Hallo! Thanks, as ever, for stopping in for a read. Tikatu, Bow Echo, Creative Girl and Whirl Girl, my appreciation for your reviews. Edited. =)

25

Under dead, blasted Edinburgh, in the far-deep stronghold of the Kanes-

Jeff Tracy's flippantly challenging words seemed to hang in the air like an unclaimed belch; drawing mostly confused or contemptuous looks. There was a snort of suppressed laughter from the third seat to the left, though. (Someone got out, from time to time, it appeared.)

Standing there in that huge stone arena, with its floor of scored and abraded steel, Jeff glanced casually around at his six inquisitors; gauging moods and memorizing faces. The green-eyed young man to the cyborg's right was staring at Tanusha. His hard, handsome face wore an expression that hovered somewhere between anger, disgust and contempt. Maybe, also… a touch of interest? For her own part, his daughter looked off-her-stride nervous. The Kyranos were psions. How would their leader react to one of their number, who wasn't?

On the other flank of the beautiful cyborg, that auburn-haired man had glanced at him once, then quite pointedly looked away. Well, as his father had told him on several occasions: 'Son, no matter what you do, you're never gonna be good enough f'r some folks. Just smile, an' walk off. Ain't worth gettin' all rowdy over.' And, d*mned if Grant Tracy hadn't been right, every time.

Next to the arrogant wanker, was a slim, pale-haired man with very light, intense eyes; the one who'd stifled a laugh at his comment. Beside him was the holographic projection of a dark-haired, brown eyed woman with oriental or Indian looks. She, too, seemed scarcely able to stand him.

On the other side, a second hologram flickered and sparkled beside what seemed like a swirl of distortion; like the ripple effect of a cloaked, or time-shifted object. Those he could see were dressed in a varied selection of odd style choices. Their clothing ranged from pretty much nothing (Kane) to full black body suit with weirdly mobile crystal emblems (Kyrano) to a formal dark kimono, to pre-conflict business attire, and evening gown. Clearly, this lot didn't spend enough time in each other's company to share many habits.

Said the machine woman,

"As none of your family has ever attended a council, Colonel Tracy, your status here is uncertain. You were summoned to speak on two vital matters. Do you choose to do this, or will you depart, and be struck from our dealings, for all time?"

Her voice was metallic and artificially amplified, but not unpleasant. Nor did she seem angry, at all... though emotion was tough to gauge on that lovely, mask-like face. Before Jeff could answer her, a clanking and rattling scurry of mechas came pouring into the chamber; some climbing down from the walls, some flying or galloping over the floor. These swiftly gathered behind Jeff and Kayo, linking up to form two high seats, hers just a bit behind his. Both chairs were equipped with steps, he noticed, smiling in pained remembrance. Taking the hint, Colonel Tracy bounded up onto his seat, and settled in. After a moment, Kay did the same.

"You've got the advantage on me," he told the cyborg. "You know each other, and me… but I don't think we've met. I can guess that you'd be a Kane, and that he's a Kyrano…"

"The Kane, and the Kyrano," she corrected him, as a mutter and shuffle of scorn passed through the others, except for his friend with the sense of humour. "These are titles, as yours will be 'the Tracy'… if it is felt that you belong in this council."

His robotic seat was hard, and not entirely stable, being composed of individual, self-willed units, but at least the tribunal weren't just making them stand there. That was a good sign. Meant they were willing to listen, at least.

"Tell you what," said the astronaut, shifting around to get comfortable, "How about we introduce ourselves, and then you can ask me those questions. I'm Jeff Tracy. No 'the' that I ever heard about… but then, we've been out of touch, since before the last conflict. My ancestor up and left McConnel Air Force Base, rather than get used as a piece of equipment. Then, he did his level best to just disappear. I'm guessing you folks had it rougher. My friend Kyrano told me some of that, before he was killed by the Hood. My daughter, here, is his child. We adopted her, fourteen years ago."

There was a short, awkward silence. Then, just as Jeff had begun to worry that he'd broken some unforgiveable social code, the cyborg replied,

"I am Gail Kane, and my people have remained hidden since fighting their way free of Dreghorn Barracks. We are, as is obvious, quite distinctive. It is to our advantage to keep out of sight. This," she indicated the green-eyed young man, "is Lord Kyrano. He will tell you whatever he chooses to, in his own time and manner."

In a like fashion, she introduced Lords Harris and Hiro, and Lady De la Vega. The other guy introduced himself, saying,

"Edwin Beech. Like Madame Kane, I have a clansman traveling with yours, Tracy. It seems that your sons rescued one of my people from the Hood. I am grateful."

"You're welcome," Jeff told him, risking a smile. Beech's response was no more than a brief flicker of facial muscles, almost a tic, but it was there. Pretty solidly, the Colonel sensed that Kane and Beech, at least, were on his side.

That weird distortion had not been introduced. Jeff started to turn in its direction, but then Madame Kane began speaking, again. So… their cloaked fellow Special was not meant to be noticed? In disgrace, or something? He didn't know, and wasn't sure how to find out, without causing further offense.

"Colonel Tracy," said the machine-woman, "This council has been convened for two causes. First, we must decide your status, and fathom your doings. You bring unwelcome attention to us all."

"And, you flaunt their uniform," spat Lord Harris, as small flames began to wink in and out of the air all around him. Temperature spiked, too. "You accept their rank and their leash, like an eager, groveling hound."

Jeff blinked. He was still in his blue-and-white GDF uniform, which had been washed and pressed by the servants at Penny's grand hunting lodge. Still…

"Can't say that I'm wearing anyone's leash, Harris. I decided to join the Space Corps out of college, because I wanted to fly and explore… because I wanted adventure. This uniform represents WorldGov, not the institutions that created us. Those are long gone, all of them. Chancellor Shaw may have some idea that we exist…" (Didn't say anything more on that, as he didn't want to provoke assassination attempts) "…but he's a long way from bringing us back to heel."

"And yet," said Lord Hiro's holographic image, leaning forward, a bit, "The means exist for him to do just that, Tracy. You are very public, and your actions incur risk, to not only yourself." Interestingly, Hiro was a tough guy to read or get a clear picture of. His features, shape and size were always in flux; blending smoothly from one form to another.

"That's fair," Jeff admitted. "But, I didn't realize that there was a larger 'Special' community, when I went out and broke my family's 'stay low, stay humble' code. Jake Tracy didn't want to hurt anybody… he just wanted a life. All I did was head out and pitch in, where I thought I could do some good. No harm intended."

Kyrano had said nothing aloud, up to that point. Now, in a voice that fairly crackled with scorn and distaste, the young man snapped,

"You risk everything. The Tracys parade what must be concealed, in ridiculous sport as well as in "rescue". We might have some rogue members…the Hood and Mechanic… or allow our young to visit Typical cities and rut their females, as do the Beeches… but we do not fetch and carry for those who once enslaved us!"

Kayo stood up from her linked and humming drone-chair, eyes flashing fire. Colonel Tracy moved to silence the girl, but she shook her head.

"No, Dad… I've got an answer for Mr. Purebred, over there. Welcome to here and now, Smart-guy! The war is over. If you want to hide under the floorboards like a roach, be our guest, but some of us have guts enough to get out there and make a difference. Don't criticize my dad and brothers, when you can't even control one whack-job psychotic killer, like the Hood!"

Jeff reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger. Felt another migraine coming on, with Kayo Kyrano written all over it.

"TinTin," he urged, in a tight, quiet voice, "sit down."

"Dad, you haven't heard what that jackass is thinking," Tanusha blurted. Then she stopped, as she realized what she'd just said. "I mean…"

"Sit, Princess," her father repeated, in kinder, more comforting tones. "I can fight my own battles, and… as your Grandma would put it… Some people ain't worth the spit it'd take ta cuss 'em out."

Tanusha stood there on her metallic and glittering seat, trembling slightly. Then, with a nod to her father, and a final glare for the handsome Kyrano, she sat down again. Things were going on in her head… voices, images, pulls… and she didn't know quite how to handle the change. Her father gave her a quick, encouraging smile, and then turned his attention back to the council.

"Right," he said, briskly. "Let's cut through the bullsh*t. As I see it, the main problem here, is that my family's open rescue activities are making it harder for the rest of you to stay hidden. Maybe… just a thought, people… it's time to step out of the d*mn shadows. That's what my friend, Kyrano, thought, anyhow… and they killed him for it. Maybe you're too young to remember him, Son," Added Jeff, staring hard at the tall and rigid Kyrano, "But he was a good, decent man; courageous and open to change. I miss his friendship and mental 'post cards'… but his daughter is part of my family, now, and she's in the rescue business, too. Maybe you-all should think about joining us. The Mechanic has."

It was Madame Kane who responded first, saying quietly,

"My kind would not be welcomed, Colonel Tracy. Instead, the technology that created us has been outlawed by your world government. They would have us captured and destroyed."

"Laws can be changed," Jeff told her, "And you only seem frightening when nobody knows what you are, or when a former villain is your only representative."

Lady De la Vega spoke next. She was here as a hologram, like Hiro. Now, the short, dark-haired woman said,

"My people produce and control disease, Tracy. We were created to decimate armies and vanquish whole nations, in darkness and secrecy. No one freely accepts a De la Vega. They fear us… as is our due."

Jeff shrugged. Linking both hands comfortably behind his head and then stretching his legs out before him, crossed at the ankle, he mused,

"Seems to me like you'd be a natural with vaccines, too. Bet you could put a screeching halt to super-flu and weaponized rabies, if you wanted to."

"Precisely. Because what the world clearly needs more of, is Typicals," sneered Harris, literally beginning to flare. First his auburn hair and eyebrows, then his fingertips flickered with red, dancing light. Those beside him inched away on their stone benches, as the pyrogen snarled, "They should all be put down like stray dogs, together with those of us who consort with them!"

Beech, the only one besides Madame Kane to reveal a first name, shook his head.

"Believe it or not, Tracy, we don't all think like pecker-head, there."

Harris whirled on the ghostly-pale Special, his wrath starting small fires throughout the arena. Mechs and drones scurried after them, some even leaving Jeff's chair in their zeal to douse flame. Said the angry pyrogen,

"I believe that one of your half-vermin offspring was recently dredged from a gutter by Tracy, was she not, Beech? Perhaps you owe him a favour? Is that it?"

The bench and railing suddenly cracked beneath Harris, dumping him flat to the hard metal floor, where he landed with a loud, crashing thud. Then, a drone mistimed its sputtering flame-douser, covering his furious lordship in sticky white powder. All seemingly accidental, all coming from Beech. Lord Harris lunged to his feet, burning the powder… and most of his own clothing… right off himself. Warping energy to create a strong thermal, he lifted himself back up onto that tiered stone seating, loaded for bear. Then everything seemed to slow down, permitting someone to act.

"My lords," Madame Kane interrupted, moving to place herself between the two men, "this display lessens respect. Let us table the matter, and grant the Tracys provisional status. This is my recommendation, and my word. Let he or she gainsay, who is willing to face me in battle. I hold my lordship through strength, not by vote."

Some might have grumbled, but no one felt offended enough to challenge the cyborg's decision. Instead, they sat down; Harris flickering back out, again (and stiffly accepting Beech's grey pinstriped suit jacket), the rest accepting Kane's lead.

Meanwhile, Jeff's mind was racing. Zara… was a left-side daughter of Lord Beech? Had Shaw known about that? Had he been planning to use her as bait for some larger plan?

"Lord Tracy," the cyborg began, only Jeff held up a quick, stalling hand.

"Please," he said. "I grew up on a ranch, roping steers and shoveling horse apples. I'm not a d*mn lord. 'Colonel' will do me just fine."

Madame Kane didn't smile. Might not even have known how. But she did say,

"You are Colonel, then, which is equal to Lord… And the second matter now rises before us. What is the nature of this alien derelict, Colonel Tracy, and how may it be stopped from destroying our world?"

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Meanwhile, at the frozen and briny south pole of Mars, in darkness and silence, something encountered the Hood.