- Chapter 15 -
A Passing Torch
©2000 Quizzard
Lt. Savia couldn't believe the whirlwind of activity created by the news of contact with the CONDOM ship. A
whole pack of CONDOMS, ten in all, were released to celebrate the unbroken return of the star voyager. A wild
party was planned, as soon as they could revive the drunken pilot. There was much speculation as to the identity of
the visitor from the far away galaxy, and why she was so thirsty for water. Still, it was Lt. Savia in the VIAGRA
ship which finally induced contact with the runaway prodigal wanderer. Savia performed the difficult docking
maneuver, and approached the airlock with trepidation. This was about to make history.
*clank* *rumble* *rumble* *clunk* *WHOOSH* *creeeeaaak*
The sounds of the airlock sent shivers down Savia's
spine. Then, at last, the path was clear, and Savia entered the interstellar ship, and found...nothing? Oh, wait, there
was the pilot, slumped in the corner, and singing softly to herself. The number of empty liquor bottles told the story
of her condition all too clearly. But, where was the owner of the mysterious voice? Savia searched from room to
room, and found no one. Walking back to the bridge of the ship, Savia almost tripped over a spilled canteen on the
floor.
"Hey, watch it, buddy!" the small, hoarse voice was just barely audible. "Did ya bring my water, I'm parched here."
"Huh?"
"Stand and gawk later, right now you'd better pour me into some water before I turn into dust and haunt your nasal
passages for the rest of your life!" Too dumfounded to argue, Savia picked up the canteen, and returned to the other
ship, and the five gallon canister stored there. "Ooooh! I feel it! Don't worry about a glass, just let me have it!"
Savia twisted off the lid of the canister, and poured in the remaining liquid from the canteen. There was a tiny
splash, and the voice, slightly stronger, piped, "Give me a minute to freshen up, then we can talk."
Dazedly, Savia wondered how to write this up in the report.
*****
The rally lasted for hours, and Lawboy's words lashed the crowded room into a frenzy. Everywhere, mumbles and
murmurs were growing in volume as THE MAN spoke out against the King. Soon, the spectators would be
whipped to the wild abandon of the mob mentality. Sadly, a small figure in a dark, hooded robe, shook his head and
turned to leave. Killy wondered what kind of game the mammalian snake was playing, and what would he have to
do to counter it. The troubling dreams that the Egar Gem had brought to him, had not forwarded a glimpse of this,
and Killy was at a loss for what that meant. He HAD to find another of the dream jewels. Maybe two, together, had
the power to foretell the best path for the land to take. He started running.