Original publishing date: 2/28/01
The newt was choking. Gharial smirked as the lavender alien hovered in the air before him, its eyes beginning to bulge out of its head. “I, I told you already” he stammered, I don’t know where it is.” A wave of his hand, and the newt fell with a sickening thud to the ground. “You had besst find my artificact” Gharial whispered, “or you and your brood will die. Now once again, where iss it?” The newt’s eyes were darting back and forth, a sure sign that he was stalling. “Wait, I think I know; I mean, I’ve heard rumors. There’s this station, out in the Capricorn sector, very remote, run by some independent Terrans. My sources tell me that your artifact was taken there, to trade.”
“The name, weakling…now!” hissed Gharial. The newt could feel his throat beginning to squeeze shut. “Rogue station, er, I mean, Island, that’s it! You will find your treasure on Rogue Island Station.”
“Commander, sensors report the fire in the juice bar on level 12 has been extinguished,” Floyd toned in his standard male voice. “Thanks, Floyd” said Darian, relieved to hear another crisis averted. “That’s the good news” said Floyd. “The bad news is how the fire was extinguished” he said. “I’ll give you a clue: lots of very drunk aliens, and the restrooms in the bar are out of order.” “I get the picture” said Darian. “Is there a clean up crew assigned to the sector?” “Already on its way” said Floyd, whose voice had now become female. The change reminded Darian that he had walked into another part of the station. “I’ll be in the Command center if needed, Floyd” Darian chimed. Of course, he knew that Floyd was always aware of his location, it was part of his job. He just liked giving the order. Now if he could just make it there before another problem arose, the rest of the day might not be so bad.
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