Hey, it's all about barter . . .

Aeryn Pip

Yep, it's all about barter over there in Xanth, especially with the Good Magician (aka the Humphrey clan).

. . .

OH, you didn't know that Xanth was like Terra Prime where there were lots of duplicated people running around? Well, now you do!

Don't thank me, just a favor (that you can repay later I'm sure). . .

Yeah, there was this thing about how it wasn't do to a bunch of analogs coming from different realities (realized or unrealized) . . . . Heh! It was due to something called storyline fracturing (some of the fahrbots of this pocket universe actually believe totally the idea that their world and they are just part of a fantasy series instead of a reality which is reflected in a idiotic fantasy pun fest) which is some kind of timeline fracturing where past can meet present and not having all hezmana breaking loose because of it. It had been just a side effect of some grand and complicated Demonic plan to bring about death and despair to the land of Xanth, but . . .

Ah, but why bore you with a long, dry technobabble session. Had barely followed the explanation the Doctor gave over it all. Besides, it's hardly important except to say that one of the analogs of Humphrey (the Good Magican, the Magician of Information) got suckered into a scam of some type. Exact details are too long and dry for me, but he'd been suckered into believing that a legit firm of some type. In exchange for doing some research in remote (hard to access) corner of the Net, in exchange for some juicy information (information being another stock in trade for services besides yearlong grotwork). It was juicy enough to blind him to the fact it was TOO good to be true. This particular Humphrey had proceeded to log into a Military network but before he realized where he was (and that he was playing the duel parts of patsy AND decoy) he got caught and his systems fried (and the Xanth node . . . . a feeble thing indeed). If he'd been accessing by a cybernetic jack, he'd likely had been brain dead now (deadly force authorized in certain areas of cyberspace, be careful!) but he just got knocked offline to some place called "Memory Alpha" (over in the Star Trek Universe) and other realms within the Net, but WE can contact him through our Intranet.

. . .

By the way, the data thieves got caught (not that I care either way in the matter), but right now we have the Mage of Information without access to his most potent tool for research. This can be so VERY awkward for this broker of information if the wrong Question is asked by a customer, eh?

Oh, but what a NICE bargaining position we are in here! One which Chiana was actually the first to point out, if I may add!

What? You thought that just because Leon's hide got saved by a block made by her meant that she's now a . . . .paladin of some type? No self interest?

. . .

Well . . .

What she didn't tell Leon (or anyone else but her sisters here) was that I had been in a direct line of the spell bolt once it had it's way with Leon. . . .

. . . .

Hey, we're not above profiting from a mistaken impression. Never can tell when something like that will . . .

Nevermind.

Anyway!! See, if the people of Xanth in general (and the Good Magicians in particular) were a PROPER part of the Military Protectorate (or some other legit member of the Federation or Whatever) instead of some kind of small time independent "trade partner" with Terra Prime then . . . . the Repair Detachment for the Military (the ones who make the upkeep and maintainence for the Net possible) wouldn't be dragging their feet! Will be a month before they get to Xanth to fix things.

Unless, of course an AI turned Golem who happens to be certified in Net Node repair lent a hand, with ME and my sisters delivering the terms.

I have this way with . . . bargaining deals (and not just by using the ways you think! Gods, the man is so OLD looking and so VERY not my type . . . especially with a wife who's face can literally turn you to stone). Rygel might have been good at bargaining for Moya's crew, but I know a trick or two. If any of the others go and bargain with the Good Magicians (THE one's charged with access to the outside by his King), we'll get one Answer to a Question.

1. If we girls in gray go? Well.....

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