Wen the sandstorm hit the dome, which buffeted and scratched. Rocks pinged off of the metal exoskeleton.
Elle wandered her hallways disturbed, hair bedraggled, her eyes in a daze. On the metal wall she saw a blood spot had been left, and she stepped over to it.
"These maids are Luciferian!"
She rubbed the drops with her dress and moved on down the hall only to find a larger spot.
"Dammit!"
Elle wiped the blood only to spy another waiting. She wiped with her skirt.
"I will not have blood in this house!"
Her Butler and maids heard her bellow, and they nervously polished and scrubbed one level below.
Beneath the glass dome, Elle skidded to the railing, high above the gardens. Pulling herself back with the rail, she almost slipped right over the six story drop into the garden below. Catching herself, she flopped backward.
The sandstorm pummeled the glass panes above, and she spotted yet another drop of blood.
"Oh, God dammit!"
She couldn't reach that high, try as she might. So she decided to climb up and stand on the railing.
Balancing precariously above the drop, she leaned into the glass, and she smeared the blood around in a widening blotch.
"Raa!"
Spitting at the glass, and smearing the sleeve of her dress, she jerked crazily.
"My lady!" The butler spotted her, and he froze in horror. He shuffled closer.
"What do I pay you people for?"
"Don't move. I'm coming." He stepped gingerly. "What is it?"
"Can't you see?" Crimson stained the dome glass above her head.
"Is it not... perfect?"
When Elle raised her glance again the glass was clear.
He offered his hand, and she accepted it.
"Where are my pills?" Elle climbed back down and stumbled along the hallway.
Mack strolled back into the Inverness security station. Captain Seton was on duty.
"Locate general Duffy for me."
"Sir, the general's whereabouts are currently unknown."
"What?"
"He's not at RHQ, and he's not left word."
"Find him."
"Yes sir." Seton activated his console.
Mack stormed out.
In his own bedroom suite Mack rampaged about the room. "He's plotting!"
His wristwatch communicator activated.
"Prime Minister," said Seton, "we've located General Duffy."
Mack thundered back up into the security station. "What's he doing?"
"He's secured the space port at Daedalia."
"Why?"
"Unknown."
"Find out! Wait. Who's on the shuttle? Get the manifest."
