|
|
Andromeda opening at SorboMart
"Captain we have an incoming transmission
from planet earth," Rommie informed Dylan.
"Put it through," Dylan responded. Rommie did as commanded and an odd man came
on screen. He was wearing a strange garment that looked like a long dress.
"Greetings my friends," he said. "I have come to invite you to the opening
of the century." "And just what will we be opening?" Tyr asked stifiling a
yawn. Dylan gave Tyr a less than pleased look. "Don't be rude to a potential ally of
the Commonwealth," he growled. "This guy dosen't look like he has that much
potential," Bekka whispered. Dylan shook his head wondering when his crew would learn
the art of diplomacy.
"You wound me my blonde goddess," the man said back. "I'm willing to show
you just how much potential I do have, but first things first. There are dinars to be
made."
"Dinars? What are they?" Haper asked. "A unit of monetary value used for
trading purposes in ancient Greece," Trance answered. The rest of the crew turned to
stare at her. Trance looked at the floor and curled up her tail. "Another lucky
guess, I guess," she said.
"And what a good guesser you are, my lovely purple one," the stranger replied.
"Remind me to show you around some of the gambling palaces."
"Ahemmmmm", Dylan interrupted. ? "Just who are you again?"
"The name is Salmoneous, businessman extrodinaire."
"And what business do you have with us?" Dylan queried.
"I told you I've come to invite you to the grand opening, to end all grand openings.
SorboMart is celebrating the addition of its new Andromeda line of merchandise.
Bekka and Tyrs ears perked up. "SorboMart?, Andromeda merchandise? Do we get any of
the profit?" Bekka asked.
Sal smiled at Bekka. "See I knew you were a woman after my own heart. Unfortunately
that's a big no. The only way the Sorbo in Sorbomart would agree to the shopping center
was if all the proceeds went to charity. I'm involved because I had to do some public
service, to make my problem with some tax collectors go away. That and because I'm the
best salesman on earth. Of course the merchandise practically sells it........"
"Do you ever stop talking little man?" Tyr snarled.
"Am I annoying you. I'm sorry. Please accept my humblest apologies. Nice muscles
you've got there. I'm just a humble emissary trying to do an honest days work. Who does
your wardrobe? I think the Sovereign just might like the metal look. Did I mention I was
friends with Hercules. He and I........."
Dylan stopped Sal's rambling with a raised hand. "You said this opening was for
charity?
"Charity. That's right, Captain, Sir," Sal said as he saluted Dylan.
Dylan turned and gave his crew a sarcastic smirk. "I think I'm going to like this
SorboMart place, and since its for charity we can hardly say no now can we?"
"Good, I'll have our computer expert, Aphrael send your ship the coordinates right
away. Dress in formal attire and we will see you at 7:00 p.m. earth eastern standard time.
Sal out. I've always wanted to say that." He dissappeared from the screen.
"Formal attire. I think I'm begining to like this place already too", Rommie
said. Bekka groaned.
"This should prove to be a most enlightening evening," Rev said.
"Very enlightening," Dylan agreed.
Strife and Daimos had been eaves dropping in on
the communciation between Sal and the Andromeda from Olypmus. "This dosen't look
good," Strife said. "It might take away interest from us." You know you're
right," Daimos agreed. We don't want anyone getting ahead of us in line for the
amazon's dreams."
A decidely wicked female laugh resounded in the air. "As if you two would be in any
one's dreams to begin with," Discord sneered. "Nightmares maybe." She
appeared in a puff of black smoke. Besides I see this as an opportunity. That ship looks
like a decidely nice war toy. It will look fabulous among Ares collection. It might even
get me back in his good graces."
Strife and Daimos slapped each other on the head. They hadn't even considered the
possibility of trying to capture the Andromeda. That, however, didn't stop them from
trying to claim credit. "We saw it first, Ms. Nasty," Daimos whined. "Yeah
its ours to give to Ares for his birthday," Strife sneered. "Wasn't his birthday
last week?" Daimos asked.
"You were supposed to remind me, you
idiot", Strife shouted. He smacked Daimos on the
chest. "We didn't get him a present. He's going to be mad. Someone's going to
fry," Strife said. He was wringing his hands in consternation.
Discord started laughing. Look an idiot calling an idiot, an idiot."
"Bet you can't say that three times fast," Daimos teased Discord. He made a
sickening move with his tounge.
Discord zapped him with a blast of electricity from her fingertips. He fell off the marble
post he had been sitting on. No, but I can do that three times fast. She said tossing back
her dark hair, and giggling wickedly.
Stife sucked up some of his ambrosia milkshake and blew it all over Discord.
She screamed as she watched it drip down her favorite black leather ensemble.
"That does it, Zeus will thank me for ridding Olympus and the World from you two
morons."
She raised back her hand and was about to strike."
Suddenly a very masculine hand wrapped around hers. "Children, Children, all this
rage is lovely. And Discord as much as I agree about the world being a better place
without these two loosers, they keep me amused watching their pathetic little lives,"
Ares informed her. "But you two are also right," he said to Strife and Daimos.
The two cousins gave each other the thumbs up sign until they heard what he had to say.
"I'm furious at the two of you for not getting me some birthday presents. So you've
got one chance to make it up to me. Help Discord sieze that ship for me, and I'll consider
forgiving you. Blow it and you'll know my wrath."
Strife and Daimos looked like they wanted to cry. "Please Ares, I don't need these
two loosers tagging along on my mission," Discord growled. I could handle it myself
or you could come along," she said trailing her fingers up his arm."
"You're not off the hook my dear either. Your record against my enemies hasn't been
so good, and I don't like the way you have tried to eliminate my amazons. So you've got
alot to prove on this mission yourself. Besides I'll by busy tonight," Ares informed
her.
"And just what will you be doing?" Discord asked.
"Working on my main mission which is getting the name of SorboMart changed to
AresMart."
Strife and Daimos started to laugh, then thought better of it when they saw the look on
Ares face.
They quickly disappeared to the war room to make plans with Discord for seizing the
Andromeda.
The Eureka Maru made a perfect landing at the Sorboland airport. Tyr, Harper, Rommie,
Dylan and Beka disembarked. Rev Bem and Trance had drawn the short straws and were back at
home guarding the Andromeda.
Sal was there to meet the new arrivals. He eagerly greeted both Rommie and Beka with
kisses on their hands. "Welcome, oh gorgeous ones," he sighed. "Why thank
you," Rommie replied. "Charmed, I'm sure," was Beka's somewhat less
enthusiastic response.
Dylan stepped forward and extended his hand in greeting. It's nice to meet you in person,
Mr. Salemoneus. "I'm Captain Dylan Hunt, and this is my crew at least some of them
anyway. He quickly made the introductions, and passed along Trance and Rev Bem's regrets.
Sal tried hard to mask his disappointment that Trance was not with them. He'd really been
serious about taking her to the gambling palaces. He'd already had dreams about the dinars
they could win together. He comforted himself with the thought that if all went well this
would only be one of many trips the Andromeda Ascendant's crew would be making to
Sorboland.
"It's nice to meet you as well Captain," he said to Dylan. "on behalf of
all the staff at Sorbomart, I extend my gratitude."
"Can we get on with this?", Tyr snarled. "I have some reading I want to get
back to some time within the next century."
Rommie stepped on his foot hard. "Protocol," she hissed. He gave her a surprised
look but said nothing.
Sal wasn't going to take any chances ticking Tyr off. He already had enough bruises
courtesy of the Sovereign and Ares.
"Certainly. Everyone is so anxious to get to know all of you. I've arranged first
class transportation. A golden stretch limo handcrafted by Hesphestaus himself. The bar is
fully stocked with grapes, lemonade, and the best of wines from Dionysus. It pays to have
connections, I'm like this with the Olympians," he said crossing his fingers. Yes
siree, I'm their man, why even Hera is starting to like me, ever since she and Zeus got
back together that is, she's actually not half b..."
Tyr's fists began to clench. Beka noticed this and wisely interrupted Sal's monologue.
"Grapes, lemonade and wine? That's sounds like quite an eclectic feast. I get the
grapes and wine connection but how does the lemonade come in? Is it used in your
ceremonial customs here?"
"You could say that. It's kind of a long story, you see the amazons started having
these
fantasies after....
"Amazons, fantasies?" This time it was Harper who interrupted. This sounds like
the land of my dreams. Lead on good man, lead on."
Sal put an arm around Haper's shoulders. "You seem like a sweet boy but awfully
naive."
"How so?", Harper asked.
Dylan spoke, "Sorry to interrupt but it seems to be getting late. We don't want to
make a bad first impression by keeping our hosts waiting."
Sal took a quick look at his sundial wrist watch. "You're right. Hilara is going to
be peeved at me, I tell you. Peeved. You don't want to see her mad. It isn't pretty. She
might even send Rober't after me. He's already shredded almost all of my best togas with
the sword of his. Sal quickly ushered the Andromeda's crew toward the limo. He walked up
to the driver's door and knocked on the window. There was no response. "Great where
did my driver go?"
"He probably hung himself to find some peace." Tyr whispered to Beka. She nearly
choked trying to suppress her laughter.
Suddenly a giggling Danaan came running out of one of the airplane hangers. Her hair was
delightfully mussed.
"Wow! Is that your driver?," Harper asked. "She's a knock out."
"I'm in heaven."
Sal patted Harper on the cheek. "There's just one problem, lad?
"What's that?"
"The competition," Sal answered.
As if on cue, Mechanic HerK, who had been converted into Limo Driving HerK for the evening
made his way out of the hanger. A satisfied smile was on his lips.
Harper shouted, "Oh no. It can't be. He could be Dylan's twin. Only with longer hair
and a better tan."
Dylan shot him a glaring look.
"Sorry, el capitan. But its not like you'll have a problem getting companionship
tonight. Think of poor me. How am I going to stand a chance of winning one of the fair
amazons with guy's like you and him around?"
"Ah my friend, it is my sad duty to inform you that there's about a hundred more just
like the both of them," Sal said pointing first to Dylan and then to Mechanic HerK.
"They multiply quickly too, kind of like rabbits."
Harper looked like he was going to cry. A delightful smile crossed Rommie's face. Beka
looked like she was giving this information some serious consideration as well.
Tyr stepped forward and patted Dylan on the back. "Perhaps I've underestimated the
strength of your gene pool, it's pretty impressive that it has spread this far."
Just then Sal's cell phone rang. A woman's voice could be heard yelling something about
"incurring the wrath of the amazons, unless the guests of honor, especially Dylan and
Tyr were delivered to Sorbomart post haste."
Suddenly Sal couldn't herd the guests into the limo fast enough. Mechanic HerK and Danaan
were laughing hard. "I wouldn't want to be you, Sal," Mechanic HerK commented.
"Just get behind the wheel, and step on it. Or I'll suggest opening the garage and
bike shop 24/7. I get no respect I tell you, no respect," he said as he jumped into
the limo and slammed the door.
tbc
Soaring For Sorbo,
Hilara