Patchwork Universe

liason · Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 6:03 pm Post subject:

At this point in the conversation, a tall and desperately thin man in a long, dark cloak walked into the room and bowed. He recognised most of those present, but turned towards Father Michael.

"I do not believe we have met before. Ambassador Liason of the Imperial Foundry. Do excuse my interrupting your conversation, but I should very much like to consult the map if I may ?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 8:51 am Post subject:

"This is Michael." Dr Jewel said to Liason. "We've been explaining the different lands to him. Would you object to describing the Foundary? As I haven't seen it yet myself I would be interested also. Particularly as we are now near neighbours."

liason · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:21 pm Post subject:

Liason turned to Father Michael. He paused a short while, as though collecting his thoughts, then spoke with some care.

"The Imperial Foundry serves a number of functions. First, it is a place where things are made. The output of the Foundry once served the entire Illuminated Empire. Now we produce far less and undertake primarily bespoke work for private customers. Second, the Foundry is designed to provide a venue for diplomatic and business activity. Most of the peripheral functions of the Foundry are no longer relevant in our present situation."

For one calling themselves an Ambassador, Liason's appearance was a little unusual. The blacks and whites of his clothing were formal enough, but the numerous buckles and studs gave him an almost miltary look. This impression was not at all dispelled by the pistol and sabre hanging from either side of his belt. He also seemed very pale - not just by the standards of San Pietro, but even compared to Dr. Jewel and Dr. Odom.

Father Michael · Strong Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Posts: 63 Location: San Pietro

"Ambassador Liaison, said Michael, "I am delighted to meet you." He shook Liaison's hand, opened his mouth as if to say more, then appeared to think better of it and closed it again.

There was a short silence.

"Dr Odom," said Michael as he sat down by the Map, "might I trouble you for another cigarette? I fear I am finding this more than a little disturbing."

Father Michael · Strong Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Posts: 63 Location: San Pietro

Michael concentrated hard on the construction of his cigarette, and without looking up he began to speak.

"When at first I heard names that were familiar to me, and met people I could recognise, this situation was not too confusing. I had thought that perhaps different parts of the world - sorry, of your world and mine, Dr Jewel - had somehow been put together. However, your descriptions of the patches, and - forgive me, Ambassador - Ambassador Liaison himself, have made me realise that this is not possible. Most of these patches do not come from my world at all." Michael lit his cigarette, inhaled without coughing this time, and looked up at his new friends.

"This is a very frightening prospect, but makes it doubly important to me to find out what is happening here. I see from the Map that we must pass through Juniper School to get to Jones's. Perhaps we might find some answers there - who knows what their machine might be.

"As to the pirates, if my iconography is correct I would think that they belong west of Jones's. We could take them part of the way to their home and set them on course. Shall we see if we can find them?"

liason · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 8:57 am Post subject:

Liason had been studying the map and now looked up.

"I take no offense, Father Michael. There is much sense in what you say. For my own part I intend to travel to the Museum to seek the answers I need. I am glad to see that it is not far from here."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:46 am Post subject:

"I agree that some of the patches do come from our world." Jewel nodded. "And, yes, Juniper School is probably the better way in which to reach Jones' as we have already travelled that patch."

She glanced up at the sky, realised that the time within a patch was largely irrelevant and turned back to her companions.

"If you can locate these pirates, then taking them to Jones' would probably be the best way to put them on their path homewards."

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 380 Location: The Museum

"Ah, Mr. Liason, I don't suppose you have such a thing as ten cents about you, do you? I suppose I could always write you a sort of a temporary pass, but it would be nice to have a paying visitor again some day."

Dr. Odom turned to Dr. Jewel.

"Doctor, what is to keep us from taking the more direct route? I mean, are we constrained always to move as rooks -- or, I suppose, knights, making three oblique moves to reach an adjacent square -- or can we move as bishops, directly from here to Jones', as if there were no mist creating visible but permeable boundaries?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 5:34 pm Post subject:

"Absolutely nothing." Dr Jewel replied. "You're completely right. Besides, it would be a new test - whether we can move across diagonals."

"Let us go and collect those pirates and then try it out."

liason · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2004 9:28 am Post subject:

"Cents ? I suspect not, but I carry a little of the currency of the Empire."

Liason spread half a dozen coins across his palm. No two were identical. All but one looked considerably more valuable than ten cents and several were composed of separate rings of different metals.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2004 2:12 pm Post subject:

Dr Jewel peered at the coins with a professional interest.

I'd love to take one of those back to Cambridge to be evaluated. She thought. I bet someone would raise a "Previously Undiscovered" story within a matter of days.

She then sighed inwardly. After all, even if Cambridge suddenly reappeared she had some fundamental problems with carrying anything there.

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 380 Location: The Museum

Dr. Odom studied the coins and ruefully shook his head.

"A note it is, then. But I imagine if you see Dr. Bossetti in Numismatics he might give you a sackful of dimes for one or two of those."

The notebook came back out.

Please accept this note from Mr. Liaison in lieu of 10¢.
W. T. Odom

The note only took up a thin strip of a page. Dr. Odom carefully tore away the top inch of the page and offered it to Liason.

liason · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 11:04 am Post subject:

"I am much obliged, Doctor. And if the museum is half as useful to me as I suspect it may be then Numismatics will certainly have earned a donation."

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 380 Location: The Museum

Dr. Odom responded to Liason with a slight bow and turned to the others.

"Yes, Doctor, let's find these pirates and be off."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 8:21 pm Post subject:

Dr Jewel led the way out of the map room. From there, it was only a couple of minutes walk south to where the pirates were still intent on their game.

"Gentlemen." Jewel began. "The three of us are planning to leave this area and head to an inn which we believe will take you closer to home than you presently are. If you wish to join us then say so now, because we are travelling immediately."