margali

Network Update
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1414
[Thursday, 3 August, 2017, 12 p.m.]


:: Several people work together to follow up on the problem that LaQuinta discovered. Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::




“Cash, I know how to drive a car, not how to do more than change the oil or a tire. Why is this part making you so jumpy?” Doctor Elisabeth Finn asked as she passed the platter of deviled eggs to the right.

He accepted the plate, sighing. “It’s the engine control computer, but it’s supposed to be shielded from electromagnetic pulses.” Cash took a careful, too-slow breath. “It’s also made in China and not meant for export.”
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Delivery Dilemma
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1493
[Thursday, 3 August, 2017, 9 a.m.]


:: On the way to her first delivery of the day, LaQuinta has a LOT to think about. Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::




The Cort’s house was in a somewhat fancy neighborhood, so it was an easy ride to go from there to the address that had been sent to Torrin. LaQuinta eased the Surrey onto the dirveway into the narrow parking lot, just a strip wide enough for one row of right-angle parking spaces and a lane for the cars pulling in. At the far end of the lot, another driveway let out onto the two-lane street. The angry yellow directional arrows had been printed with black “ONE WAY” lettering recently, much later than the arrows that were beginning to crack.

She parked in front of the specialty parts shop and frowned. It took a moment to remember the small, book-sized tablet that acted as both a professional record for LaQuinta’s trips and a visual reminder that she was also being paid per mile for deliveries. The software did the math and gave her daily summaries, or hourly ones.

So far, it was her favorite perk of the new job.
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Dinner, Interrupted
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1126
[Wednesday, 2 August, 2017, 7 p.m]


:: LaQuinta’s day has been long and unproductive. An interruption in the middle of her scrounged dinner may be the start of something better. Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::




The modified motel room held a double bed, a long dresser opposite with a large mirror, an arch which led to an open closet with rod and shelf on the left and the entrance to the bathroom on the right. A different style dresser, with thick drawers that looked more like modified fruit crates, held a single induction hob hot plate, a dorm-sized microwave, and an electric kettle. In the corner, a purple dorm size fridge sat beside the dresser. The dent in the door was off-center, and descended into a harsh white scrape where the enamel had been gouged away.

LaQuinta marched along the narrow strip of visible carpet between the long side of the bed and the newly provided “kitchenette” materials. Her stomach rumbled. The cheap white plastic basket, sized to fit in the bottom of a high schooler’s locker, held a single hamburger bun in its clear bag printed with cartoonishly bright colors. She sighed as she peeked into the small refrigerator. Inside, three packets of yellow mustard and two of catsup relaxed in the six well egg holder in the top section of the door. In the butter compartment, a one-ounce plastic cup and lid held minced green onions.

The rest of the fridge was empty.

LaQuinta sighed, reaching for the recyclable bamboo silverware in the top drawer.
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Layers of the Law
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1361
[Wednesday, 2 August, 2017, 5:30 p.m.]


:: More law enforcement personnel arrive to speak to the Cort parents. It quickly becomes a problem. Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::




The door to the conference room opened without a warning knock.

The man who stepped inside wore a crisp, dark gray suit and a bone-white dress shirt. He opened his mouth to speak, glaring toward Maurwen, who was helping a groggy Theo into a clean shirt. “What’s that witness doing here? She’s supposed to be kept--”

Elisabeth Finn and Robert Cort stepped forward at the same moment. “You have no right to barge in on a medical consultation,” Robert snapped.
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Side Conversation
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1607
[Wednesday, 2 August, 2017, 4:30 p.m]]


:: While the Cort adults and Doctor Elisabeth Finn have a much needed discussion, there's a very different conversation going on nearby. Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::




A flamenco pink neon sign in the picture window read “Pink Pearls,” as a nervous young woman opened the door into the shop. The movement made her loose brown curls bounce across her face, covering it from the tip of her nose upward. At her collar, the curls seemed determined to slide between the blue chambray and her pale neck, but the weight seemed to keep them more firmly in place.

Inside, the shop was barely wide enough for a walkway and a nail station, though it was long enough for two work stations and the small counter and register fitted diagonally in the corner next to two bookshelves filled with products for sale.

The woman beside the register had sorrel skin and almond-shaped eyes. She waved toward the rear station, just as a middle-aged woman approached from the depth of the shop. “Arminda, your friend is here. Shall I set up, then put in headphones?”
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Information Interactions
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1361
[Wednesday, 2 August, 2017, 4 p.m]]


:: Mercedes Hospital becomes the hidden epicenter of a seismic shift in the local culture, especially the truce between various “hats” and “capes”. Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::




Yet another rap on the door brought a heavier, expectant feel with the crisp taps. Robert glanced at Maurwen, waiting for her nod. “Come in,” he offered.

An officer stepped in, offering a brisk smile to Maurwen. “The Captain suggested that I speak to the new witness, Miss. Unless you want to finish that story about the trip to whale watch?”

Maurwen shook her head, then turned to LaQuinta. “This is Eka Beja Hidayaputra. Yeah, that was a mouthful for me. He’s a good guy, and he’ll take things slow if you need to.”
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Arrival
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1787
[Wednesday, 2 August, 2017, 1:30-2 p.m.]]


:: LaQuinta Dixon brings Brian and Theo Cort to Soup To Nuts to ask for help, and gets several shocks. Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::




The Surrey moved smoothly on the road, though LaQuinta took the longer, better-maintained route from the county park and zoo toward the relatively congested downtown area of Mercedes. By the time she pulled into a parking space in front of Soup To Nuts, her hands, face, neck, and even her legs inside her jeans were covered in a heavy layer of sweat. In the back seat, both boys seemed quiet and content to remain fully covered by the fuzzy blankets.

Indecision tore at her as LaQuinta Dixon set the parking brake. “Boys?” she murmured, hoping that one would answer. At the same time, Candy Cain stepped out, though when LaQuinta did not pick up a delivery bag, the woman with pink and white stripes in her hair looked both disappointed and hurt.

Neither boy moved.

LaQuinta jerked her hand up, motioning Ms. Cain over, and pleading, “Hurry!”
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