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BACK TO NORMAL LEVELS. YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO TAKE ANY
MEASURES OPEN TO YOU TO ESCAPE THIS WHARF. YOU KNOW THE
SITUATION.'
As if they'd been magic words in a spell, Cube immediately
complied with his request. First she powered up the core, as if a
racing driver revving their engine, then (with Cryst almost shattering)
holding the power for several more minutes, she waited for the right
time and let rip - taking the hopeful consequences.
Looking somewhat like a fly, a rather square one, caught in an
invisible web, Cube struggled to break free from the wharf's strong
outer magnetic shields. Several tense minutes passed by (again in a
taxi, the driver now slumped over the steering wheel), until, with a
sudden jolt, she broke through the imaginary web and burst free into
the welcoming stars.
Inside the depths of the docked galactic destroyer, having turned
on her personal view screen to see what all the commotion was
about, The Star Empress watched with disgust as Cube disappeared
into an established acceleration funnel, instantly becoming a speck
in the distance.
After having given a classic demonstration of being "out on the
piss", the completely knackered crew retired to their personalisation
cubicles. By the time Dong arrived at his there was a queue of food
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robots lining the corridor so he gratefully snatched all that he could
carry and went to lie on his bed.
Having remained in charge, Cube happily welcomed the crew's
eventual appearance some twelve hours later, the group of them
arriving in mid conversation, something appeared to be troubling
them.
'Honestly,' repeated Chucker, 'I have been hearing things.'
'Come to think of it, I have been feeling as though something is
watching me from time to time lately.' Dong scratched his chins in
thought of what the others had said. 'It must just have been the
after effects of the ale we drank.'
'Yes, you are more than likely right.'
'Grrr ... maybe?' concluded Scank, using two of his four legs to
scratch an itch which had settled behind his ears.
Taking their places - basically anywhere they liked - around the
post's many levels (their eventual positions looking like a new
Nintendo level game) The Three Wise Aliens went to work on the
impossible task of releasing the messiah from her current
predicament.
Cryst had several visits from Dong throughout the full twelve hours
whilst the other two had slept. During their awkward conversations
the squidge had asked if she was okay, she bravely responded by
saying she was in good spirits but was there any chance of drinking
some. It was also during these discussions, through the sealed core,
that Dong took the time to ask her more questions about getting her
and Robottom free.
'So ... woof ... what was it again the messiah said to you?' Scank
asked from his hanging position on the above levels of vibrating
circuitry.
'Actually,' replied Dong, 'she will be able to tell you soon enough
because I'm going to put this communication device, this one I'm
holding like a gun, inside the core with her. The messiah will then be
able to speak directly to us and give us some much needed
information and navigation as we go through the black hole.'
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 Scank dropped to the floor and took the device from the
squidge's sweaty hands. 'Good idea ... grrr ... but won't it melt when
the gravitational core is at full power?'
'No. It is made from the same materials as the casing around the
core.' Dong snatched it back. 'So if you both would be so kind as to
cut all power and search for the nearest black hole, I will see to this.'
Without waiting for an answer he plodded off to the motion section,
this time using a ladder chute, the exercise being much needed.
'Chucker? Can ... grrr ... you pass me the compu-maps from
where you are in the back of the post ... woof ... please.'
The vom obliged. Pressing the appropriate button, several hard
rectangular objects slid out of their hiding place. Wanting to help
Scank in the search for a black hole, he walked over to where the
hairy git had sat (on a spongy part of the floor) and handed him
one of the two maps whilst he looked at the other. Lifting it high [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]