Noblesse Summit Invitation

[Mr. President]

One of the Karakan secret service guards made his way to the bar next to Minister Mihailovitsh. "Excuse me, sir," he asked in a slight Portuguese accent. "I couldn't help overhearing you talking about not having anything to do. A few of us were going to head down to the karaoke section. Would you like to come with?"

Meanwhile, Senator Michaelsen was staring at Brother Damien. "You did what at the initiation ceremony?"

[Uncle Sparky]

"Well... I thought the female ninjas would never convert, but they were amazing ! All four of them joined the United Good in the same ceremony ... and the goat is fine ! You really are more then welcome to attend our next service. If you'd like my acolyte Sister Fawn can ... accompany you. She is only 18, but very enthusiastic.

"Buy the way, will you be honouring us with your renound rendition of "Stairway to Heaven" at karaoke tonight ?"

[arkatahten]

Ka-Babel grinned at Michaelson. "No, thanks, I've got a beer here. And I think I'll forego the medical treatment for now."

"So, will you be doing "Stairway to Heaven" tonight?"

"About those First Aiders," he added to the Kharavos, "maybe later, maybe much much later."

[Squeblish Nef?]

"You sure? Well, we do have Haram, who used spent 12 years studying medicine. He's one of our veteran torturers, so he'd be quite a safe... why are you looking at me like that?"

[arkatahten]

"Well, Kharavos," Ka-Babel answered quietly as the group began to move away from the pool and towards the karaoke, "I am quite aware of how vast your information pool is and even some specifics of what you've found while swimming through it. You are well aware of the situation in our country, my standing in things, and at least some of what it means that I was spared extermination. The new government asks me to continue on as before. I have a vast array of skills as you know from the files you have on me. I have my own goals to fulfill, but where your goals do not conflict with mine I am quite willing to offer my services in exchange for your asylum and protection, while necessary, from death by the Free Government. They will not countenance my lack of loyalty to their newly formed travesty.

"I do not need this thing in my head removed by your Haram. You will not add to your information pile by stealing of my thoughts. I have my own doctors who are loyal, my own teams to control. But I do think that we can work together to make this a...brighter world for both of us.

"I ask you to think on what I have said, Kharavos. For now, let's join the others."

[Mr. President]

Michaelsen opened the door to the hall that led to the karaoke room. "Stairway to Heaven? Just try and stop me! If they have the CD, we can do And So It Goes too. If I forget any of the words, feel free to yell them out."

Privately, Michaelsen was wondering how his superiors would react to the change of government in the realm of Arkatahten. If adverse economic impact could be avoided, they might not even notice.

[Squeblish Nef?]

The Arch-Capitalist spat out, and replaced his monocle, wiped the bourbon off his hat, and stumbled into the karaoke room, supported by the Monarch of the Emerald Cove.
"Ladez n jenlman, like tmake nonancemint! Wz gunbe flyin insomenew workerzn set... settinup big new fact... factything. Afafter cruise, we're gunbe openining to the public! Thnkyvrymch. Need frethof breshair."

[arkatahten]

Meritatahsherit marched into the karaoke room with the other remaining members of the Arkatahten delegation. She strode over to the table where Ka-Babel sat. None of them were wearing their hoods.

"Ka," she said.

"Meritatah," he answered.

She nodded to him and then moved on with her remaining ninja to sit beside Senator Michaelson. "Senator," she said, "let's talk airplanes..." She wrote a few letters and numbers on a paper and took it up to the front where she whispered to the DJ. The song that was playing ended, and she was called up next to sing "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane.

"One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small..."

Romaroy Rafah and Tetien joined their captain and listened to his lady's golden voice.

[Squeblish Nef?]

OOC: What's next, arky?
Graphic sex scenes?

[arkatahten]

OOC: No, not yet.

[arkatahten]

Romaroy Rafah could tell something was troubling his captain, Ka-Babel, and it wasn't that Meritatahsherit, who had finished her song to grand applause, was so earnestly in discussion with Senator Michaelson. Ka-Babel knew that Meritatah was simply talking to Michaelson about the possibility of supplying his country with modern aircraft to upgrade the Karakas air force. So, Romaroy wondered, what could be troubling Ka-Babel?

"Captain," he asked, "are you concerned about the change in government?"

"Hmmmm...oh, yes, somewhat. Change is not always easy to stomach. Hmmmm...well, I wonder if we will sell any aircraft today."

Romaroy did not pursue the discussion.

[arkatahten]

Ka-Babel, after a prolonged period of silence and introspection, kicked back his chair with a snort and stalked out of the room. Romaroy Rafah and Tetien followed.

"My lord," Romaroy asked, "what troubles you?"

Ka-Babel took a few steps down the hallway and then turned. He had made up his mind. "What troubles me? What troubles me? The fact that our thoughts have been cleared and yet we still blindly follow fools. We have been freed and then enslaved once more. Panahk-Wosreht is a criminal and a simpleton. He should have killed me when he killed his other enemies but he thought he could contain me, have me work for him, me, a Prince of Arkatahten. I would rather wander the world countryless than be party to the abomination he has beset upon our nation, this new government.

"I have gathered many names of the enemies killed in his coup and, by all rights, I should be on that list. Many of our friends were, any royalty with a claim to the throne. And yet I am still alive."

"My lord," Tetien stuttered, "forgive me, but this, this smacks of treason."

Romaroy slammed Tetien up against the wall, his forearm in his throat. "You dare to use the word treason with this man? Rather point your finger at Panahk-Wosret, for this man is your prince."

"You," Tetien choked, "you're right. You're right."

Romaroy released him.

"So," Ka-Babel said, "you are with me, Romaroy?"

"My captain, my prince, I am with you."

"And you, Tetien?"

"Lord, I implore you to forgive me. My family has served and fought for yours for generations. I will not betray this loyalty now."

"Good, good. Well, it is time to get off of this ship. There is nothing more to accomplish here. Meritatahsherit and Lethahti can stay to secure the economic interests of the nation. We shall pursue more important affairs of state."

[Mr. President]

Michaelsen saw Ka-Babel walk out, but was unable to comment, so impressed was he by the statistics of the aircraft Meritatahserit had described to him.

"When you get home, don't be surprised if the Department of Defense calls up asking about contracts," he said.

"Oh Senator!" called Brother Damien. "My deity humbly requests a couple of choruses of Whiskey in the Jar. We need you on air guitar!"

[Rasputin]

Auldoninna Spy HQ

The tapes continued to roll as they recorded all the events at the summit....


But nobody was there to listen as it was national Party week and all were on Holiday !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[arkatahten]

As Michaelson rose, Meritatahsherit said, "Michaelson, take care. Thank you for your time." She stood and walked out with Lethahti following behind.