"One moment, please, Hugh-sensei." Kitsune held up her hand and regarded the huge scientist. "You may be jumping to conclusions. The shraaorch may be just as we are, after all. Like the Fex, they may have been pulled in and aren't necessarily associated with any of the Ambers directly. We need more information, I think. They guard a key, but do we, or even they, know why they guard it? The key may have some use the shraaorch have discovered that is separate from what we would use it for, as one possibility. We need hard facts. Which means we will have to see to them as well as to see about getting a scroll of our own."

"And for that," Aaorrann added, "you will need to see Jean-Louis, when you are ready." She glanced over at Tapestry. "He will wish to wager you something for that hat. Be forewarned."

With a dramatic snap of his fingers, Tapestry's broad brimmed, plumed hat turned into an opera-worthy formal top hat, only purple. "I Imagine we can come to some accommodation." Sure, that Carrey could do impressions, that talentless ham-fisted hack, but he had nothing in his repertoire like this.

Aaorrann nodded, hissed something to a mottled black and white female Fex, who then exited the bridge.

Kitsune chuckled softly at that, then shifted as a thought came to her. "Captain Aaorrann-sama, I have a question about your 'viewscreen'. It projects what you and your crew remember. I presume it is attuned to you, but is it capable of being attuned to others? Could I, for instance, show my memories on its display, or is that not possible?"

Aaorran shook her head. "I do not know. You are welcome to try, Kitsune. Any of you are."

"Kitsune is right to want to further explore the nature of these machines. They could tell us much about the repairs to be done, regardless of their source," Aodh explained. "Please, Captain, this memory interface, I think, may give us what we need. You see, all viewscreens have the capacity to be made into transmitters, with some tweaking. It's called the Tempest Effect. If you could tell me more of its engineering principles, I may be able to come up with something? Though.. I do want to meet this librarian."

Aaorrann hesitated. "I am not willing for our viewscreen to be modified if it will cost us its overall functionality," she told Aodh. "In addition, if you have not yet noticed -- no signal transmits through the walls of this place." She frowned a bit. "Unless it comes from one of the Ambers themselves, of course."

Black Cat turned to the captain of the Fex. "Aaorran, we should probably get that scroll from Jean-Louis now. I feel like it would be best if we assumed our time was short."

"Oh, you have all the time -- or rather, timelessness -- you can imagine, Black Cat," she told him, with a tell-tale glint in her eye.

Kitsune raised her hand again to gain the attention of everyone present. "Captain Aaorrann-sama, I just realized something. Have the shraaorch ever been seen to have opened a door on their own?" The young woman looked to her companions. "I just realized that they don't have hands, only weapons. Another question would be, 'How resistant to damage are the doors?' We might be able to lure one out, disarm it, and let Blitz-san, Hugh-sensei, and Nocturne-san examine it while we keep the others away. That does depend on various factors, of course, but... I do find it appealing."

The Fex captain smiled at these questions. "Very good, Kitsune." The name sounded very strange coming from a mouth full of sharp teeth. "To our knowledge, they have never opened that door on their own. The door only opens in response to someone approaching it from the Hall of Mirrors. As to the doors, you may have noticed that this particular door differs from the others -- it slides open, rather than swings. It is also not made of wood, but some polymer we do not know. That said, we have never tried to batter down the doors." Aaorrann frowned a little as she said this, then shrugged. "It is not our way.

"You have plans to make, and I will pick a team to accompany you in this fight if you wish." Aaorrann looked grim at this, but determined too. "We can help you with the viewscreen if you need it, projecting the Hall of Mirrors from various angles, reviewing Shraaorrch tactics, and the like. And when Renna returns with your scroll, you will perhaps understand your presence here a bit more."

As if on cue Renna appeared, handing a rolled up piece of parchment to Captain Aaorrann, who shook her head and gestured to the others. Though Renna's blue eyes looked the whole group over, it was Black Cat to whom she handed the scroll, accompanied by a slow, flirtatious glance. Renna spoke in Fexao to her captain, then resumed her duty station.

It was parchment, Black Cat had seen this very kind of paper in hundreds of museums and private collections. It had been casually rolled and sealed with amber wax. The seal was the Amber family crest, which he first saw in the foyer. The handwriting within was flowing, ornate -- and perfectly legible English.

It read as follows:

To Those Who Would Be Free

The secret that will break the curse surrounding Castle Amber and lift the gray mist is engraved on the inside lid of Corwin Amber’s casket. To summon Prince Corwin's tomb from beyond space and time you must find four silver keys which have been hidden and warded by those whose treachery triggered the curse.

Once the keys are obtained, look for the room with the Silver Gate.

You will face many dangers, some of them fatal.

You will be helped.

Good luck. Gods speed.

Then, in different handwriting was scrawled the following:

Droideka. Troll. Brand??

Aaorrann broke the silence. "Renna says Jean-Louis is watching. And to come to him, if you are victorious. He will tell you what little he knows, so that they may all be delivered."

Kitsune looked to Black Cat, then asked, "May I see the scroll, Neko-san, please?" Kitsune frowned thoughtfully within her armor, considering the matter. Then she smiled within as a thought struck her, and turned to the viewscreen. "No hurry," she amended. "I can wait a few on that."

"I'm going to try something here," Kitsune murmured. She walked toward the viewscreen, then regarded it, concentrating and focusing her thoughts, rather like she did that first time she felt she could pull things out of... well, wherever it was that her sword, her armor, and her other items were when she wasn't using them. Her thoughts turned inwardly, and she considered her Adversary and her Sponsor, the Author.

Her thoughts shifted to Japanese, as a courtesy to the Author, and she did not transmit them to the others. Maybe the Author was feeling generous, or maybe he could be bribed. Eventually, I'm going to have to get out of my armor and my costume here, and I know how much you appreciate that sort of thing. She would swear that he lived for when she'd indulge in a lengthy bubble bath after a stressful day. I know you're watching, you know. Honestly, she found the notion distasteful, but she couldn't stop him from watching her, and it was the only coin she had. Be entertaining, that remained her sole option, and she had been gifted with her looks for a reason.

I thank you for the translation display, of course, Lord, but I was wondering if you were up to a bit more. This screen shows memories of people that are apparently attuned to it. It would let you show a flashback to the audience of one of my adventures, such as the time I thwarted the hijacking of that armored car. The audience would like that, the excitement of me facing down men with automatic weapons, and the hilarious picture of me lifting the car and shaking it like a tambourine. Shall we show the audience, Lord?

Kitsune focused her attention on the viewscreen, while willing herself to recall the moment. Remembering the sights, the sounds, the scents and the sensations, including the painful memories of being shot and having the round deflected. Make it so, she willed.

After several moments of blank screen, Kitsune felt the weight of a hand on her shoulder. It was Captain Aaorrann. "I suspected as much, but wasn't sure," she said. "It always takes at least three of us remembering the same scene to make the viewscreen work. More is better. I just couldn't be sure it was true for you."

Kitsune stiffened, then relaxed a moment, nodding her head. "Nor could I, Captain Aaorrann-sama, but I had to try." She seemed to accept it as just something to try, no loss of face in failing.

And then, on the inside of Kitsune's visor, these words scrolled through: You really didn't think it was going to be that simple, did you?

It could have been conversation from the Fex around her, of course....

Kitsune suddenly froze, her calm disappointment shifting mercurially to a volcanic rage. He was taunting her, was he? It wasn't enough for her to be his plaything, to be exposed to his sight and to have her life manipulated at every twist and turn. No, now he had to taunt her, to poke fun at her, to humiliate her further. What especially stung, deep down, was that he rejected her. She wanted to scream, she wanted to cry, she wanted to throw something or even do as one of her brothers did and punch a wall.

But all of those notions were remarkably bad ideas. She could not afford to break down in front of the Fex, and her pride would not permit giving her author that satisfaction. The only thing handy to throw would be the Captain, who never did anything wrong to her and who even attempted to extend her sympathy to an alien warrior. That would be a poor return on her emotional investment. And shattering that fucking viewscreen would not help anyone there, just make things worse. Damn it.

Even stomping her foot on the ground was out, since it would likely result in a small crater and with a painful lump on her scalp after her head hit the ceiling. There was a sidewalk in Oakland fractured in such a way as to resemble a spider's web, and an oak tree with a rather dented branch just above it. I can learn, she thought to herself savagely. But you may not like the lessons I've picked up, Dono-me. You may not like them at all.

Kitsune exhaled, then brought things back into focus. She still radiated rage for whatever reason, but she used that rage to fuel her determination to get them out of here, and to have them all be safe. "We need to discuss tactics," Kitsune said evenly. "We need to figure what our objective is here, and what tools we have to accomplish it. Do we want to capture one of the shraaorch as a prisoner, do we want to attempt to negotiate, or do we want to smash into their den and force the key from their grasp?"

Kitsune exhaled, willing herself to stay focused, "Or do we have another option?"

"Negotiation with everyone we encounter here," suggested the distracted scientist from Boston, still squatting down trying to understand the workings of the Fex technology, "is the best approach, always. Whatever their objectives, everyone here is here by the will of the Ambers, and all the Ambers are worse off for this stalemate."

"We won't necessarily succeed at negotiations, and there are many options we can explore. I suppose sneaking past these sentry devices is going to require a distraction. Blitz mightn't find their force wall a barrier to him, any more than it is to their weapons. Possibly. We know the barrier is frontal, and doesn't stop movement from above, so anyone can bypass it from that direction, possibly. I noticed there were three doors into this room," Aodh gestured towards the doors into the Fex lair as he lectured, "and cannot imagine this manor was built without alternate entrances to most areas, if one but knows the way. A dumbwaiter, a transom, a vent or window, or the like. Though this room was chosen to be defended, so may lack those features or be defended from those approaches, too. A blueprint would be ideal."

"A moment, my large friend," Aaorrann said. "You may want to look at a portion of the battle again." With that, she hisses another series of commands in a regular rhythm. The Fex nod or acknowledge verbally, and the viewscreen comes to life again. From this close distance, to Aodh the picture looks "pixelized" due to tiny indentations that cover its surface.

The scene has picked up during the firefight. There are three shraaorrchs standing and firing in the hall. Aaorrann speaks up again and all the other Fex in the room look as if their eyes have glazed over. Simultaneously the image on the screen freezes. It shows one of the droids, curled cobra-like, firing with the twin blasters on one arm. On the other is an odd triangular array. A shot from one of the rifles has just hit its defensive shield, which is projected from that triangular array -- the ripple is clearly visible. The twin blasters are also firing, with no discernible drop in shield power.

"They can fire through their own shields," Aaorrann said slowly. "You can see it right there. We keep trying to circle around them, for their shields are `forward only' -- but their firepower is so intense that we are cut down before we can complete the maneuver."

"Negotiation is a lovely notion, but I can't imagine it will have any positive impact," the Black Cat began. "Look at our company," he said, gesturing expansively to the Fex around him. "These are some of the most social creatures we are likely to ever meet, and they are at a combative stalemate. Negotiations won't work, I'd bet my business on it. It will be a battle or it will be stealth." He stood and began to pace the room, speaking with his hands as he walked, and continued talking. The scene of the battle, replayed slowly and dispassionately by the Fex even as it showed their rout against the machines, had focused his mind, and freed him from worry about whether he was man or cat.

"I don't believe we are in a place that has a blueprint, or vents, either," Vincenzo continued. "We are in a place out of space and time, if I understand the Capitaine correctly, and this place doesn't need a ventilation shaft any more than our friends the Fex have needed to eat or sleep in forty years. Is that right?" He asked, looking briefly at the Aaorran with a smile and heavy lidded gaze before continuing, back to animated pacing and wide eyed intensity.

"This place out of time and space is a creation of the Amber's collective nightmare. They can watch us everywhere because we are within a creation of their own thoughts and deeds, summoned by design or need, with new wings added to the chateau as necessary."

"Captain, have any of your crew ever seen on the other side of that door that produces killer robots so effectively?" The Black Cat was following his instincts more now, his eyes open wide and alert. "If I should enter, it would be nice to know what sort of meat grinder I'm getting myself into."

"It is a corridor," Aaorrann replied, arising from her chair as the image on the screen faded. "There are three open doorways on the right. The machines come out of the nearest doorway. None of us have ever been beyond the door to see for ourselves what may be in there. Captain Zhethi once asked Sainte Isobelle, but she either did not know or would not say."

"That doesn't sound like a situation where stealth would be useful, but I will admit deficiencies in being sneaky." Kitsune smiled gently at that, more in control of her emotions. "I realize that since I tend to use a hammer, I see most obstacles as being nails. Knowing that they can only protect one side of themselves is invaluable, actually. We may be able to use something akin to wolf pack tactics, or Blitz-san may be able to flank them, with his talents. Plus the 'Fastball Special' can work as a flanking or opening maneuver as well."

Kitsune mused as she explored this line of thought, "I also run rather quickly, although I don't know if that's comparable to the shraaorch and how they move, but it is something to consider. My defenses are strong all over, so I need not worry so much to taking a shot to the back. Not that I am invulnerable, just that I'm not particularly vulnerable from that angle." Another sense of a smile seemed to flow from the woman, although an empath could sense her roiling emotional turmoil.

"A hallway," the Black Cat mused. "If we can get shooters on either side of the door the robots will be at a considerable disadvantage. Kitsune, how about we get on the other side of that door in the hallway?" He gestured to her and himself, explaining the whole plan with his hands. "I can go over the top with a little fancy footwork, and Aodh can throw you through. For that matter I could wait over the door. The hard part is the number of them, eh? If we can pin them into their own room we can see what's through the other doors."

"There are a couple of problems with that, Neko-san. When I land, I doubt I'll land quietly, and we have no idea how high the ceiling is for that corridor." Kitsune mused. "Hugh-sensei and Shadow-san would be a better choice on the other side of the door, perhaps, because Hugh-sensei can walk on walls and ceilings, and thus may be able to do so quietly."

"Thank you, Captain. Three doorways on the right. The sentries come from the first," the scientist iterated, now crab-walking, one hand supporting him as he examines the viewscreen's underside, contorting to his limits get a better look. "Then we have to move them back to that first doorway, and block it off. That considerably alters our tactics and improves our situation. Negotiation first, then override, then failing that tactic bypassing them and plugging that doorway to cut down the angle of fire. I believe I can get to the door and hold it, freeing the rest of you to seek the key, if the worst comes to the worst."

{I am going to maintain our link on my end during the first phase of our plan. I would recommend that you keep your broadcasted throughts to a minimum.} Dylan thought for a moment before he continued. {I would also ask that we choose one person to direct our efforts. That way they can let me know if and when we need to change tactics. I can relay commands to the rest of the team instantly.}

{We'll need two, I think - one for either side of the doorway.} The Black Cat was grateful that the young psychic could handle so much thought traffic. It would be more of an asset than he could calculate. {How about this: Hugh and Shadow on one side of the doorway, Kitsune and me on the other, while you, Tapestry and Blitz use your talents from a distance. Does that make sense to everybody? Assuming they won't talk it over like gentlemen, of course.}

Kitsune smiled within her armor at the word 'gentlemen'. {I am not sure about that, Neko-san. The hallway for them seems to be a lot narrower than the main hall. Maybe three meters? Perhaps Blitz-san should join the others on the far side, while Tapestry-san and Nocturne-san remain with us.} The diminutive woman sighed softly in her mind, but her body remained controlled.

Kitsune continued, {Also, they might know we're coming the moment we open that sliding door. The Fex have not ventured down that hall at all, you know. The moment we go to the sliding door, we may be dealing with the shraaorch before we even have the time to set up. We might want to try your configuration at the sliding door from the main hall, and see if they are willing to negotiate. The trouble with that is the sliding door appears to be triggered by the presence of a person, much like the automatic doors you will see in supermarkets and large retail stores, like Target.}

Kitsune sighed at that, but she did admit she liked the idea of working with Neko-san as a couple. He seemed very nice, although she wondered about him quite a bit. I hardly know him, after all. She wasn't looking forward to this situation with the shraaorch, but it seemed to be unavoidable.

She continued her discussion over the link, {First, we need to get the sliding door open, and see what happens there. I would suggest the rest of you array yourselves tactically. Hugh-sensei from above, where he can observe and drop down from behind, perhaps. Shadow-san and Blitz-san on one side of the door, Neko-san, Tapestry-san, and Nocturne-san on the other. I will go forward and open the door.}

Kitsune nodded her head firmly at that. {I am probably the strongest and best protected of us here, I should be the first. If they shoot me, I should survive and be able to counterattack, because if we are to negotiate we will have to consider defense rather than attack. I do not think that they will negotiate, but I am more than willing to be proven wrong. If they do not respond when we open the sliding door, then we can move inside and take up the positions suggested by Neko-san. Does that make sense to you all?}

{I think I can handle two of you giving the commands}, he sent to the group. {Which two of you will it be?}

"Right then," standing from his contorted position, straight up in a somewhat gravity-defying way that implied his feet were more firmly planted than an ordinary person's, Aodh said, "Captain, Tyra, I thank you for your hospitality and your information. You are most gracious, and I hope to live to discuss our discoveries beyond the sliding door with you and your crew."

The Bostonian turned toward the exit. {Black Cat seems to have a tactical bent, and Kitsune's volunteering for the most risky actions. Seems the choice is natural.} He removed his baseball cap and sunglasses, folding them into the breast pocket of his yellowish tweed jacket, removing it, and then pulling his magenta turtleneck over his head, revealing the blue wrestling singlet below.

"I wouldn't want my jacket damaged," the scientist said, by way of explanation, "if there's a firefight." His denims and high-tops he left on, apparently believing them immune to the worst the droideka could dish out.

"OK. Kitsune's plan sounds like a good one, but I wonder how we will fight through more than eighty of them," the Black Cat said. "I feel we must work our way down that hallway as soon as possible. Aodh, do you think you could creep down the ceiling of that hallway and attempt to close off the inner door? If they can't get out, we don't have to break them. Depending, of course, on how the battle proceeds."

"There ought to be a closing and locking mechanism. Sentries like that, you wouldn't want accidental releases, if you're a smart designer," Aodh answers. "I'm sure I can work out something."

"We will be watchful of new opportunities, of course," Kitsune said with a smile in her tone. "So we're decided, then?"

Her mind considered the question of who was in charge, and she nodded. {Neko-san and myself. I don't know if I would seriously consider myself in charge, so to speak, but if I'm the one at the point of the spear, it may prove invaluable. Thank you, Nocturne-san. Now, let us hope that the shraaorch see me as a sufficiently amusing toy, hmmm?}