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The Man Who... - Chapter 3
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The Man Who... - Chapter 3
Last edited by MGA on Mon, 23. May 05, 22:33, edited 1 time in total.
A new rig is in my hands now if only there was time...
Chapter 3…………………………………………………………………The Surprise…
Alfred enters the station to find a group of unhappy Split employees supposedly waiting in the corridor for Carter. One asks, “Oh, it’s just you Alfred. Where’s Mr Malan? We desperately need to see him,”
“I’m afraid he’s off to the Shipyard to selfishly extend the docking permit again.” Alfred replies noting the look of the now shocked group. They say nothing as they trudge back up the corridor to adjacent doors where their workplaces are in depressed moods. “I’m sorry,” says Alfred, trying to raise spirits. At that point one female turns round with a threatening stare.
“Sorry?” snaps the female known as Ulu t’Qkkl, her equally threatening voice caused the rest to watch on with terror except for one member. Ochyk t’Qkkl, Ulu’s less violent but occasionally jumpy brother, who lost his sight after a fight with her when they were children, “We have been working without payment for four mazuras and all you can say is sorry?” She smashes open a glass box to her left and removes the fire axe inside. She exclaims, “Split now give you death!” and lunges towards Alfred screaming. Alfred lets out a low sigh as he presses a button on the underside of his left arm; there is the sound of capacitor charging after he does this.
Ulu tries to hit Alfred with the axe, but her progress is hampered by a spherical force field now surrounding him. Ignoring the shield she continues her rampage, sounding less aggressive after each hit. Alfred just watches on with his arms folded. After the final blow which Alfred guessed to be around the twentieth, Ulu stops attacking Alfred. Realising that he can’t be damaged, she throws the axe to one side and collapses forward on the floor screaming.
Alfred lowers his shield and helps Ulu up noting tears trickling down her face. “Humiliation I sense in you?” he asks. Ulu nods her head, “There is no shame in losing,” he continues, “However, was there any need to lunge at me like that?” he asks. Ulu not answering just walks to the door where her office lies. Alfred then asks, “If it makes you feel better I shall give your boss one more wozura to pay up. If he doesn’t do so, I will have no choice but to take the money by force.”
“No!” exclaims Ochyk t’Qkkl, “Don’t go that far, who would run D.I. after that?” he asks.
“Did I mention I would kill him?” asks Alfred.
“Oh, no you didn’t,” Ochyk replies,
“Precisely,” says Alfred as the workers head through the doors, “now proceed with your duties ladies and gentleman,” he says kindly as they return to their stations.
“Cabaal, contact Jenny to meet me at Carter’s office,” Alfred says into a command console,
“Affirmative” replies a low, dark computerized voice. Alfred heads down the corridor to a door with the words, “Mr Carter Malan,” Proceeding through the door he takes a look around the small room before switching on a light and allowing the door to close behind him.
The room is basically a compact office adorned with Split décor furniture. To Alfred’s left is a stunning wooden desk made from the finest trees available on Family Pride with a cube PC on top and space for writing, the desk is placed so that whoever was working would be facing to the right. An empty coat stand lies just to the right of the door. Further right of Alfred is an equally bold looking bookshelf containing reproduced photographs and ornaments of Carter’s earlier days. Walking towards the large window straight in front of him, Alfred glances towards the Shipyard with the docked Boron carrier owned by Carter in clear view. Its tails that normally rotate while in the ship motion remain still and the lights from the lower levels off as it remains docked.
Shortly afterwards the door opens revealing a robot similar in construction to Alfred but with a more feminine torso, four legs and an extra 10cm in height. “Alfred!” she exclaims. Her voice is that of a famous actress known as Joanna Lumley. Although in the X-universe she only exists in archived T.V. programmes and films that her and many other recently renowned if deceased actors and actresses starred in. These programmes and Films came from the rumoured planet Earth that the Argon forgot about many jazuras ago. They are still enjoyed these tazuras even if not many people know what they mean.
“Oh brother it is wonderful to see you,” she continues happily.
Alfred noticing her reflection in the window just says depressed without looking back, “Hello sister, how are you?”
“Something wrong Alfred?” She asks.
“It’s Master,” replied Alfred worryingly, “He’s off to try and unsuccessfully extend the docking permit again,”
“Well I never!” said Jenny changing from happy to angry quickly, at that point Alfred walks towards the bookshelf allowing Jenny to walk towards the window to view the outside. Picking up a photograph Alfred continues, “I understand what you feel Jenny, I know I keep saying this repeatedly, but what is with Master? I mean why can’t he just grow up?” He examines the photograph, “Remember this picture?” He asks Jenny, showing the photograph to her. She looks Alfred’s way, examines the picture and asks, “Why, isn’t that Master at the grand opening of this station complex?”
“Yes,” said Alfred turning the picture to his view while trying to sound cheerful, “A lot more optimistic he was back then, before the incide…” he bows his head at that point as he places the picture back on the shelf. He continues miserably, “I’m sorry; we are not supposed to discuss that,”
“I know,” replied Jenny still facing Alfred, “I do wish our old master would come back if you know what I mean,”
Jenny turns her attention to the docked carrier at the shipyard, “Ah, the Boron Shark,” says Jenny proudly. She then asks “What did Master call it again Alfred?”
“Corniche,” replied Alfred,
“Of course,” Jenny exclaims sounding silly, “that name is perfect for a ship as gorgeous as the Shark,” Jenny continues, “I’ve always adored every part of that ship. From the way the tails at the back are rotating now,” Alfred flinches suddenly as if a virus suddenly struck him, he then runs towards the window as Jenny carries on, “to the way the lights come on…” she is pushed to the floor by Alfred as he watches the carrier in amazement.
“The Carrier,” he quotes, “It must be starting it’s engines! Cabaal, what’s the activity on board Corniche?” Alfred asks,
“Scanning,” replies the low, dark computerized voice of the onboard computer that is Cabaal, “Shipyard docking beams offline. All Carrier systems are fully operational. Personnel on board; 250 crew-class robots and 1 human,”
“Where is the human on board?” asked Alfred with great interest as Jenny gets up from the floor with a disgusted look on her face,
“The human on board Corniche,” continues Cabaal, “Name, Carter Malan, location, main bridge, shall I put him on screen?”
“Place it on the computer monitor in this room,” replied Alfred, as he and Jenny walk excitedly towards the monitor on the desk.
Alfred and Jenny examine the monitor; they can clearly make out the bridge with high-class Boron décor and Carter sitting depressed in the captain’s chair, he is flicking through what appears to be a comic book. Alfred presses a button on the keyboard next to him marked; ‘call,’ after a conformation tone he says, “Master, may I talk to you please?” Carter doesn’t respond. Alfred can make out in the background some absorbing music; he pauses for a moment and asks, “Jenny. Isn’t that the music from that old game Master liked, what was it called now?”
“Ico wasn’t it?” replied Jenny, “The game that is,”
“That’s the one,” said Alfred, “Funny, he hasn’t listened to that track for months. I wonder what has come over him,” pressing the button again Alfred says, “Master is there something you’d like to talk about. Is it about the docking permit?”
Carter looks up from the comic book, “That’s one reason,” he replies slowly, “there are others too.”
“What do you mean?” asked Alfred,
“My employees, my friends, everyone,” he pauses for a moment, “I have forsaken them all, they hate me, they all want me dead, they…” Carter stops speaking feeling what he says is useless information.
Jenny takes over, “Master, we’ve all gone through this before. People don’t hate you they just don’t understand you, everyone’s different, isn’t that right Alfred?”
“Aye,” acknowledged Alfred nodding his head, “Remember Master when you made that speech on the Races’ Cultures showing faith in them all? They all thought you were an inspiration until you became degraded into this lower…” Alfred is cut short when Jenny elbows him as she notices Carter’s head bowing in shame.
“Before you say anything,” Carter said facing Alfred and Jenny, “I’ve paid the docking permit and as a goodwill gesture have said that I shall not dock at any Split shipyard with my Capital ships till the T’kr Family’s capital ships are repaired unless in an emergency and with the exception of the dockyards,”
Alfred listens to Carter amazement as Jenny leaps for joy, “Oh good for you Master!” she exclaims happily.
“There’s more,” Carter continues with a smile, “Ask the personnel on board to check their bank accounts,” he gives Jenny and Alfred a wink, “I shall be arriving in 5 minutes, end transmission,” At that point the screen reverts to the D.I. screensaver. Realising what Carter said Alfred and Jenny look at each other speechlessly. With haste, Alfred sends an email messages to the employees containing Carter’s instruction, before running to the main corridor, Jenny following close behind.
Jenny and Alfred can hear happy screams coming from the offices as they proceed to the main corridor, upon reaching the corridor they find many workers dancing hysterically with joy. They stop immediately when they notice Alfred and Jenny. Ulu t’Qkkl comes forward, “Oh, we read your message,” she spoke sounding rather embarrassed.
“Good to hear,” replied Alfred enthusiastically with a smile, “Seems Mr Malan has regained himself at last, although he did not mention any early breaks,”
“Of course he didn’t,” replied Ulu, “We shall return to work immediately,” she turns her head round to face the others, “Won’t we?” she repeats. Without haste the rest return to their workplaces. Ulu nods her head and then faces Alfred and Jenny, “I apologize if I lashed at you,” she says contently,
“Accepted,” replies Alfred, “Let’s forget it happened and move on,”
After Ulu returns to her workplace Alfred and Jenny walk to the hanger bay were they await Carter, as they head there Jenny asks Alfred, “Well that’s one thing taken care of, now just one more thing at his second home…”
“Careful!” Alfred interrupts, “Master must not get a word of this,”
As Alfred and Jenny arrive at the hanger bay they see through a large window, the Xenon scout Lego dock inside,
“Incoming transmission,” says Cabaal from an unknown area,
“Put it ion the main screen,” replies Alfred. Soon enough a screen engulfs the window with Carter in Lego’s cockpit,
“Ok you two here’s the plan,” Carter says with a commanding voice, “I’ve set the autopilot on Corniche to take us to Kingdom End, it’s from there that I shall visit the factories missed out, greet the employees, give them their pay…you get the idea,”
“When does Corniche leave?” asks an intrigued Alfred,
“In 20 mizuras,” replied Carter, “So take what you carry and we’ll head off,”
Within 10 mizuras Alfred and Jenny arrive with hard overnight cases and climb aboard Lego. Following that, Carter guides Lego into Corniche and commands Cutthroat to follow. Carter visits the sectors with his factories to offer his personal apologies to his workforce and the delayed payments for them. He was expecting his Boron and Argon employees to be delighted which they were. He didn’t expect however one of his Teladi employees to faint at the news or one Paranaid worker to give Carter a hug, hard enough for the sound of breaking bones. Thankfully Carter wasn’t hurt and the Paranaid was excused.
Omicron Lyrae was the last place to visit. Carter sent a message to the Trading Station there requesting permission that Corniche would be placed in the planet orbit, the Station acknowledged Carters request and as Corniche makes her way to orbit Carter flies out in Lego with Jenny and Alfred inside. After docking with the following M6 Cutthroat outside of Corniche, Carter says to Jenny and Alfred while in the pilot’s chair, “Shall we go to Argon Prime? I can’t remember the last time one was there.”
“Good idea Master,” Alfred says to Carter. Alfred turns to Jenny and gives her a wink,
“Oh, yes it would be nice to see your other home,” quotes Jenny winking back. Within moments Carter powers up the jumpdrive and Cutthroat proceeds to Argon Prime.
The landing procedure at Argon Prime was long and tiresome. After Cutthroat was sent to rest for the night at the Warf, Carter and his companions had to wait for the engineers on board the Lander to continue working on it as a fault occurred in the onboard computer systems just before the landing procedure. Finally after fighting through traffic Carter reaches his second home known as Malan Manor. There are TPs of various origins parked outside, “What’s going on?” asked Carter, as he was escorted to the front door. As it opens there is a warm greeting for Carter in the form of guests throwing him a surprise party.
“Happy birthday Master!” says Jenny giving him a hug. She then takes his hand and leads him to the floor, “Come on! There are people you must meet.”
Alfred enters the station to find a group of unhappy Split employees supposedly waiting in the corridor for Carter. One asks, “Oh, it’s just you Alfred. Where’s Mr Malan? We desperately need to see him,”
“I’m afraid he’s off to the Shipyard to selfishly extend the docking permit again.” Alfred replies noting the look of the now shocked group. They say nothing as they trudge back up the corridor to adjacent doors where their workplaces are in depressed moods. “I’m sorry,” says Alfred, trying to raise spirits. At that point one female turns round with a threatening stare.
“Sorry?” snaps the female known as Ulu t’Qkkl, her equally threatening voice caused the rest to watch on with terror except for one member. Ochyk t’Qkkl, Ulu’s less violent but occasionally jumpy brother, who lost his sight after a fight with her when they were children, “We have been working without payment for four mazuras and all you can say is sorry?” She smashes open a glass box to her left and removes the fire axe inside. She exclaims, “Split now give you death!” and lunges towards Alfred screaming. Alfred lets out a low sigh as he presses a button on the underside of his left arm; there is the sound of capacitor charging after he does this.
Ulu tries to hit Alfred with the axe, but her progress is hampered by a spherical force field now surrounding him. Ignoring the shield she continues her rampage, sounding less aggressive after each hit. Alfred just watches on with his arms folded. After the final blow which Alfred guessed to be around the twentieth, Ulu stops attacking Alfred. Realising that he can’t be damaged, she throws the axe to one side and collapses forward on the floor screaming.
Alfred lowers his shield and helps Ulu up noting tears trickling down her face. “Humiliation I sense in you?” he asks. Ulu nods her head, “There is no shame in losing,” he continues, “However, was there any need to lunge at me like that?” he asks. Ulu not answering just walks to the door where her office lies. Alfred then asks, “If it makes you feel better I shall give your boss one more wozura to pay up. If he doesn’t do so, I will have no choice but to take the money by force.”
“No!” exclaims Ochyk t’Qkkl, “Don’t go that far, who would run D.I. after that?” he asks.
“Did I mention I would kill him?” asks Alfred.
“Oh, no you didn’t,” Ochyk replies,
“Precisely,” says Alfred as the workers head through the doors, “now proceed with your duties ladies and gentleman,” he says kindly as they return to their stations.
“Cabaal, contact Jenny to meet me at Carter’s office,” Alfred says into a command console,
“Affirmative” replies a low, dark computerized voice. Alfred heads down the corridor to a door with the words, “Mr Carter Malan,” Proceeding through the door he takes a look around the small room before switching on a light and allowing the door to close behind him.
The room is basically a compact office adorned with Split décor furniture. To Alfred’s left is a stunning wooden desk made from the finest trees available on Family Pride with a cube PC on top and space for writing, the desk is placed so that whoever was working would be facing to the right. An empty coat stand lies just to the right of the door. Further right of Alfred is an equally bold looking bookshelf containing reproduced photographs and ornaments of Carter’s earlier days. Walking towards the large window straight in front of him, Alfred glances towards the Shipyard with the docked Boron carrier owned by Carter in clear view. Its tails that normally rotate while in the ship motion remain still and the lights from the lower levels off as it remains docked.
Shortly afterwards the door opens revealing a robot similar in construction to Alfred but with a more feminine torso, four legs and an extra 10cm in height. “Alfred!” she exclaims. Her voice is that of a famous actress known as Joanna Lumley. Although in the X-universe she only exists in archived T.V. programmes and films that her and many other recently renowned if deceased actors and actresses starred in. These programmes and Films came from the rumoured planet Earth that the Argon forgot about many jazuras ago. They are still enjoyed these tazuras even if not many people know what they mean.
“Oh brother it is wonderful to see you,” she continues happily.
Alfred noticing her reflection in the window just says depressed without looking back, “Hello sister, how are you?”
“Something wrong Alfred?” She asks.
“It’s Master,” replied Alfred worryingly, “He’s off to try and unsuccessfully extend the docking permit again,”
“Well I never!” said Jenny changing from happy to angry quickly, at that point Alfred walks towards the bookshelf allowing Jenny to walk towards the window to view the outside. Picking up a photograph Alfred continues, “I understand what you feel Jenny, I know I keep saying this repeatedly, but what is with Master? I mean why can’t he just grow up?” He examines the photograph, “Remember this picture?” He asks Jenny, showing the photograph to her. She looks Alfred’s way, examines the picture and asks, “Why, isn’t that Master at the grand opening of this station complex?”
“Yes,” said Alfred turning the picture to his view while trying to sound cheerful, “A lot more optimistic he was back then, before the incide…” he bows his head at that point as he places the picture back on the shelf. He continues miserably, “I’m sorry; we are not supposed to discuss that,”
“I know,” replied Jenny still facing Alfred, “I do wish our old master would come back if you know what I mean,”
Jenny turns her attention to the docked carrier at the shipyard, “Ah, the Boron Shark,” says Jenny proudly. She then asks “What did Master call it again Alfred?”
“Corniche,” replied Alfred,
“Of course,” Jenny exclaims sounding silly, “that name is perfect for a ship as gorgeous as the Shark,” Jenny continues, “I’ve always adored every part of that ship. From the way the tails at the back are rotating now,” Alfred flinches suddenly as if a virus suddenly struck him, he then runs towards the window as Jenny carries on, “to the way the lights come on…” she is pushed to the floor by Alfred as he watches the carrier in amazement.
“The Carrier,” he quotes, “It must be starting it’s engines! Cabaal, what’s the activity on board Corniche?” Alfred asks,
“Scanning,” replies the low, dark computerized voice of the onboard computer that is Cabaal, “Shipyard docking beams offline. All Carrier systems are fully operational. Personnel on board; 250 crew-class robots and 1 human,”
“Where is the human on board?” asked Alfred with great interest as Jenny gets up from the floor with a disgusted look on her face,
“The human on board Corniche,” continues Cabaal, “Name, Carter Malan, location, main bridge, shall I put him on screen?”
“Place it on the computer monitor in this room,” replied Alfred, as he and Jenny walk excitedly towards the monitor on the desk.
Alfred and Jenny examine the monitor; they can clearly make out the bridge with high-class Boron décor and Carter sitting depressed in the captain’s chair, he is flicking through what appears to be a comic book. Alfred presses a button on the keyboard next to him marked; ‘call,’ after a conformation tone he says, “Master, may I talk to you please?” Carter doesn’t respond. Alfred can make out in the background some absorbing music; he pauses for a moment and asks, “Jenny. Isn’t that the music from that old game Master liked, what was it called now?”
“Ico wasn’t it?” replied Jenny, “The game that is,”
“That’s the one,” said Alfred, “Funny, he hasn’t listened to that track for months. I wonder what has come over him,” pressing the button again Alfred says, “Master is there something you’d like to talk about. Is it about the docking permit?”
Carter looks up from the comic book, “That’s one reason,” he replies slowly, “there are others too.”
“What do you mean?” asked Alfred,
“My employees, my friends, everyone,” he pauses for a moment, “I have forsaken them all, they hate me, they all want me dead, they…” Carter stops speaking feeling what he says is useless information.
Jenny takes over, “Master, we’ve all gone through this before. People don’t hate you they just don’t understand you, everyone’s different, isn’t that right Alfred?”
“Aye,” acknowledged Alfred nodding his head, “Remember Master when you made that speech on the Races’ Cultures showing faith in them all? They all thought you were an inspiration until you became degraded into this lower…” Alfred is cut short when Jenny elbows him as she notices Carter’s head bowing in shame.
“Before you say anything,” Carter said facing Alfred and Jenny, “I’ve paid the docking permit and as a goodwill gesture have said that I shall not dock at any Split shipyard with my Capital ships till the T’kr Family’s capital ships are repaired unless in an emergency and with the exception of the dockyards,”
Alfred listens to Carter amazement as Jenny leaps for joy, “Oh good for you Master!” she exclaims happily.
“There’s more,” Carter continues with a smile, “Ask the personnel on board to check their bank accounts,” he gives Jenny and Alfred a wink, “I shall be arriving in 5 minutes, end transmission,” At that point the screen reverts to the D.I. screensaver. Realising what Carter said Alfred and Jenny look at each other speechlessly. With haste, Alfred sends an email messages to the employees containing Carter’s instruction, before running to the main corridor, Jenny following close behind.
Jenny and Alfred can hear happy screams coming from the offices as they proceed to the main corridor, upon reaching the corridor they find many workers dancing hysterically with joy. They stop immediately when they notice Alfred and Jenny. Ulu t’Qkkl comes forward, “Oh, we read your message,” she spoke sounding rather embarrassed.
“Good to hear,” replied Alfred enthusiastically with a smile, “Seems Mr Malan has regained himself at last, although he did not mention any early breaks,”
“Of course he didn’t,” replied Ulu, “We shall return to work immediately,” she turns her head round to face the others, “Won’t we?” she repeats. Without haste the rest return to their workplaces. Ulu nods her head and then faces Alfred and Jenny, “I apologize if I lashed at you,” she says contently,
“Accepted,” replies Alfred, “Let’s forget it happened and move on,”
After Ulu returns to her workplace Alfred and Jenny walk to the hanger bay were they await Carter, as they head there Jenny asks Alfred, “Well that’s one thing taken care of, now just one more thing at his second home…”
“Careful!” Alfred interrupts, “Master must not get a word of this,”
As Alfred and Jenny arrive at the hanger bay they see through a large window, the Xenon scout Lego dock inside,
“Incoming transmission,” says Cabaal from an unknown area,
“Put it ion the main screen,” replies Alfred. Soon enough a screen engulfs the window with Carter in Lego’s cockpit,
“Ok you two here’s the plan,” Carter says with a commanding voice, “I’ve set the autopilot on Corniche to take us to Kingdom End, it’s from there that I shall visit the factories missed out, greet the employees, give them their pay…you get the idea,”
“When does Corniche leave?” asks an intrigued Alfred,
“In 20 mizuras,” replied Carter, “So take what you carry and we’ll head off,”
Within 10 mizuras Alfred and Jenny arrive with hard overnight cases and climb aboard Lego. Following that, Carter guides Lego into Corniche and commands Cutthroat to follow. Carter visits the sectors with his factories to offer his personal apologies to his workforce and the delayed payments for them. He was expecting his Boron and Argon employees to be delighted which they were. He didn’t expect however one of his Teladi employees to faint at the news or one Paranaid worker to give Carter a hug, hard enough for the sound of breaking bones. Thankfully Carter wasn’t hurt and the Paranaid was excused.
Omicron Lyrae was the last place to visit. Carter sent a message to the Trading Station there requesting permission that Corniche would be placed in the planet orbit, the Station acknowledged Carters request and as Corniche makes her way to orbit Carter flies out in Lego with Jenny and Alfred inside. After docking with the following M6 Cutthroat outside of Corniche, Carter says to Jenny and Alfred while in the pilot’s chair, “Shall we go to Argon Prime? I can’t remember the last time one was there.”
“Good idea Master,” Alfred says to Carter. Alfred turns to Jenny and gives her a wink,
“Oh, yes it would be nice to see your other home,” quotes Jenny winking back. Within moments Carter powers up the jumpdrive and Cutthroat proceeds to Argon Prime.
The landing procedure at Argon Prime was long and tiresome. After Cutthroat was sent to rest for the night at the Warf, Carter and his companions had to wait for the engineers on board the Lander to continue working on it as a fault occurred in the onboard computer systems just before the landing procedure. Finally after fighting through traffic Carter reaches his second home known as Malan Manor. There are TPs of various origins parked outside, “What’s going on?” asked Carter, as he was escorted to the front door. As it opens there is a warm greeting for Carter in the form of guests throwing him a surprise party.
“Happy birthday Master!” says Jenny giving him a hug. She then takes his hand and leads him to the floor, “Come on! There are people you must meet.”
A new rig is in my hands now if only there was time...
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Urashima Keitaro
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