An Angel with Black Wings.

[Cessiel]

A mercenay, true.

One who works for money for they know the value of nothing else. Not even of their own soul.

But I share wisdom freely. For it is knowledge that will set you free.

[Grace]

A mercenay, true.

One who works for money for they know the value of nothing else. Not even of their own soul.

But I share wisdom freely. For it is knowledge that will set you free.

The value of a soul? The value of something that doesn't exist is exactly 0.

Words are pretty cheap too, as far as that goes.

[Hannah]

Hi Nemesis

How about knowing you did something good and right?

Hannah

PS: You might like it if you try.

[Grace]

Hi Nemesis

How about knowing you did something good and right?

Hannah

PS: You might like it if you try.

I don't know what to tell you kid. It wasn't how I was raised so it's sorta alien to me.

Maybe I can sorta understand that some things just need doing. Probably as close as I'll ever get to doing something good and right.

And I'd still rather be paid for it.

Except maybe at Christmas time.

[Hannah]

Hi Nemesis

It isn't how I was raised either. I was taught that there is a strict list of things one must do to be righteous and accepted into the fold of the saved.

Then I found myself out here in the real world and learned that there was a lot more to what was and wasn't right. I also learned that doing things that were right made me feel like I had done something special that made a real difference - even if it was only a small one.

You might like it too.

Hannah

PS: Be warned, it's kind of addictive.

[Grace]

Hi Nemesis

It isn't how I was raised either. I was taught that there is a strict list of things one must do to be righteous and accepted into the fold of the saved.

Then I found myself out here in the real world and learned that there was a lot more to what was and wasn't right. I also learned that doing things that were right made me feel like I had dones omething special that made a real difference - even if it was only a small one.

You might like it too.

Hannah

PS: Be warned, it's kind of addictive.

. . .

I'll answer ya later kid.

I got something I gotta go do.

[Grace]

Alright, I promised Hannah an answer and here it is.

Hannah, you got to escape the compound where you raised and you are supported by those you can trust.

I didn't grow up seperate from the real world. I was part of it and parrallel to it at the same time. See, there's this whole other dark side to the real world that most never see. And I'm not talking about the dark side that brings us all here to the Lazlo Society. Let's call it the underground to keep things from getting confusing, okay?

Everyone in the underground has two lives. Theres the lives they live in public when mixing with John Q. Public. And you got to be able to act just like John Q. Public because if you don't, he'll notice you're different. John Q. Public don't like what's different. He starts to scrutinize it, suspect it... that can be very bad for you. So you know how Johnny Q. acts and you can act just like him-but your'e not him.

That's because of your other life. The underground life. There are rules and laws for this underground. And you obey them or else. Sure you'll suffer if you break the rules, but first anyone you care about will. Everyone you care about whether they be part of Johnny Q.'s world or your underworld is a hostage to this underworld system.

You see, my Da broke the undergrounds rules once. That is why I grew up without a mom.

Actually, he broke them twice. But he got in the way when they came for me. And once he was gone, there was no more point at getting at him through me so I was 'spared'.

So now I'm as free as I ever can be. But I'm still not.

Anyone from Johnny Q's world finds out who and what I really am, and I'll be turned over to the authorities. Even if I survive to trial, I'll still be dead.

And if anyone from the underground ever catches up to me, then I either play ball or I'm dead. Or just as likely I play ball and still end up dead.

So I'm real glad for you, that you found your escape in all, really I am. But there is no escape for me. Not for ever. There is only postponing the inevitable.

How does all this relate to doing good and right and feeling all warm inside about it? Because it's all I can do to survive. To outwit my enemies another day. To do enough for the underground that they leave me alone for now. And doing good? The underground don't see no profit in that. In fact, it makes them nervous. They have to wonder if I'm trying to upset their apple cart. If all of a sudden I'm doing jobs for charity or the warm glow it gives me, where's their cut in that warm glow? Worse, how long before I decide it'll give me a warm glow to start turning them all over to Johnny Q?

This warm glow you get sure sounds nice and I sorta wish I could try it. But it would be the last thing I ever do.

[Hannah]

Hi Nemesis.

My father always taught me that if people only hold as much power over you as you let them.

Hannah

PS: You could always makes ure these Underground folks know that messing with you isn't worth it.

[Grace]

PS: You could always makes ure these Underground folks know that messing with you isn't worth it.

That could get... bloody.
It also sounds like a lot of fun.

[Hannah]

Hello Nemesis.

My family isn't exactly a nice bunch of people, so I know.

Hannah

PS: You aren't all that different from my father, both of you are bad men who do bad things. My father just makes sure he only does bad things to other bad things for good reasons. That is what ultimately makes him a good guy.

[Grace]

Hello Nemesis.

My family isn't exactly a nice bunch of people, so I know.

Hannah

PS: You aren't all that different from my father, both of you are bad men who do bad things. My father just makes sure he only does bad things to other bad things for good reasons. That is what ultimately makes him a good guy.

Hannah,

I am... humbled.

[Cessiel]

Hello Nemesis.

My family isn't exactly a nice bunch of people, so I know.

Hannah

PS: You aren't all that different from my father, both of you are bad men who do bad things. My father just makes sure he only does bad things to other bad things for good reasons. That is what ultimately makes him a good guy.

From the mouths of babes...

[Hannah]

Words to the wise and unwise.

Never trust a mercenary.

Sorry Dad.

[Grace]

Words to the wise and unwise.

Never trust a mercenary.

Sorry Dad.

I'm not the same mercenary I once was.

The time has come to prove it, perhaps.

[Hannah]

_____Hi Mister . . . oh, wait, does that mean I shouldn’t call you Mr. Nemesis? Are you a girl? Golly, I’m sorry. Were you in disguise? I heard of a girl that pretended to be a man. She had to do that for some reason. Maybe because she was in danger or had to find something out. I don’t know.
_____Oh, I hope I don’t remind you of Victor Lazlo. That would be awkward. You see, because he was a man, and I’m a girl, and he was old when he ran away, and I’m not sure how old I am, but I know I’m young, and I don’t want to run away like he did.
_____Anyway, I hope you don’t get hurt . . . if I shouldn’t call you Mr. Nemesis, what should I call you?

I told you that you were smarter than a lot of folks C. You even figured this one out a year before anyone else did.

[Grace]

Yeah.

It scared the... heck out of me at the time.

[Ron Caliburn]

I'm not the same mercenary I once was.

The time has come to prove it, perhaps.

I look forward to proof positive that you're a changed man . . . er woman.

[Cypress Cove Annex]

Sweet lord in the morning. We thought you were dead!

[Ron Caliburn]

Not dead, just attending to some family business.

[Grace]

I'm not the same mercenary I once was.

The time has come to prove it, perhaps.

I look forward to proof positive that you're a changed man . . . er woman.

I'll admit that the burden of evidence is on me.

[Cybermancer]

I'm not the same mercenary I once was.

The time has come to prove it, perhaps.

I look forward to proof positive that you're a changed man . . . er woman.

I think there are many who share this sentiment.

[Eilonwy Solstice]

Will my vouching help?

[Cybermancer]

Will my vouching help?

It is enough to cause me to reserve judgement.

But Nemesis said it best herself.

In the end, the burden of proof is on her shoulders.

[Ron Caliburn]

Frankly Wie, your vouching is the thing that's let me focus on other priorities instead of removing Hannah from the mercenary's presence.

[Grace]

"The mercenary" has a name, Mr. Caliburn.

[Ron Caliburn]

Yes, but I didn't think they liked it broadcast all over the place.

[Grace]

It's a little late for that, now.

[Hannah]

Dad, be nice.

[Grace]

It's okay Hannah, this is between your dad and I.

[Eilonwy Solstice]

. . . let me focus on other priorities . . .

Good luck with that, Ron.