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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">Mission: Prelude</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">Day: 1</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">Stardate: 2446.03.23</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">(Earth - Shadow Pines- Hamptons - SFI Office - SFI - Lt Michael Weston - 1715)</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">Michael had stopped by the Hammonds to see if they were coming to Quinna’s home. That side trip took a bit more time than he had expected, since the last time Michael had gone to a planet without her he was
nearly killed. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">Finally he had managed to extricate himself from her with the promise that he’d be safe and with Quinna. The look on Leeza’s face with that news let Michael know that one way or another she’d be there. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">Michael had caught a shuttle to Earth and found a transporter station that could get him to Shadow Pines. Still, he wound up a good five kilometers from Quinna’s amazing estate. He had enjoyed his walk to the
stately mansion, looking at gorgeous shrubbery and plant life he saw. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">There had been a slight chill in the air but the walk kept him warm. As he approached the front door and it opened. He was greeted by a rather distinguished looking dark skinned man dressed in a white jacket
and bow tie. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">“Greeting sir, how may I assist you?” he asked. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">“My name is Michael Weston,” he said. “I am a guest of Doctor Solice.”</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">The man scrutinized him with his stare until finally he said, “Ah yes, we had expected you to be here earlier. Much earlier.”</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">“Yeah, I’m sorry about that,” Michael explained, suddenly wondering why he was trying to justify himself to this man. “I was unavoidably detained.”</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">“Ah yes,” the man said, “the police can have that affect on your timing. You may call me Benson.”</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">Michael nodded, “Not that kind of detained Mr. Benson. Just held up.”</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">“No, no,” he said, “just Benson. Benson Dubois. But just Benson. Please come in.”</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">Benson made a gesture with his hand and several servants showed up. The first one picked up his one and only bag. The others seemed to be looking for others. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">Michael smiled, “That was all I brought. Sorry.”</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">“Ah,” Benson said with a nod. “Some of you compatriots brought much more. Much, much more.”</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">“I’m assuming Doctors En and Teller have arrived,” Michael said with a chuckle. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">“Indeed they have,” Benson replied. “A very colorful pair.”</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">“Has anyone else arrived?” He was curious who would come and who was invited. The truth was he wanted Quinna to himself. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">Suddenly there was a commotion from inside the house. Loud voices were being spoken but he couldn’t make it out. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">Then suddenly a voice he recognized cried out, “BENSON!”</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">Michael reacted first and rushed past the butler. He jumped up the stairs and ran into the room to find Quinna standing there wrapped in nothing but an afghan and a man he didn’t recognize standing there kicking
at her. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">“Just what the hell is going on here?” he yelled. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">(reply Quinna. Dyson)</span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial">(posted by Al)</span></p>
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