Alchemist's Cookbook

page 10 b

Page 10 b

In a large Ship mix:

      1 aspiring photographer

      1 enraged commander

      20 refugee models

      30 homesick soldiers

      1 beet red alchemist

Allow the alchemist to be suckered into one of the photographer’s mad schemes. Add in a little hint as to the photographer’s insecurity. Allow a small party to become interrupted by a mobile raid. Introduce one lost island, and a secret Fisch plot. Wrap plot in foil and allow to bake for a few months. Set the soldiers aside during this period.

      

       The next day started bright and early. I got up early, grabbed the things I had packed and caught the metro to Casita’s place. I met him outside looking at his wall.

       “You ready?” He asked.

       “Of course. A couple days on the ocean in the sun, what could be better?”

       “Especially with a boat load of models in bikinis, right?” He nudged me. Well, I couldn’t exactly say no, so I changed the topic.

       “Who are these girls?” I asked, motioning to the wall. “I recognize Noel,” One of the girls on the gate, “And that’s definitely Elex, and there’s Clarisse, but I don’t recognize the angels.”

       “You wouldn’t, they’re dead.” Casita said. If I hadn’t lived in Home ground I might have been surprise at the callousness of the answer. “Whenever one of my girls dies I have a halo and wings added.”

       “So you never forget who you lost.” I added.

       “That, and I get to see all my girls whenever I walk past.” He paused. “I once considered putting their names at the bottom so I wouldn’t forget who’s who, but Noel said that was a bad idea. She can be very persuasive with a rolling pin.”

       “Considering her position on the wall I take it she was one of your girlfriends back on Earth.”

       “Her and Emma. You know that trope about a guy cheating on his girl’s best friend? I was dating Emma and she asked me to take out Noel after her boyfriend dumped her. I did, bam, I have two girls and a reputation as a player.” He turned to me. “You have a girl back on Earth?”

       “I had friends who were girls, but no one serious.” I took out the Wunderpistole. “I actually made this after a friend of mine got attacked at the mall.” I told him the story. The part about cutting the Fisch’s “tongue” off made him wince, though he liked the losing the government agents part. By the time we were done the girls were ready to go. As a group we walked down to the metro and got on a train.

       “Are we going to have to fight Fisch on this thing?” I asked.

       “Afraid of CC’s?” Casita asked.

       “Not right now, but I’d rather not lose my luggage.” I motioned to the red roller suitcase I had brought with me from Earth. “They don’t attack large groups, right?”

       “They don’t attack this line, otherwise they wouldn’t have put a roof on the thing.” May said. She took out her SMG. “Some of the more human Fisch might show up, but they know what would happen if they did.” I noticed Elex and Noel eyed May warily. Amy actually took a long pistol from her holster. Just then the doors opened and a familiar face walked in.