(Anna) 12.42 pm PDT And we’re getting slow at The Dispatch
Jeez, I’d barely posted the previous post and MCM announces another chapter going live! Ridiculous. So it’s time for a chart to make up for things. This is MCM’s total wordcount progress so far:

Kind of makes NaNoWriMo nutters look like wimps, huh? His progress has been pretty steady, although he hasn’t quite managed to rack up the wordcount he did for the first 3D1D. There are still several more chapters to go though, so your bets are welcome!

Anyway on to comments of Chapter 31 (I will leave Jan to give you the outline) — I thought it was cool that Aphid could make dreams! I wonder how she did it, and if it’s a skill of her race or just a drug-induced thing. And I told you Darvey/Jyi had potential!! I felt a bit bad for Aphid, though, she’s trying so hard but I don’t think it’ll work. I think Aphid/Kaps should get back together. And what about Lucas? Is there no action for him? No wonder he’s a grumpy sod.

Now the ending of the chapter was really unexpected! I can’t imagine what the riddle is — perhaps something to unlock treasure somewhere? Why else would a warlord need the answer to a riddle? It makes no sense. And poor Jyi…. Darvey better run into the rescue! But he’ll have to do it unofficially because Lucas has taken his badge, right?

I bet because Aphid loves him, Darvey could convince her to help him rescue Jyi… Although it will hurt her feelings when she realizes that Darvey likes Jyi better. Hm. And Kaps will come along to the rescue too, I imagine. But Lucas will try to prevent them, or at least say he hasn’t ordered them to the rescue. Those are my guesses, at any rate.

(Jan 14.45 PDT)

I just got back from the store, running for supplies, and find this unfinished dispatch and Anna off line! I hope she comes back to us soon. Do you know that scene in the BBC North & South miniseries where Thornton whispers after the carriage Margaret just stepped into? He goes all dark and broody “Look back! Look back to me! Look Back”. That’s how I feel when Anna goes off line, but change look for come off course.

Ooooh! I found it!

Damn that series (AND BOOK!!!!!!!!!) was great. Anyway, back to this great series. Chapter 31 and 32.

31

Darvey knows who the assassin is, but Lucas refuses to do anything about it because of the rules broken.  [POLITICAL POSITION] furious, ready to forbid CSA from working on Panella ever again.  Lucas suspends him indefinitely, takes away his badge.  Kaps getting angry.  Just before a mutiny happens, call comes in.  Fel.  He’s got Jyi.  He’s going to kill her unless they can get Papa Damascus to answer his riddle.  They have [NUMBER] hours.

A slightly longer outline this time. I also noticed a difference! In the outline Darvey knows who the assassin is, here we still have no idea. Except that his doors blow up that is. I really don’t like Lucas anymore. I thought he was funny in the first TNR, but here he’s just too emotionless for my liking. He does have major secret ass kicking skills apparantly, if Darvey wound up in the sick bow after 1 touch. I found Aphid sadly endearing. She’s so nice. And I get Anna’s liking for Darvey and Jyi, but isn’t that because both are the most human, and KAPS and Aphid are less so? I also don’t get Darvey’s sudden liking for his team. I get his mixed up feelings for Aphid because she has feelings for him, but his despair at saving Jyi I find a bit strange. When did they get so close? Especcially since she isn’t that nice to him. Darvey must be a very loyal person.

32

Lucas can’t partake in activities that will jeopardize the case against Papa Damascus.  Kaps disallowed by Lucas, as a CSA member.  Only person who COULD go in is Darvey, and he’s not cleared anymore.  Left alone, angry, depressed while Lucas looks for alts.  Aphid enters, shows off new legs, gives Darvey a hacked CSA badge. Darvey arrives at penal station, gets through initial security, but questioned by warden because he’s human.  After long and snarky convo, borrows warden’s pen and led into room and left alone with Papa Damascus.  Darvey vs Papa.  Game of chicken, until Darvey convinces him to cooperate.  Shipment is in a sludge warehouse, disguised as 30-year-old malt.  Won’t be touched for another 100 years at this rate.  Darvey leaves, returns pen to warden.

Whoa. What an ass kicking chapter. Really I vote Amagad as the new word of the year. Definitely for criminals! It has to become as known and cool as omerta. I mean, Darvey almost went Keifer Sutherland 24 style on Papa there! Also, Anna thinks she knows who is behind it all after reading this chapter. I voted Caffo before it, but not anymore now.

At the moment, Nancy, who co-authors Tori’s Row with MCM is doing an interview, so I’m heading out to listen to that!

You can listen here!