Earth 1, The Caribbean
Lyla Michaels had recently commented to John Diggle ''I'm wondering whether Savage wants to conquer the world or to buy it''
In was a viewpoint which Cassandra Savage might not have rejected out of hand. She stood looking at the half-completed industrial site that her father had wanted her to buy in his absence. It was one of a whole list of sites he'd acquired recently, using his share of the proceeds from robberies on other Earths.
''Company with big ideas that went bust'' Mark Martin, who had also come to look at the site, commented.
''Yes'' Now it was sliding into ruin, as the weather had its way with the structures. Which reminded her of an idea her father had outlined to her before he set off. ''Work on the buildings will have to wait until Nikki tells us what she needs, but I'd like you to get someone in to work on the fences and perimeter security.''
''Bertonellis would be best'' Martin commented. She didn't know what he meant but didn't feel the need to ask. He was proving to have a good range of contacts.
X
She got up fairly late the next day, after a plane flight back from the mainland. Lucy was sorting out the larder and making up a shopping list when she finally did make it down for breakfast.
''When you've finished that, I'd like you to work on a special project for me. '' She had been planning to get Lucy - the reliable - do more than just clean the house and do the shopping. ''Put together a dossier on the major food production and export areas of the world. Couple that with details of their customary climate and weather events - good and bad - that happen in those areas. Could you do that?''
''I don't see any problems'' Lucy replied.
Behind her calm, moderately interested, expression, her mind was racing. The mention of weather obviously made her think of the recent recruit, Martin and his meta-power. Whatever was being planned, this didn't sound good. Something to mention in her weekly bulletins.
X
The jump ship touched down and Cassandra walked over towards where the ramp was descending. She paused for a moment, startled. Her father was coming down the ramp with Kendra Saunders walking beside him. They were both smiling. It was inexplicable.
''This is my daughter, Cassandra'' he said when they'd got closer. ''Cassandra, this is Alice Murphy. ''She's going to be our guest here for the time being. ''Can you have that assistant of yours arrange for her to use one of the houses?''
''My things are on board'' Alice Murphy said, with a slightly apologetic air, once Cassandra and she had greeted each other. ''I'm afraid I tend to accumulate this, that and the other.''
This woman, she realised, must be a subsequent incarnation of Saunders. Her hair was shorter and the woman in general seemed to be subtly different. Certainly her view of Vandal Savage didn't seem to be one that Saunders would have shared.
Bursting with curiosity as she was, Cassandra kept that to herself for the time being. She'd quiz her father about it when she had the opportunity.
''Nikki's not with you?'' She was slightly disappointed by that.
''This trip brought us a lot more than we expected''. Like this woman, Cassandra thought. ''She'll be sorting and packing for a while yet.''
X
Cassandra slowly followed a path that wound through dunes and then a small woodland. She was on her way to visit Alice and her thoughts were occupied with this 23rd Century version of Saunders. There was a warmth to the woman and she'd come to see why her father liked her - if she remembered rightly, he'd even married a previous incarnation. She and Alice were in the process of becoming friends. Nikki would also like Alice, Cassandra thought.
She came in sight of the house, which lay at the top of a small cove - with the customary sea view. She went up the front steps to the screen door and called out ''Alice?''
Footsteps approached from one of the back rooms and Alice Murphy appeared, holding one of her myriad ornaments.
''Cassandra'' with a pleased tone, she unfastened the screen door. ''Come in.''
The two women went into the living room. Alice put down the ornament, for which she'd been trying to find a place. She made coffee for Cassandra and tea for herself.
They chatted for about an hour, then Casandra headed home, thinking that Alice would be good for her as well as her father.
X
When her visitor had gone, Alice went back into the living room. For long moments, she stood looking at the sculpture -she transferred Algernon's main functions into the concealed circuitry inside her prized possession.
She reached out a hand and lightly - so as not to activate the A.I. - touched the artifacts surface.
''Soon, Your Majesty'' she murmured. ''Very soon.''