 To: Office of the Clockwinder From: Dagger, J. CDRE, NBM Re: Van Creed After the actions of today's date, I would recommend the following: 1) Seizure of all attributable Van Creed society assets within New Babbage 2) Place all parts of the Porte Terrarum (aka Eliot Device) under city control. 3) Immediate demolition and clearance of the Colton & Co... |
 ((This is very rough, but I wanted to get it down and posted while it was still somewhat clear in my mind. I'm sure other will write their perspectives to add to this basic picture.)) Bookworm sat at the bar in Brunel Hall, sipping a glass of wine. It was evening, Friday evening, and she was still alive. And so were the inhabitants of New Babbage. Against all... |
 Scottie and Sky sat on the mantle at ‘Cuffs, the small bar was packed and the tension was thick. The patrons mumbled and grumbled, some unable to leave the city, others choosing to stay for various reasons. Scottie harrumphed and hopped down from the mantle, “Look, folks, I know it seems like the end of the world. But we’re Babbagers, dammit! When is the world not... |
 As he made the last few touches to his snow sheep, Tepic looked round at all the different show creations that littered Clockhaven Square. They were truely wonderful, and so many people had made something this year. He sat back contented, taking out his flute from his pocket and began to reherse his repetoire of carols, always a good earner at this time of year and fun to play too. The... |
 It was, again, that time of night when the streets of New Babbage were empty of humans, when streetlights seem dimmed by the pressing darkness, when men and women sleep deepest. But near the Van Creed building, there were figures moving in the shadows--one human, several felines. They all paused nearby, and Felisa looked down at the assembled cats. "That's the building," she... |
The stack of reports on her desk had |
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"In there?" Arnold asked, nodded at the Van Creed building. "Not much chance of convincing anyone of anything in there." "We'll provide aerial cover, Miss," Gadget said. "Be careful." Bookworm nodded at Gadget, marched boldly up to the door, and knocked. "Is anyone there?" she called. "This is Ms. Hienrichs of the New Babbage Militia. I wish to have a word... |
The congregants filed out of the |
Bookworm and Arnold were still conversing when they both heard, from the direction of the Van Creed building, the sound of a door opening. Faster than she thought possible, they saw a figure stride past them and head for the nearby tunnel. "Well, that was him," Arnold said. "Sir!" Bookworm called, running to the tunnel entrance, hearing Arnold following her. The... |
 Two mikos sit at the table in the Nevermoor dojo. The red haired one fidgets as the other squints at a small piece of rice paper covered with marks. A pigeon rests in a cage nearby drinking and eating as if famished. "It comes from Father and is in an old version of the clan code, one not taught to just anyone. Ah...what does this one mean, I forget." "Iyou, read what... |
The long winter evening was beginning to descend as Bookworm Hienrichs hurried north through the streets of New Babbage. There wasn't much time left for her to try the diplomatic way out, so she'd decided to simply present herself at the entrance to the Van Creed building, and see if anyone would talk. As she made her way through a dark tunnel, though, she heard steps behind her.... |
Bookworm Hienrichs stepped into the Records room of City Hall, and immediately made for the Writer. The automaton had been repaired, as mysteriously as it had been attacked, and had thankfully begun producing pages again, pages that she read again and again, looking for clues, for direction, for hope. She flipped the pages over. 'Three new pages...' She immediately... |
