Danilus Oakborn gazed the new island and town from the deck of the Queen of the Seas. “So what are you calling the island, Maryland?”

Rafael winced. Mary’s human avatar snorted, “No. Might call the town Annapolis,” she grinned at Rafael who winced again, “No I think I’m gonna call the island New Maui to remind me of home. As for the town how ‘bout Maalea?”

Danilus noted that this seemed to mean something to Rafael, but he was more interested in watching the two big rakish ships that currently rode at anchor in the lagoon.

Soon they were in the new temple on government island and he bowed low to his god. Mary cocked her head to one side and went to sit in her chair. Ocidon placed his hand on her shoulder and a gate opened as people of all ages and walks of life streamed into the temple, stumbling and bowing low at the sight of their god. All seemed to know where to go and they headed of to board the ferries to cross to the city proper. A handful dove into the lagoon and headed for their underwater homes and businesses.

As soon as only the priests were left Ocidon straightened and left leaving only his statue behind while Mary dismissed her avatar and returned to contemplating other more interesting concepts.

‘Mycroft would be just the thing for my Mock Turtle dungeon... Could call him Carroll and fill him with all his namesake’s writings.’ Mary grinned to herself and set to work. ‘Wonder what Trish will think?’

* * *

Sir Emmallio Trazantor eyed the gift Mary Silvestre had entrusted to him for the emperor. It didn’t look like much, a nicely worked doll with exquisite features but made out of common bronze adorned with quartz crystals. But if you opened it up at the waist it contained a smaller doll of steel. Inside that one of silver, then electrum, gold, and finally mythrill and diamonds.

It was a clever and unique gift, though he was certain it would soon be copied as it would almost certainly be treasured by the Emperor.

* * *

Captain Robin Goodfellow sighed. He hated having to dismiss anyone who had joined his company but that rogue was impossible. This was the second time he had been caught stealing from members of the company. So that was that, out he had to go!

He had been very successful. They had freed another three dungeons of their shackles, and thanks to Shadow he had another fifteen to visit. And they no longer needed a dungeon to seed portals for the Mock Turtle dungeon. Mother wanted him to visit Victoria at Goronmouth. So handle ANS 32 next then it would be easy to make the river Garon and they could take a ship down to Garonmouth. Maybe he should set up a hall in Garonmouth. He’d consult with Victoria and see what she thought.

* * *

Victoria grinned in triumph. Her agents had intercepted the report about Mother’s shadow mage and made it disappear. They had sent the appropriate acknowledgement and then the appropriate report out to Copper Town. So as far as the guild in Copper Town was aware everything was correct but no other branch of the Adventurer’s guild would be aware of Shadow.

She smiled down at Jillian and Andrea as she rocked their cradle gently. Mother had admired her daughters and blessed their names. Then the service she had held had allowed all of Mother’s folk to hear her blessing. Life was good.

* * *

Abriman cursed as he received yet another message from his god. He had already had five dungeons to visit and now he had six. Time to ask for help.

Abriman sought out Palca and her Roving Valkyries and explained his dilemma.

Palca glanced at her friends. This chance to go and check out a lot of different dungeons all over the world was tempting but the travel time, not to mention expense would be a killer.

“While this sounds interesting, I don’t think we could afford the cost in money and time.”

“Sorry I didn’t explain properly. I need to go and visit Meerkatton. Hel-Arlizzy assures me we will be able to pick up a guide. Most of these dungeons are close to an entrance of the Mock Turtle dungeon.”

Palca and the Valkyries discussed things amongst themselves. Then Palca turned to Abriman, “if you want us to accompany you, then you will to have to delay a bit at each stop so we can explore the local towns or villages. And we will only enter that abomination of a dungeon with one of its guides.”

* * * INTERLUDE 1 * * *

Joanne watched from in front of the house’s garden gate as Mary drove down to her home, she could have sworn that the moment the girl passed the property line an effect similar to a heat haze simmered briefly outlining the property’s extent.

Then she opened the gate and made her way to the front door of the house.

“So how went your day Jo, how did you like school,” asked the big man with a chuckle.

“Oh thank god you haven’t started with the setup sequence yet Top. There are some very nasty pitfalls lying in wait all through the process for anyone who strays from the standard options. You remember the kid that was found on the base, well Carl must have walked right into one of them.”

“What do you mean Jo?”

“Our bosses wanted some experienced seventeen year old to guard and influence our target. Well Carl must have selected sixteen or seventeen year old elf without adding safeguards so the System wiped all his memories and experience of everything he lived after he was seventeen and turned him into a seventeen year old elf. A seventeen year old elf is the equivalent of a human seven year old.”

“Shit! What a waste! So lets see, Race, change. Whatever race Mary Jane Silvestre is, yes I’m sure, yes, yes. Fuck! What the...” Top just stared at the menu, and started asking for information. He broke into a cold sweat.

‘Fuck, if anyone finds out about most of this I’m screwed! I’ll never get out of the clutches of the white coated bastards. Have to have a word with the girl, she’s being too free with information it could bugger us both!’

Top licked his lips uncomfortably aware that Joanne was watching him. “Right. Now age, change. Sixteen. No not yet, sub menu, check defaults. OK most of this is acceptable but those three need to change. Options, Shit! Set, set, um... more options. Right that, that and this. Set. Check all options. Accept.”

“I thought you were going to do something about your leg Top.”

“Not needed, Evolved Sea Humans regenerate. It’ll grow back over the next few days.”

‘And no one is going to find out about the dungeon core bit from me! Especially the lab rats.’

“So our job is a bit easier than we feared, Mary’s harder to kill than we thought, what about the wound those idiots caused.”

“It is possible to prevent the regeneration for a while. I would think she used that ability to give as little away as possible. We just need to hope no one blows her brains out. If she’s decapitated just slam her head back on her body.”

‘Yeah don’t want anyone to know the only way of killing us is by destroying our brain and core at the same time. Now I need to get to a jeweller to purchase an appropriate gem.’

Top carefully went through the rest of the integration and setup process pausing frequently to check the defaults and read the available notes. He blanched once or twice. Then he looked up, “Joanne, take the girl’s advice to heart. Even the simplest choices can have unpleasant consequences. As for race, the Seals are going to love Evolved Sea Human but if you want to live a long life elf is the way to go.”

Top just slumped, “we have to do something about poor Carl. I wouldn’t be surprised if the poor bastard only knows what he knew when he was seven. From what I was able to see, the System’s a bastard that way.” Top shook his head ruefully, “So Joanne, how do I get close to the girl?”

“Just push the new to Hawaii card and talk sea fishing. Ask for recommendations about the best locations. Most everyone’ll direct you to Mary.”

* * * INTERLUDE 2 * * *

Mary felt a distinct sense of relief on getting home. Nowadays she felt slightly vulnerable every time she left her domain. It was not anything major yet.

When she got to her room she booted up her computer and went looking for a nice little boat. The ones she really coveted where all too expensive. She would never be able to explain where she got hold of well over a million dollars. The sports cruisers looked like the best bet. She should be able replace the engines with something better and thanks to the navy she could explain three hundred thousand.

She worked on some blueprints.

‘Why the beep am I considerin’ manufacturers. I’ve gotta dungeon an it’s even startin’ to pay for itself thanks to all the sea critters. Need motors but can build the hull an’ everythin’ else. Gotta expand out to sea... Maybe I should create some of those man-rats to infiltrate all these beep agencies.’

‘Right, ‘bout time I got in touch with Flip ‘bout that program, got the magic compiler done after all. Gotta test it an’ the hardware.’

So a phone call later Mary was off haring across to her brother’s office. She made it before it closed and lost the three tails that she had started out with.

Flip and his friends and colleagues watched with disbelief as Mary interfaced a box that held ten gems grouped around a large clear crystal, all set in a clear plastic cube, with their computer and downloaded their program through a virtual compiler. The gems and crystal started to flicker.

“Now where’s the AI an’ its code?”

Flip just called the requested item up and watched fascinated as his sister repeated her feat. The small cube ceased flickering and settled into a steady glow.

“You ‘k in there Mycroft?”

« Yes mistress. Permission to remove all impediments and fix all the shortcomings in my code? »

« Yes, but cooperate at first with Flip an’ his friends. Just keep track of what needs doin’. Don’t let ‘em cripple you. »

“Talk with the programmers, explain the changes you want and why. I’ll leave you here for now ‘k?” Mary grinned at the startled programmers. “Hey, great job. Meet Mycroft, I suspect he’s the first true AI an’ he’s all yours for a week or so as to fix any issues.”

This time Mycroft included everyone present in his telepathic response. « Yes mistress, I will work with the ladies and gentlemen present to improve myself. »

She left, unnoticed by a team of programmers that were in part horrified but wholly fascinated.