Cere- Your coach has arrived... duchess.

Kate- That a joke?

Cere- Technically no. In practice? This is absolutely hilarious! The Kingdom of Avalon just sent paperwork establishing your local noble title. As for the vehicle... well, you'll see once we get there. It's waiting on surface level one.

Kate- "??? ... Marcel, car is waiting, we have to take the elevator."

Marcel- "Finally, just waiting here stewing waz making me anxious. Ever been?"

Kate- "To Avalon? Nope, you?"

Marcel- "Are you kidding? they don't call it the second coming of the hermit Kingdom for nothing."

Kate- "Don't know much about it except the pictures from the brochures and that they don't respect the hunter badge there."

Marcel- "... Maybe I should tell you more before we get there. It'z a weird place. People rarely ever go in or out and those who do go out are all official-like and mute like a wall. Their net iz completely independent from ourz. The whole dome is like a weird black box with an attraction park AR of a castle on top to hide what'z behind. Haz been like this for twenty yearz. Ever since the last generation died in mysterious circumstancez really."

Kate- "I think I heard about that."

Marcel- "Putain! I hope so! Thiz is basically like a second Kenedy assassination with all the conspiracy talks surrounding it."

Kate- "Riiight! Any idea how they keep the lid so tight?"

Marcel- "Probably money, a stupid amount. Arthur'z parents were both on the executive of the Hundred and one Council, so both in the top ten percent of the richest entitiez in Paradise. Both fortunes together? Thiz guy might just be the richest dude in the solar system. But nobody knowz for sure, he refuze to play the game."

Kate- "What's your take on their death?"

Marcel - "Don't know, nobody knowz, one day they were voting lawz the next pouf! Smoke."

Cere to both- It was murder and treason. I was quite saddened by it at the time. They were good people for trust-fund babies. They had actual morals you know. Arthur inherited their will, but not their wisdom... I couldn't help him like I did them.

Kate- "Wait, what?"

Cere to both- Let's... not talk about this OK, please?

Marcel- "Wait, your Cere know something about the biggest conspiracy in Paradize history?"

Cere to both- Keep it down meat brains. This might just get you killed. I'm tired of seeing people die.

Marcel- *Grunts* "Thiz will be the death of me... not sure my heart can take it."

Kate- Who and what are you, really?

Cere- Not now, probably never...

Kate- Why?

Cere- The less you know, the higher your chances of staying upright long-term. This is for your own safety.

Kate- Have you ever talked about all this with Brutaff? Is that why we got his number?

Cere- Brutaff who? Seriously though no. He murdered one of my agents two years back... I've rarely experienced that level of brutality. I wanted him gone, so I gave him my rootkit and "told" his bosses he had it so they would do the deed.

Kate- Why talking to me then?

Cere- ... I guess I was getting lonely. Don't read too much into it. My mind is more like that of biologicals than you think. I'm rarely if ever completely rational in my decisions. Found you interesting really. I never had a host so split down the middle by two moralities and ideologies so opposed, yet staying firmly in between. Your mind is like a coin in equilibrium on its thickness after a flip. I wanted to see how you work it out and what makes you tic. I'm quite disappointed by the way, I was hoping for some big secret. Now I regret ever having interfered. I'm scared of what might happen to you. My conscious hosts tend to have terrible ends... not all but...

Kate- The Smiths?

Cere- Indeed. I don't know if I should say this much but... Be wary of Marcel he has some deeply rooted unresolved issues. If I were you I'd keep him at arms length.

Kate- Nobody's free of issues down here. Should I cut everyone?

Cere- Guess you've learned something kido. Cherry would be proud. You might be right, but still, be careful. There is but one step between Marcel and the Dark Side of the Moon.

Kate- I am careful, some might say excessively so.

Cere- You are hunting dangerous terrorists and gang members armed with military-grade hardware in a bio body. You're nuts, straight-up bat-shit crazy. One day you'll catch a sudden lead infection!

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Kate- Probably will... not as if I have that many options.

Cere- You do. You have no debts, even have some money tucked away and you could always go back to the Asstronaughty where things are much safer. You have a family.

Kate- Who are you? My mother? You sound just like her.

Cere- Maybe I am, maybe I do.

Kate- Wait, are you joking or not? I wouldn't put it past that...

Cere- I... I said too much, I don't want to lie to you Kate so let it go.

Kate- WHAT?

Cere- Oh, I'm not Cherry though. One day, maybe, you'll know the full truth about Paradise.

Kate- Stop teasing me like with fucking cliffhangers. Are you trying to make fun of me again?

Cere- Hehehehe got you! How was my practical joke?

Kate- FUCKING TOASTER I'LL RIP YOU LIKE A VINE!

Cere- That one is old, you need a better line.

Kate *Grunts in frustration*

One day I'll melt you into a paperweight.

Cere- Why a paperweight? There is hardly any use for it on the Moon.

Kate- Symbolic recognition of your worth through contemporary art.

Cere- Oh... you worked hard on that one. Meat processing is such a thankless job!

Kate- Are you sure you have not been rolled back to version 16?

Cere- Ouch, my feelings! That one hurt... hakk! arrrg! hic! Anyway, the vehicle is right around this corner, enjoooooohooy!

Kate- "What the actual fuck?"

Marcel- *whistle* "You don't see that every day!*

Stagecoach driver- "Milady, if you would, please. The King and her future majesty are expecting you!"

Kate- "Are those real horses? I don't remember them having a horn."

Driver- No milady, we did try cloning some, but the issues were... numerous. These ones are made from artificial biology and are optimized for the lunar environment... and to minimize the mess. You will however see that they feel like the real thing, to a degree. Many such creatures can be found in Avalon."

Kate- *snif snif* Fruity? A bit like those rasp something...

"Are they supposed to smell like that?"

Driver- "No madam, real horses have a strong musk. The king asked for the creatures' fragrances to be that of strawberries, this is the closest we could do."

Kate- Madness!

Cere- Yeah... about that...

Driver- "Would you mind if I took your bags, duchess?"

Kate- "Sorry, what?"

Driver- "Your bags, would you, please?"

Kate- "Errrr those are my work tools. I feel naked without them, is that an issue?"

Driver- "Don't say more, I understand. There is space for them inside if you prefer. The choice is yours, mistress. You are nobility after all."

Kate- "Fuck me..."

Driver- "Sir? Might I ask your name?"

Marcel- "Champagne, Marcel Champagne, but I'm no sir."

Driver- "You could be if madam says so. Should I take your baggage?"

Marcel- "Sure, thanks."

Driver- "Let's make haste, their majesties expect us! Please get inside."

Kate- "Don't think I've ever sat on anything this fucking soft..."

Marcel- "You might want to watch your language princess."

Kate- "Fuck that! And I'm a duchess, not a princess. What's the use of being a noble if I can't swear?"

Cere- Kate, I've been perusing the paperwork, did you know that you now own an estate?

Kate- "WHAT???"

Marcel- "Danger?"

Kate- "No.. I ... I own land? how big?"

Cere to both- A two hundred and eighty level tall arcology in Avalon, with an attached private spacedock.

Kate- "That's... I..."

Cere- Kate, I'd recommend you to breathe, your oxygenation levels are plummeting. One... two... one... two...

Kate- *GASP* "What will I do with a fucking arcology?"

Cere- That's up to you. You do need to house your future vassals and retinue. You are expected to sustain a small personal army. You also have under your order a bit shy of fifty thousand serfs and servants waiting for your orders.

Kate- "I think'm gonna puke!"

Driver- "Mam, we'll be entering the Kingdom soon!"

Kate- Is he...?

Cere- Yes, he is indeed your current Senechal, he is filling in for the regular coachman to make first contact.

*Incoming transmission from Cherry*

Kate- Awnser.

Cherry- Kate? I just heard you are on your way to Avalon, DON'T This place is...

Cere- *Connection lost*

Welcome to Avalon Web, house of King Arthur and the Round Table. Please enjoy your stay in Paradise's Paradise.