Join the new world

Devilcarrier Settles into his favourite chair and takes an appreciative sip of the fine scotch Addy has provided.

The room is abuzz with excited yet weary voices. eCanada has prevailed in the hard-fought battle of Scotland. Many vetran soldiers are looking forward to the fighting in Ireland.

"I'll be at roll call at nine tonight Addy", Devilcarrier calls out, smearing the dust of several scottish hexes on his brow with the back of his filthy hand.

Smiling, but thoughtful, Jbdivinus makes his way from the doorway to the bar and quietly pours himself a double from the bottle in his private cupboard. Devilcarrier forces himself up and goes to join him at the bar.

"I have to say I was impressed with your article urging cooperation to all factions in the eWorld Jb. I think it was right from the heart and I know it was the best work I've ever read from your newspaper."

"Dade's memoir of his first term was probably the best he's ever written too," says Jb. "I don't come out looking like a hero in it, but at least he acknowledged I'm not linked with 1ronman."

"Yeah. Well, I just wanted to say you wrote a good one this time," says Devilcarrier, putting his hand on "the Magician's" shoulder before moving back to his accustomed seat.

He sees that someone has taken a seat beside his. The newcomer is huge, with unruly curly hair and thick, reddish coloured whiskers. He stands as Devilcarrier gets close.

"Hello. My name is Gaillardia," he says, offering his hand.

After they shake hands, Devilcarrier says, "I think I remember you are a harvester, is that right?"

"Yes, though I trained as a carpenter at skill migration time. I work at Titanium Phonebooth."

"You must know Lise Stubbings then."

"Uh huh. But she hasn't shown up for work for a while. She's a nice person."

"Yeah. I like her. She hasn't been in the lounge either."

Someone has come into the lounge and raised his voice to announce, "Russia has invaded Scotland."

After a brief silence, the room is abuzz with war talk again.