Shaken Elite Foundations

Stung Hornet vs. the Kirby Act
The still-living Phaletori leader and his followers convene with their remaining Centhuen army at an Icy Finger secret base location to finalize a truce. It is discussed that the information about the Sodality of Gerosha leaked to the Society of the Icy Finger by Jim Oisdaat is all the info necessary to begin plotting their revenge.

Meanwhile, Shing Xu and Mingmei Cheng are having sex when Shing decides to inform Mingmei that their next mission had come in from Beijing - and that neither of them was going to like it. Mingmei discusses with Shing how she feels the same conscience pains as Miriam, and wants to meet with Wilbur Brocklyn about officially making her conversion to Christianity public. Shing reminds her that it would require both of them to abstain from then on until Beijing gives them the clear to marry, and Mingmei argues that it would be a small price to pay - that the final evening would be one she would "make count" until they could have another. She also reminds Shing that given his official status as her boss, they shouldn't be having a sexual relationship anyway due to it being unprofessional. Shing tells her that he too would like to visit Wilbur; but that he's afraid public conversion would be seen by their MSS superiors as an act of treason. She tells him that there are far worse things than being on the MSS' bad side. She finally lets slip to Shing that her greatest fear in life is that she is sterile - that she might never know Miriam's happiness at having children.

As the couple turns on the TV, they receive world news about the Beliah Amendments to the Tom Kirby Act, with the original act having been passed in 2015 - a full 11 years earlier. SCALLOP was embroiled in controversy, as the Beliah amendments were unconstitutional but were being enforced anyway. They made a special exemption for Meethexos; but declared that all Phexos and Marlquaanites were to be second-class citizens without breeding rights. Both sides of the issue had heated arguments. Both agreed that creating human-animal hybrids was morally wrong; but disagreed on what to do with those who had already been created by the Phaelites. Marlquaanites were of issue simply because their Marlquaan bonds made them so inherently dangerous.

However, the worst part of the act is that pressure to enforce the law has led to the president of Toklisana and governor of Texas calling for Lex Philippine at SCALLOP to attempt to round up and intern in its prison system the entire Sodality of Gerosha. Each member would be interviewed before being released, and their input would determine both their release date and the final decision making in a possible repeal of the Beliah Amendments. This meant that SCALLOP officials would have to invade Alaska in an effort to capture Sniperbadger - an inactive Centhuen Prototype and sister to Ciem. Shing assures Mingmei that Agent "Scratched Hen" is already in the process of escorting Miriam, Steve, and their children to the Forbidden City on a staged "vacation."

To avoid starting a war with Toklisana, it was decided that a Chinese MSS agent should be offered up as a peace offering in exchange for denying SCALLOP permission to incarcerate the McLaine family. Mingmei was the top candidate, given her sordid history and likelihood that still-angry politicians and diplomats would consider her a valid consolation prize. If they couldn't have Sniperbadger, they'd settle for Stung Hornet. Shing tells her she doesn't have to go; that it's only a suggestion. However, she kisses him and tells him that her past has been bothering her a lot. Some time being incarcerated would be good for her conscience. That, and Miriam needed her.

The Sodality would need all the help it could get fighting the Icy Finger - especially if the rumors were true that the Icy Finger was infiltrating Toklisanan prisons and attempting to recruit new members. An MSS agent going undercover as an inmate could be of great use to both Toklisanan and Chinese intelligence officials. At the same time, she urges Shing to join forces with any Sodality personnel that refuse to be captured. Instead of being angry with Beijing for his girlfriend being in prison in a foreign country, he should direct his anger toward the Icy Finger. Shing breathes a reluctant sigh, then agrees to fly with other agents to the nearest town to the science base in Alaska to surrender Mingmei to SCALLOP.

Mingmei turns herself in
Mingmei and Shing arrive at the science base, then head to town. After a final kiss goodbye to Shing, Mingmei gets out of the car at an auto body shop. Agent Brian Mizgel of SCALLOP is there, having a tire replaced. Mingmei explains to Brian that Beijing refuses to hand over Miriam; but that she wants to go undercover in the Toklisana prison system to weed out Icy Finger recruiters. She lists off the things that she's wanted for in Toklisana, and Brian arrests her. He takes her to the nearest police station while waiting for backup to send her to Texas. He informs her that she'll be with SCALLOP for at least a month, most likely aiding the Sodality Support Staff.

However, a series of loud noises ensue outside the police station. The Phaemer Village Peacekeepers got into a dogfight with some Phaletori. Evan and Keet's pod is shot down, and hits a tool shed. Much to Keet's objection, both of them are arrested immediately. Socratic and Jackal decide to fall back.

Without showing her face, media outlets in Toklisana announce that Agent Stung Hornet has turned herself in for crimes of espionage and prostitution. Icy Finger operatives watching the media incident unfold suspect that there may be more to the story. They are particularly confused, however, by Keet and Time Capsule being involved.

The message heard 'round the Sodality
Jack Mercreek and Miranda Kanla head to the latest secret Sodality base to leave a message for every major figure of the Sodality to meet in two days in Houston if at all possible. All personnel at the meeting will decide whether to battle the Icy Finger in the outside world, or within SCALLOP and/or Toklisana's prison systems. Kirby Act and Beliah Amendment enforcers have forced Lex Philippine to declare all Sodality members fugitives by default. They warn that Wilbur Brocklyn was arrested by SCALLOP due to his ties with everyone - and to protect him and tend to his fading health before the state's system could get to him.

Miranda urges Jack to send the Sodality of Florence a similar message, since they'd become targets as well. The upload no sooner reaches Angelo than SCALLOP agents raid the facility and arrest Jack and Miranda. Miranda asks why she is needed in regards to the Kirby Act, since she's not a Phexo. She is reminded that since she foolishly gave in to Jack's wiles one time on the Apache reservation and slept with him, she is considered an unofficial wife. Family of Phexos can be apprehended along with Phexos, if the blood or sexual relation is close enough. Her mother calls her phone, and Marion Wevenil kindly explains the situation. Miranda's mother assures Miranda that she is still very much loved by her family; and to be brave. Marion assures Miranda further that she and Jack will be among the first to be interrogated by politicians and the governor - and quite possibly also amongst the first to be set free after the review sessions for repeal are complete. Due to her relationship with Jack - and no significant criminal record outside of said relationship - it is ruled that Miranda and Jack will likely remain safely within SCALLOP's system and not have to worry about transfer to a state penitentiary.

Mallorie discusses the matter with Lex, expressing her concerns that the agents of SCALLOP throwing the Sodality of Gerosha in prison when both organizations have done similar things to save the world seems a tad hypocritical. Lex responds that he means to ensure that all Sodality members thrown into SCALLOP prisons are treated as humanely as possible; understanding full well that they don't deserve the same treatment as the villains they've fought.

Capture of the Sterlies
No sooner do the agents and their captives leave the area, then they find themselves being chased by Icy Finger agents. The car chase gives way to a gunfight in the streets. Jack helps jump Marion to safety in spite being cuffed. However, they find themselves in a parking lot ramp being held at gunpoint by an Icy Finger agent. Said agent is suddenly engulfed in blue flames from a grenade. A van swoops in and drops off Tiffany and Jordan Sterlie. The driver briefly gets out, removing his Navyrope mask and revealing himself to be Lyle Ritter. Marion expresses her disgust that her current romantic affair would join the Navyrope Foundation. Lyle warns Marion that the Foundation will stop and nothing to ensure Vince Finton does not get involved in any way in the latest Sodality-SCALLOP squabble. He shares a kiss with Marion, then tells her that SCALLOP will have to make do with the Sterlie mother-son team turning themselves in. Lyle begins driving off. Marion assures him that her disapproval of his involvement with the Foundation will not alter the terms of their relationship too greatly. Marion calls for backup, in spite Tiffany and Jordan not putting up a struggle.

The McArthur Estate attacked
Candi kisses Frank on the forehead good night, and tucks him into bed. She heads into the living room to discuss with Donte what they should do about the message Jack sent out. Donte states that he has no intention of running - that it would only put Candi and Frank in even worse trouble than they already are. Candi looks at her ankle, and is relieved that her tether light is still green. Donte asks why she keeps looking at it. She states it's because of her concerns that she'll be called in - rendering moot the five years she'd spent with it and forcing her to spend another five. He embraces her and ensures her that he will always love her. He also warns that due to the Kirby Act, they'd have to explain to Frank why he's going to jail too. None of the McArthurs would be getting off easy this time.

He explains to her that they'll have to attend Jack's meeting, but that it could be a trap. They reach in for a kiss. No sooner do they finish kissing, then Candi's Centuition goes off. An Icy Finger agent attempts to launch a cyanide gas grenade through the living room window. Candi reacts, sending the grenade flying back out the window before detonating and killing the agent that launched it. Donte flies out the window, telling Candi to get Frank to safety. He attempts to fight; but he soon realizes that the Icy Finger prepared an MPF generator specifically to capture him with. He is forced to flee before he can get caught in its field.

Candi and Frank get to their car, and begin driving off. Donte attempts to avoid the MPF generator as he take out Icy Finger cars stalking Candi's. He calls Candi up and tells her that he'll rendezvous with her as soon as it's safe. She informs Donte of her intention to go to the laundromat so Brian can arrest her like last time. Donte continues to ambush Icy Finger until Candi is able to drive safely to the laundromat. From there, she contact Brian. He reveals that his digital records from her feed reveal that she was driving erratically. She doesn't contest the notions. She informs Brian of the situation, and asks him how quickly he can get there. He explains that he is too busy transporting Mingmei, Keet, and Evan to Houston. Candi requests that he set her ankle monitor's GPS alignment to "South Pole," so the Waco police force will find her before the Icy Finger can. Brian warns her of the potential consequences, and she informs him that protecting Frank matters more to her than anything else. Brian reluctantly "S'Poles" her monitor. Candi says goodbye to Frank, then surrenders to the cop cars that surround the laundromat. She is taken to SCALLOP Women's Containment Center almost immediately, confessing to everything.

Dolly can't go fishing
As Jeraime and Dolly Malestrom are at home discussing with her officer Agent Chad Orvain about a fishing trip, Chad gets a phone call that Dolly is to be brought in. In spite the Malestroms having only minimal involvement with the Sodality, Dolly's history is cited as reason she needs to return. Jeraime encourages her to go, and to join Team Caged Dove so she can battle the Beliah Amendments and get Judge Terry Beliah's evil legacy out of everyone's life once and for all. Dolly begrudgingly lets Chad arrest her, as he apologizes for ruining her plans for a fishing trip.