And that hurt more than any of the blows from the cyborg ever did, because, no matter how he racked his brain, Buckaroo couldn't think of how to get them all out alive.
He was sure there were nearly a hundred of the heavily armed invaders on the grounds and only about fifty of interns and residents. There were three, at last count, armored personel carriers position startegically so as to keep each gruop of prisoners under the watch of their big, triple barrel machine gun (one sat right out side the window opposit of them, the guns aimed at the sleeping Cavaliers). They kept all the interns seperate as much as possible (many shared labs and/or projects), promising that, if one gets rowdy, another would die. At least they allowed them to return to their rooms for the night. 'Course that just made them easier to managed, each locked away in his own little cell.
"Curiouse."
Buckaroo glanced at the Lady who sat at the other end of the table, watching him. He smiled slightly, turning back to his people. "i've always found it curiouse how they take everything in stride."
"That is not curiose. That is loyalty. A dog is loyal." Lady Oran de Nathair answered. She leaned back in her seat. "You are curiouse."
Though not eager to have a conversation with her, he hoped she might offer him an opportunity for escape. "How so?" he asked.
"You are extraordinary brilliant. if not for the poisoning of your blood, you could of neen with us." she observed.
buckaroo frowned. "Poisoning?"
"Your mother was Scottish, a celtic heir, loyals of the Druids, my own ancestors." The Lady shrugged. "Her poor judgement for a mate cursed you with mongral blood."
Buckaroo sighed. "I thought you were too smart for petty prejudices."
"I am." was her only answer, before changing the subject. "How did you know that he was not your Perfect Tommy?" she wondered.
The doctor smiled. "You were pretty good, copying his arrogance, his cockiness, vain, callus... everything he showed you. Everything you expected him to be." he paused to see her reaction, but she remained emotionless, so he continued. "What you missed was his kindness, his compassion, his concern for others."
"His loyalty." Rawhide snarled from his spot on the floor.
"Yes, his loyalty." Buckaroo agreed, glancing at his friend, glad to see him awake and throwing in his support. "Our Perfect Tommy would never betray me or anyone else here." He leaned back in his seat. "Perfect Tommy is an enigma, his very own mirror image. You only saw one side."
Lady Oran de Nathair sighed. "I assumed that he was as he appeared even after I knew he was not. I should not have killed him so quickly."
Buckaroo's eyes narrowed. "You should not have killed him at all."
The Lady simply smiled and took a sip of her wine.
The replica of Perfect Tommy stepped in from the hall. He grinned at Buckaroo as he said to his Lady "Mrs Banzai had returned and is demanding to see her husband."
Buckaroo stiffened, casting a nervouse look at Rawhide who also reacted with worried surprise..
"Well, well." oran purred as she rose to her feet. With great elegance she glided across the room to the door, pausing only long enough to lean close to Buckaroo and whisper "To be reunited with your love one more time, to die in one another's arms... truely romantic."
Buckaroo started to rise, but bounds held him to the chair.
The Lady laughed and continued on her way.
A wet nose filled her hand. It took every shred of self control Peggy had not to jump. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the dog back into the car. Not yet! Wait!
"Mrs Banzai." called Lady Oran de Nathair as she waited for her on the front steps. "Please, welcome. Your husband is very eager to see you." she invited.
Peggy felt her blood go cold. Why did themost eveil always seemed the most polite? Who gave a damn?
Every step filled with grace, her back as straight as possible, her head held high, she showed Lady Oran de nathair that here, in the Banzai Institute, in her husband's home, it was Peggy Banzai who was lady of the manor! She glided up the steps and stopped mear inches from Oran. Voice as steady as steel, and just as cold, she said "This is my home. It is to me to welcome guests."
The Lady smiled, bowing her head slightly. "So it is." She stepped aside to allow Peggy entrance.
Peggy Banzai stepped through the doorway, then turned to face the woman. She could see that oran was waiting to be welcomed in. She let her wait... and wait... and wait.... ah, hell, what made the Lady think she would ever be welcomed in this house! Peggy glanced around to make sure that they were the center of attention, then spun about and walked in.
Oran's jaw stiffened. She didn't dare glance around. That would only tell her henchmen that that little spit of a girl's snub had got to her. And that was not going to happen! of course, she was going to have to follow her in.
For no other reason than to assure them that she was in charge, she snapped "Car! Garage! Now!"
"Buckaroo!" Peggy cried, dropping to her knees in front of his chair. She gazed up at him, her eyes filled with agony. "Your face..." she started in a whisper.
Buckaroo smiled reassuringly, but he couldn't hide his fear for her in his eyes. "I'm alright." he assured. "Why did you come back? should of stayed away. Warned the Blue Blazes."
Peggy reached up and ran gentle fingers down his bruised jaw. "I could never leave you!"
"I see Dr Zwibel could." Lady Oran de nathair observed as she walked into the cafateria.
Peggy slowly rose to her feet, watching the woman from the corner of her eye. "This is our home. You are not wanted here. If you want to go on living you will leave!"
Her tone drew all eyes. The Cavaliers stared, never before hearing their sweet, gentle lady take such a do-or-die tone. The invaders stared, shock that anyone would dare to speak to their lady so.
Lady Oran stared for a long, deadly moment. Pride didn't allow her to lose control, but the little spit was puching it. But, instead she laughed. "My dear, my dear, your home has been repossessed and we..." she spread her hands indicating the invaders, "are the repo unit." A cold smile graced her features. "As for leaving this house alive... I have a question for you before we continue that subject."
Peggy returned the smile, just as cold, just as deadly. "You can take your questions and shove them up your..."
