For once in his life, the rain seemed to be easing up.
He knew it wasn't really, that it was all a trick of the glass in the elevator. But for the thirty seconds it took for the lift to ascend from ground floor to the hospitality suite, Daniel O'Crow liked to think that the rain was stopping.
Those 30 seconds gave always gave him time to steady himself for the ardous evening ahead. He particularly liked the view over central, across uptown and suburbia, to the smudge that was downtown. And of cause, the looming shape on the horizon that was Salvation Tower.
The doors opened and his ears were assualted by the noise of hundreds of conversations, discrete PDA information requests and the roar of the latest band to make it to the top of Morts constantly changing charts.
The band was the reason he was here for the party. Brothers of Death were the first metal band from downtown to make it to number 1, and thanks to a few favours, he had got his name to the top of the list to interview them.
His wife waved at some of her friends, gave him a kiss on the cheek and then glided off into the crowd. As her friends parted for her to join them, he caught a glimpse of who they were talking to - Senti.
He wonders what that witch is doing here, while he circuits the room, nodding his in acknowledgement at friends and colleagues.
He gets to the bar and sees Stryder from SFAQL sat on a stool. He hasn't really looked the same since Immagin was killed in CS1, though he noticed that Splinter and Dagar had hit it off quite nicely.
He gets Stryder a drink and they chat for a while. When he trys to get another drink he notices that the barman is occupied at the other end of the bar. Glancing that way he identifies the two people sat on the stools there - Intruder and Taarnish.
What is with all the Legends being out to play tonight, he wonders.
Brothers of Death finish their set and are replaced by some crappy floaty music. He heads off to the backstage area, flashing his reporters badge to gain access.
The band are enjoying the luxuries of their dressing room. The lead singer - Andreld, describes their latest song "Church of Hatred".
The interview is going well until one of the band - The Dentist, tells everyone to shut up because "ol' no nose' is on the TV.
He reaches up and increase the TV's volume. Slayer steps out from behind a black curtain and says something about the party. Then he gestures his arm and a woman steps from behind the curtain.
"Fuck, shes beautiful" shouts one of Brothers of Death, though he is ignored. Slayer is saying that this is an Emissary from a new race, that has joined the World of Progress and have donated a planet for use as a War World.
Then they both leave the stage. Daniel races out of the dressing room, hoping for an interview with either Slayer or that woman. Either of them would let him get his own show.
He flashed his badge at the Cloak Division Operatives guarding the corridor. Luck must have been on his side, because they let him through. He flicked on his camera just in time to catch Slayer and that woman going round a corner.
He kept on running, hoping that he wouldn't drop the camera when suddenly Intruder appeared in front of him.
"Hi, Daniel isn't it. I heard that you want your own show. Will an interview with me get you it?"
NEXT
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