Chapter 19: Faith in The Fantastic Delusion

[Freak Boy]

"I like music," he said half-interestedly. His attention was drawn to the footsteps that were following them. His hand made its way into his coat, where it sat resting upon his pistol... just in case. "I play bass guitar and host a pirate radio station. I'm a big fan of rock and roll.... how about you?"

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

"I like flowers, reading, drawing...going places...learning things...I like many things.." I try to say cheerfully. I don't want to look behind. I wonder if it is the guy from the Invisible Hand.

"Is the apartment very far? I hope your sister doesn't mind the surprise visit." I say, and laugh a little.

[Kith Keitoleinen]

Kith walks up to Hilja, walking faster to keep up to her. He's been paying attention to the conversation and hears it turn to hobbies and other apolitical talk. He notices Freakboy sick a hand into his coat.
He stands still now and waits.

"I think I am looking for the same apartment. Maybe you can show me the way." He suggests.

[Freak Boy]

Freak Boy smiles too, also not looking back. It was possible they were being followed, but it was just as possible that others are on their way to the meeting. "I'm sure she'll be quite anxious to see us," he said, motioning for Hilja to take some sort of a detour to maybe lose the person and head to the meeting.

(gtg. Last final tomorrow morning, and I have an essay and some journals to finish before then.)

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

I look the elf guy over, but he is not familiar and I don't want to tell him where we are going. I stand there dumbly, not sure what to do. I look at Freakboy and back at the elf.
"I don't think so...unless you know his sister.."

[Lucio De Saldanha]

Lucio doesn't hear anyone upstairs any more. He wonders if they left without him. At least now he is alone. He heard someone at the door, but decides to remain in the basement with Yasmin.
"They are my friends, but I don't think they understand me." Lucio explains to Yasmin.
"You can leave at 8, I wouldn't want you to stay to late and turn into a pumpkin."

[††Venice "Cephrien" Ashgrove††]

"Relax you two." Cephrien calls from behind Freak Boy and Hilja. He had decided to lag back a little to see if they were being followed.. but the area was clear except for the four of them. They were all on the same side.

"We're just here for that meeting."

He figured that they would probably chill out if they knew that He was accompanying Kith.

[Freak Boy]

Freak Boy noticeably relaxes. "Cool. Hey, you can never be too careful, right?"

Outwardly, he appeared quite calm. However, inside that stony head of his, the most intense internal monologue in existance was taking place: 'Man, I'm so paranoid sometimes. Paranoid... Android. Tabloid, destroyed by insectoids with bad thyroids. Heh heh... my heartbeat has a cool groove going right now... maybe I'll remember the pattern and turn it into a bassline later. That'd be cool... badabuh bibi buhm buhm doo doo---whoah--oh, snap... I still have to let that Fitzhugh dude know where I am... '

Freak Boy whipped out his cell phone and sent a text to Fitzhugh saying he was now in London's residential district and could meet with him at his earliest convenience.

[Fitzhugh Dubois/Arah]

Watching the download bar finish, Fitzhugh looked down to his phone as he felt it vibrate.

Looking up from a book, Arah was leaning against the nearby wall. “What’s going on?” he asked, popping the book shut.

“Not a clue,” Fitzhugh said as he opened his phone. Seeing that the text message was from Freak Boy, he smiled and said, “I think we’re good.”

Arah stopped leaning against the wall and walked behind Fitzhugh. Seeing that the computer had finished downloading the coding and programs needed for Freak Boy to accurately and efficiently do his job, he said, “Let’s go,” while closing the laptop.

Taking the laptop from Arah and putting it into a bag, Fitzhugh said, “Indeed,” and left the room. Following, Arah hopped into a teleportation booth and off the two went to London.

Getting out of the booth, Fitzhugh got out his cell phone and texted Freak Boy saying, "I've arrived."

[Max Alexander]

"I do not generally just make random broadcasts, but i guess a life look at Annettes party could gain nice ratings. Give me a moment." Max puts up his cellphone and makes a quick call.

A few moments later and entourage of 4 people with a camera come through the doors and get setup. "They are all yours."

[Freak Boy]

Freak Boy's phone buzzed and he read the message. He sent another short text:

"Socialist meeting. Schoolhouse. Look to the skies."

And with that, Freak Boy rushed to a window. He pulled three small looking balloons out of his coat and held up a miniature helium pump about the size of a soda can. He released the red balloons into the sky, then went back to Ceph, Hilja and Kith.

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

I notice Cephrien and breathe a sigh of relief. "Oh sorry...I didn't know who he was..." I say with a smile. I then lead everyone the correct way to the downstairs HQ of Socialst Revolution. We enter a room that at one time may have been a caffeteria for the elementary school. It is a large open space with a makeshift stage and long tables with chairs. The set up it is a little crude, but it works. There are already some people seated for the meeting. I take a seat toward the front and am handed a program on the topics that will be discussed.

[Master Scrag]

"Thank you Mr. Alexander..." Scrag thanks Max Alexander and when the cameras turn on, he clears his throat and begins his speech. It is not often that the Master gives his own speeches. He hates appearing on television. Usually the Speaker, Li Violette, speaks on his behalf. But, today he feels like making a special announcement.

"Some of you are aware of the construction that has taken place in Rome the last few years. There has been speculation as to what the new building would be. A new temple? A monument to Father Manala? What could it be and when will it be completed are the questions being whispered in the streets of Rome."

The Master pauses and stares at the cameras to build some sense of suspense over the building, which he is very proud of.

"I will call it, the Temple of Terror....it is not a temple for worship though. It is a temple for punishment. It is a giant prison complex for torturing and imprisoning those who rebel against Father Manala. The suffering of the disobedient will be an offering to our Great God..."

Scrag explains the building for several minutes, and then, abruptly steps off the stage. The cameras turn off and the broadcast is over.

[Ariel Tal Shachar]

To Max Alexander

"Do you expect me to have any sympathy for you Li?Annette Rosenthal is probably right about you." The Moderator says to Li when she tries to join him in conversation. He leaves her since he wants little to do with her. She may be a popular political figure, but she is an outsider and will always be an outsider. She is not trustworthy.

He walks over to Max Alexander after the speech is complete. "I want you, Dinari, and Momo to get working on the project as soon as you are able. How long do you think it will take to get a rudimentary spying system going?" The Moderator asks him.

[Bonifaz Artz-Lehrer]

They finish their dealings with the Enlightened Brotherhood and prepare to leave Helsinki for Germany. Bonifaz gets one last phone call from his father as they wait near a teleportation booth. He learns that a factory in Germany was bombed. It will stall production, which is already meager because of the strict drug laws. Bonifaz is pissed.

He turns to Archer and Heikki.
"So, someone came to Germany and destroyed part of one of my father's labs. I suppose it was someone from the anti drug commission. I am a little upset about this. I think we should do something." He suggests to Archer and Heikki.

"I mean, they had no right. My father owns that land. He can do what he wants there..."

He folds his arms and tries to think of something they can do..and not necessarily against the anti drug commission.