The Count paced.

[Jacobus Loki]

Count of what? Florencia? Duke and Baron Jess slipped ever deeper into madness. Usually, that meant nothing bad in Yardistan, but......

Count of Illumination? Overrun with ancient insects and Treesian "gods", if reports could be believed.

He needed air. Salt air.

A cruise. A nice little cruise, maybe pretending to fish, not too much in the way of wanton destruction.

He picked up the farspeaker at his side and pushed the button shaped like a boat.

"YMS Kaiser Mors V operations."

The Japanese captain had retired to Happy Farm after the War of Jeremy's Nose. Who was running the ship these days? Think, you senile old fool.............

"Let me speak to Duty Ops."

"Who may I say is calling?"

"(Sigh.)Check your teleannunciator unit."

"OMIGOD, he's not dead yet." There was a scream and banging sound on the other end of the line.

"Capiiane Guido Delpollo, at you service." Wha'chya wana do?"

The Count counted. To six, without laughing.

"Captain, prepare the KMV for sea. I will be there in half an hour."

"Al vostro comando, Signore il Conte! we getta reddy right away! Where we goin' to?"

"North, Captain."

"Si, mi conte!!"

[Gman Russell]

[Aurangzeb Khan]

From: MoMA
To: Commcen, YMS Kaiser Mors V

1. Kaptan Pasha Guido Delpollo, congratulations, your fine vessel now serves the Imperial Forces of Her Most Majestic Niftiness;
2. Herr Loki has been informed and gives his consent;
3. You are to rendezvous with The Marianas Turkey's Revenge off Amity and there await further instructions;
4. "Gefechtsstationen"