*singing* 14 isn't the loneliest number you'll ever know...

I am still Science Officer, right?

Of course, Quantum.

Thank you, Commander. In fact, I was the tactical officer on secondary shift on my Spidership.
And as for Enesku... it looks like she's going to be a handful, but I think I can handle her...

Meanwhile, HoloDoc submits a report to Captain Milkshake informing him that Flight Commander Kiehart will be confined to bed for 24 hours minimum. Lt. Lopez will be Acting Flight Commander for a little bit longer.

Milkshake reads Holodoc's report

Oh no, he's going to have to miss the memorial. Quantum, can you take along a holocorder and record it for him? I'm sure he'll appreciate it.

All right everyone, it's time.

Milkshake heads to the turbolift

You'd think if it were just his knees, Holodoc could give him a wheelchair or even a mobile bed that we could be down. Or maybe even repair the injury, at least temporarily, considering the tools that Holodoc has. I wonder if Kiehart's in worse shape than we thought.

"It looks like she's going to be a handful, but I think I can handle her..." Tacoman had said about Enesku, little realizing just how prophetic his words would become as they writhed around inside a Banshee cockpit...

Skor radium capsules can be used to revive people frozen to death as long as the cells haven't been permanently damaged.

Daxam life energy transfer process involves using lightning to revive a dead person, but results in the death of the life donor.

I wonder if redshirts could be used in a life energy transfer.

Actually, in one of the LICC novels, No Time For The Breadmaster, they tried that. Bad idea. It resurrects the person, but they have the redshirts' tendency to die.

Or, was it in Professor Pudding's Last Stand?....

He stands up.

Let me go check my collection of novels. I have all eight!

(grins at Alexander Tacoman) You might find me a little too hot to handle!

Laughing Well, we'll have to see about that.
I'll make you the best tactical officer you can be. Of course, you may be able to teach me a thing or two...

A purple wormhole opens, indicating a near latecomer. The Archangel slides out, and the wormhole closes behind it.
Jackson Dupree to the Spidership, hope we're not to late. By the way, Greymoran needs to be looked at. Carrie will give the Doctor the details.
Jackson looks at the image of Butrfli on his viewscreen, who's looking very startled.
How are you doing, Butrfli?
Butrfli: I'll be alright. I just wasn't prepared to see Jackson again, even in clone form.
Jackson: I understand perfectly. Jackson's eyes roam towards Alexander Tacoman and looks startled himself. Butrfli looks to where Jackson is looking and says
Oh, that's just Alexander Tacoman. When Milkshake tried to bring Jackson back to life, Alexander appeared instead.
Alexander: So, you must be the clone of their Tacoman. I've read about you. As the lady said, I'm Alexander Tacoman, and from another dimension.
Jackson: Nice to meet you, Alex.

You're just in time, Archangel, we're heading down to the memorial now. Our sickbay is at your disposal.

A spear carrier comes out of the turbolift and stands at the back of the Bridge. Because the author of the spear carrier isn't part of the cabal of writers who have decided on the plot he is virtually ignored by most of the other characters as acknowledging his existence could upset any previously agreed upon plotlines.

(The turbolift opens and Mr. Absurd enters the bridge)
Captain Milkshake, congratulations on your promotion. Sorry it had to be under such tragic circumstances.

Congratulations to you too, Commander Rikard.

Sorry to hear about your stepping down from Psuedoscience, Jadlad. The field needs more people with nimble minds like yours.

Quantum, Rocket, Kiehart, nice to see you all again.

If I'm not mistaken you're Enesku. I believe we met breifly when I was last here.

(He turns to the spearcarrier)
Hello there. Are you holding that for Enesku?

(The spearcarrier looks around nervously not knowing what to say when Absurd whispers)
Don't worry, I'm not part of the plot either.

You must be Alexander Tacoman. Any luck yet on finding your home dimension? I'm sure there are people there who would be glad to hear you are still alive.

Alexander: Actually, in my home dimension, I would have been dead anyway. My fighter shuttle was about to crash into an O'kak battleship, and I would guess that when it hit, my shipmates would have thought me lost.
\{Meanwhile, on the Archangel...}
Jackson: Rita, put us in standard orbit. Carrie, transport Greymoran to the Spidership's sickbay.
Let's get to that memorial service.

No, that's not my spear he's holding.

Sticks her head onto the bridge
Oh, there you are, Ambar! For a while there I didn't think you were going to make it in time. And you did get the Spear of Argalia! Great! Thanks a bundle-- I owe you big time!

Notices that everyone on the bridge is looking at her. An unusually guilty look-- for Frangelica-- spreads across her face. She takes the spear from the spear carrier and gently nudges him towards the turbolift.
Er. 'Scuse us.

Now in lower tones...
Come with me for a sec, Ambar. There aer some people I want you to meet.

down on the planet...

The memorial hall, situated in the lush Hero's Park, is beautifully decorated. In the entryway, two lifesize holograms of Tacoman and Adon smile benevolently, and the open-fronted building is filled with a low buzz of conversation among the guests, as the LICC and Archangel crews arrive

Kiehart is in a hoverchair BTW. HoloDoc cleared him for the Memorial service but as soon as it's over he's back to his quarters.

For some reason, the funereal (that's not a typo) music stops playing briefly, and instead the first few bars of the American National Anthem is struck up by the musicians. Right on cue, an American flag unfurls and The Great Emancipator steps out. The musicians go back to their original tune.

"I offer my condolences for the LICC and all of America, at the death of these two dedicated representatives of the American nation."

Enesku stares at TGE as if he's ••••••.

"Adon wasn't American," she says, in the same manner, "he wasn't even from Earth. In fact, I don't even know if his home dimension HAD an Earth."

TGE looks shocked.

"He wasn't American? Better off dead, I say. If I wasn't American I'd rather be dead, I can tell you that," TGE rants.

A EXTREMELY burly man steps out of nowhere, grabs TGE, wraps him very tightly in his own flag, and kicks him into next Tuesday. Dusting his hands, the bouncer disappears.

Alexander goes up to Jackson and the Archangel crew and says
Alexander: So, you must be the clone of Captain Tacoman. I've had a chance to read about the adventures of this LICC to catch up on things.
Jackson: That I am. And the only things I know about you is that you seem to be from another dimension.
Alexander: Well, to put things briefly, I was a pilot for my Spidership's fighter shuttle division, fighting against the O'kaks for Earth. I was about to become one with a battlecruiser when I was brought to this dimension.
Jackson: Interesting. Allow me to introduce the rest of the Archange crew... Keith and Rita Yeager, Hudzen, and Ahz. Greymoran, our captain, and father of Captain Tacoman, has been transported to the Spidership sickbay. He went into a kind of shock when he heard about Jackson's death.
Alexander shakes hands with the rest of the crew.
Nice to meet all of you. I would imagine anybody would go into shock when informed about their child's death.
Jackson: Well, this is one of those "retreat into oneself and won't come out until ready" kind of things.
Alexander: Ahh.
Just then, Butrfli wanders up to the group. She gives and gets a kiss from Jackson.
Jackson: So how are you, Butrfli?
Butrfli: I'm alright. Still in a bit of a shock, though. I wonder...
Jackson: No. We can't make another clone of Captain Tacoman from me. Who knows what would happen. I've had enough trouble myself. Can you imagine the problems that a clone of a clone would have?
Jackson takes Butrfli aside and says
He certainly is different then Captain Tacoman, isn't he?
Butrfli: Definitly. He seems more...cool...

Jackson: By the way, did you just feel a slight temporal distortion just now?
Butrfli: Yeah. Like somebody being sent to next week...

Keith gently pushes Rita's hoverchair up next to Kieharts, and the two pilots share a, "It's just been one of those weeks" look. Keith notices him. "Jesus Jason what happened?" "Apparently a weapons powered by Sith and Wanderer energies is easily capable of hurting even this guy," he says pointing to himself. "To make things worse the Captain's children are missing." Keith's eyes widen and his jaw drops. Rita gasps and begins rubbing her stomach, now beginning to show signs of the child inside her. "That's awful!" Rita says. The watch on Keith's hand begins to speak. "I was wondering dudes, why didn't Sorik join us?" Keith looks at the watch. "I don't know Carrie."

Ahz stood in the Spidership's morgue, dressed entirly in black. He pressed a few keys, and the cryo-statis unit opened, revealing Adon's body, comlete with a now furry blue leg.

Why are you still here, old friend?

His computer appeared and he typed on the keyboard. A detailed readout of Adon's body appeared on the screen.

It's not the venom keeping his body here, and in pefect condition. Hmmm... could it be...

Ahz felt a presence behind him. He spun around, but there was no one there.

It's you, isn't it? Yes. I should have guessed. This is a terrible risk you're taking. I know. Just like always. I hope this doesn't draw to serious a reaction to those of us down here. We will take the brunt of the responsibility. I hope so.

And then, the presence was gone.

I truly hope so...

As the start of the service nears, more and more people arrive, until the building is completely full. Everyone who can takes a seat, with a crowd having to stand in the back, and even spilling out the entry. A gentle Valgrian orator begins the service. He speaks with great eloquence and respect to the deceased, and recalls their lives with such veracity that before long most of the mourners are in tears. And after a little while he looks toward one section of the audience

"And now please welcome Commander Milkshake, a close friend and crewmate to both the deceased, who will deliver the final eulogy."

Milkshake, his face lined with sorrow, steps to the podium

Gathered mourners, beloved friends, we are here to remember our dear departed friends and loved ones, Jackson Dupree Tacoman and Adon Mithral. Quite simply, these two men died representing their cause, the cause of good. We could talk ages about the nature of good and evil, but everyone knows what they are, what they mean. What is important is the extent to which these two good men took their cause. "Greater love hath no man than this, that he should lay down his life for his friends." Words nearly 3 millennia old, yet they still ring true today. Friends, Jackson Tacoman and Adon Mithral died so that others might live. Let us think on this always as we remember them. And thankfully, the impact of their actions does not die with them. There is a famous saying about the nature of evil, but I believe it's reverse is just as true. "The GOOD that men do lives on after them". And as we commit these men to memory, let us never forget this. We bear their responsibilities as well as our own, and the greatest way we could show our appreciation to these two men is to honor their cause as well as they did. Farewell, Captain Tacoman. Farewell, Adon the Wanderer. We thank you.

Milkshake falls silent for a long moment, then speaks again

Thank you for coming, friends. We have a gathering, a wake, planned at the dining hall across the way, and we would appreciate it if you would join us.

Jackson goes up to Milkshake
Hi Steve. Nice service. So how's the crew holding up?
Jackson Dupree to the Spidership sickbay, how is Greymoran doing?

This wasn't supposed to happen.

Someone was standing on the podium, speaking in an unknown language. Strangly enough, everyone in the room could understand what she was saying. She was wearing a long, flowing gown, and there was matching ribbons in her long brown hair. There were rings on her fingers, and bracelets on her wrists and ankles. She had sky-blue eyes and a blue line on her forehead. There was also a triangular mark over her cheekbone, just below each eye. She was also barefoot. The strangest thing about this woman was that she was well lit, even though the lighting in the rest of the room was subdued. Whatever was illuminating her wasn't illuminating things around her. She looked at the LICC members sitting in the front row.

Will you help me?

The LICC members found themselves on a featureless plain, the room with the memorial service, and the rest of the mourners were nowhere to be found.

My name is Bell, and welcome to the Land of Light. I have brought your spirits here to make a request. Would you be willing to travel to the afterlife to bring your friend Adon back?

Wha-? Where...?

Milkshake looks confused, and Bell simply waits for an answer. Steeling himself, Milkshake replies

Certainly I will.

I will come too.

(Klassikos stands forward, to some people's surprise)

I came here with the TRASH, and I have business to conduct with them.

(He turns to the LICC, specifically Acting Captain Milkshake)

However, if you are going to the Underworld, I can give you advice. If you find a three-headed dog guarding the way it is Cerberus, the best way to get past him is by playing music. And when you return, remember not to look back.

(Enesku then stands forward, and bites her lip)

Count me out.

Artsy's curious orange-gold was shot with streaks of confused grey as she stepped forward. "Are you the one who spoke to me?"

Bell smiles at her. I am. You listen well, child.

Artsy stares into the woman's bright eyes for a moment and then steps back. "My part's done, then." She looks around at her comrades. "Light go with you. I'll see you back on the Spidership."

(Enesku and Artsy, having been sent back, walk through the Spider's corridors to Enesku's quarters)

Afterlife? I'd rather wait until I'm dead. There are some things I like to experience prematurely, but this isn't one of them.

(She looks at Artsy, who seems to have gone a bored brownish color, and is obviously tired of Enesku's rambling. Enesku realises this, and an idea comes to her.)

Hey, that reminds me. We were going to have a slumber party, weren't we?

(Enesku and Artsy reach Enesku's quarters, and the doors open, revealing several dangling wooden beads on strings hanging down from the ceiling.)

Uh, don't mind them.

(She brushes them aside, and enters with Artsy.)

Welcome to my world.

(Artsy looks around and is more interested, turning a more pleased yellow, slightly darker than usual to show her apprehension. Enesku grins, pleased at the change of color. The room is decorated with several 'dreamcatchers', bizarre memorabilia, and posters of manly-looking superheroes.)

Come over here.

(She beckons Artsy to come forward, and Artsy does. Enesku then stands aside to show her a full-height mirror.)

A Mary Worth mirror. Much more fun than Ouija boards. Why don't we give it a go? You ever heard of these?

Brightening with curiousity but still eyeing Enesku a bit warily, Artsy inspects the mirror. "No, I haven't. It's not badly made--but it's just a mirror." Her own reflection frowns at her from the silvery depths of the glass.

Just a mirror, Artsy? I don't deny that it's a mirror, but this is no ordinary mirror, unless the man I bought it from was lying. And he wasn't lying about the others.

(Enesku walks back, Artsy following her to keep an eye on what she's doing. Enesku stops in front of her doors, reaches up, and flicks off the light switch. Everything goes black, because there are no windows in Artsy's quarters.)

Now, let's see, where is the... oh, (crashing sounds heard) ••••! Oh, here it is!

(The sound of a match igniting is heard, and Enesku comes into view, grinning, as she holds a match in one hand and a matchbox in the other. The match burns down and the flame touches Enesku's finger. Enesku lets out an overdramatic shriek and drops the match. All goes dark once more. Then another match is lit, and Enesku spends less time grinning and applies the match to a hippyish-looking red candle.)

A single candle. A vital part of the ceremony.

(She places the candle, the only source of light in the room, in front of the mirror.)

Artsy approaches the candle slowly, wanting to be close to the light in the suddenly rather oppressive room. "What ceremony would that be?" she asks, trying to sound light.

The Mary Worth ceremony, of course!

(Enesku begins to laugh. Artsy looks puzzled, and a little scared, either at the current state of events or at Enesku's apparent detereorating sanity. Enesku coughs.)

You don't know about this, do you? (Artsy shakes her head) Mary Worth is a spirit, or a demon, or whatever you might call her - she goes by many names, and has been known of for a long time. The idea of everyone else going to the Land of the Dead reminded me of this mirror I got last year before I joined. The legend goes that if you say the right chant, and have a candle next to a mirror... a mirror such as this one... in a darkened room, Mary Worth will appear in the mirror.

("What will she do?" Artsy asks, trying to sound devoid of fear, but not quite succeeding.)

The legends vary on that, same as they do on the chant which is to be... (she waves her arms around) chanted.

(Enesku turns to face the mirror, her own reflection looking a fairly demonic red.)

One of the most common chants, and the one which suits the name given to this mirror, is "I believe in Mary Worth." Come on, let's try it! I believe in Mary Worth! I believe in Mary Worth! I believe in Mary Worth!

(Artsy reluctantly joins in, mumbling the words rather than chanting them. Enesku stops after an unknown number of times, and Artsy takes it as her cue to stop.)

We're not doing it right... maybe we have to spin around in a circle, or get louder as we go... or both. Let's do both!

(They start spinning around in circles, quite slowly so as not to fall over, and chanting quietly. Then they gradually begin to get louder, Artsy, almost mesmerised by the darkness and the small light, and by the fear and excitement, joins in, putting herself into it. They get faster and faster...)

I believe in Mary Worth! I believe in Mary Worth! I believe in Mary Worth!

(After what seems like several minutes, Artsy and Enesku finally fall over. They get up and start laughing, realising they spun too quickly. But their laughter is cut short when they realise there is a bright red light eminating from the mirror... and it isn't from a reflection of the candle or of either of them. They turn around and see that the light fills the whole mirror and is seeping out into the room, which is now much lighter than it was before, although entirely red. Whatever color Artsy has turned is not visible, for everything is red. Except for the black shape which appears in the mirror.)

I think we've done something...

(The shape takes form, it is a humanoid, from the waist up, and wearing a horned helmet. That seems to be all that can be determined)

Who are you?

I am Mary Worth! And you have summoned me, disturbing my rest! My entire cycle has been put out because of you!!!

(Enesku and Artsy feel themselves falling, now, somehow, the floor below them seems at a slight angle, with the mirror below, and the two of them falling down towards it. Desperately they run upwards, but Enesku's quarters seem to fade away, replaced by an entirely red background.)

They're still here... we just can't see them...

Afterlife sounds interesting. I always wanted to meet the Devil. Har har har!

Greymoran simply wept. There seemed to be no break. He just went from catatonic to crying in nothing flat. HoloDoc entered in the comm signals of the Archangel crew and let them know that their captain was awake. Greymoran sat up in his bed, and managed to opull himself together to stop crying, although tears still rand down the sides of his face. "I wasn't there often enough. When he elft to do his superhero thing I just sat there, thinking he'd come back. Then all that time went by, his mother died, and I got claled back to duty for the XDCA and all of a sudden I'd almost forgotten about him. I'm a terrible father."

Count me in as well, this should prove interesting.

I'll go... I may not do much, but I'll go.

Ojanon: I am more than willing to go, but I cannot. For doing so would cause me to violate one of the tenants or my order.

Quincy slams his wristbands together. There is a quick flash of teal light, then Quincy is suddenly dressed in armor instead of a dress uniform.

Rocket Ranger: I have just five words for you...

You're not going without me!

Kiehart moans. "Man I'd love to go but I can't! I guess I'll just stay and keep an eye on the ship."

Butrfli: I'll go. Anything for a friend. Besides, we might find Jackson or the children...
Tacoman: I'll go too. You might need my help.
Meanwhile, in sickbay, Jackson rushes up and hugs Greymoran
Sir, he may be dead, but I'm still here. And being his clone with his memories, he will live on in me. Maybe when we get a chance, we can get together and do all the things that fathers and sons are supposed to do! I've always wanted to try fishing...

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Are you all sure about this? I mean, few places are as hazardous and lethal or wonderful and pleasant as the many dimensions of the afterlife. Are we going to some Wanderer heaven to get him? Or Wanderer hell? Will we be going to a place that's more beautiful and utopic than our minds can comprehend? Or will we be going to a place darker than our most horrible nightmares? I'm not sure if even destiny and fate should be able to control death. But if the LICC is going... I guess I must go as well.

Rubs his hands together like Mr. Burns...

Excellent. We can wipe out the entire cast with this, and replace them with low paid young actors. Plus, we can get a younger demographic!

Gasping at the sudden loss of perception in the wash of red, Artsy tries to locate the source of Enesku's voice. "Where are you?! What did that thing do?" She gropes blindly, staggering against the tilted floor, and touches something--a smooth glassy surface.

A low chuckle is heard, and suddenly Artsy falls to the floor in Enesku's quarters, lit only by the flickering candle, whose flame now touches the celing. Enesku is nowhere to be seen...but the horned shadow still dominates the mirror. Artsy stays frozen for a moment, then jumps up and darts out into the corridor, leaving the bead curtain swaying behind her....

Greymoran is about to reply to Jackson's offer, when suddenly he finds that Jackson has disappeared.

Alternatively, Jackson is waiting for Greymoran's reply when we realises the Greymoran has disappeared. He stretches his hand out to where Greymoran was before, but feels nothing.

--

Artsy runs down the corridor, which is the same color as it usually is. Evidently the influence of 'Mary Worth' has not extended outside Enesku's quarters.

You can run, says the voice of Mary Worth, but you cannot hide...

Artsy runs faster than ever now, but feels a strange sensation of being pulled backwards by an invisible force, or alternatively being slowly paralysed, like a light dimming before it switches off.

Oh, wait... you can't run..

As Artsy's head faces downward because of this, she notices a red mist coming up from far behind. It seems to have no dangerous qualities, except for obscuring vision. The mist creeps up, and Artsy pushes forward to get through it. Just as it seems the mist has filled the hallway...

...she suddenly feels a change in orientation, and falls up to the ceiling. The mist has also entirely disappeared. As she gets up, she sees Enesku running up to her.

"What happened?" Enesku asks. "You seemed to just disappear!"

--

Suddenly, Jackson and Greymoran see each other again, both as surprised as the other, a little more surprised than Artsy and Enesku.

(Not being a lifeform Robot Redshirt was left behind when Bell took LICC to the Land of Light)

Robot Redshirt to Spidermobile. LICC has just disappeared. Have you detected anything unusual?

(The door opens & Mr. Obvious enters & looks around)
Did they beam back to the ship or just disappear into thin air?

Rob: Disappeared into thin air. I've notified the ship.

Mr. O: Sounds like business as usual. Well, until we know more I'll just tell the others that something came up & they were called away temporarily. Were you going to wait here for them to return or join the others in the dining room across the hall?

Rob: As I do not need to eat or drink I suppose I shall stay here.

Mr. O: Very well. Contact us if something happens.

(Mr. Obvious returns to the dining room & tells several of the others who were waiting for LICC that they were called away temporarily, but were expected to return shortly. Then continued onward looking for some others. He noticed Soyburger Patricia talking to an insectoid & a pyramidal shaped creature.)

Soyburger Patricia: I died once*, but The Queue brought me back.** No tunnel of light, no hideous demons tearing at my flesh, no mythological diety waiting to escort me anywhere. Resurrection was like a rude interruption of a peaceful nonexistance.

Mr. O: Patricia, can I speak to you for a moment.

Patricia: Certainly. (As they walk away from the two) Now I know why people drink at these functions. It makes dealing with people like them easier.

Mr. O: Did you know that most of LICC have disappeared?

Patricia: Yes. They were teleported to another plane of existance. Although Artsy-Fartsy & Enesku were returned to the ship. You could probably ask them what it was about.

Mr. O: Thank you.

Patricia: You're welcome. However, I think it's time for me to leave. I've paid my respects.

Mr. O: See you whenever.

Patricia: Not likely. The LICC Universe doesn't have anything for me. I'm going to see what the other universes hold. Tell the others that I did enjoy being part of the group, even though I didn't belong.

Mr. O: Good luck.

Patricia: Thank you. (she disappears)

(from behind Mr. Obvious hears a familiar voice)

Mr. Absurd: Brother! I thought I saw you here!

Mr. O: Oh, well, it's not like I was trying to avoid you.

Mr. A: I'd like you to meet someone special. (he presents an attractive young woman) This is my ladyfriend, Miss Nee.

Mr. O: Pleased to meet you, Miss Nee.

Nee: Oh, call me Ima-Lou.

Mr. O: So, Ima-Lou, what first attracted you to my brother?

Nee: (She turns and looks at his head) His brain.

Mr. O: How interesting. Brother can I speak to you for a moment, alone. (He pulls Absurd away from Miss Nee and when out of earshot) Obviously that woman is completely insane.

Mr. A: Oh, brother, you care. (Absurd hugs Mr. Obvious)

Mr. O: Then again maybe you two deserve each other. Stop hugging me!

* LICC2 XXVIII
** LICC2 XXIX

Very well then. Anyone who does not wish to go into the afterlife will be returned to the planet.

With that, all those who didn't want to go were gone. They found themselves exactly where they were just before they disappeared.

I'm afraid that I cannot accompany you, for I am forbidden to enter here. Remember, this is Adon's afterlife. What you see and experience here will not be what you see and experience whe your time comes.

A freestanding door was behind Bell. The crew was sure that the door wasn't there a moment ago, and then, there it was. It was a crude, wooden door, secured by a simple latch.

Through this door is Adon's afterlife. Please find him and bring him back.

Bell opened the door. On the other side, was a small porch, overlooking a dirt road running through a forrest. The crew went through the door onto the porch. Once through, they couldn't see Bell or the white beyond, but a dark room lit only by sunlight, tinted green by the overhead leaves. Somewhere, off in the distance, a waterfall was roaring.

They were in a small forrest village. Children were laughing and playing in the road, and a few adults were walking down it, on their way to one place of the other.

The crew looked at each other and discovered that they were wearing clothing similar to the people below. It looked like they had stepped into dark ages. Milkshake pointed to a ladder leading down to the road below.

Milkshake: "Lets go find Adon."

What a ride. Sooo, the Adon rescue operation is on the way. Wonder what's going on there because I've lost contact to my dear brother after our return.

We others should now concentrate on solving the Tacoman issue.

Frangelica?

Frangelica, who had left after Milkshake's speech and completely missed Bell, is wending her way through the maze of memorials that make up Valgrila, the Spear of Argalia in her hand. She stops in front of a statue engraved "Captain Yuridisse," carefully places the spear on the ground and claps her hands twice. A voice behind her startles her.

Alt-Furby! There you are! Where have you been and where is Donna? Come on, we don't have much time left! Here, hold this!

Frangelica shoves a small sprig of rosemary into the Furby's paw. She claps her hands three times, consults the PADD that she has been carrying since she returned to the Spidership, and uses the point of the spear to trace a strange sign on the ground in front of the monument. Then with all her might, she hurls the spear at the statue. As the weapon shatters into pieces, the sign on the ground begins to glow. A blast of energy from Frangelica's fingertips clears away enough space to reveal some rough-hewn steps leading deep into the ground.

The gateway to the Underworld. Let's go. We have to find him before Butrfli forgets him completely, and knowing Butrfil, we're probably too late already.

The Stairway to Anti-Heaven. I hate steps.

Starts to float.

Now, where's Donna?

Donna!

I had a girl
Donna was her name
Since she left me
I've never been the same
'Cause I love my girl
Donna, where can you be? Where can you be?

Oh, Donna, Oh, Donna
Oh, Donna, Oh, Donna

Artsy lets out a sigh of relief and puts a hand on Enesku's shoulder, as if to assure herself that the other girl is real. "I was about to ask you the same thing!"

Enesku looks around. "Are we on the celing?"

Arsty glances upward and sees the plated deck hanging over their heads, while lights line the edge of the surface they are standing on. "It sure looks like it. Did the gravity net repolarize or something?" She'd rather not think about the red mist and the dark voice....

Enesku shakes her head solomnly, but before she can comment, the lights go out and both girls are plunged into icy darkness....

(Sailor Evil had also left the memorial before Bell transported the others, but she had taken a different route than Frangelica. She was wiping tears from her eyes trying to figure out what route leads back to the memorial hall when she noticed a flash of light from the tomb of the unknown hero. It was the oldest memorial on Valgrila and it appeared that it had been opened. The crypt door was barely open, but Evil could see flashes of light inside. She concentrated and spread out into a pervading darkness and floated through the opening. Suddenly daggers of light shot through her.)

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

(Evil coalesced back to corporeal form and dropped to the floor.)

Sailor Good (singing): Happy deathday to you...

(Good threw a dagger of light into Evil's LICC communicator)

Good: Uh, uh, uh. No calling for help, [CENSORED]! Sakura Death Blossoms!

(Evil is slashed by the deadly flowers. She grabs her dagger with bleeding hands, but as she starts to throw Good kicks it out of her hand and it smashes against the wall.)

Good: Haven't you heard? In this universe Good always defeats Evil. Haiiiiiiiiii-ya!

(Good's high heel pierces Evil's lung and she is slammed back against the wall. Her eyes unfocused, unable to keep her eyes open, she is unable to do anything as Good grabs her and shakes her)

Good: Wake up! (Slap!) I'm not done killing you yet. (Slap!) Hmmph! (Drops Evil to the ground.) Oh, well. Time to get what I came for.

(Evil's spirit is staring at her body in shock.)

Nooooooo!

(A vaguely humanoid shaped darkness comes into her field of view)

Who... or what are you?

Lord Smoke: I am Lord Smoke, a Dark Knight of the Abyss. This is my tomb.

So I'm... I'm...

Smoke: Not yet. You could possibly use your powers to transport yourself to the others & they might be able to save your life. Although she will escape with what she came here for.

Wh... what is she after?

Smoke: An artifact of the Ancient Ones. An artifact bestowed on us Dark Knights to help us in our fight to defend the helpless & fight those who violated the peace.

Will it give her power?

Smoke: Probably. The artifact has no sense of right or wrong, as we learned when we were attacked by a traitor in our ranks.

Can you do anything to stop her?

Smoke: I am a disembodied spirit. There is little I can do in the coporeal world.

But I can?

Smoke: Are you prepared to die? To fight for right even though it means your own destruction?

(She thought about Tacoman & Adon)

Yes.

(Her eyes opened, and somehow finding the strength within she staggered up and charged Sailor Good, knocking her aside and grabbing the artifact. She raised the artifact up and prepared to smash it into pieces on the ground when a shaft of light pierced her heart)

(The artifact in Evil's hands began glowing and Evil's body dispersed and started swirling around the artifact. The artifact was obscured as a figure formed around the artifact. Glowing red eyes, black hair, a red & black outfit that at first glance appeared to be a sailor fuku, but which lacked the fancy touches and appeared to incorporate some elements of armor.)

Good: NO! The Oracle said I killed you!

Sailor Evil is dead. I am the Shadow Senshi!

(She thrust out a hand and her broken tribladed dagged flew into the air and reformed as it came to her hand.)

(Good began throwing sharpened daggers of light at her, but she easily blocked those with her dagger. Then she bacame a dark cloud and engulfed Sailor Good.)

Good: Noooooooo!!! (Good triggered a dimensional transporter and returned to the KILL dimension.)

(The Shadow Senshi reformed and said) Lord Smoke? Did you know this would happen.

(A much paler version of Lord Smoke appeared to her)
Smoke: Yes. The only power I had left was the ability to turn it over to a successor.

So why didn't you tell me?

Smoke: I had to be certain you were selfless in your actions. (Lord Smoke was even paler)

What's happening to you?

Smoke: The artifact was the only thing keeping me in this realm. Now it is yours. Your new powers are similar to your old, but some have been lost while others are gained...

Wait!

Smoke: Use... the.. powers... wisely... Goodbye... and... thank... you... (Lord Smoke faded away completely.)

Yeah, where is Donna? And for that matter, where's Sailor Evil?

Just out of interest, of course. (grins)

Sir, I think we should we get going. I have footage of the memorial service.
Carrie, transport us to the Archangel.
With a mininum of fuss, the Archangel crew is transported back
So, where do we go now?

We can't afford to wait for her! Come on.

Frangelica and alt-Furby descend the staircase and find themselves in a dark realm. A rushing river bars their way.

Milkshake is fairly frustrated. After an hour of wandering about and questioning the people here and there they are no closer to finding Adon. He turns to the rest of the group.

People, we know Adon. Where would he be in this little afterlife of his? What would he like to do?

Methinks we'll need this.

Opens his belly flap and hands a few coins over to Frangelica.

I've read about this in the ship's library. Money makes the underworld go 'round.

I really don't like this Robin Hood costume. I am not a Merry Man!

Maybe there is something like a mystical place or a temple nearby?

I know! I know! He'd be eating Moon Pies™ and drinking RC Cola™!

Well, I suggest we look for a map. Find out exactly how to find Superhero Heaven and avoid Supervillain Heck. Or see if we can locate a guide.

(Enesku grabs Artsy's hand)

Let's get up to the bridge, see if we can monitor what's going on. It must have something to do with the rest of the League going to the Underworld.

(But inside she knows who the real culprit is: Mary Worth. And she knows that Artsy knows as well.)

A Kindly Old Gentleman wandered up to the group.
KOG: "Adon? As in, Adon Mithral? I know the guy. He lives in the house at the end of the road."

The Kindly Old Gentleman pointed off down the path, and the group went in that direction. At the end of the road was a house, no different than the others in the town. They went up and knocked on the door. Someone inside shouted: "just a minute!" but that was the only responce. And then, the door swung open, and Adon was standing there.

He was dressed like the rest of the townsfolk, much different from what he normally wore, and he was unarmed. His sword was nowhere to be seen. It took a moment for him to recognise the crew in their new cloths, but when he did, his eyes lit up.

Hey! I don't believe it! I was just thinking about you, and here you are. Come in, come in!

Adon led them inside. The room was lit by the sunlight pouring through the window. There was a table in the center of the room, and a number of couches and chairs around the table. A bookshelf dominated one wall, and opposite of that was a fireplace and a closed door. Along the last wall was a staircase going up. The crew sat down around the table.

Alexia! We have guests! Will you bring in some refreshments, please?

A female voice answered from behind the closed door.

Alexia: "Just a moment dear!"

A woman brought in a tray loaded with cups, and a steaming pot. She placed them on the table and sat down next to Adon.

This is my wife, Alexia. Alexia, this is the group that I told you about. The LICC.

The lights go back on, and gravity returns to the corridor. Enesku is still holding Artsy's hand as she falls, lands and gets up, but then she gasps in horror when she finds that Artsy's hand is the only part of her still there! A horrible thought comes to her, that the rest of Artsy is still up on the ceiling, but she looks up and doesn't see her there. She tries to walk on, but Artsy's hand can't move.

---

Artsy goes a dark green as she sees her arm only extends down to her wrist. She tries to pull her arm up to her face so she can get a look at it, but it won't move. No matter how hard she tries to pull it, nothing happens, and Enesku is nowhere to be seen either.

---

Enesku feels herself being pulled by the hand, and she is about to let go, when the hand tugs even more firmly, and suddenly Artsy appears attacthed to it, green and gasping in surprise at Enesku's appearance. Artsy falls over, and Enesku on top of her. They get up, and wipe the sweat off their foreheads.
"Things are definitely getting weird," Enesku says.
Artsy nods. "To the bridge," she says with conviction.

Milkshake grins

Adon, I've got to say it, it's good to see you again. Very pleased to meet you, Alexia.

shakes her hand, looks around at the inside of the house

Looks like you're doing all right for yourself, Ad. This is pretty surreal, you know. Here we are among the...passed on, and you seem to be enjoying life more than we do. Is this just some alternate dimension?

And who's this Alexia person? Did you meet her here? Wait... how long do you think you've been here anyway?

I have a few questions, Adon.
Have you seen Jackson roaming around somewhere?
Also.. how can we get my children back?
Alexander steps out of the shadows and looks around.
Nice place. Do all the dead get housing this nice?

Oh, man, they went and pulled a Nexus on us! What a loser episode! I guess this is LICC: Generations.

Artsy and Enesku have made it to a turbolift without any other interference, but both are tense.

"Bridge." Enesku's command is sharp.

The lift rises in silence. Neither girl speaks, willing it to continue. When it begins to slow they do not notice it at first, but both jump when the lift itself starts to deform, twisting into an hourglass shape that forces the two to crouch on the floor of the lift. Artsy flashes bright blue, but that color, like all the other ones, is slowly washed out by a flood of reddish light that creeps up the twisted sides of the lift and forms a close, flickering dome over Artsy and Enesku.

"Oh, Light. Now what?" Artsy puts up a hand to the light, trying to alter its color, but whatever she does produces no visible change.

This is what I've always wanted, a normal life, free from my powers and responsibilities. I've always wanted to have a family, something that would have forever been denied me in life.

Adon and Alexia held hands.

As for how long I've been here, I can't really say. My first memory here was as a young man, right before Dragmire appeared. This time, he didn't show up. I lived a normal life, returned to my home town, got married, and here I am today.

Adon turned towards Butrfli.

I am truly sorry about your children, but there is no way to go get them. I no longer have my powers here. I tried once, but I was unable to do even the smallest thing. I am just an ordinary person here. I am truly sorry.

Nor have I seen Tacoman. I don't know where he is. I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Jackson rushes over to the science station and looks over the readings of the Spidership
Sir, some really weird stuff is happening over there!
Carrie, can you make sense of any of this?

accepts the coins and stows them away for safekeeping
I don't doubt it, my furry friend! Good thinking.

Now according to Orpheo, this is the five-branched River of Forgetfulness that bars the way to the Realm of the Dead. Only if we hike 1 or 2 km northwest, we'll find the source of the five branches, which will mean four fewer crossings for us. Once we find what looks like a good crossing, then we're supposed to call for the ferryman.

Underneath his helmet, one of Rocket Ranger's eyebrows twitches when Adon says that there is no way to get Butrfli's children back.

Actually, if you know the specifics of your personal realm...the frequency, dimensional coordinates, etc.....we might be able to get them back without your powers. But its a longshot.

Someone starts to ask "How much of a longshot?", but he interrupts them.

I give it a 1 in 101,023.675 chance. Roughly.

One finds that when it comes to this universe the less understood the better. There is a very good reason the XDCA called this universe 'off-limits.' I suggest we move on to STU16 to help overthrowing the remiander of Grey's forces. We may run into the Revanche again!

You look perfectly happy here, Adon.

(Observer turns and looks out the window into the bright sun.)

But did you ever think that perhaps you were not meant to remain...deceased?

Well, turbolifts usually have some sort of panel which can be opened up and controls accessed.

(looks around)

It must be on the upper half of the lift.

(flashes Enesku with a grin)

You have the gift of art, I have the gift of agility.

(leaps up, through the small space between the two halfs of the turbolift and up into the top)

Ah, here it is.

(calls down to Artsy)

You should also be glad I'm so slim! This isn't just aesthetic, you know.

(opens up the panel)

Let's see, what do I pull...

(suddenly, Enesku hears a grinding sound below her, and the bottom half of the turbolift plummets down)

Uh-oh.

Do not trouble Senora Mary!

Which grounds is Carlos keeping?

Rikard stands at Tacoman's fresh memorial area, staring at the name on the grave.

Well, Captain, I never dreamed that I would say this to you but... I'll see you in Hell. Although I'm hoping for a more utopia-type place. Anyway, you probably can't hear me but we're on our way. Wherever you are.

Rikard salutes the grave, holding it for several minutes before bringing his arm down. He makes his way toward the area that Frangelica had said she would go. He passes several tombs and monuments. He thinks he sees a flash of light emanate from one of them, but when he looks closer at the surrounding tombs, only stillness and the sounds of people at the distant dining hall. Finally, he comes upon the statue of Captain Yuridisse. He looks around but sees nothing but the remains of a shattered spear. He approaches it, bending down to get a better look. Suddenly, the ground directly underneath him disappears and he falls through, landing on stares and tumbling to the bottom. Just as he is about to stop, he collides into alt-Furby, catching the furry figure before he falls into the river. He looks up/

Hey Furb, hey Frangelica. How's the afterlife?

Not stay deceased?

Adon stood up and walked to the window. He looked out towards the town.

No. I don't want to go back, and if you've traveled all this way to convince me, then I'm afraid that you've wasted a trip. Excuse me.

Adon turned and went upstairs.

Alexia: "I'm sorry, but perhaps you should go now."

Alexia led them to the door.

Alexia: "Please don't be angry with him. It's just that there was so much suffering in his life. He's happy here. Please don't take that away from him."

And then, Alexia closed the door, leaving the crew out on the porch.

Carlos the Groundskeeper

Apocryphal figure, once rumored to be the gardener at the Charterstone condo complex in Santa Royale, California. Slavishly devoted to Mary Worth.

picking both of them up
The way you're going, it looks like you'll know before we do! Better watch out for that water, Commander, or you'll have a date with Amnesia Universa. You two okay?

upon seeing that they are, adopts a saucier tone
You know, Josh, I didn't remember you being in on the secret conspiracy to bring Tacoman and Adon back from the dead. I guess if we really want to be secret we should stop holding our meetings in Zen Forward, huh?

Anyway, the main Realm of the Dead lies across the five rivers, and I was just telling alt-Furb that if we hike a couple of kilometers northwest, we'll find a more efficient crossing.

Without much more ado, Rikard, alt-Furby, and Frangelica head begin wending their way across the dark and dreary landscape towards the river source.

Butrfli looks at the door with a somewhat hurt and angry look on her face
But...what about my children? WHAT ABOUT MY CHILDREN? ADDDDOOONNN!!!!
The loss of Jackson was hard enough, but combined with the loss of Fran and Logan...I wonder if I should just stay here.
Alexander Tacoman: Don't say that! From what I've read, you've made some incredable contributions to the group. Stay with the LICC, and I'll be yours.
Butrfli gives Alex a weary smile and says
Thanks for the offer, but it wouldn't be the same.
Meanwhile, in the land of the living, the Archangel is still in orbit.
Jackson: You're right Carrie. We should get going. I don't think the LICC is going to need our help for the time being. Sir, may I give the order?
Greymoran looks up and only nods.
Carrie, take us to STU16.
The Archangel leaves orbit, a purple wormhole opens in front of it, and the Archangel slides through the wormhole, which closes behind them.

Secret conspiracy? I just saw one group go one way and one go the other. I figured the group going for Adon had enough people so I followed you two. I saw the spear and figured you came this way.

Artsy hits the "top" of the lift hard as it drops from under her, but the fall stops as quickly as it started.

The artist picks herself up painfully, noting that the red light is gone, and that the door of the lift is slightly open--onto the light of a corridor, not the dimness of the lift shaft. Artsy tugs at the crack, and the deformed doors bend apart beneath her hands. Disturbed at the ease with which they bent, Artsy slides through into the corridor, which is on the same level as her quarters. She turns to yell up the lift shaft for Enesku, but recieves no answer.

After a moment's thought, Artsy heads for her quarters, meaning to pick up her satchel of supplies (just in case) and check on Quito...

As she goes, the corridor behind her rolls up like a snail shell.

Red snails in the sunset

This is the big one!

clutches chest, staggers around

I'm comin', Elizabeth!

Wait, I'm already here.

I suppose I shouldn't have left the ceremony early, but I was worried about losing time. But what do you mean, "group going after Adon"?

Milkshake stares at the closed door

*sigh* Okay, not good. Observer, what do you mean about Adon's not staying deceased?

Butrfli pounds on the door
Adon, if you want to stay here, that's fine with me. I can see that you're happy here. But what about me? My children are in your pocket universe, and we have no way of getting to them without your assistance!
Please show us how to access that pocket universe! If you're really happy to see us, please help me!
Butrfli turns to Milkshake
I wonder if Ahz, the Wanderer on the Archangel, would know how to access the pocket universe...

This whole mess is partially my fault.

The group turned towards an old man sitting on a nearby bench. The same old man who gave them directions to Adon's house. This time, he was dressed as a Wanderer and reading a book, "The Nitpicker's Guide to the LICC" by Phil Farrand. Complete with a picture of the Spidership (upside down, of course) flying through a field of mice and keyboards. He put the book down and stood up.

My name is Sejet. I'm the one who trained Adon to be a Wanderer. Would you mind taking a walk?

He led them through the forrest, towards the sound of the waterfall. The path led right to the base of a huge waterfall pouring over a cliff. Next to the falls were a set of stairs carved into the rock. They looked very old.

Sejet led them up the stairs to the top of the cliff. Even though it was quite a climb, no one felt winded at all. At the top stood the crumbling ruins of a castle. Looking out over the cliff, the crew could see a vast plain, filled with forrests, rivers, and cities. The setting sun illuminated the entire land in it's rosy glow.

In a flash, the world changed. Craters dotted the landscape, cities were dark, and the forrest immediately below, where Adon's vilage was located, was burning. The crys of people filled the air. And then, the vision vanished like a bad dream.

That is the vision that has haunted Adon. He felt that he was responsible for the devistation that Dragmire unleashed on his home. That if he had done something different, he could have saved everyone. And now, he gets his wish. Something different did happen, and the death and destruction never happened. Adon grew up an normal person, and the visions no longer haunt him.

The truth is, there was nothing he could have done. Dragmire would have destroyed this land reguardless of what Adon did. Remind him of that. Remind him of all the lives he has saved, of all the good that he has done. He has been given another chance to help others, not just one person or one family, but whole worlds. That is the reason why he didn't blindly rage after Dragmire accross the universes. He still stopped to help the people, reguardless of how close they were.

So we tell Adon he's had a Wonderful Life, is that it?

Oh, and may I se that book you're reading?

(A rupture opens in a wall on the Spidership. As it becomes larger, Enesku switches off her welding torch and walks through it, into the corridor. She wipes another wad of sweat from her forehead and puts down the welding torch.)

Now, where am I?

Computer:You are on Deck 3, section 18, secondary hull,

Oh, great? Where's that supposed to be? I wish I had spent more time looking at diagrams of the ship.

(She gets an idea)

Computer, which direction should I go in to reach the bridge?

Computer:Forward.

Which way is forward?

ComputerOne does not understand. Please ask again.

Oh, shut up, you •••••• magic 8-ball! I'll work it out myself! I may look like an airhead but I'm not one!

(With that, she makes a large tear down the back of her tight-fitting scale-covered costume, to cool herself down)

You know, I'm beginning to wish Mary Worth would turn down the heat again. (she says as she wipes the sweat from her forehead again)

Hmm. I don't understand, Sejet.

Telling him that in reality he could not have saved the people would just alienate him further, and there's no reason he would believe us. Here, he can live out an idyllic existence, in a scenario he believes could have come about if he had just made the right choices. How can we convince him that the universe depends on his continued existence if he has all he ever wanted right here?

On the dark banks of the River Lithium...
You three don't look dead. What are you doing here?

(Enesku runs onto the empty bridge and sits at ops)

Scanning... scanning...

(she begins scanning the ship for Artsy, eventually locating her in he quarters with Quito. Enesku opens communication with Artsy)

Hey, Artsy, it's me, Enesku. I've made it to the bridge. I see you're with Quito, shall I beam you both up here? I can only access transporters from here and the transporter room.

Errr, no, we're just visiting. Came to look for a friend. read from her notes Greetings, O Dark and Sinister Spawn of Hadiz's loins, we require...

Oh, forget it! What a hunk of meaningless drivel. Listen, ma'am, we need to get across the river and were hoping we could employ your good services. A nudge from alt-Furby prompts... And we have money.

Before coming across Sharon, Rikard replies to Frangelica,

You didn't know? Milkshake and some of the crew disappeared with an entity named Bell moments after you left. Apparently to go to Adon's afterlife and return him to the land of the living.

He stops when he's they encounter the ferrywoman.
Wow, you can tell that we're not dead? Cool.

Artsy arrives in her quarters to find Quito impatiently bouncing on the bed. The little alien greets her with a violent mental image of a horned demon wreathed in red smoke, but she's scolding, not scared.

Artsy hoists her satchel to one shoulder and reaches for Quito. "It wasn't my idea," she tells the child when the affronted Quito turns her back. "Come with me and help us figure out how to stop it." Quito considers this, then turns, takes Artsy by the wrist, and marches to the door.

The comm panel chimes just as the doors slide open.

Hey, Artsy, it's me, Enesku. I've made it to the bridge. I see you're with Quito, shall I beam you both up here? I can only access transporters from here and the transporter room.

The artist and her ward are both staring out the door, but after a moment Artsy turns to reply. "That would be great, Enesku. We seem to have a piece of the corridor rolled up in front of my quarters here. Maybe you should scan for any structural deformities in the ship."

After a moment they hear Enesku's voice again: Energizing
and both disappear in a shimmer of light....

(A pale wispy humanoid form coalesces behind Frangelica, Alt-Fuby & Rikard.)

Would it expedite matters if you actually had a dead person on board? I am Lord Smoke, Dark Knight of the Abyss.

(Sharon is surprised at the name & mentions something about a betting pool on when he would finally relinguish his hold on life)

(In Sickbay, Shadow Senshi was getting a check-up)
So.... how am I?

Holodoc: Healthy.

Is that all?

Holodoc: No. Do you remember injuring your foot?

Oh, yes. (She involuntary raises her right foot) I was 8 years old, stepped on a rusty nail and it left a terrible scar.

Holodoc: Not anymore. You don't have any scars whatsoever.

What? (She checks her left shoulder where she had attempted to give herself a tattoo when she was 10) It's gone! (She looked at her hand & noticed an absence of various nicks & scars she had accumulated through her life missing)

Holodoc: Did you ever break any bones?

(She grabs her upper right arm) Yeah, when I was 13 I tripped...

Holodoc: There is no evidence your arm was ever broken.

(She stared at him stunned, not knowing what to say)

Holodoc: Would you like to explain these changes.

(She tells him what happened down on the planet.)

Holodoc: Interesting.

Am... am I me... or what?

Holodoc: Your dna is the same, as are your fingerprints, and psych readings. Every test we have indicates you are Griselda Ethylene Evil, just missing the accumulated scars from your life. Apparently when you were taken apart & put back together whatever was in charge of that decided to skip those details.

Wait! I had to have my tonsils out when I was 11...

Holodoc: And they are out. Just with no evidence of being surgically removed.

Anything else?

Holodoc: Yes, there is evidence of an energy in your body, but no detectable source.

The artifact?

Holodoc: Possibly. It doesn't seem to be doing you any harm, but I will be monitoring it in future, Evil.

C... call me Eve.

Holodoc: Very well, Eve.

Point and click, point and click, that's all I have to do. Right... select... Artsy and Quito. Transport to... bridge, um... just behind me, and the chair.

(Enesku types in the right commands, and Artsy and Quito appear behind her, after the normal transporter effect.)

Looks like that went all right.

(Artsy, realising that the transporter has done no serious harm to herself or Quito, pales to a satisfied golden yellow.)

Actually, this is the first time I've used a transporter.

Enesku doesn't have too much time to feel cocky however as the arms of the chair she sits in wrap themselves around her and a maniacal laughter fills the room.

Well, well, well, if it isn't Lord Smoke! checks her watch, a sinster-looking contraption which always reads one time and that is "Too Late" Ooh, thirty in current to Bruno the Brave. Everyone else bet you were going to hang around up there for at least another hundred.

But let's get down to business...

O doomed soul know you for true
That all above is closed to you.
Here the desert crossed alone
Across waits Judgement 'fore the Throne.
Step aboard-- cough! 'Scuze me!-- Step aboard, O Heavy Heart,
Your final journey must depart
In Sharon's Boat to Hadiz's Plains
Where Persianphone in silence reigns.
Two pence in cash please now provide.
Watch your step, and arms inside!