4.9 Thundercube

As time passes, autumn sets in in earnest, bringing cold morning temperatures.

"Good luck on your audition."

"Thanks Milo!"

Unfortunately, Ceth's solo act is beaten out by a four man band called Thundercube. MN8 thinks Sister Sell Out is getting far too mainstream to take the prime time spot they had open.

The place is a dingy hole anyway, she comforts herself with thoughts about how she really is too good to perform here, while she introduces herself to Thundercube's keyboardist.

They call him 'the Egg Man' for some reason.

"You're Sister Sell Out!" he gasps, before she can even properly identify herself. "I recognize you from one of your album covers. "Unguilt Me" is probably my favorite song ever. I'd give up my left arm to write even half as good."

"Wouldn't that interfere with your career?"

"I can play one-handed," he says cheerfully.

Apparently Thundercube is a famous band all the way in the Barnacle Bay area. They intend to make big waves in Starlight Shores.

Ike Featherworth, the guitarist, rudely cuts in on his bandmate's conversation.

"The ladies are already all over you, it's just not fair," Ike teases.

Egg Man shrugs. "This happens to be a noteworthy vocalist..."

Ike looks Ceth up and down, then goes back to ignoring her. "Uh huh. Listen they want us set up at 7 tonight soooo we're going to run back to get our stuff quick."

"Don't break anything," the keyboardist warns, with a tone that indicates something has been broken in transit before.

"Just be here at 7."

"Do you have time to show me where the grocery store is?" It's such a bad pick-up line, Ceth decides it isn't one at all. Egg Man is serious. "We only just got to town, we're running late and starving, and my mates can't be trusted with such delicate tasks as buying food..."

"You're their Carlos, huh."

"Their what?"

"You're the responsible one. Never mind! I'll show you where the grocery store is."

Egg Man is amused by the buff fruits and vegetables. "Wow... that is adorable."

"Some days I just subsist on broccoli... the fans probably wouldn't like it if I got fat. Oh, and right across the street where those giant gnomes are is an arcade. It has bubble machines on the second floor, and a cafe attached. So this one street is all you need really."

He seems more interested in the cafe portion of the establishment. After talking about broccoli, Ceth is inspired to order a giant slice of cake.

"So your name is actually Eggbert?" Ceth nearly chokes on her dessert. "Did your parents hate you?"

"Haha, I guess it's possible."

The way his eyes drop when he says it tells her all she needs to know about that subject.

Milo jogs through the park, stirring up the fallen leaves as he whooshes by. After several dates with Kirstin, he is a man in love, still working up the courage to tell her that, though it is written all over his face.

Perhaps he can get his feelings out in writing. He is not as skilled with the written word as Carlos and Ceth, but it's never too late to pick up a new skill.

Carlos prepares his garden for the colder temperatures. It has fed them all well over the summer, and he intends to see it survive for next summer.

Every once in a while he glances over his shoulder, expecting to see his stalker, but she is careful to not be caught bothering him here. That could lead to actual legal intervention.

A pizza date. Kirstin is tired of hearing about how great Monte Vista's pizza is in comparison.

Fun times at the fair are more her speed.

"This ride is giving me way too many ideas," Milo complains.

Luckily, Milo is an expert at woohoo in inconvenient places, having once done in the deed in a wardrobe.

Whoa! Kirstin is definitely keeping these...

She doesn't need him to walk her home, but allows it, at least half the way. She hovers close to him, feeling the chill of the night air and using his bulky body for a shield. Soon she will have to ditch the skirts.

"You know, I thought the blue on your face was some sports thing. But it wouldn't wipe off."

"It's a rare genetic condition," Milo replies.

Hey, look! The Erutuf has a new toy! Deadly lasers!

Oh. Of course the stalker is here to ruin all the fun.

"You know," she says, "you may be alarmingly normal after all."

"Thank you," Carlos snaps. "Does that award come with a cash prize?"

"I've realized you're not going to humor me about the aliens. I will stop asking." She pauses, trying to judge by his expression if this has made him feel more positively towards her. She glances left and right and lowers her already hushed voice, "Could I buy a meteorite sample from you instead?"

"That's a weird request." 

"With your clearance, it would be easy for you to break off a chunk of one of the samples and sneak away with it, provided you strike before the samples are weighed."

"I don't know about that."

"Landgraab Industries makes a point to get hold of all meteorites. Haven't you wondered why?"

"They're trying to synthesize tiberium. It isn't going well."

"I know you are not part of that research team... but I think you will help me."

"Why would I do anything for you? I'm trying to get you to leave me alone."

"It's a matter of life and death."

"You're threatening me now?"

"No," she says. "I think I'm dying."

Carlos frowns, altering his tone to be more sympathetic, "I'm sorry. Tiberium cannot cure anything."

"I will explain everything if you can get me a sample."

"I don't even know your name!"

"Lela Whitfield."

"I could go to prison for stealing from the lab, Lela."

"If you refuse to help me... and I hate to do this... I will reveal what you are."

"And what am I?"

"Not human."

Carlos shakes his head. "That's not good enough."

Lela narrows her eyes. "Are you sure it won't be good enough, when I alert the proper channels?"