Aberrant: Children of Quantum Fire - Jungle Storms [5.5]

[Quantum Fire]

The Congo, the jewel of the African continent, once it was considered a third world country, today it was something much different, due to the might and power of it's king, the Chieftain of Chiefs. The capital of Kinshasa was no longer as dirty or as run down as it had been twenty years ago, with the mighty Congo river, one of the worlds largest rivers running beside it, the tropical environment and the clean city with the much increased technology, the Congo was one of the best and safest places to visit. It was also very friendly to nova's, as long as they remained obedient to the law, and even terats were willing to abide by that mostly, because of the man who was the highest law in the land.

Of course, this was all due to the force and power of a single man and his allies, the powerful, Storm King, the one that the Congolese called, the Chieftain of Chiefs, and of course, the Primal force of the wild, the woman known as the Screaming Fury, Morrigan, who just as often vanished into the wilds of the jungle as might be beside him, it was difficult to pin the woman down for long.

There was even a saying in the land about him, when the sky thundered, the King was angry, and some of the wilder congo tribes that lived deep in the jungle even worshiped him as a sky god, with his fierce ally Morrigan as the goddess of the wilderness. Of course, those were the less civilized groups, but it was a matter that was occasionally mentioned by media that Einherjar laughed off sometimes with words and swearing, and everyone liked the man too much to make big issues of it. Besides, irritating the man tended to make the weather turn for the worse, and no one cared too much for that, or the consequences of his well known temper.

The King of the Congo was however, respected as an honorable if frightening man, so people did their best to stay on his good side, or at least his best side, but today was going to be an interesting one for everyone.

For now, suddenly, appearing with a flash at the palace, the man known as to most by the title of the Traveler made his first public appearance in years, insisting on speaking privately with the Storm King, and considering who this was, a messenger was sent to speak with him, and to escort the powerful nova inside.

[Eingar]

The messenger was a beautiful local woman, dark of skin and wearing the colourful tribal styles that had come into fashion once more around the world as Africa, led by the Congo, had become more prominent on the world stage. Though her expression and attitude held the usual deference, curiousity and awe the Traveller was used to from baselines, she was plainly mindful of her task, treating her duties as greeter seriously as she guided the elder nova through the palace.

Hall was a more appropriate term, Shen mused as he took in the decor. Outside, the palace was, well, palatial. With gardens, orchards, and a blend of European, African and Oriental architecture into something that was both modern and yet timeless, almost barbaric, as though Frank Frazetta had gotten together with the designers and produced a masterpiece. Inside, the high ceilings and numerous tribal emblems that decorated the throne room, along with tapestries, woven rugs, carved ivory sculptures and other ornamentation continued the curious mixture of sophistication and barbaric splendour. Not unlike the man who lived here, Shen noted. Most palaces the Traveller had visited were symbols of the country, rather than homes for the ruler. Versailles was one exception, built by Louis XIV to be a symbol of his pride and grandeur, it's opulence reflecting many of the traits of the French King. The palace of Kinshasa was another such reflection of it's master.

"Traveller." The booming voice, capable of projecting across a battlefield, had little difficulty filling the great throne room with it's thunder as Einherjar entered the chamber on one side and approached Shen. The years hadn't changed the big warrior much to his old friend's eyes. Wearing simple white linen pants and sandals, a colourful blue, purple and gold robe sewn with the emblems of the tribes and the nation worn open over the powerful chest, and with his mane of golden hair framing the fiercely glowing pale eyes, King Einherjar had little of the air of dissipation or decadence about him, as though the finery he wore could be swapped for his battle gear with no loss of regality. He looked like what he was - a powerful nova who had come to rule a powerful kingdom through might and cunning, and who continued to rule it with intelligence, wit and passion. He shook hands warmly with Shen, then nodded to the woman who had accompanied him.

"Thank you, Esperance. I'll handle our guest from here." he told her politely, causing the woman to smile widely and bow before hurrying away. Einherjar motioned with his head, and the two novas wandered down another corridor, emerging into a flowering orchard of peach and cherry trees. The Traveller noted that here and there, afixed to the trees in out of the way places, were small devices. Einherjar noticed him noticing, and grinned.

"Interference generators. Kurotek's best. Block pretty much everything, from radio and satellite imaging up to and including nova ESP and quantum senses from anyone outside the garden. I like to have my private meetings here." he turned to Shen and smiled. "You look like you're carrying the world on your shoulders, as usual. What brings you to Kinshasa?"

[Quantum Fire]

"Interesting, I'll have to talk to Alex about producing some of her own, though I suspect that she already has sometime like it built into the.. " He paused, cutting himself off, then glanced at Einherjar for a moment. "Your a likable fellow, despite old issues between us, my friend, and almost disarming to talk too, I almost said more then I intended to just yet. And for that matter, I'm about to call in a favor, though I doubt you'll dislike this one. You remember the novox singer Serene and her husband Blockbuster." He paused. "Of course you do, that was another woman who you seduced, or who seduced you." there was a hint of.. some emotion there. "At least this time was with her husbands knowledge... I imagine you heard about their daughter and how she vanished from the public eye... "

Einhejar immediately spoke up "Your her secretive guardian that everyone has been speculating about, and you need me to take her in for a few days days, for some reason or another."

Shen smiled slightly, took a breath and continued. "Yes, what's more, the children are becoming more then I can handle alone, as their power has grown so much, they have more power then even they expected. What they need is training and experience with power, and that, I believe you can handle, your powerful, one of the most powerful nova's alive even, but it comes with a measure of restraint, you know all about applying the proper degree of force. Also, they need more socialization then I can provide, I'm too private of an individual, they need some broader connection socialization with the world at large, and I believe the Congo can provide that as well, while still providing the protection from those who see them as threats."

"So, your calling on me, after all these years without a word? I can't imagine that's it, there's something more to it, isn't there?"

"You would notice that wouldn't you.. well, so be it, I would have lead up to it gently, but I suppose your directness is preferred here. Blockbuster was sterile.. I figure it's time you took a hand in with your daughter." That he hadn't asked before now was easy to figure out why, a young child was impressionable, especially by a father with the kind of charisma Einherjar had, and Shen was a great believer in restraint, no doubt he'd wanted to be sure the girl was better grounded before bringing her to see him. Of course, the thunder that rumbled outside was enough to indicate the displeasure of the Storm King finding out now that he had a daughter Shen had kept from him.

[Eingar]

That rumble, and the sudden gust of wind that stirred the blossoms from the trees in a varicolored rain were the only outward signs of Einherjar's ire, though the icy blue glow of his eyes was daunting as he regarded Shen. The Traveller kept himself calm - though Einherjar was possessed of a truly terrible temper, he wasn't a brute or a savage. His reasoning power and wit were what had pulled him up beyond the common ruck and maul of other quantum-powered warriors. A cold head driven by a hot heart, which was both reassuring and troubling. He wouldn't attack in the heat of a moment, but Shen felt that he hadn't heard the last of this...

"I have a daughter." Einherjar took a deep breath and let it out once more, looking up at the sky. The thunder eased, the wind died back down, and the Chief of Chiefs resumed walking along the flower-speckled pathway. "She's off roaming the jungles at the moment."

"The Morrigan, yes." Shen replied mildly. He had always been fascinated with that tale: how Einherjar had befriended one of the most volatile and feral novas in the world. Some people said he'd tamed her - but they hadn't met the Morrigan. Tame, she wasn't. No, somehow he had earned her trust and befriended her in a matter of days, and without quantum mind tricks. It was what had first caused the introspective nova to pay closer attention to the ex-Elite. "Now you have another."

"It was bound to happen, I suppose." the blond man rumbled thoughtfully. "There was a time before I realised that I had become fertile again and I was always... active."

"Over-active." Shen muttered, feeling a small flash of irritation at the grin the big man threw him. He took a breath, then let it out. There was no point scolding or remonstrating with Einherjar: in this at least, he was unchanged, feeding the appetites of his body without involving his heart. All of that had been said, years before, and had nearly broken a friendship that Shen needed now... that his adopted children needed. "My apologies." he said. "An old scar that itches from time to time." Einherjar nodded, his features sober.

"We all have them. It's the price of aging." he said, clapping Shen firmly and gently on the back. "Let it be water under the bridge, and so shall I, and you can tell me instead about my daughter. Is she the only one coming?"

[Quantum Fire]

"Maia is.. well, she's a capable girl.. and somehow she's managed to develop Blockbuster's tendency to rip free of her clothing, which is odd, she should have inherited your temper instead, from what I can tell, Serene did something to her in the womb, shifted out one genetic trait from another taken from her husband, which is just as well... and made her sort of his daughter as well in a way. She's strong, fast, tough and beautiful.. I am thinking Bombshell is just about the only woman I can compare to her beauty. She's also powerful, and has a whim of iron." He paused a moment.

"Actually, here." He pulled out device from his pocket and typed a few passwords, then handed the small screen to Einherjar. "That's my assessment of her abilities, so you know what your dealing with. And no, she's not the only one I'm bringing, she's just forced an eruption on her baseline boyfriend, making him a lot more powerful without entirely knowing what he is capable of.. and yes, you heard me right, she forced an eruption. Of course, it cost her, she's presently in a great deal of pain and is much weaker then her full strength because of it... and will be for the next four days or so."

Someone less quick witted or unfazable might have taken that last bit of information with a lot more startlement, but Einherjar simply appeared to take it in stride as though it was nothing surprising at all.

"If anyone can help the boy get a better handle on his powers besides the clinic's, which he's not going to, I'm sure you can. I'll be teaching the boy when he's ready, but this is just the beginning. Also, a few of her foster siblings may check in now and again, or even want to stay a while.. the future isn't clear on the matter. But this is likely to become one of the area's they move in more regularly, your actions and Anteaus make it somewhat difficult for Proteaus or the Directive to move all that safely in the Congo, especially with matters in China heating up. Anyway, the girl doesn't know yet, anywhere in particular I should bring them, and do you want me to tell her, or let you do it?"

[Eingar]

Einherjar skimmed over the pocket computer's entry on his daughter and nodded as he absorbed both that and Shen's speech before handing it back.

"Don't tell her." he decided with his usual speed and certainty. "She's weak, worried about her new boyfriend, and doesn't need to be worrying about meeting her real father when she's supposed to be resting. Let's let her deal with what's on her plate before dumping dessert in front of her." He summed up with a grin. Shen found himself chuckling, and nodding agreement.

"I thought so too, but would have acceded to your wish on the matter." he informed Einherjar. "Where should I bring them?"

"Why, here." Einherjar replied with an expansive gesture of his arms. "Bring them to Kinshasa, bring them to the palace. I'll host them as the wards of a friend - give them the royal treatment. You're right about the Congo being the safest place for novas these days. I've got agents all over the place - money opens a lot of doors, and the Congo isn't short a gold brick or two. The Directive don't operate at all here, thanks to favorable deals with British, American and Japanese companies." he gave Shen a slow, wicked grin. "My initial asking price was a seat on the Directive council for the Congo, and I could practically hear them shit themselves. I bartered them down to allowing a Directive attache at each embassy here, as well as being kept in the loop regarding any persons of interest they felt could be in the Congo. Mostly, the Directive are after Utopia and the Teragen, and I don't want either of those two running around my country willy-nilly. No motherhunting operations on my turf. At all." His expression darkened a little, and the wind gusted slightly. "The last time I found some, I let Morri deal with them, then mailed the pieces back to their bosses. Then I spoke to a few people, and let it be known that if any nova child or parents were bothered in my backyard, I would consider it a casus belli, find the ones responsible and declare war on them."

"That seems extreme." Shen frowned a little.

"Damn right it is. And you know what?" Einherjar grinned like a pirate. "Now I've got the Terat Pantheon keeping their 'recruitment' teams out of the Congo. I've got Utopia keeping Proteus on a short leash. And the Directive actually keeps an eye on everyone, just to make sure that an incident isn't sparked. Nobody wants to fight an entire well-armed and well-trained country just so they can go babysnatching in the jungle. So your children will be as safe here as they are anywhere on the planet."

[Quantum Fire]

"What of the more tainted monstrosities breeding, or reproducing themselves in morally objectionable ways? It's one of the reasons I've moved only indirectly against the Mother Hunters, unless I see something that requires my interference." Technically, Shen could know the answers to these questions before he asked them, but only if he actually asked them. It was a strange perspective he had, for with Shen, cause and effect could actually reverse themselves because of it. Still, Warren had an even crazier time, the time traveling nova had effect become cause on him in even weirder twists.

"Morrie and I have dealt with the worst of those, and let a few of the right folks know what we were doing, this is my home, I deal with the problems here, and whats more after the last one, who was trying to turn a entire village into a bunch of husks to breed some sort of super wasp like colony, I asked Anteaus to do something about it here, somehow, they don't thrive in this part of africa, at all... not sure what he did, but it was effective."

"Interesting.. " The question and answer session was enough also to allow Shen to get a feel for the future in this matter.

"Well, I'll be back shortly, with Maia and a few others.." With that, he was simply gone, no announcement, no flash of light or anything, just one moment he was there, the next he was gone.. within a few minutes he would be returning with Maia, Justin and Butch, plus a few others as well if they wished to come.

Tread now open to everyone or anyone who wishes to visit the Storm King and Maia while he watches over them.

[Maia]

Maia was still in bed, Justin sleeping beside her. It was funny that Shen's effect had hit him so, But while she still felt bad, it was better than before, when the pain had caused her to pass out. She'd been talking to Cora, and then Shen returned. "Welcome back Uncle. Did your meeting go well?"

[Quantum Fire]

"Well enough, he'll take you, and protect both of you, as well as any of the other of my wards who I bring to Kinshasa. And there's no one alive with both the power and inclination who can move Einherjar when he has made up his mind, you'll be safe with him." He reached out to pick her up, wrapping her in the bedsheet and she made a minor protest.

"Let me put something on first."

He set her down on her feet with a smile, and then turned his back to give her a moment to find something to put on, and once that was done he would pick her up again, and teleport her to the Congo, returning for Justin and Buch a moment later.

[Maia]

A Hospital gown was once again the most she could find, which she still managed to make look like high fashion. She looked around waiting expectantly for the others to show.

[Karren Gaunt]

"I'd like to go, too. if you don't mind picking me up for my training from there, Uncle Shen."

Coraline looked up at her mentor's entrance, having been quielty keeping her sister company, dressed in a long, eufiber gown she had morphed up as somewhat of a nod to the importance of who it sounded like they were going to be seeing. She was interested in seeing this 'safe' place, and more importantly, she had missed her sister getting attacked. She was not missing this, least seeing Maia safely settled if this old friend of Uncle's didn't want her hanging around.

She hoped not anyway. The Primus, big as it was, was still a submarine, and she liked the idea of having the sky overhead now that she could enjoy it again the way it was *supposed* to be enjoyed.

[LydaLynn]

Epiphany timidly projected, "I would like to go as well." She had been looking for anything that promised there could be a working compromise between baseline and nova that didn't involve one side or the other killing all their opposition. The Congo intrigued her and she wanted to see how it actually worked in person. Perhaps it would be what it seemed to be from the outside. Then maybe she wouldn't have to try and force the matter with her siblings.

[Courier]

There was a blur in the infirmary and Warren came from whenever he'd gone. A little jarringly his hair was much, much longer, he'd been gone much longer than he'd been gone. He reached out with his senses to find everyone and moved to their location.

Warren said, "Hey... I'm back." Warren thought, It feels empty in my head not having the link.

[SalmonMax]

"Hey Warren...long time no see," Alex said with a smirk. She nodded at Shen. "Count me in too."

[LydaLynn]

As Warren appeared Epiphany linked her into a personal connection. She'd have to wait until everyone was together to reconnect him to the main link. "Welcome back. It needs a little shape, but I like the hair." The smile she gave him was warm and happy.

[Quantum Fire]

Shen shook his head slightly, then laughed. "Fine, let my old friend deal with all of you, he did say to bring you all there... Warren, if you would open the way for everyone, just follow me to the location." With that, he shifted, and though it took a few moments, Einherjar would find a small group of teen nova's appearing in the throne room, Maia and Justin would be clear from the fact they were in hospital gowns and in Maia's case, Shen had brought her a moment ahead of the rest of the group. Coraline, Warren, Butch, Epiphany followed a moment later, with Shen carrying Justin, meaning where there was once a mostly empty throne room, except for Einherjar, there were now seven additional people.

Shen looked at Maia, who was managing to stand on her own now, still weak and reduced in her power, and gave the unconscious Justin to Butch a moment, then lifted up Maia in his arms, and looked at Einherjar. "So, old friend, here's part of the family, where shall we take our invalid's to let them recover?"

[z-The Morrigan]

The Morrigan appeared at the doors of the palace suddenly, trailing a gust of wind. As she slowed to a walk, she set the half-grown lion in her arms down. The golden-furred cat shook himself and grumbled lightly to himself. He didn't like to be carried that way, but he couldn't keep up with Morri. The girl gave him an apologetic glance but remained silent for now. Storm-blue eyes met hers and white fangs showed briefly. Morri grinned at the empty threat; she knew that Tahir would never harm her.

The two walked into the palace, both of them scenting the air as they strolled. She could smell the scent of lightning and rain, but none had fallen and she didn't remember that being part of the weather forecast. "Ein," she murmured, realizing that her guardian had been upset or annoyed. And there were hints of strange scents in the palace; strangers walked the halls. The wild nova felt a little like her home was being invaded, but she reminded herself not to jump to conclusions. Conclusions that weren't supposed by fact often ended in blood, and Ein found that so upsetting. He liked it when she spilled blood for good reason but until she knew these were invaders, she shouldn't react as if they were. In fact, there would likely be a storm lashing the palace right now if there were hostiles within.

More than likely, they were guests.

Morri scowled. She didn't like strangers in her house. But if Ein had invited them, then she would tolerate them. Perhaps, if they were respectful, she could even tolerate them with grace.

[Eingar]

"I've had a suite of rooms prepared in the south wing." was the rumbling reply as the king stood and moved down from the raised throne, a beautifully-carved and polished red granite chair that would dwarf anyone smaller who sat in it. The young novas all looked at the figure they'd only seen on screens before with various feelings, yet it was hard not to be impressed. It was more than quantum-enhanced charisma or size, more than his king's mantle and the palace around them. This man moved through space and perception with the weight and inertia of his deeds behind him. He had killed thousands, saved thousands more, and had bettered the lives of millions of people, the entirety of Africa's most populous nation. Even a cursory readthrough of his history highlighted a man who ultimately answered to no-one and nothing outside the demands of his own conscience. It was that knowledge that made the weight of his presence even weightier.

"Welcome to Kinshasa, all of you." he said with a warm smile that even softened the hard, cold glow of his blue eyes. "You are my guests. If there is anything you would like, ask, and if it is at all practical it will be provided. You are all Traveller's proteges, so I do not need to ask whether you understand the two-edged laws of hospitality." He grinned widely, and Traveller repressed a smile as he looked sideways at his pupils. "You wouldn't believe some of the behaviour I get from some visitors. Come, all of you. We can make introductions as we get the invalids to their rooms."

Turning, he headed for one of the large double doors that adorned the walls of the throne room, even as it opened and in walked a lithe, red-eyed figure equally familiar to the visitors, her beautiful face set in an expression of neutral suspicion. Einherjar smiled at her.

"Morri, these are our guests for the foreseeable future. They are students of Shen, who I'm sure you remember." he examined Morri's face as he spoke, keeping his deep voice calm as he reached her, then half turned to the others. "Ladies, gentlemen, the Morrigan."

[Karren Gaunt]

Coraline carefully kept her thoughts to herself much as she could before reacting, taking in everything she could through subtle shifts of her blue-on-black eyes, but resisted the reflex to add a touch of quantum to her senses to see beyond this very impressive hall. That would have been rude to someone doing her family a big favor, and she wasn't going to be the one to mess this up for Maia.

King Einherjar struck her as someone... to pay more attention to. If he actually was doing for Congo half the things she'd heard he was doing, she wanted to know more.

The red-eyed stranger introduced as the Morrigan though... Someone to avoid provoking.

"Thank you for letting us stay with you," the young metamorph simply answered, chorus of voices grateful as she met the monarch's gaze, wracking her brain for the ediquite one used with a Nova who had become king by his own hand and giving up when she came up dry rather quickly, "I will try not to cause any problems."

[Maia]

Being swept off her feet was something that hadn't happened to Maia since she was a child, her father had done it often, and once or twice, she remembered Shen doing it very early on after her parents had been killed. "Uncle..." She smiled at him but said no more, Clearly her uncle was being protective, and he'd always acted with good reason.

She looked to Einherjar, and bowed her head. "Thank you for your most gracious hospitality."

The Morrigan drew a smile from Maia, she didn't know the other nova, but had a feeling she might get the chance to do so during her stay.

[SalmonMax]

Perhaps surprisingly to those who knew her, Alexandra bowed deeply with a sweep of her arm. "Please call me Genesis, your Highness," she said as she straightened up. "It's an honor and a privilege to be here."

All the while, her senses ticked away inside her head, furiously gathering data and stuffing it into the supercomputer of her mind.

He went to some trouble to get a Beast King Conan look, but he's no primitive stooge. There's modulated interference patterns in the quantum field all through here from localized sources in the walls. Some kind of jamming device...his solution to the nova problem that I solved by making our base mobile. Looks similar in theory to the Psi-disruptors, but with the interference wave propagating farther, and disrupting more than just information encoding. The guards outside had advanced weapons too...mild EM signatures. Electrothermal rounds, maybe, or some kind of EM-accelerators on standby mode.

It all added up to precisely why she was taking trouble to be so polite. The fact was that Primus wasn't entirely self-sufficient. Entropy forbade it. Sooner or later something would go wrong, and they'd need a port to deal with it. It'd been Alex's tentative plan to use the island for that, since the odds of its detection when vacant were practically nil...but now another idea was forming.

All that had to be determined was if His Majesty would consider alliance with a group that would be considered terrorists soon enough...and of course, what he would ask for in exchange.

[Butch_Cole]

Butch was excited about the prospect of meeting Einherjar and getting an inside look at the running of the Congo. The King of the Congo had made several appearances in the tactical studies that Butch had been spending much of his free time conducting. When he wasn't keeping Cora on an even keel for an hour each day, Butch was studying. To get to meet a leader like Einherjar was a great opportunity and honor. The nova had built this nation up from chaos and disorder to one of the finest on the planet. Butch hoped to learn much from him.

Uncle Shen handed Butch the limp form of Justin and soon they were in the throne room of Einherjar's palace. It was quite impressive. Einherjar was welcoming and seemed to be a model host.

The Morrigan was quiet, tense. Just under the surface was...rage, frightening and terrible in all its glory. Butch knew her mostly by reputation and the conjecture of some combat analysts. There was, however, a lack of actual first-hand accounts of the Morrigan in action. It seemed that few if any survived an encounter with her...

Following each of his siblings' introductions, it was Butch's turn. He made a mental note to speak with Alex later. If she was thinking what Butch thought she was thinking, they probably had plenty to discuss. Nodding to the king, the young bioenergy manipulator added, "My name's Butch, sir. Glad to meet you. I'd shake your hand, but Justin's making it a bit difficult right now. And thank you kindly for the hospitality."

Then, he nodded at the Morrigan, "Pleased to meet you, too, Morrigan."

She might not answer, but Butch wanted to be as gracious and friendly a guest as he could.

[z-The Morrigan]

The Morrigan remained close to Einherjar, giving the strangers a cool gaze. Her eyes were suspicious but she made no hostile move; she even dipped her head in a cool welcome. Beside her, the lion who was a constant companion remained on his feet. Dark blue eyes roved over the gathered novas; the big cat appeared to be panting. In truth, he was drawing air over his tongue so he could scent the wind.

The girl was dressed in clean but plain clothing: a pair of army pants and a white tank top. They should have been dirty, but Morri's eufiber routinely shed the dirt. She didn't like being dirty; too many memories of feeling dirty and nasty in captivity had made her fastidious about her hygiene. She was barefoot, her soles of her dark feet leaving smudges on the floor. Her long hair was bound in braids, her preferred style since not long after the War of Liberation.

"Welcome to the Congo," she said politely. Her voice was surprisingly erudite, her cultured British accent adding an odd glamour to her already-unusual appearance. Her dark skin marked her as African, but her features were thinner and her tone lighter than the native women. She shifted lightly on her feet, unsure if she should say anything else or if that was enough for now.

[Courier]

Einherjar and The Morrigan. Dangerous rep and on close inspection that rep was understated. Uncle Shen knew some interesting people. The entire situation was fascinating. Mixture of opposites. Savagery and Technology. Animalism and high power too. Anomalies. There was something odd about the lion...

After a delay while Warren was obviously unfocused he remembered his manners and bowed. He said, "Thank you for your hospitality. This is all..." Warren struggled for a word and gave up, letting it hang.

[Quantum Fire]

Shen continued to carry Maia in his arms, it wasn't something he'd done all that often, not in years now, but he was indeed, feeling protective as she had managed to guess, and it sort of made the point, he was always intending to watch over the children he had raised. "Morrigan." He gave her a nod as she made an appearance, and followed Einherjar to the rooms that Maia and Justin were going to be staying in. Of course, Justin would be conscious in another hour or two, Maia would take days to recover from what she did to herself.

"Once again, old friend, I must thank you for taking us in for the next few days." He glanced over at the rest of his wards a moment, then smiled slightly. "I'm sure my wards will behave themselves, they may have a few things to offer themselves though, if you would be interested in discussing it with them."

[Eingar]

"We'll let them get acclimated first." Einherjar said as he threw open the ornate doors that led into the southern guest rooms. This was where he housed state visitors, a building-within-a-building of sorts, an ancillary palace. The central area was an atrium, open to the sky over a pool that was as clean as it was beautiful, water hyacinths and other floating flowers adorning it's surface, but providing cover for the polished marble floors around the centerpiece. At one end, a large rectangular table was clearly for meetings and meals, whilst couches and chaises were dotted in clusters around the pool for less formal socialising. The trailing ends of his mantle flowing behind him, the Chief of Chiefs led the way into the large central chamber, Morri at his side and his guests following along behind him, taking in the surroundings.

"First, the rooms I've had prepared for the stricken couple." Einherjar rumbled good-humoredly as he threw open another set of doors. The rooms beyond were palatial, with a bed that really needed it's own transit system to get around in, thick rugs on the marble floors, and a bathroom, the circular tub of which was set into the floor and big enough to accomodate ten people. There was a lounge area by a balconied window, which was just above the ground level in the gardens. Doubts about security were swiftly dispelled, as one or two of the young novas glanced outside and saw members of the royal guardsmen discreetly patrolling both the grounds and the rooftop paths around the enclosed area. Those with more than the normal five senses knew that the human security was merely secondary to what else was out there...

"You'll be safe here. Maybe not as safe as a bunker underground that needs teleporting into, but much more comfortable for all that." Einherjar told them with authority, smiling a little as he watched Shen and Butch place Maia and her beau into bed. My daughter... he thought, frowning a little at how ill she seemed. It still seemed hard to call her that. As he'd told Shen, he had a daughter, of sorts, who he loved dearly and had been there for when she needed him. Now Morri was wandering far and wide, to gods knew where, and Ein was privately sure that one day, maybe in another two decades or so, she'd not come back. The thought was not a pleasant one, in fact it caused him to feel morose, but perversely he was proud she'd grown so far that she didn't need him to make the world safe for her - she could do that herself.

And now he had another daughter, who was in danger and didn't even know she was related to him. Objectively, she wasn't really a daughter - he'd simply been a male biological donor. In fact, her mother had tweaked the genetics of her child so she didn't seem to bear much in common with Einherjar at all... But that wasn't really the issue. She was his flesh and blood, regardless of whether she was actually his daughter, and he'd do his best for her. He turned away from watching Shen fuss over her, smiling at the other 'children'. Not really children, he mused as his cold blue eyes scanned them. But young, definitely. Another of the benefits of age - everyone started to seem like children as he got older. What was he now? Fifty? He'd live for centuries yet...

He tried not to think about that. Centuries of life, as king of the Congo? Not so bad, even he had to admit that, but now and then he just wished he could take off with Morri when she went a-wandering, sword on his back and wearing his armor once more. Perhaps he'd retire after he'd gotten the place secure on the world stage, in another fifty years or so. And then what?

And Alexander beheld the breadth of his domain and wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer. he silently mused. He needed goals, that much was obvious. A battle to fight, even if it was one without sword and quantum. Conflict defined him, made him thrive. The thought was vaguely unsettling, that he'd never be at peace - because he didn't want peace.

"Come on." he told Shen's other wards, leading them out to the atrium once more and pointing out several more sets of doors. "These chambers are all pretty much the same in essence, though the decor differs." he told them with a smile. "So wander around, pick the rooms that suit you. Get comfortable." Suiting his own actions to his words, he dropped onto a couch and relaxed. The lion nosed at his hand, and exchanging a wink with Morri, Einherjar idly scritched the beast's mane and watched the others.

For those with senses to detect such things: you were all passively scanned as you entered the atrium. Security detection measures include quantum scanners, DNA-testing nanites, and similar hi-tech goodness. These detection measures are linked to passive clouds of NanoKill which will, when the system is on it's highest setting, attack any quantum powered intruder or, say, some baseline unlucky enough to be carrying a source of quantum energy on them. There are other nanotech agents in the air that induce nerve-blocking paralysis instead. These target unauthorised baselines unless the central security hub dictates otherwise.

Likewise, the privacy bubble screens are dotted around the apartments and garden, and Ein's troops look to be carrying stuff that Utopia S&T division would really rather was locked away.

The illusion of an invitingly open garden is just that.

[Karren Gaunt]

Coraline was looking around at everything around her, fascinated by what she was spotting, what she was sensing. King Einhajar's palace lacked the raw synergistic impact of the Rainbow Room, but it was impressive and beautiful still, an open fortress that promised death and defeat to those who would try to attack it from within or without. And there was something imensely charming about a place open to the sky in so many of it's areas, a fearlessness and confidence she wished she could have about the Baseline world.

The young metamorph kicked off the ground and flitted into the closest suite with a flutter of eufiber to check out the space within, finding it as paliatial and luxurious and secure in it's strange way as the rest. This would be a good place for Maia and her boyfriend to heal. And possibly for her to learn something about beating the world at it's own game.

She returned to the monarch, still hanging a few inches off the ground and permiting herself an enthusiatic smile for the man that had nothing to do with superhuman charm and everything to do with the impression of competance she was gathering about him, chorus of voices happy, "This is wonderful. Thank you for letting us visit your home. Is it a problem if I fly in and out of it? I've never stayed in a place where I thought could do so safely."

[Eingar]

"Of course." Einherjar said with some surprise, then smiled at the beautiful girl. "The skies are fairly friendly around here. All I'd ask is what you yourself would ask - no sonic booms over built up areas, avoid the other air traffic, and if you bring a guest here, bring them in through the front door. That last one is important." he cautioned, his gaze serious. "For their own safety. There's no other restrictions at all." He shrugged. "I like to fly myself, so I'll be damned if I'd have the stupid 'no-quantum-fly zones' that they're starting to implement in some cities in Europe and the U.S. I expect a nova to be as responsible in the air as any baseline pilot in high-traffic areas. Treat it as crossing a street or walking down a busy sidewalk, and you'll be fine."

The faint blue glow of his eyes was idly measuring even as his easy, charming smile remained. Ein reminded himself that she was young enough to be his daughter... not that that really meant anything, but it was a useful sobering thought when confronted with beautiful teenage nova-ettes.

"You would be Coraline, I believe. Modelling for DeVries, after a spectacular debut at the Rainbow Room?" he inquired with his usual direct charm.

[Karren Gaunt]

Fair rules. More than fair, actually. So the young metamorph nodded enthusiastic agreement and understanding. She hadn't even heard of the no-quantum-fly zones, as unsurprised and disapointed she was to hear about them. Baselines.

Coraline hoped he was refering to something other than her Apothesis, but objectively her trips before and after could definitely be counted as spectacular, too. "I am, King Einherjar," she replied softly, finally touching down again, "In between training with Uncle Shen and trying to figure out what I can do to help Nova families and children the way I was helped. I just don't know how yet."

She looked down briefly, trying to hide a flash of frustration before looking up again, body language calm again, "The modeling should be temporary. I hope."

[SalmonMax]

Alex sniffed as she entered the room. It wasn't a gesture of disdain. She was inhaling some of the nanite vectors in the air to break them down in her body and analyze them. She was frankly surprised at what she found. He was relying very heavily on this technology. But then again, what choice did he have? He had two novas against all the Elites dirty warlord money could buy. Still, the weak point of an arrangement like this, and the reason she didn't go for it, was its vulnerability to hacking in the control and processing hub. She was sure he'd put in the best security...but she also knew no system was unhackable.

Equally of interest to her was who he was doing business with. Nanotech was a nascent science among most firms. DeVries probably had this level of tech, she figured. Utopia MIGHT, behind closed doors. Teragen and Proteus probably did not, as they'd have no qualms about using the tech.

She thought she could do better. Perhaps they had something to offer the King after all.

[z-The Morrigan]

The Morrigan was silent as the guests made themselves at home, watching them flit in and out. She was glad they were in the guest area; she'd long gotten used to people coming and going from that area. It wasn't part of what she considered her home, so she could tolerate the invasion easily. When Ein tossed her a wink, she smiled at him, and that smile changed her face. It made her look even younger and for a moment, she was just another nova kid, beautiful and powerful. Then one of the guests said something and the smile was gone, as if it had never been.

Ein was only alone on the couch for a moment; Morri slipped onto the cushion next to him, pulling her feet up under her. After a moment, she leaned her shoulder against his, watching the guests with her eerie red eyes. Only those familiar with her history could understand what that meant to Einherjar; Morri didn't put herself within arm's reach on a couch, and she didn't touch men casually, save her guardian. It had taken years for him to gain this ease in private, and another decade for her to show it in public.

Tahir watched her; then he slipped away from Ein's scratching fingers to lie on the floor under her feet. From there, he twisted his head up to peer at her. A grumbling cough from him was answered by a soft noise from her, and Morri leaned forward to bury her fingers in his half-grown mane, massaging rather than scratching. The big cat's eyelids drooped slightly, but he otherwise didn't move.

She wondered why Ein was taking so much interest in these newcomers; she had a gift for him but didn't want to share it in front of others.

[LydaLynn]

Epiphany had a hard time adjusting at first, following along silently. She had never realized how much she processed telepathically. She didn't read people, but subconsciously she could reach out, know they were there. It had never even been something she knew she was doing, not touching her waking mind. But here, it was like walking around with ghosts. She could see them, but they somehow lacked substance. The place was empty to her and it was unsettling.

Finally getting her brain around the differences, setting the disturbed part of her thoughts into her 'away' brain, Pip looked around. Things here were quite interesting. Beautiful and enticing and somehow edged with strict control and a hint of danger. But still, it felt safe in a way no place had ever felt safe. Before she was born Pip understood the dangers of the world around her. Even tucked away on the moon she understood that evil could find them. And while she didn't think this place was inviolate, she could feel a solid defense here. Perhaps it was just that she couldn't feel others around her, perhaps it was something more. But inside, something relaxed, something that had never relaxed before. And an ache that she didn't know she carried faded slightly.

Finally looking up at their hosts, Epiphany smiled and nodded at Einherjar and Morrigan. "Thank you for the invitation and hospitality. I am Epiphany Verity, though most just call me Pip. You home is beautiful." Then, as if it was an ordinary occurrence, she greeted the lion at their feet. Her parents had taken her to the Earth often and she had spent time with a tiger or two her father had befriended. Pip didn't know how to communicate, but she knew enough to politely greet the great cat. Her eyes met his for a moment, long enough to be noticed as intent, then slid away, down and to his chin. It was a sign that she acknowledged his territory and was not challenging him. It might not have been the most polite greeting, but she was by no means intending to lick his chin. Not only was that unseemly, but it showed more deference than she would give any unknown. There was something about his eyes, the great blue eyes, that was uncommon, something different in his stillness. But the unconscious reaching of her mind found only static in this place. For now, Pip would watch and in watching, she hoped to learn.

If the Morrigan could control so great a beast, Pip would have to speak with her. Such power seemed close to her own. And the view of another who seemed not to struggle with the morals of the situation and her powers might be helpful.

[Eingar]

"You're welcome." Einherjar told Pip with a smile as he stood, his gaze sweeping over the other 'siblings' as Morri flowed to her feet beside him. "All of you are. On a practical note, food is provided around the clock, simply let the staff know using the phones. Given that you are here for shelter and relaxation, I won't be dragging you around to official functions or expecting your attendance. I wish to make it plain that you are guests in the very simplest definition of the word - mi casa es su casa. Equally, if you wish to observe and experience such things, that is also your choice." He studied them as he spoke, gauging their interest. Coraline seemed intrigued, as did one or two of the others. Einherjar gave them all a slight grin.

"For now, relax. Tonight I would appreciate it if you would do me the honor of dining with me, once you are settled in. It'll just be myself and the Morrigan, and thus incredibly informal. Come as you are." He glanced around once more, the glow of his blue eyes flickering, and nodded. "Until tonight, then."

With that, he strode from the chamber, leaving Shen's students to get comfortable. Doubtless they had much they wanted to discuss with each other, without the looming presence of their host. As he considered that, Einherjar smiled slightly. They were an interesting collection, and he'd be looking forward to knowing them better. As they headed away from the guest wing and back towards the royal suites, he glanced down at Morri and smiled wider.

"What did you make of them?" he asked her, his question seemingly just idle chat, but his ward knew better. Ein always asked her what she thought, or felt about people they met, weighing her first instincts with his own judgements as well as, she felt sure, testing her. There were always tests, with Ein. He did it to everyone. He disguised the tests as games, or conversations, or practice, or assignments, but the purpose was always to gauge and measure those around him, not with an eye to judge or disapprove, but with the intention of making them stronger.

[Karren Gaunt]

As soon as the footfalls of King Einherjar and his companions faded away from her hearing, Cora turned a smile on her siblings, "Anyone want to join me as I see if this city is as nice and safe as rumors say before dinner? I'd like to see it with my own eyes. Get an idea what Maia gets to look forward to when she recovers."

There was an irrepressable curiousity in her eyes to go with the invite, the young metamorph clearly seeing no reason what-so-ever to hang around the palace on such a nice day when there was so much new ground to cover.

[SalmonMax]

Alex nods. "I need to see the port facility anyway, so I'll head out with you. Useful to see what the local industry is like too. I was under the impression the Congo's wealth was mainly from raw material and precious metal and gem exports. Still, Einherjar seems intent on a rigorous program of modernization, at least here in the palace. I'd like to see how far that extends."

[Maia]

Maia allowed Shen to carry her to her room, and looked at him. "He seems nice. And I admit how he's turned things around here is very impressive." She yawned, probably the first time in almost a decade someone actually saw her do it. "Thank you Uncle, for understanding."

When he laid her in the bed and covered her up, she looked at him. "Don't let us sleep through dinner. He invited all of us, and I don't want to miss it. I know Justin won't either." She understood why he'd knocked him out, and would explain it if she needed to. It was afterall the best option.

[Quantum Fire]

Shen carried Maia all the way to one of the bedrooms, then laid her down on the bed, pulling back the sheets letting her relax a bit, then he turned and took Justin from Butch, and rather then take him elsewhere, he also put the unconscious nova in the same bed with his girl, then pulled the sheets over them both. "He'll be more comfortable waking here with you, apologize to him for me when he does, we didn't have time to take care of his problems and yours at the same time" He didn't have any issues with the two of them staying in the same room, or even the same bed, Maia was a fully grown adult in his eyes, let her and Justin make their own choices about where they wanted to take things.. at the very least, it was going to be four days before anything usual happened between them.

He then turned to the other children present. "Pick out where you like, it may be better, or even possible for us to interact, or even join with Einherjar's kingdom, and shift the course of the future that way." He paused and looked at Maia moment, then smiled at her. "Spend some time recovering, and learning, dear one, everything is likely to be fine for the next few days... as for the rest of you, if you want to stay, it's safe for the time being, pick out a room or set of rooms, and get a feel for things."

With that he left, he wasn't going far, but it was time for him to walk the streets of Kinshasa and get a feel for the city.

[Maia]

He knows something pertinent, and he's not keen on sharing. The thought flashed through her mind alone quickly. Still She'd always trusted her guardian and Uncle, more than anyone. He had his reasons, and she knew they'd be good ones. He'd tell them all when he was ready, he tended to.

She looked over at Justin and smiled "You're certainly in for a suprise when you wake up, likely more than one." She stroked his cheek softly, kissed his forehead, and cuddled up, quickly falling to sleep.

[Karren Gaunt]

He then turned to the other children present. "Pick out where you like, it may be better, or even possible for us to interact, or even join with Einherjar's kingdom, and shift the course of the future that way." He paused and looked at Maia moment, then smiled at her. "Spend some time recovering, and learning, dear one, everything is likely to be fine for the next few days... as for the rest of you, if you want to stay, it's safe for the time being, pick out a room or set of rooms, and get a feel for things."

Coraline waited until Traveler finished his speech and vanished, their Guardian's comment having rather neatly predicted one of her rather vague ideas for the future *if* Congo turned out nice and secure as she hoped. Alex got a nod and a smile, the city's docks not quite what she was planning on seeing first but she was willing to adapt her plans. "So that's Alex," her chorus chirped, bouncing into the air again, "Any more takers?"

[z-The Morrigan]

“They are young.” The statement, coming from a girl who looked no older than they, seemed anomalous. Yet Morri was thirty-one in years if not in appearance. Interestingly, this was a fact that only Einherjar knew with certainty; even Morri could have told her age only with quantum powers. “They are not frail,” she added. “I did not test them, but they move and think like I do. Children born into power. They don’t remember a time when they weren’t super-humanly powerful. They don’t know the frailty of being a baseline.”

“Hmm.” Morri wasn’t fooled by the contemplative sound. Ein had long ago made his own assessment of the children. He wanted to know what she thought, not for her to formulate his opinion.

“Hmm, indeed,” Morri answered, her voice accented and inflected almost exactly like Ein’s. “I’ll be able to tell you more after dinner, once I can see more individual action and interaction.”

Einherjar nodded and the three were silent for a moment: man, girl and lion. “How was your trip?”

Morri smiled, thinking of rafting down the raging River Nir as it rushed down the Kashtar Mountains. The Scales who lived there used hollow canoes to run the rapids; Morri and Tahir had constructed their own narrow raft of logs. It had been sturdy but wasn’t the right kind of vehicle for the rapids. The two had spent as much time in the water as on it. “Good,” she told him. She’d meant to wait until they were alone before giving him the gift, but her anticipation of his pleasure aborted that intent. “I brought you a gift.”

“Oh?” Einherjar had looked slightly put-out at her single-word response, but that had disappeared at the mention of a gift.

Morri reached down into her thigh pouch and pulled something out. Einherjar took it, his eyebrows rising as he realized he held a knife made from something’s tooth. It was a complete tooth and was intricately carved with a tribal pattern. The upper root of the tooth had been shaped with grips and wrapped in cured, pebbly leather, leaving the ‘blade’ about six inches long. The last four inches of the tooth curved back to a point. The entire thing looked like it belonged in a museum.

Tahir and Morri were both watching him closely for his reaction.