Mitchell's Revenge
Sibil’s atelier, Covington, on EQ2

That same evening, Grabb stood inthe doorway of Sibil’s atelier watching her collecting fabrics and notions fromthe floor of the studio. It was a mess, but nothing appeared to be broken.

“Rocked and rolled did we?” heasked sarcastically from the doorway.

Sibil glared at him. “You could give me a hand to pick everythingup. Don’t just stand there. And yes, I’m alright. Thanks for asking.” She burstinto tears.

He sauntered across the studio. Whenhe reached her he enveloped her in a bear hug. She sobbed into his chest as heheld her tight. Eventually she stopped crying and looked up at him. He lookedsomewhat paler than usual. She took a step back and studied him more carefully.

“Are you alright?” she asked. Grabbgrinned at her.

“Nothing that a stiff drinkwouldn’t fix,” he replied.

“What happened?”

“A huge crack opened up across thewarehouse floor during the quake. I thought I was a gonner for a minute or two.Luckily I can run fast!”

Sibil’s eyes widened with concern. Questionscame tumbling from her.

“Did you get hurt? Is the warehousestill standing? Is there much damage outside?”

“Just shocked, that’s all,” hereplied. “The warehouse is still in one piece, except for the crack in thefloor, which closed up again almost as quickly as it opened. Lots of debris inthe streets, but no broken glass that I could see.”

Grabb had been choreographing thelast of the ballroom routines that he’d teach Lucy when the earthquake struck. Hefelt the floor beginning to tear beneath his feet and dashed for the exit. He’dnever felt so scared in his life. When the tremor subsided he’d gathered up hispractice gear and walked carefully back to the atelier.

“Most of the glass is speciallylaminated for earthquake conditions here. It rarely breaks,” Sibil replied. Shecollected more fabrics up from the floor. Grabb moved to help her.

“Does this happen often? I’ve neverexperienced anything like it. I was a bit scared at the time.” He smileduneasily.

“Every six months or so. If we canget access to a news cast we can replace out how bad it was, and when it’s likelyto happen again.”

“Lucy didn’t turn up then?” Grabbchanged the topic suddenly.

“No. She was supposed to be herethis afternoon,” Sibil sighed exasperatedly.

She pulled the lycra suit that shehad completed the day before from the bundle of fabric she was holding.

“I think it’s still in one piece.” Sheheld it up and cast a critical eye over it. It was black, with a fine silverthread running through it which contained the holographic technology.

Matt Hiljainen had spent the pastweek with her working on the programming for the suits. It might not be exactlythe same system the other costumiers were using, but it would achieve theeffect they were looking for.

He had added some special featuresthat would help them with their rescue mission. With her suit on, Lucy would beable to tap into the sports arena computer system and various othertechnologies as needed. Grabb’s suit would allow him to disappear into thebackground at a touch.

The coverall robes that Sibil hadmade also contained some technical wizardry. Grabb insisted on a backup, just incase. Each robe had a sequinned pocket on the chest with the firefly patternsubtly worked into it. Grabb had christened them “Team Firefly” and suggested thatSibil make an outfit for Lou as their team manager.

Now all Sibil needed to do was tomake sure the suit and robe fitted Lucy properly, and that the programmingworked correctly. Now they’d have to conduct the fitting and technical teststomorrow, if they could replace her. Sibil couldn’t wait to see how her designs looked.Then Grabb would teach Lucy to dance.

It was getting late. She reallyshould go home. Her coms unit pinged. It was Lucy calling from CovingtonMilitary Hospital.

“Finally!” Sibil exclaimed. “Wherehave you been? Are you alright? We were worried about you.”

Lucy quickly explained what hadhappened. Sibil sighed with relief. Grabb looked questioningly at her.

“Is Lou going to be OK?” She asked.She listened intently, nodding her head. “Thank goodness! And thank goodness you and Em were on planetwhen the quake struck.”

They made arrangements to meet atthe atelier the next morning. Grabb helped her to tidy up the rest of the quakedamage while Sibil filled him in on Lucy’s adventure. Then he accompanied her backto her apartment.

The building had survived the quakeas if nothing had happened at all. After checking the apartment for damage shepoured them each half a tumbler of vodka from the bar. Grabb finally had hisstiff drink.

They sat in the lounge room in a companionablesilence, watching the city lights come back on one by one, as they waited forTim.