| Base-Zero |
Tsv-01 Tsv-02 Tsv-03 Tsv-04 Tsv-05 Tsv-06 Tsv-07 Tsv-08 | Tsv-09 |
| Contents |
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 |
9. The Temspace Refraction
After 2 chapters and 3 months, Querzo located Madkro and picked him up in a desert- tundra, wandering like a different man. 3 months on prehistoric Earth was quite an experience. He had a large beard and without comb or brush, his hair was long and coarse, but he had managed to tie it back. Without sun-glasses or any visor for protection, his face and eyes had become quite distant from being pitted against the harsh elements and the large predatory beasts all about. The ray-gun had protected him and helped him put some protein in his diet. Querzo landed about 20 meters away, just ahead of him, on the flat of the desert, between brushes and a few small trees. Querzo gave him fresh water and explained to him how he'd managed to locate him. "The 2990 AM intersection on Earth is the center-point to a locus-network of sensory scans we have mapped over the centuries. I located your trace signet by super-computer and came to the general fix at 2990 AM, and lo and behold, here you are." "How'd you know to look?" "That story is somewhat more complicated," he admitted, and stepped up inside Amalek. When they were both inside, taking their seats at the helm, he continued. "You may be surprised about where this goes. I've got to go to AB4, to access the archives on the case, and then I will take you back to your own tem-line." A minute later, they were flying through the atmosphere, high over the prehistoric land. "I have another little surprise for you," he told Madkro, "waiting at the tem-safe zone." He was surprised to find Lisa at the colony. Querzo expected this, because he understood the condition. The two lovers embraced each other and Querzo said, "Here at the tem-safe zone, the colony acts as preservation at the same time. I've got work to do on AB4. You may stay here within these borders while I go to AB4 and will pick you up on the way back. Lisa is familiar with the hotel facilities, enjoy yourself." "You’re leaving us here?" Lisa said, "For how long?" "Don't worry, it'll only be about 8 to 10 hours," Querzo admitted. "Amalek's spatial engines won't even be used. In a sense, Amalek will not change physical space at all, just tem-space. You understand, Madkro. You explain it, I've got to go." At that he returned to the transverser, they stepped back away from it, and a minute later, it disappeared. After that, Lisa escorted him to the hotel facilities, for a shower, shave, food, rest, and whatever else Madkro was in serious need for. All things considered, he was lucky to still be alive. The vacation at the Multiverse Manor gave the 2 of them some quality time together. Madkro was suffering a bit from 'exposure', after being out in the wilds for 2 months without the luxuries of civilization. After he slept for 6 hours, they enjoyed those luxuries for 6 more hours before Querzo returned. "Have you decided where to go?" he said. "Lisa thinks she could get some work in Vegas," Madkro said, "and I suppose I can set up office somewhere nearby." "We'll use the Rocky Point safe-zone," Querzo decided. "Pack your things; I'll meet you in the lobby." He left them and they began to get in gear. Querzo took them uptime to their home tem-coordinates in the year 2001; 1 month after Madkro was shanghaied by the Martians. He took them to the desert flats 2 km outside Vegas and they stepped down the ramp. Querzo gave Madkro the 'coordinates' to the Rocky Pt. safe-zone, as a contact spot. They walked to a road, followed it to a truck-stop roadside restaurant and fuel-depot with a store. An hour later, they caught a bus into Vegas. Money wasn't too much of a problem at the time, because they still had about 20 grand left from the Gulok deal. The money they'd spent on the estate in New York was gone, but Lisa was smart enough to secure their bank-holdings, so it wasn't too hard finding a place to live. Madkro had a tough time finding a good computer for his office, but once done, proceeded to update the situation and made contact with his associates and the KNP. He tried to forget the fact that the Martians didn't want him to go ahead with the R-wing project, and that Gulok might be trying to find him. The KNP relayed the fact that his share-holdings had increased in value, due to the fact that 3 countries other than the US had decided to pay 4 billion for the rights to the new R-wing spex. If Gulok had read the news he'd know that the new project would result in strict limitations upon the use of the R-wing. If the guy had any ideas about using it as a stealth vehicle, he should know why Madkro did what he did. But that wouldn't necessarily mean he wasn't still angry, after all, it had resulted in some substantial loss for the multi-billionaire. If he was smart, however, Gulok would realize that he still had a chance to get in on the new deal, in a more pacific manner, he'd simply have to share it with the world. -------------------------------------------
A month after he set up office, he went to a night-club to make a KNP connection, and the connection did not show. At the same time, however, one of Gulok's agents did see him, and followed him out to tail him. Madkro decided to make a little evasive wave about the city in Lisa's Fiero Z-2000, and managed to lose the guy somehow. But the guy contacted Gulok and 2 days later, they found him. Again, he was forced to fight for his life against the fascists. He used every little trick he had to lose them, but eventually, they nabbed him and stuck him in a garage, locked to a heavy metal bench. "You’re not still angry?" Madkro said coolly, using his one free hand to feel his jaw where one guy had accidentally put a fist. Gulok shook his head. "Madkro, you lowly lackey, you cost me 270 million dollars. I should feed you to the sharks. Hey, that sounds like a good idea. Do you think you can convince me otherwise?" "Not a smart move. My people will find out, you'll be discredited, lose more money," Madkro admitted, retaining a coldly definite reason. Gulok nodded just a bit. "Then you'd better think of something, I detest these foolish games." "The new design spex are worth 1.5 billion," Madkro said to him. "If you cash in on this deal, you could run a pretty smooth passenger and trade service, without illegal stealth operations." Gulok decided to have a cigar, sat on the edge of a desk, and thought about that. "I wouldn't need all the spex, just the ones you kept secret during our last deal. That alone cannot be as high as 1.5 billion." Madkro saw where he was going. "If you cost me 270 million," the man went on, "and the project itself will cost me another 400 to 500 million, just to construct 1 passenger or cargo ship, I'd say the goods should go for considerably less, at least to me, anyhow. Say like, 700 million, give or take a million." Madkro looked at the guy, looked at his wrist locked to the bench, and thought it over. It was hard to see it Gulok's way, after the guy forced his hand into the original deal. But the money was the thing, after all, that the guy seemed concerned with. "I'll agree to 700 million," he decided, "but you'll have to agree to all the conditions of the contract. The one we're most concerned with is the new DGP governor. The UN has made its removal a capital offense." Gulok nodded, "I realize that, Madkro. You need not remind me of the details of the new deal." He called one of his agents over and the guy unlocked him from the bench, then ushered him to a limousine. "So, where are we going now?" Madkro said, without humor, as the man shoved him inside. Gulok sat in front, beside the driver, and said, "To seal the deal, of course." They went to an office that contained 'state of the art' computer technology. Madkro used the computer with Gulok watching over his shoulder, and 5 minutes later, 700 million was transferred to the KNP and Gulok obtained legal rights to the new R-wing spex. Madkro was about ready to leave when Gulok began to review the new spex over the com-video, but the guy stood up and looked at him coldly. "Not so fast, Madkro," he said. "There's still one other thing. I don't like being double-dealt by anyone. I still don't like the way you left that self-destruct virus in the R-wing's computer. It was not a nice thing, a bit insulting upon my intelligence. "I figure I owe you one, if you get my drift. Just to show you I'm not too bad a guy, however, I'll let you keep your gun, your vest, and your freedom." "What are you talking about?" Madkro said, with some confusion. Before Madkro could think twice, he was struck on the head, and down for the count. |
|