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Lpnet1 Lpnet2 Lpnet3 Sci-shorts-01 Sci-shorts-02 Sci-shorts-03 Sci-shorts-04 Gallery | Animation |
| Tsv-02-100 The Illusive R-Wing Chapter 1: Treezine Agent Chapter 2: Lisa Chapter 3: Unexpected Visitors Chapter 4: Knowledge is Power Chapter 5: A Piece of Sky Pie Chapter 6: The DGP Governor Chapter 7: Point Kapex, Lunaside Chapter 8: The Scenic Route Chapter 9: The Temspace Refraction Chapter 10: The Age of Aquarius Chapter 11: To Ride the R-Wing Chapter 12: Effects of the Tuniverseo |
Chapter
1: The Treezine Agent
Madkro left the campsite in the mountains in late October of '98. It was getting cold and he needed a warm place for the winter. Having managed to save 1200 dollars over the past 6 months, he found a nice, little 2-room efficiency apartment with an adjoining kitchen and bathroom for $150 a week, and aimed for securing a more permanent place. The efficiency was in the suburbs, just 9 km from the big city. It was a great relief to escape the cold, even if it did require the use of 90 percent of his monthly government benefits, after all the bills were paid and food was in the kitchen. His savings made it easier, of course, but it wouldn't last longer than the winter, and by spring it was bound to be all gone. Nevertheless it was good to have a roof over his head and a secure, warm place out of the cold. He had his computer moved in by the second week and got busy with a 6-month backlog of bookwork. After the second week, his thoughts turned to Lisa, and he decided to check the night-club in the big city, to see if she was around. She wasn't there. According to another one of the dancers, she had quit her job last spring and moved to Boston on the east coast. Madkro recalled the spring before, and realized he had just missed her. It was all something of a mystery now, and he wondered if he'd ever see her again. ---------------------------------------------
"In 1 week," the mystery man said, over the phone, from the shadows, at the corner of the building across the lot, "you will receive a guest who will rent an efficiency apartment for 1 week. At the end of the week, he will offer you $400 a month, to rent it out for the winter. You will accept this offer and welcome him as a friend." "Yes, of course," the manager of the hotel agreed. "I will do as you say." "Very well," the mysterious stranger said. "You will see him in 1 week." At that, the line went dead, the manager swallowed, replaced the phone, and decided to have a drink. He thought about the mysterious guest and whether or not to tell his wife. "Uh, I'm getting slow," he patted his forehead. "I should have said, 'May I know who this man is?'" He jabbered at himself like that all week long, until the time came. Ultimately, the nervous manager decided, “If he was with the KNP, he must be one of the good guys. Nothing to worry about." ------------------------------------------
Madkro was glad to finally have enough money to escape the cold mountains, just in time to avoid the snow. He had another book to revise, several correspondents to check in with, and orders to fill in the 'zine' department. Ever since the 'Catch-98' episode and the 'discovery', he'd been itching to get back to work with the com-system. Checking into the place for 1 week helped him put his priorities in order. Priority one, find either a more permanent residence for the winter, or an office to work in regularly. He checked into the hotel, needing a shower and clean clothes, and didn't get a smile from the lady in attendant at the front desk until he made the request and showed her the green. 20 minutes later, he was showering away the dirt of 2 months in the mountains and wondering what was on Kaebull-TV. He had some food delivered, relaxed by the tele-video unit eating for an hour, and wondered if he could get his com-linked into the place for a week. Without a vehicle, he might have to pay a taxi or something to help it get delivered. All that trouble for just 1 week? I don't think so. There had to be another place to set up, a place not so expensive. He looked at the efficiency and wondered what they charged for a month's rent. He could afford no more than 350 to $400. Going by the $150 a week deal, it was $600. He could not give $600. A month deal might go for less. Why not $400 a month, for the winter? It was a thought. He checked elsewhere for a better deal and found an office for a very reasonable price. The problem was it did not have 24-hour, around the clock access. That was stupid, Madkro thought. 'Why should I pay $250 a month for an office that I can only use during the daytime?' |
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