Is It Safe? - Chapter #96

Free Enterprise  - Is It Safe? -   Chapter #96


“Purrrrrrrr! Puurrrrrrrrr! Purrrrrrrrr!” went Tyr's Nietzschean communicator. Tyr reached for it and flipped it open.

“Hola.” he said. He knew exactly who it was.

“Is it safe?” Tamara asked brightly.

“It is safe.” Tyr replied. Obviously Tamara shared Amanda's love of old Earth movies. The lines quoted were from “Marathon Man.”

“Your public awaits thee.” Tamara said.

“Wonderful.” Tyr said, sighed.

“First in line is HaxHis then Mom.” Tamara said. She and Victoria had grown very close and Tamara had taken to calling the Matriarch Mom.

Tyr frowned and wondered what was so important that his own mother would put her name on his agenda?

“It must be a real doosey.” Tyr thought.

“I will be there shortly.” he replied. He'd been awake for the past three hours. He'd used the time to work out, get cleaned up, and eat. Desi had just given him a hug and kiss, promised to see him later, and left.

Two minutes later, Tyr left his apartment and strode down the corridor, with Atlas and his Guard following.


* * * * * * * * *

Atlas had the pleasure of escorting Viceroy Anasazi to “his new office”. Yes, he had an office! It was actually designated as his “Official Private Audience Chamber”. It was a large office with a huge handcrafted black wood desk, comfortable chairs and sofas surrounding it. The desk itself was outfitted with the most up to date computer and communications equipment.

Tyr immediately went to one of the large picture windows to look out at the Citadels grounds. Hundreds and hundreds of tents had been pitched on the outlying grounds. Obviously, the tents belonged to non other than Pride Secreto. For he could see their distinct coat of arms which flew from standards and flag staffs.

“Sire. HaxHis is here to see you.” Zeus, his secretary said. Yes, he had one of those too.

“Send her in.” Tyr said, as he turned and sat in the comfortable, throne-like, ergonomically designed chair.

“Good Morning, Viceroy Anasazi. I trust you were able to get some decent rest.” HaxHis said brightly as she was ushered in. She was dressed in Starfleet uniform which gave cause for Tyr to raise his right eyebrow in a Vulcan-like manner.

“The USS Striker has arrived to take me back to Deep Space Ten. You know I can't be off post for too long or things will go completely haywire.” she said.

“Thank you for coming, Admiral.” Tyr said.

“You are most welcome, Tyr. Your father was an honorable man. Bye the way, what do you plan to do with your Starfleet commission now that you are the Nietzschean Viceroy? Both titles carry tremendous responsibility and thus it would be impossible to be both. Let me state for the record that I will personally support what ever decision you make.” HaxHis said.

“I told the Matriarch that I will need a year to make my final decision. She will rule in my stead until then.” Tyr replied.

“Tyr, we must also consider the Romulan mission. Now that you are Viceroy there is no way that you could go undercover without being recognized. I can use Tamara, Monique and Seamus, but I can use you for the diplomatic reception where the exchange is supposed to be made.”

“There will be two exchanges?” Tyr asked. This was definitely news to him.

“Yes. One exchange is supposed to be made during the competition, which is why Tamara, Seamus and Monique will be competing. The other exchange will be during a big diplomatic shindig, with 'hot air balloons' from all over the galaxy. So it would not be strange to see the Nietzschean Viceroy in attendance.” HaxHis said.

“Tell me more.” Tyr prompted.

Haxis sat and began to outline a plan. Needless to say, Tyr was both intrigued and interested in participating.

“ . . . . . . . Remember you must return by Stardate 311380.” HaxHis admonished.

“That is three and a half weeks from now. I will definitely have things wrapped up long before then.” Tyr said as they both rose.

“See you then.” HaxHis said. She headed for the door and stopped. "I left universal clearances for any civilian personnel you might be bringing with you." she added, as she exited.

"Civilian personnel?" Tyr wondered briefly. Practically on HaxHis' heels came Victoria. Son and mother hugged and kissed one another.

“Good Morning, Nudie.” Victoria said.

“Mother!” Tyr sighed, rolled his eyes, and shook his head, at his much scorned childhood nickname.

“Did you sleep well?” she asked.

“Yes.” Tyr replied.

“Eat? Worked out?” she asked.

“Yes, Mother.” Tyr replied, as he gazed at his mother like an alert Doberman. What was she up to, now?

“Then you are ready for these.” she said as she held out her hands which contained several mini scrolls. She had obviously hidden them in her robe's deep pockets.

“Mother. What are those?” Tyr asked as he rocked back from the sight. Reminiscent of what a Vampire would do upon seeing garlic cloves and/or a cross.

“Tyr, you know exactly what these are.” Victoria said. Of course he knew. EVERY Nietzschean male was taught from a child what they were.

They were formal marriage proposals. Due to Tyr's untimely rise to prominence and thanks to The Intergalactic News Service, he'd received tons of free ( and unwanted ) publicity. Thus, he'd caught the eye of practically every eligible Nietzschean lady in the galaxy, and then some. Now it was a race against time to see who could get their proposals to him first. Because first in, was first considered, and perhaps pair bonded.

As Queen Mother and the Matriarch of Pride Kodiak, it was Victoria's job to be “The Matchmaker” and scrutinize every one of those proposals, weed, winnow out the dross, and present her recommendations to her son.

“It might please you to know there were originally three hundred and fifty seven original proposals.” Victoria stated, proudly.

“Three hundred and. . . . . . .” Tyr stated, aghast.

“Fifty seven. Tamara, Xena, Amanda and I, have narrowed them all down to these last ten. Of course we weeded out all of the fame and fortune seekers, the gold diggers, potential spies and agent provocateurs.” Victoria replied. That meant anyone who so much as blinked their eyes wrong, were kicked to the curb.

Tyr immediately pictured a long line of hopefuls snaking their way through the corridor to Victoria's waiting room and into her office.

“Surely you do not intend for me to pair bond with all ten, Mother.” Tyr said.

“That would be wonderful, but they might upon meeting you in the flesh might not like you. Plus, the last selection was thrown in as a whim.” Victoria replied. “It's actually eleven because the last candidates are twins.” she continued, proudly. Only a Nietzschean Matriarch could make this situation sound like one was buying one pair of shoes and getting another for free.

“I suppose I must meet them all.” Tyr said.

“Correct.” Victoria replied.

“I suppose I must meet them all today and within the hour.” Tyr stated.

“Of course. They've been waiting to see you since yesterday!” Victoria replied.

“Mother!” Tyr exclaimed, as his face fell. The last thing he wanted to do right now was to meet ten. . . on, eleven potential mates.

“Always strike the iron while it's hot, I always say!.” Victoria said, brightly. She then turned and sailed off to let the “contestants” know they were to meet the judge soon.

“Excuse me, Sire? Perhaps you might want to change.” Atlas hazarded to say, after Victoria left. Tyr frowned dangerously at the man.

Tamara had already informed him that he was not meeting dignitaries today. So, he was dressed casually in blue jeans, blue t-shirt, moccasins and his circlet which was again giving him a headache.

“Atlas. What they see is what they get. If they don't like what they see, the door is yonder.” Tyr replied. Whereupon, Atlas immediately backed off and left his Liege alone.



NOTE TO READERS: Wow! haven't seen one of these in a while!

Moving on. . . .

I got the Star Date Tyr is supposed to return to Deep Space Ten on, from one of those stardate conversion sites. For some reason, I think I still billoxed it up. . . Sometimes a GEEK can't see their way out of a room full of doors. . . . . . I would greatly appreciate it if anyone help me fix the date if it's wrong. Thanks!