Alchemist's Cookbook

page 11

Page 11

In a large boat mix

2 alchemists

1 fledgeling alchemist

1 warlord

30 homesick soldiers

Some "model" fighters

1 Sea monster

Pirates

Mix the alchemists, warlord, soldiers, and fighters in the boat. Agitate severely. Throw in the pirates, and the sea monster. The use of heavy wunderwaffes are highly recommended. Add in surprise for the end

"What did you do?"

I looked up at June's face as I climbed up the rope that one of the crew members threw me.

"What makes you think I did anything June?" I asked. I stood on the deck and met her gaze. Suddenly I felt a pair of arms around me. "Hi May."

"We thought we lost you." May said, her normal cheerful tone had a hint of sorrow in it. "Please don't do that again."

"I love you too May."

There was a momentary pause, before June clapped me on the shoulder. "Snap out of it. The island goes up like St. Helens, you're gone for 36 hours, you know something. Spill." She looked serious. I quickly relayed what the figure, Faust, had told me. The soldiers lost interest, but the refugees listened. Ishmael took especial interest.

"A magnum opus you say?" He asked. "Haven't heard about them in a while." He paused. "We may have a problem."

"A problem? What was your first hint?" June asked. Ishmael made a gesture and she fell right to the ground, too stunned to say a word.

"While saying there is a special task force is concerning, I am more worried about this figure Faust. Fisch do not have souls, they are little more than animals, unless something uplifts them." He paused, swallowing nervously. "Even then, to think they can use alchemy, and a magnum opus, they have progressed."

"So, what's this magnum opus thing?" Casita asked. Ishmael and I shot him a look "What?"

"It's an alchemist's greatest work, kind of like an accomplishment that can never be replicated."

"Almost." Ishmael replied. "It can be replicated, but not easily. Come with me, I have something to tell you, something only alchemists should know." He walked down into the ship. "Meet me in the engine room."

"So, this guy Faust, he's the same guy you saw at the old nazi base?" Casita asked, an eye on the door Ishmael used to leave. "Think he was using their research to find a way to Earth?"

"Probably. Didn't they find the way to come here?"

"Who knows?" Casita shrugged. "I'll talk to Laura about it." He paused. "And I still want one of those flame vaccums."

"It's called a hoover." I replied, walking after Ishmael.

When I got to the engine room I noticed Ishmael had set up a large cold forge in the center. I saw four satellite protrusions 90 degrees from one another. Between each of these was a candle, one red, one blue, one yellow, and one green. These candles were lit with a crystalline blue flame.

"What exactly is this?"

"A cold forge." Ishmael said. "A special one though, anything said within cannot be heard without. Come, sit." I sat down across from him. He clapped, and the flames on the candles lit up, engulfing the circle. "Good, now we can talk privately. What do you know about alchemy?"