Silver Applet

Silver Applet

Music=
1. You Set Me Free- Michelle Branch
2. Hope (Instrumental)- Smashing Pumpkins

UFOtext=
With a snow white hand Beta reached for her silver applet. Tarin
looked OK, & the Rogue Trader did not appear dangerous, but rather a
lost soul bereft of hope- but then again, maybe not.
"Applet, tell door to open 1, 2, 3."

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Depart & Arrive

Depart & Arrive

Music=
1. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen 2- Mannheim Steamroller
2. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen- Mannheim Steamroller

UFOtext=
Count Bling bid adieu to the long faces at BPN Paribas. The depressing
rain of Paris would turn to the bright snow of Valloire. On ascent the
air would thin & cool to sharpen his holiday cheer.

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The Mirror At The Present

The Mirror At The Present

Music=
1. Eye- Smashing Pumpkins
2. Messengers of Christmas- Mannheim Steamroller

UFOtext=
In the normal flow of events, the Spring rain turns to the Winter
snow. But Count Bling's thoughts, like reflections caught in a mirror
of Time, reversed course along a trail of footsteps leading back to
the previous year in Valloire, the Time when he first encountered the
charming but distressed couple from the Foundation- Beta & Toran.

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Here It Comes

Here It Comes

Music=
1. They Never Got You- Spoon

UFOtext=
"That's it? Hot coffee?" said Tarin, amused.
"Tarin, u know picture = 1000 words, Astira's minimal word = symbolic
context picture = 1000 words. U c this yes?" & Astira made a face at
Tarin.
"Sort of," said Tarin, "anything more in your minimalist approach to
life?"
Astira smiled in a kooky way,
" Yea, I thinks delete Yogi."
"Let's see," said Tarin, " Yogi is a minimal word indicating middlemen
& any intervening structure nonessential 2 your purpose?"
"Close enough," said Astira.
"So, what am I?" asked Tarin.
" U = footstep on path 2 the heart," she said.

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Things You Hear

Things You Hear

Music=
1. Believing Is Art- Spoon

UFOtext=
Tarin looked up from his laser to see Astira lost in another world.
"Deep thoughts?" he asked, stirring those thoughts.
"Oh yea, many deep thoughts, many things I hear," she said.
"So what is your #1 thought?" he asked.
"Tarin, my philosophy of life = simple one- when world is cold &
nasty, I like my coffee hot."

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Up 2 Bridge

Up 2 Bridge

Music=
1. Stare Out Your Window- Boston

UFOtext=
Astira & Tarin walked up to the slender Far Star, its outer skin
softly shining in the morning sun.
For an entire minute Astira looked over the diminutive craft with a
skeptical eye- then she finally spoke-
"Tarin, I hates 2 break this 1 2 U, but your freakin engineers 4got 2
add a door! How we get inside- can opener?"
Tarin smiled at Astira's now familiar direct approach to life. He said,
"No, don't bother, I have a laser beam."

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Eye On The Stakes

Eye On The Stakes

Music=
1. My Mathematical Mind- Spoon

UFOtext=
It was said that revenge is best served cold, but over the passing
years the Count of Monte Sano had observed that revenge is best not
served at all- for not only was his hard won success and happiness its
own reward, it was a rapier in the cold heart of enemies. For this
reason the Count kept his eye on the stakes.

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Rogue Trader Requiem

Rogue Trader Requiem

Music=
1. Sister Jack- Spoon

UFOtext=
"Of course" said Tarin, taken aback.
"And who is she- the Rogue Trader?"asked Beta, turning on Astira.
Astira stood tall & defiant in front of the accusing hologram, but her
face revealed a faint hue of crimson.
"Astira trade honey in free market- I force no one 2 buy my honey."

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Mountain Air

Music=
1. Look Back In- Moby

UFOtext=
Astira stared @ the flickering apparition as if it were a ghost on her
Name Day.
The woman's face revealed a delicate distress which gradually paled
into a thin layer of shock. Finally she spoke.
"Tarin, you're alive!"

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Mountain Air

Savage Place

Music=
1. Jellybelly- Smashing Pumpkins
2. The Delicate Place- Spoon

UFOtext=
"Looks @ that one" said Astira as she pointed to a slim spaceship
gleaming in the morning sun. Tarin could not believe his eyes- the
remarkably compact spaceship was clearly a unibody Far Star class
Foundation ship. How could it be?

Suddenly a bright flickering hologram jumped up in front of Astira- a
beautiful
young woman clad in a snowflake blouse with sable flowing hair
flickering optically upon her shoulder stood before the astonished
couple.

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Gleam In The Sky

Gleam In The Sky

Music=
1. Learn To Fly- Foo Fighters

UFOtext=
Toran pushed up the smooth steep walkway leading to the Valloire
spacepad. The morning sun raced into the blue sky just above the shiny
gleam of the Far Star. Toran doubled his workout pace & turned on his
hologram to talk to Beta.

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Arrival

Arrival

Music=
1. Hummer- Smashing Pumpkins
2. Always Where I Need To Be- The Kooks

UFOtext=
The rocky mountain trail faded into a plateau- a row of spacecraft lay
shimmering in the cool sunlight.
"Here we are again" said Tarin, looking at Astira.
"Yes true, same 1 year past, only now we r on r foots & there r no
daffodils."

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Orange Rooftop

Rogue Hiker

Music=
1. Back To The Life- Spoon

UFOtext=
The orange rooftop dissappeared behind the treeline. The crystal brook
bid adieu. Astira stepped lightly along the rocky path, her mesh
backback gently rocking to & fro on her clean white blouse. Tarin
followed just behind, munching on a Power Bar. Their mountain trek
would finish at the Valloire Inn. Life = Good,

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Rogue Trader

Music=
1. Stay Don't Go- Spoon

UFOtext=
fill in the blank=

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Hedge Fund Redemption

Music=
1. The Show- Lenka

UFOtext=
The Count of Monte Sano rose before the break of day. From the small
balcony adjoined to his room at the Valloire Inn, he beheld a mountain
panaroma gradually emerge into the full light of day, a morning moon
leaving a soft white trace on the fresh blue sky. How is it, he
thought, that so many people in the cities were oblivious to the
beautiful grandeur of the mountains & the sea? It was here that the
Count felt grounded in reality, & framed in a natural & proper
perspective to all of creation. In fact, when engaged in pleasure or
business in the major cities of the galaxy, he always felt that he was
in two places at the same time- his body connected to the city, but
his spirit breathing in the fresh thin air of the mountains. This
everpresent body & spirit were the two faces of his life. But here, in
Valloire, these two faces became just one face.
But, in the matter of multiple faces, what had become of the Rogue
Trader?

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Mountain Night

Mountain Night

Music=
1. If You Believe- George Harrison
2. Believe- Smashing Pumpkins

UFOtext=
Astira's eyes gradually closed in the soft white moonlight as she
drifted into a light sleep, her head resting on Tarin's shoulder. The
fresh mountain air felt chilled- but not cold - & Tarin gently placed
his hand over Spotz so as to provide a modicum of warmth. He then
eased back in their camping chair and wondered about tomorrow.

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Midnight

Midnight

Music=
1. Here Comes The Moon-George Harrison
2. Together- Michelle Branch

UFOtext=
Beta & Toran listened intently to John Atoms, his eyes illumined in
the flickering light of a white candlestick supported in a silver
holder.
"The new running mate is a daring choice- imagine a woman from the
wilderness with no conventional political ties or ambitions, walking
into town and ending up nominated to run for the High Council on
Terminus! She has a reputation as a reformer and free trader, but many
question the depth & breadth of her knowledge & experiance. That's her
situation- in a nutshell," and John Atoms paused & took a drink of his
wine, looking up at Toran & Beta.
"Well, what are her chances?" asked Toran, his arm around Beta.
"I think they are good because she has a good heart- & common sense, a
rare combination in our time. After all, search technology puts all of
knowledge at your fingertips & provides the ability to communicate
with experts in any field. Add in common sense & you can make good
decisions."
Later that evening, Toran & Beta watched the moon rise over the
mountain at Valloire, covering the mountain in a soft white veil.

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Rock Racing= No Jellybelly

Rock Racing= No Jellybelly

Music=
1. Introduction- Matchbook Romance
2. Jellybelly- Smashing Pumpkins
3. The Boy- Smashing Pumpkins

UFOtext=
Astira & Tarin maintained their runner's pace up the narrow winding
strip of mountain path. Astira travelled light- Tarin watched her mesh
backpack gently rock back & forth as she pushed up the trail, one step
higher & higher.
Stopping, Astira turned round & spoke, her breathing rhythmic & deep,
"Tarin, I thinks we reach the mountain spring by sunset, we camp at
the Orange Inn, then hike into Valloire tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow never knows," grinned Tarin, quite comfortable as he gazed
at Astira covered by a thin sheen of sweat.
"That 4 sure," said Astira, forgetting her psychohistory & tying a
loose string on her trail shoe.

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Diamonz

Diamonz

Music=
1. We Are All Made Of Stars- Moby

UFOtext=
Astira spread jam on her toast & spoke matter of factly,
"Tarin, tomorrow let us take an air taxi into Valloire, I will helps the Count of Monte Sano untwist his confusions about the deal Yogi & Astira make 4 him."
"What sort of confusions afflict the Count?" asked Tarin somewhat cautiously.
"Tarin, must u think such things? Let's go outside & have some funs!" And Astira rose from her chair & stretched her arms up toward the ceiling, watching Tarin intently, as if reading his mind.
"Let's go," said Tarin, and he joined arms with Astira and they walked to the door of the small cafe.
Just outside the door stood a man who appeared perfectly normal. He asked, "Excuse me, are you Astira Starkoski?"
Astira looked quizzically at the man, "Yes, how u know Astira?"
"I have recently enjoyed the pleasure of meeting with your father, Ambassador Starkoski; allow me to introduce myself, I am Mr. Diamonz, a minor adjunct to the Court of The Supreme Ruler."
"Wow, what u want with Poznan? U want emminent domain 2 buy it- it not 4 sale! Even my Dad, who is dumb duck, will tell u this."
Mr. Diamonz smiled politely, " your perception & candor is appreciated; perhaps you have more thoughts you wish to share with the Supreme Ruler himself, consider me marked as his Majesty's ear."
Astira smiled gracefully & said,
"U can stick this 1 in your Majesty's ear" and she gave Mr Diamonz the finger of the Bird.

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Tale Of The Gold Dog

Tale Of The Gold Dog

Music=
1. A Thousand Years- Sting

UFOtext=
Tarin turned to Astira & asked-"Where were you in those missing ten
years?"
Astira paled.& her eyes wandered & then returned to hold Tarin's gaze.
"Tarin, these years not 4 everyone 2 know- u 2 must understand this
one now."
"What's the big deal? Did you go crazy? Can't you say anything?"
""Astira learned many things from her friends there. Especially from
Athena."
"Athena, who is she? Queen of Samos?"
Astira laughed, ""Yea, kind of true Tarin. Athena is a Princess of
Samos.•
"Cool, so what did you learn from this Princess of All Knowledge?"
"Tarin, I learn how 2 know u in the past, present & future. U =
probability object 4 Astira."
Tarin laughed, "Are you feeling lucky today?"
Astira grinned and adjusted her brand new Torie jeans.
"Tarin, u LOL on Astira, I think ur brain it floods now."
"Yea, I can feel it start to flood. But what about your Athens, where
is she now?"
"Athena is away, her heart is broken trajic." & Astira's face turned
down in genuine sorrow.
Tarin paled at her sudden change,"What happened to her?
"Her Gold Dog was kilt" said Astira.
"You mean her pet animal?"
"No Tarin, Gold Dog= Aristarchus, her sweetheart from childhood. Gold
Dog"a mind is bright like the sun. Athena lost her sun, her private
star. I don't want 2 live that Tarin."
A man in the corner sipped a drink he didn't need. In fact, the man
didn't need any food or water- ever. He adjusted a positronic circuit
in his brain to amplify the remote voices of Astira & Tarin.

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Eye Opener

Eye Opener

Music=
1. What's Your Name - Boston
2. Fireworks - Moby

UFOtext=
Beta walked through the streets of Valloire, stopping at a small
tourist shop. Aerial taxis from the spacepad just outside of town
glided by, some of them touching down briefly, their doors opening
like the wings of birds. Beta watched with disinterest as a lone
passenger emerged from one such taxi and walked in her direction. Beta
observed the lone man clothed in the familiar colonial style of the
early Foundation, & this incongruity aroused her attention.
"My child, it is indeed you!" said the man, & Beta opened her eyes in
disbelief, for she knew well the voice of John Atoms.
---------
Without fireworks the Trader Star touched down, so gently neither
Astira or Tarin could feel their transition from air to surface.

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Falling Star

Falling Star

1. Here With Me - Michelle Branch
2. Find Your Way Back - Michelle Branch

UFOtext=
Feeling the weight of the cosmos press upon her, Beta bid adieu to
Count Bling & Toran & rushed outside into the cool starlight of
Valloire. The foriegn streets offered no solace- the familiar path
through her garden on Terminus lay at the edge of the galaxy, not here
near the center. Long ago it was there her heart revealed its truth &
she reached for her silver pendant- a reassuring gleam of her prowess.
Overhead, a star flickered & fell gently to the horizon.

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Descente

Descente

Music=
1. Signs Of Love- Moby

UFOtext=
Astira & Taran watched the curved blue surface of Dauphine grow until the Trader Star sank deep into the atmosphere. The cabin’s three dimensional holographic screen suffused in azure light. Aerial currents of spacecraft glittered in the last light of the sun, now gradually eclipsed by the looming horizon. Thin wisps of clouds melted over the star strewn velvet of night.
"Is really beautiful," said Astira, & she placed her hand upon Taran's shoulder.

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La Toussuire

La Toussuire

Music=
1. No Matter What - Badfinger

UFOtext=
Astira lifted her eyes & brushed aside a wisp of hair strayed across
her cheek.
"Taron, b4 I take u 2 the moon 4 Traders- mayb u do a little trick 4
Astira?"
"Oh, & what would that be?" said Taron, as he looked up from the
progamming dashboard of the Trader Star.
"Well," and Astira looked away thoughtfully into the cabin's
holographic image of Poznan's upper atmosphere, "Mayb u take Astira
back 2 Dauphine 4 just a little bit?"
"Dauphine, why Dauphine?"
"I needs 2 tie up some looser ends with a banker-trader, = a Count of
Bling."

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Fast & Slow

Fast & Slow

Music=
1. Cherub Rock - Smashing Pumpkins
2. Sway- The Kooks

UFOtext=
The next day the sun rose in a fresh sky.
"Tarin, long way 2 go now- I like 2 start fast on this one."
And Tarin smiled at Astira.

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Missing

Missing

Music=
1. Clocks - Coldplay

UFOtext=
Astira opened a small gate on a white picket fence adorned with a
handful of flowers & led Taron to the door of her apartment. Inside,
Taron knew, her desk beneath the golden branches enjoyed a pleasing
window view. As she unlocked her front door, her gliding hair parted
to reveal once again the image of a dog with a spiked collar, just
below the sky blue sleeve of her Astana top.
"Astira," said Taron, biting his lip as he thought carefully about his
words, "I know your dog talks to in your sleep, but is he a real dog?"
Astira turned around & stared at Taron, "U think my brain confuses
real things & imagines?"

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Moon Of The Honey Traders

From hubblesite.org- credit to NASA, ESA & H. E. Bond STScI.

Moon Of The Honey Traders

Music=
1. Up 2 U- Damone

UFOtext=
One by one Beta snapped her fingers, one by one a red or blue spot of
light appeared in the galaxy of stars representing a known location
for Tarin or Astira. Like a pair of fireflies in the night, the two
strings of light wound around each other & merged into one final spot.
"Amazing," said Count Bling, "that final spot, how many habitable
planets or moons are inside that spot?"
Beta moved her fingers in a delicate dance & the spot suddenly zoomed
in size to become a cluster of stars, of which 4 stars glowed bright
green- the universal color indicating a habitable system.
Beta looked up at Count Bling & said, "3 planets & 1 moon."

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Silver Pendant

Silver Pendant

Music=
1. Speed of Sound - Coldplay

UFOtext=
After one month of individual searching, Toran, Count Bling & Beta
returned to Valloire to share & combine information. Count Bling spoke
thoughtfully,
"So, we have six locations & dates for Taron, & 3 locations & dates
for this rogue trader Astira. May I suggest we consult a star map &
look for a pattern?"
"Why not," said Toran, "check every possibility, every angle."
"Good, may I suggest we relocate to a computer room," he said matter
of factly, rising from his chair.
"Count Bling, please stay, a computer room is not necessary-" and Beta
smiled faintly, as if she were a million light years away in a secret
world, listening to the song of birds..
"I don't understand Madame," said the puzzled Count, looking at Beta
in a black lace top, a petite silver pendant magically suspended upon
her.
"Watch," said Beta, as she held up her soft white hand, gathering
light emanating from her pendant, creating a luminous three
dimensional star map with simple movements of her fingers.
"Unbelievable," said an astonished Count Bling, staring at the
luminous galaxy of stars above their dinner table.
"Actually, quite believable- its the new aerial interface version 1.2
for my Silver Applet," said Beta, as she zoomed in to highlight the
known locations of Taron & Astira."

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Tea & Honey

Tea & Honey

Music=
1. You're The One - Damone

UFOtext=
The collapse of debt markets spread through the galaxy like an
accreting black hole- productive activities slowed to a standstill in
time on the expanding surface of debt. One by one the stars closed
their eyes...
Except- on the edge of the galaxy the Diamonds quietly blazed in their
iconoclastic & profitable shine.

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