Pedro Muñoz cursed. How had the old man foiled his little diversion. Pedro stabbed the button that would send the urgent text cancelling the rest of the operation. He just hoped he was in time or it would prove expensive.

In the Hotel Luso Mario Lazer checked his watch and headed towards the owner’s office he was almost at the door when his new phone buzzed quietly. He slipped it out of his pocket and glanced at the message. ‘Kisses Laura’. He shrugged slipped his phone back in his pocket, looked around and returned the way he had come.

In his underwater lair Antonio watched him. All those lockpicks and the two usb sticks suggested that this guest was up to no good. And that message he had received came shortly after that cabo had used his phone to tell someone that the saboteurs had been apprehended. Two more suspects for his security people to keep an eye on. Always nice to know who the potential traitors were.

Antonio reformed his avatar in his office and sent for his new PA.

“Can you trace a number and find out who owns it São?”

“Maybe.”

São sat at her desk and opened up her computer. She typed for several minutes before she looked up. “I’m sorry uncle but that bicho phoned Pedro.”

“My grandson Pedro.”

“Yes Uncle.”

Antonio sighed, “well at least he’s the only bad apple in the family, advise our security people please São. Guess it’s time to revise my will. Maybe that will stop him. His father is going to be devastated when this comes out. And it will.”

“Yes Uncle. I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault that he’s a rapacious idiot. How’s the tanker coming along, and how did they take our special request?”

São giggled, “the director of ENVC almost had a fit, especially when Jezebel showed up with Isabella and two of her followers. It will be ready in early February at the latest. What are we calling it?”

Antonio grinned, “Luso Mar.”

* * *

“Hello Manfred, happy Christmas. I come bearing gifts,” joked Felicia as she stepped through the portal.

« Why hello Felicia, how are you, gramps and Moonbeam? »

“Oh we’re well,” Felicia replied as she made her way to the parlour of the house Manfred had claimed as his own. She placed a wicker basket on a small table. “That’s for the folk who walk about, your gift however is in this crystal.” Felicia produced a large crystal from her storage device. “Where do you want it Manfred?”

« Anywhere Felicia. »

Moonbright flew in and circled her friend twice before settling on the back of a worn looking leather armchair. “Hi aunty Fel,” she grinned.

“Fel? Honestly Moonbright is that the best you can come up with? How would you like it if I took to calling you Moo?”

Moonbright chortled, “I wouldn’t auntie Felicia. What’s in the basket?”

Felicia nodded politely at Alice when she arrived. “Bolo Rei, pasteis de bacalhao and rissois de camarão.”

“What?” asked Alice.

“Cake and snacks.”

« Oh Wow! This is so cool. Thank gramps for me Felicia. »

Manfred left the girls to gossip and studied his gift. He selected a spot not too far from the army obstacle course. He fed a little manna into his gift and watched as the crystal unfolded its plans and used the manna stored in its heart. Manfred added manna at several points as he chose to deploy all the options.

Sometime later he inspected his new urban combat range with variously armed robotic and monster opposition.

‘Oh Wow! Cool! Now to tell the Sergeant.’

Sergeant Sanderson was digesting his lunch when his special mobile tinged announcing a new text message. Idly he checked the message and sat up straight.

‘Merry Christmas Sergeant. Do you want to inspect the new urban combat range? It is near the obstacle course.’

Remembering the obstacle course Sergeant Sanderson groaned. However orders were orders so he went to report to Captain Winters.

Some time later the two men were following the new single-track road to a set of large double doors built into the hill. The doors were open and just inside there was a table with two thick manuals. Winters started idly flicking through them. He then started to get interested.

Sergeant Sanderson for his part wandered through the far doors and came to an abrupt halt.

Several hours later the two men made their way back to their base carrying the manuals. The first thing Captain Winters did was to report the find to his superiors.