XI

A Payment, a Procedure, and a Proposition

The office was small and cramped and smelled of an odd musk. To make matters worse, it was divided in half by a large plate glass. On the other side of which was a monstrous form, the identity concealed by a holo across the glass that made him appear as a featureless silhouette, which, of course, was the point. The massive bodyguard shoved Toad into the small wooden chair, the legs creaking with the force. His head bumped the low-hanging ceiling light causing it to bounce and bob on its cord, which sent their shadows dancing in a chaotic frenzy.

"So you didn't find the Spectre agent," said the form beyond the glass, his voice like a booming avalanche. "No agent, no coin."

"Now wait just a minute," Toad protested. He began to rise from the rather uncomfortable chair, his hand moving on its own towards his holster. The bodyguard, a massive rhino from a jungle planet, placed a paw on Toad's shoulder and huffed a stinking breath in his face. Toad sat quickly and quietly, leaving his gun to rest. The bodyguard was so assured of his presence, he made no attempt to reach for his own gun.

"O-okay. Just be cool, okay?" stammered Toad, throwing his hands up. "Nobody needs to do anything rash." He threw a look to the bodyguard, who stepped back and folded his bulging arms across his chest.. "No, we didn't find Lady Bow," he continued. "Her ship was gone. Somebody removed the black box."

"Then, you've failed," said the form beyond the glass. He swiped a claw in a dismissive gesture. Immediately, the guard grabbed Toad by both shoulders and hoisted him up in one swift motion.

"Hold on, Broker," screamed Toad. "Hear me out. We found something else. Underground."

"What did you find?" growled the Shadow Broker. Toad explained the pipe in the cave. To which, the monster said, "A warp pipe is indeed a valuable find. Very well, Toad. I will give you half of our agreed upon price."

"Half? We're talkin' about a real-life bona fide warp pipe. You could go anywhere with that thing. Think how valuable a sell that is to your clients. We're talkin' some real coin headed your way if you find the right buyer. And we both know that you've got several lined up. I think that's worth at least, let's see, uhh… 80 percent.

"I will give you 65."

"70."

"65 and your life."

"I'll take it." The credit transfer was immediate and was signaled by a chime like the clinking of coins. Toad sent a portion to the medbay for Luigi's procedure, making good on his word.

In the medbay, Dr. Stewart's omnitool lit up with the same indicator. "Looks like your captain finally transferred the coin," he said.

"About time," said Daisy with a long sigh. She had half-expected for the scoundrel to cheat them, as was his way.

"Let's get you prepped for surgery, Mr. Luigi." The anesthetic was quick and exquisite. When he awoke, it seemed like only moments had passed but the sleep had been welcome and restful.

"Simple and routine," said Dr. Stewart, washing his hands at the sink. "Just how I like it. You're lucky that the severance was so clean."

"It's itchy. Like in the fingers," said Luigi as he flexed his new robotic arm. It was made of a shiny black metal with notched plates at the joints.

"That's the neurowire. It'll take some time for the connections to heal but once they do, that should go away." Luigi looked at his arm with uncertainty.

In the Great Hall of the Galactic Council, Mario had finished his report. "A warp pipe?" questioned Councilor Toadette, running her fingers through her pink pigtails. "In the caves of Planetoid 1-1?"

"Impossible," Councilor Malkovich replied, smacking his palm on the table. "The warp pipes were all destroyed decades ago since no one knew where they led." He pulled out his cuff links to straighten the wrinkles he had caused to his sleeve. His overall presentation, from his suit and tie to the shine of his shoes, was immaculate. Clean and pristine was the name of the game.

Councilor Pico pondered in silence. A distressing thought occurred to him and with fast fingers, pulled up the Archives on warp pipes. He sent the entries to Councilor Booregard's omnitool, who then said, "Records show that the warp pipes were not all accounted for. Indeed, Mario of the Odyssey's tale, tall though it may be, could, in fact, bear truth."

"What did you see when you went through?" inquired Toadette.

"Koopas. An army of them."

"Then, this is a grave development given what has happened in the Mushroom Kingdom," she said.

"What has happened in the Mushroom Kingdom?"

"Their princess has gone missing," said Councilor Funky Kong, without a trace of his usual good humor.

"Peach?"

Malkovich had been listening with increasing agitation. He tapped the butt of his pen on the oak tabletop. Finally, he said "Koopas? In the Deep Dark. Blast it all. I knew they couldn't all be gone."

"Perhaps we could turn this setback into our advantage," Toadette intoned with encouragement. "Mario has shown particular aptitude in the field. In Lady Bow's absence, Mario could take her place as our trusted field agent." The five councilors mumbled and nodded their heads in agreement.

"Mario," said Funky. "Do you want that?"

Mario thought for a long moment. The fires in the dark scared him but he knew just as well that he couldn't stand by and do nothing. The right thing was being offered to him on a starlit platter by the leaders of the galaxy. In the absence of being chosen by some greater force, he instead chose for himself and said simply, "I do."

"Then, stand before us," said Booregard through the mouthpiece of his suit. The boos wore an encasement suit to keep their volatile vapors from dissipating. Mario stood before them, his legs uneasy. The rush of becoming a Spectre had jolted his nerves. "Mario of the Odyssey," the boo continued. "Do you swear to uphold the laws of the Galactic Federation, to conduct yourself with honor even in the harshest combat, and to follow the orders of this Council though it may mean your death?

"I do."

"By the power of the Chief Council of the Galactic Federation, we appoint you Spectre Agent First Class," said Toadette.

"For your first mission," started Funky Kong, "you will find and rescue Peach, the princess of Mushroom Kingdom, last seen on Shiveria. Do you accept?"

"I do."

"Congratulations, Mario," said Malkovich. "Your troubles have just begun."