"Hey Indy!"
"Yeah, just a sec!" Indy shoved her wallet into her pocket hastily at Capri's urging to hurry up and get going.
Soon, they were all on their way to the park to meet up with Ameh, Heidi, Misery, Melanie and Madonna for a picnic, and a relaxing time doing whatever would suit them after that.
For once, the bugs didn't pester them very badly, and the weather didn't turn bad.
Madonna brought enough snacks to supply an army, and Ameh ribbed her about it goodnaturedly.
"That's good, it means there'll be more than just sandwiches." said NT.
"Oh, you're getting sausage rolls, NT," her mother said.
"Yes!" NT exulted.
Ariel laughed. Ever since Tonya had been trounced, NT had really started returning to the person she was always meant to be, laughing and smiling much more, hiding a lot less.
"Actually, all this is for Indy," Madonna pointed to a couple of bags of chips she'd just set on a table, "We can have something else."
Indy heard this, and she walked over to Madonna with an evil grin.
"Uh-oh, look out." Pippi chuckled.
"Ack!" Madonna cried out and gave a little jump as Indy jabbed her in the back of the neck with a plastic knife.
"Heh, heh, heh!" came Indy's evil laugh. "Keep that up and you'll be on the menu, my friend."
Several people laughed.
The gathering continued, with lots of chatting and laughter, and good food. But eventually good-byes were said, and the picnic party broke into smaller groups as they headed back home, or shopping, to work, or whatever was planned for the rest of that afternoon.
Once back at home, Ariel decided to take a nap, NT went down to practice on her new keyboard, and Indy had some laundry to do.
Capri, for once, didn't have any plans or anywhere to go, so she decided to kick back and read a book for a while.
However, she'd only gotten about halfway down a page when Bez's message sounded on the unicom.
Capri put down the book and took the com from her pocket. "Hey, what's up?"
"We've got a very interesting visitor aboard." Bez began.
"Uh-oh." said Capri.
Hearing the apprehension, Bez reassured, "No, nothing like that...Interesting in a cool sense. Her name is Gretel, and, she's from outside. As in, she's got some mondo weird rings that she used to travel to our story world."
"Oh?" Capri asked, wary, but paying close attention to the tone in Bez's voice. She would be able to tell if this was someone on the level or to be watched out for.
Bez paused and turned to Gretel. "By the way, those rings of yours carry more than one person?" She silenced Gretel with a gesture before she could answer. "Eh, we can work that out later." She returned to her conversation with Capri. "And from what I hear, she's quite the fan of our adventures. So, we've a big fan with some cool traveling abilities. Methinks we oughta give 'er the full adventure treatment."
"Ah!" Capri's tone indicated the broad smile that was now forming on her face. I think we could all use a deviation from the usual around here, something good, that is. I'll let the others know, and then we can meet you in the schoolgrounds that are just across the street and a few houses down from ours. There's no one there, now."
"Right, so, we'll find a suitable landing spot and head over to get this party started!" Bez concluded. "We can all establish our new adventure, and you guys can meet the latest addition to the crew!"
"Sounds good - " Capri began saying, but heard an unfamiliar voice in the background.
"Heya!" Criterion called cheerily.
Capri laughed.
"But I'll leave his intro to him. We'll see you guys soon!" Bez turned off the Unicom with a click.
"Now," She said, turning to Gretel. "I do think it's time to give you a proper tour of the ship! You are standing in the control room, and right down the hall..."
Gretel followed Bez breathlessly as she pointed out the small details of the ship. Her mind was buzzing with the prospect of adventure. She was going to be a part of the stories she had read and loved. It was incredible.
"Matrix, do turn on some tunes. This quiet is killing me."
Gretel focused on Bez's tour again.
"All right," Matrix announced. "This one's called "Good Times Roll" by The Cars. Enjoy your tour music!"
"Awesome!" Gretel said with a slight laugh. Unbelievably excited as she was, there was no way she was going to screech and giggle as some fans, particularly certain fangirls of certain particular stories were notorious for doing. Besides, there was a vast difference between what made her a fan of these people and adventures and what made annoying fangirls what they were.
Bez returned to the tour as the music drifted over the com system. "Right, and our Med Center is fully equipped..."
Gretel soaked it all in, knowing her adventure was just beginning. She couldn't help but sing softly along to the music. The sound system was phenominal, and the whole thing was even more real than working on a movie set! She had never been on a movie set, but had plenty of daydreams about it.
And now, one of these really was happening. Unbelievable! She studied the ship and everything shown to her, intently, smiling from ear to ear the whole time.
* *
"Guys!" Capri called when she got off the com.
"Yeah?" Indy came up from the lower level, and met Capri in the living-room.
"Looks like we're in for some interesting times with friends." Capri explained.
The sounds of voices and activity brought NT up from the basement, and she stood listening quietly as Capri and Indy talked.
Pippi was next to join the little gathering in the front room, and finally Ariel.
So, they all heard the news, and got ready to meet at the schoolground.
With the school being so close, and the weather so nice, everyone simply filed out the front door and walked to the meeting place rather than pile into vehicles.
Pippi called Ameh, Madonna, Heidi and Misery to let them know what was going on and that they were more than welcome to join this gathering if they weren't busy with something else.
Soon, there was quite a group assembled to meet this new fan, and the new crew member of the Nautilus.
****
"All right, take us down!" Bez commanded.
Matrix complied with a mischievous smile.
"And don't go tryin' anything sneaky. We have company aboard." Bez warned.
Matrix pouted, but brought the ship down gently in an empty patch of the school ground.
"I've put a holographic cloak around the ship." He announced. "Few things shout 'Hey, everyone, a UFO!', than, well...a UFO."
Sigma giggled. "It's been too long!" She commented happily. "We'll have to fill them all in."
Bez nodded. "Yes, yes. I wonder if they have an appetite for any foreign food?"
Everyone seemed to be in a good mood, excited for the imminent adventure. Even Thande allowed himself a small smile at the prospect of a reunion with good friends. Gretel was even more excited than she had been originally.
This group joviality made Criter's apprehension all the more obvious.
Bez noticed and darted a look at Sigma.
"Hey, don't worry Criter." Sigma said, nudging Criterion good-naturedly. "They'll love you! You don't have anything to worry about."
Criter shook his head. "It's not ME I'm worried about."
"How's that?" Gretel asked.
"All right, we better not keep 'em waiting!" Bez announced, hoping to cut the growing tension. "Off we go!"
"Hmmm," Gretel thought, but didn't say aloud, "Guess I'll find out the answer to that one later."
They filed out of the control room, down the hall, down the elevator panels and into the cargo bay. Matrix connected to the ship computer, opening the off-ramp.
Bez gave a thumbs up to Criter and they all walked down the ramp.
They were greeted enthusiastically.
"There they are!" Madonna interupted the chatter of her friends and indicated something that couldn't be mistaken for anything but a UFO!
"Right on," Indy began running toward the ship. She was followed closely by Madonna, and the others moved to follow.
"Good to see you again!" Indy called.
Madonna waved.
Then there were many greetings, and laughter as the friends reunited, shook hands, said their hello's and fell to light kidding around about one another.
Gretel waited patiently, smiling broadly while this was going on.
"Hey, hey, don't get me wrong, it's great to see every one again," Bez began. "But, we do have some introductions to get out of the way." She gestured to Criter. "Take it away, maestro."
The small crowd hushed.
Criter smiled nervously, removing his hat and crumpling it slightly, more out of nerves than any conscious thought. "Hello, everyone. I'm Criterion MacAfee. You all know each other, excepting Gretel, so that leaves me at a distinct disadvantage. I would like to remedy that by explaining who-or perhaps, what, I am, and how I came to be a member of Bez's crew." He turned to Matrix. "Would you mind bringing up an image of Titan?"
Matrix nodded. "Sure thing." He projected an image of a massive planet.
"This," Criterion stated, regaining his composure as he spoke. "Is Titan. As you can see, Titan is big enough to eat Jupiter and gobble up Earth for dessert. On this planet, creatures of such size and power as to be called the Nine Universe Monsters of Titan dwell. Despite their having only been sited occasionally, and by less than reliable sources, most of the space-faring world is positive of their existence. I was summoned to perform a ridiculously dangerous mission by a certain Professor Moriarty."
At this, Capri couldn't help the slightly audible smirk in recognition of the name.
Criter smiled wryly. "And whilst this professor is not of the same ilk as the Professor who crosses brains with Sherlock Holmes, he is certainly as devious. My mission was to obtain tokens of the Nine Universe Monsters. It was a foolish mission to accept, but...well, the professor offered quite the lucrative sum of reward money. So, I headed to Titan. I had scarcely been on the planet for a week when my fortune turned sour. While I was moving my ship to a new base site, a vicious magnetic storm nearly tore it apart. I don't remember much of what happened after, but I remember enough to know the crash should have killed me. Thankfully, I'm Drunis. My species has a useful ability to induce a healing coma. It was this ability that kept me alive, albeit barely, until Bez and her crew found me."
Capri and Pippi nodded, indicating that all was understood so far.
Here his generally cheerful disposition darkened. "My client had kept tabs on my ship. Once he received knowledge of its destruction, he found a new team to complete my mission, leaving me for dead. Bez and her crew were that team. After my rescue and subsequent healing, I was able to help Bez and crew finish their-or, more accurately, our mission. I assure you, Moriarty was surprised to see me alive. Due to Moriarty signing contracts with both our respective teams, we were able to collect double the reward money, and upon doing so, reported Moriarty to the United Alliance of Planets. The careless expenditure of life by rich, well-off gentlemen such as him cannot be tolerated."
"Gentlemen, that's putting it nicely," Gretel said under her breath with a suppressed contemptuous cough.
Capri nodded again.
Criter smiled slightly, attempting to straighten out his hat before placing it back on his head. "But I've taken quite the maundering route to explain who exactly I am...so I will attempt to be brief in my explanation." He paused, eyes flicking from the various faces in the group. He seemed to be struggling with something. At length he spoke, avoiding eye contact with anyone. "When I was very young, I was taken from my home. Certain parts of my brain were extracted, and...replaced, with the corresponding parts from the brains of two other beings. Certain things bring out more of these...other minds, so I must apologize for any inconvenience I will inevitably cause. No one knows why my body didn't violently reject these foreign brains, why I haven't gone entirely insane from the entire matter. But, there is a purpose to everything, and so, I must wait to ascertain the purpose of that event." He looked very tired, like every word he said had been a painful effort.
NT let out a breath. She wasn't appalled at Criterion, but by what was done to him.
"I don't suppose those depraved wonders who did this are still kicking around somewhere..." Capri said.
"If they are," said Misery, "who knows how many others they may have actually killed by way of this sort of terrible invasiveness."
Criter nodded gravely. "Unfortunately, the one responsible is still out there. I shudder to think who else has fallen prey to whoever he is..." He shook his head. "However, Bez and crew have kindly agreed to help me find him, and bring him to justice."
"Wow," said Indy, "You're lucky you weren't killed by that. Anyway, whatever happens, you have a rational explanation that beats the heck out of Lady Une's lame excuses for her personality inconsistencies any day.
Pippi's calm voice was next to be heard. She stepped forward, "Thanks for the explanation. You are among friends, and will get to know us all eventually." She introduced her group one by one, and each said a hello, or nodded etc.
"And you must be - was it Ghretta or Gretel?" Pippi asked the other smiling newcomer.
"Option B." the newcomer said with a grin, "It's Gretel."
"Welcome to our party." said Pippi with a smile. "What's your story, if you don't mind telling?"
"Not much lately," said Gretel, "Nothing like what most of you have been through I'm sure."
"Bez said you got on the Nautilus via some magic rings?" Capri probed.
"Yes, they were just supposed to be replicas of some rings from the Narnia Chronicles I bought on Ebay - "
"What!? Really!?" It was Capri's turn to beam.
"Holy mackrel!" said NT, eyes also lighting up.
"Ah, now, wait a sec!" Bez exclaimed. "I shoulda asked about that..."
Matrix grinned. "Awesome."
"Yes," Pippi smiled in agreement with the others' excitement.
"I'll bet whoever sold them would kick themself if they knew." said Indy.
"Yes, I've been wondering if they knew, or how much they knew." Gretel added. "I found out about their properties by accident, and then did a bunch of experiments with transport and exploration, and that's how I ended up here." She reached into her right pocket and took out the green ring. "I'll pass this one around for you all to look at and admire. I can't do that with the other one or I'll vanish." She handed the ring to Capri.
With a gleam in her eye, Capri took the ring, held and looked at it intently for a few moments. "So this is one of them." she said with the same admiration and want that comes over you when you get to see something you desire to have up close, but know there's a very slim chance to none that you ever will.
Finally, she handed the ring to Pippi, who handed it to Indy, who handed it off to someone else in the group and so on.
As they all passed the ring around, the conversation continued.
"Bez said you're quite the fan, I hope you haven't heard about us from the likes of Marilee Who or some other unreliable source." said Capri.
Gretel laughed out loud. "Marilee - no, I wouldn't believe anything SHE said anyway. No doubt she's learned something about me as well and has a file somewhere dissing me. Oh well, her problem."
NT couldn't help laughing at this. She wished she could be as carefree and have such a "To heck with you" attitude toward people who said nasty things about and to her as Gretel was now displaying. It would've been nice if only she had known Indy and Gretel when Miranda and Tonya had done their best to make her life a living torment.
"You find all sorts of interesting stories and things in Cyberspace." Gretel said.
"I wonder if we would find your story there?" Indy piped up.
"It's possible," Gretel answered, giving Indy a crooked grin.
"I mean," Indy continued, "you could be someone I've heard about, too, and two people come to mind."
"Which ones?" Gretel asked, "And you're Indianna Who, right?"
"Right." said Indy. Well, two girls named Gretel I know about are - the one in the story about "Hansel and Gretel," and the other was a little girl in the "Sound Of Music" musical, which BTW, is one of Gwen Stefani's favorites."
Gretel gave Indy a broad grin. "Option a." she said. "Besides, the musical got a good lot of the facts wrong, names, personalities - especially the two main people. My name's spelled differently than the girl from the musical too.
"Oh!" Said Indy with interest.
Gretel continued, Anyway, you wanted to know about the - " She was cut off by a curious Indy again.
"So, what's your bro up to now?" Indy asked.
Gretel suddenly turned grave. "He's working in a hospital in Afghanistan. I understand and admire why he chose it, but - there is part of me that wishes he chose to work somewhere a lot less dangerous."
"Oh, that's gotta be rough." said Indy, sobering as well.
Gretel nodded. "So, you wanted to know about - "
"So when you were growing up, there was a time you and him were held hostage by - someone, or so the story I'm familiar with, goes." It was Madonna who interupted this time.
"Yes." Gretel replied.
"She was a cannibal witch, right," asked Madonna.
Gretel nodded.
"She would've gotten along with vampires well."
"No, Madonna, she was too greedy for that."
"Well, it was pretty clever of you to talk her into going into the oven when she was about to cook you."
"I didn't talk her into it, I shoved her in - it was do or die at that stage."
"I heard about that," NT spoke up, "It must've been horrible to have to make that decision."
"At that point, it wasn't difficult at all. Gretel stepped toward NT and touched her on the shoulder, expression softening. Her voice became tender and reassuring as she addressed NT's concerns. "I really don't think she suffered much. It took me years to figure out that sometimes magic people like that also have ways of making themselves go comatose and not feel the pain. Like Criterion here," Gretel indicated Criterion, "managing to survive all that was done to him. This witch only screamed for a while, and it was out of rage more than anything else. And I didn't like what I had to do to save myself and my brother, but it was either gonna be her, or us, and we definitely would've been in agony. So there was just no other way."
NT nodded, looking relieved.
"Now," Gretel said, straightening up again, "About those rings. Bez, you wanted to know if they could take more than one person on a transport. They can. All it would require is for me to be touching one of you, and that one touching someone, and so on, if we all joined hands, and I put my hand into the pocket and touched that ring," she indicated the pocket with the yellow ring inside, "We'd all get transported to a place the Narnia books call The Wood Between The Worlds, and we'd arrive into it by coming up out of a pool."
Bez grinned. "Swim party, anyone?"
"A pool?" Ameh paled, and exchanged a look with Ariel.
NT shook her head, "Mom, Ameh, maybe you guys shouldn't - " she trailed off and looked at Gretel, "They're - well, not fond of water."
"Oh, right!" said Gretel, "I think I remember reading something about that." She shrugged. "It isn't like ordinary water. It doesn't wet you or make you unable to breathe. But I don't want to put anyone through something that'll remind them of something else extremely unpleasant."
"Well, if you two would rather remain behind, Capri or I can always come and get you ourselves if something comes up that's of particular interest." Pippi offered.
Ameh nodded, looking relieved.
Looking at Ariel and Ameh, Gretel said, "No problem, if you two are up to it some other time, just let me know, and I'd be happy to try and help you acclimate to this method of transport. Don't worry about it, mates. It took me several trips to get used to it, and the very first time scared me out of my wits."
"Yeah, but you don't even have my - aversion - to being submurged, right," said Ameh, who always felt inexplicably embarrassed over her fear of water.
"You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Ameh," said Gretel, "We're all weirded out by something, and from what I've read of your history, you have every dang right to have this particular weird-out."
Ameh giggled nervously, but nodded, glad to be understood and not jeered at for this vulnerability.
"And whether you feel you can attempt it or not, Mom," said NT to Ariel, "I'd rather you didn't. Tompkins put you through more than your share." The rage at the horrible things that had been done to her mother at the hands of that sadistic mage, still very much evident in NT's expression and tone.
So, it was agreed that Ariel and Ameh would forgo trying any transport via the rings, at least for now.
So, the party got started, with everyone agreeing that experimentation with the transport could wait a bit. There was plenty of free time to simply kick back and have a blast before Ameh and Ariel left for home and the others' adventures got underway.
"Hey, Matrix."
"Eh?"
"About the holo-"
"No worries, Bez. Those within a certain perimeter will see the Nautilus for what it really is, but outside that area, and it will look like a rather uninteresting tool shed. I don't think we'll be disturbed."
Bez nodded. "Great." She turned to the others. "Hey, anyone up for some exotic food?"
"Yaaaaaah!" Indy exulted.
"Jupiter bars!" Madonna and NT chorused., after which, Madonna whooped, and NT giggled.
"Leave some for me!" Indy pleaded.
"We should be asking that of YOU!" Madonna kidded.
"Move over, guys, you got competition!" Gretel put in with mock fierceness.
"Uh-oh, things could get interesting!" Heidi laughed.
Bez headed aboard the ship, muttering a list of food items to bring out.
"Whatever you've got, just bring it on out, I'm sure there's something for every taste!" Capri said with a laugh.
"Oh, dang it!" Sigma exclaimed. "Hang on a sec, guys, I forgot to bring out Specter!" She ran aboard the ship, nearly running into Bez, who was making her way down the on-ramp, her arms laden with food.
"Hey, watch it!" Bez shot after her tersely, narrowly preventing the food from spilling out of her arms. She looked around the grounds. "Um, table?" She questioned.
Matrix gestured to a suitable picnic table.
"Good. This stuff's gettin' heavy." Bez trotted over to the table and deposited the food. "All right, now no one go and eat all of something." She said with a knowing smile. "And make sure you guys save some of the Ceti Fizzers for me. Gotta have my soda."
Those who wanted to sample the food all stepped up to the table.
Sigma emerged from the Nautilus, her pet Fifet, Specter, perched on her shoulder.
He chittered excitedly upon seeing new faces. Sigma patted him on the head as she walked over to the table. Specter gave her ear a playful nip, chirping a greeting at everyone else.
"Oh!" NT, who couldn't resist a cute creature, forgot all about the Jupiter bar she had started munching on. She discarded it on the table and approached Sigma. "Cute! What is he?"
Sigma grinned. "He's a Fifet. They're found all over in the wild in the twin planets of Dio and Eos. Some of the wild ones have wingspans of ten feet. But, little Specter is a domesticated breed. He'll probably only have a foot wide wingspan by the time's he's done growing."
Gretel was next to line up, but she picked up what she was eating and continued munching on her way over toward Sigma while NT and Specter were getting acquainted.
Specter hopped over to NT's shoulder, poking at her playfully, causing her to giggle. He chittered excitedly, and flapped into the air. He circled her a few times before landing gently on top of her head. He squeaked proudly, and set about to preening his downy white feathers. It was a comical sight.
Fifets already had a cute, amusing appearance, looking like fluffy, white-feathered mini-pterodactyls. This coupled with Specter's antics produced several chuckles and giggles.
NT was grinning from ear to ear.
Soon, there was a line of people waiting their turn to meet Specter.
"Ameh tapped NT on the shoulder, "Remind you of when you still had Mia and you took her out in public and everybody would stop to look at her and ask questions?"
"Yes," NT replied, "Too bad Akina's not ready for that yet, and yes, I still miss Mia."
Specter chirped encouragingly, nipping NT.
This produced another giggle from the girl.
As Specter enjoyed his new-found attention, Bez slurped down a Ceti Fizzer. She chuckled. "Sigma, your pet's such a card." She called. "Hmmm...anyone up for some games?"
"Oh crap, I should've brought my Ipad." said Gretel.
"You've got an Ipad!?" Ameh squealed.
NT giggled.
"Whatever you've got, and from the looks of Gretel, she's probably up for the challenge." said Capri with a grin.
"Heh, heh!" Gretel laughed.
"I'll just stay here and keep Specter company," said NT.
"Uh-oh, looks like new best friends in the making," Ameh grinned, "Sure, I'll have a go at something if it's a game I'm familiar with or can learn quickly."
"All righty, just gimme a sec to round up everything." Bez said, gulping down another Fizzer before heading to the Nautilus for games.
When she returned, Ameh, Heidi, Misery and Pippi decided to play Monopoly, while Capri, Indy and Gretel opted for Battle Bots.
Indy and Capri had a difficult time just keeping their bots in the game, because Gretel's tactics were so fierce, quick and unpredictable that neither of the others knew when she would strike and where she'd come from.
"Hahahaha! That was a sinch!" Gretel said triumphantly when she creamed the other two.
"Easy for you to say," said Indy.
"Yeah, rub it in," Capri retorted, "Somebody oughta put a warning sign on her, she's wicked!"
Gretel gave a wicked giggle.
NT continued happily interacting with Specter, venturing to reach for him and touch him with one of her hands.
Specter snuggled up to her hand, letting out a pleased, chirpy purr.
She chuckled at him affectionately and gave him a hand-snuggle.
"Hey guys, I just realized something!" Bez exclaimed. "We don't have any tunes! Least there's no need for me to go aboard for that. Music requests can be given to Matrix or he can just put our crew playlist on shuffle. Either way."
"How about "Walking On The Sun" or "Money For Nothing?" Indy suggested.
"Haha," Pippi laughed, "You're such an Indy!"
"How about "Where No One Knows Me?" NT suggested.
"That one too," Indy grinned.
"Why not let Gretel and Criterion have first pick, since they are the newcomers?" Misery suggested.
"Oh, cool!" Gretel said, "Um, well...If you have the cleaned up version of "Building A Mystery" that'd be awesome. Or since we're kind of a space outfit, "Drops Of Jupiter?"
"Oh! I love that one!" Misery exulted.
So the music began with "Drops Of Jupiter"
Bez rifled through the crate full of games. "Ah!" She shouted triumphantly, producing a large worn box. "Oh, Matrix!" She crooned. "Look what I found!"
Matrix looked over. A shocked smile burst over his face. "You're kidding! I thought we lost that!"
"So did I. But, obviously, it was just hiding."
"What is it?" Criterion asked curiously, taking the box from Bez and examining its cover. "I have to admit, I can't tell much from such a weathered box."
"This," Bez said proudly. "Is only the coolest dang board game ever made. Got it for my 13th birthday. They only made a hundred of them."
Criterion nodded. "But you still haven't told me what it is."
Bez grinned. "This is Starscape. Up to twenty players, teams optional. The objective of the game is to, in essence, tame solar systems. Now, 'tame' is a very open word. You can explore, colonize, attack, whatever." She looked around for an open patch of ground. Once she found a suitably flat spot, she carried over the large box, opened it, and placed a football sized metal object on the ground. "Now watch the magic." Bez said with a mischievous grin.
The object hummed to life, projecting a small menu. "PLAYERS." It demanded in a monotone voice.
"Wow!" and "Cool!" Madonna and Indy chorused as they drew closer to get a better look.
"Anyone up for a little high octane, incredibly awesome space adventuring?" Bez asked.
"You know I'm in!" Matrix cheered.
"Me too." Sigma said.
"I will give it a try." Criter said, smiling.
Thande nodded.
Pippi, Capri, Misery and Heidi, Ameh, and Gretel all gathered around.
"Do you want to join them?" Ariel asked NT.
"No, I'll just stay here with Specter," she answered.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. Are you going to play?"
"No, I wouldn't know how. I should get back home anyway and get a little gardening done."
So Ariel and NT said their see-you-laters, and Ariel went on her way.
But NT sat contentedly, snuggling Specter and singing along with any songs which played that she knew.
"Great!" Bez said, once all those who wanted to play had come forth. "Now, everyone say your name when the computer prompts you to."
"PLAYERS." It demanded again.
"Bez Marshall." Bez declared.
The computer prompted the players to state their names at a steady methodical pace.
"Madonna Gale.
"Indianna Who."
"Ameh Chase."
Etc.
As the last name was stated, the holographic menu faded.
"Welcome," The computer began. "To Starscape." The projector unleashed a glorious image of outer space that surrounded the players completely, blocking out the school-ground entirely.
"Oh, awesome!" Gretel exclaimed.
She wasn't the only one to make utterances of amazement.
A large futuristic game board appeared in the center of the spacescape. It displayed a myriad of solar systems, each one unique.
Bez grinned wickedly. "And here's where it gets interesting. We pick solar systems, entirely different ones, or we can compete for the same system if we want to. Once selected, we explore, we quest, we adventure! Anything is possible." She chuckled. "And I assume some of you have plans later, so I'll set a time limit. Whoever has the most points by the end of the game wins."
So the players teamed up and divided, choosing which solar systems to explore, colonize, save, or compete for.
The game had been glorious. After several hours of intense space exploration, meeting new species, even setting up the odd colony or two, the detailed space projection imploded on its self, vanishing.
"WINNER:" The computer began, managing to make a dramatic pause even with it's monotone voice. "DRAW. ENTER SUDDEN DEATH?"
Bez stretched. "H'm, any of you guys up for sudden death? I though that was a pretty good game."
"Heh, heh, sure, let's go for it." said Gretel with a wicked grin.
"Uh-uh, count me out," said Indy, "I know when to bug out of here."
"Scaredy-cat," Gretel said with a broad grin.
"Or just a wise one." said Indy.
Capri smirked and nodded. "Well, I'm finished, too, it was a good game."
"Yes, the visuals were fantastic." Misery agreed.
Bez smiled. "Oh, you haven't seen anything yet! You think that's fantastic, you oughta try space-skating in the Orion Nebula." She paused thoughtfully. "Hmmm...really, we ought to bring you guys sometime. It'll knock your socks off. Think we have enough skates...and if not, I can always build some. But I suppose that'll have to wait...it's gettin' on in the day. I mean, I've got nothing to do, but I'm sure some of you have things you need to finish up today. What say we meet back up here tomorrow morning to set our new adventure in motion?" She grinned. "Hey, tell ya, what, I'll make breakfast. It'll be...out of this world."
There were various agreements made, and the groups separated.
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