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pain,
who had known so much that fear was a stranger.
    “Why did you come?”
    “The Sergeant bring me. I look someone.
Martha.”
    Karl jerked his head up. “Martha? You’re
looking for Martha?”
    “Yes. You are surprising?”
    “I want to see her again.” Karl closed his
eyes, realized how deeply he missed her. He had not thought of her
much the last few years.
    “RJ, you know LuvRay already?”
    “I do indeed. Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to
see you this evening. How do you fare under the General’s…unusual
hospitality?”
    Karl and RJ talked and LuvRay stood silent
until the General walked in a few moments later, followed by the
Sergeant.
    “Chers comrades. Shall we dine?”
    The room was as big as an aircraft hangar, a
combination dining, ballroom, and princely salon. It boasted four
enormous chandeliers, two huge fireplaces, an assortment of velvet
and satin furniture for sitting, cherry end tables, Persian rugs,
art works from all over the world, including a Picasso, and a grand
piano. The ceiling was over 6 meters high, supported by red marble
pillars on a light blue marble floor. They sat at the long table in
high oak chairs with red padded velvet seats and backs.“Your
finger,” LuvRay asked the Sergeant. “How is?”
    “Gone. How’s your head?”
    “Is good.”
    “You’re probably wondering why we’re holding
you, LuvRay.”
    LuvRay stared blankly at the Sergeant.
    “I’m sorry about that, but we thought that
you wouldn’t stay here willingly, knowing what we know about you,
and we need to do something before you find Martha.”
    LuvRay said nothing.
    “We have another mission of critical
importance. And we need you to meet Karl.”
    “I no want be cage.”
    “You’re free after dinner.”
    LuvRay held, then tipped his head.
    Dinner was sumptuous, soup in a wide, flat
bowl followed by a few bites of cheese. Then an entire duck per
person with a side of vegetables. There was a cheese platter
afterwards and dessert. The Sergeant stood to one side, in a
soldier’s relaxed posture.
    “Why doesn’t he eat with us?” Sublime asked
the General.
    “Because officers and enlisted men do not
dine together.”
    “That sounds a bit lonely. It seems that
there’s only the two of you in your army.”
    “Who is not lonely in this life, Monsieur
Sublime? And you are here, are you not, keeping me company?”
    There were numerous servers moving about,
changing forks, picking up plates and replacing them with bigger or
smaller plates. A violinist began playing during the second
course.
    “This is a pretty impressive meal,” Karl
said. “All these servers, a violinist. Why such an affair?”
    The General looked surprised. “C’est normal.
I always dine like this. At the palace, at least.”
    “Where else is there?”
    “Le quartier general. You call it
’eadquarters.”
    “What do you want us for, General?” Karl
asked a few minutes later.
    “Apres diner. It is not done to discuss
business during the evening meal.”
    “I do it all the time,” said RJ.
    “You are not French,” The General said
politely, with a touch of arrogance.
    Afterwards, they moved to another part of
the room for a digestif, a 200 year old brandy. LuvRay smelled his,
set it on the table. The General offered cigars and Sublime
accepted. The Sergeant stood to the side with his hands clasped
behind his back. The General motioned him to sit with them.
    “Messieurs, I have some interesting
proposition for you. Now is a time of great change. Ca commence. It
is to begin.” He leaned forward, making eye contact with each man
in turn. “Powerful forces gather on the horizon which will forever
change this world. We are one of these force. If you will join
me.”
    “You’ll find Martha?” Karl asked.
    “Yes, soon. But first, it is that we must
gather some informations. The finding of Martha sets a great many
things in motion. We must be prepared.”
    “What happen from Martha?” LuvRay moved to
sit on the floor,