| Chapter Ten Anday stood in the palace's throne room, his eyes were cast on the floor. He realized for the first time how intricate the tile was. "Anday," said Hannahoko, "This is not easy for me to say," she paused, "but because of your disrespectful performance last night I am forced to demote you to Captain. And, you are to be put on prohobation indefinantly." "Yes, I understand, Hannahoko, I'm sorry. Is your shoulder?" The young Queen lifted a hand, "You needn't worry about my shoulder, its better now." "But...how?" "I'll explain some other time, you may go now." Anday nodded and turned to leave. *~*~**~*~~** "You mean to tell me, JJ, that you know where the penguins are?" asked Matt. "Yes," said the Kidd stuffing a pastry in his mouth, "I think so." "And why didn't you tell me sooner?" "Well, you were so very far away and I was trying to hide behind Cassie from that lady." "What lady?" "Oh, I think her name was Samantha. No wait, that's just what Chibi calls her, he's very frightened of anyone named Samantha. Uh, oh yeah, I think her name was Erika." "Why were you avoiding Erika?" JJ paused and stopped chewing for a moment. "I suppose because she has two eyes." He then grabbed a giant piece of chocolate and stuck it in his mouth. "Yes, I suppose she does," said the former phsycologist. ******** Anday sat brooding on a wooden bench in the Palace's garden. It was one of the most vegetated places on Neptune save the giant willow forest. His chin was clasped in his hands, and his deep blue eyes were staring intensly at a tiny yellow flower. He marveled at the strength of thie plant and at its determination to grow even in the midst of so much turmoil. A girlish voice quickly caused him to snap out of his thoughts. "I hear about what happened," she said. Anday raised his head and looked at the girl with silvery blond locks. There was a difference in her today. Instead of her hair being pulled back strictly it was now down and cascading over her shoulders. That wasn't really the difference though. Anday didn't say anything so she tried again. "I think," and she paused as if each word took a great deal of thought, "that she was too harsh." "No!" said Anday, "I deserved what I got, Ginny." "If its any consolation I feel the same way about the Russians. I wish they would just go home. I don't trust them for a moment." "Yes," he spoke slowly, "but you haven't made any actions with those thoughts. Hannahoko could have been killed because of me." "It wasn't truly your fault that she got shot. And besides, it wasn't that bad anyway, so I hear." "Yes it was m fault. If I hadn't let my temper get the best of me none of this would have happened." "Don't fret Com- Anday. Things will look up. I must go now though, Lord Scoot has some paper work for me to do." She patter him on the shoulder. "Cheer up!" A small trace of a smile crossed Anday's face. "Seeya," he said. When Ginny was out of view he leaned back and smirked. "She really fell hard for me," he said. |