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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 5077849" data-attributes="member: 143">A note for my regular readers: those who have followed the various stories I've written over the years know that I have also written a number of novels in the fantasy genre. Some of my long-term readers have been very encouraging and have suggested that they'd like to see some of my works in print. One of my resolutions for 2010 is to revise and edit some of my earlier works and self-publish them online. I am currently planning on releasing a book or two on Smashwords by the end of the year, and perhaps something on Amazon.com for the Kindle as well. The price would be minimal, a dollar or two for each novel-length book. I will update again when I have more details. Obviously I cannot publish anything I've done on ENWorld due to copyright issues. Those works will remain here for anyone to read for free.Thanks to everyone who has supported my writing. I do it as a hobby but I enjoy the feedback.And now for your regular post:* * * * * Session 15 (July 21, 2008)Chapter 50Catalina was at her usual place in the lounge, her feet perched high up on the table.  James was putting some dishes back into the cupboard when Vasily came in and grabbed a soda from the machine.  “Unless you want to do another of your tactics exercises,” the doctor said, with a look at Vasily, “I’ll go check on the medical kit production.”  He started toward the door, but it opened ahead of him, and Eleazar Perez came into the room. Hey, Alphas.  How’s it hanging?”“Hey, bro!” James replied.  “What up?”The swarthy Latino grinned.  “Heard you got Grace to fix us up some of those fancy ray guns you guys been playing with.”  He mimed a gun with his thumb and forefinger.  “I’m looking forward to roasting some squishies, man.”Vasily leaned back against the counter as he drained the last of his soda.  “Something like that,” he said. “For you guys, only our best leftovers,” James added. Without looking up from her magazine, Catalina said, “It was the least we could do, but you can thank us profusely if you wish.”“Word of advice,” Vasily said, crumpling the can before feeding it into the recycling bin.  “Not so good against the snakes.  But for everything else, great.”Eleazar seemed unconcerned.  “Yeah, well, I need me some new boots.  So bring them snakies on.”Vasily’s chuckle was dry.  As James took his leave, Eleazar crossed over to the mini fridge and helped himself to a bottle of water.  “Anyway, promised Alyssa I’d help her tack out her new stealth rig.  You blew your chance, Russkie.”  After taking a swig from the bottle, he headed for the door.  “Later, Alphas.  Vaya con dios.”Catalina waved after him with her fingers as the door slid shut behind him.  “Not upset, are you?” she asked Vasily, an eyebrow raised.“Eh?”“Miss Personality and the Latino?”“Eh,” Vasily repeated, waving his hand in a vague gesture.  “Not my type.”“Here, console yourself and check this out,” she said, drawing the laser pistol hanging in its bulky harness at her hip, and sliding it across the table toward him.  He picked it up, grunting as he evaluated its lighter weight and improved targeting system. Both looked up as Chief Hallorand came into the room.  “Oh, hey there.  Cat, Vasily.”“Hello,” Vasily said. “Hey, when you see the others, could you let the know that Garret’s called a briefing in fifteen.  I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but I hope you like croissants.”“Hmm,” Catalina said, after he’d left.  Vasily slid the weapon back toward her.  “Guess we better go and find,” he said. It took them a while to track down all of the members of Alpha Team, with Cat finally resorting to her xPhone to page Moshe Yahav.  They were a few minutes late when they trailed into the room with the Israeli scientist in tow.  Jane and James were already there.  “You’re late,” Agent Drake said. “I hope you all have been practicing your French,” Joan Beauvois said, smiling from her seat at the end of the table. “We go to X-COM Europe?” Vasily asked, as he took his own seat.“Yes,” Garret said.“Don’t worry, it’s not a permanent reassignment,” Doctor Wagner added. “Oh, good,” Vasily said.  “Because I would miss the luxury accommodation here.”“The base is almost ready to come online,” Garret said.  “The first defense personnel are already there.  Scientists and engineers will follow.”“You are going to be our liaisons and ensure that the base operations are set up properly,” Drake said.  “Think of yourselves as our envoys,” Garret said.“Yes, that means to try to avoid blowing things up,” Joan added.“Vas and Cat, diplomats extraordinaire,” James said. “I make a remarkably friendly envoy,” Catalina said.  “You’ll meet our representative there, Jacques Nemot.”Ken Yushi looked up from his tablet computer from his perch at the end of the table, opposite Joan.  “Man, we’re looking at another long ride,” he said. “Yes, but this time you can sleep through most of it, and you’re not facing a pitched battle at the other end,” Wagner said. The pilot grinned.  “Heh, you’ve never been in the Paris rush hour, Doc.”“All right,” Garret said.  “Ken, make sure that the Skyranger’s ready for the long flight.  Alphas, get your gear and meet him in Hangar One.  Dismissed.”</blockquote>

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