Anne sat in the luxuriously appointed boardroom of her beloved ship, the Bonny Anne. It had been Mary's ship for years, the name a tribute to the beloved partner who could not always be with her. But things had changed. Now Anne was engaged to Mary Read, her Sweet Mary. Though both had their bolt-holes and sanctuaries, in the paranoid way of the sane vampire, their waking hours were spent together on the ship.

Anne's own ship, the Murderess, had been lost to sea... lost in a strange storm of her estranged daughter's devising. No matter. A new and better ship was being built even now, smaller but luxuriously appointed - a swift craft for escape and leisure. The shell was being assembled by expert shipwrights in Earth's 17th century (that had taken some arranging) but there was still the question of where to find the mages and the tech to complete the design. An interesting challenge, but far from impossible. That's what the Bonny Corporation did: it solved problems, took care of business, and made money however it could.

The Bonny Corporation. Based out of Earth, it was a semi-independent organization that had its fingers in every promising pie. They were under the dubious supervision of Anne's mentor and sire, a Frenchman with a flamboyant sense of style. It was on his suggestion that Anne had traveled to Rhy'din. The Corporation already imported some few prized commodities from the Nexus-world. It was time to take the next step, and get down to business on this front.

That was what this board meeting was about: to discuss the future goals and current organization of the mad, anarcho-syndicalist Corporation. The Corporation was ruthless but not without its morality, anarchic yet hierarchical, mercurial but with astonishing focus for temporary objectives. The Corporation was the Man, it was Big Brother, it was an organization that condescended to the Mafia and had dinner parties with the Illuminati. They had Earth in the palm of their hand, and still wanted more. An unpredictable beast, the Corporation.

Anne Bonny loved the Corporation with all her heart, just as she loved Mary. There was no contradiction; Anne was the Corporation, and Mary was her honored helpmeet, her partner in all things. Anne loved the unpredictability, and the chaos, and the casual occasional cruelties.

She had been born to rich parents, in a society where domination and manipulation were a way of life. Those parents were long-dead, but their heartless sadism still lay hidden just beneath her skin. She was always a breath away from killing... someone... but she had excellent self-control. It made her a perfect head of the Corporation. Also, she was difficult to kill, a quality that she assumed would soon be very useful.

Mary Read hesitated a moment at the door to the boardroom, but she told herself that was silly. This was her ship, and had been for more than 300 years.... or however long it was. Time got confusing when you sometimes traveled in time and often through dimensions. It was much easier back when they were just pirates, and just traveled on the sea.

Mary entered the boardroom. Anne was already there to give her an approving smile for her plain but stylish black dress and boots. For the longest time, Mary had not cared about how she dressed, but Anne cared. She tried each day to be the woman that Anne thought her to be.

She took her seat at the other end of the long table, with a silent smile to her lover. She and Anne were finally back together as they had been meant to be. They had loved each other for so long. Anne had saved her life, and she had repaid that favor several times since. They had saved each other, when their city burned and vampires were hunted through the streets with flamethrowers.

Now they were going to get married. Life was looking up. And the Corporation, which Anne was so keen to expand? Well if it mattered to Anne.... Anne trusted her with a lot, and had complete faith in her reliability, whether defending a body or solving a problem. Mary was a person who loved people, someone who was completely honest and earnest, and this was sometimes very useful.

Her position in the company? Whenever anyone asked, Anne answered for her. "She's my fiancee" Anne would say, "so my business is her business." Then she would smile the sharp feral smile that did not invite questions. Anne's aura of danger, the predator that lay always awake in her, was part of what made her so irresistably attractive to Mary.

Ariana was always happy to be at Nicholai's side. Coming to this meeting though was making her nervous because there were going to be others like her. She still didn't really understand the changes that had happened to her.

Fallen royalty, she never often looked back on her past. Trading what she had then in favor of a simple life seemed impossible. It actually got people killed until she found herself here. Able to start over but would she get the chance?

Anne was in deep conversation with Nicholai, with Mary and Ariana listening intently, when Brandon entered. She glanced up at his entrance, and the cold intensity of her expression warmed immediately into a brilliant smile. The abruptness of the change in demeanor was startling, but her new manner was warm and congenial.

"Brandon, dear! So glad you could make it!" She gestured cordially to an open seat, and then beckoned discretely to the servants. Both of the beautiful women, smiling and garbed in pretty evening gowns, came to serve Brandon. One bore a tray with glasses of wine and flutes of champagne: the other had a small plate of savory delicacies.

Anne introduced Brandon first, giving a grand wave of her hand as she explained, "This is the man I was telling you about. A brilliant man... a great new asset to the Corporation." She smiled, and added, "A mortal, alas, but let's not be prejudiced about our differences."

Anne then introduced the others at the table, briefly. "This is Mary, my better half. Besides being my fiancee, she is my partner. Her main task is to keep a cool head when the rest of us are about to charge off on a mad mission."

She lowered her eyes in brief respect as she introduced the only other man. "This is Father Nicholai, our spiritual counselor. He fights for our souls as fiercely as he fights for our interests. A wise man, and utterly dependable. The woman is Ariana, one of his... disciples. She is still getting to know us, as you are."

About Brandon, she said, "Besides being our Idea Man, Brandon has some significant powers. He is quite capable at defending himself and his mind. He will not, of course, harm another, as he is quite pacifistic." Her eyes flashed over the others, warning them to take her words to heart and - what? - not scare him? Something like that.

The Corporation was like a person. It had its generous impulses, its actions that would be applauded and supported by good people. And it had its dark side. It had done some unspeakable things, acts that almost sickened even their perpetrators. But if they couldn't have a board meeting without alienating normal people, they had crossed the line. It was important that they be hard operators, without being thugs.

Anne paused as if graciously giving the others a moment to talk. Really, mentioning Brandon's powers had reminded her of something. Nicholai said that Ariana could be trusted, and Anne believed him - just as she believed her own gut instinct that Brandon was trustworthy. But if Ariana's mind could be picked apart by enemies, she was no better than a spy.

Anne sipped her champagne, the mechanical action covering her focus on an entirely different aim. Ruthlessly, she threw all of her power into an unexpected assault on Ariana's mind, trying to strip the secrets out of the young woman's soul.

Ariana violently overreacted, as amateurs will. In her panic, she did not just shield her memories, but THREW Anne out of her mind. Deafeningly, she screamed in Anne's mind: "GET OUT OF ME! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

Anne threw up her own barriers, which absorbed the force and sound of the attack. The unexpected quickness of Ariana's response surprised her, though, and her brief convulsion made her choke on a swallow of champagne. She sputtered a bit, covering her inelegant display by swiftly raising a snowy napkin to her face.

Seeing Anne's momentary distraction, and the panicked look on Ariana's face, Nicholai raised an eyebrow. "Is everything all right?" he asked, with his normal mix of facetious politeness.

"Everything is fine. Better than all right." Anne flashed her dazzling grin at her 'spiritual counselor', cheerful at knowing that all of her people had minds like locked chests. "So look around, all of you. The other people in this room are the only ones that can be trusted to protect your interests. You don't have to be friends, but we are all allies here."

She sipped her champagne more normally, relaxing. "So now, we all know each other. Let's talk business, eh?"

Alana was rather new here and she ran this way and that trying not to be late to the meeting. Although she knew she already was. She cursed low to herself and there she say it the Bonny Anne. She made her way on board and looked this way and that trying to find an entrance to the board room.
Alana didnt look much like herself. Her hair pulled back tightly and she looked as if she actually took into consideration what she wore. A long black peasent skirt billowed about in the wind. And just slightly above it she wore a white tunic. Her feet were bare as almost always and she looked about for someone to point her in the general direction of the meeting. She rememinded her self mentally to speak to Mary about easier directions,

Anne looked briefly over at the new entrant. "Ah, Alana. You made it here after all." To the others, she said, "This is Alana. We have recently made her a bodyguard, and a messenger for our most important communications. I am sure she will be a good and loyal employee."

To Alana, she said only, "Your only task here is to listen, dear. It's best that you keep up with what the Corporation is doing."

She knew that this was the first Alana had heard of her job and its responsibilities. She had intentionally neglected to introduce the others. Anne also suspected that this was Alana's first board meeting, and that even with an agenda the girl would be completely lost. Anne liked that. If she kept the girl disoriented, it would be easier to help her transition from her former aimless life into her new identity as a Corporation associate.

The important lesson here was that sometimes Alana's employers would not have time to stop and explain themselves. In fact, it was for the best if they did not explain themselves. The less Alana knew, the less she would worry about. It would be cruel, thought Anne, to let the poor girl know the truth all at once. The shock would kill her. No, they had upset her quite enough by inviting her here at all. Most new hires went years before meeting anyone of importance. Alas, on Rhy'din their skeleton staff was unable to handle things with such delicacy.

"So," she said, turning back to her finest minds. "You know our four objectives. Start with whichever you have ideas about." And she folded her fingers again, opening the floor back up to them. In her habitual way she did two things at once: listening for comments, but also picking into Alana's mind. She was after secrets, not because she actually wanted them, but because she wanted to verify how well Alana's head was guarded. About Alana's character, as with Brandon, Anne had no serious doubts.

Alana nodded her head. She was not surprised. The young elf had learned that in Rhydin. It is better to never show surprise. There was a question. It formed gently in her mind and as lips opened to speak the words, she looked up to Calico. She was stormy. A hellfire?And yes, she seemed mildly insane. She had seen that same passion elsewhere and without even knowing the back-story, she looked from Calico to Mary, and then back again. She nodded her head to Anne again now. Saying she accepted the job offer. Although Alana was not daft. She also knew she had not much of a choice. She was either with them or against them. Moreover, there was no way she would be against them.

Those eyes shifted now down at her hands. A messenger eh? She could barely even read. Then, all at once it hit her. She thought to herself. If I had a message I did not want anyone to see I would hand it over to the most proud person I know. They would not allow it to be snatched away because they would NOT allow themselves to fail. Now if this person also could not decipher the words. It would make it even better; my letter would stay between me and whomever it was being delivered. She smiled looking back up now at Anne and held back the soft laugh that was urging to escape. Anne was smart, it was not the first time Alana had realized that. But really her cunning was interesting to the young elf. Slowly folding her hand in front of her she looked now only to Calico. Her intrusion was interesting and not at all something Alana had expected and by the looks on the faces of all others present she wasn?t alone.

Looking around, a bemused look on his face, he patiently waited for what would be considered his turn to talk. He rather enjoyed the idea of a Gentlemans Club, the women.... ah yes, back to the meeting. He looked at Anne who seemed to be staring at him quite expectantly. He smiled at her, and decided it was his time.

"You wish to have a new religious movement in Rhy'Din? You do realize that such an endeavor would be incredibly difficult. Though I represent the Catholic religion back on Earth, that religion does not exist on Rhy'Din, and it is rather hard to convert followers into a new religion. However, with the recent destruction and death by peoples unknown." He had to stop a let out a little laugh.

Clearing his throat from a likely non existant blockage, he continued. "As I was saying, with those issues, some may be looking to find a new source of solice and guidance, and I can certainly be there to offer the comfort that they need. I have never attempted to start, much less operate, a religious movement before. I would of course leave that up to you lovely ladies, pulling the strings from the background."

"Also, as for saving your souls, that in itself is a lifelong job. The things you 2 do or, in most cases, plan... even gives me nightmares sometimes. But thats alright, because on those cold lonely nights you always..." He looks around suddenly, realizing that he was headed into territory that should not be discussed in current company. "Give me alot of blankets and teddy bears." He finished with a grin.

Looking over at Ariana, he gave a nod, indicating his approval in her presence. She was coming along quite nicely, now he just had to make sure that Mary, and the mother daughter combo over there, kept their hands off his prize. Anne always did appreciate beings of great beauty.

She squirmed in her seat now and and smiled. She couldnt help but think of a theme park. She thought to herself, family fun of course in the main park. And fun for him in another, Fun for her in another. She smiled brightly to the idea but it was something she would discuss when she had figured it out better in her own head so as not to sound daft again. Then all at once she smiled brighter than anyone could have imagined from the young woman. She lifted her gaze to Anne now and she smiled perhaps they could kill two birds with one stone.

"If you make this theme park one of this Earth than perhaps you can move those wares that your storing."

It was just an idea. She figured if they could be more efficiant than they should do so. The birds sounded like they would amuse the children and of course the opium could be distributed at the ADULTS ONLY sites. Perhaps even a couples resort would be nice. Rhydin hosted an endless fonts of weddings and was lacking in places to Honeymoon

Also a spa perhaps on this resort because Alana also noted that Rhydin was also a endless font of Divorces and at a time like that sometimes people just wanted to get away.

Anne would still be in Alanas mind and so Alana wouldnt hide these thoughts. She would allow them to reach Anne and felt more comfortable knowing that only Anne would scold her if the idea were total shite. She looked to Anne now with a smile. Her brain still whirlling with those ideas for the theme park.

"I really like the idea of a fun-fair. Family entertainment is definitely the way to go." Anne smiled at Alana and Brandon, who had mostly worked this out already.

"I think we should separate the wholesome from the decadent, to help with public relations. If it works, we can contrast the two - Heaven and Hell, whatnot." She noted down a few things. "The family fair should have an adult area, but keep it all romantic, nice. A scenic overlook. Sidewalk cafes, portrait painters. Baby-sitters!" She thought a second. "We can put the spa there too. Spas are clean, wholesome, refreshing."

"Alana, I would like you to think about more specific attractions. I haven't any idea how to entertain children. Maybe we could import some ponies or something? I have a guy who deals in unicorns at a reasonable rate, but they can get violent if approached by non-virgins.... Anyway, Family Fun-Fair (Codename Heaven) is definitely a go."

She leaned forward conspiratorially, drawing them in for the fun bit. "Our 'Hell' park will be close, but completely different. Leave the kids home. We'll have couples retreats in suitable themes, maybe one fantasy per cottage? A bar and danceclub with maybe some entertainers, of both genders, and plenty of nooks to get cuddly.... A separate gentleman's-only club, and a ladies' club (staffed by the opposite sex.) I know what boys like, but we'll have to research what it is that Rhy'din women want when they're letting loose. Who is Rhy'din's most eligible bachelor?"

She chewed her lip, thinking this out more. "We need a place for homosexuals and fetishists, they like to party too. A lounge for drug use, all sedatives or pleasure enhancers - opium, soma, Ecstasy - we don't want freak-outs on our watch. A dungeon for the BDSM folks, I've seen plenty of them. We'll need security, plain-clothes so they don't ruin the mood. Integrated into the party."

She smiled happily at her people. "This is big. We are still open to backing other businesses, but this is something that we can do ourselves. We have people, we have luxury goods, we can get builders. Where are we getting the land from...?" Anne waved that off as unimportant. "Those gorgeous Chinese silks will look beautiful in our luxury couples' suites. Do you think we can get beach-front property?" She was very excited at the prospect of creating Rhy'din's premiere entertainment facility.

Alana nodded to Anne now and she smiled. Why was Alana in charge of keeping the kiddies occupied at the theme park. Alana knew little of children. But she liked them. She tilted her head to one side and thought. She shook her head to the importing of unicorns. They had a tendency of dying in transit and more would drop before they arrived than they would actually be able to showcase. And of course they cost a fortune to feed and take care of. Think of how many gallons of detergent and bleaches would be needed to keep them white. And that rose another problem people have this thing about their rights as creatures and she DIDN?T want to step over that line. The wildlife would have to be looked over on Earth. There had to be a dozen and a half things she could think of off the top of her head. She would have to look into sitters. And she would have to work on writing or Hiring a scribe. To take down her ideas so they didn?t escape from her. She had the problem sometimes. The ideas came and went without so much as her being able to reach out and touch them.

Alana nodded again as Anne spoke of Mary and her cheeks flushed a bit with excitement as she thought of making her trip to earth. She had already gone over what she was going to bring. Those bags were packed and sitting by the Caverns exit and those ears perked and the comment about Brandon and she offered him a bright smile. She was Na?ve and she was always interested in making new friends. Of course she would keep him company while they planned. She wanted to see the great forests and she had hoped for a companion and she smiled thinking that he may be the one to accompany her. She offered him a hand seeing as they had not met and as he took a hold of her hand she introduced herself

?Alana Daven. It is a pleasure Brandon.?

Now she looked back to Anne and she unfolded her hands and looked to her that voice soft as always. She was in a good mood and only thing right now that pressed on her was what her duty was.

?I know I am to be a bodyguard Milady but you haven?t told me to whom. Would it be too forward to ask who it is I am to be guarding.?

Alana had her very best business voice on and she was trying to prove that she was just as learned as everyone else present even if that wasn?t the case. She was still trying very hard and didn?t want to appear rude to anyone so she was being very polite today.

A cocktail napkin was pulled closer to herself. That bottle of water pressed to her lips as she grabbed a pen from the person sitting beside her. She unfolded the cocktail napkin and began a sketch of the resort. Suddenly she got up and walked over to Brandon. She sat there beside him and pointed something out. Then before he even had a chance to say a word she crumpled it up and grabbed another napkin. This one was also unfolded and she spread it out. The resort could not be square! That would be total foolishness and so she went about folding the napkin this way and then that way holding it up she raised a brow at the paper hat that she had inadvertently created. She giggled a bit to herself and unfolded it once more. However, the boat had given her an idea. Moreover, without thinking she blurted it out.

?A string of Islands.?

Connected by ferries or something of the like. Maybe some high-tech transit. Alana was smiling a little bit and she crumpled up the cocktail napkin and looked around with a bright smile. She had packed all right. She had been packing for days now. She had bought some very interesting swimsuits. Alana OBVIOUSLY did not know that no one wears clothing in the water in the Caribbean. Therefore, she had spent a pretty penny on swimwear over the last week. She did not know how to get to the Portal and those eyes rolled over Brandon once more. Pleading that he help her find it.

On the subject of who she would be guarding Alana nodded. She would be more than pleased to spend more time with Mary. Alana had grown very fond of her employer and her Fianc?. She felt as if she could be completely herself around them and they would not look down at her for it. She thought a nice feeling overall.

Alana stood now from the board table now and with a rustling of that peasent skirt she smiled and made her way out of the board room and waited for Brandon to leave as well. As he did she sort of rushed to keep up with him and offered him a ginger smile. She spoke to him softly as if she didn?t want to be heard sounding silly.

?Would you be able to show me the way??

He was still leaning back in his chair, quietly watching the proceedings, when Ariana spoke. It came as quite the surprise, as she was normally quite shy in new surroundings. Perhaps those bits of training in confidence were beginning to pay off after all. Finding himself excited, he cocked his head slightly, listening to what the woman had to say. After listening to the entire thing, he had to admit he was impressed. He caught her eye, gave her a small, encouraging smile, and a little nod, before looking to Anne for her reaction to the girls insertion of thought.

While waiting to see what Anne would say to this newcomer, his mind wandered in that instant of time as a mind will do. He couldnt help but to have a grin come to his face as he thought of all these beautiful women on the coming time away, all nude, and all around him. He'd seen most of them of course in all their natural beauty, but never all of them, especially never all together. A somewhat evil thought began to surface in his mind. Perhaps these ladies could be persuaded to take a turn or two on the stage at the new adult club they had discussed. Ariana, he knew, would probably be the hardest one to persuade, but it could be done.

He heard Anne beginning to speak and his mind came back into focus, but he just could not wipe that grin off his face. The old saying was to picture your audience naked to get through a presentation, but he was having a good time picturing the presenter as such, and it wasn't an image that he was going to allow to go away any time soon. He again turned his full attention to Anne, listening to her words.