Recriminations

[timing:  early a.m. Sun 7/28-- after "...Drunken Sailor" but well
before dawn-- concurrent with "Do You Hear the People Sing?"]

By Lane Lombardia (with suggestions and helpful hints from the GHP)

Lane sat on the floor of his darkened room in Merc Central, one leg tucked
underneath him with the other wrapping around in front, in the classical
fudo za meditative posture. His breathing was long, and slow, as he tried
to clear his mind and meditate. Unfortunately, it just *wasn't* working! 

Self-recriminations about how he, as Guild Recruiter, had failed to
prevent the defections of the former Grand High Poohbah, Maureen, and a
key figure in the fifth war, Jamie (who had been both an employer and one
of his star recruits) haunted him. Both had been lost to the Natpackers,
and now, there were signs that he might be losing his most stellar
recruit, Christina Kamnikar, MMG. 

Each of these realizations was like a hot brand on bare flesh, and he
physically winced under their influence, as they flashed through his mind. 

It was just far too galling to him that the very people who had placed
Nick, LaCroix, Vachon, Screed, and Janette in jeopardy by withholding
valuable information on a band of flagrant lunatics (after all, what is
the problem with a few vampires? sheeesh!), were the very same folks who
had managed to steal away some of the Guild's best talent. Frankly, it was
really ticking him off! 

That was when he caught himself... 

"Revenge is a dish, best served cold." 

He realized that he wasted time and effort brutalizing himself for
Maureen's and Jamie's defection. The task at hand was to get them back,
and make deadly certain that they DIDN'T get Christina. 

His breathing slowed again, evening out. His thumb and little finger
looped together, and he regained his center. An evil smile crept across
his lips.