A CASTLE

by Mr. David R. Dorrycott

CYBERSNAKE settled gently to the dew soaked grass just a few hundred yards away stood an ancient castle. Early morning fog billowed away from the superhot, first generation matter/antimatter reaction jets. Their throaty howl dimmed, becoming a dull rumble as the main hatch popped open. Snowaters stepped from opening, quickly moving away from the ship. In moments the rumble returned to a howl, the ungainly appearing craft rose through the fog bank into the low grey scud clouds above.

She looked at her watch. According to Kalith the heavy downpour was only a few minutes away. Just enough time for her to slip in through the primitive '60s style radar screens and still get to the gates dry. Hefting her heavy saddle bag over her right shoulder she started up the gentle rise to the castle walls.

Approaching moss covered walls barely twenty feet high she reached the gate. They stood open in the gloom, no bell or other security device was in sight.

“Sure” she half whispered to herself. “No security, and I'm a teenager.” Facing the keep ahead she shrugged, plodding on in the sudden gusts. Her nose, although not nearly as sensitive as she could wish, warned her of the rain soon coming. Ozone was heavy in the air, this storm was going to be a dozy.

Reaching the door she huddled a moment, its meager cover allowing drifts of heavier mists, leaving tiny droplets on her body as they passed. Spotting the bell, she depressed the switch. A light hearted tone sounded in the distance, even her dull human hearing caught some of the sounds within.

"A visitor. Praise Be" a tiny voice called. There was a scuttling sound, almost like a huge insect and the door opened.

Snowaters found herself staring at a half man, half spider. Caught by surprise, she unconsciously stepped back. Out of the doors protection, and directly into the arriving storm.

Several small female children sat together staring at the human sitting across from the fire. They watched as she sipped the hot chocolate Crawl had brought her, tugging a blanket closer around her. Her rain soaked clothing hung next to the fire steaming slightly. Outside the storm rumbled. Huge hailstones had pounded the building earlier while brilliant bursts of lightning-light came through the stained glass windows.

"I'm really sorry I frightened you" Arsenio Crawl apologized. His form was that of a mans torso grafted to a gigantic spiders body. He stayed near the hanging clothing, touching them occasionally to insure the fabric wasn't too hot. Silk wasn't something he saw often and he wasn't too sure how to care for it.

"'S not a problem" Snowy replied, sitting her empty cup on the table next to her. "I've seen worse in the last week, you just caught me by surprise."

"As did the storm" quipped Ygor as he returned from his search. "Here's the key to the caverns portal, as soon as the rain ends I'll escort you in."

"Praise be you weren't harmed by the Evils that abound" one of the girls chimed.

Snowaters closed her eyes, over an hour ago she had arrived. Since then the children had not let one minute go by without some kind of Praise, Glory, or Bless exiting one of their mouths. They had been watching some televangilist (she quickly recognized the scam artist for what he was) when she arrived. Even for the normally quiet woman she was quickly reaching the limit of her patience.

"Glory Be" another started. . .

“That's it!" Snowaters shouted. Gripping her blanket she stood over the small group. "I don't know just why Jack allows you to watch that kind of trash television but believe me. When I leave here I'm calling and giving him a piece of my mind. In person."

The girls whimpered, crowding together. "Lord. Please don't tell Father Jack" one of them begged.

Snowy shook her head. "You need schooling, and not further television like that.” She spun, the blanket flowing around her. "Arsinio. I understand your most responsible here since Ygor has been working with me. I cannot order anything. But if you want to continue receiving un-interrupted reception here I strongly suggest you closer monitor these girls viewing."

Arsenio blanched, backing away a single step. "I will see what I can do" he agreed.

Ygor stood behind Snowaters, staring at a lab he hadn't entered in over twenty years. Age hung heavy in the still air. Lamps still glowed on a few ancient pieces of equipment. Even for the rank amateur it was obvious nothing had been touched in decades.

"Primitive isn't the word for this place" Snowaters commented, reaching out to toggle a power switch. Lights flickered greenly, most stayed unlit.

"What would be?" Ygor asked.

"Archaic" the tiny woman answered absently. Walking slowly through the small series of rooms she examined everything. She paused once at an arch of heavy coils on one wall, nodding to herself as she traced power leads. Finally she stopped at a large door. Rust stains streaked its once white surface. Laying the fingers of one hand against the metal she could feel a slight vibration.

"Still powered" she whispered. "It's cold enough to be a freezer." Grasping the once chromed handle she pulled.

With a protest of rusted hinges the latch popped back. A further tug popped free pressure welded rubber gaskets. Cold air billowed out, two small lamps brightened.

The two stepped in carefully, Snowaters dropped a book in the doorway insuring the disused door couldn't latch behind them. Perhaps twenty feet long and ten wide the room held several tanks, corroded plumbing and a few glass shelves.

Nodding to Ygor, Snowy began her examination.

Jacqueline Hilaris sat listening to the report, quietly making notes as Snowaters talked. She nodded occasionally, a lot of what the oriental woman was saying went well beyond her understanding. What made it worse was she was obviously trying to use the most basic terms she could.

“So she's not there either" Jacqueline asked, once the report was through.

"No" Snowaters answered. "I think he took her body with him. Certainly several pieces of equipment were missing."

"What about the tissue samples?"

Snowaters sighed in regret. "Almost useless. I can probably recover enough DNA and RNA to make the trip worthwhile but recreating your sister? No. I'm fairly certain I can't do that."

Acme's CEO released a long held breath. This alien had proved capable of almost miracles, using nothing but science, experience, and hard work. It was bad enough having Jack's 'daughter' running around, even if in a human body. Having her long dead sister return. Somehow it felt wrong.

"How's Marie handling her new body" Snowy asked.

“There have been some, difficulties. I think she will adjust in time. Still I'm worried about what Jack will do when he finds out."

Snowaters stood, picking up her data-pack. "We'll find out in a few hours" she replied. "As soon as I get home I'm giving him a call."

She smiled as she shook the Hyenoid's hand. "I think your going to like the new clones. I'll be starting micro-surgery tomorrow. Would you like to watch?"

Jacqueline shivered at the thought. "I think I'll pass" she answered. "I'm not one to enjoy such things."

The screen finally cleared, Jack Hilaris face coming into focus. Rachelle Lockland stood behind him, trying not to look interested.

Jack grinned at the face on his screen. "Hi" he said. "What's with the call darlin."

Snowy shook her head, a playful smile tugged at her lips.

"A few items" she answered. I'll get to them in a moment, but first here's a rough account of my costs to the present. Would you pass it on to Rachelle please?"

She watched as Jack picked up the printout on his end, passing it behind him without a glance.

"So, whats' yer news?" he asked.

"First, you really need to talk to those children of yours" Snowy replied, quickly outlining what was going on. “Second, your clones will be on-line in a few months, I should be out of here no more than nine months from now." Absently she dropped one hand over her belly, Kalith's news of her miscarriage had shook the woman. She didn't want to lose the other two, so she had ruled out FTL or Reality travel until their births.

"I'll do that" Jack decided. "Drop in on you all in a few days, that Okay?"

"Fine by me" the Diamonds Mistress replied. "Better tell your sister. Oh, the last thing. Marie Judyth's alive again."

Jacks jaw bounced off the desk. At the same instant Rachelle screamed.

"Seven Billion plus credits?"

Snowy laughed, "See you in three days" she giggled, cutting the connection before either of the shocked couple could recover.