Chaos Calls 01
Ernest Bywater
Chaos Calls 01
The Learning Visit;
The First Rescue;
Dragon Dilemma
All rights reserved and copyright © 2010
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This book contains the following novels in the Al Adams series:
Chaos Calls: The Learning Visit
Chaos Calls: The First Rescue
Chaos Calls: Dragon Dilemma
Ernest Bywater
All rights reserved and copyright © 2010
This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental. All rights are reserved by the author, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.
Product names, brands, and other trademarks referred to within this book are the property of their respective trademark holders. Unless otherwise specified, no association between the author and any trademark holder is expressed or implied. Nor does it express any endorsement by them, or of them. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark, service mark, or registered trademark.
Cover Art
The mage is Cove Mountain Trail tn4 by Brian Stansberry used with permission under Creative Commons Attribution. The manipulation, and adding of text is by Ernest Bywater. All rights to the cover image are reserved by the copyright owners.
3 February 2022 version
Published by Ernest Bywater
E-book ISBN 978-1-312-12222-2
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The titles in use are a Story, a Chapter, a Sub-chapter, and a section.
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About Al and Chaos
The 'Al' in this story is Allyn Robyn Evans Adams. More is told about him in the story Finding Home, which is an action / adventure story with graphic sex scenes and it is not recommended for young readers.
Sixteen year old Al is devastated when a drunk driver causes a car collision which results in the death of all his family, except his father who he was never real close to. He inherits the businesses and assets of his mother, uncle, and his grandparents then he obtains many businesses and shares in an out-of-court settlement when he sues the rich man who caused the collision. Since then he's increased the value of his businesses through a combination of good management and good luck.
Al has studied martial arts for as long as he can remember and he's a very competent fighter qualified to the level of master. He also adopted the Japanese approach to honour during his training and his character is more that of a Samurai than a typical western teen. The Australian born boy now lives in Frederick, Maryland, USA with his father. There he attends high school, runs his businesses as the senior policy maker, and continues to write a series of books he started some years before.
When Al put together a team of retired military personnel as his security staff he came into contact with a man he knows as 'John.' Al knows John works from the Pentagon and is involved in covert actions. Due to the intrusions of others into his life Al involves John in some of his activities, which leads to a situation where they help each other.
Author's Note: These stories are a follow on from my story Finding Home. However, they are not straight sequels but a divergence into the Damsels in Distress Universe where they stand alone as stories in their own right. They do include some background on Al because this may help some readers to enjoy these stories more. Both Finding Home and the main Damsels in Distress Universe stories are available at the website storiesonline.net and many Damsel stories by other authors are adult stories with sex scenes in them, thus reader discretion is highly recommended if you wish to read them.
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Damsels in Distress Universe
In 2005 Lazlo Zalezac published a story titled The Portal: Doorway To Adventure, and he started the Damsels in Distress (DiD) Universe. It's with his permission these stories were written using the DiD universe. I praise and thank him for creating the universe, as well as for allowing other writers to use his universe. Some universe rules are explained and refined in these stories, it's all done with his prior approval.
The universe consists of four planets: Cassandra, Crossroads, Earth and Chaos. They're linked by portals, and everyone is supposed to pass through Crossroads to reach any other destination. Some Earth families had been using their portals for many generations. The portals have some very unique features. First, a ring with a sapphire stone is needed to activate the portal, and it must be worn by a person of Heroic nature. Second, only beings healthy enough to suit the control system are let through it. Third, weapons and metals (except the ring above) can't pass through, while approved humans, plants, seeds, and other animals can pass without a problem. Fourth, no matter how long you're away from Earth only fifteen minutes passes at your point of origin on Earth.
The key component in the DiD universe is the planet Cassandra. At some point in the planet’s past a war wiped out much of its population, and a side effect of the war caused the fertility and sex drive of the males to steadily decline. The situation reached a point where male children are almost always sterile. Without outside intervention the Cassandran people would soon cease to exist, and it's the obvious purpose of the system's creators to try to prevent this from happening.
Earth humans are sexually compatible with the Cassandran women and can impregnate them. The resulting child, male or female, is fertile and without any of the genetic problems found in the Cassandran males. The females who want an opportunity to have a normal child enter a lottery. If chosen in the lottery they go to Crossroads for a basic education about the system, and are then are sent to the planet Chaos.
The people of Chaos are human in appearance, but they're stuck in a society like the European Middle Ages on Earth. It's a dirty, smelly, and violent place with little law, other than the rule of the sword. There seems to be something which draws the vilest of the local men to want to own the woman from Cassandra. Whatever attracts these men to the women isn't sex, because any sex with the women results in a burning pain on their penis which lingers for days.
Men from Earth are known as Heroes who are to rescue the Damsels from Cassandra and return them to Crossroads. There the two stay together until she's pregnant. When the pregnancy is verified both are quickly returned to their home worlds. The Heroes not only rescue and impregnate the women, they also seek out others to become Heroes.
By word of mouth the pool of Heroes slowly increases, which also enables more Damsels to be sent from Cassandra. The reasons men join this group varies, but they're generally in three categories: men who fight for the rightness of saving a world, men who enjoy the challenge and adventure of ancient mortal combat, and men who consider the right to impregnate the rescued damsel as a sufficient reason to risk their lives on Chaos.
Also, on Crossroads there are Caretakers assigned to each Hero. Her role is a combination of mistress, researcher, intelligence officer and mission planner. Companions are another member of the group, though less than half of the Heroes use them. They're also humans and can be either male or female. The Companions are the functional equivalent of squires who help prepare meals while travelling, care for the horses, and perform the general camp duties. Companions are forbidden to fight, except to defend themselves and / or those in their party.
There are many more aspects and rules involved, but these will be revealed as the story develops. The purpose of this Foreword is not to tell you everything, but to explain enough so the reader is not lost from the very beginning.
Those who want to read all of the approved rules of the DiD Universe will find them in a free e-book I wrote with Lazlo's help It's at:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/ernest-bywater/damsels-in-distress-universe-rules/ebook/product-23024890.html
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The Learning Visit
An Odd Meeting
One Saturday in January, a few weeks after coming back from Japan, I'm sitting in the mall finishing my lunch when Lia, my lead girlfriend, returns from the rest rooms with another girl. I smile because it's like Lia to make new friends. Lia is giving me a sweet smile while they walk over, so I know I'm in for some sort of trouble. She nods at her new friend while saying, “This is Meredith, you're taking her to her high-school dance in three weeks' time. But you have to ask her father for permission first. She'll take you to where he is so you can ask him this afternoon.” I glance at Meredith and notice she's a bit concerned about all this.
I sometimes wonder if my life would be better without a girlfriend, and this is one of those times. Knowing the way of the world I take the simple way out. I stand up, smile at Lia, and give her a nod yes. I look at Meredith and raise an eyebrow. She gives me a lopsided grin in reply and starts to walk off with me following her. Lia calls out, “Kira will catch up with you there.” Which leaves me wondering why she will. I just wave to Lia and the bulk of my entourage while I leave them. Two of the security guards go with me while the rest stay with Lia and the rest of my ladies going to the hairdresser today. The ladies go in two or three groups now; it varies with how many staff the hairdresser has at work. The rest of the ladies will be getting their hair done tomorrow.
About ten minutes later we're standing in the entrance to a fencing club while Meredith signs us in after we show identification. A member of staff escorts us to a medium sized training room on the next level up.
The five of us stand to watch while two of the club members finish a match on the special mats they have. I try not to laugh at the way the two men look in their safety gear with cords running out of their suit backs. The staff member tells me the suits they're wearing have sensors in them to feed the information on contacts back to the umpire to assess when they score a point. This is literally a case of touché where a single touch with the sword scores a hit to win the point for that bout in the match, regardless of it being a good enough hit to hurt or kill, or not.
A few minutes later the one nearest us scores a hit and the match is over with his five hits to his opponents three. I guess the match was the first to five. They lower their swords, remove their masks, and shake hands before returning to their end of the mat to be unplugged. After a little more work to disconnect the man at this end walks over to us. The man hugs Meredith while he nods at the staff member who then leaves us. I guess visitors must be with a member or staff while in the club. The man glances at me while he says, “Good to see you here, Meredith. I thought you were shopping! Who is this young man with you?”
She looks embarrassed so I step forward while I hold out my hand and say, “Al Adams, Sir. I'm here to ask for your permission to escort Meredith to the school dance.”
He shakes my hand as he says, “Well, you've passed the first test I set for anyone to take her to the dance: to politely ask me for permission to do so. That leaves only two more. Let's get the last one out of the way first. Will you get her a corsage and go in a nice car?”
I smile, “Certainly. A beautiful stretch limousine with driver. I'll even buy her a nice dress to wear if she wants a new one.” She spins around to look at me in surprise. I don't think Lia told her much about me. That leaves me wondering about what did they talk about in the ladies.
He smiles back, “I'm forgetting my manners. I'm Joseph Martin, Professor of History at Hood College. Please call me Joe. Your accent gives away your country of birth. How long have you been a student at Frederick High School, how old are you, and how long have you known Meredith, my daughter?”
I grin at him as I say, “I don't go to Frederick High School. I'm seventeen years old. I've known Meredith about half an hour.”
Now he's very surprised. He asks, “Has she told you what the other condition of taking her to the dance is?”
“Well, actually, Meredith has told me nothing. She and my number one girlfriend, Lia, had a long talk a little while ago. Then Lia told me I was taking Meredith to the dance and I had to come here to formally ask you for permission to take her. So, here I am, as commanded.”
He glances at a very red faced Meredith then he starts to laugh. After a minute or so he calms down and asks, “How do you feel about swords? Do you know how to use one?” Now I know why Kira will be meeting me here as she'll probably be bringing my swords here to me.
“Swords are good tools that have their uses. Not only do I know how to use one I own a couple. I suspect Lia arranged for someone to bring mine to me here.” He grins, and so do many of the members.
“Good, because that's the last part. Being prepared to meet me on the mats with a sword and having to score two points against me.”
I laugh as I shake my head no. “Do I have to score against you within a set number of scores on me by you?” He shakes his head no. “Good! As I've never used a suit like you use. I'd find it restrictive.” I stop when I see a staff member escorting Nadia, Kira, Tora, and two guards in. They have my sword case, Tora's sword, and my suit-bag with my combat gear. Joe is giving me an odd look, so are most of the club members. “Good, here's my swords. Is there a table I can put the case on?”
The staff member showing the girls in changes direction to head to a table against the wall. Tora had carried her sword in a blanket and she's unwrapping it while she crosses the room. She now places the blanket on the table, and Nadia places my sword case on it.
I cross to the table, open the case, remove my katana, take it out of its shirasaya (storage sheath), and hold it out for Joe to look at.
He walks over and his eyes light up, “I see you follow the Japanese sword arts. It'll be interesting to see how it goes against our blades.”
“Yes, it would be fun to find out. The only trouble is your blades are blunted for safety reasons, this is a fighting blade and it's razor sharp.” His eyes go wide, and he waves to another man.
The other man walks over while he pulls out a piece of cloth as he says, “Oh, I doubt it's razor sharp. Do you think you can cut this in half?”
I know his game and it's clear he knows nothing about real Japanese swords. I nod as I say, “Yes. I know how very fine silk is hard to cut. But all these fighting blades are kept honed to a razor edge that's sharp enough to do the job.” I smile as I nod at Tora and Kira. Tora has also taken her sword out to show them while Kira is standing beside the case.
The man with the cloth grins as he tosses the cloth in the air. I let it rise, and when it starts to open up while it falls I step forward as I swing my blade at it in an upward stroke. They all gasp when I cut the cloth clean in half then step back. When I do Tora steps forward to slice across one half to cut it in half again. Turning while Tora strikes I hand Kira my sword then I draw my wakizashi she's holding out for me. After cutting one half Tora steps back and I've room to step up again to cut the other half with the shorter sword. All the members are shocked to see we carry three swords that are sharp enough to cut fine silk in the air.
The man who owns the cloth looks at me while saying, “I've tossed that cloth out and had hundreds of swords try to cut it, but none put a mark on it. Yet you just slice it to pieces. How can you do that?”
I hold the sword up, “These are true combat swords and are made in a special way with an extra hard cutting edge. It takes a lot of work to keep them in good order, but they are, literally, razor sharp, as sharp as medical scalpels. You won't find a sharper edge anywhere.”
I return the wakizashi to its sheath and I take my katana back from Kira. Moving out toward the centre of the room I nod at Tora and she smiles while she follows me out. We take up positions several feet apart and bow to each other. I say, “Standard training rules.” She nods yes.
Demonstration
Some of the members start to move closer, until Kira says, “Give them room to move or you may get hurt by accident.” They stop the movement toward us and some back away a few steps.
For a moment we stand still, then Tora attacks me. For over a minute she attacks using the range of moves she knows while I defend myself. After giving her a chance to demonstrate each attack I respond with some attack moves as well, so we've a good bout. At one point I'm just starting a new attack when Tora calls, “Still.” We both stop.
I smile when I ask, “Why?”
“Master, I'd noticed a pattern in your last several moves and got set to deal with the next expected move in the pattern. However, I moved too early. You saw I was ready for it and changed your attack to one I couldn't move to deal with. I saw my error so I called a halt.”
“Good. Nadia, what have you learned from this situation?”
“Master, I too saw the pattern and saw you shift your attack. From this I've learned not to commit myself to a move that will only work if my opponent takes the expected action, because this leaves me open to a new attack while they've the initiative.”
“Good. Tora, that error's worth four points. However, you gain two bonus points by calling a halt to admit the error so fast. A lot of the students at your level would try to adjust instead of admitting an error. Good, let us try two blades. You take my wakizashi and go through the attack moves while I use my tanto as the second blade to block you.” She nods yes and we get the other weapons. When I do this I notice most of the members have shocked looks, but Joe is smiling.
Joe asks, “Do you always train with live blades?”
“No, most training is done with wooden or bamboo swords. But we do some training with live blades to fine tune control as the practice swords don't move exactly the same as a real sword.” Joe smiles at me.
We spend a few minutes with Tora attacking me with both swords while I use my knife and sword to counter her attacks. After she's gone through each of the usual attacks, and added a couple of the new ones I've taught her, I start to attack using new moves which give me the maximum opportunity to use the knife to my advantage.
After a few moves I call a halt and we move to the sword case. We both put our second blade down on the case and remove a sharpening stone from amongst the ones in pockets in the case. When Tora and I start to run the stones along the edge of our blades to ensure they've a sharp edge Nadia picks up the third stone and the wakizashi to hone it as well. While we return the fine edge to the swords I look at Joe and say, “As you can see, from the demonstration, the way I use a sword is very different to what you do here. Your fencing is based on a touch anywhere on the torso while I train to kill. Many blows that would win me a match in my art would lose me a match in fencing as I can, and will, accept a mild cut to the arm or side to create an opening for a killing blow. The mild cut would register first on your system and I'd be denied having killed you in reply.” Joe laughs as he nods his agreement. “In a real fight I'll use hand blows and kicks to gain me an advantage as well.”
Another member says, “I can't believe you just did that with sharp blades! Isn't that dangerous?”
I turn to her, “Yes, it can be dangerous. However, Tora trusts me to not let her harm me, and if I let her harm me I deserve the cut for being so slack. She also trusts me to stop any attack from actually hitting her. She's my student and still has a lot to learn, but she's doing well. There are many more strikes which we didn't demonstrate as she hasn't been taught them yet.”
Joe half frowns, “Your student, but she's older?”
“Although I'm physically younger and we both started training at the same young age I'm a bit better physically and my training's been much more intense than hers was. Thus, I've reached a point where I can train her, and others. So I do, because it helps in their protection.”
Permission Fight
Joe nods, “OK, we'll just have to fight free form using two of the other swords we have here in the club, and we'll have to use the remote sensor suits. Since you seem to be so good I want to see if you can score twice before I make five touches.”
“That should be OK. Let's look at what you've got, but let me finish this first, please.” He smiles and nods yes, then he watches us put the fine edge back on the weapons before we oil them. It only takes me a few more minutes to do my katana. While the girls take a little longer because they aren't as experienced with sharpening swords as I am. I hand the stone I have over to Kira and she starts sharpening my tanto.
Leaving the girls Joe and I go to look in the other rooms for suitable swords to use in our match. They've a very extensive collection of swords from across all the ages and cultures, including some good US copies of Japanese swords. We settle on the use of a pair of Roman short swords for our match, mainly because they're nothing like what we've used in today's sword work. One of the staff promises to bring them from the display case for us. Of course, these are high quality copies and not originals. We return to the first room to get ready for the match.
A few minutes later we both don slightly different suits to those they use for the main fencing matches. These use a wireless unit stored in the protective helmet to send signals to the umpire. Also, they cover the chest and back in a set of zones so the umpire can see where the strike is. Ground rules are agreed upon and we get set. I'm allowed to be athletic in avoiding hits, but I can't use my feet to kick or strike with. The girls have the swords packed away so Nadia holds the case while Tora holds the unopened suit bag.
The umpire gives us the command to start and we both stand there waiting for the other to attack so we can assess them. After a minute we both laugh at the situation. Since I'm technically the supplicant here I decide to start the attack, and I'm careful to keep my balance on my back foot while I take small sliding steps toward Joe. He smiles when I move forward. I swing my sword in front of me before we get close and I turn my wrist to make a powerful swing back across my body when we close. He has no choice as he has to bring his sword up between us to protect himself. My move forces his sword back at his torso, but he holds the strike from making contact with him.
When we break I move back and turn my wrist to flick the tip of my sword back across his stomach before he can react to block it. The point touches his left side before he can knock my sword out of contact. The umpire calls a halt to assess the contact in light of our ground rules, as they're enough different he has to check them with care. He declares a no score touch to me: a nick but not restrictive. Joe nods yes and we get set.
This time Joe is more aggressive and he attacks. I settle for countering the first few strikes then I step forward when he's expecting a retreat by me. I use my left arm to block his forearm because his sword is now behind me and I turn my right side a little away so I can have enough space between my right shoulder and his body to bring my sword in to make contact just above his heart with a thrust. The umpire calls a halt and we part. He soon declares a death stroke by me. Joe nods again.
The restart has us both move around in a circle while we look for an opportunity. Joe has ceased underestimating my ability while I now know he's very skilled and he's able to adjust to new situations. The circle tightens and we clash blades several times while we continue to move. Then Joe uses a fancy little twisted wrist move that catches my sword near the tip to push it aside to leave him with an inside track. He lunges. I can't avoid the hit so I dive down and to the side to minimise the contact while I toss my sword from my right hand across to my left hand. I catch it and reach up to stab at his chest. Both swords make contact just before I hit the floor near his left foot and roll away. The umpire declares I gave Joe a severe cut while he gave me a disabling blow. If the fight had been real and back in Roman times we both would likely have died from the wounds. As it is I get my two touches while he gets one. We smile at each other while we start to take the gear off.
I bow and say, “I'll pick Meredith up to go have dinner at Pat's Place before the dance on the night.” He nods agreement, so I turn to Meredith. “You have Lia's phone number?” A nod yes. “Good, call her to arrange to go get you a new dress at my expense. Choose well as I can afford it.” She looks surprised when she nods her agreement. I can see Joe giving me an odd look while I finish wiping the sweat off then I hand the towel to one of the staff. With my clothes straightened I go to shake hands with Joe then I turn and start to leave.
I'm facing the door, in mid-step toward it, when it opens to let Mr Benson walk in wearing a set of fencing clothes. I didn't think fencing was that popular here in the USA, but I must be mistaken. He stops, looks at me, blinks, and smiles. He walks toward me while holding out his hand, “Mister Adams, I'm glad I finally get a chance to meet you in person. Please accept my apologies for the problem with that quote and your visit to my office. Things have changed. And thank you for allowing Small and Little to sub-contract all that work to us.”
I smile while I shake his hand as I say, “I never held you or your company responsible for the problem, and you should thank Mister Little for the sub-contracting work. I've not checked, but I think he currently has some sort of work sub-contracted out to just about everyone working in the industry in the county.”
“Yes, there is that. However, it's all your work and work that's well needed at this time. Most of us were reviewing who we'd have to lay off, not if we had to, but who to lay off. Then, bang, you have us all working at a good pace for some months. It also looks like you've shamed the County Commissioners into getting a lot of their overdue work done too. So we should be right for a few years, after your work ends.”
“I know the delays with the county work were due to funding. But the work I'm paying for is generating a lot of income and thus taxes, so they now have the money to get on with the work. I struck a deal with them to not get billed for increases for ten years if I paid ten years in advance with the back taxes on the land I bought. They worked out an estimate for the land as developed and gave me a bill for ten years, so I paid it. I think we almost lost a couple of commissioners when I did that. They were very shocked to see it all paid as a cash transfer. But it's given them the funds to get some things done that needed doing, and it's kept many local businesses in good shape too.” He smiles and he moves past me to his appointment for fencing.
The whole room is quiet while we talk. When we part a voice I don't know asks, “Construction work! But the only major construction work is that big job out on Etzler Road. Are you involved with that?”
I turn as I nod, “Yes, my company is paying for the building work and we're sharing costs for the road works.”
Joe laughs, “Al, the car you're sending to pick up Meredith, is it one of your own?”
I grin as I nod, “Yes, I'll be in one of my armoured stretch Hummers to collect her on the night. So you can see, I'm not worried about costs.”
He smiles, and starts to turn away, then spins back. “Al, that fancy ancient Japanese sword that was given to the people of Japan a few months back, that was you, wasn't it.”
I look around the room to catch the eye of all present before I say, “This is not for public discussion or dissemination. Yes, it was.”
He nods, “If what I've heard is right you killed an evil man in a sword fight to win it.” I nod yes. “So killing with the sword isn't new to you, is it?”
I sense there's something else behind this line of questions because it's as if he's testing me for something, but I can't tell what for. I decide to be brutally honest, “No, it's not. I've killed several people with a sword, a few with a knife, some by hand, and even shot a couple who needed killing. In all cases it was a matter of defending myself or someone else against a bad guy on everyone's 'better dead' list.” A few in the room are shocked a person as young as I am had killed a number of people, but Joe slowly nods while his smile grows a bit wider.
No one else seems to want to talk much now, so I turn and leave.
More Meetings
The morning of the second Saturday in February everyone is getting ready to go out, except me. I'm staying put because Lia asked me to have the morning off to meet with someone. I wonder who it is. Last night was the Frederick High School Junior Dance I took Meredith to, so it can't be Joe to tell me to behave myself. Which I did, anyway, because Meredith was very new to going out with boys. She looked great in the outfit my ladies helped her organise at my expense. We went to Pat's for a great meal then on to the dance. We spent the night talking and dancing. Both of us saw how surprised a lot of the other girls were to see Meredith there in such a nice dress with a lovely orchid corsage. A lot of the boys seemed surprised at how well she dressed up. I don't think she'll have much trouble with boys being interested in taking her to the senior's dance when she's old enough for that one.
All the ladies leave to do some shopping while I sit at my computer working on the next book. Twenty minutes later one of the guards tells me a visitor is on his way up. I finish the sentence I'm writing and close the file before heading to the lounge room.
I smile when I walk in to see Joe. I wonder why he's here while I walk over to shake his hand. He holds up a small bag as he says, “I'm told I need to ask for a special dispensation so we can talk in the spa for privacy and you'll be relaxed.” I nod yes, smile, and wave him toward one of the rooms to get changed. When he walks into the room I head to my room to find a pair of swimmers: I have them, but I rarely use them.
A few minutes later we're sitting in the spa relaxing with fruit and sandwiches to eat, plus juice to drink while we talk. I lean back as I ask, “Right, what do you want to discuss that needs me to be relaxed?”
“Since we met, a few weeks back, I've been seeing what I can find out about you, and it's all good, very good. I've a proposition you may be interested in. It involves dangerous work, but it helps people out. You face danger and run a real risk of being killed, but the weapons are limited to those in use around the Middle Ages. A crossbow is the most complex weapon they have available to them.”
“It sounds interesting, but why should I get involved?”
“Because you're a perfect fit for the job, that's why. Also, you'll be helping out lots of people on two planets.” Now that really gets my attention, two planets? I must have shown some interest, since he smiles at me. “Yes, two planets, and neither is Earth. You also get to spend a lot of time making love to some lovely ladies.” I raise my eyebrows at him.
Joe takes a deep breath, “OK, here's the deal. There's been this odd arrangement going on for centuries that links some planets. A long time ago a planet had a major war and it now has a problem with the males on their planet not being up to repopulating the planet. There's a system where they import human DNA in a semi-controlled manner by having Earth Heroes rescue Damsels in Distress. His reward is he gets to have sex with her until she shows up pregnant, and her reward is she gets to have a very healthy baby, plus bragging rights about the father.” I've a real issue taking this in as it's like a fantasy. “There's an intermediate planet or station called Crossroads where the operation is coordinated. Women from Cassandra enter lotteries to be able to take part. Once selected they go to this medieval planet called Chaos and are soon in a situation where they need to be rescued. The Heroes go to Chaos to save them. Some of the women aren't saved in time and they die. Some of the Heroes aren't up to the task, so they die. There are very real dangers for all parties. No one knows what the distress situation will be until the woman is in trouble. Some can be on Chaos for years before they qualify as being in distress, while some others only stay free for a few minutes after arrival. There are rules and other aspects, but I won't go into those unless you're really interested in becoming involved. On Crossroads you'll have an assistant called a Caretaker whose job is to find suitable rescue operations that are within your resources, skills, and abilities to manage. Also, part of your job is to have sex with the Caretaker to keep her happy and on the job. They get bragging rights as well. They brag about the Hero they serve, and they can only serve the one Hero. If he dies their career is over. Once you go to Crossroads you can't return to Earth without completing a rescue. Once you make your rescue you return to Crossroads where they can fix anything, as long as you reach there alive. A time distortion effect has you being gone from Earth for only fifteen minutes, no matter how long you're elsewhere.”
The whole thing sounds like a teenage boy's fantasy game. But Joe is deadly serious, and he seems real concerned I believe him. I lean back to relax while I think about all this. If it's true it sounds very interesting - but is it true? I know I'd enjoy the fighting and such, but I'm concerned for my family now I've found a new family. “Joe, that all sounds good, but I'd have to talk it over with my family because I'll be running a risk. To do that I'll have to lay it all out for them. Can you now give me the other rules about the place?”
He sits and thinks for a few minutes. “OK, I'll lay out the other basic rules. Heck, I can even take you with me on a mission as a Companion so you can see what it's like for yourself.” I nod for him to continue. “You will need to build a portal of your own, but I can let you use mine for a while. If you decide to be fully involved you'll need to select your own Caretaker as well. Then you need to see about organising a base of operations on Chaos so you can develop some resources and back up. The rules: no weapons can be taken from here, nor metal items, for an unknown reason no explosives work there. Not even Chaos made gunpowder. They've some metal so you can make swords and the like, so they're common weapons and are mostly European style swords. They've a form of currency, but most day to day stuff is done by barter. The cash is a clear disc with gold dust in it called a pinch. Then four pinches to a quad with four quads to a shell and fifty shells to a conch. A shell is about a normal day's work and two quads will pay for a room with the meals of dinner and breakfast. A pinch will usually buy a meal or a jug of watered wine.” I think on this while he speaks because it sure sounds like someone has been putting some modern concepts into an old society, and they've changed a few things to make it work. “Your Earth portal will take you to Crossroads and your Caretaker will brief you on a mission. They've a portal that'll take you to Chaos where you'll arrive in a bank. You also leave there through the bank portals. But you can't leave without the Damsel you went to rescue. You can take a Companion, but they can't directly help in the rescue of the Damsel. You can't just attack someone as you have to act as a Hero within a code very like the Knights of the Round Table. When you defeat or kill someone all they have is now yours. So strip them of what you want or can use. You can't have sex with anyone on Chaos except a Companion, if you have one. You can't have sex with your Companion on Crossroads.” He stops to think.
We both take a moment for a drink and a bite to eat. He adds, “You don't have to have a Companion, but they can watch your back and do work to make the camping on the road easier. At the bank you can rent a storage box to store any weapons and things you win in it to make them available to you on your next visit. But don't put anything alive in the box as I'm told it's very messy if you do. If you have a box closing it triggers the return portal to open. Don't even think about attacking someone for a criminal reason as that'll get you banned. That's about all I can think of, except Chaos is truly a society of might makes right.”
One odd thing I notice is the way he speaks of heroes, caretakers, and companions as you can hear the capital letters when he says the words. After a few minutes of thought I ask, “You said I can't take weapons or metal, but can I take plants, wood, leather, paper, cloth, and animals?”
“Yes, you can. Animals are deemed to be Companions for some odd reason, but you can take them to leave them there. Due to the time rate difference they'll age faster than you do, so will the locals. A good Hero will set up a strong base of operations and be treated as a local lord. Due to the time rate changes a Hero will be served by generations from the same family. At my own bases I've set up a good operation to make better quality steel weapons and to improve crop management. It all helps to make the people who work for me to have a better life.”
We spend the next couple of hours just talking while we snack and drink. Most of the time Joe is talking about his adventures on Chaos, and they do sound very interesting. Toward the end of our chat, about when we're expecting the ladies back, he says, “Just after we first met I mentioned you to my Caretaker because we're always looking for new Heroes. She told the higher ups and they were worried about your age. On my next visit they were anxious to recruit you. It seems you come from some interesting stock that's supplied many great Heroes in the past, so they'd like to have you involved. They even managed to get information on some of your security people and would like to see some of them recruited as well. They'll leave that up to you to organise after you're set up and operating properly.” I think on all this for some time, then we get out to shower because the ladies are due back. We're back in the lounge room when they arrive home from their shopping trip, and Meredith is with them.
Luncheon Meeting
My ladies put their things away and come back into the main room. I turn to ask Lia about lunch, and she smiles while she points to the door. Almost as if by magic, which means someone gave her a sign it was time, the door opens for the hotel staff to bring in trolleys of food. It takes just a few minutes for them to set up the round table and to serve our lunch. There are times I feel over organised, but there are times like this when I appreciate all the work my girls put in to keep things going.
We all sit down to eat. Just after we start Sharon gives a brief on the new residence. Everything is ready and we'll be moving in next week. The main shift of gear will be while I'm at school on Monday. The hotel will be vacated by Wednesday, allowing her a couple of days to move everything and to clean up. The people to install the heliport will start on Thursday and they expect to be finished in a fortnight. Which is good, as the bookings for the high security penthouse with its own heliport are high, despite the charges being four times what they were before. The first of the new tenants will be moving in two days after the heliport is set to be finished, so the work crews better be on schedule. Some work is still to be done inside our main residence because we haven't yet said what we want in those areas, and some of the outbuildings are still under construction. All of the other major buildings are done. So is the special garden. On that note: all of my ladies were invited to be involved and are happy helping out in the creation of the huge domed garden.
I smile because this period of my life is coming to a close, an unexpected and very happy close.
Lia gets everyone's attention and says, “I don't know the full details, however, Joe has a proposition for Al that'll require him to undertake some high risks but it will also allow him to help a lot of people while he gets his adrenalin rushes catered to at the same time. He does run a real risk of dying, but he won't be hurt in any other way. Al's skills with weapons and combat greatly improve his chances of survival. He'll also be saving the lives of many people while improving the living conditions of many others and also doing away with bad people. Joe isn't allowed to say more to me due to security concerns. Joe has been talking to Al about this today and we now have to think about how we feel about Al taking the risks involved in this new work. I'd like to be able to give them both an answer today.”
I now learn Joe is a lot smarter than I thought because he'd spoken to Lia about this a couple of weeks back and she's been talking to the rest of my ladies about it. Lia hands out papers for people to vote, and they all make a vote. I smile when the unanimous vote is for me to take on the work Joe is proposing. Lia counts the votes and says, “Al, I don't see this work as being any less important or more dangerous than the stuff you do for John. So please do it for Joe.” I see a frown cross Joe's face at the mention of my other dangerous work. He turns to me, so I give him a small smile with a little shake of the head no so he won't ask about it.
Looking around the table at my group I smile and thank them for their vote of confidence in my ability to stay alive in bad circumstances. Taking a small plate of sliced fruit I go to my office and shut the door before I sit down and call John. I do I wonder if he ever leaves the place because he's always there when I call.
He answers the phone, “Al, it's a good thing you called. What the hell are you getting involved in now? I've had a couple of dozen people asking about you, from both here and overseas. It's a very odd mix of people to be asking about anyone.”
I smile, because I now know what some of the checking up has been. “John, I've been asked to get involved in a special project. There are some high risks involved, but it'll help a lot of people and it will have great rewards. One aspect of it is there will be times I'll be totally out of contact for about fifteen to twenty minutes at a time. High security meetings, you know what they're like. They should only be one every week or two as I'm not sure of the frequency or how often, because they'll depend on many other factors that'll vary with other events.” I can hear him tapping his fingers on the table while I talk.
I almost die of shock when he says, “Hmm, well that shouldn't cause me any Chaos, but it's amazing where we end up on life's Crossroads, isn't it?” I can hear the capitals in his voice. “OK, I think that explains a few of the odd inquiries, but it makes some of the others even odder. A very interesting situation. Well, whatever you get involved in with this make sure you examine and plan things well before you act the Hero, OK! I need you as well, and so do your ladies.”
“Thanks, John. Your support for this is much appreciated.” I hang up, and think hard while I sit there for a moment before returning to the table, lunch, and my family.
When I sit down I look around at my people and say, “John wishes me well in this endeavour, whatever it is, and he supports it. I get a feeling he knows a lot more about this than I do. But his support speaks well of it.” Joe is surprised at my comments, and my ladies smile.
Well, it's now official, I'm about to become a Hero.
Preparations
After lunch I take Joe into my office and we talk about a few things. I make appointments to see him to practice with the sort of swords they use on Chaos, and for him to brief me on what Chaos is like. He also gives me the details of the sort of clothes to wear because I want to get my own made up to take with me. In three weeks' time I'll go with him on a trip as a companion. Soon after our talk he leaves to go home, taking Meredith and her shopping with him.
In the afternoon I ring the lady who made my formal Japanese clothes and I ask her if she knows of any people who can make certain types of old clothes. She offers to bring them around to see me, and we agree on tomorrow in the afternoon. Next is to hit the Internet and the history books to study some things, and think. I resurface about dinner time after I send out many emails asking about getting things made for me. I'm very sure I've found a number of ways to make things a lot safer for me to do this work.
The next three weeks pass with a lot of teaching by Joe plus a lot of learning and training by me. Also, the many items I want made for this trip are completed in plenty of time too. I've other items I know will take longer to make, but they should be ready for my second or third trip.
Crossroads
As arranged, I meet Joe at his home which is a nice two-story house typical of the style of house built in the late 1960s. We go to the basement and I get changed while he opens up the secret section where the portal is stored. A section of wall swings out to lie flat against the wall beside it. When he releases some clips a part of the main support frame swings back to stick out from the wall. It looks like a thick wall frame. He flicks a switch then he smiles at me. I finish changing into the gear I'll be wearing on Chaos, slip my Chaos pack on my back, then I grasp his hand, and we step through the portal.
I believed Joe, I really did. However, it's still a bit of a shock to just step through a section of wall form to go from a basement to a good looking library in a large private house. A door to the side opens up to let a very lovely and elegant looking woman enter the room. She races to Joe to wrap her arms around him while she gives him a long kiss. She looks to be about Joe's age, i.e. in her late 30s to early 40s, and very well built with no fat at all, plus all of the curves in the right places.
She turns, looks at me, smiles, and bows, “Welcome, Lord Torao.”
I return her smile while I bow and say, “I'm honoured you let this humble one in your house, Maria Caretaker of Cassandra. But today I'm Al, companion to Hero Joe. I hope to speak to someone in authority about some ideas for my future Caretaker. Maybe I can do that while you give Joe a proper welcome as you catch up on recent events.”
She smiles while we go to the door. We enter a lounge room where I head for the lounge to sit down while Maria asks for a hot chocolate for me to drink. They soon vanish through another door on the far side of the room. I expect they'll be busy and enjoying themselves for a while.
A mug of steaming hot chocolate appears on the low table in front of me, along with a plate of cream biscuits. I take a biscuit to eat while I sit and wait. Joe had told me about the fast appearing food because it surprised him the first time it happened to him. I don't have a long wait before another woman comes through one of the other two doors in the room. She looks to be in her sixties and she has that regal elegance you associate with people born to power.
The woman walks over to me while she orders a coffee from the computer. She says, “I'm Mistress Eva, one of those in charge of Crossroads. Why do you wish to discuss the selection of a Caretaker before a Greeter places some files before you to review?”
“From what Joe told me if a potential Caretaker is rejected by three new Heroes she's dropped from further consideration. I've some odd requirements that may be a bit rare in your system. I wish you to preselect the files according to my stated needs before I review them. That'll mean I won't be giving any others an unfair strike due to my odd wants. I hope this is allowed.”
Eva looks at me for a moment then says, “Master Authority Control, we need a ruling from you on this because it's not in the rule book.”
A strong vibrant baritone voice replies, “Lucky I'm listening to you, isn't it? Yes, this is permitted, and it is something we may wish to have included in the new Hero greeting process. Allowing them to set one or two skills or knowledge prerequisites should reduce the rejections.”
She smiles, “I know you always listen in on my meetings with the Heroes, so there was no luck involved. Yes, I'll see about changing the greeting protocols and questions as it makes sense. If the Heroes are being more selective about a Caretaker's skills it will explain the recent rise in rejection rates. We may have to review the recent rejections too.”
“Correct. I'll start a review of the rejected files and I'll make an administrative adjustment where I feel that may be the case. Mister Adams, please state your requirements.”
I hear the command in the words so I reply, “On Earth we've people trained in psychology that work with the police as 'profilers.' The job requires them to study crimes to identify the sort of person who is likely to behave like that. They also study files on criminals to give an idea on how they'll behave in a certain situation. I want someone with that sort of knowledge and skill so they can help me analyse how the people I'll be going up against behave. They should also be very good at conducting research into any subject. I figure you already select on planning skills, knowledge of Chaos, and combat skills. But I doubt you use the first two as main selection criteria, so I want to list them up front. My ideal Caretaker will be a good profiler with research skills of a very high level, a good planner, and some knowledge of Chaos.”
The computer responds, “From what you say about a profiler, plus from what my files show on how you use them on Earth, I can see how the skill can be used by a Hero to his advantage. All of our Caretakers are skilled at research, so why the extra emphasis?”
“I gather your title is Master Authority Control!”
“That is correct???” Even I can hear the question in the voice.
“May I call you Mac, for short?” There's a short wait.
“My records show that is a name often used between friends in your culture. Do you wish me to be your friend?”
“I'd like to be your friend. Also, my culture has a big habit of cutting people's names down to one or two syllables. Joseph becomes Joe, Allyn becomes Al, Edward becomes Ed. Another big thing we do with names and titles is to make names out of the first letters to make an acronym of it. Your title letters are M, A, and C. The acronym would be MAC, and Mac is also a name. So it'll make a great name for you and save a lot of time in addressing you. It'll also make people feel much happier and friendlier toward you.”
There's a wait of several seconds, that's a very long time for a major computer. “Yes. Now that I think about it I would like to be called Mac. Mistress Eva, please let the staff who work with me on a daily basis know this as part of future training. I'll tell the others about it now.”
“Thank you, Mac. Joe has told me about a few recent cases where a Hero has died because information that should have been linked to a file hadn't been linked and the real dangers weren't known. I want a person so skilled in research even a deleted link won't stop them from finding such information for me. They should also be able to find any related information that's not linked, but may be relevant. So they have to be a very skilled researcher, one who thinks well outside the normal search patterns. On a side issue, Mac, are you an artificial intelligence or a cybernetic intelligence? I ask, because you sound more alive than what I would expect of a straight electronic AI.”
Eva gives me a strange look and is about to speak when Mac says, “What do you mean by a cybernetic intelligence? My files don't know the phrase.”
“That's interesting, why would your files not have a basic concept in them! OK. Not everyone uses the term in the same way, but cybernetics is the study of how organisms and mechanisms operate, and some people use it to cover specifically how they process data. We even have a special word for a hybrid variant where a computer and a living organism are linked into one entity, we call the entity a 'cyborg,' short for cybernetic organism. In most cases it's used to refer to a manufactured organism using a human or organic brain as the core processor of an electronic computer complex. The easiest to understand representation of this are the Brain Ships in a series of books by Anne McCaffrey. A human who's born deformed and can't survive without major support has their body altered to stop growing at one point and is then encased in a support unit. A number of direct links are made to the brain and the brain is the core control unit of a major computer complex. In the book series Anne has some of them running ships and major industrial complexes, even large bases, cities, and as planetary controllers. You seem more human to me than a straight computer or a self-aware computer, that's all.”
“Thank you, Al, for that information. I must now look into it because I do not like the idea there is an area of important knowledge I don't have on file. If one is missing, what else could be missing? I've started a data cross-check with all the major data repositories on all the planets I have access to. It'll be interesting to see what I learn, and to see how much more knowledge I gain from it. I don't think anyone has thought to do this before.” A short pause. “I am, to the best of my knowledge, a self-aware electronic entity. I've the final say about what happens here at Crossroads because I control the various other AIs and computers that run everything here. I make the judgement decisions in most cases, and I sometimes involve people in making them, like Mistress Eva. The sort of decisions I make by myself are those referred to me by others like the Access Control AI. He noted the things you have on your shoulders have sharp points and he thought they may be weapons. But they don't match any weapons in his database and they're not metal, so he jumped the matter to me. I reviewed my files and identified them as climbing tools used in your ninja training, so I passed them. I did note they're usually made of metal but yours are made from special plastics. A neat way to bypass the system.”
I smile at having my deception picked up, and I wonder what else I didn't sneak through but was allowed to have, anyway. I've a sudden thought, and I ask, “Is the Access Control AI self-aware too?'
“Yes, he is, as are all of other systems in the level just below me.”
“May I suggest you change his title to Access Control Entity and then you can give him an acronym and name of Ace, another name often used between friends on Earth. You should then look at extending such changes to the other self-aware entities. I think you'll find they'll perform better if they're given names that allow the people to interact with them in a more friendly and casual manner.”
“Hmm, I think you're right. My files show people often give their equipment names and they work better with ones that have names. I'll ask him, and the others, what they want.” A short pause, “Ace thanks you for the name. Interestingly, he sounds happy to be given a name. You've given me a lot to think about.”
“Before you go too far in coming up with names from acronyms of duties you should do some research on human nicknames. Our medical people have many real names and titles but two very common nicknames are 'Doc' and 'Bones.' The AI in charge of the medical facilities may prefer a nickname like that. You should be able to find something that each of your assistants likes from the wide range of names, titles, acronyms, and nicknames we have.”
“Again you've done good, Al. The Health Evaluation and Repair System much prefers to be called 'Doc' to being called Hers, and I can understand why. All of the other self-aware entities are now checking the databases to select a suitable name for themselves that's related to their duties. It'll be interesting to see how the other people respond to this change in our operations.”
Eva smiles as she slowly shakes her head while she says, “Not even on the books as a Hero yet, and already you're turning the system upside-down. You're a true descendant of your ancestors, some of them were very good Heroes.” This stuns me. Our family legends state we'd many heroic ancestors, but to have it confirmed like this is a big surprise.
Eva goes through the normal new Hero greeting process while we have a few drinks and snacks. After about twenty minutes she hands me three profile folders to go through and she points me toward a new door in the opposite wall. I go through it to find a bedroom with a study desk. Smiling, I go lie on the bed while I read the folders.
Each has a biography of the candidate, the usual statistics, a photo of her nude, and a list of skills: all meet my set criteria, plus planning skills, a lot of knowledge of Chaos, and some martial arts skills to help me with training practice. All are very much matched and all are good for what I want. So I go to their hobbies to see if I can find a way to place them in an order. And that's where I find the reason for a choice between them. Meredith Psychiatrist is studying computer databases part-time. She's creating a cross between a map and a database of Chaos that shows all of the roads, the places of residence with their owners, as well as many other demographic aspects. The details shows she thinks well outside the box and she's just what I want. I place her file on top then I take a nap.
Choices
I wake up to a knocking on my door. It's Maria inviting me to have a meal with them. I get up, wash up in the attached bathroom, and go to the lounge room. It now has a dining table off to one side with three meals set on it. We sit down to a tasty meal of roast beef and vegetables.
During the talk after eating I ask, “Joe, Maria, are you taking into account how my skills can help Joe in his rescue work? I know I can't be involved in the rescue itself, but how far along with a rescue constitutes a support role? For example, if the Damsel is kept in a fortress is my climbing the wall to open the gate a support task or a direct involvement? We do need to get some real guidance in this area.” They both nod yes. I'm fairly sure Mac is now listening into all my conversations as well.
We discuss this back and forth for a while, until Maria addresses the ceiling, “Computer, can you give us any guidance on what does and does not constitute a Companion's support role in a rescue?”
A familiar voice says, “That'll vary with the rescue in hand because some will require more support than others.”
I smile, “Is that you, Mac?” I get odd looks from Joe and Maria
“Yes, how did you guess?”
“You've a different voice to whoever was in control when we first arrived, I can pick up the slight difference in tone. May I suggest you and the other self-aware AIs get together to discuss how you would like to sound and then adjust the frequencies to be used in your voice files? I also suggest you find a way for any of the self-aware AIs to subtly display who they are in each room they're active in. This'll allow the people in the room to address them by name. One thought that comes to mind is a small sign on the wall saying 'Now on duty is,' and under it is the names of those on duty, so they can be spoken to by name and not just called computer. I think it'll lead to better interaction.”
“Al, do you ever come up with a bad idea?”
“If I thought it was a bad idea I wouldn't mention it! There are a few times I come up with an idea others don't like, but often my idea will spark a better one in someone else. Now back to the subject at hand. Is it possible to add to each file a point of limit for a Companion's help or a list of tasks they can't be involved in?”
“Yes, I'm sure we can do that. And if we get it wrong we'll just have to accept it because we're the ones who decide if they did too much. If they stay within the limits we set at the start any mistake is ours so they're in the clear.” A slight pause. “You wouldn't believe how much processing that's taking. I'm starting with all of the files currently being looked at. I'll do the rest as I can, and when they get called up. This may take a couple of days to complete. Al, have you chosen a Caretaker?”
“Yes, those were a very good selection you offered and they made it very hard. I select Meredith as my Caretaker. May I be permitted to talk with her while Joe and Maria organise this mission?”
“Yes. We usually allow you one visit to get to know your Caretaker before you have to go on a mission as a Hero. For this mission you'll remain as Hero Joe's Companion and you will be given a Hero's ring when you return from it, along with the details on how to make your own portal so you can visit from your own home.”
“Thanks, Mac. I'm glad you enjoy your work, because it makes things a lot easier for us.” I'm rewarded with a short chuckle.
Turning to Joe and Maria, as I'd been looking toward the ceiling while talking to Mac, I say, “Earlier I was introduced to the Master Authority Control AI and we had a nice chat. I got permission to call him Mac, and he's since decided he wants everyone to call him Mac. The other self-aware AIs are also selecting names to be called. They're using acronyms of their titles or Earth nicknames as their names. Some are making mild changes to their titles to make them more like a name.”
I look up, and almost laugh on seeing a new item set on the wall opposite me. Turning, I see each wall has the same neat sign saying, “Now on duty: Mac, Jeeves.” It's obvious Jeeves is the housekeeping or butler AI. I point the signs out to Maria and Joe. But I have to explain the name Jeeves and its meaning to Maria because she's not familiar with it and what it means. I wonder how much research they did to find that one for him to use, or if another Hero suggested it for him.
Meetings
A little later they retire to discuss rescues or something. A moment after they leave the room another door opens and a lovely lady my height enters the room. I recognise Meredith from her photo. It's a good point in her favour I selected her despite her having the same name as Joe's daughter. She's the best candidate and I'll have to live with any confusion I get from names. But I don't expect to have much trouble.
She glides over the floor while I stand up. I hold out my hand to shake hands and she melts into my arms for a kiss, a long kiss. I enter into the spirit of the occasion. After a while she breaks the kiss and steps back while saying, “Companion and Hero to be Al, I'm Meredith, soon to be Meredith Caretaker. Please call me Merry.” Well, there goes all the risks of confusion because Joe's Meredith insists on her full name; something to do with another girl at school named Meredith who all the others call Merry.
My Caretaker to be takes my hand to drag me to my bedroom, “Let's go get better acquainted.” Yeah, let's, and I bet the conversation won't be much to listen to for quite some time.
A long time later I'm sitting with Merry at a small table in the corner of my room while we've a snack and discuss my abilities and skills as well as what I expect from her as my Caretaker. I say, “Merry, from what Joe has told me about recent events on all the planets I don't trust the data in the systems. My main concern is the removal of some important links between files so Caretakers don't get all of the data they need to make an informed decision on a rescue. I think the normal data integrity checks built into any large database would make the wholesale alteration or removal of data itself hard to do while links aren't always that well protected, thus they would be easy to cut. So instead of relying on the quality of the cross checking of information in the system I want you to make lots of extra searches you feel might help to find or verify any information about the area, towns, or people involved in a rescue. I also want to see a simple to understand psychological profile on all the people that will, or might, be involved in a rescue. In the time I'm not here I want you to start creating a database of such profiles of people on Chaos so we can find them much quicker.”
“That's a lot of work, Al. But I can see what it's for and why. So it's worth doing for its own sake. I'll start on it while you're on this mission with Joe.”
“Good. I also want the database you're working on as a hobby made to provide a visual representation as if from a satellite over Chaos. I want to see the topography with the roads, trails, tracks, towns, cities, farms, etcetera marked. I want to be able to tag a spot to see the data about the people in the area, the geology, economics, etcetera about the area. I know it'll take a long time to finish, but the final product should allow me to look at the map then touch a spot to know everything there is to know about that area. The first priorities are the topography, geology, roads, housing, rough people numbers, and who controls the area. That will let me know who I have to deal with when I travel through an area. Others will find it useful too. Do you understand what I want?”
She smiles, and nods, “Yes, that's what I'm working toward. And now it'll be done as part of my day job and not a hobby. I like that.”
“Good. I'll need to set up a strong and safe operations base or two, and this information will help me to decide where. I see no real point in setting up close to where other active Heroes have major bases set up, so I want to cover an area they aren't. But I want to choose one that's reasonably safe while it offers good resources for my people to use.”
We soon finish the meal and go back to our getting to know each other activities. This is the pattern for the next couple of days.
A few days after my meeting Meredith I'm told to have a meal with Maria and Joe, Meredith is also there. She's an invited guest but not part of this discussion while we talk about the mission we're about to go on.
There's a few problems with the mission of a Damsel who was kidnapped about three months earlier and has been moved about by a group of twenty men. About a month ago they kidnapped another Damsel and both are with the group. But recent information has about thirty other men involved in the group. They travel as if they're seven groups, six of five and one of twenty who travel relative to each other at all times. The small groups are in a circle around the large one.
Joe says, “I'm positive this is a trap to catch Heroes, and if they don't get any takers soon I think they'll just kill the women. So I see them as the ones at most risk. But I don't know how I can rescue them.”
We think about the situation while we eat. I look up and ask, “Mac, how certain are you the spies here at Crossroads can no longer listen in on our conversations?”
“Al, we've found their listening devices and the programs they used to redirect conversation to them. I've checked out all of the operating and housekeeping software and fixed them so they can't subvert them or place new listening devices. So we're certain they no longer have any sources of direct conversation. However, we're also certain they're still receiving copies of the Hero assignment reports from one of the official reports. Someone who has a valid reason for a report is copying them on to the other side. However, we can't track it down.”
“That's OK, Mac, because we can make it work for us. The moment Joe lists as going for these Damsels they'll know about it and they'll have a reason to keep them alive. They know they'll have to keep them alive until they get Joe or their whole trap fails when he's shipped back here. So the sooner we list Joe as accepting the mission the safer they'll be. Also, about the mission record, can it be set to show we only know about the group of twenty guards and make it look as if we don't know about the others, please, Mac?”
“Actually, that's how the file reads at the moment. We only suspect the others are involved because Maria did some people tracking as a result of your concerns on data integrity. Why don't you want them to know we know about the others?”
“While they think we're unaware of the extra teams set to hit us from behind they won't beef them up. Another related issue. The rules for Companions and Heroes are different, does a person's actions as a Companion affect their status when they choose to be a Hero?”
“Hmm, we've not had to consider that before so it's not in the rules. So they should be treated as two different personalities in the records.”
“That's good. I read a Hero isn't allowed to do anything not heroic: like theft, etcetera. A Companion can't fight anyone except when directly attacked. Both reasonable rules. However, there's a gap in the rules that can be exploited to allow a Companion to be a help in some situations. It's not wrong for a Companion to steal because it's not covered by the rules. I'd expect you'd see a Companion stealing the weapons of the bad guys as helping with the rescue, but if I can stir up trouble between them, that's another issue. As a Companion I can steal their horses and supplies to slow them down and cause internal strife within their group. I can slip in to steal their money and plans too. Is that within your understanding, Mac?”
There's a long pause. “Al, I've closely studied all the rules and am prepared to make the following ruling. A Companion may not steal the weapons of a person as part of a rescue. They may not steal from honest people. They may not hurt anyone except when directly attacked, and then they are free to fight all in the immediate group attacking them, both then and later. They may carry food, drink, and messages to the Damsels if told to by the Hero. They may not tell the Damsels anything except what they're told to convey. They may not provide the Damsels with any other support until after the Hero has rescued them. While fleeing from their enemies the Companion may help the Damsels in any way. A Companion may take action to help or free any other prisoners they come across, as long as it doesn't involve initiating a fight. A Companion may not kill by poison, and may only drug someone when ordered to do so by a Hero. Any actions a person does as a Companion will not be held against them when they seek to be a Hero in their own right, as long as they are within the allowed actions of a Companion. That should make things a lot clearer for you, Al.”
“Thanks, Mac, it does make things a lot easier. This may take time to rescue the Damsels, but we can have the opposition cut themselves down for us and cause them to lose a lot of sleep too. If I sneak in to steal money from the men they'll accuse those on guard of doing it. This will lead to fights and a reduction in numbers when they hurt each other or leave. I can steal their horses and food to slow them down and mess up their plans and operations.”
Joe smiles as he adds, “Yes, it'll be interesting to see how they react to such a situation. Maria, list me down for that rescue.”
Maria leaves us for a few minutes then comes back with a big smile. “I listed you as the Hero assigned to that rescue. And there's an update. They now have three Damsels in the group, so I wouldn't be surprised if the number of extras has grown too. You be careful, take your time to get them out safe and sound.” We both nod agreement.
The talk moves to what weapons Joe has we can use, and what other resources he has in the area. In the end we decide to enter from a point a bit further away than we have to, just so Joe can pick up a few extra things from one of his caches of equipment. Soon after that we break up for the night and we go to our rooms.
The next morning Joe and I dress in our Chaos outfits and I ready my pack, checking everything in it has been cleared with Mac. I've a number of herbal medicines and stuff in my first aid kit for emergencies. My research at Crossroads shows I can replace them all on Chaos, if need be, so they're allowed through the portals.
A quick hug and kiss each, then it's into the portal for us.
Chaos
We arrive in a room in the bank of the town called Junction and Joe opens his bank box to remove some weapons. He offers me a choice of what's in the box. I stick with the ones he'd described and we agreed to in our earlier discussions. In a few minutes we're ready to leave.
Both of us have two medium length swords, four knives - three for throwing, a good bow with a quiver of arrows, and a hatchet each. Our clothes are typical of Chaos and look like leather or coarse cloth. I look a bit bulkier than I am because my clothes have a layer of thin bamboo rods between two layers of good leather as light-weight armour. When I showed it to Joe he was upset with himself because he'd not thought of it. The short bamboo rods are thin when compared to what's usually worn as armour, but this is much more flexible. One added bonus is it provides some insulation against the weather. We also have on long capes and large Aussie bush hats with padded protection in the crown section. None of the clothes look particularly odd by the standards of dress here, but they're a mix of colours that'll blend in well with brush or forest. Before I slip my back pack on I remove my climbing hooks and the few other items I'd attached to the clothing as ornaments. I put on my cape, and it covers the pack. The pack isn't that big: only a bit more than a hand's width deep, as wide as my shoulders, and it goes down to my waist, but it has some changes of clothes, ropes, medicines, and blanket.
Joe closes the box, it disappears, we walk out into a hallway, along it to the main bank area, across that, and out the front door.
The first thing anyone notices about Chaos is the smell, as sanitation is an unheard of concept here. The roads are mostly dirt, although I can see the main road through the middle of this town is a well-built stone road, so this must be a major road in a well maintained area. Joe sees me looking at the road and he smiles. He says, “We're on the very edge of King Sid's domain and he has all of the major roads well-built to make transport and troop movements easier.” I nod because I've heard Joe talk of the Hero Sid and what he's done here, especially in the slaver war.
We start to walk out of town on a dirt road to the south as we head to where Joe has some horses on a farm. These are horses bred from Welsh ponies he imported years ago. They're easier for the locals to handle on the small farms and easier to maintain. They aren't as fast as the bigger horses, but they've more stamina and they can go for longer. When we discussed the rescue we agreed the smaller horses will be a lot better for travelling through the forest and brush we'll have to deal with.
It's just after lunchtime when we arrive in town, and just on dinner time when we arrive at the farm - to a very warm welcome. We soon sit down to the evening meal with the farmer and his large family.
During the meal I notice the two oldest children, twin boys, keep glancing at Joe and their father while their father looks like he's having trouble working out how to say something. The third eldest, a girl, is very glum. I can also see Joe hasn't noticed any of this.
With a big grin I look up and say, “Not a chance, unless one of you is a very good camp cook.” Everyone turns to look at me, and the father is a lot more embarrassed than before. Also, the eldest girl looks up with a gleam of hope in her eye. Joe frowns at me, so I add, “It seems to me the oldest children are of an age to try an adventure or see more of the world. But there's no way I'm cooking for extras. If we've extras along one of them better be taking over the buying of food and cooking.” This causes Joe to look around the table. He stops and looks at the father.
The father, Jay, shrugs as he says, “Your friend, Al, is right, Lord Joe. My older children wish to see more of the world. I was thinking of how to ask you to take Jason and Joseph with you. But neither can cook well.”
The oldest girl, Jaycee, says, “I can cook well and I'm already very experienced at buying food in the markets.” Her mother is trying hard to hide a smile while her father isn't sure of what to say. The two boys aren't sure if they should support their sister, or not.
Joe turns to look at me while shrugging his shoulders. I answer him, “If we take all three Jaycee can look after the food and cooking while Jason and Joseph look after gathering the wood for the fire, the horses, and setting up the camp. That leaves me more time to do scouting for you. Only one thing, if Jaycee sees a young man she wishes to marry she has to wait until we're almost back here.” This causes her to blush as the rest laugh. Joe looks around the table and he receives agreeing nods from both parents and the three eldest children.
With a slow nod Joe looks at them, one at a time, and says, “This isn't a simple rabbit hunt in the woods. We go to fight bad men, many bad men. You could be seriously hurt or killed. Still interested?” They all nod yes while they smile at getting a chance to see the world. “OK, that means we'll now need twelve ponies. Ten with riding saddles and two with pack saddles to carry all of our gear and food.” The younger kids start to discuss when they may get a chance to see more of the world.
After dinner Jay, Jason, Joseph, Jaycee, Joe, and I gather together to discuss what gear we'll be taking from the farm, and what weapons the children will be using. Jaycee is the youngest at sixteen, which is an adult by local standards, and her two brothers are a year older. By the time we should be heading to bed we've the packs ready to go on the ponies, the ponies and saddles selected, the weapons for the three teens selected, and they've proven they can use them. I add a nice short staff to my weapons from those Joe has here. He hadn't mentioned it before, but I like it as soon as I see it. It's the perfect height for a hanbō: just up to my waist, as thick as my thumb, and made from a hardwood. Also, we all add good crossbows and bolts to our pile of weapons.
Joe has a nice room in the house while I elect to sleep on the loose hay in the barn. I'd seen their beds earlier and I know I'll be better off in the barn. I fall asleep as soon as I 'hit the hay:' literally, and figuratively.
The Journey Starts
Like all farmers we're up before dawn to have breakfast before the sun rises to call everyone to work. I wonder how they'll go with three less to do the work, so I ask. The mother, Alice, smiles at me as she says, “For just over a year we've had problems keeping all of the children properly busy at work. When they grow older they can do more work. Over the years we've made the farm bigger. However, the way Lord Joe has us doing things makes it a lot easier to do the work, so each of us can do more than we used to be able to do before. This farm could be run by four adults, so two adults and twelve children, four of whom are adult high, means we've more workers than we need. Yes, the younger children will have a bit more to do, but not as much as most of the children on the other farms around here not using our ways.” I slowly nod at her reply.
After a good breakfast we go to get the ponies ready. While the boys saddle them I wander around to look at how they do things on a working farm. The youngest two children have the job of milking the cows, so I stop to watch them. One of the older children takes the full buckets away and brings them empty ones, so the milkers just move the stools, buckets, and themselves from one cow to the next until the job is done. The youngest is a girl who gets a real laugh out of my early attempts when she teaches me how to milk a cow. But by the time the others are ready I can do a good job. So I'm happy to have learned something new and she's happy to have tricked me into doing some of her work for her.
I go to mount my pony, and almost laugh when I realise these adult animals are so small I can jump over them. After getting up in the saddle I take both feet out of the stirrups to let them hang. The soles of my shoes are only a bit over a hand's width from the ground. Seated on the pony my head isn't much higher than when I'm standing beside it.
With a wave to the family we ride off down the farm lane to head back to the town where we arrived via the bank. We already have a lot of food from the farm for the trip, but we still need to buy some things like pepper and salt. Joe also wants to buy the children some hard leather outer clothes as minimal armour for them, and we all agree with him on this need. We have to do all we can to protect our team-mates.
Back in town our first stop is the leather worker's shop. The children are measured up, and most of what we want is a simple matter of sewing some pieces together to the right sizes for the coats while the pants are available from stock items. Joe orders them two sets each, and he pays for them. Jaycee and I leave the rest waiting and watching over the ponies outside the leather worker's shop while we go to shop for the rest of our food. I'm interested in seeing how it's done here. I leave my hat, pack, and bows on my pony. I carry my staff in my hand by using it like a walking stick. Jaycee is carrying a basket with some food stuffs she brought from the farm to trade with. I also have some money Joe gave me in a pouch to carry it, just in case we need more money to buy things.
It's an interesting experience watching Jaycee at work while she haggles with the others over items she wants. The only problem we have is when she comes to one trader who has cinnamon to sell. He has a lot of it, but he isn't doing well as he wants only cash and few of the locals have or use cash. I can see Jaycee wants some, so do many of the other locals. I pull her back a bit and ask, “There's more there than we want. If I buy it all can you trade it locally for other things you or your family want, and then find someone you can trust to take the traded items to the farm?”
She gives me an odd look while she nods, “Oh, yes. I can soon have all of the extra traded off for things we can use at the farm, and there are a few people here we can trust to take them to father. But the man wants three shells for the lot, and he won't sell any less than two quads worth. We don't have that much money, no one around here does.”
I smile and lead her to Joe. Jaycee packs what we've already bought on the pack pony as I ask Joe for three shells. He gives me an odd look, but gets it out of his money pouch while being very careful not to flash it about. I hand my pouch with a few pinches and quads to Jaycee to carry and I slip the shells into my pocket while I ask Jason to join us on our trip back to the market. He declines, but Joseph volunteers to go with us.
On the way back to the market I see Brian, earlier he was pointed out to me as the local King's Representative: what they call the local cop. I ask him to come with us to the market. He gives me an odd look as he agrees to go with us.
Trading Trouble
We go up to the man with the cinnamon and I ask, “Did I hear you right, before? You'll sell all three sacks of cinnamon for three shells?” He nods yes to me. “Right, we'll do this one sack at a time. You open them up to show me the contents are good and I'll pay you. To prove I've got the money I'll hand it to the King's Representative to hold and he'll give you a shell when I take each sack from the table after it's inspected. If a sack is short or the goods are below standard I don't buy that sack.” He nods again. Pulling the money out of my pocket I hand it to Brian to hold. His eyes go wide with surprise, so do those of all within hearing.
The first sack is put on the table, then the contents are removed and checked. Jaycee is happy with it, so I'm happy too. I repack it and take it off the table. When I hand it to Joseph to hold Brian hands the man a shell. The same with the second and third sacks. As soon as I accept the third sack and he's given the last of his money the man packs up his gear then and he's off like a rabbit. I look up in surprise.
Brian laughs while saying, “That's more money than he's ever seen before. He's in a great hurry to get it in the bank before someone robs him. I suspect this may not have been his stock to sell, but that's another matter and none of your concern. That was an interesting way to do business, thanks for showing it to me. Now I best be off to see he makes the bank safely.” I grin and laugh while Brian leaves.
I turn to Jaycee I say, “OK, young lady. You now have some cinnamon to trade. You best get at it.” She still looks a bit shocked, but she shakes her head, then nods yes to me while she moves over to beside the three sacks Joseph is guarding for us.
With a grin in her voice Jaycee calls out to the locals about her now having cinnamon to trade. They're quick to flock to the table, and she soon starts haggling with lots of people. Even agreeing with some for them to deliver stock or animals to the farm in exchange for some of the cinnamon. While she haggles I move back a bit to look over the crowd.
There's a lot of people around the table. To make Joseph's job of protecting the stock easier I take my cape off and put it around his neck. The cape reaches to the ground on him. He looks at me when I spread it wide around the bags then place the front hems in his hands. I say, “You'll feel the cape move if anyone tries to reach under it into a bag or tries to cut the cape, so you don't have to try and look in all directions at once.” He smiles while I back away from him and the table a little.
I notice it now looks like I'm standing beside Jaycee because the cape was the most distinctive thing about my clothes. A little later I notice the cinnamon seller is walking back down the street. With him are two rather large men. While I watch they stop and the seller is pointing to the table while talking to the men. All three are smiling. I move back into the crowd and around a bit. I also bend my knees and tilt my head forward while I watch them. This changes the way I look from their direction as it makes me harder to spot in the crowd.
Jaycee has done so well the first sack is nearly empty of cinnamon, and they're big sacks. People must have really wanted it. She also has a pile of various goods that's about the size of half a sack, plus many promises of things to be delivered from people she trusts. A little later she asks for a short break to move a lot of things off the table into the empty sack the cinnamon was in, then she opens the second sack. The three men seem a bit irritated she's already traded so much away.
I smile when the two big men move toward the table. Reaching the back of the crowd they start to push their way through it. On reaching the front of the crowd one produces a knife and says, “Well, thief, I've caught up with you and I'll have my cinnamon back.” Everyone in the crowd knows this was just bought but they don't want to get caught up in any fighting, so they start to back away.
Jaycee stands her ground as she replies, “This was purchased fair and square, as was witnessed by all here. Take your concerns elsewhere.”
While this is happening the other man is moving around behind Joseph who's trying to maintain security of the goods while providing support to his sister. When the second man produces a knife and moves closer to Joseph I swing my staff out and hit the man's wrist with it. He drops the knife to grab his sore wrist. Joseph turns to the noise and sees the man holding his wrist with the knife on the ground, so he draws his own knife. I leave Joseph to deal with that man as I turn to Jaycee. From the corner of my eye I can see the man is silly enough to go for Joseph with his hands. I smile when Joseph uses a simple move to slice the man's throat open. The first man is concentrating on Jaycee and he has Joseph between him and his partner as well. Thus he doesn't see his partner isn't of any help to him now.
The first man reaches across the table to grab Jaycee's left arm. I'm in the process of swinging my staff up to deal with him when Jaycee's right arm sweeps up from the table. I see a flash of metal, and the man has a very strange look on his face because the small knife she had at her waist is now stuck in his throat. He lets go of her and drops to the dirt. I move over to look at the knife. It's through the throat and the spine. He's dead, his brain just doesn't realise it yet.
Smiling at Jaycee I pull her knife out, wipe it on the dying man's clothes, and place it on the table. Under her watchful eye I strip the still warm body of valuables to place them on the table. Two more knives and sheaths, a sword with sheath, a hefty money pouch, a coat, and good boots. The rest isn't worth the trouble of stripping him for. She checks it all over and places the items in the bag or in her pockets.
Joseph is still holding his position of protecting the stock. So I drag the first man away from the table to give Jaycee room to trade then I go strip the other man, putting everything for Joseph on the table near to him. The haul here is the same as from the other man. I drag the body away a little. When I do that Joseph looks over the crowd then he calls out, “Hey, Mace, I'll give you two pinches to haul this garbage out of town for me.” A young man with an empty cart stops before he turns to look at Joseph. He looks over the scene, nods yes, and brings his cart over. I give him a hand to load the garbage, Joseph hands over the money, and the young man is soon heading out of town with a wide smile at his extra wages.
I look around the street and I see the cinnamon seller has a very shocked look on his face. Brian is coming back down the street with one of the women who'd been at the table a moment before. I catch his eye and motion toward the cinnamon seller. He frowns as he goes to the man and takes him by the arm while he brings him over.
When they arrive I say, “Brian, a few minutes ago this man came back down the street with two other men. I saw them walk down then stop over there. They talked for a moment then the other two men came over here. One accused Jaycee of stealing his cinnamon. Both pulled knives. Joseph dispatched the one who went for him while Jaycee took out the one who went for her.” Brian smiles on hearing the kids took out the bad guys. “Now, I wonder if this fellow can tell us about them. If you wish to look at them Mace is taking the garbage out of town to dump it.”
Brian replies, “I don't feel in the need to examine any garbage, but I'll enjoy having a few words with this fellow about some of the company he keeps. I'm surprised you didn't deal with the men.”
“I was going to, but the kids were closer and did it all before I could get there. I think they can look after themselves.” He laughs while he walks off. He takes the other fellow with him for a little chat.
A little later Jaycee is finished trading. She has a bag and a half of goods, lots of promises, and a half bag of cinnamon left for our use. While she packs up I ask about the table. She explains the first seller either owns the table and will come to collect it, or he paid to hire it for the day and the owner will collect it when we walk away. I smile at the neat way the market is organised.
When we reach Joe and Jason we tell them of the trouble. Jason is a bit upset he missed it, and Joe laughs. Jaycee adds a lot of stuff to our packs then I accompany her to take the bags with the rest to a house in a side street. A woman answers the door and she gives Jaycee a very warm greeting. They chat for a moment then the bags are gone through. When a deal is reached the bags are handed over. In exchange for some of the goods she'll accept delivery of some of the things to go to the farm on Jaycee's behalf as Jaycee already organised for their delivery here. Her husband will see all the gear gets safely to the farm. We're about to leave when Brian arrives home for his lunch. Yes, the gear will be safe.