From: aaron@helios (Aaron Humphrey)
Subject: [MI]: Little Rat Leads Through The Low City
Organization: University Of Alberta, Edmonton Canada
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 13:45:33 GMT

What has gone before:
Alfvaen, Little Rat, Delmara, Queriche, and something that Moriarty is about
to summon, are going into the Low City to a brothel named Yirma's to rescue
Elstree.

Delmara expresses doubts about Little Rat going into the Low City.

"Ain't no worry 'Mara.  I been beat up a'fore an' I ain't stiff yet.  Me an'
Mr. Elfman is gonna do fightin' an' save da mud lady." Little Rat reassured
her.

They went back upstairs.  "Queriche, is Moriarty finished yet?"  The islander
shook his head, and Alfvaen sighed.  "Well, we can't wait for whatever it is
that he's sending us.  It'll catch up, hopefully.  C'mon.  Do you know where
Yirma's Brothel is?"

"I c'n take us dere.  Den I show ya where I seen da mud lady go inta da place
wit' da fancy ladies," she offered.

"No one knows the Low City like a native," Alfvaen said.  "Ok Rat, lead the
way, but take us around the gangs.  I don't want them to beat me up, ok?"

"I I, Mr. Elfman." Little Rat saluted in an imitation of the sailors she saw
go into the houses with the fancy ladies.

The group left their headquarters, crossed the Arcade of Unforgotten Heroes,
and entered the Low City.  Once inside, Little Rat acted like a tour guide. 
She pointed out where some of her friends had been killed and the warehouse
where the Gutt Man killed his last-known victim.  She also pointed out some of
the places with the best garbage cans and the ones that were particularly
bad.  They came within a block of the Spitting Cobra and Little Rat told them
all about Trawm.  Delmara and Queriche restrained themselves from telling her
that they were both good acquaintances of the half-troll.

They turned due south and headed toward the Shunned Center.

"Rat, I have heard stories about the Center.  I don't think that we should
go in there," Queriche said in a hushed tone.

"No worries Mr. Kareesh. We ain't goin' in, just close.  Da gangs near da
Center is smaller dan da ones closer to da rich folk parts a Generica.  Dey
ain't gonna bother us 'cause ya got da big stickers," she said pointing to his
spear and Alfvaen's shortsword.

Just then, Delmara yelled, "Alfvaen, what is that thing?" and pointed to a
small greyish creature running toward them.  It stopped a few paces away and
knelt in submission.

"You will is my bidding, master," it said to Alfvaen.

"Who sent you?" he asked.

"I was summoned to this plane by the mighty Moriarty who directed me to your
service.  I bend to serve your commands, master," it replied.

"What is dat?  Is it gonna bite, Mr. Elfman?" whispered Little Rat who tried
to hide behind him.

"THAT is an imp!" Delmara answered her in a disgusted voice.  She gestured
making a ward against evil.

"A most humble and undeserving Imp.  I await your orders with anticipation,
master," the imp continued.

Alfvaen shrugged.  He wasn't one to turn down aid, even from such an ugly
creature.  "What is your name, imp?" he said in the most imperious tones he
could manage.

Groveling even more, the imp said, "Call me Batobo, master."

Alfvaen almost choked when he recalled the meaning of that word in Elvish. 
Someone had a sense of humour.  Finally he said, "You see my companions? 
Well, you may also obey their commands, unless superseded by mine.  That one,"
he said, indicating Queriche, "you may call Black Master.  That one is
She-Master, and that one is Little Mistress."

Delmara rolled her eyes.  "Just get on with it, Alfvaen," she muttered.

"Follow us and try to stay in the shadows and remain quiet, but if I call, you
come.  Got it?  Okay, Rat, let's go."

Little Rat smiled to herself.  Mr. Elfman almost gave himself away there.  She
could tell the tone of one used to command, when he was ordering the little
funny-looking man around.  She led them around the edge of the Shunned Center
and the dwellings on its periphery, until they could see Yirma's.

Yirma's turned out to be like the rest of the Low City, dirty and
disrespectful of human life.  The building had blood and other stains on the
outside.  From inside came a strange sensual music which a naked woman was
dancing to in the second floor window.  At first glance, she seemed to be
happy to dance there.  Upon a second look her face had the glazed-over stare
of a Joystix addict.

"Da door is in da back.  Da men taked her in dere an' she was roped up.  She
had a cloth in her mouth 'cause da men don't wanna hear her yellin'."  Little
Rat led them around to the back of the building and pointed out the crates
that she was 'looking at' when she saw the men take her inside.

Alfvaen considered the building.  "Okay.  Now the plan is this.  Little Rat,
you sneak in the back and see if you can find Elstree.  Queriche, Delmara and
I will go in in a group, and pretend we're bringin' Delmara in for a little
fun.  Batobo, you keep hidden and come when we call.  And if you see a woman
who looks like this," he described Elstree to the imp, "then come fetch me
immediately.  Got it?  Okay, let's move."

--
---Alfvaen(Canadian SF Quasi-Activist)
"And when the thunder breaks, it breaks for you and me."
   ---This Mortal Coil
Current Album--The J. Geils Band:You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd
Current Read--Damon Runyon:The Bloodhounds of Broadway
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