Dr. Miralyn Tabinthis?
by Mia Anderson
Keira took a deep breath and stepped into the elevator. The door slid shut to show a perfectly smooth, metal plate wall. The instant the door began to slide shut a green light began to glow from the ceiling. Interesting, Keira thought to herself. Transmirlonian-thermoplastic, or TMTP to the less knowledgable individual. It was common enough, but what was uncommon was that it normally emitted a blue color.
The elevator began to move. Keira could feel herself moving backwards as opposed to the up or down movement normal to elevators. This mission was definitely breaking all of what she knew to be true. What was going to happen next?
What she had assumed was an elevator, stopped suddenly and the panel behind her slid open.
"Come," stated the robot in his metallic voice, as he motioned for Keira to follow him still further. She turned and peered down a brightly light corridor. The walls, floor and ceiling were bright white. The robot led Keira down to the end of the hallway into what appeared to be another dead end. She had already learned, however, that appearances are deceiving. Another panel slid open, more buttons were pushed and the wall slid aside.
"Yes, inside," said Keira as she stepped into another elevator.
There was more TMTP in this elevator. It was the same, funny green color. This time, though, the elevator went up. Keira felt like she was in the elevator for half an hour before the door finally opened. This time it opened into an elegantly furnished den or sitting room. Keira glanced around. She noticed more wealth in this one room than in many of the ancient palaces on her homeworld. Many of the artifacts were from her homeworld!
She could identify ancient Ming vases from Earth, Carile leaf paintings from Adantis III, the art (which was supposedly all destroyed) of famed Rochinik d'Karo of the planet K'horin, Platinador tapestries from the Orelia system, and so much more. Keira just stood in awe.
"Well, Dr. Miralyn Tabinthis," said a voice from somewhere in a corner of the room. "We're so glad you could join us."
Dr. Miralyn Tabinthis? Who is this Dr. Tabinthis? Keira wondered as she noticed a small, rather wide figure turn around to greet her.
"How was your flight?" asked the man. He had rough, reddish, scaly skin, was about half Keira's height, and had peircing green eyes about the color of the TMTP.
"It was...fine," she said haltingly.
"You hesitate? Your flight did not go well?" asked the man.
"Oh, no. I had a wonderful flight," Keira said, still bewildered.
"I'm surprised. I never could stand those little freighters. They are so cramped and they serve you about half the food you should recieve," said the man. "I plan to change all of that, however. You came to discuss the plans we spoke about on the hologrid?"
"Ummm, well..." Keira begins. What should I do? she thinks to herself. He thinks that I am someone else! What a mistake I made following that robot!
Keira decides to: