The World Assembly Strangers' Bar

[Wrapper]

"That suggestion is corrupt, dishonest, and conductive to criminal behavior," says Helen, considering the merits of Arya's proposal. "We should do it. Bell is one of our own. How do you want to go about this?"

(Arya smirks.)

Actually, it's a legal gray area, given this is extra-sovereign territory not subject to CDSP laws. But that's besides the point. Anyway, our operative, Polly, unfortunately she couldn't find anything. Anything of use, that is. And we wanted to try to search again, but it looks like we won't get the opportunity. The big kahuna told Scarface to burn down the office, urinals and all. And, I can't imagine someone like that turning down an opportunity to light 'em up. So... Helen...

(Arya places her hands reassuringly on Helen's hand.)

I know that... that this may be an invasion of privacy, but... but it may be our only chance to try to save Bell. Do you know of anywhere, anywhere around here, in this building or anywhere else, or maybe online, where Bell might have stashed some documents away?

[Wallenburg]

(Arya places her hands reassuringly on Helen's hand.)

I know that... that this may be an invasion of privacy, but... but it may be our only chance to try to save Bell. Do you know of anywhere, anywhere around here, in this building or anywhere else, or maybe online, where Bell might have stashed some documents away?

Trevanyika frowns, unsure how information could be stored on a line, but soon remembers one place that could offer them the resources they sought. "The cellar," she whispers. "West subbasement, level 2. Behind the 'good stuff'."

[Wrapper]

"The cellar," she whispers. "West subbasement, level 2. Behind the 'good stuff'."

West sub... no, Helen, that's....

(Oh shit, thinks Arya. "Hide it behind the good stuff." That's Bell's inside joke about the wallsafe in the Wrapperian delegation's office! Third panel from the left, behind the cheap-ass fake empty liquor cabinet -- "the good stuff" as Bell would jokingly call it. But I already know what's in the safe, that's of no use! Unless I missed something.... And why the fuck would he mention its location to Helen? He's not the kind of idiot to make a mistake like that. Unless....)

That's... that can't be right, Helen, that's our office, subbasement, level 2. Are you sure you heard him say that? Did you overhear him saying that to someone?

[Wallenburg]

"The cellar," she whispers. "West subbasement, level 2. Behind the 'good stuff'."

West sub... no, Helen, that's....

(Oh shit, thinks Arya. "Hide it behind the good stuff." That's Bell's inside joke about the wallsafe in the Wrapperian delegation's office! Third panel from the left, behind the cheap-ass fake empty liquor cabinet -- "the good stuff" as Bell would jokingly call it. But I already know what's in the safe, that's of no use! Unless I missed something.... And why the fuck would he mention its location to Helen? He's not the kind of idiot to make a mistake like that. Unless....)

That's... that can't be right, Helen, that's our office, subbasement, level 2. Are you sure you heard him say that? Did you overhear him saying that to someone?

"Even the good Separatist can get drunk, Arya. I assumed it would be hidden behind some personal stash, but perhaps he has installed a secret room adjacent to your offices, to avoid the probability of unwanted persons discovering his confidential information."

[Wrapper]

"Even the good Separatist can get drunk, Arya. I assumed it would be hidden behind some personal stash, but perhaps he has installed a secret room adjacent to your offices, to avoid the probability of unwanted persons discovering his confidential information."

(Bell? Drunk? Not bloody likely, Arya thinks. For all the alcohol -- and other toxic substances -- she'd witnessed Bell ingesting, she hadn't once seen him show even the slightest bit of tipsiness. Well... no, there was that incident with the Orc beer, but that was more likely spiked with hallucinogens, so that hardly counted. Still....)

Okay, have you ever been down to Sublevel 2? I mean, I'm down there every day, there's our office and the boiler room, and occasionally a cot that the Elban ambassador sleeps on when she's stoned, and a little nest behind the boiler where Chuckie the goat sometimes sleeps. And not much else other than miles of pipes and ducts. I think I'd notice if there were a secret room somewhere.

[Wallenburg]

"Even the good Separatist can get drunk, Arya. I assumed it would be hidden behind some personal stash, but perhaps he has installed a secret room adjacent to your offices, to avoid the probability of unwanted persons discovering his confidential information."

(Bell? Drunk? Not bloody likely, Arya thinks. For all the alcohol -- and other toxic substances -- she'd witnessed Bell ingesting, she hadn't once seen him show even the slightest bit of tipsiness. Well... no, there was that incident with the Orc beer, but that was more likely spiked with hallucinogens, so that hardly counted. Still....)

Okay, have you ever been down to Sublevel 2? I mean, I'm down there every day, there's our office and the boiler room, and occasionally a cot that the Elban ambassador sleeps on when she's stoned, and a little nest behind the boiler where Chuckie the goat sometimes sleeps. And not much else other than miles of pipes and ducts. I think I'd notice if there were a secret room somewhere.

Helen thought for a minute. "Have you been through all the supply closets and maintenance shafts?"

An aide arrives at the entrance to the bar. He runs up to Trevanyika, hands her a telegram, and runs out. Helen unfolds the yellow page and reads it. Her face pales and her glass of water slips from her hand, shattering on the floor.

"The Wallenburgian delegation has been dissolved entirely. The Republic of Wallenburg is no longer a member of the World Assembly."

The aide returns, fumbling around with a file folder. "Sorry, ma'am, forgot to give you this one as well!"

Helen snatches the folder and opens it to the most recent telegram. She reads it and looks sternly at her aide. "You're feeding the creepers tonight. Next time don't give me half a heart attack." Turning back to Arya, she adds, "Well, apparently my home government has negotiated with the West Wallenburgians, and they have agreed to reestablish our delegation so that it represents the two republics as one member state. I'm less fired than I thought!"

[Wrapper]

Helen thought for a minute. "Have you been through all the supply closets and maintenance shafts?"

On Sublevel 2? No, there are no supply closets, and the maintenance shafts are....

"The Wallenburgian delegation has been dissolved entirely. The Republic of Wallenburg is no longer a member of the World Assembly."

The aide returns, fumbling around with a file folder. "Sorry, ma'am, forgot to give you this one as well!"

Helen snatches the folder and opens it to the most recent telegram. She reads it and looks sternly at her aide. "You're feeding the creepers tonight. Next time don't give me half a heart attack." Turning back to Arya, she adds, "Well, apparently my home government has negotiated with the West Wallenburgians, and they have agreed to reestablish our delegation so that it represents the two republics as one member state. I'm less fired than I thought!"

Well. I guess I am both sad and happy for you then! Hang on, stay right here, I'll get you another water.

[The Dead Parrot]

(Polly opens one eye, the band around her left foot vibrating. She stands up in her perch and looks down, scanning for -- oops, sorry about that, Herby, it was an accident, I swear -- scanning for Arya. She spies her at the bar, ordering a drink from Neville. Polly floats down and stands on the bar right next to Arya, who reaches over and whispers in her ear. Polly nods, and flies out of the bar, thinking, wait, all the maintenance shafts? Really? This is going to cost you an extra biscuit, dearie.)

[Imperium Anglorum]

Okay, have you ever been down to Sublevel 2? I mean, I'm down there every day, there's our office and the boiler room, and occasionally a cot that the Elban ambassador sleeps on when she's stoned, and a little nest behind the boiler where Chuckie the goat sometimes sleeps. And not much else other than miles of pipes and ducts. I think I'd notice if there were a secret room somewhere.

Parsons: It's probably the miles of pipes and ducts. Can you crawl through one of those ducts and lower yourself down to the floor and get to a computer terminal?

[Wrapper]

Okay, have you ever been down to Sublevel 2? I mean, I'm down there every day, there's our office and the boiler room, and occasionally a cot that the Elban ambassador sleeps on when she's stoned, and a little nest behind the boiler where Chuckie the goat sometimes sleeps. And not much else other than miles of pipes and ducts. I think I'd notice if there were a secret room somewhere.

Parsons: It's probably the miles of pipes and ducts. Can you crawl through one of those ducts and lower yourself down to the floor and get to a computer terminal?

Well, well, well, Mister Parsons. My boss said you were quite unhelpful when he was mangling the rules on diplomatic immunity. (She smiles and winks at him.) You know the law too well, sir. But when a goat's life is at stake, one must sometim....

(Arya freezes. Chuckie.)

Excuse me.

(She runs toward the bar exit... but after a few feet, she slows considerably, stumbling as she goes. Within moments, she is on the floor, pale, sweating, and short of breath.)

[Wallenburg]

Parsons: It's probably the miles of pipes and ducts. Can you crawl through one of those ducts and lower yourself down to the floor and get to a computer terminal?

Well, well, well, Mister Parsons. My boss said you were quite unhelpful when he was mangling the rules on diplomatic immunity. (She smiles and winks at him.) You know the law too well, sir. But when a goat's life is at stake, one must sometim....

(Arya freezes. Chuckie.)

Excuse me.

(She runs toward the bar exit... but after a few feet, she slows considerably, stumbling as she goes. Within moments, she is on the floor, pale, sweating, and short of breath.)

"Oh, Notch above!" Helen runs over to Arya, calling for Gerald to fetch a doctor. Trevanyika pulls Arya into a sitting position and puts her hand to Arya's forehead. "What on Earth was that?"

[Herby]

Ma... ma... ma.... MY ASS IS COLD! What the hell you guys, close the hatch already!

(She runs toward the bar exit... but after a few feet, she slows considerably, stumbling as she goes. Within moments, she is on the floor, pale, sweating, and short of breath.)

Oh shit. Load her in, I'll take her to the infirmary, stat.

[Wallenburg]

--

[Wrapper]

(Ari and Ahume rush over as Arya sits up on the floor.)

ARYA: No, no, dammit, I'm fine, just, just let me sit for a minute.

ARI: What happened?

ARYA: I'm fine, I just... I just felt a little faint.

ARI: (to Ahume) Fruit juice?

AHUME: Water. Only sips of it. (kneeling down, taking Arya's pulse as Ari fetches water) It's okay, just breathe. Easy. That's it, you're doing fine....

(Ari hands a water bottle to Ahume, who uncaps it and gives it to Arya, small sips at a time. He nods to Ari, who nods back, peels back a sleeve, and punches numbers into his GDO. Moments later, there is a bright light emanating from a point between the three Wads, and they disappear into thin air, while Arya screams, "NO I have--")

[Whovian Tardisia]

Ma... ma... ma.... MY ASS IS COLD! What the hell you guys, close the hatch already!

"Sorry!" yells Pink as runs and slams Herby's hood shut. "Completely... well, I don't know that much about car anatomy. Apologies. Glad to see
you're functioning normally. I'll buy you some brake fluid."

[Herby]

Ma... ma... ma.... MY ASS IS COLD! What the hell you guys, close the hatch already!

"Sorry!" yells Pink as runs and slams Herby's hood shut. "Completely... well, I don't know that much about car anatomy. Apologies. Glad to see you're functioning normally. I'll buy you some brake fluid."

No, it's fine, doc, I'm buying this round. Thanks for helping out. And sorry for snappin' at ya, but, how can I explain this, you ever been so cold that you can't even shiver? That's what it's like when my battery is drained.

So what have I missed the past few days, other than getting crapped on by a bird and the Wad girl spazzing?

[Wallenburg]

"Sorry!" yells Pink as runs and slams Herby's hood shut. "Completely... well, I don't know that much about car anatomy. Apologies. Glad to see you're functioning normally. I'll buy you some brake fluid."

No, it's fine, doc, I'm buying this round. Thanks for helping out. And sorry for snappin' at ya, but, how can I explain this, you ever been so cold that you can't even shiver? That's what it's like when my battery is drained.

So what have I missed the past few days, other than getting crapped on by a bird and the Wad girl spazzing?

"Ambassador Bell was arrested by a handful of convicts representing his home government."

[Herby]

No, it's fine, doc, I'm buying this round. Thanks for helping out. And sorry for snappin' at ya, but, how can I explain this, you ever been so cold that you can't even shiver? That's what it's like when my battery is drained.

So what have I missed the past few days, other than getting crapped on by a bird and the Wad girl spazzing?

"Ambassador Bell was arrested by a handful of convicts representing his home government."

Yeah, always knew someone'd catch up to Benny eventually. Yo, Neville, got a squeegee? I can't reach that shitstain with my wipers.

[Ferret Civilization]

No, it's fine, doc, I'm buying this round. Thanks for helping out. And sorry for snappin' at ya, but, how can I explain this, you ever been so cold that you can't even shiver? That's what it's like when my battery is drained."

"Oh dear. Sorry for not noticing sooner that something was wrong." Furettium apologized to Herby after he was sure that Herby was at least back to somewhat normality. He walked over back to where he left his folder and picked it up putting it back in his suit. And it seemed like now the other ambassadors were still dealing their own problems, which he also didn't know how to help at all there.

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

No, it's fine, doc, I'm buying this round. Thanks for helping out. And sorry for snappin' at ya, but, how can I explain this, you ever been so cold that you can't even shiver? That's what it's like when my battery is drained."

"Oh dear. Sorry for not noticing sooner that something was wrong." Furettium apologized to Herby after he was sure that Herby was at least back to somewhat normality. He walked over back to where he left his folder and picked it up putting it back in his suit. And it seemed like now the other ambassadors were still dealing their own problems, which he also didn't know how to help at all there.

Ilya and Albert looked in the direction of the talking car. "Huh, talking cars? How interesting..." Thought Ilya as she and Albert sat at the bar talking to each other in Frost, a melodic language that sounds similar to a mix of Japanese, German, English and Latin depending on the IFF province, regarding their current predicament and inability to help the detained separatist.

[Herby]

No, it's fine, doc, I'm buying this round. Thanks for helping out. And sorry for snappin' at ya, but, how can I explain this, you ever been so cold that you can't even shiver? That's what it's like when my battery is drained."

"Oh dear. Sorry for not noticing sooner that something was wrong." Furettium apologized to Herby after he was sure that Herby was at least back to somewhat normality. He walked over back to where he left his folder and picked it up putting it back in his suit. And it seemed like now the other ambassadors were still dealing their own problems, which he also didn't know how to help at all there.

My fault, bud. Took a nap with my headlights on. Hate when that happens. Say, you mind climbing in and resetting my FM presets?

[Ferret Civilization]

My fault, bud. Took a nap with my headlights on. Hate when that happens. Say, you mind climbing in and resetting my FM presets?

"Um, okay. Though I'm not sure how to do that." He walked over back to Herby.

[Whovian Tardisia]

No, it's fine, doc, I'm buying this round. Thanks for helping out. And sorry for snappin' at ya, but, how can I explain this, you ever been so cold that you can't even shiver? That's what it's like when my battery is drained.

So what have I missed the past few days, other than getting crapped on by a bird and the Wad girl spazzing?

Pink breathes a sigh of relief, picks up the jumper cables, and puts them back in the TARDIS, making sure to lock the door behind him, and double checking that no-one snuck in. "Well, you can give your thanks to the ferret, really. I needed another set of ha- err, paws, to start the battery up proper." Pink again checks to see the TARDIS door is locked. "Can't be too careful with these CDSP officers about."

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

Pink breathes a sigh of relief, picks up the jumper cables, and puts them back in the TARDIS, making sure to lock the door behind him, and double checking that no-one snuck in. "Well, you can give your thanks to the ferret, really. I needed another set of ha- err, paws, to start the battery up proper." Pink again checks to see the TARDIS door is locked. "Can't be too careful with these CDSP officers about."

"Indeed, one can't be too careful with those CDSP brutes. I still can't understand why the Confederate Dominion would allow a common uneducated criminal represent their interests in the WA, or rather why they are complicit in allowing the brute to distort our views regarding the Confederate Dominion. At this rate newer members such as myself would mistakenly associate the Dominion as a corrupt nation of crude barbarians instead of a highly sophisticated and well respect nation." said Lt. Albert Nakiri as Commander Ilyasviel Valkyrie had returned back to the IFF WA embassy.

[Cheyenne and Arapaho Systems]

"Indeed, one can't be too careful with those CDSP brutes. I still can't understand why the Confederate Dominion would allow a common uneducated criminal represent their interests in the WA, or rather why they are complicit in allowing the brute to distort our views regarding the Confederate Dominion. At this rate newer members such as myself would mistakenly associate the Dominion as a corrupt nation of crude barbarians instead of a highly sophisticated and well respect nation." said Lt. Albert Nakiri as Commander Ilyasviel Valkyrie had returned back to the IFF WA embassy.

"I'm afraid I don't entirely follow, ambassador. Would not the Confederate Dominion of Separatists be well within its rights to recall ambassadors at will? How does that indicate corruption or barbarism? I think I have missed something of this altercation."

"Oh, and welcome to you, new ambassador!"

"Thank you for the warm welcome! I'm afraid I am still adapting to the chaos of this assignment, and it is good to be welcomed so kindly."

Black Eagle entered the bar and helped the older man balance as he sat on a stool.

"Forgive me. These regular travels between low gravity and regular gravity aren't easy on my knees."