Max Intel: Jooniper
Chapter 6 - Intel

Astrid was excited to be calling her aunt Yumi. She called up a holo-interface and tapped in the long address. The connection was made and a hologram coalesced. The white streak haired image of Obasan appeared, "Thank you for calling 'Tiger-Tiger-Teahouse'. May I help you?"The woman's jaw dropped, "Asa-chan! I still do not recognize your address! Where are you now!""I am just leaving the Slarmian Dynasty, Obasan. I am on vacation and I am coming to Terran space. My wives and I would like to come by and spend some time with you." Astrid said through a beaming smile.Obasan's face immediately lit up with joy, "Oh Asa-chan! All of you must come to my summer home and stay for the duration. Oh Astrid, I am so happy you are coming to visit!" Yumi exclaimed.Astrid smiled broadly, "Thank you, Obasan. Ingrid, must not learn of our coming, she has designs that need to die on the vine." "Come Asa-chan. We will have a glorious feast with your many wives!"Astrid smiled as she did a short bow, "Thank you Obasan, We will be with you in a week's time."Yumi smiled, "I will look forward to your arrival, sweet Asa-chan.""I need to go Obasan, please keep our arrival on the quiet." Astrid asked with some humor.Yumi nodded with understanding, "Ingrid will not learn of it from me.""Thank you Obasan. I love you! Be well and stay safe." Astrid said with emotion.Yumi raised her hand and waved as the hologram dissipated and the connection ended.

Joon sat in the Med Bay and opened a holo-vid call to her parents. Howard was in the kitchen when an untraceable call came through. Realizing it was probably his daughter he answered and smiled at her, "Hello! How are things?"

"Well, my appetite is good (appetite meaning shit hit the fan again and good saying everyone came out unhurt). We will soon be restocking (visiting) on food so the menu will expand (tell you more later) a bit for a few days (we will be arriving in two days time). How are things with you and mom?" (a visit is okay/safe?)

"Well that is wonderful to hear! (Yes, all is safe here.) Your mother will be happy you are eating well." (Happy to hear everyone made it through safely.)

"Tell mom I love her." (Lots of news to share.)

"I will, honey. You be safe!" (Looking forward to hearing it. Will not advise anyone you are coming.)

Joon blew her father a kiss and ended the call as Max put out a call to the family,

---

The family gathered in the cargo hold, Agatha having let the twins know the family was going to bring the kids up to speed on their abilities.

"This is going to be so exciting!" Nikki squealed as the twins walked as quickly as they could to the cargo hold and everyone took a seat along the wall except Max, who set the atmospheric force field over the bay door before opening it into space.

"Emma, Nikke, I thought it was time to bring you two up to speed on all our abilities since the two of you will soon begin to experience yours. Agatha, would you mind explaining what fantasy characters their gifts will be based upon so they can get a quick feel for what to expect?"

Agatha smiled softly, "I don't mind. As a matter of fact, their fantasy ability sets are going to be somewhat dramatic so it is probably a good idea to clue them in, even though they will have had a load of experience using them already."

"Emma your fantasy gifts will center around Ghost. I am pretty sure you already know of the skill sets that will give you since you game as one. I also suspect you will gain your abilities rather quickly as you are already familiar with using them."

Emma giggled, "Oh Agatha! That is going to be so cool! Yes, Darkvision, Incorporeal, Immune, Fly, Knowledge, Sense both Motive and Enchantment, Frightful Moan, and Stealth are the main ones."

Joon asked, "Is Darkvision what we have?"

Agatha nodded, "Yes and no. A creature with Darkvision can see in total darkness, usually to a range of 60 feet. Within this range the creature can see as clearly as a sighted creature could see in an area of bright light. Darkvision is black and white only but otherwise like normal sight. What the rest of the family has is multi-spectral vision. If there are any photonic wavelengths, the family can see. With Darkvision, Emma can see without any light at all."

"How is Incorporeal different from my Spiritwalk?"

"You leave your body to Spiritwalk. Your body stays where it is until you Shadowstep. Emma is just a vapor all the time when using her base ability which means she can walk through walls body and all."

Astrid then spoke up, "And Immune?"

"A creature with immune takes no damage from afflictions, conditions, spells, and other effects. Which makes Emma pretty much , except by a very powerful Sorcerer or Witch who can outclass her Immunity ability."

Nikke then raised an eyebrow, "And my abilities?"

Agatha chuckled, "You, my sweet young lady, are a Djin."

Nikke laughed and did a quick happy dance.

Paula asked, "I have heard of them, aren't they like fire people?"

"Djin are supernatural creatures that are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to be able to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects. They are house fairies who move into a house and keep the firewood dry along with bringing gifts of gold and grain to the master of the house. They can travel the world in a split second and bring their masters a present back from far away places," Replied Samira, "They are beings of smokeless flame by nature, in the same manner in which humans are said to be made of earth, and they cannot be seen by human beings unless they wish to be seen."

Agatha added, "She also has the ability to fly, grant wishes, heal, draw wealth, create luck, push calming auras, possession, and prophesy."

"Are they immortal as well?" Max asked.

Nikki answered, "No, if they take the form of an animal, they can be killed just like that animal."

Joon nodded. "Well, we seem to have a good handle on what to expect with our newest family members. Let's talk a bit about our abilities. Max, would you go first, please?"

Max winked, "I am of the Warrior class. I have the ability to slow down time. I can also hit a target at extreme ranges with pinpoint accuracy and I never miss. My reaction times are super human. Astrid, who is a Sorceress-Mage, has created magical gloves for me that allow me to pull hard light weapons from thin air such as a bow, arrows, and long staffed blade."

Max then demonstrated by pulling her bow and quickly firing 30 arrows out the open cargo bay door in less than 10 seconds. "I cannot shoot targets inside the ship as it will put holes in the Titanium."

Vika then continued with the reveal, "I am a Rogue-Shaman. I have Portent which allows me to live parts of the future many times to find a path where I meet the goals I wish. I have Cloak ability to disappear and stay hidden. I can Spiritwalk through walls, space, and objects as well as Shadowstep or disappear and reappear anywhere I can get a visual fix. Additionally, I and the rest of the family are bulletproof up to 50 caliber weapons...though the bigger ones can still bruise us."

Vika continued, "I am also an Adept Master of the Skewark Wind blades as well as a Ca'tagri Adept Master of knife blades and swords. Like Max, I have magical gloves that allow me to pull up my weapons from thin air."

Vika demonstrated her abilities by throwing a dozen windblades out the cargo bay door while poofing and reappearing all over the cargo hold.

Astrid began, "I am a Sorceress-Mage." She walks over to her battle bots, "I am able to make Oricalcum metal which is a magical metal much stronger than the strongest Titanium alloy and absorbs 99.9% of laser energy. I have also made magic gloves that allow Max and Vika to pull their weapons from thin air. Additionally, I can create a shield that absorbs kinetic energy from strikes or force waves and feeds it back to me as energy I can use.

I'm Paula the Witch. I can push or pull fortune to or from people at will. I have a magic mirror which Astrid made for me that allows me to see any scene I desire in real time through its pane. I can also put a trace on anyone I wish so I always know where they are. I have recently worked a spell called Hearth that will pull myself and anyone within my sphere back to this cargo hold from anywhere with a quick incantation."

I am Samira the Paladin. I can create hard light shields for myself as well as others around me. I can also use hard light to isolate others. My melee weapon is the mystical Durandal, the sword of the Paladin Roland, a blade with no equal which can slice the finest steel with ease." Samira summoned her hard light armor and shield before drawing Durandal and brandishing the weapon in a martial display of beautiful arcs, feints, and cuts.

She then dispersed all of her hard light constructs and fired 4 laser blasts through the shielding at the open cargo hatch before opening her thighs and pulling out her four oricalcum pistols, firing four quick rounds through the same hatch.

Finally, Joon stood forward. "I am Joon, the Bard-Priest. I can create a bubble of sanctuary where only those I allow may enter and no harm may come to them. I can bless others with a healing aura and I am able to give myself multiple layers of glamour which makes me more beautiful as well as strengthens my vocals. My deity is Angharradh, the Triune Goddess and primary deity of Elvish women and she endows me with gifts of health, music, and diplomacy."

Last but not least was Agatha who smiled and merely said, "I am Agatha, the ultimate fantasy heroine with the powers of all the fantasy realm characters. I can create life, planets...even solar systems. I can influence people through dreams, and I can enhance those whom I wish as I wish, which is why my family has the skills they do."

Nikki and Emma were speechless for a bit until Nikki asked, "How do you manifest your abilities?"

Max replied, "Through an expression of will. You think of what you want and have the expectation it will manifest. New skills seem to create an itch in your mind which you have to embrace and allow to manifest. After the first time you are able to manifest a skill, it becomes much easier...especially with time and practice."

Emma nodded and bowed her head, closing her eyes in concentration. The family looked on and gasped with Nikki clapping her hands, "Oh Emma! You can already manifest Ghost!"

Emma opened her eyes, gave a giggle and began to fly around the room, even going through bulkheads and the shielding of the open cargo bay door into space before returning and letting out a mournful cry, "Ooooohhhhhhhhhhh!"

Everyone in the cargo bay was instantly petrified and could not move until they were able to shake off the effects.Nikki laughed, "Damn! Feeling that in real life is so different than in cyber!"

Samira shook her head, "Yeah, we need to practice with you quite a bit so we can work through that fear and still fight. That is one heck of an advantage when you can disorient your foes before you strike."

With a nod from Paula, Astrid held out a pair of gloves for Emma, "Put these on so you can call upon the Staff of Kaladanda when needed as your weapon."

Emma put on the gloves and Paula touched them. Her eyes blazed as she enchanted them and the gloves became wisps of smoke that covered her hands and forearms like a fog. Paula then smiled and backed away.

"The Kaladanda Staff is associated with Yama, the Hindu God of Death. It is a lethal and ferocious stick, sometimes referred to as club. Yama got Kaladanda as a blessing from Brahma, the lord of creation. The Staff of Death is the ultimate weapon and nothing can stop it. No boon can protect a living being from it. Once the Kaladanda is thrown it will kill the intended living being. So be sure you want to kill before striking anyone with it. It does, however, have a safety mechanism. You have to want to kill for it to operate properly."

Emma's eyes were as round as saucers and she reached behind her back as Max and Vika had done. She gasped as she pulled forth a 5 foot staff shimmering with power. It had a distinct shape of a walking stick with a slightly bulbous top. The staff was opaque, looking like it was made of dense fog, with wisps of smoke that poured off it like dry ice smoking in water. "Hhhow, do I use it?"

Astrid replied, "You strike or chuck it at a target with the intent to kill. It will seek the target, if chucked, with supernatural homing and will not miss or be deflected."

Emma nodded, "Okay, how do I practice with it?"

Paula smirked, "You don't. I will make you an oricalcum staff you can practice with. Vika, Max, and Samira can teach you how to wield it properly."

Emma looked over at her older sister with hope in her eyes and Max smiled back, nodding...just as Nikki burst into flames.

"Oh, this is so cool!" Nikki exclaimed.

"No, it is so hot!" Astrid exclaimed, "Will down the temperature a bit, please?"

Nikki nodded and closed her eyes. After a moment the heat of her flames dissipated and she stood before the family as a flame sprite in all her glory. Sadly, she had incinerated her clothes so she was obviously a naked woman in living flame form. Emma put away her staff and the twins held hands as they flew around the cargo bay, laughing and playing to everyone's delight.

When they landed, Astrid held out Nikki's gloves and after donning them, Paula enchanted them. They immediately transformed into a set of plasma gloves that covered and protected her hands and lower arms from harm.

"Nikki: Your weapon is Dyrnwyn? Sword of Rhydderch Hael from Welsh legend. When drawn, it will blaze with fire; if drawn by a worthy person, the fire would help them in their cause, but its fire would burn anyone who drew it for an unworthy purpose. The Dyrnwyn, or White-Hilt, is said to be a powerful sword belonging to Rhydderch Hael, one of the Three Generous Men of Britain mentioned in the Welsh Triads. Rhydderch was never reluctant to hand the weapon to anyone, hence his nickname Hael meaning "the Generous", but the recipients, as soon as they had learned of its peculiar properties, always rejected the sword."

Nikki grasp her waist as if drawing a sword from its scabbard and in her hand appeared a very dark red sword with a white hilt. It immediately burst into flames that ran along both edges and over the hilt, the flames making a consuming sound as they lapped at the air. "Okay, this is really cool!" Nikki exclaimed with glee.

Astrid giggled, "I will make you a practice sword so you can train as well.

Joon asked out loud, "How are they so easily able to manifest their skills?"

Astrid provided a possible answer, "It is likely because they are used to taking these forms in Cyberspace so it is not something new to either of them to take on these personas."

The family agreed that made sense. Just as they were about to leave the cargo bay Nikki spoke up, "Wait a moment."

Nikki felt drawn to some of the asteroids around the ship and soon she was traveling faster than the eye could see to each of them. She was able to extract large deposits of gold, silver, and copper and placed them in large plastic drums that lined one wall of the bay. Soon she had collected 5 tons of each metal and she stopped, standing back in front of her family. "Astrid, I got you the metals you needed to make Oricalcum items for Emma and me," speaking as she pointed to the now full plastic drums.

Astrid jumped into Nikki's arms as the family gasped, worried she would be burned. However, Nikki was able to control her ability to the point Astrid wasn't harmed. "Oh thank you Nikki! You are indeed a handy Djin to have around!"

---

Agatha looked away for a moment as she spoke to Max,







Astrid smiled to herself, having been included the conversation with Max. Not only had Freeport just paid for itself, it also just paid for the refit!

"Soumii, We should call the Terran Federation. That ore is going for 25 million a tonne!"

Soumii grabbed a chair and sat down. "Pleasse, Agatha, make the call and I will sspeak to them with you here."

Agatha made the call to the Terran Federation. It took a few minutes for the call to connect, but eventually a very kind operator answered, "Hello, you have reached the Terran Federation Naval Communications Center for Olympus Shipyard. My I inquire as to the reason for your call?"

Soumii took a deep breath, "Yess. I am the Adminisstrator of Freeport and I sspoke earlier with an Admiral Harriss. I wass wondering if I might sspeak with him if he iss available. We have ssome Tyrenium we would like to ssell."

The Naval person sat up smartly and smiled, "Let me connect you to Admiral Charles Harris' office."

After a few moments the call was transferred and Admiral Charles Harris greeted her, "Hello Administrator Soumii. It is a pleasure to hear from you again. How might I help you?"

"Admiral Harriss, I wass going though our manifesstss and noted we have 500 tonness of Tyrenium we can ssell the Terran Federation. Would you be interessted?"

Charles's eyes went wide, "I'm sorry, did you say 500 tonnes?"

"Yess, Admiral. If you are interessted in purchassing the ore we can jusst set up an account in our name with the Henry Vosss Corporation'ss interplanetary banking conssortium and we can sship the ore back with your sship as it comess to collect the one we recovered for you, ssaving everyone any additional cosstss. We are aware the Terran Federation iss in the midsst of a masssive rebuilding program and thought the ore would be helpful."

"How much per tonne are you asking?" Charles asked with an acquisitive arch to his eyebrow, a slow smile spreading across his face.

"Ass rare ass the metal iss, given it is already refined to 100% purity, and given your recent ssituation along with the sship we are returning free of charge, we believe 30 million a tonne iss a fair price."

Charles whistled, "15 billion credits! While you are right that we need it, I cannot authorize that amount. Is there something we can work out?"

Soumii thought for a moment, "How about we trade you 1/24th of the full sshipment every other month and have paymentss be sspread over 48 Terran monthss in a near interesst free loan? That would be 520,833,334 creditss every two monthss beginning on the day of initial transsfer and further paymentss and sshipmentss due by the end of businesss on each 60 Terran day mark afterward which will provide you with a bit over 10 tonness a month. Deliveriess and paymentss after each 6th month may be delayed by either party upon one month'ss notice for not more than two monthss per delivery sso ass not to over stresss the Federation'ss cassh flow. Finally, all deliveriess of all goodss from Freeport to the Terran Federation, after the initial delivery, sshall be negotiated exclussively between the Terran Federation and the Bract Conglomerate."

"I would be a fool not to accept! We will set everything up and you can work out the initial payment with Commodore Phillips who will be in charge of the ship meeting you in two days time. I must say, though, I am not used to a merchant being so trusting."

"We are attempting to create jusst such an atmossphere here on Freeport. I am pleassed we have a deal. Alsso, once we have gone through our own refit, sshould the Terran Federation have any material needss, pleasse do not hessitate to call uss? We will be developing relationshipss with very influential and varied traderss in the Minor Empiress and will be happy to broker a besst cosst deal for the Federation."

Charles smiled, "I will put you at the top of my list of contacts. Thank you, Administrator Soumii."

Soumii nodded, "Jusst Ssoumii iss fine, Admiral."

Charles nodded, "Thank you Soumii, and it is just Charles."

"We look forward to doing good bussinesss with you, Charless."

"And we with you. Call me if you have any issues with the transfer, and thank you for considering us with your Tyrenium."

With that, the call ended and Soumii looked to Agatha, "Wass that a wisse transsaction, Agatha?"

Agatha smiled, "It was perfect! I have estimated our refit will cost around 1.5 billion credits and take around four months, so we can pay for the refit in three installments and still be able to run Freeport while we undergo the refit."

---

Bract depot 03 never really slept: which meant Agatha had to go dreamscaping every 6 hours for two days to ensure she had all of the requisite information before speaking with Mary. As she suspected, 24k was very active on the Bract Trading Depot and they, along with their mercantile fronts, had violated almost every Bract Trade Regulation. She also now had the locations of all the incriminating evidence to substantiate her claims.

While at the evening watering hole, Agatha made the rounds before she walked over to Minsu and handed her a 500 sheet packet of blank paper. She then warbled to her Skewark compatriot, "I was made aware you were in need of some special paper and I have brought you a ream."

Minsu was most excited and warbled back, "My Esteemed Sister Is Naturally well informed (M.E.S.I.N. message and well supported?)."

"Yes, thank you for your compliment (Correct. I have included all the documentation I could, but the information is very accurate and up to date)."

Minsu bobbed her head and smiled as she warbled, "I will be sure my staff gets it as soon as I return to my quarters. Thank you so much for your kindness. (I will pass on this information to the Sharik-Sah network with highest priority)."

Upon leaving the watering hole, Agatha walked to Mary's, having informed her through a dream that she would be visiting with extremely important news and that Bob should be present. Agatha had brought a large container of dried Wunai Moon tea leaves with her for their tea party.

"Agatha! It is so good to see you again!" Mary greeted the Star Child with genuine enthusiasm.

Bob was already there and Agatha handed Mary the tea, "I thought I might bring some Dau Wunai Moon tea for our little get together. I hope you find its delicate flavors pleasing. Hello Bob, I am so happy you were able to join us this evening."

Bob responded, "I will always attend meetings at the Star Child's request."

"Please, just Agatha? I don't want to be thought of as an aloof or overbearing person."

Bob's antennae vibrated softly, "I meant no offense, Agatha. Our people owe you and your associates a great debt."

"Which is paid in full with just being good friends," Agatha nodded with a broad smile.

Mary entered the now somewhat cramped living area of her quarters with a steaming pot of tea and served everyone.

Upon her first sip, Mary was entranced with the nuanced flavors. "Agatha, I hope you intend to leave the rest of your tea with me? This is delightful!"

"It was intended as a gift, Mary." Agatha replied, much to Mary's delight.

Bob agreed the tea was very good but wanted to get to the point of the meeting, "Please Agatha, why am I here?"

Agatha looked at Bob and smiled, "Are you familiar with the crime syndicate 24K?"

"Vaguely, we do not concern ourselves with Terran crime families."

"Well, I have confirmed beyond the shadow of a doubt that three nodes of 24K are active on Depot 03 as we speak and they are circumventing or outright breaking your trade laws. I found out it was 24K who gave the pirates of Freeport the information needed to hijack your freighter as well. I was wondering if you would like to know the details?"

Bob, as much as was possible for a beetle-like Bract, leaned forward with both antennae pointed directly at Agatha, "Please," was all he said.

Agatha proceeded to tell Bob and Mary of all that 24K was involved in and doing on Depot 03 as well as where the evidence was stored and who had access to that evidence. She also included a list of other 24K cells on the other Depots, though she did not have information on where their evidence might be located or who would have access to it.

Bob was trembling in his seat by the time Agatha was through, "This creates a very serious problem for us as those three organizations you say are fronts for 24K represent over 90% of our trade with the Terran Federation. I am not even sure moving against them would be wise."

Agatha smiled and replied, "Indeed, it creates a very sticky situation for the Bract. I do have a possible solution, though. If the Chair is interested?"

Mary took another sip of her tea, closed her eyes, smiled, and said: "The Chair is VERY interested."

"I would have the other Depots begin covert intelligence gathering to secure all the information they need to arrest these criminals and then have a coordinated attack between the Depots. I would, upon said attack, tell the Terran High Command why they were detained, what evidence was found, and that these entities may no longer have anything to do with the Bract Conglomerate either with direct or indirect trade."

Finally, since Freeport has just been granted most favored trading status with the Terran Federation, I would suggest the Bract Conglomerate contact Freeport and immediately secure all trade transportation rights between Freeport to and from the Terran Federation as well as any Federation trade to any of the Minor Empires with a Freeport relationship. The arrangement to undergo a full review for continued services every 5 years."

"I would have all this finalized in four months time as that is the length of time it will take for Freeport to finish their upgrades, move to a centralized location within the M.E. and establish itself as a duty free smelting factory and as a primary trading source between the M.E. and the Terran Federation."

"I am also aware that Freeport is willing to provide free docking space to all Bract trading vessels as well as a duty free office space, built to Bract specifications, for their use to coordinate their transportation schedules."

Mary asked, "What about the Trankarans?"

"They are being approached very soon with a proposal of their own."

"What about security?"

"Ambassador Jooniper Smith is in the process of creating the Minor Empires Security Information Network, MESIN, and the famed Sharik-Sah are already in the fold. We would also like to include the Bract ship Captains in the MESIN as information gathering assets. Needless to say, the family will be very, 'engaged' with any threats to the profitability of Freeport, to include safe shipping."

"This whole venture, beginning with the Bract, is an attempt to eliminate crime and corruption from the merchant guilds of all M.E. nations as well as the Terran Federation."

Mary smiled, "It seems you have found your way around the political issues with your previous offer of a diplomatic agreement of cooperation that meets our needs and is sensitive to our niche in the Universe. Most admirable, Agatha."

"So we can count on your favorable introduction of our plan to the Board?"

"Indeed you can. I do not see any viable complaints with the Board's agreement this time. Frankly, the Board is a bit embarrassed now with their earlier denial...given the return of our freighter and the safekeeping of our secrets." Mary smiled as she glowed with the prospect of giving the Board a way through their predicament with the House of Anders.

---

Soumii then connected a call to the Trankaran Republic. This was an agreed upon contact with Agatha as a part of the startup of Freeport.

It did not take long for the sigil of the Trankaran Republic, a molten planet with the face of their new Queen overlooking the planet as if she were a benevolent sun, to appear and be replaced by what looked like and sounded like a talking rock, "This is the Trankaran Mining and Trade Directorate's communications line, how may I be of assistance?" The rock said in a gravelly voice.

"Hello, I am Ssoumii, the Mayor and Chief Operationss Officer of the mobile mining and trade facility called Freeport. I would like to sspeak with your persson in charge of mining and trade with the intent of brokering a deal with the Trankaran Republic, pleasse?"

"I will put you through to the Minister of Trade and the Minister of Mining together, please give me a moment."

The sigil reappeared for a few moments before the two ministers coalesced. "Hello Mayor Soumii, I am Broackerden, Minister of Mining."

"And I am Arrgoreaen, Minister of Trade. What can we do for you today?"

Soumii bowed politely, "Ass I mentioned to your very kind communicationss officer, I am the new Mayor of Freeport. Are you familiar with our facility?"

Broackerden replied, "We are aware of the facility, yes. Has the facility changed hands recently?"

"Actually, yess. Freeport wass a den of thievess up until the new ownerss cleaned out the place and disspatched all the killerss, thievess, piratess, and slaverss. Thank you for sso delicately broaching that ssubject. The kindnesss of your sspeciess is well desserved."

"Thank you Mayor Soumii for letting us know. How can we be of assistance to the new owners of Freeport?"

"If you wissh confirmation, Ambasssador Jooniper Ssmith/Anderss can verify our new sstatuss ass an honorable merchant. You can contact her Firsst Ssecretary at the Sslarmian Terran Conssulate. Ass for thiss call, I wissh to offer the sservicess of Freeport ass a duty free ssmelting facility capable of ssmelting ssmall planetss or entire moonss down to the individual elementss or required compossitess."

Broackerden leaned forward, knowing the smelting of their mining was the major cost of the whole mining operation. To have a duty free station capable of smelting their entire output made the additional transportation of the raw ore more than profitable. "Duty free you say? How is this possible?"

Soumii smiled and leaned back in her chair, "Being of a sscale to ssmelt entire moonss givess uss an economy unmatched in thiss part of the Universse, sso our cosstss are comparatively minimal. However, we are alsso ssetting up a huge trade Emporium with all the Minor Empiress and the Bract have agreed to provide any needed transsportation at a negotiated price."

"Not only are the Minor Empiress going to be sselling their waress; but, Freeport has been granted mosst favored trade sstatuss with the Terran Federation, opening up that market to all your mining productss, which you don't even have to sstore, while giving you access to wholessale pricess for Dau electronicss, Asshanath FTL drivess and antigravity devicess...the lisst is endlesss. We would ssimply assk 10% of ssaless to your cusstomerss ass a fee to allow Freeport to continue doing bussinesss."

Broackerden, Minister of Mining said, "Our smelting costs run 45% of sales, we would be foolish not to agree to a contract."

Arrgoreaen, Minister of Trade agreed, "We would drastically reduce our shipping time as well as eliminate the costs of storage which adds another 10% to the costs of our products. So we would be looking at a minimum of a 40% savings in our costs, considering we will be shipping raw ore instead of smelted metals. When can we begin sending you shipments?"

"We are currently undergoing a refit of the facility but sshould be online in a centralized location within 5 monthss time. Sso, we have an agreement?"

Arrgoreaen smiled, "We will bring this immediately to our Queen and the Senate, but I foresee no problems with your proposal passing. It will be a pleasure doing business with you, Mayor Soumii."

"Pleasse let the Queen know we are alsso sseting up a diplomatic set of ssuitess for all the Minor Empiress. We would appreciate the Trankaranss being part of that."

Both the ministers smiled, knowing full well the Queen had such an idea for some time.

"We will let you know of our final location when we are ready. Alsso, just Ssoumii, please."

"Until we speak again, Soumii, and I am just Arrgoreaen"

"Likewise, just Broackerden."

Soumii was pleased with the way business was shaping up. With Agatha's guidance, she had called a Male Largath by the name of Logo who was willing to set up a cattle trade station on Freeport along with sending a Largath representative for the diplomatic mission.

This led to the Ashanath jumping onboard with both trade and diplomacy when told of the huge animals which would allow them to feed their new Marine recruits a constant supply of fresh meat without having to farm the animals themselves. The only fee for joining was to supply Freeport's refit with 30 of their largest and best power cores...the cores were arriving in two weeks time.

Soumii was particularly proud of the power core deal. Getting them donated reduced the cost of the refit by a quarter billion credits. Those cores were eight times as efficient as the ones on Freeport and would reduce their smelting costs by 75%. The deal with the Trankarans and other species for a 10% fee for selling smelted ores would now give them a 5% profit margin on the smelting alone. With the sales and docking fees of all the other goods and services, Freeport would be raking in a substantial profit within months of opening.

---

Logo was sure this was Vika's doing. This was one of the reasons Vika had made Logo purchase such a large Trankaran merchant ship. He had to contact the other tribal leaders of the Largath and convince them to massively increase the breeding of their livestock.

Logo also instructed his herd to begin looking for Uko eggs, taking only half from each nest from around the shores of the lakes, and to begin raising them in tanks to slaughter them and sell the meat.

The Bract Parsley grew at nearly a foot a day and was a very densely packed source of plant protein, making increasing the cattle herds and feeding the Dragon Turtles an easy, even necessary task. Logo would let the others raise their cattle. Vika had helped him realize the real money was in raising Dragon Turtles.

While adult Dragon Turtle grew to over five thousand pounds, the young hatched at only 10 pounds but grew rapidly. In a month, a young properly fed Uko would be over 150 pounds and the meat was one of the most exotic and sought after delicacies in the Minor Empires.

Additionally, their polished shells had a Terran 'Mother of Pearl" quality to them along with being very light and almost as strong as Terran homogenized stainless steel. The shells, when soaked in vinegar for a week, became temporarily pliant and could be shaped into molds or flattened, making them highly sought after for jewelry, gun stocks, flooring, or table tops...their uses were endless. They sold for 50k a square foot which meant one 150 pound Dragon Turtle shell would bring 500k apiece after polishing.

A thousand sales a cycle was an easily reachable target and would bring in 400,000,000 credits of pure profit just from the shells alone. The meat of the Dragons ran 100 credits a pound with a 150 pound Turtle producing roughly 50 pounds of meat. At 1,000 head, the meat would bring in 4,000,000 credits of profit. After three years of careful husbandry Logo knew he could be sustainably raising 10,000 head a year for a profit of over 4,000,000,000 credits of pure profit a year.

Vika had foreseen all of this and had prepared Logo well. This new venture would catapult him into a position where he was the one who pulled the herds of Largata into one nation and lead them into a glorious future. The ten year plan Vika had given him just kicked into overdrive and Logo was ready.

---

Life aboard the Deirdre again took up its normal routine during their time traveling. The twins spent a lot of time in the cargo hold working on their new fantasy class abilities and learning how to work with the rest of the family as a well oiled assault team.

By the end of the first day of travel, the family had decided that Nikki and Emma needed to work as a two person team. They had more combat time working together than all of the rest of the family put together since they had been doing the battle circuits for years. Nikki was in the process of throwing flame darts out of the open cargo hold while moving instantaneously from one point to another around the bay when she stopped cold and looked at Max.

Max had been thinking about the two sisters being such a deadly duo and was proud of her sisters when Nikki replied in her mind,

Max's eyes got big,

Nikki mused,

Emma laughed,

Joon added,

Vika had been working in several 2 hour sparring sessions a day with Emma learning the staff and Nikki learning the sword.

The warning was not lost upon the twins as they had already learned through practice with the family that the magical weapons of Vika and Max could harm them while Astrid's bubble could weaken them. Also, Paula could affect them with her fortune ability as well.

---

As the Deirdre lowered itself on the back side of the same archery range as before, Agatha set the camouflage skin to mimic the trees in the area. Vika was with Joon and Max in the dining area and she asked them to set up a numbered account with the Henry Voss Corporation's interplanetary banking consortium and to include all the family on the account.

They did so immediately and without further questions, knowing Vika had a very good reason to request it.

As soon as the Deirdre had entered the system, Joon had sent an activation code to her car still parked at her parent's home and had it rendezvous with them at the archery fields. One Agatha at a time was on stealth perimeter patrol in nanoweave while Samira, Max, and Joon took her car and drove it to a special dealership.

"Hello ladies! How might Peterson's Unique Security Service Yard (Yes, PUSSY) assist you today?

Joon showed the saleslady her diplomatic credentials and stated, "I need an unobtrusive armored hover car, capable of seating twelve people in battle gear. I know you have a contract with the Terran Federation to supply their special operations teams with just such a vehicle and I need one for my entourage."

"I am so sorry, Ambassador, but those are strictly military vehicles and can only be sold to special operations units."

Max took the woman to the side and showed her her Special Operator's credentials. "Run this through your system for verification. When you are satisfied, scrub all the information from your systems. And I am sure you understand when I tell you we were never here."

The sales lady went to her computer and input the data, nodded, and erased all the electronic information from her system before returning to Max and handing back her identification. "We happen to have one of those vehicles we have just finished. It is an upgraded model from the standard we have sold the ISD and I am sure it will meet your needs."

The group walked around back where what looked like a standard motor home was parked. "This girl is loaded. She has an autopilot with self-navigation, two ship's grade pop up Gatling Lasers each with 280 degrees of rotation, 360 degree coverage, with 100 degrees of inclination and 45 degrees of declination. There is a dedicated power core for the guns which can also run the vehicle should its power core suffer damage."

"You have secure communications linkups, and the engine is capable of accelerating this baby from 0 to 300 kilometers in ten seconds flat. Top speed is 700 kph. Her climb rate is maxed at 300 meters per second with a ceiling of 11.5 kilometers. She has thruster assisted turning and stabilization, should it be needed, along with a military grade inertial dampener so none of your passengers will lose their lunch when doing any tactical driving. She also boasts an energy shield should you be caught in a heavy fire fight."

Joon asked, "How much?"

"This baby runs 4,000,000 credits out the door."



To say the lady was astounded Joon paid in cash would be an understatement.

Max looked the woman in the eye, "We were never here, all records of you having this vehicle shall be erased immediately, all records of this transaction, except for the payment from Kamatsu Corporation shall be cleansed...and if any word of this leaks out...you will never see me coming."

"Uh....Yes Ma-am! I will see to it personally."

Joon sent her old car back to her parent's house and the group jumped into their new, state of the art, military grade transport and hauled ass back to the Deirdre to pick up everyone so they could get their visit with mom and dad underway.

Max drove while Samira familiarized herself with the computerized functions of the vehicle. When the motor home reached the parking area of the Archery Range, the family was dressed and ready for dinner at mom and dad's.

---

(Caller on the line) "Yes, Mrs. Kamatsu, we have verified that the car owned by Ambassador Smith left the house on autopilot. It then drove to an Archery range where it picked up three passengers who then went to a specialty vehicle lot where the group purchased a mobile home. The car returned to the residence and the mobile home picked up all the rest of the group back at the Archery range."

She smiled, hung up and dialed the number she was given, "They are parked at the Archery Range just outside of town, but are visiting family at the Smith house (she gave the address). You have an estimated 3 hour window."

"More than enough. We will pick you up and be there within 2 hours."

"Make sure my daughter isn't harmed, I want her alive so I can control her. Are you sure you can make her compliant?"

"Without a doubt. Consider this a done deal. See you in a few."

---

Howard's wife, Dr. Mercedes Smith noted Joon's car had left the house and walked out the back to the dojo. She had taken the day off to be fresh for her extended family and was excited to meet everyone again. "Joon, Mixie, and the rest of the family are planet side. They should be here for dinner."

Howard looked up from his afternoon Kata and smiled as he continued through the workout. His mind was deep in concentration as the muscle memory for his workout went through the paces.

Howard was concerned about their new neighbors across the street. He and Mercedes had welcomed them to the neighborhood and invited them to a dinner in the near future. But when they had opened the door, Howard's inner alarm bells flared.

They were nice people. But, something was off and Howard was watching them like a hawk. It was quite a coincidence they bought the house which had been on the market for over a year just a day before his daughters were due for dinner.

Howard didn't believe in coincidences.

---

Astrid, Samira, and the twins were a bunch of nerves, meeting their parent-in-laws in person for the first time. Astrid expressed her tension asking, "Agatha, you have met the Smiths at their home before, what are they like?"

Agatha chuckled, "They are very easy going and nice. They knew I was not human early on but it only created a great deal of interest in my species rather than hesitance. I was immediately accepted into the family and so will you all. You have no worries. Right Vika?"

Vika looked a bit pensive herself but nodded, "No worries with the Smiths at all."

The way Vika answered that question set off alarm bells with both Joon and Max.







The family arrived just after noon and Max, with Joon on her arm, led the procession out of the motor home. Mercedes and Howard both walked out the front of the house, "Maxie! So good to see you! Oh my! Have you grown?"

Max was wearing her black knight uniform with silver piping and she stood tall as she smiled, "Yes, mom, I have grown a bit." She gave Mercedes and Howard big hugs. Joon soon followed, hugging her mother, when Mercedes backed up after the hug and exclaimed, "Joon! You got a breast reduction?!"

"Well, yes mom. They are much more comfortable now and I don't bump into walls anymore." Joon laughed, blushing just a bit at her mother just telling the neighborhood about her cosmetic (magical) surgery.

The rest of the family quietly lined up for introductions. Joon began, "Mom, Dad, you have already met Agatha."

Both Howard and Mercedes gave Agatha a big hug. "How have you been my newest daughter?" Howard asked.

Agatha smiled, "Doing quite well, Dad. But I think you are in for a bit of a surprise." Howard lifted an eyebrow and looked at the other young ladies and then at Joon.

Joon looked a bit sheepish and bit her lower lip, but she continued with the introductions, "Mom, Dad, please meet your new daughter in-laws. Astrid, Vika, and Samira you have seen on the comms, and the twins are Nikki and Emma."

Howard didn't miss a beat and opened his arms to hug each of his new daughters, welcoming them to the family. Mercedes laughed, "I never would have thought my little introverted daughter would ever end up with a harem of beautiful women for a family."

Mercedes was shedding happy tears as she embraced each and every one of her new daughters, giving heartfelt words to each one as she did so. "I am so happy for your all."

Max smiled and said, "That isn't the only surprise. Joon is now the Ambassador of the Minor Empires."

Mercedes squealed, "WHAT? My baby is an Ambassador representing the Terran Federation?"

The tears started anew and Joon was wrapped up in her mother's embrace once again. Howard was smiling from ear to ear and when he caught her eye he mouthed, "So proud of you, baby." The entire family got caught up in the emotional display but Joon pulled back from her mother, "Mom, Dad, Max is now Lady Max Anders, a Knight of the Slarmian Dynasty."

Howard looked at his adopted daughter with wide eyes, "There is a story there I have to hear! A Terran given a Knighthood by a foreign species is unheard of!"

At that exact moment: the house blew up.

Well, not exactly blew up, it was strafed by 4 fighter craft and was instantly engulfed in flames before it was hit by a rocket and blew up.

The family were all knocked to the ground but got back on their feet quickly. Max started giving orders, "Mom! Dad! Into the Urban Assault Vehicle! NOW!"

Howard reacted instinctively and grabbed his wife, picking her up and running straight for the motor home. Upon entering, two Agatha said "hello" as the doors closed. Mercedes was confused, "Agatha? How?"

"Mitosis. Different bodies, same mind. More later!"

Howard was distressed, "My girls are not on board!"

"I am sorry, Dad, but I have strict orders from Captain-wife to engage the fighters."

"You are going to engage 4 fighter class airships with a motor home!!!"

"Yeah, I know. I feel sorry for them, too."

Howard's mouth opened but nothing came out until he said, "I have to protect my girls!"

Agatha had set the shields just in time to absorb another strafing run by two of the fighters and the shields were shimmering but held with minor loss of protection. However, Agatha had also powered up the two Gatling lasers and both fighter craft exploded in air when their power cores were hit.

"Dang it, these old fighters have no shields. I need to be more careful with these next two. Sorry Howard, but trust me, your daughters can handle anything that these idiots can throw at them. I have set up a monitor so you can watch the ground situation."

Howard glued himself to the holo-vid, calming himself down. He didn't know who these people were, but they were going to pay with their lives, even if he had to start a mercenary group to hunt them down.

---

As soon as the Urban Assault Vehicle was engaged with the second two fighters, a transport ship made a hot LZ landing and 50 mercenaries in full battle gear hopped out. They immediately fanned out, covering the family whom Joon had called together inside her sphere for protection.

With 50 assault rifles pointed in their direction, a single woman dressed in what could only be called Gucci camouflage stepped out of the transport.

Astrid took one look at her and screamed, "Mother? WHAT THE FUCK!"

"ASTRID! YOUR LANGUAGE!" Ingred chastised. "Come quietly dear and your friends will be spared."

One of the Mercs called out, "Back it down, Max. I don't want to have to take you out."

Max looked at the Merc and smiled, "Argus, you are a dead man walking."

At that signal, Max engaged her haste, drew her bow and shot arrows so fast the eye could not follow her movements. Vika and Agatha began throwing windblades, Samira brought up her hard light armor, opened her thighs, and four highly modified Hurricane pistols roared to life. Emma pulled up her ghost and began flying around, touching wounded and dead alike with her staff of death while her sister went all firebrand and hugged one Merc after another in her now naked form (she fried her clothes again), enveloping them in flames.

Within about 6 seconds, all fifty Mercs were dead and their bodies were being completely consumed by fire with only a few shots fired, which Joon's protective barrier just reflected.

Ingrid, however didn't react like she was just made completely vulnerable. And soon, the family saw why.

A woman, dressed in a purple and black cloak with a black and highly figured silver filigree covered blouse stepped out of the transport. Black smoke was rising from her clothing.

The family gathered again under Joon's bubble of sanctuary.

Nikki warned everyone,

At that precise moment, the Witch smiled and began to speak, "Ahh, the last remnants of the Fulmetters! I am so happy to finally catch up to you!" She looked to Max, Emma, and Nikki with scorn and said, "I killed your parents; poor things. They begged me for mercy but I was all out of mercy that day. Seems I am a bit short today as well."

The Witch lifted her hand and shot out a bolt of lightening. Astrid had sensed it coming and enveloped the family in her protective bubble which absorbed the energy of the blast after having punched through Joon's sanctuary bubble.

Paula, who attempted to pull the Witch's fortune, then added:

Emma tossed her Kaladanda Staff at the Witch but it was deflected along with Samira's Laser blasts and Vika's windblades. Emma recreated the Staff in her hand with ease but was amazed the Witch could counter it.

The Witch laughed, "I was hoping for...well...more. "I remember you from the Academy," she nodded towards Paula. It seems you have added more abilities. You are still a neophyte, though. The Witch shrugged, "If you had come to me instead of running away, I could have taught you so much more. But, alas, you are Fulmetter and I would have had to kill you anyway. So sad. Now it is time for you all to die."

While the Witch was talking, Max took control.





Emma put her hands to her mouth to concentrate the sound and sent the Witch her strongest Frightful Moan. The attack the Witch was forming fizzled with her inability to concentrate. Fighting the effects of Emma's moan due to having worked with Emma, the team was able to weather that storm and as soon as she hit her crescendo Max pulled up her Haste and Maneuver and attacked with her Pole Blade. Vika also attacked with her windblades, both striking as quickly as they possibly could to distract the Witch.

Concurrently, Nikki struck through the ground with all her might and was just barely strong enough to enter the Witch's body...but she knew she would not last long. This woman was powerful and trying to contain her will was like striking a granite mountain with a teaspoon.

Max immediately reached for the Talisman and yanked, but the chain was enchanted and would not come off.

"FUCK!"

---

The two Agatha's successfully engaged the last two fighter aircraft as Howard and Mercedes watched what was happening on the ground. Both of them shocked to the core that their girls seemed to be superheroes.

Howard gave his wife a look which she shared, agreeing without saying a word that a family discussion was going to happen sooner rather than later.

---

Max had no choice, she yanked the neck chain over the Witch's head, scraping ears and taking hair with it in her haste.



Paula pulled fortune from the Witch like she had never pulled before. She was able to get quite a bit before the Witch countered her but Emma was ready.

She launched the Kaladanda Staff and it shot like a bolt of light from point blank range, striking the Witch in the chest. There was a great boom, a strangled cry from the Witch, and she fell as if poleaxed, dead to the world.

Nikki was lying down on the grass in her human form, smoke slowly rising from her body. Joon quickly ran to her and enveloped her in a healing aura but there was resistance. "Paula, I need you to lift this spell from Nikki!"

Max yelled, "Wait!" She quickly cleaned off the talisman and gave it to Paula. Paula knew she had to bond with it so she took a moment to do so. When the Pentacle of Hecate accepted the bond, Paula quickly put it around her neck, the clasp having opened by itself. When she clasped it back there was a wave of power that sealed the bond and the chain.

Paula quickly identified the spell and began to cast the counter to lift it from Nikki. The power coming from the Pentacle was intoxicating and Paula had to really concentrate on the spell. Once she was done she touched Nikki and dark wisps of smoke rose off her body and evaporated into the air.

Joon wasted no time and immediately healed Nikki from the psychic wounds she had suffered from the mind battle with the Witch.

Nikki sat up and slowly shook her head, "Damn that bitch was tough!"

Paula felt like her whole being was expanding, "I think I need help." She cried as she began to feint.

Agatha caught her and held her close. "Don't worry my sister, I have you. You just opened a portal to divine power from the spirit realm and it is running unchecked. I can absorb it from you to get you settled down, but you need to close that conduit down."

"I....Paula struggled to concentrate...I don't know how."

Agatha began to absorb the phenomenal amount of power in Paula's body and whispered in a calm voice, just will it to close and stop my lovely sister. It will follow your mental command."

Agatha repeated herself several times until she got through and Paula, in a herculean effort, willed the flow of power to cease. "That's it Paula. Let it slowly leak into me until you are better."

After a few moments, Agatha began to glow with a white aura. She released Paula and backed away from everyone, motioning for them to stay away. She lifted her hands up towards the sky and released a blinding light of pure magical energy that instantly ionized the air and disintegrated the molecules which themselves caused a nuclear level release of energy straight up and through the atmosphere of the planet.

Agatha stood there and smiled at her family. Nude as a Jaybird since her clothing had been vaporized.

Was the unified response of the entire family.

Agatha laughed and yawned, With that, Agatha laid down where she was and fell asleep.

Joon rushed to her and examined her with her healing ability. "She is fine, just totally exhausted. But if all her hands are in the same shape, the ship is now unprotected."



The family looked up and the motor home was slowly descending to the street in front of the now demolished home. Agatha had been able to set up the command just prior to passing out.

With a sigh of relief for her parents, Max looked to Paula,

Paula took a deep breath and let it out slowly, nodding her head.

Max looked to Samira who approached the dead Witch and began enchanting her necromancy spell, making sure to include the soul binding spell in her incantation so the Witch would be compelled to do her bidding. The Witch's spirit responded and the body took a deep, gasping breath before she sat up and looked to Samira for instruction.

Samira then told her, "You are to find all the heads of 24K, force them to transfer all their liquid assets to this account number (she gave the Witch a slip of paper) with the Henry Voss Corporation's interplanetary banking consortium. When they have done so, you are to kill them. When you have finished with this planet, you are to move to all the core worlds, one at a time, and repeat that process."

"You can take the ship you and your troops came here with for transportation. When you have eliminated 24K's top leaders and their underlings you are to begin the same mission with the Minor Empires and the outer rim planets. When you are finished you are to contact me through that account, leaving me a message and we will discuss your future at that time."

"Do you have any questions?"

"Nnnno mmmy Mmmmistressss. Buut wwwhaat of mmmy talllisssmmmannn?" the Witch responded with a voice that sounded as if it was echoing from the depths of hell.

"The Pentacle of Hecate has bound itself to our Witch and is no longer yours. You may create your own Pentacle as well as other weapons as you see fit for your needs. Under no circumstances are you to move against anyone not in the hierarchy of 24K or their children."

"If there are surviving family you are to sell the property assets and leave enough credits with them to see them through productive lives as middle class citizens. Take out what expenses you need to continue your work and deposit the rest into that account."

"It ssshhhall be as you commmannnd, Mmmissstress."

"Go and do my bidding, Slave."

As the Witch turned to leave on her quest, Astrid walked up to her mother. Ingrid was still scared senseless and could not move. Astrid just didn't care and slapped the crap out of her stepmother. She then grabbed her by her Gucci ass collar and looked her dead in the eye. "If you EVER attempt to come after me again, your life is forfeit! Now get out of my sight before I change my mind and kill you right here and now for attacking my REAL family!"

The door of the motor home opened up and Howard walked tentatively out of the door. Mercedes was holding onto him for support. "Oh Howard, our home!"

Everyone turned to see the house fully involved. Joon began to cry and held her mother close, "I am so sorry! We had no idea this would happen! How did Ingrid even know we were here?"

Howard turned a murderous gaze to the house across the street and began walking that way with deadly purpose. Emma, realizing what Howard was up to, looked to the two adults in the house to identify their motives and intents. "They are spies, sent by Ingrid. When the car left it was followed. They knew everything."

Max grabbed Agatha and jumped into the motor home, gently putting the three hands on the floor and starting up the Urban Assault Vehicle.

Howard broke down the door to the neighbor's house and having heard what Emma said, knew the two were complicit. He found them in their living room....a minute later he walked out of the house and joined the others. Howard was stone faced and tense with controlled rage. Joon and Mercedes knew and didn't ask.

Paula had everyone hold hands and she did her Hearth incantation. They were all instantly transported to the cargo bay. The outer doors and hatches were still all secure; but Joon turned to Samira, "Agatha had a hand on perimeter patrol. See if you can find her, please?"

Paula went with her, pulsing out her senses to find her sister.