|| -------- -- -----  A E R I E   O B L I V I A N A . singular book of text wandertainment by Frank Edward Nora ------------------- ----------- FOREMAN ITTENER PIER--CUP 35--"Deception 101" <-------  ||  Severe Repair  ||  Foreman Ittener Pier  ||  -------- (Cup SRfi035, Created v2 (6/7/99), Copyright 1999) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Walker laughed. "Looks like your queen mommy has been burning the midnight scheming oil, huh? I tellya--what a plan--being in such remote locations that no remote feed or even battery-operated equipment was possible. I think she's writing your letters, if our intelligence is accurate." Ferrajalt frowned in anger. "That's a pretty great thing you got on that Earth of yours." Walker said. "Giant people. We got some on other Earths but their giants are really ugly. Only your Earth has beautiful giants. I guess Pree the gentle giantess is a big hit with kids on your world." "You can say that again." "Yeah?" Ferrajalt looked up from tha page and stared into the roaring fire. "What's the matter, Prince?" "I don't know. I knew they were gonna do something to explain my... my disappearance. But this?" He tossed the paper back at Walker. The administrator regarded Ferrajalt, with the hint of a smile. "I'm travelling to Greatwall this afternoon. I know we have a lot more to discuss, and I suggest we do it on the way. It's a long trip." "I really wanted to just get home." "You'll have to go back through Greatwall anyway." Ferrajalt grimaced. "I guess you're right." "Will you be ready to go at about two?" "Yeah." Ferrajalt said. "But... oh, shit." The Prince made a gesture of great frustration. "What?" "I have something with me, and I don't think I can leave it here." "What would that be?" "I don't know if I should tell you." "Ferrajalt, when someone says they don't know if they should say something, it means they want to but just need a little reassurance. Deception 101." "Huh?" "Look--I'll use some strategies on you and you'll come around. Now think about it. You've told me so much already, what's a little more gonna matter? I'll find out eventually anyway. You'll feel better when you tell me. You better tell me now, because if you wait, the memory of it might fade. Tell me and I'll help keep the memory alive. If I'm not your enemy then I'm your ally--and you're only helping your enemies by withholding information from your allies. What's information, anyway? Just a bunch of words. How much harm can words do?" He paused, then continued, with a smile. "Tell me and I'll be your best friend." "I get your point." Ferrajalt said. "I learned all that stuff too. Gotta know it if you're royalty. I'll tell you what you need to know." "Good." "Um... the other night... you know, when you saw us..." "On that large dog?" "Yeah." "You have that dog with you?" "No! Not that dog. But, uh, another one. Um, of the same species and everything." "Wherever did you find giant time travelling dogs?" "Huh?" "So I'm right!" "What do you mean?" "All the clues pointed toward time travel. The strange readings on the scanner. Your note. The condition of the motel." "Yeah, I guess that's it. Time travel and all." "You know that NO ONE in Aconck has time travel yet, right?" "I guess." "But now WE have it." "Whattaya mean WE?" "Not Overwhelm, if that's what you're thinking. Look Prince--I've been looking for a way to break away from Overwhelm for quite a while now. With these time travelling beasts of yours, just think of what we could accomplish!" Ferrajalt got that sinking feeling. He didn't want Fantive involved in all this. "Look--let's just discuss it on our way to Greatwall." Ferrajalt said. "Fine with me. Now tell you what--we'll take one of the cargo flyers so that your steed may accompany us." "I..." Ferrajalt began, but he waved the thought away. If he brought Whale to Greatwall, then he'd have to get Whale back HERE to go back to Lunatether if the whole Deep Violt C thing was a no go. But still--if he could get Whale back to HIS Earth, he could time travel there, which could be rather intriguing. His family had quite a notorious history--be nice if he could experience some of it. "Prince," Walker said, "I think we have big things in store for us." "Yup." Ferrajalt said, nodding nervously. ***CUPLINE'S END*** ------------------- ----------- -------- -- -----