From: Mike Sander <344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Date: Tuesday, 3 Nov 1992 12:46:25 EST
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [DQ] Week 12: Better never than late?

The Dark Master sat on his self-made throne, tapping his fingers impatiently.
Why wasn't his servant here yet? He hated not knowing the entire situation
of ANYTHING occuring in this realm -- after all, he ruled it! He deserved to
know -- nay, CONTROL what happened within it. If he hadn't been busy with
negotiations with the DemonMother and their plans of conquest over
Generica and Titania, he might have handled the ordeal himself. But that
fact wouldn't save the servant -- when he finally arrived -- from some
sever torture and a death that would be welcome to him.

Finally, footsteps resounded outside the room, and a smile found its way
onto his visage. But it disappeared when Noira entered the room -- she
certainly wasn't expected.

However, the Dark Master recovered quickly. "What is it you DARE interrupt
me with?" he said in a voice that commanded attention.

"Just a progress report, my liege." the priestess of Loviatar replied,
bowing her shaven head towards him. "I have completed the processes for
Krastin and Vornik, and your forces are ready for your commands."

"Excellent -- it's good to see you serve me so well. No orders yet, but
have them ready at a moment's notice. And you know the price of failure!"
Then more footsteps were heard outside. "In fact, it would seem you'll get
to see it. Go in the corner -- my orders will steam from this information
anywise."

Noira did as told, purely happy that she wasn't the source of her master's
ire -- perhaps he'd even allow her access to some more powerful spells today.
She was just in time, too -- she barely found the shadows when another
figure entered.

Dark Master: "Finally! Give your report -- where are those meddlers?"

The servant was nervous, and rightfully so. "Well, they WERE at the Sea of
Dust..."

"I know THAT! That's where my sensors detected them last. I want to know
what happened AFTERWARDS. It looked as if they one-by-one disappeared into
the sea. But although they are foolish to think they'll win, they're
certainly not suicidal. Besides, my devices would have detected them until
their last molecule was dissolved. So what happened?"

"The sources think..."

"THINK?!? There is no room for probabilities -- I must know! I deserve
nothing less!"

"Yes, my lord! Anyway, it's believed they boarded the ghost ship."

"The ghost ship? That cannot be! Only _I_ should have control over it.
Unless -- oh, yes, my old 'friend' finally makes a move. But too late --
even that sort of interference cannot stop me." he paused, as if in
thought. "What took so long, by the way?"

"It was hard organizing everything, master. Few were out, so close to the
carrion crawlers going to sleep for the day."

"Fine then. You may go now."

The servant turned and started to run towards the door, glad to be gone.
Noira stood with mouth slightly agape at the apparent display of
generiousity. Neither saw the Dark Master throw something at the servant's
back, knew its effects until the man went down, screaming. Noira watched as
a bright circle glowed on the man, and slowly expanded in accordance with
the growing screams of agony. Soon a glow covered him, and afterwards there
remained only a lifeless form.

"Excuse NOT accepted. But don't worry -- you'll have another chance. As a
zombie, that is." The Dark Master then shifts his attention to the woman.
"Noira: Take this pathetic fool out of here, and send out some air troops.
I want them intercepted and captured -- just to show how hopeless their
struggle REALLY is!"

"Yes, master! Right away, master!" Noira bowed again, and picked up the body.
She then backed her way out of the room, closing the door behind her. Only
one that barrier was in place did she feel safe to turn around and run at
top speed, eager to try out her new plaything.

=============================================================================
Michael Sander 344lwkc@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu