Jonakhensu: That's because I haven't finished it yet. It's rather more complex than these, and it's moving rather slowly. As for the mind dump, it's not that big of a deal. Sort of like reading a book, and remembering it all. Except his mind is more like a horror story.
Jez: 1)Good point, I knew I forgot something. I'll fix it shortly. 2) Just one way, else he'd never have any secrets. I know what you mean though. I'd considered it, but it didn't fit the story quite right.
In response to your reviews to the other story arc:
The first one was intended that way, it just sort of flowed out. The second was from partial personal experience. I was never sure if I made the right choice. The third one, was considerably harder to write, and I almost broke down into tears twice while writing it.
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Two month time lapse, since the end of chapter Seventeen
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"I don't think that's..." Kim called, as Ron turned through a door. "a men's room." There was a scream that issued from the room, and Ron bolted out, still looking.
"The other door." Shego called. He spun around and vanished through another door. Shego and Kim laughed. Adam stepped out of the shipping office, swearing in french.
"SOB, he tried to charge me for it. I should have laid his ass out on the ground." He snarled as she stepped beside Shego, shuffling a sheaf of papers in his hands.
"You irritate too easily." Shego commented. Kim nodded. "What happened to that calm, happy you we knew in New York."
"He didn't make it through customs." Came the response, a bit closer to cheerful, and farther from irritated. "Sorry, shouldn't snap."
"When exactly were you going to mention, exactly how meaningless those titles you offered to bestow on us were?" Kim asked, he winced, and an anime style sweat drop was drawn in mentally by the two girls. He laughed nervously, and then Ron appeared from the restroom. "Never mind, I'd rather not know." Though they all had his memories, apparently only the girls had gone through them. Ron didn't seem to care. Neither could access it the way he could, instantly, but he knew that was because they hadn't had them long. That would come.
"So, now that we're in Antwerp, how about sampling the local cuisine?" Ron asked. Kim gave him a glare.
"Is food all you think about?" She asked. He shook his head.
"No, we could retire to the room." He grinned, and she blushed. He laughed. "I'm kidding, Rufus would be mad if... Rufus?" The rodent appeared from Shego's jacket pocket.
"Hey!" She yelled realizing he'd eaten the candy bar she always carried. She snatched at him, mostly playfully, as he leapt, and rolled, commando style, before scampering up to Ron's shoulder. She glared at him. "Yes, let's feed the bottomless pit, before he starts chewing on me." I grinned.
"I thought you liked to be chewed on. You did last time." She coughed. Kim and I both laughed. Ron raised an eyebrow. He'd been busy, and not watching us.
"Let's go eat, shall we?" She suggested, walking away. We didn't bother to hide how much fun we were having following her. The cafe was pleasantly crowded. Full, but not impolitely so. I took the opportunity to defend myself.
"The titles are not meaningless. They simply don't provide anything beyond an equal social footing." I commented. "I'm a blooded high lord of the house, meaning I'm directly in the blood line, thus, I do not have the modifying dul. Being dul Marcae means, you're considered part of the family, and are eligible to attend any gathering, normally restricted to house members. Being High Lord and Ladies, is simply meant to impress the other guests. House Marcae currently boasts sixty some odd people on the High rolls. The master list of High Ladies and Lords. The Lesser rolls boast a hundred and twenty, and almost three hundred on the Low rolls. Four Lords sit the council, along with the two highest ranking blood High Lords, and the highest ranking blood High Lady. Only one High Lady, as three of the sitting Lords are women. All other titles are invalid so long as one sits the council, above the High lords. The council leader is the fourth Lord, and he's a bigger ass than I am at times." I sighed. "Sorry, went off on a tangent again."
"No big, the food's here." Kim laughed, and began to eat. She'd ordered something I didn't recognize. Ron had gone for the one of everything approach, and Shego was eating Escargot. Me? I just ordered a steak.
---
"So, you're saying, that this, Lord Triaxx, is what? A god?" Kim asked. I laughed, and shook my head.
"No, he thinks he is though. His powers are the sort one normally finds on a higher being, but not quite as strong as a god's. He is, immortal in a different sense of the word. You can kill him, but he's going to rise again, like a Phoenix. He carries a sword, called Tsunami. It's partially sentient, and incredibly powerful in it's own right. In some realities, it's the most powerful weapon in existence. He wears a bracelet called the Dragon's Eye, able to amplify his own powers, several fold. He also wears an extremely powerful version of the rings we wear." I held up my hand, watching the light glint off the silver etched ring for a moment. A line, curving in a zig-zag pattern wrapped the entire ring, small raised dots in the inside curves. "When he pulls it off, he sort of, explodes with power. It's kind of pretty, in an 'Oh no, he's about to destroy reality' sort of way."
"How old is he exactly?" Shego wondered.
"Seven hundred thousand and change. He currently leads the council, as regent, until the new Mother is old enough." I replied.
"Mother?" Ron asked.
"Head of the council is either Mother, or Father, and the entire house refers to them as such. The next in line is a girl, thus, she is the new Mother." I shrugged. "The old one was killed in an attack, perpetrated by business rivals."
"Business rivals?" Kim queried.
"Yes, Marcae is a trading house. We're part of the Imperial hierarchy but we move goods, and sell stuff, like water, and gold. It's how we reached our current state of existence. My bosses in this world, are a high tech division of the house, because it's home dimension is rather medieval." I answered.
"Imperial hierarchy?" Shego inquired.
"Yes, the emperor and his family keep a leash on the houses, both merchant, and straight noble. He and Triaxx butt heads almost continually. Except when Triaxx isn't there." I snorted. "He insists we call him Big T."
"Sounds several times more arrogant than you." Kim grinned, elbowing me in the ribs. I laughed.
"He is." The cargo master approached.
"Mr. Xanatos said that you would drive off yourself, if you'll follow me, I'll get you past the captain."
---
Getting the bus out wasn't hard, and Kim, Ron, and Shego boarded shortly after. Driving towards the estate, brought an odd sense of peace. There was no reason to rush, an attack by, anyone, was not expected. I didn't have to worry about errant anything, short of a national disaster, we were free to drive through the country side, and enjoy the scenery. Of course, that wasn't going to happen.
"Kim, major trouble. Five separate sitches at once. Drakken's going after an armored military convoy. Lucre's out, and trying to topple the Russian government. The Seniors are hitting a bank in Sweden. Duff is after a super powered computerized golf club, and Darkwolf is attacking Rio de Janerio. Who wants what?" Wade asked.
"I'll take Drakken." Kim commented.
"I'll handle Lucre." Ron offered.
"I'll get Killigan." I offered. Shego shrugged.
"I'll deal with the Seniors. How about we meet up for Darkwolf?" She commented. Kim nodded.
"Three rides please." Kim commented. "How do you contact Wade when you get done?" She asked Ron and Shego. Normally they'd be with her.
"Already thought of that." Wade grinned. I said nothing. "A watch a piece. Simple coded signal. Hit the button and I'll send a ride."
"Then I'm taking Kim?" Genny asked. Wade nodded, as the watches appeared from the ceiling. "Good. Ready to go?"
"Just have to change." Kim grinned.