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Message #:691
Time to look for the author...*** "The Dragon's Horde" by Travis Shen - 1004.14 |
The Dragon's Hoard
Travis stretched as he began working on the cage that would serve as home and not so portable maximum security brig for the woman known as Jessica Knight. Using the materials from several different realities to his welding and forging techniques he was able to create a gleaming black interior, made out of a substance from one reality that he forgot the name of, but it's properties naturally inhibited all telepathic communications. The basic framework of the cell was taking place, room enough for the prisoner to lay down on a built in bedroll, the restroom area, replicator slot, and viewing area.
It would take days of work, but the layering process was not to be rushed. Already the power components were waiting to be installed. In the end it would have lighting that would never need to be replaced, it's own power generator that on it's own would last nearly a century, food only replicator, and private life-support equipment. The rare ores and metals being used for the project alone were of a quality that even the Federation's top experts would have difficulty reproducing.
And all of it was nothing on his mind right now. He couldn't help remembering what his "vacation" was truly. He was glad for being in his lab as here only his thoughts were there. "The masks we wear... as I doubt any of them would really have understood what went on..."
Three weeks ago -
Travis gathered up his duffle and took a deep breath, putting on his best grin as he let the junior engineering staff know he was going for a vacation. "And if any of you put a scratch on the paint while I'm gone I'll make you clean it with your own toothbrush." And with that he stepped through the portal, and returned "home".
Travis inhaled the sweet salt air as he exited the embarkation room, it's security designed to scan to make certain any arrivals were authorized - by that either him or those he allowed on his planet. Stepping out on the outer balcony, he enjoyed the magnificent view of the ocean. His planet... he almost laughed at that one.
"Sir... welcome home." came the demure voice behind him.
"Clara... stop calling me sir. And it's not the most happy return as we both know."
"Sorry... but it's rather improper to call you by your given name..."
He turned to look at the blue skinned woman in her almost skin-tight white outfit. "Well... I either get the business done with first or I obsess over it until I finally do it. Has the harpy and her lawyers made up the final decree yet or are we still waiting for them to get their act together?"
"They sent over the final decree this morning as they were told you'd be arriving." Clara handed over the PADD for his review.
"Three hundred and fifty Earth Years and it comes down to this..." Travis muttered as he read over the terms. "I swear... this is the fourth time... and it gets more expensive each time." Travis finished reading it and signed with the stylus before putting his thumbprint for confirmation. "There... it's done. Send the copy and let her enjoy her prize..."
On the PADD at the top of the screen marked the full story in black and white. "Dissolution of Marriage. Travis Shen from Tuesday Shen. Cause: Irreconcilable Differences." Travis handed it to her and walked towards the bar. "I need a drink."
Clara sent the copy away and then followed after him, "Sir... if I can ask?"
"I caught her in bed with a Trill woman and a Man. Bad enough she left our marriage bed for another... but to turn it into a three ring sexual circus... she's just lucky I don't rip their heads from their bodies. And I don't want my grandchild wandering around and catching something he shouldn't see at his age."
"So... why are you being so generous?"
"Habit. I loved her and though I can never trust her again... I'd rather just get it over with as quickly and as cleanly as possible. Costs more... but better in the end this way. Besides, she got the Battlecruiser and that one reality she's now going to be stuck in. Me... I'll enjoy others and make back what I lost in a few centuries." Travis shook his head, his first wife cost him half his royal stipend, the second died before he could have to pay anything, his third who he saw occasionally on the ship - cost him his savings account before he retired, and now wife number four had cost him a rich planet, a refurbished battlecruiser and an entire reality. "Okay... note to self... stop marrying before I end up a poor man."
Clara chuckled at that as he took a deep breath, "But to give her..."
"I'm not going to argue about this, my mind is already made up. I've lived with the couple of affairs and I'm tired of it. She obviously has wanted more than I can offer... and frankly I lost any trust in her a long time ago. But there are still good memories I have... and I want to keep them that way. In the meantime if a asteroid lands on a certain pair of Trill... well... I wouldn't shed a tear." Travis ended with a smirk. He stepped out on the balcony, feeling the salt water spray hit his face. It was times like this he deeply regretted not having tear ducts anymore, he just surveyed the metal and crystal city island he created here. This was his first creation, his home and the center for all the resorts that followed.
"She hurt you, didn't she?"
"Still going to try to coax it all out of me? Alright "Doctor" if you insist..." Travis reluctantly turned and looked at her, "Yes... it hurts... but I let it pass. I ignored my own better judgement until I finally got some clarity on the White Knight. I was in the shower and just then it hit me... I've listened to her give me these alibis and excuses... and I frankly have even stopped believing in them. And yes while it hurts and yes I could have made a big drawn out scene... I'm doing this quickly and with as much silence as possible. I'm tired of big drawn out productions in my lovelife." Travis ended with an almost growl. "It's done and over. Let it rest."
Clara took the hint and nodded, bowing and walking away, "My apologies sir... I'll let you be."
Travis looked to the sky, "I'd have been better off had I had been a monk. But I'm not so... back to life."
Over the next three months he would spend his time going over each of the thirty-two individual resorts on his planet, checking everything from the food to the employee uniforms. The planet, originally named Xelan IV, was now known all over this reality as "The Dragon's Hoard" where the resorts would cater to the clients and hedonism of all sorts abounded. Travis had spent years making this place his pet project, bringing every possible idea for entertainment and relaxation into form. From Greek and Roman to tropical islands, Travis designed a paradise that even outmatched the hedonist paradise, Risa. His island city though was one of the main casinos on the planet, and was the main arrival center. From here people would decide which resort to go to.
Travis walked through the blue marble corridors in his city, watching the latest group of tourists go to the arrival desk to make their plans. The unseen workers were the various peoples and races he helped liberate through different realities and parts of the universe. Many would find it strange to see Caitian women working alongside T'wil'lek women in the casino. Or even Reman security working with Narn security guards. For Travis this was what made his home work. He was sure the Vulcans would approve. IDIC indeed.
-----------------
Travis finished the chamber and tested it's strength, nodding in satisfaction. He thought back to the Platinum Pass he'd given Brian and Drey. It would almost be amusing to find out where they went. Rome? Greece? Transylvania? ( Though that idea had come largely from his ex-wife. The idea of sleeping in a coffin? Just too unnerving for him) Perhaps even going to one of the exotic themed resorts - Naboo? Endor? Centauri Prime? It would definitely be something interesting to find out. And since it was all on him... he just hoped whatever they picked, they enjoyed.
Though a part of him wondered, how would they believe he was only gone a year and accomplished all of that, even with the time difference? Granted they would be gone for 5 days, but that would be five weeks for them with the time difference. Would they start to figure it out that it had actually been a few centuries since he last saw them? Time would only tell.
