The Gentleman’s Release

Ambrose Carrington lay back upon his cot in his lime green and prison uniform; in a relaxed position, as he gazed around his small single cell.

One portion of the cell opposite the cot upon which he lay, was partially covered in newspaper clippings.

As he ran his gaze over the clippings, he paused momentarily on a major article featuring something titled “The Ranch”.

He then followed on from this looking over various smaller clippings featuring individuals from the Ranch itself, such as Odanuda, Marilee, and all the others who lived there.

As Ambrose finished reading the various clippings, he once more concentrated in thought on the problems that had most troubled him since his incarceration in the Ravens Croft Penitentiary.

The particular problem that plagued him was, what had brought down his operation?

He was sure he had taken every precaution and explored every avenue to prevent his operation from being discovered.

But however the only reason why he found himself in Ravens Croft Penitentiary was because of the three escape attempts he had made whilst incarcerated at Reflex City State, Redworth Asylum and The Matterhime Facilty.

Suddenly there was a loud metallic knocking, as someone wrapped on his cell door, it was then that the viewfinder opened up to reveal the face of one of his jailers, one of the many prison wardens.

“As you were informed today, is the day of your release prisoner 122, so it’s time you got moving”.

Ambrose rose from his bed standing on his feet as the cell door to his cell opened up revealing beyond a prison warden and prison officer.

As Ambrose strode out of his cell to meet the two men he then turned stepping in and alongside them, as they escorted him along a gantry and through an electronic door.

As he walked along with his two were scored as he had a little time to remark and remember his varying meetings with Dr C. A. Rotwang.

Dr Rotwang’s rehabilitation programme “A New Life”, had been quite the educational experience he thought.

It had certainly highlighted a few personal issues he had with himself along with a few concerns that he had no idea or considered when regarding himself.

On the other hand he thought that Dr Rotwang there is certainly a limited and educated man and that perhaps he himself had his own secrets and motivations.

In no time at all Ambrose Carrington found himself at the exit of the penitentiary back on the mainland of Bayou Bay.

One of the prison guards had made a remark that had puzzled him which was that
when he asked “I say officer, shall there be anybody to greet me once I reach the mainland?”.

To which the officers simply replied with a broad grin“you’ll see”, as he removed the wrist inhibitors from around Ambrose’s wrists

Ambrose looked around wearing, what he had been wearing today he’d been found guilty and sentenced at court.

Ambrose in particular was a fairly broad man, of average height with dark grey hair, which lay hidden under a top hat.

He was wearing quite a dark calf length frock coat, that was cut away and he was also light gray trousers, a purple waistcoat and matching purple cravat.

Into the waistcoat was tucked a pocket watch and in his right hand he held a shiny black silver topped cane.

Ambrose then breathed in the morning air as he prepared to saunter off in the direction of the Bayou settlement.

Ambrose can not help but take pause when noticing a vehicle sitting within the small parking lot. It was a hover vehicle like the other six vehicles which sat silent and vigilant, staring out over the bay. Unlike the other hover vehicles, this one was red, bright apple red and its windows tinted just enough to leave the occupant a silhouette within. The vehicle was a Rikland Osprey, a hover vehicle designed and built by Rikland Sky Automotive, a company which had only been in operation for eight years but quickly developed a reputation,developing a proven track record for good, high quality vehicles. The company was known for its clever, innovative designs in imitating birds, especially birds of prey and the Osprey was no different. Its sleek lines, the predatory look of its grill and headlights definitely gave one the impression of a hunter and once the driver side door opened, swinging up in a gull wing fashion, the predatory bird personae was complete.

Ambrose's curiosity was peaked as he watched a woman extricate herself from the car and when she finally stood full height, Ambrose blinked as the person stood maybe five feet in height. She was a black women of light chocolate colored skin, lovely face, shoulder length hair done up in thick dreadlocks, the ends tied with a rainbow of small, colorful ribbons. Her body is well shaped and curvy but appears buff and somewhat muscular, her simple white cotton, short sleeved shirt and dark blue thigh length leather skirt appear to have no problem clinging and conforming to the curves and dips of her body, giving her a highly attractive appeal. Simple, stylish but elegant white sandals adorn her feet and on her hands, a pair of white leather, fingerless biker's gloves round out this gorgeous looking woman but when she looks his way, even from the distance of one hundred feet, her sharp, brilliant blue eyes stood out like a diamond amongst coal, almost sparkling like diamonds.

She waves in his direction as she moves closer to the front of the car where she leans against the side crossing legs and arms. Despite her graceful appearance, the beauty of her looks, there was a sense of power, a sense of strength in the way she moved and carried herself. Once settled, she gazes in Ambrose's direction, waiting. In her hand, he now notices a small device of some sorts but he is unsure as it had vanished in the movement of crossing her arms.


((As he moves towards her, it will dawn on him as to who the woman is. He will remember hearing of her as new hero having joined the Ranch nearly two years ago. A woman of great strength, speed and durability, the hero known as, Blitzkrieg!))

Going on this assignment was one the best ideas Anji had ever agreed to. She even felt honored to be chosen to take part in the pick up.Her first time in the Bayou Bay area and she was helping pick someone up. She found the trip to Bayou Bay to be easy and faster than she’d thought. The company the whole way was even more fun. Suddenly everything snapped in to business mode as Nahima left the car. "If need be, give me a nod and I'll get in the back so we can keep a better eye on him. No need for unnecessary surprises."

Anji turned her head to get a look at who they were picking up, and Anji had to stifle her laughter. She looked at how he was dressed then looked at her. His outfit was much odder than her baby blue cargo’s, overcoat and pink tank top and gun holsters. She could tell just by looking at him that there was definitly something unique about Ambrose.

Quickly Anji’s eyes traveled back to the in car console, which she just realized was there. She took a few seconds to get used to the operating system then went about finding out as much information as she could about Ambrose, the man they were there to pick up. The amount of information she was able to pull up was surprisingly plenty. She leaned closer to where Nahima was standing and said “Holy wow! Nahima, did you check this guy out before agreeing to this pick up? Like his history or cases and stuff like that?" Her own mind focusing on how this guy just didn't feel as bad as he seemed.

Nahima looks back towards the cockpit of her hover vehicle to respond to Anji's query.

"Of course I have, ninny! Think I'd be standing out here or even be at this prison if I hadn't?" she states. But before she turns her attention back to Ambrose, she gives a cheeky smile, letting Anji know that no insult was intended.

Ambrose Carrington paused in mid-stride, as he caught sight of a woman waving at him.

His first initial reaction was to gaze over the strange flying horseless contraption, which he had learned in his time in this particular dimension that it was a hovering automotive transport, and that this particular model was called an Osprey, mostly in part due to its avian features.

Ambrose believed that he had caught a glimpse of another individual somewhere inside the Osprey through the tinted glass just as the woman who had waved at him exited the vehicle.

What struck immediately struck him about this woman, was her skin tone but that fact was something he had gotten relatively at ease with, even back in his home dimension itself.

However what it was that greatly impacted his mind, which was something he was still getting used to, was the particular style and way of which women in this dimension were dressed at times.

He hid his emotions with a practised veneer, but he knew out of habit that it was usual to assume the best in people and situations.

This was something that he took seriously as did others of his social class from the dimension that he came from, but the words that he spoke in a gentle measured tone; sounded empty even though it was the opposite of how he felt.

Ambrose purposefully strode over to where he could see the woman leaning against the vehicle that he recognised as Blitzkrieg.

As he approached Blitzkrieg and the vehicle, he reached up with his left hand to raise his top hat in greeting, adding in a slight bow with a mere lowering of the eyelids.

Replacing the top hat on his head and standing to his full height he then said “Madam Blitzkrieg, I presume... Ambrose Carrington at your service”.

“To what do I owe the pleasure, of this fortuitous encounter?”.

Blitzkrieg gives Ambrose a simple smile, adjusting her position to better look towards the bay.

"Well, unless you plan on walking across water or can fly," she says, pointing to the land bridge now under a few feet of water. "we're here to pick you up."

She returns her brilliant blue eyes back upon Ambrose. "Please call me Nahima Lore, Blitzkrieg is used only when I'm out crime fighting." She explains briefly.

She uncrosses her arms, revealing the comp pad in her hand. She jabs a finger at it a couple of times.

(Ambrose will also note the hi-tech wrest device upon Nahima's left wrist., data screen, colored buttons, etc)

“Hah, yea, true, sorry. Had a recent duel with a magnet wielding mad man, logic circuits still have hiccups.” Anji said as Ambrose approached, also taking note of the lack of Nahima’s seriousness. Her hands were still busy looking through Ambrose documented history as she was thinking that there’s no way that everything was documented, when she heard him get closer and start talking. Quickly she memorized the path she needed to get to the information, closed out all the windows then she smiled. ‘He sounded almost like someone out of a Jane Austin novel’ she mused to herself. She looked in to the cars mirror just to give herself the once over. Even she was overtly pleased with the pink and baby blue streaks in her hair.

As Nahima was making her introductions Anji slowly got out of the car. She was hoping mainly to get a better look at Ambrose but she did have other purposes; to properly introduce herself and just in case something happened.

It was then that she also got a good look at the actual institute, this close it looked to her like one of those atypical horror movie haunted asylums with a modern twist. Things like heavily armed guard towers, high tech gates, x-ray search lights that also peered into different spectrums of light, things like that; the perfect place to keep super powered lunatics. She was almost half expecting thunder and lightning in the distance or a horse’s carriage carrying a group of wayward travellers to show up. It didn’t help that she knew what Raven Croft Institute was all about. That just made the image more atypical. She smiled again and looked back at Ambrose.

Anji waited until Nahima had finished her introduction before beginning her own. “Hello, I’m Anji.” She said softly, waving quickly, almost shyly to Amrose. In a matter of a couple of seconds she took in everything about him; his posture, his expression, body temperature, everything. His tone of voice seemed friendly enough but she still felt her presence there was necessary. “Very pleased to meet you, sir.”

Ambrose Carrington listened to what Blitzkrieg had to say and angled his gaze along to where she pointed.

He sighed heavily being quite bothered about the fact that the tide had come in and had blocked off the causeway to the mainland from Ravens Croft prison.

As he pondered about the tide coming in and he realised on suspected that had the prison guards allowed him to just wander off down towards it and then along it; he would not have reached the mainland in time, and that the tide itself would have come in and either swept away or drowned him.

He then counted himself quite fortunate that someone had come to meet him in time before he did so.

Looking closely at Blitzkrieg who now called herself Nahima Lore he attempted to see if she wore a wedding ring, or any indication of her status.

But with the way she was handling and presenting herself, he assumed she was a lady of some status and in particularly more so as it was she who had come to meet him.

Ambrose looked at the strange electronic wrist device on her arm with great interest and wondered what it might be, though he suspected it might have been some kind of communications device.

“Madam Lore if I understand the situation correctly you are to be taking me off Ravens Croft Island?”.

He was then about to speak further but was distracted by movement coming from the hover vehicle as he watched a young lady extract herself from the Anti-grav car.

She like the older woman Nahima was strangely dressed but he found her hair particularly striking with the blue and pink colours streaking through it, but then he had seen many strange things since coming from his own dimension to this one; and that is to say he had even seen a few strange things in his own home dimension too.

“Miss Anji it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance” he said to the young lady who introduced herself.

“Ambrose Carrington at your acquaintance” he said as he shifted his cane in his right hand to his left as he extended his gloved right-hand to Anji in friendship and greeting.

Anji ducked around the hover car to the side Ambrose and Nahima were on, graciously accepting Ambrose’s hand and shaking it gently. “Pleased to meet you Ambrose and yes, Nahima and I are here to escort you from here.” Anji let go of Ambrose’s hand as gently as she had picked it up.

“I just want to go on record saying, I love your hat. Not too many people can pull them off anymore.” She winked at Ambrose then turned to Nahima. “Okay gushing moment is over, back to business.” Her smile slowly faded to a half smirk, the business mode taking over again.

“I’m just gonna run a quick scan of the area, you two go about business, I’m listening, just not looking, haha.” She leaned back against the car next Nahima, shoving her hands in her pockets. She began running the visual scans of the surrounding area, just in case someone or something was waiting for or coming for them.

Though she thought that Ambrose was akin to something from the past, she did have to admit, to agree with Anji, that not many could pull off the whole coat with tails, top hat and gloves outfit. She could not help but feel oddly nostalgic about Ambrose, he reminding her of someone from a 1950's sci-fi genre movie. Nahima was thankful that her sudden chuckle could, if needed, be explained away with Anji's self introduction and admittance of loving Ambrose's top hat.

She had noticed Ambrose subtly observing her, observing her outfit and equipment as well as Anji. Nahima was a quick study when it came to observational skills and knew that Ambrose was sizing them up, calculating numerous possibilities and just pretty much eyeballing them in that, "I've been in prison too long," look.

"Yes, we are here to escort you back to a place known as the Ranch, Mr. Ambrose," Nahima states, verifying Anji's explanation as to why they were here. "It may have been awhile back, but I'm sure the doc would have told you this. As per the agreement with his "New Life" program, you are to be taken to the Ranch and placed under the tutelage of Odanuda Daganogeda where your rehabilitation will continue."

Nahima glances at the comm padd in her hand, not really knowing why she was hanging onto it. She diverts her attention briefly as she leans forward slightly to toss the padd back into the Osprey. It bounces around on the seat for a moment, coming to rest face down. Nahima turns her attention back to Ambrose.

Ambrose Carrington watched Anji duck out of the hover car and move around it to approach him, he watched the young lady gently accept his hand and shake it.

In return just before she was able to pull way he gently yet swiftly brought her hand so that he was able to kiss it.

“I am delighted to make your acquaintance Miss Anji and thank you for the compliment”, as he raised his top hat before replacing it on his head, with a smile.

Ambrose nodded listening to Anji as she moved away to assess the area with her device she now held in her hands.

As Ambrose looked over Anji and then turned to focus his attention upon Nahima, “I see, I have heard of this Ranch, which you speak of but not a great deal personally”.

“That would indeed explain your presence here and of course my willing participation in the New Life program under Dr Rotwang, during my incarceration”.

“Tutelage... you say under a Mrs Odanuda Daganogeda, hrm...and will follow up on rehabilitation, well yes I’m quite ready to accompany you”.

Glancing at the communicator tossed back into and on to a seat in the hover car Ambrose says “ while I’m happy to get moving and head to the ranch, there were some things I would like to retrieve as I have a couple of belongings and personal effects in storage for safekeeping”.

“Perhaps we could collect them on the way but yet it had been more prudent to have them sent to the Ranch, either way I am ready to leave with you now”.

Nahima lazily nods in agreement with Ambrose as she pushes lightly away from the vehicle. She also quietly notes that Ambrose appears to be quite alert, watching and observing all that she and Anji were doing. According to her data pad, she knew that Ambrose was highly intelligent and something of a tech head, a man who tinkered with weapons of questionable creation and abilities. He himself had some interesting philosophical views about life and people, a view which was, maybe in her view, a bit bent if not a bit twisted. Experimenting on people with the reasoning that it was for the betterment of society as a whole was quite questionable. In her own view, it was not acceptable at all!

Without realizing it her face takes on a slightly angry demeanor in response to her thoughts.

"Well, I think your stuff should be the least of your worries at this moment, Ambrose," she finally responds in a slightly belligerent tone. "That is being taken care of as we speak. Besides, someone will be going through your stuff, leaving only that which you will be allowed to keep such as clothing, toiletries and things like that."

She pauses for a moment casting a somewhat cold glance his way. She moves, ducking slightly under the gull wing of her door, reaching for the button on the back of the seat which would pop it forward. A flick of the button, a slight shove of the seat as she steps back, makes the back seat more accessible. By the time she looked his way again, her emotions, which she knew she had almost lost were back under control.

"If you will, Mr. Ambrose," she says, nodding her head towards the back seat. "We have a long drive ahead of us and I'm sure you'd like to put some mileage between you and this place," she adds, a small smile lighting up her dark skinned face.

She gives Anji a cursory glance before looking out across the bay back to Bayou City.

She thought the world of Oda and cared very much for her like any friend would and as any friend, she oft agreed with Oda's decisions but for some odd reason, in this case, she didn't agree with Oda. Something about this man just didn't sit right, but she would give the situation, him, an opportunity to prove himself and despite how she felt, she agreed with Oda; in some cases, people deserve a second chance.

Anji thought about the kiss on her hand and how weird and rare it felt. It was the first time had done anything like that for her, her database told her it was something called chivalry. As her thoughts went along with that stream she continued her scans. She cycled through various spectrums and used different satellites she could link up with. They all lead to the same thing, no danger yet. If there was, it was completely undetectable.

Anji came out of her scans to just in time to hear Nahima mentioning Ambrose’s stuff. She caught her tone, just barely. She flashed over to Ambrose’s background information again, reminding herself as to why she should not let Ambrose’s charm distract her. She nodded in agreement with Nahima, her face growing stern. “Believe me Mr. Carrington, they’ll be there, your things I mean. We’re very efficient.” She gave a court smirk, straightened herself then made her way back to the other side of the car.

She caught Nahima’s glance and raised an eyebrow “I do agree with Nahima, Your stuff should be the least of your worries. Think of this day, us coming to get you and taking you to The Ranch as a new start, a rebirth so to speak.” She opened the passenger side door then looked back to Ambrose and smiled “And even better, a place to right past wrongs that doesn’t give people the heebie-jeebies.” She ducked down to get in to the car then popped back up again, her face all back to business. “Oh and I know this may sound almost cliché so to speak, but if you could be so kind to tell us of any enemies that may have waited this long to attack you we’d like to know about. Nahima and I are good but we just hate unexpected, nasty surprises.” As interesting a man as Ambrose was, with what he was locked up for Anji thought he’d have made even a few interesting enemies.

Ambrose had registered quite clearly the change in the demeanour of Nahima before it returned to something that was more civil and cordial.

Ambrose replied belligerently saying “my stuff as you put it Miss; I would have to say actually, that I am not a so much worried rather than inconvenienced, but it is good to hear that some of my personal effects shall be returned to me”.

Pausing briefly to watch Nahima press the catch release on the back seat of the Anti-grav car, Ambrose moved forward round the side of the Osprey Anti-grav car to gain access to the vehicle.

He briefly looked inside the vehicle and was amazed at the large rear spacious seating compartment.

Then he reached in and placed his Top Hat inside on a seat and then turned to say “You would be right Miss Nahima I’m looking forward to leaving this place nothing fixes a thing so intensely in memory as the wish to forget it”.

He however stopped briefly as he grasped his black silver topped cane in to hands and began to twist it as he began to separate it into two parts as he then listened to Anji.

“We’ll Miss Anji, so far from what I have seen, you are indeed quite efficient”.

“Hrm well yes a new start, we shall see...though as for rebirth, that is a subject I know quite well” he says with a wry smile.

“Perhaps I shall indeed have a chance to write the wrongs I have committed and focus on a new path and direction”.

“As for enemies well I’m afraid I do not recollect”.

Ambrose then climbs into the back of the Osprey Anti-grav car makes himself comfortable.

“I do have this to say though, Science has not yet taught us if madness is or is not the sublimity of the intelligence”.

Nahima waits for Ambrose to settle in the back seat, listening closely to what he was saying. Once in the back seat, she snaps the drivers seat back, a small clicking sound indicates the seat is now locked. She then crawls into the driver's seat taking a moment to hang the computer pad back upon its small clip upon the dash board. Nahima settle in, pulls the seat belt across, snapping it in, taking a brief moment to adjust the strap sitting across her chest. She applies her thumb to a small, dimly lit blue button which sits low on the steering column. A moment after she depresses it, the button becomes brighter, the anti grav system quietly humming to life in response, the windshield flickers as navigational maps and numbers light up upon it.

Nahima closes the gull wing door, glances over to the passenger before partly turning herself in the driver's seat to look back at Ambrose, a serious look on her face.

"Well, I do hope you mean what you said about righting wrongs. I'd hate to think that Oda is wasting her time with you," Nahima states with a matter of fact tone. "Odanuda is a really wonderful person with a good heart and if she's taking a chance on you, then she believes there is something good about you." Nahima holds Ambrose's eyes for a few moment, letting her words sink in.

She begins to turn back around, suddenly pausing, her eyes staring at a point between the two front seats. "Do not squander your opportunity, Ambrose and I do not brook those who would take advantage of Oda," she says. She turns back around, letting her words sink home.

"C'mon, Anji. Supper is calling me," chuckles Nahima, "And that's only a few hours away."

Ambrose contemplated quietly to himself, what it was Nahima was telling him about Odanuda, which he surmised Oda was short for her full name.
He considered that certainly perhaps Oda was quite clearly a cared for and beloved individual at the ranch.

Watching Anji settle into the front passenger seat and the Anti-grav car begin slowly move into motion, he sat quietly to himself collected in his own thoughts for a short while.

Reaching into his waistcoat pocket he took out his ornately patterned silver pocket watch; which had a clear glass panel on the back, which allowed the owner to see the watches clockwork workings in motion.

Pressing the plunger at the top of the pocket watch, the front casing of the watch sprang open to reveal a black band around the edge of the watch itself which was inlaid with silver numbers; the white face of the watch in the centre with its hands moving smoothly over it.

Ambrose checked the time of his pocket watch before he glanced at the inside of the front casing which showed a picture of a young woman in her mid to late 20s and underneath the picture was inscribed the young woman’s name.


Eleanor Delmont Carrington

Ambrose tenderly stroked the picture with his left thumb but then his stoic demeanour changed, as he became awash with feelings of regret and anger; as he then angrily closed the pocket watch with a snap as he returned it to his waistcoat pocket.

“How long may I ask is it to the Ranch?”

“Also what can you tell me about it, as I have read various articles in the media regarding the Ranch itself but it would be... interesting to hear from those who have lived their firsthand as to what it is like”.

Anji’s eyes scanned the road as they traveled. Even though she knew how the car worked, it still amazed her at how fast it moved. She could hover just not as fast as her current vehicle could. Her mind quickly then went back to what Nahima had said. “Yeah, hehe food. Sometimes I lose track of all that.” She smiled lightly. “I may be amazing at multi-tasking but that doesn’t mean my memory ain’t infallible.” Using words she chose on purpose. Anji understood the process of chemical reactions that people needed in order to function and how it happens, she just never had to worry about it herself. “Having a constantly cycling battery kinda has that effect when it comes to eating.” Anji also knew that Nahima was trying to send Ambrose a message with what she had said, she too gave it all some time to sink in then.

She turned her head in the direction of Ambrose. “I try to be as efficient as possible when the need arises, as this is an assignment I’m on my best behaviour. Mind you it is a pleasant assignment, but an assignment none the less.” She paused briefly to bring a map up on the center display console. Her fingers moved quickly as she brought up a map with the route back to The Ranch. “Given the fact that we have odd sleeping hours and that it’s about eight in the morning and we should be there by about eleven, eleven-thirty, Mr. Ambrose, you’re stuck with our charming personalities for about 3 hours, give or take optimal operating and driving conditions. As to what The Ranch is, I may not be the best person o tell you as I’m relatively new myself.” Anji thought for a brief second. “I can tell you that it is the premiere supergroup in the world and it is an eclectic group of people that genuinely cares for others. I do believe that Nahima here should be able to better explain things.” Anji looked back out to the road. “I may not have been there for long but I like it there and it’s the only place I’ve ever felt like I belonged. Please, don’t even think about trying to jeopardise anything about it!”

Nahima listens to the interaction between Anji and Ambrose, Anji answering most of the man's questions before ending on her quiet warning about Oda. Nahima grinned at that little comment and then grinned even further when she realized her minor little error about it being supper time.

"Oh, geez, did I say supper," Nahima says, turning to look at Anji for a moment. "I can't believe I said that but when you have a high metabolism and eat as much as I do, meals can blur into each other," she adds with a brief snicker.

She glances out her own window, looking down upon the parking lot of the prison. She gently pulls the steering column back, twisting the handles forward slightly, to which the car responds gracefully. Within a few seconds, the Osprey is moving forward and gaining altitude as the waters of Bayou Bay pass quickly beneath their vehicle. Nahima glances down at the center console, grinning as she notes the co-ordinates have been left unentered by Anji. She reaches down, depressing a button which turns the flashing words into solid words of acceptance but leaves the auto-pilot button blinking. Nahima loved driving this vehicle and would do so for a bit.

She thinks for a few moments, watching the tall, skyscrapers of Bayou Bay City getting closer, pondering how to answer Ambrose's question about the Ranch. There was so much she could tell, or say, or inform him about that she could easily find herself rambling to and fro about the whole thing. She finally settles on her first question.

"Well, Mr. Carrington, I guess I should ask you what exactly you would like to know about the Ranch," Nahima says glancing over her shoulder to the man in the back seat. "There is just so much I could say that I think it would be easier for you to give us a starting point."

Ambrose Carrington lent his body backwards into his seat and relaxed as he quietly watched the scenery of Bayou Bay pass by as the Anti-Grav car moved a long; listening to what Anji and Nahima were saying.

As he listened Ambrose thought to himself it must be quite useful to have quite excellent multitasking skills, he also thought it was intriguing the way Anji described her metabolism ‘Having a constantly cycling battery kinda has that effect when it comes to eating’.

The thought then occurred to Ambrose of giving Anji a full physical examination, at this thought a wry smile appeared as one corner of his mouth stretched into a smile.

He then nodded politely as Anji made further comments, “Quite, I would certainly have to say in the present company I find myself in, would indeed help to while away the three hours of travel”.

“Especially as I find myself in the charming company; of one such as yourself Miss Anji”.

“How long have you since resided at the ranch Miss Anji?”.

After he had finished addressing Anji he listened to what Nahima was saying about her own metabolism and eating habits, which he thought would be quite curious.

Perhaps it was a common trend shared amongst those with Meta powers.

“Since my time in prison, I have not been able to adhere to my usual eating and dining habits”.

“Usually I would have a large breakfast, a very light lunch, followed by afternoon tea and then a very late Supper”.

“However, the breakfasts and suppers often featured nine-course meals but each course often tends to be petite”.

“Though I who was one of money, ate very well during the two main courses of the day”.

Ambrose then considered what questions to ask about the ranch and then after a time he spoke up saying “I wonder how many of you live at the ranch presently and how big is it?”

Nahima thinks a moment, pondering Ambrose's question. She understood it easy enough and knew how many were out on the ranch but she knew his question was but one of many he could ask. She would have no problem answering whatever question Ambrose would pose to her, she just didn't believe she could do justice to what the Ranch was all about or who and what Odanuda was all about. She conceded she could do pretty well describing the Ranch but as to Oda, no! She knew, anything she could say would only be self indulging. Heck, even when she first heard about Oda, she could scarcely belief that such a kind, good and generous woman could exist.

She had remembered the first time she had met Oda. The woman was strikingly beautiful, her voice enchanting, her words, mesmerizing. Nahima had sat, totally entranced with Oda, hanging on every word she spoke. No! She could not, even in the slightest way, do justice to describing Oda. Ambrose would just simply have to wait and see for himself.

"Hey, Anji? Think we should fill him in on the Ranch, Oda and the others, or shall we just leave him in curious anticipation till we get there," she says, looking over to her friend. "That way, he can learn everything first hand. Like I mean, really! I couldn't do any justice in describing her, could you?"

Anji looked back at Ambrose, she could tell he was complimenting her. It was something that though she was used to, didn’t know how to react. “Thank you Ambrose.” Anji shifted in her seat to better face Ambrose.

“The biggest issue with The Ranch is that words always fail to do it justice. I could go on describing it but the mystery is a million times better. And a lot less disappointing.” Anji though back to her first time meeting Oda, the sensation of being instantly accepted and not judged based on what she was. In fact the only person more accepting and excited to meet Anji was Wacko, whom she was equally happy to meet.

“As to the meal thing, again, can’t help you there. I’m not a big eater, so I really don’t know what the schedule is. I do know that if you’re hungry you can eat, just clean up after yourself. Also, don’t expect anyone to serve you all the time, there are no such things as servants on the ranch. There are a few rules that must be followed but they’re sooo damned hard to break.” Anji continued to smile, knowing that Ambrose was going to have a lot to get used to. “It’ll only seem like a lot to take in but everyone is there if you need us.”

Ambrose Carrington coughed once clearing his throat bringing his left hand up to partly covers his mouth.

After lowering his hand as he focuses on Anji, glancing every so often at Nahima he says “perhaps you are both right; maybe words can truly do no justice to the Ranch at all, and it is one’s eyes and ears that will truly open one up to what the Ranch is about”.

“This Oda I have heard about sounds like a remarkable woman, I believe it shall be quite interesting at first hand and look forward with interest to meeting her myself”.

“But may I ask who is this...Wacko...gentlemen..er fellow you speak of “.

“I would be interested in hearing about what few rules and have at the ranch, hats you could inform me of them or shall I wait to be informed of them once I reached the ranch presumably by Madam Oda herself I presume”.

“In regards to the meal and dining arrangements; I must say Miss Anji a gentleman of standing does cook or clean for one’s self”.

“As a proper gentleman it is only proper to pay for such services and higher individuals who are capable of such services”.

“Besides whilst I was incarcerated I had no need to cook or clean for myself either as the prison service took care of such matters”.

“I have neither cooked nor cleaned in my entire life, and as such would not know how, I find the notion entirely preposterous”.

Nahim can't help but chuckle at Ambrose's admittance of not having the skill to cook or clean, having been served most of his life. Nahima wondered if that situation extended to his childhood but quickly answered her own question upon remembering his information. She glances over to Anji, a humorous look upon her face then gives a quick over the shoulder glance and smile to Ambrose before turning her attention back to driving, the tall buildings of the city Bayou Bay having been passed by moments ago.

She thinks about how great and how enjoyable it is to drive a vehicle such as the Osprey, an anti-grav vehicle which could follow a paved highway as easily as it could imitate flying through the sky. Even with today's transportation advancements, the ability to use teleport devices and the anti-grav vehicle to name but a few, traffic jams were still a common problem. She, unlike many upon the Ranch, could not fly but she could run at speeds in excess of three hundred miles per hour and though she loved running at such speeds, she had always wished she could fly. The Osprey brought her as close as was possible without being on a passenger jet.

She pulls herself from her thoughts, having come up with an answer to his question about Wacko. She glances in her door mirror as she responds. "Same thing as Oda, Ambrose," she says, emitting a soft chuckle, "and as for the cooking and cleaning thing, well! You'll become self sufficient soon enough!" She gives Anji a glancing smirk!

Nahima then leans forward a bit, pushing a button on the dash, a small section of it lighting up, the sound of speakers hissing softly to life. Nahima presses another button, then another, then another, the garbled sounds of music and voices flowing together as she changes channels until finally finding one she likes, turning up the volume a bit just before sitting back in her seat. A voice she knows well begins to speak as she settles in for the drive home.

"Thisss isss Radio Reflex playing all the classic rock sounds you have come to know and love. I'm your host, David Peere and we're two hours into six hours of my type of rock. I will return you to the current Reflex Rock music marathon but first," his voice takes on a playful growl, but first, a little addy from you know who," pauses, "that's right. Remember ladies, its Wednesday night and that means Ladies night at the Albion. That's right ladies! Grab your favorite friend, companion or person and head on out to the Albion for tonight they have a special treat in store for you as one of Reflex Mega City's most loved DJ's; DJ Nightman, will be bringing you the hottest in Dance, Goth and the popular rebirth of some of the world's best, new Punk groups. So be you just a normal being or one with special gifts, make sure to visit one of Reflex Mega's hottest mid town night spots and remember; all are equal when passing into the Albion."

"This is David Peere and I'll will be returning you back to our current marathon with a tune I know that some of you will remember well." He pauses briefly, his voice taking on a deep baritone sound as the first notes of the next song begins. "We'll start the next hour off with a little Steppenwolfe, a song which very much speaks for itself. So have a good day and I will return in an hour with our sixty second news and weather."

Nahima smiles as she leans forward quickly, turning the volume up a bit more and begins to rock to the sounds of, "Magic Carpet Ride." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEEzbFxEbB8

Time and miles pass by quickly as they make their way back to The Ranch, each either listening to music, lost in thought or carrying on a little simple gabbing, or partaking in a little bit of each. As time and distance pass by, Nahima gasps for a moment, pointing out something on the horizon just before Anji spots it.

An unnatural looking column of thick, dark smoke mixed with dark reds and purples rises from the horizon. Something about that eerie smoke cast a sense of ill will to those within the vehicle. Without a thought, Nahima speeds up the Osprey.


(((Please post yer thoughts and feelings as to what has just been pointed out in the Reflex forum, Enter the Dark Hunter.))