her, her name is Sandra Woosan, but she goes by another name," he replied.
"Lady Shiva," the woman said, crouching next to them. She gazed at them, "You know about me, Mr. Morton. I'm impressed, and not even a member of the Clan. You do your homework."
"Know thine enemies," he quoted.
"A mercenary has no enemies, just business arrangements," she replied. She cocked an eye at Julie, "No idea what your brother's into?"
"It's safer that way," he replied.
"Usually," she agreed. "However, this time there's collateral damage. I'll give you a freebie. Luthor's pissed at Wayne; he wants the tech, and the starship. Don't trust him further than you can throw him." There was a commotion at the door, someone came in with a limp figure over their shoulder, and she stood.
"Got 'er, but she took out the other blokes," he said, laying the figure on the table.
"Load 'em up," she said, "The others won't match what the starship would, but it's better than Wayne alone." The lights flickered; then went out.
"You'll take my son and daughter anywhere over my dead body, Shiva," a woman's voice said, followed by the rumbling snarl of a panther. The emergency lights flicked on to show a tall figure in purple leather, holding a bullwhip.
"What the Catlady said," a lithe figure in blue and silver said, the snap of a bo staff in his hand.
"I agree with my husband," a redheaded woman wearing grey and yellow said.
"My Clan, my family," Catwoman's voice was heard. "Your choice, Shiva. You want a blood feud with us?"
"I'd be passing up a blank Presidential pardon," Shiva replied. She turned, looking at Mattie, "One condition. The end of summer, you come see me for a week. I want to test you, train you like I did your father."
"I will not kill," she replied.
"Just like your father," Shiva mocked. "You have my explicit permission to try to kill me. I will, however, refrain from killing you."
"Deal," Mattie held open the fire exit. "See you in August."
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The lights flickered back on, with a hum the air conditioning restarted. Julie sat against the wall, jaw hanging, as a figure she recognized as the Pimpernel collapsed into a chair. "I could sleep for a week," she admitted.
"You know Pomfrey didn't want to let you out," Professor Harry said, leaning over the twins. With a snick, their shackles unlocked, and he moved to Connie. "How are you, Miss Koslowski?"
"Fine, thank you," she replied automatically, then shook her head to clear it.
Tomas asked, "My sister... my mother... you are the Bat?"
"Yes, Tomas, welcome to the Clan," Catwoman said, crouching next to him, and touching his cuffs, then his ankle chains.
"Let me help you, Miss Morton," Nightwing said, opening her shackles.
She rubbed her wrists, asking, "You're... you're related to Mattie?" She glanced at the figure sitting at the table, which had put her head down, and was gently snoring.
"She's my sister," he said, touching her nose with a fingertip. "Not a word to anyone, now."
"What did Shiva mean, train like her father? That means that..." one of the twins paled, "Batman..."
"After that bastard Bane broke his back, he went to her for training," Nightwing replied. "I don't care much for her ethics, but she's the finest martial artist on the planet. Even outnumbering her, I was not looking forward to that fight."
"But I've seen Mattie fight," the other twin said. "Shiva's better than you lot?"
"My estimate is that I'd last about fifteen minutes with her, Batman took her one fall out of three," Nightwing replied. "I'd estimate Mattie could go about three or four minutes with her." Julie looked up, "There's always someone better than you are. Remember that, Julie." He reached down to help Arthur up, "Are you coming to the party on the fourth?"
"This story I have to hear," Julie declared
"Not from me, though," Arthur said quietly.
"Shall I wipe their memories?" Professor Harry asked, glancing at Catwoman. "Or are you lot willing to swear a Wizard's Oath that you'll keep silent on this?"
"I'll accept their oath," Catwoman replied.
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"Mr. Morton?" Professor Harry asked.
"I've given mine to Mattie. If that's not good enough..." Nightwing looked him in the eye; then clapped his shoulder, "Good enough for me."
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Saturday, June 16, 2001:
Grandview Heights, Ohio, Morton home: 18:41 (GMT-5)
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The small white ship banked silently, gently touching down at the entrance to the cul-de-sac, carefully side slipping so the landing gear could avoid the flowerbeds in the traffic circle. People started to appear in front yards as the front ramp lowered and two of the Morton kids appeared, towing their school trunks. Behind them, the ramp rose and the ship silently lifted off.
Maggie Morton was draining the spaghetti; she lifted her eyebrow, asking, "Arthur, can you take care of these trunks?"
"Arthur and I'll get them, Julie, want to wash up?" the oldest son Henry said, adding to Arthur, "Helluva entrance, bro."
"You should have seen us clearing Customs in New York," Arthur deadpanned before picking up his trunk.
"You didn't say anything about ... this!" Misty asked her fiancé.
"Because I didn't know," Henry replied, "You know where Arthur and Julie go to school, don't you?"
"A school for magic in Scotland," she said. "Which still seems a bit unreal to me."
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As the Morton kids gathered in the back yard after dinner, Henry asking, "Okay, you two, spill. How do you arrive home in a starship?"
Arthur traded looks with Julie, who replied, "We can't say much, we're under a Wizard's Oath of silence. It would cost us our magic to break that oath."
"Okay, I can accept that. Barely," her eldest brother said. He scrubbed his face, "What can you tell us?"
"You're aware of the ... political difficulties with Luthor and that starship?" Arthur asked. Heads nodded, "Luthor sent some goons to kidnap us, they were stopped; Mattie offered us a ride home. End of story."
"I'm sure there's so much more to that story," Teela said, idly sketching the scene.
"You have no idea how much more," Arthur said. "Bill, got your wand?" He pulled it from his sleeve and passed it over, Arthur placing it atop an empty flowerpot and making several passes over it with his; then saying, "Your first spell. I'll teach you how to levitate something."
"Hold it, isn't that illegal?" Elena asked.
"Technically, yes, but Arthur just removed the government underage tracking spells," Julie explained. Speaking carefully, she said, "A certain politician is likely, very likely, to try kidnapping in order to force possession of that starship. That's why we're going to be drilling Bill in defensive magic this summer, and why we suggest you keep one of us with you."
"What about after you leave in September?" Misty asked.
"We're still working on that one," he admitted. "As for Bill's wand,I've transferred the spells to the flowerpot," Arthur clarified, adding, "You need to think like a spy, using throwaway cell phones, they're only fifty bucks each. We've also got a few bracelets for you to wear. They will do two things, trigger invisibility and unlocking charms on any handcuffs. The bracelets are notice-me-not charmed, so any cops will ignore them." He turned to his future sister-in-law, "We've also got emergency portkeys for all of us, including you, Misty," he said, pulling his from his shirt. "It's set for Hogwarts infirmary, and because it's a transatlantic portkey, it won't be a smooth ride. You'll wind up puking in Scotland."
"Portkey?" she asked, gently touching the gold medallion on the table with a fingernail.
"Magical transportation," Julie said. "It's supposed to feel like a hook through your navel, and it'll land you on your butt." She picked up the portkey by the chain, handing it back to Arthur, who continued, "We've also got some defenses for the house and cars. They're from a certain joke shop in London, they're non-lethal, but they have to be blood-matched to everyone for safety." He looked at his elder brother, "Believe me, you don't want to be transfigured to a six-foot chicken."
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"Speaking of London, we received a FedEx package Friday," Elena said, "I signed for it. It was from a company called Arrowhead Investments, and it was title to a crater on the moon." She laced her fingers together, "Spill. How do we own property on the moon?"
Julie's mouth dropped open, "I sent Mom an email saying that Mattie had suggested to me that we form a family corporation, and to let her know what the name was. I had no idea..."
"Sounds like her," Arthur snorted. "Arrowhead is her investment corporation. She's got a plan to colonize the moon." He looked at his brothers and sisters, "What about tungsten?"
"We've been buying it," Henry said. "I don't know why, though."
"It's the galactic currency," Julie said. "It's why this system is invaded so often, we're a bunch of ignorant savages sitting on a mountain of it. Think of it as buying gold, or diamonds."
"A few hundred kilos will buy a small starship," Arthur said, idly transfiguring another flowerpot to a model of the Yates. "It's not the only reason, though. She talks about a genetic lifeboat." He looked up, "Something's got her scared. Not for her, not for us, for everyone. She's absolutely driven about this, but she won't say why."
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