The Sign of Four: Flavors

Liam Kincaid stands at the counter of a local Baskin-Robbins, awaiting his order, when he flashes upon one of Boone's memories through their link....

"Happy unbirthday, Boone."

"Thank you, Da'an." The implant can't help but smile, noting that the Companion has downloaded a reprint of Lewis Carroll's first edition. "I'm glad you're enjoying the journey through Wonderland."

"Yes," Da'an muses. "I am enjoying it, for it makes me feel more at home on your world."

"Oh, how so?" Boone stands beside Da'an now. With his C.V.I., he discerns subtle changes in the Taelon's coloring: Blue-tinged white mingles furtively with purple-tinged red, causing Boone to marvel once more at North America's own Cheshire Cat.

"The Mad Hatter is always pouring," Da'an explains. "The tea party is always becoming. This is how Taelons see the universe, always in a state of becoming, with no beginning or end. It is most comforting...."

Da'an snaps out of his reverie with the hint of a smile on his face. "Wait here for a moment, Boone." Saying nothing more, the Companion makes his way to his private chamber. He emerges, a minute later, carrying a pastry box in his hands. The box is lavender, tied with a plum colored ribbon. Da'an presents the box to his friend saying, "I could not forget your unbirthday present."

Moving past the purples outside, Boone discovers the yellows inside. The golden cake with lemon frosting seems more like a flower than food, however. The layers are sculpted to create the illusion of distinct rose petals.

Da'an blushes, pleased by the warmth radiating from his protector. "You once told me that humans prize the few roses adorning birthday cakes. It is only fitting, then, that your unbirthday cake should become a rose."

"Thank you, Da'an." Boone takes his friend's hand, cherishing the Taelon's appreciation for the little things.

Liam is recalled to the external present. "Three scoops each," restates the teenager behind the counter, as he sets down two cups of ice cream. "Will that be for here, or to go, Major Kincaid?"

"To go, please. How do you know my name?"

The young man looks at the hybrid with a momentary mixture of incredulity and pity on his face. "Not used to being world famous, yet, huh? A decorated S.I. vet turned Companion Protector? Face it, Sir, everyone knows your name, your war record, and everything else about you by now. Have a good day, Major."

"Thank you. You, too." Liam blushes inwardly, as he recalls that the name is not his. The war record is not his. Turning to leave, the Kimera notes a little girl, who is five or six years older than he is. She is stubbornly removing the nuts from her two scoops of Rocky Road.

"I don't like pieces in my ice cream," she announces.

Her mother responds, "That's too bad, Sweetie, because life has pieces in it." Yes, thinks Liam, life has pieces in it, and he sorely wishes that he could claim more of those pieces are his own.

Within his audience chamber, Boone is the first to address the North American Companion: "Da'an, you once gave me an unbirthday cake as a gift. Now, we, your Jha'du'ur, give you an unbirthday gift in return. We offer ice cream, which is traditionally served along with cake."

"Ah, my most precious triad. You are delightfully symmetrical in your thinking." Da'an watches tenderly, as the three sit upon the floor around his throne-like chair. Liam places one of the large cups from Baskin-Robbins in front of Boone and takes the other himself. Lili has brought another brand. Spoons in hand, they nod toward Da'an, and he begins to receive.

Boone sends French Vanilla. Through their connection, the Taelon vicariously experiences the calm subtlety of this flavor. He hears Lili thinking to Boone amid the whiteness, "Vanilla? A zillion and three flavors out there, and you pick vanilla?"

"I'll leave the more exotic flavors to Augur and Liam," responds the implant.

Lili answers the quizzical note in Da'an's mind: "Augur gave me the ice cream I brought, today - Godiva Belgian Dark Chocolate." Enveloped in the rich, slightly bitter flow of this flavor, Da'an receives an image of Lili's recent meeting with Augur:

"Do you have those schematics?"

"Do I have the schematics," huffs Augur. "Of course. I'll give them to you on one condition."

"Make it quick, Augur. I don't have a lot of time. I left Sandoval rereading Machiavelli in his office. He's always wierd when he's finished with that book. I have to keep on my toes."

The hacker retorts, "That one's always wierd, period, and he'll never be finished with that book. Let me keep you on your toes."

"And here I thought you were interested in my mind, too," vamps Lili.

"Oh, I am, Lili. I am. It's just that I've always preferred working from the bottom up."

Da'an blushes, as Liam interjects, "Huh?"

"I'll explain, later," Boone assures his young assistant.

The image unfolds within their continuous present. "....But, we can talk about that when you agree to my condition."

"Which is?"

"That you have ice cream with me. It's decadent. It's sinful. It's Godiva. It's...."

"Even less subtle than usual, Augur. But, thanks. It's good to know someone wants to share a little chocolate with me in the afternoon."

The cascade of real cocoa slowly gives way to a stream of light, yet sharp, fruit flavors. "This," introduces Liam, "is Baskin-Robbins' 32nd flavor, commemorating the Taelons' arrival." All appreciate the blend of raspberry and blueberry sherbet. "It's called 'So'or'bet Euhura.'"



Disclaimer: Earth - Final Conflict and all characters therein are the property of the Tribune Entertainment Company.



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