The Sea Horse: Hyperbole’s Lair
“They’re beautiful, but why are they all video screens and holograms?” One of Hyperbole’s two guests asked. “No one sends you to prison for these. Plus, it allows me to alter the entire layout with very little effort. Some of the walls aren’t real either. It is my virtual art gallery. One moment it can resemble the Met, another the Louvre.”
His second guest responded. “Today it looks like Oceania’s own Colonnade, including the new Milton Kirby Wing that hasn’t been opened yet.” “Yes, my spies are well informed, as are yours. Tell me, you have a theme, have you settled on a moniker yet?”
The muscular African American gentleman was dressed in the finest golf wear, sporting a beautiful nine iron in his hand. His gray hair looking strange on such a young face, as did his dark gray eyes. “It’s my idea to keep it simple, so I’m going with Tournament.”
“Advertising, that’s all these things are anyway. This however, this is pleasing.” Galleon said, the three of them looking at two Vermeer from the Colonnade. “I knew that you two, more than any of our associates would appreciate it. If you both partner with me in my real plan, I’ll secure each of you one of the actual painting as payment.”
“So the dinner party was a red herring?” “No, that plan was completely true. However, an unexpected occurrence has necessitated two partners. Each of you are skilled, and neither of you are well known to our opponents. Is it a pact then?”
Galleon shook his head in agreement. Tournament spoke, “On one condition, you tell us what has changed.” Hyperbole smiled. “A seemingly unrelated event, the investment of an old acquaintance into the Colonnade. I want her to review her alliances, re-evaluate her choices, and retract some old opinions.”
The three men agreed to work together, but while they wrapped up their meeting another was starting. The Sea Horse, the Inspector, Loggerhead, and the Brittish Rose, and a few others were laying out a strategy to counter any threat. The Sea Horse addressed the group, some were in costume, some weren’t. “Each of you has sacrificed to protect your local neighborhoods, today, we join together to protect an entire city.”
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